Dusty Griffith vs Jake Rockwell

[Ryan Cooke]

Good luck to both!

[rockwell]

[It's a bit difficult to tell how many beers Jake Rockwell has gone through as the camera opens. He's sitting on a tree stump next to a pile of logs chopped up for firewood--his own handiwork, judging by an axe propped up against the edge of the wooden wall. More than a few empty black bottles are nestled in the ridges at the top of the stack, and a few empty six-packs marked "Alaskan Smoked Porter" line the base. Some of the stray bottles have more sun-dried labels than others, but judging by the way Rockwell teeters on top of the log at least a few of them are from today.]

Rockwell: [swinging beer bottle between thumb and forefinger] That, my friends, is a reception worthy a legend.

[Rockwell goes for a sip, seems to come up empty, and tosses the bottle over his head, where it lands atop the firewood. Clearly he's had some practice making this shot.]

Rockwell: You see that, kid? No fuss, no delay, an instant, high-profile PPW Heavyweight title shot. That's what reputation gets you--that, and avoiding poor Heatwave's mistake of not taking it up with Shanahan directly.

[Smirk.]

Rockwell: I don't know, kid. Maybe I'm just getting forgetful in my old age, but I don't remember the ref holding that belt up before your little match on Showdown. Even after I called "the fighting champ" out, the best you could muster was you'd defend the title "if Derek deems it so"? You might as well have said "if Derek deems it so all on his own--I'm not asking him!"

[Rockwell roots through a six-pack, lifting the bottles in an attempt to find one still weighted down with Porter.]

Rockwell: You expect me to believe you couldn't have gone into Shanny's office, or even had a conference with the ref, and got that belt on the line? No--it's easier to say "oh, sure, I'm willing to put the belt up, as long as the boss thinks it's a good idea!" Trying to have the best of both worlds, kid? Trying to make it seem like you're a fighting champion without all the hassle of, well, fighting?



Rockwell: Of course, you'll probably tell yourself "I'm still on top--I beat Heatwave, didn't I?" But did you, kid? You beat a deflated, unmotivated Heatwave who was told he it didn't matter if he won or lost, the match wouldn't count. There's a fire that gets lit under you when you're just a fall away from the gold. Were you afraid you couldn't put it out? I'd think a "fighting champ" like you would be chomping at the bit to rack up successful title defenses, not meaningless non-title exhibitions.

Speaking of that, isn't it ironic that my first PPW match will see me in a non-title match? Of course, Dusty's got an excuse--he's part of a tag team, not the alleged top singles competitor in the promotion.

[Sip.]

Rockwell: But I guess taking down one champ in advance of another is as good a warm-up as any.

[Rockwell continues to nurse his drink and laugh to himself as the camera fades to black.]

[James]

"Jake Rockwell."

[Begin the fade.]

"Let me repeat that."

[The visage of one Dusty Griffith becomes clear.]

"Jake... Rockwell."

[The other half of the PPW Tag Team Champions is set down in front of a large Pure Pro banner in all of it's green and blue spiffy neato glory.]

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't just a little giddy right now."

[Indeed, the Summer Games IX winner and former PNW Heavyweight Champion is in fact broadcasting that familiar expression.]

"So giddy in fact that it's taken my mind off of the never ending dramatics with Team ELITE."

[It's the sort of body language that shines through when a great challenge lies ahead of him. The same that exuded from him when he took on Victor Mandrake.]

"I mean... Let's just say it's been a while since I've had an opponent one on one that actually made me stop and think..."

[It's what he lives for.]

"It's the sort of opponent that reminds why I love this damn game. Because it's been an even longer while since I've had a chance to step up to the challenge and prove something."

"You see, it's an opponent like you Jake that gets me going. You're a certified legend of the NWA and now you've come back to Pure Pro."

"My home."

[Snorts, thumbs his nose.]

"And knowing you've been out of the picture for a long time..."

[Slight pause.]

"A long time."

[Echo?]

"I won't hold it against you."

"You come in here, immediatelly getting by on your name and that's cool."

"It's just fine by me. You've earned it."

"It's even okay that you don't know who I am."

"After all, you haven't been around in a while."

"I'll spare you the dick waving and bitchy don't you know who I am schtick."

"I'd rather get it done in the ring anyway."

[He bears his teeth with a grin.]

"Besides..."

"I'll gladly educate you about who I am and what I am all about when it's you and me in the ring."

"And the first thing you're going to learn?"

[He leans in.]

"Don't look past the present so you can get a better look at the future."

[End.]