L ___ _ _ __ _ _ _ P / __(_)_ __ ___| |_ / _\ |_ _ __(_) | _____ R / _\ | | '__/ __| __| \ \| __| '__| | |/ / _ \ O / / | | | \__ \ |_ _\ \ |_| | | | < __/ \/ |_|_| |___/\__| \__/\__|_| |_|_|\_\___| [Dissolve in as the strains of "Uprising" fade into the background, while the smiling face of Jesse DeCarlo greets us. He's leaning against an equipment crate, backstage at L-PRO Arena.] JD: Good evening wrestling fans! I'm Jesse DeCarlo and we're just a half hour away from L-PRO Breakout, coming to you from L-PRO Arena in Toronto, Canada! There's a lot going on to get to now, rest assured we'll have you completely up to speed with everything going on here in LEGACY Pro. By now you've no doubt heard and seen what "Up All Night" Pablo O'Connor did on the last edition of Breakout, adding yet another championship to the L-Crown he's managed to create. But this time he managed to stun the wrestling world and collect one of the most prestigious championships in the history of the business to it, the PVW World Title. And in maybe the most truly shocking aspect of it all, he didn't even win it in the ring. He _bought_ it from Johnny Detson, the last reigning champion. To say controversy has followed Pablo, well that would be an understatement. And later tonight, he'll step into the ring for the first time in L-PRO to square off against an as of yet unnamed opponent. Whoever he's taking in has been a closely guarded secret so far, but our own Stan Thomas is standing by right now with the manager of the L-Crown Holder, Miss Stephanie Delacroix. [We cut to Stan Thomas backstage in front of a "L-PRO" banner with Stephanie Delacroix, the manager and wife of Pablo O'Connor, dressed in a cherry colored dress suit with a pink blouse, MBC gold medal around her neck and an expensive looking large sized cherry colored purse. Oh and the massive wall of a bodyguard, Kobus deVries, is also there in his now trademark charcoal colored suit with white shirt, black tie and cherry colored sunglasses.] ST: Since LEGACY Pro began the story creating the biggest buzz continues to be the emergence and growth of the LEGACY Crown by the "Up All Night" Pablo O'Connor and my guest at this time, his wife and manager Stephanie Delacroix! [Delacroix gives a curt nod of her head but otherwise is kind of stoic tonight.] ST: Ms. Delacroix, your husband and you have promised history every time you come to LEGACY Pro and so far you've delivered every time. SD: But of course we have. ST: Last Breakout the Phoenix Valley Wrestling World Heavyweight championship was added to the L-Crown and you've both promised history would be made tonight as the L-Crown is defended for the first time. [She curtly nods again.] SD: Yes, we will be doing what no one else here can do, Steve... ST: It's Sta- SD: That is make history happen every episode and enrich our legacy and the legacies of all the championships making up the LEGACY Crown every week! ST: The identity of the challenger for the L-Crown has not been revealed as of yet. Is there any information you can give us as to who this challenger is? [Delacroix nods solemnly.] SD: Well, if you were a good at your job Steven Universe.. ST: My name is.. SD: Then you'd notice that we are not our usual happy go lucky selves. That is because the challenger tonight is one of the single GREATEST competitors in the history of this sport! My husband is training and getting ready, he is taking NO chances because the man coming here tonight to step into that ring for the L-Crown could EASILY do it! [She shakes her right index finger in the air.] SD: It is going to take everything to hold onto that LEGACY Crown tonight, Stephen F. Austin. They are just simply AMAZING and we are very, very concerned that this LEGACY Crown that we've built up.. That has the ENTIRE wrestling world talking non-stop about it... This crown jewel of jewels could be gone before we've properly guided it to it's zenith of prestige and magnificence. This journey could be all over in an epic battle of unheard of proportions between two of the sport's best gladiators ever! [Delacroix gives a solemn nod while Stan looks ready to explode with anticipation.] ST: Oh My! Who is it?! [Stephanie narrows her eyes at Stan before shaking her head slowly.] SD: I just told you, Steven Gerard, that one of the greatest competitors to ever lace up a pair of boots is here tonight to challenge for the LEGACY Crown in what is sure to be the greatest match any of these fans have ever seen in their lives and you want to RUIN the surprise of who that opponent is?! [She shakes her head stronger now and Stan looks almost guilty.] ST: I... I was just.... [She gives a wave of her hand towards KdV as she steps back. The massive wall of a man then steps in between Thomas and the manager.] ST: Ah... KdV: .... ST: This interview is over isn't it? [The bodyguard gives one nod of his head and Stan walks off, his shoulders slumped in defeat, while Delacroix rolls her eyes and shakes her head before we cut back to Jesse.] JD: Suffice to say rumors have been running rampant who it might be as Pablo O'Connor's handpicked opponent for his first defense of the L- Crown. But it might be wise to remember what sort of games Pablo and Stephanie like to play. La Cucaracha found out the hard way a few weeks ago, but maybe just maybe tonight will be a true test for the self- proclaimed champion of champions. All I can say is there's a rapidly growing list of people who would like to get their hands on Pablo O'Connor, and I don't see it getting shorter anytime soon. [Jesse begins to walk down the hallway slowly, continuing to address the camera.] JD: I have been asked by L-PRO management to remind everyone that at this time the L-Crown is not an official championship recognized by the company, but the L-PRO Heavyweight Championship Title _is_ one step closer to reality after last week. Right now we have two qualified participants set for the Iron Survival Match to crown the very first champion. [Dissolve to a graphic that shows Angus Andrews on the far left of the screen and Danny Holden on the far right. In between them are two shadowy silhouettes.] JD: Danny Holden picked up the second slot when he defeated Liam Donegal in last week's main event. And as you can imagine, Holden has been rather boastful ever since and considers himself to be the frontrunner to win the title. But Angus Andrews likewise is in the match and experience is clearly on his side. It's already an intriguing matchup between the two, and with two more spots in the match to be decided there are still a number of ways this could all turn out. Tonight we have another qualifying match, as "Nighthawk" Michael Bonn takes on Stan "The Man" Fox. One of these two men will join Angus and Danny, and we'll be one step closer to crowning the very first L-PRO Champion. We'll be hearing from both competitors before the end of First Strike, but before that we go to comments from the Taylor Twins, who are in action here first tonight. [We go to backstage where we find The Taylor Twins, Jimmy and Jack. Jimmy is the shorter one, Jack is the taller one, but you probably knew that. Jimmy is the more talkative one, Jack is the less talkative one. And you if you didn't know that, then here's your evidence.] Jimmy: So we might have been dealt a setback, a stumbling block, a temporary obstacle in the way of our quest to become the L-PRO tag team champions, but that's not going to make any difference to us. Because as they say, if you fall, you get up and try again, you take another swing, you go for another round, you get back on track, and that's gonna happen tonight, folks! [All of that in one breath... but wait, there's more.] Jimmy: It doesn't matter who they send up against us tonight, or who they send up against us the next show, the show after that, and the show after that, and ad infinitum, because we are going to do what needs to be done, and that's get back on the path that leads to the top of the mountain, the top of the hill, the top of the ladder, the top of whatever they want to call it, but all that matters is that it leads to the top. [We're still not done rambling, folks.] Jimmy: So tonight we send the message to the Midnight Children, Max and Sal, The Heat, The Gunslingers, Greatness, and whatever tag team happens to be standing before us and our ultimate goal. We are not going to disappoint the good people who cheer us night after night, who want to see us rise to the top and reach that ultimate goal. And we are going to demonstrate what we do well, what is going to help us fulfill that destiny to become the L-PRO tag team champions, and what is going to allow us to cement our legacy as one of the best tag teams in the world, that I can promise you, one and all, that it will be done! [And now he's finished, because he just turned to Jack.] Jack: He's got it covered. [Jimmy turns back to the camera and smiles. Jack says not another word. Cut to a non-descript locker room somewhere in L-PRO Arena where their opponents are putting on their gear for tonight's match. It's obvious by the grimace on his face that Tex Thomas of the Gunslingers is in discomfort still following last week's efforts against the Black Mass Effect as he laces his boots up.] TT: Got' damn, I ache. Doesn't matter whether it happened a week ago, a month ago or a year and a half ago, that was a beatin' you just don't forget. Those were some true BMFers ol' Roy and I took on last time, props to you boys. The world hasn't seen an ass whoopin' that bad since the Duke were alive, you two came prepared and clocked us but good. [His eyes narrow as he looks towards the camera. His partner, Sloane, mutters incoherently in the background.] Here's the thing though, just 'cause we get knocked into the dirt, doesn't mean we stay down. There's gonna be another day, another day for these here Gunslingers. We hurt, but we get up and we do it all again. Taylor Twins, just one question you need to ask yourselves. Now that we're outta the tournament, what are we gonna do now that we ain't got nothin' left to lose? [Fade.] JD: Both the Taylor Twins and the Gunslingers are looking to get back in the win column after first round defeats in the tag team title tournament. The Twins came up just short against THE HEAT a few weeks back, while as you can see the Gunslingers were brutally mauled by the Black Mass Forever last week and are still feeling the effects. ------------------------------------ dARk mATCh THE TAYLOR TWINS VS. THE GUNSLINGERS ------------------------------------ Despite the boasts of the Gunslingers, this week ended up being much the same for the two cowboys as the Taylors started off the match quickly, dizzying their opponents with fast tags and fluid movements. It was obvious from the get go that Thomas and Sloane were still battered from before, slower than usual to get up and react, and with a flying bodypress from Jimmy Taylor to the outside knocking both Gunslingers down getting the crowd into things too with a loud pop! Back into the ring and Jack caught Thomas with a pair of huge clotheslines that rocked him to the core before an overhead press slam put him flat on his back again. Sloane attempted to save the match for the 'Slingers by sneaking in with a Sloane Star, but a devastating superkick out of nowhere from Jimmy planted him where he stood and sent him crashing back to the outside. From there it was academic as Jack lifted Tex up into a powerbomb position, tagging his brother back in and the Twins delivered the Taylor Made for the three count to huge cheers! WINNER: The Taylor Twins (via Taylor Made) JD: So another rough night for the Gunslingers here, but victory for the Taylor Twins! They might be out of the tournament, but a win like this has to keep them in good standing as contenders at the very least. A dominating performance by Jimmy and Jack, who seem to be pretty popular with the L-PRO faithful. [Fade in: The camera comes up on a dapper 40 year old man. To the fans of L-PRO they recognise him as Andre Browne. For those tuning in for the first time they’re treated to a smallish to medium sized man in an elegant chocolate brown three piece suit with a brilliantly starched club collar shirt and brown and cream checkered wool bow tie. He wears tortoise shell spectacles (though probably for show.) He has neatly trimmed hair and mustache and a voice that is at once condescending and commanding.] AB: Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Andre Browne. I am the agent, representative and voice of the most malevolent and destructive force in professional wrestling today. You may think that that is simply the boast of a man trying to promote his client and in any other case I would agree with you. I would say "Yes sir, that is mere puffery to try to draw attention to my client in a myriad of similarly situated talents." But when I speak of the most malevolent and destructive force in professional wrestling today my words are not mere puffery. Nay, they are prophecy. They are the words of a man who has come to foretell the truth and invite you all to bear witness. Ladies and gentlemen, I understand the mundanity of every day existence. I understand the grind on the soul it is to wake up every day next to the same worn out spouse, get the kids ready for school, get ready for work, endure eight to ten hours of mind-numbing, soul-crushing repetitive crap for a faceless corporation to whom you are only an employee number. I understand the yearning to break free of the routine. And that is why I invite you to witness the greatness that is Amar’e Khalil. My client is the embodiment of freedom. He does what he likes when he likes wherever he likes. This man does not get paid by the hour. This man does not submit to anyone else’s will. This man is a freak of nature. A Category 5 Hurricane. He fights for money but he also loves to fight. It is his passion. It is his raison d’etre. My client, the most malevolent and destructive force in professional wrestling today, Amar’e Khalil, does not choose to speak to the people. He does not choose to speak to his opponent. He chooses to employ me to that effect. My client is solely interested in eviscerating every opponent put in his path until the inevitable occurs. He becomes the World Heavyweight champion. You may notice that the powers-that-be have chosen not to select my client for their world title tournament. Why? The reason is simple. Ratings. They wish to have a tournament where everybody has an equal chance. They wish to have a level playing field. So my client, the most malevolent and destructive force in professional wrestling today, must sit and wait. I promise you, that my client, the most malevolent and destructive force in professional wrestling today, is not taking this lightly. Deny him the title and people suffer. He will not be caged by the machine. He rages against the machine. And tonight, his opponent, will suffer the consequences of Amar’e Khalil being denied the title and the money that accompanies it. [Browne smiles coyly.] AB: Ladies and gentlemen, I invite you to witness your fantasies come to life. Imagine if you could get revenge on a co-worker, a boss, anybody, who you knew denied you your rightful opportunity. It would be a wonderful catharsis, would it not? But you, as mere drones in this mortal world, can only fantasise about such relief. My client, the most malevolent and destructive force in professional wrestling today, Amar’e Khalil, needs not to fantasise. He needs a ring and an opponent. And he has both those things. Tonight, he reminds everybody why it is just a matter of time. Thank you for bearing witness. [Fade out.] JD: Andre Browne with another chilling message for those who stand across the ring from his monster, Amar'e Khalil. Tonight that's going to be El Ojo del Oro, the mysterious masked man. Talk about a tall order for the luchador, but it's coming up soon on Breakout. The main event is also set for Breakout tonight, with Michael Bonn and Stan "The Man" Fox both looking to be added to the Iron Survival match coming up in just a couple of weeks time to crown the first ever L-PRO Heavyweight Champion. If you know anything about Bonn, you know how deeply he prepares for every match, but especially important ones like tonight. We did however get some words earlier with his manager, the one and only Virginia St. Ursula. [Cut to backstage where we find the manager of "Nighthawk" Michael Bonn, the lovely Virginia St. Ursula. Wearing a lavender blouse, an eggshell skirt and a confident smile, the former actress pushes back a few stray blonde hairs behind her ear and nods.] VSU: Michael is still working out, so I guess it falls on me to do all the talking this time around. [She lets out a small chuckle, smile widening.] What are we supposed to say about a guy who unironically calls himself "the Man"? I could be cruel. I could point out that Stan Fox is obviously overcompensating for something. But we've been in this business for a while now...Michael and I don't need to tear people down any more. [Ginny sighs softly. A look of regret on remembering past sins crosses her face briefly. She then shakes her head.] VSU: Sugar, word of advice -- you can do better, trust me. But if you wanna stick around in a misguided attempt to "stand by your man", I know all the tricks so...you've been warned. As for Michael Bonn? [Back to the confident smile fueled by hard-fought experience.] VSU: Two time Cruiserweight Champion. Tag Team Champion. And now, soon to be LEGACY PRO's first World Champion. What else needs to be said? [Cut back to the ring, where a nondescript young wrestler paces back and forth. Dressed in black trunks and matching kneepads, the chyron comes up across the bottom of the screen that reads "Damien Kang".] JD: Strong words from Virginia, and you have to believe that her man, Michael Bonn is indeed the favorite tonight to advance. From one fan favorite with lots of experience to one who's just beginning to make a name for himself, we're about to see Elijah Little in action. Elijah's remarkable journey to become a professional wrestler all started ironically enough when he saw the legendary Youth Gone Wild in action many years ago, which makes him a perfect fit here in LEGACY Pro. ----------------------------- dARk mATCh ELIJAH LITTLE VS. DAMIEN KANG ----------------------------- Elijah came out to a huge response from the crowd, as they cheered on the young rookie in his second match. Looking for a handshake before the bell proved to be a mistake as Kang unloaded with a strong left hook that rocked Little, but as the match began the fire inside of Elijah began to brew as he ducked a big boot from his opponent and surprised him with a headscissors takedown. Keeping Kang off his feet was important as Little came at him with a flurry of offense, at one point knocking him to the outside with a huge standing dropkick that made the crowd roar and followed up with a wild suicide dive to the outside. Not afraid to use himself bluntly as a weapon he sprang off the ropes and twisted into armdrag takedowns into rollups, nearly scoring a three count on Damien. Kang managed to briefly take back over after blocking a forearm shiver and slamming him to the mat, but lost it when he missed with a flying kneedrop and soon a quick round of jabs had him rocked and dazed just enough for a DDT that set up for Elijah's high angle senton bomb from the top rope. Following the match, the grin on Elijah's face lit up as he circled around the ring hi-fiving the happy fans. WINNER: Elijah Little (via Wave Of The Future) JD: Another win for Elijah, the start of his career has definitely been a positive one here in LEGACY Pro! The more they see of him the more this crowd seems to be getting behind that young man, and I'm sure we'll be seeing much more of him in the future. [A pause.] Hold on, I'm being told we've got an unscheduled interview right now with the other half of tonight's main event, Stan "The Man" Fox. Cammy Magnus is standing by with him, Cammy? [Quickly we cut to the back in front of an L-PRO backdrop, intrepid backstage interviewer Cammy Magnus is standing beside the always confident looking Stan Fox. He's dressed in his gear already as well as his robe left undone, and standing behind him is his valet, Sugar.] CM: Thanks Jesse, I've got Stan "The Man" Fox here who demanded interview time after hearing what Virginia St. Urs- [Fox grabs Cammy's hand and holds it and the microphone up to his mouth.] SF: I'll take this one, sweetness. Just stand there and look pretty, it's what they pay you for anyways. So I hear that little girl, Bonn's woman, opening her yap a few minutes ago and trying to insinuate that I'm not good enough for Sugar? Or for her boy toy in our match later? [A furious look crosses over his face as his eyes burn a hole through the camera.] You seem to have forgotten, lady, I'm the _man_, and a man's word will always be law over anything you've got to say. That's a pretty fancy resume you listed off for your boy, but that's all he is, a _boy_. I'm gonna punch my ticket into that survival match and get my shot at the L- PRO title, and there's nothing you or the Nighthawk can do about it. I'm gonna clip his wings and put him down tonight, and if you're good maybe just maybe I'll let you get a little taste of what being with a real man. [He sneers, and glances back to Cammy, giving the blonde haired, hazel eyed reporter the up and down.] I'm feeling generous tonight, maybe you'll get a taste too at my victory party, blondie. [Fox licks his lips, and walks off camera. Sugar, who's said nothing, just narrows her eyes at Cammy and flips her hair as she trails behind. Cammy tries to contain her anger as she scowls in their direction.] CM: Always a class act, Stan Fox is. Back to you, Jesse. [Jesse seems just as disgusted by the moment as we cut back to him, now in a room backstage seated in a chair with a simple black curtain behind him.] JD: Wow, he seems to be making a lot of friends for himself. I guess we'll see later tonight whether Stan Fox can indeed measure up to the Nighthawk or if Michael is on the verge of becoming the third participant in the title match in a few weeks. Changing gears here now, L-PRO prides itself on respect for the superstars of the past and few wrestlers embody that tradition more than Eddie Kirkpatrick, who joins me at this time. [The camera pans out to show Eddie seated next to Jesse. The burly Toledo native is dressed comfortably in a black hoodie trimmed in green. Despite his attire, he looks noticibly uncomfortable. Perhaps it's his large frame in a small chair, or perhaps it's something else...] JD: Mister Kirkpatrick, it's a pleasure. Glad you could take the time to chat with us! [Eddie grimaces.] EK: No problem. I had plenty of time. Don't have a match tonight after all. JD: Speaking of matches, I know the LEGACY Pro fans out there would be interested in hearing your reaction to your recent bout with "Dead End" Derek Martin. [Eddie stifles a chuckle.] EK: Oh, I'm sure. Everyone's got an opinion. And now you want mine? JD: Well yes, I'm-- EK: No. [There's an uncomfortable pause. Jesse tries to give Eddie time to finish his train of thought, but Eddie keeps glaring at his interviewer.] JD: I... I'm sorry, Eddie. "No"? EK: No. I'm not going to give you my opinion on my match with Derek Martin, except to say he beat me. [Another awkward pause. Eddie leans in.] EK: What, you didn't expect me to own up to my shortcomings? I fought him, he won. Do you expect me to say something like "Oh, he didn't really beat me"? JD: Well, I-- EK: How about "well, boy oh boy I did really well against that veteran, didn't I?" JD: Um-- EK: Talk, talk, talk. See, this is the one thing that frustrates me about this business, Jesse. Everyone loooooves to talk. Whether it's so-called fans on the LEGACY Pro YouTube channel going bananas over highlights one moment, then dumping on the wrestlers who leave everything they've got laying in that ring the next. JD: I-- EK: It makes me sick, Jesse! Seriously. [Eddie takes a breath, trying to compose himself.] EK: Look. Here's how it is. Every victory matters, yes. And every loss allows us to improve. But I joined LEGACY Pro to wrestle. Not to smacktalk my opponents into submission. I leave that to jokers like Andre Browne. I remember guys like him sleazing around during my NCAA days. I didn't believe the hype then, and I don't buy it now. JD: Are you saying-- EK: Come talk to me when Amar'e Khalil faces someone like Derek Martin. That's what I'm saying. Let's see how he handles losing. Me? I can deal with it. I learned all about loss from both my fathers. Caliban used to get his ass handed to him on a regular basis. And Edmond Winston IV? I have three simple words to say about who beat that loudmouth. Lady. In. Red. [Even Jesse DeCarlo sucks in a breath at that one.] EK: Everyone loses, Jesse. That's what this industry is. What it really is. I know it better than most. But I'm still here, and I'm still going to step into that ring when it's my time to fight, and I'm going to give everything I've got, win or lose. That's not about who my daddy is. It's about who I am. That's MY legacy. [Jesse coughs nervously.] JD: Strong words from a strong man, thank you Eddie. EK: No problem. Do your thing. I'll go do mine. [Eddie rises and takes off the mic on his collar, and we pan back to a single shot of Jesse.] JD: And that will do it for this edition of L-PRO First Strike, the count is on now as we get set for tonight's broadcast of Breakout! Enjoy the show! [Fade.]