Post by Ryan Blade on May 25, 2013 12:44:18 GMT
{Unidentified country music can be heard over speakers as we fade in to a highway gas station. A black, 1997 Honda Civic sits at the pumps while Imperial Wrestling's hottest young star, Ryan Blade, leans against the car. He looks over and spies two attractive females giggling and smiling his direction. He shoots them a quick wink and they giggle more intensely than before. The gas pump stops, and he turns to take it out of his tank and to shut the gas cap. He looks up and sees his girlfriend, Chelsea, approaching with two bags filled with junk food.}
Ryan Blade: "Tell me they had Big League Chew in there."
Chelsea: "They didn't, but I got you Hubba Bubba. It's basically the same thing."
Ryan Blade: "How can you say that? They're not even close. And good god why is it so hard to find a pack of Big League Chew?"
Chelsea: "I'm guessing it probably has something to do with the fact that it's gum that looks like chewing tobacco."
Ryan Blade: "Ugh. I was really looking forward to some Big League Chew though. This trip is totally going to suck now."
Chelsea: "You're driving cross-country to your first show in a big time professional wrestling company, and you're going to let Big League Chew ruin it for you?"
Ryan Blade: "To be fair though.... it's totally the best gum."
Chelsea: "You.... are an enigma, Ryan Blade."
{The beautiful redhead sits on the hood of the Honda Civic and looks out toward the rising sun. The light beams down on the car, and all is quiet for a moment, as the song playing over the gas station's speakers comes to an end. Ryan looks across at his girlfriend and grabs his iPhone from his pocket, snapping a quick picture.}
Chelsea: "Hey!"
{Ryan moves over in front of the car and laughs.}
Ryan Blade: "Just one good picture before the journey begins."
{At his behest, Chelsea lays back on the hood of the car and looks at the phone, smiling a forced smile. Ryan snaps the picture and she climbs off the hood.}
Chelsea: "Everything's a photo opp with you, isn't it?"
{She says while walking to the passenger side door.}
Chelsea: "You know how awkward it is dating someone who has more selfies on Facebook than I do?"
Ryan Blade: "I'm going to be a star, Chels. The people want to see me. I'm just giving them what they want."
{The redhead opens her door and sits down, but as she slams the door to shut it, it fails to latch properly. Another slam yields the same results... and another serves to make her even more frustrated.}
Chelsea: "Please god, tell me that you're going to buy a new car with your Imperial Wrestling signing bonus."
{Blade walks over and uses his magic touch to get her door to shut properly.}
Ryan Blade: "Can't. I already spent that money on new gear. I have to look awesome on TV."
{He climbs into the driver's seat and turns the key. After a moment of fighting the car, it finally starts.}
Ryan Blade: "And you'd really want me to get rid of this beauty? It's got character!"
Chelsea: "It's a 1997 Honda Civic, Ry."
Ryan Blade: "1997 was a good year. Titanic was out... South Park was just starting... I was playing Power Rangers every day during recess in Kindergarten..."
Chelsea: "You realize you just proved my point, right? We'll be lucky if this thing even makes it to Chicago in one piece."
Ryan Blade: "That's only going to be half of the fun. Think of us as... Mickey and Mallory.... Bonnie and Clyde... Thelma and a manly Louise."
{Chelsea laughs heartily.}
Chelsea: "Okay... I'm excited. Let's do this thing."
{Ryan looks into his rearview mirror and runs his hand through his dark, perfectly combed hair. He then looks over at Chelsea, who is putting on her sunglasses.}
Ryan Blade: "Next stop, Chicago."
Chelsea: "Hopefully."
{He looks over again and smiles.}
Ryan Blade: "....Roads? Where we're going we won't need roads."
Chelsea: ".... I didn't set you up for that."
{Ryan revs the engine of his car and it responds by making a pathetic sound.}
Ryan Blade: "I know. I just really wanted to say it."
{As Blade pulls out into the street to begin their journey, the camera watches before fading back to black.}
_________________________________________________________________________
"Well this is it. The main event.... the show.... the end-all, be-all of professional wrestling. I'm headed to the big time, and that contract is my golden ticket. One little piece of paper opens up a plethora of doors for me. All of the fame... the fortune... the respect that you all so desperately crave is now within my grasp. I have everything you'll ever want, and I have it all before my 21st birthday. Cruel world, eh?
What were you doing when you were 20? Working some minimum wage job so you could finally afford to move out of your parents house, and into some crappy apartment? Or were you racking up thousands of dollars in student loans that you'll never be able to pay back? Me? I'm living your dream. I'm going to be rich.... I'm going to be famous. And you're going to HATE me for it.
And you'll be damned if you can't stop watching me.
That's just the way the world works; people hate people who have what they can't. They look at me with my looks... my talent... my charisma... and they envy me. They want to be me, and they hate me because they can't. Well folks, there's only one Ryan Blade, and you aren't him.
...and you never will be.
You can strip away all of my outer qualities; you can try and dull my shine, but inside of me runs the blood of a wrestler. The man I hate actually managed to leave one thing behind when he left, and that's a bloodline of success. You look at me and you see a good looking kid, but behind these baby blues is something that you can't get at the gym.
So thanks dad. At least you gave me something.
But rest assured that I'm nothing like that deadbeat; I'm much better.... and I'm better than any other person you can put me in the ring with. That fact could not be more evident than when I look across the ring from me on Monday, and find myself looking at....
....a viking? Seriously?
History class was never my thing, so correct me if I'm wrong... but don't you people not exist anymore? It's 2013 and we've got a freaking viking running around?
Worst practical joke ever.
Don't worry though, Eirik... I'm going to take you seriously. I'm going to look past your sweet helmet and deer skin outfit, and take note of the fact that you're pretty rough looking character. You're the type of guy I wouldn't want to run into in a dark alley, that much is certain. You're big, strong, and stupid; a dangerous combination. So if this were a barfight, I probably wouldn't be as confident as I am. Truthfully, I'd probably use my better judgment and live to fight another day. But there's one big difference in that scenario, and the one that's going to play out on Sunday....
This ain't a barfight.
Any advantage you have disappears when you step into that ring with me. I've been eating, sleeping, and breathing wrestling since the day I found out about my dear old dad. Like a sponge, I soaked in every single bit of wrestling experience that I could get my hands on. Now's my chance to show the world exactly what kind of man Ryan Blade is... to return the Blade name to the wrestling business and actually make it mean something for once. And you'd best believe I'm not going to let someone like you spoil my homecoming.
So save your pillaging for someone else, Ragner. I've got bigger things to worry about.
Oh, not you Alex Kanton. I have no idea who you are either. Much like the aforementioned Eirik Ragner, you don't know what you're up against on Sacrifice. While you've apparently wrestled all over the world, I'm still new to the big time. I could go on Youtube and find hundreds of your matches... so you're not hard to figure out. Of course they'd have to go all Alex DeLarge and force me to watch them, but once the pain of boredom wore off, I'd know what you were all about. Me? I'm still the unknown entity. I haven't been to England... or France... or Germany... or any of those other countries that haven't mattered since World War 2. I'm the X-Factor in this match... the thing you can't account for.
It has to be weird knowing that even after becoming something of an international superstar, you and I are on the same level. That eats at you, doesn't it? Knowing that this babyfaced kid is going to be your first challenge in IWF. You're starting over and I'm just starting out... so we're almost shooting for the same goals. I want to make my name and you're trying to further your's. The past and present come head-to-head, but I guess I don't have to tell you that time has never been defeated. Your sun is going down, Alex... and mine has only just begun to rise.
Or.. I'm going to eclipse your sun. Something like that. Either way, morale of the story is that I'm going to take you down this week, and I'm going to keep rocketing through this place, and soon, my name will be the only thing on fans lips. You can already hear the whispers, Kanton. They'll just keep getting louder and louder until soon, people are shouting my name from the rooftops. And you? You'll be long gone.
Boys.... this is only my beginning. I don't care what you've done and we're you've been, Alex. When it comes to IWF and Sacrifice on Monday, it's a brand new world for us all. A world that I plan to conquer, rule, and then move on from once I get bored with the conquering and the ruling. You're going to be nothing more than an afterthought in the history of Imperial.... the Trivial Pursuit answer to the question, 'Who was the first person Ryan Blade ever beat in Imperial Wrestling?'
Congratulations. You're Tunney Hunsaker.
....Google it.
When you step into that ring on Monday, you're not looking into the eyes of another scared rookie. You're looking into the past, present, and future of wrestling. Forget all that you think you know now, because after Sacrifice, nothing will be the same again. I don't know any of you right now, and you don't know me; but soon enough, you will.
And the world will seem better just because you know I'm in it.
Now the rest of those wrestlers in the back have to survive in the cold reality that is my shadow....
Because I called dibs on greatness.
... and me winning? I'd say it's a 'Sure Thing'.
...trademark pending."
Ryan Blade: "Tell me they had Big League Chew in there."
Chelsea: "They didn't, but I got you Hubba Bubba. It's basically the same thing."
Ryan Blade: "How can you say that? They're not even close. And good god why is it so hard to find a pack of Big League Chew?"
Chelsea: "I'm guessing it probably has something to do with the fact that it's gum that looks like chewing tobacco."
Ryan Blade: "Ugh. I was really looking forward to some Big League Chew though. This trip is totally going to suck now."
Chelsea: "You're driving cross-country to your first show in a big time professional wrestling company, and you're going to let Big League Chew ruin it for you?"
Ryan Blade: "To be fair though.... it's totally the best gum."
Chelsea: "You.... are an enigma, Ryan Blade."
{The beautiful redhead sits on the hood of the Honda Civic and looks out toward the rising sun. The light beams down on the car, and all is quiet for a moment, as the song playing over the gas station's speakers comes to an end. Ryan looks across at his girlfriend and grabs his iPhone from his pocket, snapping a quick picture.}
Chelsea: "Hey!"
{Ryan moves over in front of the car and laughs.}
Ryan Blade: "Just one good picture before the journey begins."
{At his behest, Chelsea lays back on the hood of the car and looks at the phone, smiling a forced smile. Ryan snaps the picture and she climbs off the hood.}
Chelsea: "Everything's a photo opp with you, isn't it?"
{She says while walking to the passenger side door.}
Chelsea: "You know how awkward it is dating someone who has more selfies on Facebook than I do?"
Ryan Blade: "I'm going to be a star, Chels. The people want to see me. I'm just giving them what they want."
{The redhead opens her door and sits down, but as she slams the door to shut it, it fails to latch properly. Another slam yields the same results... and another serves to make her even more frustrated.}
Chelsea: "Please god, tell me that you're going to buy a new car with your Imperial Wrestling signing bonus."
{Blade walks over and uses his magic touch to get her door to shut properly.}
Ryan Blade: "Can't. I already spent that money on new gear. I have to look awesome on TV."
{He climbs into the driver's seat and turns the key. After a moment of fighting the car, it finally starts.}
Ryan Blade: "And you'd really want me to get rid of this beauty? It's got character!"
Chelsea: "It's a 1997 Honda Civic, Ry."
Ryan Blade: "1997 was a good year. Titanic was out... South Park was just starting... I was playing Power Rangers every day during recess in Kindergarten..."
Chelsea: "You realize you just proved my point, right? We'll be lucky if this thing even makes it to Chicago in one piece."
Ryan Blade: "That's only going to be half of the fun. Think of us as... Mickey and Mallory.... Bonnie and Clyde... Thelma and a manly Louise."
{Chelsea laughs heartily.}
Chelsea: "Okay... I'm excited. Let's do this thing."
{Ryan looks into his rearview mirror and runs his hand through his dark, perfectly combed hair. He then looks over at Chelsea, who is putting on her sunglasses.}
Ryan Blade: "Next stop, Chicago."
Chelsea: "Hopefully."
{He looks over again and smiles.}
Ryan Blade: "....Roads? Where we're going we won't need roads."
Chelsea: ".... I didn't set you up for that."
{Ryan revs the engine of his car and it responds by making a pathetic sound.}
Ryan Blade: "I know. I just really wanted to say it."
{As Blade pulls out into the street to begin their journey, the camera watches before fading back to black.}
_________________________________________________________________________
"Well this is it. The main event.... the show.... the end-all, be-all of professional wrestling. I'm headed to the big time, and that contract is my golden ticket. One little piece of paper opens up a plethora of doors for me. All of the fame... the fortune... the respect that you all so desperately crave is now within my grasp. I have everything you'll ever want, and I have it all before my 21st birthday. Cruel world, eh?
What were you doing when you were 20? Working some minimum wage job so you could finally afford to move out of your parents house, and into some crappy apartment? Or were you racking up thousands of dollars in student loans that you'll never be able to pay back? Me? I'm living your dream. I'm going to be rich.... I'm going to be famous. And you're going to HATE me for it.
And you'll be damned if you can't stop watching me.
That's just the way the world works; people hate people who have what they can't. They look at me with my looks... my talent... my charisma... and they envy me. They want to be me, and they hate me because they can't. Well folks, there's only one Ryan Blade, and you aren't him.
...and you never will be.
You can strip away all of my outer qualities; you can try and dull my shine, but inside of me runs the blood of a wrestler. The man I hate actually managed to leave one thing behind when he left, and that's a bloodline of success. You look at me and you see a good looking kid, but behind these baby blues is something that you can't get at the gym.
So thanks dad. At least you gave me something.
But rest assured that I'm nothing like that deadbeat; I'm much better.... and I'm better than any other person you can put me in the ring with. That fact could not be more evident than when I look across the ring from me on Monday, and find myself looking at....
....a viking? Seriously?
History class was never my thing, so correct me if I'm wrong... but don't you people not exist anymore? It's 2013 and we've got a freaking viking running around?
Worst practical joke ever.
Don't worry though, Eirik... I'm going to take you seriously. I'm going to look past your sweet helmet and deer skin outfit, and take note of the fact that you're pretty rough looking character. You're the type of guy I wouldn't want to run into in a dark alley, that much is certain. You're big, strong, and stupid; a dangerous combination. So if this were a barfight, I probably wouldn't be as confident as I am. Truthfully, I'd probably use my better judgment and live to fight another day. But there's one big difference in that scenario, and the one that's going to play out on Sunday....
This ain't a barfight.
Any advantage you have disappears when you step into that ring with me. I've been eating, sleeping, and breathing wrestling since the day I found out about my dear old dad. Like a sponge, I soaked in every single bit of wrestling experience that I could get my hands on. Now's my chance to show the world exactly what kind of man Ryan Blade is... to return the Blade name to the wrestling business and actually make it mean something for once. And you'd best believe I'm not going to let someone like you spoil my homecoming.
So save your pillaging for someone else, Ragner. I've got bigger things to worry about.
Oh, not you Alex Kanton. I have no idea who you are either. Much like the aforementioned Eirik Ragner, you don't know what you're up against on Sacrifice. While you've apparently wrestled all over the world, I'm still new to the big time. I could go on Youtube and find hundreds of your matches... so you're not hard to figure out. Of course they'd have to go all Alex DeLarge and force me to watch them, but once the pain of boredom wore off, I'd know what you were all about. Me? I'm still the unknown entity. I haven't been to England... or France... or Germany... or any of those other countries that haven't mattered since World War 2. I'm the X-Factor in this match... the thing you can't account for.
It has to be weird knowing that even after becoming something of an international superstar, you and I are on the same level. That eats at you, doesn't it? Knowing that this babyfaced kid is going to be your first challenge in IWF. You're starting over and I'm just starting out... so we're almost shooting for the same goals. I want to make my name and you're trying to further your's. The past and present come head-to-head, but I guess I don't have to tell you that time has never been defeated. Your sun is going down, Alex... and mine has only just begun to rise.
Or.. I'm going to eclipse your sun. Something like that. Either way, morale of the story is that I'm going to take you down this week, and I'm going to keep rocketing through this place, and soon, my name will be the only thing on fans lips. You can already hear the whispers, Kanton. They'll just keep getting louder and louder until soon, people are shouting my name from the rooftops. And you? You'll be long gone.
Boys.... this is only my beginning. I don't care what you've done and we're you've been, Alex. When it comes to IWF and Sacrifice on Monday, it's a brand new world for us all. A world that I plan to conquer, rule, and then move on from once I get bored with the conquering and the ruling. You're going to be nothing more than an afterthought in the history of Imperial.... the Trivial Pursuit answer to the question, 'Who was the first person Ryan Blade ever beat in Imperial Wrestling?'
Congratulations. You're Tunney Hunsaker.
....Google it.
When you step into that ring on Monday, you're not looking into the eyes of another scared rookie. You're looking into the past, present, and future of wrestling. Forget all that you think you know now, because after Sacrifice, nothing will be the same again. I don't know any of you right now, and you don't know me; but soon enough, you will.
And the world will seem better just because you know I'm in it.
Now the rest of those wrestlers in the back have to survive in the cold reality that is my shadow....
Because I called dibs on greatness.
... and me winning? I'd say it's a 'Sure Thing'.
...trademark pending."
Well howdy there pardner.