I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST REVIVAL
The camera cuts to backstage at the MGM Grand Garden Arena where the Intense Champion, The Anglo Luchador, sits on a steamer chest in his gear already despite his match not taking place until much later in the show. His title belt is strapped around his waist as he’s hunched over, almost like he’s awaiting the inevitable. As if by cue, the inevitable shows up, flanked by Domingo Cruz and Frank Pastore.
Tony Gamble: So Luch, I found out who’s responsible for that attack on you last week. I bet you’re itching to find out who it was.
The old luchador slowly turns his head up towards the Permascar Superstar with incredulity filling his eyes.
TAL: I already know.
Tony Gamble: That so? Well, I wouldn’t want the goodest good guy on the PRIME roster to start throwing around slanderous accusations, so why don’t you tell me who you think it is and I’ll let you know if you’re wrong or right. Wouldn’t want you to make one of those kiddies in the nosebleeds get all sad.
The luchador stands up to greet the one-on-three numbers disadvantage he has staring him down head on.
Tony Gamble: Oh lookie here boys, he’s big and tough now. What, did someone backstage finally listen to your sob story about wanting to make a difference? What a joke.
Gamble steps to the luchador, a sneer on his face as he lifts his head to look up at one of his opponents for the night.
Tony Gamble: But joke or not, I’m a man of my word. You wanna know who it was who was responsible for the attack on you two weeks ago?
TAL: You and those two goons?
The Hall of Famer laughs to himself before doing the ol’ Joe Pesci.
Tony Gamble: Nah, you got it wrong… It was you. You’re responsible for that beat down.
Cruz and Pastore both take a menacing step forward while the Intense Champion sighs and rolls his eyes.
Tony Gamble: It’s your fault you got got at 19 because you have that…
Gamble points to the Intense Championship.
Tony Gamble: …like that title means you actually represent this place. Runnin’ your mouth on Jabber like some moody teenager. Crying and begging to have people like you instead of beating the respect outta them. News flash, no one, except for maybe Timo, really likes you.
The luchador looks at Gamble stone-faced.
Tony Gamble: So that’s why my boys here took a chunk out of your ass, and that’s why we’re gonna do it again. This time though, we’re fine leave the cameras running, so the whole world can see.
Cruz and Pastore spring into action but are thwarted by hands reaching from just off-screen. The camera swings over quickly to reveal the luchador’s brother, Mikey, swinging Pastore around and clubbing him with several haymakers to the face, and Pom Shinjoku, the luchador’s friend and former tag partner, dropping Cruz to the hard floor with a snap DDT. With the GAS thugs laying, the two advance on Gamble, who in his haste to get into a fighting stance, bumps back-first into his opponent for the evening and for Colossus.
TAL: Now you listen here, Wingtips. As the goodest good guy in PRIME, I don’t take too kindly to victim-blaming, which shockingly enough might be the most venial of your sins since getting back here.
The three close in on Gamble as The Grin shrinks ever so slightly from claustrophobia.
TAL: But I’m going to be the bigger man figuratively here and not just physically. You go back to your locker room. You think long and hard about what you’ve done since stepping foot back in this fed. And then you and Mort say your prayers to whatever god you believe in that Ivan is a little more merciful towards you two than I’m going to be, because if he’s as pissed off as I am, you are dead fuckin’ meat.
The luchador pats Gamble on his chest with both hands.
TAL: Now run along before I change my mind.
Mikey and Pom part like the Red Sea, and Tony scampers over to where Cruz and Pastore are. The luchador jerks his head in the other direction, and his coterie walks off opposite, leaving the Gamble Adoration Syndicate laying on the floor holding their heads and faces.