Booking Glory-Chapter 47: Mark’s New Persona

Mark Weathers came out to a huge ovation. The crowd had already been primed to see a confrontation between Dacey and Diana. It was the reason that most people tuned in to see <Fyre> tonight.

However, the appearance of Mark Weathers, the current LWC World Champion this early in the show was a pleasant surprise to them. And to know that Diana and Dacey will be in the main event was just an added boost to them.

This stoked the already red-hot crowd and the reaction that Mark Weathers got was beyond what he usually got. Mark Weathers soaked in the adulation of the crowd and made his way to the ring in a confident manner.

Sitting at commentary, Rob had to admit that Mark had the presence required to captivate the crowd. For a moment, he even doubted whether Dacey or Diana could garner such a reaction tonight. After all, they will be in the main event. Not just anywhere else on the card.

Making the main event work is really hard for the wrestlers. For one, the audience would have been exhausted by then. There would be more than 1 hour of programming already put out at the minimum before a wrestler came out.

If the wrestler didn’t have enough charm, charisma, and a fanbase, he/she would never be able to carry the main event segment. It is like the ultimate test for a wrestler amidst the audience.

One fuck up, and you will not see the main event slot again for a long time. Most companies, refuse to put untested stars in the main event just for that reason. Putting someone green or inexperienced there would be akin to a death sentence to their career.

However, on the other hand, if you are able to make an impact in the main event, your stock will rise faster than ever before. You will become someone who can be invested in and banked upon.

So, the main event was always a test of fire. It can either burn you severely or make you shine brighter. And now, the entire women’s division will be in the spotlight tonight.

This had Rob worried for a moment as he saw the level of response Mark was eliciting amidst the crowd. This was the level needed to work for the main event and Rob was wondering if either Dacey or Diana had it.

However, as he thought about what he was putting out tonight, Rob relaxed. The sudden change had shaken up some of his plans. But, he had found the right recipe to make it work tonight.

The bonus would be that it will add an additional layer of storytelling to the feud between Dacey and Diana. From what he understood, no one has tried to say such a complex story filled with emotional ties until now in this world.

This would also be a testing ground for Rob. He would see whether the audiences of this world are receptive enough to tell complex stories that have roots in baser emotions than most.

By this time, Mark had already entered the ring and he was showboating inside rousing the crowd. Rob and Dallas as usual started talking about the feud Mark was involved in with Marshall Jones.

Rob, being the dickhead commentator, was constantly putting down Marshall Jones and propping up Mark Weathers. Dallas was calling it in the middle like the experienced veteran he was.

Dallas listed out how the experience of Marshall Jones will play a huge factor in big-match situations and told how Mark has never faced an opponent of this caliber before. He also put over Marshall Jones as the biggest danger the champion has faced till now in his career.

However, Rob still maintained his stance and called Marshall Jones a washed-up nobody. He didn’t favor Marshall Jones at all and all his support was behind Mark Weathers.

Dallas didn’t belittle Mark, he simply stated that while Mark had the talent and hard work, he was still inexperienced compared to someone like The Headsmasher. He told that Mark is in for the fight of his life in two weeks when he faced Marshall Jones.

Rob scoffed at that notion and was on the verge of deriding Marshall Jones once more when Mark began to speak into the microphone. The attention of everyone turned toward Mark as he spoke.

"I know, I know, there are a lot of people out there telling me that I have no chance against Marshall Jones," Mark paused letting that statement sink in before continuing.

"They are telling me that I am going to get my head smashed in by The Headsmasher. They are telling me that my time as the LWC World Champion is over now that big fishes have come in."

"They are calling me a small fish in a small pond that has never seen the wider world. They are calling me an upstart who is going to be taught his place soon by the true big sharks out there. And.... They are telling me that in two weeks I am going to lose this title."

Mark paused letting his words reverberate throughout the arena. He didn’t wait for long. His grasp on timings was perfect and he picked up again at just the right moment.

"And here is what I have to say to them. GO TO HELL!!!"

Mark stressed the last three words sending the crowd into a frenzy.

"In two weeks, I will be facing Marshall... "The Headsmasher"... Jones... and at <Last Stand> I will be walking out of this arena as still the LWC World Champion. And there isn’t anything in this world that is going to stop me from doing that."

"I am going to take all the words that the naysayers spoke and shove right back into their throats when I lift this title high and proud after smashing "The Headsmasher’s" head into this mat."

"I am gonna pin this big shark right in this ring... 1...2...3... and prove that the only man worthy enough to hold this championship is me," Mark spoke with passion as spittle flew out of his mouth.

Just the visual of it was enough to send people’s heart racing. And it was proven right when the crowd went nuts hearing him talk so passionately.

"This championship means a lot to me. I have worked hard for years to earn the right to hold it above my head proudly. I have shed blood and sweat to earn the privilege to wrap this around my waist."

"If Marshall Jones thinks that he can walk in here and take this title away from me like taking candy from a kid, he is in for a rude awakening. At <Last Stand> I am going to show that I am not some kid and this is not a candy for him to take it away from me."

The crowd roared in approval upon hearing the statement.

"In fact, I have something else to say. This fight isn’t just about this belt. This fight is about me proving myself. This fight is where I prove that I have what it takes to be in the ring with the best out there and still prevail."

"This fight is about something so precious to me.... This fight is about my conviction to be the best. This fight is about my determination to be at the top. This fight will be my testing ground. And I will win this damn fight or die trying."

Mark’s impassioned speech set the crowd ablaze. Rob watched it from the commentary with a small smile. To him, it looked like Mark had found his stride and is making the perfect pitch to go to the next level.

"In fact..."

Just as Mark looked as if he wanted to continue, Marshall Jones’ music hit, and out came "The Headsmasher". The crowd rejoiced to see the veteran and welcomed him with cheers. They wanted to hear what he had to say about Mark’s declaration.

"Mark, Mark, Mark," Marshall spoke shaking his head. "I can see your passion. I can see your drive. I can see your fire. Most of all, I can see the potential in you."

The crowd roared out in acknowledgment.

"But... but... it is just a potential; I have seen men with more potential than you squander it on their way. I have seen men with greater fire in them choke at the time it was needed the most. I have seen men with greater drive than you, lose it at the most important moment."

"And two weeks from tonight, we will see what exactly you are made of. These people will see what exactly you are made of. Talking is cheap. In this business, you need to prove yourself inside that ring."

Mark listened to Marshall’s words from inside the ring and snorted.

"If you weren’t aware Marshall, I have been doing that exact thing ever since I won this championship. Week in, week out, I have proved myself inside this ring, in front of this crowd for months. The problem is you are too blind to see."

The crowd showed their support for Mark with boisterous cheering.

"Ah... that’s where we hit a snag Mark," Marshall Jones said waving his finger. "You see, you are like this big fish in a small pond. You are used to dominating this small pond. Obviously, you are bigger than the other small minnows that swim in here. But, there is a difference between a minnow and a shark. And you are not ready for a shark like me."

The crowd hissed in appreciation at that statement.

"Make no mistake Mark, I am not some two-bit rookie who just had a few matches under his belt challenging you. I am Marshall "The Headsmasher" Jones. I have been cracking skulls and smashing heads long before you ever laced up your boots. I have forgotten a lot more about wrestling than you had ever learned. I am not some upstart for you to pin in that ring!"

"I am the real deal. I am the only real obstacle that you have faced so far. And I promise you, I am gonna break you at <Last Stand>. I am gonna teach you what it is to hang in the ring with the best out there. And I am gonna take that title away from you and it will be like taking candy away from a child."

Mark looked angry hearing Marshall speak to him like that. He paced angrily inside the ring and it was clear to the crowd he was agitated hearing what Marshall said.

"Marshall, Marshall, Marshall," Mark said shaking his head as if in denial. "You know what, I respect you a lot. You have made a name for yourself wherever you have gone in this business. You have proven yourself to the audience time and time again. And I respect you for that."

"But..."

Mark paused looking directly across the ramp at Marshall Jones and said seriously.

"But, right now, all I want is to beat your face into a bloody pulp. I want to break your bones and hear you scream in anguish. You have woken something in me Marshall and I am not sure you will be able to handle what I bring out at <Last Stand>."

"At <Last Stand>, I am going to show you that I am not a fish. At <Last Stand>, I am going to show you that I am a hungry shark just like you. And at <Last Stand>, I am gonna pin you right in the middle of this ring smack dab and the referee will count 1...2...3..."

"And when I am done with you, I am not going to stop. I am gonna dominate this company for a long time after that. I am going to be the LWC World Champion for a long time and there isn’t a damn thing in the world you or anyone out there could do about it."

"Make no mistake, Marshall, you will be walking into hell when you step foot inside that ring at <Last Stand>. I am going to break your bones, smash your head, drink your blood, and prove to this entire world that I am not some big fish in a small pond. I am going to leave them all without a shadow of a doubt that Mark Weathers is the real deal and he ain’t no fish on the chopping block for others."

"He is a hungry shark. He is a hungry shark that wants more blood. He is a hungry shark that isn’t afraid of other sharks out there. He is a hungry shark that will hunt other sharks that dare come into his yard," Mark spoke in a hungry voice that almost made the crowd exclaim in goosebumps.

"Well, you are on kid," Marshall said looking at Mark seriously. "At <Last Stand> we will find out what exactly you are made of. Whether you are a yapper with no spine like that bitch Rob Williams on the commentary table or whether you are the real deal," Marshall Jones spat viciously and walked away through the curtain.

The crowd roared in excitement. Especially that comment about Rob was well-received by the crowd. Rob had been acting like a true pain in the ass for weeks now and someone at last was bold enough to call him on it.

Dallas and Rob exchanged an eye roll at Marshall’s cheap shot. Rob didn’t mind it much. He can take a jab when it came his way. He wasn’t that sensitive about it. And being on commentary and being as antagonistic as he is, someone is bound to take a shot at him sooner or later. So, it wasn’t much of an issue.

While internally he shrugged it off, externally he started speaking as if he was offended. He kept harping on about how disrespectful Marshall Jones was and how Mark is going to shut him up forever at <Last Stand>.

Dallas caught on to his tactics and he came in to support Marshall and belittle Rob. He pointed out that there was truth to Marshall’s statement which is why Rob is reacting like this. It began yet another mouthing-off between the duo.

Meanwhile, Mark had posed for a bit and left the ring. The show continued on after that exciting first segment promo-off. While the following segments didn’t take it to the next level, they sustained the interest in the show. And the huge expectation the crowd had towards the main event kept them interested in the show.

After seeing one exciting promo off, the crowd was really looking forward to Dacey and Diana’s standoff. With so much foreshadowing done, this segment promised to be more exciting and intense for the crowd.

And at last, the time for the main event came.

With anticipation ripe in the air, the commentary team started hyping up the main event importance of the segment and a video package featuring all that has happened until now rolled up in the titantron.

The crowd was appreciative of the remainder and they truly enjoyed the video package. By the time the video package ended, the entire crowd was stoked for the upcoming segment.

Diana’s music hit sending the crowd up on their feet...

*****

A/N: Hey folks!

Make sure to add this book to your collection and vote with your power stones to show your appreciation for this work.

You can also check out my other book [Demon Immortal] and see if it is to your liking.

Reviews and comments are truly appreciated.