POKING THE BEAST

Backstage at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida, the camera pans up to see Mushigihara walking through a hallway bustling with techs moving equipment back and forth as the show proceeds. As the Kaiju stalks the corridor, it is clear he is in a nasty mood. It’s no secret that he is sore about his loss to Violet Samuelson.

Rounding a corner and walking distractedly, almost into Mushi, is Eddie Cross, followed shortly by Dave Gibson. Eddie also shares a soreness over his loss to Tyler Best and looks to be of a foul temperament. 

Mushigihara: Hey, watch where you are going!

The n1ghtcraw1er slides his backpack down and sizes up the full figured obstacle. 

Eddie Cross: Maybe don’t take up the entire aisle. I know the concept of an all you can eat buffet is lost on you, but you don’t have to literally eat all the food. 

The God Beast is definitely not taking any lip from anyone today, and while he and Eddie stand the same height, he leans in eye to eye and uses all of his significant weight advantage to try to intimidate the young wrestler.

Mushigihara: Excuse me? I think I just heard you say something you’re gonna regret, kid.

Eddie clears his throat and enunciates the next sentence. 

Eddie Cross: I said “I know Hawaiians are known for their weight problems, but you really didn’t have to *ahem* feed into the stereotype.”

Mushigihara: Fat jokes? Really? Ok then, I guess we’re doing this.

A low deep roar builds in Mushi’s chest as he clenches his fists and prepares to go to war right here on the spot. Dave stands behind his pupil, but steps back a few paces just to give this situation room to unfold. Eddie looks back at his mentor briefly.

Dave Gibson: Don’t look at me, you got yourself into this mess. 

Eddie holds up his hands and casually sneers.

Eddie Cross: Whoa there big man. 

The smaller of the two takes a step back and tries to put some space between himself and certain pain. 

Eddie Cross: Look, I took an L last show and you vs Samuelson… well… A for effort. The way I see it, we’re both a little on edge this week and maybe I lashed out. There’s no reason to resort to our baser instincts, though, right?

Mushi looks at Dave, then back to Eddie and he snorts indignantly. He relaxes his fists and holds up a finger in Eddie’s face, waggling it for effect. 

Mushigihara: Sure, just as soon as you apologize for running into me… and being a jerk.    

Eddie sucks his teeth and removes his glasses, tossing them to Dave. He looks Mushi dead in the eyes and sighs.

Eddie Cross: Fine. After all, we are here in my hometown of sunny Orlando, Florida!

RAAAAA!

Eddie Cross: I apologize.

Mushigihara: See that wasn’t so…

Eddie Cross: That you and I are even in this dump of an arena. And that, much like the tourists that flood in from all over the world to the theme parks, you can’t tell where you’re not wanted. 

BOOOOO!

Mushi goes into kill mode as Dave finally sees enough and jumps between the two right as Mushigihara is about to charge into Eddie. 

Dave Gibson: OK Enough! Mushi, let it go! I’ll sort him out. 

The God Beast inhales and exhales thunderously as he stares down Dave with respect, then flicks his eyes to Eddie. He brings them back to Dave and locks in menacingly.

Mushigihara: This isn’t over. I expected more, Gibson. 

Mushi slowly backs away and leaves the duo of Gibson and Eddie alone in the hallway. Dave turns to his student and shakes his head slowly. 

Dave Gibson: Boy, you got some brass balls on you. The hell has gotten into you lately?

Eddie watches Mushi round a corner and breaks his demon green eyes back to Dave.

Eddie Cross: You said it yourself, I’m just playing my part. Come on, let’s go get a couple hot dogs and watch the show. I want to scout the competition. 

The camera pans away as the pair walks down the hall toward the vendors; we then experience a 180 as Mushigihara paces toward his Dangerous Mix cohort David Fox, who has an incredulous look on his face.

David Fox: Jesus, Mushi, I leave you alone for five minutes, and here you are causing trouble?!

Mushi scoffs and rolls his eyes.

Mushigihara: ME causing trouble! Listen here you little…

A sigh.

Mushigihara: You are NOT going to believe what this punk kid said to me…

The duo’s voices trail off as they pull away from us, and ReVival 22 moves along.