Shadow's Revenge

The Night Before

It was strange...

Shane West: So Shadow, now we know how your partner feels about the match, what are your thoughts one the matter?

The big man stands there in the A.K.A’s office, just a day away from Overdrive with an opportunity of a lifetime. All three singles champions in A.P.W. in the ring at the same time. This was the chance to take down not only Biggs and Cyrus but Level One as well. Shadow had not real need to be champion. It was just a perk, a benefit of beating the holy snot out of a bunch of pricks. As he runs his hand through his long blonde hair he thinks about how much he has been aching to get a crack at the axis again, not just Biggs, Shadow would settle for a handicap match with them on his own. Something that could put the fear of God into those boys. He gets ready to speak, his words found.

Shadow: Yes. Yes I have several things I would like to talk about Shane, First…. Suddenly Shadow’s tag partner pushes between Shane and Shadow making his way for the A.K.A’s office door. Slade has something in his hand, an envelope, but Shadow cannot make out much more. Slade’s attitude has changed. A few moments ago he was slinging words at his opponents, telling them how pathetic they were and now Slade’s head was aimed at the ground, heading somewhere like he got bad news.

Shane: What’s with him?

Shadow: I have no clue.

Shadow looks bewildered at Slade as he rounds a corner and heads towards the entryway.

Shane: Well it’s a good thing he went through the door. You know how much damage that would have caused.

Shadow just looks at Shane, glaring really.

Shane: Well, just because you guys always…

Shadow: Pipe down Chachi! We’re going to have to reschedule this alright?

Shadow pats him on the back once, really hard, causing Shane to stumble as Shadow bolts through the door looking for Slade. Shane can’t help but wonder what’s going on. He looks around as he is now alone in the A.K.A’s office. Shadow rounds the corner after Slade, but cannot find him anywhere in sight. As he jogs through the halls Shadow thinks about what happened earlier in the day, trying to piece together everything that happened. He remembers seeing Slade as he opened the door to the hotel room. Craven’s face was not drenched with sweat, but he had been perspiring. Craven was hiding something all day, he slept on the taxi ride to the arena and then just sort of tuned everything out when he flipped into character. It was good once he was in character he wouldn’t be distracted by whatever was bothering him, yet. That was the key word. Shadow had to find Slade to find out what was wrong. Then as Shadow pushes open a door he hears someone yelp on the other side and the door not fully open. A few seconds later a crash is heard. Shadow shoves the door again and sees that he has literally knocked someone out with the door. Behind the man is a steel platter that was luckily empty. All the flatware and little steel dishes with it are scattered across the concrete. Then Shadow recognizes the poor sap.

Shadow: Oh crap, Chip. Dude you alright?

He takes a knee next to the A.P.W. worker who Shadow has caused numerous problems for without thinking. Now Chip lay unconscious with ranch dressing on his face. Shadow tries to shake the guy but his lights are out. So, doing the only thing he can do now, Shadow sets Chip’s shoulder back on the floor and stands up.

Shadow: Man, I didn’t see nothing.

He turns around and heads out the door and makes a right at the first hallway. He lost Slade. Now Shadow could only roam the halls and look for him. After a few turns, Shadow realizes how futile it is to seek Slade out blindly. So he turns around and starts heading back to the A.K.A’s office area. As Shadow looks around he spots a specific room a single wrestler’s dressing room. The sign on the door reads, “Victor Hades.” A smile creeps across Shadow’s face as he has a very Craven-esque moment. Shadow knocks on the door very loudly and wait’s a moment. There is no response. So Shadow bangs once again and announces.

Shadow: Hades, I’m coming in!

Shadow pushes the door open and looks inside the bare, stagnant and stale locker room. There in only one thing in the room that didn’t already belong there. It is Hades wrestling bag. It sits in the center of the room, unopened almost as if begging to be messed with. But Shadow has other plans. Touching another man’s wrestling gear is vandalism. Plus that would be wrong. Shadow’s smile gets bigger as he closes the door and heads down the hallway looking for the first conscious A.P.W. staff member he can find. It isn’t long before Shadow sees one snacking on a different platter, a carrot in the man’s mouth. Shadow rushes up to him.

Shadow: Hey, dude, where is the bathroom at?

The man just stares at him, unsure how to answer.

Shadow: We have bathrooms here right?

The American employee responds with a stutter.

Man: Uh, yes, you should have in your locker room, uh sir.

Shadow; No I mean for you guys.

Man: The porto potties?

The big man is cheesing from ear to ear.

Shadow: Yes. Exactly, where are they?

Man: Uh, they are about two hallways down on the left.

Shadow: Okay, how would you like to make a hundred bucks? You put on the radio and have them shipped to room 102. Its right down that hallway there. I will take care of the sign on the door. Its a lot more central a location and would make you look good in the eyes of your boss. Sound good man?

Man: I don’t know.

Shadow: Just make it happen slappy. Put the call on the radio and have them shipped over here. Come on, hurry up.

The man is very nervous now as he touches a button on his headset and makes the call. After a few minutes of arguing the man convinces whoever he is talking with to send them that way. Several A.P.W. crewmen are going to be used to make the transfer. Shadow waits as they bring the first one down the hallway then he rushes back to Hades’ locker room and bangs on the door again. Still no response. So Shadow opens the door, placing his hand on the nameplate and holds the door open. The two men wheeling it, roll the first one in and see the bag.

Worker: Uh, is this a locker room?

Shadow: No, naw, its okay. Don’t worry about it. Hurry up and get them in here. Make a circle around the benches, line the walls and we can leave a walk way through the door. Come on guys hurry up!

As they finish with the first one the second porto potty rolls through the door. He directed the men to set it next to the other and as he removes his hand, he pulls the nameplate off the door. It is stainless steel. Shadow flips the nameplate over and hides it as the workers come out to more portable restrooms.

Shadow: How many are you bringing?

Worker: Eighteen more.

The worker heads off as Shadow looks both directions down the hallway with a grin. He pulls the nameplate out and rushes back to the A.K.A’s office. Shadow opens the wooden door and walks over to his bag as quickly as possible. From inside he produces a permanent marker and writes on the blank back of the sigh, “Restrooms.” Then he heads back to Hades’ locker room. As Shadow walks he savors this. Hades was an asshole, plain and simple. The man attempted to punk him out on Overdrive. It was ridiculous. And it down right pissed Shadow off that the man would have the gall to try and mess with him. So it was pay back time. He reached the room and saw they had over half of the fiberglass shithouses already in place. Shadow placed the plate back on the door. As he opened it he smelt the horrible stench. Whether or not Hades gets pissed that his room smells like crap he will have to deal with that scent saturating his bag and everything inside. Man this room was poorly ventilated. As Shadow turns to shut the door he comes face to face with the main worker who has another porto john. The man pushes past Shadow and into the room. Shadow ducks out of thee area with a chuckle. Still the smell in his nostrils kind of makes his stomach flop. It smells awful. As Shadow reaches the A.K.A’s office once again he sees Assassin standing there going through his bag. Shadow walks back through the wooden doorway and approaches the other member of the A.K.A.

Shadow: Hey, good job getting everything together man.

Assassin// No problem, where were you guys?

Shadow: Running late. Slade woke up late. He’s been acting real flakey today. Have you see him?

Assassin// Yeah about half and hour ago. He went to the ring. I was passing the entryway and he was walking down the ramp. Looked like he was looking for someone, or something. Why what’s up?

Shadow: Don’t know. It’s been a weird morning. I’m going to go for him. I’ll catch up to you later. Good luck on your match man.

Assassin// Thanks.

Shadow grabs his leather trench coat and heads out once again, this time for the entryway. Like last time, however, Shadow runs into someone that hinders his search for Slade. Shadow is heading down the hallway when he hears a nice, soft voice.

Cindy Shannon: Shadow!

She waves to him. Shadow looks at her and sighs. He knows now he will have to give that interview. Shane was right earlier when he hold Slade and Shadow that Jeff wanted all the main event participants to speak out. This was a milestone match for Overdrive, very fitting for the lead in to One Night in Hell. Shadow needed to tell everyone what he thought of them anyway. Well, Biggs and Cyrus already knew they were worthless half ass excuses for wrestles in the eyes of the A.KA. But Hades had never really set foot in the ring with Shadow. Hades knew very little about him, except for what he saw in his career here in A.P.W. Level One, well Shadow owed him a little payback for the match right before Test for the Best. Plus, there were a few things Shadow wanted to get off his chest.

Cindy: Shadow, I am so glad I found you. I was worried Shane already got to you and Slade.

Shadow: He spoke to Slade. Not me though.

Cindy: Oh? Well that’s okay. Do you have a minute to tell the fans what you think about being booked in such a high stakes match. This is one the can skyrocket your career to the peak of A.P.W.

Shadow: Yes, I do know that Cindy.

Cindy: So how does it feel to be back in the ring with Level One? I mean don’t you kind of owe everyone in this match that you face a beating or two?

Shadow: You couldn’t be more right Cindy. Had things been different this past week on Overdrive I would be able to tell you that you are wrong but yeah, after Victor Hades bullshit little threats I have decided that my foot belongs firmly wedged up his ass crack. And I do plan on introducing his ass to the concept of my shoe. Its going to be quite an enlightening experience for Hades who seems to believe that his strength is limitless and that he can just go around doing whatever he wants. This place doesn’t work like that. Now while I may not be big dog in the locker room, I will put him in his place. Rookies like him do not walk up to a seasoned roster member and tell them what’s what. Hades over stepped his bounds, he hasn’t been here very long and he should be counting his blessing he is in the Main Event tonight. Everyone else in that match has been here at least three times as long as Victor Hades. There are a whole lot more men who are worthy of taking part in this match. But Hades has been tossed in this match with us, so he better make it count. Sure he was a big boy back in EWC, but this is A.P.W. All that stuff he did back in the day means absolutely dick here. I know I talk about my past because the past is what defines us. Hades isn’t going to turn this place into the next EWC. No and nor is he going to walk around the locker room running his mouth. Come Overdrive he will learn his place in this locker room and in that ring. I am going to personally introduce him to Mr. Back of my Hand, and his wily side kick, Mr. Foot in his Ass.

Shannon just nods as she listens, then she brings the microphone back to her mouth.

Cindy: What do you have to say about Level One? I know you have not forgotten about his little incident right before Test for the Best.

Shadow: How could I? A man who has to grab the tights to win. Level One is an opportunist. He will take any chance he can to sneak by with a win. Not this time. I will not allow him that same chance. When it comes to fighting the A.K.A. Level One has been lucky, a little too lucky. However, come Overdrive that luck is going to change. I will not stand idly by, while someone like Level One robs the fans of the opportunity to enjoy themselves. Slade said it, everyone is waiting for someone to come along and shut his trap, well that’s another thing my big ass boot is good for. I should have hunted Level One down after that night, challenging him, trying to get retribution for that, but it was petty. I knew that sooner or later I would get to face him again. Now that the day has arrived I intend on reminding Level One he isn’t unbeatable. I am going to put a stop to his banter and teach him a lesson in humility.

Cindy: How do you feel about facing the A.P.W. World Heavyweight champion?

Shadow: Taking on Level One, the man who holds the most coveted crown in this in federation? I feel like I am facing everyone else. Sure, Level One deserves some measure of respect, but not from me. That crap went out the window the moment he hooked the tights. That belt around his waist will always be tarnished and while I may not be the one to cleanse it of his stench, but I can sure as hell soften him up for Pence at One Night in Hell and that’s exactly what I intend to do.

Cindy: And what about Chris Cyrus?

Shadow: Why don’t you just skip ahead and get to the one person in this match I am aching to brutalize once again?

Cindy: Biggs?

Shadow: Yeah, Chris Cyrus is dealt with. Slade can handle his end of the ordeal, the only thing is, there is no guarantee that Pence or Jesse can hold their own against their targets. Jesse I can almost promise will drop the ball, considering everyone in this match I am sure has beat his ass at some point. Pence failed to keep his half when we tagged right before Test for the Best. Slade though, he has not let me down yet and I trust he will put Cyrus down like a sick animal if needed. However, should I find myself in the ring with the other half of the Axis, well there is only one thing to be said about that. Cyrus knows when he is in the ring with me that he will have slipped and fallen into a pile of ass whooping. This match, he likes to say is right up his alley, no weapons, no hardcore. The man is the Xtreame Champion, if he didn’t want that belt he should have walked away from it a long time ago. All Cyrus ever does is bitch about being the Xtreame champion, yet he has to be rescued so he doesn’t lose the belt at Shockwave. Slade had Cyrus’ ass in a grinder and Biggs had to rush in and make the save. Moreover Cyrus made Slade fight The Beast and he still couldn’t close by himself. Cyrus is Slade’s problem. And I know that Craven can take him down, and he will. My focus, after teaching both Level One and Victor Hades some respect, is Biggs. That’s the man I plan on putting in a hurt locker come Overdrive.

Shannon nods and swallows as Shadow leans closer to her, his voice is full of resolve. Its obvious how angry Shadow has been with Biggs, Cyrus and their giant love doll being able to get away with everything they have done.

Cindy: And what will you do with Biggs? If you get a hold of him, will you allow him to make it to One Night in Hell?

He leans his head back. This is something Shadow has been contemplating since the match was announced. If he got a hand on Biggs, would Shadow be able to let go? Would Biggs survive this battle?

Shadow: Can’t say for sure. Biggs is at the top of my shit list and the fans are pawning for me to break him in half, especially after he truly believes he is better than me. Biggs escaped that cage by the skin of his teeth, yet he thinks that he out did me. Squeezing by is not something to boast about. It just means a fluke took place. Come One Night in Hell Biggs and Cyrus get to experience what happens when someone calls a fluke in the wrestling business. You go back in there and fail at proving them wrong. Biggs wants to bitch about being disrespected? Wait till he sees what I do to him in the ring on Overdrive. For the weeks up until Shockwave all Biggs seemed to show was how calm, how cool he was. Talking about staying one step ahead. Yet now he feels the frustration the agony of along drawn out fight. The man expected this to be over after Shockwave and now cannot deal with what’s happening. I told Biggs long before Shockwave that what he started, I would finish. But, Biggs doesn’t care what I have to say, he will always believe that he and his partner are unstoppable Only problem with Biggs situation is that the man who has his back, Chris Cyrus, is the Jesse Nunez of their team, the weak link. Whether it be the tag match on Overdrive or the tag match at One Night in Hell the fact still remains that as a tag team, Biggs and Cyrus have not won a match. The couldn’t even close the deal with the O Conner Brothers.

Cindy: You got involved with that one. And Biggs seemed a little upset with that.

Shadow: Biggs involved me in the match first, Cindy. He didn’t have to take a cheap shot at me and the moment he did he included me in the match. So I made the save. And no matter what Biggs says, the fact remains the “Axis of Awesome” has yet to prove how ‘awesome’ they are in the tag division. “The most dominate faction in A.P.W.” my ass. All they have done is show everyone what it looks like when two blind children try to shave a possessed cat. As a tag team, as a faction, the Axis has proven to be nothing more than a sham. Biggs and Cyrus can win in singles because they have the ability to sneak up on somebody from behind. However, when they are staring down their opponents side by side, with no help coming from the peanuts gallery, they crumble. The Axis will be the ultimate downfall of their team on Overdrive, Cindy. While I want to teach both Level One and Hades a lesson in manners, I want to take out the Axis. Biggs will be lucky if he makes it to One Night in Hell. I wont try to end our war on Overdrive, but it sure as hell is going to be one hell of a battle. This one will have causalities Cindy, on both sides. When the dust has settled someone will be left broken. I intend on that being a member of the Axis. Biggs can talk all the trash he wants about how much smarter he is, and how much more he deserves things, but the fact of the matter is, Biggs is a child playing in the adult world. He is going to get punished.

Cindy: You think you guys will come out on top on Overdrive Shadow, with what you said about Jesse and Pence not being able to carry their load. And do you think its good to bad mouth your partners?

Shadow: Its not about winning the match Cindy, its about keeping a promise. As for my partners, Pence and Jesse, prove you’re worth in this match, cause up until now they haven’t shown me a Goddamn thing. And even if Level One and his flunkies get the big W, they won’t feel like winners, not when I am finished with them. While One Night in Hell is where it is all on the line, on Overdrive I am just getting warmed up.

Shadow starts to walk away, after taking a few steps Cindy calls out to him.

Cindy: Wait, Shadow, any last words?

Shadow: Last words? I am far from finished here Cindy. To some of those men in the ring, this is only the beginning.

Shadow walks off down the hallway. His leather duster swaying behind him. Shadow walks to the entryway and looks out to see if he can find Slade. The interview took up a lot of time. As Shadow peers out into the empty arena looking for his tag partner. As he steps out onto the ramp Shadow spots some over turned chairs in the front row. He jogs down the ramp and leaps over the guardrail. One the ground is a bunch of over turned chairs. Slade is nowhere in sight. Under one of them is a piece of masking tape. It appears to have been holding something originally but that mystery object is missing. Shadow knows Slade has been here. Whatever Craven was looking for, he may have found it. And whatever it was, right now, only Slade knew what it was. Shadow whips his head around, looking through the seats, scouring the entire area trying to find his long time friend. Shadow cannot see him. As he keeps looking the only thing running through his mind is whether or not what Slade found will keep him focused on the match. He could only wonder, and hope. But no matter what happened, things were about to get interesting.