Return of the King!

[gnarfflinger]

The Scene: Tuesday night Triumph coming off NeXuS. The camera pans the capacity crowd, excited to see live GHW action, and many holding signs encouraging their favourites and demanding ill fortune befall others on the roster.

Colin: Welcome to Tuesday Night Triumph! I'm Colin "the Fuzz" Jennings and I'm here at ringside with Big Al Mulligan. Folks we're coming off an amazing show on the weekend where a new GHW World Heavyweight Champion was crowned! He is none other than the legend himself, Gnarfflinger the Butcher!

Big Al: Trickshot got screwed! Gnarfflinger lost a match months ago ending his GHW career. He shouldn't have been in the ring at Nexus, I'm filing a protest!

With those comments, the house lights turn red. The unmistakable strains of "Iron Man" by Black Sabbath flood the arena. Gnarfflinger the Butcher comes down the ramp, GHW World Championship belt on his shoulder and a Frying pan in his hand. The Crowd Noise begins to drown out the entrance music.

And Here he is, Ladies and Gentlemen, The New Champion!

Someone call security, he doesn't belong in a GHW arena. And get our belt off his shoulder...

And what does that say about Trickshot? He couldn't stop the Butcher at Nexus!

The Champion makes his way to the ring, and receives a microphone from ring announcer Charlie Coors. With the crowd reaction not yet subsided, the Butcher hops to the second rope, holds the belt and frying pan high in the air, garnering another huge pop. After the pop, the crowd quiets down to hear what the new champ has to say.

GtB: It's great to be Home!

The Crowd roars with approval. The camera pans the crowd, now nearly obscured by signs welcoming the legend to the scene of his greatest accomplishments.

I've been watching for months now, and while I see a roster of hungry talent, the brass ring at the top remained unclaimed. Why is that? Why is it that on my name alone, I was able to come in after months away and claim the top prize? For the benefit of those who haven't figured out the concept of grasping the brass ring, it's right here...

The Butcher taps the championship belt.

But I don't lay the chaos on the young guys, but on GHW Management--for running off a number of established superstars. I got my credibility by getting over off guys that had established their name. But in the last year or so, how many established stars have left the company for whatever reason?

Why that ungrateful bum! Doesn't he know better than to bit the hand that feeds him?

At least then he shouldn't have to worry about where that hand as been...

The way this business works is the same way it always has worked--the younger guys make their names by going through the older guys. The ones that make it do, and the ones that fail are forgotten. That's why I'm here--to be that roadblock. I like being the champ, and I'll do what it takes to remain the champ, but the title only means anything if there's a fighting champion holding the belt. The mismanagement of this company assures me that they have hand picked an opponent for Tried and Convicted, but my calendar shows a few weeks between now and then, so once we find our who the challenger is for next month, maybe some of you in the back also want to say something to me...

TBC: The announcement, then perhaps the floor is open...

[Metal Dragon]

"Maiden, Mother, and Crone" by The Sword hits the PA as the crowd turn their attention to the top of the entrance ramp. Metal Dragon walks through the curtain in a blue button-up shirt and khaki pants with a microphone in his left hand, making a beeline to the ring past the cheering fans. MD walks up the ring steps before going through the ropes, getting into the ring.

MD: "First of all, congratulations on defeating that ingrate for the GHW Championship."

The crowd quiets down, surprised by the certainly surprising attitude of the general manager.

Al: "Well, he is right. Trickshot certainly isn't the most deserving..."

Fuzz: "What are you talking about? That was a great match and both of those guys were worthy of the title."

Gnarff: "Thank you for the chance."

"Well, you're welcome, and thank YOU for keeping Trickshot away from that title. See, I wanted to prove something to him... I wanted to prove that he's not nearly as good as he thinks he is. I wanted to prove that even an old and decrepit man past his prime, like yourself, was better."

Booing is directed at Dragon, who looks Gnarfflinger in the eyes. Anger builds up in The Butcher as the narcissistic MD continues.

"As for your first title defense, I need to unify two more belts. Carnage will take you on, and the winner will combine the TV and GHW Championships to win... Well, it'll stay the GHW Title, but I need to consolidate, that's the point. If a roster's twelve people, then having three belts makes championships meaningless."

"That's true, championships should be for the elite, not just for every four people."

"Wait, twelve? I thought it was eleven after the post-NeXuS cuts..."

"And yes, I know the roster was eleven people, but I have gotten some talent to come back. Gnarfflinger, at Tried and Convicted, you will fight in a Triple Threat Match against Carnage... and this man... Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome back The Proeliator to GHW!"

"Whoa!"

"Whoa is right... I can't believe he's being brought back."

TBC Proeliator

[Backyard Brawler//Proeliator]

The crowd shifts their attention back towards the entry way, curious to see if this is true that the Proeliator has returned to action in God's and Heretics Wrestling. "I'm Broken" by Pantera begins to play over the speakers and sure enough, the formerly fired Proeliator walks out onto the stage to a surprised crowd, not knowing how to react to this man who never made an official appearance in the ring before getting fired months ago.

Making his way towards the squared circle with haste, the master of the armbar ignores the chants from the crowd and the few fans hoping for a chance to get a handshake or a high five. Rolling into the ring underneath the bottom rope, the Proeliator signals for a microphone and then addresses the crowd.

Pro:~ Surprised to see me? You shouldn't be. After all, I am the best damn pure Fighty fighty person in this business today, and no one, not even Trickshot, can deny me the opportunity to prove to you fans, and everyone else on this planet, including you, Gnarffy, that I am the best pure Fighty fighty person in the world.

Crowd begins to boo the Proeliator, but he continues on, ignoring them as they get louder.

Pro:~ I was fired because of management, not because of talent, and now that this idiot has dispatched of him, it has set the stage for my return. So, congratulations, you have set yourself up for your own funeral. The fact that we have a champion well beyond his prime and there isn't a credible opponent for him this side of the wrestling world, Metal Dragon deemed it necessary to enlist one of his good pals to come and restore this decrepit company to its former glory.

Crowd begins to throw garbage into the ring, but the Proeliator keeps on with his little speech, but gets up into the face of Gnarfflinger.

Pro:~Step one in restoring its former glory, eliminating the weak and the old, to set the stage for the new to begin their rise. Euthanizing those who should no longer be here because their time has come and gone. I look at the roster and I see no man who is worthy of this championship, besides myself. I have been brought here to achieve a goal, and the ends, justify the means. If that means I have to kill you to get that title, then so be it, gramps.

Colin Jennings:~ What is he on about?

Big Al :~ I have not a clue, but I don't know why he was fired in the first place, he's already made this show ten times more exciting in three minutes than it had been for months.

TBC: MD or Gnarff

[gnarfflinger]

First off, "boss", because you went there, I'll tell you what I really think about management--You've taken over a ship that they've steered into numerous icebergs. They put the Captain's hat on you and advised you to rearrange the deck chairs! My first year here, at World Wars, we had one Hell of an 8 man tag--One one side, the Coven, on the other side, The Human Wreckingball, Rhaps, Skorpio and I. 6 of those 8 left the company because they couldn't stomach the bullshit.

But that's not my fault...

You're right, it's not, but you're the one stuck with the mess. Hell two years ago, I went to war with Vladmir T. Strife at NeXuS!

The crowd cheers at that memory.

And Where's Kingbear? Dave Carter? Hayden Hardkore? Matt Olivera? Brian Commonwealth? I could continue this all night, but you get the picture...

What's your point, old man?

My point is that with all the bodies, brains and bridges that have been burnt out over the last couple years, this company is a shell of what it was. Hell, Even I was on the shelf for months with a broken body and burnt out mind. Skull pointed out what this company has become a few weeks back, but all he had was a claim that he would save us all. But the truth is that it's not one guy that makes a company like GHW, SWF or any other promotion great, but the whole roster. My question to you, MD, is are you willing to set aside your ego and manage or does your pride demand that you control guys that by the very nature that attracts them to this business are uncontrollable?

He turns to Proeliator.

So you're back. Who are you again? It doesn't matter. What matters is whether this is a revolution in GHW or just a coup to replace one egomaniac with another. A thing to remember about us old farts in this business--we're survivors. We have been everywhere, done everything, and have forgotten more than many of you young punks will ever know. But in the months I was away, what brought me back wasn't just the flood of contract offers from promoters around the world, not the money, but these fans! That's the reminder of why I do this! Whether I was the hero that they rallied behind or the scumbag that they paid to see get the shit beat out of him, it was the opportunity to entertain them that made me feel I was doing something worthwhile with my life. That's what got me out of bed the next morning.

With that the crowd is on their feet.

While you see your duty at Tried and Convicted as "culling the herd", I see it as manning the gates of greatness, to keep out those really lacking talent, and barring entry to those too proud to pay the price of success. I've already made it into the club. Do you have it between the ears and in your heart to be a legend? Or will you be just another guy who should have made it but never did?

TBC: MD, Proeliator, or anyone else wanting a crack at the champ...

[Skull]

As Gnarfflinger stops speaking, the arena lights suddenly fade out to a dim red glow, plunging the arena into near-darkness.

Colin: What the hell is going on now?

The Fuzz's question is soon answered as the titantron flickers to life and the words It Came From Hell drip down it in blood red letters that signal the arrival of "The Pureblood" Skull.

Colin: Well it seems that Skull wants to inject himself into the proceedings. No surprise there then.

Big Al: Of course Skull is here, he's the Saviour of GHW.

Skull steps out onto the stage but instead of joining his fellow superstars in the ring, he stays put and produces a microphone from his cloak.

"Well isn't this fun. Gnarff is the champ once again. Congratulations on your success. Oh the irony."

His voice cracks as he finishes the sentence, marking his usually deadpan face with an expression of vulnerability. The champ eyes him suspiciously, wondering what he means by irony.

"I often talk about my first ever match in GHW, i was SCW's champ, i beat GHW's champ to unify the belts. We've heard it all before. But my second ever match, you know all about that don't you, Gnarff? Because that was when you took it all away from me and crushed my dreams. And seeing you win that title at Nexus brought it all back to me and made me relive the nightmare. And i realised that now, 2 years later, I'm no further up the ladder, I'm still in the exact same place, at the bottom of the mountain looking up at you sitting atop it in your throne.
So I looked to the heavens for answers, Gnarff and I saw the stars. And the stars, they told me a tale, no they told me a prophecy; that everything would come full circle. You see in GHW's genesis, you beat me for that title and now in GHW's post-apocalypse, I'll return the favour. I've waited 2 whole years but finally the stars have aligned once again and now my time has finally come."

Big Al: Well that's it, Skull has officially lost it.

Colin: But just imagine how he feels. Skull was once the hot rookie, tipped to be the future but now the future is the present and nothing has changed he's still not in Gnarff's position.

Big Al: True, and that's why he's lost it. Me and Skull are very similar, always running some angle and trying to play somebody but there's no way I can buy into this. Stars and alignments and prophecies. It's nonsense. He's finally cracked, Fuzz.

Colin: It would definitely be a sad day if this raving lunatic was allowed anywhere near the GHW title.

Seemingly not finished, Skull turns his attention to the Proeliator.

"But there's a problem because The Butcher isn't defending that belt against me he's defending it against you and Carnage.
Carnage, our TV champ. You beat D Money, big achievement. You call yourself the TV champ but get in my way and, you're gonna have a face for radio after I hit you with The Bloodline.
Then Proeliator. You were not supposed to be here. You were not foretold by the stars. You are just an anomaly and if I am to fulfill the prophecy then I'll have to erase you."

The Proeliator glares at Skull, silently telling him to bring it but "The Pureblood" still isn't finished.

"But I have a plan. I need to make sure that Gnarff retains at Tried and Convicted so that he can lose the belt to me. So to do this i need to weaken you and Carnage. So hows this, a tag match before the PPV, Skull and Gnarfflinger vs Carnage and Proeliator? That way I can make sure that you two are in no fit state to compete come Tried and Convicted."

Big Al: I would love to see that match.

Colin: Maybe so, but Skull doesn't make the matches around here.

TBC by whoever

[Tyler Angel]

As the arena ponders on Skull's preposition, "Way of The Fist" by Five Finger Death Punch suddenly hits the P.A. system and quickly begins blaring loudly around the arena. The curtains are immediately pushed aside, allowing the T.V. champion to emerge with his championship oddly hung around his neck and a GHW microphone clutched tightly in his hand. The tune comes to an abrupt end as Carnage reaches the middle of the walkway, bringing the microphone to his lips and addressing the arena in a maniacal tone.

<:Carnage:>
"I don't know who you think you are Skull, waltzing your way down here and demanding this, that and the third. I don't care what you think of me, but as far as I'm concerned about you, your a loud mouthed, overrated twerp. And in the future, don't concern your self with business, because your a feeble minded maggot and you are of no importance in this equation.

As for your tag team proposition, I could crush both you an Gnarfflinger by myself, no problem.

And speaking of that abomination, Gnarfflinger, these terms have been thrown around countless times throughout wrestling history but they have never been more true...YOU ARE SITTING ON BORROWED TIME!

Trickshot is by far the worse superstar I have ever seen. He lost to you and that speaks volumes about his career. But in your case, I'm gonna take pride in shattering your cranium, shattering your pectorals, breaking your chicken neck, and rendering you unconscious as I walk away with that GHW Championship that I am destined to unify.

And as for you Proeliator, you are meaningless. Your flashy words and agendas amount to nothing in the ring. And you'll soon find that out at Tried and Convicted when I snap you like a twig and leave you bathing in your own toxic blood. "

After his strong statement, the imposing T.V champion hangs his arm down, awaiting for anyone with the audacity to challenge his statement.

[Metal Dragon]

"Needless to say, that is exactly why I picked Proeliator here to take both of you out."

The focus is once again turned to Metal Dragon, who raises an eyebrow as he keeps talking.

"Tried and Convicted, you two hairy and stupid simians will be destroyed, and The Proeliator can carry this company with some class. As for you Skull, I have no problem with an ambitious individual like yourself demanding a shot, just prepare to face this man here..."

Dragon pats Pro on the shoulder, confident in the abilities of his enforcer.

"...instead of Gnarfflinger."

Gnarff scowls at his boss, the crowd once again booing the words of Metal Dragon.

"Now... Skull, you've got your tag match. I like that idea... I REALLY like it. It's gonna happen under hardcore rules next week. Don't regret making up this match. Now everyone get out of my ring; we have a show to put on."

"Maiden, Mother, and Crone" strikes up again as MD backs up to the ropes, then steps onto the apron before jumping down to the floor.

Al: "What a blockbuster match we'll have next week! I can't wait!"

Fuzz: "I can't wait for Metal Dragon and his new friend to get their just desserts."

Proeliator exits the ring as well, following the general manager up the ramp.

End of Thread

(OOC: Next week = the card I'm putting up on Tuesday, since this takes place on last Tuesday's card. Just eliminating any confusion. Good luck to you all, and thank you Skull for the match idea.)