Blood in the Water

["The Aussie Icon" Croc]

(The show comes back from a commercial break and immediately the arena plunges into darkness. Five spotlights appear and circle around the arena, whipping the crowd into a frenzied buzz)

(MTMT)
Well it appears we are about to hear from the Aussie Icon.

(VENTURA)
They should announce this day as a public holiday. It is so special to hear from a legend like Croc.

(MTMT)
Well Croc is going to have his hands full when he faces Gregory Kennedy at ‘Anything Goes”

(VENUTRA)
Please… All Croc is got to do is make up some sort of World Title and put it on the line in this match. Everyone knows Ripper can’t win any title match!

(“Breakstuff” by Limp Bizkit hits and the crowd erupts with boos as the Aussie Icon appears on stage. Croc looks unimpressed by the crowd’s typical response, but shrugs it off with a snarl, before walking down the ramp with his cocky swagger. Croc rolls into the ring and yells at the ring attendant to hand him a microphone. Croc stands in the middle of the ring and is about to speak when a loud “GO HOME CROC” chant erupts. Croc rolls his eyes and shakes his head)


(CROC)
Listen up you pack of apes! You want to start this shit now, well I have no problem listening to your little chant and going home!


(The crowd cheers)


(CROC)
But seeing as though the opinion of a group of unemployed, no hopers, who would not collectively last 30 seconds in the ring with me before I broke all their necks, means nothing to me, I will stay and say what I have to say!


(Loud boos)


(CROC)
At the end of this month, I am going to end my time here with this organisation. This is not some joke ‘retirement’ match. This isn’t a stupid ‘loser leaves town’ match. This is simply going to be the finale of a saga that has gone on for five long years.


(Croc scratches his chin)


(CROC)
For longer than I care to imagine, I have made many a wealthy man wealthier by putting their wrestling organisations on the map. Whether it be the BWA, CWA, AWA or whatever three letters you want to put together to make a wrestling organisation, I have entered, dominated, conquered and left with the reputation as the best to ever step foot into that particular organisation.


(Croc smirks)


(CROC)
Now you can boo me all you want but you know what I said is true. You do not have the stature, respect and legacy that I have by simply being a good worker on the microphone. No you have to be able to back it up, night in and night out, each and every day, in rain, hail or shine… Banged up, broken down or injury free, I put a show on for every ticket paying customer and made a lot of average looking wrestlers look far beyond their own talents. Why? Because I am the Aussie Icon and there is no one better at his job than me.


(Croc points to himself)


(CROC)
You can go through the list of guys who claim to be the best workers… But they hang their hats on having some great matches and rivalries with other top guys. My list of great matches and rivalries is a who’s who of the wrestling industry, but on top of that I have had a list of great matches with one hit wonders. Guys who before they had matches with me were nothing, but one match with me, they were touted as being the next big thing, only to fail miserably. Why? Because I took them to another level and gave them a glimpse of the spotlight. Without me, the only thing the spotlight showed was their inadequacies.


(Croc snarls and shakes his head)


(CROC)
One man who falls into that category is my opponent at “Anything Goes”… RIPPER!


(Loud cheer for Ripper)


(CROC)
Whilst this so called ‘hardcore legend’ has not stepped into a pay per view ring with me one-on-one… He has been trying to keep his head in my spotlight for five years now. Whether it be the Anti-Croc League or some unfunny line about my haircut, Ripper has made a living in this industry off of me and whilst doing so has done nothing of note individually.


(A RIPPER chant erupts but Croc powers through)


(CROC)
Prior to him messing in my business, Ripper did make some progression in his career. He had a number of ‘gimmick’ matches which allowed him to hide his lack of technical talent and managed to even fool some people into giving him World Title opportunities. However the so called ‘hardcore madman’ could not even beat a washed up, alcoholic for the World Title… TWICE! Chris O’Neal would have been the easiest guy to beat on the entire roster and Ripper couldn’t get it done. So what does Ripper do… He befriends O’Neal and attempts to make some cheap movies with him to keep him in the spotlight. Then the ACL idea came into his brain and like the blood sucking leech that he is, Ripper has been leeching of my name, my profile, my ratings for his own personal use ever since!


(Croc shakes his head)


(CROC)
The biggest mistake of my career was that I tolerated him. I am never going to say I befriended Ripper because everyone knows a person of my talent and standing would never stoop to friendship with such an annoying, immature hack like Ripper. But I saw him as being harmless and allowed for his leeching to continue without putting a stop to it then and there. What happened next… The leeching continued and soon my reputation, my standing in this industry was slipping… I lost my edge all because I became associated with a low life like Ripper.


(Croc holds his arm up in triumph)


(CROC)
Well no more!!! Why? Because the Croc that will return at “Anything Goes” will be the legendary, vicious and unforgiving Aussie Icon. I am not here to simply win a match so my legacy here in the AWA is given the curtain call it deserves. No I am here to finish something I should have finished a long time ago… And that is simply finishing Ripper!


(Croc glares at the camera)


(CROC)
I don’t want any fanfare or any press conferences… I just want to head into “Anything Goes” and finish off Ripper. Gone will be the smart ass jibes and wise cracks! Gone will be the stupid British accent and gone will be very memory of Ripper. Why? Because the AWA fans will be given one last memory of Croc and that memory will be simply the fact that Croc was not only the best ever to step foot into the AWA… He was also the one who took viciousness to a whole new level! Blood is in the water Ripper and you better hope you can swim because I am closing in on you and with one strike, I will rip you limb from limb!!!


(Croc goes to throw away the microphone)

[Gregory "Ripper" Kennedy]

::As the microphone hits the ground the lights suddenly black out the crowd erupts with cheers as they have a strong suspicion as to what this will lead too. Sure enough the titantron eventually lights up with a grainy sepia toned image. It shows a broken ring and a single figure sitting in the middle. A lone guitar begins to play as Santiago’s Lament by Miracle of Sound begins to play.::

Close my weary eyes
Under choking clouds of ash and darkest dust

::The sepia tone stays throughout the song as the camera moves round to show Gregory Kennedy sitting in the ring deep in thought. The sow switches to one of him in a ring surrounded by adoring fans. Ripper seems overcome with emotion, it is probably one of the times when he has had to leave whichever federation he was in::

The silver kiss of sleep is lost
I can feel these broken cogs begin to rust

:: Again the shot changes to show multiple different inter-spliced images of Ripper getting seriously injured in matches. This ranges from him just being split open from different weapon shots, to him being stretchered out of the arena and loaded into an ambulance::

But when the end finally comes I won't despair
I'll just keep on hoping I might see you there

:: Timmy Tabor is shown talking straight to the camera. The AWA logo is then shown followed by the “One Final show” and the ident of “Anything Goes”::

Try to keep a blank page
But these memories they cloud my mind with grief
Faces lost forever
And the guilt of feeling some kind of relief

:: The shot changes to show people who have left over the years. People like Hardcore Fred, Sheldon Reese, Joz, Chris O’Neal, The Ayatollah, Shane Cassidy and other from Rippers past. Each shot shows Ripper saying goodbye to his friends and enemies.::

But when the end finally comes I won't despair
I'll just keep on hoping I might see you there

:: The song ends with Ripper back in the ring he stands and takes a deep breath. He then folds the chair and gets out the ring walking towards the single door at the back of the room. He looks back on the ring and flicks the lights off plunging the room into darkness apart from his silhouette in the doorframe. He then places down the chair and closes the door as the song fades to a close. ::

:: The main camera opens up back on the arena which is still in darkness. The fans are politely cheering the poignant video which has just played. The camera in the ring picks up Croc’s face from what little lighting there is and he seems less than impressed. However, his face changes to one of surprise followed very quickly by composure as he is shocked by the sudden barrage of fireworks which explode along the stage. They wave from the outside to the inside and back out ending in a final eruption. The final eruption signals the beginning of “Headstrong” by Trapt however the song skips the beginning refrain going straight into the first verse which plays. No video has begun to play on screen yet but yet the fans cheer as they know who this is the music of. As the song reaches the chorus a long delay is put in before the first “Headstrong” after a few second the word “Headstrong” blasts out of the PA along with one final eruption from the top and bottom of the titantron. The music continues and the video for the man everyone was expecting begins to play. And sure enough out onto the stage walks that man. Gregory Kennedy walks out on the stage to a huge ovation. Ripper looks incredibly happy and is pumping his fist getting the crowd up and excited::

Matt Tassel: “Gregory Kennedy is back in the arena and he couldn’t seem happier![/b]

Jesse Ventura: “How much money do you think that cost? What a waste of money for a waste of space!”

:: Gregory is wearing black trousers and a black jacket with sequined sleeves. As he turns it can be seen that there are indeed lights on the jacket along the joins and down the sequined arms.::

Jesse Ventura: “See! He even steals his clothing now!”

:: Indeed Rippers jacket does look very reminiscent of the one Chris Jericho wore on his return. Ripper walks down the ramp slapping hands with the fans. Eventually he gets to the ring and walks up the ring stairs to get onto the apron. Ripper poses for the fans before brushing his feet and ducking under the top rope. Ripper smiles at Croc and holds up his hand for a high five for a brief few seconds. Eventually waving him off and walking over to the opposite side of the ring and jumping up on the middle rope to pose for the crowd. ::

Jesse Ventura: “Time waster. Nobody cares about you!

Matt Tassel: “I’m glad to see you didn’t change with our time off.

:: Ripper eventually gives up posing and grabs a microphone from the ringside assistant. He begins rocking the mic back and forth in his left hand contemplating if he should start speaking. Just as he goes to start speaking he drops the mic and makes a move like he is going to pose some more to rile up Croc. However, he stops and laughs to himself before raising the mic again::

Gregory Kennedy: “I’ve wasted enough time I should probably get started.”

Jesse Venture: “YES GOD DAMN IT!”

Gregory Kennedy: “You know I wanted to be the one to come out here and explain all the reasons for this match. The most anticipated match on the card. The only match that has never happened in any of the federations we have worked in together. We’ve always been close…”

:: Croc seems to take offense at that and goes to say something however he is cut off by Ripper::

Gregory Kennedy: “I don’t mean in that way, it wasn’t some cheap joke about how you like men. I meant close in a “we’ve always worked together” way. We’ve been enemies that have been willing to kill each other and friend against stronger foes. You can talk all you want about how I’ve always hogged on to your spotlight. How you caused everything to happen for Ripper but anyone who knows anything knows just how much bullshit that is.”

:: The fans explode with cheers at Ripper expunging Croc’s derogatory comments::

Gregory Kennedy: “But you know I will let that slide I couldn’t give a fuck what you think. I never did. I have teamed with a lot of people over the years. Justin Voss, Whitey Ford, Anthony Jordan, Hardcore Fred. “

:: Each of these names elicits a huge cheer from the crowds::

Gregory Kennedy: “And of all the people I have teamed with I can easily say that you are the most boring, untalented, worthless, metro, only made it to the top by lowering himself to his knees, wrestler I have ever teamed with.”

:: The crowd explodes with a short cheer for the short rant from Ripper. Croc just rolls his eyes at Ripper’s words::

Gregory Kennedy: “But I agree with you on one thing. I don’t want a fanfare. I don’t want a title on the line. I will head into “Anthony Goes” put on the five star match I always do and I will walk out a winner with a new pair of shoes and a shiny new belt.”

:: Ripper lowers the mic and smiles at croc who seems less than impressed with Rippers words::

["The Aussie Icon" Croc]

(Croc just glares at Ripper. The look on Croc’s less than impressed. Croc goes to lift the microphone to his mouth, but drops it down momentarily and shakes his head in what appears to be disbelief. He lifts it back up to his mouth and half chuckles)


(CROC)
I don’t know what is more offensive… The typical, out-dated insult you threw my way or the fact that you had the audacity to compare me, the legendary Aussie Icon, with the over glorified mid carders that the USCW produced!


(Loud boos. Obviously the fans still have a soft spot for the USCW)


(CROC)
Now these idiotic fans may have watched the USCW, but they did so after hours and hours of searching. They had to get their cable guy to do illegal things to find whatever channel that Z rated organisation ever appeared on… Or they had to travel for hours upon hours to attend some barn in the back of some rednecks farm that the USCW called an arena…


(Croc sarcastically smirks at Ripper)


(CROC)
If you haven’t caught my drift, and seeing as though you were never the sharpest tool in the shed, I guess I will have to spell it out for you… The USCW was below the minor leagues. The fact that you and the rest of the USCW rejects still even mention that, I don’t even know if I can call it a wrestling organisation, or an illegal backyard fight club, in my presence is offensive.


(Croc points out at the fans, but still looks at Ripper)


(CROC)
These fans do not appreciate me because they have not invested time into me. Sure they want to believe that the USCW rejects are “cool” or “awesome” but really they just are thinking that because they don’t want to have to justify spending so much time and effort finding the USCW shows that they don’t want to admit what they already know… The USCW is that crap it should be banned from sharing the letter “C” with a man such as myself… A man who made this industry what it is today!!!


(Very loud boos. Ripper rolls his eyes)


(CROC)
Anthony Jordan is the poster boy of an over glorified mid carder… I will give him credit though… He knows how to get it done backstage. Because no one of his level of talent should have ever main evented a company, let alone hold a World Title, which I am also in, unless he blackmails someone in authority or breaks them through his constant moaning and all round PMS b*tching!


(Croc snarls)


(CROC)
As for Whitey Ford and Justin Voss… Well they fell from the spotlight just as quickly as they got into it. Why? Because they were one month wonders. They were the flavour of the month back in the day, but who really cares what the hell they do now. But I will give Voss, Ford and Jordan credit…


(Croc smirks)


(CROC)
They at least won “the big one”.


(Croc laughs. Obviously finding humour in Ripper’s failures)


(CROC)
And I am not talking about some cheap wins you may have pulled out of your arse when all the real talent deserted this place… I am talking about winning the big one when there was decent competition. You never could do it could you Ripper? You always seemed to fall short. Even when all of your mid card clan were winning, you just couldn’t do it… Heck they even served up the title on a silver platter for you when you got World Title matches against Chris O’Neal but you managed to lose to him… TWICE!


(Croc shows his signature cocky smirk)


(CROC)
You could not even beat a washed up, alcoholic, bar room brawler! It astounds me that they even let you into the backstage area in the presence of real wrestling talent like myself.


(Croc laughs to himself)


(CROC)
But you already knew that… That is why you leeched off me for so long. You were nothing but a parasite or as your name suggests… A virus. I don’t blame you entirely. I put some of the blame on myself that I was distracted by other things and did not see what you were doing! Well hind sight is a wonderful thing and now I see what you did to me and I am going to personally make sure you face the severe consequences!


(Croc’s mood changes from cocky to very intense)


(CROC)
That is why I am going to give you this last warning to shut your mouth. Stop throwing fuel onto the fire that is already out of control. Why? Because at the moment, I am tolerating you. I am only tolerating you because I know that I will get my chance to do what you have had coming to you for such a long time at “Anything Goes”.


(Croc gets right up in Ripper’s face. Both men stare each other down)


(CROC)
If you continue with the idiotic insults against me, I will not wait until “Anything Goes”. If you continue with the insults, I will kick your teeth down your throat and in the process shatter your jaw before the pay per view… Sure it will cost me the chance of destroying you with the entire world watching, but shutting you up permanently is a good consolation prize!


(Croc and Ripper continue to stare each other down…)

[Whitey Ford]

::Under and Over it by Five Finger Death Punch hits the PA, and the fans erupt into a chorus of...boos and cheers. Croc has been hated for a while, and Ripper the fan favorite. Nobody knows who Whitey is coming out to support, if either of them. A few long moments pass, and the two opponents at Anything Goes are both watching the entrance ramp with curiosity and annoyance. Then, Ford emerges...staggering drunk. Whitey has been tagged as an alcoholic for a long time, but this is a very clear cut case that he's had too much to drink. Ford is almost walking sideways, clutching a beer in one hand and a microphone in the other. After almost falling over his own feet on stage, he yells off mic belligerantly for the music to cut. The staff obliges, and Ford immediatly gets down to business.::

Whitey Ford: METRO!??! Did you just call that obviously gay man metro?

::Despite his reputation as of late, Ford gets a cheap cheer from the crowd but seems oblivious to it.::

Whitey Ford: Metro? did you just call Croc Metro? Look at your fucking haircut. Your attire doesn't scream "Village People", it just begs "Kill me now." You look up what metro would throw up if it ate too much shame.

::Ripper smiles, but his eyes are solid stone. If he even heard the exact words, it doesn't show; the mocking tone from his former partner is enough to make him concentrate.::

Whitey Ford: Speaking of whcih, you mooching piece of horse shit! Take your flashy jacket back to the Fozzy online store and tell them you were actually trying to be David Bowie and want a refund! HA!

MTMT: That made little to no sense.

::Ford laughs at his own joke, but the crowd seems pretty intent at laughing at his expense.::

Whitey Ford: You and Paul Hogans match at whatever the fuck the name of the show is might as well be untelevised...because nobody really gives a shit about you, Ripper. Have Croc fight a blowup doll and it would be twice as entertaining.

::Croc laughs at this, and nods over to Ripper, trying to goad him into any sort of action. Ripper doesn't give in, though, and only keeps listneing out of curiosity. Ford, in the meantime, finishes his beer and tosses it over his shoulder through the curtain. He bows his head, motioning apologetically with his free hand.::

Whitey Ford: I'm sorry, I forgot about that one time the cops were called. Croc got turned down by a blow up doll in London during the BWA days, and he got pissy. It wasn't pretty, it wasn't entertaining...it was pathetic. I guess the doll stole his money, according to the Auckney Acorn.

::Ford shakes his head, clearing out whatever drunken cobwebs had been there a moment prior.::

Whitey Ford: Anyways! I think its pretty ridiculous for Croc to say Ripper has ridden his coattails all the way to this point. That is unrealisitc and not even possible, due to the time frame. I'll let you all in on a secret, but its actually a pretty obvious truth. I carried Ripper all the way to the BWA, and he pretended it was on his own. He needs someone to be a sidekick to or he's completely useless...thats why Chris Sonnier pays him for certain acts.

::Ford laughs at his own drunken attempt at a gay joke.::

Whitey Ford: And now, by the way, Croc...you little kanagroo bastard, you...Actually, thank you for the compliment. I AM better than Ripper, because I did win 'the big one'. Unfortunately for you...I took advantage of your ignorance and I capitolized...and won the BWA title from YOU! Tainted win or not, I beat you. And honestly, if your going to write off all tainted wins from the record books, your win loss record would no 0-everybody.

::Both Croc and Ripper are fed up with Whiteys mouth, and stand near the ropes nearest to the stage. Ford smiles at this, and seems to sober up...but not enough where he can stand straight up without leaning.::

Whitey Ford: So, regardless. I was out back, and heard you idiots prepping for a hatefuck version of the dutch rudder...and I figured I'd come out here, in my brilliance, and let you both know that I don't give a shit who wins the match between you two. I'm going to beat the everloving tea piss out of Ryan Green, then go on to win the World Title. Whichever one of you fuckers is there...I'm going to embarass.

["The Aussie Icon" Croc]

(Croc just looks at Whitey Ford and then back at Ripper. Croc lifts up the microphone as if he is going to say something and then shakes his head and looks back at Whitey Ford)


(CROC)
Why the hell are you even out here? It’s bad enough we have one USCW reject out here, we don’t need to duplicate the level of mediocrity to be in my presence!


(Loud boos from the crowd who have already shown a soft spot for the USCW)


(CROC)
And as for you beating me for the title, which you correctly said was in controversial circumstances… But you failed to mention you didn’t hold onto that title before Kyle Heaven kicked your ass and I in turn destroyed Heaven to win back my title! The only reason I didn’t get to kick your ass for the title was because no one thought you would stink up the joint that bad and “bomb” out against Heaven!


(Croc points at Ripper)


(CROC)
I meant what I said when he is nothing but a joke, but at least people know what his f**king name is! What is worse? To win a title and not make a blip on the radar of this industry like you… Or never win a decent title but at least be remembered because you were smart enough to jump into a real talents spotlight like him?


(Croc smirks and Ford does not seem happy. Out of nowhere, Croc lands a savage CrocKick on the chin of Whitey Ford, catching him, and everyone else by surprise and knocking out Ford. Croc stands over the fallen Ford and chuckles to himself before looking up at Ripper)


(CROC)
Take that as a warning to what happens when mid-level trash talk shit about me! But rest assured, I will not stop at just knocking you out… I will finish the job and shut you up for good.


(Croc looks back down at Ford before looking back at Ripper)


(CROC)
When he wakes out of whatever drunken stooper he is in know, tell him that’s what happens when he sticks his drunken ass in where it is not required! But in the meantime, maybe you can do a sappy tribute like you did for all the other losers you saw leave this company. Maybe you can wave him goodbye when he is getting wheeled away on a stretcher to one of those “Creed” songs you were always listening to.


(Ripper does not say a word, but is obviously pissed off at Croc. Croc goes to step over Ford, but stops, and looks back at Ripper)


(CROC)
As a matter of fact, just tell him Bill knocked him out. I don’t have the time or patience to deal with another mid card joke trying to make a name for himself by being associated with me!


(Croc turns, spits on Whitey Ford’s fallen body, before leaving the ring)

[Whitey Ford]

((Crocs a cunt. Whitey was never in the ring! ))

[Gregory "Ripper" Kennedy]

:: As Croc steps out of the ring Ripper looks down at Whitey. Shaking his head at his former friend Ripper can be seen to mouth “What happened man?” Ripper smiles and chuckles as he looks back up at Croc who is slowly making his way up the ring ramp, lifting the mic up Ripper addresses Croc. ::

Ripper: “Listen here Croc. You can call USCW a backwater, Z rated organisation all you want. You can keep bringing up the fact that I lost to Chris O’Neal. You can keep hashing up all these insults that you keep touting and throwing around but there is one thing where you are wrong.”

:: Croc turns around and looks back at Ripper, his face overcome with a combination of anger and frustration at the fact that Ripper is still going::

Ripper: “You will never shut me up.”

:: The fans begin cheering at the fact Ripper will never let Croc get him down.::

Jesse Ventura: “God damnit!”

Ripper: “ You see Croc I am a man who stands up for what he believes in. I am an honest man. I am a line stepper. I stand up to authority. I encourage others to stand up to authority. I always have been and I always will be. I say whatever I want, to whoever I want, however I want and if you don’t like that you’re just going to have to deal with it.”

:: Ripper actually seems to be getting quite riled up at Croc threatening to shut him up::

Matt Tassel: “Ripper has never been one to keep his opinions to himself. He lets his thoughts be known”

Jesse Ventura: “We know. Dear god don’t we know.”

Ripper: “So if I want to stand here and insult you I will. If I want to stand here and question your sexuality I will. If I want to stand here and insult the very fabric of your existence, if I want to question the fact that all you have accomplished came about by backroom sucking up and liberal abuse of the rules.”

:: Croc is now staring intently at Ripper as he is berated by the hardcore madman::

Ripper: “And you will stand there and you will like it. If you don’t like it then you can try and shut me up but I’m telling you better people than you have tried and just like you will every single one of them failed. So you want to try and shut me up. Bring it!”

:: Ripper drops the mic and lowers himself to a crouching position making “Come on” hand gestures towards Croc::