Monday, Legends of the Fall

Chuck sits in his locker room, lacing up his boots for his match. He hears a knock at the door.

Chuck Matthews: “It’s open.”

The door opens, and Kimberly O’Day walks in, followed by her brother and Chad Mason. Chuck stands up to greet them. He shakes hands with Bobby and Chad. Kim hugs him for a moment, before Chuck turns his attention to Chad and Bobby.

Chuck Matthews: “You guys ready for tonight?”

Chad grins. Bobby shrugs.

Chuck Matthews: “You don’t look too enthusiastic, Bobby.”

Bobby looks at Chuck, an irritated look on his face.

Bobby O’Day: “Listen, butthead. The only reason I’m going along with this plan is because you gave me a contract for ASWA. I don’t like you, Chuck. Don’t get the impression that I do.”

Chuck smirks. He glances above Bobby’s head, where a TV hangs on the wall, showing what’s going on out in the ring.

Chuck Matthews: “Bobby, I want you to look at the TV.”

Bobby O’Day: “Why?”

Chuck motions for Bobby to turn around. He looks, to see Shadow Demon and Brenton Cyrus.

Chuck Matthews: “I know you don’t like me, Bobby. I get it. But look at it this way. I have never brought any harm to your family.”

Chuck puts his arm around Bobby’s shoulder and points at the screen, at Brenton Cyrus.

Chuck Matthews: “He has.”

Bobby O’Day: “What’s your point?”

Chuck Matthews: “My point is, if you want to get back at Brenton Cyrus for what he did to your family, you need to listen to me. I can give you the revenge that you want so badly.”

Bobby O’Day: “How?”

Chuck grins.

Chuck Matthews: “By taking out what he holds dearest to him. Salvation.”

Bobby smirks. His smile vanishes almost instantly.

Bobby O’Day: “Fine. But I still don’t like you.”

Chuck Matthews: “You don’t have to.”

Chuck lets go of Bobby’s shoulder and turns to look at Chad and Kim.

Chuck Matthews: “What about you two?”

Chad Mason: “I’m with you all the way, man.”

Chuck grins, and slaps Chad on the back.

Chuck Matthews: “Good man. Kim?”

Kim smiles.

Kimberly O’Day: “Of course.”

Chuck hugs her, then turns to Chad and Bobby.

Chuck Matthews: “You two remember the plan, right?”

No answer.

Chuck Matthews: “Alright. Let’s go over this one more time. Only if you feel that the match is in jeopardy do you come out. Got that?”

Chad Mason: “Got it.”

Chuck Matthews: “I haven’t worked this hard to have Corey Casey retire me early. I’m counting on you to ensure that the World Heavyweight Title comes home with me-”

Chuck pauses for a moment.

Chuck Matthews: “Us. Bobby, you know what to do?”

Bobby O’Day: “Yeah, I remember…”

He seems bored. Again.

Chuck Matthews: “And Chad? You remember what I taught you, right?”

Chad Mason: “Shoulder to the gut. If he doesn’t go down, wide steps.”

Chuck Matthews: “Good man.”

Kimberly O’Day: “What about me?”

Chuck stops for a moment. He looks at Chad and Bobby.

Chuck Matthews: “Listen, guys…can you give us a few?”

Chad shrugs, and leaves the room. Bobby stares at Chuck.

Chuck Matthews: “Nothing’s going to happen, Bobby. You have my word.”

Bobby hesitates for a moment, then finally turns and leaves, shutting the door behind him. Chuck looks at Kim.

Chuck Matthews: “I don’t want you out there tonight.”

Kim frowns.

Kimberly O’Day: “Excuse me?”

Her voice is forbidding. She looks disappointed, and it stings Chuck to the core. Whether he wants to admit it or not…he feels bad, trying to keep her from doing anything.

Chuck Matthews: “Listen, Kim…I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”

Kimberly O’Day: “Chuck, I can handle myself. Really.”

Chuck Matthews: “I don’t doubt it for a second. But tonight…I have no idea what’s going to happen. I don’t want to risk it.”

Kimberly O’Day: “But you’ll risk your career?”

Chuck Matthews: “Hey. If I’m gonna take a gamble, it’s only right that I put my own personal gain on the line.”

Kim nods at Chuck.

Kimberly O’Day: “Fine.”

Chuck looks at her. She still seems disappointed.

Chuck Matthews: “I’m sorry, Kim.”

Kimberly O’Day: “I said it’s fine.”

Chuck Matthews: “I don’t want to screw up again.”

Kim doesn’t say anything. There is silence for a few moments. Chuck turns away and opens the door.

Chuck Matthews: “Come on in, guys.”

Chad and Bobby walk into the room. Bobby sees Kim’s expression and glares at Chuck.

Chuck Matthews: “It’s nothing. Go get ready.”

Bobby puts his arm around Kim, and the two leave. Chad stays behind. Chuck looks at himself in the mirror, examining his face. He catches sight of Chad in the mirror’s reflection.

Chuck Matthews: “What do you need, Chad?”

Chad Mason: “You really think this is going to work?”

Chuck turns around and looks at Chad.

Chuck Matthews: “I sure as hell hope so.”

Chad Mason: “You don’t sound too sure.”

Chuck grins.

Chuck Matthews: “Chad, I’ve been in the ring for a while. I’ve been doing this long enough to know when I got a match in the bag, and when I need to tread lightly.”

Chad Mason: “You think Corey can beat you?”

Chuck Matthews: “No. Not alone, at least. But it’s like I said. I’ve been around the block a time or two. I’ve been a part of Salvation, and I know how they work. They aren’t above cheating to keep their precious prophet as World Champion. The way I see it…I’m evening the odds.”

Chad Mason: “We got your back, Chuck.”

Chuck Matthews: “Good man.”

Chad digs through his bag, and pulls out a black mask with an image of a skull on it. Hazard’s mask.

Chuck Matthews: “Chad, what the fuck is that?”

He already knows the answer. Chad smiles widely.

Chad Mason: “Good idea, right?”

Chuck looks at Chad.

Chuck Matthews: “No! It’s a terrible idea! Why would you think that’s a good idea?”

Chad shrugs.

Chad Mason: “I don’t know, man. I thought, you know, it might be funny.”

Chuck buries his face in his hands.

Chad Mason: “So….can I wear it?”

Chuck Matthews: “I don’t care. Yes, sure. Wear it. By all means!”

Chad slaps Chuck on the back, obviously missing the sarcasm.

Chad Mason: “Well then, I’ll see you out there. Well…Maybe not. I hope not. But I don’t know.”

Chuck Matthews: “You can leave, Chad.”

Chad gives Chuck some kind of weird salute and leaves.

Later That Night…

Chuck walks backstage, holding the World Title to his chest. Kim clings to Chuck’s arm, with Bobby and Chad walking on either side. Chuck opens the door to the locker room, waiting for everyone to walk inside before closing the door. There’s silence for a moment, as Chuck looks around at the three faces. Finally, his face breaks into a smile, and he holds out the World Heavyweight Championship.

Chuck Matthews: “Here is your winner…”

Chad Mason: “Chuck Matthews!”

Chuck holds up his hands.

Chuck Matthews: “Thank you, thank you.”

He looks at his reflection, admiring the title draped over his shoulder.

Chuck Matthews: “What do you think?”

Kimberly O’Day: “That is the look of a champion.”

Chuck flashes another smile at his reflection. Blood is caked on his face, a fresh reminder of the battle he just won.

Kimberly O’Day: “You should really get that stitched up.“

Chuck waves her off.

Chuck Matthews: “Bah, it’s a scratch. I’ll bandage it up later.“

He looks back at the three, his smile slowly disappearing for a more serious expression.

Chuck Matthews: “All joking aside…Thanks. You guys really saved my ass out there tonight.”

Chad Mason: “It’s what we’re here for, bro.”

Chuck smiles.

Chuck Matthews: “Thanks.”

He looks at Bobby.

Chuck Matthews: “Bobby…”

Bobby O’Day: “What now?”

Chuck Matthews: “I know you don’t like me. But I really owe you one for tonight. Seriously. You may have saved me my job.”

Chuck extends his hand. Bobby stares at it for a moment, then finally shakes it.

Bobby O’Day: “Eh, you got me the ASWA job. Consider us even. Butthead.”

He throws the last word out, seemingly as an afterthought. Chuck grins.

Chuck Matthews: “Speaking of ASWA…I hear you two are on the card. I think this week, I might have to pay it a little visit.”

Tuesday

Ashley Matthews: “Thanks a lot for coming, dad.”

Chuck smiles. He’s backstage at Sacrifice Wrestling, at Ashley’s request.

Chuck Matthews: “Of course. How’s Nick doing?”

Nick’s been in the hospital, following his match against Mexican Samurai.

Ashley Matthews: “He’s hurting. Bad. He really wanted to come tonight.”

Chuck Matthews: “And why wouldn’t he? You have the chance to become the Women’s World Champion tonight.”

Ashley Matthews: “I wouldn’t let him come. They really got him drugged up. I’m afraid for him.”

Chuck Matthews: “Ah, he’ll be fine. He’s taken more damage than that before. Believe me, I know.”

Chuck thinks back to the days he would spend, beating the life out of Nick, back in the early days of Salvation. He shakes the memories away. Salvation was dead and gone. Time to move on.

Chuck Matthews: “How you feeling?”

Ashley Matthews: “Nervous. But I think I can win.”

Chuck kisses her forehead.

Chuck Matthews: “That’s my girl. Kick some ass.”

Ashley hugs Chuck.

Ashley Matthews: “Thanks, dad. I will.”

Chuck leaves the room, going back to his seat in the arena. He makes his way through the screaming fans, down to the front row. He takes a seat, just as Alison’s music starts to play. A fan next to Chuck looks over at him.

Fan: “Holy shit!”

He grabs the attention on his friend and points to Chuck.

Fan: “Dude, check it out!”

Chuck looks over at the two.

Fan: “Chuck, can we-”

Chuck holds up his hand.

Chuck Matthews: “Tonight isn’t about me. Talk to me later.”

Chuck watches Ashley climb into the ring, smiling at him as she walks by.

Chuck had almost forgotten how talented of a wrestler Ashley was. She and Alison put on a great match, despite poor officiating by Rawrlurb. Hell, for the first few minutes of the match, there wasn’t even a referee.

Ashley flipped Alison over her shoulder, and wrenched at her arm. Alison struggled to get to her feet. Ashley released the hold, allowing Alison back up. Ashley sent a hard kick to Alison’s gut, and tucked her head under her arm. Ashley drops Alison to the mat with the Fallen Angel.

Chuck Matthews: “Yes!”

The fans are on their feet, Chuck included. Ashley drops for the pin. Rawrlurb hit’s the mat. One…Two…She stands up.

Chuck Matthews: “Oh, come on!”

Ashley shares in her father’s frustrations. She gets in the face of Rawrlurb, arguing about her actions. Finally, Ashley turns away, fuming. Rawrlurb smirks, obviously very pleased with herself. Ashley whips back towards her and smacks her across the face. Rawrlurb stumbles back, and calls for the bell. The crowd boos loudly.

Announcer: “Ladies and gentlemen…Here is your winner as a result of a disqualification, and STILL the Women’s World Champion…ALISON WILLIAMS!!!!!”

Chuck shakes his head. Ashley looks over at Chuck, who shrugs, and mouths to her.

Chuck Matthews: “At least you did your best!”

Ten Minutes Later…

Chuck is back in the locker room, talking with Ashley.

Chuck Matthews: “Ashley, it’s okay. So you didn’t win. Big deal.”

Ashley Matthews: “I was so close. I had it!”

Chuck Matthews: “I know you did. Everyone knows you did. It was a bullshit move on the referee’s part.”

Ashley Matthews: “I hate her.”

Chuck laughs. He puts his arm around Ashley.

Chuck Matthews: “You’ll have your time, Ashley.”

Ashley Matthews: “I know…I just thought it would be great. I could win the title the night after you did. We’d be the family of champions.”

Chuck smiles.

Chuck Matthews: “We are a family of champions, Ashley. Ah, so you don’t hold a belt. That doesn’t mean you aren’t a champion. Your fighting spirit? Your undying determination, to wrestling, to life…That’s what makes you a champion. You lost tonight, so what? You fought your heart out. You kicked Alison’s ass. I couldn’t be more proud.”

Ashley giggles.

Ashley Matthews: “You’re starting to sound like Nick…”

Chuck grins.

Chuck Matthews: “You know, he’s always around when I talk to you…maybe it’s starting to rub off.”

Ashley laughs again, and hugs Chuck.

Ashley Matthews: “Dad…can I tell you something?”

Chuck Matthews: “Anything.”

Ashley Matthews: “You can’t tell him I told you.”

Chuck Matthews: “You have my word.”

Ashley bites her lip, and looks around. Nobody’s there.

Ashley Matthews: “I talked to Nick yesterday.”

She seems unsure. Chuck looks at her.

Chuck Matthews: “And?”

Ashley Matthews: “He was going to ask me to marry him.”

Funny. For a moment, Chuck thought that it would be some horrible news, some tragic event that hurt Ashley. But marriage? Chuck sighs.

Chuck Matthews: “I know.”

Ashley Matthews: “How-”

Chuck Matthews: “He wanted my blessing. And my permission.”

Chuck had made sure to give Nick his written consent before Nick and Ashley left last week.

“I, Charles Matthews, the legal guardian of Ashley Matthews, hereby give consent to Nick Ridicule to marry said daughter.”

Without that slip of paper, Nick would have to wait until December, when Ashley came of age.

Ashley Matthews: “He…”

There was that hesitation again.

Chuck Matthews: “You can tell me anything, Ashley.”

Ashley Matthews: “He wants to move to the City of Salvation.”

Chuck nods. He didn’t need to take a guess as to who was behind it. Brenton Cyrus was doing everything in his power to keep Nick under his grasp.

Chuck Matthews: “So what are you going to do?”

Ashley Matthews: “I don’t know.”

Chuck Matthews: “What do you want to do?”

Ashley Matthews: “That’s my problem! I don’t want to be a part of Salvation. I don’t want anything to do with them anymore. Maybe at one time, that’s all I had, and all I wanted…but now…Salvation isn’t the great power that Nick told me about.”

Chuck Matthews: “Isn’t that what I’ve been saying for a while now?”

Ashley Matthews: “But I love him.”

Chuck Matthews: “I know.”

Ashley Matthews: “I love Nick more than anything. He’s my entire world. I don’t want him to leave.”

Chuck Matthews: “You need to do what you feel you need to do.”

Ashley Matthews: “What do you think I should do?”

Chuck opens his mouth to say something, but stops. He knows exactly what he wants Ashley to do…but does he really want to tell her?

Ashley Matthews: “They’ve been talking about this big extermination.”

Chuck Matthews: “I know.”

Ashley Matthews: “If I join them…you become my enemy.”

Chuck Matthews: “Is that what you want?”

Ashley looks at him for a moment, and suddenly breaks into tears.

Ashley Matthews: “No! It isn’t what I want! But leaving Nick isn’t what I want either! I don’t know what to do…”

Chuck holds his daughter close.

Chuck Matthews: “Don’t leave, Ashley.”

There. He said it. He gave his opinion. Now he’ll see how she reacts.

Ashley Matthews: “I don’t want to…But I’m afraid I might have to, or lose Nick.”

Chuck thinks for a moment.

Chuck Matthews: “Ashley…You’re all I have left.”

Ashley Matthews: “What do you mean? You’re the world champion.”

Chuck Matthews: “Who cares? The world title is just a belt. A chunk of gold on a piece of leather. But you’re the only family I have left. Chris and I hate each other. Brenton’s gone and killed himself for some ego tripping asshole.”

Ashley Matthews: “What about Kim and Bobby? What about Chad?”

Chuck Matthews: “They’re great people. But you’re my daughter. You’re more important to me than any belt or any success I can have in that ring.”

Ashley smiles.

Ashley Matthews: “I know what I’m going to do.”

Chuck hugs her close.

Chuck Matthews: “Good girl.”

Chuck glances at the clock.

Chuck Matthews: “Shouldn’t you be getting back to the hospital?”

Ashley looks at the time.

Ashley Matthews: “Oh my god, you’re right. Nick’s waiting!”

Ashley grabs her jacket and heads out the door. She stops in the doorway, and looks back at Chuck.

Ashley Matthews: “Thanks Dad.”

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Chuck Matthews: “Here we go again. Corey Casey against Chuck Matthews, part two. Once again, it’s for the World Heavyweight Championship. The difference is this time, my career isn’t on the line. Good stuff.

Corey, this seems to be an exact repeat of last week…You go, write some shitty piece into the Gospel of Salvation, worship the ground Brenton walks on, kiss some ass for a while, then spend the rest of the week talking about how great you are. Telling anyone that will listen that Salvation is stronger than ever, and that you’re going to be the man to beat Chuck Matthews. Hype the shit out of your ‘literary masterpiece’ that can’t hold a candle to its Chuck Matthews counterpart. Let’s face it Corey. As great as your Prophet Gospel is for entertainment purposes…it just doesn’t compare with the Gospel According to Matthews. Sure, I’m not too proud that I wrote it now, looking back on it. But hey, it converted thousands of followers to Salvation, didn’t it? But that’s not the point. The point is, you write your little gospels, go on your arrogant rampage, and sit there all smug, waiting to see what I have to say about it.

Then, at the end of the week, I strike back, I tell the world my side of things, show everyone what I’ve been up to, and you sit there and laugh it off like it’s nothing. Say you aren’t worried, that you have this in the bag, make some shitty animal joke that only makes sense to you, and spend the rest of the week strutting around, so convinced that you’ll beat me.

That means all we have left to do is wait. Monday will come, you’ll fight your twisted little heart out. You’ll lose, and you’ll spend all next week moping around, wondering why you can’t beat me. Brenton will probably kick the shit out of you again. You’ll beg for another chance…But it won’t be up to you, will it? It won’t be up to Brenton either. It’ll be up to the NLWF faithful. Because, you see, next week is Majority Rules. I have no idea who I’ll be fighting. But I’m sure it won’t be you. I mean…how many times do I need to kick your ass before people start getting sick of watching me do it?

But I suppose you believe otherwise, don’t you? I bet you think this week is going to be different. This week is going to be your week. Because you’re humbled now, right? Isn’t that what Cyrus told you? That he meant for me to humble you?

He’s lying! He came out and attacked me, acted as a bullshit referee, and STILL couldn’t get the job done. Let’s face the facts, people. Brenton Cyrus went to Legends of the Fall in hopes of watching me lose. He wanted to watch me leave NLWF. And just like God of War…he failed. He failed to rid the world of Chuck Matthews. Why did he tell Corey otherwise? Because that’s what Brenton Cyrus does when things don’t go his way. He plays it off like he knew it all along! That’s not being ‘all knowing’ Corey, you dumb shit. That’s lying through your teeth to save face. It seems to be the Salvation way nowadays.

Corey, the thing that annoyed me the most this week was your little comment. How you were…oh, what was it? ‘Trying to figure out how Chuck Matthews upset the hand picked Prophet of God.’

Are you really that fucking stupid?

Corey, do you know what upset means? I just so happen to have a dictionary with me. Let’s take a look, shall we?”

Chuck pulls out a large book, and thumbs through it, finally stopping on a page.

Chuck Matthews: “Ah! Here we are! Upset. Noun. ‘An unexpected result, e.g. in a sports contest or election.’ Or, if you prefer, we can go with the verb. ‘To defeat somebody unexpectedly, e.g. in a sports contest’ blah blah blah, we know the rest.”

Chuck tosses the book away.

Chuck Matthews: “Again, I’m forced to ask…Are you truly that dense, Casey? Come on…Even you yourself said you were the underdog in that match. Everyone and their dog knew that Chuck Matthews was going into that match, his career on the line, and he was going to walk out, World Heavyweight Championship held high. I mean…Seriously. Chuck Matthews defeating Corey Casey isn’t an upset. It’s common sense.

This week isn’t any different.

Corey, look at me. Look at Legends of the Fall. Brenton Cyrus went into his match, and he couldn’t win. By chance, or perhaps by Shadow Demon’s own loyalty, he didn’t lose his job. Then our match. Where everyone expected Chuck to win, to keep his career going, and to become a Triple Crown champion, and end Corey Casey’s World Title run. Do you know why I was the odds on favorite to win, Corey? Because you had no advantage over me whatsoever. You had no previous track record to speak of. The fans weren’t behind you. You were awarded a title, already making you a bullshit champion, and you had no defenses to prove otherwise. You were fighting a three time world champion, a man who’s had one success after another in the ring, and a man who’s famous for pulling through when the stakes are high. With my career on the line, and a chance to make history? The stakes couldn’t have been higher. And on top of all that…You were fighting the smartest man in NLWF. Everyone knew I had a plan. What that plan was, only I could tell you. But people have learned by now. There’s always a plan. Chuck Matthews does not walk into big matches hoping to just ‘wing it.’ There’s always some twist, some advantage I have at all times, one that only I know about. That’s why I win, Corey. Mind over muscle.

It’s like I said before. Shit doesn’t change, Corey. This week is exactly the same. Except…there is one advantage that you may have here. One tiny little bit of information, and one that you’ve already been made aware of. The fact that I’m the defending champion. This time, my track record goes against me, because you see…I’ve never managed to defend a world title. I've retained one, sure. But never able to pick up a win over my challenger.

But shit…that’s what they said about me and Frank Hart, right? That I would never beat him, and he would always be there to one-up me. Remember how that went? I ended his NLWF career.

The way I see it, my title reigns have been like Frank Hart. I needed a few tries. A few tests, see how things went, take my losses, and try again. But in the end…I win the war. I take the small losses. A short reign here, a short reign there. Now it’s the big one. The title that has put me in NLWF’s history books forever. This is the end of my curse, just as my return to the ring was the end of my losing streak against Hart. Corey, you’re fighting a man you can’t beat. A man with everything going his way. I guess all I can say is thank you. Thank you for ending my curse.”