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 Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2023 10:00 am
[ The following carries on shortly after the "Savior" promo ]
The crowd were heating up at No Mercy, thousands in attendance, and the show was getting nicely under way. There had been a long string of backstage segments, in-ring promos, and it looked like storylines were being made every way you looked.
The crowd were soon greeted by the lights in the arena beginning to flicker, to blink on and off, before they shut off. A raucous cheer reverberated around the arena as they knew exactly what was coming, a chant beginning to form in the crowd.
Nuke! Nuke! Nuke! Nuke!
The crowd were then greeted with a phrase they had very much become accustomed to.
Three spotlights came on, one by one, an audible 'Boom!' echoing as each of them came to life. They centered on the ring, where 'The Redeemer' Nuke Fusion stood, a microphone in hand.
The crowd cheered loudly again as some of the arena side lights came on, not leaving the crowd in complete darkness. That microphone slowly came up to the veteran's lips as he spoke with precision and a hint of command in his voice.
"Are you all.. ready to be redeemed?""
A cheap pop, but the crowd gave off a massive cheer for their fan favourite, as he smirked and spun on his heel to look around the crowd.
"Wow, you all look so beautiful tonight. Now.. you've all seen a lot of action so far, from amazing matches, to fantastic backstage segments.
Tonight, I face off against one of my old friends, Hiro Shin-Mozas.."
Nuke was cut off as a big cheer came for Hiro.
"Thank you, thank you, I'm sure he appreciates that. But with all of the action tonight, I must make my intentions here clear enough and direct enough to move this show along.
Drako Damone.
Drako.. tonight you face yet another competitor for your World Heavyweight Championship, and so far you've defeated everyone in your way. Everyone, except .. me.
It was fortunate that our match together wasn't for your beloved gold, because I don't know at this point if you could survive without it. I think that the loss of your title would consume you, eat at you, take your mind to an even darker place.
But I do have a challenge for you, in respect to your loss to me at Backlash, some four months ago.
See, I want to help you redeem yourself. I know that deep down you're a good person, and I want to find that person in you again. But I offer you the chance to redeem yourself against me, the chance to right any wrong you may have felt with the loss.
Whether you win tonight and retain your Championship, or lose it all.. I challenge you to a match at Cyber Sunday. No titles on the line, just pride and a challenge between two old adversaries.
I was once in your position, I once saw the world through the eyes you now do.. there's always a way back to the light.
Now, would you do me the honour of joining me out here to answer my challenge?"
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Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2023 10:25 am
After the challenge is made, a few moments go by with no direct response. Then suddenly, the crowd begins to boo loudly but in this day and age that might confuse some. After all, no music has hit. But eventually the camera focuses on the stage, where Adrian Amaya has made his way out with a mic in hand.
"You'll have to forgive my coming out here instead of the World Heavyweight champion but tonight has already been a very busy night and the champ has a title defense to prepare for, in addition to another bit of family business as later tonight, we'll see the original Dragon one last time to address the main event of Unforgiven. So being that Drako has so much on his plate, he has allowed me to take care of any other business matters that should arise, and that brings me out here to address one Nuke Fusion."
Adrian twirls the mic as the boos drown him out again.
"Now, I know you specifically asked for Drako and it seems you want a rematch. How interesting your timing is, knowing that once Drako puts down Emiko later tonight, he'll be facing your son for the World Heavyweight championship. How downright fatherly of you to not ask for a championship match so that your son might get his time in the limelight. It's commendable, really."
JR: This man is full of it and we all know it.
King: Name one thing he said wrong, JR.
"But oh, Mr. Redeemer, you are being very selective with the information you share. Need I remind you that you cheated to win? And should I point out the delusion that you're feeding these people. You say the champ is a nice person, and while I know this to be true, it's your redemption schtick that just rubs us wrong. Let's point out what happened as a result of your win over the champion. You stole your win, and it was worth it because who else can say they've beaten the champ at all? But you didn't really look like a winner in the end, did you? You couldn't leave the ring under your own power after the Syndicate was done with you. They left you laying, right there..."
Adrian points to the center of the ring.
"...in a puddle of your own blood. You spent, what was it, a month in the hospital afterwards with a concussion? Then you came back and instead of coming right for the champion like he expected you to do, you got sidetracked for a 'dream match' with Salem Croft. Which, might I add, you lost and gave yourself another concussion. Then you finally make your way back here again and your first order of business, aside from some commentary at Summerslam, is to face of with Hiro Shin Mozas, the same man who came out at Judgment Day with the sole intention of avenging you and found out the hard way that he just doesn't have what it takes to step to the champ, let alone be the champ anymore."
JR: What a twisting of the truth. He's leaving out his own part in all this.
King: He stated nothing but facts, JR. You just don't like hearing the truth.
Adrian takes a few steps down the ramp before he continues.
"So here we are at No Mercy and you want to challenge the champ again after you inevitably beat Hiro back into obscurity. You want to step back up to the main event where I would argue you always belong, to go one on one with the champion at Cyber Sunday. There's a point to be proven, and maybe you want to soften the champion up to give your son a shot at winning. After all, the kid is good. Wrestlemania he showed potential for greatness. But the fact is that he lost to Marcus. If he's going to face the far more experienced champion, he's going to need that leg up. And being the doting father you are, you must have some thought that at the very least, the champion could be weakened for Avari at Surivor Series. We don't buy this redemption nonsense, because the champ knows you, Nuke Fusion. He knows the bad blood that started with his brother, that stretched to the rest of the family, is boiling within. And the fact that Drako nearly ended your career is eating at you. This is all about revenge."
JR: I would argue that Nuke has every right to revenge after the heinous assaults he's suffered from the Syndicate.
King: But he's the redeemer, JR. How can he redeem someone while seeking revenge?
"In short, we know what you really want. We see through the schtick, and Drako Damone has absolutely no problem giving you what you deserve. In short, your request for a match against the reigning World Heavyweight champion has been accepted."
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Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2023 10:38 am
Nuke listened intently as the man with the microphone spoke, Adrian having that way with the words, a good reason that he was the manager for Drako. Leaning against the ropes as he listened, a wry smirk came across Fusion's face as the monologue was finished. He had gotten what he wanted.
But, Nuke had something else to say.
"Hey, Adrian.. before you scamper back off there, ready to give Drako a good shine"
The camera zoomed in on Nuke's face for a moment as he gave a cheeky smile.
"A good shoe shine, of course I mean. Well, before you go back there and .. do whatever it is you do that keeps the Champ happy.. I think that you made some very valid points.
Drako Damone is quite possibly the most dominant World Heavyweight Champion in this modern era, and he deserves a lot of the accolades that are coming his way. Of course, you're correct that I bent the rules to defeat him.. I guess in some ways old habits die hard.
But your statement about my concussions.. just doesn't sit right with me. Tell me, did you crack your cane when you struck me in the head with it, or is it still in one piece?
I'd love to know the condition of it after it nearly fractured my skull."
The crowd gave off a loud 'Ooooh' followed by a chant of 'a*****e! a*****e! a*****e' directed at Adrian.
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Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2023 10:50 am
"How dare..." Adrian's eyes widen at the shine comment. But the question about the cane brings a small smile to his face.
"Oh, the cane is just fine." Adrian does in fact have the cane with him.
"I don't use cheap canes. But hey, surely a shot from little ol' me couldn't have been that bad. Salem really did the work himself. And look at you now. Here and whole again, with some big matches lined up. Probably beating Hiro tonight, and getting beat by the champ at Cyber Sunday. Things are looking up for you. Getting that last run in before you finally get put out to pasture with the rest of your generation. Do enjoy yourself and good luck out there tonight."
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Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2023 10:58 am
Nuke couldn't help but laugh a little, no matter how hard he tried to hide it. But, what could a little light heartedness do, anyway?
"Adrian, you make some good points. Perhaps it nearly is the time for me to hang up my boots, the same way that Jarel has said his final farewells to the squared circle.
But, then again, perhaps there's still some final things to set right before I do that. Tonight I end a 7-year dark spot on my career with Hiro and, win or lose, it will be a match to remember.
Cyber Sunday.. well, you say that Drako puts me down. I'd remind you that the people, these beautiful people-"
Nuke pointed out to the crowd to a loud cheer!
"They decide the stipulation, so there will be none of this cheating talk. At the end of the night we'll see who comes out on top, one way or another.
Oh, and in the event that Drako does, in fact, defeat me.. you were right earlier, as well. Assuming he's still the World Heavyweight Champion, his next opponent is someone who I would argue is better than me.
Stronger, quicker, fitter, more agile, younger.. and, no, I'm not quoting a Daft Punk song.
Avari will be there to win the World Heavyweight Championship at Survivor Series."
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Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2023 11:15 am
Adrian can agree with most of that.
"I'm sure you're going to go out and give the fans their money's worth here tonight. That's your thing these days. But a couple things. We know Drako is leaving here still champion. And hey, maybe you will get some form of win at Cyber Sunday, though I doubt it. And maybe your kid is better than you. That's a matter of opinion. But, I just have to ask, is he really ready to go after the champ? You can train him as well as you did, you can add on some additional training. But at Survivor Series, he's going to have to go in there with the Harbinger, the Soaring Dragon, the most dominant world champion of the modern era who is en route to laying claim as the man who's held the world title overall longer than any man or woman in history. Is he prepared, not just physically, but mentally, for everything that's in store for him heading into Survivor Series? Can he handle whatever happens in your match at Cyber Sunday? Just think about that. We'll see you at Cyber Sunday."
Adrian drops the mic on that note and heads for the back
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Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2023 11:38 am
Nuke watches as Adrian gets the last word and turns, leaving behind the entrance curtain. The two of them could go on all evening, but he knew that there was a show to put on.
Fusion took his microphone and addressed the crowd one last time,
"Tonight, ladies and gentlemen, I face Hiro Shin-Mozas in a match for the ages. It's been a pleasure and an honour, and I will see you all shortly."
The lights then flickered again and went out. When they came back on, the ring was empty and The Redeemer had exited.
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