Study, Study, Study

“Damn, it’s raining out!” Gunnar mumbled in a raspy, early-morning voice. “I hope it stops soon. First snow, then freezing rain, it was all icy, now it’s just plain rain. Damp and nasty.” He said stretching in his Southern Jersey residence. The rooms of this house were considerably smaller than Granderson Estate. In his Bellmawr residence, he could live comfortably, and peacefully, being thankful for what he had. This residence was closer to his training gym, The Monster Factory, and closer to his friends. He chose to live here currently, not to be distracted by the lavish estate in Moorestown. 

“At least it is getting rid of the snow and ice, babe.” Evelina answered. “This warmer weather may be wet and dreary, but it’s better then that sleet. You know I hate that messy winter crap.”

“And you can’t drive in it either.” Gunnar said to himself under his breath.

“What was that Gunny?” Evelina asked a bit agitated. 

“Nothing Ev.” Gunnar answered with a smile on his face. “I wanted to run today, always helps revive my body to run a few days after a grueling match.” Gunnar said to himself looking out the window. “Guess I will take this rainy weather as a chance to study up on my opponents this week.” Gunnar walks over to the end table in the far side of the room, rubbing his left shoulder. There are still some lingering effects from the match against Brian Lochner, despite the former International Champion’s outburst after Fury. He stretches the shoulder a little, and then picks up a remote control. He turns on a flat panel hanging on the wall to WWX matches. 

On the TV, Max Seigel’s last match can be seen. Toro comes out from behinds the curtains with a sea of fans who really, REALLY don’t like him. He stomps around waving his arms and growling at the fans to display those teeth. He is so busy stomping around to the point where he doesn’t notice what is about to happen…

Announcer: From Mexico City, Mexi-

Mike: What the hell?!

Max Siegel comes out from the curtains with a steel chair. Toro hears footsteps behind him. The muscular man turns around to get bashed in the head with the weapon. The crowd is confused if cheering should be done or not. There are some members of the crowd cheering but some that are booing just because this was Siegel. Toro flops onto his back but immediately leans up a bit while shaking his head over and over again to shake off the pain.

“Wow, this guy really likes to play fair huh? Must be really talented if he has to attack a guy from behind before the match begins.” Gunnar says to himself, as he continues to watch.

Max cups his hands together and fall into a double axe handle bash to the small of the back. Siegel reaches down and helps Toro to a vertical position. The fans booed Siegel all the way. Hollywood pushes Toro against the rope and whips him across the ring. Toro bounces off the ropes to catch Siegel’s missile drop kick to the chest. Max goes for the cover not even a split section after Toro hits the ground. The referee drops to the mat and starts the count with the fans counting along.

Mike: And we already have a cover!

1…

2…

Toro kicks out with authority by pushing Siegel up and off of him.

Siegel: Count faster! That was three!

Gary: Siegel better be careful and focus on the match.

The Mexican superstar slowly begins going to his feet. Siegel is too preoccupied with his argument towards the official to notice that Toro is already standing up and ready to roll.

“Typical. This guy not only attacks a man unexpectedly before the match, but thinks he deserves things handed to him as well. Way to break the mold here Max. You really have something unique about you don’t ya?” Gunnar says sarcastically. He shakes his head as he watches on, the match just at its conclusion.

[Toro wants to hit Siegel in the back of the head just as Siegel did to him. Toro allows Siegel to use his legs to pull himself up to a vertical base again. Max isn’t able to think straight because of the pain to his core. When Max regains footing Toro walks behind his opponent and lifts the chair. Max shakes his head and senses the oncoming attack. He steps out of the way and slips behind Toro. Siegel puts on a frown. Toro turns around still holding the chair but it is lowered where the top half is covering the strongman’s face. Siegel leaps up, puts both his knees into the top side of the chair and falls down into the mat. The impact leaves Toro’s mouth busted and Toro being out like a broken light. The fans being booing like crazy.]

Gary: Picture perfect with a chair!

Mike: Oh my god! Toro is out!


[Siegel’s knees are on fire with pain. Max manages to reach over and slap the downed referee in the face a couple of times. The official isn’t aware of where he is. Siegel delivers a hard slap to the face that causes the referee to wake up but in a groggy state. Siegel goes for the cover while hooking the leg. Siegel’s eyes are watering from the pain of having to apply this cover. The fans count with the dizzy referee.]


1…


Gary: Siegel’s got the cover!

2….

Mike: This has to be it!

3!


Mike: This horrible match is finally over! Siegel wins…

“Horrible Match is right. The guy gets his ass beat, and then cheats his way into a victory. I better watch out for this punk, there won’t be any disqualifications this week.” Gunnar says clicking buttons on the remote control. “I guess I have to give the guy credit. You do what you have to do to win when you don’t have any talent. He does know how to play the cards he’s dealt. Hey Ev! Have you had any problems with the On Demand on this TV lately?” Gunnar shouts to his fiancé in the other room.

“No, Why?” Evelina replies. 

“Well, I’m doing research for my match this week, I just saw Max Seigel’s match from Fury on December 23, but I haven’t been able to find any matches after that. In fact, I can’t find a promo, appearance, or cameo on this guy this YEAR!” Gunnar exclaims.

Evelina comes walking in, letting out a sigh. “That’s because he hasn’t had a match, babe.” She explains with a sound of aggravation in her voice. “You should know this, YOU are the WWX Superstar, not me.” 

“I’m sorry, but in case you forgot, I was drugged, and beaten to a bloody mess less then a month ago. Sorry if I’m not up on every wannabe Ranger tries to throw in my way!” Gunnar says in response. Evelina chuckles a little to herself, being amused by Gunnar’s demeanor. “So you mean to tell me, this guy hasn’t wrestled in a month, or shown his face and he is still in this tournament for the Heavyweight Title?” Gunnar asks in disgust.

“We’ve been through this. You know how Ranger is, babe.” Evelina said turning away. “Just watch some footage of Lance, and you know Darkness a little already, he has PLENTY of matches on there. While you’re at it, why don’t you watch Blaine’s latest match? He’s the reason we can’t go out to dinner this week.” She scolded at him as she exited the room.

“Jeez, you try to help a kid out, who deserves it, and this is the thanks you get!” Gunnar said, changing his on screen selection to Lance Invictus. “But I had to be glad we were able to help her sister with the down payment on her new house. Must be that time of the month, next week she is going to talk about how great it was getting Blaine a new truck. Let’s see what this Lance character is all about.” 

Within minutes, Lance Invictus walks into the frame, gear bag slung over his shoulder. He opens his locker room door, and just as King had planned, the sledge hammer swings down, cracking Invictus between the eyes with a sickening thud. He falls backwards, and the back of his head hits the concrete floor. A pool of blood forms quickly around the fallen superstar.

As fate would have it, Lance is found by Sucio, who immediately begins screaming for a medic. The response is fast as two medics strap Lance to a backboard, and apply a cervical collar. A local police officer arrives as well, and begins questioning Sucio about suspects.

“See? People always taking the easy way out. Early attacks, cheap attacks. That’s been the story around here as of late. I guess I can’t complain too much, less than a year ago I was no better.” Gunnar said with remorse. “All that blood, poor guy.” Gunnar continues to watch.

King walks around the downed Sucio when everyone looks at the entryway, not believing who is making their way to the ring.

TK: It’s Lance Invictus!!

Several doctors are trying to talk Lance into returning to the back to get checked out but Lance shrugs them off and pushes them away. He gets to his corner alongside Jayson King, who he slaps hard on the back, tagging himself in the match.

“This guy has a pair, I will give him that. Makes it tough to predict what someone like that would do in a match like this. But, like I said, I learned my lesson last week, getting caught with that kick. I’m going into this thing, expecting EVERYTHING.” Gunnar licks his dry lips with the finish of that sentence, and watches the end of the match.

King lifts Sucio to his feet and holds him as Invictus goes for the Big Shot, but Sucio slides out the way, causing King to take the full blast of the superkick. Sucio then shoves Invictus out the way and rolls up King.

1, 2, 3!!

“Haha attacked and bloody, and he still lasted longer than that dumb redneck.” Gunnar chuckled to himself. “This is one tough son of a gun, I’m going to have to take it to him early.”

Sucio gets to his feet and calls for Invictus to get to his feet. As he does so, Sucio charges in and locks in the Killamangiro.

TK: THE KILLAMANGIRO IS LOCKED IN!!

Invictus screams out in pain and taps out almost immediately.

“Well, you knew it was only a matter of time.” Gunnar stated, turning the match off. “That head though,” he thought aloud, “It still must be sensitive. I remember when I had my injury back in November, that thing lingered with me for a long time. That’s going to be his weak spot. He may have a set of g|BLEEP|fruits, but head trauma is no joke.”

Evelina comes walking in with a bowl of cantaloupe. “Here babe, you need some fruit in you. Your mother got this at the market the other day, and said the cantaloupe are great right now.” She said handing him the bowl. “I heard you talking to yourself about Lance Invictus. He’s not a rollover. If you would have went to that match after getting hit in the head like that, I would have killed you AFTER myself. He is tough, but not nearly as intelligent as you. That will be your advantage. Just try and keep level headed. I know you are fired up for this match, but remember cooler heads always prevail.” Evelina kissed Gunnar on the cheek. “Now eat that fruit, its delicious.” She said leaving the room.

Gunnar looked at the cantaloupe, all cut into small pieces. He ate one, chewing it, then swallowed looking down at the rest of the bowl, pleasantly surprised. “My mother always said she was a good one, probably because those two are just alike.” Gunnar said in a low voice to himself. “Time to check out Darky. This guy has been around forever. I know he is smart, strong, and his ring presence. Well, the only competitor I have ever faced that I could compare it to would probably be Lost Soul. I know what match I’m going to watch to prepare for this week.” 

Gunnar presses a few buttons “What You Wants” by Evanescence is heard from the TV, the theme for Hall Of Pain X. Gunnar fast forwards to the Hall Of Pain Match between Tommy Lipton and Darkness. “No doubt he will be my toughest competitor this week. Watching the Hall Of Pain Match, best chance I have to take on Darkness. I need to be prepared for ANYTHING and EVERYTHING this week. This match was wild, and if it doesn’t show me all of the tricks Darky has up his sleeve, it will at least show me most. This was crazy, and knocked Lipton back three years. Just going to do my best to avoid that. Going to have to use my speed. Here we go……”

Gunnar takes a deep breath and hits “Play” the match starts up, and Gunnar’s eyes are glued to the screen as he enjoys the rest of his bowl of fruit. His eyes beam with a fixation on his opponent like never before. Hit after hit, Gunnar doesn’t react, but appears to store every action in his head. The camera drifts away behind Gunnar, fading to black.