A Blood Feud Rages On

*Mark Blood's music begins to play in the arena. The crowd gives a mixed response for the second generation wrestler. After a few seconds, Mark Blood appears on the stage and walks down the ramp toward the ring. He is unshaven, his left eye covered by an eye patch, and he is wearing regular street clothes and a baseball cap. He climbs into the ring and is handed a microphone.*

Mark Blood: I don't want to take up much time but I have something I need to say.

*The crowd again gives a mixed, but vocal response. Mark looks around the arena before speaking again. He points to the crowd.*

MB: All of you fans... You and I haven't always been on the same page... That's ok. It's the nature of this business. I'm not out here to address the relationship between myself and the NRWL fans. I am here to address a different relationship. Before I started wrestling, I was trained by my father, Mike Blood, and a man he trusted and called a friend. That man is John Fraust.

*The crowd starts booing at the mention of Fraust.*

MB: John Fraust taught me a lot and I am grateful for that. When I was ready to get into the ring, the NRWL was still on hiatus. Somewhere around this time, my family lost touch with Fraust. I don't know where he went. He just disappeared. A few years later, the NRWL started up again and I joined the roster. I'm in my second season in the NRWL and I am growing everyday. I have had my ups and downs throughout that time but I know that someday I will be NRWL Champion. I won't quit. I will never quit! But you know, someone came out of self imposed exile and has made it his mission to try and stop me. John Fraust came back to the NRWL, aligned himself with Killer Malone, and is now doing everything he can to keep me down. I'm not sure why. If he thinks that I'm not living up to the potential he expects, I'm not seeing a helping hand. This guy is just hell bent on destroying me. He may have taught me a lot but he's about to learn something about me. My name is Mark Blood. I am a proud second generation wrestler and like my father, I don't quit when the going gets tough. I keep fighting!

*The crowd begins to start cheering for Mark Blood. He stands there, stone faced, listening to the crowd and taking in the sound.*

MB: I will not give into the repeated assault from John Fraust and Killer Malone! I stand in this ring with a busted eye but it will heal. My body may damaged but my spirit is as alive as ever! I am going to push on. Nobody, not John Fraust, not Killer Malone, no one will stop me from continuing my quest to be the best wrestler the world has ever seen!

*The crowd continues to cheer. Mark looks down, adjusts his baseball cap and looks back up at the crowd.*

MB: One thing I know for sure. I could use a hand. Two on one is dangerous going and these two work really well together. I need to even the odds. At the last event, I had a great match against Hardcore Adam. It felt great to get into the ring with a legend like him. I have been watching him wrestle since the days of the SCSF. I was in the audience when he and my father won the NRWL tag team championship. If there is one thing I know for sure in this business, it is that Hardcore Adam is as dependable as they come.

*The crowd cheers and chants "Hardcore Adam!" repeatedly. Mark Blood smiles and looks around, waiting for a chance to speak again.*

MB: Hardcore Adam, you fought alongside my father. Now, I am asking you to fight alongside me. Hardcore Adam and Mark Blood against Killer Malone and John Fraust in a tornado tag match. Adam, I need your help. Think about it. I hope to hear from you soon.

*Mark Blood drops the microphone and walks out of the ring. The fans are cheering and chanting "Hardcore Adam!" as he walks to the back.*

A New Challenger

[“Crying Like a Bitch” blasts over the PA system and Bruno Kowalski walks out from behind the curtain dressed in his black leather coat and jeans.  He walks down to the ring, fist-bumping fans on the way down.  He climbs into the ring and takes a mic.]

Bruno:  Everyone knows that I’m a man of few words.  I let my fists and boots do the talking for me mostly.  Last season, I came into the NRWL as a hot prospect.  I did pretty good, but I just didn’t seem to be able to turn that corner.  But this season is a little different, and now I think I’m ready to take that next step.  I think I’m ready to hold that championship gold.  That’s right.  I want a crack at the title.  And I want it at the next show!

[The crowd cheers with approval.  Then, “What You Got” suddenly blasts over the speakers.  Ash runs out from behind the curtain, high stepping and pumping up the crowd.  He holds the NRWL Championship belt overhead at the top of the ramp.  He drapes it over his shoulder and runs down to the ring, slapping hands on his way down.  He gets a mic and climbs into the ring.]

Ash:  Bruno!  My man!  I’m a big fan and I’m honored that you want to challenger for my belt.  Wait, hold on a sec…

[Ash runs up on the turnbuckle and holds the belt over head and pumps his arm, firing up the crowd.  He climbs back down and walks back over to Bruno.]

Ash:  Sorry about that.  It’s the type of things you have to do when you’re simultaneously the NRWL Champion and the fans’ favorite wrestler!  But anyway, back to your challenge.  I’m all about it!  …….But see, the thing is….. I’m a big fan of yours.  I’ve been pulling for you since the NRWL re-launched.  I know that both you and I are the 2 best wrestler to come out of the “new batch.”  Having said that, I don’t think that….and don’t take this the wrong way….I don’t think that you’re quite ready to take me.

[The cheers from the crowd quiet down slightly, and Bruno folds his arms and stares at Ash.]

Ash:  No!  Hear me out!  I don’t mean any disrespect.  But…think about it.  You’ve had most of your success this season in tag team matches.  On top of that, nobody gave me a chance against that colossus, Tiger Johnson.  And not only did I beat him, but I REALLY beat him, and he suffered a very unfortunate injury in the process.  Again, no disrespect, but are you sure you’re ready to step up to the plate and take the challenge?  There’s no telling when you might get another crack at the title.  Are you sure you want to waste your shot now?

Bruno:  Excuse me.  “Waste my shot?”  You know, for all the “no disrespect” talk, you’re certainly being disrespectful.  But if that’s how you see it, then yes.  I’ll “waste my shot!”  Ash, I’m not overlooking you.  You’re more than a formidable opponent.  People don’t walk around with the NRWL title for no reason.  But know this.  I’m coming for that belt.  I’ll be ready for you, so you’d better be ready for me.

[“Crying Like a Bitch” blasts again, and Bruno and Ash stare each other in the eye.  Ash raises the title overhead with one arm.  Bruno says some inaudible words, points at the belt, then pantomimes the belt around his waist.  Ash shakes his head back and forth and points to himself as the scene fades out.]