Post by Peter Vaughn on Feb 9, 2023 16:42:45 GMT -5
The Road So Far:
How To Win Friends & Influence People
Building To A Confrontation...
Can You Get Invited To A Party And Still Crash It?
Vaughn has hit the jackpot once again.
Despite being occupied in numerous feds, and fighting a war underground with the twisted individual known as Andrew Logan, Vaughn still managed to win the WGWF West Coast Rumble and become the new WGWF World Heavyweight Champion. It felt like one of the biggest victories of his career, as no one could deny that Vaughn earned that victory, surviving time and time again. He's now at the head of the WGWF table, preparing himself for a rematch of sorts against the second-to-last survivor, Mark Cross.
Before Vaughn can get there, though, he's got a few more hurdles to cross. One of those is Ace Sky, surprisingly named the #1 contender for a match on Brawl. The other is dealing with an element from his past that may be getting closer to disappearing forever.
February 9th, 2023
~The picture slowly opens up outside of a major hospital, Parkland Health, in Dallas, Texas. We see the nearby parking garage, where Peter Vaughn comes walking out. He appears to be carrying a wrapped bouquet of flowers in one hand, as he checks his phone with the other. He nods, putting the phone away, and heads inside the hospital, turning to the help desk inside. Unfortunately, it appears there's nobody currently working there at the moment.~
Peter Vaughn: Damn. So much for their reputation for hospitality. Guess I'll have to find his room myself.
~Vaughn shrugs and walks off, searching for the right elevator. He disappears around the corner... even as we see a lady's head pop out from behind the desk. She brings up the stack of papers that had apparently fallen on the floor, putting them to the side before looking around.~
Receptionist: Huh. I thought I heard someone. Oh well.
~The nurse goes back to figuring out the order of the paperwork she must have dropped, as the camera cuts away.~
Sometimes fate can bring together a pretty strange series of events.
You think you're going out for a cup of coffee at your local Starbucks, and you're suddenly in a five-car pile-up, lucky to be alive.
You believe you're going to stay in for the evening, only to have an old friend call, having come in from out of town, and he wants you to go with him on a nightclub adventure.
You believe you're going to be just a low-card performer and earn an easy paycheck in the WGWF, and suddenly you're given a WGWF World Title opportunity out of nowhere.
I think if I were to run down the list of competitors here at WGWF, Ace Sky wouldn't have heard his name for quite a long time. I never would have thought he'd be the first person I defend my World Heavyweight Title against. I can already hear guys like Cross, chuckling, and saying that I'M disgracing the belt by defending against him.
I can't fully deny that.
But I'm not the one who books the matches. I want to make it perfectly clear that I did not, for any reason, request a match against this clown. Now, don't get me wrong. I get it. You want to save the "top" talent to fight at the pay-per-views. Sure, use them to make yourselves more money, I get it. But Ace Sky?
Truthfully, he didn't start out too badly here. The AS actually managed to beat Atara Raven, which is definitely not an easy win. But flukes happen. Anyone can beat anyone else on any given day, after all. So what did Skyboy do after that? He got hit with his own finisher by Sonya Benson and failed to stop her from ruining the WGWF World Television Title. He got himself tossed from the West Coast Rumble by Samantha Vox, while I went on to win it all. He then went for a First Blood match against Vox and... lost it by tapping out to her.
I'm betting Skyboy didn't want to get cut open by Vox, so he begged for a rule change at the last second. Pretty sad to see.
With all that said, now Acer gets to fight me for the World Title. I'm sure people think, "Well, Vaughn is going to take this one too lightly, and Ace Sky has the chance at another incredible upset!" Yeah. No. That's not how I work. If I'm booked against Raion Kido or Bozo The Clown, I'll fight them equally as hard. In fact, I'll probably fight Acey harder, because I'm interested in having a short night with a strong payday.
Skyboy, let's face facts. You are getting a shot at something you don't deserve. Now, your talent might be there. I've seen glimmers of potential, pop out every so often. But you don't seem to have the mindset of a true competitor in our sport. You've got to find that inner beast, the one that you can barely control, and be ready to unleash it against every opponent that steps into your path. You've got to be a warrior of the ring, a soldier of the squared circle, a decimator of the helpless and weak.
Right now, you're not even worth the WGWF contract you've been given.
I'll do my best to beat some sense into you at Brawl. But I know even my best might not be enough.
It's really up to you to redeem yourself. You're taking on a name that should mean something. Try not to disgrace it anymore.
Do better, Ace Sky. Do better.
February 9th, 2023
~We return to the footage on another floor of the hospital. We see, down the hall, Peter Vaughn appear at one of the intersections. He looks at the wall, studying the layout of a map there, then goes off to the right, disappearing from sight again. After a few seconds, though, Vaughn comes back, scratching his head. He looks both directions, then goes in the opposite one from the camera, checking out the numbers on the doorways. After going by a few rooms, Vaughn stops again and turns around, frustrated. He starts back towards the camera, staring at the signs, as a nurse steps out of a room ahead of him. She turns and looks back, smiling.~
Nurse: Are you lost, sir?
Peter Vaughn: Me? Lost? Hah, that's funny. No, I'm not lost. I'm just... figuring some things out...
~Vaughn stares at the number the nurse just came from, looking confused for a second. The nurse, recognizing all the signs, puts an arm on his shoulder.~
Nurse: They design these places like a labyrinth from a video game. I think it's a trick to make our visitors get more exercise. What room are you looking for?
Peter Vaughn: Ummm... Room 422.
~The nurse nods and gestures for Vaughn to follow her, heading off down the hall. Vaughn follows, still glancing at the doors along the way, as if trying to figure out the order before they get there. But only about 4 doors down, the nurse stops, pointing to the next door: Room 422. Vaughn, refusing to look embarrassed, thanks the nurse with a head-bob before opening the door and going inside. We can hear the beeping of machines in there, keeping track of the health of the individual laying there. Vaughn steps towards him, his face solemn at the sight of one of the greatest wrestlers in the business... now fading away. The man looks up, clearly recognizing his newest visitor.~
The Accelerator: Well, look who the cat drug in. If it isn't Peter Vaughn, my former employee and the new face of professional wrestling!
~The once booming voice of the Accelerator is much softer now, thanks to the illness and weight loss he's recently undergone. Ace manages to sit forward in the bed, though, seemingly pleased with the visit. Vaughn nods to him and comes around, holding up the bouquet of flowers, which brings a scowl to Ace's face.~
The Accelerator: More flowers? Just put them over on that table there, not like I can do anything with them.
~Vaughn glances over at the pile of flowers from fans & family, stacked up on the small table. Vaughn shrugs, then pulls a bottle from underneath the bouquet. It appears to be a bottle of Jack Daniels, which causes Ace's eyes to light up.~
Peter Vaughn: If anyone asks, it wasn't me who brought you this. Blame your son or something.
The Accelerator: Jonathan? That kid doesn't even visit me anymore. Deana's been taking good care of me, though. I think she wants me to rewrite the will, Hah! *cough cough*
~Ace goes into a bit of a coughing fit, with Vaughn not knowing what to do. He reaches for a container of water on the tray near the bed. But Ace doesn't go for the water; instead, he opens the bottle of whiskey and takes a long sip, before sitting back in the bed, content.~
The Accelerator: That's what I've been needing... thanks, kid...
Peter Vaughn: I figured it's the least I could do for the man who started me on my career in wrestling.
The Accelerator: Hah, I guess you could say I did that. Really, I was just thinking about business, and I needed someone to fill in for that match. You seemed perfect, a young kid who wouldn't be able to sue me afterwards. Little did I know you'd keep sticking around like a termite who discovered a cigar store figurine. You were one persistent cuss!!
Peter Vaughn: I don't know if you've been following me much lately...
The Accelerator: Nah, I've been too busy flossing my teeth here in the hospital... of COURSE I've been keeping track! Kid, you're now one of the most successful wrestlers I ever worked with. It makes an old man proud...
~Vaughn raises an eyebrow, not really sure how to respond to that. Ace just waves him off, taking another sip from the bottle before stashing it away again, knowing that as soon as a nurse finds it, it's confiscated.~
The Accelerator: I've been watching you win belt after belt out there. You also have been taking on a few of my... old gimmicks... boyo.
~For a second, Vaughn looks away, clearing his throat. But Ace just laughs.~
The Accelerator: Don't worry about it. Anything you want to take from my run, feel free. It's nice to be remembered.
Peter Vaughn: I appreciate that.
The Accelerator: If you want to start using the Rollercoaster, I'll bequeath that to you, too.
Peter Vaughn: Unfortunately, I'm not really built for taking people out with running powerslams. I wish I could give it to my next opponent, though. He's an Ace, too. Ace Sky.
The Accelerator: Wait, you're fighting that embarrassment to my name?? The guy sounds like someone who watched too many of those World War II narratives and thought "Ace of the Sky" was a cool name... then just ditched the smaller words...
~Vaughn and Ace share a laugh, but it once again seems to have a weakening effect, as the multi-time Hall of Famer has to lay back on the bed, catching his breath.~
Peter Vaughn: So... how long are you in here for?
The Accelerator: They won't be able to keep me here for much longer. I plan to get myself on that Home Health with a cute nurse or two at my side.
Peter Vaughn: Did they make... any diagnosis?
The Accelerator: Nothing you'd want to hear about, Pete. Let's just say that... everyone's got a time limit, and I've been given more than most in this world...
~The mood is suddenly somber for a few moments, before Ace coughs and shakes it off.~
The Accelerator: Who you got in the Super Bowl, the Chiefs or the Eagles?
Peter Vaughn: The Chiefs are pretty good. Mahomes has the experience.
The Accelerator: And that experience won't stop him from getting his ass walloped by that Eagles' D! Hah! I'm looking forward to watching it... and then I'll be catching you on Brawl. I'm expecting you to run right over him, champ.
~Vaughn grins, his first smile since entering the room. There doesn't appear to be much happiness in the smile, but there is definitely a hint of pleasure at the thought of what's coming.~
Peter Vaughn: You'd better believe it... boyo...
~Ace lays his head back, laughing at the use of his own catchphrase against him. Vaughn reaches behind him, pulling over a chair.~
Peter Vaughn: Now let's talk about the GCWA and how you sold that library to another company...
The Accelerator: Oh, that... that's ancient history...
Peter Vaughn: I'd still like to hear about it... champ.
~Ace pulls himself up in the bed, trying to keep his energy up, as he begins to explain what happened. This will likely lead to more stories about the GCWA, maybe a few tales of battle from the ICWF, and who knows where else. The two different generations sit together in the hospital room, talking it out, for quite some time, but at this point, it feels better to give them a little privacy...~
There's only one true Ace in the wrestling world... and it certainly isn't you, boyo.
The Accelerator absolutely dominated his time in the wrestling world. He won numerous World Championships. He stood as an unbeatable force at the top wherever he went. He then went and created a truly great wrestling organization, that would lead to the rebirth of... Peter Vaughn. Sure, he took a kid and threw him into the meat grinder repeatedly, but that helped build me to the man I am today: a man who's set to overtake all of The Accelerator's accomplishments if I stay on my current trajectory at the top.
And I've done it all while being about the same size as you, AS.
I tell you, I don't understand how a 'veteran' like yourself can't find success in the WGWF. You should at least know a few tricks to be able to pull off a victory or two, maybe earn some respect from the WGWF faithful. Right now, they're probably going to be just cheering you only because you're fighting me. They may hate me, but I know that they respect me enough to know they're going to get the best.
Even though my best, against you, may make for a pretty short match.
I don't know, Skyboy. I guess I can hope that maybe you'll find a way to make this match competitive and bring some of your potential talent out of the woodshed again. If I'm going to be coming to that ring intent on beating the hell out of someone, I want it to at least be a worthy journey. So are you going to disappoint me, Skyboy, by not giving me the fight I want? Or are we going to put on an aerial exhibition that awes the audience and shoots the ratings through the roof?
I know what I can do. I don't know if you can still even bring it.
Show me, Skyboy. Show me you can still fly, and maybe this'll even be fun.
Or else your Plunge is going to hurt more than anyone else so far in the WGWF.
Believe it.
February 9th, 2023
~The camera catches Peter Vaughn as he walks out of the hospital, headed for the parking garage. It appears at least a few hours have passed. He pops out his phone, quickly quick-dialing the number he's looking for. As he moves through the parking garage, headed for his dependable truck, he starts talking.~
Peter Vaughn: Hey there, Bill. Yeah, I talked with him. No, he's not doing well, but what can you do? Listen, I think I've got a lead on something that I might be able to use against Logan. It's just going to take some digging... and I'm going to have to talk to Ace's son about some deals that went down...
~Vaughn finishes up on the phone and pops into the truck, starting it up. He looks to his side, at a folder sitting in the passenger's seat. It has the name of Jonathan Barrows on it. Vaughn smirks that way, then puts the truck into reverse, pulling out of the space and hitting the road. We slowly fade out.~