Post by gvb on Nov 28, 2020 20:08:12 GMT -6
1x07 Black Friday
The Hallways
November 25, 2020
3:52 PM
The cameras surveilling the Academy caught Trinity Thompson heading to the gym. The (now) redhead looked nervous and, oddly enough, she wasn't carrying the bag. Her pace was slow, clearly she was in no rush to reach her destination. In her right hand she was holding her phone, her eyes constantly looking at the screen with the eagerness of who's waiting for an important call.
Amelia Marx:
There you are!
Her fellow student and tag partner on the next episode called her from behind. Trinity didn't seem too pleased to see her, rolling her eyes and letting out a sigh before turning to meet Amelia who, instead, was literally beaming, flashing her best for the camera before turning her head to Thompson.
Amelia Marx:
I sent you like ten texts asking to meet... We need to go through some strategy for our match and I can help you fixing the mistak...
Trinity Thompson:
Oh drop it...
She abruptly interrupted her.
Trinity Thompson:
Ever thought that if I left you on read ten times then maybe I don't want to do this?
Amelia turned to the camera, a shocked expression on her face.
Amelia Marx:
But Trin...
Again the 18 years old interrupted her.
Trinity Thompson:
Stop. Stop acting like we're friends because we're definitely not. Stop pretending you're doing this for me, or for the team when everyone knows the truth by now.
Before Amelia could open her mouth, Trinity continued.
Trinity Thompson:
I don't care what you're doing or why you're doing it... I don't know what your game is here but sure as hell I'm not playing it. We're in the same team, Friday we'll be fighting Faith and Kid and I'll do my very best to prove to you, to Faith and everyone else that I belong here.
Marx finally managed to speak.
Amelia Marx:
That's what I want too, Trin! I want to help you reach the full potential you haven't expressed yet. I want the best for everyone in my team, and I believe that you will find the notes I took very useful. Take them!
She handed over a folder containinf her infamous notes. Not too convinced, Trinity took it in her hand, but she didn't even glance at it.
Amelia Marx:
Now, speaking of our match, I know you don't like Faith and she's without a doubt the biggest threat in her team. I come up with some ideas to... take care of her.
Trinity Thompson:
You're right, I'm not Faith's biggest fan, but I don't really like you either. Friday night I will step in that ring with you and fight, but I'm not taking part in whatever you have in mind. More so knowing that it's most likely going to be some form of cheating.
A buzz interrupted the argument with perfect timing, moments before things could start spiraling down. Her expression suddenly chnaged back to her usual cheering self.
Trinity Thompson:
Now, if you excuse me...
Taking the call, she listened to the voice on the other side before saying.
Trinity Thompson:
Yes.
Amelia rolled her eyes and left the scene. Trinity walked to the nearest trash can and dropped Amelia's notes in it, all while talking to the phone.
Trinity Thompson:
I thought you forgot, Dad...
Another short talk to the other side of the line.
Trinity Thompson:
I did... And I hope you had fun as well on thanksgiving.
Finally the scene cut to the next segment.
The Gym
November 26, 2020
9:23 AM
The sound of rattling chains, loud thuds against a heavy bag, are all that’s heard echoing across the gym before the camera settles on the creator, Tiana Petrova-Hammond. Each punch and kick sending the bag swaying, each combo nearly bringing her to her knees. She was exhausted, but this is what she did. Things made sense to her, at least until her music was cut off by the default iPhone ringtone. She whipped her head toward the phone, just long enough for the bag to swing back and push her. Losing her balance, she plopped to the floor with a grunt.
She quickly scurried across the floor, accepting the call as soon as she saw Linc’s name on the screen.
Tiana Petrova-Hammond:
Happy Thanksgiving, Linc.
Panting, she crawled across the floor some more until she could lean against the wall. She nodded along with Lincoln’s overly excited breakdown of his upcoming day.
Tiana Petrova-Hammond:
Yeah, yeah, we’re getting fed today… No, I already told Trin to not let me eat a whole pie like last year.
She lazily unfastened the velcro holding her gloves on, slipping them off as she used her shoulder to keep the phone in place. But...her tired smile soon faded into a look of anger.
Tiana Petrova-Hammond:
Don’t you ever assume I won’t be ready for a fight. I’m not treating Dez like he’s nothing. I’m treating him like he’s in my way, because he is… Yes, Lincoln, I know he’s good and… No, I still think Faith is the biggest threat, but… Lincoln! Shut up for a second!
She was frustrated, incredibly so, enough to toss her gloves across the room.
Tiana Petrova-Hammond:
You know me better, Linc. I don’t overlook anyone. Dez is good, he might even be great, but his attitude is just… No, no, I understand that. Could you ju-... Yeah, Linc. I know you just want me to do my best. I don’t bust my ass every day to give anything less than my best.
She sighed, wiping her brow with her sleeve.
Tiana Petrova-Hammond:
Yeah, I know. Stay under control, don’t let him get under my skin… No, I won’t try to break his everything after the match...only during it.
Trinity Thompson:
Ti, move your butt! You’re not sitting here in the gym all day until food is ready.
Tiana looked up and her smile returned, waving at her friend who skipped her way out of the gym.
Tiana Petrova-Hammond:
I gotta run, Linc. Love you, enjoy uh...the Booty Call thing, I guess.
The Gym
November 26, 2020
4:33 PM
It's been another controversial episode, once again Dez Ali being the center of attention. His questionable and controversial victory by disqualification over Team Strike's Faith Savell, not only sent shockwaves straight up the ranks in the Academy, but it also caused Faith's best friend Oliver Kennedy to lash out with a swift headbutt to Dez Ali's face. It was later announced by Team Leader Michael Ali that his son suffered a broken nose. It didn't take long for Dez Ali to file an official complaint to The Academy's Principal and Team Leaders. In a letter the self proclaimed Most Valuable Player defended himself after days of criticism, by pointing out his vicious assault which left Olly in a bloody mess and injured during Episode 5 Triple Threat Match, was a legally sanctioned match by The Academy. A match which enjoys no countouts and no disqualifications attached to it. Dez pointed finger at the referee for failing to call the match, when it was clear Olly couldn't defend himself anymore, and by allowing the match to continue not only cost Dez the match, but furthered the injury on Olly. His complaint continued. Fast forward to one week later, Olly who wasn't even part of the sanctioned match between Faith Savell and Dez Ali, saw Olly lashing out of frustration courtesy of the Referee's decision to disqualify Faith Savell for Olly's interference and assault on his person during the match. "His headbutt after the bell was sounded, broke my nose." Now whether or not this letter had an impact on The Academy's decision to suspend Olivier Kennedy, that is not known, but The Academy's decision to suspend Olly and award Dez a Gold Star Match against the New Yorker Tiana Petrova-Hammond. This was not a popular decision and it only skyrocketed the level of hatred for Dez Ali. Now being born into a family with a rich legacy in professional wrestling, Dez's wrestling IQ is quite above average and the twenty year old Boston born knows exactly which buttons to press and capitalize and embrace on the heat he garnered over the past few weeks. It's no coincidence, he is still the most Google searched student in the Academy. His tactics have now also warned him the first student to headline three matches back to back on The Academy Episodes. You can say this kid have started off rocky, but there has been consistent and stable rise in Dez's stocks and now at its peak with probably the most anticipated Gold Star Match, would The MVP be stopped in his tracks or would cap off is constant rise with the Gold Star.
Michael Ali who was also caught in the whirlwind of controversy over the past weekend has dedicated each day to one student of Team Ali, teaching them the art of in-ring promos. What to say, when to say it and how to not only grab the crowd reaction, but also get them invested and involved in the promo. It's Thursday, it's Thanksgiving and it's Dez Ali's turn for promo class. We see Dez Ali (wearing a gray Bad Boyz hoodie, faded light blue Diesel jeans, and white & black Nike Air Force 1 MID Low High Cut sneakers) standing in the ring, sporting a clear UA face guard with black straps, while his father and Team Leader is standing in the corner of the ring.
Michael Ali:
Alright. Dez, you're out here. The crowd is booing you, they hate you, they hate what you accomplished over the past weeks and now you on the verge of getting everything you worked hard for. But they don't see it like that, they see you as a cheat, fraud, as a shortcut taker, protected by the powers that be. Now keep in mind, you're not out
here to just talk. You're out here to tell a story, but at the same time keeping the live crowd invested in the story you're trying tell and your character.
Dez Ali smiles and shakes his head.
Michael Ali:
What you think this is funny?
Dez Ali:
Not at all. But I think coming from a family with a legacy in professional wrestling, I think I know a thing of two dad.
Michael Ali:
I'm just doing my job. .....Okay so whenever you ready, ......shoot.
Dez first looks around picturing an arena packed with fifteen thousand fans. He is at center stage, millions at home looking and this is his moment, not theirs, not Olly, not Faith, not the current Gold Star Tiana Petrova-Hammond moment. It's Dez Ali's moment.
Dez Ali:
......You don't get to boo me.
He pauses and he can here the thousands boos showering upon him.
Dez Ali:
Who the hell do you people think you are? You don't get to judge me.
Once again he pauses, to allow the deafening boos from the sold out crowd to take its course.
Dez Ali:
You people hate success stories, you hate people like me. Because when you look in the mirror everyone you wake up the morning and before you go to sleep, you don't see me, you don't see The Most Valuable Player of this Academy. What you do see is yourself, a straight up reflection of yourself. The person staring back at you in that mirror, is a loser like Faith Savell. A failure like Olly. A blemish to society like the overrated Tiana Petrova-Hammond. Everything that is wrong with this businesses, is in those three names and you.
The boos grow louder, as a "You Suck" chant breaks out. Dez looks on with a disgusted look on his face.
Dez Ali:
Then we wonder why the product of wrestling keeps slipping? Because we keep accepting what used to be called a joke in my father's days as the best tag team in the world, as a serious piece of wrestling's future. And that cycle has to stop. And that is exactly what I've been doing and what I will do, when I become the first student to beat that slimey New Yorker and become The Most Valuable Gold Star in The Academy.
This is when his father interrupts him.
Michael Ali:
Alright stop!!! Time out.
A smiling Dez looks at the Team Leader who is wearing a red The Academy t-shirt, blue Levi's jeans and black UA sneakers.
Dez Ali:
I was good, .....right?!
Michael looks at his son with a straight look on his face.
Michael Ali:
It was alright.
Dez Ali:
Alright? Just alright?
Michael nods his head.
Dez Ali:
Nah! It wasn't alright it was great. Yeah, like Tony the Tiger.
Michael Ali:
Alright!!! Focus. I want you to zero in on one thing from everything you said and sell it to the crowd.
Dez Ali:
What's that?!
Michael Ali:
If you're that good, you decide.
Dez gets a little serious look on his face, clearly thinking what to zero in on and sell it for the upcoming Gold Star Match with the undefeated Tiana Petrova-Hammond.
Dez Ali:
So this is what it has come down to. Tiana Petrova-Hammond versus Dez Ali. The good ole American classic, New York versus Boston.
Michael seems a bit surprised, but proud to see this is the direction Dez has taken in his promo.
Dez Ali:
Another chapter is being written and guess what? I'm the author of this chapter. I'm the one who's going to write the end of the New York versus Boston classic and yes I will be bias, I will be unfair, I will become the Gold Star representative.
He listens to the boos and smiles.
Dez Ali:
I get it. You people do not like me. Neither does Olly, who I not only put on the injured list, but also took that headbutt like a badass.
Dez touches the face guard protecting his face.
Dez Ali:
And with a little High School education, an official complaint was sent and the return decision was, ...... suspension.
Dez laughs, only to be drowned by boos.
Dez Ali:
Then we have Faith. Faith don't like me very much, actually that is an understatement. Faith Savell really, really, really, don't like me. Have a little faith, maybe, one day lucky day when all the planets are aligned and the sun goes out, Faith will figure out how to win destiny. Until then, get used to losing to The MVP. I'm used to hearing your sore loser's excuse for not winning the first time and second time and third time that has yet to come to pass, but trust me it will.
He pauses and listens to the crowd. Once again his father interrupts him.
Michael Ali:
Too much focus on Faith Savell. You defeated her last week. While on another day with another match Faith would be a main focus for you, due to everything that have been said on Social Media and what went down during and after the match, plus behind closed doors. This however is about the Gold Star and the undefeated Tiana Petrova-Hammond. Basically it's for all the marbles in the bag and Tiana has way more to lose than you. So she will be coming hard.
Dez Ali:
My face is good.
Michael Ali:
I'm not talking about that son. Anyway. Now, not going to lie, you started off strong. Very strong actually, with referencing the American classic feud between New York and Boston. That is something people are willing to buy into. It's taking this one on one match between two students for the top prize in The Academy, placing it on a level of one of the greatest sports feuds in American history. You're doing good. Keep it up.
Dez Ali:
You tell all you students that?
Michael Ali:
Does it matter?
Dez Ali:
It's cool.
Michael Ali:
Good class is over, let's go enjoy Thanksgiving.
As Michael turns away and about to make his exit, Dez stops him.
Dez Ali:
Dad?!
Michael Ali:
Yeah?!
Dez Ali:
Thanks for this. I mean you could have gone home to mom and everyone else and enjoy Thanksgiving. Instead you're here and I know you'll say, just doing your job. And I know I've been difficult, reason why you'll say that. But thanks. Means a lot.
Michael smiles and hugs his son, who hugs him back.
The Gym
November 26, 2020
10:25 PM
It's the eve of The Academy's Episode 7 big Gold Star match between the undefeated Tiana Petrova-Hammond and Team Ali's number one pick Dez Ali. For the twenty year old Boston born, it's been a long six week journey to get what he always wanted from day one, .....The Gold Star. The Gold Star means you are the best in The Academy's Class of 2021. And none have come close to defeating Tiana Petrova-Hammond, who won The Gold Star on day one and she have not disappointed. While to many she is the absolute best The Academy has to offer, Dez Ali who has dubbed himself as The Most Valuable Player of Team Ali, after bringing home Team Ali's with gold the Tag Team Titles on Episode 2 one month earlier, could be her toughest challenge yet. While Dez's haters as he call them, does not believe the son of Team Leader Michael Ali has a chance against the Mixed Martial Arts technique of The Gold Star holder.
We see a sweaty and breathing heavy Dez Ali (wearing a soaking wet light blue The Academy gym t-shirt, black joggers, messed up with white chalk powder, black, white & blue Jordan's Retro 11's Space Jam basketball sneakers) stepping away from the weight lifting bench. He heard his phone pings and looks down at it as Amelia Marx also sweaty in her gym wear as she approaches Dez Ali. He pulls out his phone from his side pocket and begins to read his messages.
Dez's Biggest Fan:
You're going to be the Gold Star, but not today. You know why?
Dez shakes his head not too happy with the message he just received from his "Biggest Fan". So Dez sends him a voice note.
Dez Ali:
You suppose to be there for me, not putting down like everyone else.
The voice note is sent as he quickly puts his phone in his side pocket as Amelia steps up to him.
Amelia Marx:
Who was that?!
Dez Ali:
Nobody important.
Amelia smiles as she looks at Dez.
Amelia Marx:
They seem important enough to get under your skin and piss you off.
Dez Ali:
If you haven't learned by now, Olly pissed me of and he's not important.
Amelia was about to say something, but Dez cuts her off. Clearly whoever "Dez's Biggest Fan" is, is pissing him off.
Dez Ali:
...But you know what really pisses me off? The disrespect!!! The disrespect I get from Tiana and everyone else for that matter. I get it!!! She got that Mixed Martial Arts background going for her and in today's wrestling, that automatically makes you better than everyone else. But you know what?
As Amelia was about to say something once again The MVP interrupts her again.
Dez Ali:
I disagree. And I'm going to prove that theory wrong tomorrow. I'm sick and tired of Tians over looking who I am and what I've done to get a shot at The Gold Star. I'm her greatest threat yet.....
"Ping!!!!!" Dez is clearly distracted as the ping sound stops him in right his tracks. Amelia simply looks on. As Dez reads another received message from Dez's Biggest Fan.
Dez's Biggest Fan:
October 16th 2020!!!!
Dez looks up at Amelia only for his phone to give out another loud Ping. Looks back down at his phone.
Dez's Biggest Fan:
You got in the ring with Tiana Petrova-Hammond on Episode 1 and you got your ass whooped. She's the first to beat you and she'll do it again. You want to know why?
Once again Dez ignores the message, but Amelia could see he is becoming more and more frustrated. Before he can put his phone in his pocket another "Ping" is sounded. Followed by another and another and a third "Ping".
Amelia Marx:
Can I see that?
Dez raises his eyebrow as he looks at Amelia surprised that she asked to see his phone. He surprisingly hands it to her. She begins to read the messages, right up to the latest messages.
Dez's Biggest Fan:
So how you feeling about this match buddy?
Dez Ali:
You're actually still around? Wow!!!! What happened? Too much turkey.
Dez's Biggest Fan:
Lmao
Dez's Biggest Fan:
You can say that.
Dez Ali:
Well hope you enjoyed it, cause being here on campus for Thanksgiving sucked.
Dez's Biggest Fan:
Well Thanksgiving ain't over yet. Anything can happen.
Dez Ali:
Really? Trying to cheer me up?
Dez's Biggest Fan:
So you're going to answer the question or not.
Dez Ali:
I'm ready for Tiana Petrova-Hammond.
Dez's Biggest Fan:
You ready for that Gold Star?!
Dez Ali:
Yup!!!
Dez's Biggest Fan:
Sorry to rain on probably the only good thing you got going for you this Thanksgiving.
Dez Ali:
..........What?!
Dez's Biggest Fan:
You're going to be the Gold Star, but not today. You know why?
DEZ SENT A VOICE NOTE
Dez's Biggest Fan:
October 16th 2020!!!!
Dez's Biggest Fan:
You got in the ring with Tiana Petrova-Hammond on Episode 1 and you got your ass whooped. She's the first to beat you and she'll do it again. You want to know why?
Dez's Biggest Fan:
Because everybody is against you.
Dez's Biggest Fan:
And you're still holding back.
Dez's Biggest Fan:
And it's going cost you.
Amelia looks a bit confused as another Ping is heard.
Dez's Biggest Fan:
I told what you need to do. I'm not against you. I'm actually your only friend, your only hope to defy what everyone's hate against you.
Dez grabs the phone from Amelia.
Amelia Marx:
Who's Dez's Biggest Fan?!
Dez Ali:
That is something that I should have never let you read. I regret that.
Amelia Marx:
Listen I think you're going to win. Don't listen to that fool.
Suddenly Dez snaps at Amelia, yelling at her.
Dez Ali:
DEZ'S BIGGEST FAN IS NOT A FOOL!!!!
This caught Amelia off guard and other students who were close by training on the machines.
Dez Ali:
I need to hit the showers.
Amelia Marx:
Well as your friend, I'm here for you.
As Dez walks off he hears another "PING".
Singles Match
Cash Blye VS Millie Smith
WINNER: Millie Smith BY: Pinfall (Sparkle Splash), 7:35 |
Team Title Match
Team Strike © (Faith Savell & The Kid) VS Team Ali (Amelia Marx & Trinity Thompson)
WINNER: Team Strike (STILL CHAMPION) BY: Pinfall (inverted ddt), Time |
Gold Star Match
Tiana Petrova-Hammond © VS Dez Ali
WINNER: Tiana Petrova-Hammond (STILL CHAMPION) BY: Pinfall (Knee Strike), 19:14 |