OREB.

[Masao Akiyama]

We hear the rhythmic sound of footfalls on the mat, canvas, wood and springs giving way as the shadows and light mingle to form a silhouette, then the sound of boards and basket ball before the camera focuses on the figure under a spotlight the Top Rope just wobbling in shot as the possibly familiar face of Elijah Lassiter gives at the camera and he gives a slight smile.

“’Sup.”

Cut to black as we find the rolling hills and weights the lone chair of a locker room as Elijah sits down dressed in a black track suit get up with the IWF logos on it and clasping his hands.

“I wondered if I should make this a surprise or not, you know? All this grand talk of new eras and no elite in sight so you’re just gon’ get the elite instead. There ain’t no sense in walking out there after so long as one of those surprise busters, if you go out there you out there with intent, you know?”

The scenes suddenly cuts to Elijah in a suit behind a desk as if at a Press conference, the Roulette Logo emblazoned behind him as he picks at a muffin and eats a bit whilst drinking a bottle of water.

“So, here it is boys, here’s my address of the nation, Statement of intent if it were you know? I mean Dean Harper already put his ass out there din’ he? And most of ya’ll will probably wait until the edge of the buzzer to taker yo’ shot All I had to do was decide if I was steppin’ or wait.”

He chuckles and gestures about himself.

“If you gon’ go, you go big, you feel?”

He leans back in his seat , still smiling that confident smile.

“So, I feel I gotta do an introduction for the boys in th’ back who don’ know or don’ remember my face or words. Last Time I was here I stepped-up and tore things up and it wasn’t enough, I knew then I had to go back and work on my game, work on what it was whatever that thing is that was missing? I needed it and I took a few years and an injury or two to come, but My name is Eli Lassiter the Elite, there is and was and I ain’t gon’ pretend I don’t belong no more. No more step backs, so Win or lose I make my return and make good my promises.”

The youngsters jaw sets as he rubs at his chin nodding to himself as he draws up his confidence.

“Roulette is never easy, and this won’t be my last statement, But so far there’s only one of ya’ll really saying anything and me and him have done this dance before. Hi there Dean, how’s it goin’ dollface? “

He gives a little finger wave and smiles wryly.

“Hope you missed me you old wolf. Like the new style, suits you bein’ out from under somebody’s heel anyone’s heel, Be nice to tangle with you, see what new tricks you’ve brought to your game in person ‘stead of on the other side of the monitor. Hell I’m back at the bottom, an’ that’s ok I don’ expect the red carpet. I expect to make ya’ll listen the hard way.”


He chuckles, taking another long sip of his drink even as he straightens his tie

“Roulette is always a hard press, lotta bodies, lotta back stabbing, lotta people getting yeeted into the special splash zone between ring and rows lotta confusion, lotta last minute team ups that don’t pan out, or do Either way in the end there’s only a person to really rely on ‘tween those ropes and you stare at ‘m in the mirror before you do your business.”

There’s the slyest of chuckles.

“Thing is boys, is there’s a new man in tow, and ya’ll ain’t ready, future has ghosted up on ya’lls whilst you weren’t watchin’ So the question is, what you goin’ to do about it? Step up? Or get out my way?”

Elijah slowly stands and adjust his suit and tie sipping the water and picking up that muffin.

“We good? Yeah, We good. See you soon boys.”

Off he steps as the promo slowly fades out from the faux conference.

fin