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Post by Laura Phoenix - HBIC on Dec 13, 2021 1:20:02 GMT -5
PWS: APEX Crusade 2021 Tuesday, December 28, 2021 Amway Center - Orlando, FL
PWS: APEX United Championship Match Singles Match Cleo Phillips © vs Devon Ryder
DEADLINE: 12/26/2021 at 11:59:59 PM EST Min 500, Max 5000 [/div]
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Post by Cleo Phillips on Dec 26, 2021 21:47:16 GMT -5
She should have seen it coming. She should have known Devon Ryder would pull a stunt like he did at Riot. All to prove a point that any intelligent American is already aware of. Or maybe he just wanted to anger Cleo, and bring out the side of her she was trying to change, the part of her she wanted to leave on the streets. If that’s the case, and Ryder was really trying to poke the bear, then much like Sierra Williams, he should be careful what he wishes for. —
The scene is fairly quiet, a late evening on the streets of Orlando. A wall decorated with some various graffiti sits as the center focus, as music begins to play.
##Step by step, heart to heart, left right left We all fall down Step by step, heart to heart, left right left We all fall down like toy soldiers Bit by bit, torn apart We never win but the battle wages on for toy soldiers##
The chorus of “Like Toy Soldiers” by Eminem fades out, as Cleo Phillips walks into frame, and looks into the camera, an Orlando Magic cap on her head, and a shirt that reads DREAM like Martin, LEAD like Harriet, FIGHT like Malcolm, THINK like Garvey. WRITE like Maya, BUILD like Madam C.J., SPEAK like Frederick, EDUCATE like W.E.B., BELIEVE like Thurgood, CHALLENGE like Rosa. She stands there giving the camera a serious expression, her United Championship on her shoulder, as Z-Money walks into frame next to her wearing the same t-shirt, and an equally serious expression, uncommon for the usually fun loving and silly hype man.
“Devon Ryder, you no good sonuvabitch. Are you really PROUD of what you did? Now I may be here as support for my homegirl, but I’m still a man, and I can still hold my own in a fight, so if you want to…” Z-Money started before Cleo raises a hand to signal to him that she’s got this one, to which he nods.
“It’s alright Z, I got this.” Cleo tells Z, before giving the camera her full attention again, ““You just had to go and make this personal didn’t you Ryder? What point were you trying to prove with that little stunt? Just to show how broken the system is? But your supposed to be “helping”, are you serious?!”
She pauses, with a slight headshake and a scoff.
“NEWS FLASH!. We see it all to much, every damn day. Anyone who can’t see it by now is beyond help, but nobody needed you to show them anything. You just wanted to play your cute little game and try and break me before our match at Crusade, but I can’t be broken. I refuse.” continued Cleo, “I’ve seen too many of my friends die to give up now. I said it before, I was never supposed to make it this far, even my trainer and mentor Keevee Kaiser saw me as more of a side project and put more focus on his other students, The Lyons Twins. Now here I stand as one of his best students, funny how some things work out.”
She looks proudly at the championship on her shoulder, her expression says without words how much the championship means to her.
“When I spent that night in jail, you know what I did Devon? I did the only thing there really is to do when you’re locked up, THINK.” For the first time since she she stepped into frame, she smiles, “I thought about you, and how I am going to absolutely dismantle and embarrass you. A few weeks ago you lost to Alexander Lyons right? That guy is like the third best member of ANTITHESIS, and if you asked Keevee Kaiser, he’d probably tell you Alex is…secondary to me. So do you really think you can beat the talent Kaiser has spent more time training?”
Z-Money can be seen smiling, alongside Cleo.
”As I was saying, I sat in that cold cell and the events of your little stunt played in my mind, over and over on repeat.” said Cleo, “You don’t really know what beast you opened up do you? You SHOULD have sent the cops after ANTITHESIS for the assault they pulled on you, I might have even joined you on that one, I mean everyone knows how much I love those guys.”
Cleo sighs, taking a moment to catch her breath, and reposture a bit.
“So congratulations, you showed everyone how easy a person of color can be arrested and seen as criminal, despite whatever their social or economic status might be. Now, I’ll be honest, some deserve it, The R. Kellys and Chris Browns of the world for example cause more harm than good to the movement, but you decided to use ME as an example? The one who’s been visiting Youth Centers in each city we go to? I don’t need to show off my work every week, much like all the talk you made about going on marches and donating to charities, I too don’t feel the need to have my camera man bring the cameras every single time because that’s not what it’s about. It’s about guiding the next generation into making sure they don’t make the same mistakes Z and I did. I want actual change just like you, but I’m not going to do it by being a self righteous asshole who only seems to be in it for his own self importance.”
“Disgusting.” muttered Z-Money
“Honestly Ryder” Cleo continued, “We shouldn’t even make this about politics, because really it’s just about the United Championship and me being the best fighter I can be, being the best inspiration to our young fans that I can be. I’m gonna have to go out there and handle my business the only way I know how. Team Cleo isn’t losing its momentum anytime soon. We’re going into Crusade as United Champion, and we’re leaving Crusade as United Champion.”
A smile on her face, she takes a moment to crack her neck and then her knuckles.
“You didn’t break me Ryder, but you did manage to give me even more motivation to kick your ass all over that ring. I just want to be a fighting champion, and set an example that way. Show them what it means to be a champion, and how to act like one. I don’t need to pull any stunts to get my message across. I get my message across by being a positive example of change, and how there’s always a change for ANYONE of ANY color to make a better life for themselves.” said Cleo.
“Yeah man, White Boy Randy was one of the toughest bastards I knew.”chimed in Z-Money, “Cops didn’t care what he looked like, they shot him dead like the rest.”
Cleo nods, “Yeah, Randy was a funny ass dude too.”
Both Cleo and Z take a moment, pound their chests and point up, paying respect to their fallen friend.
“Before we can really solve any issues, we need to UNITE. This whole situational design we have going on is just what the people who run this country want. They want to divide us, be it by color, or by religion,by sexual orientation, or politics. Anything to keep us from uniting. You know as well as I do Ryder, that if we unite and go against them, we’ll win. They know that as well, so they do all they can to push the stories that will cause such division. Can you really be the one to UNITE them Ryder? Or would they prefer to hear it from someone who’s had real life experiences on the matter?, continued Cleo, “You’re going to get a taste of my reality at Crusade, that’s a promise. You will learn what it takes to survive where I come from, and when the dust settles, I will STILL stand before you as United Champion, so that maybe one day I can join the heroes listed on my shirt, maybe the future generations will learn and be inspired to UNITE like Cleo.”
“And how to you plan to do that?” asked a grinning Z-Money
“By doing what I always do” replied Cleo, “Go out there and, SET IT OFF.”
She raises her championship proudly above her head, her and Z both pound fists, and walk off camera together, the “Like Toy Soldiers” chorus plays the scene out as it fades to black.
##Step by step, heart to heart, left right left We all fall down Step by step, heart to heart, left right left We all fall down like toy soldiers Bit by bit, torn apart We never win but the battle wages on for toy soldiers##
___
The Lyons Den has seen a rise in the success of its talent in the past couple years since appointing former wrestling star Keevee Kaiser as its head trainer. Having produced successful talent in other companies, he got in touch with his friend Erin, another former wrestling talent and one of his former tag team partners that PWS was looking for some new talent, and that’s where he sent Cleo Phillips, who at the time was still on probation. He didn’t expect her to be as successful as she has been, but that isn’t to say he isn’t proud of what his talent has accomplished. United Champion Cleo Phillips and her hype man Z-Money stand in the parking lot, looking at some sort of video on Z’s phone.
##Hey Lex Loser, you look like a villain at Comic-Con, you gettin’ ate up, Shoulda' battled me on Ramadan…##
Shaking his head Z, pauses the video “I just don’t see the resemblance, this guy looks NOTHING like me.” he said to Cleo
“..He looks EXACTLY like you, it’s uncanny.” Cleo responded
“Sorry, I just don’t see it.” Z shrugged.
Cleo shrugged as well, and was likely rolling her eyes behind her sunglasses.
“So this is where they trained you at?” Place looks pretty fancy” said Z-Money as he and Cleo walked to the front doors of the Lyons Den training facility.
“Yeah, they taught me everything here.” Cleo replied.
As they approach the doors, a familiar face, that of Alexander Lyons is leaving, with a rather puzzling smile on his face, it doesn’t waver as he notices the two.
“Guess we’re like, family now.” Alex said with an air of mystery, before walking off to his own business.
“What was he doing here?” Cleo asked
”Beats me” said Z-Money, “His family owns the place though right? Doesn’t seem THAT strange.”
“Why’d he say we’re like family?” Cleo questioned,
Z-Money shrugged, “I dunno man, that guy is kinda messed up.”
“I guess it’s not important right now, let’s just go inside.” said Cleo
Z nods in agreement, and follows Cleo into the training center, they come across her trainer, looking rather annoyed, sitting alone on a steel chair.
“Yo, everything good?” Cleo asked approaching.
Kaiser takes notice of her and Z, and quickly makes himself regain his composure.
“Oh, Cleo..hey, yeah I’m fine it’s nothing.” Kaiser responded
“Did Alex do something?” she asked, “We bumped into him on the way in. Made a weird comment about me being his family.”
Kaiser sighs, “I guess he’s trying to make amends with his dad, and since his family owns the place, he’s been taken on as an official member of The Lyons Dojo.”
“That’s bullshit” responded Cleo, “He came in here and attacked you not long ago!”
“Like I said,I don’t own the place. I’m just a trainer. They’re leaving it to me to create the Lyons Den stars of the future.” shrugged Kaiser, “Now I have to help guide him too.”
“Well, maybe it’s for the best” suggested Cleo, “Look at what you’ve done for me.”
Kaiser looked curiously at Cleo as she spoke.
“When I came here, it was on probation terms. You saw me as trouble, didn’t really think too much of me. But when your friend Aaron contacted you about PWS looking for talent, you chose to send me. You could have sent anyone, but you chose me.” said Cleo, “I get it. It was a favor, I was never intended to stick around long.”
Kaiser nods, “I wish I could say you were wrong, but you’re not. I never expected you to come as far as you have.”
“It’s all good, it just helped me fight harder. Gave me something to prove.” Cleo replied
“And prove it you have.” Kaiser nodded, “In short time, you’ve become one of the best talents to have come from this dojo,. I truly am proud of you, and will totally be watching when you kick Devon Ryders ass.”
“Bet." Cleo grinned, “And don’t worry about Alex. Maybe he’ll come around someday like I did, and if he does act out of line just let ya’ girl know and I’ll handle business.”
Kaiser laughs, “I’m sure it’ll be fine, I’m not afraid to law down the law myself. Like I told him, inside this dojo, I’m in charge and while we don’t have to get along, he will remain professional inside these walls.
“What did he say to that? questioned Z-Money
“Mocked me by saying yes Sensei, and saluting with that annoying ass smirk on his face.” replied Kaiser.
“Sounds like him.” shrugged Cleo
“Yeah..” replied Kaiser, “Anyway, enough about him.You ready to run some drills?”
“You know it.” replied Cleo.
Passing her championship for Z to hold, she rolls into one of the nearby rings, and starts feeling out the ropes, as Kaiser stars to call orders from ringside to start one of her training sessions. Crusade is just around the corner, and the United Champion isn’t going to be anything less than ready.
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Post by Devon Ryder on Dec 26, 2021 23:58:28 GMT -5
“Do you know how steel is hardened?”
*Fade in. We open on Devon Ryder, seated on a couch, Christmas tree in the background. Ryder looks up, directly into the camera.*
“I wanted to preface this with some big preamble about the United States and how everyone there is stressed right now, to highlight your inefficacies and failings as a country in the same way that I always do…but it’s Christmas. I don’t think this is the time. Especially not in light of what happened to Cleo Phillips - what I DID to Cleo Phillips - on Riot a fortnight ago. This is a solemn occasion, an important and somber moment, so I’ll begin in the best and only way that I as a Canadian know how…”
*He pauses, looking into the camera again. His sincerity is written on his face.*
“I’m sorry.”
“I am truly sorry for what I did to you, Cleo. I KNOW it was not acceptable, and I no longer believe that it was right…but I would like to explain why I did it. Do you know how steel is hardened? I asked it before, and I’ll tell you the answer: it’s done by subjecting it to stress. The metal is pushed to just below its breaking point, and then allowed to cool naturally. In other cases, a great many small dents and holes are pressed into it, and then it’s reheated and hammered flat again. In either case, this makes the steel stronger. Facing this adversity hardens its resolve.”
*He pauses.*
“This is what I hoped to do for YOU, Cleo Phillips. Because I have a plan tonight, but in order to achieve it…I needed you to be stronger. To be ANGRIER. You KNOW you can’t change a system if it doesn’t make you angry. It broke my heart, but to see the way you’ve acted on your tours, the way you spoke so highly of the ‘opportunity’ your country offers…those are not the words of a revolutionary. Being content does not lead to change, Cleo. You HAD that fire, once; I saw it against Jonathan Sanders. I saw it again against Nick Madison! I even saw it - regrettably - in your earlier work, just shortly after making the transition to wrestling from prison. I know you want to leave that part of yourself behind, and I understand. Truly, I do. But I wanted you to bring that fire against ME, too.”
“I know you want to be better - I encourage it, as I do ALL self-improvement…but you still have much work to do. You need to be careful not to go too far in the other direction…or you risk losing sight of what made you such a brilliant role model in the first place! You’ve seen this system up close, Cleo. You KNOW how broken it is, how badly in need of an overhaul it is, and yet…what have you done? Since becoming champion, how much have you really changed? Do you still have that spark? I thought so, but…you needed a push. It hurts me to say it, Cleo, but you need to remember what you’re fighting for. WHY you wanted to change the system in the first place. I KNOW you still have that spark, I just needed to relight it! …And I’m truly, deeply sorry…but I just didn’t see any other way to do that. I know I will not be the Hero in the early portion of this story. I know it will be difficult for you to see - hell, even I’M not sure whether what I did was right. But I do believe that it was necessary. Sometimes, we must hit our lowest point to finally realize our true potential. Sometimes our steel must be stressed before it can solidify. We NEED to undergo this stress in order to get stronger. This is what I tried to do for you, Cleo. Because you can BE as hard as steel - you can be the greatest wrestler of your generation! But you needed to be tempered first. Now, that has happened. Now you’re ready for your crucible.”
*Ryder smirks, one eyebrow raising as his eyes glint into the camera. He holds that pose for just a moment, then returns to his serious expression, clasping his hands in front of himself.*
“...You know, I did watch what you sent in tonight, Cleo. I heard the words you had for me. You said tonight that I didn’t break you, and I am VERY glad to hear that. You told me - AND you told Kaiser - that you’re not intending on losing your United Title tonight. And that is wonderful news as well…because I do not intend to take it.”
*Ryder pauses here, letting that sink in.*
“Now, that may seem confusing to you. Or, perhaps, to some of you watching at home. You may well be wondering why I would challenge for a belt if I didn’t want to win it. The simple truth is: because I want to show everyone why YOU deserve it, Cleo. I want to show everyone the potential that I see in you. I want to go out there, wrestle you to your LIMIT for sixty goddamn minutes, and FINALLY prove to every single person in this building and watching at home tonight that you have EARNED that championship. Because I am a damn good professional wrestler. Hell, I may be the best in the world - although you’d give me a run for my money - but you? You are even more than that. You are a ROLE MODEL, Cleo. I strive to be as well, but…well, if I may be honest, I am somewhat hindered by the track record of people with my complexion. And I think that’s entirely fair. I can be an ALLY to oppressed groups in my country and yours, Cleo, but I cannot be their CHAMPION. That person needs to come from within…and I can’t think of anyone better suited for the job. Besides, we BOTH know that wrestling has MORE than enough champions who look like me already. We don’t NEED another one. We DO need more who look like you. Because I may be great at what I do, but I am not the future, Cleo Phillips…you are.”
*Here, Ryder pauses again, his smirk returning as he gazes into the camera, sitting up straight on the couch.*
“So I hope you ARE furious with me. I hope you have the biggest chip on your shoulder you’ve ever had coming into this match, and you want to knock my goddamned arrogant Canadian head off my well-toned square shoulders…because that is EXACTLY the Cleo Phillips that I’ve wanted to face since I set foot in this company. That is EXACTLY the Cleo Phillips that can show the whole world what a REAL professional wrestling champion looks like! THAT is exactly the Cleo Phillips who can rise to be the American Hero her country sorely needs! …And THAT Cleo Phillips? That Cleo Phillips is going to put on one HELL of a match with Devon Ryder.”
*Ryder grins into the camera.*
“Merry Christmas, ya filthy animal.”
*With that, Ryder has finished, and he stands up in one smooth motion and struts out onto the balcony, wrapping his arms around Desiree as he joins her and his parents. The sounds of The Guess Who’s “American Woman” begin to play over his exit, and we hold on this scene for just a moment as we fade.*
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