The Return of the Man of Steel

[Mad Dog]

(FADEIN to the backstage area of the recent NFW House Show in Hartford, Connecticut. As the camera pans the area, several wrestlers with duffel bags over their shoulders are leaving the arena. Others are gathered by the water cooler joking around and discussing the events of the evening. Just outside of the loading dock, the back of an ambulance has both of it’s double-doors open. The camera zooms inside to find an EMT stitching up someone. As the EMT moves out of the way, we can see that it is the returning Steel Viper. He has an intense look on his face and isn’t being fazed by the stitches. The EMT hands him a mirror, which Viper grabs and takes a look at the paramedic’s handy-work. He lets out a growl of frustration and shoves the EMT aside as he leaves the ambulance. Outside of the ambulance, Viper notices the presence of the camera. He turns toward it, rubbing his hands, with a menacing look on his face, and begins to speak.)

STEEL VIPER: (In a deep and gravely voice.) One year. (Pauses) It’s been one year since I last stepped foot inside a New Frontier ring. One year, since I have had the pleasure of exchanging unpleasantries with likes of Bloodhunt, Rick Ryconik, and Armando Montezuma. But it didn’t take long for some of us to get reacquainted. (Rubs the wound on his forehead and a smirk comes across his face.) Bloodhunt, I’m looking forward to returning the favor and cashing in on a receipt I owe you. What comes around…goes around. Karma is a b(BLEEP), my friend…and in my opinion…SO ARE YOU!

As for are ever so egotistical champion, Shane Southern. A man whose ass was SAVED tonight due to a jealous punk who didn’t want to have to face ME for the title. Why? Because just like you found out tonight, I am not an easy man to beat. But Southern, honestly… (Speaking in a horrible southern accent.) “Viper was NOT walkin' out of there with that belt, WITH or WITHOUT your interference.“ (In his normal voice.) Oh really? Gee, I dunno…care to put a wager on that? Cuz, obviously, you don’t know who the hell you are talking to! You wanna know where I’ve been for the past year? You ever heard of Mixed Martial Arts? How about Pancrase? K-1? Pride? Oh here’s one you might know…UFC. See, while you’ve been living a cushy life, being pampered, having anything you wanted. Me? I’ve been busting my ass! I’ve been doing what I do best…and that’s F(BLEEP) PEOPLE UP! And maybe…just maybe, since I gave you the “rub” tonight, because you were in the ring with a REAL FIGHTER, maybe I gave some LEGITIMACY to that title, maybe not the title…just your title reign. (Smirks)Think about that. Think about the kind of competition you’ve been facing. Are you gonna be proud of the mark you leave in this industry? Party’s Over? Pathetic. (Shakes his head)

(Viper walks over to the production truck still parked outside the arena. He opens the door and orders them to show the footage from earlier in the evening when he attacked Tempesta and Adrenaline. Viper cracks a smile as he watches himself attack two already beaten up men. He tells the editor to pause it on a frame of Viper standing over both fallen men.)

Two determined individuals that want more than anything to capture the crowd’s attention. They had their chance to shine…and unfortunately for them…I stole the spotlight right from ‘em. Tempesta, I hear you are some bad ass. You think you can give me a fight? You think you can step up to Steel Viper and walk away the winner? Adrenaline…same with you, are you thinking along the same lines as Tempesta? Or are you already looking past me and on to a rematch with Fuerte? I welcome either of your challenges and I implore you to check out all the tapes you can get a hold of and study as much as you can about Viper…because EVEN THEN it still won’t be enough to take me out! I AM the MAN OF STEEL and I’m beggin’ somebody…anybody…to find a chink in my armor! I let you two punks walk away tonight. Next time? Well let’s just say, you may not be so lucky!

They should have never let me back in. And now it’s too late to turn back. Steel Viper is back and there isn’t anyone or any title safe from my grasps. Everyone is gearing up for Futureshock and I, more than anyone else, intend on leaving my mark there…setting THE STANDARD for everyone else to follow! I don’t give a damn who my opponent is, what type of match I am gonna be in, it makes no difference. Bloodhunt, Southern, Montezuma, Ryconik, Fuerte, or Adrenaline…s(BLEEP), it could be all of them for all I care! (Chuckles) Just a bunch of battered and bruised bodies everywhere and one man standing above them all…STEEL…VIPER!

(With his last words he glares into the camera and then proceeds to run his thumb across his throat.)

(FADE TO BLACK)

 

[jediPREZ]

OORP -- Welcome back Mad Dog! AAA high-grade stuff as usual.

 

[SouthernBoy]

Your Kryptonite

{{...FADE-IN: Shane Southern. NFW backdrop. NFW World Title...}}

SHANE SOUTHERN: {{...smirks...}} " Ya' know Viper, I wasn't gonna' even give ya' tha' time a' day after those comments. 'Cause Lord knows I got alot more ta' worry about than some egotistical punk makin' claims he honestly just can't back up. But I felt tha' need ta' just come out n' say a few words to {{...points at the camera...}} YOU n' all tha' other guys that are lookin' ta' get thier shots at Shane Southern by bein' MYSTERY MEN, or whatever. "

" I ain't hard ta' find. I'm tha' one wearin' tha' BIG gold belt n' beatin' tha' HELL outta' everybody I step inta' tha' ring with. You coulda' stood up, LIKE A MAN, n' asked me forra' title shot, n' I'da given it to ya'...no questions asked. But ya' chose ta' be a coward n' hide behind tha' Manson-Miles seal of MYSTERY n' take every possible advantage ya' could. {{...shrugs...}} I dunno...I suppose I can understand it. You felt you NEEDED an edge. But ya' didn't stop THERE did ya' punk? Nah', you had ta' go n' bring out a STEEL chair. Well boy, this noggin's been dented with chairs more times than you can shake a stick at, n' NONE of 'em have resulted in Shane Southern gettin' his ass pinned. "

" So you can feel all warm n' fuzzy inside about your "moral" victory if ya' will, but just know that {{...holds up the NFW World title...}} I don't NEED YOU ta' legitimize this. I'm doin' a DAMN good job of that all by my little lonesome. So <BLEEP> YOU Viper. You're a COWARD. You not only showed it by hiding behind the MYSTERY monicker, but by attackin' those two boys who just beat tha' livin' HELL outta' each other! That make ya' feel like a BIG MAN? Hell, my dear ol' momma' could beat those boys up after tha' HELL they went through. I hardly think YOU have anythin' ta' be PROUD of on that count. "

" But hey, I didn't come out here just ta' ridicule ya'. CRASH TEE VEE, I got myself a match with Rick Ryconick. YOU watch that real close. Then, provided I still got tha' belt, house show after Crash...you n' me gonna' lock it up again...and we'll see just how BAD ya' are when people KNOW you're comin'. "

" Party's OVER."

{{...FADE OUT...}}


OORP: Welcome back DUDE!

 

[Joeltocks]

(Fade in on the interior of the warehouse. The debris has all been cleared out, and Construction crews are working all over, patching the holes in the roof, adding skylights etc. Tempesta is leaning on a makeshift desk covered with blueprints and one briefcase which is open. On one corner of the desk is a small portable DVD player, which is paused on the shot of Steel Viper with his thumb across his throat. Dieter is standing next to Tempesta, and Mysterious Stranger is holding a small remote control, presumably for this player.)

Dieter: He's kiddink, right? Doesn't he know why you were kicked out of Thailand?

TempestaGlares at the screen, ignoring Dieter) Tapes. Worldwide. I want everything he's ever done. I don't care if it's his third grade ballet recital, I want it.

Mysterious Stranger: Done. (Opens the briefcase, and produces a set of four DVDs and a folder with a neatly printed label: Steel Viper)

TempestaLooks at the items, then to Mysterious Stranger) You don't waste any time, so you Boss?

Mysterious Stranger: We have no time to waste if we want it all to go as planned. Besides, I have told you, call me Mr. Redd.

Tempesta: Well then, Mr. Redd, I'm still not cleared to wrestle for another twenty six days. Do we wait, handle this ourselves, or do we share the knowledge with the enemy of our enemy?

Mr. ReddSmiling) Glad to see you are catching on. I have already forwarded most of these files to Adrenaline, since he may want to take action should there be a show before you are able to return to the ring.

TempestaNodding) Good. (Thinks for a moment) Where is the profit in that?

Mr. Redd: You will see. (Runs his manicured hand over his bare ebony pate, as though he wre brushing back an errant hair) Even though you cannot wrestle, that does not mean you cannot train. Take Dieter and go get in some cardio, you are looking a bit, (squints at Tempesta as he considers his words) Weak.

Tempesta: (A brief flash of anger passes over him, he catches himself and turns to Dieter) Let's go.

(As they cross off camera, zoom to the stack of four DVDs and the file on the desk, then FTB.)

 

[Mad Dog]

(OORP: Its great to be back. Thanks for the welcome.)

(FADE IN to what appears to be a dojo. The room is decorated with a Japanese theme, with a huge trophy case displaying what appear to be the numerous titles that Steel Viper has captured throughout his illustrious career. As the camera pans the room, Steel Viper is doing the Si Lum Tao, which is a breathing exercise similar to what some people do when they practice Thai Chi. Viper is wearing a Bruce Lee t-shirt and a pair of Muay Thai shorts. Once his exercise is completed, he bows out of the dojo with the Ginglei and approaches the camera. He is still sporting a bandage on his forehead from the house show in Hartford.)

STEEL VIPER: Less than a week ago, one of the most talked about incidents in New Frontier Wrestling took place. I came back to the world of wrestling and in the process took out two punks and made the NFW World champion look like he had no place even holding that title! So Southern, you call me a coward for being a mystery man? Gee, was I supposed to show some boring video package of me beating people up? A nice “Eye of the Tiger” montage to warm everyone’s heart? Maybe with a caption underneath reading “Coming soon…” or “Returning to action…” ? (Shakes his head.) That’s about as lame as your little catch phrase. See, I like to stir things up. I like being the element of surprise and coming back when NO ONE was expecting it. So the promoters wanted me to be your mystery opponent…I guess I was the only guy they thought WORTHY enough to get a title shot. Is that my fault? Is it my fault that I’m as good as I am? Should I be ridiculed and called a coward because I am more than qualified to kick your ass? I don’t think so. (Pauses) You want to have another match with me, fine. We can do it. Title or no title, I could honestly care less.

(Viper glares off for a moment and then turns his focus back to the camera.)

Tempesta del Fuerte, the man that was kicked out of Thailand. How interesting, considering I have been competing there off and on for almost 10 years and I have yet to hear of you. Why were you kicked out? Green card expire? Soliciting prostitution? Public urination? (Saracstically) Oh please tell me what dastardly deed you pulled off to get booted out!

You’ve got Mr.Redd making DVDs for you. What about Colonel Mustard and Professor Plum…are they on your payroll, too? (Smirks) Ya know, I could sit here all day and crack jokes on you, but what’s that gonna prove? Absolutely nothing. You wanna prove to me how big of a bad ass you are, its gonna take a lot more than watching a Steel Viper Marathon to do that! You want a piece of me? How about the next episode of Crash TV? I will give you your shot, because as of now, I am issuing an open challenge to ANYONE for Crash TV and I am laying out an open contract. You want it…sign the dotted line. Adrenaline, if you’re still around…the same goes to you, as well.

No mystery involved in that. It’s direct, to the point, and no reason anyone should call me a coward after that, now is there, Southern? (Smirks)

(FADE TO BLACK)

 

[Joeltocks]

(Tempesta sitting on a huge sofa, practically melting into the cushions. He's smiling at the camera as we roll)
Tempesta: Let me get this straight steel Viper, I'm supposed to be afraid of you, right? (Counting on his fingers) First you did Pancrase, which is the sissified sport version of ancient Greek fighting. Then you did K-1, which has been charitably described as Muay Thai for p******. Next you did UFC, which is little more than a hippe a**** hugfest with the occasional excitment of mounted punches. Now you cut a promo in a Japanese school wearing a Chinaman on your chest and Thai on your legs. Wow. That'll be keeping me up nights. You're more mixed up than a jigsaw puzzle in a typhoon and you think you can take me? (laughs)

Tempesta: You said you been in and out of Thailand for the past 10 years and never heard of me? That's no suprise. (Tempesta's face darkens) The beauty contests you been entering are too mainstream for my tastes. I've been a pit fighter my whole d***** life. I've been in fights where the winner went into a coma, and the loser was shark bait. Chum, you've been places where eye gouges are prohibited, where there is someone to throw in the towel if you get into trouble. I've been rolling in broken glass, wondering which guy in the front of the crowd is my next opponent after I finish this one off. We don't move in the same circles, any more than a guppy does a shark. Chum, I don't think your sorry a** can keep up with what I bring to the table.

Tempesta: (Stands slowly, a little off balance) You want me at Crash, you got me. If you're lucky, I'll leave enough of you living for Adrenaline to deal with. If not, too bad. (FTB)

 

[Calamity Jon]

OORP

"Muay Thai for P****" ... that's the delightful cherry on a sundae full of great RPs. Oh man ...

 

[Joeltocks]

RE: OORP

Thank you. From you, sir, that is high praise indeed.