Post by Mr.Ego on Oct 28, 2017 22:31:54 GMT -5
"Vanity can create a very cruel space for you if you don't know how to manage it." -Lady Gaga
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Monday, October 23, 2017 - Chicago, Illinois: UGWC Arena - Post Synergy
The scene opens showing Vain laying on the pristine black leather sofa located in his private dressing room. A warm compress covers his forehead, his eyes closed as he comes down from the euphoria of the match that took place here this evening. As he attempts to forget the disappointment of the debacle that the evening turned into for him.
His door swings open, and in walks his advocate, Simon Wellington. Simon raises his arms in the air, a look of confusion on his face.
"It's almost as if I do not even know you anymore, Alan. You never cease to amaze me."
Vain doesn't move; he doesn't even open his eyes. However, he does speak.
"Please, Simon… have a seat. There are refreshments in the mini-fridge off to the side of 'The Vain Locker'."
Simon looks around, noticing there are no other seats available, aside from a black wooden stool that sits in front of Vain's open locker. Walking over, he picks it up and moves it in front of the sofa. He takes a seat, propping his feet up on the wooden rungs on the bottom of the stool. His hands resting on his knees, he looks at Vain.
"Mind telling me what happened out there, Alan? Because for the life of me, I cannot decide whether it was an act of genius in how little you wanted to show future opponents… or a complete breakdown mentally and physically, further proving that you allowed your need for revenge to win out over basic human intelligence, and you came back long before you were truly ready to do so."
The two men sit in silence for many moments, with still no movement coming from 'Vanity at its Finest'. Simon sighs.
"Well?
"It's whatever you wish it to be, Simon."
Growing irritated, Simon rises to his feet, the back of his legs knocking the stool to the floor. Still, Vain doesn't move.
"That's a chickenshit answer, and you know it, Alan. After the debacle that we just witnessed, I had hoped that you would some sort of emotion afterwards. Rage, disappointment, something in between those two. The fact that you seemingly do not even care about the ineptitude that you showed in that ring tonight speaks volumes, Alan Wallace. And frankly, it makes me sick."
Vain slowly raises his arm, removing the warm compress from his forehead, and turn to look up at Simon.
"Maybe I just gave what everyone needed me to give, Simon. No more, and no less."
Confused, Simon walks towards where Vain's feet are, turning and looking directly into the eyes of his client.
"And what is it that you gave everyone here tonight, Alan? What did everyone need you to provide them?"
"Hope. And space."
"Pardon?"
"The hope that 'Vain' Alan Wallace will never again be what he once was. And the space in their consciousness to allow for the crushing disappointment of failure, when my reality crushes all of their hopes and dreams at Battleground."
The two men look at each other in silence, as Simon silently wonders if Vain possibly suffered a concussion during the match, or if he has finally, completely, lost his mind.
"So this… that abortion of a match that you just took part in… it was all part of your plan? Is that what you are telling me, Alan?"
Vain chuckles, as he slowly raises himself into a seated position, before rising to his feet, and walking up to Simon. He grasps 'The Scholar's' right shoulder, and gives him the smile that he has long been known for.
"My plan? Oh Simon, no, no. It's not part of any preconceived plan. You saw what happened out there. It's preposterous that I would plan something like that."
Vain releases the shoulder of Simon, and walks towards his locker room. As he begins to pack his belongings, he says one last thing over his shoulder.
"It's all part of the evolution of this company, Simon. My evolution."
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"Donovan Hastings is one of the most well-known entities that the Unified Global Wrestling Coalition - as well as its predecessors - has ever known. A multi-time champion, and a future Hall of Famer, there is little that Donovan Hastings has left to accomplish in this industry. He's the closest thing to royalty that UGWC has, and he will be the first one to tell you as much. On paper, he just might be the odds-on favorite to win the Battleground match, and go on to a match of his choosing at Horizons. Donovan Hastings could find himself being a duel champion after Horizons; one-half of the Cooperative Champions with Zane Scott, and the UGWC World Heavyweight Champion."
"Gabriel Baal has taken UGWC by storm since his debut back in January of 2016. In less than two calendar years, he has proven himself against numerous top stars, and has helped to create 'The Engine of Chaos' faction that attempted to engulf the entire industry. From UGWC, to the OWF, to Warped… 'The Engine of Chaos' - with Gabriel Baal being perhaps the most instrumental member of the four - spread their own brand of chaos for the entire world to see, and they left battered, broken individuals throughout the duration of their reign. Chaos Champion, Cooperative Champion, Cross-Hemisphere Champion, and World Champion; Gabriel Baal has done it all in an extremely short time in UGWC, and if he finds success in the Battleground Match, he could ensure that he stands across from the World Champion at Horizons. And whether that would be Rogan MacLean, or whether it would be Jet Somers, Gabriel Baal very well could reclaim the title that he fought so hard to attain at this year's Wrestlestock event."
"Jason Ingalls is a man who came from a proverbial nothing in this industry, to becoming one of the best young stars in the company. We have seen him performing club duties with 'The Devil's Most Wanted', and we have seen him break free of that group, and begin forging his own path. From hanger-on, to the Head Trainer of UGWC, to a man in a very real position to be a darkhorse winner of this year's Battleground Match. He has proven that he has what it takes within the ring, as he has taken the Killian King's, Rogan MacLean's, and even the Alan Wallace's to the brink when finding himself in the ring with them. And the latter, he pinned to win the UGWC Cooperative Titles, on the night that Killian King ultimately chose the path that he is currently on, and Alan Wallace was put on the shelf for months as a result. Jason Ingalls could find himself standing tall at the end of Battleground, completing the story of his meteoric rise within this industry."
"Phrixus Deimos is UGWC. There is no denying this fact. It is as apparent as water being wet, or the sun being hot. Phrixus Deimos is the stalwart of UGWC, and even further back to the LWF days. While he hasn't always found himself in the spotlight, he has taken the time when in the spotlight and when not, to always have his eyes open. Always watching. Always waiting. Taking all things in of every single person in this locker room, making note of their strengths and their weaknesses, ready to exploit each and every one when the need arises. Phrixus Deimos revolutionized the Cross-Hemisphere Championship… and once the Battleground match has reached its conclusion, if he has his way, he will look to revolutionize the World Championship as well."
"Zane Scott is one of the premier wrestlers of his generation. Nearly two decades of punishment, this man has dished out, and he and Donovan Hastings were recently crowned the new Cooperative Champions here in UGWC. As a former member of 'The Syndicate', he is a man that is used to feeling the pressure of the Main Event scene. A man used to excelling, when the most is on the line. Zane seems to have made it his mission since returning from injury to get back on top within this company, and he has the skills and the mean streak to do just that. Like Hastings, Zane Scott could find himself being a duel champion after Horizons; one-half of the Cooperative Champions with Donovan Hastings, and the UGWC World Heavyweight Champion."
"All great stories, in and of themselves. Unfortunately, not all stories are made to have happy endings."
"You're welcome."
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Saturday, October 28, 2017 - New York City, New York: Madison Square Garden - Live Edition of 'The Vain Vault'
'Vain' Alan Wallace stands in the center of the ring, surrounded by nothing but empty seats, with a microphone in hand, and a smile on his face.
"This, right here, is truly what matters. Everything that you see… everything that you hear… everything that you feel… there is nothing more important, than the here and the now."
The camera pans around the entire arena, showcasing that it is completely empty.
"Some of you may be watching this and wondering to yourselves, 'what's so important about an empty arena'… but it isn't the arena that is of importance. It is what is inside that empty building that truly matters. It is the space between 'Vain' Alan Wallace, and those closest to him in this industry."
"It is the space that I have allowed others their successes and failures. It is the space that I have allowed them to create their stories, their characters, and their factions. It is a space that I have provided them…"
"Just by being 'Vain' Alan Wallace."
"I'm sure that my opponents for Battleground would be left scratching their heads, wondering if Alan Wallace has officially lost his mind, much like Simon was less than one week ago. I expect them to, quite honestly, because their feeble minds cannot comprehend the simple fact that… the UGWC - and everything within it - exists as it is, solely because of me, and me alone. Make no mistake though… this isn't ego, talking. This isn't my arrogance writing checks that my ass can't cash. It isn't my hubris talking. It's the simple, unequivocal, truth."
"You just haven't been paying attention."
"Donovan Hastings used to be one of the greatest in this sport. Until he wasn't. Content to get by on inferior competition, his sarcastic wit, and his friendship with Travis Roberts… Donovan Hastings found himself in a spot that all professional wrestlers shudder at the mere thought of: Irrelevance. 'Lord' Hastings wasn't much more than a half-assed court jester of an even lesser kingdom, going through the motions week in, and week out, getting by on the same three punchlines that draw bored responses, and only respectful applause. It was sad, seeing a once great man reduced to being little more than a laughingstock within a company where people like 'Yours Truly' had skyrocketed to the top. I could have put the man out of his misery early on, but I chose not to. Call it nostalgia, call it a good deed, either way, instead of putting an end to his misery, and being the reason that his children would look at him with disdain for the rest of his days, I did what any savior would do."
"I grasped him by the hand, and pulled him up from the doldrums of mediocrity, allowing him the opportunity to sit at the throne of his better. Allowing him the opportunity to learn from someone better than he. Allowing him to become relevant once more, as a member of 'The Puppet Masters'."
"Suddenly, the name Donovan Hastings meant something again in professional wrestling. He suddenly went from fighting in matches that nobody cared about, to challenging for the UGWC World Championship. But when that happened, he chose to forget where he had come from. He chose to forget who it was that was the cause of the resurgence of his career. He chose to attempt to overshadow the man that gave him his career back. And thus, I took it all away again."
"Gone were 'The Puppet Masters', as 'The Syndicate' ascended to the top of the food chain. And when that happened, Donovan Hastings' stock plummeted to record-low levels. No longer affiliated with 'Yours Truly', he once again found himself to be a forgotten man. He once again began simply going through the motions, content to collect a paycheck, and be home to wake his children each morning. His career once again turned into a proverbial 9-to-5, based upon the decisions he had made, and the people he chose to alienate. And it stayed that way until recently, once again, thanks to 'Vain' Alan Wallace."
"Upon returning, I could have set my sites on the Cooperative Titles once again, but that is not the goal that I have in mind. My goal is Killian King, and all those he is surrounded and protected by. That decision allowed Donovan Hastings to benefit with another Cooperative Title run. Once again, he is relevant. Once again, the name Donovan Hastings means something in this industry. Once again, his children have reason to be proud of their father. Once again… I have set him up to fall, when at Battleground, I burn all of his hopes and dreams to the ground."
"You're welcome, Donovan."
Vain grabs a water that has been placed on the mat in the corner, and takes the top off. Taking a drink, he replaces the cap, and places the bottle in his pants pocket.
"Gabriel Baal has excelled at making people believe he is better than he actually is. For a man so intelligent, and for a man that speaks a big game… has anyone ever stopped to realize that when the brightest lights shine upon him, that he shrivels from the pressure?"
"Don't get me wrong, the man is as talented as they come. But unless he has the power of a faction behind him, his flower tends to wilt under the heat of the UGWC heat. I guess it's no wonder that he has revealed himself to be a member of the newest stable of hacks, 'The Court'."
"The Engine of Chaos could have eventually been what the industry was measured by. They had the talent, they had the focus, and they had the manpower. And yet, much like the good doctor when he has a championship belt around his waist, 'The Engine of Chaos' ultimately was little more than a vastly overrated failure. A failure that I saw coming a mile away, and a failure that I saw fit to sit back and do nothing about, preferring to allow them to implode on their own, and simply smiling when it occurred. You simply cannot fit that vast of an amount of egos into one group, and expect long-term success. I know that from first-hand experience with 'The Syndicate'."
"Only 'The Engine of Chaos' were no 'Syndicate', that much is for damn sure."
"Mr. Baal has always been well-versed at delving into the psyche of his opponents, and exposing them any way he sees fit. And he has attempted to do the same with 'The Vain One', on one or two occasions. The issue is that, on those rare occasions when he has chosen to place me squarely in his sites, he soon sees fit to move on to other, weaker foes. Those with less of a grasp on who they are as a person. Those mentally weak, and emotionally unstable. Typically, he then eventually joins forces with them, because apparently misery loves company."
"And through it all, I have sat idly by and allowed it all to happen. Why? Because there is little sense in 'Mr. Ego' lifting a finger to do, what logic and common sense will ultimately accomplish in the long run."
"I wonder, Gabriel… do you critique yourself, as you do those you place in your crosshairs? Do you see your own shortcomings, as clearly as you see the shortcomings of others? It doesn't matter honestly, because I plan to expose those shortcomings of yours at Battleground. Because in your case, I have simply allowed you to be the architect of your own demise, and set you up to once again have to lean on others, in order to prop yourself up. But at least when it comes to your own level of consciousness, you will still be a success story. For as long as I allow the other members of 'The Court' to tell you as much, anyhow."
"You're welcome, Gabriel."
Taking the bottle of water from his pants pocket, Vain takes another drink, before replacing the cap and placing the bottle back into his pocket."
"Jason Ingalls could have continued to learn from the greatest wrestler this industry has ever seen. Instead, he chose to focus on asinine grudges, brought on by the retirement of an alcoholic ruffian with an inferiority complex."
"I saw something in you when nobody else did, Mr. Ingalls. Not Killian, not Eden, not Cypress, not even yourself. Were it not for me, you would still likely be in the mountains of Colorado, plowing the family farm, while a degenerate Brit lows your lovely mother."
"How is she, by the way? Good? Great."
"Had you chosen to learn at my side, the industry could have been yours for the taking, Jason. Instead, you allow pettiness to overtake you, and now your career is barely treading water, and people all over the world are left simply to ask, 'Why should we care about this guy'?"
"The simple answer is, they shouldn't, because you haven't given them a reason to. The more convoluted answer is, I've grown tired of propping you up for success, only for you to continually bite the hand that feeds you. At Battleground, don't take it personally when you realize that you are unable to compete with 'The Clit Whisperer' in the deep end of the proverbial pool. And rest assured that it was never my intention for you to drown in my success. Fittingly though, just like the entirety of your career, you will be known more for what you accomplish in relation to me, than what you have accomplished on your own."
"You're welcome, Mr. Ingalls."
Vain walks over to the far corner, and hops up onto the top turnbuckle. Taking a seat, he awaits the camera to zoom back in on him.
"One of my first prolonged interactions with Phrixus Deimos came at the Battleground event four years ago. You remember it well, Im sure, Phrix… as I'm sure you still have the gift that Vain got you in whatever rafter you call home these days."
"You've been a spectacular performer over the years, Fear. Truly. And the times that you and I have shared the ring when it matters most… each and every time, after I had beaten you, I reflected at how well you had performed. In each and every match. Because simply put, you are a big-time performer, Phrixus Deimos. When the brightest of lights are shining, you give your very, very best. My only question is…"
"Where are you on the other 350 days a year?"
"For someone that has been around for as long as you have… for someone that has created the career that you have created for yourself… doesn't it irritate you to be known for what you used to be, as opposed to what you still are? Don't get me wrong, Phrix… I know that you epitomized the Cross-Hemisphere division in your heyday. Of course, then 'Vain' Alan Wallace appeared, and everyone of importance all but forgot your name, but I digress… you could retire now, be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and live the rest of your days knowing that fans worldwide will only speak fondly of the person that you are, there wrestler that you were, and the career that you had."
"So why settle for being overshadowed by Vain, yet again?"
"I could have ended you during the euphoric run that I had with the World Title, Phrix. Instead, I chose to allow you to continue your career, but only because I wanted you to see that not only could I pull off your gimmick after I beat you, but that I could make your gimmick popular. That I could make it mean something. Because I wasn't happy to merely beat you, Phrix… I wasn't content to merely have you know that I was better than you on that very night in that ring at Kobayashi Maru. I wanted you to know, deep down, that I was better than you in every facet of this fucking industry."
"All of the talk now… all of the wonderment of what might happen at Battleground, and what you hope to accomplish in a match that you have no business being in… it's nothing more than you blowing hot air, attempting to stay relevant in an industry that passed you by a long time ago. But have no fear, Fear… you will be in the ring with 'Vain' Alan Wallace. That is my way of giving you back any importance that your career still manages to hold, fleeting as it may be."
"You're welcome Phrix."
Vain hops back down from the turnbuckle, walking towards the near side of the ropes. Reaching them, he leans over the top rope, propping his right foot up on the bottom rope.
"Zane Scott is one of the few men in this industry that I hold the utmost respect for. He says what he is going to do, and then goes in and does it. He's a terrific representative of the UGWC, and was an even better stablemate when we were in 'The Syndicate'."
"Which is why it pains me to see what he has been reduced to."
"Teaming with Hastings, and talking about lairs? Is this professional wrestling, or an edition of 'Cribs: The Evil Antagonist from Shitty Mike Meyers Movies Editions'? You are a multiple time World Champion, Zane, whose career has spanned decades, across multiple companies. And in the twilight of your career, you're reduced to nothing more than Hastings sidekick? Pity, as I had hoped it would coming down to the two of us at Battleground. Your current choice of company to keep, however, leaves that highly unlikely. Because Hastings is a lot of things, all of which I allow him to be. And currently, the winner of Battleground is not on that list."
"Sad for you, Mr. Scott. 'Birds of a feather', and all of that…"
"I hope that once the match begins, you can forget all of this drivel that is currently going on between you and Hastings, and we are allowed to witness Zane Scott in all of his glory. My fear, however, is that much like Hastings… your best occurred months, if not years, ago… and Vain will be there to shake your very foundation to its core, and reduce any hope you have of victory into a pile of ash and rubble. But as much as it will pain me to do so, I have to give the people what they want. You understand."
"And you're welcome, Zane."
Vain pushes himself off the ropes, and steps back to the middle of the ring. He motions around the arena, and the camera begins to pan around once more, showcasing the eerie emptiness of the most hallowed arena in all of the world. Focusing back on him, his smile fades.
"I am the be-all, and the end-all; the still point of this Godforsaken world. I allow all things in professional wrestling to move, to evolve, to come into being, and to fade into nothingness. You see, this arena doesn't represent the small space in this universe that we call professional wrestling… I do. Ever since I stepped foot into a wrestling ring, it has been I that have been the reason for everything that has occurred. When at my strongest, I've given to you a World Title reign like no other, and a stable in 'The Syndicate' that will forever wish to be duplicated, but will forever remain enshrined as one of a kind. When at my weakest, others have fought to the forefront, reaping the rewards of a Vain-less industry."
"I am sick to death of others reaping the benefits of my absence."
"My success came because I took it; the success of others came because I allowed it. Only I'm not allowing it any longer."
"My redemption begins at Battleground. And upon emerging victorious, I will set my sites on Killian King for Horizons. And once he realizes that he can no longer dodge facing me in the ring, he will know that I will hold his career - and possibly his life - in the palm of my hands."
"Because while I may not claim to be any sort of Alpha or Omega… I am the space in which all others are forced to exist. And it is I that determines all of their successes, and all of their failures, based upon what I feel is needed the most for the betterment of the industry. And right now…"
"The world needs Vain to reign…"
"You're welcome."
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"A human being is part of a whole, called by us the 'Universe' - a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts, and feelings, as something separated from the rest - a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness." -Albert Einstein
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