Douglas vs. Walker vs. Brown

[JABolich]

#1 Contendership - EPW World Heavyweight Championship
Elimination Match
Troy Douglas vs. Tyrone Walker vs. Karl "The Dragon" Brown

A shot at the World Champion at the next Pay-Per-View is on the line in this elimination contest. Troy Douglas has been on a tear lately and has the chance to achieve his dreams, and Karl Brown has the opportunity to once again wrestle for a world title. Walker, meanwhile, has been granted the chance to prove himself superior to EPW's best.

 

[EpyonMarx]

A new found confidence

[FADE IN. The shot shows a river, complete with ducks, swans and geese swimming freely on the surface. The camera pans round, showing a side on shot of a bench, occupied by one man, dressed in jeans, trainers, a white t-shirt and some designer style sunglasses. The camera zooms in closer, showing Karl “The Dragon” Brown, still wearing a small plaster on his forehead from his match with X. Karl keeps his eyes forward, seemingly ignoring the camera, talking more to himself than to anyone else]

Karl: A good match that one. X did well, I’ll give him that, and Ryan did what I thought he would in making it a no holds barred chain match. Just goes to show though that I’ve gotten a helluva lot better since my days in MCW. And now, he books me in a match against Troy Douglas and Tyrone Walker, two men I’ve faced before, both men penned in for triple threats in the past. And for a shot at the Empire Pro heavyweight champion, whoever happens to hold that belt at the time. Funny, a little while ago I was a team captain in the ill-fated cruiserweight title tournament, and now I’m going for a shot at the biggest prize in this company. So, that makes three federations, and numerous shots at title matches in my short career. The way things are going, I could hold both the NWL and Empire Pro titles by the end of the month. Not bad for a rookie, really.

[Karl turns to the camera slightly, lifting his sunglasses so they rest on top of his head]

Karl: Things have gone a little nuts some say. At least in Empire. You’ve got Troy Douglas on one of the runs of his career, which is well and good. He deserves this shot. Then you had Tyrone Walker losing a triple threat against myself and Jonathan Marx, and he had a chance to defeat the IC champ, Adam Benjamin. Now, he’s trying to pass himself off as bigger than Empire Pro, so he gets a slot in this match. Then you get me, a guy who since Black Dawn has had some of the toughest matches of his career in the NWL, a man who’s won a few matches in Empire Pro, being given the third slot. Three differing styles, too, with Douglas the strongest man in the match, Walker the innovator, and me…well, I’m a ‘technical dork’ as Neely said. Or am I a Hardcore Dragon? No, I think I’ll stick to “The Dragon” and leave the porn jokes to our esteemed Worlds Champion.

But, joking aside. This match has three of the best that Empire has to offer. One man who has undeniable endurance, and has accomplished a lot in his career. Another man thinks highly of himself, as well he might. And many commentators have described the third as the best rookie sensation of this year. Hell, that last guy’s even taken Maelstrom to a draw and sits atop the NWL WLS rankings with one week of matches still to go. But, this match, the one at Unleashed… it’s unlike any match any of us have been in. The clashes of styles, the differing opinions, the three very different men make this match totally unique. The prize that awaits us is different too. For Douglas, the chance to reclaim a dream. For Walker, the chance to show himself superior to all others in this company. For me, the chance to see how far I’ve progressed. So, how do I think I’m going to fair in this match?

Pretty damn well.

You see, I don’t care about winning or losing this match. This one match is enough of a challenge, enough of a test, enough of an opportunity for me. And how do you truly defeat a man who doesn’t care if he loses? To defeat a man, truly defeat, you have to cripple his spirit. Mine is as high as it always has been. If anything, my recent matches have boosted it to new heights. Maelstrom, The Watcher, X, all three have given me hellish matches, and I’ve surpassed most peoples expectations, including my own. Wins over X and The Watcher and a draw with Maelstrom mean a lot when you’re building the foundations of a career. A strong foundation gives rise more easily to an enduring, everlasting monument a lot better than a weak one will. And for part of this foundation, I have the chance to bag a shot at the big one in this company? Well, you sure as hell should know I intend to take it. This match means too much, will show too much, for me to not give it everything I have, to put in an effort greater than any I’ve put in before. Walker, Douglas, you two are good, and the challenge will be superb. But don’t make the mistake that I’m one hundred per cent willing to take second place. This match has too many ramifications for me to be happy with anything less than my best, and my best might just be more than enough for both of you to handle. But if it’s not… then there’s always the next time.

[Karl turns back to looking at the river, sighing. Seeing he’s staying silent, the camera pans round to see the river in all its glory. FADE OUT]

 

[CuseTroy]

To The Journey

FADE IN...

Open on a high school gym on the outskirts of Greensboro, NC. The fairly new building is the home of the East Lake Preparatory School Cougars. The gym is currently empty, save for a single man, who the camera focuses in on. Almost 28 years old, tall and lanky, with unremarkable brown hair and brown eyes, this is professional wrestler TROY DOUGLAS. DOUGLAS, wearing a pair of green and white ELP basketball shorts and an EPW Aggression t-shirt, leans against a wall underneath one of the basketball hoops.

DOUGLAS:

Sometimes, when you need to prepare, there's nothing better than going back to where it all began. That's right here, in this gym. The hours upon hours that I spent in this place, hell, there's probably enough of my blood and sweat in this parquet floor by now for this gym to be a close relative of mine.

But, I'm not here to wax poetic about the good old days here at ELP. Rather, this is my chance to speak to the world about my upcoming match in Atlanta for the number one contendership to the EPW World Title and a guaranteed pay-per-view match against either Christian Sands or Beast.

If you remember, I was in the exact same position in New York City two months ago, in a four way elimination match for the very same slot. That night, Marcus Wescott decided to join the Cameron Cruise Fan Club and cost me the shot at the World Title that I had earned by outlasting three of the best in the sport.

Two months later, it's just a different building, two new opponents, and one fewer man in the ring. But, there's something else in this match that's different as well.

ME.

In the weeks surrounding Black Dawn, I had my chain jerked around so much that I swore I'd change. After Rocko Daymon hit me with a chair, Beast cost me the number one contendership, and Adam Benjamin screwed me out of the Intercontinental Title, I vowed to never get taken advantage of in that squared circle again.

Now, I've got the opportunity to reclaim the spot I earned at Black Dawn. This time around, I won't make any stupid mistakes that'll leave me high and dry once again.

That being said, that doesn't mean I won't have to pull out one of the best performances of my career to win this one. Which brings me to my two opponents at Unleashed; Karl "The Dragon" Brown and Tyrone Walker. Karl, as I know you're a gracious guy, I'm sure you won't mind if I first take the opportunity to say a few choice words to Mr. Walker before moving on to acknowledge you.

Tyrone, in recent weeks you've gotten the impression that you're somehow bigger than Empire Pro Wrestling. You believe that for some reason, you're just preternaturally better than every man in this company. Hell, I'll give you your due. You've got a boatload of talent, and you can do some stuff in that ring that most of us have never seen. Your dilemma, Tyrone, is that there are many things that you simply do not understand.

In my 4 plus years in this sport, I've realized many things. In particular, that no one, not Dan Ryan, not Hornet, not Christian Sands, not Troy Douglas, not Tyrone Walker, is bigger than this business. Secondly, that if you don't have respect for the men who sign your checks AND the men across the ring from you, then you lack the essential quality to succeed in professional wrestling. Hell, I was steamed when management didn't do anything to stop guys from screwing me out of my matches. But, I had enough respect to not make it my sworn mission to destroy this company. No, I took matters into my own hands, and now I'm just one step away from a match for the World Title.

Tyrone, by pulling stunts like you did last week against Beast, and by repeatedly aggrandizing yourself over this company, you show me that you lack that essential respect. For that reason, I fear for you at Unleashed, Tyrone. You're going into a match with two of the finest wrestlers in the world, and you don't even have concern enough to acknowledge the two of us with your own words. I'm sure you'll come into the Georgia Dome with your full arsenal of topes, planchas, pescados, Space Flying Tiger Drops, and the like, but you'll also enter this match knowing that you've got two opponents aching to prove that they're the best in the world, an illusion you already hold of yourself.

I leave you alone for now, until you decide to dignify us with some remarks, and MAYBE some respect to this company.

Now, onto a man I have immense respect for, an opponent I consider a kindred spirit, Karl Brown. Dragon, you've done a hell of a lot more in your first 12 months in this business than I did, and for that, you've earned the respect of every man on this circuit. You're attitude now is the same as mine was back when I started. The thirst to prove yourself, the willingness to take on any challenge no matter the consequence, yeah, I was just as eager that first year as you are now. Problem for me was, I was stuck wrestling in Bingo Halls and armories instead of Madison Square Garden.

That doesn't mean I fault you for your early successes. No, it just means we've taken different paths, as all of us must.

The only flaw I see in you, Karl, is the fact that you seem to think that even if you fail, there will always be another chance. From experience, I can tell you that this is most certainly not the case. I've had my career nearly ended on several occasions by some of the most dangerous men in this sport. When my father and my fiancee were murdered, I came close on two occasions to not only giving up my wrestling career, but also my entire life. There is most definetely NOT always a second chance, Karl. In the blink of an eye, everything you worked for could be gone. The only reason I'm still in this business is because I never lost that desire to be the best.

That's why at Unleashed, I'll show that I've got absolutely nothing left to lose. That World Title is my only remaining goal now, the one thing that continues to elude me. Nothing's going to push me back down this time. Even if you or Walker gets the better of me in Atlanta, I'll keep scratching and clawing my way to the top of the mountain, just like always.

But, I don't plan for it to have to take that long. At Unleashed, I will take nothing for granted. What I bring to the ring that night will be left in the ring when it's over, and when that happens, no matter the result, I'll know I can go on, that I can continually stake my reputation as one of the best competitors in this sport. I'll pull out my best at Unleashed, and I know that's enough to stand toe to toe with any man in this sport.

Adam Benjamin knows it, Cameron Cruise knows it, and our esteemed World Champion knows it. In Atlanta, I'll make sure you two find out. This won't be my last chance, because I'm not going anywhere, but I don't want to have to take another.

End of the road, here I come.

I'll be waiting, boys.

...FADE OUT

 

[EpyonMarx]

[FADE IN. A clear day, a snow-capped mountain peak in the background, with outcroppings of rock and small amounts of sparse shrubs dotted about. There is only one man in view, dressed in white t-shirt, designer sunglasses, a pair of cream coloured walking trousers and brown walking boots. As always, in nature, it’s Karl “The Dragon” Brown, taking a sip from a bottle of water]

Karl: This heat… you know, the first time I was here, a few summers ago, I was in a group of about twenty Englishmen and about forty or so porters from the nearby town, Moshi. I only made it to about four thousand metres that time, food poisoning getting the better of me. Today, I’m not going any higher than this plateau, because a more pressing engagement awaits me in the US. But it is nice to come back here, and look at this old mountain with my own eyes again. Yes, Kilimanjaro hasn’t changed much. Unlike my opponents in the triple threat at Unleashed.

You see, on the one hand, we’ve got a guy who at the last Pay Per View picked up quite an impressive win in a triple threat, defeating Brien Cage and Cliff Young in the opening match of the night. That man put a lot on the line, putting on a helluva show for the fans at home, pulling out all the stops to elevate his name above and beyond the opening match. Since then, he’s put on yet more great matches, working himself into a frenzy… and he believes his own hype. A man who believes his own hype is doomed to fail. That’s a lesson I learned watching Maelstrom. If anyone brings up the fact he ranked number one last year across the business, he shrugs it off. He’s the first to admit that this year he’s had more troubles than he’s had in a while, losing to Watcher and Anarky and drawing with me, all in a short space of time. And that’s the guy who’s rated as the best. Not to knock Tyrone, but somehow… I don’t see you in the same league as Maelstrom just yet. Like Troy said, you’re a great talent, but no one is bigger than this company. But, you do have a chance to prove the two of us wrong, Tyrone, by defeating us, then going on the face either Sands or Beast for Empire Pro’s biggest prize. Best of luck with that endeavour.

That’s on the one hand. On the other, we’ve got Troy Douglas, a man who, either side of Black Dawn, was passed around like nobodies business. Well, I must say that I was disappointed to be the one who benefited from one of those attacks, when you had me almost beaten. But, we’ll never know how things would have gone that night had Rocko not seen fit to go off the deep end.

Troy, I have the same respect for you as I would any man who’s willing to keep coming back, to keep bettering themselves in pursuit of their dreams. You’re taking another opportunity, another chance to make your dreams a reality. But, that’s the flaw I see in you, Troy. You spoke of chances not coming around too much. I think your exact words were “…you seem to think that even if you fail, there will always be another chance. From experience, I can tell you that this is most certainly not the case.” You then went on to list some of the things that have happened to you; the times you’ve almost had your career ended, the unfortunate deaths of your father and fiancée. But, look at you now; you’ve worked your ass off, and here’s another opportunity. Another chance for you to claim your dream.

Another chance at glory.

Troy, I know that there’s always the risk of my career coming to a screeching halt before I have the chance to make it to the pinnacle I seek. But, I’ll never lose the desire to better myself, to surpass my own skills. It’s the same I see with you, and you’ve had far more chances than I have. But, since October I’ve had five opportunities to get a shot at a Worlds title. You can either call me talented or lucky, but I call it opportunity coming knocking. Two chances to get to the title in MCW, two here in Empire, and the WLS in NWL. You yourself have had numerous chances, numerous second, third or even maybe fourth chances. So, whilst maybe chances aren’t totally guaranteed, I know they’ll come knocking again if I give it my all. This isn’t some tin-pot company from Stamford; the best here get recognised, not the guys knocking off the boss’s daughter.

At Unleashed, I guess we’ll get to see which of us is more right.

[Karl takes a look towards the peak, his stance confident, and it looks almost as if he were sharing some kind of communication with the ancient mountain]

Karl: Troy, this match is bigger than either of us. If I don’t get the chance to fight for the title and you do, then I wish you the best of luck. And if I’m right, then I’ll be gunning for you once that belt’s yours, and we can give everyone a true match.

And lets not forget the silent Tyrone Walker. Because if we forget him, maybe the fans will as well, and we, Troy, will be stuck in another one on one match which is supposed to be a triple threat. But make no mistake. Either way the match ends up, or even if Ryan wants to put another sudden change and add chains, barbed wire, or anything else he can think of to the match, I’ll give you everything you can handle and then some, just as I know you’ll give me. This one match… win lose or draw, I know I’ll be able to hold my head high afterwards, knowing I gave it my all.

And opportunity, like it has done for you, will come calling for me again.

[Karl turns to look at the summit again, sighing, before heading back away past the camera, downhill again. FADE OUT]

 

[CuseTroy]

One More For The Road

FADE IN...

Open on the rooftop of a home on the outskirts of Greensboro, North Carolina on a warm, starry May evening. The camera focuses in on a figure sitting on the flat top roof. Focusing closer, we can see that it is a man, about 6'5", wearing a pair of khaki shorts and a navy blue Syracuse University t-shirt. This is professional wrestler TROY DOUGLAS. DOUGLAS wears a pair of headphones around his neck, and the final strains of Bruce Springsteen's "Thunder Road" can be heard from the CD player sitting next to the EPW star. DOUGLAS presses the stop button on the CD player and sets the headphones on the stucco surface.

DOUGLAS:

Since I was a kid, I can remember coming up to this very spot for a place to reflect, to be away from a world that confused me at every turn. But here, I'm just a trip up an old ladder away from my own sanctuary, a place where I can sort out my thoughts over a good novel, a piece of music, or just the sounds of Greensboro at night. God, I can't even tell you the number of nights I spent up here, even sometimes sleeping out under the night sky when I just needed asylum from the hassles of my life. Nights before big games, big tests, the important moments of my life, this was my place to prepare, to gather myself in preparation for the struggle ahead.

As I'm heading into Unleashed in Atlanta, just a hop, skip, and jump by plane from my home, I could think of no better place to be right before what is easily the biggest match I've had since fighting my way back from depression and injury. It's that battle that I want to focus on tonight, and I'm directing this especially at one of my opponents in the Georgia Dome, my friend Karl Brown. I do consider you a friend, Karl, though we've never spoke much, I feel a connection to you that is lacking with many of the prima donnas and egoists in this sport.

But, back to the topic at hand. During my four and a half months away from wrestling, I spent day after day on this very rooftop wondering just what I would give away if I did what everyone close to me said I should do and give up this sport and my dreams to be the best in the world. Certainly, I had enough money to live comfortably, maybe finish the book I'd been writing since college or go back into TV broadcasting. That wasn't good enough for me. I needed to prove to myself that I still had the ability, that somewhere, deep inside of that shell of a man, there was the werewithal to grab that brass ring and be a World Champion one more time.

So I did it. I slaved for hours a day in rehab and physical therapy. I spoke to professionals and to the people near to me in an effort to draw myself out of the psychological coma I was in. I did it. Four and a half months later, I was back in GWE, winning the X-treme Title. I was here in EPW, making a run at the best competitors this planet has to offer.

The moral of the story, Karl? This chance that I have at Unleashed, to get the number one contendership, that didn't just fall in my lap. I MADE this opportunity by beating men like Clapper, Jonathan Marx, Stephen Waltz, and Christian Sands. I MADE this opportunity for myself, with a full year's worth of sweat, blood, and tears. You know what, make that almost TWENTY EIGHT YEARS. This match can be the start to the culmination of my life's work, the chance to prove that Troy Alexander Douglas can beat the best and not have to answer the skeptics.

From what I've seen, Karl, you've done that too. Now, it seems you've realized that chances aren't a gift, but something you EARN. You've earned it, I've earned it, and Tyrone Walker's also earned it. Now, it's time to earn one more chance. Only one of us will outlast the other two in Atlanta, and that man is on the fast track to the EPW World Title.

Karl, Tyrone, if either of you can beat me in this match, then you have my best wishes in your chase at the champ. However, don't think for a minute that I won't take a whole lot out of you, no matter the result. I've lived through TWENTY EIGHT YEARS of disappointments, and I'm still standing. You two are certainly among the finest this organization, hell, the entire world has to offer, but thats sh*t compared to what I've gone through so far.

This match is the hurdle I've yet to clear. I've missed this mark before, but I NEVER make mistakes multiple times. My guard stays up all night, and I know that if I wrestle my match and leave no holes, I can hold my head high knowing that not only did I compete, but that I will have a date with the World Heavyweight Championship on my plate.

Make no mistakes, this will be a long, hard struggle not soon to be forgotten by EPW fans around the world. The man who wins will have to be resilient, tough, and damn near perfect to survive the night. I've yet to pull out all the stops, and I'm still the only man who can say they've got an EPW win over Christian Sands. I'm still the first man in history to pin Stephen Waltz. The wheels will come off at Unleashed, and the world will see me at my best for the first time in years. The pain I've been through is irrelevant, it is at this time when the best come out to shine. This is my turn to make it happen.

Tyrone, I implore you to recognize your opponents with some sign of respect, or this could be a short night for you.

Karl, my friend, I admire your spirit, your desire to better yourself. Should you be victorious, I wish you the same luck you wished for me. However, don't put the champagne on ice too soon. Hang on, folks, we've got one HELL of a roller coaster ride on tap for this one.

I'll see y'all at the end of the road. I'll be there with the EPW World Champion. That's not cockiness, that's self-assuredness. It's been too long a journey for it to end so soon. The challenge awaits.

This time, NOTHING gets left behind.

...FADE OUT