Post by Marcus Thomas Brody, M! T! B!! on Apr 13, 2011 3:29:05 GMT
I may be young and relatively inexperienced but I was already used to the feeling of ice packs. They normally take a lot of getting used to. At first they feel irritating and sting slightly but now, however, I welcome them with open arms, especially after what had transpired on Live-Wire just moments before; and especially when it involves a victory over the World Champion. Sure, I'd won by DQ, but I have a feeling he wouldn't have kicked out of the Suplex Machine. Of course, this is where it all got hairy. WBL and Benny Starr got involved. Since James and I fought them off, they didn't cause the DQ. What did cause it was Christian Lee nailing me with a low blow and smashing me in the head with the belt again! Everything had gone blurry so I don't recall what happened next. I thought I saw Ross Walker running out, and I thought I heard what sounded like Pain's voice. The next thing I knew I was being carried to the back, handed an ice pack and greeted with the scotch growl of Dr. Jim Hacken.
Dr. Hacken: Nice to see ye, lad. Ye see me so often I should get the shortcakes out. I hope yer not gettin' hurt just to see me.
MTB: Oh trust me, I'm not.
His bushy beard brushed my face as he shone an annoyingly bright light into my eyes. He really should trim that thing down. I'd even had to move my ice pack from my forehead to let him check up. Luckily he didn't take too long this time, and this time he didn't have the worried frown he had two weeks prior.
Dr. Hacken: Yer lucky, lad. It's good news.
MTB: I got hit in the head with solid gold and... umm... down there... how is there any good news?
Dr. Hacken: Well, lad, yev not got a concussion this time.
He appeared hesitant for a moment. I found myself planting seeds of doubt in my condition.
MTB: That's good, right?
Dr. Hacken: Well, yes it is, lad. But... yer at risk next time.
MTB: Oh?
Dr. Hacken looked at me with confusion.
Dr. Hacken: Don't ye know what happened?
MTB: No, I was dazed. Everything went so fast.
Dr. Hacken: After ye went out, Ross came to your aid and got beat up pretty bad. Then Bill came out.
MTB: Bill?
Dr. Hacken: Oh alrigh', Pain came out and took Ross out of the World title match at Genesis.
I leapt off the table and knocked Dr. Hacken's first aid kit to the floor, startling him.
MTB: Wait! What!?
Dr. Hacken: Yeah. Pain made a match for the next Live-Wire and it's no ordinary match, lad.
MTB: And what match is that?
There was a long pause and Dr. Hacken placed a hand on my shoulder.
Dr. Hacken: Lad... It's the Elimination Chamber!
MTB: The Elimination Chamber?
Dr. Hacken: Ye, lad. Yer in it, both Stalls are in it, WBL's in it, Benny Starr's in it, and someone else but I'm not sure who. The winner faces Christian Lee at Genesis. Ah, which reminds me, he's the ref.
Oh great, Christian Lee is the referee. This really puts a kaibosh on my chances. He's got it in for me. But this has to be the least of my worries. I mean I was in the Elimination Chamber! There had only been two in FWF history. The first was in 2006 and saw Pain win his first World Heavyweight Championship and the second was in 2008 and saw Prozac win the Heavyweight Championship. The fact there had only been two showed just how dangerous a match this was. Hell, there'd been as many Devil's Advocate matches as there had been Elimination Chambers. That had to tell you something. Then again, it tells you something about me. It tells you that Pain thinks high enough of me to even put me in this match. I'm still in my rookie year, how was I going to handle this match? The only person I knew who'd been in this kind of match was off limits since he's my dad's best friend, and well, I wasn't really on any terms with Marcus Brody Sr. I only had one go-to guy: my agent and the great man who took me into his mansion. The one and only founder of UCW, Sandy Strachon.
MTB: Hey, Sandy!
That was the first thing I shouted as I arrived back at the Chateau de Strachon. There was no one there, just an eagle fountain on a chessboard floor.
MTB: Shit. I forgot how big this place is. Let's see...
The sun was out and the air was fairly hot. Where would a wealthy businessman like Sandy want to go in his house on a sweltering day? It was obvious. I bolted straight to the back garden where a sizeable swimming pool filled the place like a lake. And in that pool on a lilo? Sandy himself and, my, his chest hair put his eyebrows to shame. As per usual, the eyebrows were peeking over the top of his shades. He sat up and took a sip from what must have been a pina colada before greeting me with his smarmy grin.
Sandy Strachon: Ah, MTB. Why don'tcha join me?
MTB: There's bigger things than relaxing to think of...
Sandy Strachon: Ya need to relax more kid, but I getcha. Ya wanna win that Elimination Chamber.
I nodded. I was impressed by the way Sandy knew what I was thinking. It was as if he could read my mind. He must have got it from years of dealing with wrestlers and businessmen alike.
Sandy Strachon: The thing is, I can tell whatcha need. Ya go down too easily. In the Chamber ya've got all that chain and those glass pods. If ya can't take a belt to the head, then ya stand no chance inside what some call "Satan's Structure." MTB, ya can't rely on technical ability all the time. Ya need resilience. Ya need endurance. Ya need to toughen up.
MTB: And what do you have in mind?
Sandy's smarmy grin grew even more, and he finally removed his shades.
Sandy Strachon: Oh, you'll see.
It wasn't for a couple more days until I would. Sandy had woken me up at the crack of dawn and had me blindfolded before. I was greeted by two men who I couldn't see and helped into a limo. The journey felt so long with me unable to see anything. I could hear doors slamming as I was taken into some place. Then finally:
Sandy Strachon: Alright MTB. Ya can take it off.
I reached back and pulled off the blindfold to find myself in familiar territory. I'd broken in here with James Stall, and I'd competed in here a few times, and I'd been here many a time as a fan. The purple ropes, the blood stained canvas, the dim lights, the old-fashioned entrance way, the arena! The UCW Arena! But what was this? The place was littered with a plethora of weaponry, from chairs to tables to canes to barbed wire wats. It was as if I was in a DIY shop. I turned to Sandy, who looked smug.
MTB: What do you want me to do with these, Sandy?
Sandy began to laugh before slapping my shoulder. He sounded maniacal.
Sandy Strachon: MTB, ya crack me up. Ya not gonna do a thing with them. Ya should be asking what they're gonna do to ya.
MTB: Okay, I'm confused now. They're inanimate. They're not going to come to life.
Sandy Strachon: I wasn't talking about the weapons.
MTB: Then who's "they," then?
Sandy grinned as the Naked Gun theme hit the arena. Sausage and Bean walked from behind the curtain and played to a non-existant crowd. What was it with these UCW guys playing their own music when they entered anywhere? They threw off their gumshoe coats to reveal bright purple dungarees. Sandy was in fits of laughter until he sighed it off.
Sandy Strachon: Oh, these guys crack me up.
MTB: Right, so "they" are The Breakfast Table? What are they going to do?
Sandy Strachon: Simple. They're gonna beat ya up.
MTB: Umm, why?
Sandy Strachon: 'Cause this is the house I built and what I say goes. Listen, it'll make ya tougher. The more ya take, the more ya can take. Ya'll thank me later.
I turned back to see Sausage looking warmly at me. Bean was nowhere to be seen. Sausage put a hand on my shoulder. I braced myself.
Sausage: No hard feelings, mate.
And with that, he punched me in the jaw and threw me to the ground. He started to kick me. It felt like two people were kicking me. And I finally heard Bean, expressing himself the only way he knew how...
Bean: Singin' in the rain!
They laid into me with a few swift kicks to my stomach.
Bean: Just singin' in the rain!
They took it in turns dropping elbows to my ribs. I could feel my ribs bruising up.
Bean: What a glorious feeeeling!
No it wasn't. I heard them pick up some chairs and wait a moment. I knew what was coming. Then bam! They smashed my back with them.
Bean: I'm happy again!
Sausage leaned over to me. He looked like he was having fun.
Sausage: Had enough mate?
I had only one option. I may have been in so much pain, but I took a deep breath and yelled.
MTB: Nooooooooooo!!!!!
Sausage: Nice one, mate. Bean!
Bean hoisted me to my feet and then lifted me by my legs. He carried me over to one of the tables. Sausage leaped up and pulled me down by my head, driving me through the table. For the times I'd beaten these guys and the clowning about they do, I'd forgotten how brutal The Breakfast Table could be.
Sausage: Alright, mate. I'm going to pin you now. I want you to kick out.
He went for a cover and Sandy made a count. Come on... 1... come on... 2... and just before the count of three, my shoulder powered up. Sandy stood over me and applauded.
Sandy Strachon: Nice work MTB! I've not seen anyone kick out after being served The Works in ages!
Sausage was awestruck. He looked aghast as Bean scouted the area. Moments later, a sharp set of pricks pierced my back. Bean was pressing barbed wire into me. My yells of pain were drowned out by more singing.
Bean: Every rose has its thorn! Just like every night has its dawn! Just like every cowboy sings his sad, sad song! Every rose has its thorn!
Sausage: Hey, mate. Good song. Poison, was it
Bean: No. Miley Cyrus.
Bloody hell! He speaks! At least he'd taken the barbed wire out to answer. It was over. Thank G-AAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! Something cane-like was cracked across my back.
Sausage: Okay, mate. I want you to say the following: "Thank you sir, may I have another?"
MTB: Thank you sir, may I have another?
And I was cracked with another cane shot.
MTB: Thank you sir, may I have another?
And another, and another, and another. I could feel the welts shaping up on my back. They carried on for what felt like hours. The Works here, and a chair shot there, yet after everything I was able to kick out somehow or some way. Finally, Sandy stepped in.
Sandy Strachon: Fellas. That's enough. Great job MTB. We'll do more of this tomorrow.
Oh great. I spent the rest of the day resting up and covered with even more ice packs. The next day wasn't as bad since I didn't feel it much. We still carried on, to the next day and the day after that until the weekend before Live-Wire arrived. I'd been summoned to the living room, and when I arrived I noticed Sausage and Bean sipping on tea as well as another man with a similar look to Sandy apart from glasses, a receding hairline and not-as-bushy eyebrows. This man was recognisable by FWF and UCW fans alike for he was the voice of both companies. This was Sam Strachon, Sandy's eldest son. Sandy looked up.
Sandy Strachon: Ah, MTB. Good morning. Ya know my son, Sam.
MTB: Of course, is he beating me up now?
Everyone laughed. Hey, I must've pulled a funny.
Sandy Strachon: Him? He's a wimp.
Sam rose to his feet with indignation.
Sam Strachon: Hey! I'm a former UCW Champion!
Sandy Strachon: Oh give over, little Sami. MTB's dad helped ya beat me, and ya lost it to Unknown 5 minutes later.
Dejectedly, Sam sat back down.
MTB: And what does this have to do with me?
Sandy Strachon: Little Sami can't fight his own battles. Explain, son.
I found an empty seat and set myself down on it.
Sam Strachon: So you know how my wife divorced me and went off with that other guy the other year? Well we found where he hangs out, and I want to give him a piece of my mind. I have a feeling it'll get messy, so I need backup.
MTB: Why me?
Sandy Strachon: It'll help me prepare for the Chamber.
MTB: Hmm, alright. Count me in.
I could see Sam Strachon smiling. But could I really be tough enough to help him out? That night, we found ourselves in some dirty looking bar in a nearby town. The carpet appeared to be stained with stale vomit and spilled drinks and it didn't look like it had been cleaned in an eternity. The wallpaper was falling off, and the tables hadn't been polished ever. Quite frankly, you could call this place a shit hole. The Breakfast Table were playing pool as I sat at a table with Sam, who was looking around relentlessly.
Sam Strachon: Ugh, where is he? He should be here somewhere.
MTB: What does he look like?
Sam Strachon: Tall, dark hair, massive chin, built like he should be a wrestler.
MTB: You mean him? And is that your wife with him?
Across the bar, hitting on some random blonde woman was someone fitting the description Sam gave me. Sam suddenly got to his feet.
Sam Strachon: Yes it is, and that's not my EX-wife! Jump in if he hits me.
Sam went over to the man, and I got to see the guy's face fully. He was so familiar. Of course. That's Francis Todd. I went to school with him. He cheated on his girlfriends with anyone or anything, regardless of gender, age, race or species. He'd been a bit of a dick to me too, rubbing his douchebaggery in my face, metaphorically speaking of course. Sam was yelling incoherently at the guy, until Francis floored him with one punch. I was nervous but ran right over. He looked at me for a moment and he immediately recognised who I was.
Francis Todd: Why if it isn't Marcus Brody. It's been a while.
MTB: What did you hit him for?
Francis Todd: He was boring me. What a loser. No wonder his wife left him for me.
MTB: I see you haven't changed. Wanting to nail everything you see.
Francis Todd: I see you haven't either. You're still a loser.
MTB: Then explain why I'm in FWF...
Francis Todd: 'Cause they need chumps to make the real men look good. I've seen how easily Christian Lee takes you out.
I could feel rage bubbling. I had to remain calm. Surely I could talk sense into him.
MTB: Oh yeah? We'll see about that when I win the Elimination Chamber and beat him at Genesis.
Francis laughed so hard he dropped his drink.
Francis Todd: You mean the Elimination Chamber you're not even in?
MTB: What? What are you talking about?
Francis Todd: The card went online today, and I didn't see you in it. Hang on, I'll show you.
He pulled out an expensive looking phone, keyed in a few buttons and showed me the screen. I read through the names in the match. Camisado, "Captain" Joe Stall, "Dragonfly" Danny T., David "Shadows" Mosier, James Bohne and Sah'ta Thor... so I wasn't. I felt dejected, shunned. After all the effort I put in, I was being snubbed in favour of some guys who hadn't been on form or hadn't contributed much to FWF... My rage was building. I was getting reminders of high school... I could see Francis laughing at me. I had to let it out some way.
MTB: What the!?
Francis Todd: Haha, Marcus Brody, you've always been a loser. Remember when you got snubbed for head boy at school? What are you going to do about it this time? Cry? Beat yourself up? Try to cut yourself again? You little crybaby. Go cry to your famous daddy. You only got to FWF because of him.
Must resist... must resist... mus- and then it happened. He slapped me across the face and laughed. That's it. I lost it completely and lunged at the guy, sending him to the ground. The blonde fled the scene. Now she was gone, and the barmaid was distracted by Sausage and Bean, no one would see me fighting this guy. He got a few shots in on me before kneeing me in the groin. He got up and grabbed a bottle from the bar and a bunch of guys joined him The fight was no longer fair. I needed an equaliser. I saw Sausage put his pool cue down and it clicked. I hurried to the pool tale and snatched up the cue. I took a swing at the gang of lads and they stepped back. Perfect. Swinging the cue made me feel so alive. One of the guys made the mistake of charging at me. I smashed him on the head with the cue. The mob of them tried to surround me like a pack of hounds but Sausage and Bean ran over with some cues and helped clear some of them away. The only one left was Francis. He looked up cockily.
Francis Todd: That all you got, Marcus Brody?
MTB: Don't call me that. It's MTB!
Francis Todd: You're so lame Marcus Brody...
I took my cue and laid one hell of a beating on him. I got him to his feet and looked right in his eyes.
MTB: I... told... you... I'm... M! T! B!
With each syllable I kneed him hard in the stomach. Blood was coming from his mouth. I threw him over to Sausage and Bean and they hit The Works on him through the pool table. I leaned over him and glared at his barely conscious eyes. Sam had come to and stood by me.
MTB: Now listen here. You stay away from Sam's ex-wife, you hear? If I find you've done anything to anyone again, we'll be back, and in bigger numbers. And by the way... it's MTB, bitch!
And with that, I smashed his knees with the cue. Sausage leaned over and slipped a tiny bag in his hand. Sirens could be heard in the background.
Sausage: Mate, the police are coming. We'd better get going. We've planted drugs on this guy so they think this was some sort of deal.
The sirens were getting closer. Sausage and Bean grabbed Sam and I by our collars and pulled us away.
Sausage: Cheese it!
We started to run but Sam broke free and kicked Francis in the face.
Sam Strachon: Take that, you home-wrecking bastard!
Bean went back and dragged him away. He got out of the bar and around the corner in time to see the police cars arriving from a distance. I sighed with relief.
MTB: That was close.
Sam Strachon came over and hugged me tight, as if he'd never hugged his father.
Sam Strachon: Thank you so much MTB. I need to start bigging you up on commentary more.
He'd better. Bean began running around in circles and burst into song.
Bean: Run, run as fast as you can, you can't catch me I'm the gingerbread man!
When we got back to the house, Sandy congratulated us all on a job well done and opened some champagne. I quickly excused myself and went straight to the gym with my cue in tow. As soon as I got in there, I charged at the punch bag and wailed on it with the cue. I'd shown my toughness in the bar and should've been proud of myself, but how could I? I'd been snubbed from the Elimination Chamber. Any shot I had at main eventing Genesis VIII was over. What was I doing? Defending the Elite Tag Team Championships against WBL and Benny Starr? I was worth more than just a tag match. I was the fastest rising star of the past year. I'd beaten Couch Potato and The Devil in singles competition, both former Champions. I'd co-won the Jealousy Battle Royal and pinned James Bohne, also a former Champion and actually in the Chamber. I'd run the gauntlet from the start with James Stall and we beat Camisado (also in the Chamber) and James Bohne at the end to win the Elite Tag titles! They hadn't done anything since yet THEY were in the Chamber and we weren't? What's Pain playing at? He put David "Shadows" Mosier in there for crying out loud! He's not done anything in FWF except lose a lot back in 2006. Yet HE was in the Chamber? Danny T. hadn't done a thing since he lost the Universal title to Brodd yet he was in the match. Thor had many chances at the title and failed everytime, so why was he there? The only one who seemed to deserve being in the match was Joe Stall fresh off his Blizzard performance. But damn it, I put everything into FWF, I post impressive records, I take "The" Ross Walker to the limit, I beat former Heavyweight Champions! I'm top of this week's Fantasy Five! Yet I wasn't in the Chamber... I went ballistic at the thought of this and sliced open the punchbag with my cue. At that time, Sandy came in.
Sandy Strachon: Woah, MTB. Calm down. Save some of that for WBL.
I dropped the cue and kneeled on the floor. Sandy put his arm around me.
Sandy Strachon: I heard about Live-Wire. It's despicable that they didn't put ya in the Chamber. I tried callin' Pain but he wasn't answerin' so we can't change it. But hey, yar in a match witb WBL. A Blizzard winner and Genesis main eventer. Ya beat him an' ya show Pain what Genesis is missing out on. But let me tell ya somethin', MTB. Don't show this side to the people in FWF. Be all smiles and nice and fun in front of the fans. Ya want them cheerin' for ya. Ya want them to like ya so ya make more money. To give ya the edge in matches. Am I clear?
MTB: Crystal.
Sandy Strachon: That's the spirit. I'm sure rumours will fly around this place. Ya need to do an interview before Live-Wire. I want ya to come across as modest with ya answers.
I nodded and Sandy left. I spent the next fews days in the gym until it was time for Live-Wire. There was no chance in hell I was taking WBL lightly. I waited in the backstage area for Linda Myles. I was sure it would be her interviewing me. I'd never done an interview in all my time in FWF. In fact, I'd never met her either. Maybe I could see what Ross Walker always saw in her. I felt myself get nervous as footsteps sounded from around the corner. Closer and closer they got until finally the cameraman arrived, followed by...
MTB: Sam Strachon?
What a let down.
Sam Strachon: Yup. Sam "The Fucking Man" Strachon.
MTB: Yeah, that's never going to catch on. Where's Linda Myles?
Sam Strachon: She's looking for "The" Ross Walker, I think, so you've got me asking the questions.
I nodded. We got ourselves into position and the camera started rolling. I draped my belt over my shoulder and looked down on Sam.
Sam Strachon: Ladies and gentlemen, I'm here with one half of the Elite Tag Team Champions Marcus Thomas Brody... MTB. MTB, tonight the number one contender to the World Championship will be decided in the Elimination Chamber. What are your thoughts on the match?
This was it. I had to bottle up all my feelings and act modest and professional. I pondered for a moment to avoid my words sounding forced.
MTB: Well, Sam, to be honest I'm disappointed that I'm not in the Elimation Chamber match. But I'm not going to flip, I'm not going to cry. It just shows me that as high as my game is at the moment, I need to redouble my efforts and step it up some more. But yeah, there's no hard feelings, and I'd like to wish everyone in that match the best of luck.
That was difficult. My game was already at its highest. I'd beaten half of the participants in the match.
Sam Strachon: Do you have a pick for the match?
MTB: Let's see. It's a tough one. James Bohne, Camisado and "Captain" Joe Stall are former world champions and have a lot of experience. I've faced James and Cam before, and I've trained with Joe at the FWF Academy in my spare time, and they will be forces to be reckoned with. I've seen a lot of impressive work from "Dragonfly" Danny T. since his debut and he's a former Universal Champion and David "Shadows" Mosier could be a dark horse, but personally, I might say Sah'ta Thor. He's had many a chance at the belt before but he's always come short. Maybe this time, he can win the Chamber and go on to beat Christian Lee at Genesis.
Sam Strachon: Speaking of Christian Lee, how's your head? I understand you suffered a concussion after a shot at his belt.
MTB: I've spoken to my doctor, and I'm cleared to compete.
I rubbed my head with the palm of my right hand.
MTB: Yup. It feels fine. I should be on form tonight.
Sam Strachon: Ah, yes. Tonight, MTB, you and your partner will be in singles competition against your challengers at Genesis, with James Stall facing "Super" Benny Starr, and yourself going up against the former co-owner of FWF, Wild Bill Legend, WBL. Any comments on tonight?
Okay, now to really hit home with this and get people watching my match... I took my belt from my shoulder and looked at it in my hands.
MTB: You said it yourself. He's the former co-owner of FWF. I understand he lost in a court case to Pain, right?
Sam nodded to affirm this.
MTB: Let's just hope that his lack of skill at handling FWF hasn't transferred over to his in-ring abilities. I mean, he won the Blizzard match in 2006 and was in the main event of Genesis IV. Not to forget that some FWF greats, including a Hall of Famer never won matches against WBL. I want to face WBL at his best, I relish the challenge that he brings, and while it will be tough, it's a challenge that I know deep down inside can be vanquished. I just need to really give it my all. A victory would really bring some momentum going into mine and James' defence at Genesis, and it should show people that I'm not just here because of who my father is, but because of my own merits.
I turned and focused dead on into the camera.
MTB: WBL, you'd better bring your best tonight! I know I'm bringing mine. I know you're not one to be taken lightly. I know you've won Blizzard. I know you've main-evented Genesis. I know you'll be a formidable opponent tonight. I know I can beat you. I know that two weeks, you failed to get the job done. I know I got you with the Su-Prey. I know that tonight you'll take a a ride on the Suplex Machine. I know that tonight, Phil Charles won't be announcing the winner as WBL, but he will announce the winner as...
I slapped my chest.
MTB: M!
I slapped it again.
MTB: T!
I slapped it one more time.
MTB: B!
I carried on staring at the camera until the light went off. I exhaled and took a step back. Sam seemed fairly pleased.
Sam Strachon: Nice start, MTB. Still need to work on the way you present yourself... you kind of sound forced but... thanks for Saturday.
MTB:No problem, Sam. Just don't forget to sing my praises on commentary.
Sam Strachon: I won't, MTB.
I walked off and headed towards the curtain. I looked through to see the Chamber being set up. I felt my anger and fury flowing through me. I knew that this time I wasn't going in there. I knew that I wouldn't be main-eventing Genesis. I knew that I wouldn't be winning the World Championship anytime soon. I knew I had to show them all. I knew I had to answer my critics. I knew I had to prove myself even more to Pain. I knew, however, that my time would come. But first, I had another obstacle on my quest to becoming a legend. I had to defeat Wild Bill Legend. I had to. I know it. If I could beat Pain's arch nemesis, surely he'd have to take notice of me. I have to show him I deserved to be in the Elimination Chamber. I punched a door frame with frustration and walked off muttering to myself...
MTB: My time will come.
Dr. Hacken: Nice to see ye, lad. Ye see me so often I should get the shortcakes out. I hope yer not gettin' hurt just to see me.
MTB: Oh trust me, I'm not.
His bushy beard brushed my face as he shone an annoyingly bright light into my eyes. He really should trim that thing down. I'd even had to move my ice pack from my forehead to let him check up. Luckily he didn't take too long this time, and this time he didn't have the worried frown he had two weeks prior.
Dr. Hacken: Yer lucky, lad. It's good news.
MTB: I got hit in the head with solid gold and... umm... down there... how is there any good news?
Dr. Hacken: Well, lad, yev not got a concussion this time.
He appeared hesitant for a moment. I found myself planting seeds of doubt in my condition.
MTB: That's good, right?
Dr. Hacken: Well, yes it is, lad. But... yer at risk next time.
MTB: Oh?
Dr. Hacken looked at me with confusion.
Dr. Hacken: Don't ye know what happened?
MTB: No, I was dazed. Everything went so fast.
Dr. Hacken: After ye went out, Ross came to your aid and got beat up pretty bad. Then Bill came out.
MTB: Bill?
Dr. Hacken: Oh alrigh', Pain came out and took Ross out of the World title match at Genesis.
I leapt off the table and knocked Dr. Hacken's first aid kit to the floor, startling him.
MTB: Wait! What!?
Dr. Hacken: Yeah. Pain made a match for the next Live-Wire and it's no ordinary match, lad.
MTB: And what match is that?
There was a long pause and Dr. Hacken placed a hand on my shoulder.
Dr. Hacken: Lad... It's the Elimination Chamber!
MTB: The Elimination Chamber?
Dr. Hacken: Ye, lad. Yer in it, both Stalls are in it, WBL's in it, Benny Starr's in it, and someone else but I'm not sure who. The winner faces Christian Lee at Genesis. Ah, which reminds me, he's the ref.
Oh great, Christian Lee is the referee. This really puts a kaibosh on my chances. He's got it in for me. But this has to be the least of my worries. I mean I was in the Elimination Chamber! There had only been two in FWF history. The first was in 2006 and saw Pain win his first World Heavyweight Championship and the second was in 2008 and saw Prozac win the Heavyweight Championship. The fact there had only been two showed just how dangerous a match this was. Hell, there'd been as many Devil's Advocate matches as there had been Elimination Chambers. That had to tell you something. Then again, it tells you something about me. It tells you that Pain thinks high enough of me to even put me in this match. I'm still in my rookie year, how was I going to handle this match? The only person I knew who'd been in this kind of match was off limits since he's my dad's best friend, and well, I wasn't really on any terms with Marcus Brody Sr. I only had one go-to guy: my agent and the great man who took me into his mansion. The one and only founder of UCW, Sandy Strachon.
****
MTB: Hey, Sandy!
That was the first thing I shouted as I arrived back at the Chateau de Strachon. There was no one there, just an eagle fountain on a chessboard floor.
MTB: Shit. I forgot how big this place is. Let's see...
The sun was out and the air was fairly hot. Where would a wealthy businessman like Sandy want to go in his house on a sweltering day? It was obvious. I bolted straight to the back garden where a sizeable swimming pool filled the place like a lake. And in that pool on a lilo? Sandy himself and, my, his chest hair put his eyebrows to shame. As per usual, the eyebrows were peeking over the top of his shades. He sat up and took a sip from what must have been a pina colada before greeting me with his smarmy grin.
Sandy Strachon: Ah, MTB. Why don'tcha join me?
MTB: There's bigger things than relaxing to think of...
Sandy Strachon: Ya need to relax more kid, but I getcha. Ya wanna win that Elimination Chamber.
I nodded. I was impressed by the way Sandy knew what I was thinking. It was as if he could read my mind. He must have got it from years of dealing with wrestlers and businessmen alike.
Sandy Strachon: The thing is, I can tell whatcha need. Ya go down too easily. In the Chamber ya've got all that chain and those glass pods. If ya can't take a belt to the head, then ya stand no chance inside what some call "Satan's Structure." MTB, ya can't rely on technical ability all the time. Ya need resilience. Ya need endurance. Ya need to toughen up.
MTB: And what do you have in mind?
Sandy's smarmy grin grew even more, and he finally removed his shades.
Sandy Strachon: Oh, you'll see.
****
It wasn't for a couple more days until I would. Sandy had woken me up at the crack of dawn and had me blindfolded before. I was greeted by two men who I couldn't see and helped into a limo. The journey felt so long with me unable to see anything. I could hear doors slamming as I was taken into some place. Then finally:
Sandy Strachon: Alright MTB. Ya can take it off.
I reached back and pulled off the blindfold to find myself in familiar territory. I'd broken in here with James Stall, and I'd competed in here a few times, and I'd been here many a time as a fan. The purple ropes, the blood stained canvas, the dim lights, the old-fashioned entrance way, the arena! The UCW Arena! But what was this? The place was littered with a plethora of weaponry, from chairs to tables to canes to barbed wire wats. It was as if I was in a DIY shop. I turned to Sandy, who looked smug.
MTB: What do you want me to do with these, Sandy?
Sandy began to laugh before slapping my shoulder. He sounded maniacal.
Sandy Strachon: MTB, ya crack me up. Ya not gonna do a thing with them. Ya should be asking what they're gonna do to ya.
MTB: Okay, I'm confused now. They're inanimate. They're not going to come to life.
Sandy Strachon: I wasn't talking about the weapons.
MTB: Then who's "they," then?
Sandy grinned as the Naked Gun theme hit the arena. Sausage and Bean walked from behind the curtain and played to a non-existant crowd. What was it with these UCW guys playing their own music when they entered anywhere? They threw off their gumshoe coats to reveal bright purple dungarees. Sandy was in fits of laughter until he sighed it off.
Sandy Strachon: Oh, these guys crack me up.
MTB: Right, so "they" are The Breakfast Table? What are they going to do?
Sandy Strachon: Simple. They're gonna beat ya up.
MTB: Umm, why?
Sandy Strachon: 'Cause this is the house I built and what I say goes. Listen, it'll make ya tougher. The more ya take, the more ya can take. Ya'll thank me later.
I turned back to see Sausage looking warmly at me. Bean was nowhere to be seen. Sausage put a hand on my shoulder. I braced myself.
Sausage: No hard feelings, mate.
And with that, he punched me in the jaw and threw me to the ground. He started to kick me. It felt like two people were kicking me. And I finally heard Bean, expressing himself the only way he knew how...
Bean: Singin' in the rain!
They laid into me with a few swift kicks to my stomach.
Bean: Just singin' in the rain!
They took it in turns dropping elbows to my ribs. I could feel my ribs bruising up.
Bean: What a glorious feeeeling!
No it wasn't. I heard them pick up some chairs and wait a moment. I knew what was coming. Then bam! They smashed my back with them.
Bean: I'm happy again!
Sausage leaned over to me. He looked like he was having fun.
Sausage: Had enough mate?
I had only one option. I may have been in so much pain, but I took a deep breath and yelled.
MTB: Nooooooooooo!!!!!
Sausage: Nice one, mate. Bean!
Bean hoisted me to my feet and then lifted me by my legs. He carried me over to one of the tables. Sausage leaped up and pulled me down by my head, driving me through the table. For the times I'd beaten these guys and the clowning about they do, I'd forgotten how brutal The Breakfast Table could be.
Sausage: Alright, mate. I'm going to pin you now. I want you to kick out.
He went for a cover and Sandy made a count. Come on... 1... come on... 2... and just before the count of three, my shoulder powered up. Sandy stood over me and applauded.
Sandy Strachon: Nice work MTB! I've not seen anyone kick out after being served The Works in ages!
Sausage was awestruck. He looked aghast as Bean scouted the area. Moments later, a sharp set of pricks pierced my back. Bean was pressing barbed wire into me. My yells of pain were drowned out by more singing.
Bean: Every rose has its thorn! Just like every night has its dawn! Just like every cowboy sings his sad, sad song! Every rose has its thorn!
Sausage: Hey, mate. Good song. Poison, was it
Bean: No. Miley Cyrus.
Bloody hell! He speaks! At least he'd taken the barbed wire out to answer. It was over. Thank G-AAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! Something cane-like was cracked across my back.
Sausage: Okay, mate. I want you to say the following: "Thank you sir, may I have another?"
MTB: Thank you sir, may I have another?
And I was cracked with another cane shot.
MTB: Thank you sir, may I have another?
And another, and another, and another. I could feel the welts shaping up on my back. They carried on for what felt like hours. The Works here, and a chair shot there, yet after everything I was able to kick out somehow or some way. Finally, Sandy stepped in.
Sandy Strachon: Fellas. That's enough. Great job MTB. We'll do more of this tomorrow.
Oh great. I spent the rest of the day resting up and covered with even more ice packs. The next day wasn't as bad since I didn't feel it much. We still carried on, to the next day and the day after that until the weekend before Live-Wire arrived. I'd been summoned to the living room, and when I arrived I noticed Sausage and Bean sipping on tea as well as another man with a similar look to Sandy apart from glasses, a receding hairline and not-as-bushy eyebrows. This man was recognisable by FWF and UCW fans alike for he was the voice of both companies. This was Sam Strachon, Sandy's eldest son. Sandy looked up.
Sandy Strachon: Ah, MTB. Good morning. Ya know my son, Sam.
MTB: Of course, is he beating me up now?
Everyone laughed. Hey, I must've pulled a funny.
Sandy Strachon: Him? He's a wimp.
Sam rose to his feet with indignation.
Sam Strachon: Hey! I'm a former UCW Champion!
Sandy Strachon: Oh give over, little Sami. MTB's dad helped ya beat me, and ya lost it to Unknown 5 minutes later.
Dejectedly, Sam sat back down.
MTB: And what does this have to do with me?
Sandy Strachon: Little Sami can't fight his own battles. Explain, son.
I found an empty seat and set myself down on it.
Sam Strachon: So you know how my wife divorced me and went off with that other guy the other year? Well we found where he hangs out, and I want to give him a piece of my mind. I have a feeling it'll get messy, so I need backup.
MTB: Why me?
Sandy Strachon: It'll help me prepare for the Chamber.
MTB: Hmm, alright. Count me in.
I could see Sam Strachon smiling. But could I really be tough enough to help him out? That night, we found ourselves in some dirty looking bar in a nearby town. The carpet appeared to be stained with stale vomit and spilled drinks and it didn't look like it had been cleaned in an eternity. The wallpaper was falling off, and the tables hadn't been polished ever. Quite frankly, you could call this place a shit hole. The Breakfast Table were playing pool as I sat at a table with Sam, who was looking around relentlessly.
Sam Strachon: Ugh, where is he? He should be here somewhere.
MTB: What does he look like?
Sam Strachon: Tall, dark hair, massive chin, built like he should be a wrestler.
MTB: You mean him? And is that your wife with him?
Across the bar, hitting on some random blonde woman was someone fitting the description Sam gave me. Sam suddenly got to his feet.
Sam Strachon: Yes it is, and that's not my EX-wife! Jump in if he hits me.
Sam went over to the man, and I got to see the guy's face fully. He was so familiar. Of course. That's Francis Todd. I went to school with him. He cheated on his girlfriends with anyone or anything, regardless of gender, age, race or species. He'd been a bit of a dick to me too, rubbing his douchebaggery in my face, metaphorically speaking of course. Sam was yelling incoherently at the guy, until Francis floored him with one punch. I was nervous but ran right over. He looked at me for a moment and he immediately recognised who I was.
Francis Todd: Why if it isn't Marcus Brody. It's been a while.
MTB: What did you hit him for?
Francis Todd: He was boring me. What a loser. No wonder his wife left him for me.
MTB: I see you haven't changed. Wanting to nail everything you see.
Francis Todd: I see you haven't either. You're still a loser.
MTB: Then explain why I'm in FWF...
Francis Todd: 'Cause they need chumps to make the real men look good. I've seen how easily Christian Lee takes you out.
I could feel rage bubbling. I had to remain calm. Surely I could talk sense into him.
MTB: Oh yeah? We'll see about that when I win the Elimination Chamber and beat him at Genesis.
Francis laughed so hard he dropped his drink.
Francis Todd: You mean the Elimination Chamber you're not even in?
MTB: What? What are you talking about?
Francis Todd: The card went online today, and I didn't see you in it. Hang on, I'll show you.
He pulled out an expensive looking phone, keyed in a few buttons and showed me the screen. I read through the names in the match. Camisado, "Captain" Joe Stall, "Dragonfly" Danny T., David "Shadows" Mosier, James Bohne and Sah'ta Thor... so I wasn't. I felt dejected, shunned. After all the effort I put in, I was being snubbed in favour of some guys who hadn't been on form or hadn't contributed much to FWF... My rage was building. I was getting reminders of high school... I could see Francis laughing at me. I had to let it out some way.
MTB: What the!?
Francis Todd: Haha, Marcus Brody, you've always been a loser. Remember when you got snubbed for head boy at school? What are you going to do about it this time? Cry? Beat yourself up? Try to cut yourself again? You little crybaby. Go cry to your famous daddy. You only got to FWF because of him.
Must resist... must resist... mus- and then it happened. He slapped me across the face and laughed. That's it. I lost it completely and lunged at the guy, sending him to the ground. The blonde fled the scene. Now she was gone, and the barmaid was distracted by Sausage and Bean, no one would see me fighting this guy. He got a few shots in on me before kneeing me in the groin. He got up and grabbed a bottle from the bar and a bunch of guys joined him The fight was no longer fair. I needed an equaliser. I saw Sausage put his pool cue down and it clicked. I hurried to the pool tale and snatched up the cue. I took a swing at the gang of lads and they stepped back. Perfect. Swinging the cue made me feel so alive. One of the guys made the mistake of charging at me. I smashed him on the head with the cue. The mob of them tried to surround me like a pack of hounds but Sausage and Bean ran over with some cues and helped clear some of them away. The only one left was Francis. He looked up cockily.
Francis Todd: That all you got, Marcus Brody?
MTB: Don't call me that. It's MTB!
Francis Todd: You're so lame Marcus Brody...
I took my cue and laid one hell of a beating on him. I got him to his feet and looked right in his eyes.
MTB: I... told... you... I'm... M! T! B!
With each syllable I kneed him hard in the stomach. Blood was coming from his mouth. I threw him over to Sausage and Bean and they hit The Works on him through the pool table. I leaned over him and glared at his barely conscious eyes. Sam had come to and stood by me.
MTB: Now listen here. You stay away from Sam's ex-wife, you hear? If I find you've done anything to anyone again, we'll be back, and in bigger numbers. And by the way... it's MTB, bitch!
And with that, I smashed his knees with the cue. Sausage leaned over and slipped a tiny bag in his hand. Sirens could be heard in the background.
Sausage: Mate, the police are coming. We'd better get going. We've planted drugs on this guy so they think this was some sort of deal.
The sirens were getting closer. Sausage and Bean grabbed Sam and I by our collars and pulled us away.
Sausage: Cheese it!
We started to run but Sam broke free and kicked Francis in the face.
Sam Strachon: Take that, you home-wrecking bastard!
Bean went back and dragged him away. He got out of the bar and around the corner in time to see the police cars arriving from a distance. I sighed with relief.
MTB: That was close.
Sam Strachon came over and hugged me tight, as if he'd never hugged his father.
Sam Strachon: Thank you so much MTB. I need to start bigging you up on commentary more.
He'd better. Bean began running around in circles and burst into song.
Bean: Run, run as fast as you can, you can't catch me I'm the gingerbread man!
When we got back to the house, Sandy congratulated us all on a job well done and opened some champagne. I quickly excused myself and went straight to the gym with my cue in tow. As soon as I got in there, I charged at the punch bag and wailed on it with the cue. I'd shown my toughness in the bar and should've been proud of myself, but how could I? I'd been snubbed from the Elimination Chamber. Any shot I had at main eventing Genesis VIII was over. What was I doing? Defending the Elite Tag Team Championships against WBL and Benny Starr? I was worth more than just a tag match. I was the fastest rising star of the past year. I'd beaten Couch Potato and The Devil in singles competition, both former Champions. I'd co-won the Jealousy Battle Royal and pinned James Bohne, also a former Champion and actually in the Chamber. I'd run the gauntlet from the start with James Stall and we beat Camisado (also in the Chamber) and James Bohne at the end to win the Elite Tag titles! They hadn't done anything since yet THEY were in the Chamber and we weren't? What's Pain playing at? He put David "Shadows" Mosier in there for crying out loud! He's not done anything in FWF except lose a lot back in 2006. Yet HE was in the Chamber? Danny T. hadn't done a thing since he lost the Universal title to Brodd yet he was in the match. Thor had many chances at the title and failed everytime, so why was he there? The only one who seemed to deserve being in the match was Joe Stall fresh off his Blizzard performance. But damn it, I put everything into FWF, I post impressive records, I take "The" Ross Walker to the limit, I beat former Heavyweight Champions! I'm top of this week's Fantasy Five! Yet I wasn't in the Chamber... I went ballistic at the thought of this and sliced open the punchbag with my cue. At that time, Sandy came in.
Sandy Strachon: Woah, MTB. Calm down. Save some of that for WBL.
I dropped the cue and kneeled on the floor. Sandy put his arm around me.
Sandy Strachon: I heard about Live-Wire. It's despicable that they didn't put ya in the Chamber. I tried callin' Pain but he wasn't answerin' so we can't change it. But hey, yar in a match witb WBL. A Blizzard winner and Genesis main eventer. Ya beat him an' ya show Pain what Genesis is missing out on. But let me tell ya somethin', MTB. Don't show this side to the people in FWF. Be all smiles and nice and fun in front of the fans. Ya want them cheerin' for ya. Ya want them to like ya so ya make more money. To give ya the edge in matches. Am I clear?
MTB: Crystal.
Sandy Strachon: That's the spirit. I'm sure rumours will fly around this place. Ya need to do an interview before Live-Wire. I want ya to come across as modest with ya answers.
I nodded and Sandy left. I spent the next fews days in the gym until it was time for Live-Wire. There was no chance in hell I was taking WBL lightly. I waited in the backstage area for Linda Myles. I was sure it would be her interviewing me. I'd never done an interview in all my time in FWF. In fact, I'd never met her either. Maybe I could see what Ross Walker always saw in her. I felt myself get nervous as footsteps sounded from around the corner. Closer and closer they got until finally the cameraman arrived, followed by...
MTB: Sam Strachon?
What a let down.
Sam Strachon: Yup. Sam "The Fucking Man" Strachon.
MTB: Yeah, that's never going to catch on. Where's Linda Myles?
Sam Strachon: She's looking for "The" Ross Walker, I think, so you've got me asking the questions.
I nodded. We got ourselves into position and the camera started rolling. I draped my belt over my shoulder and looked down on Sam.
Sam Strachon: Ladies and gentlemen, I'm here with one half of the Elite Tag Team Champions Marcus Thomas Brody... MTB. MTB, tonight the number one contender to the World Championship will be decided in the Elimination Chamber. What are your thoughts on the match?
This was it. I had to bottle up all my feelings and act modest and professional. I pondered for a moment to avoid my words sounding forced.
MTB: Well, Sam, to be honest I'm disappointed that I'm not in the Elimation Chamber match. But I'm not going to flip, I'm not going to cry. It just shows me that as high as my game is at the moment, I need to redouble my efforts and step it up some more. But yeah, there's no hard feelings, and I'd like to wish everyone in that match the best of luck.
That was difficult. My game was already at its highest. I'd beaten half of the participants in the match.
Sam Strachon: Do you have a pick for the match?
MTB: Let's see. It's a tough one. James Bohne, Camisado and "Captain" Joe Stall are former world champions and have a lot of experience. I've faced James and Cam before, and I've trained with Joe at the FWF Academy in my spare time, and they will be forces to be reckoned with. I've seen a lot of impressive work from "Dragonfly" Danny T. since his debut and he's a former Universal Champion and David "Shadows" Mosier could be a dark horse, but personally, I might say Sah'ta Thor. He's had many a chance at the belt before but he's always come short. Maybe this time, he can win the Chamber and go on to beat Christian Lee at Genesis.
Sam Strachon: Speaking of Christian Lee, how's your head? I understand you suffered a concussion after a shot at his belt.
MTB: I've spoken to my doctor, and I'm cleared to compete.
I rubbed my head with the palm of my right hand.
MTB: Yup. It feels fine. I should be on form tonight.
Sam Strachon: Ah, yes. Tonight, MTB, you and your partner will be in singles competition against your challengers at Genesis, with James Stall facing "Super" Benny Starr, and yourself going up against the former co-owner of FWF, Wild Bill Legend, WBL. Any comments on tonight?
Okay, now to really hit home with this and get people watching my match... I took my belt from my shoulder and looked at it in my hands.
MTB: You said it yourself. He's the former co-owner of FWF. I understand he lost in a court case to Pain, right?
Sam nodded to affirm this.
MTB: Let's just hope that his lack of skill at handling FWF hasn't transferred over to his in-ring abilities. I mean, he won the Blizzard match in 2006 and was in the main event of Genesis IV. Not to forget that some FWF greats, including a Hall of Famer never won matches against WBL. I want to face WBL at his best, I relish the challenge that he brings, and while it will be tough, it's a challenge that I know deep down inside can be vanquished. I just need to really give it my all. A victory would really bring some momentum going into mine and James' defence at Genesis, and it should show people that I'm not just here because of who my father is, but because of my own merits.
I turned and focused dead on into the camera.
MTB: WBL, you'd better bring your best tonight! I know I'm bringing mine. I know you're not one to be taken lightly. I know you've won Blizzard. I know you've main-evented Genesis. I know you'll be a formidable opponent tonight. I know I can beat you. I know that two weeks, you failed to get the job done. I know I got you with the Su-Prey. I know that tonight you'll take a a ride on the Suplex Machine. I know that tonight, Phil Charles won't be announcing the winner as WBL, but he will announce the winner as...
I slapped my chest.
MTB: M!
I slapped it again.
MTB: T!
I slapped it one more time.
MTB: B!
I carried on staring at the camera until the light went off. I exhaled and took a step back. Sam seemed fairly pleased.
Sam Strachon: Nice start, MTB. Still need to work on the way you present yourself... you kind of sound forced but... thanks for Saturday.
MTB:No problem, Sam. Just don't forget to sing my praises on commentary.
Sam Strachon: I won't, MTB.
I walked off and headed towards the curtain. I looked through to see the Chamber being set up. I felt my anger and fury flowing through me. I knew that this time I wasn't going in there. I knew that I wouldn't be main-eventing Genesis. I knew that I wouldn't be winning the World Championship anytime soon. I knew I had to show them all. I knew I had to answer my critics. I knew I had to prove myself even more to Pain. I knew, however, that my time would come. But first, I had another obstacle on my quest to becoming a legend. I had to defeat Wild Bill Legend. I had to. I know it. If I could beat Pain's arch nemesis, surely he'd have to take notice of me. I have to show him I deserved to be in the Elimination Chamber. I punched a door frame with frustration and walked off muttering to myself...
MTB: My time will come.
