The people are clapping as we go to the ring and “Waiting on the Bus” by ZZ Top plays over the loudspeaker. He comes out and claps along with the others before belting out a loud….
“HOOOOOOOOOOOOONK!” The fans get even more excited as he climbs into the ring.
“Hello It’s Me” by Tod Rudgren hits the PA, cueing The Undercover Lover to come turning through the curtain with his satin ring robe untied and his arms opened wide.
He stops his spin, facing the camera and looks over all of the women in attendance, clutching his heart with surprise. He then stops, rubs his eyes, and waves them off to a chorus of boos.
He heads up the ring steps and up on to the apron and then shimmies out of his robe and hops over the top rope and into the ring.
Robbins: Ladies and Gentlemen this next match is scheduled for one fall, and has a 10 minute time limit. Already in the ring in this corner, Hailing from the Bus Station…. DOUBLE DECKER!
The fans cheer.
Robbins: And his opponent from “The City Of Love” New Orleans, Louisiana… This is The UNDERCOVER LOVER!
The referee is about to call for the bell but another theme song suddenly hits, confusing the two competitors.
“Train of Consequences” by Megadeath hits and out struts The REAL WORLDS CHAMPION!
He smiles at both of the guys in the ring, and heads over to the commentary table.
Moss: I guess we’re going to be joined by our REAL WORLDS CHAMPION!
Howley: ALRIGHT! Finally I get to talk to someone with class!
Moss: Hey! Wait a minute!
Bruder: Howley, good to see you. Moss, settle down a hair. I just figured with so many new men coming to Classic Wrestling, now would be as good a time as any to get a feel for one of them.
Inside the ring the two stare each other down as the bell rings. The Undercover Lover makes the first move and saunters out of his corner, before putting his hands on his head and swirling his hips around in the direction of Double Decker. The Big Bus looks out to the crowd confused, and the Lover points to Decker as if it’s his turn. Decker, unsure of himself, moves out of his corner and towards the center of the ring. He stops a few feet short and starts to do “The Cabbage Patch” dance.
The fans in the arena go ballistic. Undercover can’t believe it, he yells out to the crowd.
Undercover Lover: That’s not dancing! THIS IS DANCING!
The Lover moves closer to Double Decker and starts to do the “running man”. After he’s done the crowd boos him, much to his own chagrin. He points to Decker who’s turn is up next…
Howley: I thought these guys were supposed to be Wrestling, not dancing!?
Moss: Competition takes all forms there Thunderbird! I for one am curious as to what moves, the big rig has in him!
Bruder: Double Decker making a mistake. He’s got an advantage in size, not stamina. If he’s not careful, he’ll wear himself out before they lock up.
The Bus claps lightly, slightly impressed with the speed of the running man. The Bus then looks back out to the crowd.
Moss: YEA DO IT DOUBLE DECKER!
Double Decker starts dancing once again. This time he pretends to be strapping his seatbelt almost in disco form…. before transitioning to “turning the big wheel” The crowd stands up and starts clapping along which only gets Double Decker more excited. Finally, having had enough, The Undercover Lover attacks Double Decker from behind during one of his dance moves.
Moss: He just dropkicked Double Decker!
Howley: I’m sure our champion here wouldn’t have had that issue!
Bruder: Not much of a dancer, Thunderbird. The Undercover Lover set a great trap for the big man. The bus was too trusting.
The big man falls through the ropes to the outside of the ring, but lands on his feet. He shakes his head and goes to look back up into the ring. Instead what he sees is Undercover Lover flying through the air at him!
Howley: The Undercover Lover with a flying body press! I don’t care how big you are Moss, a human being basically being thrown at you is going to take you down!
Bruder: I’m not ashamed to say I skirt the rules where I can, but there’s not much getting around the law of gravity.
Both men crash into a heap on the outside of the ring. The official starts their count. It isn’t long before the Lover is up and trying to peel 400 plus pounds of flesh covered steel off the ground but to no avail. He slides back in the ring and waits.
Bruder: Not sure why he tried getting Double Decker up, or how he planned to do it without a hoist. Good thinking getting back in the ring, though. A win’s a win.
It quickly becomes clear that The Bus is going to make it back in before the count of 10. As he slides under the bottom rope, Lover wastes no time and immediately begins to stomp on the back of the Bus.
As Double D makes his way up to his feet through the attack Lover realizes he’s gotta hit something a little bigger, and runs off the ropes. He comes back with a big crossbody block but he’s trapped by Decker who catches him in mid air. Unable to control himself, Lover panics, but it’s too late.
Moss: DECKER FALLS FORWARD! LANDING ON THE UNDERCOVER LOVER IN THE PROCESS!
The big man gets right back up, and runs off the ropes himself and goes for a big running splash. Lover sees it coming, and we see the eyes behind the hearts go wide!
Howley: HE JUST GOT AWAY AT THE LAST SECOND MOSS!
The lover breathes heavy, his life having flashed before his eyes. He pulls himself up using the ropes and waits for Decker to do the same. Double Decker finally makes his way up as well and he gets a running Lover in his face right away. The jumping forearm strike knocks Decker back into the turnbuckle.
Moss: Who do you think is going to be your first challenger Alex?
Bruder: No earthly idea, Moss. I’d say anybody who lost in the tournament already had a crack at it, but it’s not up to me. Just know that whoever gets the nod for my first defense is going to regret not letting someone else go ahead of them, if you follow me.
Lover follows up right away and climbs to the second rope and starts punching down at the head of Double Decker. The referee begins his count, but it’s not long before Decker reaches up with both hands and grabs Lover around the neck.
Howley: Oh No!
Bruder: This is exactly what I was talking about. Double Decker has the strength and size that others dream of. I don’t see this ending well for The Undercover Lover.
He takes two steps out of the corner, holding Lover in the air the whole time. He does a half turn and launches the Undercover Lover into the turnbuckle where he lands back first. Lover holds onto the top rope so that he doesn’t fall to the mat, but that’s all Double Decker needs to see. He hits the other side of the ring and comes running back.
Howley: RUNAWAY BUS!
Moss: LAST STOP!
CRASH! Decker collides with Lover in the corner with the big running body splash! Lover crumples to the mat and Decker falls and covers him.
ONE
TWO
THREE!
The bell rings and “Waiting on the Bus” begins to play over the speakers. The fans cheer loudly! Double Decker makes his way to his feet and the referee raises one of his arms, almost falling over in the process.
Robbins: Your winner by pinfall! DOUBLE DECKER!
Moss: A big win for the big man!
Howley: Undercover Lover got squished Moss, but I for one hope to see him back here, he’s got a certain charisma to him!
Double Decker bounds out of the rings and starts high fiving fans in the front row, as well as those like Solex, who run down to ringside when the wrestlers come by.
Howley: Well Mr Bruder we really appreciate you taking the ti…
As he’s heading through the curtain we here another voice and another man come walking out.
Off Screen Voice: Hold on one second there champ!
The ZZ Top theme fades away and Vito Valentino comes waltzing out of the curtain. The fans get loud and excited! He’s looking right at Alex Bruder through his dark sunglasses. He moves towards the commentary team as Otto Price catches up to him with a microphone in hand. “All Business” grabs his title and stands up, ready for anything. Vito stops short of the desk and Otto holds a microphone up to him.
Valentino: Here we are, still early on in Classic Wrestling’s brief history. We’ve had great ratings, we had a HUGE pay per view at SLAM-A-THON! We’ve got fans everywhere!
Vito tilts his glasses down at Bruder.
Valentino: Well… I’ve got fans everywhere anyway!
The crowd laughs in response. Bruder is unamused.
Valentino: Classic Wrestling is blowing up everywhere! Jimmy Dale and the men and women that run this place, took a chance, kicked open the door, and built something pretty amazing here.
The fans cheer loudly in agreement.
Valentino: In fact, I’m inspired Alex! It’s inspired me to have the same mindset. Now I could sit back there, and wait for my matches, try to pick up as many wins as I can and hope that it earns me a shot at your championship… OR… I can do what Classic Wrestling did! I can kick open the door, come out here right now, look you in the eye, and tell you I WANT A SHOT AT THE REAL WORLDS CHAMPIONSHIP!
The fans explode at the prospect. The bleachers shake they’re so rowdy. Bruder folds his arms across his chest, half raising an eyebrow.
Valentino: What’s it going to be “All Business”? Are you going to fight me like a man?
Thunderbird now holds a mic up under the mouth of Alex Bruder. The champion looks down at his title, then back up at Vito slowly. He takes in a deep breath…holds the championship to his side, and walks right past Vito Valentino and never even looks at him.
Bruder heads through the curtain to a litany of boos from the crowd. Vito can’t believe he didn’t say anything. He shakes his head and says something inaudible to Otto as we fade to the next scene.