Post by cadillac on Sept 5, 2021 1:10:21 GMT -5
Darkness encompasses the scene for what feels like an eternity. The uneasy tension in the air is finally broken by the clearing of a throat, followed by an unfamiliar voice.
"The tag team scene in professional wrestling is dead. I don't care who you are, how much of your life you've dedicated to tag team wrestling, or what grandiose ideas you have about how you'll be the one to 'change the game' and get tag wrestling over again - it's bullshit. Nobody cares about it because everyone is out for themselves now. Everyone wants the spotlight on them and are willing to step on anyone they can to get there. They get a little taste of fame, that ego creeps up and bites them on the ass, and they'll turn on someone closer to them than family at the drop of a dime. I mean, look at your little tag division right now Project Honor. Sure, you have some stragglers and stray sheep that have stumbled in or you've jumbled together - but this division is practically non-existent. That's why you've opened it up to the outside world, in hopes of invigorating and reviving a division you helped kill.
But all you've done is put the final nail in the coffin of a division that died long ago - because you allowed the horsemen to ride in.
That's why before anything else is even said? I want to make this very clear. We are not here to be your saviors. We are not here to rescue this dying division.
We're here to prove that it's dead.
Cause of death - ANTITHESIS."
A single lightbulb flickers a few times before coming to light, exposing ANTITHESIS member Tyson Sykes as the voice heard. He sits on a nondescript stool in the middle of a half torn down wrestling ring inside of a dingy storage unit. The single light sways above his head, and Sykes adjusts his backwards baseball cap, never taking his eyes off the camera as he begins again.
"Well fuck, where are my manners? I didn't even introduce myself now did I? I forget that the majority of Project Honor fans probably aren't clued into anything that doesn't involve Jason Long or Larry KaChow, or any of the other shit that's shoved down their throat week after week. I'll allow Sanders to introduce himself, but for now? Allow me to introduce you to 'The Ripper', Tyson Sykes. Here's a little background - fuck, I feel like we're filling out a dating profile, and if you couldn't tell by the backwards hat and sleeves tee, I'm a man dressed to impress and ready to make a killer first date impression. Regardless, here's a few things that you've probably heard about me, so let's clear up the rumors, shall we?
Am I a little on the egotistical side? Yes. Do I have an attitude problem? Guilty. And do I have a bit of a foul mouth? You're fucking right I do. But one thing you'll learn about me right quick, is I'm not a liar. I take all my 'short comings' and I own them, unlike most of you prince's and kings and queens and God's - or whatever other over reaching bullshit you want to pull from your asses to make you seem more important than you are. So yeah, I can be a bit of an asshole, but you know what else I am? I'm one fourth of the most feared force in all of professional wrestling. I'm the man who weeks ago defeated a professional wrestling legend who has been inducted into three separate hall of fames. I'm the most dangerous mother fucker to ever lace up a pair of boots... and I'm the man who'll kick your fucking head off if you need me to prove it to ya.
The rest? Do your fucking homework. Do what the majority of you do best, and sit on your KFC chunky gravy asses in front of a keyboard and Google the name Tyson Sykes - you'll find out right quick why you should know exactly who I am. But if that's too much work for your delicate little fingers, stay tuned to Collision Course, because I'm going to make it plain and simple EXACTLY who the fuck I am." Tyson smirks a little, adjusting himself on the stool. "Now that that's out of the way - let's go back to the most disgusting part of this entire endeavor that Johnathan and I have found ourselves in.
166 days." Tyson scoffs with disdain, shaking his head. "166 days a single team reigned over the Project Honor tag division, and was untouched by every single team this company could muster to throw at them. Hell, they beat most of them twice over. And I talked a little earlier about doing research, so let me just say this right off the bat. I know a lot of this tournament, from Project Honor's side at the very least, is going to turn this into a 'who can diss that tag team the most' just to see if they can 'pop the boys and girls' in locker room. It's a pretty well known fact that the Project Honor locker room is as petty as a 45 year old woman with an Inverted bob cut waiting in line at customer service, so it's no doubt in my mind that this will become a third grade roast real quick. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not out here defending those former champions, 'cuz fact of the matter is I wish they were in this tournament too because I think they could both use a stiff kick in the jaw - however I think it's deplorable and damn right laughable that anyone with their name in ink on a Project Honor roster has anything to say about either one of those men. They had a flawless record as champions, a nearly flawless record in singles competition, and nobody EVER took those straps from them. They said exactly what I said at the beginning of this, that those titles are worthless, and they walked right out of this company. Cunts or not, that's a power play.
That's also why we're having this tournament. The powers that be in the Honor office clearly believe enough time has passed and now they're trying to salvage what's left of this division. Hate to be the one to break it to ya, but using a shock paddle on a cremated body ain't gonna do shit folks. What's dead is dead, and it's time to let the dead rest.
Enter ANTITHESIS." Sykes leans back, the light flickering a few times over head. "Don't get it twisted. Sanders and I are after a lot of things in this tournament, or at the very least I am. Yeah, I want the clout. Yeah, I want the accolade to put on my already stacked resume. But what I want the absolute most? Is to silence all the nobodies who think that ANTITHESIS has just walked its ass over from PWS Apex just to put over these Project Honor clowns. I know most of the Honor officials know of the PWS, I know there's a bit of a backstory between the two feds, and I know that they probably were none too pleased to see our names pop up when the tournament was announced. But we're not the only none native Project Honor members that answered this call.
In fact, in the first round we have the siblings who will also be making their debut in Project Honor, Ryan Young and Rebecca Brookes... or sorry, 'The Heritage'." Sykes rolls his eyes. "Now don't get me wrong. Ryan Young? I know he's no joke. I've heard his name ever since I got onto the scene, and from a wrestling standpoint it's great to see 'The Messiah' in this tournament. Believe it or not, I respect Ryan Young and I think he's got a lot to offer in the ring. Plus Rebecca, while I don't know as much about her, anyone trained by Ryan and that comes from that - pardon their obvious pun - but that heritage is nobody to overlook. Plus, there's always the importance of meshing with a partner, and who can you trust more than blood?
But they drew the short end of the stick, being matched up against us in the number one slot. I'm sure that they're going to put up a hell of a fight, and down the road once Sanders and I have decided our point has been made - I'm sure they could even make fine tag team champions. But sometimes the cards just don't fall into play the way you want them too. I know Ryan especially has some ties with some of the Project Honor regulars, and that gives him a hit of a home field advantage if you will - or at least makes The Heritage an easy sentimental favorite for those tuning in and in the back as well. However I hate to be the -... who'm I kiddin'. Fuck it. I LOVE to be the bearer of bad news - and that's that Johnathan Sanders and I have made a career out of beating sentimental favorites. And we'll do so over, and over, and over again in this tournament until we crush every last hope, and are the last two standing.
From there? I'll admit, there's some solid competition. We got fellow outsiders like Phantom Troupe who bring a lot of heart and technical prowess and the Brothers of Balance who being a chaotic mix of power and brutality. What Phantom Trope lacks in experience they more than make up for in spunk - but I've seen teams like this before. They're going to get lost in the lights, accept an opportunity too big and they're going to lose before they even step into the ring. Brothers of Balance? Yeah, they're intimidating dudes. But wrestling is full of intimidating dudes, and I've beaten every single one of 'em that had wanted to step to me. Set 'em up and I'll knock 'em down baby, I don't give a fuck who you are or how big you are; 'The Ripper' will tear through anybody - especially if those two can't get on the same page.
Then you have those representing Project Honor, or at least for the most part. You have Steel & Venom comprised of Project Honor mainstay Kagome Akabara and EAW's James Ranger. Now I'll be the first to admit that I don't know much about Ranger other than their reputation to be meticulous, methodical and an in ring mastermind. But Kagome I've seen and I know is ultra capable in the ring. While they don't have the most decorated record in Project Honor history, they're no stranger to gold, and I'm not going to underestimate the influence of Ranger. But in as simple of terms as possible? They're just not in our league, despite their higher ranking than us in the brackets.
Rulers of the Underground are compress of two fairly new members to the Honor roster who, once again let's be honest, don't have an impressive win/loss record. However fairly similar to Steel & Venom, the combination of the two could be a dangerous one. Thorberg is a beast, a bruiser, but I think he gets more in his own way than anything. So with someone like Angelo in his corner, who considers themselves a mastermind in their own right, it could be a very impressive combination. However, again, that's if they can get on the same page. It seems a lot of people are just throwing their name in the hat here seeing that this championship could be an easy win, and I don't think either of these men want this championship to have it - nor do the have to the tools to earn it.
JÖRMUNGANDR is one of the teams that I'm most excited about in this tournament, and that's because I think what Shelldrake and Crowley bring to the table is hella interesting. They don't hide behind flash and flair, the snake and the kraken will be the first to tell you if they're going to win, it's not going to be by out wrestling anybody. I respect that. I hope they advance because if there's one thing I love? It's a good tooth and nail throw down, and I know those boys are going to bring the fight of a lifetime. Plus, I'd love to prove that just like the mythical JÖRMUNGANDR itself, their chances of winning this tournament just simply don't exist no matter who wants to believe in it.
Actually, I feel like Arjen and Seede are in the same boat, 'cuz I'd love to tangle with The Massacre. Again two people who - of you were confused by their name - love to bend the rules of the ring, and I'm into that. Fuck, ask Chaz Holiday how things went in our Unsanctioned contest and he'll tell ya exactly how much I love it. I feel like both these guys are way better than they're given credit for, and I think a lot of other people are going to over look them coming into this. But not me. Not ANTITHESIS. We know exactly how good you guys are, Massacre. And if the time comes that we meet in this tournament or down the road? Well be happy to switch it up, and show you guys just exactly how good WE are.
Finally, we got the one and two seed in this little tournament, and four of the absolute best that Project Honor had to offer. We have Fire and Ice, comprised or Pyro and Julius Fairweather; as well as Shinigami no Tensei comprised of Havoc and Arata Asakura. Now Fire and Ice is a little on the nose, because it's no secrete that this was a partnership born of - well frankly - fire. In fact, I think Pyro even burned the hair off or Julius' head? Frankly, I see why these two respect each other so much because of they're willing to go to those lengths against each other - imagine what those two will do to other people when they mash their sadistic minds together. Julius had one of the best records currently in Project Honor, and while frankly I think he's corny and full of shit - there's no doubt the mother fucker can wrestle. And Pyro, while not currently setting the world on fire with his record, has been increasingly more and more successful after his little affiliation with Fairweather. Meanwhile Arata not only had a winning record, but has been in almost all high profile matches. His partner isn't much different, because Havoc has racked up an extremely impressive record as well as close showings against the literal best Project Honor has to offer. These four men are without a doubt incredible in their own rights.
But here's the kicker. They don't have what ANTITHESIS has. We're a brotherhood, a force of nature, a well oiled machine that could run with any of us at 25%, let alone both of us coming in at 100%. Fire and Ice? They were brought together by conflict, but you'd be a moron to believe that those egos aren't going to explode again soon. Fire and Ice is great, contrasting styles is wonderful, but put them too close to each other for too long? One will melt, or one will be extinguished - or most likely - both. And Havoc and Arata? Again, when you look at the two they don't peg ya as the classic tag team. Does that mean they can't coexist? Absolutely not. Does that mean they clearly don't have the experience and drive that Sanders and I do? Absolutely it does.
Not only that, but we got a little bit of an edge up, because I'm sure there's a lot more focus elsewhere for these four. The focus is on a little something called Night of Honor. A two day event showcasing the best of the best in Project Honor, with A LOT at stake. Pyro and Havoc will be going up against each other in fact, both looking to claim the Noble Championship as their own. Meanwhile, Julius goes one on one with one of the guys with huge momentum, Syndicate, and Arata is representing Team Darling in the main event of night one. To say any of these men are going to be bringing the focus it needs to win this? Is more than generous."
Tyson stands up slowly, the wavering light flickering a few more times. "The bottom line is simple. There's a ton of talent in this tournament, but that's different than a lot of TEAMS. Sanders and I are coming into this focused, and we're coming into this with a mission. Most of you probably don't know this, but ANTITHESIS is currently about to enter a tournament for the PWS Apex tag team championships as well... and you know what's going to be sweet?
Taking the Project Honor tag team championships to the ring, and raising all four titles as we become the undisputed best tag team in the world. Period.
For everyone else? Heh..." Sykes smirks, reaching up and shutting off the light above him, leaving the room once more in total darkness.
"It's lights out."
End.
