THE PINNACLE

                                               KINGDOM PRO WRESTLECAST

                                               12/12/2021                                                                                          (Episode 2)

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Christopher Reed: "Alriiight, ladies and gentlemen we are back, hot off the heels of last nights“Red Alert” pay per view."

 

Tommy Maya: “And good god what a show these folks put on.”

Christopher Reed: “Would you say itttt’s the best pay per view that the IIW has been on this year?”

Tommy Maya: “First Class still has their Nor’Easter event coming up, so we can’t make too many assumptions, but… this was just fantastic stuff. It wa-”

Christopher Reed: “-This is my show, but IIW has always been your wheelhouse, so why don’t you run us through the results of the night”

Tommy Maya: “Was literally about to to do that before you cut me off”

Christopher Reed: “Welcome to the world of podcasts my friend”

Tommy Maya: “Hilarious. Anyhow… ANYHOW”

Christopher Reed: “hahaha”

Tommy Maya: “In the first match of the night, Justin Rivera made an exceptional debut, besting Ryan McCann, whooo continues his losing streak. This might explain why he jumped Rivera afterwards, but to the surprise of, well, everyone, Griff Warner makes his return from injury.”

Christopher Reed: “I almost forgot about him.”

​

Tommy Maya: “Well… so did I haha. Uhh, lets see here. Tyler Debonair, with an assist from Shaun, beat Curtis to become the number one contender to the World champion.”
Christopher Reed: “Shaun?”

Tommy Maya: “Shaun.”
 

Christopher Reed: “Shaaaun...?”

​

Tommy Maya: “Could not tell you his last name. Anyway, Scotty Adams defeats Liam Cain to become the new Television Champion. He’s been a top tier talent here for a while and has been putting on barn burners with the likes of Jake E Dangerously and Ethan Rivers. Well earned. Uhm – yeah. John Cavanagh went on to successfully defend his international championship against Fred Debonair After using his Hells Kitchen Drop. Good stuff, good stuff. Following this up, Mike Arches would be Unsuccessful in defending his United Kingdom Championship, and as a result we have Russel Wayne as the new UK Champion. This was an excellent match through and through.”

Christopher Reed: “Wayne is like a veteran who never fails to produce high quality matches. No surprise there.”

Tommy Maya: “Yup, but as good as that match and moment was, the main event was just on an entirely different plane of existence.”

Christopher Reed: “Jonny F’n C versus Jake E Dangerously.”

Tommy Maya: “This match was a long time coming”

Christopher Reed: “A long, long time coming. Yeah.”

Tommy Maya: “Possibly the companies most anticipated match of the year. A match of the year contender for sure. Jonny F’n C, who has been steamrolling competition lately, going toe to toe with the longest reigning World Heavyweight champion in the entire history of the IIW. The technical execution, the catch wrestling, the presentation. Just spectacular. And so we got to end the night with a new IIW World Champion, after Jonny hits his signature F’N Point on the outside. Five out of five match up.”

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Christopher Reed: “All in all a great show, buuut I think you missed the 6 man ladder match.”

Tommy Maya: “Oh no no no, haha, I certainly didn’t.”

Christopher Reed: “No but… you certainly did.”

Tommy Maya: “Chris-”

Christopher Reed: “Chris-topher”
 

Tommy Maya: “Every episode with you. If you’d let me finish; Ethan Rivers continued his now 4 and 0 undefeated streak, winning the ladder match after he used a fire extinguisher on two of his opponents.”

Christopher Reed: “4 and 0 already? Jeez, it feels like he only just debuted.”

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Tommy Maya: “He’s been with the Mayhem brand for a little while now. Defeating Ryan McCann, TJ Alexander, Scotty Adams, and now having won the ladder match, he can add the likes of Marcus Fuller, El Landerson, Joon Lee, Kieran O’Shea and JS2, to that list. Sidebar, JS2 looked great here. But ultimately it was Rivers who won, and now can contend for either the Television Championship, International Championship or UK Championship. So congrats to him.”

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Christopher Reed: “So, wait, why did you insist on bringing up this match AFTER the Match of the Year candidate main event?”

Tommy Maya: “...”

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Christopher Reed: “*sigh* I’ll let you finish Tommy.”

 

Tommy Maya: “Thaaank you. The reason I left this to last is because we actually have a special guest calling in to the show today, and they’re pretty relevant to this entire situation. So it just made for a smoother segway.”
 

Christopher Reed: “Debatable, but super intriguing none the less.”

 

Tommy Maya: ”Ladies and gentlemen at home, I present to you, the manager of Ethan Rivers. Joshua Attwood. Josh, how are you doing?”

 

Joshua Attwood: “How am I doing? Tommy my client, Mister Rivers has not only continued his immeasurably successful undefeated streak - just like I knew he would – but he’s now got a championship shot. So first and foremost, to the United Kingdom Champion, Russel Wayne, and the International Champion, John Cavanagh, consider yourselves put. on. Notice. But I didn’t come here to gloat about how talented and unstoppable my client, Mister Rivers is, oh no no. Sure I could rant and rave about his technically astute style. His inability to be beaten. How he can pry a championship belt from anyone he so chooses. But again, that’s not why I came on this, uhh, podcast.”

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Christopher Reed: “You can just call it a show.”

Tommy Maya: “Don’t interrupt the man Reed.”

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Joshua Attwood: “Red Alert was a great event, and it showed the world a glimpse of what the future of IIW is going to be. Jonny F’n C, Justin Rivera, Scotty Adams. But most importantly, “The Pinnacle of Professional Wrestling”, Ethan Rivers. But that’s the passed. That’s last night. Old news. See gentlemen, theres an array of opportunity lurking along the precipice of the horizons.”

Christopher Reed: “Kind of a strange way to word it.”
 

Tommy Maya: “Let the man speak, jesus Reed.”

​

Joshua Attwood: “As you may know going forward, IIW is taking a… winter hiatus of sorts. But that doesn’t mean my client is going to be without matches. He is officially a member of the 2021, Interpromotional, Ice Crown Tournament.”

Tommy Maya: “I’d been hearing some talk of this online recently. Wrestlers that have competed in places like the IIW, GCWA, MHW, UBW, SCW, uhmm, NSWA, TWA and so forth. There’s veterans the like of Teddy Shaw, Scarlett Rayne, Zachary Phoenix, Terry Marshall. And then there’s the ew generation of up and commers. Be it Nova Skye, Alessia Capello, Ada Pierce-”

Joshua Attwood: “Ethan. Rivers.”

 

Tommy Maya: “And Rivers, yeah.”

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Christopher Reed: “So let me ask you this Joshua. Don’t you feel its a little early in Rivers career to be taking place in this sort of massive tournament?”

Joshua Attwood: “I’m sorry, Reed is it? Have you not seen his record? He can’t be beaten.”

Christopher Reed: “He’s only had four matches.”

Joshua Attwood: “So he’s got a 100 percent win rate, genius.”
 

Christopher Reed: “Don’t get me wrong, he’s talented. But he severly lacks the experience that most members of this thing have. For god sakes man, you’ve got bonafide legends like Terry Marshall and Teddy Shaw.”

Joshua Attwood: “Teddy Shaw is old, washed up and will make for a nice name on that list of individuals that my client has defeated. THIS is how you make a name for yourself. You win a shot at any damn title you want, on pay per view, then go steamroll legends and veterans and win an interpromotional tournament. That is how you prove that you’re the greatest pure wrestler in this damn business.”

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Tommy Maya: “He isn’t wrong you know, Christopher.”

 

Christopher Reed: “I suppose not, but that undefeated streak you keep mentioning. You really run the risk of letting Rivers lose that if you aren’t careful.”

Joshua Attwood: “Listen up grand pa, I know what my client is willing and able to do. Thats why I enlisted him in the damn thing.”

Tommy Maya: “Haha… Grand pa.”
 

Christopher Reed: “Now hold on just a moment, YOU enlisted him? As in, you signed him up.”
 

Joshua Attwood: “W-well, I mean, yes. I’m his manager.”

 

Christopher Reed: “Mr, erm, Attwood, was it? Is Ethan Rivers by any chance aware of the fact that he’ll be competing in the 2021 Ice Crown Tournament?”

Joshua Attwood: “He.. he will be informed thusly. I have all the faith in the world that my client is more than prepared to take on Teddy Shaw, and win.”

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Tommy Maya: “So… he doesn’t know?”
 

Christopher Reed: “He doesn’t know.”

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Joshua Attwood: “He will be informed. Look, I know my client better than I even know myself. I promise you that he’ll be more than excited that anticipated he would want to prove his worth in this soon to be prestigious tournament. Now gentlemen, if you’ll excuse me, I have some things I need to attend to.”
 

Tommy Maya: “Well thanks for joining us Attwood… oh yeah, he left quick I can see”
 

Christopher Reed: “Well if you’re listening Ethan Rivers, I hope you’re prepared for a lengthy 4 round tournament…. He doesnt know. Ahaha.”

 

                                                                   -------------------------------------------------------

With the click of a mouse, the deprecating laughter of Maya and Reed ceases. Reclining backwards in his chair, Ethan audibly groans. The pleasure he had from winning at Red Alert was stilted, not unlike his reflection in the glow of the computer monitor in the dark room he sat in. On site to record a video response to the proposition Scotty Adams had presented him at the PPV, Ethan was now aware of some business that required immediate dealings. Of course he was partially excited to try a chance in the Ice Crown Tournament, but Attwood had, much like the previous week, over stepped his bounds. Not even giving Ethan a consultation on the idea. And with a future title shot waiting down the line, what ramifications might competing have in stored?

 

                                                                                           TAP, TAP, TAP.

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Rotating in his chair, Ethan turns to door the behind him, catching sight of his manager, Attwood, entering the room. His dapper suit and cheerful disposition were in polar opposition to how Ethan was feeling about the situation. Though it was unclear if Attwood was completely unaware of his wrongdoings or if he was perhaps being deceitful in some way.

 

Joshua Attwood: “The Silver Bullet wants an answer my guy; that’s what I call a powerful alliance”

 

Ethan Rivers: “Mind explaining what this is all about?”

 

Joshua Attwood: “What what’s all abou-”

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Before Attwood could finish retorting, Ethan clicks the mouse once more, allowing for audio from the previous days podcast to play.

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[ Christopher Reed: “Is he a good wrestler? Of course. But not KNOWING that you’re in a tournament is an obviously huge disadvantage ahah.

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Tommy Maya: “Gotta be something going wrong in that camp. You have to imagine. ]

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​

​

He pauses the podcast once more, straining his gaze on Attwood.

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Ethan Rivers: “The hell is that about man?”

 

Joshua Attwood: “Okay okay, I can sense that you’re maaaybe a little bit upset.”

Ethan Rivers: “I’m in a tournament?”

​

Joshua Attwood: “An International, Interpromotional tournament. Think about it my guy. Think about it. You’re unbeaten. You’ve won a title shot. A top guy wants to form an alliance with you. If, NO, not if, WHEN you win this tournament, all eyes will be on you. You’re worth will be… quantified!”

Ethan Rivers: “My worth? I’m not just here for the money… I mean, yeah…. The moneys pretty good.”

Relinquishing the stronghold of his glare, Ethan glances towards an expensive, fury coat he had recently purchased to wear during his entrances at upcoming matches. Money couldn’t buy happiness, but it sure as hell could support it. Joshua had seemingly picked up on this momentary shortcoming. Vulnerability had been exposed.

 

Joshua Attwood: “Look. I know you’re not in it strictly for the money.”

 

Following his gaze, Joshua is easily able to find what Ethan had briefly looked at it.

 

Joshua Attwood: “But it helps, right? I get it. We’re pals, I know you. I also know that money and attention is going to fuel you proving That you are the greatest Pure Wrestler in the world.”

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Ethan Rivers: “Pureso.”

“Got him” thought Joshua to himself, a devious serpentine like grin coiling on his lips.

​

Joshua Attwood: “Exactly. The greatest Pureso Wrestler in the world. And with you facing Teddy Shaw in the first round; BAM. What a way to really etch your name in the cornerstones of wrestling history itself!”

​

Suddenly a sense of genuine curiosity had been piqued. Ethan regarded himself as a true student of the game. Forgoing certain pleasures and indulgences in life so that he could further study and understand his craft. Teddy Shaw was a name that was of some great interest to him. Ethan was well aware of the illustrious career that Shaw had enjoyed over in AWE. The multiple reigns he had undergone as champion in various divisions. The 16 years he spent as a true star.

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Joshua Attwood: “Am I sensing some excitement?”

He was. Ethan first and foremost had a mission statement that would only be satisfied by defeating top names in the business, the world over. Teddy Shaw would make for a huge leap forward. Ethan seemed so preoccupied with the idea and excitement of possibly beating Shaw, that the transgressions and manipulation of Attwood had flown completely beneath his radar. And Attwood knew it.

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Joshua Attwood: “What do ya say?”

​

Attwood motions towards the door in which he partially stood.

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Joshua Attwood: “Few words for Scotty Adams?”

Ethan Rivers: “And then a few words for Shaw.”

Joshua Attwood: “That’s my guy! My client! Lets get this show on the road!”

​

Rivers seemed energetic, with a much more positive outlook and disposition. His anger at Attwood had been manipulated and refined, turning it into a driving force. And also keeping Attwood out of trouble. Ethan would grab his new and rather expensive coat and lavish it. Perhaps his “pure” roots were becoming a tad more materialistic. Perhaps these last 4, un-interrupted victories were clouding his judgment. Perhaps, having a calculating serpent like Joshua Attwood in your ear was begin to take its shape.

 

Regardless for now, Joshua escorts Ethan through the door and down the hall. The older buildings concrete walls and scuffed flooring gave it an almost ominous feel. The pictures of local landmarks, nature and history, hung clattered along in horizontal symmetry. Joshua, to his credit, was always good at finding, renting or borrowing otherwise vacant properties from various people. Nefarious or otherwise, it always helped having a location to shot at when traveling the country.

 

Joshua Attwood: “I was thinking riiight, here.”

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Attwood extended his arm outward, revealing the general vicinity he found best to shoot at, a camera placed atop a tripod already there. The pictures from before had been removed from the concrete walls, replaced by a banner with Ethans face on it. It was the profile shot from the tournaments official website. Ethan couldn’t help but to chuckle.

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Ethan Rivers: “You seriously printed out, blew up and got a banner made?”
 

Joshua Attwood: “Big fight feel. Big fight buy. Big fight pay.”

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Ethan Rivers: “Well, I have to give you that.”

​

Walking into frame of the camera, his fury coat, beard and longer hair in somewhat of a stark contrast to the clean look he had come to the company with; Ethan and his new attitude and outlook were ready. Giving the countdown and manning the camera, Joshua lets Ethan know he’s good to go, as the red tint of the recording slight flickers on in a spurt.

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Ethan Rivers: “Ladies and gentlemen, from the peasants and thieves to the rich and honorable, and to all who fall in the cracks and gaps between; allow me to introduce myself. I am the Pinnacle of what this industry needs. I am the PRO of professional wrestling. And if you think otherwise, sneeze at my record. Unstoppable. 100 percent win rate. Future champion. Yadda yadda. You’ve heard it all before. All the poising and catchphrases of yesteryear. Swagger and bravado. But you know… when you actually earn it, I think it deserves a friggin’ pat on the back. Not just proverbial. But literal.”

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Extending an arm up behind his neck, Ethan physically gives himself a literal pat on the back.

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Ethan Rivers: “Yeah. I earned it. And there’s no disputing that. As I’m sure every single person is aware, theres been a shift as of late. And no, I’m not speaking tectonic. More… seismic. More… Scotty Adams becoming TV Champion. More… Russel Wayne becoming the UK Champion. More… Jonny F’n C becoming the world champion. More… me overthrowing whichever division I choose to cash in on.”
 

From behind the camera, out of frame and sight, Joshua tosses a clipboard with a contract on it over to Ethan. Directly on cue like planned.

​

Ethan Rivers: “At Red Alert, I overcame five other men and secured this little bad-boy. At any time I can further recreate any division I so choose. I can face off with Russel Wayne and take away his brand new United Kingdom championship. Orrr maybe I decide to do what Mike Arches failed to do, and rip away that dazzling International Championship from John Cavanaugh… PLEASE, ladies and germs, put your hands down, stop your angry typing. I hear you all ready. “But Ethan! You’ve been saying for over a month that you want that Television Championship. That you NEED that Television Championship.” and to you I say; excellent job following me. For staying the non-literal course. I did say that. But something happened at Red Alert. To our new Television Champion, Scotty Adams. I saw and hear you loud and clear.

​

As Teddy Shaw will soon learn, I am the man with the “shrine” and the man with the shine. See Adams told the entire world that I am everything I say I am. That I do everything I say I’ll do. So when I say that I’ll snap the neck of the legendary Teddy Shaw, and either watch him tap out or pass out, that it will happen. BUT! Shaw. If you can stay with us, I’ll get to you. See Mr.Scotty Adams and I need to finish something. Adams, you laid the offer for an alliance between you and I. Hell, color me surprised. You’ve been the literal definition of lone wolf in the confines of the IIW. You were the only person I walked face to face in the ring with and truly doubted and wondered if I would be victorious. You were… the only person I held an iota of respect for.”

​

There’s an honest air of truth and transparency lingering around these words. Sincerity seemed to swell within both his verbalization and outward look. For Ethan this was quite a big thing to say. To admit to the technical prows of another wrestler. And one who he had faced within the squared circle itself.

 

Ethan Rivers: “You may have lost to me, but losing to me is nothing to become self defeating over. You want to help me reach the pinnacle. To help me reach the summit over this industry. To give me a vehicle. YOU Scotty Adams are the smartest man I’ve ever met. And YES. I accept this offer. We are hands down the most technically proficient wrestlers, intellectually intimidating men. We are certainly the pinnacle. We are…. THE SUMMIT.”

 

Just like the situation that had transpired moments earlier, right on cue, Attwood tosses a tee-shirt to Ethan from off camera. Grasping it within his palms, held up for the camera, Rivers unveils a black t-shirt reading “The Summit” across it in clear plain white lettering. A smirk running along his face.

 

Ethan Rivers: “I’ll certainly be seeing and speaking with you soon, as we plan our takeover. The Television and Future UK or International Champion together. The Mayhem roster has been put on notice. But before any dismantling of the old guard can take place, first, I need to… well, ironically, dismantle the old guard. Thanks to the sheer splendid genius of the IIW management, the 2021 Ice Crown Tournament will be commencing. Wrestlers spanning promotions all over the world competing under the IIW roof. So many young up and comers and so many veterans alike. Teddy Shaw – see? I promised I’d get back to you – I know who you are. Oh yes. I know all about you actually. While I was excluded from parties in my youth, I watched AWE and watched you span an incredible sixteen year career. I watched trounce through division after division after division. I studied your matches. Heck, you could say in some ways, you inspired me a little bit. Sure. Yeah. You did.

​

But I also watched you do something that, as of now, I haven’t done. And that’s LOSE.”

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Joshua Attwood: “Ouuuuuu”

 

In a childish manner, Attwood mimics the sound of a live crowd, by himself.

 

Ethan Rivers: “Look, Teddy, no one can take away everything you’ve done to help revolutionize this industry. All the accolades and career highlights. Buuut, someone was clearly able to pry away every belt you’ve had in your possession. That first time you emerged victorious, holding the AWE Supreme Championship, look man, I was in “AWE”.”

Joshua Attwood: “Haaaa!”

 

Ethan Rivers: “But the FOURTH time you won that Supreme Championship? Well, lets just say that I was less concerned by how many times you’d now held that belt, and was more concerned by just how many times you’d LOST that belt. And it wasn’t an isolated incident in AWE, was it? You held the belt 4 times. You were a Tag Team Champion on FOUR separate occasions. But hey, maybe the tag division wasn’t for you, ehh old sport? Maybe The Paramount division was were you needed to be. And at first I thought, YES,, by the gods, he’s found his place. Teddy Shaw, the new Paramount Champion… and then you do what you always do. You dropped. The. Ball. Like New York City on New Years Eve.

​

Did you happen to hear what Scotty Adams said about me? That I do everything I say I’ll do. That I follow through. That I have yet to drop anything but another check mark in the win column on my record. Gramps, last I checked, you dropped an entire career after having your neck broken in the ring. But now… three years later, you want t come back to this business. You want to come to MY house, the IIW, and you want all the attention and spot light that I’ve been tirelessly earning for myself? Well just like this business should be, that’s a “No. Fly. Zone.”.

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Teddy Shaw. I know who you were. I respect what you’ve done. I respect everything you’ve given us. But I don’t respect you thinking I’m some sort of… stepping stone to you regaining a legacy that died three years ago. You want to go out on your own terms. YEAH, I understand that. But you think “moi” is the first step to that happening? You and Terry Marshall can both get back to the archaeological site that you were dug up in. I’m a freakin’ a meteor, and man, I’m here to do what the last one failed to. I plan to wipe out all of you dinosaurs that somehow are still roaming the face of MY green earth. At the end of the day, Teddy, this isn’t Alpha Wrestling Empire. This is Intense. International. Wrestling. And I plan on keeping the dirt of your promotion from scuffing the floors of mine.”

 

As the aforesaid statement trails from his lips and flutters in a somber stillness, Attwood raises his thumb. Ethan, upon seeing it, gives a subtle nob. In response back, the silent conversation ends with the red recording light of the camera dimming out. Attwood was loving every aspect of what was unfolding before.

​

Joshua Attwood: “My man. That was, in a word, superb.”

Ethan Rivers: “I really do respect Teddy Shaw.”

Joshua Attwood: “Pfft. He’s ancient history. Just, you know, go for the neck.”
 

Flitting his head back to meet the gaze of Attwood, Ethan seems genuinely surprised by the bit of barbaric advice being passed his way from Attwood. After all, it was only a mere three years ago when Shaw had broken his neck, thus forcing him to retire from the business as a whole. Ethan scanned Joshuas face for any sign of sarcasm but couldn’t seem to find it.

​

Joshua Attwood: “What? Don’t look at me like that. This is sport. He has a weakness and you need to exploit it. Do you know HOW effective your Rivers Cuomo Clutch will be if you… yaknow, try and break his neck?”

Ethan Rivers: “Jesus Christ, Josh. I’m not going to try and break his neck! Where the fuck did that even come from?”

Not biding into the emotional distress of his client, Joshua remains stalwart, if not slightly annoyed.

​

Joshua Attwood: “*AHEM* And, I quote; ‘I’m a freakin meteor, and I’m here to do what the last one failed’. End quote.“

​

Ethan seems a tad flummoxed at hearing that back. He got so wrapped up in the moment while senidng his comments the way of Shaw, that he had slightly lost track of how far he himself had taken it. The Ethan Rivers from three months ago would never have been so crass and… threatening. Would he?

 

Ethan Rivers: “That… that’s contextually not, erm, what I meant.”

 

Joshua Attwood: “Ohh, okay. Yeah. Is that so? Ethan you said you would snap his neck. YOU said it.”

 

Almost startled by this realization, Ethan was, for once, at a loss for words. Attwood was in fact correct. Ethan did wholeheartedly threaten to snap the neck of the much older Teddy Shaw.

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Joshua Attwood: “It’s not a bad thing my guy. This is a combat sport. Fear is needed, respect? Respect for who he was? That garbage can be kept at the sidelines. Get in this old mans head. Kick his head in and tap his ass out. Because you know what respect will end up getting you? Do you know Ethan?”

Ethan Rivers: “...”

 

Joshua Attwood: “Precisely my guy! It won’t get you jack shit. Respect will leave dining on the dust of the intelligent predators all over this tournament. So what do I say? I say FUCK respect. I say fuck the past. It should stay dead. YOU are the future, and you need to embrace whatever it is that’ll propel you it.”

​

Without exchanging any further words, Attwood refocuses his attention onto the camera, folding the tri-pod and turning his back to an utterly confused and silent Ethan. A hideously sickening smirk now lingering on Attwoods lips. These last few months had been burrowing further and further into the head of Rivers, his supposed “friend”, and look what he had to show for it. An unbeaten client. A cushy job in the IIW. A higher pay check and air time for himself. Things were going exactly how he had planned when he first ran into Ethan all of those months ago.