The Second Coming (Closed)

Pyrotechnics bursts from either side of the stage. The crowd is struck silent by the abrupt explosion and a buzz begins throughout the COTR arena.

Andersen: Not sure what’s going on but –

The pyros around the stage sound off again cutting off Andersen and further building the suspense throughout the audience. A quiet hush engulfs the arena and right before the audience settles back into their seats a string of pyros go off leading from the stage and down the ramp. Once the pyros reach the end of the ramp, an explosion so huge goes off in the ring it causes every one in attendance to shield their eyes from it. Then music plays -



The arena lights go out completely and a glowing cube descends from the top of the arena and rests above the ring. The cube illuminates the arena then goes dark. Five blood red letters appear in different fonts around the cube then settle in the middle. Power continues to blink signaling the debut of the superstar. The lights go off in the arena again and from the pitch black a voice emerges.

Superstar: Power?

The superstar says the entire audience craning their necks to see whom is speaking.

Superstar: Power??....

The lights turn on in the arena and the man who was speaking is non-other than the infamous Money Mercer.

Mercer: Money IS power!

Andersen: It’s Mercer!

Greg: Mercer is back in the COTR after a long absence in the squared circle the most hated man in COTR history has returned!

Andersen: Hated?! No Greg the most talented, charismatic wrestler that has ever existed has returned here live in the COTR arena!

The music dies and a mixture of cheers and boos fill the arena. Mercer stands mid-ring a half grin at the corner of his lips.

Mercer: That means if the old saying still rings true, then a GOD am…I!

The same mixed reaction thunders throughout the arena. Old fans excited by his return, new fans turned off by his arrogance.

Mercer: You see some of you may have forgotten me, some of you may not even know who I am…well allow me to introduce myself…I am the man who ended the streak, former and first tag team champion, the best wrestler in the known world and most importantly I AM STILL better than all of you!

The crowd boos loudly as Mercer laughs shrugging off their hatred. Feeding off of the audience’s dismay he takes off his coat and tie and slings it to the ring floor. He reveals a t-shirt he is wearing and points to the symbol on his chest turning in a small circle showing the red word printed on his back. The word is POWER.

Mercer: You see this, this sign signals that a change has come to COTR and it starts today with me...what some of you may not know is that this company was built on my shoulders.

He points to his chest and looks at his hands almost transfixed with them for a few seconds.

Mercer: With these hands i shaped, formed and laid then solidified the very roots of the COTR and just like that...

Mercer snaps his fingers then points to the mat, then he raises his mic-less hand and closes it slowly into a tight fist.

Mercer: I can wave one hand....i can arrive on the scene and crumble the very foundation!

The crowd boos as Mercer shakes his fist then lets the hand fall slack to his side.

Mercer: My name is linked to pioneers, geniuses and legends did any of you really think that you could keep me from coming back,,,did any of you even fathom that a force like me could be destroyed....listen up this is not one of those horrible superhero movies where some idiot foils my plans in the nick of time...i am more focused...more deadly and more prepared than ever...this shouldn't have been called an introduction...

Mercer stops and looks around the arena as the crowd chants that 'he sucks'. He breathes in deeply soaking in the boos then raises the mic slowly to his lips.

Mercer: In fact, this is no introduction this...is..a...WARNING!

Joker’s music hits interrupting Mercer’s speech mid-sentence. Mercer simply grins and leans his head to the side not shocked nor irritated by the Jokers return. In fact, he seems mildly amused. The crowd is up on its feet in an instant looking around the arena in a feverish pace trying to catch a glimpse of their absentee hero.

Greg: “Could it be, has Joker indeed returned to COTR?!”

Andersen: “If he has I wouldn’t be surprised if he was still harassing this poor man who is simply trying to explain his absence in the COTR I mean another pathetic attempt to steal Mercer’s spotlight!”

The spotlight settles on the top of the Tron. At the very top high above the arena stands Joker. When the whereabouts of Joker have become apparent the entire arena erupts into cheers as he surveys the arena. He has one hand up, shielding his eyes as if he was blocking the sun.

Greg: “It’s Joker! Joker has returned to the COTR!”

Greg rises to his feet and begins to clap as Andersen sits unenthused by the shocking return of the former COTR superstar.
His classic grin slowly spreads across his face. The grin fades and a huge smile appears as even he cannot stifle his own excitement. He looks from left to right strapping himself in the harness and tugging on the support to check its sturdiness. After checking the ropes he runs his hand over his face as a more sadistic grin is revealed. He points up to the heavens and leaps from the Tron sliding down to the ring as the audience goes insane with cheers. The crowd turns into a sea of camera flashes and hands reaching up to grab or simply even to touch hands with the cascading superstar. He slides down to the ring and hangs for a bit still looking around the arena before releasing himself from the harness. When he lands inside of the squared circle pyros go off around the ring leading all the way up the ramp. The sheer spectacle of lights draws even higher applause from the crowd. The fireworks die down and of course have caused a smoke screen in the COTR arena. When it finally clears Joker sits on top of the ring posts opposite of Mercer, mic in hand. Applause leaps from the very top to bottom of the arena as Mercer and Joker, former enemies exchange heated glares from either side of the ring. Mercer looks around the arena an unimpressed smirk still pressed to his lips.

Andersen: “Whether I’m a Joker fan or not does not matter at this moment for the COTR universe and those of you watching at home, you have to understand the excitement and history these two men bring!”

Greg: “Absolutely Andersen these two have had an epic and storied rivalry here in COTR and from the looks of things they seem to have come back to finally finish their respective chapters!”

Joker raises the mic up to his lips but before he can speak the crowd emits a chant of his name. He shakes his head and pauses as the chant becomes louder. He waves his hand suggesting them to keep the chant going. On command it continues as he scratches his new blonde locks. He tries to speak again but the crowd continues the chant, it become so loud he hops down from the top rope and paces the ring for awhile before climbing back up and raising his hands in the air. The crowd goes wild and he stands their shaking his head for a bit before hopping down again. Mercer and Joker exchange heated glances as the crowd cheers, overcome with emotion.

Creed: "Well if it isn't Mercer."

The crowd cheers as Creed stands staring at his enemy.

The smirk on Mercers face shifts into a scowl instantly.

Mercer: Who do you think you ARE!

The crowd boos as Joker looks around the arena. Mercer’s scowl transitioning back to a smile.

Mercer: You come out here as only you can do…all flashing lights and kissing babies...joker what do you got to say huh’…you got something to say?

Mercer kicks his jacket and tie out of his way.

Mercer: Well go on...you interrupt me...money Mercer...the GOD of wrestling…I’m in a good mood let’s hear what you’ve got to say...i mean...of all the days you had to saunter out here during my big return so obviously its urgent.

Mercer says with hints of sarcasm. Mercer pauses and checks his watch as the crowd boos.

Mercer: Well…spit it out son i don't have all day.

Mercer folds his arms across his chest grinning at his nemesis.

Joker stands a comfortable distance from Mercer and raises the mic, chuckling a bit before speaking.

Creed: “Before I get started with you Mercer I have to do something really quickly I think I owe it to every man, woman, child and yes even Andersen’s roided up grand mother…”

The crowd laughs and cheers as Andersen rises out of his seat shaking his fist at Creed. Creed laughs and the crowd cheers as he drops the mic to his waist and then raises it quickly in the air.

Creed: “If you ever have or ever will be a fan of the Joker, like it’s never been spoken COTR universe, those at home, rise from those seats if your morbidly obese it’s just fine just twinkle those little chubby toes of yours all together one time likes it’s been hours days and months…scream it loud…COTR universe…”

Crowd and Creed: “Where are all my freaks at?!”

The crowd eats up the catchphrase as another chant begins. Joker paces for a while then stops still looking around the arena.

Creed: “Close yours eyes feel the voltage circulating in this arena, face book it, tweet it THE JOKER is…back!”

The crowd chants as Joker paces again motioning for everyone in the arena to stir for the warrior of COTR.

Creed: “Now while your up on your feet soaking in all that bliss that is the warrior of COTR close your eyes and imagine…i-i-imagine walking into the
COTR arena for the first time after rotting in the indy scene forever, imagine the smell of COTR the taste of finally making it to the bigs!”

Joker shakes his head to affirm his beliefs to the crowd briefly before continuing.

Creed: “Imagine debuting and becoming the fastest rising star of COTR, leaving a trail of fire through the COTR ranks and becoming number one contender to the COTR championship!”

The crowd cheers enjoying reminiscing with their favorite COTR superstar.

Creed: “Imagine losing the title...”

He says a grin still apparent on his face.

Creed: “Imagine dusting it all off and pushing forward full head of steam waiting for the next challenge daring, fighting and tempting the odds…imagine being in a ladder match with two of the best here in COTR tearing up the spots and then…”

Creed pauses looking down, his voice dropping from an excited roar to a depressing near whisper.

Creed: “Boom you land wrong and blow your knee out….then imagine it all being torn away in an instant…imagine everything you’ve ever wanted….imagine everything you’ve ever dreamed of snatched away…now imagine winning the match despite the injury…”

The crowd cheers him on and he holds up a hand continuing his speech pushing past the excitement from the crowd.

Creed: “Now imagine dragging your body to the GM begging for a return and him saying…your injured Creed, rest…then…complete rehab Creed your not 100 percent...then Creed the doctors says it will be awhile longer I can’t put you on that card for the safety of others as well as yourself…no more calls…no more checks…dead air…imagine being hung out to dry by the man who ‘rescued you’ from the indys imagine being cold and alone and forgotten…”

The crowd has gone silent as Creed’s grin has faded away his eyes cold and coated with anger.

Creed: “Then you think well hey…the freaks got my back and the fan mail comes pouring in then it trickles, then it drops…then it evaporates into thin air…imagine being jobless, alone and thinking the very same people…the very same ‘FREAKS’ I gave my fucking body for abandoned you…imagine thinking where are they huh’…where the fuck are they!”

The crowd is completely silent with a few boos coming from different directions in the stadium. The camera scans the crowd for reaction. A mother covers a young child’s ear who is wearing an old Joker t-shirt. A teenage boy stands, jaw slacked in shock and a few others share the same expressions throughout the arena.

Creed rubs his chin and grins not the grin the ‘freaks’ knew and loved but a smug one that was a clone of the one Mercer had.

Andersen: “For once I have to agree with Joker…he’s actually making sense!”

Greg: “I want to know what the meaning of all this is, these people worship this man!”

Andersen: “Now they worship him but the man was side lined with an injury and the COTR universe moved on without missing a beat.”

Creed: “So when I said my little phrase earlier, 'where all my freaks at'…not one of you bottom feeding, parasites should have raised a damn finger!”

Mercer is laughing hysterically at every one of Creed’s words. He looks around the arena shaking his head at the folks in the arena. He twists the mic in his hand but doesn’t interrupt only sitting back enjoying the reaction coming from the COTR universe. He lifts up his hands and moves them around as if he's orchestrating the boos around the arena.

He walks over to the ropes to point to a sad child and laughs again, making mock crying faces in the child's direction. This of course insights even more anger and Mercer shrugs it off stating with a gesture that he didn't care and it wasn't his fault. He laughs again before returning his attention back to Creed.

More boos begin to mingle in with the silence as Joker paces the ring, some in the crowd still hoping it’s all a joke.

Creed: “So while you’re still tip-toeing down memory lane with the Creed...that’s right
Creed I’m no one’s freakin’ joke…while your strolling down that lane with Creed imagine this…imagine him taking his perfectly manicured right hand balling it up into a fist and punching the taste right out of each and everyone of your yokel mouths!”

For the first time in the history of COTR, a ‘you suck’ chant begins. Creed simply raises his hand and beckons for the crowd to chant it louder.

Creed: “So yeah...when you saw me up there sliding down for your amusement, risking my life once again for you inbred losers know that it is the last time…and I mean the last time I ever…ever…make any of you smile or cheer again and to avoid confusion amongst you scum…”

Creed rips off his own shirt to reveal an identical t-shirt to one Mercer is wearing. The two shake hands and point to the shirts before raising a single fist in the air in unison. Creed grins as the crowd begins to chant ‘you sold out’. Creed shakes his head, laughing.

Creed: “I didn’t sell out…I sold in…you see this is the man who came to me and said it’s just and injury you’re a star…you’re a winner…now stop pleasing these fans who care nothing about you, and he was right.”

The crowd still continues the chant and he ignores it continuing on.

Creed: “He said stop doing it for the fans and do it for yourself…the reason why you lost the title is because you were worrying about these maggots here...he pleaded with me and now i see what he saw you were draining the life from me....you all were draining the life from Creed."

Creed stops and looks around the arena shocked and annoyed by the boos all at once.

Creed: "Chanting my name, you people were never on my side the only person in my corner is that man standing right over there."

Creed points to Mercer and nearly causes a riot in the arena.

Greg stands up from the announce table with a microphone with a fed up expression on his face.

Greg: “You know what I think I’ve just about had enough of this nonsense!”

The crowd cheers and begins to chant ‘Bear’ throughout the arena.

At the sound of Greg’s voice Mercer loses his grin and quickly begins to interrupt Greg.

Mercer: Real men are talking so Greg you need to shut your mouth!

Greg: Listen-

Mercer: I said shut you mouth…

Mercer walks to the side of the ring closest to Greg and the announce tables and the crowd is booing so loud the arena is practically shaking.

Mercer: Shut…your…mouth!

Greg: Why don’t you shut it for me!

Greg drops the mic while Andersen pleads with him to stay out of it. After a few seconds Andersen gives up and Greg charges the ring. He slides inside taking it to Mercer and Creed knocks him down from behind. Greg falls down and the pair begins to stomp on him in unison. Mercer stops and raises his hands in the air while Creed continues to stomp away at Greg. Creed then picks up the older wrestler and holds him up while Mercer talks trash in his face. He hits him with the price is right and Greg falls to the mat motionless.

Creed places a foot on the old man’s chest and flexes his muscles as the crowd boos them both. Both the men finish stomping Greg’s lifeless body out of the ring. The two then stand mid-ring side by side and raise a single fist in the air as the arena rains down disapproval in their direction.
Mercer picks up a mic while Creed still stands mid-ring, fist raised in the air.

Mercer: I’ve already told you that I’m back but I guess I forgot to tell you all that I wasn’t alone!

The crowd boos as Mercer points to Creed.

Mercer: This man will introduce himself to you all later from what I understand he’s got a few things to get off his chest in regards to you people but me…”

Mercer laughs and points to himself.

Mercer: Like I’ve said before I’m better than all of you and a long time ago I stopped caring what you losers think of me I’m here for one reason and one reason only…

Mercer stops and looks to Creed making a title belt symbol around his waist.

Mercer: I am here to get something that was robbed from me, not here to get it but to take it….I’m here to take what should have been mine from the very beginning I’m here to get COTR gold…I’m here to be the champion and I swear to you from this day forward I will destroy anyone or anything that gets in my way…so COTR this time you will have no excuses…you will have no alternatives but to stand in this ring and watch me Money Mercer place the most prized title in the wrestling world today around my waist because I am MONEY and if you don’t respect MONEY…money will not respect you!



Both the men shake hands then Mercer drops the mic as the song power plays. They both stand in-ring before exiting it. Creed steps over Greg while Mercer stops and wipes his feet on him. They both walk up ramp and then stop on stage. They both raise a single fist in the air as the crowd boos and walk backstage as the medics run down to aide Greg.

Andersen: Well there you have it folks Joker or should I say Creed has returned and he’s aligned himself with the most malicious man in COTR history…Greg decided to get involved and well the medics are attending to him folks this is huge definitely a big day for Mercer and a huge day for the COTR universe…stay tuned!