Angel of Death vs. White Mantis

[EZieba]

Double Debut Match

Angel of Death w/Black Widow vs. White Mantis w/"Slick" Steve St. Laurent

 

[JABolich]

Kicking It Off

(FADEIN: A Japanese-style dojo. The sliding door in the back wall is partially open, peering out into a back alley loaded with cardboard boxes and junk. However, that stuff's all background noise - the focus of this picture is in the center of the dojo. A punching bag hangs from the roof, jerking spasmodically as it is struck by HARD kicks from a man to its right. The man in question is slender, with a long scalp-lock and a grim expression; he wears only a pair of sandals and some white warmup pants.)

(Without so much as a cry, the unknown combatant steps back and delivers a brutal kick to the punching bag, causing it to sag around where his foot struck it. Another kick creates another sag.)

(After a couple more kicks, a new element is added to the shot; a man much closer to the camera than White Mantis, occupying the right half of the frame. This man is moon-faced and bears the distinct look of a conniving weasel. The man is garbed in a brown suit jacket over a white shirt, and he sports an Oakland A's cap; his lower body is not visible in the shot.)

MAN: Why, hel-LO there, all you little GXW viewers. I'll cut right to the chase here, I think. I'm sure nobody out there has any idea whatsoever what they're actually seeing, no less who - so at the very least I'll get some introductions out of the way. I'm Steve St. Laurent - my friends call me Slick, but you can call me Steve. And behind me...

(He gestures with a thumb at the combatant, who has delivered a massive roundhouse to the punching bag.)

SS: ...That would be my client. You fans can call him White Mantis. You boys in the back can call him "Please Mr. Mantis Stop Hurting Me". Hey, you might as well start now, huh?

Let's talk mission statement. White Mantis and I have come here to Global Xtreme Wrestling for one reason - simply that White Mantis wants to see what GXW's got. See, White Mantis already knows that he has the essential skills needed to succeed in the wrestling industry. He knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that he can throw down with the best in wrestling and walk out the winner. The question he has is... can the rest of you throw down with HIM? And that... THAT'S what I've brought White Mantis here to discover. You people may think you're high-caliber now, but the Mantis is going to make you prove it.

And first on the testing list is... the Angel of Death? What the hell?

(Slick makes an odd face for a moment, then smirks.)

SS: Angel of Death, huh? Apparently SOMEone's been reading their Old Testament... too bad no mark on your door's going to keep White Mantis from paying you a visit and whipping you like a redheaded stepchild. Now then. You may think that all those titles you won before you came to GXW will give you an experience edge, hm? You may be right. Oh, wait, nevermind. When you get in there with White Mantis, everything that you accomplished in bush league sh*thole feds like the EWU or the LCW or the EUWC or the UPS or the BBC or the YMCA amounts to precisely dick. When you step in there against my client, you're neck-deep in the here, the now, staring down inevitable defeat. Old or young, vet or rook, White Mantis will kick the living stuffing out of you and leave you a battered wreck.

And please... don't even bring up your 'painful past'...

(Rolls eyes...)

...Because it means even LESS than all those precious titles. I don't CARE about how a truck T-boned your mommy and daddy and how you went to an orphanage and killed everyone with a letter opener and trained to become a wrestler to kill more people - and if I don't care, you can bet White Mantis cares even less. You'll find no pity here - simply because White Mantis doesn't believe in it. Pity, remorse... mercy... White Mantis practices none of these things. In fact, there's only one thing White Mantis really subscribes to.

Victory.

In case you haven't picked up on the idea yet, White Mantis is not a man to settle for anything less than victory. He is, however, the type of guy who'd go through hell and back to claim the right to victory. And he can easily do it without any of those 'barbed wire sledgehammers' I'm heard you're so fond of. Why would White Mantis need weapons? He IS a weapon - a bona fide walking arsenal.

(There is a loud crash in the background. Slick starts in surprise, then turns to look over his shoulder at White Mantis... who now stands over the mangled punching back, which appears to have been torn open and is now spewing stuffing out onto the dojo floor. Slick blinks, then looks back at the camera...)

SS: Well, there's the 'glimpse of what White Mantis can do' that I'm sure half of you were expecting. Think about it. How would you like to be that punching bag, AOD? Think it'd be fun? You're going to find out firsthand, you know. Maybe if you're lucky, White Mantis will let you keep SOME of your bones unbroken and a LITTLE of your blood inside your body. What he WON'T let you have is a win. Because in spite of all the incidental maimings... despite all the incidental bone-shattering kicks... the win's really what it's all about.

Ta-ta for now, sport. See you at Onslaught. Oh, and take my advice: Load up on painkillers before the match. Maybe they'll numb the bite of White Mantis' assault a little...

On the other hand, probably not...

See ya.

(FADEOUT as White Mantis turns to the camera, intensity blazing in his eyes...)

 

[AOD]

Loose lips sink ships ...

{FADE IN on the main floor of the warehouse training facility/loft apartment of Angel of Death and his wife, Black Widow. Sounds of flesh pounding exercise bag echo through the expansive ceiling. FADE to the exercise bag, which is recieving a rather sound beating from Angel of Death, who is practicing his strikes. Kicks, punches, chops, all resonating off of the sandbag with resounding thuds. Black Widow enters the scene, looking at her PDA.}

Widow: Sweetheart, your first opponent in GXW is ...

AOD: ... White Mantis. I know. I've also seen St. Laurent's little diatribe. For someone who would probably **** his pants if you ever stood eye to eye with him, he sure has an awful lot to say.

Widow: No kidding. I mean, to go on about titles, while representing someone who's never held one. You earned your shot at each of those titles, and won those matches through ability. They aren't meant to be everything a wrestler is about.

AOD: I know. Also, they are both making too many assumptions. It's not good. They expect me to bring up my "painful past" as they put it. Why? There's no reason to. The GXW is a brand new start for us, and there's nothing to bring up. Mantis, our match at Onslaught is just a springboard to greater things for me. Unlike you, I do intend to earn my shot at the various titles available here. You might not care about those sorts of things, and truthfully, it is only a passing thought to me, but I guess that's where you and I really differ. You are content just to be, whereas my mission in life is to truly shine. Not as a champion wrestler, but as the best wrestler I can be. At Onslaught, Mantis, I get my chance to prove that the best wrestler I can be is a better wrestler than you. I will plan, study your background and training, and tailor a gameplan to best counter anything you can throw at me. Oh, and St. Laurent, don't dismiss my lovely wife here. She's held her share of titles herself, including a men's World Heavyweight Championship. She can hold her own, against anyone. So it doesn't matter how much of a "weapon" Mantis might be, because while he may be willing to go to hell and back ...

{He turns his back to the camera and pulls off his shirt, showing the roadmap of scars across his back. He turns, revealing the multitude of rips and tears that have ravaged his body over the years. He finally is facing the camera again, and his chest tells the same story of violence as his back, a mess of scar tissure.}

AOD: I have been to hell and back. You both may subscribe to victory, as we do, but we also subscribe to another V. Violence. Bring on your martial arts training, bring on your busted ass exercise bags. Bring everything you have, because I can and will survive it. How's that saying go? "That which does not kill me, makes me stronger." Man, just imagine how strong I must be.

{He picks up his discarded shirt, and he and Black Widow walk off. FADE TO BLACK.}

 

[JABolich]

And that means what to me?

(FADEIN: Same old dojo, except later in the day. Well, that was easy. This time, White Mantis isn't beating the hell out of a punching bag. Rather, he's sitting on a crate as if meditating, while "Slick" Steve St. Laurent sits on another crate a bit closer to the camera. It's VERY obvious that Slick's gloating.)

SS: You know, I don't usually do this sort of thing - IMMEDIATELY responding to promos and all. Usually I take a moment to think and single out all the fallacies in my foes' thought process. But AOD... You're just making it TOOOOO EASY!

First off. You say I'm making assumptions? You're ******* right! But at the same time, I think YOU'RE making a few assumptions about US, my little friend. First off. If you honestly think that White Mantis is content just to be, you're sorely mistaken. In fact, I think I already SAID that White Mantis' sole reason for coming here is to test all of you and prove that he's the better man. I know the way Mantis thinks - and I can tell you right now that just BEING isn't enough for him. If it were, he wouldn't be here. He isn't here just to BE, of course - he's here to DO. More specifically, he's here to do things like make an impact... prove his superiority... kick your b*tch ass back to whatever sh*thole you crawled out of... you know the drill.

I couldn't help but notice you making a big issue of your intent to dig up Mantis's background and custom-tailor a battle plan based on that. Here you make such a big point out of it... but do you not REALIZE that that is the NORM in professional wrestling? Hell, in the back of this dojo there is a VERY large tape library, not to mention a phone with a tape distributor on speed-dial. And if you're really as travelled and grizzled as you CLAIM to be, then I'm absolutely certain that WE'LL dig up a LOT more dirt on you than you will on us. Which insinuates, of course, that you're old news. On the other hand, my client here is something of an X-factor, coming right out of the blue. So dig up as much dirt as you can find. Not that it matters - whatever you find on us, we'll find ten times more on YOU. Which, of course, means that White Mantis is going to be better prepared than you are.

So you've gone through hell, huh? Well, yippie f*cking skip. Would you like a medal? I'll let you in on a little secret, Angel boy. Listen up...

(Slick smiles broadly.)

SS: ...The guy who said 'Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger' wasn't talking about wrestling.

Maybe that little adage would be applicable outside the sport, but not with me. See, I've seen enough wrestlers in your situation in my day to know what REALLY happens to guys who walk through hell. It takes its toll on your body. Eventually, all the sick bumps and insanity catch up to you, and your body starts to break down. From what I'm seeing here, you're already in pretty bad shape. See? There's yet another advantage White Mantis has on you - he's young, he's fresh, and he's as physically fit as a man can possibly be. All that makes him that much STRONGER, whereas all that 'hell' you speak so glowingly of really makes YOU that much weaker. ESPECIALLY considering the last thing we discussed - the tape library bit. All those scars tell me you've had a few injuries in your time... and with a little bit of digging, I'm sure White Mantis can find an old would or two to hammer on for awhile.

You think you've seen violence? Think again. My client here will show you otherwise. Despite what you may think, violence doesn't have to be barbed wire sledgehammers or flaming steel chairs or boards with nails in them or whatever other sh*t the hardcore crowd has pulled out to turn wrestling into a travesty. That's not violence - that's ridiculous tripe. REAL violence is what happens when you step into the ring with White Mantis and get your face kicked off. After a few rounds with my client, you'll WISH you were getting the flaming steel chairs.

Don't believe me, huh?

Your loss.

See, you may consider this match nothing more than a springboard - but White Mantis knows better. This is a man who takes life one match at a time. While you're busy looking ahead, Angel, Mantis is only looking in one direction - STRAIGHT AT YOU. Whatever happens after tonight happens. For now, all that matters is this upcoming Onslaught and the match between you and my client. And I guarantee that if you look past White Mantis even just a little, you're going to regret it.

Well, that's it from me. Hope you're ready come Onslaught, sport.

(FADEOUT)

 

[AOD]

Don't assume, it makes an ass out of "u" and me ... well, actually just you.

{FADE IN on the ring area in the warehouse training facility/loft apartment of Angel of Death and Black Widow. Angel of Death sits in one corner, relaxing after a vigorous workout.}

AOD: Steve, Steve, Steve. There you go making even more assumptions. Ones that are going to get your precious White Mantis in a whole lot of hurt. You see, your first mistake is assuming that I'm some old geezer. I'm twenty-four. Hardly an old man. Second, you're assuming that the scarring on my body means that I've had severe injuries. I've lost a lot of blood all around the world, certainly, but I've only ever been out of action with an injury once. For twenty-four hours. Because of a blood transfusion. That, and I didn't have a match for another few days. The only action it actually interrupted was some training. Oh, and of course studying up on an opponent is a standard preparation tactic. So if White Mantis doesn't have all that much to review, then yes, inexperience is going to be a disadvantage for him. You see, while you review my matches from the last six years, be sure to notice that I've faced men like White Mantis. Wait, scratch that. I've beaten men like Mantis. Now before you say "There are no men like Mantis" let me correct you. While there may not be any one person like Mantis, there are people who are similar. I've faced people with similar fighting styles, similar builds, similar mindsets. I highly doubt that White Mantis can bring a whole lot to the table that I haven't already seen.

{He pauses long enough to take a drink from a nearby water bottle.}

AOD: You're showing some inexperience too, Steve. To assume that when I say the word "violence" I mean junk wrestling. You know, use of foreign objects. If the match is one that allows it, I have been known to use anything not screwed down in a match. But when it's not a hardcore match, my definition of violence changes. Violence is a state of mind, Steve. Violence can be achieved through hands, feet, heads, arms, legs, hell I've seen stinkfaces that are particularly violent. Just because I say that I subscribe to violence doesn't mean that I have a fondness for weapons. I have a barbed wire wrapped sledgehammer that I bring to the ring with me, yes. I don't use it often, and even then, only in the most dire of circumstances. Trust me, Steve. I don't expect to need it in my match against Mantis. Truth be told, I am anticipating this match, since we both have an affinity to the DDT.

{He stands, and uses the ropes to stretch.}

AOD: However that is where the similarities end. I've adapted my style in the ring to be able to adjust between technical wrestling, high flying, hardcore, or martial arts in order to properly counter any offence I might be facing. It's a plan that has worked in the past, and still seems to be working. I noticed that White Mantis really doesn't have much of a repetoire, stylistically at least. That is going to be another disadvantage. So far, by my scorecard, that puts White Mantis down by two. Endurance, again, point goes to me, as I have obviously been able to demonstrate that even through diversity, I can come out on top. That's three, Steven. I won't continue, as it will just get embarassing for you and Mantis. You both seem to be worthy opponents, and with a few more years under your belts you will probably be able to fully stand in the same echelon as myself and Widow, but right now, you're just not there yet. Come Onslaught, I will prove that to the GXW, and the world.

{Finishing his stretching routine, he climbs from the ring.}

AOD: {stopping briefly on the ringsteps} Oh, and one last thing Steven. The man who said "That which does not kill me, makes me stronger" definitely was not talking about wrestling. He was talking about trials and tribulations in our lives. I was the one applying it to wrestling. Because, Steven, that which has not killed me, in and out of the ring, has made me stronger. Mentally and physically. That's something else you'll learn once you've wrestled as long as I have. Of course, I'll get a chance to show you first-hand at Onslaught. See you then.

{He finishes walking down the ringsteps, and walks over to his water bottle. He grabs it and heads out of frame as we FADE TO BLACK.}

 

[JABolich]

All Hail Our Lord And Savior, AOD

(FADEIN: Yeah, you guessed it, it's the dojo. Again, devoid of training equipment. This time, White Mantis is stretching in the background, while Steve St. Laurent sits on a decrepit lawn chair.)

SS: (with a completely straight face) I've had a change of heart, Angel boy. After viewing that last promo of yours, my whole outlook on this match has changed. You're right. My client has no chance against someone as awesome as you. I am utterly awed and amazed by your unfathomably superior talents. I want to grow up to be just like you, AOD. I idolize you. I want to have your babies. All hail our lord and savior, Angel of Death, the master of all things wrestling. Bow and offer sacrifice to him.



You thought THAT was bullsh*t? Less so than that promo of yours, sport.

Really now, sport. Do you really think that we're impressed by watching you sit there groping DESPERATELY to point out everything that makes you THINK you're somehow special? Do you HONESTLY BELIEVE that by sitting there rattling off stats about how you've got the endurance of a lion, the strength of a bear, the speed of an antelope, a heart of gold, abs of steel, balls of brass, and a hangnail of cubic zirconium, you're going to convince us that you'll walk all over my client? Heh... not a chance. Maybe you DO have all those things - which I highly doubt, after watching a number of your matches - but like I said, White Mantis here has all that with bells on.

So you think your experience gives you an edge, huh? Hel-LO, sport! Were you actually LISTENING to our last two promos, or were you busy in the basement with a jar of Vaseline and a pair of tweezers? I think I already MENTIONED to you that all that experience you flaunt means precisely dick. All that sh*t you did in the EUWC or whatever you call that bush-league second-rate junior promotion you come from is MEANINGLESS here in GXW. This is new turf for you - and a clean slate to boot. Besides - we both know that experience and tenure don't mean anything in this sport. I've seen enough newcomers to the sport take down seasoned veterans to know THAT. So really, Angel boy, as seasoned as you claim to be... as grizzled and experienced as you hype yourself up as... you're STILL going down. So maybe you beat some hick like Jimmy Jack Jerkoff for a title in one of those bush leagues. Whatever. Jimmy Jack Jerkoff isn't here. White Mantis IS here, and he's going to take all that precious experience and beat you about the head and face with it. As I said last time - It's all about the here, the now. Screw the past, f*ck the future. All that matters is THE PRESENT - THIS match, not the next one, not the one from a billion jillion years ago. THIS one. And in THIS match, White Mantis is going to kick the sh*t out of you.

Got it yet? I don't want to have to explain that again.

So you want to talk repertoire, huh? I'll tell you right now that my client's repertoire is MORE than sufficient to take you out. Here, I'll even tell you some of his moves: Kicking your ass, kicking your B*TCH ass, kicking your PANSY ass, kicking your b*tch ass AGAIN, and kicking your punk ass until you can't WALK ANYMORE. He doesn't need some fancy-shmancy octuple-jump moonsault or six thousand degree shooting star splash to put you away. The man has everything he needs - and more.

Of course, you probably don't buy any of this, do you, Angel boy?

Well, that's your prerogative.

But at Onslaught, sport, you're going to believe it. You'll see firsthand that despite all the 'advantages' you claim to have... you're still going to be a victim. Not to mention an intensive care patient.

Ta-ta, little boy angel. See you at Onslaught.

(FADEOUT)

 

[AOD]

Condensing the information ...

{Angel of Death sits at his kitchen table, papers strewn out around him. He's chewing on the end of a pencil, and from the sight of the papers, he's been using the pencil to highlight specific passages. Glancing up. he notices the camera, and a slight smile crosses his face.}

AOD: Oh, hi there! I've just been reviewing transcripts of your last few sets of comments, Steve. I've been trying to see all of the major points that you've been making. Just to make sure that we can both be on the same page. So far, what I've been able to boil everything down to are two major points.

{He separates the papers into two piles.}

AOD: {indicating the first pile} Your first recurring point to make seems to be "White Mantis is going to kick your ass." You do like to fancy it up a bit, scratch that, fancy it up a lot, but all you've really been saying is that. Nothing more, just a bunch of fancy "He's going to kick your ass." {sarcastically} How wonderfully original. It's nice to see you've got something fresh to bring to the table.

{He indicates pile two.}

AOD: Now, the other main point you've been trying to make is something along the lines of how myself and the rest of GXW could never hope to ever measure up to White Mantis. In fact, you practically deify the man. Pointing out how the mere lack of White Mantis in any promotion we may have been in has meant that the promotion just wasn't good enough, and meant that no matter what we may have faced in the past, it just wasn't enough. And the more I look through this, and give it some thought, I have to admit that you're right Steve. Why should I even show up for my match with Mantis? Why should any of us? The GXW clearly could never live up to the golden standard of White Mantis, so we should all just hang up our boots and retire, because we're just not worthy to share the same industry as your client. In fact, everyone everywhere should just call it a day, since no one could possibly measure up to the glorious White Mantis. He is the be-all and end-all to professional wrestling, and we should look on in awe at the wonder and splendor that is White Mantis.

{He stops, looking directly at the camera with a look of "Yeah, right" across his face.}

AOD: Steven, I haven't been looking past White Mantis. I have been looking at this match as a beginning, acknowledging the fact that win or lose, there is going to be another match for me. In fact, I have been looking forward to my match with Mantis. He is a new experience for me, and I always look forward to new experiences. It's how you grow as a person. Obviously, you haven't had too many new experiences, since you show a very definite immaturity in your approach to trash talk and hype. You like to play up the fancy wrapping and special features, but deep down inside White Mantis is still a human being. He's still flesh and bone, blood and sweat. Something tells me that one of these days he's going to realize that you're only with him for your own personal glory, and he'll no longer require your services. What are you going to do then, Steve? When White Mantis realizes that he doesn't actually need you? All of your gum-flapping, and fancy marketing won't save you from Mantis. If you really believe all of the hype that you're spewing about him, that those of us who are trained to be in the ring couldn't hope to survive against Mantis, how will you fare when he turns his abilities on you? I would suggest that maybe you think about what you're saying, and be a little more careful. As for Onslaught, Mantis, bring it on. I welcome the challenge that you bring. If you are the better man that night, then so be it. That's all I've really got to say. I'm tired of the hype machine, so I'm going to give it to you straight. Steve, I realize that you won't be able to fathom the sentiment behind this, but White Mantis, I wish us both the best of luck in our match. Whoever is the better wrestler that night will be crowned the winner, and I'm sure our paths will cross again. See you then, gentlemen.

{He turns his attention back to the papers as we FADE TO BLACK.}

 

[JABolich]

Singing A Different Tune, Are We?

(FADEIN: You guessed it again. Same dojo as the last time, and the last time, and the last time. In the background, White Mantis is doing a few pull-ups with the help of a bar suspended from the ceiling, while Steve St. Laurent sits in a lawn chair.)

SS: Well, well, weeeeeeeeell, Mr. Angel! Changing our tune, are we? Whatever happened to 'I have all the advantages and I'm embarrassing your client', hm? Now it's 'This is going to be a good match and may the best man win.' Interesting that you'd undergo such a catharsis - and even more interesting that in doing so, you borrow my sarcastic opening line from the LAST promo. I'm blushing now, especially since imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Though I can see why you'd want to imitate me, considering my verbal acumen.

But I'd like to know something, really.

What is WITH you and your hypothetical situations?

Honestly. What possible motivation could you have for bringing up a situation in which White Mantis decides he no longer needs my services and thus opts to kick my ass? What RELEVANCE does it have? The fact of the matter is, White Mantis and I are a team, and we're a team for a reason. He provides the muscle. I provide the face we show to the public. He wrestles the matches - I cut the promos. Not only do we have that deal signed and in writing, we've also both agreed to be civilized about it. If White Mantis decides he wants to go his own way, that's his prerogative. But for now, he's asked me to represent him, and I've agreed to do it. It's that simple.

Or are you maybe HOPING he turns around and kicks my head off? Sorry, kid, but that's not MY fate. Yours, yes. Mine, noooooo sir.

I also enjoy how you make such a big deal out of pointing out that my insistence that White Mantis is going to kick your ass is unoriginal. News flash: Pointing out unoriginality is unoriginal. Furthermore, it's hypocritical, especially coming from a man who is essentially the stereotypical "brooding badass". Best yet, it's meaningless. What you percieve as a lack of originality, I percieve as me telling it like it is. White Mantis is going to whip your ass. It's that simple. I don't need to talk in circles or throw out metaphors to sugarcoat that - I'll just tell it to you flat out so you don't misunderstand it.

But yes. We'll see you at Onslaught. And yes, the better man WILL win. The better man, naturally, being my client. While YOU'RE sitting there ripping off my promos, changing your tune six times a day, and flat-out demonstrating just how feeble your mind is, MY client's mindset isn't shifting. He's got his goal firmly in mind, he knows exactly what he has to go through, and he knows exactly how to do it.

Maybe it WILL be a good match... but White Mantis is still going to win.

Remember that.

(FADEOUT)

 

[AOD]

Reality Check

{FADE IN on a street in downtown Toronto. People bustle from store to store finishing up their Christmas shopping as soon as possible to avoid the late rush. Striding methodically through the chaos is Angel of Death, a dark wool trenchcoat his only defense against the light snowfall and chill in the air. FADE IN closer to AOD as a light gust of wind pushes his bangs out of his face. FADE to a level shot of Angel of Death as he addresses the camera.}

AOD: It can never be disputed that some of the world's greatest marketing people are also some of the world's most creative minds. They have to spin a tale for you that you can completely believe. The only real danger is that the world they create can be so real that they begin to believe it themselves.

{He stops at an intersection, the red light preventing his passage.}

AOD: As far as I can tell, Steve, that's your case. You've spent so much time creating this hype machine around White Mantis that you've begun to believe your own spin-doctoring. I don't doubt his abilities in the ring. Believe me, I do give him full credit for the skills he's shown so far in your little diatribes. Your skill, Steve, is just as impressive. Again, I have to give you credit for your abilities with the spoken word. The biggest problems, however, are your deliberate use of misinformation, and your passionate belief in your own hype.

{The light turns green, and he continues his trek down the street.}

AOD: For instance, you are very quick to compliment yourself and your abilities. Sometimes even before complimenting your client. This could prove detrimental to you and White Mantis, as your primary focus should still be Mantis, not more spotlight and attention on yourself. Secondly, labeling me as a "brooding badass" shows complete ignorance. You want someone who's brooding? Check out David Boreanaz and his show Angel. There's someone who broods. Me, I'm just a relatively quiet individual, who tells it like it is. Did I change my tune from my earlier promos? Certainly. I foolishly tried to play the hype game, then realized that I needed to stick to what I do best. Tell the truth, step into the ring, and give the fans what they paid their money to see. White Mantis may be a fighter, you may be a talker, but I'm an entertainer. Win or lose, I give everything I have in that ring. I can't ask you to understand that, Steve, because it's very clear that really the only thing close to your heart is yourself. Before you say "but I support White Mantis, and provide a valuable service for him" in your defence, you have to know that you are the one getting the bigger star power through this. Fans nowadays tend to forget people who don't talk much, and just fight. The big talkers are the ones who get noticed. You and I both know this, Steve, and I know that you're just the right type of person to exploit someone like White Mantis for their own gain. It's like the old saying goes, paraphrased of course, "Those who can, do. Those who can't, manage." Not to say that my lovely wife can't hack it in the ring. It's just that there isn't that many women's divisions out there.

{Another red light at another intersection interrupts our subject's train of thought.}

AOD: So Steve, before you run your mouth again, check your facts, review your figures, and please, for God's sake, get your lard-ass out of that freakin' dojo. It's beginning to bore the hell out of us.

{The light turns green again, and Angel of Death sets off once more, this time not followed by the camera. He makes his way further down the street and gets lost in the mob. FADE TO BLACK}