"Blockbuster" CJ Rowell(c) vs Demetrius Burrell

[Ryan Cooke]

This is the Redemption Main Event for the PPW Heavyweight Championship!

Good luck to both!

[demetrius]

Contender:
1.to struggle in opposition: to contend with the enemy for control of the port.
2.to strive in rivalry; compete; vie: to contend for first prize.
3.to strive in debate; dispute earnestly: to contend against falsehood.

“ Recently in my career I have always been that guy that has come up short , I have had close calls. Being so close to winning the big one but something always happens that I don't get the job done. The most recent being in Pro Wrestling: Summit where I believe in my heart of hearts that if it wasn't for the interference from Team Elite member Daniel Corey, I would have walked out the new Summit Champion. But it's like the saying goes, the show must go on. And go on it shall. I am still a contender for the PPW Championship, Hell I am the number one contender, I let one chance at glory past me by and I refuse to let another one slip through my hands. It's now or never . I either make my mark and become the champion. Or else I go back to being number two and nothing more then a contender.”

(We with the “Main Attraction” Demetrius Burrell standing in the middle of his trophy room, he paces back and forth as he looks at the trophy's and belts that he has collected in the years. You would think that he would be happy but he has a frown on his face.)

“You would think that looking at all of this stuff I would be the happiest man alive , to be able to say that I have achieved all of these honors in many of the things I have done in my life time.”

(Demetrius now stands still as he looks across the room.)

“To say that I am not proud of what I have done would be a lie. I am actually extremely proud of what I have done, but still I feel empty I feel like I am incomplete. Feeling incomplete has been something that has bugged me for the past few years.”

(Demetrius's frown grows deeper now as he walks towards his collection of accomplishments.)

“ I have done so much in my life. I have done things that a man would say that he could die happy and not have one single regret in this world.”

(Demetrius now at his collection reaches forward opening one of his trophy cases and pulling out a trophy that has basketball player on top of it. He looks at it for a moment and a slight smile comes across his face.)

“Back in high school, I was an amazing basketball player if I say so myself, gaining the rights to be called player of the nation a few times. Even being interviewed on some sports stations, back then it was a dream come true. That was something at that moment in time that I wanted. To be noticed for my skill and ability in the sport that I loved.”

(Demetrius puts the trophy back in the case and shuts the door, he stands there for a moment before clearing his throat.)

“ I had the chance to play college ball, but I turned it down. I didn't think that the sport was what I wanted to do with my life, dribbling a ball up and down a court on consecutive nights. It just wasn't for me anymore.”

(Demetrius turns and walks to his left coming to a trophy case that has a few replica titles in it. He smiles once again, as he stares at them.)

“I was at that point in my life that I wanted something a little more challenging, hell I wanted some more physical. I mean don't get me wrong I am not saying that playing basketball wasn't a challenge, and that there was nothing physical to it. I was just missing that thrill.”

(Demetrius lets out a sigh.)

“It was right then and there that I knew wrestling was something that I wanted to do. To be able to walk in front of a bunch of people and hear them screaming, hollering and yelling your name. That was the thrill I was looking for, that was the thrill that I needed.”

(Demetrius smirks a bit.)

“ I gave up basketball and I began training to be a wrestler, I can't even remember how long I trained before I had my first match, but I can say this, when I had that first match and I was out there in front of those crazy fans I knew that I found my calling in life, I knew that I was doing what I should have been doing all along.”

(Demetrius walks over and opens the case he pulls out a title that reads RWF Pro Champion, he looks at the title and a little hint of joy comes across his face.)

“This right here was the first title I ever won in my career, I was young still very green in this business and I had a chance of a life time. I had the chance to win some gold. Sure it was only the 3rd tier title in the company, but to me it meant the live and chance of a life time.”

(Demetrius takes the title and holds it to his waist.)

“It looked good on me back then and it still does now.”

(Demetrius chuckles.)

“ At that time I was just thinking that winning a title and any title would mean that you are the shit. I walked around in the back like my shit didn't stink, hell I didn't care I was a fucking champion. Until I was brought back down into reality. I lost the title in my first defense, to a man that I am not ashamed to say deserved it more then I did, He wasn't worried about the extra money that the title would bring he wasn't worried about being able to carry a few tons of gold around his waist, he was just happy that he made his mark in the business.”

(Demetrius frowns as he puts the title back in it's rightful spot.)

“ After that loss, I was down on myself, hell I wasn't sure if I ever wanted to wrestle again. I had the thrill I wanted, I had something to show for it in the title, what the hell else did I need from this business. What else did I need to do?”

(Demetrius clears his throat once again before setting his eyes on another set of titles.)

“ I sat at home for a few months, hell it might have even been close to a year, I lost myself I wasn't motivated at all, I found myself a steady job. I was fending for myself pretty damn well, until one day the business came back and kicked me in the ass .”

(Demetrius still with his eyes set on the titles shakes his head.)

“ The Wrestling Midwest came knocking on my door, and told me that they heard of me and told me that they seen some talent in me and would love to sign me to a contract.”

(Demetrius smirks.)

“ I thought it over and I ran with it, I signed my name on the contract and I was apart of there company. I did it cause truth be told, I missed the sport, I missed the fans and I missed the challenge that it brought into my everyday life.”

(Demetrius now opens the trophy case.)

“The WMW opened a lot of doors for me. All these belts here are titles that I have won in that company, Tag, Midwest, Ace Superior, all titles that had their own meaning.”

(Demetrius now reaches in the case grabbing a title that reads WMW Great lakes champion. He slings it over his shoulder and pats it.)

“ This title right here I guess you can say is the only major title that I have ever won.”

(Suddenly a look of frustration comes over the gentle face of Demetrius.)

“Well at least I thought it was the big one. I would win this thing 3 or 4 times, and so would a few others. This title was passed around so much that it meant more to win the secondary title then to win the big gold in the company.”

(Demetrius shuts the trophy case, he takes a good look at it one last time and turns his back as he begins to walk away.)

“ It was then and there as I watched the title slowly down grade by champion to champion, that I realized that not once have I set out to accomplish what I set out to do in this business to begin with.”

(Demetrius continues to walk as he comes to his desk and by his desk is a trash can.)

“ I have tried in other companies, but I could never fill that void, There is a whole other case I could show that have belts from my ventures in the SWF, AWA and WCWF, sure the competition was great, and sure it was nice to be in companies where the titles actually meant a damn. “

(Demetrius looks at the Great Lakes title again.)

“Not once though did I win the big one, I was always a contender, I've always been an inch away from winning the grand prize, but I always seem to come up short.”

(Demetrius now removes the title from his shoulder, He holds it over the trash can and looks at it.)

“To truly say that you have won the grand prize you need to beat someone that people know, someone that has made a mark in this industry not only in one part of the world but all over. You also need to win a title, that has some meaning to it, a title that has eyes on it.”

(Demetrius sighs.)

“ I didn't do that in the Wrestling Midwest, I thought I did until I realized that it truly was nothing but the small time, and now Rowell this is where you come into the picture.”

(With that said Demetrius drops the Great Lakes title into the trash.)

“ Rowell, you took away my chance to really make my mark in this business, sure PPW right now is small, but the eyes that have been on it and the praise that it has been getting since it has opened it's doors is of the likes that I have never seen before.”

(Demetrius still staring at the trash can. Shakes his head.)

“ You robbed me of the very thing that I have been wanting my whole career, and that is to be the top guy, and not just another contender on the roster.”

(Demetrius rubs his eyes as he is clearly frustrated.)

“ Sad, thing is Rowell. I respect the hell out of you , I respect everything that you have done in the wrestling world, and everything that you have to bring to the table. As much as I hate to say it, You being the PPW Heavyweight champion has brought prestige to the title. You being the champ have already taken the titles to heights that most of us could only dream of taking it.”

(Demetrius reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small bottle of lighter fluid as well as a zippo lighter.)

“ People seen that you held the strap and they wonder who is going to be the guy good enough that beats the legendary “Blockbuster” C.J. Rowell, who is going to be the man with enough ability to take the title from you.”

(Demetrius removes the cap from the fluid, he pours some of it into the trash can.)

“ And, at Redemption Rowell, all the questions will be answered , I am going to be that guy that beats a legend in the game, I am going to be the one that beats C.J. Rowell for the PPW Championship.”

(Demetrius strikes the lighter and stares into the flame.)

“Rowell, this is it for me, I am done being that guy that is seen as nothing more then a contender, I am done being the guy that everyone says is good but isn't ready for the big picture yet, It's time for a boy that has a dream to finally live his dream.”

(Demetrius throws the zippo into the can and watches as the title goes up in flames.)

“I'm done holding onto that part of me that I was just content with, I'm done with my biggest accomplishment being that I won the title of a company that no one really knew about, and that I won it from a guy that was just mediocre, I am aiming for nothing but the best.”
(Demetrius smirks.)

“ When I beat you to become the PPW champion, people will finally know that the “Main Attraction” has arrived on the scene. Not only that but I will be able to prove to myself that I am more then just a contender, I will finally be able to prove that I am a CHAMPION. So come Redemption come prepared , It's no longer about revenge Rowell, it is no longer about Demetrius Burrell trying to right the wrongs that was done to him, come Redemption. It is about the “Main Attraction” finally winning the big one and putting his name in the history books.”

(Demetrius clears his throats.)

“There is no turning back now. If I don't win this match, I will proudly shake your hand and admit that you are the better man, So Rowell do me a favor and bring your best, the time for mind games are over. Cause when I beat you, I want you to know that I beat you at your best, I want you to know that you brought everything you had but you couldn't get the job done. The roles are going to be reversed this time around, I am going to be the man that walks away with the title.”
(Demetrius clears his throat.)

“ I will walk away from this match, knowing that I beat a legend and that I have finally accomplished my long time goal of being the best, and that I am the PPW Heavyweight champion.”

(Demetrius turns back to the flames as he watches part of his past burn, with the thoughts of finally winning the big one fueling him.)

-FADE-

[demetrius]

Champion:
1.a valiant fighter
2.a person who fights for another or for a cause; defender; protector; supporter a champion of the oppressed
3.a winner of first place or first prize in a competition

“ When I last talked to everyone, I burned a part of my past that I wanted to get rid of. Something that has plagued me for as long as I can remember. I got rid of a title that really meant nothing. I got sick of saying that it was my one big accomplishment in my career. Some would say that I am wrong and that the WFWA Double Crown title is the greatest trophy that I have, but I would have to disagree, when I won the title it was a nothing championship. Just something that was resurrected to give to the guys that would never gain their shot at being a world champion. Once again in a sense I would have been considered a contender, I'm still going to keep that in my collection, hell it's pretty to look at, and not only that but it shows that I am capable of defeating this new found talent that I have been going against for a few years now. Once again though it is not what I want, it is not what I desire, and it sure as hell won't satisfy my urge to be the best. I have been scared with being a contender all my life. Beating C.J. Rowell at Redemption and becoming the PPW Champion will be the band aid I need. Which will also satisfy my urge to become “The” CHAMPION”. “

(We open to Demetrius still standing in his trophy room, but this time beside him is his wife Tasha. She smacks him in the head and then looks at Demetrius.)

“What the hell where you thinking?”

(Demetrius looks around for a moment and then at the trash can that is now burnt to all hell, and then back at Tasha.)

"I guess I wasn't.”

(Tasha just frowns.)

“What in the hell made you burn that, I thought that title meant the world to you?”

(Demetrius puts his head down as Tasha doesn't take her eyes of her husband.)

“I thought It did too.”

(Tasha tries to bring Demetrius's head up, but he forces it back down causing Tasha to fold her arms.)

“Dee, we have a baby upstairs, what do you think would have happen if I wouldn't have heard the smoke alarm and came in here.”

(Demetrius sits there in nothing but pure silence, he grits his teeth as his wife begins to badger him again.)

“We could have lost everything. I understand that you are focused on winning the PPW title but hon you can't put us in danger in the process.”

(Demetrius still sits there in silence.)

“Are you listening to me.”

(Demetrius lifts his head up and simply nods.)

“If you hear me, say something then.”

(Demetrius stares at his wife.)

“I'm sick of it.”

(Tasha looks at Demetrius confused as she slowly begins to walk towards her husband, with every inch towards him she takes, he takes two inches away.)

“What do you mean?”

(Demetrius looks at Tasha and frowns.)

“I'm done being a fucking contender.”

(Demetrius stops moving allowing Tasha to get close enough to him to put a hand on his cheek.)

“I'm done playing second fiddle Natasha.”

(Tasha now realizes that Demetrius is more determined then he ever has been in his whole career, she knows by the fact that he called her by her full name.)

“It will work out. All you can do is go out there and do the best you can.”

(Demetrius shakes his head.)

“It's not good enough, we always have this same conversation, you tell me to go out there and do my best. Which in return, I agree with you, we have been going through this cycle my whole career. This time it just isn't enough.”

(Tasha sighs as she now can kinda understand what her husband is going through.)

“ All the times we sit on the couch, or in the bed and you tell me to go out there and just do the best I can, well it's not good enough anymore, every single time sure I go out there and I give a one hundred percent, sure the fans still love me for never giving up, but right now at this moment it isn't good enough.”

(Tasha frowns.)

“Demetrius I!....”

(Demetrius turns to Tasha removing her hand from his face and placing it in his, he leans forward giving her a kiss.)

“I know you mean well Tasha, I understand you are here to support me win or lose, but I can't have this same conversation over and over again, the next time we talk about my career. It's going to be about how proud you are that I am the Pure Pro Wrestling Champion. I'm done being a contender.”

(Tasha sits there as she is not sure what to say.)

“I need to get out for a moment and do some thinking. You going to be ok while I'm gone?”

(Tasha nods her head )

“Of course.”

“Don't worry about the mess I'll take care of it once I get back.”

(Demetrius kisses Tasha on the lips and releases her hand before turning his back to her and walking away.)

-----------------

Vultures circle above, hyenas mocking the kill
Excrement drooling down their chins
Atop the cliffs I look down into the starving hell-mouth
The rabid foam crashes hard on it's teeth

Their mouths salivate
Fantasizing my gruesome ending
This world looks down upon
A man who can stand on his own two feet
-Trivium

“ I've always waited for that day to come when I would finally feel that I have made my mark in the wrestling world. Countless matches, numerous injuries and I still feel that I need to prove something. I still feel that I have not done what I know deep down that I can accomplish, coming up short getting beat in the matches that really fucking count.”

(We now see the “Main Attraction” Standing on top of a hill, he looks around checking out the view, cause right now at this moment in time the weather is pretty damn nice in St. Paul, Mn. He tilts his green Minnesota Wild hat over his eyes to block out a little of the sun. before taking a deep breath of the fresh air.)

“Over the past few months I have been a man of pure conflict. I am not talking about the conflict that I have been having with the likes of C.J. Rowell and his butt buddies Team Elite, nah, I am talking about a conflict that goes deeper then that.”

(Demetrius pauses for a moment as he clears his throat.)

“I am talking about the conflict that is going on in here.”

(Demetrius points to his heart.)

“I finally had a reality check, I finally understand that my place in the wrestling business has been nothing but a joke.”

(Demetrius frowns.)

“Day in and day out I tell myself, that this is going to be it, I am finally going to get my just dues. That I will finally give the fans and everyone that has ever watched me in their life. Even the guys in the back a reason to mention my name amongst the greats this business has ever seen.”

(At this point Demetrius begins to pace around.)

“Time and time again though, it has always been the same result. It seems that it is never going to change.”

(Demetrius stops pacing as he looks out at the view again.)

“I walk into a company hoping for the best only for it to turn out the same, you can ask anyone what they would say about Demetrius Burrell at the moment, and I can guarantee you that they would look you in the eyes and say. I love watching him, but he is only a contender. To everyone it is always the same song and dance. Once I get my foot in the door , I can never get the rest of my body in.”

(Demetrius frowns as he kicks a rock that is laying on the ground.)

“Lately I have been at my wits end, ready to give it up and let the fact that I am going to be playing second fiddle my whole life sink in and come to terms with it .”

(Demetrius rubs his eyes as the sun once again finds it's way to hit him.)

“Right, now you hear about C.J. Rowell and Team Elite. Why because they are making things happen. Rowell is the champion for fuck sake and has won many other titles that have meant something in his career, as well as Team Elite they themselves are legends.”

(Demetrius shakes his head as he balls his fist and the anger starts to consume him.)

“You hear about J.J. Halme a man that has no doubt come into PPW and made a mark from being a pure monster, taking out anyone and everyone that has gotten in his way, hell I have been in the ring with the guy and I know first hand what he can do. People may not like him, but he gives them something to talk about and something to watch out for.”

(Demetrius sighs once again.)

“They mention J.C. Mason who has made his mark by coming out and saying that he does in fact use
performance enhancing drugs, while also calling out others and accusing them of using as well. People seen that and they had something to talk about, they had something else to tune into.”

(Demetrius begins to pace once again, as he takes his balled fist and hits his open hand with it.)

“To be frank, it pisses me off, everyone is talking about the guys that are making their marks the wrong way. The guys that go out there and play mind games to get what they want, guys that are nothing more then the pro wrestling worlds version of a school yard bully, or guys that come out and say they are on drugs to get the spotlight.”

(Demetrius frowns and sighs once again.)

“You barely hear anything about, Dusty Griffith, Chris Kaladaro and myself guys that go out to the ring and try to gain the spotlight by doing things right. Guys that go out there night in and night out and work their asses off for the fans.”

(Demetrius shakes his head once again as the frustration begins to consume him.)

“That is another reason why it is so important for me to give more then a hundred percent when I face off against Rowell for the title.

(Demetrius once again smirks.)

“So Rowell, I want to make this as clear as possible if you didn't know it by now. I am going to be coming at you harder then ever before, I am going to put my heart and soul into this match. You have something that I want and I am going to take it away from you.”

(Demetrius clears his throat.)

“You won't have Team Elite to bail you out. It's just you and me, one on one for the title. All the fun and games are over Rowell. I am going to beat you and finally achieve my goal, not only that but I will give the fans of PPW a champion to be proud of, It's put up or shut up time.

(Demetrius pauses for a moment.)

“I'll see you at Redemption Rowell, be ready to witness the birth of the “Main Attraction.”

(Demetrius turns away from the camera now and looks back at the view.)

-FADE-

[teamelite]

"Demetrius, the time has nearly come. We are mere days away from our one on one battle over some belt you feel is the biggest belt in the world. You cherish the leather on which the PPW gold is on."

[C.J. Rowell sat on the concrete steps of his wrestling school, "Blockbuster Academy". Dressed in black jeans a white t-shirt and the PPW Title over his shoulder, he was all serious.]

"This title on my shoulder is your destiny, right? Am I to believe you're the chosen one? That you're the one who is going to conquer the big, bad and evil champion? You seem so ready to be the new champ that you've thrown mostly all of your previous straps in the fire."

[Rowell chuckled.]

"So what are you going to show your little girl when she asks to see your accomplishments? You'll have nothing since after this Sunday this belt will still be around my waist."

[The champ stood up and looked down at the camera.]

"I came into PPW for one reason, to win the belt and keep it for as long as I wanted to. You're just the unlucky one who had to be my first victim. I played my part and made the money I wanted to make. The chance fell into my lap and I ran with it."

[Rowell looks at the gold.]

"I never asked to join PPW. Not once did I think "Hey, PPW would be a good place to make my return at." In fact, I'm not interested in anything this company stands for. I don't give a shit about you, JC Mason, anyone. Hell, I'd slap the taste out of Derek Shanahan's mouth if given the free shot."

[Rowell sighed.]

"I don't even like Daniel Corey. That little shit has been on my last nerve since day one. Fuck Team ELITE."

[Rowell looked down at the belt.]

"I'm my own man and can do it on my own. I never needed them, they were just a luxury for the plan. C.J. Rowell loaned his name to make TE a brand. Now, Daniel Corey thinks he's the puppetmaster?"

[He looked away.]

"I'm the fucking puppetmaster."

[Black.]

[teamelite]

[No glamorous backdrop or fancy location. All you get today is a brick wall, a pissed off PPW Champion and his belt. C.J. Rowell stands before the wall, dressed in blue jeans, a black buttoned up shirt and black Nike Airs. He has the belt slung over his shoulder and a sneer on his lips. The champ is cleanly trimmed up with his thin goatee and beard.]

"Burrell, I've said it once and I'll keep saying it, I'm the best. That does not mean I'm the best because I hold this belt..."

[Rowell pulls the belt off his shoulder and holds it up for the camera.]

"I could care less about this belt right now."

[He proceeds to throw it off camera.]

"I care about walking into the Target Center tomorrow night and beating the stuffing out of you like a stuffed animal. And you know what, Dee, that's what you've turned into... a doll, and action figure, dare I say a puppet?"

"I've been pulling the strings since Day One, kid. I say 'jump' and you say 'how high?' Isn't that right?"

[Rowell cracks a small smile.]

"Of course it is, you're my puppet. I tell you to dance and you bring out the cardboard and breakdance for me, which you absolutely suck at. I thought all black people could breakdance, but you proved me wrong, Demetrius."

[The smile disappears.]

"I'm not coming to the building tomorrow to retain my belt. I'm walking into Minneapolis to prove that you are not worthy of that belt. I'm going to show the world you do not deserve that belt, win or lose. In the end, whether you beat me or not, you will never be half as good a champion as I have been."

"You won't lead this company into the promised land like I could. Burrell, should you defeat me tomorrow night, you'll still be a paper champion. You won't matter in the end, much like how you don't matter right now."

[Rowell looks down at his feet.]

"This is my biggest night ever and I promise you that you won't ruin it for me. I will not settle for being 'just another champion. I want my legacy to read best ever. Can you say that you even believe in yourself enough to say what I just said? I think you're just another run of the mill, average wrestler that thinks he's good enough but fails when he gets the ball."

[He looks back at the camera.]

"Should you win, I dare you to prove me wrong. But, that's if you can beat me in the first place."

[Black.]