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[Vladimir Strife]

As the EVPW faithful begin to die down after a stellar main event, the lights dim down, many of the patrons looking around the gymnasium in confusion. Some, halfway toward the door now in an attempt to get out before the rest of the crowd, stop and turn toward the ring, wondering if something remains despite the end of the night's card. Suddenly, their question is answered as the P.A. returns to life, blaring out 'Sumeria' by the Devin Townsend Project.

The lights over the entrance flicker, drawing attention toward it before the stage curtain draped over it is ripped aside. The man who is arguably the biggest legend in the company's history steps out onto the stage, a roar of cheers ignited from his very presence so loudly that it nearly drowns out the accompanying track.

"Oh my lord..."
"HE'S HERE!!! VLADIMIR STRIFE IS HERE!!! HOLY HELL!!!"

The GodKing looks around the arena, glancing slowly left and right before making his way down the ramp toward the squared circle. He stops at the end of the grated steel, taking a right and heading for the steel steps. Every step of his ascension is slow and deliberate, the Barbarian Lord drawing out the pandemonium with joy.

He steps into the ring, greeted by Lizzie Morna, who hands him a microphone and plants a peck upon his cheek, whispering something into his ear before taking her leave. The Behemoth stands in the middle of the arena, microphone held down to his side as his music fades away, slipping off somewhere in the ruckus he's incited. He slowly raises the piece to chin level, the crowd going hush so they might hear what he's come to say.

"I'm home."

Strife's message is short and sweet. He drops the mic onto the canvas, a grin working it's way across his face as those attended tonight in Concord explode with elation once more. Several chants muster meager beginnings, but one soon wins out above the rest, booming through the venue until it can be heard from the street in front of it.

"WEL-COME HOME! WEL-COME HOME! WEL-COME HOME!"

TBCB Anyone who wants to jump in here

[Chris Pyro]

As Vlad stands on the middle of the ring, taking in the cheers of the fans, guitar riffs of "Warrior by Disturbed" Chris Pyro emerges on the top of the ramp with his new soldier behind him, Agent Shadow. Both decked out in the black militant attire that has become the Project Rebirth signature. The two men walk towards the ring, Pyro peering over his half mask. They both reach the ring, Shadow kneeling up to the apron while Pyro makes his way up the stairs. A grin can barely be seen, but is noticeable as he climbs through the ropes.

JP:
What do they want? This is Vlad's moment and out comes this Project Rebirth that Pyro has been working on.

RW:
You're right. How dare he and his horribly dressed friend ruin this moment!

Pyro gestures to Shadow go to get a mic as he begins a slow, almost mocking, applause for the GodKing. Shadow hands the mic over to Pyro, who removes his mask.

Pyro:
Funny how things change over time. It was just six years ago, me and my... Former tag partner made our debut slash return to wrestling and out came you, the great GodKing of EVPW. The man, the myth, the... Let down. You see, you've aged poorly for this business. So busy seeking the adulation of an audience you abandoned years ago. Fans that you let down by allowing creeps like Nicholas Carson and Kasabian Stalker control this business. So, tell me, what is your grand plan for EVPW now that you are "home"? Winning the Imperial Championship, going on another win-streak that will inevitably ruin future careers? I've watched EVPW rise and fall too often due to the selfishness of men like you. So if that is indeed your plan, you will find you have a really bad homecoming.

[Vladimir Strife]

Vladimir rubs his chin, looking over one of EVPW's biggest success - a man who'd come in it's doors a rookie and now stood before him a star. He and his partner watch the GodKing, each smugly ready to put him in his place if he tries anything or, presumably, gives them an answer they don't like. As he waits to speak, considering his words, the Concord crowd comes through with their own, shy any semblance of subtlety.

"FUCK YOU PY-RO! FUCK YOU PY-RO! FUCK YOU PY-RO!"

Strife smiles at the chant, beaming with pride as he does. Chris seems a little less amused by their antics, a scowl growing across his features at their repetitive derogatory remarks. Vlad notices this and simply shrugs his shoulder as if to point out that he has no control over them. He bends down and picks his microphone back up, lifting it up to address the concern.

"Look, Chris.."

The chant begins to fade away as the fans tone it down to hear what the company's co-founder has to say in response.

"I get your concern. Honestly, I do. My time in this business has been a bit... divisive, I admit."

"There are those who would say that my role in this business has been... detrimental.. to professional wrestling on whole. That I have only served to stifle competition... that I stomp out many careers before they could truly begin.. that as long as Vladimir Strife is a part of professional wrestling, it simply can not flourish.. Hell, maybe there's some truth to those things.."

This statement is met with jeers throughout the building and the interest of the Assassin, who listens intently and seems to be in agreement with these things.

"But maybe they aren't. You see, it's true that there are men who bowed out of this business after facing me or shortly thereafter. Tai Nai O' Neill.. Ricky Rodriguez.. Brett Steel really mounted a full fledge return after we fought in the Asylum, KingBear was so badly injured he never returned to the ring, Alex Stall's career stumbled around shortly before crashing down. But allow me to clue you in on something more than that, my amigo..."

Vladimir takes a step forward, the two men opposing him standing their ground as he does so and not backing down.

"I beat Matthew Oliveira in the Asylum Cage... and he stumbled around a bit, yes, and then went on to form one of the most successful stables in the history of GHW. In his debut, I filled that motherfucker Desperado up with so many thumbtacks that he had to legally change his middle name to 'OfficeMax'.. he went on to be in that stable and become one of the only men to score a victory over me. When some scraggly little upcoming fuck with the goofiest damn name I'd ever heard of - Rhaps - challenged me, knowing well enough what I'd do to him, I did exactly that and took him to his breaking point. He came back and became one of the biggest names the industry has ever seen. And do you know why?"

Pyro goes to raise his microphone, but Vlad abruptly cuts him off.

"Shut the fuck up, of course you don't know why!"

The crowd goes wild again at this, while Vladimir's dissenter stews with anger for the disrespect he's been shown.

"Because those guys wanted to be a part of this business. They loved this business and stuck with it. They didn't take their ball and go home simply because they weren't able to beat the absolute best in the business.."

"What I do separates the men from the boys and the legends from the stars. Now tell me, Chris.. are you ready to find out which you are?"

[Angel Huerta]

OOC: Hope y'all don't mind me hopping in. PM me if you want me to delete this. Contract will be up soon.

STRUT ON BY LIKE A KING...

Unfamiliar music begins blaring out of the PA system, diverting both the wrestlers, and fans' attention towards the top of the ramp, where somebody is sure to appear. 

BUT I'VE TOLD YOU

ONE TOO MANY TIMES AND

YOU WERE CRYIN' LIKE A BITCH

Godsmack's "Cryin' Like a Bitch" continues playing and soon enough a figure emerges from behind the black curtain. The unfamiliar man is wearing a pair of black Nike shorts, matching shoes and a cut-off t-shirt with the words "ALPHA MALE" across the chest. He has a microphone clasped in his right hand, down by his side. He stops just at the top of the ramp and peers into the audience before dragging his dark, brown eyes to the ring at the three athletes. His music fades away and he slowly brings the microphone up to his lips.


Angel "Alpha Male" Huerta: "Vladimir Strife, welcome to MY home."

A rush of roaring jeers are directed from the fans to the new guy, who doesn't seemed the least bit phased by the hostile welcoming he receives.

Angel "Alpha Male" Huerta: "I'm not the smartest man in this arena right now, but let me enlighten you all for just a moment. To be honest I'm shocked at how either A.) how stupid you all are, or B.) how ignorant you all seem. I think it's painfully clear why this company has failed over, and over, and over again. I see a pattern, Vlad, Chris. This place has failed so many times because there is no change. Week after week, EVPW puts out the same garbage. I see the same boring, out-of-shape, nonathletic, wrestler, such as yourselves, repeatedly. Only fools will repeat the same thing over and over and expect a different outcome. Only fools!"

Sill standing at the top of the entrance ramp, the man pulls the microphone away from his lips and let the boos rain down on him for a few seconds before continuing.

Angel "Alpha Male" Huerta: "I know the secret to keepin' this place alive and the secret is me! You need more Angel Huertas! You need more ALPHA MALES!"

[Chris Pyro]

Pyro glares at the unwanted newcomer to the ring. The so-called "Alpha Male" looks out of place with the militant Project Rebirth and the GodKing.

Pyro:
Listen here, boy. You just walked into the wrong end of town. I don't know if you realize who you're in the ring with. You're in the ring with a God and a Demon. You're in the ring with two of the most lethal men to have stepped foot in EVPW. You have the GodKing Vladimir Strife who, like the name suggests, was like a God in this company and reigned like a king. Then you have Agent Shadow, a new comer here but is none the less a dangerous enough individual. Then you have me, and all you have to know about me is that I'll rip your life apart, make you watch your life crumble at my feet, and when all is said and done, and when you're begging for it all to end, I'll make you watch it all again. Know your place, boy.

After the clear warning to Angel, he turns his attention back to Vlad.

Pyro:
I already know the kind of man I am. In case you forgot, when I first came to EVPW, I gained the wrath of the GodKing. You and Amanda Hallsworth were the Fallen Angels' first opponent. What you did to me and Brian Brooks left a mark on us. Then, a few months later, you and Rhaps who had failed as a tag team, handed us the tag team championships and you watched as we made tag team wrestling matter again. And now I'm here, not as a competitor but as a mentor to Agent Shadow. I have no quarrel with you, right now. I just asked, what is your grand scheme for this place. Depending on your answer, is how I will handle you.

[Kasabian Stalker]

"Mmmm, talking about handling things..."

The creepy, test familiar voice rings out over the top of Chris Pyro. As the voice speaks, the synthesiser that marks the start of "Bones" by The Killers echoes out over the arena. The song plays through, marking the entrance of the Perverted One. The baby-oiled bald head of Kasabian Stalker soon pokes out from behind the entranceway. With a twisted grin on his face and a microphone in his hands, he doesn't mind being the second person to interrupt this particular party.

"We weren't really planning on having this little swaray without me, were we boys?"

Kasabian licks his lips as he eyeballs the three men in the ring. He paces as he talks, edging his way closer to the ring with each sentence.

"Fancy that, Vladimir Strife returns and suddenly the whole place is up in arms. Chris Pyro wants to know what your plans are, stuck somewhere between friend and foe. Everybody has their feathers ruffled over Vladimir Strife, and why not. He's a big deal. The most unbeatable man in EVPW history. The biggest cock in the locker room. I should know, I've been studying in the showers... Spycams and weblinks... Meeeow. 

I take a week off and everybody forgets about little old me."

Getting closer to the ring, Kasabian stands at the bottom of the entrance ramp looking up at the trio. His eyes are locked onto the GodKing's

"Need I remind you Vladdy-Boy, that you are not the only person who can claim an impressive winning streak in these halls. Need I remind you that it is I that is the Number One contender, and need I remind you that in your entire illustrious career, you have never faced anybody like me."

As Kasabian breathes the last line seductively into the microphone, he runs his free hand over his well-oiled body, stopping only to rub his nipples sensually for good measure. With the men in the ring looking sufficiently turned off, Kasabian takes the steps to the squared circle and slips under the top rope. The first body that he comes across is that of the 'Alpha Male', the cocky newcomer looking on with a perplexed look; not quite sure what to make of the bizarre intruder. His words, although spoken into his microphone, are directed at Angel Huerta himself.

"As little as I listen to the guy, Pyro had it right. You are in the ring with a god, a demon... and now, a Pervert. I don't mind getting... mmm... physical if you want to dance, but right now you are in my way bub."

Kasabian motions with his hands for Huerta to step aside, looking the impressive physical specimen up and down as he does so. Without a word and with a look of complete disdain and distrust plastered on his face, the 'Alpha Male' sidles ever so slightly out of Kasabian's path, allowing the Perverted One to step past. Kasabian takes the time to breathe in the scent of the newcomer as he does so, pressing his nose right to the nape of Huerta's neck before proceeding past. Taking centre stage, he has Pyro and Strife in his sights.

"Mmmm, fresh meat." He begins, nodding towards the Alpha Male. "A dog needing to be broken? I'll gladly be the one to break that mare in. Shower match perhaps?"

Again, Stalker runs his hands over his body at the thought, closing his eyes to savour the moment. When he opens them once more, his attention is split between Pyro and Strife.

"Look, boys, I don't mean to intrude... Well, actually, I do. We could go backwards and forwards listening to you two reminisce over the days of old... Those that came, saw and were conquered. We could listen to you argue about what kind of man Vladdy-boy is. Hell, we could go through the history of SCW, GHW and EVPW if we left you two out here long enough. Pyro wants to know what your grand scheme is for this place; personally, I don't care as much. You are Vladimir Strife. Plans or not, you don't run the place. It's not like you are Devin Bozz or anything. Let's talk about the issues that matter.

At some point, we need to get to the point. Allow me to be the catalyst to your conversation.

Let me put the question out there, Vladimir Tepes Strife...

Are you coming back to wrestle, or are you simply here to tease your faithful fans? Because if it is the latter, you are not dressed accordingly to be  tease... I would recommend the school-girl outfit myself. So, what is it?"

[Vladimir Strife]

Vladimir shakes his head at the men before him and raises his microphone up to his lips. As he does, they all look to him, everyone in the arena looking to find out what capacity the GodKing has returned in.

"I stepped away from this business at a time that I had to.. there was no choice for me. I watched as my pride and joy.. the company I helped found and put on the map.. ground to a halt after the tragedy that took the lives of two of this industry's bests. I sat back, hands tied, unable to step back into this ring at a time when EVPW needed me more than ever. And ever since that day.. all I could think about was whether there was anything I could have done to save this company.."

"I started working, slowly and deliberately, with Devin Bozz and the rest to do whatever we could to reopen those gymnasium doors. And we made it happen, through a series of luck and hard work. It wasn't for the money or even the chance to reign supreme once more. In fact, I've been doing a little work outside of EVPW to help fund this whole thing. Hell, we all know the typical response here.. I did it for the fans.. and I wish I could say that.."

Vladimir rubs his chin as he considers the thought a moment.

"I didn't though. I did it because this place... this business.. this is my baby. I've always taken a lot of pride in EVPW and I just didn't want to see it wither away like that. This company, as a whole, deserves better than that."

"Now, as far as your itching questions go.. My plans for EVPW is to just do as we always did and keep moving forward. We put on an exciting show, keep the fans happy, do all of this our way.. the way that only EVPW can. And Chris, Stalker, Mailman... there was one other thought that plagued my mind during that time away.."

"I left this place with my 80th win against Hayden Hardkore.. 80 damn victories. And I'm happy with that... but I'm not finished there. I've already racked that up to 85 outside of this particular ring and the GodKing is going until he hits the triple digits. I'm talking about 100 wins. Never in my career have I faced a star who could lay claim to such a thing and I'm not going any-goddamn-where until I can. You guys do what you have to do. Defy me, attack me, face me.. but I'm not backing down and I'm not going anywhere until I finish what I've started. If you would stand against me, though.. prepare for it to be your last stand. I'm ready to get as fucking violent... vicious.. bloody... brutal... and barbaric as it fucking takes."

tbcb anyone

[Chris Pyro]

Pyro leans over to Shadow and whispers something in his ear. Shadow nods and walks to the ring ropes. The Militant Jester looks back at Vlad and a grin spreads across his face.

Pyro:
Good answer. This place needs to grow, and needs a face to do that. So, you get a pass for now. I have no interest in fighting you right now, King. No need. But know that me and Agent Shadow are watching, and if you step out of line just once, we will be there to cut the head of the snake off.

Pyro turns to Kasabian Stalker with a grimace on his face, aware of what Stalker's pass times are.

Pyro:
Someone should have taken you out long ago. Maybe that boy beside you can prove worth his ego.

Chris then turns to Huerta, his eyes narrowing at the newest roster member.

Pyro:
Know your place, boy. Not every day you get to stand in the ring with a God and a Demon and not get eaten alive. Next time you decide it'd be a good idea to stick your nose where it doesn't belong, it may just be the last time.

Pyro makes his way to the ropes and joins his protege as they leave the ringside area.