Post by gvb on Oct 8, 2021 18:33:19 GMT -6
2x01 WILD BUNCH
The Hallway
October 8, 2021
2:48 PM
Walking through the halls of the Academy we find ourselves looking at Rainer Nordhagen. He is strolling confidently through the halls until he comes across Erika Eldon frozen in place. Looking at her confused, an eyebrow raised as he looks around wondering what she could be doing. Suddenly Erika lets out a big exhale, as she looks over at Rainer.
Erika Eldon:
Hey Rainer!
She pronounces his name wrong which he seems ready to point out but she speaks too quickly.
Erika Eldon:
Sorry one of the other girls said that one of the first tests is red light, green light. I have been practicing in my head all day, I have been getting pretty good as well.
Erika says this with a lot of confidence, not realizing in reality she has been tricked into thinking this is like the Squid Game. Rainer blinks, near enough frozen in place for a second as he processes what Erika’s just said. He begins to shake his head as he responds.
Rainer Nordhagen:
No. No, that’s not...that’s not what we’re doi-- ...how would you practice for that in your head?
Nordhagen asks, a dumbfounded tone to his voice.
Erika Eldon:
It was hard at first, but I got better at it. I am totally going to win though if that’s what we are doing, good luck to you as well though. Being the first gold star winner seems fun.
Rainer Nordhagen:
You seem nimble enough to be sneaky, maybe we could put that to the test at some point - but I don’t think that’s what we’re doing, Erika. We…we’re wrestling, you know?
He grimaces slightly, as if he’s delivering some bad news.
Rainer Nordhagen:
Your mom didn’t, well, she didn’t tell you anything about this place?
Erika Eldon:
Well she told me to do my best and live up to the family name. And I thought wrestling made more sense than what that girl told me...Guess some people are tricky around here, feel like I can trust you though. I’ll watch your back if you watch mine?
Erika proposes this mostly seeming to just want to make a friend around here, already coming in as a target due to her mother’s big mouth.
Rainer Nordhagen:
I’ll be honest with you Erika…
Rainer begins, a slight smirk on his face.
Rainer Nordhagen:
I don’t really need anyone to watch my back…but I’ll watch yours. You could use someone looking out for you who isn’t your psycho mom or your future step-dad. No offence.
His smirk turns into a very cheeky grin, knowing how much that comment is likely to rile them both up.
Rainer Nordhagen:
I’m really not here to make friends, but stick around me and we can go to the top.
Seemingly happy with Rainer’s words, having felt for the most part on her own around here she nods her head.
Erika Eldon:
Ok! I will for sure, good luck later!
Erika smiles, Rainer walks off with a grin still on his face, the two both looking to get that Gold Star later tonight.
The Principal's Office
October 8, 2021
3:30 PM
For one week the twelve students of this second year have been living inside The Academy, working hard under the watchful eye of their trainers trying to make a good first impression on the two team leaders. In just a few hours they will be stepping inside the ring to compete in a battle royal to crown the first Gold Star and it won’t be until a few minutes before it that they will know which team they are assigned.
The fans watching the show instead will get to know that slightly in advance as the cameras took us inside Gian’s office where we found the Principal sitting behind his mahogany desk. In front of him were Lady Magdalena, confirmed in her position of team leader after she brilliantly led her group of students throughout the past year and the new addition to the staff, the former MWE Intercontinental champion and Liberty champion Helena Noir, fresh off retirement.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
Thank you for joining me, Lady and Helena.
Impeccable in his three-piece suit, the Italian man welcomed the two women with his ever charming smile.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
I reckon we’re all very busy with the last minute preparations for tonight’s show, so I’m cutting straight to the chase. You’ve had the chance to watch the students during the past week, to see their progress in the gym, to evaluate their degree of training, to estimate their potential and to get yourself an idea of their personality and attitude. All aspects, I’m sure, you kept in consideration to make your pics, to decide who is a better fit for your team.
His gaze goes from Lady to Helena a few times.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
Keeping in mind that switching teams is an option the students can invoke throughout the year and that you two can decide to trade them in complete autonomy should any insurmountable issue come up, I believe it’s time we reveal who will join Team Strike and who will be on Team Noir.
His eyes rested now on Lady Magdalena.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
Lady, would you like to start with your first selection? Consider it a reward for the outstanding work you did last year.
Lady smiled as she fanned herself, the fan an elegant peacock themed design. Attired is a cool, lightweight business suit, adorned with tiny little jewels in the shape of a swan, she slowly rose to her feet. She slammed the fan shut, taking a broad step forward as the Frenchwoman decided to make her first choice.
Lady Magdalena:
I do thank you ever so kindly, Gianluigi. It is an absolute pleasure to be returning here, and a honour you would consider me to retake my post. But all those here will be strictly wanting to hear our selections prior to this year’s opening contest.
Lady paused for a moment, clearly for dramatic effect, knowing that the first selection would surely have bragging rights for the rest of the season.
Lady Magdalena:
I have elected to choose someone who reminds me of someone I once knew. Someone with a natural flair, and most importantly, the killer instinct required to succeed in this sport. So it is my pleasure to choose as the first selection of 2022… From Hamburg, Germany, Rainer Nordhagen!
A slight smirk appeared on Helena’s face for a fleeting moment, but Gian didn’t miss it.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
Is everything ok, Helena?
Helena Noir:
Oh absolutely.
Came the swift reply of the Swede who, unlike her counterpart, opted for a sportier look. Always the anti-conformist, Helena favored a more comfortable outfit, consisting in a pair of black jeans and the characteristic Last Rites Tattoo Studio hoodie she had been seen wearing often in her career.
Helena Noir:
I’d be lying if I said that Rainer wasn’t one of the top names on my list, and for the exact same reasons Lady mentioned.
She turned toward her colleague, giving her a nod of the head in approval.
Helena Noir:
With him gone, my first pick will be Bey Addams. With a pedigree like hers, a brilliant career both her and on the main roster is a foregone conclusion.
Gianluigi noted down the two names and the motivations the two team leaders gave to justify their choice. He then looked once again at Lady Magdalena.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
Your first pick last year was Tiana, who won the Gold Star later that night. I’m curious to see if you can make it two on two, that would be impressive.
Lady just smiled, giving a polite nod to the two by her side, but didn’t tempt fate with any response to Gian’s comment. Instead, she opted to roll right into her second selection, taking barely a moment to make her decision.
Lady Magdalena:
With my second selection of the evening, I am opting for the person who I have seen spend more time honing their craft this week than anyone else. Someone who has shown both enthusiasm and determination to better themselves in the ring, in fitness and in life. I now select Devin Levandrier.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
And for second, someone coming from a family deep-rooted in the business. I’m starting to see a pattern here, Lady.
The principal couldn’t help but notice a similarity with last year when Lady’s second choice was none other than the Valedictorian Faith Savell. The leader of team Strike replied with a polite smile.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
It’s your turn again, Helena.
The tattooed woman ran her hand through her long hair, adjusting her seating on the chair.
Helena Noir:
I’ve always had a flair for the least and the marginalized and I couldn’t help but notice that one of these kids hasn’t really bonded with the others just yet, and has actually been the target of some of his fellow students’ barbs. There’s a lot of things we can teach them, including not letting stuff like this get to their head. But one thing we can’t teach is size and strength, and Jasper King has plenty of both. He’s my second pick.
Lady actually took a short bow towards Helena, giving her polite applause as she mouthed the words “well done” to her. Pulling out her fan again, Lady looked up to the ceiling, pondering her next move. She paused, playing with her ear ring, one that was shaped like an eagle before taking a breath.
Lady Magdalena:
With my next selection… I will be choosing a young lady who has rich experience in front of the cameras, as well as an upbringing with some of the brighter names in the business, both inside and out of the ring. So with my third choice, and knowing their knowledge of those who have succeeded in the business, I will be selecting Addison McKinley.
Hearing that name coming out from Lady’s lips was something Gian wasn’t truly expecting. Well aware of the history between the two women Addison had been living in for the past year and half, the Millennium commentator Peyton Holland and the interviewer turned wrestler Skylar Rayner and Magdalena’s daughter Anastasia Starling, Vaccaro reacted to the choice with curiosity.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
You managed to surprise me, and I assure you it’s not something that happens often.
He wrote down the name on his notebook, taking a little longer than he did for the other names to add his notes. Lady didn’t seem to react much, only giving him a slight glance as she toyed with her earring. He was still writing when Helena began to speak.
Helena Noir:
I’ve been keeping a close eye on Gabriel since the… events of the first day. I can see some true potential in him, perhaps more than he can realize. My goal is to bring it out.
Lady didn’t allow much breath from when Helena made her choice, opting to get right into it with her next selection, taking both Gian and Helena off guard, as if she had planned this move right from the start.
Lady Magdalena:
Knowledge of the industry from the inside is always beneficial. as is the support of those closest to you. And there have been two in the Academy who have been stuck to each other like glue this past week. But each is aiding the other, and helping bring out the best in one another. After all, dears, professional wrestling isn’t just one on one, and there is more than just the single Gold Star here. So with that, I choose Evelyn Carter as my next selection.
Gian’s usually serious and professional demeanor momentarily faded as one pleasant memory he thought was significant enough to share surfaced.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
I remember seeing her hanging backstage with her sister and step brother when her family was running Empire a few years ago. Never would I have thought I’d see her stepping inside a ring..
He shook his head, shaking that particular memory away with that gesture.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
But I get what you mean. We saw last year with Team Trillie how important a tight-knit team can be. Great call, Lady.
Turning his head to Helena, he then continued.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
Let’s see how you answer.
Noir took a few moments to ponder her choices before making up her mind.
Helena Noir:
Bebe LeBeau. She’s a handful, I know. But she looked very determined this past week so maybe, maybe, there’s a chance to squeeze out something good from her.
Lady Magdalena:
Oh, good luck, dear.
Lady uttered, a sly smile on her face as she fanned herself. There was a glance shared between them, as Magdalena mocked wiping her brow, before she continued on.
Lady Magdalena:
With my next selection, I feel that I require a little extra style. Someone classy, with a sense of wildness that is just clawing away to break free. So, with that said, I am electing to select Emma Wakefield to join Team Strike. She seems bright, she seems determined, and she might have the most stylish attire of anyone in the Academy. I hope to help her catch as many wins as she is catching eyes with those dazzling designs.
Helene Noir:
I’m far more intrigued with what doesn’t catch the eyes. Have any of you ever seen Alex Milton outside of the common classes, or lunch breaks? I even tried to follow him once to exchange a few words but that kid is elusive as fuck.
Realizing she just let out an expletive revealing once again how her down-to-earth style was in clear contrast with Lady’s sophisticated manners, Helena quickly apologized to both Magdalena and Gian with a whispered
Helena Noir:
Pardon my French.
Then she assumed her usual tone and continued, Lady giving her a short scowl as she did so.
Helena Noir:
Anyway, he’s my next selection. He’s like one of those mystery boxes you order on the internet. Often there’s just a bunch of useless crap inside, but sometimes… Sometimes you find a little treasure hiding in there.
Lady fanned herself again, turning her back to Helena as she pondered her last move.
Lady Magdalena:
I have seen wrestling families before, I’m blessed to be part of one of the more glorious bloodlines within the sport. And yet some families have such torrid reputations. But occasionally you find a diamond amongst the coal, and I would like to see if Erika can be polished into the diamond of the Eldon clan.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
I believe we’re done here, then.
Gian spoke, realizing that only one name was left, a forced choice for Team Noir.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
I’m sure she won’t like being the last pick, but perhaps there’s a lesson to be learned here for Shaina.
Helena didn’t seem too impressed, shrugging her shoulders.
Helena Noir:
Throughout this past week, she spent more time preparing for her VLog than she did to get ready for the match. I hope for her and myself to see a change of attitude in her, or I’m afraid she won’t last long in my Team and in the Academy.
Her harsh words concealed an undeniable truth. Sheridan didn’t impress either of the team leaders, not enough to be picked by any of them.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
I guess time will tell. Thank you for your time, ladies. You shall now introduce yourselves to your teams. I’m looking forward to seeing what you can bring out of these promising batch of students.
Standing up from his chair, he offered a handshake to the two team leaders.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
Best of luck, to both of you.
Gold Star Battle Royal
Erika Eldon VS Bebe LeBeau VS Emma Wakefield VS Gabriel Landry VS Rainer Nordhagen VS Devin Levandrier VS Shaina Sheridan VS Jasper King VS Evelyn Carter VS Bey Addams VS Addison McKinley VS Alex Milton
WINNER: Jasper King (NEW GOLD STAR) BY: Over the top rope elimination, 25:42 |