HE’LL HUFF, AND PUFF, AND KNOCK YOUR DOOR IN
ReVival cuts away from the Tsuperstar to the office of the President and CEO, Lindsay Troy. The PRIMEates in the Paycom Arena cheer at the sight of the Queen seated behind a desk and typing away on a small bluetooth keyboard for her tablet while voices chatter away on a nearby walkie talkie.
It’s rare that she gets a moment’s peace on a show night. Would be a shame if something were to ruin that, hm?
CRASH!!!
A cacophony of sound erupts from the doorway of the office as the large, steel door buckles and explodes inward. The hinges twist and burst from the doorframe, flying this way and that as they ping loudly against the brick walls of the backstage room. The door swings from near the top and whips downward and erupts into a metallic clang as it hits the tile floor. The doorway itself is completely filled with the hulking form of Ivan Stanislav. The Russian Bear bends down to duck through the doorway and turns to the side as his combat boots stomp over the fallen door and he enters. His face is a mask of Russian rage.
Ivan Stanislav: LINDSAY TROY!
His angular, bass voice booms through the room and echoes down the hallway behind him.
Ivan Stanislav: I thought I would find the rat in her nest!
Stanislav rises to his full height and storms toward Troy, the closeness of the room serving to only amplify his size. He slams both of his enormous hands on the sides of the desk separating himself from the Lady of the Hour
Lindsay Troy: (frowning) Most people in civilized society knock before entering a room, especially when the door is shut.
She looks around Ivan to the mangled door.
Lindsay Troy: You’ll be paying for that.
Ivan leans forward and growls angrily. Then, without another moment’s hesitation, he effortlessly lifts the desk and tosses it haphazardly to the side. It crashes against the brick wall and falls in a heap of splintered wood and smashed electronics, leaving nothing between himself and Troy. The Queen shoots to her feet, no longer willing to hold her temper at bay.
Lindsay Troy: You’ll be paying for all that too, you colossal diaperbaby. What, did Alexei forget to put you down for your nap today? What the hell is wrong with you?
Ivan Stanislav: You think you are so smart, Lindsay Troy, eh? Your fear of my success knows positively no bounds!
He points into his huge palm.
Ivan Stanislav: I beat Cancer Jiles for a chance at one on one match against Universal Champion! Hanlon loses and does absolutely nothing to deserve a new shot, and you just GIVE it to him? Then, you pit those two idiots together in a match with me. ME?! The Russian Bear?!
He shakes his head angrily.
Ivan Stanislav: I knew you were a snake, Lindsay Troy, but never would I have fathomed that you would sabotage the hard work of one of your finest roster members in such a way! Are you proud of yourself? Are you proud to have a champion who did NOTHING to win that belt, but rather leech off MY hard work? A champion who simply had it all GIVEN to him by you? You cannot deny I destroyed those two in the ring. I did it. ME! And then Hanlon just rolls his dead ass over and flops his arm upon a comatose Rezin?! Does Universal Title mean so little to you?
The Lady of the Hour had been silent throughout Ivan’s tirade. As soon as he finished, though, an amused laugh escapes from behind her ruby red lips.
Lindsay Troy: Are you for real right now, Ivan? Did you somehow hit your head when you did your big Oopsie Daisy off the cage at Culture Shock and forget that you and Alexei interfered in the Universal Title singles match between Hayes and Rezin on ReVival 22? You both single-handedly changed the dynamic of that match, so if you think I was going to let that be the end of things between the two of them, then you don’t know me very well. You do not dictate things to me. I do not care how tall you are. I do not care how much you weigh. I do not care how proud you are of your country, and I sure as hell do not care that you were the PCW World Champ 20whatever years ago. This is 2023. You are in PRIME. You and Alexei work for me. And if you have a problem with that, you’re free to go back and freeze to death in Russia or whatever it was you were doing before I made you relevant again.
Ivan roars and points an accusatory finger in Troy’s face.
Ivan Stanislav: That match should have ended in disqualification! If you had any respect for any of the rules set forth, Troy! Do you not EVER think for one moment that you somehow have made Ivan Stanislav and Alexei Ruslan relevant, you delusional, self-indulgent woman! Let us not forget that I deserved the LAST entry into the Battle Royal, per the stipulations of the Title match. Your actions cheapen the highest title in this entire company! You knew if you had me enter in last I would annihilate everyone else. Your cowardice knows no bounds! If you had any sort of a spine you would render last battle royal defunct and start it over!
His rage nearly boils over as he leans forward, his face inches from Troy’s. Both hands clench so tightly they look like albino hams.
Ivan Stanislav: Hide behind your jokes and your jibes. Hide behind your nonchalant attitude. You know as well as I do, Lindsay Troy, that if you are half as smart as you claim to be, you would understand that taking me lightly is considerable mistake. Minimize the threat if you wish, that does not mean the threat is not there.
He points an accusatory finger down at her as Ivan stands tall.
Ivan Stanislav: You had better give me title shot, eventually, or I will make it happen on my own. But in the meantime? Let your little toy Tyler Best have his fun. You must be so torn, being his teacher, and yet clearly having so much deference for Hayes Hanlon.
Ivan inhales slowly, spreads his wide arms, and his grimace morphs into a twisted grin as something seems to dawn on him. The hairs of his beard crinkle.
Ivan Stanislav: But for now, I need not worry about the Title. And I think it is time for you to start worrying about PWA-02. After all, Russia does not want to be let down. And last thing any of us want is for The Scarlet Sickle to lose to a miscreant like Solex. As much as I am sure you would rather have Christopher America choose a stipulation for my eventual match with him, I know your pride is too strong to allow that to happen.
Lindsay Troy: You don’t need to worry about Solex. I’ve beaten him once and I’ll do it again. But I won’t be doing it for you or for Russia. I’ll be doing it for PRIME.
Ivan sighs. His roaring has stopped, his looming is constant.
Ivan Stanislav: I come to realization, now. Without title to distract me? I am free to do what is needed elsewhere. Yes. I am free to do what I want.
He leans in close to Troy once more.
Ivan Stanislav: Where I want.
Even closer.
Ivan Stanislav: And to who I want, Lady Troy. I think it is time to start having some fun!
Ivan turns and stomps on the metal door underfoot.
Ivan Stanislav: Yes, I pay for a weak American door. No problem. See you, Lady Sickle…
And with that, he is gone.