The match over, Alex Bruder stomps over to a corner, leaning his chest against the top turnbuckle and catching his breath. It must be true that there’s no rest for the wicked, as he barely lowers his head before the opening chords of “Wildside” blare over the loudspeakers of the Classic Wrestling Studio!
Moss: You had to know this was coming. “Feral” Freddy KIlgore has been hunting down Alex Bruder for weeks, and it looks like he’s finally got him dead to rights. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him move that fast!
Kilgore hits the ring at full speed, sliding under the bottom rope and quickly getting to his feet. Bruder is able to turn and get his hands up as Kilgore rocks him with big lefts and rights. Kilgore scoops him up and slams him to the mat, then grabs Bruder by the wrist and jerks him back up so he could do it again.
Howley: Impressive strength by Kilgore, but he has a huge main event with Holo Make later tonight. Is this the best use of his focus and energy?
The crowd, despite not hearing Howley, cheers in a way suggesting that they believe it very much is. Alex hits the mat after the second body slam and rolls outside, perhaps looking to make another exit, but Kilgore just as quickly leaves the ring between Bruder and the entrance way.
Moss: Get a load of this! Bruder has his hands up, trying to soothe the wild Apex Predator. Good luck with that.
Kilgore licks his lips, shakes his head back and forth, and charges at Alex Bruder, only to be tripped by a drop toe hold, and crashing face first into the barrier between the ring and the crowd.
Howley: Good night, and thanks for coming, Freddy Kilgore.
“All Business” looks down on a knocked out Kilgore. He tenuously grabs a fistful of hair and drags Kilgore’s face against it, and still no response from Papa Wild Thang. The terror in his eyes vanishes, and he cockily struts over to little Mikey Collins and his father seated just a few feet away.
Bruder: You see kid? Not sure why people don’t listen to me when I tell them the truth. Ain’t no such thing as heroes!
Moss: Bruder may need to double check his math. Kilgore is back on his feet!
It takes Bruder a second to notice the change in crowd response and tempo – but he’s no dummy, and his eyes go wide as he pieces it together. He turns swiftly, looking to catch Kilgore with a cheap shot. He connects… but Kilgore absorbs the blow and shakes it off! The crowd response swells as Bruder goes for a second shot, but this one is blocked by Kilgore and answered with one! Two! Three right hands! Kilgore grabs Bruder by the back of the head and swiftly rolls him into the ring.
Moss: I fear there’s nowhere to run for Mr. Bruder.
In the ring, Bruder is trying to crawl under the bottom rope to safety but his leg is caught. He’s brought up only to be clotheslined back down. Bruder stumbles into the corner where he’s caught with several stiff stomps to the chest. Kilgore’s eyes are that of a crazed animal as he lifts Bruder up, wraps his arms around his waist, and simply throws the man across the ring. Bruder lands in a heap, sitting up and appearing to be dazed. Kilgore responds by kicking him in the face and keep his head up so he can unload with more right hands.
Moss: Alex Bruder can’t defend himself… Freddy Kilgore might want to be careful here…
The referee for the previous contest tries to reason with Kilgore, but Papa Wild Thang pays him no heed. Finally, the ref is bold enough to try to pry Kilgore off Bruder… but he gets a SHOVE across the ring for his troubles!
Moss: That is NOT the Freddy Kilgore we know! He’s completely snapped here!
Howley: He’s a wild animal. Maybe it’s time somebody put him down before he hurts anyone else…
With Kiglore turned to push the ref, Bruder takes full advantage by kicking Freddy off him and desperately rolling under the bottom rope. “All Business” hits the mat and tries to get up and make a hasty exit, but in his dazed state he’s not quick enough. Kilgore is out of the ring in a flash and he simply continues his onslaught of brutal right hands. At this point, all Alex Bruder can do is roll up into a ball and pray for the raging berserker to run out of steam – but by the look on Papa WIld Thang’s face, that ain’t happening anytime soon.
But as fate would have it, the beatdown is happening right in front of a particular little boy… as Mikey Collins watches with a confused look on his face as his hero savagely beats on a helpless opponent. Kilgore’s red face radiates pure hatred… until he’s again stopped by a hand on his shoulder. But this time, it’s not a referee… it’s from over the barricade, and it’s Mikey Collins father – the very man who Alex Bruder assaulted months ago. The hatred slowly drains out of Kilgore’s face as he looks eyes with Mr. Collins… and then cranes his head down to little Mikey, who looks terrified.
Mr. Collins: Please! Freddy! I need you… I need you to be the hero the boy thinks you are…
Kilgore again looks at Mikey… and now all the anger has gone from his face. He sighs, looking down at Alex Bruder, who is still curled up in a ball. He withdraws his right hand. Uncurls his first… and instead holds it out to Mikey for a high five. Mikey looks timid at first, but after a reassuring look from his father, he high fives his hero. Big smiles all around.
Moss: Mikey Collins bringing the crazed Freddy Kilgore back from the brink.
Howley: Gag me.
Kilgore walks away from Bruder, stepping over to the small table where the timekeeper sits. We can’t hear what he says, but he holds out his hand as if asking for something, and in response the timekeeper hands him a microphone. Kilgore rolls into the ring before getting back to his feet and raising the mic to his lips.
Freddy Kilgore: Alex Bruder… get up, baby.
On the outside, Bruder has figured out that the coast is clear, and is using the guardrail to get back to his feet. He turns to meet the cold gaze of his rival in the ring.
Freddy Kilgore: Bruder, this needs to end, baby. I need this to end. You need this to end. I can chase you through Classic until the end of time, I can rip you to pieces, and leave you laying for the vultures to pick up what’s left, and you’ll have deserved all of it… but as one of my little Wildhearts just reminded me, that’s not who I am. Not who Papa Wild Thang wants to be.
Bruder still looks stunned, but he’s paying attention to Kilgore.
Kilgore: When we fought at Capital Clash, you didn’t have a choice. Like every spineless coward, you were backed into a corner. But you want this end? YOU WANT TO STOP LOOKING OVER YOUR SHOULDER!? ACCEPT MY CHALLENGE!
A pause to let the anticipation build.
Freddy Kilgore: PAPA WILD THANG… AGAINST ALEX BRUDER… IN. A. STEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEL. CAGE!!!!!
The crowd positively erupts at the promise of blood and mayhem.
Freddy Kilgore: IN THAT CAGE, WE BATTLE ONE LAST TIME. IN THAT CAGE, WE BATTLE LIKE MEN. IN THAT CAGE… WE. END. THIS!!!! Say yes, Bruder, and I’ll see you at ClassicMania. Say no?
Kilgore looks to his feet, looks back at little Mikey Collins, and finally meets eyes with Bruder again.
Kilgore: I’m trying to be the better man. Don’t make think about the alternative, baby.
Kilgore goes to the corner furthest away from Alex, giving him the opening to make his exit. He then rolls out for the ring and starts slapping hands with the fans at ringside, starting again with Little Mikey Collins.