VEGAS ODDS
We cut backstage to a banner of the Great American Nightmare, the PRIME Universal Championship Title belt looming large, and the face of the challenger, Impulse, on the right. The left, presumably where the Champion will feature, is currently occupied by a question mark.
Angie Brooks comes into view from below, microphone in hand.
Angelica Brooks: It’s been an event so far, PRIMEates, and we’re only about halfway through! Of course, everyone in the arena and everyone here backstage is on the edge of their seats as we wait for the First Blood match to decide the PRIME Universal Champion! I think it’s safe to say nobody is anticipating this one more than my guest at this time, the number one contender, Impulse!
Joining her from the right is the Marathon Man himself, dressed in nondescript street clothes. Next to him, a handwritten sign stating ‘KICK CANCER IN THE FACE’ is the advance notice for Calico Rose, who is also decked out in what is clearly a homemade tank top advertising ‘ANGELO AND BESTIE FOR ALL THE INTENSITY 2022.’
Impulse: Good to see you, Angie.
Angelica Brooks: Good to see you both as well, but let’s get right to the heart of it. Your spot in the Great American Nightmare main event is locked in, and we’re less than two hours away from knowing who will fill the other half. Who do you think will be your opponent, and who do you think will give you a tougher fight on the day?
He looks at her for several seconds, considering this. Cally, for her part, points to her sign.
Impulse: Trying to figure out who would give a tougher fight is a loaded question, Angie. Brandon Youngblood’s got size and power on me, and all he’d need to do is catch me to do some serious damage. Jiles is more my speed, but that quickness and agility – combined with a penchant for playing fast and loose with the rules of a Championship match – I’d be hard pressed to find another pair of potential opponents with so much to offer.
Deep breath.
Impulse: It really comes down to the basics of knowing who you’re facing off with. I don’t doubt either of ‘em would be the fight of my life, and I don’t doubt that either of ‘em could make quick work of me as their opponent under the right circumstances. I think Brandon Youngblood has a sense of honor and fair play that’s lacking in Jiles, but I also know how hard he’s worked to earn that title belt and how far he’d be willing to go to keep it. I see the way Jiles went for his knee – because it would give him an advantage, but also because it was a game to him. Cancer Jiles is a wrestler with unlimited talent, but it’s wasted because he’s not just willing to take shortcuts to beat his opponents, but he’s eager to do so.
Calico Rose: Cancer always sneaks up on you.
Impulse: At the same time, if we’re forty minutes in at Great American Nightmare and Brandon starts to believe he can’t defeat me fairly, I have no doubt he’d do literally anything to retain that title and he’s got the size and strength to make it happen.
He shrugs.
Impulse: Who’d be the tougher opponent? Ask me twenty different ways and you’ll receive twenty different answers, all of which are equally valid. But if you want to know who I’m pulling for tonight?
He smirks, and looks into the camera.
Impulse: Getting a shot at the Universal Championship is sweet enough. Having the opportunity to even the record books on the only loss I’ve accrued so far in PRIME is two for the price of one. Doing so, specifically, because Cancer Jiles came up short again?
The smirk turns into a full blown grin.
Impulse: That’s like playing one quarter on the slots and walking out with a million bucks.
He turns on his heels and leaves the view. Cally hangs out for a few more seconds with her sign, slowly filling the screen as she steps closer.
Angelica Brooks: Strong words from the number one contender, let’s get back to ringside for Great Scott taking on Shawn Warstein!