A BOLD MOVE
The clock is winding down on a memorable Colossus two-night affair. Pretty soon, the fate of the Universal Title will be decided, followed by a PPV after-party to celebrate PRIME’s successful year before the company heads into a holiday break.
Backstage, newly minted Hall of Famer Wade Elliott relaxes on a brown leather couch, one arm lazily hanging over the backrest. In his left hand is a tumbler of bourbon, which he polishes off before pouring himself another few fingers. In front of him on a coffee table is another half-full glass, and a TV on the wall plays a hype video for Hayes Hanlon and Cancer Jiles.
Quite a ride, old man. Quite a ride.
A door at the back of the room opens and Lindsay Troy walks through. She’s traded in her ring gear for a cream-colored cropped sweater, black skinny jeans and black heels. She fiddles with getting her earrings in while making her way over to the ‘Bama Bruiser.
Lindsay Troy: Hope you left some for me.
Wade Elliott: (leaning forward to retrieve the pre-poured glass) You were cuttin’ it close. Was ‘bout to tip it back myself.
Lindsay Troy: (laughing) You wouldn’t dare. And cut me some slack, I just put an old man out to pasture.
The Queen grabs her drink and sits down next to Wade. She takes a slow sip and closes her eyes.
Lindsay Troy: (smiling) This tastes even better after a victory.
Wade Elliott: (reaching his glass for a cheers) Always does.
The clink of their glasses is followed by two more sips.
Wade Elliott: (grinning) An’ it looks like Colossus is still yer show.
Lindsay Troy: Red Eyez gave me a run for it, though. He could keep going if he wanted to.
She looks at Wade.
Lindsay Troy: So could you, since you ditched Dam and all.
An incredulous snort from Elliott.
Wade Elliott: First’ve all, I gave Dam plenty’ve notice. Second…I ain’t ready to admit how much that kick still hurts.
Lindsay Troy: Need to keep up the tough guy image. I get it. (She smirks) Your secret’s safe with me.
Another sip of alcohol, and a content sigh.
Lindsay Troy: Can’t believe we made it a year. Feels like just yesterday I was recruiting the new kids and asking the Old Guard if they wanted to come back.
Wade Elliott: Hard t’believe, I guess. At the same time, though…
He turns to the Queen.
Wade Elliott: …kinda feels like we made it a lot longer.
Lindsay Troy: Well, I’ve got no intentions of ending the ride anytime soon.
She meets Wade’s gaze and smiles.
Lindsay Troy: Been thinking about the last Colossus a lot the past few days. All the lead-up to it, all the emotions, what it all meant. And as special as that was, I think this one might’ve topped it.
Wade Elliott: Hmm. Bold statement. What makes ya say that?
Lindsay Troy: We closed a lot of chapters ten years ago. There are so many new ones that were written tonight, and the excitement’s contagious. Nate winning the Five Star, Jared shedding the mask and getting his revenge on Paxton, Matt coming back; it all just feels…bigger. PRIME’s got a bright future ahead.
The ‘Bama Bruiser settles into the couch with a contented nod.
Wade Elliott: Glad you called me back t’see it.
Lindsay Troy: You know this place isn’t the same without you here. And even if I didn’t, I’ve got a feeling you would’ve shown up anyway.
Wade chuckles, thinking back to PRIME’s closure run when he showed up on ReVolution after a three-year disappearance. Lindsay finishes off her glass and leans forward to set it on the table. She’s quiet for a spell as she rests against the couch.
Lindsay Troy: You remember coming to find me in Boston night before we closed?
The ‘Bama Bruiser turns up a quizzical eyebrow, setting down his own empty glass.
Wade Elliott: ‘Course I do.
Lindsay Troy: I’ve been thinking about that too. Everything we talked about that day. Repairing the bridge we burned down again.
The Queen sighs and runs a hand through her curls.
Lindsay Troy: I realize now I was wrong when I said we wouldn’t work out back then. We’d destroyed our friendship so many times, and I was afraid something would happen to wreck it all again. I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself. And I was comfortable with Rayne and didn’t want to wreck that either. I’m just…I’m sorry. I don’t know what I’m saying here…
She shakes her head in frustration. Somewhere between a knowing grin, and somewhere between a blue screen of death, Wade cocks an eyebrow; his keen blue eyes sharing a long pause with the Queen’s hazel ones.
The longest of pauses, before the Blue Collar Brawler can muster one last clever line.
Wade Elliott: What was that you said ‘bout bright futures ahead?
Lindsay Troy: I…
But before she can even start the sentence, he grabs her by the shoulders and plants a heavy kiss. A bold move, one that had been lingering for many years; a “do or die” moment for the Southern Sparkplug.
And yet, quite hopefully, but still somewhat unexpectedly, the Queen cups his head in her hands and kisses him back, allowing her vulnerability to melt away as Wade’s arms move around her back to hold her close.
The cameras fade off shortly, but trust…
…it’s a kiss sixteen years in the making.