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Post by Osh Vaughan on Jun 14, 2021 11:56:29 GMT
Tv Title No.1 Contenders Revok vs Damian Winters vs
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Post by Acheron "Headsman" Revok on Jun 21, 2021 14:09:57 GMT
In the present, Acheron Revok stands near the chancel of a ruinous, fire-damaged, and gray Dracut, Massachusetts place of worship. The structure is without a gambrel, its paint stripped by almost two decades of weather. All that remains are the bones of the former structure’s carcass.
The camera angle is low, so the reef of bloodred clouds that hangs, sunken, in the sea of the sky appears to be a makeshift roof. The sun that rises behind the reef reveals itself to be the color of rusting steel. Fog permeates the air around the place of worship, a wispy cotton that insulates heaven from “here.”
The atmosphere surrounding the structure is oppressive. Crows populate greasy leather lines that zigzag from the remaining rafters of the place of worship, the birds a boundless array of sinister saints with only future carrion on their minds.
Glass that litters the floor crunches under Revok’s boots as he paces, a wistful look on his face as he soaks up the destruction surrounding him.
***
Moments after his debut victory over TJ Alexander, Revok is energized by abject vexation as he plods to his dressing room. He angrily turns the door handle and pushes the door back so forcefully that it nearly comes off the hinges. He sits down in a black folding chair to brood. Dierdre, eating a family size Freezer Queen Salisbury steak meal (thawed at room temperature, not cooked) in the corner, looks on with curiosity. Revok unlaces one boot and whips it against the wall. He aggressively scratches the deep purple scar emblazoned on his neck.
Revok (his voice higher-pitched and more stilted than usual): A fucking schoolboy!
Dierdre (clearly confusing and misunderstanding Revok’s words and meaning): That’s…illegal? Maybe he was in college? I don’t want you to go to the clink. Ohhhhhh!
Revok (shaking his head and smirking): No, Dierdre. I had plans to maim Alexander to make a statement, and while I got a few tosses in, the win was too easily claimed for my competitive tastes. I used a technical maneuver with the intention of tiring ol’ Teej out, but ended up overpowering him for the three count. Instead of The Dull Axe, or even Death from Above, I secured the victory by rolling him up, basically from behind…
Dierdre: Rolling him up…from behind? How did it feel? To…love?
Revok: Dierdre! I’m talking about the schoolboy!
Dierdre: …he was there, too?
Revok: ...Jesus Christ.
***
Several hours later, still in the dressing room where Revok continues to brood, his phone begins to ring, but he ignores it. After about a minute, a ding indicates a voicemail has been left. Revok turns the phone on speaker and plays the voicemail.
Jack Hill: Hello there, mah friend. I'm sure you's gon' hear this about 30 seconds after I hang up, seein' as how you been screenin' mah calls fer as long's I've had yer number, so hopefully th'events o'yer match is still fresh in yer mind. I jus' want ya t'know that I un'erstand how hard it musta been fer you t'swallow yer pride'n take the win when it was in reach - literally, in the case o'Mr. Alexander's tights. I'm hearin' rumblin's about you gettin' a serious look't a shot at the TV title after tonight. That weren't gon' be the case if you'd just smashed 'is face in an' then walked on out the match. I know it might sting some'n fierce right now, but just think about all the fun you's gon' git t'have once you got a line o'challengers what's willin' throw themselves at yer feet fer a chance t'git in the ring witcha. An' think about how much it's gon' chap mah ass when you get a belt 'round here afore ol' Jack Hill even sniffs an opportunity. Anyhow, give mah bes' t'Dierdre, an' try t'fin' some kinda satisfaction in knowin' that the fellers around here's hurt more by a check in the loss column'n by a broken jaw. We'll be seein' ya afore too long, I'm sure.
Revok ponders the voicemail quietly, acknowledging that, for as much as he’s tried to avoid associating with Hill for years, he is clearly listening to and internalizing Hill’s counsel.
Revok (mostly to himself): I am changing and I find that I do not mind it, though I’ve yet to settle into it. Kafka once said, ‘From a certain point onward there is no longer any point in turning back. That is the point that must be reached.’ I believe I might be there.
He considers that he quelled his instinctive desire to avoid pinning Alexander so as to extend the beating, or, in the alternative, to continue the beating after the bell. He understands that Hill does not advocate following rules and customs so much as learning the nuances of the rules and working within and around them whenever possible.
***
It is an uncharacteristically sweltering June 2004 evening in Dracut, Massachusetts. A pristine white place of worship absorbs the bright and cheery sun’s rays. Clouds are few and the air is clean and inviting. Inside, a middle-aged cleric has the sweating congregation standing and in a frenzy.
Congregant 1: Who is this guy? He’s amazing.
Congregant 2: I don’t know, but he’s really something. And how much money did the [unnamed faith organization] spend to install this building here?
Congregant 1: All I know is I’m glad that [unnamed spiritual diety] is back in Dracut. It’s been far too long and we have suffered for it.
A young adult Revok throws open the doors of the structure with extreme force, long black hair covering most of his face. He glowers at the cleric. His neck has yet to be gashed. Just the sight of Revok clearly unnerves the cleric, though the cleric does not recognize him. It is Revok’s abstract presence and general spirit that unnerves the cleric. As a seemingly “holy man,” the cleric can sense something that the congregation cannot.
The cleric warily continues as Revok makes his way up the aisle. One by one, congregants begin to notice, and then recognize Revok. The congregants mostly express excitement tinged with unease seeing Revok, as he advances.
Congregant 2: Is that Ache Revok all grown up? I haven’t seen him in at least five years.
Congregant 1: There’s something about that boy… I was glad he disappeared from Salem and I figured it wasn’t his own doing.
Revok stands in front of the cleric and the space goes silent.
Revok (pointing to the cleric): This man is a charlatan!
Cleric: What? I…
Revok: I was in Nashua, New Hampshire just last week and heard from several reputable sources that he has had relations with girls who haven’t even begun high school!
Congregant 2: What the hell?
Cleric: He is lying!
Revok: He also has a reputation as a thief and lays with animals every chance he gets! What you have before you ladies and gentlemen is a foul criminal and a degenerate!
Congregants begin to murmur among one another. The group of small-town citizens is easily controlled by fear without thought, and begins to get restless.
Congregant 3: Revok was always a little off, but he never told a lie, to my knowledge. And that cleric has the look of a thieving pederast to me!
One congregant rushes the cleric, and knocks him over. Two others follow and as the second one jumps on the pile, candles on the altar topple and within seconds, the head of the room is engulfed in flames.
Revok strolls from the place of worship, a massive smile painting his face. He saunters to the nearest restaurant/bar, which is empty, and sits.
Several hours later, a group of men, three of whom are the congregants who initially rushed the cleric enter the restaurant/bar. They have changed their clothing.
Congregant 3: So Nashua is where you ended up, Ache? No one has heard from you for quite a long time.
Revok (after a deliberate pause, amused): What do you mean, friend? I’ve never been to Nashua, and I doubt that cleric has either.
The truth of the matter slowly dawns on the congregants, making them acknowledge their gullibility and realize the destruction they’ve caused with their misguided violence.
Congregant 3 (to Revok, in disbelief): What...the fuck? You piece of shit.
Congregant 4 (to the other congregants): What are we gonna do now?
Revok departs the restaurant/bar. The congregants seem to want to attack Revok, but they clearly fear him now.
Meanwhile, though no one has died and all but the cleric have escaped serious injury, the place of worship is mostly destroyed. Later that night, at a bus station, Revok overhears a pair of townspeople recounting the debacle. He smiles and boards a bus without looking where its headed to.
***
Returning to the present day, Revok is sitting on the dilapidated front steps of the Dracut chapel. He is still clearly recalling the events of June 2004 in his head. He gently brushes the purple scar on his neck and his expression sours slightly.
The fog thickens around the place of worship and the clouds overtake the sun. Light rain begins and lightning soundlessly devours the sudden dark.
Revok: Many people recall the hospital where they were born. I view this place in very much the same way. The burning of this place, in 2004, was the first step on a path that led me where I am today.
Now, to business. IIW’s powers that be have seen fit to place me in contention for the organization’s Television Title. Excellent…excellent. I’m slowly learning to appreciate opportunities like that. And they’ve placed a fellow newcomer before me. Damian Winters. Not so excellent, as I was hoping for an actual challenge for my second crack at IIW’s roster.
I have to be blunt – the only thing that excites me about this matchup is the opportunity to challenge Rogue for that belt. Winters appears to be a less confident and physically larger version of my last opponent, TJ Alexander. And he’s apparently in the business just to prove something to his father, which bores me to no end. I will treat you much, much worse than your father did, Winters. He may have neglected you, but I will abuse you.
I am a man who’s always followed the ethos of ‘work smarter, not harder,' at least when it comes to fight preparation. As a result, Winters, instead of training against brutes and killers in preparation for our clash, I’ll go down to the town dump and grapple with the dispossessed drunks and simpleton perverts who live there.
You fancy yourself a ‘powerhouse,’ Winters? Just know that I made a living on the bareknuckle boxing circuit making men who had significant pounds on me look silly.
And I invite you to try your version of the Claymore on me. I will hop to my feet and deliver one of the most impactful superkicks that you’ve ever absorbed in your life. And then you will feel the unique wrath of The Dull Axe before it’s all over.
When a lamb gets lost on the mountain, it cries. Sometimes its mother comes. Or father, in your case, I guess. But sometimes...the wolf comes. Who will come for you when your tears inevitably begin flowing at Mayhem next week, Winters?
Until I am provided with an opponent who at least comes close to the stature, talent, and disposition of the ghoul who slashed my throat and pilfered my voice from me, I will essentially be a sleeping giant in IIW, unable to show my true potential. Luckily, that will be in the very near future, after I destroy Winters and get my shot at Rogue, the TV champion and one of IIW’s headliners. An opponent very much worthy of my time.
But first things first. Winters, the Headsman is not going to take it easy on you. So get ready.
Revok turns his back to the camera and the screen fades to black.
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Post by Damian Winters on Jun 26, 2021 2:16:43 GMT
Damian is seen sitting on a bench with a towel draped over his lowered head. He just won his debut match in IIW. He can smell stale popcorn and old beer in the air from the show. He can hear people talking outside the door probable the left over crew cleaning up after the fans have left. The locker room looks like a a disaster hit from the guys getting dressed and getting all their belongings together so they can go to whatever hotel they are staying at and only gods knows what they would be doing after words. Damien removed the towel from his sweat drenched head wiped away the sweat from his forehead. He slowly stood up and headed to the bathroom to take a shower. The water turns on, Damien stepped into the shower and let the water run off his head. Standing there just watching the water go down the drain closes his eyes and lifts his head into the water taking both hands he rubs his face and lets out a sigh of relief.
Unknown Voice" Well done D, I have to be honest I was not expecting you to win this match. You really did have a great match. Congratulations is in order."
Damian Winters" Can I not have just a little time to myself, I am just trying to relax and collect my thoughts before heading to my room like a normal person and getting some sleep before heading out in the morning. "
Unknown Voice" Yea I just wanted to say great job."
Damian lets out a deep sigh as he finishes his shower. Damian is getting dressed and clicks on the tv that is on a small wooden tv stand. He sees the highlights of his match, to Damian he only sees things he needs to work on or did wrong even though everyone thought it was a good match. They also show a clip of next week card. After seeing the card Damian picks up his phone hits a few buttons and puts it to his ear.
Damian Winters " Hi.....change of plans...yes I want to set up a conference. Yes soon has I land I want it done...thank you." Damian hangs up the phone and puts it into his front pocket of his bag before swinging it over his shoulder walking out of the room.
Damian's private plan lands in Denver, Colo. The sun is just peaking over the rocky mountains making the sky an orange color. The sky has a few clouds in it, other planes are landing and taking off from. The ground team marshal in Damian's plan into the hanger. Inside the hanger are about a handful of workers. The door to the plane opens has Damian gets off the plane his bags are getting loaded into a black limo. Damian reaches the bottom of the steps and stretches his arms above his head. He looks at the pilot and co-pilot
"Great job as always gentlemen" Damian says has he walks to the limo and gets in. The limo begins driving when the middle partition rolls down. Damian looks over from staring at the window " It's been awhile sir winters, what brings you back home for this visit."
Damian smiles. "Please John you don't need to call me Sir Winters just Damian or D, it's been a minute I know. I needed to recharge and also I wanted to hold a little press conference and what better place then my home. " John nods his head and continues driving. After about a twenty minute drive they pull into a parking lot of the Lowery Conference Center. The parking lot is half full and cars coming and going none stop. Damian steps out from the limo from the driver side while John hold the door open for him. Damian walks into the building and sees the receptionist, she's staring at the computer screen all you hear is her fast fingers typing away. Without looking up
"Can I help you?' Damian clears his throat "Yes, I have a press conference about to start and I was wondering if you could tell me what room was held for it the name is Damian Winters"
She looks up from her round framed glasses for just a second grins Mr. Winters you need to go to room 105, it's down the hall second door on the left." Damian nods his head while turning around and heading in the direction of the room. Before entering the door he lets out a deep breath turns the knob and enters the room. The room is full and everyone stops talking turns to face Damian and they talk in a whisper to each other. He spots the big table in the front of the table and heads towards it. He notices there are three chairs behind it, Damian takes the middle seat moves it out sits down and scoots it closer to the table that has a microphone sitting on top of it. He clears his throat again.
"All right let's get this started." He says before taking a sips of the water that is sitting to his right.
The room begins to get louder as everyone tries to get his attention to ask their question. Damian points to a balding middle aged gentlemen in the back of the room.
"Thank you Mr. Winters, Glenn for channel 6 news, Why hold this press conference here in your home town of Denver when you could have picked anywhere to hold it?'
"Please everyone call me Damian, Mr. Winters is a bit to formal for me, I called this meeting or conference or whatever you want to call it here in Denver because I feel more relaxed and I needed to take a moment to get my head together before my second match in IIW."
"Sorry Damian, first congratulations on your first win in IIW we saw the news last night about your next match is against Acheron "Headsman" Revok and it's not just a normal match it is a number one contenders match for the IIW TV title. How are you feeling about this?'
"Well Glenn, it was a bit of a shock to me when I saw it on, there was no talk about it with me or a heads up from anyone. It was a surprise....A good surprise one that I will not take lightly. Now yes it is against Acheron, I saw what he can do and he is going to be a tough one to beat, it will be a challenge none the less. One that also I will not take lightly."
Everyone beings to call his name again this time Damian picks on a red headed woman that is the front row.
"Kelly from the Denver post. How do you feel about the comment that Acheron said about your father, I quote "he’s apparently in the business just to prove something to his father, which bores me to no end. I will treat you much, much worse than your father did, Winters. He may have neglected you, but I will abuse you."
Damian smiles and looks down at the table and chuckles a little bit, "He thinks he knows me, he thinks he knows my life. You see my father and I have a great relationship, yes do I try to prove to my dad that I deserve to be where I am today every time I enter that ring, Your damn right I do, my father when he was in the business he was the best, he lived up to his name "The Guru of Greatness" My father and my mother both trained me in that ring. He can say he will abuse me all he wants but the truth is I will not give in or give up it is not in my blood to do so. I rather die then give up." He takes another drink of his water before picking the next person. He just points, a tall gentleman stands up.
"Do you think Acheron is not taking this match seriously by saying he's going to find dispossessed drunks and simpleton perverts to train with to get ready for your match."
"He can do whatever helps him sleep at night, he can go train with brutes and killers, hell he can train with anyone at this point. He can take his bareknuckle boxing circuit and shove it up his ass" Everyone laughs lightly" The fact is it will not change that I am going into this match ready and willing to do whatever it takes to win this match."
The person sits down while he writes in his notebook.
"I do have time for one more question" Damian says has he takes one more drink.
An older guy stands up, "Yes are you planning on seeing your mom and dad while your hear?"
Damian laughs "Why wouldn't I? It is one of the reason I came to Denver." Damian looks around and sees a camera.
"Hey point that thing this way." The camera turns toward Damian. Damian stops smiling.
"Acheron Revok, you talk a lot about things you don't know about. Talking about my family, Son you have no idea. Like I stated before my father and I are very close. Then you spit off how a lamb wonders off on the mountain it's not always the mother or father that comes and finds him, how it's the wolf that finds the scared and lonely lamb, buddy you have another thing coming if you think I am just a lamb wondering lost. I am the alpha wolf in sheep's clothing waiting for the perfect time to strike. Nothing you can do is going to stop me from becoming the number one contender, yea I am the new guy and I haven't really shown my worth but this match will be the turning point for me. You can pray to your god or deity or what ever it is you do, it wont work. You see I have greatness in my blood and when greatness arrives things tend to happen. You can have your little date night out with Rogue, you can act like your a sleeping giant will guess what buddy I'm Jack in this story and Jack slays the giant. So get ready Acheron because Winter is coming."
Damian gets up walks out of the conference room. He turns to head to the front doors of the building, There is a person standing by the front desk "Sir he's right behind you." The lady at the front says. The person turns around and smiles
"Damian how are you doing son?"
Damian smiles and gives the guy a hug. "I'm doing good dad, is mom here with you?"
The two turn and walk out the door and get into the limo.
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Post by Acheron "Headsman" Revok on Jun 27, 2021 10:14:03 GMT
IIW’s brand new college intern cameraman follows Acheron Revok, Dierdre, and another man – eerily similar to Dierdre in portly stature and manner of tottering and giggling – past a faded robin’s egg blue trailer with windows that appear to be made of duct taped Saran wrap. It is around dusk.
Revok (to the Dierdre replica): So this is your home, Donut?
‘Donut’: Yes, and please call be by my real name, Zorro. Now that we’re going to be best friends. You won't ever leave me, right?
Dierdre: Don’t mind my brother, Acheron. He’s a little squirrelly, but he’s glad to help. No one really comes around to visit him.
Intern: …what are we doing here?
Revok: Hopefully I’ll be doing an interview with an Unknown Voice and cutting a quick promo.
The intern channels incredulity with his expression, but forges on. The foursome approaches what appears to be a makeshift shower – rusted vertical piping with a great hula hoop affixed to the top of the vertical pipes with chicken wire. A grimy off-white shower curtain hangs from the hula hoop. A hose trickles into the yellowing grass beside the shower. Revok throws open the curtain.
Revok: This is where you bathe, Do…Zorro?
Zorro: Oh, yes.
Revok: Even better, I guess. This place has character. Gnarly and revolting character, but character. Please get the camera set up, Intern. Dierdre, I need you to spray me with the hose while I pretend to shower. Zorro, you will do an impersonation of the Unknown Voice that talks to Daddy’s Boy Winters in the shower.
Dierdre starts to titter and fart.
Zorro (nervous): What do I say?
Revok: I need you to congratulate and then interview me.
Zorro (starting to pat his groin): Uh…
Revok: You’ll do fine. Start the camera, please, Intern.
Revok, shirtless and shown on camera from the waist up, enters the shower. Water begins to sprinkle from the top of the frame, and then stops when Dierdre falls into the scene, dropping the hose and pulling down the curtain. Revok allows Dierdre to compose himself and reattach the curtain, and then Dierdre resumes his duty of controlling the ‘showerhead.’
Zorro (as Unknown Voice): Congratulations, sexy, on…breaking that…toilet…I…
Revok: Quiet, Unknown Voice! I am moody in victory and wish to be left alone!
Zorro: Oh, well, uh…what do you have in store for your next opponent?
Revok: I would describe it as a wakeup call for Damian Winters. Anthony Tudor, I am not. Tudor, like many others, inflicts pain as a means to an end. My end remains inflicting pain. That is, until I challenge Rogue for the TV title.
Zorro: Oh, well. Uh. Uh. Never beat off with Head and Shoulders Clinical Strength.
Revok (confused): That’s not a question, dear Zorro.
The camera zooms out and Revok looks down, noticing a number of empty Head and Shoulders Clinical Strength bottles on the ground of the shower. Revok looks towards Zorro and the camera follows his gaze. Zorro falls backwards and icepacks erupt from over the top of the strained waistband of his sweatpants.
Dierdre: Zorro, you did it again, didn’t you!? Head and Shoulders gets in the hole just like Selsun does! You deserve the fire inside your shaft, damn you!
Zorro runs away, weeping uncontrollably.
Dierdre (shaking his head): Learning not to masturbate with pyrithione zinc is a rite of passage in my family, among the boys. As I'm sure it is in most families. My dad had 'the talk' with me when I was only ten. You know, 'the talk'...
Intern (under his breath): What the fuuuuck…?
The camera returns to Revok.
Revok: Winters, I guess I need to apologize for mischaracterizing your relationship with your father. It turns out you’re a Daddy’s Boy. Very nice. As I had a complicated and violent relationship with my father and believe that is the natural course of a father-son relationship, call me a skeptic when it comes to sons like you and fathers like yours. You are driven by affection for your father, and a desire to please him. My father is skin and bones rotting in the ground. Decomposing organic matter that I rarely, if ever, give a thought to.
I don’t understand you. The type of love you must feel for your father is nothing more than a weakness. A convenient way to escape accountability in defeat – a concept which you seem to be comfortable with and anticipate; your words reflect surprise when you experience success.
No matter what happens to you, Daddy is the one pulling the strings. Tell me, Winters. Would your self-confidence be greater if you were not forced to cower in your father’s shadow? Part of me feels sorrow for you, because I do not even believe it’s your fault that you’ve resided there for so long. You hardly even have a choice in the matter.
Technically, we are both ‘new guys.’ But I will do the delightful honor of distinguishing us on Monday night when I expose you as a novice and reinforce myself as a new age master. I will ensure you never, ever step out from underneath your father’s shadow.
And when I listen to you talk, I wonder if you will be sanguine with that outcome. No longer having to push to prove yourself to dear old Papa. Nevertheless, I will introduce you to the Outer Dark with a particularly rancorous Dull Axe and you will never return. Your life will be split into two eras – pre- and post-Revok. I will treat you the way the man who gashed my neck treated me.
And I have no god or diety, Winters. I only know chaos. And at one time, I worshiped at its proverbial feet. But now? I am chaos. See you tomorrow, sweetheart.
The camera fades to black.
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Post by Damian Winters on Jun 27, 2021 18:40:07 GMT
Damian is seen sitting in a dim lighted room at a table that has a few chairs but no one is there but him. He has a grim look on his face while he looks through some old pictures some where pictures of him has a kid most where from a time he wasn't even born, when his mom and dad where in the business. His dad Vincent Cross holding some titles his mom the same.
"Revok you talk about things you don't know about things that should not even speak of. Yes you said somethings about my father abusing me and everything. Now you want to comment on how I'm a daddy's boy because I have a good relationship with him. All because it seems like you didn't have that with yours. Get over it bud. You can talk the talk and this Monday we will see how good you walk the walk."
Damian stands up and walks out of the room into what looks like some type of home wrestling ring. He slides into the ring from under the bottom rope and sits in the middle of it.
" A wake up call...Hmm the only one that needs to woken up is you Revok, Open your eyes bud you are not that scary you can try to be, your just like a little puppy looking for a home. Bitching and moaning about rouge this rouge that. I am nit Rogue and that is your first mistake. Your to wrapped up in the past and Rogue. Your obsession with him is going to be the demise of your career and match with me. Also the fact that your stuck on my dad being the one pulling the stings and how he is a weakness for me, If anything Revok my father is more like a good luck charm to me. He has taught me everything I know, I do not cower in my fathers shadow I cower to nobody. You really need to get your facts straight because all your doing is making yourself look like an asshole. I don't need to prove to my dad, you, or anyone else for that matter to show that I am not a joke, that I do belong here. You say you don't have a god or deity you only have chaos you can bring all the chaos you want it still will not be enough to beat me, When it is all said and done you'll be laying flat on your back wondering what just happened and that is when you will hear the winner and number one contender Damian Winters. That is when you have realized that your fixation on rogue and the fixation on my life was all for nothing. You being a "new age" master and supposedly making me look like a novice is just in your head because I am no novice bud, I mean don't get me wrong I am far from being one of the greats but I can run with the big dogs of the company just fine. The way you talk makes you look weak, it shows your true feelings of you being unsure if you have what it takes to go man to man with me. You can try to introduce me to whatever you want, some era of pre and post Rovok, it's just some dream in your head. Give your best and I will give you my best the only difference between your best and mine is I will out smart, out wrestle and I go to a place that I have never been just to beat you. I will make it my personal goal to destroy everything you have worked towards. You can try and treat me like I am the man that gashed your neck. I hope you give me everything you got, Like I said previously winter is on the rise and you will fall to a white out, then I will move on the better things and leave your pathetic body in the middle of the ring and move on to beating Rogue and becoming the new TV champion no one can stop me, you have woken up a monster and he wants blood. Revok I hope your ready for what is coming to you."
Damian smirks has he disappears into the darkness.
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