Post by tactilizingone on Mar 13, 2024 22:59:08 GMT -5
We open to a panning shot of the sun-drenched, tropical climes of the Destination of Destinations - Hawaii!! We hear the voice-over of a familiar favorite commentator as the shots pan over a stadium.
Mark Markson: “Welcome back, Thunderamaniacs! We’re in the midst of TPW’s Thunder In Paradise 3 Fan Fest, here at the University of Hawaii’s UH Tennis Complex.”
We cut to a shot of Markson dressed in a blue polo shirt with the TPW logo emblazoned on it. He looks with excitement at the crowd around the little stage they set up for him in the middle of the stadium. Around it we see a makeshift ‘beach’ area where we find The Party Bros, Dude and Smooth, teaming with Mario Esposito, Jimmy ‘The’ King, and Sal Badman versus Five Putties in the traditional TPW volleyball game.
Mark Markson: I see the Putties showing great team chemistry as they hold a firm lead in the volleyball game…
We show “Earlier Today” of Karen getting into a dispute with a stadium staff member over keeping her adult beverage away from the kids ball pit. She wants to search it and find an earring she dropped, and doesn’t trust anyone not to steal – or spike! – her drink. She decides to ask for their manager.
Mark Markson: I bet the prop bet on Karen getting fed up and asking for a manager during Fan Fest, paid off!
We then cut to a shot of another familiar face, and Markson has a little extra pep in his call.
Mark Markson: Hey, look who’s shown up for their FIRST EVER Fan Fest!
Presently serving as the embodiment of ‘dead inside,’ Nick Napier steps onto the stage, lethargy his best friend as he labors over to the announce desk with shoulders hunched forward.
Mark Markson: Someone tipped me off to your being seen earlier. I thought you may come around, so I saved you a seat.
Markson pats the back of the chair as Nick gives stink eye to his broadcast partner, snatching a second microphone from the desk.
Nick Napier: I really mean this, Mark. Screw you.
Markson chuckles.
Mark Markson: Well, your wit is still on life support, even if your pride’s dead.
Nick Napier: You want to make jokes, now? I’ll just sit here silent, then. You do both of our jobs.
Mark Markson: Show started an hour ago, Nick, so… kind of already been.
Just then, multicolored lights flash across the stadium grounds. Green and red lights illuminate a ramp with some cartoonish spiky plant life around. At the top of the ramp, the golden spotlight illuminates a small tank with a golden star serving as an emblem. The tank begins rolling down the ramp, crushing the plants and revealing under them a gold star that lights up after the tank passes it. As the tank descends and lights up the ramp with stars, it slows to a halt at the stage, and the hatch opens with Larry Tact emerging with a roar wearing a PASGT helmet. The Thunderamaniacs pop again as Larry makes his way out of the tank and onto the stage, tossing the helmet to one side of the crowd while a third seat and microphone are being positioned, with Markson now in the middle.
Mark Markson: I guess hour one was the warmup, and hour two is when the star power shows up.
Larry Tact: No offense, Mark, but I’m having too much fun with these Thunderamaniacs here today.
Mark Markson: That isn’t hyperbole, I saw you over in the Chop Chamber and letting some of TPW’s avid fans take their best, well, chop!
Nick Napier: I hope that isn’t the line you’re holding onto after Tony takes you out to dry like his MMA jockstrap.
Larry pretends to just notice Napier, and smirks.
Larry Tact: You’ve been quiet as a mouse over there, slouchy. A little late for Phantom of the Opera tryouts, but then again, people and times do tend to leave you in the dust.
Nick Napier: You’d better watch your mouth, Tact, or–
Larry Tact: Or what? You going to run to Alexander Marshall? I hear he’s still trying to beg for his job back.
Nick suddenly slams the desk, causing it to depress a little… wrestling announce tables, you know…
Nick Napier: How dare you insult a building block of this federation.
Larry looks like he’s about to gag.
Larry Tact: You want to talk about building blocks?
Mark Markson: Look, guys, I know I earned my keep in hour one, but Larry, this is a good time to ask how you do feel about your TPW legacy. It’s had some highs and lows, with another big match coming up against the international star, Tony Savage.
Larry nods, waiting a moment longer to stare at Napier before he looks at Mark.
Larry Tact: It’s been a great ride, and this year already started off on fire with Uncivil War. Winning the TPW Vs WGWF team match was a notch I would rank above even my wins against Bam Miller and El Diablo Blanco. Those were significant wins on Pay-Per-View for me, but seeing TPW’s Finest coming together to represent the company was truly something to be apart of.
Nick Napier: You’re just lucky JMont was distracted with Junko, otherwise it would’ve been you on the receiving end of HIS star power.
Larry looks like he couldn’t be happier Nick mentioned the name.
Larry Tact: You know, I’ve been in the ring with JMont before, in the Porter Games. Went pretty well, and like I said back then, our stars will collide eventually.
It seems to rouse something within Nick, who leans forward looking at Larry and white knuckling the mic.
Nick Napier: Alright, enough of the puff piece questions. What makes you think Tony will even let you get to another match? He’s lethal, or do you think he’s just running a promotions and not fighting as the two sport megastar he is?
Standing, Larry motions for a screen to appear on the stage. We see a hologram and the fans are enraptured by the action in the ring between Tact and Savage.
Larry Tact: Tony’s another guy who I’ve been in the ring with before. This isn’t going to be scary for me, Nick. Use your “knows” and look at the first-ever Denzel Porter Invitational. I beat Tony then, and it set a fire under him for the next time we met. Twice, actually.
We cut to split screens of title matches occurring between the two stars. Larry rubs the chest of his black t-shirt, with, “Simply Tactilizing” written in gold cursive on the front.
Larry Tact: Tony waited for when we would meet again, and he showed everyone a good reason why the DPI may have been a fluke. He’s one-up on me and it brings this pivotal match to the shores of Thunder in Paradise. This is a notable Pay-Per-View for me. We have history. I was in a Hurricane Hustle match that set the bar fairly high for this year’s competing teams. I can’t say I envy them, nor do I want to return to Jamica anytime soon.
Some laughs in the crowd.
Larry Tact: A few of you definitely remember all that business, huh? We don’t need to revisit, but the point is I want to remake my memory of this event. It should be one I can fondly remember, not dread to recall. In that sense, Tony is the perfect opponent at the perfect time.
Nick Napier: Speaking of opponents, I think you’ve got your own to deal with!
Mark Markson: Look out, fresh off their volleyball win – it’s the PUTTIES!!
The Putties, dressed in trademark gray bodysuits with black markings, come stumbling and waddling up the stage and surround Larry, who turns and shows the back of the shirt, which reads:
Larry makes quick work of the five Putties, dishing out Humblings and Tactilizers for all, before sitting back at the desk and dabbing a brow.
Mark Markson: I’d say you barely broke a sweat there.
Larry Tact: I’m ready to go, but I’m saving the real Star Power for Tony. I remember what that One Shot, One Kill feels like, and I want to make sure and return the favor. Because I’m already giving Tony what he wants.
Mark Markson: What would that be?
Larry Tact: I know Tony has all the paper to fill a bank vault. He’s got a laundry list of championships and success both in and outside of wrestling.
Nick Napier: You make a great case why Tony should be up here, and not you. Anything else??
Shooting an eyeroll at Napier, Larry continues.
Larry Tact: Do you know what this match represents? A divergence of paths. Tony made his success in wrestling, and decided he wanted to seek out new pastures. He went into different rings, fought his way through different styles, and he’s become a two-sport star. But when I went away from the ring, I did it to be with my family. I came back recharged and found I was seeing wrestling through blurry vision, even though I was using the same lens as before. Then it hits me…
He stands and points out at the Fan Fest grounds.
Larry Tact: All of you! You showed me that this horse who had been through so many bloody battles, technical clinics, and power struggles needed a new prescription. I needed to become more than who I was, and I have. I’ve fought to make different choices, and they’ve lead to new opportunities within this industry, and taken my star to new levels.
Nick can be heard appearing to hock up a lung.
Nick Napier: Don’t even try to compare yourself with Tony.
Mark Markson: Actually, Nick, even Tony Savage himself drew the parallel.
Nick Napier: Okay, obviously it was that voice-altering AI technology.
Larry looks back at Nick.
Larry Tact: We all ‘know’ you’re only here today because Alexander Marshall isn’t blindly signing off on your checks. You’ve got to actually earn them now, or else you may find that unemployment office before your snake friend.
Mark Markson: Larry, since you’re before some of the people who will be seeing you and Tony go at it, care to send them, and Mr. Savage, a message?
Larry Tact: I rode in on a tank down a ramp, lighting up stars on my way here. If I had told myself that was what I’d be doing in 2024, my past self would be laughing or spitting in my face. It’s shown the way I’ve evolved over time, and believe me, for a little while I just went with it and hoped there was something coming to tell me it was alright. You know what that sign was?
He points in a panning motion to the masses.
Larry Tact: THUNDERAMANIACS! That’s what showed me the quest I embarked on when I joined TPW was the correct one. I’ve been at the top and soon enough, I’ll be facing the stiffest test of a solo champion we have here, by reign, in Maxwell Mason Stone… IF I can do what many fail to do, as have I, in taking down Tony. The contrast of styles I mentioned? It’s not a criticism, more of a compliment. We’ve both taken drastically alternative routes along our Career Quests, but they’ve both brought us to this point.
He stares out at a large digital screen above the stage, showing the TPW Thunder in Paradise logo and a graphic of Larry and Tony looking poised to enter a hurricane to get to one another.
Larry Tact: This time, though, I’m bringing the most enticing item to the table. Not a title, but star power. A level of star power in this wrestling industry that eludes most of Tony’s opposition. They don’t want to face Tony Savage, and possibly leave the ring for immediate surgery. They don’t want to have to back up their smack talk to him and find out they can’t measure up. But I’m not most people. I’m not most wrestlers. I’m not even most champions.
He looks back out towards the crowd.
Larry Tact: I’m the Tactilizing One, and at Thunder In Paradise, 3rd Edition, Tony Savage is going to see once again that I’m not one who accepts the status quo. I don’t like the way our series has trended, and it’s time to be the Game Changer. Be ready, Tony, because when you step into the ring, it’s MY ring. You’ll relish the challenge of beating me in it, I’ve no doubt, but not all fiery tales end the way you like it. Don’t get me wrong, there will be hard hits, blood, and maybe even a loosened limb. But when it’s over…
Mark Markson: “Welcome back, Thunderamaniacs! We’re in the midst of TPW’s Thunder In Paradise 3 Fan Fest, here at the University of Hawaii’s UH Tennis Complex.”
We cut to a shot of Markson dressed in a blue polo shirt with the TPW logo emblazoned on it. He looks with excitement at the crowd around the little stage they set up for him in the middle of the stadium. Around it we see a makeshift ‘beach’ area where we find The Party Bros, Dude and Smooth, teaming with Mario Esposito, Jimmy ‘The’ King, and Sal Badman versus Five Putties in the traditional TPW volleyball game.
Mark Markson: I see the Putties showing great team chemistry as they hold a firm lead in the volleyball game…
We show “Earlier Today” of Karen getting into a dispute with a stadium staff member over keeping her adult beverage away from the kids ball pit. She wants to search it and find an earring she dropped, and doesn’t trust anyone not to steal – or spike! – her drink. She decides to ask for their manager.
Mark Markson: I bet the prop bet on Karen getting fed up and asking for a manager during Fan Fest, paid off!
We then cut to a shot of another familiar face, and Markson has a little extra pep in his call.
Mark Markson: Hey, look who’s shown up for their FIRST EVER Fan Fest!
Presently serving as the embodiment of ‘dead inside,’ Nick Napier steps onto the stage, lethargy his best friend as he labors over to the announce desk with shoulders hunched forward.
Mark Markson: Someone tipped me off to your being seen earlier. I thought you may come around, so I saved you a seat.
Markson pats the back of the chair as Nick gives stink eye to his broadcast partner, snatching a second microphone from the desk.
Nick Napier: I really mean this, Mark. Screw you.
Markson chuckles.
Mark Markson: Well, your wit is still on life support, even if your pride’s dead.
Nick Napier: You want to make jokes, now? I’ll just sit here silent, then. You do both of our jobs.
Mark Markson: Show started an hour ago, Nick, so… kind of already been.
Just then, multicolored lights flash across the stadium grounds. Green and red lights illuminate a ramp with some cartoonish spiky plant life around. At the top of the ramp, the golden spotlight illuminates a small tank with a golden star serving as an emblem. The tank begins rolling down the ramp, crushing the plants and revealing under them a gold star that lights up after the tank passes it. As the tank descends and lights up the ramp with stars, it slows to a halt at the stage, and the hatch opens with Larry Tact emerging with a roar wearing a PASGT helmet. The Thunderamaniacs pop again as Larry makes his way out of the tank and onto the stage, tossing the helmet to one side of the crowd while a third seat and microphone are being positioned, with Markson now in the middle.
Mark Markson: I guess hour one was the warmup, and hour two is when the star power shows up.
Larry Tact: No offense, Mark, but I’m having too much fun with these Thunderamaniacs here today.
Mark Markson: That isn’t hyperbole, I saw you over in the Chop Chamber and letting some of TPW’s avid fans take their best, well, chop!
Nick Napier: I hope that isn’t the line you’re holding onto after Tony takes you out to dry like his MMA jockstrap.
Larry pretends to just notice Napier, and smirks.
Larry Tact: You’ve been quiet as a mouse over there, slouchy. A little late for Phantom of the Opera tryouts, but then again, people and times do tend to leave you in the dust.
Nick Napier: You’d better watch your mouth, Tact, or–
Larry Tact: Or what? You going to run to Alexander Marshall? I hear he’s still trying to beg for his job back.
Nick suddenly slams the desk, causing it to depress a little… wrestling announce tables, you know…
Nick Napier: How dare you insult a building block of this federation.
Larry looks like he’s about to gag.
Larry Tact: You want to talk about building blocks?
Mark Markson: Look, guys, I know I earned my keep in hour one, but Larry, this is a good time to ask how you do feel about your TPW legacy. It’s had some highs and lows, with another big match coming up against the international star, Tony Savage.
Larry nods, waiting a moment longer to stare at Napier before he looks at Mark.
Larry Tact: It’s been a great ride, and this year already started off on fire with Uncivil War. Winning the TPW Vs WGWF team match was a notch I would rank above even my wins against Bam Miller and El Diablo Blanco. Those were significant wins on Pay-Per-View for me, but seeing TPW’s Finest coming together to represent the company was truly something to be apart of.
Nick Napier: You’re just lucky JMont was distracted with Junko, otherwise it would’ve been you on the receiving end of HIS star power.
Larry looks like he couldn’t be happier Nick mentioned the name.
Larry Tact: You know, I’ve been in the ring with JMont before, in the Porter Games. Went pretty well, and like I said back then, our stars will collide eventually.
It seems to rouse something within Nick, who leans forward looking at Larry and white knuckling the mic.
Nick Napier: Alright, enough of the puff piece questions. What makes you think Tony will even let you get to another match? He’s lethal, or do you think he’s just running a promotions and not fighting as the two sport megastar he is?
Standing, Larry motions for a screen to appear on the stage. We see a hologram and the fans are enraptured by the action in the ring between Tact and Savage.
Larry Tact: Tony’s another guy who I’ve been in the ring with before. This isn’t going to be scary for me, Nick. Use your “knows” and look at the first-ever Denzel Porter Invitational. I beat Tony then, and it set a fire under him for the next time we met. Twice, actually.
We cut to split screens of title matches occurring between the two stars. Larry rubs the chest of his black t-shirt, with, “Simply Tactilizing” written in gold cursive on the front.
Larry Tact: Tony waited for when we would meet again, and he showed everyone a good reason why the DPI may have been a fluke. He’s one-up on me and it brings this pivotal match to the shores of Thunder in Paradise. This is a notable Pay-Per-View for me. We have history. I was in a Hurricane Hustle match that set the bar fairly high for this year’s competing teams. I can’t say I envy them, nor do I want to return to Jamica anytime soon.
Some laughs in the crowd.
Larry Tact: A few of you definitely remember all that business, huh? We don’t need to revisit, but the point is I want to remake my memory of this event. It should be one I can fondly remember, not dread to recall. In that sense, Tony is the perfect opponent at the perfect time.
Nick Napier: Speaking of opponents, I think you’ve got your own to deal with!
Mark Markson: Look out, fresh off their volleyball win – it’s the PUTTIES!!
The Putties, dressed in trademark gray bodysuits with black markings, come stumbling and waddling up the stage and surround Larry, who turns and shows the back of the shirt, which reads:
Paper
Glory
Power
#TACTFACTS
Mark Markson: I’d say you barely broke a sweat there.
Larry Tact: I’m ready to go, but I’m saving the real Star Power for Tony. I remember what that One Shot, One Kill feels like, and I want to make sure and return the favor. Because I’m already giving Tony what he wants.
Mark Markson: What would that be?
Larry Tact: I know Tony has all the paper to fill a bank vault. He’s got a laundry list of championships and success both in and outside of wrestling.
Nick Napier: You make a great case why Tony should be up here, and not you. Anything else??
Shooting an eyeroll at Napier, Larry continues.
Larry Tact: Do you know what this match represents? A divergence of paths. Tony made his success in wrestling, and decided he wanted to seek out new pastures. He went into different rings, fought his way through different styles, and he’s become a two-sport star. But when I went away from the ring, I did it to be with my family. I came back recharged and found I was seeing wrestling through blurry vision, even though I was using the same lens as before. Then it hits me…
He stands and points out at the Fan Fest grounds.
Larry Tact: All of you! You showed me that this horse who had been through so many bloody battles, technical clinics, and power struggles needed a new prescription. I needed to become more than who I was, and I have. I’ve fought to make different choices, and they’ve lead to new opportunities within this industry, and taken my star to new levels.
Nick can be heard appearing to hock up a lung.
Nick Napier: Don’t even try to compare yourself with Tony.
Mark Markson: Actually, Nick, even Tony Savage himself drew the parallel.
Nick Napier: Okay, obviously it was that voice-altering AI technology.
Larry looks back at Nick.
Larry Tact: We all ‘know’ you’re only here today because Alexander Marshall isn’t blindly signing off on your checks. You’ve got to actually earn them now, or else you may find that unemployment office before your snake friend.
Mark Markson: Larry, since you’re before some of the people who will be seeing you and Tony go at it, care to send them, and Mr. Savage, a message?
Larry Tact: I rode in on a tank down a ramp, lighting up stars on my way here. If I had told myself that was what I’d be doing in 2024, my past self would be laughing or spitting in my face. It’s shown the way I’ve evolved over time, and believe me, for a little while I just went with it and hoped there was something coming to tell me it was alright. You know what that sign was?
He points in a panning motion to the masses.
Larry Tact: THUNDERAMANIACS! That’s what showed me the quest I embarked on when I joined TPW was the correct one. I’ve been at the top and soon enough, I’ll be facing the stiffest test of a solo champion we have here, by reign, in Maxwell Mason Stone… IF I can do what many fail to do, as have I, in taking down Tony. The contrast of styles I mentioned? It’s not a criticism, more of a compliment. We’ve both taken drastically alternative routes along our Career Quests, but they’ve both brought us to this point.
He stares out at a large digital screen above the stage, showing the TPW Thunder in Paradise logo and a graphic of Larry and Tony looking poised to enter a hurricane to get to one another.
Larry Tact: This time, though, I’m bringing the most enticing item to the table. Not a title, but star power. A level of star power in this wrestling industry that eludes most of Tony’s opposition. They don’t want to face Tony Savage, and possibly leave the ring for immediate surgery. They don’t want to have to back up their smack talk to him and find out they can’t measure up. But I’m not most people. I’m not most wrestlers. I’m not even most champions.
He looks back out towards the crowd.
Larry Tact: I’m the Tactilizing One, and at Thunder In Paradise, 3rd Edition, Tony Savage is going to see once again that I’m not one who accepts the status quo. I don’t like the way our series has trended, and it’s time to be the Game Changer. Be ready, Tony, because when you step into the ring, it’s MY ring. You’ll relish the challenge of beating me in it, I’ve no doubt, but not all fiery tales end the way you like it. Don’t get me wrong, there will be hard hits, blood, and maybe even a loosened limb. But when it’s over…
Only one will has the right Star Power.
