Promo: Preaching the Truth

[The Ill One 0]

A familiar sight is seen, one that had been previously seen only days ago, with the dimly lit room, an empty steel chair sitting in front of a camera on top of a tripod, and the otherwise shrouded in darkness room. Once again the World Champion, Insane Luchador, comes into focus with the World Title slung over his shoulder in near identical fashion to last time. However, this time he quietly sits down in the chair, staring at the camera, and can’t help but to smirk, which creates an awkward silence. Finally he’s able to collect his thoughts because he looks into the camera, bluntly saying-

 

“Let’s skip the cordial pleasantries, Tod, okay? This is kind of a spur-of-the-moment thing and I really don’t feel like giving simple, petty threats as segue. So having said that, I have to say that I’m excited for Duck and Cover, yeah, excited. Because Tod, I have to admit that some, including myself, consider you the underdog in this one, but don’t get down on yourself… but don’t get optimistic about it either.”

 

Luchador leans towards the camera, bringing his shoulder that holds the World Championship belt closer for a good view, and then sits back again.

 

“See that? That is what everyone’s eyes are on, whether they admit it or not, and if you haven’t noticed, I’m World Champion. So, therefore, all eyes are on me but that’s fine, I tend to work well under pressure. You have to understand that being an underdog has huge advantages, like if the opponent underestimates you… and between you and me…”

 

Luchador facetiously leans in close to and pats the World Title before whispering, “I won this by being constantly underestimated. Unfortunately for you, Tod, I won’t be granting you that luxury, that’s an ignorant view that can cost one dearly… ask Michael Alexander.”

 

He stops, reflecting on what he has said, and sits back in his chair, casually stretching his arms before focusing back on the camera.

 

“The thing is, Tod, is that I didn’t really feel closure after my message to you… there was something that has just kept nagging and nagging and nagging me. Because, here’s the thing...”

 

“I’m not a bad person,” IL genuinely says. “I just have my own way of…”

 

He considers the words to use.

 

“Handling things.”

 

“Namely, through violence amongst other things, such as… well… violence, gore, carnage, slaughtering, butchering, scarring, and so on and so on… now that doesn’t make me a bad person.”

 

He stops as the famed psychotic smile creeps across his face.

 

“However, it did make me World Champion.”

 

“But here’s why I just felt the last address was incomplete because the thought of your daughter kept running through my mind… don’t worry, Tod, I would never do anything to hurt her directly. Ever. That’s one of the few promises I can make to you. Now, if I’m the catalyst for a change in her life then… well, I just don’t want to ruin her childhood because I mauled her father. Really, I don’t.”

 

He pauses to reflect before insisting, “I don’t, Tod. But I can… and most likely, I will at Duck and Cover because it’s what I do, it’s what I have done, and it is what has gotten me the ultimate prized possession in the federation. Not bad, right? I mean, Tod, really- I’ve won six matches in a row, have you even won six matches?”

 

He pauses and then admits, “I know, I know… my career hasn’t exactly always been so illustrious, to say the least, but to neglect the way I have torn through the federation would be a foolish mistake. It’s not a mistake I want you to make, Tod, imagine you looking into your girl’s blue, brown, hazel, green… whatever colored eyes of hers and explaining, if you’re even able to, why Daddy has changed. Why things will never, ever be the same.”

 

“Sounds a bit harsh, doesn’t it? Well, playing nice and soft obviously isn’t what garners success in this crazy business of ours, does it? Tod, I know that you probably think I’m trying to antagonize you, get into your head, or to throw you off the game plan.”

 

“I’m not. Honestly, I’m not. I am, however, actually doing you a tremendous favor by pointing out something that you may or may not have neglected, I wouldn’t know… but I did feel the need to do the good deed of thinking out loud for your sake. So, at Duck and Cover, if you decide not to show up then that’s fine, trust me, I won’t respect you any less. But your fans, your boss, and… your very own daughter though? Eh, it’s a toss up. But if you do show, and I expect you to, I’m expecting your absolute best because you can be damn sure that you ought to be expecting my best…”

 

His voice trails off and he stands up before lowering to eye level with the camera with a familiar smirk, way too close towards the camera’s lens.

 

“Oh, and Tod? In case you, or any other Doubting Thomas, out there somehow aren’t exactly sold yet- I can tell you, no, promise you, no guarantee you that these aren’t idle threats.”

 

[Toxxic 0]

Damn IL, I thought you were meant to be face!

 

Still, I maintain that the 'oops, was that your face?' character is a good one. Guy's being straight with people. And then hurting them badly.

[The Ill One 0]

Well, he's shooting straight and like he said, he's not really threatening him (to IL, at least) much as trying hard to persuade him... plus he's just going to do his best to get into his opponent's head if he feels the need. But, eh, this one might have been pushin' it.

 

So did you not like it or was it just a mixed message?

 

Edit: Plus, I'm figurin' it's more about the crowd reaction in the ring.

 

Edit Two: Actually, re-reading it I maintain Luchador's just trying to plant that seed of doubt, he just happens to be going about it in a dickish, personal way.

[JST 0]

Stop distracting my writing with these good promos, damn you.

[The Ill One 0]

All part of the plan.

[The Ill One 0]

I'd also like to point out that I'm not being defensive but tryin' to generate some conversation.

[Toxxic 0]

No, I do like it. I think the IL character has got enough of a combination long-term-underdog-turned-machine vibe to get away with this sort of attitude, the fans would still be behind him. It's like if Tommy Dreamer suddenly started wrecking people's shit on a regular basis, people would still be going "Yeah, go Tommy! Kick his head in!" even if he was being a bit deranged.

[DxRxExWxF 0]

I can't come in here and "get" everyone's character. That would take a lot of reading through the archives. However, I do vaguely remember you from way back when, IL. You were always reliable and a consistently good writer. Glad you got to the top

 

With that said, you see many of today's top faces with a very straightforward, deliberate way to getting their messages across. I think this promo does something similar, and it does so effectively. Get into your opponent's head, IL, and break some furniture while you're at it. Rock on.

[The Ill One 0]

Cool, Toxx, thanks- I was mostly asking because I'm trying to word it carefully to keep it being IL coming off too heelish. And Drew, I was a consistently shitty writer when you were around but thanks to you, too.

 

Now to finish reading the show and commenting (read: join in the fun~!)