Post by Office on Apr 17, 2018 13:03:35 GMT -5
Our opening shot is Mandeville Nelson standing at ringside.
MANDEVILLE NELSON
Hello fans and welcome to Wrestling from the Lion's Road! No, Sam Hewitt is not sick - I'm here because this time of year is special for Lion's Road, it is our anniversary month. Two years ago this great company was founded by the fine folks at Pollo Bucket and in those two years, we've brought forth some of the best professional wrestling not just from the Great Lakes area but all over the world. Next week is another great example of that. Next week is a King of Lions World's Championship bout between defending champion James Edwards and his nemesis - number one contender AJ Knight. These two men are not strangers to one another, they are the only two men to have ever fought over each singles championship Lion's Road has promoted. First it was the Iron, second it was the Heritage and now it's the World's. That of course makes this one of the most prolific rivalries, one of the most stories - they've come a long way in the past two years and now they will be main evening our second anniversary show for the richest prize in our sport. AJ, James...
The camera pans out to show James Edwards on one side, King of Lions Championship on his shoulder. On the other side is AJ Knight, smug as ever.
AJ KNIGHT
See that Iron Road tournament, Mandy. That was touted as being the ultimate test for four bright newcomers in the fall of 2016. Of course, this guy here ended one of their careers and the other guy just didn't have what it takes to compete here. However from the finals onward, there was some lofty expectations for James and I so it should come at no surprise that James and I are in this title picture. We started from the same place, we took vastly different journeys to get here but our paths converge once again. We've gone from James having my number every time we step in the ring, to now being neck and neck. Since we renewed our rivalry in December, neither of us have really been able to establish dominance. Things have changed, things have come a long way but two things have never changed. 1: We really do not like one another, and 2: We bring out the bes-
Edwards cuts AJ off to a pop. AJ smirks.
JAMES EDWARDS
You got it wrong, Mandy, AJ's not my nemesis. I don't hate em' despite what he says. I've given him my respect at least three times on different occasions if I remember right. The issue here is the same one I've always had with him, I'm tired of him acting like he's entitled to shit like the ace title when he hasn't earned, and yeah I ain't very happy about him crashing the post-match of my title win either if I'm being honest.
AJ looks annoyed but smirks.
AJ KNIGHT
I'm sorry what? I haven't earned the right to call myself the ace? If not me then who? You? You've won about as much as you've lost this year. Only loss to my name is at the end of a gauntlet match against a guy who used every dirty trick in the book. Aside from you I've beaten everybody I've fought this year including one Julian Cutlass. Which makes me the only man in Lion's Road to beat him on two separate occasions. I'm curious, what's your record against Cutlass?
A tense pause as AJ holds up both hands, forming the numbers.
AJ KNIGHT
Oh right 0-2! Yeah, you can talk about a stupid referee stoppage costing you the second time but let's be honest, there was a 10 count that we all know you wouldn't have beaten. Not on that leg. So at best you were looking at a double KO. Another thing, the ace doesn't go into an existential crisis when he loses.
AJ shakes his head at Edwards who looks to be struggling to keep his composure.
AJ KNIGHT
Do you want to know what I see when I look at you James? So much missed potential. You're the world champion now, but frankly you could have been so much sooner. You could have been deep into a great world championship reign by now and the only man you have to blame for that is the man in the mirror.
AJ shrugs at Edwards
AJ KNIGHT
And I know what you're thinking. Pot. Kettle. Black. I get that, and I admit last year I got sidetracked way too often. I lost focus on being the champion, what between the Red Army, the Midnight Horsemen, that disgusting piece of shit Jacob Hammerstein. But the difference is that while this was all going on, I was moving forward. I was becoming better. But after Cutlass beat you? It was like something broke. You spent so much time feeling sorry for yourself that it took you six months to find yourself again. While you were on the fast track to irrelevancy, I was honing myself and growing stronger. People talk about 2017, they aren't talking about the year James Edwards had. They're talking about the rise of AJ Knight, my wars with your good for nothing former best friend especially the Texas Deathmatch, the confrontation with Cutlass. But you know something Edwards? They could have been talking about you! If you hadn't wasted 6 months feeling sorry for yourself, you might have been the one to dethrone the King! But instead you're just now reaching your true potential, you're just now the champion everyone thought you were going to be since the Iron Road....
AJ leans in getting right in Edwards' face.
AJ KNIGHT
But now it's too little, too late James. Because now at long last I'm reaching that next level! See James you're a damn fine wrestler, one of the best in the world in fact, but you lack one thing, you need to be the best in the world. (AJ points to his arm) You have it here. (AJ Points to his chest) You have it here...
AJ points to his temple and shakes his head.
AJ KNIGHT
But you don't have it here James. Your doubts consume you time in, time out and so many times, you beat yourself James. If you can't keep your focus on me, that championship is coming home with me. If there's any doubt in you're mind any question in your mind, you won't beat me! And that's a damn fact!
James bites his lip as specks of Knight's spit fly in his direction. He looks at Nelson, then at the crowd, and drops the King of Lions on the ground. He shoves Mandeville aside as he advances on a surprise AJ Knight, a flurry of lightning fast slaps to the face stun Knight before Edwards grabs him and chucks him inside the ring. Edwards slides in behind him, pulls him to his feet and dumps him over the top rope like a stinking bag of garbage. A deafening mixed reaction greets the Burning Heart's descent into the fiery cauldrons of anger. He paces around the ring like a bull, adrenaline surging through his veins. Edwards stomps over in the direction of Knight, who is still coming to from the assault.
JAMES EDWARDS
Goddamn, that felt good. Potential? Records? Wins over Cutlass? I don't give a fuck about any of that!
Edwards sneers down at Knight in disgust.
JAMES EDWARDS
My problem is you always trying to insert yourself into my business. I try to give you respect. I offer you my hand over and over like an idiot because you never change. Everything is about you AJ and to hell with everyone else. You couldn't wait a week for me to answer your challenge. You had to take a moment I worked my ass off for the last year and a half and ruin it. You couldn't let me enjoy a world's title win, something that doesn't happen every day, and why? Because you can't stand the fact that despite all the bullshit you were just spoutin' at me, you ain't done jack in this company except win a handful of blood feuds which are hollow achievements, and any real fighter knows that. I may not always have the best win-loss record or win in dominant fashion, but you know what AJ? I fuckin' win when it counts. When is the last time you did that in a title fight?
Edwards lets the silence speak for him. He backs into the center of the ring with an icy gaze plastered across his face. AJ gets to his feet, dusts himself off and takes Mandeville's microphone.
AJ KNIGHT
You want to know why I did what I did, you want to know why I interrupted your big moment? Because I didn't want to wait another year between matches. How did Eli get the chance to fight you, I'm curious? Oh yeah #FuckEdwards a sentiment I'm beginning to agree with. Why did you and Irvine fight? I'll tell you why! The reason you got your shot was because you pissed off the right person at the right time. I'm just doing the same thing.
AJ steps back into the ring and gets in Edwards' face again.
AJ KNIGHT
I'll tell you what though, if you beat me next week you have my word as a man I will place the title around your waist personally. I didn't appreciate the cheap shot just now though, but as the good book says when someone strikes you on one cheek turn them also the other.
AJ drops the microphone and walks away, but not before turning around and cracking Edwards on the jaw!
AJ KNIGHT
But I'm not the one obsessed with the Gospel now am I?
Edwards charges AJ, but the number one contender side steps and chucks him out of the ring. Security comes out and divides up, some inside the ring and some outside to prevent Edwards from getting back inside. AJ puts his hands up and exits the ring, grabbing the King of Lions strap. He smirks as he looks at it, then holds it high above his head. AJ then tosses it to Edwards.
AJ KNIGHT
Keep it warm! It's mine next week!
The shot fades out as AJ and Edwards stare each other down.
MANDEVILLE NELSON
Hello fans and welcome to Wrestling from the Lion's Road! No, Sam Hewitt is not sick - I'm here because this time of year is special for Lion's Road, it is our anniversary month. Two years ago this great company was founded by the fine folks at Pollo Bucket and in those two years, we've brought forth some of the best professional wrestling not just from the Great Lakes area but all over the world. Next week is another great example of that. Next week is a King of Lions World's Championship bout between defending champion James Edwards and his nemesis - number one contender AJ Knight. These two men are not strangers to one another, they are the only two men to have ever fought over each singles championship Lion's Road has promoted. First it was the Iron, second it was the Heritage and now it's the World's. That of course makes this one of the most prolific rivalries, one of the most stories - they've come a long way in the past two years and now they will be main evening our second anniversary show for the richest prize in our sport. AJ, James...
The camera pans out to show James Edwards on one side, King of Lions Championship on his shoulder. On the other side is AJ Knight, smug as ever.
AJ KNIGHT
See that Iron Road tournament, Mandy. That was touted as being the ultimate test for four bright newcomers in the fall of 2016. Of course, this guy here ended one of their careers and the other guy just didn't have what it takes to compete here. However from the finals onward, there was some lofty expectations for James and I so it should come at no surprise that James and I are in this title picture. We started from the same place, we took vastly different journeys to get here but our paths converge once again. We've gone from James having my number every time we step in the ring, to now being neck and neck. Since we renewed our rivalry in December, neither of us have really been able to establish dominance. Things have changed, things have come a long way but two things have never changed. 1: We really do not like one another, and 2: We bring out the bes-
Edwards cuts AJ off to a pop. AJ smirks.
JAMES EDWARDS
You got it wrong, Mandy, AJ's not my nemesis. I don't hate em' despite what he says. I've given him my respect at least three times on different occasions if I remember right. The issue here is the same one I've always had with him, I'm tired of him acting like he's entitled to shit like the ace title when he hasn't earned, and yeah I ain't very happy about him crashing the post-match of my title win either if I'm being honest.
AJ looks annoyed but smirks.
AJ KNIGHT
I'm sorry what? I haven't earned the right to call myself the ace? If not me then who? You? You've won about as much as you've lost this year. Only loss to my name is at the end of a gauntlet match against a guy who used every dirty trick in the book. Aside from you I've beaten everybody I've fought this year including one Julian Cutlass. Which makes me the only man in Lion's Road to beat him on two separate occasions. I'm curious, what's your record against Cutlass?
A tense pause as AJ holds up both hands, forming the numbers.
AJ KNIGHT
Oh right 0-2! Yeah, you can talk about a stupid referee stoppage costing you the second time but let's be honest, there was a 10 count that we all know you wouldn't have beaten. Not on that leg. So at best you were looking at a double KO. Another thing, the ace doesn't go into an existential crisis when he loses.
AJ shakes his head at Edwards who looks to be struggling to keep his composure.
AJ KNIGHT
Do you want to know what I see when I look at you James? So much missed potential. You're the world champion now, but frankly you could have been so much sooner. You could have been deep into a great world championship reign by now and the only man you have to blame for that is the man in the mirror.
AJ shrugs at Edwards
AJ KNIGHT
And I know what you're thinking. Pot. Kettle. Black. I get that, and I admit last year I got sidetracked way too often. I lost focus on being the champion, what between the Red Army, the Midnight Horsemen, that disgusting piece of shit Jacob Hammerstein. But the difference is that while this was all going on, I was moving forward. I was becoming better. But after Cutlass beat you? It was like something broke. You spent so much time feeling sorry for yourself that it took you six months to find yourself again. While you were on the fast track to irrelevancy, I was honing myself and growing stronger. People talk about 2017, they aren't talking about the year James Edwards had. They're talking about the rise of AJ Knight, my wars with your good for nothing former best friend especially the Texas Deathmatch, the confrontation with Cutlass. But you know something Edwards? They could have been talking about you! If you hadn't wasted 6 months feeling sorry for yourself, you might have been the one to dethrone the King! But instead you're just now reaching your true potential, you're just now the champion everyone thought you were going to be since the Iron Road....
AJ leans in getting right in Edwards' face.
AJ KNIGHT
But now it's too little, too late James. Because now at long last I'm reaching that next level! See James you're a damn fine wrestler, one of the best in the world in fact, but you lack one thing, you need to be the best in the world. (AJ points to his arm) You have it here. (AJ Points to his chest) You have it here...
AJ points to his temple and shakes his head.
AJ KNIGHT
But you don't have it here James. Your doubts consume you time in, time out and so many times, you beat yourself James. If you can't keep your focus on me, that championship is coming home with me. If there's any doubt in you're mind any question in your mind, you won't beat me! And that's a damn fact!
James bites his lip as specks of Knight's spit fly in his direction. He looks at Nelson, then at the crowd, and drops the King of Lions on the ground. He shoves Mandeville aside as he advances on a surprise AJ Knight, a flurry of lightning fast slaps to the face stun Knight before Edwards grabs him and chucks him inside the ring. Edwards slides in behind him, pulls him to his feet and dumps him over the top rope like a stinking bag of garbage. A deafening mixed reaction greets the Burning Heart's descent into the fiery cauldrons of anger. He paces around the ring like a bull, adrenaline surging through his veins. Edwards stomps over in the direction of Knight, who is still coming to from the assault.
JAMES EDWARDS
Goddamn, that felt good. Potential? Records? Wins over Cutlass? I don't give a fuck about any of that!
Edwards sneers down at Knight in disgust.
JAMES EDWARDS
My problem is you always trying to insert yourself into my business. I try to give you respect. I offer you my hand over and over like an idiot because you never change. Everything is about you AJ and to hell with everyone else. You couldn't wait a week for me to answer your challenge. You had to take a moment I worked my ass off for the last year and a half and ruin it. You couldn't let me enjoy a world's title win, something that doesn't happen every day, and why? Because you can't stand the fact that despite all the bullshit you were just spoutin' at me, you ain't done jack in this company except win a handful of blood feuds which are hollow achievements, and any real fighter knows that. I may not always have the best win-loss record or win in dominant fashion, but you know what AJ? I fuckin' win when it counts. When is the last time you did that in a title fight?
Edwards lets the silence speak for him. He backs into the center of the ring with an icy gaze plastered across his face. AJ gets to his feet, dusts himself off and takes Mandeville's microphone.
AJ KNIGHT
You want to know why I did what I did, you want to know why I interrupted your big moment? Because I didn't want to wait another year between matches. How did Eli get the chance to fight you, I'm curious? Oh yeah #FuckEdwards a sentiment I'm beginning to agree with. Why did you and Irvine fight? I'll tell you why! The reason you got your shot was because you pissed off the right person at the right time. I'm just doing the same thing.
AJ steps back into the ring and gets in Edwards' face again.
AJ KNIGHT
I'll tell you what though, if you beat me next week you have my word as a man I will place the title around your waist personally. I didn't appreciate the cheap shot just now though, but as the good book says when someone strikes you on one cheek turn them also the other.
AJ drops the microphone and walks away, but not before turning around and cracking Edwards on the jaw!
AJ KNIGHT
But I'm not the one obsessed with the Gospel now am I?
Edwards charges AJ, but the number one contender side steps and chucks him out of the ring. Security comes out and divides up, some inside the ring and some outside to prevent Edwards from getting back inside. AJ puts his hands up and exits the ring, grabbing the King of Lions strap. He smirks as he looks at it, then holds it high above his head. AJ then tosses it to Edwards.
AJ KNIGHT
Keep it warm! It's mine next week!
The shot fades out as AJ and Edwards stare each other down.
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