Frauds. Cheats. & Lyinhearts. Oh my! (o2 LH)

[evil]

The arena is filled with rowdy and enthusiastic fans. After the opening theatrics (song/opening video) began to roll for Showdown. The arena is suddenly engulfed into a pitch dark. Many thinking its a power failure. Due to all the pyro and lights going on. Others thought it was old farts like The Avenger or Double S playing light tricks as usual. However, this wasn't the case...

Suddenly. A spotlight begins to shine bright on the titantron. Almost immediately. The fans turn there attention up to the big screen. Where a video of the 'past' begins to play. The crowd reacts positively as the following begins to roll:



As the video closes. Highlighting Chris Lionheart back in his prime. The "Good Ol Days", if you will, of professional wrestling. The video shuts off. Only thing we hear next. Is the voice of Genesis. As he is heard over the loud speakers saying:

Genesis - "That was then... This... is now!"

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Next we see is an image of Chris Lionheart, as we know of him today. Flash on the screen. The crowd reacts with mixed emotions. As the lights within' the arena slowly start to return to normal. As the camera's zoom in and focus on this image of the current Lionheart. The image shatters into pieces like broken glass. As Genesis' theme music & entrance video begins to play.

(OOC: Not exactly what I wanted to do. But, it would basically be Gen's Tribute video mixed with Bush's "Come Down")




Genesis comes dressed in a dark grey suit. With a white shirt underneath the jacket & red tie. Sporting sunglasses. The look seemed to be symbolic to what the crowd was shown moments ago. Perhaps in a twisted way. Genesis coming out dressed like this was his way of poking fun at what Chris Hart/Lionheart has become?

Nevertheless. Genesis stepped into the ring after a few moments. The crowd embraces him on Showdown. As its been the first time since late last year that Genesis has been seen on Showdown television.

As he stood in the center of the ring. Marveling at the crowd. Taking in the reactions as the crowd seemed to welcome him back with open arms. As if he never left them. This reaction wasn't out of hatred towards his character over the years. Nor were the cheers were for his current wars with Lionheart. No folks. It was a reaction deemed for Genesis. A man who commanded respect, honor and integrity. All of which. Genesis was getting here tonight from this capacity crowd.

As Genesis grabbed a microphone. He raises it up to his lips and goes to speak. Only to get cut off by the crowd. As they start chanting.

"One More Match!" *clap* *clap* "One More Match!" *clap* clap* "One More Match!"

To which. Genesis starts to laugh. Odd, how he went from being the most hated wrestler to walk the face of Innovation: Wrestling. To suddenly becoming a welcomed commodity in retirement life. Who would've funk it?

Genesis - "Guys... guys. Settle down. As much as having 'one more match' sounds intriguing? Those days are way behind me..."

The crowd then starts to boo. As Genesis continues.

Genesis - "I know its not the most popular answer to that. But I am a man of my word. When I lost to Double S at Rise to Stardom. I made a vow to him and to the world. That if he were to beat me. I would never wrestle in this ring again. No matter the circumstances. I will not break my promise.

However, with that being said. I am here tonight. Because somebody else (besides me). Who loves to wear a suit & tie nowadays. Had the gawl to come out here at "Aggression". To tell me to my face that I needed to 'prove to him' that I was capable of running this company. In order for me to get this company out of his clutches.

Granted. I know my track record isn't clean. I know that I'm not Sebastian Crowe. I realize that I'm not a seven time former World Champion with a track record that would make me out to be the 2nd coming of Jesus but..."[/color]

Crowd starts to chuckle.

Genesis - "But one thing Genesis is, was and always will be. Is a man who stands up and fights for what he believes in. Throughout all the ups & downs. The one thing Genesis has always believed in without question... has been this company.

I might be brash. Hell, I'll admit it! I'm an Asshole! I march to the beat of my own drum. I'm definitely not afraid to tell anyone off when the opportunity presents itself. If being myself means Chris Lionheart that I don't stand a chance at taking this company off your shoulders? Then frankly... I don't know what you're looking for in a successor.

If its another one of those "Yes Man"?
If it means me having to change who I am?
If I have to get down on my knee's and kiss your ass in front of the world?

Consider all those options null & void. Cause I'm damn sure not a typical White Collar, "Suit & Tie" kinda guy. I'm not a Yes Man. I'm damn sure not an ass kisser. And I'm sure as hell not gonna change who the hell I am. Just to please you, and the Board of Directors!"[/color]

The crowd starts to erupt. As Genesis finishes off this 'first round' of what will likely be a verbal throw-down of epical proportions.

Genesis - "What I am is Genesis, bitch! What you see? Is what you get. I fight for every person who loves & respects this business. I fight for all those men that normally wouldn't get a chance in hell. Because they don't have the right 'look' or 'talent' that most bosses look for. See, I put my faith in people. Why? Cause like me or hate me. I'm a people person. Unlike you, Chris. I don't turn my head and look the opposite direction. Then try to appease the audience when its convient for you.

I'm sick and tired of you always coming in to run this company further into the ground. We' had everyone from Christian MoneyMaker to David Cornell do the same damn thing. Each had there promises of 'change'. Not a damn one of them did any better then you. Then you come along. Take the company over from Mr. No Charisma Himself, Keith Williams. Then what do you do? You change this companies identity? Are you kidding me!?"[/color]

Mixed reaction from the crowd with that last remark. As Genesis starts pacing around the ring. Looking out, and interacting with the crowd with his gestures.

Genesis - "You take an established brand. Flip it upside down, inside out. You change the letters "T.N.B" into "I:W". We go from being about "The New Blood" to "Innovation"? Seriously folks. I love this company more then anything. But even I don't believe we were never all that innovative.

Nonetheless. It bothers me, and disgusts me. That now my history is tied to the corporate bullshit. The smoke & mirrors. You've so unsuccessfully tried to play off in front of the masses.

Chris Hart? Yes... thats right! I said it! I broke the fourth wall and called you by your real name. Since 'Lionheart' no longer exists anymore. Its dead. Just like this company is going to be as long as you continue to run this into the ground.

But ya know..."[/color]

Genesis stops in his tracks. As he scratches his head for a moment or two. Then carries on.

Genesis - "Maybe "Lionheart" isn't exactly dead just yet. Maybe you still are worthy of that name. Only, I believe nowadays. We can change the letters around to more accommodate what you've now become.

How does Chris LYINheart sound to you guys? As in L-Y-I-N-H-E-A-R-T??"[/color]

Gen. asks the crowd. As they cheer & applaud.

Genesis - "Yeah I think so too. Because if you didn't' get the message with the opening videos. Maybe you do now. Chris Lionheart has gone from one of the best in this business. To being a complete representation of the man he used to hate. I used to admire that about you. Because you & I. Back in the day. In our own form. We were so much alike. We were rebels. Hated the system. Then slowly but surely. You started to become part of the system. While I continued to become the renegade that every wrestling promoter & organization grew to hate.

So now Chris. We're at a crossroads, you & I. So how bout you come down to the ring. I'm gonna give you the floor. You tell me. What you want from Genesis? What is it... that I have to do to get you to man up? Put this company on the line. Fight me, and give these people what they've waited to see for seven... long... years!"[/color]

Genesis lowers the mic & awaits for Chris Hart/Lionheart/Lyinheart to come out.[/center]

[Chris Lionheart]

The Wallflower's Empire In My Mind begins to play. Genesis turns towards the entrance aisle, waiting for Lionheart to make his way to the ring. The lights go out once more, and when they come back on we see Chris Hart in the ring, leaning back into the turnbuckle, surveying the situation.

He has his hair tied back into a pony tail once more, and is wearing familiar Lionheart-styled face paint. He is still dressed in his grey suit, although it has been unbuttoned and un-tucked from his pants. He appears to be in-between stages. Stepping away from the turnbuckle, he receives a microphone from a stage hand.

Are we going to do this dance all year long until Rise To Stardom IV? Because honestly I don't know exactly what to say. You say you don't want to re-enter the ring as a wrestler. You don't appear to want to be a manager or a road agent, and help someone else by giving them a little 'rub', or the benefits of your knowledge and experience. You just seem to be coming out here wanting a fight with me because you have tasked yourself with righting the evils around here, and you seem to believe that is me. That seems to me to be all about satisfying what you want. And you want our "fight" to determine the outcome of this wrestling company? I know from past experiences that parking lot brawls and backstage brawls don't last that long, are are pretty damn underwhelming. I think they're stupid, and I don't think that they are a good means of deciding who gets to control a wrestling company...

But this isn't about me, no matter how much you try to make it. You say I want 'yes men', when you and I both know that's not true. I say you always have to be the 'bad guy', to the point where it seems you'll be argumentative about both sides of the same coin, just so long as it's the opposite one that I'm on. The 'breaking the fourth wall' isn't cool, it's played-out and old hat. People who came before you did it bigger and better - "Hi, Ohio!" The whole not liking the direction the company is going-in is just white noise at this point. Adaptation is paramount in business as it is in life. You can't stay the same forever and a day, the fans get bored. The wrestlers get bored and stop coming to work. It's important to have stability, but even having too much of the status quo can be a bad thing. This year we're looking at shaking up the old standbys, like the Pay-Per-View schedule. We're looking to develop new characters, not the old nucleus of guys like you, me, Sylas Styles, The Avenger. We're all old show horses almost put out to pasture, making special appearances at this point. So it's not about the old way of doing things, it's all about new, it's all about us re-innovating like we always did back in the day.

In truth, and I'll be straight with you, I don't know what you would have to do to prove to me that you're in this for the company's benefit, and not your own. And that you're in it for the long run, that in a month or two's time after I put my signature on a piece of paper or a rubber stamp of approval, that you don't go AWOL. Marcus Corven did it in Memphis. David Cornell did it in 2009 and 2011. So did Brandon Payne when he flipped his top at Kim Hunter making an ass of herself trying to throw her husband's power around, which got her nowhere fast. And I know that those three aren't the only failed former authority figures, and they were far from the worst that we've had in our long history. But I have no way of knowing that the Genesis I see before me now is any different, that I would be able to count on him for the long haul, baby, if this scenario came about one way or t'other. Maybe that's something you can shed some light on for me?

If there was someone around that could do all those sort of things for the long haul, then I'd consult them on future plans for the company. I'd have them sit-in on booking and production meetings, and I'd give them real responsibilities. But every time I've done that in the past they've not been able to handle it.

[evil]

Gen. looks out at the crowd then back at Lionheart. Seemingly unimpressed with what he's heard:

Genesis - "So here we go again. Typical Lionheart. Man, oh man. Your getting real good at ducking and dodging those bullets aren't you? You seem to not get it. All I want from you is to be a man. Stand up. Get your crap together. Put something on the line that is near & dear to your heart. Then bring all those things to the table. Lay it all on the line for a fight.

As much as I'd love to have a wrestling match with you? Sorry its not gonna happen. I'm a man of my word. Without repeating myself like a broken record here. Ya know my current situation. You know damn good & well that I can't 'wrestle' anymore. And since your scared of having any type of 'brawls' with me. This is YOUR WAY of getting out of this.

You can rattle on and on about the David Cornell's, the Marcus Corven's, even Brandon Payne who was supposed to be my own successor. Being failures. But you seem to forget about the likes of Christian MoneyMaker, Keith Williams, Sylas Styles, and heck, even yourself. Men who also tried & failed to run this company. Despite the goods they were trying to sale.

All I'm asking is an opportunity. An opportunity you're seemingly unwilling to give me because of this little hidden vendetta with me. Which is why, Chris. I'm giving you a chance to cleanse your soul of this hatred for me. Yet you sit back and give me the typical status quo answers that I've come to expect from suits & ties around here.

Like it or not. I'm this companies last hope. Without me. You might as well put this organization in the file cabinet. File it with the other failures. Like, New Era Wrestling, Project X, Can-Am Wrestling, and so on. Because any success this company has ever garnered. Will forever be clouded and fertilized in piss & bullshit.

At this point. I'm really starting to wonder if this company is even worth saving. I mean... I'll admit Chris. You're wearing me down with all these political excuses and all this other garbage. That I'm starting to care less and less about this company. Because I realize that no one. Especially you. Wants this place to succeed.

Lemme tell you a quick story Chris. Do you realize how it feels to be looked down upon? How it felt to be looked at as a "2nd Class Citizen"? See, that's how I've felt. That my accomplishments here in... fuck it. I'll say it: TNB - THE NEW BLOOD were nothing. That maybe guys like me were a big fish in a small pond. That maybe my skills weren't really being tested enough. Perhaps, I had to be on a bigger stage elsewhere. I had to be in New York. Even Ohio or Toronto back in the heyday.

I've been everywhere and back again. I've had success everywhere I've been. The "Genesis" name is a brand and a franchise. Thanks in my part to my work, and yes, even that of the late Brandon Payne. Who carried the 'Genesis' banner during my darkest hours.

I'm gonna throw you a bone here, Chris. Answer me this. Out of all the TNB "home grown" talent you had here. Name one other guy whose went outside the box. Went to other places, and everywhere he went. He went to the very top. Won multiple championships and earned Legend status'. Hell, some might say. My talents were 'Xtraordinairy' in other places.

Name one other guy who has done any of that, Chris. Because quite frankly? You can't! I'm the biggest success story you've got to come out of this company.

I eat, sleep and breathe this business Chris. Yet... because you hate me so. Or feel that you can't trust me or some other bs. You're willing to let this company continue to fail by your own hand. Or, by the hand of some other moron who likely doesn't know a thing about the business.

So I dunno Chris. You tell me. You bring up these past guys like David Cornell & Marcus Corven. Trying to compare me to them. When there is no comparison. They were Marketing & Radio personalities respectively. They didn't really know a lick about wrestling. Where as I am a pro wrestler. Granted, a brash, take no bs type of guy. A guy that is hot-headed. A guy that isn't afraid to stand up to anyone to tell them how I feel about there work. Rather then sugarcoat things and treat the roster like there my best friends. See, that's not me. I'm about business. You either treat this company as a business. Or, you get out of the business.

Chris... you're the latter part of my last statement. I dunno what it is you truly want from me. But I say right now is good a time as any. To tell the world the truth. That you don't want to fight me. That your scared to lose everything. But more importantly then all that. Your afraid of failure.

Me? I'm not afraid of anything. That's why I'm willing to stick my neck out for this organization that has given me everything in this industry."

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