ENJOY THE CARMELIZED CRUST
We come back from commercial with a shot of the Capital One Arena crowd. If you think you’re getting lots of build up to what is about to come, sorry, but no.
BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD
SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRONE
LET THE GALAXY BURN
From the foot of the stage, the camera takes a wide shot as Bloodsport (World Domination) by HEALTH powers through the arena. Through the blinding blue and white strobing light cutting through the darkness, the figure of Brandon Youngblood surges from the curtain, the DC fans going absolutely insane with raucous cheers. Tower of Babel powerwalks, his eyes trained forward, an oppressive scowl of intensity a hallmark painting his face, as well as a recovering scar across the bridge of his nose. He is not dressed to compete, donning a pair of white and black combat shorts, his wrestling shoes, and a black shirt cut into a tank top. On the shirt? The Pequod’s Pizza logo. Grab one in Chicago or Morton Grove. There is little hesitation as he makes his descent. And in his hand?
The PRIME Universal Championship.
Nick Stuart: Tropical Turmoil saw pretty much every championship in PRIME change hands…save one. Save the Universal Championship.
Richard Parker: And in truth, thank Hoyt for that. That main event had a lot riding on it, more than many would have liked to think. There was a very real threat of the Universal Championship no longer being the property of this company when all was said and done.
His shoulders sway with the bravado of his BMF walk, a spotlight lighting his path. The 2022 Wrestler of the Year is quick down the ramp, his gait swinging him around the arena floor, to the ring steps. There is no slowdown as his feet pound the steel, stepping between the ropes and exploding upright. Once inside, he begins pacing around the outside perimeter of the ring, going to the nearest corner before climbing it and thrusting the Universal Championship into the air.
Nick Stuart: Promises were made. A celebration planned. But when the chips were down, when things seemed at their darkest, Brandon Youngblood not only stepped up, but met the moment. He matched the fire needed. For the first time in 2023, the Universal Championship was successfully defended. In the ReVival Era, the top prize in all of professional wrestling has been retained by the champion. Three of those are on the record of The Diamond.
Richard Parker: Not the biggest fan…but if Gengis Khan is knocking on your door, you need someone who has the stones to not just face up with him, but put him down. A conqueror of would be conquerors.
Each corner receives the same treatment, another explosion of cheers rocking the foundation of the Capital One Arena. The lights return as Youngblood drops from the last corner, beckoning to ringside attendants for a microphone. Taking into his grasp, the music fades, the Tower pacing, ready to speak. The crowd stops him.
BRANDON YOUNG-BLOOD!
BRANDON YOUNG-BLOOD!
BRANDON YOUNG-BLOOD!
The Universal Champion nods his head in acknowledgement, slinging the belt over his shoulder, waiting for the crowd’s chanting to slow.
BRANDON YOUNG-BLOOD!
BRANDON YOUNG-BLOOD!
BRANDON YOUNG-BLOOD!
And just when it seems they are about to…
Brandon Youngblood: Hey…I got all night, don’t let me stop you!
RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
BRANDON YOUNG-BLOOD!
BRANDON YOUNG-BLOOD!
BRANDON YOUNG-BLOOD!
It’s clear this is the victory lap for the hero. Everyone gets to have their moment to enjoy it. After all, this win is for everyone to savor. Finally, left with only a buzz, the Tower of Babel begins to speak once more.
Brandon Youngblood: There’s gonna be some eyes out there in the wrestling world, wanting to know just what I got to say. What I need to say. After everything…Tropical Turmoil…all of it…this is the time to pour the champagne. To milk every last drop of satisfaction from all of it.
YOU DESERVE IT!
YOU DESERVE IT!
YOU DESERVE IT!
Brandon Youngblood: I ain’t here to drink. I ain’t here to rehash. And I ain’t here to put on the neat little bow. This…
He thrusts the Universal Championship out before him.
Brandon Youngblood: …is all I got to say.
RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
Brandon Youngblood: The past is the past. We’re moving forward. I’m moving forward. Because that’s what it takes to be the standard in this sport. Nothing taken for granted. Know your path to get here, but be looking at the horizon. Winning the Universal Championship, a lot of people think, is the hardest thing you can do in the sport of wrestling. It isn’t.
He lifts the title back skyward.
Brandon Youngblood: It’s keeping it.
RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
Brandon Youngblood: Challenger after challenger. Fight after fight. It takes everything. It DEMANDS everything. Pieces and parts of yourself. Your spirit. Your attention. Your soul. And if anyone out there in PRIME thinks that they’re going to come knocking on my door and that they’re taking it? Try it.
His glower is particularly intense.
Brandon Youngblood: Try it, Ivan. Because I despise you. I hate you. And you? You hate me. But your spot at UltraViolence is cemented and sealed. You’re in the main event in Chicago. And I imagine people think that puts you in a grand ole spot. All the time to prepare. Gameplan. Train. You could sit on your ass and do nothing for months. You could be as fresh as you’ve been in years.
A smirk.
Brandon Youngblood: Ask the last guy who had that much lead time how that worked out for them in the end.
RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
THANK YOU YOUNGBLOOD!
THANK YOU YOUNGBLOOD!
THANK YOU YOUNGBLOOD!
Brandon Youngblood: So savor your time. One threat punched out, you can punch in. Enjoy it. You earned it. Turmoil Match. You earned the shot. But you’re not the hunter. You’re the prey. And you know why? Because the Champion is the one that has to go through the forge to get there. I’m not guaranteed Soldier Field. I have to earn it…just like I earned this in the first place. And to get there? Iron sharpens iron. And when I get there…make no mistake…I’m putting my boot on your throat and ripping your jaw off. I’m put you down to make into a damn rug, Bear Man. But until then…I want to make it abundantly clear…
A brief pause.
Brandon Youngblood: I don’t know who is the next one up. I don’t know if it’s Coral. Or Sykes. Nate Colton. Paxton Ray. Hayes Hanlon. Calvin. Anna Daniels. Luchador. Adam Ellis. Tsonda. Hoyt. Calvin. Pontiff. Jonathan Christopher-Hall. Cancer Jiles.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Brandon Youngblood: I don’t care if it’s Julien. And I damn sure don’t give a shit if it’s Cecilworth Farthington. Because no matter what you do with the 5 Star…you’ll never be its trendsetter. Because the true top of the pile? The number one? The best of the best? It’s the man in this ring right now. It’s the man who doesn’t just defeat his challengers…but makes it so they can’t be here anymore. It’s the guy who never lost that title back in 08.
His thumb is pointed toward himself, in case it wasn’t clear who he meant. You silly goose.
Brandon Youngblood: Whoever it is. Bring everything you got. Not for me. But for you. Because when it’s all said and done? Friend or foe? It’s the only way you survive.
Dropping the microphone, Bloodsport (World Domination) by HEALTH once again powers through the arena, and as Youngblood exits the ring, we go elsewhere.