Cortez/Mason vs Vasquez/Heatwave

[Ryan Cooke]

Good luck to all!

[Heatwave]

Every once and a while rain may decide to make a visit to the Paradise City of Miami, Florida. Well, actually, it rains more in Miami than one wants to think. But while everyone makes a run for cover, there is that one Miami citizen decides to stay out. He enjoys the rain, he believes there is something soothing about the rain that can ease ones soul, as if it was washing away his own sins. That one person is PPW Up-And-Comer, Nicholas Burbank also known as ‘Heatwave‘ to the rest of the WWA and the PPW. Yet, that was a part of him, Nicholas has kept under wraps.

Ashamed?

Far from it. It’s just a side of his career that has long past. Gone the days of the arrogant and cocky attitude, along with it the violent tendencies that went along with it. As time came along, Nicholas realized that it was the attitude or the gimmick it was the skill. Something that he lost after he defected to theSTAGE and forever tarnished what could have been.

Gray clouds seem to cover the sky and smother the sun as rain pours down at a steady pace without signs of letting up in the nearby future, Nicholas continues to walk down the street as if nothing was happening around him and there wasn‘t a care in the world. Wearing a simple white tank top, that has become almost see through thanks to the falling rain, dark blue mesh shorts with the white Nike insignia stitched on the lower leg and his black Nike basketball shoes. His hands are stuffed into his pockets of his mesh shorts as he hands his head low as the water runs over his neck and down his back. Some of the water runs over his face, as he remains silent in his travels where his destination is unknown, but one can easily see where could be headed.

Only after a few silent blocks, he looks up as he sees an empty street basketball court. The chain link nets sway in the gentle breeze as the rain picks up slightly. A lone orange Wilson basketball roll towards Heatwave as he picks up it, twirling the ball on his finger, as if he were a pro. And just to think, he turned down a scholarship to Duke just to play football for Nebraska. He steps onto the court behind the three-point line slowly, eyeing up the double rim that stands ten feet in the air. He dribbles the ball between his legs, as the water spinning off the basketball. He charges the goal with a good bit of speed before stopping dead in his tracks before jumping into air releasing the ball with amazing timing and velocity, as his body leans back. A textbook fade away jump shot. The ball scorched and rattled the chain net with a ‘clink’ hitting nothing but net. He smiled as his feet came back to earth.

He knew he could've gone far by playing basketball.

He knew it.

His parents knew it.

His coaches knew it plus the Arizona Wildcats and the Duke Blue Devils knew it too.

And they all knew it well.

They watched him play in his only year of varsity basketball as a junior, as he ran the court with a Henderson High School record of 56 points that night. But in all honesty, his heart wasn’t in basketball it was with another. It was in football. He adored the passion and the emotion. He loved the contact. He desired the athleticism of it all. Everything about the sport appealed to him. Hence why he became a four-year letterman, a three-year All Region Defensive Team first team, two State Championships, a playoff MVP, and the Nebraska Cornhuskers number one high school top prospect. He surpassed his own expectations by getting a NCAA Championship and a spot on the All-American Team as right-side Linebacker. Drafted in the sixth round by the Seattle Seahawks, Nicholas Burbank was living the dream.

But he would he never though his dream would ever lead him here. He never though, the a lot of men and boys could only wish for. But as fate would have it, he would spend his career in the ring. Ever since his career ending knee injury, he never thought he would be the same, tearing both MCL and ACL in his right knee.. After many surgeries and physical therapy he was able to earn a spot with the Arizona Cardinals and was sent over seas to the NFL Europe where he lead the Berlin Thunder to two championships, but yet it never equaled to a sure-fire contract to the NFL.

Nicholas took a seat at a nearby bench, placing a hand on his right knee, remembering the surgeries and the concerns of him wrestling. Instead he dismissed the critics and stepped into the ring without caution. After that…everything else was history and he hasn’t looked back since. Nicholas continued to sit at the bench as the rain poured down. It seemed that the rain was only coming down on him, as the rest of the city was bone dry. He sighed deeply, blowing some of the water off of his face as it ran down at a steady pace. He raised from the bench, continuing his walk down the Miami streets of the business district.

‘I never looked back since, never. To this day I never will. I don’t regret I things I do or the things that I will do. If I regretted them, I wouldn’t have done them in the first place. It’s a rule I’ve been living by since I could comprehend what the hell it meant. I haven’t made a lot of friends but yet I find myself making more enemies to a point where it seems as if it’s me against the world. And to be honest…I don’t mind it in a bit. But yet, when I was new to the game, I didn’t care at all. I had a purpose…from the NWC to the WWA to the PPW, all I wanted to do was make a impact and instead due to my own greed and my own pride, I found myself falling flat on my face…but I needed that, it knocked me down a few pegs and it was a rather humbling experience to say the least. But through all of it, I find myself in a opportunity to make something out of nothing.”

Nicholas only shrugs his shoulders.

“It’s not the first time…and I’m pretty sure it won’t be the last, so it’s nothing more but water underneath the bridge. So what’s happen now? It’s pretty simple…you do it again. But yet this time…this time, it’s different. This time there is something more than just another match up. No, it’s not the fact that I have go up against J.C. Mason again and it’s not the fact that it’s literally two against two. It’s that fact there is a good chance that I’ll find myself up against yet another former WWA World Champion in C.J. Rowell sooner than later. But why does that matter to me so much? Well, because of that wonderful fond memory of the -last- World Champion in Dark Wolf sits real pretty and I would sure love to add another one to the mental mantle place of mine.”

Nicholas stops at crosswalk and leans on a green light post as he waits for the light change. After few moments the light changes to red as a row of cars come slowly to stops spitting off water underneath. He slowly makes his way across the wet street making it over to the other side safely. He stops at the corner as the light turn’s green and the cars behind him slowly move again before rushing through the rain. He looks around, looking up at a street sign reading: ‘Cross St. and 3rd’. Only a few blocks away to his apartment, he continues to make his trek to his homestead slowly.

‘Big Bad Cortez and J.C. Mason. It seems that Mason is going to get a second dose and what I gave him last week and he's ready to go a second round. And to be honest, I’m surprised that he has even gotten this far, I figured someone would have put his ass through a wall already, but then again…I look around and see what kind of opposition he has to give me on his 'self proclaimed' way to greatness…and sadly enough, there isn’t much. So I guess I get the pleasure of seeing what Mason and Cortez has really got in the tank. But to me…this isn’t about winning, not so much anyway. Win, lose, or draw I coming to bring the pain and I will deliver just like FedEx always on time.”

“Guaranteed.”

“To show the PPW that Heatwave is a contender for any title in the PPW. To show the PPW that Heatwave isn’t some walk-on from the street. To show the PPW, to show J.C. Mason, to show Cortez, Aaron Vasquez…hell the entire roster, that I’m the one who will do anything and everything he has to do anything and everything in his power to make sure that he is one to look out for. Some take this as a joke. They think I’m some sort of joke coming into the ring and they disrespect me continuously or they ignore me. Never give me the light day. Well this time...there will be no more ignoring me. I’ll make a yet another statement that will show that I’m no longer about games in the PPW. This is for real and this is more than personal. This is my life and I won’t stop until that day when there is no more life in me. The world of the wrestling is about to feel something that they have never felt before.’

The rain slowly begins to die down until it stops. Nicholas looks up at the gray clouds looking to have taken a momentary break as he stops in his tracks, opening his hand feeling the last bit of rain drops fall into his hands. Heatwave tilts his head to side as his neck pops loudly. He runs his tongue over his front teeth slowly as he walks inside of the building heading towards the elevator to his Penthouse above the Miami sky. As he disappears the camera slowly fades out to cool color of crimson red.

[gateway425]

We win some and we lose some. Barack Obama made history when he squashed John McCain in the presidental election, and Heatwave made history by defeating JC Mason in the opening bout of Showdown. This week the two square off again but in a tag team match also featuring Big Bad Cortez and Simply Amazing Aaron Vasquez. Will Mason's inexperience cost Cortez a win? Or will Heatwave and Vasquez be able to take advantage of Mason sice it appears as if Cortez's heart isn't in PPW anymore? Only time will be able to answer these questions.

(The scene opens shortly after the opening bout of Showdown. JC is sitting in a chair, head buried in his lap with a towel covering his head. He leans up and looks a little dejected by the loss suffered in his first match.)

JC-(hitting himself in the head) Stupid...stupid...stupid. I can't believe I let that clown just walk all over me like that. He showed me up like the rookie that I am, and I deserved it with that half hearted performance I put on out there.

(JC puts his head back down into his lap. He begins to unlace his boots as his fiance Dolly walks up and kneels down in front of him. She holds his hands and tries to make eye contact.)

Dolly- Cheer up baby. You did your best and you should be proud of that.

JC- Proud? Proud of being made to look like a fool? I went out there and Heatwave carved my ass up like an Easter ham.

Dolly- In all fairness this wasn't Heatwave's first time in a ring. He is a very accomplished wrestler.

JC-(with a raised voice) And how in the hell would you know that?

Dolly- Chill out. There is no need to get an attitude with me. Besides I googled the guy while you were out there. Turns out the guy cut a promo near midnight friday.

(JC gets up and throws the chair he was sitting at the wall. Dolly looks a little mortified at the display of anger from JC.)

JC-AHHHHHHHHHHHH

Dolly- Calm down, why are you screaming.

(JC turns and has a very menacing look in his eyes. He removes the towel from his head and begins to back Dolly into a corner. She has started to cry as he is about to grab her by the throat. A guy wearing a headset reluctantly steps in.)

JC- You better have a real good reason for being in between us.

Headset Guy- I do. I was told to deliver this message to you.

(The headset guy pulls out a folded up piece of paper and hands it to JC. Jay reads it over and a little smirk comes to his face.)

JC- Who gave you this?

(Headset guy doesn't answer.)

JC- I said who gave you this?

(Headset guy tries to vamoose but JC pulls him back and slams him violently into the wall.)

JC- This is the absolute last time I will ask....

HG- Some reporter chick from PPW magazine. She said call her as soon as I give you the message.

(JC crumples up the message and shoves it in the mouth of Headset Guy.)

JC- Did you read the note?

(HG shakes his head emphatically no.)

JC- Good. If I find out you are lying, it won't be good for you.

(The scene fades as JC grabs Dolly by the hand and walk off to a dressing room.)

(The scene reopens with JC running on a treadmill listening to his IPod in Gold's gym. There a few other random people around pretending to work out. A very attractive woman walks in wearing a business suit and heels. She makes a beeline for JC.)

Woman- JC, I am Becki Brown with PPW magazine.

(JC takes his earbuds out.)

JC- Is that supposed to mean something to me?

BB- It should considering the information about you I have.

(JC slides to the back of the treadmill and hops off. He turns around and tries to make a quick exit. Becki gives chase.)

BB- Look we can do this the easy way or the hard way.

(JC stops dead in his tracks and turns around.)

JC- What do you want with me? Are you trying to ruin my career, my life just to further your own ambitions?

BB- Look, I am just looking for the truth. If it is a lie just tell me so and ill let it be. But if its the truth, here is your chance to clear your name, get it out in the open on your own terms.

JC- With all do respect lady screw you. Go ahead and run your little story. Your sources aren't credible.

BB- Ok, I guess Mr. McNamee and Quest Diagnostics are wrong?

(JC hangs his head in shame and just walks out of the gym. As the scene fades.)

[bigbadcortez]

paladinew.angelfire.com/bbc/rp1.htm

[gateway425]

Performance Enhancing Drugs or PED's as the media calls it has the wrestling community on its toes right now. JC Mason's name came to light when PPW magazine reporter Becki Brown sat down with his fiance Dolly to discuss everything with her. Not only did she reveal that he was using but also revealed he is a borderline woman beater. If JC had any endorsements he would surely lose them ala Chris Brown, but the bigger issue is the drugs. When did he start using? Who was his supplier? Has he stopped? In spite of all these distractions JC still has to compete in a tag team match this sunday. Where will his head be?

(The scene opens up inside of a hotel room. We see JC sitting on the bed wearing a nice white and tan timberland button down shirt whith a pair of khakis. He has a bottle of beer in his right hand and a pill bottle in his left hand.
He takes a large gulp of the beer and tosses it in the trash.)

"Great taste, less filling. When is DT going to get here? I want to get this interview over and done with so I can focus on the tag match. I need to prepare for Heatwave and Vasquez. It looks like it might be a handicapped match, if Cortez doesn't return any of my calls. Maybe he doesn't want to be partners with a roid head."

(JC goes and grabs another beer from the fridge, cracks it open and downs it in one drink.)

"I wonder what made that cunt of a fiance do that bs interview with Becki Brown. Is she seeking retribution for all the physical and emotional stress I've caused her over the years? When I see her she is going to have a lot of explaining to do. If she hadn't done her interview I wouldn't have to do this one. I could have kept on living life normally if not for her. I could have just denied everything, now I have to take a different approach."

(Just as JC finishes his sentence there is a knock at hotel door. Jay walks over to find DT and a camera crew there. They walk in and begin to set the camera up.)

DT- JC, I appreciate you giving me this interview.

JC- Well it wasn't really my idea. Shanahan informed me that it was in my best interest to clear the air before this got out of hand.

DT- Well JC that may be for the best.

(The camera guy taps DT on the shoulder.)

DT- Ok we are ready to go ahead. If you could take a seat.

(Both men take a seat across from each other. DT pulls out the latest edition of PPW magazine and gives it to JC. Jay opens it and flips through it.)

DT- Now JC there are always 3 sides to a story, your side, there side and then the truth. Is what Becki Brown wrote in that article true?

JC- Well to tell you the truth I have not read it.

DT- It says that you as a memeber of the New York Yankees farm system you were abusing performancing enhancing drugs. Is that true or do you deny it?

JC- You know what fuck it, I abuse steriods. Is that what you wanted to hear? I had so much pressure placed on me to be the next big thing that I succombed to the pressure. My family wanted me to support them, the Yankees wanted me to be a star, and my fiance wanted the finer things in life. I felt the weight of the universe crashing down on me and needed an edge. I need to stay one step ahead of the competition.

DT- So how did you get mixed up in steriods? Who introduced you to them?

JC- One September I was called up to fill a roster spot and Giambi and Clemens were joking about a special shake McNamae had given them, so I went and a got one from him. He created a monster. That September was the only time I ever got called up and it probably changed my life the most of any event ever before it.

DT- Do you still use?

(JC lowers his head.)

JC-(mumbling) Yes I do.

DT- I can't hear you when your talking to the floor.

JC- I said yes I do, alright. Each day when wake up and hit the gym I take a some HGH. It has just become apart of me. Just like you calling matches is something you do taking steriods is something I do.

DT- What about the anger issues that come along with it. You've been arrested for domestic violence, hit Dolly numerous times...

JC- Lets get something straight I've never hit her. I've shaken her a few times a few throws to the ground but I've never struck her.

DT- Apples and oranges. Its only a matter of time before she is lying about walking into the door or in the hospital because of your abuse.

JC- You know what screw you DT. You don't know me. I allow you an exclusive interview and you want to portray me as a monster.

DT- You yourself said you were a monster.

JC- Get the hell out of my room. I have nothing more to say to you.

(JC gets out of the chair and throws the camera on the ground, DT looks very disgusted as he walks out of the room.)

"A woman beater, huh? Im a fucking man eater. Heatwave and Vasquez are going to feel the rage and anger that has been building up in me. Everything that I wanted to do to that reporter bitch, DT and Dolly will happen to those two chumps stepping in that ring. Hell if Cortez don't come around he'll get some of it to. Shit I don't even need him out there, he can fucking stay home and watch for all I care.

(The scene fades as JC continues to ramble on.)