Post by Robert Daniels on May 6, 2021 21:42:03 GMT -5
Battleground Network Presents
MAINSTREAM WRESTLING 66
SATURDAY - 05/15/2021
CLIMATE PLEDGE ARENA
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
MAINSTREAM WRESTLING 66
SATURDAY - 05/15/2021
CLIMATE PLEDGE ARENA
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
MAINSTREAM WRESTLING IS LIVE FROM SEATTLE, WASHINGTON AND WE’RE INSIDE CLIMATE PLEDGE ARENA FOR NIGHT ONE OF THE EMERALD CITY CLASSIC HERE AT MAINSTREAM 66!
An aerial view of someone hiking up the side of a mountain is shown with the words "Pre-recorded from an undisclosed location." appearing briefly at the bottom of the screen. The camera slowly zooms in on the person the closer they get to the top and you can see they're wearing no shirt with black shorts and running shoes. When the figure finally reaches the top he holds his arms out to the side and screams.
"Ahhhhhhhhh!"
The sound echoes through the still mountain air as the shot finally zooms in enough to reveal the face of JC Keeton. The second generation star is drenched in sweat as he takes a seat on a log trying to catch his breath and he just observes nature. A tiny lizard slithers across the ground before a long tongue flicks from nowhere pulling it into its jaws. The lizard struggles as the frog swallows hindquarters, its head whipping around and front legs frantically trying to get traction to free itself before it finally stops moving and it disappears into the mouth of the bug eyed bullfrog. The frog starts to hop away but a small red hawk swoops from the sky snatching it up but it doesn't get far before sharp talons glisten in the sun as a huge eagle snatches the hawk out of midair and flies away. Keeton smiles as he rests his elbows on his knees taking a deep breath before speaking.
JC KEETON: The laws of nature and those of pro wrestling are a lot alike. There's a natural food chain in both. When it comes to Mainstream Wrestling and more importantly the 2021 Emerald City Classic I am that eagle. I have no natural predators, sure there's bigger, faster, stronger but I can fly and there's nothing bigger or better in the sky. I won't be satisfied like I was in my losses to Skye Healy and AJ Knight with just "a good showing". This is my breakout, star making performance that the world has been waiting for. This is the point in my Mainstream career where I separate myself from the rest and I soar to the heights that my legacy has destined.
He stands and walks to the edge of a cliff looking down at a flowing stream at the bottom of the mountain with a small waterfall trailing down the side and emptying into it.
JC KEETON: Before I get to the who, why, and how on my path to winning the Emerald City Classic let's talk about those that came first. Bryan Blaze. Eli Buchanan. Billy Danielson. Hammerstein. The previous winners, all highly decorated and proud Mainstream World Champions. I want that and winning this is my fastest route to get there. I want my name mentioned in the same breath and with the same regard as those four men and that means I'm spending May 15th and 16th out talking, out wrestling, and out classing seven other people who have been chosen to fail trying to stop me.
He sighs.
JC KEETON: I realize in saying all this I've got my work cut out for me. Not a single person in this tournament is an easy out. They're all good at what they do or they wouldn't be where they are but I'm better. I'm better than my first round opponent Rebekah Stevenson or Leytrix… whichever one shows up. One's a little bit scarier than the other but if you peel back the layers and the hocus pocus they're just hiding a troubled girl that's gonna eat a forearm upside her head as I move on to the next round.
He bends down and picks up a pebble rolling it between his fingers and laughs lightly.
JC KEETON: Then it's a wide open field as far as who's next. Do I start at the top with a guy who's done it all here EXCEPT win the Emerald City Classic or do I work my way up from bottom with a washed up legend who I'm the only one here even slightly familiar with? How bout neither and for personal reasons I choose the asshole that got all butthurt cause he took too long to get out of the ring and decided he'd come back down and stick his nose in my business at Mainstream 65? I hope Cyrus Riddle beats Robert Zodiac because while it wasn't easy and I'm reminded of him everytime I look in the mirror and see the scar his knee left on my forehead, I've already beaten Zodiac. Cyrus on the other hand made an enemy he doesn't want by attacking me after my hard fought victory over Zodiac and I owe him a little payback. If that comes while I'm on my way to winning the Emerald City Classic it'll be like rubbing salt in the wound. So you'll have even more to brood around and look pissed off about besides a bunch of bad tattoos, Riddle.
He moves the pebble to the other hand and continues rolling it around.
JC KEETON: The old “I don’t know anything about you so I have nothing to say.” doesn’t work with me. I want to know my opponents or potential opponents. I do my research, I study old matches if they’re out there and I try to familiarize myself with what I’m gonna be up against. All I knew about Trixie before I started researching her is that her name sounds like she should be a waitress at some diner in the middle of nowhere slinging pancakes between smoke breaks. Turns out she’s a hell of a tag team wrestler, some might even say a specialist but Cartier is busy being World Television Champion so she’s not gonna be in her corner to tag out to when Tara is reigning down hell on her. You’re not getting out of the first round Trixie, you got a terrible draw for your grand return. You or no one else here may have a clue who Tara Fenix is but I do, she’s the Women’s World Champion of the Imperial Wrestling Federation where I got my start a short six years ago. Due to restrictions against men and women wrestling against each other Tara and I haven’t interacted in IWF except for passing in the hall but she knows who I am and I know who she is. Who she is is exactly who she says she is and that’s one of the best wrestlers in the world regardless of gender. That said, you’re who I was talking about when I mentioned someone being washed up earlier Tara. As good as you still are, you’re ten years past your prime and while I’m sure an over the hill Tara Fenix is plenty to get past Trixie, should our paths cross your journey outside the land of the Imperials ends right then and right there.
His tone becomes a bit more serious and focused.
JC KEETON: The two competitors I’ve yet to speak about are staples of this company and have eight different championship reigns between them including two World Championships, but if you’re Bryan Ford you know you’re not the one I’m talking about with those World title runs. That’s not taking anything away from you or anything you’ve accomplished here cause it’s a lot but the big one has eluded you for all these years and I’m sure you see this year's Emerald City Classic as your opportunity, you said as much at Conflict. You also asked for Mainstream to send you its best, brightest, and the ones they think are the future of the company…
The camera zooms in on him.
JC KEETON: Well you’re looking at him BFord. I’m chomping at the bit to get in the ring with the self proclaimed gold standard around here because I know you’re good but you think you’re the best and I wanna prove to you that you’re not. I’m sure we’ll have plenty of opportunities in the future to find that out though but sadly I think we’re gonna have to wait until after the Classic cause you drew what I and many others consider the favorite in the first round.
He spins in a circle as the camera pans around.
JC KEETON: Mariano Fernandez. This view is something you’re accustomed to isn’t it Mariano? You’ve been to the mountaintop on many occasions both here in Mainstream and elsewhere. You’re one of the most highly decorated performers in the industry and fans love you for good reason. I can’t say I blame them because I’m a huge fan myself. You stand out from the pack as the only former Mainstream World Champion competing in this year's Emerald City Classic. You’re the man the Vegas odds makers have picked to win it all and it’s not even close. I feel like I need to tell you who I am though. I used a term to describe myself a while back that really fits here too, it’s a horse racing term but if they’re calling you the favorite you can call me the darkhorse because I’m about to upset a lot of people that are betting on the proven commodity to just walk through the competition. You have your fans but I’ve got a fair share of my own too and it’ll be an honor not just to face you in the finals but to be the man to stop you from winning the one thing you haven’t won yet here.
He holds his hand out and lets the pebble drop over the side of the cliff but it never makes a sound when it lands.
JC KEETON: It’s a long way down but when all is said and done I’ll be the only one standing on top of the mountain, just wait.
The scene fades to ringside with McKayla Lewis and Charles Hudson.
CHARLES HUDSON: Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome to Mainstream Wrestling Episode 66!
MCKAYLA LEWIS: It’s Saturday Night but more importantly Night One of this weekends double shot for the fifth annual Emerald City Classic!
CHARLES HUDSON: In years past we’ve seen legends such as Bryan Blaze...Eli Buchanan...Billy Danielson and Jacob Hammerstein run the gauntlet and win the Classic! Never before has the winner of the Emerald City Classic failed to become World Heavyweight Champion.
MCKAYLA LEWIS: That’s probably the most interesting fact for tonight’s participants. We have a new field of never before winners but when we return from the break we’ll kick of this years tournament with the first match!