Post by Ripper on Jul 13, 2024 20:06:20 GMT -5
For what seems like most of the summer, the CPW has been in state of Florida. And now, the CPW rolls back into the state for Symphony of Destruction just a few short weeks after Wrestlepalooza. The evening looks like a fantastic card and has the potential for one hell of a night with a lot of action and history making moments. The ring and set have been built and everything is ready. Now comes the waiting.
The former CPW Triple Crown Tag Team Champions, Ripper, the brothers Stephen and Ryan Ashworth, are sitting in the empty seats in the lodge section of the arena.
Stephen: “So how was everyone's Fourth of July? Everyone have a good time? Everyone eat and see some fireworks? We did a family cook out and our cousins shot off some fireworks. So a good time was had by all.”
Ryan nods.
Ryan: “It's always a fun time.”
Stephen: “And we caught a plane down to Florida the next day and thank God we had an early flight, because we left right before the traffic. Yeah, heard it was three solid days of off-Cape bridge traffic. Not just Sunday as is custom. No. Like everyone who was on Cape for the Fourth got out. We just managed to avoid it, because we flew out of Rhode Island. Logan in Boston may be closer, but you TF Greene is the better airport.”
Ryan: “We made that mistake once. Once.”
Each of the brothers old up a finger.
Stephen: “And now, here we are, back in Florida and ready for Symphony of Destruction, and man, did it sneak up on us. Feels like just a month ago, we were defending the Triple Crown Tag Team Championships against Slingshot Red and Avery Wright at Wrestlepalooza.”
Ryan: “It was a month ago. We only did two Pure Mayhems. It's kind of strange honestly. Didn't expect the two pay-per-views to be so close together, but here we are. Not complaining though, because this looks like it is going to be a great show.”
Stephen: “Oh yeah. We would have expected another Pure Mayhem where we would have seen the Rogues' Gallery versus The Lost & The Damned and we'd take on Divalicious. It is kind of weird we have never actually faced Divalicious in a tag team match. We started around the same time, but we've never faced off in a regular tag team match, which, yeah, seems odd.”
Ryan: “I find it odd as well. But these are odd times. Wouldn't expect Symphony of Destruction so soon after Wrestlepalooza. But here we are, just a month after losing the titles now with a chance to get a shot at the titles. And all we need to do is win a fatal fourway against three other teams. We do that, we're back in the running for the titles.”
Stephen: “We have faced every single team we're meeting at Symphony of Destruction and we've picked up wins over two of three. Yes, they were because of disqualification. One because the Lost & the Damned wouldn't let go of a hold.”
Ryan: “Thanks for that.”
Stephen: “And the second was against Rogues' Galley, when it seemed like everyone got involved in the match. And that brings us here to this match and our shot at getting a match with Slingshot Red and Avery Wright with the titles on the line and our chance to regain the Triple Crown Tag Team Championships. Now we know, we so know that none of the other teams in this match are going to make it easy. We know this. But we have no intention of making it easy for any of them, no, no, no. We coming to fight. We are coming to give it damnedest to win this match.”
Ryan: “We know this is going to be a crazy match. We know it is every team for themselves and we have to have our heads on a swivel, because at any point in this match, one of you could swoop in and steal that victory. This is one of those matches you have to be good and you have to be very lucky.”
Stephen: “Now we know we have never met Divalicous in a regular tag team match. We've wrestled them in triple threat matches only, and we are keeping that steak alive here again. We know everyone is looking at them like they are the least likely team to win this match, but that's a mistake. Match like this could be just the ting they need to turn it all around and get a shot at the Triple Crown Tag Team Championships. And it would be a huge upset if they pulled off that win. Which, again, they can. Once you get past the outside and the accents, they are capable wrestlers. They came close to wining the titles a few times at Damnation and a Day, and all they need is a shot at the titles and they may actually get the job done.”
Ryan: “We both arrived at the CPW at the same time, but we were the first between the two of us to become champions and we want to be the first between two-time Triple Crown Tag Team Champions. But we know full well that they can find a way to steal this match.”
Stephen: “There is history between Ripper and Divalicious, yes there is, Both of us debuted around the same time. Both of us had a chance at the King of Chaos, but only one member of each team qualified and had to beat a legend to do it while the other half lost to a legend. The one that got into King of Chaos lost in the first round. Our tag team debut was on the same night, both of us scoring the win. And then we are immediately thrust into a the hunt for the Triple Crown Tag Team Championships. We do some singles triple threat matches all leading up to the title tag team match with the titles on the line at SuperBrawl and we both failed to win the belts. But then, our paths diverge. Divalicious goes off TV from SuperBrawl to Damnation And A Day, then seem to have some hit of miss luck when it comes to a win/loss record. We end on to have a few matches with Archangel Michael and found ourselves back in the title hunt and beat Duke Jupiter and Ava for the Triple Crown Tag Team Championships, which we would lose to Slingshot Red and Avery Wright.”
Ryan: “We've had a whole history with them without ever really being rivals. But we've seen how good they are and we know how good they can potentially be. We are not about to underestimate this team and let it cost us the match and a shot at the titles. We want ot win the belts back. We know Rogues' Gallery and The Lost & The Damned are probably going to brush them aside, especially Rogues' Gallery. But Duke & Ava brushed them off and Divalicious ended up beating them the time we ever saw Duke and Ava in the ring. And they scored a victory over The Lost & The Damned a few weeks ago. So, yeah, we think it is safe to say they are a win away from breaking out and moving up to that next level.”
Stephen: “Divalicious, we probably know each other better than we know all the other teams in this match. We know what you are capable of. There are minds behind the accents and opportunists waiting for the right time to strike. We're not about to take you lightly just because you have not had a lot of success in the CPW. We do that and the next thing we know, it is you two challenging Slingshot Red and Avery Wright. Not sure how that's going to work as it seems that Tanya Iverson lady has her sights set on both you and Avery Wright, but as interesting as that could be, we want to put that on hold so we can try to win back the titles. You guys can do whatever after we get our shot.”
Ryan: “You two are the only team in this match we do not yet hold a victory over, but at the same time, you two have never beaten us either. That is not going to change at Symphony of Destruction. We're not saying you can't. We are saying you won't. We are coming for the win ladies and we intend to leave with it whether you two like it or not.”
Stephen: “And then there is the Rogues' Gallery, the team we probably could have beaten two weeks ago if everyone didn't get involved in the match. Maybe someday, we'll actually find out. But that is not the only thing we want to find out.”
Ryan: “I'm sure we will find out something in this match. Not what we may have initially wondered or looked to find out, but odds are we will find something out.”
Stephen: “No. We have questions that are still unanswered. We want to know what is s you, Jeremy the Wicked, gain from being the meatsuit for some ancient evil entity that predates creation. Do you get superpowers? Do you get a really cool sword? Do you get a highly customizable d10 cantrip so closely associated with your class that it is a joke among the community that it is literally the only thing you do despite having some other cool abilities and access to magic? Do you get to master all four elements in a reincarnation cycle? Help us out here man. Again, it comes back to a huge thing we had with Mister Natural and his dark gods, Mum-ra and the Ancient Spirits of Evil thing, in wondering why ancient evil powers need a guy to win a title in wrestling. We see step one is make a pact with a person. We understand that. We get that. That makes sense. We just fail to see how any goal an ancient evil entity could have requires someone to win a championship. What? Is the title to be sacrificed upon and alter which would then open the gateway and allow evil into the world? Does winning the title mean Shadow takes you over completely and then what, run for President or something? Is he grooming you to be his successor and being Shadow, the ancient evil entity works like being the Dread Pirate Roberts? Seriously, tell me how this isn't stupid? I'm not trying to be rude here, but I'm just saying the plot doesn't make sense. You're like the Underpants Gnomes in South Park, except while we cannot see Step Two, we are not even sure Step Three is profit. We're just assuming Step Three is profit. ”
Stephen leans his head back and groans, then rubs his forehead.
Ryan: “It really doesn't. Once you get past the whole confusing Shadow thing, however, Jeremy, while we were in the ring with you only once so far, we get the hype. You're good. You are very good. I mean we have seen it, but we got to experience it first hand. You're certainly more than able to become a champion in the CPW. But we're going to do our best to delay that a bit longer because we want the first shot at Slingshot Red and Avery.”
Stephen's head is still leaning back. He stops rubbing his temple and just puts his hands over his forehead, groaning again.
Stephen: “The other questions we find ourselves asking is why is Superunknown making guys like Kite Man and Condiment King look like a much better villains by comparison? Yeah, we know they are from DC and even a guy with no superpowers is still somehow overpowered. Pretty sure there's a comic where Kite Man just shoots a grappling hook at a battleship and carries it way with nothing more than a gentle breeze lifting his kite and Condiment King tries to conquer Atlantis with the ability to psychically control mayonnaise, but still, they are coming off as better villains than you. You have a Fortress of Solitude instead of an evil lair and a crystal starship which you would think would just work better than a Fortress of Solitude And again, like with Shadow renting space in Jeremy, what exactly are your sinister machinations here? Do you even have superpowers? We been in the ring with you and it didn't seem like you had superpowers. Little disappointing. The whole thing is just coming off as too busy is all I'm saying. Slingshot Red's pulling it off better and she could easily go full Batman or something. You may have done it first, and pretty sure you didn't, but others have done it better. She dresses as a superhero to try and inspire people while you are here dressed as a supervillain trying to win a wrestling title because it's part of your evil scheme, a scheme that feels cartoon Cobra Commander insane. This just feels overproduced.”
Stephen leans forward.
Ryan: “Again, we know how good you are Superunknown. And we are not saying that from having been in the ring with you, but from knowing who you are and when you accomplished. How long has it been since you had a title around your waist? We'd be idiots not to think you don't want to be champion again. We know you and Jeremy would love to win the match and face Slingshot Red and Avery. But, at the same time, you have to know we are going to do everything we can to stop you because we want that shot.”
Stephen: “And last, but certainly not least, we have the always unsettling team of The Lost & The Damned. I'm not saying you two are the dark horse of this match, but you two are probably the biggest wild factor in the match. Are you looking to hurt someone, just cause pain and play the kingmaker here, take out someone and let whoever win the match? Or are you actually going to try and win the match yourselves? We faced each other once and only once and it seemed you were far more interested in trying to hurt us than you were in winning the match and we have to wonder what is going through your heads heading into a fatal fourway. But, at the same time, we really, really do not want to try to get into your heads because we assume those are messed up places. Actually, we know they are messed up places. So many people on the roster could use therapy.”
Ryan: “You two are good. But you are also really unpredictable. And we know that is probably your biggest strength in this match. We literally have no idea what the hell you two are thinking or planning and we cannot even begin to imagine what you will do. It makes you a wild card and the biggest x factor in this match. Any team could be moments from victory when you decide to do something crazy and violent and steal the win or let someone else get the win. We are not even sure if you are interested in championships, or like Victoria Travis, you want to hurt people and get trophies. All of that comes together and makes you very dangerous. And we know that first hand, because you didn't even go for the win in our match. You went straight for hurting.”
Stephen: “You two are the most dangerous and unpredictable element in this match. We know Divalicious and Rogues' Gallery want to pick up the win and go on to face Slingshot Red and Avery Wright for the titles at some point. We know we want to win and get that title shot. But we do not know what you want. We do not know where your heads are at. We don't know if you know what you want other than to hurt people or even if you know where your heads are at. We'd be dumb as hell not to consider you two a threat because you two are really just incredibly screwed up monkeys. We know you are going to go for violence and trying to hurt people. What we don't know is if that's the endgame or if you are going to go for the win,, because again, you are screwed up monkeys.”
Ryan: “We would be fools not to recognize how potentially dangerous and capable The Lost & The Damned are and what they can do in a match like this. Your being the x factor, the wild card, does us no favors. Do you go for the win, or for the carnage?”
Stephen: “Look, we can talk all we want about how we're going to do this, and what we think about you, but we all know actions speak louder than words. So, at Symphony of Destruction, we're going to say everything we need to say in the ring. We have been to the top of the mountain, won the titles and we want them back. That is easier said than done, because we know how tough Slingshot Red and Avery Wright are first hand and better than any of you do. But that doesn't mean we do not want another match with them and another shot at the Triple Crown Tag Team Championships. So, so don't think just because we have been there and done that that we do not want to go back and do it again.”
Ryan: “If we have to go through three other teams to get a rematch for the Triple Crown Tag Team Championships, then we are more than willing to give it a shot and get our chance at regaining the titles. We'll go out there and give it all we have to pull off this win.”
Stephen: “It's party time boys and girls and we're ready to bring the noise.”
The brothers bump fists as they look at the ring where their fate will be decided.
The former CPW Triple Crown Tag Team Champions, Ripper, the brothers Stephen and Ryan Ashworth, are sitting in the empty seats in the lodge section of the arena.
Stephen: “So how was everyone's Fourth of July? Everyone have a good time? Everyone eat and see some fireworks? We did a family cook out and our cousins shot off some fireworks. So a good time was had by all.”
Ryan nods.
Ryan: “It's always a fun time.”
Stephen: “And we caught a plane down to Florida the next day and thank God we had an early flight, because we left right before the traffic. Yeah, heard it was three solid days of off-Cape bridge traffic. Not just Sunday as is custom. No. Like everyone who was on Cape for the Fourth got out. We just managed to avoid it, because we flew out of Rhode Island. Logan in Boston may be closer, but you TF Greene is the better airport.”
Ryan: “We made that mistake once. Once.”
Each of the brothers old up a finger.
Stephen: “And now, here we are, back in Florida and ready for Symphony of Destruction, and man, did it sneak up on us. Feels like just a month ago, we were defending the Triple Crown Tag Team Championships against Slingshot Red and Avery Wright at Wrestlepalooza.”
Ryan: “It was a month ago. We only did two Pure Mayhems. It's kind of strange honestly. Didn't expect the two pay-per-views to be so close together, but here we are. Not complaining though, because this looks like it is going to be a great show.”
Stephen: “Oh yeah. We would have expected another Pure Mayhem where we would have seen the Rogues' Gallery versus The Lost & The Damned and we'd take on Divalicious. It is kind of weird we have never actually faced Divalicious in a tag team match. We started around the same time, but we've never faced off in a regular tag team match, which, yeah, seems odd.”
Ryan: “I find it odd as well. But these are odd times. Wouldn't expect Symphony of Destruction so soon after Wrestlepalooza. But here we are, just a month after losing the titles now with a chance to get a shot at the titles. And all we need to do is win a fatal fourway against three other teams. We do that, we're back in the running for the titles.”
Stephen: “We have faced every single team we're meeting at Symphony of Destruction and we've picked up wins over two of three. Yes, they were because of disqualification. One because the Lost & the Damned wouldn't let go of a hold.”
Ryan: “Thanks for that.”
Stephen: “And the second was against Rogues' Galley, when it seemed like everyone got involved in the match. And that brings us here to this match and our shot at getting a match with Slingshot Red and Avery Wright with the titles on the line and our chance to regain the Triple Crown Tag Team Championships. Now we know, we so know that none of the other teams in this match are going to make it easy. We know this. But we have no intention of making it easy for any of them, no, no, no. We coming to fight. We are coming to give it damnedest to win this match.”
Ryan: “We know this is going to be a crazy match. We know it is every team for themselves and we have to have our heads on a swivel, because at any point in this match, one of you could swoop in and steal that victory. This is one of those matches you have to be good and you have to be very lucky.”
Stephen: “Now we know we have never met Divalicous in a regular tag team match. We've wrestled them in triple threat matches only, and we are keeping that steak alive here again. We know everyone is looking at them like they are the least likely team to win this match, but that's a mistake. Match like this could be just the ting they need to turn it all around and get a shot at the Triple Crown Tag Team Championships. And it would be a huge upset if they pulled off that win. Which, again, they can. Once you get past the outside and the accents, they are capable wrestlers. They came close to wining the titles a few times at Damnation and a Day, and all they need is a shot at the titles and they may actually get the job done.”
Ryan: “We both arrived at the CPW at the same time, but we were the first between the two of us to become champions and we want to be the first between two-time Triple Crown Tag Team Champions. But we know full well that they can find a way to steal this match.”
Stephen: “There is history between Ripper and Divalicious, yes there is, Both of us debuted around the same time. Both of us had a chance at the King of Chaos, but only one member of each team qualified and had to beat a legend to do it while the other half lost to a legend. The one that got into King of Chaos lost in the first round. Our tag team debut was on the same night, both of us scoring the win. And then we are immediately thrust into a the hunt for the Triple Crown Tag Team Championships. We do some singles triple threat matches all leading up to the title tag team match with the titles on the line at SuperBrawl and we both failed to win the belts. But then, our paths diverge. Divalicious goes off TV from SuperBrawl to Damnation And A Day, then seem to have some hit of miss luck when it comes to a win/loss record. We end on to have a few matches with Archangel Michael and found ourselves back in the title hunt and beat Duke Jupiter and Ava for the Triple Crown Tag Team Championships, which we would lose to Slingshot Red and Avery Wright.”
Ryan: “We've had a whole history with them without ever really being rivals. But we've seen how good they are and we know how good they can potentially be. We are not about to underestimate this team and let it cost us the match and a shot at the titles. We want ot win the belts back. We know Rogues' Gallery and The Lost & The Damned are probably going to brush them aside, especially Rogues' Gallery. But Duke & Ava brushed them off and Divalicious ended up beating them the time we ever saw Duke and Ava in the ring. And they scored a victory over The Lost & The Damned a few weeks ago. So, yeah, we think it is safe to say they are a win away from breaking out and moving up to that next level.”
Stephen: “Divalicious, we probably know each other better than we know all the other teams in this match. We know what you are capable of. There are minds behind the accents and opportunists waiting for the right time to strike. We're not about to take you lightly just because you have not had a lot of success in the CPW. We do that and the next thing we know, it is you two challenging Slingshot Red and Avery Wright. Not sure how that's going to work as it seems that Tanya Iverson lady has her sights set on both you and Avery Wright, but as interesting as that could be, we want to put that on hold so we can try to win back the titles. You guys can do whatever after we get our shot.”
Ryan: “You two are the only team in this match we do not yet hold a victory over, but at the same time, you two have never beaten us either. That is not going to change at Symphony of Destruction. We're not saying you can't. We are saying you won't. We are coming for the win ladies and we intend to leave with it whether you two like it or not.”
Stephen: “And then there is the Rogues' Gallery, the team we probably could have beaten two weeks ago if everyone didn't get involved in the match. Maybe someday, we'll actually find out. But that is not the only thing we want to find out.”
Ryan: “I'm sure we will find out something in this match. Not what we may have initially wondered or looked to find out, but odds are we will find something out.”
Stephen: “No. We have questions that are still unanswered. We want to know what is s you, Jeremy the Wicked, gain from being the meatsuit for some ancient evil entity that predates creation. Do you get superpowers? Do you get a really cool sword? Do you get a highly customizable d10 cantrip so closely associated with your class that it is a joke among the community that it is literally the only thing you do despite having some other cool abilities and access to magic? Do you get to master all four elements in a reincarnation cycle? Help us out here man. Again, it comes back to a huge thing we had with Mister Natural and his dark gods, Mum-ra and the Ancient Spirits of Evil thing, in wondering why ancient evil powers need a guy to win a title in wrestling. We see step one is make a pact with a person. We understand that. We get that. That makes sense. We just fail to see how any goal an ancient evil entity could have requires someone to win a championship. What? Is the title to be sacrificed upon and alter which would then open the gateway and allow evil into the world? Does winning the title mean Shadow takes you over completely and then what, run for President or something? Is he grooming you to be his successor and being Shadow, the ancient evil entity works like being the Dread Pirate Roberts? Seriously, tell me how this isn't stupid? I'm not trying to be rude here, but I'm just saying the plot doesn't make sense. You're like the Underpants Gnomes in South Park, except while we cannot see Step Two, we are not even sure Step Three is profit. We're just assuming Step Three is profit. ”
Stephen leans his head back and groans, then rubs his forehead.
Ryan: “It really doesn't. Once you get past the whole confusing Shadow thing, however, Jeremy, while we were in the ring with you only once so far, we get the hype. You're good. You are very good. I mean we have seen it, but we got to experience it first hand. You're certainly more than able to become a champion in the CPW. But we're going to do our best to delay that a bit longer because we want the first shot at Slingshot Red and Avery.”
Stephen's head is still leaning back. He stops rubbing his temple and just puts his hands over his forehead, groaning again.
Stephen: “The other questions we find ourselves asking is why is Superunknown making guys like Kite Man and Condiment King look like a much better villains by comparison? Yeah, we know they are from DC and even a guy with no superpowers is still somehow overpowered. Pretty sure there's a comic where Kite Man just shoots a grappling hook at a battleship and carries it way with nothing more than a gentle breeze lifting his kite and Condiment King tries to conquer Atlantis with the ability to psychically control mayonnaise, but still, they are coming off as better villains than you. You have a Fortress of Solitude instead of an evil lair and a crystal starship which you would think would just work better than a Fortress of Solitude And again, like with Shadow renting space in Jeremy, what exactly are your sinister machinations here? Do you even have superpowers? We been in the ring with you and it didn't seem like you had superpowers. Little disappointing. The whole thing is just coming off as too busy is all I'm saying. Slingshot Red's pulling it off better and she could easily go full Batman or something. You may have done it first, and pretty sure you didn't, but others have done it better. She dresses as a superhero to try and inspire people while you are here dressed as a supervillain trying to win a wrestling title because it's part of your evil scheme, a scheme that feels cartoon Cobra Commander insane. This just feels overproduced.”
Stephen leans forward.
Ryan: “Again, we know how good you are Superunknown. And we are not saying that from having been in the ring with you, but from knowing who you are and when you accomplished. How long has it been since you had a title around your waist? We'd be idiots not to think you don't want to be champion again. We know you and Jeremy would love to win the match and face Slingshot Red and Avery. But, at the same time, you have to know we are going to do everything we can to stop you because we want that shot.”
Stephen: “And last, but certainly not least, we have the always unsettling team of The Lost & The Damned. I'm not saying you two are the dark horse of this match, but you two are probably the biggest wild factor in the match. Are you looking to hurt someone, just cause pain and play the kingmaker here, take out someone and let whoever win the match? Or are you actually going to try and win the match yourselves? We faced each other once and only once and it seemed you were far more interested in trying to hurt us than you were in winning the match and we have to wonder what is going through your heads heading into a fatal fourway. But, at the same time, we really, really do not want to try to get into your heads because we assume those are messed up places. Actually, we know they are messed up places. So many people on the roster could use therapy.”
Ryan: “You two are good. But you are also really unpredictable. And we know that is probably your biggest strength in this match. We literally have no idea what the hell you two are thinking or planning and we cannot even begin to imagine what you will do. It makes you a wild card and the biggest x factor in this match. Any team could be moments from victory when you decide to do something crazy and violent and steal the win or let someone else get the win. We are not even sure if you are interested in championships, or like Victoria Travis, you want to hurt people and get trophies. All of that comes together and makes you very dangerous. And we know that first hand, because you didn't even go for the win in our match. You went straight for hurting.”
Stephen: “You two are the most dangerous and unpredictable element in this match. We know Divalicious and Rogues' Gallery want to pick up the win and go on to face Slingshot Red and Avery Wright for the titles at some point. We know we want to win and get that title shot. But we do not know what you want. We do not know where your heads are at. We don't know if you know what you want other than to hurt people or even if you know where your heads are at. We'd be dumb as hell not to consider you two a threat because you two are really just incredibly screwed up monkeys. We know you are going to go for violence and trying to hurt people. What we don't know is if that's the endgame or if you are going to go for the win,, because again, you are screwed up monkeys.”
Ryan: “We would be fools not to recognize how potentially dangerous and capable The Lost & The Damned are and what they can do in a match like this. Your being the x factor, the wild card, does us no favors. Do you go for the win, or for the carnage?”
Stephen: “Look, we can talk all we want about how we're going to do this, and what we think about you, but we all know actions speak louder than words. So, at Symphony of Destruction, we're going to say everything we need to say in the ring. We have been to the top of the mountain, won the titles and we want them back. That is easier said than done, because we know how tough Slingshot Red and Avery Wright are first hand and better than any of you do. But that doesn't mean we do not want another match with them and another shot at the Triple Crown Tag Team Championships. So, so don't think just because we have been there and done that that we do not want to go back and do it again.”
Ryan: “If we have to go through three other teams to get a rematch for the Triple Crown Tag Team Championships, then we are more than willing to give it a shot and get our chance at regaining the titles. We'll go out there and give it all we have to pull off this win.”
Stephen: “It's party time boys and girls and we're ready to bring the noise.”
The brothers bump fists as they look at the ring where their fate will be decided.