DOC MARTENS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DIRTY

The camera cuts backstage to the middle of a conversation. 

“But it’s on the DL for now. Just taking it slow.”

We see Jonathan Rhine sitting on a crate in the backstage hallway. Standing next to him is PRIME Tag Team Champion King Blueberry. And yes, he does have a mask on his face, but nothing can hide the enormous grin on his face.

King Blueberry: Slow is good. Sometimes fast is good. Really it all depends on the mood, and what the situation calls for.

He is also very amused at his own joke, as the words fall out in gasps between laughter.

King Blueberry: Want me to go on? Really “hammer” this one home?

Jonathan Rhine had spent the past few months at odd with the masked man, culminating in a match that some are calling the best tag team match of all time. They had been enemies before finally putting their troubles behind them.

But in this moment, Jon’s face suggests maybe he wishes they were still enemies.

Jonathan Rhine: No.

He sees the camera out of the corner of his eye and scratches the back of his neck.

Jonathan Rhine: Uh…anyway. Ready for the big defense tonight?

​​King Blueberry: Ready as we can be, I guess. I know that Justine’s determined to show everyone that our match wasn’t some fluke or one-time thing; that she really belongs here. And I’m going to do everything I can to make sure that things go down the way she hopes they do, but you and I were in the ring with those guys before, so you know what they’re like. Hell, I had to tase one of them.

There’s a part left unsaid, “Even if he wasn’t the person I was aiming for.” Best not to tear at wounds that might still be healing.

King Blueberry: Been a long time since I’ve been in this position, bud. Like, a LONG time. Can’t fuck it up now.

Jonathan Rhine: You’re damn right. Got to make the most of the opportunities we get. Like when I get Bathory next ReVival.

He raises his eyebrows, then stands up.

Jonathan Rhine: That reminds me.

Rhine begins to jog around King Blueberry, raising his hands in the air. 

King Blueberry: Usually people just say, “I told you so.” But I think this is the first time someone has taken an actual victory lap. I could take one of my own, I guess, but since I left the hardware back in the locker room – I think when I’m not around, Cal makes the belts kiss – I’ll just say, “Scoreboard.”

Jon stops his lap and sits down, the smile still on his face.

Jonathan Rhine: Like I give a shit about that. Past’s in the past. Too many good things happening now.

Maybe for one member of Fighting For Nora. But as the splintering of a table down the hallway suggests, the other member is not experiencing too many good things.

Paxton Ray looks down at the table he just damaged, then looks up at Rhine and Blueberry. Jon’s smile immediately dissipates.

Jonathan Rhine: What’s wrong, Pax?

Ray points down at his shoe, which has two yellow specks on it.

Paxton Ray: Bandits.

King Blueberry: Feel like now would be a perfect time to remind the room that while I may have spent some time with Bobby, I am not now nor have I ever been a part of that crew. Just sayin’.

Jonathan Rhine: At least you didn’t get completely egged this time?

Paxton’s expression doesn’t change. 

Paxton Ray: We gotta do somethin’ bout these assholes. 

Jonathan Rhine: I’ll ask Lindsay to give us a match.

Paxton stares at both men for a moment, then nods.

Paxton Ray: Good. 

He looks down at his shoe again.

Paxton Ray: I gotta go clean these before my match.

He walks away and the two former SCCW Champions look at each other.

King Blueberry: Real talk? It is so nice to know he’s pissed at someone else for a change.

Jonathan Rhine: You said it. Don’t want those fists coming for my face any time soon.