Post by tigermaskred on Mar 25, 2017 20:34:13 GMT
"Darkness took me. And I strayed out of thought and time. Stars wheeled overhead, and every day was as long as the life age of the earth. But it was not the end. I felt light in me again. I've been sent back until my task is done." -Gandalf ("Lord of Rings: The Two Towers", 2002)
***
Scene 1: The Talk Show
On the set of a network morning show. The hosts sit behind a desk laughing together as the program returns from commercial.
"Hi folks, and welcome back to "Good Morning L.A.," the woman host says, "This weekend Guerreros of Lucha returns with their "El Gran Aniversario" show. The main event that evening will feature the company's Rey de Reyes Championship, featuring the defending champion Avery Miles III defending against our guest at this time, Tiger Mask Red."
The camera goes to TMR sitting beside them in a three piece suit and tie, smiling warmly. He shakes both their hands.
"Bob, Julie, thank you for having me on the show today."
"Our pleasure, Tiger," Bob replies, "Is it ok if we call you 'Tiger'?"
"Oh yeah, no problems at all."
"Great," Julie chimes, almost sickenly bubbley, "This is a pretty big match for you, I understand. Can you tell us a bit of the background behind it."
"Of course, as I'm sure you and all your viewers are aware, GOL celebrates its first anniversary this year and the company's general manager, Chaos Dragon, wanted to do something special for the fans. Avery and I faced off last year in the first round of the Super Falcon Cup and it was considered one of the greatest matches in GOL's brief history. Dragon thought it would be great to revisit that match now that Avery is the champion, with the hopes that we'll surpass our first encounter I'm sure."
"You lost that first match, didn't you?"
"Yes Bob, I did. I'll be the first to admit that I walked into that match underestimating my opponent and I was completely unprepared for how phenomenal he truly was. Hopefully I'll be a little better prepared this time around." (laughs)
The hosts laugh politely for a moment, then Julie's face gets overly seriously.
"Now we understand," she says, "that shortly after that match you mysteriously disappeared after you were allegedly attacked by La Muerte Immortale."
"It's true," Tiger answers.
"Can you share with us what happened?"
"No Julie, there are some things that I'm not prepared to relive. Let me just say that there's a reason why that hombre never appeared in GOL again and let's leave it at that."
The hosts share a confused look before turning back to their guest and Bob asks speaks.
"Ok, now following that incident, if you well, you disappeared from GOL altogether and only recently announced your return to the ring. Can you tell us a bit about that?"
Tiger nods.
"Absolutely, I walked into that match I had that evening nowhere near one hundred percent. I don't want to take anything away from my opponent that night, La Cucaracha, but there's no way I should have been medically cleared to compete that night. Once I 'returned' from where La Muerte Immortale took me I was told by doctors that I would never be able to compete again. So I stepped away and turned my interests in other directions, but I always kept tabs on GOL while I was away. Recently I found out that I was diagnosed incorrectly and once I made sure I was medically cleared, I requested Chaos Dragon give me a match for GOL at 'El Gran Aniversario'. Never in a million years did I think it would be against Avery Miles III but I consider it an honor."
"Speaking of honors," Julie cuts in, she really is too chipper, "we understand that at 'El Gran Aniversario' you will also be inducted into GOL's Hall of Fame. Congratulations!"
"Thank you," Tiger says, somewhat bashfully, "Before the announcement I went on Twitter bragging that I would be the name revealed to be GOL's first inductee, but when it actually was announced I was somewhat taken aback."
"Why is that," Bob asks before Julie can say anything.
"Because I honestly don't feel like I deserve the honor. Yes, I won the company's first ever match and I very well might of competed in lucha libre's first ever brother versus sister match in history, but that pails in comparison to what Avery Miles III did over the last twelve months in GOL. I want to give a shout out to a legend in our industry, Big T over in Texas. He once told me I had the potential to become someday enter the Hall of Fame of the company we were in together, but I had to do something first, I had to become a World Champion.
"That gave me a lot to think about. You see, I'm in the Pollo Bucket's Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame as well, but if you check out their record books, I've held nearly every title Pollomania had to offer and main evented more matches for them than anyone else, but I've never held any championships in GOL. That's why this match is so important to me. I will never turn down this honor that GOL is giving me, but it will feel bitter sweet if I don't become the Rey de Reyes Champion this Sunday at 'El Gran Aniversario'."
"Well best of luck to you," Julie says.
"Thank you very much," Tiger replies, shaking both their hands.
"And you can catch Tiger Mask Red's match for the Rey de Reyes Champion, as well as his induction into the GOL Hall of Fame," Bob tells the tv audience, "this Sunday, March 26th, live from Guadalajara, Mexico."
"Folks, don't you dare go anywhere," Julie says, before the show goes to commercial, "after the break, we will be talking about Spring Fashions and why black is the new pink!"
***
Scene Two: Put Up a Parking Lot
A hooded figure kneels in the middle of GOL's ring, turned slightly away from the camera. Beside him lies a red tiger mask. The figure bends down and kisses the mat before he begins to speak.
"Avery, have you ever really thought about this business that we both love? I mean, really thought about it? I have. For nine longs months I've sat back and watched as other men and women did the one thing that I loved more than anything but my family. I watched as people I considered my peers, came and gone, won and lost championships, had career highs and career lows, and all the time thinking to myself that I would do almost anything to switch places with them. Counting Crows were right, you really don't realize what you've got til it's gone."
The figure shakes his head. He reaches down and picks up the mask.
"How many people get a second chance, Avery? How many people get everything taken away from them, only to get it all back again? How many people get a second chance to relive their dream? See, I'm not sure you've thought about any of this. You have been so worried about keeping your spot at the top of GOL and complaining that no one's giving you the praise and recognition that you desire, that you've completely taken for granted the opportunity you have each and every time you get in that ring. Do you still feel your blood pumping when your music starts playing? Do you still feel that twinge of excitement when you come through the curtains and the crowd reacts to you? Does entering this ring and realizing how blessed you are to be able to enter it to be able to do what you love? Or, have you become willing to throw paradise aside and put up a parking lot, just to get the accolades you think you deserve?"
The figure chuckles to himself as he continues to look at his mask.
"Ok, that was a pretty sad analogy, but I think you understand what I mean. The Avery Miles III I met and wrestled in this ring several months ago didn't seem to care what 'the powers that be' thought. He went out there every night and showed the world just how good he was. He didn't wait for people to him accolades, he fought for them and took them by force. That was the man who beat me in the first round of last year's Super Falcon Cup and went on to win the whole tournament. That was the man who would went on to win the Rey de Reyes Title. When I look at you now, I don't see that man anymore. All I see is someone who's filled with bitter entitlement. I see someone who'd gladly trade in all his hard work, just to have someone put him up on a pedestal so everyone will know just how good he really is."
The figure removes his hood, his back still to the camera. For the first time we see his red hair as the figure puts the tiger mask on and ties the laces in the back of it. Turning around, he looks straight at the camera and continues.
"This Sunday night, the man standing across from you will not feel a drop of entitlement. My blood will be pumping so loudly as I make my way down to this very ring that it will be pounding in my ears. The roar of the crowd will is going to take my breath away and I plan to soak in every moment because I know what it's like to lose it all, only to get a second chance, and if you think that I'm going to allow this opportunity to slip through my fingers, think again, Cupcake. You're so worked up over not being GOL's first Hall of Fame inductee, that you've never thought of why I was chosen and not you. This Sunday night, I show the world why I GOL chose me. I remind you and everyone else why I once called myself the best damn wrestler in any organization I compete for. Most importantly though, I take my life back."
Tiger Mask Red stands up and walked towards the camera.
"Do yourself a favor, Avery, don't hold on to the title too hard. Otherwise someone more grateful for this opportunity will be there to capitalize on it slipping through your fingers. See you Sunday."
***
Scene Three: The Night Visit
The smell of sardines reached his nose as he entered the entered into his den. The man behind the mask groaned under his breath. There was only one man who would dare to his sanctuary like this and eat something that repugnant.
"For fucking out loud, Dad. What have I told you about eating those damn fish in my office."
A chuckle came from his desk chair and it swung around. A middle aged man smiled as me munched out a his bagel.
"Oh, come now, Son. There's nothing better than a bit of fish with cream cheese and hot pepper jelly."
"If you say so," our hero replies, throwing his bag down and dropping down into a padded chair, "What the fuck are you doing here? It's two o'clock in the morning."
His father chuckles and places his snack down on the desk, causing our hero to growl.
"Do you kiss my grandson with that mouth of your's?"
"I find that it helps keep down the urge to throw fireballs at people who piss me off, and leave Haruto out of this. Thank God, Charlotte took him to go visit her parents otherwise I might do something I regret."
"You're going to have to let me see him sometime, Son," his father sighed.
Our hero snorts.
"After everything you've done to me over the years, you're lucky that I sent a picture of him at Christmas."
"Eli..."
"Dad! Why are you here?"
The older man sat there quietly for a moment, before picking up the bagel and eating the last bite. His son sat watching him, counting back from one hundred. He vowed if he reach zero before his father spoke, he would do something he regretted. His father finally swallowed and licked his fingers clean.
"I want you to throw the match against, Avery Miles III."
Every cell in his body screamed at him to stand up and scream in his father's face. The temptation to leap across the desk and strangle the old man was almost overpowering, but he didn't. That was what the old him would have done, the manic monster that he had once been. That man was gone, replaced by a much more level headed individual.
Without saying a word, he stood up and walked over to his liquor cabinet. Silently he poured himself a glass of aged Scotch and returned to his seat. He felt his father's eyes on him the entire him, examining him, waiting for a response. Let him wait, he thought as he took a sip of his drink. He contemplated his father's request as he sat there, enjoying the rich texture of the Scotch. Almost unintentionally he began humming "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer" by George Thorogood and the Destroyers. This visibly angered his father.
"Confounded it, Boy," his father yelled, "I asked you to do something!"
A smile crossed our hero's face and immediately his father saw what he had done. The older man chuckled out loud and shoke his head, sadly.
"You truly are my son," he says, "I take it you won't do it then."
"Nope."
"No matter how much money anyone offers you?"
"Dad," our hero says, placing his drink down, "This isn't about the money. This is about pride and doing the one thing in this world that I truly love. For almost nine months I've thought this was all lost to me, and I'm pretty sure you had something to do with that too. Now that I'm back in the ring, I feel more free than I've been I have in a long time."
His father smiles, almost sadly, and gets up. He wipes the crumbs off his coat onto the desk, one last act of defiance towards his son and walks out of the office.
"Good luck then," he calls back as he walks through the door, "and say hello to that grandson of mine."
"Good see you too, Dad," our hero whispers to himself, lighting a match from his from his pocket and dropping it into the Scotch.
He smiled as he watched the alcohol burn. Someone obviously was worried that he was going to win. Someone was worried that this was going to be more than a one night appearance.
"Let them try and stop me," he said, picking up the glass and blowing out the flames. He picked out the match and gulped back the burnt Scotch.
"Let them try."
***
Scene Four: The Hunt Begins
Tiger Mask Red sits in front of television. On the screen is the closing moments of his match with Avery Miles III from last year's Super Falcon Cup. As he and the viewers watch on, Avery hits the Double Flip Shooting Star Press and pins Tiger to win the match.
"Do you remember our match, Avery," he asks, "I mean really remember it? I do. Since that night I've watched it a few hundred times. When I close my eyes I can relive every moment of it. I can see the opportunities that I missed and the mistakes I made. I can remember the weight of you coming crashing down on me at the end and hearing the referee count three. The disappointment I felt that night still swells up inside me when I think about it and I still feel the bitter taste in my mouth."
He presses a button on the remote in his hand and the television turns off. Standing up, he turns to address the camera.
"You were the better man that night. You used that victory to catapult yourself to the top of GOL. I became the first of several names that you checked off on your list, and I soon found myself in good company: Aidan Carlisle, Mr. Rottentreats, La Cucaracha, Amy-Jo Smyth, my mentor, Nirvana, El Gran Jefe Rosario and Helena Noir. With each victory you built your legacy in this company. The fans started getting behind you more and more with every match you won and people began to wonder if anyone could stop you. Carlos Diaz has done everything in his power to stop your momentum, to get the Rey de Reyes Championship off of you and put it on someone who fits better into his own corporate image, but you've been able to overcome everyone that both Diaz and Chaos Dragon have thrown at you.
"And you've let it go to your head. You've started believing in the hype, to the point where you honestly don't think that anyone can beat you. It' become clear that you think yourself invincible. You can deny it, but I've seen it in your eyes. The Avery Miles III that we see every month now in GOL has been an arrogant, brash champion and you're just daring anyone to come and knock that chip off your shoulder.
"But I know the truth, I saw it when Dragon handed you that box with my old mask in it. The doubt was clear to the world to see. You are being forced to face the man who pushed you harder than anyone else, and even as you asked me a few weeks ago on Twitter how I expected to beat you when I couldn't get the job done the first time, you've really been asking yourself if you can beat me again.
"See, I'm going into this match with an advantage over you which you are well aware of. I've be able to watch every match you've had since we last met," Tiger stops and chuckles, "You could say I had the best seat in the house for those matches. On the other hand, there's no recent matches for you to study of mine. You can't prepare yourself for any new moves I've perfected, you can only re-watch our last match to prepare yourself for me... a match that I know backwards and forwards. There's nothing that you can't do that I don't know by heart by now and you can only hope is that worked before will work again."
Tiger Mask Red holds up a piece of paper with all of Avery's previous opponents listed, their names all checked off, with Rosario's name checked off twice.
"You act like you're so confident that you will beat me a second time, that you will be able to add a second checkmark beside my name and that I'll slink back into whatever hole Dragon found me in, but I've got news for you."
He lifts pulls out a lighter and igniting it, touches it to the list before tossing the paper into the air, where it disappears in a fireball.
"This Sunday at 'El Gran Aniversario' I make this list of your's go up in flames. I strip you of this legacy that you've become so proud of and I cement my own. Chaos Dragon and Carlos Diaz can say whatever they like, this is not a one time only appearance. At 'El Gran Aniversario' I finally win the Rey de Reyes Championship and I have no intentions of going anywhere."
Tiger smiles broadly at the camera and you realize that he believes every word he's saying.
"Avery, 'El Gran Aniversario' isn't the end of the hunt, it's just the beginning. See you then."
Fade to black
***
Scene 1: The Talk Show
On the set of a network morning show. The hosts sit behind a desk laughing together as the program returns from commercial.
"Hi folks, and welcome back to "Good Morning L.A.," the woman host says, "This weekend Guerreros of Lucha returns with their "El Gran Aniversario" show. The main event that evening will feature the company's Rey de Reyes Championship, featuring the defending champion Avery Miles III defending against our guest at this time, Tiger Mask Red."
The camera goes to TMR sitting beside them in a three piece suit and tie, smiling warmly. He shakes both their hands.
"Bob, Julie, thank you for having me on the show today."
"Our pleasure, Tiger," Bob replies, "Is it ok if we call you 'Tiger'?"
"Oh yeah, no problems at all."
"Great," Julie chimes, almost sickenly bubbley, "This is a pretty big match for you, I understand. Can you tell us a bit of the background behind it."
"Of course, as I'm sure you and all your viewers are aware, GOL celebrates its first anniversary this year and the company's general manager, Chaos Dragon, wanted to do something special for the fans. Avery and I faced off last year in the first round of the Super Falcon Cup and it was considered one of the greatest matches in GOL's brief history. Dragon thought it would be great to revisit that match now that Avery is the champion, with the hopes that we'll surpass our first encounter I'm sure."
"You lost that first match, didn't you?"
"Yes Bob, I did. I'll be the first to admit that I walked into that match underestimating my opponent and I was completely unprepared for how phenomenal he truly was. Hopefully I'll be a little better prepared this time around." (laughs)
The hosts laugh politely for a moment, then Julie's face gets overly seriously.
"Now we understand," she says, "that shortly after that match you mysteriously disappeared after you were allegedly attacked by La Muerte Immortale."
"It's true," Tiger answers.
"Can you share with us what happened?"
"No Julie, there are some things that I'm not prepared to relive. Let me just say that there's a reason why that hombre never appeared in GOL again and let's leave it at that."
The hosts share a confused look before turning back to their guest and Bob asks speaks.
"Ok, now following that incident, if you well, you disappeared from GOL altogether and only recently announced your return to the ring. Can you tell us a bit about that?"
Tiger nods.
"Absolutely, I walked into that match I had that evening nowhere near one hundred percent. I don't want to take anything away from my opponent that night, La Cucaracha, but there's no way I should have been medically cleared to compete that night. Once I 'returned' from where La Muerte Immortale took me I was told by doctors that I would never be able to compete again. So I stepped away and turned my interests in other directions, but I always kept tabs on GOL while I was away. Recently I found out that I was diagnosed incorrectly and once I made sure I was medically cleared, I requested Chaos Dragon give me a match for GOL at 'El Gran Aniversario'. Never in a million years did I think it would be against Avery Miles III but I consider it an honor."
"Speaking of honors," Julie cuts in, she really is too chipper, "we understand that at 'El Gran Aniversario' you will also be inducted into GOL's Hall of Fame. Congratulations!"
"Thank you," Tiger says, somewhat bashfully, "Before the announcement I went on Twitter bragging that I would be the name revealed to be GOL's first inductee, but when it actually was announced I was somewhat taken aback."
"Why is that," Bob asks before Julie can say anything.
"Because I honestly don't feel like I deserve the honor. Yes, I won the company's first ever match and I very well might of competed in lucha libre's first ever brother versus sister match in history, but that pails in comparison to what Avery Miles III did over the last twelve months in GOL. I want to give a shout out to a legend in our industry, Big T over in Texas. He once told me I had the potential to become someday enter the Hall of Fame of the company we were in together, but I had to do something first, I had to become a World Champion.
"That gave me a lot to think about. You see, I'm in the Pollo Bucket's Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame as well, but if you check out their record books, I've held nearly every title Pollomania had to offer and main evented more matches for them than anyone else, but I've never held any championships in GOL. That's why this match is so important to me. I will never turn down this honor that GOL is giving me, but it will feel bitter sweet if I don't become the Rey de Reyes Champion this Sunday at 'El Gran Aniversario'."
"Well best of luck to you," Julie says.
"Thank you very much," Tiger replies, shaking both their hands.
"And you can catch Tiger Mask Red's match for the Rey de Reyes Champion, as well as his induction into the GOL Hall of Fame," Bob tells the tv audience, "this Sunday, March 26th, live from Guadalajara, Mexico."
"Folks, don't you dare go anywhere," Julie says, before the show goes to commercial, "after the break, we will be talking about Spring Fashions and why black is the new pink!"
***
Scene Two: Put Up a Parking Lot
A hooded figure kneels in the middle of GOL's ring, turned slightly away from the camera. Beside him lies a red tiger mask. The figure bends down and kisses the mat before he begins to speak.
"Avery, have you ever really thought about this business that we both love? I mean, really thought about it? I have. For nine longs months I've sat back and watched as other men and women did the one thing that I loved more than anything but my family. I watched as people I considered my peers, came and gone, won and lost championships, had career highs and career lows, and all the time thinking to myself that I would do almost anything to switch places with them. Counting Crows were right, you really don't realize what you've got til it's gone."
The figure shakes his head. He reaches down and picks up the mask.
"How many people get a second chance, Avery? How many people get everything taken away from them, only to get it all back again? How many people get a second chance to relive their dream? See, I'm not sure you've thought about any of this. You have been so worried about keeping your spot at the top of GOL and complaining that no one's giving you the praise and recognition that you desire, that you've completely taken for granted the opportunity you have each and every time you get in that ring. Do you still feel your blood pumping when your music starts playing? Do you still feel that twinge of excitement when you come through the curtains and the crowd reacts to you? Does entering this ring and realizing how blessed you are to be able to enter it to be able to do what you love? Or, have you become willing to throw paradise aside and put up a parking lot, just to get the accolades you think you deserve?"
The figure chuckles to himself as he continues to look at his mask.
"Ok, that was a pretty sad analogy, but I think you understand what I mean. The Avery Miles III I met and wrestled in this ring several months ago didn't seem to care what 'the powers that be' thought. He went out there every night and showed the world just how good he was. He didn't wait for people to him accolades, he fought for them and took them by force. That was the man who beat me in the first round of last year's Super Falcon Cup and went on to win the whole tournament. That was the man who would went on to win the Rey de Reyes Title. When I look at you now, I don't see that man anymore. All I see is someone who's filled with bitter entitlement. I see someone who'd gladly trade in all his hard work, just to have someone put him up on a pedestal so everyone will know just how good he really is."
The figure removes his hood, his back still to the camera. For the first time we see his red hair as the figure puts the tiger mask on and ties the laces in the back of it. Turning around, he looks straight at the camera and continues.
"This Sunday night, the man standing across from you will not feel a drop of entitlement. My blood will be pumping so loudly as I make my way down to this very ring that it will be pounding in my ears. The roar of the crowd will is going to take my breath away and I plan to soak in every moment because I know what it's like to lose it all, only to get a second chance, and if you think that I'm going to allow this opportunity to slip through my fingers, think again, Cupcake. You're so worked up over not being GOL's first Hall of Fame inductee, that you've never thought of why I was chosen and not you. This Sunday night, I show the world why I GOL chose me. I remind you and everyone else why I once called myself the best damn wrestler in any organization I compete for. Most importantly though, I take my life back."
Tiger Mask Red stands up and walked towards the camera.
"Do yourself a favor, Avery, don't hold on to the title too hard. Otherwise someone more grateful for this opportunity will be there to capitalize on it slipping through your fingers. See you Sunday."
***
Scene Three: The Night Visit
The smell of sardines reached his nose as he entered the entered into his den. The man behind the mask groaned under his breath. There was only one man who would dare to his sanctuary like this and eat something that repugnant.
"For fucking out loud, Dad. What have I told you about eating those damn fish in my office."
A chuckle came from his desk chair and it swung around. A middle aged man smiled as me munched out a his bagel.
"Oh, come now, Son. There's nothing better than a bit of fish with cream cheese and hot pepper jelly."
"If you say so," our hero replies, throwing his bag down and dropping down into a padded chair, "What the fuck are you doing here? It's two o'clock in the morning."
His father chuckles and places his snack down on the desk, causing our hero to growl.
"Do you kiss my grandson with that mouth of your's?"
"I find that it helps keep down the urge to throw fireballs at people who piss me off, and leave Haruto out of this. Thank God, Charlotte took him to go visit her parents otherwise I might do something I regret."
"You're going to have to let me see him sometime, Son," his father sighed.
Our hero snorts.
"After everything you've done to me over the years, you're lucky that I sent a picture of him at Christmas."
"Eli..."
"Dad! Why are you here?"
The older man sat there quietly for a moment, before picking up the bagel and eating the last bite. His son sat watching him, counting back from one hundred. He vowed if he reach zero before his father spoke, he would do something he regretted. His father finally swallowed and licked his fingers clean.
"I want you to throw the match against, Avery Miles III."
Every cell in his body screamed at him to stand up and scream in his father's face. The temptation to leap across the desk and strangle the old man was almost overpowering, but he didn't. That was what the old him would have done, the manic monster that he had once been. That man was gone, replaced by a much more level headed individual.
Without saying a word, he stood up and walked over to his liquor cabinet. Silently he poured himself a glass of aged Scotch and returned to his seat. He felt his father's eyes on him the entire him, examining him, waiting for a response. Let him wait, he thought as he took a sip of his drink. He contemplated his father's request as he sat there, enjoying the rich texture of the Scotch. Almost unintentionally he began humming "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer" by George Thorogood and the Destroyers. This visibly angered his father.
"Confounded it, Boy," his father yelled, "I asked you to do something!"
A smile crossed our hero's face and immediately his father saw what he had done. The older man chuckled out loud and shoke his head, sadly.
"You truly are my son," he says, "I take it you won't do it then."
"Nope."
"No matter how much money anyone offers you?"
"Dad," our hero says, placing his drink down, "This isn't about the money. This is about pride and doing the one thing in this world that I truly love. For almost nine months I've thought this was all lost to me, and I'm pretty sure you had something to do with that too. Now that I'm back in the ring, I feel more free than I've been I have in a long time."
His father smiles, almost sadly, and gets up. He wipes the crumbs off his coat onto the desk, one last act of defiance towards his son and walks out of the office.
"Good luck then," he calls back as he walks through the door, "and say hello to that grandson of mine."
"Good see you too, Dad," our hero whispers to himself, lighting a match from his from his pocket and dropping it into the Scotch.
He smiled as he watched the alcohol burn. Someone obviously was worried that he was going to win. Someone was worried that this was going to be more than a one night appearance.
"Let them try and stop me," he said, picking up the glass and blowing out the flames. He picked out the match and gulped back the burnt Scotch.
"Let them try."
***
Scene Four: The Hunt Begins
Tiger Mask Red sits in front of television. On the screen is the closing moments of his match with Avery Miles III from last year's Super Falcon Cup. As he and the viewers watch on, Avery hits the Double Flip Shooting Star Press and pins Tiger to win the match.
"Do you remember our match, Avery," he asks, "I mean really remember it? I do. Since that night I've watched it a few hundred times. When I close my eyes I can relive every moment of it. I can see the opportunities that I missed and the mistakes I made. I can remember the weight of you coming crashing down on me at the end and hearing the referee count three. The disappointment I felt that night still swells up inside me when I think about it and I still feel the bitter taste in my mouth."
He presses a button on the remote in his hand and the television turns off. Standing up, he turns to address the camera.
"You were the better man that night. You used that victory to catapult yourself to the top of GOL. I became the first of several names that you checked off on your list, and I soon found myself in good company: Aidan Carlisle, Mr. Rottentreats, La Cucaracha, Amy-Jo Smyth, my mentor, Nirvana, El Gran Jefe Rosario and Helena Noir. With each victory you built your legacy in this company. The fans started getting behind you more and more with every match you won and people began to wonder if anyone could stop you. Carlos Diaz has done everything in his power to stop your momentum, to get the Rey de Reyes Championship off of you and put it on someone who fits better into his own corporate image, but you've been able to overcome everyone that both Diaz and Chaos Dragon have thrown at you.
"And you've let it go to your head. You've started believing in the hype, to the point where you honestly don't think that anyone can beat you. It' become clear that you think yourself invincible. You can deny it, but I've seen it in your eyes. The Avery Miles III that we see every month now in GOL has been an arrogant, brash champion and you're just daring anyone to come and knock that chip off your shoulder.
"But I know the truth, I saw it when Dragon handed you that box with my old mask in it. The doubt was clear to the world to see. You are being forced to face the man who pushed you harder than anyone else, and even as you asked me a few weeks ago on Twitter how I expected to beat you when I couldn't get the job done the first time, you've really been asking yourself if you can beat me again.
"See, I'm going into this match with an advantage over you which you are well aware of. I've be able to watch every match you've had since we last met," Tiger stops and chuckles, "You could say I had the best seat in the house for those matches. On the other hand, there's no recent matches for you to study of mine. You can't prepare yourself for any new moves I've perfected, you can only re-watch our last match to prepare yourself for me... a match that I know backwards and forwards. There's nothing that you can't do that I don't know by heart by now and you can only hope is that worked before will work again."
Tiger Mask Red holds up a piece of paper with all of Avery's previous opponents listed, their names all checked off, with Rosario's name checked off twice.
"You act like you're so confident that you will beat me a second time, that you will be able to add a second checkmark beside my name and that I'll slink back into whatever hole Dragon found me in, but I've got news for you."
He lifts pulls out a lighter and igniting it, touches it to the list before tossing the paper into the air, where it disappears in a fireball.
"This Sunday at 'El Gran Aniversario' I make this list of your's go up in flames. I strip you of this legacy that you've become so proud of and I cement my own. Chaos Dragon and Carlos Diaz can say whatever they like, this is not a one time only appearance. At 'El Gran Aniversario' I finally win the Rey de Reyes Championship and I have no intentions of going anywhere."
Tiger smiles broadly at the camera and you realize that he believes every word he's saying.
"Avery, 'El Gran Aniversario' isn't the end of the hunt, it's just the beginning. See you then."
Fade to black