The Next Cypher: Are you ready for war?

{Embeded YouTube Video}
(July 7,2008 Monday Night Insomnia telecast Date stamped in left corner of Screen)
The AWA logo flashes on the screen as the logo fades a fully packed arena fills the screen. The crowd is getting into it, screaming and cheering. Cash marks holding up signs "The south has risen". Not going Away by Ozzy hits the pa and the crowd pops as the AWA Tron fills with the image of a wolf howling at the moon. Script print fills the screen with the words AWA Co-Manager, Jonathan Porter. The man in question walks out in a red satin shirt, black dress pants, black dress shoes, and his cane supporting that destroyed left knee. Jon has a mic in his other hand, which he holds up to his mouth.
Porter: Good Evening LA. Welcome to the

Crowd: ASYLUM

Porter: It's one week after the hell that was Asylum's Gates, and the landscape has changed. The AWA has it's first champion in the Hillbilly Rockstar, Jason John Cash. Now let's get one thing straight, the Asylum title has been called many things. Revolutionary, inspirational, viscious, but one thing it should not be confused for is the AWA World title. You see the Asylum Championship is Crazy J's very own wicked little twist on a Hardcore title. It's extreme, it's decided in matches that have no rules. We call those matches Asylum Rules matches, and we have one on the card for you tonight. We have a man who has given us alot of trouble during the last couple weeks with cards and phonecalls, Viktor Malkov, who is going to show us this week whether or not he has what it takes to be in the Asylum. He's facing...

Porter is cut off as "Planet Hell" hits the pa. Doug Crashin struts out and stands nose to nose with Porter. He then swipes the mic from the man and raises it up in the air.

Crashin: Malkov is going to be facing the most phenominal, most exceptional MR. INCREDIBLE DOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUGGG CRRRRRRRRRRAAAASSSSSSSIIIIIIINNNN........... CRASHIN. First though I have a bone to pick with you Porter. You want to play your little mind games with me? You want to help this jackass get in to the AWA, well I see your true nature there FANG. A little jealous of the rest of us now that you can't go anymore? Well it's okay, I mean If I had your kind of power I'd flaunt...

Porter snatches the mic back. Crashin's bodyguard comes running out, but AWA security gets in between him and where he's going. Porter just smiles.

Porter: You think I'm doing this to be a dick to you? Crashin If I wanted to make your life a living hell I'd just strap on a knee brace and come down to the ring and kick your ass myself. No, this guy Malkov has been emailing and phoning and sending letters to us for weeks straight now. Every day a new piece of mail hits the AWA mail room with his address on it. So what I want you to do is go down to the ring, take that cocky attitude along with you. I want you to get into that ring with Mr Malkov and I want you to show him why the AWA is going to be the best damn wrestling promotion in history. Then I want you to sit back and heal up, because if you beat him you'll be facing the winner of the Asylum Championship match Next week on Insomnia. Now if you have a problem with that I really don't give a shit, because I never asked you to like me, now did I?

The fans pop as Porter shuts Crashin down. Crashin gets a pissed off look on his face as he mouths "What happens to that man in the ring is on your head, Porter." Crashin and his bodyguard go backstage and Porter straightens his collart returning his attention to the fans.

Porter: Were was I, Oh yeah we have Vincent Milano in a match with newcomer Crafton Sailes. We have Steve Ramone and Sythe vs the Legendary Grave Diggas Taxx and Nailz. We have Staniak vs a Returning Black Bone. Finally the main event. The newly crowned AWA Asylum Champion Jason Cash vs Bulldog Bill Barnhart in an Asylum Rules match for the Asylum Championship. This week is big, the biggest show we've done yet. You're going to be on the edge of your seat folks. Nobody is going to get any sleep tonight because LA is about to experience... INSOMNIA

Porter grins as the crowd goes crazy. Pyros go off as the Insomnia theme blares over the PA. Porter turns around and makes his way backstage.

(*Property Asylum Wrestling Alliance)
{End Video}
You see there, Jayson, that's how you handle the hired help. That's what you do when they get in your face. You don't treat them like adults and try to reason with them. Andre has already shown he's only out for himself. He isn't about to let anyone tell him what to do. He thinks he runs the place because he can intimidate people. Intimidating spineless weaklings is easy. Intimidating a person who doesn't give a shit? Well that's a different story. You're a decent GM Jayson, but you really seem to lack balls, and you're not going to find them in a tall glass of whiskey. I should know, I've done that too.

Don't get me wrong. I don't think you're doing a bad job. I think you've got your finger on the pulse of what people want. The problem is you like pairing up unlikely combinations to give it to them. You already know the history between me, Sven, and Max. It wasn't even two weeks ago that Max triend to insure I wouldn't make it to the Rising Stars battle royal. Obviously Andre doesn't think highly of Jack, of course I don't think Andre doesn't think highly of anyone other than himself. What he forgets is that this is all business. I'm all about business. That's why when I saw I was paired up with Sven again I didn't make a big stink. Sure I have some issues with what Max tried to do to me. I'm a business man though. I can put those small issues aside and fight for what I want. I can move past my misgivings, because I can come back to those issues later. What I can't do later is win the match this week without Sven and Max.

Let's cut through the usual bullshit and move on to the main point here. Andre Holmes is pretty damn fucking good at what he does. That's why he's got a big ass ego. That's why he thinks he can intimidate whoever he wants. It's why he believes his shit doesn't stink. Meanwhile you have his partner this week, Jack. I've battled Jack, he's got talent. He's got a real future. These two guys are going to be a real challenge, even if one of them doesn't want to work with the other. I want to work with my partner. I want to give every effort to this battle, because we need to show the rest of the roster that the two of us are going to be big around here. Now I know I'm 2 and 2 around here in reality I'm 1 and 2 in singles matches and 1 and 0 in tag matches. It's not for lack of talent. It's not for lack of trying. Every single match I've been in has been one where I'm going in blind against people I've never faced off against before, or I don't know the history of. I KNOW how good Holmes is, I know how good Jack is. I know I can't be picky when I've been assigned a tag partner like Sven. Especially since I can count on Max to be as vicious as I am. What I can't count on is him doing something off script and deciding that he needs to take me out again. I think I can keep that from happening because as a successful business man I know something about what's called Diplomacy.

You see, Andre, Diplomacy is when you're cornered by a pit-bull and you say nice doggie, while reaching for a rock. Diplomacy is swallowing your pride and doing what you're paid for, riding out your time, and collecting the rewards afterwards. Diplomacy is taking the opportunities you think are beneath you and turning them into a success. Negatives to positives, you know all that Tony Robbins life coach bullshit. What you're doing is making a big fuss and calling out the boss. Crying like a baby and wanting to be treated like a superstar because you think you deserve it. Here's a proposition for you, big guy. If you don't want to tag with Jack, just don't show up that night. Stay home. Lose face with the fans. Take the loss. Eat the shit sandwich as it were. That will show them won't it. That will teach the "Evil" Jayson Price that our "Hero" Andre Holmes won't stand for this mistreatment. In other words, take your ball and go home. It worked for many a superstar in the past. Hell you could even say it's because you're being mistreated. I don't care, It will just hand me and Sven the win by forfiet because they aren't going to let Jack wrestle a tag match by himself. This little tirade you threw on Twitter? Well it makes you look so professional.. Oh wait. It doesn't.

(North Pacific Wrestling Academy. Seattle Washington)

It looks for a moment as if there are two Jonathan Porters. The one on the right is wearing the well known black leather jacket, white wife beater shirt, and black jeans that are the in ring gear of The True Immortal. The other is wearing a white button down shirt with a blue version of the Cross of the Wolf on it. The two are walking through the Academy's training area towards the weight room. The one in white turns to the other.

"So it's not as easy as the AWA was, huh?" He says.

"It's just going to take me some time to get acclimated, Jacob." Fang says "Just like I had to get used to the level of challenge in the GWA. It's always going to be like that when starting over. The reason it was easier in the AWA is because I knew all the faces from my days in the working for Al and Grinder. I'll get there. Damn."

"What is it, bro?" Jacob says.

"Just feels like I'm saying the same thing over and over when I talk about this." Jonathan replies. "Every week someone asks me or tells me that it's not the AWA. I know that. I've covered that. Over and over again. It's not the place I called home for nine wonderful years. It's not the place I helped nurture into an international juggernaut. It's not the place that I watched slowly fall into mediocrity and finally plumment into darkness. The UCI is a whole different animal. It's level of competiton is constantly changing. It's what the AWA was back in 2011 when we were really hitting our stride. It's young and full of energy and talent."


Jacob smiles. He knew his twin had been struggling with the closing of the federation. He knew how much he hated the Commision for shutting it down. He also knew how hard Jonathan had lobbied and paid to keep the Academy alive. Jonathan had to make a choice. Help their brother Gerritt keep the AWA going, or keep Bill Cromwell's dream alive. Jacob looks over to a picture of the man on the wall. Under the picture is a plaque "In Memory of William "Bill" Cromwell, mentor, savior, friend. 1955-2013"

"And you want to get a foot in the door there so that these kids can to." Jacob said "You're to nice sometimes, Jon."

"Only outside the ring." Fang grins "Inside the ring I become a monster."

"Don't remind me." Jacob said "I remember the time I tried to destroy everything you built. Still can't believe you forgave me and gave me this place to run."

"We're family," Fang smiled "Besides it wasn't that you were bad at it. You just needed a little mental help. What you did, you did because you weren't yourself. Family has to take care of each other."

Fang looks at the machines. He sees all the students working out. Pumping iron or working on the bikes. Jacob and Jon walk into the hanger sized room with the rings set up as many of the former stars he used to work with are helping teach the next generation of performers. He remembers back a few months ago when this all almost went away.

(The not so distant past.)

The board room is dark. Six men in grey Brooks Brother's suits sit at a long table. Jonathan Porter sits at a smaller table with his wife Brenda next to him. The difference in affluence between him and the six men across for him is obvious. Porter has the money, these men though have the backing of the United States government. These men are the Commission. Since The Wav3 happened, these are the six assholes who get to decide who stays and who goes in the professional wrestling industry.

"Mister Porter," The man center left says "We called you here today to talk to you about your involvement in the Asylum Wrestling Alliance."

"Yes," Porter says "I'm well aware of that." 

"You started there as a co-general manager," The man says again "Then came back as a wrestler. Your half brother Gerritt. Them man known as Goth ran the place didn't he? Don't you think that was a conflict of interest?"

"No," Fang replies "Many small wrestling territories had family members working side by side together. In fact there was a territorial company called the American Wrestling Alliance that's sole purpose was do that the owner's son had a place to be champion. There's just as much story telling in pro wrestling as there is competition."

"You became a multiple time champion." The man says "A five time International Champion, and a two time Universal Champion. Is that correct?"

"Yes," Fang says.

"Was it because of your brother's help?" The man asks

"I don't think you understand the business we're in, Sir." Fang says. "We're athletes and storytellers, but the AWA was a real combat sports federation. Sure there were times I was aligned with my brother and he helped me win matches. There were also times I fought against my brother and his authority. It's the way it goes. I do what the story calls for."

"Mr. Porter," The man on the far right adds in. "This commission is trying to decide which companies are above board. Which companies should be given a liscen...."

"Let me stop you right there." Brenda chimes in. "You've been formed because people believed the lies and propaganda of a bunch of people who think that getting rid of violent sports was going to curb crime and violence in society. Much like when they thought getting rid of legal alcohol was going to end public drunkenness. The same misguided mindset that continues to try and legislate morality. This commission was made up because that law backfired and there were riots in the streets. So instead of creating a new underworld of fighting where people weren't safe, they decided to give you the power to decide who can fight and who can't. We're not here for any high and mighty moral purpose. The government is just covering their ass because they knew they made a mistake and now Gerritt's company is on the chopping block. It doesn't have enough revenues to pay the operating fee, so your shutting it down. That's the long and short of it. You want to extort some cash from Porter Industries to see if we will help keep it going. The problem is, Gerritt already told us he doesn't want us to do that."

"Where will your husband go?" The man in the middle asks again.

"He'll do what he always does." Brenda grins "He'll go to a place he likes and he'll succeed. Are we done here?"

"There's still the question of the North Pacific Wrestling Academy" The man on the far left chimes in. A greedy gleam in his eye.

Jonathan sneers and looks directly at him. He stands up and walks over to the man at the table. He leans in real close. The man begins to sweat and he gets nervous. One of the security personnel begins to move forward. Fang pulls a piece of paper out of his suit pocket and slams it down hard.

"That should be enough to keep you out of my hair for a few years, Yes?" Fang says

The man picks it up and looks at it. His eyes boggle. He nods his head.

"More than a few years, Mr. Porter." He says "You are free to go."

The Man in Black and his wife get up and walk out of the office. They continue down the hall. Brenda opens her mouth.

"We could have just bought them out," She says "We could have ended this and freed the world from it."

"And then what?" Fang says "Fall back into the madness that happened a few months ago? People killing each other in the streets because they can't watch us beat each other to a bloody pulp. The little people don't care who get's hurt as long as they get their fix, hun. They're brains have been altered. They need the endorphine high of watching other people destroy one another. It's like I always said it is. We are the only way these people get to escape their pathetic lives and be conquerors, gladiators and warriors. We suffer and bleed so that they can revel in our destruction. I already know my fate. I've accepted it."

"I just don't want you dying in that ring," Brenda says

"Why do you think I'd pay any price to keep Bill's school open?" Fang says "When I can't go anymore I will end this. I am building an army as we speak. I need to spread my reputation to new federations so that when I unleash those kids out unto the world, The Wav3 will look like a minor bar brawl. WE WILL end the Commission's death grip on this sport. It WILL be pure again. It will take time though. It may even take the rest of my life. For Bill, For Gerritt, and for the future generations that are to come, I will rebuild what has been lost. I have to do this my way though. Keep running Porter Industries for me so that I can focus on the task in front of me."

"You know I will, my love." Brenda smile, but the look of worry hasn't left her face. "You'll always have the support you need. Bill was a good friend and saved the one thing I care about most in this world. You."

The couple stops in front of a blood red limo and they kiss. The driver comes around and opens the door. The two of them get in and the limo drives off.

(Present)

"Hey, bro," Jacob says bringing the Man in Black back into reality. "Off in space somewhere?"

"No," He replies "More like drifting off in time."

"Well come on," Jacob grins "You said you wanted to spar with some of the best here. They all were real excited to jump in the ring with you even if it is only practice."

The True Immortal smiles as he looks over at the ring. One of the one's Fang salvaged from the AWA. In fact the three rings in this space were all rings that were salvaged from the wrestling promotions he'd been in. Bill salvaged the GCW ring, but Grinder had gifted the GWA Ring to the school, and Fang had the AWA one brought in recently. Each ring was slightly different. Each ring had different proportions, different rope tensions. The idea was to teach the students to be able to ply their craft in any ring they set foot in. Fang grinned as he walked into the AWA ring.

"Okay," Fang said "This may be sparring, but don't think I'm going to go easy on you bitches. Jacob get the first guy in here and ring the damn bell"

(Hours later)

Fang is sitting in a locker room. Sweat still pouring off his body. His shirt soaked. He's huffing and puffing, but he's got a big grin on his face. He then looks at his phone and sees a twitter message from Sven.

"We good" it says

Fang types a response back.

"I'm a businessman and this is business, We're Peachy." it says.

A few seconds later that response comes back.

"Cool, I've got no problems with you, but stay out of Max's way, Alright?" It says

Fang snickers a bit and puts the phone down. He looks up and sees the camera. He nods a bit as he towels off. Patting himself dry.

"That kid's a cheeky bastard," Fang says "He's got balls though. Just hope someone doesn't try to kick them into his throat. Then again I get where he's coming from. He tries so hard to control his darker side. His darker side just won't listen though. At first I thought it was jealousy, now I just think it's Max being Max. Max seems to just love violence. I'm all about violence myself, but violence for violence sake just gets sloppy and unmanageable. It's why the wrestling industry is in the shape it's in now.

I think you misunderstood me when I said you need to work together, Sven. I never said you had to combine your personality with Max's. I said you need to work together. One of you has to be the king and the other has to be the horse. Max isn't stable enough to be the King. He's wild, unpredictable, and could fly off the handle at any moment. Then he talks about being your brother. He's you Sven, you're both you. One of you is the dark things that hide in the shadows and the other is the boy scout who wants to be good. If you don't assert yourself soon, Max is going to have more and more opportunities to be the King and you, you'll end up the Horse. So this is YOUR warning, Max. Keep your intentions focused on the right people in that ring or you're going to see why they call me the Wolf God."

The True Immortal gets up. He walks over to a chest cooler that's sitting in the corner. Lifting the lid he reaches in and pulls out a Gatorade. He opens it and chugs it, taking down half the bottle. Some of the drink comes out the corners of his mouth and runs down his chin. He wipes that off and sets the bottle down.

"We've got a lot to do this week, Sven," Fang says " We have two very talented opponents in the ring with us this week. Two men that if they worked together they'd become unstoppable. That's not going to happen though, because one of them is so unwilling to work things out the way he should. Andre, you just don't get it do you. You don't get a say in who they book you with. You're just a dancing monkey for Jayson Price the organ grinder. HE PLAYS YOU DANCE. It's as simple as that. Or you can sit and home and wonder where your damn career went. At least that's how things would go if I was in Jayson's shoes. Oh and I have been in Jayson's shoes.

You think he's got it easy. A cushy office job with nobody to answer to. He's got those blood thirsty, violence addicted fans to answer to. They want ENTERTAINMENT. They want to see the four of us beat each other senseless. They want blood and conflict. They want the good guys to win and the bad guys to lose. They want everything, and they want it now. You think those fans give a shit about you're ego. That they care about you not wanting to dance with the partner you've been given. They saw a great team get a victory despite not wanting to work together. You on the other hand just see a situation that you don't want to be in. You see a guy that you don't respect and you want to be as far away from as possible. So you rant and rave about it. You piss and moan about it. You go off on social media about it. NOBODY BUT YOU CARES. You want a better partner, take the fucker out. Make sure he can't wrestle beside you. Jayson will either not book you or put you with someone else. Thing is with your attitude you won't like that guy either. So here we are, into this match. Me, Sven and Max are going to bring it to you. Will we win? Don't know. Will we make sure you know we are there? Yes we will."

Fang drinks down the rest of the bottle. He tosses it into a recycling can. He then tosses his sweat soaked towel into a hamper. He walks into the shower area and you can hear water turn on. He walks back out into the door way of the shower area. Steam is already beginning to fill in the area behind him.

"Then there's Jack." Fang smiles "I didn't think I'd get a chance to face him again so soon, but here he is. I'm kinda looking forward to getting into that ring against you again. Though I really wish it was just you and me. It's alright though I'll do what I need to to make sure I get my hands on you one on one real soon. You've been doing really good for yourself though. I mean you got yourself a great partner, even if he doesn't want a damn thing to do with you. You're new BFF became the Rising Stars Champion. You took a draw instead of a loss in your second match here. It's impressive how good you actually are, man. I was wrong about you. Don't let that go to your head though. The only reason you beat me is because you were able to capitalize on one mistake. You got lucky? Nah, no such thing as luck. You noticed the moment. You were observant, and you took advantage. You seem to be the type that's good at finding the moments to take advantage. I see places where you and I are alike. We're both opportunists. You're opportunity against me just sprung up before mine against you did. I'm not going to fault you for that. I don't like losing though. Oh I really don't like losing. So that means I'm going to have to work on showing you up. I'm going to have to find a way to get that loss back, and improve on my record here. Well lucky for me I'm undefeated in tag matches here in the UCI, then again, Jack, so are you. The difference. Well my partner, at least one side of him, is willing to work with me. Willing to talk to me. Willing to communicate with me. There won't be any blind tags on our side. In fact I plan on calling Sven up and meeting up with him sometime this week so we can go over some strategy for our match against the two of you.

Since one of you is ego driven, it won't be hard to drive a wedge between you. In fact I've already started haven't I. So how does it feel for your own tag partner to not want to deal with you, Jack? Doesn't that piss you off? Doesn't it make you angry that he thinks you're beneath him? And I don't mean in the way that excites you, Jack. I mean he thinks you're inferior and that tagging with you is a waste of his time. He thinks that he'd be better off teamed up with someone else or no one at all. Seems pretty sad to me. Of course he could just be going all Tsundere on you and he may actually want you to be by his side. I doubt that though, seeing the stink he raised about it to Price on Twitter. There was a time in my career where I just wasn't good enough to stand on my own and I needed a tag team partner to elevate me. Out of the three men I won championships with, two of them I would team up with again, and one of those was my brother Goth. Andre has the chance to take a man who CAN stand on his own and make a damn fine championship winning team out of it and yet his ego tells him he doesn't need you. You'll try and convince him. I can tell you right now there's no way that's going to work. Your partner has made up his mind. He doesn't want or need you. He doesn't think you're worth tagging with. Maybe he doesn't want to tag with anyone. Maybe he thinks he just needs to be his own man and wants a shot at the World title. I could see that happening. I could see him not wanting to be "Held Back" by anyone."

Fang pulls his shirt off. His chest and belly are bared and the scar he got years ago in Africa is running down his abdomen. He unbuckles his belt and slides his jeans off. Fancy Jockey boxers are underneath. He reaches off camera and grabs a shower kit and towel. He looks back to the camera.

"This week I have an uneasy alliance with Max and Sven." Fang says "But it's still an alliance. There's some unfinished business between me and the darker side of that man's character. That will get settled in due time. This week though I'm focused on a better showing against YOU, Jack. I'm also focused on show an egotistical fool his place in the grand scheme of things. There's a war coming, guys. A war I plan on leading. We're going to take back our industry from those who wish to profit off our hard work. You can be with me, or against me. You can try and stand in my way. Just remember there will be a train coming through, don't be dumb enough to stand on the tracks. I've got resources that would make your mind swim. I've got connections that make Mayor David Sanchez look like a bit player. I'm the real deal when it comes to money and power. Before my plans can come to fruition I need to make sure my legacy is secured and my name is never forgotten. Every performance, every match, every win and every loss has been geared towards what I plan on unveiling to the world in the near future. You're either going to stand with me, or you're going to stand against me. Believe me I can make you disappear. Ragnarok IS coming. That's not just a silly catch phrase. The end and the rebirth of the world we know. I AM THE WOLF GOD. I AM THE WOLF WHO ATE THE MOON. My coming DOES HERALD THE END OF TIMES. I am UNTEATHERED.

I have the measure of this place, I know what I need to become. Win or lose this week my plans have already been set in motion. The UCI is in for an awakening, and NEW BEGINNING. The Wav3 has come and gone, but the battle for our industry has only just begun. This week Andre Holmes and Jack Schlongson become sacrifices of blood for the new rebellion. I SHALL set us free from the control of The Commission, and wrestling will be GREAT AGAIN."

Fang walks into the steam. The boxers fly back out onto the ground and the scene fades.


*All content from the first part of this RP is used with permission of Andre Holmes and Jayson Price.
**The AWA segment comes from the July 7, 2008 Insomnia opening segment written by Merrill Davis (Me)