Open Challenge

[Neo]

Scene opens on a close up of the Florida Championship. As the shot zooms out, the belt is shown to be over the left shoulder of Jason Bennett, while the Pure title is fastened around his waist. He stands in the centre of the shot, with a wide smile across his face.

Jason: Isn’t this a beautiful sight? One man, whom the future of this company depends upon, with two championship belts.

Jason grabs the Florida Championship belt with his right hand as he unfastens the Pure championship with his left hand, before extending his arms and forming a cross with his body, with both championship belts hanging down from either hand, creating a striking image.

Jason poses for a few seconds before stepping forward and placing the belts atop a nearby coffee table. He then sits down on a black leather recliner, hunched forward a little, with his arms resting on his knees, looking contemplative. He sits motionless for a second, before a look of disgust crosses his face.

Jason: Ya know, while I hype myself as the man to beat in WPW, it occurs to me that people are forgetting about my victories. About how I won, and thus unified, the Florida and Pure titles. That, by itself, is an accolade anybody would be proud to call their own.

I, Jason Bennett, successfully unified two WPW Championship belts. Nobody else has done that, and nobody else ever will. I am going to be remembered in the annuls of WPW History as the first ever Unified Champion in WPW History!

Jason leans back in his chair, taking a moment to think of how this moment will be remembered, before continuing.

Jason: It’s an accolade that nobody will be able to take away from me.

Jason smiles confidently.

Jason: I knew my ability would take me anywhere I wanted to go, and I got here on my own, without help from anybody. From the moment I arrived in WPW with my brother and decimated the ‘then best team in the world’ in my debut match with Phill, to winning the tag straps with different partners, to where I am now… There is one thing that has remained constant, my ability, and my belief that I can beat anyone put in front of me.

Here I am again, at another point in my career where it could go either way. I could face an unstoppable force and be seen as the underdog, or I could be headed into a squash match against some mook who wants to try and score a huge upset victory. Either way, the outcome will be the same; my hand will be raised in victory, while my opponent cannot stand.

Jason leans forward and rests his arms on his legs, across his lap.

Jason: You could say this is a newfound confidence, but it’s not. I’ve had this confidence in me, it’s just now coming to the surface, and I pity anyone that tries to take my unified title from me, because there is no way in hell I am loosing these belts, especially after I single-handedly defeated the tag team champions.

So, who-so-ever should choose to step up and face me does so at their own risk. I am a man possessed, and there isn’t a soul in WPW or EWE that can stop me.

The look in Jason’s eyes shows that he means business, he will not, cannot, lose the Pure and Florida Titles. The shot zooms in on Jason as the scene fades out.

[APrometheusGod]

The Scene opens up on Cole. Wherever he is, it is not England. It looks, in fact, a lot like France. Perhaps Cole has jumped across the border for a respite as he waits for the call to be in a match. He walks down the street, his burly figure cutting a path through the French people. Eventually he finds what he was looking for, a cafe. He yells something in French at a waiter who stares at Cole before running away, nodding. Cole then moves to one of the al fresco seating arrangement and sits in a chair. However it doesn't go all to plan as the seat is just a little to small for Cole's muscular build and he finds himself pretty squished in the chair. He looks around, pissed off, but realises that there's nothing he can really do. At that moment too, he sees the camera following him and chuckles to himself.

Cole: Man, am I glad to see you sons of bitches round here! Now I got somethign to say to that Open Challenge punk. you all good to record? Good.

The camera nodded slightly as the cameraman shows he's ready. Cole tries to adjust himself in the chair, but he fails to do so. Eventually he sits forward, leaning on his legs a he speaks down to camera to the 'punk'

Cole: Yeah man, that’s real pretty. That’s real pretty.

Have you ever been told never to show off? Not to go around in a dark alleyway or a bad neighbourhood with some shiny new watch. Not to play on the monkey bars if your momma just bought you a new game boy? Yeah, you wanna know why. Cause some kid’s gonna steal it. It could be some punk with a knife and a real fucked up daddy issue. It might be some kid in the grade above you who’s gonna use his size to take it. But regardless of what they are, you’re the one who suffers.

Now I don’t know shit about WPW. Apparently they used to be big back in the day, but they don’t pay me as well as EWE and now here I am, some boy from New Orleans, representing the great continent of Europe against those no good Yanks that screw up everyone’s economy. Yeah, I found that confusing too. But then I look over at America and their Champion of Florida and all I see is some toothless cockney who sounds like Lily Allen on steroids. Flapping his no good mouth about all the pretty stuff he can get now. Well all I see before me is some no good peacock strutting around in front of me, some girl with a gameboy and a superiority complex so far up his spine he ain’t walking straight.

I’ve not been a champion yet. God himself above us all knows that, really, I don’t care. I could be the Champion of all of god-damn Istanbul and all I’d really see in the title is how much money it’s gonna get me. What bigger cheques I’m gonna be able to cash. What new place in society it’s gonna buy me. And what it’s gonna do to my old life that I left behind. That’s all your little Florida Title is.. Nothing more than a big fat checking account, a credit card that's gonna get me what I damn well chose. There ain't no honour in that title, you're jsut projecting your little hopes that you've finally amounted to something in this huge ass world. You know, I’ve been to Florida. And I hated it. My cousin took me to Miami one week. And... Well, let's just say that it did not end well. So is that what you really are Brit Boy? Are you just the representative of a world full of drug dealers, silicon implants and men so fat they’re hooking slurpees right into their bloodstream? Is that you, little mascot man?

At this point, however, Cole is interrupted by the waiter that he scared earlier. He brings him whatever drink Cole happened to have ordered with his simple command of the French language. Cole looks at the mug, barely the size of a small apple and has a look of utter disappointment. Het tries to put his fingers into the handle to pick the foamy drink up, but he can't seem to do that. Eventually he re-focuses and looks back at the camera.

Cole: So if that's what you are, then I guess it's time to introduce myself. I'm Cole. And that's all I'm gonna say. You want to find out more then tough. That's all you're gettin' from me. Nothin' else. But soon enough you're gonna know that while you're a little spit of growing confidence that you always had inside you like some bitch-ass lesson from a fairy tale, I'm just anger. I'm just pure and simple pissed-off perfection. I'm gonna take that title for myself And who knows? I might nfind honor in it, like your little wimpy mind has done. But all I'm really gonna go for is the money. I'll be rewarded like a king, if I can take a WPW title and bring it to EWE. Not a Prince but a goddamn King. But I ain't doing it for a pat on the head and a gold star at playgroup. I'm in this for the money. And don't you go bitchin about that shit of honor and respect. That shit brings nothing but pain and a bullet in the back of most brothers head. I'm in this for the goddamn money.

And maybe to bust your head in.

Cole smiles at this thought and tries once again to move back in his chair in a cool, calm and collected manner, but the chair creaks and groans and he can't do it again. Pissed off now, Cole grabs the drink, slams it down and storms out of the scene.

[Neo]

Scene opens on a large television, at least 42”, as the end of Cole’s promo plays.

‘Cole smiles at this thought and tries once again to move back in his chair in a cool, calm and collected manner, but the chair creaks and groans and he can't do it again. Pissed off now, Cole grabs the drink, slams it down and storms out of the scene.’

The shot rotates to the left, revealing Jason Bennett, with a remote in hand, sat on a 2 seater sofa, and a black cat stretched out across the top of the sofa. He looks on, disapprovingly, at the screen, having watched Cole’s promo numerous times. Jason sighs, presses a button on the remote and the screen fades to black. He then focues his attention on the camera.

Jason: COLE?! Cole? I don’t fuckin’ believe it. Of all the people that coulda taken on the challenge… Of course, it had to be Cole.

Jason sighs once more and hangs his head for a moment, before looking back into the camera.

Jason: But don’t take that as a moment of trepidation. Oh no, it’s quite the oppoisite. Cole is a man that I know little about, nor do I care. He has done nothing even remotely noteworthy in his career, whereas I’m the first person to unify two belts in the history of WE.

Jason smirks.

Jason: Oh, theres that confidence, and showing off, eh Cole? Lets look at it objectively though. You have accomplished nothing and siezed an opportunity to make a name for yourself, while I am a unified champion and I can carry anyone to tag team championship gold. The clue is in the names.

Jason Bennett equals winner, while Cole… Well, Cole equals… Completely Obselte Loathsome Entity, or COLE for short. You see what I did there, or do all those muscles reduce the flow of oxygen to the brain?

Jason shakes his head.

Jason: Ya know, you remind me of Batista. A big, musclebound moron that could only do 4 things in the ring. A Powerbomb, Spinebuster, Spear and a Suplex. Go you.

So, when I show off, not only do I deserve to show off… But I can back it up in the ring as well. Wether it be the tag team champions, the Pure Champion, the Florida Champion… I proved I can beat them all.

You? Who have you beaten? Nobody. Why do you think you deserve a shot? Well, ya don’t. You think that just because an open challenge is set up, you can waltz right in and beat me? Wll, you think wrong.

Jason leans back in the sofa, glancing to his right at the black cat, before continuing.

Jason: You’re right when you say you don’t know shit about WPW. Firstly, you’re underestimating me. Big mistake, right there. You don’t underestimate a Bennett, if they are a champion or not, and you don’t underestimate a man that single-handedly unified two title belts.

You prove your lack of intellect further when you called me a cockney!

Jason rolls his eyes and huffs.

Jason: Cockneys come from London. The Cockney language, while asscoiated with England,is not a trait of every Englishman, as it’s mainly found in London, as it originated there. Ya see, I’m from south England, where cockney rhyming slang confuses the hell outta me, and I’m English. So I dread to think what you would think if someone said to you ‘I just need to use the dog and bone’ or ‘Potata’s’ or any of that Cockney stuff. You’d probably just stand there, scratching your head, wondering what the fuck is going on.

Jason smiles and shakes his head.

Jason: So go ahead Cole… Ahem… Let be just steal a line from Blade. Go ahead, underestimate me. Irony, huh?

Anyway, think about how you will feel when a mascot beats you and retains his unified championship.

And speaking of the unified title… And I’ve decided on calling the combined belts something else. Why? Because I’m not just the pure wrestling champion, and I’m not just the Flroida Champion. I am the Unified International Wrestling Champion. Much better than Florida Champion, or Pure Champion, don’cha think? If anyone else has suggestions, email them to

Mascot_that_beat_cole@hotmail.co.uk

Jasin smirks wickedly as the scene fades out.

[Gravity]

The camera begins to roll, but it's almost impossible to tell. The room is pitch black, the only indicator that there is indeed anything to be seen is a small light bulb, flickering in the upper half of the area. Underneath it, a visible figure is moving, head turning. It speaks, a familiar voice emerges.

"Jason Bennett, you have had so much to be thankful for over the last few days. You've had your precious accomplishments to keep you company when surely no one else would, and you've had a cocky swagger about you that keeps you from going completely insane. Or are you already?

"I taste a hint of insanity.

"You're clinging to the inane, desperate to feel important. You've ranted and raved for weeks about being the first man to unify two belts, when in reality, is that anything of note? You were in the right place at the right time Jason Bennett. There are men who have held any of WPW's many titles at the same, and had the word been given, they could have been unified. I've seen a man, a good friend of mine, capture both the belts you brag so much about unifying, but simply because they stayed separate entities you act as though you have the right to brag over him. Let me tell you something Jason Bennett, you will never be better than Van Risen.

"But he is neither here nor there, for it is I that you need to fear the most. WPW granted you the biggest favor by unifying those belts, giving you only one match to compete in and blessing you with the delusion you currently babble on about. But now it has cursed you Jason. An open challenge at Rebirth... It's practically a Wanted Poster. Every man who wants a piece of Jason Bennett can take it now, and while several have better things to do at Rebirth, I am in the... fortunate position of being free that night.

"For a period of time, I had decided not to even come to Rebirth, to spend the holidays with my family and be thankful for the time off to do so. They've been through so much lately, I've been through so much, it seemed like the right thing to do...

"But then I heard about this open challenge... in St. Louis. And the circumstances, well, let's say they favor someone of my stature.

"What you brag about Jason Bennett, is partially true. You are the first man to unify those two belts, and Cole? Cole is nothing. You're right to be confident Jason, right to be arrogant. But no longer. Because in your arrogance you've lured yourself into a trap. You've entered my territory, and stepped on my toes. And now it is time you learn your place.

"At Rebirth, Jason, Cole will be the last of your concerns. You will be going toe to toe with the greatest Florida State Champion of all time, and a man who you have never had much luck against."

The figure shakes again as it laughs and moves toward the camera. As it steps closer the light glares on it just enough to show off the face of the man. Sal Karver.

"I'll see you tomorrow Jason."

[Neo]

Jason Bennett can be seen, leaning against a plain black wall. He is wearing a suit, with the jacket buttoned up, and he seems nonchalant, especially considering his upcoming title defence against Cole, and now, Karver. He acknowledges the camera and addresses his audience.

Jason: Fuck Van Risen. I don’t give a toss about some has been friend of yours Karver. Now that’s outta the way…

Jason clears his throat and steps forward, pacing as he addresses the camera.

Jason: Insanity is in the eye of the beholder Karver. I could call you insane for thinking you have a chance in hell of taking the title that I unified away from me.

Ya see, that wont happen Salvador. Where has this confidence come from? Could it be that the event is taking place in your god-forsaken home-town? You want to be the hero that dethrones the first ever unified champion? You can keep dreaming Karver.

Jason stops a moment and snorts slightly, obviously knowing that Karver doesn’t stand a chance.

Jason: Sal, I’m already better than Van Risen. I’m better than you. I know it, you know it, and all the peon’s that call themselves fans know it. Karver. Everybody on this earth knows it.

Sal, there is no Apocalypse. There is no bending over backwards to please Dan Murph. There is nobody to gift you a win when I am clearly the better athlete this time. Oh no Sal, you think you can walk in at the last minute and take my title?

Think again.

Jason stares into the camera.

Jason: There will be no dubious circumstances tomorrow Sal, there will just be me, proving once again that I am the best in the world at what I do.

Jason smirks confidently.

Jason: I am the first man to unify the titles. That isn’t just partially true Sal, it’s the truth. There is no denying that fact, and there is no stopping me from going down in history as the first man to unify the belts. Yes, I was right about Cole. He truly is nothing. He is lower than what I’d scrape off my boot. And yes, once more I am agreeing with you, I am arrogant. But I have a good reason to be. In fact, two good reasons.

Jason unbuttons his suit jacket and reveals the Florida and Pure titles both around his waist. The Florida Title is above the Pure Title. Jason smiles broadly.

Jason: Two of the best reasons in the world, right here.

Jason uses his hands and, starting from his shoulders, moves his hands down his chest, passing the belts, before letting his arms hang at his sides. Then, the smile drains from his face.

Jason: Sal, I know that Cole will be a nonentity come tomorrow, when I beat the shit outta him. You? You might provide more of a challenge. Sal, get this straight. I’m not just stepping on your toes.

I’m getting in your face and telling you that you cant beat me.

Tomorrow night, I will prove to the world that I am the best Florida Champion since… Well, I’ll just be the best. Better than Van Risen. Better than you.

And I’ll do it all in your home town, and you’ll never be the same again.

Jason spins on his heels and walks out of the shot, before the screen fades to black.

[Gravity]

Credit where credit is due Jason. I somewhat admire what you just said.

My father had advice for me often regarding this business. He said, "fear no one, and there's no one you can't beat." If I didn't know better, I'd say you'd been listening to him. From that standpoint you're smart Jason, you don't fear me.

But let me tell you why you should.

Don't you remember the good old days Jason? The days before won those titles you rant and rave about? You used to try to make my life awful. You were like Gunnar, Dan, and whoevers been creeping on me lately. But you know what makes you different Jason?

You sucked at it.

All those guys? They found ways to make me lose. You? All you did was help me win.

Should I sugarcoat it more?

No.

You're terrible.

When I won the Florida State Championship, it meant something. I truly earned that honor. My first time, I had to compete twice in one night. I had to do war with Gunnar Brian across the entire arena. I bested countless men. No one even remembers how you got your belts. Your opponents had no heart or different priorities entirely. I'm going to test you Jason, I'm going to force you to do what you've yet to do.

You will have to fight for real.

And you will have to defeat Sal Karver.

And last I checked, you've yet to do either.

I admire your lack of fear, but its not out of intelligence, its out of arrogance. You're a fool to think you can beat me, and you're a fool to not fear me.

I've missed WPW. I miss my Florida State Title, and I miss kicking your ass.

I plan to enjoy the reunion.