GREAT SCOTT vs. PAXTON RAY
Strata.
“Piece by Piece.”
The bassline of Jonathan Rhine’s long-used entrance music hits the speakers. For years, The New Life has entered the ring to this music, and he has made an art form of coming out at the exact right time: the bassline eventually stops and is replaced with a scream, and during that scream Rhine would enter, spinning, to accept the roar of the crowd.
But this is not Jonathan Rhine’s match; this is Paxton Ray’s, and the Lafayette Bruiser walks out while the bassline is still rumbling, adjusting the tape on his wrists as he marches out. After a moment, Jonathan Rhine and Shweta Kallemullah emerge as well, a full second before the screams and pyro start. Rhine is smiling, but it’s an uneasy smile.
Nick Stuart: Welcome back to ReVival 13, where Paxton Ray is about to make his singles debut against GREAT SCOTT! This young man has quite the story, Richard.
Richard Parker: I let myself get jaded from time to time, but I can’t hate on a man who fights to help his daughter fight cancer, Nick. His big-eared friend still annoys me, though.
Vince Howard: Our next match is scheduled for one fall! First! From Lafayette, Louisiana and making his singles debut! Standing six feet, six inches tall and weighing in at two-hundred and thirty pounds…PAXTON! RAY!
Paxton Ray is not an entertainer. He walks to the ring and rolls under the ropes, then rolls his neck slowly as he waits for his opponent. Rhine slides under the ring ropes to whisper some encouragement into his ear, then slaps him on the shoulder and exits outside. The Cajun Competitor snarls as Strata fades out, giving way to…
I am a man at war! And I am fightin’ for!
All of the broken people, all of the people thrown overboard!
Papa Roach’s forced and mediocre lyrics burst into the arena, and out walks The World’s Greatest SCOTT, shaggy hair flowing majestically for the frenzying Garden Arena. Behind him? GREAT BEAR, of course! Beats by DREADLE headphones and all.
Vince Howard: And his opponent! From the Greater Metro Area of Great Falls, Minnesota! Standing six feet, one inch and weighing in at two-hundred and seventy-six pounds…The World’s Greatest SCOTT…GREAATT! SCOTT!!!
Nick Stuart: GREAT SCOTT’s meteoric rise came down to Earth at ReVolution 12, failing to defeat the Goat Bastard for the Five Star Title.
Richard Parker: And we’re all better for it. Someone needed to put a stop to…whatever this is.
SCOTT rolls into the ring and makes the rounds, climbing each ring post to bask in the glory while Paxton nearly froths at the mouth with impatience GREAT BEAR grooves on the sidelines, where Jonathan Rhine and Shweta slowly shuffle their way to the opposite side of the ring. Referee Elvis Nixon checks on both competitors, then calls for the bell.
DING DING
Paxton wastes little time, unleashed from the corner at the sound of the bell, immediately assaulting SCOTT with a flurry of fists and backing him into a corner.
Nick Stuart: And Paxton Ray has no interest in waiting any longer! He wants to get things going now!
SCOTT covers up, avoiding the fists and elbows from Ray as best as possible. Paxton drives a knee into his abdomen, following with a forearm to the back of the head as SCOTT doubles over. He takes a grip of long, luscious hair, turning back toward center to leap and smash the GREAT one to the mat with a bulldog.
Nick Stuart: Paxton keeping the pressure on! SCOTT rolls to his back, Ray mounting him and bringing down those hard fists! SCOTT covers up, Ray having trouble getting through with elbows.
Paxton releases the mount, standing and grabbing SCOTT by the foot, delivering a couple hard stomps to the inner thigh, following with an elbow drop. However, no pin attempt to be had as Ray stands and quickly delivers another, and then a third elbow drop to cap it off.
Nick Stuart: The brawler from Louisiana showcasing a relentless approach, it reminds me of a young Wade Elliott in his hayday.
Richard Parker: And it better stay that way. SCOTT has a huge weight advantage over Tall and Skinny, here.
Wanting to bring the action back to his feet, Ray pulls SCOTT from the mat and shoves his dense body against the ropes. SCOTT rebounds, ducking under a big boot attempt from Paxton. Off the ropes again, but Ray is ready, swinging hard and connecting with a big clothesline. SCOTT takes the bump, and Paxton follows with a splash over the abdomen, staying put for what seems like more of an obligatory pin than an attempt at the win. Nixon drops for the count.
ONE
TWO…kickout!
GREAT SCOTT gets a shoulder up with little issue, but Paxton is just fine with keeping the punishment going, standing to lay a few boots to SCOTT’s rib cage. SCOTT rolls away, and Paxton allows him to do so, yelling for the GREAT One to stand up.
Nick Stuart: GREAT SCOTT to his feet, Paxton is on him! Nixon telling Ray to watch it with the fists, and SCOTT’s able to get low and wrap Ray up around the waist! He pivots around behind his opponent, Paxton throwing some sharp elbows…BELLY TO BACK SUPLEX FROM GREAT SCOTT!!
Richard Parker: See what I mean? He’ll snag Ray like a twig with too many of those.
Ray’s shoulders crash into the mat, and SCOTT takes a moment of relief from the fists of Nora’s father. Ray, not exactly pleased with the maneuver, clambers to his feet, but SCOTT is up and stalking over, dropping to a knee and squeezing Paxton in a headlock. Ray fights back while SCOTT fights for control, jerking him around, keeping the hold as they stand upright. SCOTT takes hold of a wrist, twisting into a hammerlock and throwing an arm over Paxton’s neck, then sends him over with another strong suplex.
Nick Stuart: SCOTT keeps the momentum going with a hammerlock suplex!
Richard Parker: Someone tell him that suplexes are Youngblood’s thing.
GREAT SCOTT kips up to his feet, adrenaline surging. Paxton scowls while holding his back, using the ropes for assistance to get upright. SCOTT meets him at the ropes, pushing the Cajun Contender off and whipping him across the mat. Paxton’s long legs stride into the opposite ropes for the rebound. SCOTT leaps into a cross-body block, flattening Ray and holding for the pin.
ONE!
TWO
T…Kickout!
Nick Stuart: No quit in Paxton Ray!
Paxton violently punches him arm off the mat. SCOTT flips his hair back, slight signs of frustration showing. He stands, bringing Ray with him, clobbering him with a couple hard forearms. Paxton fights hard, but SCOTT gives him a kick to the gut, then turns to execute the WHAMSTUNNER portion that totally wasn’t clearly the next piece of the puzzle.
Nick Stuart: GREAT SCOTT looking for the GREAT SCOTT STUNNER….Paxton pushes him away! SCOTT stumbles forward, catching his balance, turning around…OHH MY! HARD right hand from Paxton Ray!
Paxton absolutely knocks the slobber from SCOTT’s mouth with a stiff right hand. SCOTT holds his jaw as he falls into the ropes, and Ray is on him quickly delivering a series of rights and lefts.
Nick Stuart: Paxton Ray showing off some absolute hammers for hands!
Richard Parker: SCOTT better check for a couple cracked teeth! What a punch!
A knee to the gut drops SCOTT, and Ray’s on top of him, relentless with lefts. SCOTT takes hold of the bottom rope, but Paxton is seeing red, raining down knuckle sandwiches. Elvis Nixon is getting impatient, and starts the count on Paxton. Finally Ray relents, showing his own frustration and rage with some choice words toward the referee.
Nick Stuart: Paxton’s starting to get a little out of control here, and just in time, his partner is on the apron to keep him from going overboard!
Indeed, Jonathan Rhine has hopped on the apron, hollering at Paxton to calm down and stay focused. Ironically, Ray pulls his gaze away from the downed SCOTT, taking a couple steps toward Rhine and doing his best to hear his partner’s words.
Nick Stuart: Rhine trying to provide a little balance for Paxton here…
Richard Parker: Don’t take your eyes off the prize, though! SCOTT is up!
GREAT SCOTT has pulled himself upward, and seeing Ray with his back turned rushes forward, wrapping his big arms around Paxton’s abdomen. With a mighty heave he sends Ray over, a ring-shaking smash into the mat.
Nick Stuart: GERMAN SUPLEX FROM SCOTT! HUGE ERROR FROM PAXTON! SCOTT holds on…ANOTHER ONE!
Richard Parker: Rookie mistake from Paxton Ray. This is YOUR match, fight your own fight, young man! Don’t let Rhine get in the way!
Meanwhile, Paxton fends off a third suplex with some elbows, not to SCOTT’s liking. Instead he takes a wrist and twists it around Paxton’s back. Ray twists to counter, SCOTT holds on, locking the forearm.
Nick Stuart: Paxton rolls to untwist his arm, SCOTT holds tight, another reversal, and another, both on their feet, SCOTT getting twisted up now, he let’s go…DISCUS ELBOW FROM PAXTON RAY!
OOOHHHHHH!!!!
SCOTT reels from the elbow strike. Paxton shakes out his aching arm, eyes glaring. SCOTT checks his lip for blood, seeing stars. Ray advances, pushing the GREAT One off the ropes and whipping him across. SCOTT rebounds, flying back. Ray let’s him go, allowing him to reposition to center ring and letting SCOTT rebound one more time. GREAT SCOTT careens toward Paxton, who times it perfectly and hoists his opponent into the air using the momentum.
Nick Stuart: Paxton ready to finish this! Looking for the Lafayette Lullaby! SCOTT in the air, Ray with the left ha…GOODNESS GRACIOUS! REVERSAL FROM GREAT SCOTT! FACE PLANT TO PAXTON RAY!!
Richard Parker: “Goodness gracious?” Is that what you just said?
You heard the man, Richard. Instead of taking a left uppercut from Ray, SCOTT has managed to turn his big chest over and plant Paxton’s face into the mat. The MGM rattles as the two competitors lie on the mat, catching their breath.
Nick Stuart: It’s anyone’s game! Paxton Ray just took a faceful of canvas! And SCOTT is in need of a reprieve!
Richard Parker: …really? “Goodness gracious?”
SCOTT is first to crawl his way to the ropes, using them to climb. Paxton gets to all fours, spitting and trying to uncross his eyes. GREAT SCOTT manages to slide to the corner, hands on the top ropes, head hanging as he catches his breath. Paxton to a knee now, rubbing his eyes with thumb and forefinger.
Nick Stuart: Both competitors looking to find their bearings! Rhine and Shweta are hollering for Paxton! GREAT BEAR roars for SCOTT!
GREAT SCOTT throws back his hair, takes one last breath, then turns back toward the middle of the ring, hunching down with hands on his knees.
And he gives Paxton a very….
…ANGRY…
GLARE.
(A very appropriate) RAAAAAHHHHHH!!
Nick Stuart: An ANGRY GLARE from GREAT SCOTT! Things are really heating up!
Richard Parker: …is that on his movelist?
Paxton returns the favor with a harsh glare of his own, and the two rush each other.
Richard Parker: Jesus Christ. It’s on his movelist.
Nick Stuart: It’s getting loud in here! SCOTT and Paxton rush forward, GREAT SCOTT shoots a leg out for GREAT SCOTT MUZIK!!!! BIG miss as Paxton ducks!!! They spin around, Ray with a big boot…SCOTT catches the foot, flinging it away and spinning Ray around!!
Richard Parker: I don’t think this is Paxton’s style…
Nick Stuart: SCOTT lunges forward with a long arm…Paxton ducks the lariat! Ray around SCOTT’s back, looking to lock in a sleeper hold…SCOTT heaves forward, throwing Paxton over his back. Ray has to release, but he stays on his feet!
Surprised by the series of ducks and reversals, Paxton is caught a little off guard, and SCOTT whips him HARD toward the ropes. Ray collects himself, however, and an impressive display of agility from the tall brawler, jumps and swings his legs through the top and second rope, spinning himself back into the ring. He maintains balance and momentum, and careens hard into a surprised GREAT SCOTT with a sharp shoulder tackle.
Nick Stuart: AND PAXTON RAY RESPONDS! DERAILING ANY MOMENTUM FROM GREAT SCOTT!!
Paxton, taking advantage, grabs SCOTT by the hair and pulls him to a knee. He drives his knuckles into GREAT SCOTT’s forehead once, twice, three times. He cocks back for a fourth, and…
OOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH!!!
Nick Stuart: OH you are KIDDING!
Richard Parker: Did I just see what I thought I saw?
Nick Stuart: GREAT SCOTT, in a show of frustration, has just dropped Paxton Ray with a low blow!
Paxton doubles over after SCOTT’s forearm finds home in his nethers. SCOTT breathes heavy, processing the moment as Ray does his best not to puke everywhere. And then, surprisingly….
…decides to give him another.
The PRIMEates are momentarily stunned, unable to believe that their beloved boy GREAT SCOTT would do such a thing. This does not last long, however.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Nick Stuart: What on EARTH…
Richard Parker: Well, I don’t think we saw THAT coming!
Nixon barks at the GREAT One, threatening disqualification as SCOTT stands. Jonathan Rhine and Shweta are furious, hollering at Nixon.
Nick Stuart: This is absurd! GREAT SCOTT, a man of the people! Resorting to a low blow…
Richard Parker: He found himself in a corner, and he reacted accordingly, Nick.
SCOTT walks toward the side of the ring where GREAT BEAR resides, beckoning him to the apron. GREAT BEAR obliges, and finds himself in a state of grizzly confusion. He can bear-ly put the pieces together. He’s fur from understanding the implications of GREAT SCOTT’s actions.
You can stop now.
‘Kay.
Anyway, GREAT SCOTT reaches over the ropes and plucks the Beats by Dreadle headphones from GREAT BEAR’s head.
Nick Stuart: Oh no, come on, SCOTT.
Richard Parker: Yeah, c’mon! Those headphones are too sweet!
Headphones in hand, SCOTT walks back to Paxton, who is struggling to get a foot under him. SCOTT looks around the arena once, the MGM showing their disapproval. He looks over to GREAT BEAR, who continues to find his bear-ings.
Then he looks down to the Beats by Dreadle headphones.
Just before smashing them into Paxton Ray’s temple.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Nick Stuart: Oh this is ridiculous!!! GREAT SCOTT just bashed those headphones against Paxton’s skull!! You don’t come back from that, SCOTT!
Richard Parker: Oooooh, Paxton’s going to be digging plastic out of his skin for a while.
Plastic shards go flying all over the ring as Paxton falls over, a bit of blood trickling down the side of his face. GREAT SCOTT breathes heavy as the MGM Arena boos heavier and heavier. Elvis Nixon, naturally, calls for the bell.
DING DING DING
Vince Howard: Your winner, via disqualification…PAXTON RAY!
Vince Howard’s words ring hollow, and GREAT SCOTT turns away to roll out of the ring, meeting GREAT BEAR outside. A furious Jonathan Rhine makes a move to chase SCOTT down, but a deep bellowing roar from GREAT BEAR makes him think twice. Instead, he and Shweta climb into the ring to check on Paxton, teeth grit like vices with rage.
Nick Stuart: What a disappointing end to what was an exciting debut for Paxton Ray. He picks up the win, but it rings hollow after the actions of GREAT SCOTT.
Richard Parker: Definitely a surprise, Nick! I didn’t think he had it in him!
“Piece by Piece” hits the speakers, joined by the Garden faithful to chase GREAT SCOTT and GREAT BEAR up the ramp. In the ring, Shweta checks on the cut on Paxton’s temple, while Rhine holds him back and tries to calm him down.
Nick Stuart: We’re heading to commercial, but stick around! “Beautiful” Bobby Dean squares up with “Event Horizon” Hayes Hanlon next!
Richard Parker: Right here on the ACE Network!