Unscripted - Austin Reynolds vs. Blade, Phoenix or Beckford - Elite X Championship

[Phoenix]

Elite X Champion Austin Reynolds has spent the last month wondering who his opponent will be at Unscripted? Turns out this will be beyond the control of any member of management as the fans will be voting not only for his opponent but for the match stipulation too. The fans will have to decide between Chris Beckford, Phoenix and Blade as Reynolds' opponent, but we have received word on what stipulations will be chosen.

If Blade is chosen, then they will face off in a 30 Minute Iron Man match; if Phoenix is chosen, then the stipulation will be a First Blood match and if Chris Beckford is chosen, they will contest in another WZCW first, an Inferno Match. Quite a choice to choose from, the stakes could never be higher for our Elite X Champion, has he got what it takes to face either of his opponents? Word is also getting out that even if the other two guys are not chosen, their night will not be an early one for Unscripted.

This thread is to be used by Austin Reynolds, Blade, Phoenix and Chris Beckford only

Deadline is Tuesday 24th August 23:59 EST

 

[Leeds Guy]

My day started off well, woke up this morning and had a wonderful breakfast, replied to some Emails responded to some texts and just generally did usual stuff. Today I was going to be a guest on KWPF radio station to promote Unscripted and talk about the potential match I could have. I jumped at the chance, as it would give the fans some insight of what to expect at the PPV. This could be one of the greatest WZCW PPV's of all time and it felt good to be apart of that as the matches from top to bottom are all stellar. I thought about the main event, a fatal 4 way Hell in A Cell match and the opportunity Dr Steven Kurtesy had. I wished it was me who had that opportunity but I had my chance I was eliminated in the battle royal match up. I could say it was because the battle royal took place immediately after I had had a gruelling tag team match up but I don't want to be making excuses....it's not my time for the World Heavyweight Championship yet. I wish Kurtesy well; it would be a major upset if he did indeed win the title but fair play to him for taking his chance. I then thought about the career vs. title match involving Titus and Big Dave and John Constantine’s match up which I was sure the radio presenters would be asking me about. But something has had me feeling worried and unsure and I think it's that, should the fans vote me in; my match at Unscripted will be an Inferno match.

I couldn't stop thinking about it as I drove towards the KWPF radio station. The higher ups in WZCW had seen me and Austin Reynolds beat the holy hell out of each other for the last few months and at Unscripted the only chance I have of taking the Elite X Championship away from him comes in one of the most dangerous matches of all time. I suppose the more I thought about it the more I understood where they were coming from, it's a match neither me nor Austin expected to be thrown into but I do have a slight advantage. At least I know what to prepare for. I chuckled as I thought about Austin preparing himself for an Inferno match, an Iron match or a First Blood match. That's a lot of pressure and it's something I'm glad I didn't have to go through. The possibility of an Inferno match scared me mainly because of the damage this match could do to the human body. It could scar me for life. This was undoubtedly going to be the biggest test of my career to date.

As I pulled up to the Radio station I was met by a wave of fans all telling me they were going to vote me in and wishing me luck. Little did they know how scared I actually was. As I waited at the Reception I wondered if Austin was just as worried as me. We are both at the start of our careers and I'm sure he didn't want to do anything that would jeopardize his future as much as I didn't want to jeopardize my own. I thought back to our tag team match last week and how well we worked to beat Blade and Phoenix. I realised that with the Elite X title of the line he will do all he can to get out of there with his title intact and I was going to need to do something special to take it away from him. I thought back to Redemption and Apocalypse and how he had gotten the better of me at those events, it was because he wanted it more and I needed to find the same desire to prize that title from his iron grip. I was ushered into a small waiting room and we went through some of the stuff I would be asked on the radio show. Then I was left all alone...alone with my thoughts. I thought about Sam. Why wasn't he here with me? I think he is upset with me for meeting Austin Reynolds at Elland Road without him last week. I don't think he understands that in WZCW something’s have to be done in the spur of the moment. He has been acting kind of weird for a while now I think something's up with him. There was a knock at the door.

Radio Station Worker: 5 Minutes Mr Beckford.

5 minutes. I started to think about what I was going to say, to come off confident about the match and PPV. I know for a fact that as soon as I step into the ring I'll more confident than ever it's just the waiting that kills me. I like to just get in there and get the job done rather than waiting to see if I do in fact have a match against the Elite X Champion. I then contemplated what would happen to the people who don't get voted in. If I didn't get voted in to face Austin who would I face as WZCW.com said our nights wouldn't be an early one. I have to be prepared just in case.

Radio Station Worker: It's time Mr Beckford, could you please follow me.

I followed the guy into a studio booth and met up with the Radio presenters. Ron Harewood and Lily Swift, it was time to get down to business.

Harewood: And we're back with Ron and Lily in the Afternoon and boy do we have a special guest for you right now.

Swift: This man consistently puts his body on the line week in and week out to entertain millions of people in WZCW. All the way from Leeds England, please welcome Chris Beckford. Chris it's a pleasure to have you here.

Beckford: It's a pleasure to be here, thanks for having me on.

Harewood: Now this weekend it's a big night for WZCW they have their Unscripted PPV can you tell us a little bit about it?

Beckford: Of course, this is the one night that the fans have complete control over what happens. They can vote for who they want in the matches and what match type they want to see. I'm really excited about it as I can assure you it will be a fantastic show.

Swift: Can you tell us some of the matches that they could vote for?

Beckford: Yeah sure. For example the WZCW Tag Team titles are on the line as the Pride of Toyota defends against Reckless Youth and Mark Hancock and Matt Fox. Now you guys can vote for what match type you want them to have between an Elimination match, a Table Elimination match or a Championship Scramble match. All three matches offer great entertainment.

Swift: Which one would you vote for?

Beckford: Me? I’d probably go for the Championship scramble match as the title can change hands many times during that 20 minute period.

Harewood: Will you be in action at the PPV?

Beckford: Erm yeah I will be. If the fans vote me in I'll be in an Elite X Championship match against Austin Reynolds in an Inferno Match. Now an Inferno match is basically a normal match expect there is a ring of fire surrounding us and the first person to set their opponent on fire wins the match up. Now add in the history between Austin and me and we could see a match of the night candidate.

Swift: That sounds dangerous. Can you tell us about your history with Austin Reynolds?

Beckford: It is dangerous that’s why the folks at home should never try to imitate us. With Austin he kind of used me to make a name for himself. He sneak attacked and cheated his way past me on more than one occasion. He became won the Elite X Championship which is a title I’ve been chasing for a long time now. In recent weeks he has changed his attitude and looks like he is becoming a better person but when we are in the ring we are all enemies.

Harewood: Can you tell us anything about the main event matches?

Beckford: Yeah the World Heavyweight Championship is on the line in a Hell in a Cell match which basically means a big cage surrounds the competitors. It's a fatal 4 way match as well meaning the Champion doesn't have to be pinned to lose his belt. Vengeance is the Champion and going up against his former ally Ty Burna, A hungry Showtime Cougar and a surprise entry Dr Steven Kurtesy. Also Former WZCW Champion Titus puts his career on the line against the EurAsian Champion Big Dave. Both matches are sure to be out of this world.

Swift: So what does the future hold for Chris Beckford?

Beckford: Hopefully the Elite X Championship but ultimately I want to be the WZCW Champion, someday I hope it will happen but at the moment I'm quite happy where I am. If you asked anybody in this business they will all say they want to be WZCW Champion because if you don't want to be champion then there is no point being a wrestler. It's a dream and something I wouldn't trade for the world.

Harewood: So there you have it WZCW star Chris Beckford gives his thoughts on the PPV make sure you check it out and vote on WZCW.com.

Beckford: Yeah vote for me (laughs)

Harewood: I'm sure plenty of people will. Chris it's been an absolute pleasure having you on and good luck for the PPV and the future.

Beckford: Thanks guys see ya.

As I left the radio station I jumped into my car, put my I-pod on and felt relaxed. Perhaps I was letting the thought of being disfigured corrupt my faith and confidence in myself. Maybe I won't even be voted into the match and would have to see what the higher ups had planned for me. Both Blade and Phoenix will be thinking the same thing. Would we be teamed together or perhaps thrown into a match with each other? Both men would be a great asset to team with but could I trust either of them? Probably not. I’ve faced Blade and Phoenix before and could definitely get the job done against them. All situations considered I knew this was going to be a memorable night in the career of Chris Beckford.

 

[Blade]

The camera opens with Blade sitting next to a young child in a hospital bed, with Blade seemingly reading a book to the child. The child is forcing a smile as Blade ‘suddenly’ notices the camera.

Blade: Oh, hi! I didn’t see you there, I was just reading to sick children.

Blade hands the book to the child and gets up before walking away.

Child: (In the background) Hey, you owe me five bucks!

Blade coughs loudly to try cover up the child talking.

Blade: So, you’ve been given a choice on who to vote for in the Elite X championship match at Unscripted. I’m not going to tell you who to vote for.

Blade lets out a badly acted laugh as he walks through the hospital hall.

Blade: But I will tell you why you should vote for me.



The scene changes, showing Blade tending to a hurt puppy in a veterinary clinic. He wraps a bandage around the puppies injured leg and takes off the surgical gloves.

Blade: There ya go, little fella! You see, since I’ve come to WZCW, I’ve shown off a new, entertaining brand of wrestling the likes of which hadn’t been seen in this company and it’s helped sky rocket me to the top. But now I need you, the fans’, help.

A vet walks into the office and looks at Blade, completely confused.

Vet: Who the hell are you? And why did you tape up that puppy’s leg? It healed a week ago! I’m calling the cops!

Blade looks around nervously before shoving the vet out of the office and quickly locking the door.

Blade: Can we edit that out? What do you mean no!? Just turn off the damn camera!



The scene again changes, showing Blade picking up litter on the side of the highway.

Blade: I do this in my spare time because I care about the future, and you should too. The future of the wrestling industry, that is! You see, not only am I the most deserving choice for challenger to the Elite X title, I’m the downright smartest choice! I hold recent victories over both Chris Beckford and Phoenix. And while I’ve never faced Austin Reynolds before, you don’t need me to tell you that it’s one of your dream matches.



The scene changes once again, showing Blade dressed in a nice suit, sitting casually at a desk in the middle of a nice office.

Blade: I urge you to make the right choice, the choice that you and everyone else wants. A vote for Blade is a vote for the future. And a vote for the future is a vote for next Sunday. And a vote for Sunday is a vote for God. If you vote any other way, you must hate God. You don’t hate God... Do you? Vote Blade.

Blade puts on a cheesy grin as the words “Vote Blade!” appears across the screen for a few moments.

Cameraman: Annnd cut! That’s a wrap.

Blade stands up and smirks.

Blade: That went excellently!

Cameraman: You’re.... You’re kidding, right?

Blade: Of course not! Constantine was right, a great promo video could make anyone want to vote for you!

The cameraman walks out of the office shaking his head as Vance Bateman enters.

Bateman: Are you finally finished with my office?

Blade: Yeah, I’m all done in here.

Bateman: Good. Now you have to uphold your end of the bargain. You’re still going to introduce me to Bono, right?

Blade: Eh, yeah, sure. I’ll tell him to be at Unscripted.

Bateman smiles and sits down at his desk, before looking over some papers.

Bateman: Excellent. Now, go away, I’ve got business to attend to.

Blade leaves Bateman’s office and walks down the hall to his own locker room. As he’s walking down the hall Rebecca Serra catches up with him for an interview.

Rebecca: So Blade, think you’ll be the one to face Reynolds at Unscripted?

Blade: Honestly? Yes, and not just because of my magnificent, Academy Award-worthy promo video, but because it’s destiny.

Rebecca: (under her breath) Destiny. Didn’t see that coming.

Blade: See there’s always been doubters of my destiny, it’s only natural. But now every sign is pointing towards me being in the Elite X championship match at Unscripted. I’ve defeated Beckford and Phoenix. And while I still consider Phoenix an ally, all agreements are off when it comes to the Elite X title. This is not just something I want, it is something I deserve, and I believe the people will be smart enough to make it happen.

Rebecca: Ok Blade, say your promotional video works, say everyone votes for you and you’re in the Elite X championship match at Unscripted. That still doesn’t guarantee you’re going to beat Austin Reynolds and win the title.

Blade’s expression changes, a sneer appears across his face as he pulls out a cigarette and lights it up, shaking his head slightly.

Blade: Austin Reynolds’ title reign is living on borrow time, and it’s an insult to me that he doesn’t realise it. You know that phrase,” anything you can do, I can do better”? Well it seems like a pretty apt description of Reynolds and I. Who did he beat for the title? A Criminal Karnage who was a shadow of his former self? Whatever, I beat Karnage in his prime. Who has he successfully defended against? Chris Beckford? Is that something he’s actually proud of? I destroyed Beckford mere weeks ago. It speaks volumes about Reynolds’ luck if he’s still carrying that title belt while I’m around. But at Unscripted I’m going to make damn sure that Reynolds’ luck runs out.

They reach Blade’s locker room and he flicks his cigarette away before turning to Rebecca.

Blade: Anyway, I’ve gotta go change out of this suit. And unless you want watch, I’d advise you to excuse me. Later, Becky.

Blade walks into his dressing room, leaving Rebecca looking slightly offended as the scene fades.

 

[Thriller Ant]

The scene opens in the bowls of an arena. The camera scans the hallways and peaks into rooms, with no a soul anywhere to be found. This continues for a few more moments, before a voice begins to speak over the silence hovering over the arena.

Emptiness. Nothingness. It’s…unnerving, isn’t it?

The camera continues moving, but stops at a curtain. On the other side, “The Beginning is the End is the Beginning” can be heard beginning to play over a sound system. The camera goes through the curtain, which reveals that the arena is set up for a WZCW taping. The lighting and pyro go off just like they do for Phoenix’s entrance. The voice begins speaking once again, a bit louder this time to compensate for the music and pyro.

This is what I see when I enter the arena each week on Ascension or Meltdown or a pay-per-view. Nothing. I don’t see a crowd. I don’t see the random guys working for the TV production. A lot of the time, I don’t even see my opponent. It’s just me and that ring. I know I am about to go in and try to hurt people, and I don’t need any fulfillment besides that. That’s what makes me the most dangerous man in WZCW.

The camera goes up the steps and into the ring. The music stops, but the lights stay down.

The arena in its current state is Austin Reynolds’ worst nightmare. He calls himself the Ratings Winner and goes around talking about how people tune in just to watch him. He is an entertainer. I, on the other hand, am a wrestler. I couldn’t care less about all those people and whether or not they watch me perform. He needs gratification; I need suffering. He’s a pretty boy; I hide my face from the world. He wants to be loved; I want to be feared.

The camera continues to pan around the dark arena as Phoenix continues to speak.

This match, however, depends on the votes of those same people that Reynolds’ is desperate for the adoration of. Furthermore, if I am chosen, our match will be a First Blood match. It’s not a pretty match. It’s not a match that makes for good TV. It is a fight. It is a test of which man can hurt the other one until a man is left bleeding. It is brutal, disgusting and inhumane. It is perfect for me. The potential of this match is very exciting. It is a chance for me to take someone who is very admired by the fans in Austin Reynolds and use him to show the fans that life isn’t about being loved or getting ratings. Instead, it is the opposite. It is putting your heart out on your sleeve, but getting shot down. It is living your dream on television, only to be canceled because no one watches. It is suffering. No matter who he faces, Reynolds looks forward to being greeted by this at Unscripted.

The lights come up on one side of the ring and a ghostly image appears. It is a few sections of fans, cheering and waving their arms with some of them holding Austin Reynolds signs. After a moment, the arena returns to darkness.

But if he has the misfortune of facing me, this will be what he sees when he leaves.

The lights come up over the ring. The mat is covered with blood. The camera slowly turns toward the stage. Standing there under a single spotlight is Phoenix, looking vaporous like the fans had before, and on his shoulder sits the Elite X Title. The image holds for a few seconds, until the scene closes.

 

[a0161613]

We open to a hazy scene. Nothing is particularly clear. There is noise which is much clearer and recognisable as the buzzing atmosphere of a sold out arena. The blurry images begin to focus and the noise begins to become clearer and as it does, we see Blade and Austin Reynolds within the squared circle.

Reynolds hits a couple of forearms which force the big man back but as Reynolds runs to hit a big move, Beckford appears and trips up Austin by holding onto a leg. In a flash, Austin is dropped by Blade’s devastating Blade Runner slam. Before he can come around and realise what has happened, Chris Beckford has not only scaled the top rope but crushed his chest with a huge Cross Country.

The metallic taste of blood rushes to his throat as quickly as Beckford crushes his chest and before he realises, Austin’s arm is wrenched behind his back, contorted into a horrific angle by The Eternal One, Phoenix whose intense desire is clear as day itself.

As quickly as it came into focus, the picture becomes blurry once again.

Austin wakes up sweating profusely. He grabs his chest and checks his lip instinctively.

Did I just dream that?

Austin quickly realises that it’s his neck that hurts but that dream was so vivid. There is no doubt that recent events had taken their toll. His pulse was racing and he was perspiring by the bucketload. In recent days, his dreams were becoming ever more vivid. He had hoped they had gone away, yet they had only increased. The thoughts of betrayal and the idea of being attacked by friends and foes had interrupted his sleeping pattern recently.

I used to dream of having the best match ever. What had happened to that?

He walked to his ensuite bathroom and turns on the tap. As he allows the cold tap to run, he looks at his face in the mirror. As happy and content as he was with his personal life at the minute, life as the Ratings Winner, as the Elite X champion was causing him to be fraught with concerns about what was coming up next.

He runs the water over the top of his head, allowing it to run down and cool his temple. He takes a few welcome gulps and returns to bed. He was going to need all the sleep he could get if he was going to rewrite the script at the pay-per-view.

*

“So he doesn’t who he is facing?” Hayley can barely get her words out as she has a mouthful of cereal as Dominic pours a glass of orange juice for them both.

“Yeah it could be one of three guys in any type of match. It’s voted for by the fans and will be announced on the night.”

She gulps down more cereal. “That explains so much.”

“How do you mean?”

“He hasn’t been sleeping well. Turns around a lot, is sweaty and can’t settle easily. He seems fine during the day and you wouldn’t guess to look at him but he is exhausted.” There is obvious concern in her voice. She knew his recent schedule was long and tough.

“He is asleep now isn’t he?”

“Yeah last night was particularly bad. I’m glad he got a day off at last. He needs the lie-in.”

“I hate to say it but you know he wouldn’t have it any other way.” Dom’s brutal honesty is typical, without intending to be harsh.

“You think?”

“I know it. He loves what he is doing now. You should see him out there H. He loves being in the ring, he adores doing the autographs signings, the Make a Wish visits and the countless interviews. He is more appreciative of the fans than ever before. He has a new insight, a new appreciation to what the fans mean to the business.”

“So by spending more time with then fans, he thinks he will benefit from it? The ratings, his matches...” Hayley doesn’t truly appreciate the business and how it has taken over and seized upon Austin’s dedication.

“Exactly.”

“He has the title and now he has the fans on side, I don’t think he wants to let it go. He has achieved so much and worked so hard for it and I think he is scared of letting it all go to waste.”

“Oh bless him.” The soft response elicits a laugh from Dom.

“Yeah. Well it doesn’t stop there. This week is going to be particularly busy. I have got phone calls from all over the country wanting to get his thoughts on the match. So I have booked him on a whirlwind tour of sorts. He should have just enough time to recover for the match.”

“Well that’s a start.”

“Yeah he better enjoy the lie-in. It starts today. By the time he gets on his way to the first stop, I should know who he could be facing.”

In a matter of a few hours, Austin had gotten up, showered and dressed, en route to his first interview. His preparation for Unscripted had ended; the road to it was only just beginning.

And it began at an autograph signing where he was the star attraction. Having spent two hours signing everything put in front of him, he then headed to a small booth to the side of the marquee. He was welcomed by a small but smartly dressed guy who connects him up with the relevant equipment before the crowd enters. Austin can’t help but notice at front and centre that a pretty girl whose cleavage he had signed earlier.

Announcer: “So guys and girls! You have his autograph, now you get to his hear his thoughts on his upcoming pay-per-view match at Unscripted. Austin, thanks for coming.”

“It’s a pleasure to see you and all the brilliant fans here!” His presence was greeted by a big cheer but upon speaking he is deafened by whooping approval.

“At Unscripted, you have some challenge. Blade in an Iron Man, Phoenix in a First Blood and Chris Beckford in an Inferno match. Which would you prefer?”

“Well I’m far too pretty to risk my looks in an Inferno match.” Austin laughs a little nervously and so do the crowd in front of him.

“I mean really. Chris Beckford is a fantastic competitor. I know he respects me, even if he wants to deny it. But this kind of match is meant to end a career. I say let the Crashin Movement or Vengeance have this sort of match; go and end careers which do not matter.”

“Beckford and I are the future of this company so I know we will have one more match. It may not be at Unscripted, it may not be in an Inferno match but it will certainly have something on the line because that is just what we expect as competitors.”

“The truth is that when he fails to get my title again, and is left with the experience of being burnt in the process, what will that do to him and his career?”

“That’s a great question and if he wins the vote, it’s going to be an interesting match. What can Phoenix offer to you?”

Austin inhales deeply as he ponders the question. Having multiple opponents had made training especially complicated. What could he do in this situation; is there any preparation he could have done differently?

“A trip into the unknown. Well if he wants my title, he will need to kill me but if he makes me bleed then I guess he will have deserved it. Let’s face facts though. He is unproven at this level. He already shown he can’t compete with Beckford and I at Ascension.”

“Phoenix is going to tell the world that a First Blood match is going to be right up his street. I’m here to let you all know that his street is in the World of No Ratings. Phoenix was born in a town called Boredom. He doesn’t want to come to my planet. I am Ratings. I am Excitement and if he comes to my planet, then he will end up bleeding because he simply won’t be able to cope.”

“A First Blood match will require you to do something you have not done in WZCW and participate in a hardcore rules match. How do you feel about that?”

The anything-goes option that Phoenix offers was intriguing to Austin, yet each man, each stipulation offered testing questions. It was up to him to answer them on the night. His ability to draw, no matter what the build up, would be tested for sure. Could he truly survive when his very identity as the Ratings Winner could be questioned?

“I will have no hesitation in doing hardcore. Whether that means cracking a chair over his head or driving him through a table with the Ratings Killer, if he dare underestimate my ability to do things that will hurt then he will suffer.”

“Phoenix failed at Ascension and he will at Unscripted because I am only just getting into my stride as the Elite X champion. I am living the dream and having the success that he can only of.”

“Some people say that Blade is the biggest threat in this match.”

“Is that what they say?”

“The buzz is that the stipulation is made for him to finally take the chance and seize the brass ring from around your waist?”

He smirks knowingly; he can’t disagree as he knows Blade would love to stretch him for thirty minutes straight.

“Are you going to be able to withstand the challenge of Blade, within the confines of a 30 minute Iron Man match?”

“Blade is sharp as a tack, no doubt. And a 30 minute Iron Man match would be a match of the year candidate for sure. It would take every ounce of ability I have to survive. Every muscle will be tested, every thought process will be crucial, every fan will be entertained.”

And with that last thought in mind, Austin stands up to some cheers and takes the mic for himself.

“And that is what I will do. I promise that for half an hour straight I will have the fans off their seat. For every one of thirty minutes, the roof will be lifted off the place. And for 1,800 seconds, I will work at a pace that Blade will not be able to survive after that.”

He now stands on the chair, which gets a massive reaction.

“I will do that because people are paying to see this match. The pay-per-view will be defined by this match and millions more will pay good money to see it. Some people want to see me lose and plenty want to see me win, but they all want this match to be the match that is worth the money.”

He now stands on the table. It wobbles briefly and while he shows balance, the security rush to stabilise it. He is shouting now over the crowd which has become rapturous and loud.

“And that is what I am all about! I am the money maker for this company! I am the one who brings in the ratings and the viewers stay tuned to see me. ”

He leans over to give some high fives to the fans who desperately reach out to him. He takes a second before speaking again and the crowd calms a little.

“I am the fire that burns in WZCW, I am the blood that the heart pumps to it and I am the hundred mile an hour entertainment that the champion of this division is obliged to supply.”

“I am the Elite X champion and I am not afraid of any challenge!”

The last line is practically drowned out as Austin jumps into the crowd and gets mobbed by his fans. If he was tired or nervous then he didn’t show it at all. He couldn’t wait for the challenge at Unscripted.