PROMO:Mama Said There'd Be Days Like This

[Zack Malibu 0]

The scene opens with Todd Cortez, the "Urban Legend" himself, practicing martial arts kicks in his hotel room. Cortez, who has worked up a sweat during this exercise, looks vicious in his warm-ups, as if the phantom blows are aiming for a real opponent. In the midst of throwing a snap sidekick combo, the door to the room swings open, and Mike Van Siclen nearly walks right into Cortez's foot.

 

"Whoa, easy killer. I come in peace."

 

"My apologies, Mike. Guess I was getting too into the workout."

 

"Yeah, I can tell. You smell like you just had a Hog Pen match against Henry Godwin. Obscure references aside, I thought you might want one of these."

 

Van Siclen tosses Cortez a bottle of Powerade, which Cortez takes and quickly chugs most of.

 

"So listen, Todd..." starts Mike. "...I know you didn't come in here expecting to be thrust into the singles spotlight so quickly. I also know that I'm the proud representative of the SWF Hardcore Division, and it seems to me that our current situations can be beneficial to both parties."

 

"Come again?" asks Cortez.

 

"You know, it's usually only the groupies that ask me that. Anyhoo, here's my plan. You want to move up the ranks and make something of yourself, make your mamma proud, fulfill your fighter's destiny and all that hoopla, correct?"

 

"I want to do right by my family, and show them that I've made something out of the hand I've been dealt, yes."

 

"OK. We also both know how much I love the gold. I love it in all shapes and sizes, but I especially love SWF championships, because it tends to piss certain people off and I get off on that. So, here's my proposal. You want to move up the ranks, you need someone who's gonna be able to help you exploit everyone's weaknesses, give you the in's and out's, the do's and don't's. Me, on the other hand, need an insurance policy, someone to make sure that I don't get screwed out of my championship, and who better than my main man and tag team partner."

 

"Let me get this straight, Mike. You want me to help you hold onto that belt, and help you fight your battles?" asks the Urban Legend.

 

"You make it sound like we'd be doing something wrong. It's hardcore baby! Anything goes!" proclaims Van Siclen, a sneaky grin stretching across his face like the Cheshire Cat.

 

Cortez inches closer to his partner, so that they are eye to eye. Cortez seems to be infuriated, but keeps a quiet cool.

 

"Here's what I think, Mike. I don't know why you can't seem to get it, but I'm here not to be an errand boy. You needed a partner, and THAT is where I come in. Now you know I got your back whenever you need it. That goes for tag matches, or when you allow your mouth to get you into trouble. I think I've more than proven my loyalty to you and our team. However, I will not help you hold onto that belt simply because you expect it of me. When situations arise, I'm there, but there is no way in hell I'm going to let you get lazy and have me play savior to you."

 

"Man, you get so uppity sometimes." snaps Van Siclen.

 

"Mike, you don't get it. The Lord above may have blessed you with a life like no other. You might have the fancy cars, the designer jeans, and sunglasses that some people would have to take out a second mortgage to buy. I can't say I've been as lucky as you, but the main difference isn't that. It's that I don't take things for granted."

 

"And you're saying I do?" aks Van Siclen.

 

"I'm saying that you and I, as partners, we go well together. But let's face facts, if I wasn't here on your side, you'd look down on me as ghetto trash." says Cortez, with a stern, serious look on his face.

 

"No I..."

 

"Don't even deny it, Mike. Your holier than thou attitude is what carries you through the day. Now I'm cool that for right now, we're more or less stuck doin' our own thing. I just want you to remember one thing; I'm your partner, not your lackey."

 

Van Siclen, humbled by the speech from Cortez, nods his head.

 

"So then...think you'll need my help against Stryke next show?"

 

Cortez smirks, and slightly nods his head "no".

 

"Fair enough. And just so you know, it's not just your family you've gotta make proud, but it's me too, partner."

 

Van Siclen lightly slaps Cortez in the face, as he smirks gleefully at him. Cortez rolls his eyes, and then watches his partner exit the room, in search of God knows what, leaving him to continue his workout.

[muzz 0]

Awww, sweet. ;-)

 

Likin' the promo and the direction it gives you, and your future here. I like how Cortez is a straight shooter, although I see that getting him into some whacky misadventures.

[Ace309 0]

I liked this. It gave a little depth to the Cortez character that felt lacking when he was just sort of shuffled in in place of - Shane Thompson, was it?

 

Also, good use of the Van Siclen heel character, which is something that's very tough to get right without it seeming cheesy or cookie-cutter.

[Zack Malibu 0]

I liked this. It gave a little depth to the Cortez character that felt lacking when he was just sort of shuffled in in place of - Shane Thompson, was it?

 

Also, good use of the Van Siclen heel character, which is something that's very tough to get right without it seeming cheesy or cookie-cutter.

Yep, it was Shane Thompson, but somehow it got lost in translation and wound up being "Scott Thompson". Picture Spanky crossed with ECW Stevie Richards, along with the Three Count gimmick and that's Thompson. Cortez is probably the most serious character I've done, although my recent heel turn in the OAOAST should be on par with it.

[Toxxic 0]

Cortez is probably the most serious character I've done, although my recent heel turn in the OAOAST should be on par with it.

Speaking of which, are we going to see any more of the OAOASTers coming over? Cos it struck me recently that what this fed really lacks is "custom-made" tag teams. You know, like the Legion of Doom (only hopefully less stiff), two team members that have a cohesive team dynamic and a reason for being together. Even the best tag teams in the SWF (from what I've seen, anyway) are always two individuals who happen to be working together because it suits them for now. I was just thinking that a "jump" of two OATTOASTers trying out a "custom-made" tag format could work quite well, because the tag division isn't exactly thriving now Todd Royal's "injured", WC is on indefinite hiatus and Janus and Aecas hate each other.

 

On another topic, I'm glad to see that although Todd Cortez and Toxxic both have a defining character in their straight-edgeness, they're two very different people. Toxxic, for example, probably wouldn't give a damn about either the Lord above OR his family...

[Zack Malibu 0]

To my knowledge, no one else is jumping ship. I also know what you mean about tag teams, because we've got the same problem in the OAOAST, where every team was either makeshift, or the secondary characters of some posters (myself included).