Post by Peter Vaughn on Mar 9, 2024 20:43:30 GMT -5
2023 was the year of Peter Vaughn. 2024... is not.
So far this year, Vaughn finds himself out of the hunt for his previous prize, the WGWF World Heavyweight Championship. He's had to watch as allies he's worked with before, Cholo Giovanni Santana and Mac Bane, have fought over the belt, while Vaughn has sat in the background, out of the running. But that doesn't mean that Vaughn's entire quest for championship gold in the WGWF has ended. He competed for the Intercontinental Title on the most recent Monday Night Brawl, but was unable to stop Devlin Knight from pinning Tristan Slater in the contest. Vaughn has also thrown his hat into a very surprising location for him: The Bloodbath Championship.
Now, Vaughn has answered the challenge of another competitor in that division, Johnny Stylez aka Jesytr Seryous, and is going to be making his first trip over to Monday Night Smash to show that he is, indeed, a major threat to cause a Bloodbath. But will Vaughn be welcomed by the members of Smash, or will he be seen as an interloper just like Joe Montuori is seen on Brawl?
Sadie Anderson: I really don't know about this, Peter.
~The picture comes up on a shot of Sadie Anderson, the fiancé of Peter Vaughn, staring out the passenger window of Vaughn's truck, Gabriella, as it continues down the highway. Next to her, Vaughn is dressed in his usual coveralls, which could mean he's ready for a bloody fight or a night on the town. You just never know with him. He looks over at Sadie, giving her one of his patented smirks.~
Peter Vaughn: I don't know why you're worried about this now, Sadie. We've been on the road for hours, after all. But it's all going to work out.
Sadie Anderson: First off, I've been concerned about this since you first told me this idea of yours. It's the only reason I came along, to make sure you don't disappear without a trace. Second, I've been saying this is a bad idea since we started driving! Haven't you been listening?
Peter Vaughn: Of course I have. I'm just saying, we're almost there, so there's no reason to worry about it anymore. In fact, it looks like we're here.
~Vaughn gestures to the side, as Sadie looks out at the sign they're going by.~
~Sadie just shakes her head, even as Vaughn drives up to a nearby country store, pulling into the parking lot.~
Peter Vaughn: Alright, let's see if we can get the information we need.
~Vaughn gets out, grabbing a packet from behind his seat to bring with him. Sadie just sighs and gets out as well, as she at least needs to use the facilities here. It's been a long drive, after all. They head on in, with Vaughn walking up to the older man behind the register.~
Clerk: Hello, sir. What do you need? Unleaded or Premium?
Peter Vaughn: For my truck? It's always Premium, the best you've got. But I'm not actually looking to fill up just yet. I was hoping to ask you a few questions regarding what's been happening nearby here. You know, on the Rio Grande River?
~The older man's face immediately darkens, as this isn't a topic they really like discussing here in southwest Texas.~
Clerk: You mean the border invasion we've been having?
Peter Vaughn: Uh, yeah, that. So I was wondering, would you be able to point out on this map where they laid that razor wire? I heard it's close by here.
~Vaughn quickly brings out his map, unfolding it so that it just shows the Rio Grande area. The older man looks at him as if he was crazy, then turns, glancing over at two dangerous-looking men standing nearby. Both have looked up at Vaughn's request, with one of them even subconsciously reaching down to touch the pistol strapped to his belt.~
Clerk: Why would you want that? Are you one of those do-gooders who thinks they can come down here and interfere with what we've got going on? You don't know what you're messing with, son!
Peter Vaughn: Oh, no, I have no interest in any of that. You do whatever you guys want to do. I'm just interested in the razor wire. I heard there's a good supplier down here, who has really put together an incredible supply.
~The clerk, confused, raises an eyebrow. The other two men take a step closer, listening and appearing to consider intervening, but they, too, are puzzled.~
Clerk: So... you're only here for the razor wire? What, to cut it down and remove it?
Peter Vaughn: Well... I wouldn't mind a sample or two. Really, though, I just want to see how they did it, y'know? I've got this match coming up, you see? A wrestling match? I guess you didn't recognize me. Peter Vaughn? Two-time WGWF World Heavyweight Champion? One of the most dominant wrestlers of the past few years?
~None of the men seem to show any recognition. Well, you can't win them all. Vaughn just shrugs and continues on.~
Peter Vaughn: Well, anyway, I'm wrestling this crazy lunatic in a Barbed Wire match this Monday, and from what I hear, they haven't quite got the right style of wire that I'd like. I mean, the match is taking place up in New York, and you KNOW how some of them are.
~They all nod. No matter what part of Texas you're from, there's always some disdain for those living up on the East Coast, especially New York.~
Peter Vaughn: So I wanted to find out if there was a better supply I could bring them for the match, to make it TRULY hardcore. And I've been hearing a lot about the razor wire being made down here on the Texas/Mexico border, so I wanted to come and check it out.
Clerk: Mister... you're missing a few screws, aren't you?
Peter Vaughn: No, no, I keep my Gabriella in perfect condition. I've got extra screws back in the toolbox, just in case something shakes loose during a trip.
~Vaughn gestures out towards his truck, smiling in pride at his well-maintained vehicle. The two men just shake their heads, realizing that Vaughn is not exactly a threat to them. They turn and walk away, as the clerk just shrugs his shoulders. He leans over the map.~
Clerk: If you really want to see what's going on, you'll need to go to this place right... here.
~The older man circles a spot on the map, not too far from Eagle Pass.~
Clerk: It's not the safest area right now, though, just to warn you. There are a lot of federales out there causing trouble with our Border Patrol. So I couldn't guarantee your safety out there.
Peter Vaughn: Oh, that's okay. I'm always prepared for any circumstance, it's one of my strengths in the business.
~The man looks over at the other two men, smirking at Vaughn's confidence.~
Clerk: Oh, really?
~Vaughn's hand comes out, from where it had been out of view earlier. We see the pistol locked there, obviously ready to be used if the other two men had gotten 'involved'. The clerk gulps.~
Peter Vaughn: Really.
~The two men straighten up, nervous, but Vaughn just twirls the gun and puts it back away, hidden. Coveralls are miraculous for concealment, aren't they? Vaughn grins at the clerk, who takes a few deep breaths to calm down. In the meantime, Sadie suddenly appears, stepping between them. She puts a Milky Way, a Snickers, sandwiches, a bag of peanuts, and a couple of sodas up on the counter.~
Sadie Anderson: We'll get these. Anything you want, Peter?
Peter Vaughn: Oh, nah, I've already gotten what I needed.
~Vaughn tosses a $50 on the counter to cover all of the costs, as well as any 'trouble' he might have caused, before grabbing his map. He looks over at Sadie's stuff, then back at the clerk.~
Peter Vaughn: You DO have a bag she can use, right?
~The clerk nervously nods, quickly scooping the items into a plastic sack and handing them over. Sadie thanks him, and they head for the door, going outside.~
Sadie Anderson: That guy looked like he was having a bad day. What did you say to him?
Peter Vaughn: I just asked for directions.
~Vaughn shrugs, getting back into Gabriella, as Sadie jumps in as well. They head out, leaving the country store behind them.~
It's a crazy time to be alive, isn't it?
I mean, look at how things are going at the moment. Mac Bane is ruling over the WGWF. Enigma is, well, still a mystery as the Smash Champion. And I'm finding myself coming to Jonathan Barrows' turf to fight in a Bloodbath exhibition contest against an absolute loon. So what do I call you, anyway? Johnny? Jesytr? Julius? Jamaica-man? Jujubee? So many possibilities, really. I mean, who knows how many personalities are inside that tin-plated skull of yours. I'll tell you, my friend, I've fought some crazed lunatics in the past. Supreme Machine comes to mind, as does Xtreme. But you may be in the running as one of the wackiest guys I've ever been scheduled to face.
I saw a recording of that match you had with Synn last Smash. It was a crazy affair, wasn't it? But you let Synn get away with taking you down, only for the two of you to then go on a rampage in the parking lot. Yeah, uh, I can guarantee to you that Gabriella will be staying safely back in Texas, away from your explosive tendencies. But then, I guess it makes sense that someone like you would want to be in the Bloodbath division. Hell, you make more sense than Mansley throwing her name in, that's for sure.
It's clear you don't give a damn about your own well-being. In this division, that's a plus.
But I can anticipate your own thoughts about me. Since I'm now a twelve-time World Heavyweight Champion, I've basically done it all in this business, and I'm only in my 30s. You must wonder why a guy like me would be willing to sign up for something as extreme as the Bloodbath division. And I'll tell you, there are definitely some who aren't supporting me in this endeavor. But you see, Joker, a lot of people have forgotten how I started out in this business. And no, I'm not talking about my getting drafted into wrestling while being a janitor. No, my true start came in 2021, when I had my first... change of heart.
In case you don't know, I basically got a bit of a mindwipe from a certain GM we both know, and I went a little... off the deep end. I had some of the most brutal matches I've ever been a part of. I did things I never would have thought I was capable of, all in the knowledge that it was the way to become a star in this business. And you know what? It worked. I fought my way upwards, holding the OCW Craze Championship against all threats, doing whatever it took to retain the title. And I parlayed that success into my first World Championship.
It's actually amazing, the opportunities you get when you don't give a fuck.
So if you've noticed recently, my career in the WGWF has been on a bit of a downward trend. I haven't had the success I'm used to. I've been coming up short. And my solution to that? Go back to how it all began... and do it again. That means putting my body and soul on the line in every contest, and being willing to leave my opponents in traction if that's what it takes to become victorious. And that brings us to our little challenge. You wanted to get the first shot in for the Bloodbath, issuing this challenge. I don't know if you expected me to accept it, coming from Brawl, but the rules clearly state that this division is for both brands. And now, here we are, about to test our skins' resilience to barbed wire punctures.
Quite honestly, part of me is looking forward to seeing how you bleed.
I've had a lot of experience around barbed wire in my days, Jimminy. I used to have a barbed-wire broomstick as my pride and joy, and I was always happy to sweep a few layers of skin off someone's arm with it. I've also used it extensively on my ranch back outside of Dallas, seeing how it works to contain the herds of cattle I've been raising. Let me tell you what, a bull usually doesn't stop for anything... but barbed wire will always make them back off. Does that make them smarter than you and I, putting ourselves in this situation? I'll leave that up for others to consider.
Really, John Jestyr Jinglehymer Smith, I feel like I can defeat you without the barbed wire. You wouldn't be able to keep up with me at my fastest, launching attack after attack at that broken brain of yours. You'd probably go down perfectly quickly with Revenged, or take the Plunge with everything thrown in your way. But that's not what I'm going to be looking for in this contest, boyo. I'm more interested in making an impression on everyone else who's daring to say they'll be in the Bloodbath match at WrestleWars.
I want them to be having nightmares about me from Monday on.
So I'll be using you to make an example. I'll be ripping that smile off your face with strand after strand of barbed wire in your cheeks. I'll be shredding your hairline back, rubbing your face across the cords hanging around the ring. And I'll be making sure that viewers watching at home have to watch most of our match in black and white, while those in attendance have to be haunted by seeing the real thing. And you want to know the real kicker, Jay?
I really have nothing against you.
I've watched you wrestle in various matches in the WGWF, as well as other federations. I've seen you go out there and put yourself on the line for the glory of winning a wrestling match, and I can respect it. But your biggest problem now is that you're no good to me as an opponent. You're just perfect... as an example.
So prepare yourself, my friend. Prepare for a bloodletting that you may not escape. Because the WrestleWars match is starting now... and you're going to be the first person eliminated from the competition. Prepare yourself for a hardcore Plunge. Here's hoping you find a way to survive it.
~The image shifts to outside the Rio Grande River, where Vaughn has managed to bring his truck close by to one of the set-ups for the border crossings. Sadie is waiting nervously near the truck, while Vaughn has waded out slightly into the river, gingerly picking up the razor wire and taking a look at it.~
Sadie Anderson: Is this REALLY necessary??
Peter Vaughn: You have to admire the craftsmanship here, honey. They really did some good work on building this. Good old American ingenuity. I can barely hold this without cutting myself, I wouldn't want to try and cross over it here in the water.
~Vaughn nods, impressed, then comes back out of the river, making his way back up the bank. He stops, though, noticing something he missed earlier, and steps off to the right.~
Sadie Anderson: Where are you going now?
Peter Vaughn: Oh my God... Oh my God!!
Sadie Anderson: What? What is it???
~Sadie takes an anxious step forward, wondering what Vaughn has found. Suddenly, Vaughn's head pops back up, as he raises up what's in his arms... a bundle of razor wire, discarded on the side of the riverbank.~
Peter Vaughn: JACKPOT!!!
Sadie Anderson: Oh, for heaven's sake....
~Sadie rubs at her head, even as Vaughn starts to make his way up the bank, carefully hanging onto the bundle. Even wrapped up the way it is, it's still dangerous, catching on Vaughn's coveralls a couple of times despite his best efforts. He gets up near the truck, then stops, considering it.~
Peter Vaughn: Can you get out the dropcloth? I don't want to tear up Gabriella's bed liner with this.
~Sadie sighs, then gets up on the wheel, so she can reach into the back toolbox. But as she pops it open, she stops, looking off into the distance.~
Peter Vaughn: Oh, man, this is going to be beautiful for using at Smash. I just hope I can sneak it in...
Sadie Anderson: Peter... we have to go...
Peter Vaughn: Yeah, I know, just get out the dropcloth and I'll get it in there...
Sadie Anderson: No, I mean, we have to go... NOW!!
~Sadie pops back down, hurrying to the passenger door, as Vaughn curiously looks around the truck. He sees the approaching vehicles coming hard across the dusty plain, kicking up a duststorm behind them. We can see several "local" members of the militia hanging on either side of the trucks, pointing towards them. Vaughn thinks about it for a second, realizing that they probably think something else is going on, and explanations would probably fall on deaf ears.~
Peter Vaughn: Sorry, Gabriella, I'll buff out any issues, I swear...
~With that, Vaughn throws the razor wire bundle into the truck's back, then hurries around, hopping inside. The powerful engine he installed quickly revs up, with Gabriella peeling out and making a quick u-turn, heading in the other direction. It's going to be a chase all the way back to Eagle Pass and beyond, but Vaughn has never had any reason to doubt Gabriella before. The chase continues on, as we slowly fade out.~