Post by Smith Jones on Jul 23, 2019 21:34:41 GMT -5
Smith Jones is hobbling to his locker room, barely able to stand, leaning on the walls for support. As he arrives at his door, APW Interviewer Troy Butler is standing by, mic in hand.
TROY BUTLER: “Smith Jones! Smith, can I have a word with you? You just outlasted nine other superstars to become the Number One Contender for the APW World Title! How does it feel to have just won one of the biggest matches of your entire career?!”
Jones puts one hand on the wall next to him as he sucks wind and stands with a limp. He looks down at a crack in the floor beneath him. Smith takes a slow, deep breath before he speaks.
SMITH JONES: “It feels… incredible. And at the same time, it’s terrifying. Have you been watching the product, Troy? Have you seen the calibre of talent in this locker room? Have you noticed that we walk amongst the very best that professional wrestling has to offer? Have you heard… about Masuda Jubei? Can you spell it? You will learn.”
Still leaning on the wall, Jones squares up to camera and stares deep into the lens with a knot of wrinkles rippling the muscles above his nose. Waves of tension roll up his face and all the way over his scalp to the back of his neck. He struggles to breathe; he leans on the wall even harder.
SMITH JONES: “Master Jubei. As I stand here tonight, I am intimidated by you. You are The Master not only by gimmick choice, but by your actions. You prove night after night that you are legitimate. You are to be respected; you are to be feared. As I stand here tonight, I am intimidated, Champ.”
Smith pushes off from the wall and manages to stand on his own two feet. He stands up as straight and tall as he can, swaying ever so slightly in the whipping winds of change.
SMITH JONES: “But Jubei, the man you see before you here tonight is not the man you will be facing in that ring when you and I finally walk the boards and face off for your shiny new APW World Heavyweight Championship. Congrats, bee tee dubs. I’ve got a lot of ring rust to shake off before we cross paths for the gold. I aim to do the work required to get that done. See me coming, Masuda. Do not rest.”
With that, Jones shoves the camera out of his way and goes into his locker room, slamming the door! Fade to black.
SMITH JONES: “Be warned.”
