Curtis and Russell's place. Manchester, UK.
Russell and Curtis are chilling downstairs watching some British sitcoms.Russell: Gotta love some good, dry, Bri'ish humor, eh?
Curtis: Yeah! I mean, I grew up here but I hear from a lot of my friends here that came from out of the UK that it kind of grows on you.
Russell: That it does, my friend, that it does. Then again, I've always appreciated a dry sense of humor.
Curtis: Wow, I wasn't expecting that!
Russell: NOBODY EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION!
Curtis chuckles a bit.Russell: Everything ok?
Curtis: You've just come such a long way since the Russell who used to WPA everyone.
Russell: I just needed help man. You were there when I didn't want you and you never backed down. Just like I don't expect you to back down from your #1 Contenders match at Red Alert.
Curtis: I still can't believe Mr. Bob put me in that match.
Russell: Well, after the work you did with me, you deserve it.
Curtis: That's really nice of you to say! Gosh. And you're not jealous or anything?
Russell: Nope. As far as I'm concerned, you win this match and then go on to beat your bio-father or Jake for the title, I win the UK Championship and then later win the International Championship, we'll be the most decorated superstars that IIW has ever seen! Easily the most successful tag team!
Curtis: Let's make it happen!
Russell: Remember though Curtis, you have to do whatever it takes. Never back down, never quit. Be prepared for anything and everything that Deb throws at you. He's incredibly talented and I know that your match will steal the show. Of course, everyone is still looking forward to Jake vs. Jonny 18473928 but still. I think your match will be the match of the night overall. You've got what it takes. The World Title is in your grasp. Now you just have two men to beat, and these are two of the best on the roster. Deb and either Jake or Jonny. After what you've done with me, I have no doubt in my mind that you can do it.
Curtis: That means so much. I have no doubt you can beat Mr. Arches either.
Russell: You know, I've always kinda wondered...do you think, with the last name Arches, he's ever come to the ring in a Ronald McDonald costume?
Russell and Curtis just sit back and laugh as the scene fades to black
IIW Arena. Manchester, UK.
Russell Wayne is making his way backstage with a duffle bag. He is wearing his Team Friendship T-Shirt (available on www.iiw-efed.com for £15+S&H) and his fleece lined Levi's jean jacket, Levi bootcut jeans and his usual Thursday Boot Co. matte black boots. Russell has a smile on his face after being away for a couple of months due to an unforseen break due to scheduling and not being booked on the last Mayhem. Russell walks into the locker room and places his dufflebag on the bench and opens it up and starts putting his wrestling gear away. Michael Morrison walks in.Michael: Russell Wayne! Got a minute to talk about your match?
Russell: Certainly Michael!
Michael: Great! Ok, so it's been a couple of months since you've been seen in IIW. Where have you been?
Russell: Well, really, I was just gone for one card but we had that little bit of a break due to scheduling conflicts with FC and didn't want to compete with the women's brand so Bob decided to cancel a show or two and then I just wasn't booked for the last Mayhem. Honestly though, I've been hitting the gym more, sparring with Curtis and just enjoying some time with my best friend.
Michael: Sounds like you've been working and playing at the same time.
Russell: Yeah, you could say that...nothing funny though...we're just best friends, like brothers really...completely platonic brothers...
Michael: Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Russell: Yes, not that there's anything wrong with that but Russell Wayne loves the ladies.
Michael: If you say so..anyways, Mr. Wayne, as you know Curtis has a number one contenders match for the World Championship against Tyler Debonair at Red Alert. What are your thoughts?
Russell: This is a huge opportunity that Curtis has worked very hard for all his life. I know Curtis has what it takes to be the World Champion. Tyler though, he's tough, very tough. I was just telling Curtis that I think his match will steal the show but I know Curtis has what it takes to come out on top.
Michael: We all know how you've hungered for a chance at the top but Bob has held you back. Is there any animosity or jealousy you feel now that Curtis is in the spot that you have so badly coveted since you first step foot in IIW?
Russell: Oh, no, not at all. Again, Curtis does deserve this opportunity and I understand that Bob wants to keep me down from the main event scene because of everything at World's Collide. I've got to earn everything. What I did before World's Collide doesn't matter. It may as well be stricken from the record. I have to do 10 times more than anyone here to get a shot at anything. I mean, I'm not necessarily happy about it, but I get it. There is one thing though, one little ace that I hold up my sleeve...
Russell pulls out his key and looks at the camera.Russell: Bob, after Red Alert we're taking a break for the holidays. When we get back, it will be about 11 months since I won this key. It's time Bob. At the next pay-per-view after we return, I will use my key to unlock an opportunity at the International Championship. Remember, I have had 12 months from when I won this to cash it in. That time is now.
Michael: Wow, you heard it here folks. Russell has laid down the gauntlet to be next in line for the International Championship after we return from our holiday break! That is shocking. Now, your match. You're facing Mike Arches for the United Kingdom championship at Red Alert...
Russell: Yes I am. This one will be interesting. I have a deep respect for Mike Arches. Fred, Mike, and myself went against Jonny, Bam, and Cav. I took the brunt of punishment in that match but still came out on top, but if there was one man that made that possible too, it was Mike. He, Deb and I worked as a cohesive unit and put away 2 of the top talents that IIW has and Bam Miller. I took finishers from Cav and Jonny and still managed to get the pin to lead us to victory. Again though, I couldn't have done that without Mike. Deb was still harboring an injury but still gave it his all.
Mike, I have nothing but respect for you and I know that us two old ring vets will put on a classic. However, that doesn't change anything. At Red Alert, I will do all I can to win that title. I have to. Not to steal a line from Solace Tatum's book, that cute little thing, but, it's nothing personal. What do you say though, bud? Let's put on a clinic, a slobber knocker for the fans. Let's go out there and show the fans why the veterans are the best that IIW has to offer and set the bar for what the rookies need to step up to. I know I will be coming at you full force. I expect the same out of you. But Mike...
Russell puts on that classic smirk.Do you think you can handle it?
Russell turns his attention back to his duffle bag, gets out his tag team championship and places it on the top shelf of his locker. The camera zooms in and the scene fades to black.