Post by Marcus Thomas Brody, M! T! B!! on Aug 13, 2011 18:42:25 GMT
What makes a great tag team? Is it championships? Victories? Or is it how the partners gel and work as a team? Sure, you can get brilliant individuals grouped together but could they really work together? I mean, Manchester City signed some of the best individual players in football like Carlos Tevez, Robinho, David Silva and the like, but Manchester United had the team efforts that brought them success. From the famous Yorke-Cole partnership of the Nineties, to the up front pairing of Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez, there was almost always a team effort from the Red Devils.
Though, that was football. This was wrestling. "Who to ask about tag team wrestling?" you may ask me. Lucky for me, I knew one of the greatest tag teams of all time, so I invited them for a few drinks at Universal...
MTB: Soo... guys... what made you such a great team?
???: Glad you asked that, chap. It's elementary.
Yes, that's right. I called The Breakfast Table. Two time FWF Tag Team Champions, and eleven time UCW Tag Team Champions. They'd held a lot of gold in their time and they weren't even forty years old.
Sausage: It's chemistry, mate.
His Cockney accent had been annoying to start with, but I'd grown to appreciate it.
MTB: Anything behind that chemistry?
Sausage reached into the side pocket of his detective coat and took out his glasses. He put them over his nose and stroked his ginger hair.
Sausage: It's a long story, mate. But when we first met, we were put together as partners by Sandy Strachon. We were only teenagers trying it out on the independents and in fact, we had no chemistry at all and lost our first matches. I'll let Bean tell it. Take it away!
Sausage slapped Bean on the shoulder and Bean coughed. He took a sip of whatever his drink was. No idea what he had; maybe some sort of beer. Then he tilted his head towards Sausage and he began.
Bean: You said that we've got nothing in common. No common ground to start from, and we're falling apart. You said: "The world has come between us. Our lives have come between us, so I know you just don't care." And I said: What about 'Breakfast at Tiffany's?" He said: "I think I remember the film. And, as I recall, I think, we both kinda liked it." And I said, "Well that's the one thing we've got."
I hate to say it, but Bean's got a beautiful singing voice. You'd hardly hear him speak otherwise. Sausage tended to handle most of their talking.
MTB: That's deep...
Yeah, Deep Blue Something... My dad played that song for weeks on end when it came out.
MTB: So you're saying James and I would need to find a better understanding of each other?
Sausage: Most certainly, lad. As soon as us two fellas found common ground, we were like two peas in a pod. We figured since we both liked that film, and since our surnames were actually Sausage and Bean, we wanted to call ourselves The Breakfast Club.
Bean: Don't you... forget about-
Sausage: Not now, Bean. I'm talking still.
Bean's head drooped. He put a straw in his glass and carried on drinking.
Sausage: So where was I, young padawan? Ah yes. We wanted to call ourselves The Breakfast Club, but Sandy wouldn't let us. Blighter didn't want John Hughes suing him. So he suggested throwing people through tables and calling ourselves The Breakfast Table. The rest, my friend... is history.
MTB: And what did that have to do with anything?
Sausage closed his eyes and shrugged his shoulders in a "I give up" kind of way.
Sausage: To be honest, nothing. I just wanted to waffle a bit with pointless stuff to pad out what I was saying, and make it sound more impressive than it was.
MTB: So, what's the main gist of what you're telling me?
Sausage: It's simple. We have a great connection. We know each other's moves inside and out, and each other's strategies. We're pretty much in-sync, and our double-team mastery is second to none. You guys don't have any double teaming moves.
MTB: What about that one we did on you last year?
Sausage: What move?
Really? How could he not remember? It was something involving chairs. Oh crap, I didn't remember it either!
MTB: That one with the chairs... I don't remember what it was.
Sausage: We had a match? Don't think it happened.
MTB: It did!
My patience was wearing thin. How could they not remember being in a match with me and James. It was our second match. I gently tapped my foot against the table inside Sandy's VIP suite. He wasn't here tonight. Apparently, he was busy with something.
MTB: Come on? Don't you remember?
Sausage: What was the date?
MTB: June 16th 2010.
Sausage turned to Bean and whispered something in his ear. Bean hastily nodded to whatever it was his partner said.
Sausage: There was problem with production, mate. The episode aired but the tapes got lost. So, using wrestling logic, it didn't happen.
MTB: I see. Did you learn much about each other when you had to go against each other?
Bean nodded frantically.
Sausage: Yes, Master MTB. We did. Somehow we ended up exchanging the Intercontinental title, and I was TV Champ. Not to forget the days we got bored and kept swapping the hardcore title. I learned never to challenge Bean to karaoke, and Bean learned not to play against me at chess. I won most of our games.
MTB: So you're saying that even in the most co-ordinated teams, there's always a leader?
Sausage: Yes, sir. Bean's a shy guy, and I've got a motormouth. And, I was the most victorious out of the two of us, so I'm considered the leader of this tandem.
I knocked back the Jagerbomb the waitress handed me. So Sausage established himself as the leader by not being shy like Bean and because he beat Bean? He didn't mention that he's also more built than Bean. James was the more confident of the two of us. He had much more success with women. I failed to make a move on Aurora when she came to my room. I bottled it and shyed out. If I had my partner's confidence, I might not have been a virgin anymore. Not to forget that James could talk for America. He rallied everyone to smash up this club. And let's not forget that he's 6'6" and 270 lbs and still growing yet I'm 5'11", 230 lbs and fully grown. Yeah, I'm billed as 6'1" but the truth is I wear lifts. If he was to beat me at Jealousy, then he'd be considered the leader and I the sidekick. Sandy wouldn't be most pleased.
MTB: I see...
I saw that I needed this win. With Sah'ta Thor's rumoured announcement, and our standings in the Lost Heroes League, and a sneaking suspicion he might be withdrawing from the tournament, I could finalise things. James would be-
All of a sudden, Sam Strachon burst into the room. His suited was ruffled and his face was red and dripping with sweat. He was panting with exhaustion.
Sam Strachon: Riots... coming... near... hurry!
We all jumped out of our seats with panic. Bean was looking around shiftily with fear. I turned to the window of our room and observed the main dancefloor below. People were smashing the front doors in and bursting inside armed with keyboards and guitars.
Sausage: Oh bugger! Pillocks must've looted Dawsons!
Sam Strachon: Come on, we can't stay much longer! I know a secret exit. Follow me.
Sam went behind the bar and found a button.
Sam Strachon: Get on the rug guys!
I looked down at the floor. There was some kind of turquoise rug there. I'd never noticed it. Then again, I'd never been behind the bar before. We all got on the rug and Sam pushed the big red button. The ground shook below us and the bar swivelled around, revealing a tunnel lined with pewter. Sandy sure liked building things with that stuff. Sam scurried ahead and we tried our best to keep up. He sure was a fast little man. The tunnel turned into a dark stairway. I was careful to avoid tripping. We reached the bottom and Sam pushed the door open. The street lights illuminated the back alley. Sausage and Bean ran ahead.
Sausage: We're going to have a gander at the streets. See what it's like, mate.
He yelled back, and before I could answer him, they were gone. Probably gone to join in. I pivoted and glanced at Sam Strachon. He wasn't too happy.
Sam Strachon: We only just got the smell of James Stall's piss out of the bar... and now this happens...
Shit happens, I guess. But I couldn't forget James Stall doing that.[/color]
MTB: So how are we getting back home?
Sam Strachon: I don't think we can. Police have blocked everywhere. We'll have to go somewhere else?
MTB: Got anywhere in mind?
Sam Strachon: Nope.
I shook my head with frustration and placed my hands on my hips.
MTB: What good's that?
Sam Strachon: Just trust me.
Last time I trusted him, I got in a fight with some yobbo from school. Hopefully he wouldn't get us in danger of getting hurt this time. He led me down some alleyways, until we were away from the city centre. Sam had to stop to catch his breath. I tried what I could to start conversation.
MTB: So, Jealousy this Friday. Looking forward to it.
Sam cockily straightened up and grinned, ever so much a shadow of his father.
Sam Strachon: Of course I am, MTB. I made quite a bit on it.
MTB: You already got paid.
Sam Strachon: Kinda. Won a bet with Predator.
Predator... Just the man I needed to talk to. He'd be able to tell me why the hell he put me and James together as a team. I really needed to know. I needed advice from him too. Not gambling advice, mind you.
MTB: A bet?
Sam Strachon: Yeah, he bet me it'd be you against your dad in the Jealousy final.
MTB: You bet against your dad's pet project?
Sam Strachon: Not quite. I was thinking it'd be you against Ross in the final. I didn't say it, though. I'd be surprised if your dad made it to the final. As great as he was, he's too old now.
MTB: That's what I told him. It's as if he's set out to prove me wrong. He was always like that.
We carried on walking and hardly spoke. We needed to save our energy for walking. That, and I needed energy for Jealousy. I felt myself getting hungry and thirsty. It had been a long time walking, and the sun was beginning to rise. We soon found a bus stop and sat on the bench. This time, Sam Strachon started the conversation.
Sam Strachon: Fitting that you're facing James at Jealousy, huh?
MTB: Because that's when we won the tag titles?
Sam Strachon: That, and how successful you both were. You winning the Battle Royal to earn a spot in the Lost Heroes League.
MTB: Co-won. I co-won it with James Bohne.
Come on Sam, you're a commentator. It's your job to know the facts. Actually, the more I thought about it, the more biased I realised he was. He always commentated matches as a fan. His banter sessions with Seth were something back in the day. "Back in the day?" I'm twenty-two!
Sam Strachon: Okay, co-won. That night you became the face of the league. You've been the one to watch in it. Predator even said so himself.
MTB: I read the interview. Seth showed me.
Sam Strachon: Right... But still, it's as if Predator came up with this League as a platform for you.
MTB: I don't think so, Sam. He's doing it as a way to make the Lost Heroes Trophy prestigious. And damn it, I'd love to hold that trophy. Both him and Pain have held it. Two certifiable legends. Of course, you know that already.
Sam Strachon: That I do.
We continued onwards and onwards until I started recognising my old home town of Ashton. There was the Snipe retail park with the Drive-Thru McDonald's, B&Q, Staples and other big shops. The sun was now up. There were people out for their morning runs.
MTB: Where did you say we're going?
Sam Strachon: I didn't. I just wanted to get away from the rioting as far as I could
MTB: Isn't the UCW Arena nearby?
Sam Strachon: Yeah. Yes, it is.
MTB: Good, 'cause I need to go there. Could you go to Predator's house and get him to meet me there please?
Sam hesitated for a second. His tired face changed into an agitated scowl. Then finally he nodded, with reluctance. We hardly spoke for the rest of the walk. It had been something like ten miles. Even I was getting worn out. Finally we got to the Arena and Sam turned a corner to go to Predator's. The side door that James had broken down on our first night as a team hadn't been fixed so I went in through that. I found myself in that familar ring with the purple ropes. I sat down on the canvas and crossed my legs.
I thought back to that first night when James took me for extra training. He was one of the first to call me MTB. He even told me that arrogance wins matches. He told me that I needed to get my mind in the game. He told me to not be distracted. A shame really. He never followed his own advice. He got distracted and lost to Thor. He got distracted and lost to Timothy Edward Vortex. If he hadn't got distracted, this match might have more impact on the League. He had one match left, I had two: him and Vortex. If he beat me, I could still beat Vortex and get my spot in the final match. Or I could beat him and get my spot right away. James wouldn't be able to catch up to Vortex. That would be perfect. It would be the confidence boost I needed. It would show I was the stronger link in the team. I began to mutter to myself. I remembered it helped my father back in UCW.
MTB: So I can do this... just don't get distracted. Don't get distracted....
Predator never came. I believe Sam collapsed from exhaustion and fell asleep in someone's garden. Thinking about it, I didn't need Predator's advice. I remembered exactly what he'd said. His words still echoed through my mind:
The Predator: It's one thing just training, but it's a whole other thing getting hands on experience out there. I never spent all my time training in the gym at the Arena. I honed my craft all over the country. I entered those eight tournaments and the Grand Golden Trophy Tournament before I ever stepped foot in UCW, and in between tournaments I fought in many battles, some against the grandson of Professor Goatwillow, all of which I won but mostly I teamed with Oz Van Dam. We bonded and became a strong team. That's why we had such epic battles. We knew each other so well and had to step up our games whenever we faced off in UCW. So what I've done is got you both FWF contracts. You're going to hone your craft as a team.
And that I had. I'd never been the most confident in my abilities. Sure, I hadn't won any matches cleanly and by myself since last Jealousy. I always took them to their limit until they got themselves disqualified or someone interfered. Plus, thanks to both of us being distracted by ourselves, we were out of Jealousy, and my dad could win... But this Jealousy, that was going to change... Sorry, James, but we're only just about to get to know each other...
MTB:And I won't let you distract me.
Though, that was football. This was wrestling. "Who to ask about tag team wrestling?" you may ask me. Lucky for me, I knew one of the greatest tag teams of all time, so I invited them for a few drinks at Universal...
MTB: Soo... guys... what made you such a great team?
???: Glad you asked that, chap. It's elementary.
Yes, that's right. I called The Breakfast Table. Two time FWF Tag Team Champions, and eleven time UCW Tag Team Champions. They'd held a lot of gold in their time and they weren't even forty years old.
Sausage: It's chemistry, mate.
His Cockney accent had been annoying to start with, but I'd grown to appreciate it.
MTB: Anything behind that chemistry?
Sausage reached into the side pocket of his detective coat and took out his glasses. He put them over his nose and stroked his ginger hair.
Sausage: It's a long story, mate. But when we first met, we were put together as partners by Sandy Strachon. We were only teenagers trying it out on the independents and in fact, we had no chemistry at all and lost our first matches. I'll let Bean tell it. Take it away!
Sausage slapped Bean on the shoulder and Bean coughed. He took a sip of whatever his drink was. No idea what he had; maybe some sort of beer. Then he tilted his head towards Sausage and he began.
Bean: You said that we've got nothing in common. No common ground to start from, and we're falling apart. You said: "The world has come between us. Our lives have come between us, so I know you just don't care." And I said: What about 'Breakfast at Tiffany's?" He said: "I think I remember the film. And, as I recall, I think, we both kinda liked it." And I said, "Well that's the one thing we've got."
I hate to say it, but Bean's got a beautiful singing voice. You'd hardly hear him speak otherwise. Sausage tended to handle most of their talking.
MTB: That's deep...
Yeah, Deep Blue Something... My dad played that song for weeks on end when it came out.
MTB: So you're saying James and I would need to find a better understanding of each other?
Sausage: Most certainly, lad. As soon as us two fellas found common ground, we were like two peas in a pod. We figured since we both liked that film, and since our surnames were actually Sausage and Bean, we wanted to call ourselves The Breakfast Club.
Bean: Don't you... forget about-
Sausage: Not now, Bean. I'm talking still.
Bean's head drooped. He put a straw in his glass and carried on drinking.
Sausage: So where was I, young padawan? Ah yes. We wanted to call ourselves The Breakfast Club, but Sandy wouldn't let us. Blighter didn't want John Hughes suing him. So he suggested throwing people through tables and calling ourselves The Breakfast Table. The rest, my friend... is history.
MTB: And what did that have to do with anything?
Sausage closed his eyes and shrugged his shoulders in a "I give up" kind of way.
Sausage: To be honest, nothing. I just wanted to waffle a bit with pointless stuff to pad out what I was saying, and make it sound more impressive than it was.
MTB: So, what's the main gist of what you're telling me?
Sausage: It's simple. We have a great connection. We know each other's moves inside and out, and each other's strategies. We're pretty much in-sync, and our double-team mastery is second to none. You guys don't have any double teaming moves.
MTB: What about that one we did on you last year?
Sausage: What move?
Really? How could he not remember? It was something involving chairs. Oh crap, I didn't remember it either!
MTB: That one with the chairs... I don't remember what it was.
Sausage: We had a match? Don't think it happened.
MTB: It did!
My patience was wearing thin. How could they not remember being in a match with me and James. It was our second match. I gently tapped my foot against the table inside Sandy's VIP suite. He wasn't here tonight. Apparently, he was busy with something.
MTB: Come on? Don't you remember?
Sausage: What was the date?
MTB: June 16th 2010.
Sausage turned to Bean and whispered something in his ear. Bean hastily nodded to whatever it was his partner said.
Sausage: There was problem with production, mate. The episode aired but the tapes got lost. So, using wrestling logic, it didn't happen.
MTB: I see. Did you learn much about each other when you had to go against each other?
Bean nodded frantically.
Sausage: Yes, Master MTB. We did. Somehow we ended up exchanging the Intercontinental title, and I was TV Champ. Not to forget the days we got bored and kept swapping the hardcore title. I learned never to challenge Bean to karaoke, and Bean learned not to play against me at chess. I won most of our games.
MTB: So you're saying that even in the most co-ordinated teams, there's always a leader?
Sausage: Yes, sir. Bean's a shy guy, and I've got a motormouth. And, I was the most victorious out of the two of us, so I'm considered the leader of this tandem.
I knocked back the Jagerbomb the waitress handed me. So Sausage established himself as the leader by not being shy like Bean and because he beat Bean? He didn't mention that he's also more built than Bean. James was the more confident of the two of us. He had much more success with women. I failed to make a move on Aurora when she came to my room. I bottled it and shyed out. If I had my partner's confidence, I might not have been a virgin anymore. Not to forget that James could talk for America. He rallied everyone to smash up this club. And let's not forget that he's 6'6" and 270 lbs and still growing yet I'm 5'11", 230 lbs and fully grown. Yeah, I'm billed as 6'1" but the truth is I wear lifts. If he was to beat me at Jealousy, then he'd be considered the leader and I the sidekick. Sandy wouldn't be most pleased.
MTB: I see...
I saw that I needed this win. With Sah'ta Thor's rumoured announcement, and our standings in the Lost Heroes League, and a sneaking suspicion he might be withdrawing from the tournament, I could finalise things. James would be-
All of a sudden, Sam Strachon burst into the room. His suited was ruffled and his face was red and dripping with sweat. He was panting with exhaustion.
Sam Strachon: Riots... coming... near... hurry!
We all jumped out of our seats with panic. Bean was looking around shiftily with fear. I turned to the window of our room and observed the main dancefloor below. People were smashing the front doors in and bursting inside armed with keyboards and guitars.
Sausage: Oh bugger! Pillocks must've looted Dawsons!
Sam Strachon: Come on, we can't stay much longer! I know a secret exit. Follow me.
Sam went behind the bar and found a button.
Sam Strachon: Get on the rug guys!
I looked down at the floor. There was some kind of turquoise rug there. I'd never noticed it. Then again, I'd never been behind the bar before. We all got on the rug and Sam pushed the big red button. The ground shook below us and the bar swivelled around, revealing a tunnel lined with pewter. Sandy sure liked building things with that stuff. Sam scurried ahead and we tried our best to keep up. He sure was a fast little man. The tunnel turned into a dark stairway. I was careful to avoid tripping. We reached the bottom and Sam pushed the door open. The street lights illuminated the back alley. Sausage and Bean ran ahead.
Sausage: We're going to have a gander at the streets. See what it's like, mate.
He yelled back, and before I could answer him, they were gone. Probably gone to join in. I pivoted and glanced at Sam Strachon. He wasn't too happy.
Sam Strachon: We only just got the smell of James Stall's piss out of the bar... and now this happens...
Shit happens, I guess. But I couldn't forget James Stall doing that.[/color]
MTB: So how are we getting back home?
Sam Strachon: I don't think we can. Police have blocked everywhere. We'll have to go somewhere else?
MTB: Got anywhere in mind?
Sam Strachon: Nope.
I shook my head with frustration and placed my hands on my hips.
MTB: What good's that?
Sam Strachon: Just trust me.
Last time I trusted him, I got in a fight with some yobbo from school. Hopefully he wouldn't get us in danger of getting hurt this time. He led me down some alleyways, until we were away from the city centre. Sam had to stop to catch his breath. I tried what I could to start conversation.
MTB: So, Jealousy this Friday. Looking forward to it.
Sam cockily straightened up and grinned, ever so much a shadow of his father.
Sam Strachon: Of course I am, MTB. I made quite a bit on it.
MTB: You already got paid.
Sam Strachon: Kinda. Won a bet with Predator.
Predator... Just the man I needed to talk to. He'd be able to tell me why the hell he put me and James together as a team. I really needed to know. I needed advice from him too. Not gambling advice, mind you.
MTB: A bet?
Sam Strachon: Yeah, he bet me it'd be you against your dad in the Jealousy final.
MTB: You bet against your dad's pet project?
Sam Strachon: Not quite. I was thinking it'd be you against Ross in the final. I didn't say it, though. I'd be surprised if your dad made it to the final. As great as he was, he's too old now.
MTB: That's what I told him. It's as if he's set out to prove me wrong. He was always like that.
We carried on walking and hardly spoke. We needed to save our energy for walking. That, and I needed energy for Jealousy. I felt myself getting hungry and thirsty. It had been a long time walking, and the sun was beginning to rise. We soon found a bus stop and sat on the bench. This time, Sam Strachon started the conversation.
Sam Strachon: Fitting that you're facing James at Jealousy, huh?
MTB: Because that's when we won the tag titles?
Sam Strachon: That, and how successful you both were. You winning the Battle Royal to earn a spot in the Lost Heroes League.
MTB: Co-won. I co-won it with James Bohne.
Come on Sam, you're a commentator. It's your job to know the facts. Actually, the more I thought about it, the more biased I realised he was. He always commentated matches as a fan. His banter sessions with Seth were something back in the day. "Back in the day?" I'm twenty-two!
Sam Strachon: Okay, co-won. That night you became the face of the league. You've been the one to watch in it. Predator even said so himself.
MTB: I read the interview. Seth showed me.
Sam Strachon: Right... But still, it's as if Predator came up with this League as a platform for you.
MTB: I don't think so, Sam. He's doing it as a way to make the Lost Heroes Trophy prestigious. And damn it, I'd love to hold that trophy. Both him and Pain have held it. Two certifiable legends. Of course, you know that already.
Sam Strachon: That I do.
We continued onwards and onwards until I started recognising my old home town of Ashton. There was the Snipe retail park with the Drive-Thru McDonald's, B&Q, Staples and other big shops. The sun was now up. There were people out for their morning runs.
MTB: Where did you say we're going?
Sam Strachon: I didn't. I just wanted to get away from the rioting as far as I could
MTB: Isn't the UCW Arena nearby?
Sam Strachon: Yeah. Yes, it is.
MTB: Good, 'cause I need to go there. Could you go to Predator's house and get him to meet me there please?
Sam hesitated for a second. His tired face changed into an agitated scowl. Then finally he nodded, with reluctance. We hardly spoke for the rest of the walk. It had been something like ten miles. Even I was getting worn out. Finally we got to the Arena and Sam turned a corner to go to Predator's. The side door that James had broken down on our first night as a team hadn't been fixed so I went in through that. I found myself in that familar ring with the purple ropes. I sat down on the canvas and crossed my legs.
I thought back to that first night when James took me for extra training. He was one of the first to call me MTB. He even told me that arrogance wins matches. He told me that I needed to get my mind in the game. He told me to not be distracted. A shame really. He never followed his own advice. He got distracted and lost to Thor. He got distracted and lost to Timothy Edward Vortex. If he hadn't got distracted, this match might have more impact on the League. He had one match left, I had two: him and Vortex. If he beat me, I could still beat Vortex and get my spot in the final match. Or I could beat him and get my spot right away. James wouldn't be able to catch up to Vortex. That would be perfect. It would be the confidence boost I needed. It would show I was the stronger link in the team. I began to mutter to myself. I remembered it helped my father back in UCW.
MTB: So I can do this... just don't get distracted. Don't get distracted....
Predator never came. I believe Sam collapsed from exhaustion and fell asleep in someone's garden. Thinking about it, I didn't need Predator's advice. I remembered exactly what he'd said. His words still echoed through my mind:
The Predator: It's one thing just training, but it's a whole other thing getting hands on experience out there. I never spent all my time training in the gym at the Arena. I honed my craft all over the country. I entered those eight tournaments and the Grand Golden Trophy Tournament before I ever stepped foot in UCW, and in between tournaments I fought in many battles, some against the grandson of Professor Goatwillow, all of which I won but mostly I teamed with Oz Van Dam. We bonded and became a strong team. That's why we had such epic battles. We knew each other so well and had to step up our games whenever we faced off in UCW. So what I've done is got you both FWF contracts. You're going to hone your craft as a team.
And that I had. I'd never been the most confident in my abilities. Sure, I hadn't won any matches cleanly and by myself since last Jealousy. I always took them to their limit until they got themselves disqualified or someone interfered. Plus, thanks to both of us being distracted by ourselves, we were out of Jealousy, and my dad could win... But this Jealousy, that was going to change... Sorry, James, but we're only just about to get to know each other...
MTB:And I won't let you distract me.