********
Fading back into the Gangster’s of Christ Church of Christ we see that Michael Dawson is once again front and center at the pulpit behind his podium with the IIW Tag Team Champions, Jethro and Pope, behind him looking out across the small congregation.
MICHAEL DAWSON:
It’s a beautiful Saturday in the land of the lord, amen.
Audible Amen’s are heard from the congregation.
MICHAEL DAWSON:
I’m sure many of you know that the boys and I flew back from Clearwater, Florida where the war on sin in Professional Wrestling has continued, and while usually I wouldn’t tout outside accomplishments this one has a special meaning that deserves to be expressed because of the direct tie to the IIW.
The congregation quiets down allowing Michael to continue.
MICHAEL DAWSON:
For weeks I’ve been preaching about the over-ratedness of the roster; how about last night Jethro defeated the current IIW World Champion?
The congregation roars in approval. Michael waits for the commotion to stop before he states with a slick smirk on his face.
MICHAEL DAWSON:
If you missed it, watch this.
The lights in the Chrurch of Christ dim out and the following footage plays on a projector screen that lowers above Michael’s head:
Jethro then lifts Joe upward, connecting with a side belly-to-belly suplex, maintaining his hold on Joe before hitting a second one, then locking in the Exorcism.*
Upon the clip coming to a close Pope is hugging Jethro as Michael looks on as a proud father. The congregation erupts into a fit of cheers and congratulations. Michael claps his hands together before turning around to the podium as the screen raises back up into the gloomy rafters.
MICHAEL DAWSON:
My children, we have silenced the loudest of sinners, the guy the represents the IIW as it’s World Heavyweight Champion AND his overrated partner who QUIT this federation his first time around, Thaddeus Duke. These two chumps are pretty stupid, but with this victory it further solidifies that God’s work is being done. The vanity of Joe, the Greed of Thad are both deadly sins that the power of the Lord, Jesus Christ, can wash away. All you have to do is let us in and we can cleanse you both. It further solidifies that we are the team you never knew about… but will never forget.
“AMEN” is heard in unison from the congregation.
MICHAEL DAWSON:
It seems as if the Manhattan Project bit the dust, or should I say passed out to Christ, but something we haven’t spoken about is what transpired on the last episode of Mayhem. Isn’t it funny to watch Team Olympus try to play tough on television? They demanded a shot at us… but uh, haven’t we already told this story? And didn’t Team Olympus not only get spanked by the Gangster’s of Christ… but did they even bother to promote it, like at all? Sin has blinded these fools into thinking they pushed us to the limits.
Michael starts laughing, a second or two later Pope and Jethro start laughing behind their father which sparks some laughter from the congregation. Micheal then states.
MICHAEL DAWSON:
In what world do they live in to think they “pushed” us to the limit.
Michael can’t control his laughter as it burst out loudly causing the congregation to get louder to the point it echoes throughout the small Church. Suddenly and quickly the laughing from Michael stops causing the congregation to go silent a the same time. An eerie feeling overcomes the surroundings as Michael states with conviction in his tone.
MICHAEL DAWSON:
If Team Olympus thinks that they pushed us to a limit, if that’s the story they need to tell in order to make themselves feel better about being complete and total failures, if that’s their crutch for thinking they deserve a crack at our own assassin’s touched by God’s hands then you’re sorely mistaken and probably need to go back to the drawing bored. I can’t even call these two sinners because sinners have some sort of intelligence, can I get an Amen?
In unison the congregation responds with “Amen”.
MICHAEL DAWSON:
And if this train wreck couldn’t get worse we get another generic team that referr’s to themselves as Outlaw’s that in their VERY FIRST promo take shots at ME, a guy that isn’t a contracted wrestler. Let me guess, your next step is going to be putting hands on me. Well, trust me when I say that I am a man of the Lord, and it wouldn’t be the first time guys like you come at me because you got nothing left. I’m the easy mark, but what you should be asking yourselves is this; what’s happened to TEAM OLYMPUS, didn’t they do the same thing? Dumbasses.
Michael then states.
MICHAEL DAWSON:
I see right through both of these teams. They both want a shot but expect for it to be handed to them. That seem’s to be the general theme in the IIW, just make tireless demands without doing any of the work. If you want us so bad, why don’t you do what we did to get a shot at the titles. We wasted our time with the El Landerson’s of the federation, we worked our way from the bottom to the top and left a trail of bodies in our wake. Whatever happened to earning anything in this profession? Everyone wants to think they’re the best, they want to claim to be GOATS; which let me remind you that goats are the DEVIL, they tell the world on social media with shameless promotions trying to get anyone that will listen to them to believe they are that good… until they meet the Gangster’s of Christ… Right Joe? Right Thad? Right Team Olypus? Right ATG? Right Landerson’s?
An evil smirk comes across the face of Michael.
MICHAEL DAWSON:
Make no mistake out it, Outlaws, if you want to volunteer for our next sacrifice that’s all well and good, but you don’t get to skip the line because you THINK you’re something but ultimately you’re nothing. I tell you, my children, Monday Night is going to be a glorious happening as the wave of momentum shall continue to build when Jethro and Pope take center stage and defend the IIW Tag Titles.
Michael pauses for a brief second.
MICHAEL DAWSON:
I wish I could say that with it being this late in the ballgame that the silence from Hunter or Bird is surprising, but if you pay attention you’d see that this is anything but. What’s the matter guys, cat got your tongue? Surely you’re not out filling bags of sand in an attempt to stop the floodgates from overtaking you because it doesn’t matter how many bags you fill it’s a wasted effort. You should both be ashamed of yourselves for asking to take part in something of this magnitude if you’re going to bitch out about it. Same can be said for Team Olympus and The Outlaws for that matter; if either of you wanted to prove yourselves the last thing you do is wait until the final hours to open your mouths.
Micheal chuckles under his breath.
MICHAEL DAWSON:
THIS kind of behavior is exactly why we don’t bend the knee at any and every request because out time has been wasted more times than I care to count to the degree we went to Thunder Pro Wrestling just to find some credible competition. That doesn’t fall on the roster, that falls on the LEADERS of the shit-show, Shaun Hart and Osh. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again that the internal pissing contest has taken a toll on your entire organization. This entire Shaun vs Osh is a regurgitation of Bob vs Osh from last year and whatever GM opposed Osh the year before. It’s the same dog and pony show with ONE common denominator, you do the math.
Michael then states.
MICHAEL DAWSON:
My children, our work is just beginning. Second Corinthians 5;17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”. I want you to take a minute and digest what he is saying here because the Gangster’s of Christ are the new, and we are very much here… Come Monday Night on Mayhem walking God’s path and doing God’s work our path takes unfortunately crosses with Michael Harris and Tony Bird. These two men are SLOTHS to the core, and that is definitely one of the deadly sins. Your laziness has exuded from your pores while you’ve squandered this opportunity in every sense of the word. While you two have been off playing grab ass WE have been in other rings, beating other teams, keeping our skills sharp, and opening the eyes of others who have let us in. Our congregation is starting to grow, the movement of the Lord is in full swing, and GLORY to those that stand at our side and wage the ultimate battle that has yet to unfold.
“Amen” explodes out several times from all over the pulpit as Michael continues to preach with excitement in his voice.
MICHAEL DAWSON:
Revelation is upon the IIW, they just don’t realize it yet. With each week that passes, the stronger WE become. Our story is just getting started and WE will continue to cleanse the wrestling world of false profits one at a time until there is no denying that everyone else will regret they refused to open the door and LET US IN.
Jetho and Pope then say LET US IN sparking the congregation to follow in suit.
MICHAEL DAWSON:
The rapture has already begun.
Suddenly the sounds of the old wooden structure doors opening can be heard. Michael Dawson’s attention is drawn toward the back of the Church where the silhouette of a figure can be seen. Jethro and Pope step out from behind their father, leaving the tag titles at the alter, they make their way up the aisle.
MICHAEL DAWSON:
It’s okay. Our doors are always open.
The figure responds.
“I’m not sure if this is the right place.”
MICHAEL DAWSON:
This is the house of the Lord, it’s always the right place.
“I heard your voice, it brought me here.”
Jethro and Pope reach the figure. The sunlight from outside is blinding keeping the identity unknown.
MICHAEL DAWSON:
How far have you traveled, my son?
“Days.”
The voice is clearly that of an unknown male.
MICHAEL DAWSON:
If you heard my voice then this is the right place.
“I kept hearing “let us in”. I honestly thought I was going crazy… but the closer I got the more clear it all became.”
Michael smiles.
MICHAEL DAWSON:
Welcome home.
****
We fade into the Gangsters of Christ lockerroom where the Dawson brothers are recovering after a grueling match against Thaddeus Duke and Joe Montori in Thunder Pro Wrestling’s SEX cup. A match that saw them claim victory against two of wrestling’s most prominent names and thus the right to advance to the final four of the SEX cup. All of this just three days before the IIW tag team champs will defend their titles against Michael Hunter and Tony Bird. Not only are the GOC the premier tag team in wrestling today they are also wrestling’s hardest working tag team as evidence by their incredibly full schedule. A schedule that could be expanding as multiple federations have reached out to Michael Dawson looking to ride the wave of success that is the Gangsters current tag team run by signing the Dawson brothers to their roster. But for now let’s just focus on IIW.
“You alright Jet? You’re breathing pretty heavily over there.” Pope asks as he places a pack of ice on his right shoulder. The same shoulder Thaddeus Duke spent a good portion of the match focusing on.
“Yeah I’m good bro. Just catching my breath. Those two boys could go. I’ll give them that.” Jethro says as he takes another deep breath before falling backwards onto the black leather couch in their room.
“A beating is what we gave them. Thaddeus Duke, a guy whose collected more titles than Prince and Joe Montori. IIW’s current top dog. They lined up across from us thinking their individual accolades meant they had some kind of advantage but the mistake they made, the mistake so many make is thinking that being a good singles wrestler means you can be put on a team, even with another accomplished wrestler and that those skills are just going to transfer over. It doesn’t work that way.”
“It sure as shit don't. Those two thought they were hot shit and they walked into a buzzsaw and now Michael Hunter and Tony Bird are fixing to do the same dang thing.”
“And they will be met with the same result. Were I them after seeing what we just did to Duke and Montori I would be boarding a plane to go in the exact opposite direction of the UK. Not unless they are those weird types who like getting the shit kicked out of them. I don’t really know. I know absolutely nothing about these guys other than that hyping up matches isn’t really their priority.”
“Speaking of priorities. We really need to get packed up and headed to the airport. I don’t want to miss our flight again.”
“That was one time Jet and it wasn’t my fault. I told you that a million times.”
“Right, it was the woman you were having sex with in the airport bathroom’s fault.”
“Yes Jet as a matter of fact it was. After a few drinks at the bar she made it clear to me in no uncertain terms that she wasn’t going to take no for an answer and mom raised us to never be disrespectful to the fairer sex.”
“I mean you could have just said no. She wasn’t even all that attractive to begin with.”
“That’s right coming from a guy whose best piece of trim was a Lizard Lick 7 which is like a 4 everywhere else in the world.”
“Fuck you!” Jet shouts as he tosses one of his boots at his brother, barely missing his injured shoulder.
“Truth hurts don’t it dear brother?”
“Alright boys, you about ready to go?” Michael Dawson says as he throws the door open to the locker room and steps inside.
Michael looks at both of his sons for a few seconds before he registers the clear tension in the room.
“What’s the matter with you two? You two just won one of, if not the biggest match of your professional careers. There is no time for bickering. Pack your stuff and let’s get moving. I don’t want to miss another flight.” Michael says as he looks directly at Pope.
“IT WASN’T MY FAULT!” Pope yells as he tosses the bag of ice to the ground.
“I didn’t believe you then. I don’t believe you now. Now you pack up your gear and meet me at the rental in 10 minutes.”
Michael picks up his duffle which was situated near the door and walks out of the room without saying another word.
For the next 10 minutes the two brothers pack up their belongings, hurriedly shoving things into their respective bags without saying a word to each other. The first one out of the room is Jethro followed by Pope a few minutes later. Pope tosses his bag in the trunk but not without a wince and a grab at his shoulder.
“You gonna be ok for Monday night?” Michael asks his son.
“Nothing a few pain pills can’t fix.” Pope responds with a wink before climbing into the back of the vehicle where his brother is already waiting.
Michael climbs down into the passenger side of the mid sized sedan as the driver fires up the engine and heads out towards the airport.
“You boys never told me how your meeting with IWC went. Did they wine and dine you?” Michael asks as he looks back at his boys.
“It went fine Dad.” Jet mumbles to his father.
“Did you guys sign a contract with them? What do the financials look like?”
“We looked over the contract and are going to have our attorney look it over before signing it.” Pope says as he looks out the car’s window.
“Guess I should give Ricky a call and see what he has to say then.”
“Actually we decided to go with someone else. I think all of this might be a bit too much for Uncle Ricky to handle. Especially as we continue to expand our brand.”
“What? What are you talking about? Your Uncle Ricky is the family lawyer. Always has been. Always will be. That’s why the Irish paid for him to go to law school. So we could have someone in the family to deal with all this stuff. Someone we know and trust. Not some outsider. I want you to contact whoever this interloper is and tell them you’ve reconsidered their employment and are going in another direction.”
“We’ve already paid her retainer fee.” Pope says.
“That’s a YOU problem.” Michael fires back at his son.
“Uncle Ricky is the family lawyer for all things. Do YOU understand me? And yes I’m talking to YOU Pope because I know this was your idea.”
“This is bullshit….” Pope shouts but is cutoff by his father before he can say anymore.
“No Pope. This is the family business and as I tried to explain to you two when you forced my hand with Patrick Duggan, I run the family business. Is that clear?”
Neither son responds instead they look in any direction other than at their father.
“I SAID…” Michael shouts loudly at his sons, this time getting their attention,
“IS THAT CLEAR?”
“Yes Dad.” The two say in unison at their father.
“Good. Then when we get to the airport I want you to get a copy of the contract to your Uncle so he can review it and let us know what he thinks.”
“Yes Dad.” The two brothers again say in unison as the scene fades to black.