MORE THAN A BULLHORN
We return backstage, the visual coming across the PRIMEView causing the entire MGM Grand Arena to roar in approval. Against the PRIME backdrop, we see the Universal Champion, Brandon Youngblood, the title belt draped over his shoulder. He wears the Anna Daniels New Era Shirt. He is not a coward. Looking forward, the Tower of Babel begins to speak.
Brandon Youngblood: Phil Atken. The Humble Proprietor. I don’t know if you’re here tonight. I don’t know if you’re sitting at home, licking your wounds after your battle with Dusk. I don’t know if you’re training and devising a plan for what’s to come. Maybe you’re here, ready to launch your next glue product off my back…off my likeness…ready to send a message to me. I don’t care either way.
A slight adjustment of the Universal Championship.
Brandon Youngblood: ReVival 13 marks day 127 of my Universal Championship reign. And it might be the last. See…Phil…while so many here might be surprised by your rise, I’m not. While they were laughing about you bouncing Dusk’s head off the canvas at Culture Shock, you and Hank, I wasn’t. And when you started cutting a path through every single opponent you’ve stepped into the ring with here, Larry Tact, Angelo Luchador, Pete Whealdon, Dusk…I’ve looked at you and seen you for what you are.
His eyes narrow.
Brandon Youngblood: A threat.
The fans boo the acknowledgement, but he continues onward.
Brandon Youngblood: More than a threat. You took the road before you and choked out and annihilated everyone. You’ve blistered them all. Brutalized them. Given no quarter. And as you have, you’ve called to the young members of this roster, telling them you are doing this for their benefit. Out of the kindness of your heart. Some have tried to make you into the monster of the week. Some one dimensional villain. And each and every time, you’ve burned your way through them. Left them in shambles. Some here still might laugh at you. It’s what you’re hoping for. That fuel for your fire. For your message.
Pulling the belt off his shoulder, he displays the faceplate in his grasp.
Brandon Youngblood: You called my Universal Championship a bullhorn. Something to hold to reshape the sport of professional wrestling. To destroy the old structures and call into question everything it represents. Whether you’re here or not…I want you to hear this; ReVival 12, July 29th, I’ll give you a chance to speak into the bullhorn. In the ring. Face to face. Man to man. An industry laughed at you. Made mockery of you. I’m not. I only fight the best.
He throws the title back over his shoulder.
Brandon Youngblood: And Phil…know this. I’m not Nostradamus. I look in your eyes and know…know what you’re capable of. What is coming for me. But you know what’s coming for you. You are the biggest threat I have come face to face with in a PRIME ring since Jason Snow…the last man to beat me…the last man to pin my shoulders to the mat since 2007. And it took everything he had, every ounce of his skill and champion’s heart, to survive me. When you step into this ring to fight me…you’re not coming to cleanse this sport for what it’s done to you. You’re not there to make a statement on your legacy.
His eyes narrow. His tone grows deep.
Brandon Youngblood: You’re in the ring to fight for something more. Something bigger. So take your glass ceilings and your offers and shove them. Your past grievances? What you represent? I don’t give a shit. Come ready. Get your head on a swivel. There ain’t gonna be smoke machines and steel pipes and busting up displays. It’s gonna be my hands, my elbows…me lifting you up and slamming you into the canvas until you won’t get up. Ask Randall Knox what that feels like. Check the CT scans of Cancer Jiles’ ribs.
There should be a mocking smirk, yet there is none. Instead, he draws closer to the camera.
Brandon Youngblood: You’re the threat to PRIME, Phil.
All we see now is his face.
Brandon Youngblood: I’m your reckoning.
After these words, he begins to walk away, but not before imparting one final statement.
Brandon Youngblood: See you at ReVival 12.