Post by Swindle Shelldrake on May 26, 2022 22:33:18 GMT -5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---| Proving Ground XXXV: |---
---| Gladiator Games II |---
T h e K r a k e n
S w i n d l e S h e l l d r a k e
K i n g O f T h e A s h e s
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---| S W I N D L E |---
---| W o r t h |---
The lights roll over the dark road. This time scanning up to the man’s fringe as he calmly drives through the midnight graveyard commute. Tired eyes look ahead as the countless miles scroll past. Finally a respite from the road, but you have to drive home first. Swindle Shelldrake tiredly watches the road as the night rolls in.
?: “Heeeellloooo wrestling fans! It’s the Apron Bump Podcast! I am as always, your host, Wes Herbert, back at it again talking about some good ole wrestling! I am joined as ever with my fearless co-host, Jim Gibson, how’s it, Jim?
GIBSON: “Great to be back on the show, not so great on some of the wrestling that we’re gonna be talking about I must say, not to take away from some of the HAWT takes going over the next hour or whatever”.
HERBERT: “Ok with that said, awesome segway into the biggest event of the last week and that was Project: Honor’s Disputed Territory show. I think we need to talk about the elephant in the room right out of the gate, Jim is chomping at the bit to talk about it….that main event”.
GIBSON: “That main event indeed, man”.
HERBERT: “I have my opinion…but I want to hear yours first”.
GIBSON: “Phew, ok. Long story short….What. Were. They. Thinking. Holy shit, man. I thought we were on the Arata train, Summer of the Shogun! This guy just got it back from Emmanuelle and just drops it here? What the fuck! It’s insane! You cannot tell me, I know we’re all about opinions here but your opinion is wrong, that shit stinks. That has got to be the worst way for anyone, let alone some goth stringbean to win the GRAND TITLE! GRAND TITLE, WES!”.
HERBERT: “I mean, you might not be goth but you are a stringbean too, just sayin…”.
GIBSON: “Ayayayay beside the point, how in any way is putting the belt on Swindle Shelldrake a good decision?”
HERBERT: “I think it was pretty inspired all things considered. Arata has been looking down on not only him, but the whole Proving Ground roster since he arrived. I think this was the perfect place for that confidence to be shaken a little bit. For long term direction I do agree with you, it’s all up in the air now. But that’s exciting, I want to see where this goes”.
GIBSON: “That’s where I can’t agree, man. Look how not only the top guy of the show got punked out, but the second top guy ALSO got punked out. It’s cheap as fuck. I know you don’t like it when we have the insider terms in here, brother brother, heheh. But come on, this guy is a miiidddcarrrrrderrrr. He gets all cute with a chair and now we’re here. Arata Asakura is a bonified, proven, main event draw in every place under the sun".
"Why put a stop to that now?”
HERBERT: “Maybe he finally met his match. Swindle beat him way back in October-November time, it’s been a brewing rivalry ever since. Arata is a globe-trotting super talent, that can’t be denied. But it’s not out of the question that they may have been spread too thin on this one. All dynasties come to an end. It’s hard to keep a title, that much is something we’ve seen in Project: Honor. Guys like Havoc and MYOJIN are an exception to the rule”.
GIBSON: “We’ve seen it all before, the guy is gonna sneak around with the title, we’re gonna see more chair bullshit, the interference, the lame ass shit. The matches are going to be terrible!”
HERBERT: “He had a great match with MYOJIN not too long ago, and against pretty much everyone else higher on the totem pole at the time so I don’t know about tha-“
GIBSON: “That’s cause MYOJIN don’t miss! X-Factor Fire is where it’s at. At least they didn’t do the super smooth brain play of putting both titles on this guy. But they made them both look like shit. I can only hope for a quick end to this for my own sanity”.
HERBERT: “Look, everyone saw their golden boys take an L in that main event, whatever the method was. So if people are salty about it, that’s one thing. But think of it this way; Swindle went in there with a plan, and it went perfectly. My thoughts on the guy don’t matter because he’s gone and put himself against the lions from day one. He’s underhanded, sure. But I’ve never seen him back off from what others might see as a mismatch. And you know what? I think he’s on the level now”.
GIBSON: “No you fucking don’t”.
HERBERT: “I do. He walked out of there with the Grand Championship and made his two biggest rivals on the brand, and two of the biggest stars of the whole company, look a day late and a dollar short. Retaining X-Factor was great and all for MYOJIN, and a Legacy shot that was, frankly, gifted at the shortest of notice by Mark Hunter, do not compare to crowning a new top guy of the show. We went in there with one goal and one prize in mind, and he got it. Swindle Shelldrake has taken the ball, and we need to see how he runs with it”.
GIBSON: “Yeah well, he needs to show some big time worth otherwise that title is gonna be buried deep down in ground”.
“We need to ask the question….”
The following query from Gibson overlays with the voice of another, unknown person.
GIBSON & ?: “What is Swindle Shelldrake worth?”
----
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE [V.O.]: “Worth”.
“That’s what it’s all about here”.
The footage of Swindle driving in the night now merges to cuts of black and white backstage footage of what seems to be right after the Disputed Territory main event. The frame seeing his tall form from behind, walking in slow motion through the curtain after finally leaving the ramp from observing the impromptu third fall of the match. The mixed reactions of cheers and boos warbling away. His back showed some damage from the double team attack from MYOJIN and Arata, but otherwise not so beaten down as if he left empty handed.
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE [V.O.]: “You’ll have anyone and everyone that is either poor enough or dumb enough to enter the ring tell you, ‘you gotta show your worth’. They’ll say a title is worth something so sentimental, that it crowns you as the biggest star to ever step foot on this earth. Some might only be worth that dirt you’re stepping on too”.
“The value we have is ever something we can attribute to ourselves. It’s always at the whim of the onlookers. Whoever that may be”.
As he walks down the hallway past the production boxes and the technicians, his presence also draws attention from various wrestlers of the Proving Ground Roster all waiting at Gorilla Position, their eyes telling the story. A mix of surprise, contempt, support and the new opportunity they see from what just transpired.
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE [V.O]: “More than a fair share of people will never see their worth noticed. They’ll fade away and be forgotten just as the day ticks over. For a while I wondered what my worth would really be in this world. Doubts were always there, and anyone that says they don’t feel the hand of it on their shoulder on that cold road is lying through their teeth, pretending that they’re content with the glass they’re standing on. Over the pit”.
“Does me sitting here change that perception you have of me in any way? At all?”
The camera cuts to focus on the metal endplate of the Grand Championships snap buckles lightly scraping along the ground of the backstage area as Swindle holds it firmly in hand. A small scratch being drawn over the buffered floor.
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE [V.O.]: "....”
“I didn’t think so”.
“Tonight I showed you that the champion does not make the championship. Arata Asakura gets shunted on to what is seen to be greater things with the Legacy Championship, while I pick up the very thing he left to rust during both his disappointing tenures”.
“Even winning this, it’s never enough. Not for any of you”.
“We all want to have our time in the sun, and prove that we’re so much better, and greater than those that put us down time and time again for the simple sin of wanting it. What’s even more perverse is that we chase something that we all know nothing of being. You’ll have words of confidence about taking the torch and being ready. It’s all bullshit. None of us can know even what it’s like, or what it means to be a champion until we finally make it there, and it’s undeniable to everyone”.
“They all fail trying for it”.
Some technicians and production staff look at him with the same confused and uncertain gaze, while others direct him to a room.
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE [V.O.]: “But I haven’t”.
“Out there you saw two people who should be among the most comfortable to ever step into a championship match, and they crumbled. Under the lights all it takes is a power keg to make the whole thing explode, and that’s exactly what I did. They are excellent talents striving to take from each other for the impossible goal of holding the double gold. There was no reality where any of us would be able to walk out with everything while the others were breathing. And so, I made a choice. A choice FOR THEM, what they would get”.
“All of that. Gone within one night by two steel chairs and someone who pulled apart any form of hope they had for walking out of here tonight with any dignity to speak of”.
The footage cuts from the hallway and the drive to show Swindle sitting down at a post-show media scrum. The Grand Championship propped up on a stand next to him as he held the microphone close to his lips. The same determined look in his eyes that has been a reporter's worst nightmare since he debuted in Project: Honor is still there in full force.
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE [V.O.]: “I am the Grand Champion, and I have had no idea how to be this for my entire life. Until now. What comes next is the bigger mountain to climb as I have to carry Proving Ground. I finally have my chance…..”
“But what is it worth? Now that I’m here….it wasn’t enough for you….and it isn’t for me either”.
“In spite of everything that have thrown at me, I am the champion now. And for as long as they can stomach it, I will remain so. Because this chance won’t come around again. I’m not an Arata Asakura who has this things growing on trees and sees them drop to the ground day by day. This is my championship, and everyone, and I do mean everyone, will have to endure that”.
We cut back to the car and see Swindle let out a long exhale in the long, arduous drive. He turns to look at the passenger seat, seeing the large leather pouch that now holds the Project: Honor Grand Championship. In his ownership, for however long he is able to keep it. The street lights roll over the leather to show the Project: Honor logo in flashes that shoo away the dark for small moments. The gray shield and swords staring at him.
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE [V.O.]: “This isn’t a catharsis yet. I’m still chasing that”.
He looks at the title for a moment before turning back to the road. He clicks a button on the car dashboard that brings up his voicemail box.
DING
“You have….twenty. Eight. New messages”.
“New message”.
BEEP
?: “Eeeeee my man you did it! Hey! You know me, it’s Gareth from wrestling school. You remember me, right? Just give me a call when you get this alright, no hard feelings on the past, right. Congrats on tonight, man. See ya”.
BEEP
?: “Good evening, Mr. Shelldrake. I’m calling from the Tetran Kai Group. If you could call us back on this number, we would like to get in touch. Thank you. Bye”.
BEEP
?: “Hey Swinbabe THAT WAS SO AWESOME I HAD THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE FOR THAT. Pleasecallmebackpleasepleasepleasepleas-”
BEEP
?: “heyit’smeagainsorryIclosedthemessagebyaccidentbuthaiit’sBillyyou’rereallycoolweshouldtotallyhaveamatchsoonrightca-”
BEEP
BILLY BENNETT: “I DID IT AGAIN FUCK!....call me plz”.
BEEP
?: “Hello, Mr. Shelldrake, I’m calling from the Tetran Kai Group, if you’re interested in some new offers we have for you, please call us back on this number. Thank you, bye”.
BEEP
?: “Hello, Mr. Shelldrake, I’m calling from the Tetran Kai Group, if you’re inter-”
BEEP
?: “Good evening, Mr. Shelldrake, I’m calling from the Tetran Kai Group-”
BEEP
?”Good evening, Mr. Shelldrake, I’m calling from the Tetran Ka-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---| S W I N D L E |---
---| F a l l o u t |---
? [V.O.] : “Whaaaat’s up, guys. Dean Boss Dapp here from Grapful Wrestling with a big news report from Project: Honor wrestling for you here ONLY on Grapful Select. It’s been in the rumour mill for some time now, but it’s finally happening, the Project: Honor brand split is effectively coming to an end. The Proving Ground and Fallout rosters are getting merged together into one show, and several championships will be getting unified".
"For now, it seems that the Grand and Ascended Prime Championships will be staying separate, but I don’t know how long that will be able to last with three world titles for one pool of wrestlers to fight for. After their little hiatus, this is definitely going to shake things up, but only time will tell if it’ll bring them the results they want to see”.
The next scene shows a small, dark, seedy bar popping with neon lights in the decor. One that has been seen before way back when. A throwback to the bar from Swindle’s very first promotional material for Project: Honor when he debuted back in June of 2021. He’s sitting at the bar once again, a cigarette resting in his lips as he exhales the smoke out of his nose. The new Grand Champion’s dark jacket sees small flecks of neon colour reflecting off the metal spikes and buckles as he takes a drink. However, as he puts the drink down, someone is sitting there beside him.
Already spinning around on the barstool with energy, the greasy hair and wicked smile of Billy Bennett is there.
BILLY BENNETT: “Heyheyhey, champ. How’s it goin’? What brings a hottie like you to a place like this, huh?”.
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: “What are you doing here?”
BILLY BENNETT: “I came to challenge you to a match, dummy. I’ve wanted to face you for fuckin’ ages, and what better chance that this CROSSOVER of dreams!”
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: “Do you want a title shot or something?”
BILLY BENNETT: “What? No, I have my belt though I do want a shot at you yes BUT THAT’SBESIDETHEPOINT-ANYWAY….”
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: “Wouldn’t be surprised if you wanted a title match, we’re all in the business of taking stuff away from me recently”.
BILLY BENNETT: “What’s wrong, babe?”
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: “Didn’t you hear? We’re all gonna be under the same roof now. I finally won the title, and now I’m not on top anymore. It’s not any secret that the Grand title has been knocked down a few pegs in the perception of people over the last few months. But I had a chance to see if I could be the top guy of my own battleground. The double title match was entirely that, and I did it. But now, it’s different….”
BILLY BENNETT: “Fuck ‘em. They took that from you and fuck ‘em. Don’t let that be anything to be down about, you’re a champion….fuckin’ finally. This is the time to show it, against the best, right? And so, you’ll be facing me”.
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: “I haven’t said yes”.
BILLY BENNETT: “You will”.
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: “I haven’t”.
BILLY BENNETT: “You haven’t said no which is pretty much a yes”.
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: “That’s really not how it works”.
BILLY BENNETT: “You do, I can see it in your eeeeeeyeeeeees”.
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: “Fine”.
BILLY BENNETT: “YYYUUUUUUSSSSSSSSSS! DUB FOR THE GOOD GUYS!”
“I’m totally gonna beat your ass though”.
Swindle takes another inhale of his cigarette and finally turns to face Billy as she’s swinging on her stool. The wisps of smoke framing the cautious glare of his eyes.
BILLY BENNETT: “You ain’t getting an easy time just because I like you. You want that title to mean something with you holding it, right? Then you’re gonna have to beat me. And you know it. And you know, that ain’t ever gonna happen, hun”.
“AsmuchasIwouldwantyoutobeatmebut-ANYWAY”.
“What would it look like if you lose to the person that Arata is going to be challenging for their title, huh? That seems shit as hell. But, you gotta be better than me”.
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: “If I have to keep fighting upwards but this time it's against you, then so be it. I don't have a show to run anymore, and I've had to struggle while I've seen you come in and win title after title. Don't patronize me with that shit. I know you're good, you don't need to make it anything more than it is"
"Fallout has been a blockade for me since before Night of Honor. And even if I wasn't attached to the team, you won WarGames, so we're not on even footing here, Billy. Don't come down here like Arata to lord it over me that you're granting me this match. I want to face you because you're good at this whole wrestling thing. I want to wrestle you because I'd like to thing you're not gonna be rubbing it in my face that I'm not some global superstar".
"The Legacy Champion however, I have no intention of facing".
"Let me tell you how it went. That title you have, cost me my chance to defeat the Prime Champion. That Legacy title, cost me my chance to chase after Ozymandias after the Scramble. It's the gate key to opening both brands, and I really fucking wanted to take it from whoever was unfortunate enough to be holding it; Elena, Ozy, Syndicate, whoever. I wanted to wage that war again, because I don't let it go".
"But you, I don't have that burning vendetta against. Only that now, that line in the sand will be gone. And so, your title doesn't bring it for me. Not when I have my own mission to complete. You will bring your best, Billy. I know you will. Because while it's on my shoulder, The Grand Championship will grow to eclipse both you, and Havoc. The remnants of Proving Ground and Fallout will leave us three to fight for who really is the real world champion of this place".
"If I respect you, it means I have to beat you".
BILLY BENNETT: "You better hope that you do, at some point anyway. But it won't be here. You're too busy worryin' about all that shit and not what you're gonna do about it. That double title match was awesome because YOU DIDN'T GIVE A SINGLE FUCK! I want that Swindle to beat me, but you need to be that person again to hope for that win".
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: "They said the same thing, you know? Needing to be greater to pull ahead. But now look at them. This is the start of a new era for all of us, Billy. The Shogun seemed unstoppable, and the Shining Star would never fade. Until they did. How long until you feel the same fall?"
BILLY BENNETT: "I want it to be you that finally defeats me, though. You're super awesome and you're the only scumbag here that I can accept that from!"
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: "That's where you're going to be disappointed. You want it to be something perfect that you can envision. But you'll never get it. I'll never get it either. Do you think I wanted to win the title the way I did? Nobody in their minds dreams of cracking someone over the head with a chair and seeing another guy grab a win after you to upstage your moment as your crowning achievement. But you know what, I'll still take that. Because it wasn't about my pretty little fantasy of being a world champion. It was about becoming a real world champion. Plain and simple. No bullshit or pretenses about everything I could be, and everything I wanted to be..."
"Becoming what we are".
"If it's a loss you want, at my hand. Then you're only asking for the stars to align and betray you. I want that victory, not because it's something you might be content with at some point. A victory over you will cement me as the best".
BILLY BENNETT: "You don't think you are already? Yikes".
Swindle turns from looking at the bottles of alcohol on the counter to where she was sitting, only to find it now vacant. The spinning chair suddenly silent and still. he turns back and finishes the rest of his drink.
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: "If it won't be at my hand, someone will in the end...."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---| Proving Ground XXXV: |---
---| Gladiator Games II |---
T h e K r a k e n
S w i n d l e S h e l l d r a k e
K i n g O f T h e A s h e s
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---| S W I N D L E |---
---| W o r t h |---
The lights roll over the dark road. This time scanning up to the man’s fringe as he calmly drives through the midnight graveyard commute. Tired eyes look ahead as the countless miles scroll past. Finally a respite from the road, but you have to drive home first. Swindle Shelldrake tiredly watches the road as the night rolls in.
?: “Heeeellloooo wrestling fans! It’s the Apron Bump Podcast! I am as always, your host, Wes Herbert, back at it again talking about some good ole wrestling! I am joined as ever with my fearless co-host, Jim Gibson, how’s it, Jim?
GIBSON: “Great to be back on the show, not so great on some of the wrestling that we’re gonna be talking about I must say, not to take away from some of the HAWT takes going over the next hour or whatever”.
HERBERT: “Ok with that said, awesome segway into the biggest event of the last week and that was Project: Honor’s Disputed Territory show. I think we need to talk about the elephant in the room right out of the gate, Jim is chomping at the bit to talk about it….that main event”.
GIBSON: “That main event indeed, man”.
HERBERT: “I have my opinion…but I want to hear yours first”.
GIBSON: “Phew, ok. Long story short….What. Were. They. Thinking. Holy shit, man. I thought we were on the Arata train, Summer of the Shogun! This guy just got it back from Emmanuelle and just drops it here? What the fuck! It’s insane! You cannot tell me, I know we’re all about opinions here but your opinion is wrong, that shit stinks. That has got to be the worst way for anyone, let alone some goth stringbean to win the GRAND TITLE! GRAND TITLE, WES!”.
HERBERT: “I mean, you might not be goth but you are a stringbean too, just sayin…”.
GIBSON: “Ayayayay beside the point, how in any way is putting the belt on Swindle Shelldrake a good decision?”
HERBERT: “I think it was pretty inspired all things considered. Arata has been looking down on not only him, but the whole Proving Ground roster since he arrived. I think this was the perfect place for that confidence to be shaken a little bit. For long term direction I do agree with you, it’s all up in the air now. But that’s exciting, I want to see where this goes”.
GIBSON: “That’s where I can’t agree, man. Look how not only the top guy of the show got punked out, but the second top guy ALSO got punked out. It’s cheap as fuck. I know you don’t like it when we have the insider terms in here, brother brother, heheh. But come on, this guy is a miiidddcarrrrrderrrr. He gets all cute with a chair and now we’re here. Arata Asakura is a bonified, proven, main event draw in every place under the sun".
"Why put a stop to that now?”
HERBERT: “Maybe he finally met his match. Swindle beat him way back in October-November time, it’s been a brewing rivalry ever since. Arata is a globe-trotting super talent, that can’t be denied. But it’s not out of the question that they may have been spread too thin on this one. All dynasties come to an end. It’s hard to keep a title, that much is something we’ve seen in Project: Honor. Guys like Havoc and MYOJIN are an exception to the rule”.
GIBSON: “We’ve seen it all before, the guy is gonna sneak around with the title, we’re gonna see more chair bullshit, the interference, the lame ass shit. The matches are going to be terrible!”
HERBERT: “He had a great match with MYOJIN not too long ago, and against pretty much everyone else higher on the totem pole at the time so I don’t know about tha-“
GIBSON: “That’s cause MYOJIN don’t miss! X-Factor Fire is where it’s at. At least they didn’t do the super smooth brain play of putting both titles on this guy. But they made them both look like shit. I can only hope for a quick end to this for my own sanity”.
HERBERT: “Look, everyone saw their golden boys take an L in that main event, whatever the method was. So if people are salty about it, that’s one thing. But think of it this way; Swindle went in there with a plan, and it went perfectly. My thoughts on the guy don’t matter because he’s gone and put himself against the lions from day one. He’s underhanded, sure. But I’ve never seen him back off from what others might see as a mismatch. And you know what? I think he’s on the level now”.
GIBSON: “No you fucking don’t”.
HERBERT: “I do. He walked out of there with the Grand Championship and made his two biggest rivals on the brand, and two of the biggest stars of the whole company, look a day late and a dollar short. Retaining X-Factor was great and all for MYOJIN, and a Legacy shot that was, frankly, gifted at the shortest of notice by Mark Hunter, do not compare to crowning a new top guy of the show. We went in there with one goal and one prize in mind, and he got it. Swindle Shelldrake has taken the ball, and we need to see how he runs with it”.
GIBSON: “Yeah well, he needs to show some big time worth otherwise that title is gonna be buried deep down in ground”.
“We need to ask the question….”
The following query from Gibson overlays with the voice of another, unknown person.
GIBSON & ?: “What is Swindle Shelldrake worth?”
----
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE [V.O.]: “Worth”.
“That’s what it’s all about here”.
The footage of Swindle driving in the night now merges to cuts of black and white backstage footage of what seems to be right after the Disputed Territory main event. The frame seeing his tall form from behind, walking in slow motion through the curtain after finally leaving the ramp from observing the impromptu third fall of the match. The mixed reactions of cheers and boos warbling away. His back showed some damage from the double team attack from MYOJIN and Arata, but otherwise not so beaten down as if he left empty handed.
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE [V.O.]: “You’ll have anyone and everyone that is either poor enough or dumb enough to enter the ring tell you, ‘you gotta show your worth’. They’ll say a title is worth something so sentimental, that it crowns you as the biggest star to ever step foot on this earth. Some might only be worth that dirt you’re stepping on too”.
“The value we have is ever something we can attribute to ourselves. It’s always at the whim of the onlookers. Whoever that may be”.
As he walks down the hallway past the production boxes and the technicians, his presence also draws attention from various wrestlers of the Proving Ground Roster all waiting at Gorilla Position, their eyes telling the story. A mix of surprise, contempt, support and the new opportunity they see from what just transpired.
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE [V.O]: “More than a fair share of people will never see their worth noticed. They’ll fade away and be forgotten just as the day ticks over. For a while I wondered what my worth would really be in this world. Doubts were always there, and anyone that says they don’t feel the hand of it on their shoulder on that cold road is lying through their teeth, pretending that they’re content with the glass they’re standing on. Over the pit”.
“Does me sitting here change that perception you have of me in any way? At all?”
The camera cuts to focus on the metal endplate of the Grand Championships snap buckles lightly scraping along the ground of the backstage area as Swindle holds it firmly in hand. A small scratch being drawn over the buffered floor.
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE [V.O.]: "....”
“I didn’t think so”.
“Tonight I showed you that the champion does not make the championship. Arata Asakura gets shunted on to what is seen to be greater things with the Legacy Championship, while I pick up the very thing he left to rust during both his disappointing tenures”.
“Even winning this, it’s never enough. Not for any of you”.
“We all want to have our time in the sun, and prove that we’re so much better, and greater than those that put us down time and time again for the simple sin of wanting it. What’s even more perverse is that we chase something that we all know nothing of being. You’ll have words of confidence about taking the torch and being ready. It’s all bullshit. None of us can know even what it’s like, or what it means to be a champion until we finally make it there, and it’s undeniable to everyone”.
“They all fail trying for it”.
Some technicians and production staff look at him with the same confused and uncertain gaze, while others direct him to a room.
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE [V.O.]: “But I haven’t”.
“Out there you saw two people who should be among the most comfortable to ever step into a championship match, and they crumbled. Under the lights all it takes is a power keg to make the whole thing explode, and that’s exactly what I did. They are excellent talents striving to take from each other for the impossible goal of holding the double gold. There was no reality where any of us would be able to walk out with everything while the others were breathing. And so, I made a choice. A choice FOR THEM, what they would get”.
“All of that. Gone within one night by two steel chairs and someone who pulled apart any form of hope they had for walking out of here tonight with any dignity to speak of”.
The footage cuts from the hallway and the drive to show Swindle sitting down at a post-show media scrum. The Grand Championship propped up on a stand next to him as he held the microphone close to his lips. The same determined look in his eyes that has been a reporter's worst nightmare since he debuted in Project: Honor is still there in full force.
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE [V.O.]: “I am the Grand Champion, and I have had no idea how to be this for my entire life. Until now. What comes next is the bigger mountain to climb as I have to carry Proving Ground. I finally have my chance…..”
“But what is it worth? Now that I’m here….it wasn’t enough for you….and it isn’t for me either”.
“In spite of everything that have thrown at me, I am the champion now. And for as long as they can stomach it, I will remain so. Because this chance won’t come around again. I’m not an Arata Asakura who has this things growing on trees and sees them drop to the ground day by day. This is my championship, and everyone, and I do mean everyone, will have to endure that”.
We cut back to the car and see Swindle let out a long exhale in the long, arduous drive. He turns to look at the passenger seat, seeing the large leather pouch that now holds the Project: Honor Grand Championship. In his ownership, for however long he is able to keep it. The street lights roll over the leather to show the Project: Honor logo in flashes that shoo away the dark for small moments. The gray shield and swords staring at him.
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE [V.O.]: “This isn’t a catharsis yet. I’m still chasing that”.
He looks at the title for a moment before turning back to the road. He clicks a button on the car dashboard that brings up his voicemail box.
DING
“You have….twenty. Eight. New messages”.
“New message”.
BEEP
?: “Eeeeee my man you did it! Hey! You know me, it’s Gareth from wrestling school. You remember me, right? Just give me a call when you get this alright, no hard feelings on the past, right. Congrats on tonight, man. See ya”.
BEEP
?: “Good evening, Mr. Shelldrake. I’m calling from the Tetran Kai Group. If you could call us back on this number, we would like to get in touch. Thank you. Bye”.
BEEP
?: “Hey Swinbabe THAT WAS SO AWESOME I HAD THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE FOR THAT. Pleasecallmebackpleasepleasepleasepleas-”
BEEP
?: “heyit’smeagainsorryIclosedthemessagebyaccidentbuthaiit’sBillyyou’rereallycoolweshouldtotallyhaveamatchsoonrightca-”
BEEP
BILLY BENNETT: “I DID IT AGAIN FUCK!....call me plz”.
BEEP
?: “Hello, Mr. Shelldrake, I’m calling from the Tetran Kai Group, if you’re interested in some new offers we have for you, please call us back on this number. Thank you, bye”.
BEEP
?: “Hello, Mr. Shelldrake, I’m calling from the Tetran Kai Group, if you’re inter-”
BEEP
?: “Good evening, Mr. Shelldrake, I’m calling from the Tetran Kai Group-”
BEEP
?”Good evening, Mr. Shelldrake, I’m calling from the Tetran Ka-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---| S W I N D L E |---
---| F a l l o u t |---
Three weeks later
? [V.O.] : “Whaaaat’s up, guys. Dean Boss Dapp here from Grapful Wrestling with a big news report from Project: Honor wrestling for you here ONLY on Grapful Select. It’s been in the rumour mill for some time now, but it’s finally happening, the Project: Honor brand split is effectively coming to an end. The Proving Ground and Fallout rosters are getting merged together into one show, and several championships will be getting unified".
"For now, it seems that the Grand and Ascended Prime Championships will be staying separate, but I don’t know how long that will be able to last with three world titles for one pool of wrestlers to fight for. After their little hiatus, this is definitely going to shake things up, but only time will tell if it’ll bring them the results they want to see”.
The next scene shows a small, dark, seedy bar popping with neon lights in the decor. One that has been seen before way back when. A throwback to the bar from Swindle’s very first promotional material for Project: Honor when he debuted back in June of 2021. He’s sitting at the bar once again, a cigarette resting in his lips as he exhales the smoke out of his nose. The new Grand Champion’s dark jacket sees small flecks of neon colour reflecting off the metal spikes and buckles as he takes a drink. However, as he puts the drink down, someone is sitting there beside him.
Already spinning around on the barstool with energy, the greasy hair and wicked smile of Billy Bennett is there.
BILLY BENNETT: “Heyheyhey, champ. How’s it goin’? What brings a hottie like you to a place like this, huh?”.
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: “What are you doing here?”
BILLY BENNETT: “I came to challenge you to a match, dummy. I’ve wanted to face you for fuckin’ ages, and what better chance that this CROSSOVER of dreams!”
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: “Do you want a title shot or something?”
BILLY BENNETT: “What? No, I have my belt though I do want a shot at you yes BUT THAT’SBESIDETHEPOINT-ANYWAY….”
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: “Wouldn’t be surprised if you wanted a title match, we’re all in the business of taking stuff away from me recently”.
BILLY BENNETT: “What’s wrong, babe?”
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: “Didn’t you hear? We’re all gonna be under the same roof now. I finally won the title, and now I’m not on top anymore. It’s not any secret that the Grand title has been knocked down a few pegs in the perception of people over the last few months. But I had a chance to see if I could be the top guy of my own battleground. The double title match was entirely that, and I did it. But now, it’s different….”
BILLY BENNETT: “Fuck ‘em. They took that from you and fuck ‘em. Don’t let that be anything to be down about, you’re a champion….fuckin’ finally. This is the time to show it, against the best, right? And so, you’ll be facing me”.
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: “I haven’t said yes”.
BILLY BENNETT: “You will”.
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: “I haven’t”.
BILLY BENNETT: “You haven’t said no which is pretty much a yes”.
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: “That’s really not how it works”.
BILLY BENNETT: “You do, I can see it in your eeeeeeyeeeeees”.
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: “Fine”.
BILLY BENNETT: “YYYUUUUUUSSSSSSSSSS! DUB FOR THE GOOD GUYS!”
“I’m totally gonna beat your ass though”.
Swindle takes another inhale of his cigarette and finally turns to face Billy as she’s swinging on her stool. The wisps of smoke framing the cautious glare of his eyes.
BILLY BENNETT: “You ain’t getting an easy time just because I like you. You want that title to mean something with you holding it, right? Then you’re gonna have to beat me. And you know it. And you know, that ain’t ever gonna happen, hun”.
“AsmuchasIwouldwantyoutobeatmebut-ANYWAY”.
“What would it look like if you lose to the person that Arata is going to be challenging for their title, huh? That seems shit as hell. But, you gotta be better than me”.
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: “If I have to keep fighting upwards but this time it's against you, then so be it. I don't have a show to run anymore, and I've had to struggle while I've seen you come in and win title after title. Don't patronize me with that shit. I know you're good, you don't need to make it anything more than it is"
"Fallout has been a blockade for me since before Night of Honor. And even if I wasn't attached to the team, you won WarGames, so we're not on even footing here, Billy. Don't come down here like Arata to lord it over me that you're granting me this match. I want to face you because you're good at this whole wrestling thing. I want to wrestle you because I'd like to thing you're not gonna be rubbing it in my face that I'm not some global superstar".
"The Legacy Champion however, I have no intention of facing".
"Let me tell you how it went. That title you have, cost me my chance to defeat the Prime Champion. That Legacy title, cost me my chance to chase after Ozymandias after the Scramble. It's the gate key to opening both brands, and I really fucking wanted to take it from whoever was unfortunate enough to be holding it; Elena, Ozy, Syndicate, whoever. I wanted to wage that war again, because I don't let it go".
"But you, I don't have that burning vendetta against. Only that now, that line in the sand will be gone. And so, your title doesn't bring it for me. Not when I have my own mission to complete. You will bring your best, Billy. I know you will. Because while it's on my shoulder, The Grand Championship will grow to eclipse both you, and Havoc. The remnants of Proving Ground and Fallout will leave us three to fight for who really is the real world champion of this place".
"If I respect you, it means I have to beat you".
BILLY BENNETT: "You better hope that you do, at some point anyway. But it won't be here. You're too busy worryin' about all that shit and not what you're gonna do about it. That double title match was awesome because YOU DIDN'T GIVE A SINGLE FUCK! I want that Swindle to beat me, but you need to be that person again to hope for that win".
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: "They said the same thing, you know? Needing to be greater to pull ahead. But now look at them. This is the start of a new era for all of us, Billy. The Shogun seemed unstoppable, and the Shining Star would never fade. Until they did. How long until you feel the same fall?"
BILLY BENNETT: "I want it to be you that finally defeats me, though. You're super awesome and you're the only scumbag here that I can accept that from!"
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: "That's where you're going to be disappointed. You want it to be something perfect that you can envision. But you'll never get it. I'll never get it either. Do you think I wanted to win the title the way I did? Nobody in their minds dreams of cracking someone over the head with a chair and seeing another guy grab a win after you to upstage your moment as your crowning achievement. But you know what, I'll still take that. Because it wasn't about my pretty little fantasy of being a world champion. It was about becoming a real world champion. Plain and simple. No bullshit or pretenses about everything I could be, and everything I wanted to be..."
"Becoming what we are".
"If it's a loss you want, at my hand. Then you're only asking for the stars to align and betray you. I want that victory, not because it's something you might be content with at some point. A victory over you will cement me as the best".
BILLY BENNETT: "You don't think you are already? Yikes".
Swindle turns from looking at the bottles of alcohol on the counter to where she was sitting, only to find it now vacant. The spinning chair suddenly silent and still. he turns back and finishes the rest of his drink.
SWINDLE SHELLDRAKE: "If it won't be at my hand, someone will in the end...."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------