UWL - Eruption 8-6-22

In the backstage area lurks Your Hero and Mine, Mark Storm; wearing one of his merchandised t-shirts as he walks into the centre of the frame.  

Mark Storm: "Valerie Gonzalez, I know you're gonna be comin' out, looking for a fight but to be honest with you, this isn't about you... I know you've got that energy, that love and passion for what we do, from Sunshine and Rainbows! You grew up watching this business and now you're doing it and making it happen but tonight, you're not going to get your fifteen minutes to shine, no tonight - you're going to be used as an example... as harsh as that sounds, I know that Anthony Cross will be watching this, and I want him to be because I want him to know that the day is coming, where it's you and I - inside that ring for that Heritage title! And when that day comes I've already said I'm ready to restore honour to that title, I've already said I'm ready to bring some pedigree to that title! Valerie, you're just a pawn in this game but you'll play your part, and I'll keep coming for you, Anthony - patiently waiting, knowing that in due time, our time will come."

A smirk appears on his face, as the scene fades. 

The scene opens with the UWL Tag Team Champions, Strike 2 Kill standing in front of an Eruption logo'd backdrop in the backstage area, both with their titles draped over their shoulders. Watson is dressed for action whilst Richardson is in track pants and a hoodie, supporting his teammate with encouraging words as the camera man gets closer in on them. Watson notices, and sharpens himself up, shuffling the title up his shoulder as his eyes meets the cameras.

Miles Watson: "Dangerous Desires, we can understand ya'll are a bit mad after we took these UWL Tag Team Championships away from you... now ya'll feel as if you have something to prove, you wanna get these titles back and you'll do that via any means necessary... ya'll wanna play down and dirty like ya did on Liam two weeks ago but just know this, we're down to play dirty too, and we'll do it even better."

A smirk takes over his face after he says it.

Miles Watson: "You wanna go that route, test us on this occasion - one more time - tonight, well don't worry, we'll be coming down with the strikes to kill! You're testing us but I don't think you fully understand or grasp, the type of beast ya'll are provoking right now, we're the ones who took those titles away from you, the ones who said we're gonna do it, actually did and said we're gonna elevate those titles to a new level, take it to a new stratosphere. And that's what we're gonna do, one step at a time, damn it."

He clenches his fist, his eyes intensifying as he does so.

Miles Watson: "I know ya'll want us to fail, but guess what, it ain't gonna be easy breaking us down, no matter how many times ya'll wanna cheat yo get a victory. We're like that itch on your back that you can't get rid of, whilst ya'll are clawing and scratching, we're coming right at ya - slowly striking our way, breaking you down in the process... Sage Jenkins is about to feel the full strength of that... I'll take you down that route, and show you some more, if you're down... they call me The Technical Marvel for a reason, and I'll show you why tonight!"

The scene fades with Richardson psyching up his teammate. 

“Enforcer” Anthony Cross is standing next to Abby Joseph backstage in front of his locker room door.



Abby Joseph:I am here with UWL Heritage Champion, “Enforcer” Anthony Cross. Anthony, tonight you have a match against Garland Brown.



“Enforcer” Anthony Cross:Indeed I do, Abby. This matchup is a reminder that when you hold one of these…



Anthony taps the Heritage title belt that is draped over his left shoulder.



“Enforcer” Anthony Cross:People will come out from nook and cranny to go after you. It is just what we as champions have to deal with and if that doesn’t exhilarate you then what the hell are you doing stepping into a wrestling right? Garland, we both know that you simply don’t measure up to me because not only I am more talented than you but dammit I will not stop going through this roster till I am the UWL World Heavyweight Champion.



Abby Joseph:You’ve made your intentions to go after Caleb and his World Heavyweight Championship quite clear…



“Enforcer” Anthony Cross:And why shouldn’t I, Abby? It should be everyone’s desire to be the top champ. Right now I am just sitting back and waiting until the time for me to strike and become the UWL World Champion because I am not about to have this opportunity slip through the cracks. So by all means I have no problem letting Caleb and Jackson workout whatever beef they got between the two of them. Fine, no problem. Why make things more difficult for myself?



Abby Joseph:If not now then when is the right time?



“Enforcer” Anthony Cross:That is the million dollar question, Abs, but I am going to maximize my chances by not telling all of you every little detail of my plans for the World Championship. None of you will know when the time is right until it is too late for the World champion. Until then though I am going to make sure my Heritage Championship is the premiere championship here in UWL. Whether it is some pathetic nobody like Garland who comes after me or if it is a solidified star like Billy Danielson who wants to ascend one step closer to the UWL World title by attempting to trade in the Television title for my Heritage title. Things will remain the same with this Heritage title remaining with me because that is just the way it is going to be.



Anthony walks away.

UWL returns from break to a wide shot of the venue.

HEY YEAH! I’M THE ONE THAT YOU WANTED!
HEEEY YEAH! I’M YOUR SUPERBEAST!!!

The top comes off of the Addition Financial Arena. The lights darker and spotlights flicker madly on and around the entryway. It’s a long intro, and “Superbeast” plays for quite a while. The camera pans and changes focus to the center of the aisleway. After making everyone wait a few extra seconds Jackson Burnside finally emerges. There is renewed energy and a big pop as the former World Champ steps out from the back.

Cliff Morris: – “Orlando Florida on it’s feet for the Superbeast!”

Burnside is high energy and in full performance mode. He plays around at the top of the aisle for a long time. He trots back and forth trying to hype the fans up. Burnside rips off the dark blue windbreaker he’s got on and throws it on the ground with force, revealing a T-shirt with torn sleeves underneath. Down the aisle he goes without any real purpose or goal. There is a large discoloration around his neck, leftover bruising that still hasn not fully healed. He takes time to slap hands with fans in the front rows on both sides of the aisle. Tonight he wants to enjoy the adoration of the Eruption crowd.

Cliff Morris: – “Burnside, taking his time getting down to the ring. Interacting with the fans. He may not have a match here tonight Logan, but by God he’s still gonna put on a show.”

Logan Acker: – “This is typical behavior from Burnside. Take time away from the people who have matches. Making it all about himself all while ignoring his own obvious injuries.”

Cliff Morris: - "Logan, for once, I'm actually lost for words. How could you possibly think that is the case about Jackson Burnside? On second thought, don't answer...the man deserves the respect of all of us for waving the flag as high and as far as he does!"

Burnside slides under the bottom rope. The lights are flickering madly over the ring itself now. He climbs to the top rope and poses for the crowd. If this were the 90s, you could imagine dozens of flashes going off to capture the shot. The lights return to normal and “Superbeast” dies down. From outside the ring somebody tosses Burnside a microphone. He catches it in his right hand, and effortlessly flips it around in a single movement.

The lights are back at the normal level and the bruising around his neck is even more apparent. Tonight he is anything but 100%. He paces around the ring for a moment. His left hand goes to the air in a gesture to gain silence. After a moment the noise in the arena subsides and Burnside brings the microphone up to his mouth.

The lights in the arena cut out. The crowd begins to stir in anticipation as the lights seems to stay out for longer than a usual amount of time, the energy building in the arena. Rhythmic clapping begins blasting out of the speakers…the lights beginning to pulse with them. The clapping finally gets to the beginning of “POWER” by Kanye West. The crowd begins to stir even more, a frenzy building.

I’M LIVIN’ IN THE 21st CENTURY DOING SOMETHING MEAN TO IT
DO IT BETTER THAN ANYBODY YOU EVER SEEN DO IT
SCREAMS FROM THE HATERS, GOT A NICE RING TO IT
I GUESS EVERY SUPERHERO NEED HIS THEME MUSIC

Caleb Hart steps out from behind the curtain as the crowd rains down boos.

Cliff Morris: - "Speaking of egomaniacs, our current World Champion won't even let Jackson get a word out!"

Logan Acker: - "It's probably for the better, Cliff. After all, who better to stop Jackson from talking than the man who constantly has his fist in Jackson's mouth!"

Hart stands at the top of the aisle. He appears wholly disinterested in approaching the ring. The UWL World Championship is around his waist, and a microphone is in his right hand.

Caleb Hart:
“Jax, Jax, Jax… I was going to let you come out in my arena and get whatever you needed to get off your chest, but...I just...” Caleb sighs. "No one cares, Jax. No one. No one in the back, no one in the arena. No one at home."

A shot back to the ring. Burnside looks annoyed. He sucks his teeth and listens to Hart, one hand squeezing the microphone, the other clenching and unclenching a fist. A fist that is ready to shut Caleb up once and for all.

Caleb Hart:
"I don't know if you've just missed the memo, can't read, or just living in some alternate reality. But, in this reality, the days of Jackson Burnside coming out here to talk to MY fans...The crowd boos loudly as Caleb smirks. “Those days are long gone. Yesterday’s news. A barrel full of garbage that they forgot to pick up and crush into a tiny little cube.” Caleb takes a few steps (and only a few) forward. A uses his free left hand to emphasize “tiny little cube” and continues. “You can come out here, run around like an big goof. Maybe all these Florida Men and Women will cheer, but that’s because they’ve been conditioned to it. Each and every person sitting out here is one of Pavlov’s dogs, Jax. They hear your theme music and cheer, but they don’t know why. I came out here because I wanted to tell you something really simple: nobody wants to hear it. You’re a dying star, and you’re about to collapse into a black hole of irrelevancy.”

Burnside grins, Caleb's barbs not having their intended effect.

Jackson Burnside:
“Brother, you come out and just vomit out whatever bull comes into your mouth! I heard a lotta words, but you ask me jack, none of it meant a damn thing. ‘Cause honestly, it was a lot of talk from a guy who seems scared of coming down to the ring! I’m supposed to have the night off brother, but if you wanna take a few more steps and climb into this ring I’ll gladly kick your ass! I know I'm beat up and lookin' a little worse for the wear, but you want some than come get some dude!"

Burnside is eager and raring to go. He’s begging for Hart to come down to the ring. Burnside opens up the top and middle ropes, beckoning Hart to come on down. Instead, Hart just responds with a grin.

Caleb Hart:
“You really are a big dumb moron aren’t you? Last time we were in that ring my team beat your team! The time before that I took this title from you!” Caleb pats the World Title. “And don’t forget that I beat your ass backstage too. Hell, I'm singlehandedly taking the Florida state sport of Assault and Battery to a whole new level when I beat your ass!"

The crowd boos loudly as Caleb laughs.

Caleb Hart:
"Just last week, I left you in the back, choking, bleeding! I saw the look in your eyes as I had the chain around your windpipe and I choked the life out of you! I saw fear Jax! I saw you begging and pleading with me to stop! You really want me to go down there? I know a bitch when I see one, and if you want it so badly, I'll beat you like the bitch you are! Only this time security won’t come to your rescue!”

Hart takes another step forward. The microphone winds up tucked under his armpit and he begins to roll up his sleeves.

Jackson Burnside:
“I want you to do it brother! Take the steps, get on down here and try. You think I can’t take a beating? You think what you did to me two weeks ago when you jumped me backstage is enough to put me down? I got into fights damn near every day growing up. If you didn’t stand up and defend yourself in that life than they were gonna take your lunch money every damn day! Take your shoes! Take your knapsack! Take anything and everything you could possibly possess, no matter how insignificant it is. The only way I give up is when you make it so I can’t come back. And jack you didn’t have the nutsack or the fortitude to finish the job.”

Caleb Hart:
“Just ask me. Jax, go on ahead and ask. Because I’ll gladly put you out of your misery and end the sad story you call a life. I’d be happy to do it. I'll have no problem taking Old Yeller behind the shed and putting him out of his misery!”

Jackson Burnside:
“Brother, I'm not asking you, I'm daring you! I've been doing it since you walked your big-headed ass out here on my time! Unlike you I’m not a coward! I’m not punk bitch who gives up and quits. I’d gladly die in this ring! Die on my feet! Can you say the same thing, dude? Would Caleb Hart let himself get killed in the gladiatorial arena, or would he run away to lick his wounds? Because that's the real difference between you and me! I'm the man I am today because the world I grew up in made it very clear that it was kill or be killed. I made it this far without dying, brother! I'll be damned if the one that puts me out is a two faced asshole like you. Couldn't take the heat before, so you quit, right? Can't take the heat now because you're finally up against someone that you cannot put down. Someone who will continue to fight and claw, and fight and claw, and fight and claw..."

Jackson's voice gets louder and faster as he continues, the crowd ramping up with him as the walls of the arena are practically shaking with the energy he brings with his words.

Jackson Burnside:
"And fight and claw until the only one left standing is the Superbeast. Brother, I'm not afraid of you, your legacy, or your ego. I'm here to kick your ass. So, in case I haven't been clear with you, I'll put this in a language you can easily understand." Caleb smirks. Jackson steps closer to the ropes, knowing he's got Caleb in the palm of his hands. "You. Me. World Championship on the line. Tennessee Chain Match!"

The crowd roars as Caleb's facade of confidence breaks for a split second, the grin leaving his face for just a moment...a moment that Jackson immediately latches on to.

Jackson Burnside:
"Oooh, he didn't like that one! What's wrong Caleb? You like being the one to swing the chain, but when you get threatened by it...Talkin about lookin in my eyes and seeing fear, pleasing? I'm lookin at yours right now dude, all the way down there outside the ring... I see it. "Caleb rolls his eyes, going to hold the microphone back up to his mouth. Jackson cuts him off before Caleb can speak sniffs at the air like he's Wolverine.
"Hey, Orlando, does it smell like bitch in here, or is that just Caleb Hart?"

The crowd erupts as Caleb seethes at the top of the aisle. The crowd begins chanting "You're a bitch!" as Caleb looks around the arena with barely concealed rage. In the ring, Jackson is pacing around, ramping the crowd up, but never taking his eyes off of Hart.

Caleb Hart:
"Don't act like you're in on anything, Orlando! Congratulations on learning how to do something in unison besides Crystal Meth!" The crowd boos as Caleb again, doubling down on the chants. Hart begins pacing at the top of the aisle, one hand unconsciously on the UWL World Championship around his waist. "You want me to beat your ass with a chain again? No problem! You want the title on the line! I'm in a giving mood! You'll get exactly what you want!

The crowd roars as Jackson stomps around the ring, amping them up.

Caleb Hart:
"You'll get everything you want and then some. Because when that bell rings, Jax, you've been warned. I'm not coming for blood. I'm coming to kill. You won't be leaving that ring the way you came in. You won't be leaving that ring the same man. Jax...you won't be leaving that ring..."

Jackson throws a hand up and cuts off Hart.

Jackson Burnside:
"Sure, I get it dude. This is gonna be last chance in'nit? All that and all that. I'm gonna say that I agree dude! Because you will have to end me, because if you don't I'm gonna keep coming! Fight and claw to the top brother, climb the mountain that Caleb Hart built until I get thrown off the side! And the fall doesn't kill me? Fight and claw brother! So I know you'll make sure the job gets done this time, that is if I don't beat you first. Both of us are gonna leave the match bloody and beaten, but only one of us will be the World Heavyweight Champion. Come Hell or highwater, I'm taking you out. I'm taking that title. I'm not just gonna take your lunch money dude, I'm gonna take your whole goddamn lunch!"

Burnside throws his microphone down. The crowd is going wild for the huge match that was just made. Champion and Challenger stare at one another and the length between the ring and the top of the aisle may as well be as wide as the Pacific.

Cliff Morris: - "Folks I've just got it, quite literally right at this second, the match is official! On September 3rd, at Power Surge, Caleb Hart will defend the UWL World Championship against Jackson Burnside in a Tennessee Chain Match!"

Logan Acker: - "That's huge. One of the biggest main events in our company's history!"

Cliff Morris: "A Tennessee Chain Match, Logan?"

Logan Acker: "It going to be brutal. Jackson Burnside may have just signed off on his own retirement. This is going to be the last two these two clash for the World Championship, and trust me that's not because of a contractual stipulation."

The closing shot lingers on the World Champion as he stares down his challenger with a hungry, sinister look in his eyes.