Post by zybala on Dec 27, 2022 11:48:28 GMT -5
: When we last left your hero and mine, Mike Zybala, he was screaming at yet another ghost. The spectral PIC floats up to stand next to the bed, adjusting his ghostly world title on his shoulder, waiting patiently. Zybala stops screaming, but glares at the transparent champ. :
Let me guess. The Ghost of Champions Present?
I actually like that. Let's go with it.
Why are you here? The last spook helped me see the light. I wanna fight my hardest and all that good stuff. You can leave.
: PIC isn't believing Zybala for a second.
Sure you do. And I have real-estate in Atlantis to sell you.
:He pauses, puffs out his chest and speaks in a deep, booming voice.
You have failed to hold on to the spirit that a champion requires! We need to change that! Do you think your opponents are feeling this depressed?!
To be fair, I don't give a shit about what they're feeling…
Well, we're gonna find out anyway, so you better get used to it. By the way, where did you get that?
: PIC points behind Zybala, who turns to look. When Zybala turns back to ask what the ghost was pointing at, he turns just in time to see PIC about to hit him with the title! Zybala doesn't have time to react as he gets laid out cold! PIC smiles as he puts the title around his waist. He then grabs Zybala, tosses him over his shoulder and opens the bedroom door. There is a shimmering veil and PIC steps into it.
Elsewhere, a door opens and PIC steps through it. He unceremoniously drops Zybala to the ground. PIC looks around as if making sure they're in the right place and nods, satisfied. He then gives Zybala a kick to the side, telling him to wake up. Zybala groans as he comes to. He looks around, sees the ghost and swears.:
Shit. Fine, let's get this over with. Where are we, oh spirit? What is to stoke the fire within?
This is the home of The OCW World Champ PIC! Just shut up and watch!
: The ghost points to see a tastefully designed living room. It is decorated for the holidays. Zybala sees the real PIC decorating a Christmas tree. He's still looking a little banged up, though healing. His daughter Sarah walks into the room and sees her father working on the tree. She goes over next to him and grabs a box of ornaments. :
Shouldn't you be resting up for Hardwired?
I feel good enough to decorate a tree. It's okay. I'm more worried about the Canadian cold than feeling better. I'm going in the champ and I'm leaving as the champ. Bifford has no chance of taking my belt away from me.
What about Mike? He could surprise both of you, and take the win.
:PIC lets out a derisive snort of laughter that makes Zybala's eyebrow raise in annoyance. PIC looks at his daughter's expression. :
Oh. You were serious.
I am. You said it yourself that Mike is a great wrestler.
I said he WAS a great wrestler. Ever since he lost the tag belts, he can't seem to even buy a win. Which is saying something, cuz I hear he has quite a bit of cash. I've done nothing BUT win since becoming world champion. I hate to say it, but Mike hasn't been a threat for a while. He's good, not great. The only way he'll win is if Biff and I simultaneously have heart attacks.
You sonofabitch!
: Zybala charges at PIC with a superkick, but passes right through him. Zybala stands up and looks very confused until it dawns on him. Christmas Carol rules. He goes back to where the spectral PIC floats. :
Can you believe this arrogant jerk? Mister world champ over here thinks Ineed an act of God to win! If he was so great, why couldn't he win the tag title with TLS? I won AND defended them with TLS. PIC and I lost against the Sons of Krayzie. PIC and TLS lost against The Bastards. Was the common denominator me?!? No way! It was Steve "I'm the great PIC" Wilson! TLS and I were proven winners and PIC dragged us down! I can't look at him right now. Get me out of here spirit!
: Zybala turns to face the PIC ghost and sees a large shadow loom behind the spirit. The figure spins ghost PIC around, boots it in the midsection and doubles it over. It's a ghostly Big Bifford!! The larger ghost then it's a ghastly Biff End on PIC and picks up the spectral World Title. He steps over the unconscious ghost and smiles at Zybala. Can ghosts lose consciousness? Would that just mean they moved on? Questions for later. The spirit speaks in a boisterous, regal Trans-Atlantic accent. :
I am the Ghost of Champions Future! As I'm sure that you're well aware, I have taken the form of the next OCW World Champion, THE BIG BIFFORD.
I have no use for you, spirit. Your counterparts have made me see the error of my ways. I feel my competitive flame growing by the second. I don't need to see a future where I lose my passion. Please, just take me home so I can finally use the bathroom.
: The Bifford ghost just laughs as it reaches under its magical fleece, and pulls out a large handful of Magical Confetti. He tosses it into the air, which causes a portal in space/time to open. Bifford gestures for Zybala to enter, but Mike is hesitant. The Ghost materializes his Mighty Scythe to his hands and Mike enters the portal out of fear.
They exit the portal to a sun lit backyard. Not just any backyard, but THE Yard! The one where many great Outsiders shows have happened. Zybala looks around proudly as he sees The Yard filled with fans.
He looks in the ring and sees, not Mitch, but Scruff standing in the ring. He appears to be reffing a match between Jacki O'Lantern and Egan Harmon. What's stranger is Hood and Smith are calling the action. A confused Zybala turns to the spirit. :
Tell me, spirit. Why are OCW main roster people fighting on Dystopia?
...... What the hell is Dystopia??? This is Monday Night Massacre, old chap.
Massacre?! In The Yard?! Why??
Well, after Bifford won the World Title, viewership dropped significantly. Apparently the fans were sick of the same old shit that they saw for years. Plus, your retirement didn't help things. People like you for some reason.
Surely my showing up as an authority figure was enough to satiate the fans. I must have made
You never did. Once you lost, you disappeared! No calls, e-mails, texts, nothing. That left Welsh in control of The Yard with the ten percent you gave him. Dean wasn't happy about that. Then, nobody wanted to buy Thad's OCW shares since the company was going under.
Once it folded completely, Welsh convinced some people to come to The Yard. He bought the naming rights to Massacre, and fortunately your backyard had enough followers to keep some version of OCW afloat. Bifford also disappeared because he refused to fight in what was once your Yard.
What happened to me?! Show me what happened to me, spirit! I demand it!
You sure? You won't like it.
Show me, damn you!!!
: The Bifford ghost shrugs as he reaches under the fleece once more. He pulls out more Confetti and throws it in the air. No portal appears, however, and Bifford simply walks into the house. Confused, Zybala follows him.
They pass through the kitchen and down the hallway. They enter the living room and Zybala sees lounging on the couch, ZyBalda!!! The fake Mike is watching Zybala win the OCW tag titles on repeat. Mike glares at the man who helped orchestrate the worst part of his life. He turns to the ghost. :
What trickery is this?! I said show what happened to me, not this useless jackass!
But Mike, this poor wretch IS you.
What do you mean, spirit?
After you lost and retired, you slipped into a horrible depression. It was like you and OCW had a symbiotic relationship. One couldn't survive without the other.
After you left, you were fine at first. But then, seeing the decline of OCW, your decline began. You gained weight, your hair fell out and Cathy left you. Welsh, remembering your kindness when he was down on his luck, allows you to live here after he took over.
Jesus Christ… Specter, how far did we travel into the future??
The date is February 13th, 2023!!
: Zybala's jaw drops. Surely he heard the ghost wrong. He asks the spirit to repeat itself.:
Tis true. This horrible future took less than two months after you retired.
Show me no more, spirit! I cannot bear it! Please, no more! Tell me, is this the future that MAY come or WILL come?
: The Bifford ghost remains stoic and silent. Zybala drops to his knees, with tears in his eyes, hands clasped and pleading. :
Surely, the future is not fixed. It can't be!! I will do everything I can to not allow this future to happen! I will hold true to having the heart and desire of a champion, on pay-per-view days and every day! I will fight until my last breath to make sure this dire sight is not meant to be! Send me back, spirit. Send me back so I can win the world title and prevent this bleak future!
: As Zybala pleads, Magic Confetti flies out from under the Magical Fleece! It fills the air and swirls around Zybala. He thrashes his arms around as the Confetti engulfs him. As his vision begins to clear, he feels someone shaking him.
Zybala's eyes dart open and he sees his wife! She has a look of concern on her face. Mike feels pressure on his face and touches it. It's his CPAP machine! He takes off the mask and turns the machine off. He turns to his worried wife. :
Are you OK? You kept tossing and turning. Must have been one doozy of a nightmare.
Oh God. Am I awake? Truly awake?
Yes honey. You're awake.
Oh honey. It was a horrible dream. I dreamt of ghosts showing me what could happen if I didn't win the world title. OCW closed! Marcus took over Outsiders! I got fat and bald!!
It was just a dream, Mike. It wasn't real. It was only a dream.
But it wasn't just a dream. It was a warning from the spirits. I can't let these visions come to pass. I must always keep my drive to win no matter the cost. I NEED to become the world champion in Canada. I must keep the spirit of a champion in my heart, always and forever!!
Let me guess. The Ghost of Champions Present?
I actually like that. Let's go with it.
Why are you here? The last spook helped me see the light. I wanna fight my hardest and all that good stuff. You can leave.
: PIC isn't believing Zybala for a second.
Sure you do. And I have real-estate in Atlantis to sell you.
:He pauses, puffs out his chest and speaks in a deep, booming voice.
You have failed to hold on to the spirit that a champion requires! We need to change that! Do you think your opponents are feeling this depressed?!
To be fair, I don't give a shit about what they're feeling…
Well, we're gonna find out anyway, so you better get used to it. By the way, where did you get that?
: PIC points behind Zybala, who turns to look. When Zybala turns back to ask what the ghost was pointing at, he turns just in time to see PIC about to hit him with the title! Zybala doesn't have time to react as he gets laid out cold! PIC smiles as he puts the title around his waist. He then grabs Zybala, tosses him over his shoulder and opens the bedroom door. There is a shimmering veil and PIC steps into it.
Elsewhere, a door opens and PIC steps through it. He unceremoniously drops Zybala to the ground. PIC looks around as if making sure they're in the right place and nods, satisfied. He then gives Zybala a kick to the side, telling him to wake up. Zybala groans as he comes to. He looks around, sees the ghost and swears.:
Shit. Fine, let's get this over with. Where are we, oh spirit? What is to stoke the fire within?
This is the home of The OCW World Champ PIC! Just shut up and watch!
: The ghost points to see a tastefully designed living room. It is decorated for the holidays. Zybala sees the real PIC decorating a Christmas tree. He's still looking a little banged up, though healing. His daughter Sarah walks into the room and sees her father working on the tree. She goes over next to him and grabs a box of ornaments. :
Shouldn't you be resting up for Hardwired?
I feel good enough to decorate a tree. It's okay. I'm more worried about the Canadian cold than feeling better. I'm going in the champ and I'm leaving as the champ. Bifford has no chance of taking my belt away from me.
What about Mike? He could surprise both of you, and take the win.
:PIC lets out a derisive snort of laughter that makes Zybala's eyebrow raise in annoyance. PIC looks at his daughter's expression. :
Oh. You were serious.
I am. You said it yourself that Mike is a great wrestler.
I said he WAS a great wrestler. Ever since he lost the tag belts, he can't seem to even buy a win. Which is saying something, cuz I hear he has quite a bit of cash. I've done nothing BUT win since becoming world champion. I hate to say it, but Mike hasn't been a threat for a while. He's good, not great. The only way he'll win is if Biff and I simultaneously have heart attacks.
You sonofabitch!
: Zybala charges at PIC with a superkick, but passes right through him. Zybala stands up and looks very confused until it dawns on him. Christmas Carol rules. He goes back to where the spectral PIC floats. :
Can you believe this arrogant jerk? Mister world champ over here thinks Ineed an act of God to win! If he was so great, why couldn't he win the tag title with TLS? I won AND defended them with TLS. PIC and I lost against the Sons of Krayzie. PIC and TLS lost against The Bastards. Was the common denominator me?!? No way! It was Steve "I'm the great PIC" Wilson! TLS and I were proven winners and PIC dragged us down! I can't look at him right now. Get me out of here spirit!
: Zybala turns to face the PIC ghost and sees a large shadow loom behind the spirit. The figure spins ghost PIC around, boots it in the midsection and doubles it over. It's a ghostly Big Bifford!! The larger ghost then it's a ghastly Biff End on PIC and picks up the spectral World Title. He steps over the unconscious ghost and smiles at Zybala. Can ghosts lose consciousness? Would that just mean they moved on? Questions for later. The spirit speaks in a boisterous, regal Trans-Atlantic accent. :
I am the Ghost of Champions Future! As I'm sure that you're well aware, I have taken the form of the next OCW World Champion, THE BIG BIFFORD.
I have no use for you, spirit. Your counterparts have made me see the error of my ways. I feel my competitive flame growing by the second. I don't need to see a future where I lose my passion. Please, just take me home so I can finally use the bathroom.
: The Bifford ghost just laughs as it reaches under its magical fleece, and pulls out a large handful of Magical Confetti. He tosses it into the air, which causes a portal in space/time to open. Bifford gestures for Zybala to enter, but Mike is hesitant. The Ghost materializes his Mighty Scythe to his hands and Mike enters the portal out of fear.
They exit the portal to a sun lit backyard. Not just any backyard, but THE Yard! The one where many great Outsiders shows have happened. Zybala looks around proudly as he sees The Yard filled with fans.
He looks in the ring and sees, not Mitch, but Scruff standing in the ring. He appears to be reffing a match between Jacki O'Lantern and Egan Harmon. What's stranger is Hood and Smith are calling the action. A confused Zybala turns to the spirit. :
Tell me, spirit. Why are OCW main roster people fighting on Dystopia?
...... What the hell is Dystopia??? This is Monday Night Massacre, old chap.
Massacre?! In The Yard?! Why??
Well, after Bifford won the World Title, viewership dropped significantly. Apparently the fans were sick of the same old shit that they saw for years. Plus, your retirement didn't help things. People like you for some reason.
Surely my showing up as an authority figure was enough to satiate the fans. I must have made
You never did. Once you lost, you disappeared! No calls, e-mails, texts, nothing. That left Welsh in control of The Yard with the ten percent you gave him. Dean wasn't happy about that. Then, nobody wanted to buy Thad's OCW shares since the company was going under.
Once it folded completely, Welsh convinced some people to come to The Yard. He bought the naming rights to Massacre, and fortunately your backyard had enough followers to keep some version of OCW afloat. Bifford also disappeared because he refused to fight in what was once your Yard.
What happened to me?! Show me what happened to me, spirit! I demand it!
You sure? You won't like it.
Show me, damn you!!!
: The Bifford ghost shrugs as he reaches under the fleece once more. He pulls out more Confetti and throws it in the air. No portal appears, however, and Bifford simply walks into the house. Confused, Zybala follows him.
They pass through the kitchen and down the hallway. They enter the living room and Zybala sees lounging on the couch, ZyBalda!!! The fake Mike is watching Zybala win the OCW tag titles on repeat. Mike glares at the man who helped orchestrate the worst part of his life. He turns to the ghost. :
What trickery is this?! I said show what happened to me, not this useless jackass!
But Mike, this poor wretch IS you.
What do you mean, spirit?
After you lost and retired, you slipped into a horrible depression. It was like you and OCW had a symbiotic relationship. One couldn't survive without the other.
After you left, you were fine at first. But then, seeing the decline of OCW, your decline began. You gained weight, your hair fell out and Cathy left you. Welsh, remembering your kindness when he was down on his luck, allows you to live here after he took over.
Jesus Christ… Specter, how far did we travel into the future??
The date is February 13th, 2023!!
: Zybala's jaw drops. Surely he heard the ghost wrong. He asks the spirit to repeat itself.:
Tis true. This horrible future took less than two months after you retired.
Show me no more, spirit! I cannot bear it! Please, no more! Tell me, is this the future that MAY come or WILL come?
: The Bifford ghost remains stoic and silent. Zybala drops to his knees, with tears in his eyes, hands clasped and pleading. :
Surely, the future is not fixed. It can't be!! I will do everything I can to not allow this future to happen! I will hold true to having the heart and desire of a champion, on pay-per-view days and every day! I will fight until my last breath to make sure this dire sight is not meant to be! Send me back, spirit. Send me back so I can win the world title and prevent this bleak future!
: As Zybala pleads, Magic Confetti flies out from under the Magical Fleece! It fills the air and swirls around Zybala. He thrashes his arms around as the Confetti engulfs him. As his vision begins to clear, he feels someone shaking him.
Zybala's eyes dart open and he sees his wife! She has a look of concern on her face. Mike feels pressure on his face and touches it. It's his CPAP machine! He takes off the mask and turns the machine off. He turns to his worried wife. :
Are you OK? You kept tossing and turning. Must have been one doozy of a nightmare.
Oh God. Am I awake? Truly awake?
Yes honey. You're awake.
Oh honey. It was a horrible dream. I dreamt of ghosts showing me what could happen if I didn't win the world title. OCW closed! Marcus took over Outsiders! I got fat and bald!!
It was just a dream, Mike. It wasn't real. It was only a dream.
But it wasn't just a dream. It was a warning from the spirits. I can't let these visions come to pass. I must always keep my drive to win no matter the cost. I NEED to become the world champion in Canada. I must keep the spirit of a champion in my heart, always and forever!!
And Mike Zybala was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more. He went to Hardwired to Self-Destruct and did the impossible. He BEAT Bifford and PIC to finally win the world title! As the fans cried with joy and appreciation; His own heart filled with happiness. He had proved to the spirits he was worthy.
Mike had no further intercourse with Spirits, but lived upon the promise that he made to the Ghost of Champions Future. He knew how to keep a champion's determination well, more than any man or woman or other who came before him. He was a champion worthy of the title and led the company to an era of prosperity never seen before or since.
And yes, dear reader, Mike Zybala finally was able to use the bathroom.
THE END
Mike had no further intercourse with Spirits, but lived upon the promise that he made to the Ghost of Champions Future. He knew how to keep a champion's determination well, more than any man or woman or other who came before him. He was a champion worthy of the title and led the company to an era of prosperity never seen before or since.
And yes, dear reader, Mike Zybala finally was able to use the bathroom.
THE END