That Much More
“Cannonball” by SIRSY fills the air as the arena fades in from its previous break, and the fans erupt in cheers.
Nick Stuart: Welcome back fans, and before we can get you to our next match it looks like we’ll be hearing from the new NUMBER ONE CONTENDER, Impulse!
Richard Parker: I’d love to throw that back in his face, but he showed us what he’s made of at both ReViVal 5 and Culture Shock. Half a second either way, and he’s in that match with Cancer Jiles instead of Brandon Youngblood.
There’s no waiting or theatrics this time around – Impulse enters the arena in street clothes and makes his way towards the ring, slapping hands as he goes. There’s the barest hint of a smile on his face, but he gives nothing away until Vince Howard hands him a microphone and he steps through the ropes.
Richard Parker: Points in his favor, he left the Human Glitter Bomb at home.
Nick Stuart: You don’t like Calico Rose?
Richard Parker: She’s so friendly and upbeat, she makes it impossible to dislike her, which makes me dislike her all the more.
The music dies down as Impulse soaks in the cheers that have quieted a bit – but still significant. He leans against one of the turnbuckles, and, like he’s done in a dozen different promotions on a hundred different nights, climbs up and takes a seat.
Impulse: Pour one out for the new PRIME Universal Champion, Brandon Youngblood, hmmm?
There’s a huge pop at the name drop, and a “THE-LAST-DIA-MOND” chant circles the seats.
Richard Parker: Mutual admiration society here, huh?
Nick Stuart: He earned it.
Impulse: It would’ve been easy for me to go into Culture Shock with some hard feelings, or a sense that I was robbed in some way, but that ain’t me and that ain’t the truth. And the fact of the matter is, everyone left Culture Shock with exactly what they needed.
He pauses, letting it sink in.
Impulse: The Anglo Luchador left with his hand raised. Brandon Youngblood left with the Universal Title that should’ve been his years ago. Teddy Palmer had a ready made excuse all built in and ready, and Cancer Jiles was dealt a long overdue lesson in humility.
Richard Parker: Can I get an amen up in here?
Impulse: Me? I took with me, the only thing I’ve ever needed in this sport.
At that, Impulse climbs down from the turnbuckle and returns to the center of the ring.
Impulse: An opportunity.
Another pop from the fans. Impulse gives them a few seconds to get it out.
Impulse: I don’t know who will be the Universal Champion walking into the Great American Nightmare on July 1, 2022. I don’t even know how many times Brandon Youngblood is going to defend his championship between then and now, but from what I’ve come to know of the man, if it’s up to him it would be literally every ReViVal from now to then. The only thing that’s set in stone is that, in the opposite corner of the shoulder with the title belt… will be me.
The hard camera zooms in on Impulse as he leans on the top rope.
Impulse: I was THIS CLOSE to wrestling for the Universal Championship at Culture Shock, ya know?
He’s holding his fingers millimeters apart.
Impulse: And I gotta say… it just makes me want it. That. Much. More.
His grin turns into a full blown smile.
Impulse: The Great American Nightmare is coming… and my eyes are wide open.
“Cannonball” fires up one more time as Impulse drops the microphone into Vince’s waiting hands and exits the ring, only this time he leaves through the crowd with as many handshakes and high fives as he can muster
Nick Stuart: Powerful words from Impulse, Richard!
Richard Parker: He’s got the chops to win the big one, Nick – jury’s still out if he’s got the desperation to win that he’s gonna need.
Nick Stuart: Standing by right now backstage is Matt Mills! Matt?