ACES
The Amalie Arena is buzzing. The crowd is (barb)wired for the nights main event. Half the PRIMEates are on to beer two or three already.
The lights in the arena dim, changing to a soft orange glow and the, suddenly, familiar sound of Zach Bryan’s “Something in the Orange” begins to play. The crowd, at least all those who watched Colossus, jump to their feet with a roar.
Nick Stuart: We remember this tune from late last year. The shocking return of the PRIME Hall of Famer, The Inhuman Being, Matt Ward!
After just a few seconds, enough to tease the fans, the sounds of Zach Bryan fade away and the arena is plunged into darkness as the orange glow dies out. And then…
Wiz Khalifa – “No Limit (Sencit Remix)”
A wave of soft white lights begin to blink on and off in rapid succession, like strobe lights on speed. At the top of the stage, The Inhuman Being emerges from the Argyle Position.
RRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaHHHHHHHHHHH!
Nick Stuart: This is new.
Richard Parker: I don’t get to sing along about how much I f’ing hate everyone anymore?
The man often referred to as Tchu slowly makes his way down to the ring. As he does, some fans along the aisle start an “IN-HU-MAN” chant that spreads across the ringside area.
Nick Stuart: Safe to say these fans in Florida couldn’t be happier to see the 3-time Universal Champ back in the ranks of PRIME!
Ward hops up onto the apron and steps through the ropes. He climbs the near corner and throws his arms open to the world as the fans blow the roof off the arena.
And then, it’s on to business. Ward hops down and the music fades. He crosses the ring and is handed a microphone.
Ward: Feels good to be back
RRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!
Ward: Been a long time, and I guess a lot has probably changed. Hell, the last time I came out here to cut a promo, this show was called ReVolution.
Richard Parker: It’s true. This guy is stone-age.
Nick Stuart: You were calling those matches.
Richard Parker: And so were you, ya old bastard.
For a moment, The Inhuman Being fumbles the microphone around in his hand, almost like he’s forgotten how to hold one. Ring rust comes in many forms.
Ward: A lot of people have already started asking… why come back? After a decade away? 46 years old… and change. Why? I’ve already heard the talk, read the dirt sheets saying this is my feel-good farewell tour. Trust me when I say… that ain’t it.
Richard Parker: Think he came back for the spread in catering?
Nick Stuart: Not likely. The rolls are good though.
In the center of the ring, the Hall of Famer rubs his beard, noticeably more grey than the last time, PRIME fans saw him do so.
Ward: Just a minute ago, I kicked things off by saying that a lot has changed over the last ten years. Hell, I’m walking down to the ring to different music. But not everything changes. I came back to show that some things are constant. To show that a decade later, a whole new world… a whole new generation, new faces, new roster… I am that constant.
Now, it can be seen that Tchu is finding his stride, falling back into a comfortable zone.
Ward: There’s not gonna be anything warm & fuzzy about my return. This is gonna be cold blooded. It’s not a feel good retirement tour. I didn’t come back to say goodbyes, town by town. I came back for Number 4.
RRRRAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Richard Parker: Who’s that?
Nick Stuart: She’s about ten pounds of gold, I reckon
Ward: And it’s not personal, Hayes. You’re just the right guy at the wrong time. Hayes or whoever. And I didn’t come back for anything less than everything.
Richard Parker: Bold for a guy who’s a few months away from qualifying for senior discounts at Bob Evans
In the ring, Tchu lowers the mic to his side and takes a deep breath. It’s cliched, but he soaks in the sounds of thousands of people, buzzing and roaring… all for his existence. After a few seconds, he raises the mic back to his lips.
Ward: But first, before the gold, there’s a diamond I need to break. The Ace of the ReVolution is coming for the Ace of the ReVival
YYYYEEEEEEAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!
Nick Stuart: I think The Inhuman Being just called out the reigning Wrestler of the Year, Brandon Youngblood!
Richard Parker: This guy ever heard of easing back into things?!
Ward drops the microphone and steps thru the ropes as the crowd continues to roar. With what appears to be a smirk spreading across his face, he makes his way up the aisle, content with the line he’s just drawn in the sand.
Nick Stuart: Not sure what that’s about, or what his beef is, but I can’t imagine Youngblood won’t have something to say about it.
We cut to the backstage area, where Matt Mills is with… someone just mentioned.