Wednesday June 11th
Las Vegas, Nevada
Fostering The Future Family Center

The last few weeks have been somewhat of a roller coaster ride for Artie. After finally getting his confidence to the highest it had been since becoming a full time wrestler, he was screwed out of winning the King For A Day ladder match by Guy With Cape, and it still did not sit well with him. He was slowly starting to let it go, but after Alexandra put him in a ridiculous match against Kevin Carter where he had to be blindfolded, he was reminded of the power he could have had for this week’s matches if Guy had not sprayed that awful yellow mist in his face.

But color him surprised, and even a little confused, when he saw the match that Guy had put him in for this  week. He didn’t go the route that Alexandra had in trying to embarrass Artie or have him suffer the consequences the way that he did by facing Kevin Carter blindfolded, but instead he had booked Artie a World Heavyweight Championship match…against the new champion and Artie and Bobbie’s friend, Helluva Bottom Carter. But that wasn’t all. Guy assigned himself as the referee for the match.

The whole thing did not sit well with Artie, and he knew that Guy was up to something. He just could not figure out what just yet. Today, though, he had to set all of that aside and to the back of his mind, because he and Bobbie were about to take the first step in their adoption journey. In just a few moments, they were having their first meeting with an adoption specialist at a local adoption agency that Bobbie had found during her search.

They both knew the process was going to be lengthy, so they were doing their best to prepare themselves as well as fight through any impatience they may be experiencing already. Between the both of them, Artie was displaying the most nerves because he didn’t know how the adoption agency would feel about them wanting to adopt a child. He thought they would be great parents, but would they really? How much did they really have to learn? How would this process affect his marriage to Bobbie, if at all? He had so many questions, and Bobbie could see how nervous he was as they sat in the office of the adoption agent they would be meeting with.

Bobbie: Artie, you need to relax and perk up a bit, sweetie. If they’re able to sense the nervousness coming off of you, they might think twice about approving us to adopt.

Artie took in a deep breath and straightened himself up in his chair. He tried to clear his mind of anything that might hurt their chances.

Artie: How can you not be nervous? These people are going to decide whether or not we can adopt. It’s hard not to be nervous.

Bobbie smiled, reached over and squeezed Artie’s hand.

Bobbie: Oh I’m nervous, sweetie. I’m just doing my best not to make it so obvious. I know this is going to be a long process, but I don’t know everything it will involve. But I’m confident that we’ll pass whatever they put us through with flying colors and then be on our way to becoming parents.

Artie: I guess I just need some kind of win. I’ve been losing so much lately that I don’t want us to lose this chance.

Bobbie again squeezes his hand. She understood all too well the effect that repeated losses can have on you, and she was doing her best to raise his spirits. Hopefully this meeting would  turn things around and provide him with a little bit of hope for their future family.

Bobbie: I understand, sweetie. Things will turn—

The door to the office suddenly opens, cutting Bobbie off quickly. They both turn and look as a woman in her late forties to early fifties walks in, carrying some files with her. Her dirty blonde hair falls past her shoulders, and she’s dressed in a dark grey pant suit and heels.

Adoption Agent: So very sorry to keep you waiting Mr. and Mrs. Miller. My name is Audra Stone and I am the assigned Adoption Specialist to your case.

Audra walks around the desk and sits in her chair, facing Artie and Bobbie. She places the files down on the left side of her desk and turns her attention to them.

Bobbie: Please, call us by our first names. Mr. and Mrs. Miller just makes us feel old. I’m Bobbie and this is my husband, Artie.

Both extend their hands out which Audra obliges with a friendly shake. She sits up straight in her seat.

Audra: Fair enough. It’s a pleasure to meet you Bobbie and Artie. As I am sure you both are aware, this meeting is the first step in fostering or adoption process. It will set a clear picture for us here on not only what your preferences are, but what type of parents you see yourselves being.

Artie: This may sound like a weird question, but…

Both Audra and Bobbie turn their attention to Artie. Bobbie is particularly surprised that he already has a question, but she doesn’t stop him from asking whatever is on his mind.

Artie: Does anyone really know what kind of parents they see themselves as being? And, even if they have an answer to that, is it really possible to stick to that vision? Everything about being  a parent is kind of…unknown, right?

Bobbie has a blank look on her face, quietly wondering how that question came across. Audra leans back in her chair and is slowly nodding her head.

Audra: Very interesting point, Artie. And while it is true, parenting can come with its surprises and unexpected challenges, if we can at least get a sense of how you might handle certain situations that can arise, it will better guide us to either approve or deny you in this process. Ultimately, we would love to approve you, which is why part of the process is mandatory parenting classes that the both of you will need to attend.

Artie and Bobbie exchange looks. Bobbie is more than prepared to do whatever is necessary, but Artie was a bit surprised to hear this. He was going to speak up again, but Bobbie reached over and grabbed his hand, giving it a quick squeeze to politely silence him.

Audra: Now, first things first. Tell me a little bit about the both of you, and what brought you to Fostering The Future?

Bobbie: Well, we’ve been talking about starting a family for quite some time now. I thought I had a medical condition that prevented me from getting pregnant, but I recently found out that I was pregnant.

Audra nods, surprised to hear this. Before Bobbie can continue, Artie chimes in.

Artie: We lost the baby early into the pregnancy. We’re both signed to Sin City Wrestling, so that is our source of income.

Audra: Oh. You’re both professional wrestlers?

Audra is taking notes down on a notepad as she waits for one, or both, to answer. They look at each other, and Artie looks more concerned than Bobbie.

Bobbie: Well, now, yes. It was originally just me and Artie was my manager, but when I found out I was pregnant I stepped back. He had been getting some training here and there, and because we both wanted a steady form of income for our family, he stepped up and became an active wrestler.

Audra: Isn’t that profession a bit dangerous? And it requires quite a bit of travel?

Artie: For some companies, yes. But SCW is based out of Las Vegas, and aside from doing an actual tour twice a year, we don’t really travel all over the country. Just Nevada, Arizona, California, Colorado…

Bobbie: And I wouldn’t really call it dangerous. We only have shows on Sundays, and trust me when I say that we wouldn’t bring our child to the shows with us. Some people may be comfortable with that, but my parents would have no problem caring for them while we’re gone. And if they weren’t able to, than one of us would stay home.

Audra is again nodding slowly as she is notating everything they are telling her. Artie bites his bottom lip nervously and Bobbie pats his knee, trying to calm him.

Audra: Your parents live nearby I take it?

Artie: Bobbie’s parents do. They are about fifteen minutes from us. My father is in Illinois, but he plans to visit as often as he can.

Audra: And your mother?

Artie goes silent. Audra looks up and sees Artie looking down, almost contemplating how to answer her question, but Bobbie answers for him.

Bobbie: She is in Illinois as well, but the relationship with her has been a bit…strained…over the last year. She will most likely not be involved in our child’s life.

Audra: Care to elaborate a bit more on that situation?

Artie: Do we really need to? Like Bobbie said, she most likely will not be—

Audra stops taking notes for the moment and sets her pen down. She sighs and looks at the both of them.

Audra: It seems that whatever the situation is, it is a bit difficult to talk about. While I understand and sympathize with that, we need to know everything about the family life of the couples we place children with. Regardless of the fact that you say she most likely will not be involved, we know that things happen and if this is something that could put a child in danger…

Artie quickly shakes his head, putting off that thought just as quickly.

Artie: No. No, no, it’s nothing like that. There’s no danger involved in any way. If we really have to explain, the fact is that my mother was unfaithful to my father last year. They’re currently in the middle of getting a divorce, and it’s just been very stressful on our entire family.

Bobbie: And when I say she most likely will not be involved, I mean she definitely will not be involved. We’ve already made that clear to her, and we don’t have much, if any contact with her these days. I promise you, Ms. Stone, we would do everything and anything to protect our child from any sort of harmful situation. Physically and emotionally.

Audra: I would hope so, Bobbie. As you are aware, some of the children we take in have been removed from abusive or neglectful living situations. Or just from environments that are not suitable for children to be living in. It can be very damaging to them, so if there is any chance of a living situation like that again, we would immediately deny those prospective parents.

Artie and Bobbie nod together. They each take in a deep breath and Audra leans forward, grabbing her pen once again.

Audra: Now, that all being said. Are you looking to adopt an infant, or would you prefer to foster a child with plans to adopt? I will be honest, the process of adopting an infant could take a little longer.

Bobbie: That we did discuss and as much as we would love to adopt a baby, we feel that there are simply a lot more children out there currently waiting for a loving family to take them in. So many people would rather adopt a baby because of the fact they can actually raise them from birth, but give love to a child who needs it most.

Artie: We also have our dog, Loki, at home who is a proven amazing emotional support dog. And not just for one person.

Audra looks up, slightly concerned.

Audra: Can I ask what breed of dog Loki is?

Artie: He’s a Bernese Mountain Dog. A big teddy bear, but the best family dog you could ever ask for.

Bobbie: That’s not a problem is it?

Audra: Not necessarily. But it can sometimes play a factor in placing a child. We will learn more about Loki when we do the home visit later on in the process.

Bobbie and Artie both smile, relieved. Audra takes a break from her note taking and reaches to her left side, opening one of her desk drawers. She starts flipping through some folders before she removes a packet of papers and places them on the desk in front of Artie and Bobbie.

Audra: After our meeting today, and before our next meeting, I will need the both of you to fill out this questionnaire and some other forms. Please keep in mind the form that asks for contact information for your character references must be non-family members.

Bobbie and Artie reach for the papers and together start scanning through them. Artie zones out as he looks them over, doing his best to hide how overwhelming this process will be. He understood why they had to go through so many steps, but deep down he was worried that Bobbie would be left heartbroken somehow in the end. And he was more concerned about her than about himself…

---

The last couple of days, Artie and Bobbie have spent most of the time going through the stack of papers that Audra Stone had given them to fill out. They went through each question on the questionnaire carefully, making sure their answer would not hurt their chances of being approved to foster a child and then ultimately adopt that child. After answering all the questions, they then went over each one a second time to make sure it was all satisfactory because they could not risk submitting anything less for this process.

The other forms included asking for information and history on both of their families. While it was all so overwhelming to go through and fill out, it twas all relatively easy to answer in the long run. But they were about to get to the portion of the forms that to them, was the most important but also the most difficult in deciding what to provide. The character references.

Artie: How many references do we need to list?

Bobbie looks at the forms and then to Artie.

Bobbie: At least four.  But I imagine the more we provide, the better.

Artie: Okay. So let’s put Aron down first. That one is obvious.

Bobbie raises an eyebrow and stares at Artie.

Bobbie: And Fenris, too. We can’t list one and not the other.

Artie scratches his head and sighs. Bobbie puts the papers down for a moment and stares at Artie.

Artie: Look, I know Fenris would never say anything that could hurt our chances of being approved, but you and I both know he’s not exactly a people person. I don’t think Audra Stone would get personality like we do. Aron is better at handling these things.

Bobbie: I understand that, but I don’t want Fenris to get mad at us for not listing him as a reference. Besides, he would give another perspective that Aron wouldn’t. Let’s just list him.

Artie shrugs but ultimately agrees. Bobbie had a point, and they needed all the help they could get in this process.

Artie: Who else?

Bobbie: Miles and Carter, obviously.

Artie pushes himself back in his seat, looking hesitant. He scratches his head again, and Bobbie shows her frustration.

Bobbie: Oh come on, Artie! How could we NOT list Miles and Carter?!

Artie: Can we just wait until after Sunday to come up with our references? You may have second thoughts about choosing them.

Bobbie: Why? Because of the fact that Guy booked you against Carter for the title? There’s no bad blood between any of us, so I see no reason why we wouldn’t list them as references. And no matter the outcome of this match, it wouldn’t change things.

Artie folds his arms across his chest and stares at Bobbie for a few minutes.

Artie: Really? So you’re saying that if I beat Carter on his first defense and become the new World Heavyweight Champion, that Carter wouldn’t—

Bobbie: Wouldn’t what? Completely talk back about you and cost us the opportunity to become foster parents? Do you really think so low of Carter to think he would actually do that?!

Artie throws his hands in the air and then stands up in a rush. He takes a few steps away, growing visibly frustrated.

Artie: I don’t know! I mean no! This isn’t easy for me, Bobbie. I’m being thrown into a match against someone I consider a good friend. And it’s for the title he just won a few weeks ago. I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place right now, and on top of it, we’re starting this foster to adopt process.

Bobbie: Artie, in wrestling, friends have to face friends all the time. It’s not a new situation here. Hell, Carter and Miles were put against each other last year because of Victoria Lyons! You have to roll with the punches and either you want to win it, or you don’t. But you better figure it out, because the match is only a couple of days away.

Artie: Of course I want to win, Bobbie. Me winning the World Heavyweight Championship would get such a reaction from everyone. It would prove all my doubters wrong. I’d be the most talked about champion in SCW history.

Bobbie pushes the paperwork away and stands up. She steps closer to him, ready to do her part and be the supportive and comforting wife.

Bobbie: You know that I want nothing more than that for you, sweetie. And I believe you can do it, too. But it doesn’t have to be either or, Artie. If you want to be the champion, fight like hell to win. You’re making this match out to be a bad thing and it’s not. If you ask me, Guy did you a huge a favor. Maybe this is his way of apologizing for how he—

Artie: Apologizing?! Bobbie, I know that even you can’t possibly believe that is why he booked me and Carter against each other with the title on the line. Or have you forgotten that he made himself the referee for the match, too? No. He’s up to something, Bobbie. I just don’t know what it is.

Bobbie nods and then shrugs.

Bobbie: More than likely, yes. I’m just trying to look at it from every angle here. Whatever the reason, and whatever Guy is planning, you just have to fight through it and see what happens. Who knows, IF you lose and IF you make a good enough impression, you could get another shot at the title later on.

Artie: What I want…is to make Guy pay for what he did. But I can’t focus on that, because what is more important this week is trying to beat Carter for the title.

Bobbie: One thing at a time, sweetie. One thing at a time. Like you said, this week focus on trying to beat Carter and win the title. After that? Then you can work on getting back at Guy for what he did. Or…

Artie raises an eyebrow and puts his hands on his hips.

Artie: Or what?

Bobbie: Or you could just…let it go? None of it will matter after this week anyway because it's king for a day. Not for a week. Or a month. Or a year. It’s one day so how long do you plan on going on about this?

Artie lets out a frustrated sigh and shakes his head. He throws his hands in the air again and turns around.

Artie: I don’t know. I’ve just never been so angry about something, and I never thought I would be. And because I was voicing my anger over it all, Alexandra Calaway put me in an embarrassing situation. I did my best but I wasn’t going to win that one anyway. And now this? Guy can’t screw both me and Carter out of the win, so it’s just a matter of who he wants to embarrass more.

Bobbie walks up behind Artie and puts her hands on his shoulders, and massages them. She knows he needs a win just as much as Artie wants the win, but with each loss he is taking it worse and worse.

Bobbie: If Guy tries anything funny, find a way to handle it. And no matter what happens, just move on to the next show and the next match. That’s just how this all works. Can you do that?

Artie closes his eyes and takes several deep breaths. It was taking him longer to adjust to all the ins and outs of being a wrestler than he thought it would, but he knew he had to listen to Bobbie and what she was saying. He turns around, nodding his head and hugs her tight. All he had to do now was to focus more on his match against Carter.

Easy enough, right?

---

With just two days to go before King Guy With Cape’s episode of Climax Control, the camera opens up inside the very venue where the show will take place…the Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs, Colorado. All was quiet, of course, because the building was empty and the SCW ring and equipment was not set up yet, but what better place for Artie to be. The more time he gets under his belt in SCW, the more ideas he gets for his future promotional work.

Artie: I never understood it. Choosing to walk around an empty arena or a darkened room to speak about or to your opponents. There’s something eerie about it, but also, what is the point? I’m surrounded by absolute silence, but now? I get it.

In the center of the arena, the camera focuses on a shadowed figure. But with the flip of a switch, a spotlight shines on the figure, revealing Artie to be standing right where the SCW ring will be set up for Climax Control. He looks around him, quietly imagining Sundays show.

Artie: The silence gives you the peace and quiet you need to really focus…to really think and envision it all. Your upcoming challenge and what it all means for your career. I’m not completely used to all of this, so you’ll have to excuse me if I’m still not that good. But I’m trying, and that is all that should matter, right? I’m trying, and I’m learning from my mistakes from each match.

He closes his eyes and goes silent for a few long moments. A smile creeps across his face as he opens his eyes again and then looks directly into the camera.

Artie: Take one of my last matches, for example. The King For A Day ladder match. Going into that match, I was the most confident I’ve been since becoming a full time active wrestler. The odds were stacked against me, and no one thought I had a chance. But I did. I had that crown in my grasp. But I let my confidence blind me. I should have known what would happen. I should have seen that Guy would pull a stunt like he did. Use the *air quotes* classic move of spraying mist in my face. He was fighting to keep his crown so naturally he would do anything and everything to keep it.

He shakes his head and looks down at the ground for a few moments. Weeks later he was still sorely disappointed with himself.

Artie:  My mistake, though. I definitely won’t let that happen again. And now I find myself going into a match that Guy himself booked and will also be involved in…as the referee. I just can’t catch a break, can I?

He laughs and shakes his head.

Artie: I’m not going to stand here and spend too much time focusing on Guy With Cape, because as much as I would love to be facing him this week, I’m not. I’m facing Carter for the World Heavyweight Championship, and Guy has given himself the referee’s job. And that’s fine. I may not like it, but I’ll accept it. I have to, but as long as Guy doesn’t do anything to provoke me, I won’t do anything to provoke him, either. I just hope he does the right thing and calls this match right down the middle. If he can do that…we won’t have a problem.

He smiles and shakes his head again, knowing as well as everyone else that this match will not come without its problems. He closes his eyes again and then brings his hand up, cupping his right ear.

Artie: Oh, but can you all hear that? Can you hear what I am hearing? It’s the sound of each and every one of you cheering and applauding me as my hand is raised in victory after I beat Carter to become the new World Heavyweight Champion. Who would have thought that about me, right? While everyone always counts me out and thinks of me as the underdog of all underdogs, the noise you will all make when I win will be deafening. It pains me though that it will come at the expense of a good friend.

He pauses and frowns, the guilt over what he is planning to do on Sunday becoming apparent.

Artie: Carter, I know you’re watching this. And I want you to know that this isn’t easy for me. I’ve never been big on any sort of confrontation with anyone, but I also have never felt good about fighting with friends. Granted, we’re not actually fighting, but if there is one thing I know, it’s that anything can happen and either one of us can take something the wrong way. Or, Guy could set us up and try and turn us against each other. Either way, only one of us can win, and I’m sorry to say that I’m not going to take it easy on you.

He shakes his head.

Artie: I know how hard you worked to get where you are, Carter. You busted your butt for a long time and Bobbie and I were excited for you when all that hard work finally paid off. We wanted to see you have a long reign and be the champion we all know that you are. But we never saw this match coming. We never imagined that I would be your opponent in your first defense. Makes me sick that I kind of have to thank Guy for that, all while being suspicious of him at the same time. This wrestling business is nuts.

He shrugs and then looks around the empty arena, still imagining him winning.

Artie: You’ll have other opportunities, Carter. I have no doubt in my mind. But, I want this win. I need this win more than anything, because it will prove to each and every person who has ever doubted me and who continues to doubt me, that they shouldn’t. I may not have the body of a wrestler. I may still be learning and growing as a wrestler, but becoming the new World Heavyweight Champion on Sunday? That will cement my place in SCW history regardless of how long my reign may be or what I do with it. Because no one sees it coming. Everyone thinks I’m going to lose, because that’s been my track record so far.

He pauses and then sighs before looking back into the camera.

Artie: I hope this doesn’t affect our friendship, Carter. I don’t want it to, but like I said earlier, anything can and does happen in this business. I didn’t want to be the one to take that title away from you, much less on your first defense, but things don’t always happen the way we see them or the way we want them to. But I’m not going to be the one to complain either. And win or lose, just know that I respect the hell out of you and I can’t thank you and Miles enough for helping me to get to where I am right now. It’s funny how some things work, isn’t it?

He pauses one last time and then reaches down just out of the camera view and out of the light. When he stands back up and in view of the camera, he is wearing a replica of the SCW World Heavyweight Championship around his waist.

Artie: Take a good long look at this, Carter. And everyone else watching. This isn’t just me dreaming. On Sunday? This will be a reality. Artie Miller will be your NEW SCW World. Heavyweight. Champion!

He pats the replica belt around his waist and then puts his arms out to his side, trying to play the part well. How it all will go down, he still doesn’t know. But he’s going to fight with everything he has to make this dream come true.

A Royal Address
Paris, France
Broadcasting Around The World

It has always been known that the coronation of a new king or queen is always a grand affair. Generally these coronations take place months, sometimes even longer than a year, past the date in which the king or queen ascended to the throne. Regardless of when the coronations are held, it is always a spectacle that no one wants to miss. Sometimes even a once in a lifetime opportunity to witness.

For Sin City Wrestling, such an event will happen every year. Granted their King and Queen are crowned in much different circumstances but a King is a King and a Queen is a Queen right? In just two days time, the King and Queen for A Day matches will be held and everyone will find out just who will hold the honor of King and Queen for A Day…for the next year. Confusing, isn’t it? Come on, this is Sin City Wrestling. Nothing has to make complete sense!

Anyway, back to the topic at hand. You all are about to be graced with your next King For A Day giving his first Royal Address, and everyone around the world will bare witness to the greatness that will ascend to the SCW throne this Sunday. He is all too eager and happy to speak to all of you and show you why he will be the greatest King For A Day that SCW has ever seen and will ever see!

The Royal stage is set. A backdrop of a beautiful palace is displayed and on either side of a podium are stationed two “royal guards.” The camera focuses on the podium for a few moments until it pans out enough to see Artie, or King Arthur rather, walking up to the podium. He is wearing his crown and is dressed in his royal attire complete with a long robe draped around his shoulders. The sounds of camera’s flashing in the background are heard and as he steps up to the podium, he waves to those who may be in attendance, and those watching.

Artie: Bonjour! Hello and good day to all of my royal subjects and those watching at home. Today I stand before you, a humbled man, ready to take on the duty of being your SCW King For A Day. It is a duty that, up until recently, I never imagined I would have the incredible honor to have.

He pauses for a moment, gripping each side off the podium and maintaining a grateful smile on his face. He looks around, as if looking at anyone who may be in attendance but off camera before turning his focus back into the camera.

Artie: I did not imagine I would be your King For A Day, but as the day quickly approaches, I have had many visions and realizations that have proven to me that I will indeed be crowned your SCW King For A Day despite the several obstacles that will be standing in my way. Obstacles in the form of five other opponents. But try as they might, they will walk away disappointed and empty handed!

As he pauses again, clapping and cheering can be heard in the background, the sounds of a large group of supporters. He smiles again and nods his head slowly.

Artie: Before I am crowned your new SCW King For A Day on Sunday, taking over the throne from one of the very men I will be facing, I want to take a few moments to address that very man. He has held the crown and the title for the last year, but I can not stand before you and say that he has held either well or with grace! Not at all, because King Guy With a Cape has been a disgrace to the crown. He does not know how to be a true king because he was never meant for the role in the first place.

He takes a few moments to gather his next thoughts and his hands still grip the sides of the podium.

Artie: King Guy has treated this crown, and the responsibilities to you the people as nothing more than a joke. He talks in such a way that proves how uneducated he is and it proves that him winning the crown last year was nothing more than a fluke! A fluke that I unfortunately could not stop happening in the first place, because I fought for the crown last year as well. But, you see…I wasn’t ready. I wasn’t worthy and in my weakness, it allowed someone like Guy With a Cape to take the crown for himself. And he believes I am trying to steal it from him?

He raises his right hand and index finger, waving it back and forth in a “no, no, no” fashion.

Artie: Wrong, King Guy! Very wrong! It is YOU who stole the crown from ME last year. And I am simply doing what needs to be done to bring it back to where it belongs! To the one true king, King Arthur! You had your moment, King Guy. You made the matches of your choosing for an episode of Climax Control, but it simply will NOT happen again! On Sunday, you return to your role as a peasant and royal subject to ME. And maybe if you are nice, I will give you a decent match in return. But we shall see.

He smiles and rests his hands on the podium for a moment, giving them a break from the grip he had on it. He looks around at all of his “royal subjects”, smiling proudly before moving on with his address.

Artie: And then we have the four remaining men looking to take the crown for themselves, no doubt if that should happen would prove to be an even bigger embarrassment than King Guy. Men like “Bulldog” Bill Barnhardt. No doubt Bill is just short for William, but to avoid any confusion by addressing him as such and any of you mixing him up with the future King of England, I will simply refer to him as the theoretical…King Bulldog. Because he definitely stinks like one.

He pauses and laughs, as other laughs are heard in response. He waves his hand in front of his face as if waving off a terrible stench.

Artie: Can you all imagine a King Bulldog? I for one, can not. His performance as King would no doubt be just as terrible and lackluster as his wrestling career has been, which proves to not only me but to each and every one of you that Bulldog Bill Barnhardt is NOT meant for the crown!

His hands return to the sides of the podium as his address continues.

Artie: I listened to the words Bill had for each of us in this match last week. I listened, and I laughed because I think it killed a few of my brain cells in the process. He feels that addressing each of us alphabetically has any bearing on him being biased, which is absurd. But, address us in whatever order you wish, Bulldog Bill, because it won’t matter in the end. You will still walk away disappointed and empty handed. And let me just add, perhaps you should get your facts straight before addressing the men you are facing, because when you speak nothing but nonsense, it makes you look even less intelligent.

He chuckles and shakes his head.

Artie: I don’t know what world Bulldog Bill is living in, but to my knowledge there were no qualifying matches for this King For A Day match. Rather the participants were chosen by Mark Ward and Christian Underwood as those they thought were worthy of fighting for the crown. How they thought Bulldog Bill was worthy to be put in this match, again, is beyond me, but I will not question their decision. Instead, I will show them why going forward, he should not be given another opportunity to fight to be King.

Clapping is heard in response and Artie nods.

Artie: Dare I say that Jusin Smith would hypothetically make a better king than Bulldog Bill Barnhardt.

He shudders and shakes his head.

Artie: No. I can not say that, because it is an impossible thought. Just as Bulldog Bill will not be King, Justin Smith certainly will not. There will be no King Justin as long as I have anything to say about it, and as you can tell, I have quite a lot to say. Much more than Justin Smith ever has to say to any of his opponents. If he spoke any less, he’d be a mute and we simply can not have a man…a child, such as that being your King For A Day!

He shakes his head again and speaks more determined than ever.

Artie: Justin has so little respect that he didn’t even bother to address each of his opponents one by one, but rather as a group. And he thinks he could defeat us as a group? He is sorely mistaken! He needs to do his homework and learn more about what it is to be a wrestler because if he doesn’t, he will never achieve anything. And surely his mentors will continue to be disappointed by their student.

He lowers his head as he pauses for another moment. Once he gathers his next thoughts he looks back up into the camera.

Artie: It amazes me that there are still people out there that believe Justin Smith is more worthy of being King For A Day than myself. It’s astounding, really, because what has he done to be worthy of being your King? What could he possibly do as your King that would make him such a great  King For A Day? I have wrecked my brain over and over again and I just cannot figure out the answer, so if anyone knows, please let me know.

He shrugs and shakes his head yet again.

Artie: I will give Justin Smith props for one thing, and not just him, but Guy With a Cape and Bulldog Bill Barnhardt as well. They did something that the last two men in this match did not, which is an even bigger disrespect. They all at least had the decency and respect to address their opponents, doing what is expected of you leading into such a big match. I had expected so much more from Kristopher Ryans and Connor Murphy. Kristopher Ryans I had even placed as having decent odds of somehow walking away with the crown, but now?

He brings his hand up to cup his right ear, as if trying to hear something.

Artie: What does he have to say for himself now? What words could he possibly speak to prove that he deserves to be King For A Day now when he has been radio silent against the men he is looking to take the crown from? There is absolutely nothing he could say, that is what. He has proven himself a disappointment and if I am honest, I no longer fear going up against him. If anything, I am much looking forward to it! Because I, King Arthur, will embarrass the Hall of Fame former World Heavyweight Champion!

He smiles and slams his fist into the podium with increasing determination.

Artie: Kristopher Ryans…never should have returned to SCW. He should have remained in the shadows where he disappeared. He has done everything there is for him to do in SCW, and adding the King For A Day crown will not be added to those accomplishments. He is not worthy and he never will be! And for the disrespect he has shown, I already have an idea just how to punish him on my edition of Climax Control. And it will be glorious!

He raises his fist in the air and cheers follow.

Artie: And the same goes for that silent Nobody, Connor Murphy! He, too, returned recently to SCW and has been attempting to return to the glory he was in once before, but sadly for him, he just can not seem to shake his past away to be seen as somebody. Or somebody worthy of a crown and being called King For a Day!

He suddenly removes the crown from his head, holding it forward and closer to the camera.

Artie: He does not have what it takes to wear this crown or take on the responsibilities that come with it. He may be trained by the great Vixen, but either she has not taught him well, or there just is no hope for Connor to ever achieve any sort of greatness. And I shudder to think of what he would do if he somehow managed to steal the crown for himself.

He puts the crown back on his head and shudders.

Artie: Not to worry, my royal subjects! We will not find out what he would do, because I will be the one winning this match on Sunday. I will take on the name of King Arthur and then I will ensure that for my episode of Climax Control, it will be a show no one will ever forget! This world has been filled with a lot of fear and uncertainty, but fear not!

He takes one step back from the podium briefly, gathering his next thoughts. All is quiet as they wait for him to continue. After a few moments he steps back up and speaks again.

Artie: You can all have hope. You can all think positive thoughts and look forward to the future because the future under King Arthur is a bright one! Put your faith in me, my royal subjects! Believe in me! Listen to the words I have spoken and know that I am ready to be your SCW King For A Day and I will not let any of you down! I will wear this crown with dignity and be the greatest King of all time!!

Louder cheers and applause follows and he throws his arms out to his side with pride and confidence.

Artie: All Hail King Arthur! All Hail King Arthur!

Everyone starts chanting All Hail King Arthur in return and he steps back and away from the podium, closing his eyes. He listens and takes in the energy, using it as fuel for his desire and need to win the crown on Sunday. And the way he is feeling, there is absolutely no one that can stop him.

---

What. Just. Happened?! Artie had never saw himself putting on such a spectacle as he just did moments ago, but he somehow felt…great. The cameras were off and his performance was done, but he felt like he could have continued for much longer. As he walks out of the room where his promotion was just taped, he’s quickly caught off guard as Bobbie throws her arms around him and hugs him tight.

Bobbie: Oh. My. Gosh!!! ARTIE! That was…the greatest thing I’ve ever seen! I’ve never even done anything like that!!

Artie smiles and laughs as Bobbie releases her hold on him.

Artie: You really think so? I don’t…I don’t know how I was able to do that, but it all just…came to me.

Bobbie: I KNOW so, sweetie! That was epic! And I’m soooo proud of you!!!

She takes his face with both of her hands and gives him a big kiss. He smiles even bigger as Bobbie steps back a bit.

Artie: I hoped it showed just how much I want to win this match on Sunday. I know it’s not going to be easy, but I think I stand a fair shot. It’s just too bad you’re not in the Queen for A Day this year like last year.

Bobbie waves off this tought.

Bobbie: Pfffft. I wouldn’t stand a chance because even on my best day I’ve never been as great as that! You’ve got this in the bag!

Artie shrugs as he removes the crown from his head and the robe from around his shoulders.

Artie: I hope so, but I guess we’ll find out on Sunday. I just don’t want to let you or anyone down. I haven’t exactly been doing very well since deciding to become an active wrestler.

Bobbie: I didn’t either when I first started, but then again I was just having fun. I wasn’t taking it seriously so I didn’t care if I won or lost. But don’t ever think you’re letting me down in any way! You’ve always done right by me.

Artie: I know, but…

He stops and goes silent for a few moments unsure of what he even wants to say. Bobbie stares at him, waiting.

Artie: What about when we finally have kids? I don’t want them to think I’m a loser or a failure. I want to be a dad that they can be proud of and tell their friends, that’s MY dad. If I keep up with this wrestling and just keep losing, I’ll be an embarrassment.

He walks over to a nearby chair and sits down, holding the crown in his hands and just staring at it.

Bobbie: Listen to me.

Bobbie takes a seat next to him and places her hand on his, and he looks up into her eyes.

Bobbie: You will never be an embarrassment. You’re going to win this match on Sunday. I can feel it. And then you’re going to achieve more success than I ever did. Our kids will be proud every single day.

Artie: I want this more than any of the other guys I’m facing, Bobbie. Even Guy With a Cape.

They both share a laugh.

Artie: I mean he wants it, just not for the same reason as I do. I dunno. Sorry to be such a bummer all of a sudden. I’m just super confident but nervous at the same time. Does that even make sense?

Bobbie nods and laughs.

Bobbie: Absolutely! Happens to me all the time, especially with big matches like this. You just gotta let the confidence be more than the nerves and doubt. You shouldn’t even be nervous after what you just did with that whole Royal Address. You were really in your element. Never seen that before.

Artie: Well I couldn’t do this without you. I’m trying my best for you. You’ve always been the strong one, so that’s what I’m trying to be. Even if it’s hard for the both of us.

A pained silence falls between the both of them as their thoughts quickly drift to Bobbie’s recent miscarriage. Artie was having a difficult time with it, but he was doing his best to be strong, and Bobbie hadn’t really noticed. Until now.

Bobbie: We haven’t really talked about the miscarriage. I’ve been so distant myself I guess I didn’t see that you are hurting just as much and needed me. I’m really sorry.

Artie shakes his head and rubs Bobbie’s back.

Artie: Don’t be sorry. It’s different for women, so I understand. I was just giving you the space and time you needed to process it.

Bobbie: Yeah, but we’re a team! We always have been and always will be. But now that we’re sort of talking about it, I don’t think I want to try and get pregnant again. I don’t think I can be one of those women who go through miscarriage after miscarriage.

Artie nods.

Artie: Okay. I mean, it’s your body, Bobbie.

Bobbie: I want us to adopt.

Another silence falls between the two. Artie thinks about what she has just said and nods slowly, processing it all in his mind.

Artie: Okay. Let’s do it. We’ll be awesome parents to a child needing a family.

Bobbie smiles and throws her arms around Artie in a huge embrace. He smiles in return and for the first time in weeks, it feels like an incredible wait has been lifted off his shoulders. And while the pain over Bobbie’s miscarriage would always be there, the excitement over their now agreed upon adoption plan was helping to heal any of that pain.

The future was starting to look a little brighter.

For the first time in about seven or eight years, however long it has been since Bobbie and I have been involved with SCW in some way, I find myself experiencing something I never thought I would. For the first time that I know of, I’ll be attending an SCW show without Bobbie there. And not only attending, but I’ll be wrestling in the main event. It’s a weird feeling.

Bobbie has always been the active wrestler. I was only supposed to be her manager and be there to support her and cheer her on during her matches. Now that the roles have been reversed, we’ve had to endure a very heartbreaking loss and Bobbie needs some time to deal with it in her own way. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely wish she could be joining me in Denmark and cheering me on in the main event this week, but what kind of husband would I be if I didn’t understand her need for some time and space away from the SCW cameras? I actually insisted she take some time away, because as hard as this has been for me, it’s even harder for her.

I wish we weren’t going through this during SCW’s most recent tour. We were both looking forward to this one, especially the earlier Iceland stop and has hoped I would have advanced farther in the Blast From the Past tournament, but crap happens right? Life throws wrenches at you trying to knock you down when you’re riding high. But when one opportunity is lost, another one comes along and I don’t plan on wasting this opportunity I’ve been given this week.

I may not be fighting for a World Heavyweight Championship match, but it’s the next best thing. If I win the main event this week, I’ll move on to face Kevin Carter for the Internet Championship at Into The Void IX! But I have my work cut out for me because I have to beat three other guys in order to get the shot at Kevin and the title, and it’s no ordinary match.

But that’s fine with me. I need to experience all of the craziness that being a wrestler brings. It’s how I will get better in the ring. I’ll learn from every experience and every mistake I will make, because let’s face it…I will make mistakes. I’ll get hurt from time to time, but one thing I can promise everyone?

I won’t quit. I’m not going to back down from any challenge no matter how daunting it may seem. I’m determined to be a better wrestler and a stronger human being, because I’m tired of people looking at me as being weak. I’m not weak. And I’m going to prove it.

Had I not been going through a rough time when I faced Eddie Lyons a few weeks ago, I could have beat him. But I’m doing better and I’m not about to let myself get distracted for my match this week.

I’ll be focused! I’m ready to win!!

---

It’s time for Artie to travel to Denmark for the next several days. It feels weird to be traveling for an SCW show without Bobbie, but he knows she’d be there right with him if either of them felt it was a good idea for her to join him. But they didn’t so she is staying behind with Loki and her parents to keep her company and to comfort her if needed. He knew she was in good hands so this eased his nerves for the most part.

Artie, however, would not be traveling alone. Because he needed the support and attention just as much as Bobbie did, his father had offered to join him on the trip and have a few days of father-son bonding that they don’t get very often these days. And who would Artie be to turn down such an offer from his father. His father, too, needed the time away after having an incredibly stressful year dealing with his soon to be ex-wife- Artie’s mother, Amelia.

Artie had flown to Illinois a day before their flight to Denmark to make things easier. That was yesterday, but the duo is now boarding said international flight which is due to take off in the next thirty minutes. They are walking down the aisle of the plane as they search for their seats with their carry-on bags. “How was Bobbie when you talked to her?” His father asks as they finally find their seats and begin to put their bags in the overhead bins.

Artie sighs as he tosses his bag in next to his father’s and then takes his seat first. “She was alright, I guess.” He replies, sounding a little sad now. “She really wanted to come with but she’s also not ready to face the inevitable sympathy from everyone we see.”

Artie’s father nods as he sits in the seat next to his son. “Understandable. She’s still processing losing the baby and what to do next. You sure you’ll be able to handle it, though?” He asks as he looks at his son with curiosity but also genuine concern.

Artie shrugs and says, “I guess I will find out if it happens. I mean I’m still not over losing the baby, but I’m processing it and grieving in my own way. Wrestling is kind of therapeutic in that way, ya know?”

His father chuckles and nods. “Oh yeah. There’s nothing like being able to kick and punch some other fellas to let out some anger and frustration. Bobbie didn’t want to get back to wrestling to do the same?” It was an honest question coming from his father. The answer, though, was a little more complicated.

“Well, she’s still physically healing.” Artie begins, as he takes a deep breath and scratches his head. “But she’s also trying to decide if she wants to try again, or go for IVF like we were about to when she found out she was pregnant.” He shrugs.

His father seems surprised at hearing this and he stares at Artie for a few moments, trying to gather how he feels about it. “And what do you want?”

Artie again shrugs. Before he can answer, his attention is drawn to the aisle just ahead of them. His eyes narrow and he suddenly becomes angry. “You’ve got to be kidding me? What is she doing here?!”

His father looks confused for a second before turning his attention to who has gotten him so angry. He then stands up and heads over to…Artie’s mother! Artie tries to stop him, but his father is on a mission. He watches as his father confronts his mother who is now equally surprised to see him. She turns her focus to Artie and her face lights up.

He closes his eyes and prays she doesn’t head over to him, but when he opens them he is disappointed to find that she indeed was standing in front of him. But he refused to make eye contact or even say a word to her.

“Artie…” She says, still with a smile on her face even though she was well aware that he wanted nothing to do with her ever again. “I promise you, I had no idea you’d be on this flight.”

Artie laughs and shakes his head. He looks at his father, who adds more to the conversation. “Amelia, you need help. Truly. Are we going to have to get a restraining order so incidents like this stop?”

Amelia laughs and shakes her head. Artie begins to think that is sounding more and more like a great idea. “Oh Arnie, don’t be so dramatic. I’m telling the truth.”

Artie rolls his eyes. “Unlikely. You expect us to believe you didn’t know we were going to Denmark? So what are you going to Denmark for?” He glares at her, knowing full well that she is lying. That is all she has done over the last year. Lie.

“Ok look,” she begins and that is all Artie and his father need to hear. His father brushes past her and takes his seat once again, and both are prepared to ignore her. The plane is preparing for take off anyway. “Yes, I knew you were going to Denmark, but I had no idea when you were leaving or what flight you’d be on. Nor did I know that your father would be traveling with you. Where is Bobbie?”

Artie glares at her more angry than before. “Where Bobbie is is none of your business, so you can keep her name out of your mouth. You lost all rights you had to ask about her.”

One of the flight attendants then walks up to Artie’s mother with a friendly smile. “Ma’am, I’m going to need you to take your seat. We’ll be taking off shortly.” Amelia returns a polite smile and nods, quietly agreeing she would do so in just a moment.

She turns back to Artie. “I heard about Bobbie’s miscarriage…”

“Don’t even…” Artie closes his eyes and shakes his head.

“I won’t bother you anymore for the duration of the flight, but I hope once we get to Denmark that you’ll agree to have coffee or lunch with me so we can at least talk.” Artie shakes his head and refuses to look at her any further. She nods and with one final look to Artie’s father, she turns and walks away, returning to her own seat.

Artie lets out a sigh and shakes his head again, burying it in his hands. “She refuses to give up. Now I’m really glad Bobbie isn’t here.” He lays his head back on the headrest, looking absolutely defeated.

“Don’t you pay her any mind, son.” His father says, patting him on the shoulder. The flight attendants finish up closing the overhead bins, one of the final preparations before take off. “You have a big match on Sunday to focus on so don’t let her get into your head.”

Artie laughs, quietly thinking in his head that it’s a little late for that. He had told himself there would be no distractions this week. This match was bigger than any match he has had so far, and he wanted to prove all of the doubters wrong. Unfortunately for him, it was now his mother who had other plans. And knowing his mother, she wasn’t going to give up until she got her way.

This was going to be a long(er) flight…

---

I just can’t win. If it’s not one thing, it’s another, and this week? It’s my lying cheating horrible mother who decided to grace us with her presence. The flight to Denmark was long. Over eight hours, and while she kept to her word and did not bother my father or me for the entirety off the flight, just knowing she was sitting a few rows ahead of us made it that much worse. Seriously, what did we do to deserve any of this insanity we’ve experienced over the last year? What are we being punished for?

I don’t know how my mother found out about Bobbie’s miscarriage, but at this point it doesn’t really matter. Nothing she says will change what I told her last time I saw her. I want her out of mine and Bobbie’s life for good. She’s done far too much damage to repair any of it at this point, so I don’t understand why she is continuing these attempts at reconciling.

She doesn’t care that I have the biggest match of my life so far coming up on Sunday. If she had her way, I wouldn’t even be wrestling anyway. I’m a grown man and she still feels like she has to protect me and run my life. I never used to mind it, but now that I’ve seen how much hurt it can bring, I want it to stop.

Even despite that I think I have to give in and meet with her at some point before Sunday. I’ll do my best to tune her out and not listen to what she has to say, but as long as I sit down and let her say what she needs to say, that should hopefully be enough for her. At least I hope it is.

I guess this could be sort of a good thing to happen right now. If I’m going to continue wrestling for the foreseeable future, I need to work on working past the distractions. I have to make sure that I don’t let what is happening outside of the ring affect my ability to fight my opponents and win when I need to. My mother is perhaps my biggest stressor in my life lately so this is the perfect opportunity to focus on picking up the win after that bell rings and moving on to face Kevin Carter for the Internet Championship.

But that doesn’t mean I am looking forward to this meeting with my mother. My stomach hurts just thinking about it…

---

After landing in Denmark and settling in for their stay for the next few days, Artie sent his mother a message agreeing to meet for coffee. His mother was thrilled, but his father couldn’t believe he was agreeing to this meeting. But he knew he had to do it. If not, she would find a way to confront him on Sunday before his match, and that…he couldn’t let happen. He had to do things on his terms.

So he currently finds himself in a small local cafe in Copenhagen, seated at small table in the front corner. His mother is seated across from him, both with their cups of coffee in front of them. Artie is slowly stirring in some cream and sugar, avoiding eye contact with his mother. She takes a quick sip of her coffee, smiles and continues looking at him.

“Thank you for agreeing to meet with me, Artie.” She says, gently placing her coffee back down on the saucer. He just rolls his eyes and says nothing in response. “I don’t know where to start with everything I have to say. I know none of it will matter to you or even Bobbie if you tell her.”

Artie looks up, finally making eye contact. “You’re right. It won’t.” He says with more venom than before. And he made sure she knew it, too. “And I doubt I will tell Bobbie any of this. She has enough on her plate right now.”

Artie’s mother nods. “I completely understand. Going through a miscarriage is devastating.” She sounds as if she really does care. Give how she treated Bobbie the last times she saw or spoke to her, that is hard for anyone to believe, especially Artie.

“Why are you acting like you even care?” Artie bites back, leaning back in his chair and folding his arms. “You made it pretty clear the last couple of times what you think about Bobbie.”

She nods and lets out a sigh. She lowers her head for a moment, looking to be holding back tears. “I said some awful things to her. I know that. And I am not about to sit here and make excuses for my actions, either.” She pauses, trying to choose her next words carefully. If she had any chance of repairing her relationship with Artie, she had to choose every word carefully. “I’ve been in therapy the last couple of months, and it’s helped me realize..”

“How awful you are?” Artie says as if finishing her sentence for her.

She doesn’t say anything for a long while, but slowly nods her head. Artie leans forward and takes a sip of his coffee, wanting nothing more than to leave. He stares at his mother, waiting for her to continue saying whatever she has to say so he can leave.

“I don’t think I ever told you this, Artie, but before we had you, I…had a miscarriage.” She says the words slowly and almost painfully. Artie’s eyes widen as she reveals this information to him and he tries to find something to say, but he’s left speechless. “I know what Bobbie is going through, Artie. Because I went through the same thing.”

Artie shakes his head. “W-why? Why didn’t you say anything?”

The tears are now streaming down her face. “Because once we had you, there was no reason to. You were our special little boy, Artie. Hell, even now that you’re all grown up you still are. And always will be.”

He shakes his head. “I mean when you knew that Bobbie and I were having trouble having a baby? Why did you choose to say the things you said, instead of actually empathizing with her?”

“Because I wanted to save you from experiencing the same pain that your father and I went through. I thought if I told Bobbie to let you go that–”

“Wait, what?” Artie interrupts her. “You…told Bobbie to let me go? When?!”

His mother’s jaw drops open and she stares at him. She thought he knew, but clearly he did not. “She…she didn’t tell you? It was a few months ago. Look, I know I shouldn’t have said it, but I just thought you deserved to be a father. Before I found out I was pregnant with you, I was considering letting your father go!”

Artie shakes his head and pushes himself away from the table. “I’ve heard enough. This was a mistake. I have a match that I need to prepare for and if I listen to anything else you have to say it’s only going to be a distraction that I don’t need.” He stands up from his seat and turns around, ready to leave.

“Artie, please.” His mother pleads with him. She stands up and reaches for his arm. “I’m so…so sorry.”

He pulls his arm away from her, turns and walks away without another word. As he is walking away, he is processing everything his mother just told him over and over in his mind. It all made sense the more he thought about it, but could he really see himself forgiving…

No. He couldn’t focus on this now. He had to focus on his match on Sunday. The Clusterf**k Fatal Fourway. How fitting, he thought, because his own personal life was turning more into a clusterf**k everyday.

---

Hello, hello, hello everyone. Artie here. You’ll have to forgive any awkwardness or weirdness during this, because I’m still getting used to this whole promo thing. Funny how it’s never been Bobbie’s strong suit, either, but I’m working on it. And I’m trying to find ways to improve on it every week. But it’s not easy, ya know?! Then again, I guess it’s not supposed to be. Or is it? I don’t know!

What I do know is that I’m getting closer and closer to stepping into the ring with three other guys in the main event, and that is something I did not see happening so soon after being eliminated in the very first round of the Blast From The Past memorial. I thought I’d have to go to the end of the line and work my butt off to get anywhere, but I guess the bosses saw it just a bit differently. But that’s fine by me! I’m not about to pass up this chance, because when it’s all said and done? I just might be the one with my hand held high and being announced as the number one contender to the Internet Championship.

But talk about walking into a challenge, right?! This isn’t a one on one match, or even a triple threat. No. This is a Fatal Four Way and not just any Fatal Fourway. Something the bosses have named the Clusteryouknowwhat Fatal Fourway. Sorry, I don’t really like to swear, even in cases like this so I’m going to avoid dropping any F bombs because I can. If you don’t like it, that’s your problem I guess. I like to pride myself on being a good guy and part of that is not having to use foul language just because I can.

So apparently there are no disqualifications and no count outs in this match. Literally anything goes and I can’t help but feel like I’ll be the first one that at least two of my opponents will be looking to get out of the picture first. And not because I am the biggest threat. Quite the opposite. They’ll want to get rid of me first because to them and to everyone else, I am the easiest target. I’m the least experienced so I should be the easiest to handle first. Well, think again guys. It is because I am looked at as the weak link that I’m going to walk into that ring and try and be the strongest and biggest threat.

But I have to be realistic at the same time. I have three other opponents that want to be the number one contender just as much as I do, and they’ll do everything they can to make it happen. And with the exception of Felix, two of them have already held gold in SCW so they will certainly be wanting more. Speaking of Felix…do people really think that he stands more of a chance than I do at winning this match? I’m not trying to sound arrogant, but Felix is just…weird.

I mean look at who he associates himself with. The Barnhardts. If that’s not weird enough, he has this thing for spewing out statistics for all of his matches. As if that is really going to help him or give him the leg up winning anything. From what I have seen, it hasn’t and it’s definitely not going to help him this week against me. He needs to find a new schtick if he wants to be taken seriously, but what do I know right? I’m just the underdog here. Heh…the underdog going against the Cat. Well this dog’s bite will be far worse than the Cat’s claws!

Sorry…I can’t. I…I have to laugh for a moment because why would anyone, especially a thirty-five year old guy give himself the nickname of The Cat? And thirty-five? Is he serious?! I think someone is lying about their age because that guy looks about twenty years older than he says he is. But hey, if it helps him sleep at night who am I to judge him, right?

Anyway, enough about him. There’s nothing much else I can say about him anyway, so better to move on to the other two. Now, I plan to save Miles for last, for obvious reasons, so let’s get to Connor Murphy. The Irish Bad Boy as my wife likes to call him. Ooh man, if Bobbie were here right now, I’m sure she’d have a lot to say about me having to face Connor Murphy. She’s had this odd attraction to him in the past because of his whole bad boy look and attitude. Most people would be like, well Artie, how can you deal with your wife flirting and going crazy over other guys? The answer is simple.

She’s never acted on anything. It’s all harmless fun and the fact that she had a thing for Connor in the past is all the more reason and motivation for me to beat him and walk away the winner. Bobbie is rooting for me anyway, so I’m not at all worried about going up against Connor. He may be a former champion in SCW, but he hasn’t really done much of anything in a long time and he only recently returned, too. If you ask me, Connor is still a big Nobody. Ooh…see what I did there?

I’m well aware that Connor was a member of that weak group that called themselves The Nobodies. I’d ask why they would do that, just like I asked why Felix would call himself The Cat, but being a member of The Nobodies is more obvious than anything. He knew what he was doing, and if you ask me, that nickname and association will stick with him for the rest of his life. Maybe for Connor though he will find a way to do better for himself now that he is back. No doubt he’s going to try in this match on Sunday.

But just like Connor is a fighting Irishman, I can be quite the scrapper and fighter myself. I’m actually looking forward to throwing him around the ring a few times, or maybe I will find a Shillelagh and bash him upside his stupid head a couple times. Maybe that will knock some sense into him, because he definitely needs some. I hope he doesn’t underestimate what I’m going to bring to this match, but if he does? Well, that is his mistake. He’ll learn just like the others.

And that brings me to my final opponent and someone I have a great deal of respect for. Someone Bobbie and I have called a friend for some time, and possibly the only one I am not looking forward to going up against. Miles Kasey. Dang it. Why do I have to go up against Miles?! He’s definitely the biggest threat in this match and not just because he’s the most built and athletic out of all of us. He’s also a former Internet Champion and i know he is going to do everything in his power to make sure he gets to go up against Kevin Carter.

If I weren’t in this match, I would be rooting for him. I really would. But Miles has to understand that I want this opportunity more than he does. He’s already been the Internet Champion. I haven’t. I haven’t even held any championship, but I want to. I want to prove to everyone that I can be a champion and that I’m not Bobbie’s scrawny husband. Do I like that I might have to pin or submit Miles in order to prove that? No, of course not. But I know when all is said and done that if that happens, Miles would gladly raise my hand in victory. He’d show me the same good sportsmanship I would show him if the roles were reversed.

Here’s what I want to happen, though. I know it’s every man for himself in this match and only one of us can win, but I hope that at least in the beginning, Miles and I can work together and take out Felix and Connor, and then maybe…just maybe…we can put on a bit of a one on one match for the ages and show why putting us in the main event was a good idea. I don’t plan to hurt him or make him bleed or do anything that in any other match would be considered a disqualification, but I’m going to fight tooth and nail to be the one that moves on to face Kevin Carter.

One match. Four Men. No DQ’s and No Count Outs. Anything goes and only one man can win. And gentlemen? As long as I have anything to say about it, that one man will be me!

ARTIE MILLER…YOUR FUTURE SCW INTERNET CHAMPION!!!

The camera opens up focused on the friendly smiling face of Bobbie Dahl. She waves into the camera and her smile fades ever so slightly before she begins to speak, addressing not only her opponent this week, Prudence Pierce, but SCW as a whole.

“Hey hey everyone, Bobbie Dahl here. But I’m sure you knew that. I’m gonna be honest with you here, but this message is going to be short and sweet this week, because it’s really not going to be an easy one.”

She pauses briefly and takes a deep breath. She closes her eyes and gathers her thoughts before she continues.

“There comes a time in everyone’s lives where we suddenly stop and think…what am I doing? And not because we don’t know what we are doing, but we’re questioning why. It’s like a sudden epiphany that hits us and it makes us question our whole present and even our future. Well, I’m addressing you all today because I’ve had one of those moments. I’ve thought long and hard about what I’m about to say and tried to avoid coming to this conclusion, but in the end…it was inevitable.”

She pauses again, only this time she is fighting back tears. She wipes at her eyes and composes herself before continuing.

“My match on Sunday against Prudence Pierce…it will be my last. I’ve fought for so long and tried to find a way to make this all work, but the reality is that mentally, I just can’t do it anymore. I haven’t been able to put anywhere near on hundred percent focus into my matches, and I can’t have Mark Ward and Christian Underwood continue to give me chance after chance only for me to let them down. It’s not fair to SCW and it’s not fair to my opponents. I haven’t accomplished anywhere near what I wanted to within my SCW career, but I won’t deny that I’ve had the time of my life in my time here.”

She wipes at her eyes again and smiles.

“And besides all that, it’s time for me to focus on my personal life and the family that I want to have with Artie. I have a lot of physical challenges ahead, and I just don’t see it possible to continue my wrestling career and go through what I need to go through. I’m sorry to everyone I have let down. I’m sorry that my heart hasn’t fully been in it for quite some time, but that is why I am not letting it continue. I will do my best on Sunday against Prudence and then I will bid you all farewell…for now. This is the hardest decision I have ever made.”

She takes in another deep breath and smiles one last smile.

“So with that being said…Goodnight, SCW universe. See you all on Sunday for one last hoorah, but just know that I love you all and I’ll see you all around!! Toodles!!”

And with that the camera fades to black.

Monday December 16th
All I Want For Christmas…

It’s that time of year again, folks! The holiday season is in full swing with just nine days to go until Christmas. It’s hard to believe it’s already here, as it seems like we were all just ringing in 2024 just a couple of months ago. The years are just flying by faster than ever. If you blink you just might miss something.

Christmas has always been Bobbie’s favorite holiday of the year, next to Halloween. The decorations. The lights. Just the amount of joy you’re supposed to feel spending time with your loved ones. Key words being ‘supposed to feel.’ Because that is not always the case. Some people absolutely dread the holidays simply because of the stress and chaos it brings, only to feel relief and an incredible weight lifted off of their shoulders once the holidays are over. Right now Bobbie is not sure how she feels going into Christmas this year.

She already decorated her and Artie’s home, but unlike in year’s past, it was very minimal. Their Christmas tree was up and decorated, yes. But she didn’t spend the time hanging up as many ornaments as she normally does. She didn’t hang up as many lights or garland or the like. Simply put, Bobbie just isn’t feeling completely festive this year. And right now, she needs some friend time as that may put her in brighter spirits.

It has been a bit since she visited the other “boys” in her life, as she liked to call them. Fenris and Aron that is. She would have gladly invited them to Thanksgiving dinner as she had done last year, but considering everything that has happened this year, she did not want to put them in an awkward position. And that was when she didn’t know her awful mother in law was attending.

Needless to say, Fenris and Aron always had a way of cheering her up. Even Fenris and his brash personality. Bobbie enjoyed any interaction she had with him. And Aron was just comforting in a different and more appropriate way sometimes. Either way, she enjoyed being around them both.

After being let up to the floor where their condo was, Bobbie is just about to their door. She has a bag in her right hand and when she walks up to their door, it suddenly swings open before she has a chance to knock or ring the doorbell. She smiles as she is first greeted by Aron.

Bobbie: Well aren’t you a sight for sore thighs…er, I mean eyes!

Aron smiles and lets out a laugh, knowing full well Bobbie meant what she said first.

Aron: Good to see you, too, Bobbie. Come on in.

Aron steps aside as he invites Bobbie inside. She looks around for Fenris, spotting him sitting at the kitchen island. She puts on her biggest smile as she greets him.

Bobbie: Ebenezer Scrooge! Great to see ya, buddy!

Fenris slowly turns his head and gives her an unimpressed look and rolls his eyes. Bobbie walks right up to him, places the bag down next to him on the island and with little warning, wraps her arms around him in a big hug.

Fenris: How many times do I have to tell you…

Bobbie: Oh hush, you big bear, you. You know I’m never gonna stop giving you a hug no matter what you say.

Bobbie turns around and gives Aron a hug as well, not daring to forget about him in this case. When she backs away, she looks around for Fenris’ husband, David.

Bobbie: Where’s the third hunk? That significant other of yours?

She looks at Fenris’ as she asks this.

Fenris: He had to run some errands. Or maybe it was just an excuse to avoid your constant grabby hands…

Bobbie laughs innocently and shakes her head.

Bobbie: What can I say. My hands have a mind of their own sometimes.

Fenris: And how does your own husband feel about that?

Aron: Relax, K. Artie knows it’s all harmless fun. If he had a problem with it, I’m sure Bobbie wouldn’t do it.

Bobbie nods.

Bobbie: Absolutely! Artie is my one and only, and he knows that while my hands might misbehave sometimes, I would never–

Fenris: Cheat on him like his mother did to his father? I would certainly hope she wouldn’t be such a heartless bitch.

Bobbie’s smile quickly fades and she is left slightly speechless. Aron shakes his head.

Aron: K, now is not the time to bring that up. It’s a good thing Artie wasn’t here to hear that.

Bobbie: It’s okay, Aron. He has a point, anyway. And he’s right. I wouldn’t be that heartless to ever do that to Artie.

A silence falls between them all for a few moments as they all decide what to talk about next. Fenris then looks to the bag that Bobbie brought with her, pointing to it.

Fenris: I’m going to regret asking this, but what’s in the bag?

Bobbie’s huge smile returns and she jumps up and down excitedly. Despite all of the stress and anxiety she had been under recently, she was doing her best to hide it around her two closest friends. Fenris looks to Aron, who shrugs and shakes his head, just as in the dark about this as Fenris is.

Bobbie: So I was waiting to tell everyone else until Christmas, but I wanted you two to be the first to know. I special ordered these…

Bobbie reaches into the bag and pulls out…a set of baby onesies?! She holds the first one up and it reads ‘GRUNCLE.’ She sets that one down in front of Fenris, and the other one that reads ‘FUNCLE’ she sets down by Aron. Both men’s jaws drop open and Aron points to the baby onesie.

Aron: Wait…you’re pregnant?!

Fenris: Don’t you dare ask me to babysit or change a shitty diaper.

Bobbie laughs, but ultimately she shakes her head and takes the onesie’s back.

Bobbie: No, no, no. I’m not pregnant. Well..not yet anyway. I just wanted to let you two know that I’m going to start IVF after the start of the new year. So if all goes well…

Fenris: What the hell does Gruncle mean anyway?

Bobbie: Grumpy Uncle. GRUNCLE. GRUNCLE FENRIS! And Fun Uncle…FUNCLE ARON!

Fenris lets out an audible groan and shakes his head. Aron laughs but he places a caring hand on Bobbie’s shoulder.

Aron: Well I hope it all works out for you and Artie. IVF, though…That’s pretty physically taxing isn’t it?

Bobbie: I’ve heard it can be, yeah. I’ll probably have to stop wrestling at some point even before getting pregnant, but…Artie wanted us to give it a shot.

Bobbie’s voice trails off a bit as she starts talking about the IVF plans. She slowly folds the onesies and places them back in the bag. Aron can immediately sense that something is off, as does Fenris, but Aron is the one to question her first.

Aron: You say Artie wanted you to give it a shot, but what about you? Is that what you want?

Fenris: Don’t forget that when you win your match this weekend you get a shot at the Bombshell Roulette Championship again.

Bobbie: IF I win, Fenris. My record lately kinda speaks for itself. And as for what I want?

She takes a few moments to think over her answer carefully. Truthfully, she isn’t quite sure of what she wants.

Bobbie: I just want Artie and I to be parents. I want Artie to be a Daddy and IVF is the best chance we have.

Aron: There are other options out there, Bobbie. You don’t have to put your body through the challenges of IVF just so you and Artie can have a child. IVF isn’t even a guarantee.

Fenris suddenly lets out a laugh causing Aron and Bobbie to stare at him, confused.

Aron: K, what is so funny about this?

Fenris: Oh nothing is funny about this. But what’s fucked up is that the people who should be able to have kids, can’t. And the people who shouldn’t be parents keep spitting out the little snot machines.

Even Bobbie can’t help but laugh at that.

Bobbie: Always the way with words, Fenris. But…I don’t know. I never thought I’d be faced with this obstacle in having our own kids. IVF might not work, true. But if it does? By this time next year we could have our own little Bobbie or Artie Junior!

Aron: It’s ultimately your choice, but I do agree with my brother. There are so many children out there who need loving families. A child doesn’t have to be yours biologically to make you their parents. I just think you really need to think this through.

Bobbie nods.

Bobbie: Oh I plan to. It’s why I said we’re waiting until after the start of the new year.

Fenris: IVF…that requires daily shots in your ass, right?

Bobbie smiles and then laughs and nods.

Bobbie: Technically the hip, but yes. Are you volunteering? Because Artie isn’t big on the sight of needles…

Fenris: For fuck’s sake, you would think that. And no, I wasn’t volunteering. I was just thinking about the inevitable mood swings. Artie might want to think twice before he signs up to deal with that shit…

Aron: I’m sure Artie is well aware of what IVF entails.

Bobbie: I don’t think he does, but he’ll find out when we go to our first appointment. Besides, in the end once we have a baby, it’ll all be worth it. And I can’t wait to see Gruncle Fenris changing a diaper for the first time!

Bobbie grins and Fenris stands up, shaking his head and holding his hands up in the air.

Fenris: Fuck no. If and when you two have a kid, I’m not going anywhere near a shitty diaper. I’m not about to get shit or pissed on, either. And stop calling me Gruncle Fenris!

Bobbie: Living up to the nickname already! You know you two will be my future child’s favorite uncles.

Fenris walks off mumbling and cursing under his breath. Bobbie continues laughing as she and Aron follow behind Fenris to continue their visit.

---

Hey, hey, hey everyone! It’s Friday night and you know what that means?! Well…nothing in particular, but it’s time to get down to business and look towards Climax Control this Sunday. It’s the last show of the year and because Christmas is next week, of course it is SCW’s Christmas show. It’s always been a fun time in the past and I have no doubt this year will be the same.

What a year it has been, too. It started out pretty amazing for me, as at the end of last year I finally won the Bombshell Roulette Championship and became a champion for the first time. All my hard work had finally paid off and the title was mine. And not only that I had a decent run with it, which is all I wanted. I didn’t want to be one of those transitional champions. Paper champions as they call them. No, I want my reign to be something. And it was for the most part.

Until it wasn’t.

All good things must come to an end, right? And my reign came to an end as much as I did not want it to. I wanted to be champion for longer. I wanted to make my reign more memorable, but that one just wasn’t meant to be. And ever since then…well, I’ve been struggling. Obviously. I’ve had more losses than wins lately, and I’m not gonna lie. It sucks.

But the year is coming to a close and I’m looking to turn things around and keep them turned around. This Sunday I have a chance to win a shot at getting the Bombshell Roulette Championship back, which is my ultimate goal. I could move on and aim towards the Internet title or even the World Bombshell title, but why do that when I don’t feel like I am completely done with the Bombshell Roulette Championship?

It’s not going to be easy, though. I don’t have to beat just one woman. I have to beat two. And I don’t even have to be pinned to lose. That’s the thing about triple threats. You can still lose without being pinned or submitted. And I am sure Prudence and Bea will be looking to get me out of the picture early on in this match to make it a bit easier for one of them to win. They don’t have to admit it, but I’ll be expecting it once I step into that ring on Sunday.

I’m not going to lie. I don’t know a whole lot about Prudence. I’ve never felt it necessary to look into her, because she didn’t even start out as a wrestler if I remember correctly. She wasn’t even on my radar as someone I ever would have faced, but I guess as she’s now signed to the Bombshell roster, she has to be on my radar. I’ve gotta admit that a small part of her reminds me of myself…of how I used to be anyway. Minus the whole being married to another woman, obviously.

Prudence likes to have fun from what I can tell. She loves what she does and doesn’t seem to care what other people think. Kind of like how I was when I first started out in SCW. I came here just  to have fun beating people up, and I didn’t quite take it seriously. I also didn’t care how much I lost. Not at first anyway. I think that is where Prudence and I differ also. She has a lot to prove, just because of who her wife is…former World Bombshell Champion Courtney Pierce.

You can’t be married to someone like that and just not give a rat’s behind if you lose. No. Prudence is out to make a name for herself, and I’m sure this Sunday she’ll be gunning to make an impression and walk away with that shot for the Bombshell Roulette Championship. If she shows up and is determined to win, I’d say she has a decent shot. How can I deny that when she trained at Jet City? She might not be the most accomplished, but Prudence…well, let’s just say I’m more concerned about her than I am or ever have been about Bea Barnhardt.

Bea…she talks a big game. She likes to build herself up and make herself and her stanky husband out to be God’s gifts to wrestling. But for all the talk she spews out, she doesn’t have the best record of backing it up. Bea is one of those women that just…confuses me.

I know exactly what Bea is going to try and use against me this week. It’s the same thing she did last time we faced, because she doesn’t have enough brain cells to come up with anything better or more original. She’s going to turn into this High School Mean Girl type and poke fun at my weight, because she has nothing else to say. She thinks it’ll bring me down or hurt my feelings, but in reality? I’m just going to laugh and egg her on for more. Despite my size, I think I’ve proven that it doesn’t hinder my performance in the ring one bit. And I’ve used it to my advantage many times, which is what I plan to do on Sunday against Bea.

She wants to take aim at my weight? Go right ahead. We’ll see what she’ll be saying when I squash her with a Bobbie Bomb and pin her to become one of the challengers for the Bombshell Roulette Championship. And then she can go crying back to her sweaty disgusting husband and continue being the failures that they are. Oh, but I can’t forget…she’ll run to Twitter, or X or whatever you want to call it, and have a complete change of attitude and show me respect afterwards. I’ve seen it time and time again from her and Bill. They insult and drag down their opponent to no end and then after they lose? Showing them all the respect in the world.

Seriously? Make up your damn mind!

The Barnhardts, they have a few screws lose if you ask me, but it is what it is. It doesn’t change the fact that on Sunday? I’m going to do everything in my power to walk away with my hand held high and move on to Inception VII to get my Bombshell Roulette Championship back.

And let’s not forget one important thing…this match is under Roulette rules. So that darn wheel will decide just how this all goes down. And not only that, but with all Christmas Stipulations? This is going to be quite interesting to say the least.

But FUN!

Prudence. Bea. I hope the two of you are ready, because I’m looking to close out 2024 with a bang and setting my sights on the Bombshell Roulette Championship for 2025! The two of you? Well…I don’t care what you do afterwards. Just get ready.

Bobbie’s coming for ya!

See ya Sunday, ladies!!

Children. They can bring a great amount of love and joy to the lives of their parents and families. They are a welcome and in most cases much wanted addition to the family. In these cases, the children are cared for and raised the way they should be. With unconditional love, but also the discipline needed for them to grow and flourish into respectable and well behaved adults.

But sometimes parents lose sight of the proper way to raise their children. The child they dreamed of having for so long turned out to be much more difficult to care for than they truly anticipated and things quickly spiraled out of control. A screaming toddler getting their way quickly turns into a spoiled young child and then into an even more spoiled teenager and eventually, a completely entitled adult. Because everything they demanded was practically handed to them on a silver platter, they grew up thinking it would always be the case.

Oh, but that is now the way the world works. Things are not simply given to us just because we want it and ask for it. In most cases, they need to be earned. And a respectable adult should never ever throw a child-like tantrum when things don’t go their way.

We’ve all known someone at every stage of our lives that is this type of person. And if not, perhaps you are this person and are just blind to seeing it. Either way…they are all out there.

For Bobbie Dahl, she dealt with one particular spoiled brat for most of her childhood. She had hoped in her adult years she would never have to think about her ever again, but this situation with Harper Mason has brought everything screaming back into her mind.

And it was like she was living it all over again…

---

Thirty some odd years ago…

It’s a gorgeous spring day in the small town of Coal City, Illinois. It is one of those days that children anxiously await after the sometimes long and brutal winters of Illinois. After being cooped up in their homes for most of the winter-aside from the snow days where they could briefly go sledding and build snowmen-they ran outside the moment their parents let them to enjoy the playtime outside.

While most of the neighborhood kids are out riding their bikes up and down the street, two kids in particular are all by their lonesome playing in the front yard. Young Bobbie Dahl and her best and perhaps only friend, Artie Miller, are sitting in Bobbie’s front yard quietly chatting and digging in the dirt. Well, Bobbie more so than Artie it seems as he appears to just be watching her awkwardly.

Bobbie: Quit being such a scaredy-cat, Artie, and help me find more worms!

Artie shakes his head.

Artie: No thanks. You know if I get super dirty my mom will be mad.

Bobbie laughs and then shrugs. She gets back to digging through the small hole she has made in the yard and then her face lights up.

Bobbie: Cool! I found a rollie pollie! Look Artie!!

Bobbie holds up the little bug that has now curled itself into a little ball. What their actual name is, no one really knew. They were always just referred to as rollie pollies for the act of rolling themselves into the little ball that they do. Artie shakes his head and leans back, clearly wanting nothing to do with the little bug that his best friend is not afraid to hold in her hand.

Artie: Eww, no. Put it back in the ground, Bobbie.

Bobbie: I’m s’posed to be the girl here, ya know. Boys aren’t s’posed to be afraid of dirt and bugs.

Artie lets out a sigh, knowing that Bobbie had a point. He wasn’t like the other boys in their class, or in their school for that matter. He never was and he probably never would be, but he didn’t seem to make a big deal about it, even through all the teasing. He is about to respond, but the front door to Bobbie’s house opens and her mother appears, looking directly at them.

Mrs. Dahl: Roberta Jean Dahl! You better not be digging holes in the yard again!

Artie and Bobbie quickly look up at her mother. Artie looks very apologetic even though Bobbie’s mother knows this is all on her daughter. Bobbie just smiles and laughs.

Bobbie: Maaaa! I need more worms so Artie and me can go fishing!!

Mrs. Dahl: If you want worms we can go to the bait shop later and buy you some. Your father will not be happy if he has to fix yet another hole you’ve dug in the yard.

Bobbie’s mother issues her stern warning before heading back inside, keeping an eye on the two from inside the house. Bobbie just shakes her head and when she is about to get back to searching for worms and ignoring her mother’s warning, one of the other neighborhood kids appears at the edge of their driveway along with a woman who is presumably her mother. The other young girl has a sour and unhappy look on her face and she holds an envelope in her hand. She looks up to her mother and mouths something to her, but her mother nudges her and lightly pushes her in Bobbie and Artie’s direction.

Bobbie stands up, but Artie stays seated on the ground, glancing at the other girl every once in a while but then looking away awkwardly. Bobbie walks towards the other girl, wiping her dirty hands on her clothes, which she will no doubt get scolded for later.

Bobbie: Hi Amy. Artie and I were just looking for worms so we can go fishing later. Wanna help us?

Amy shakes her head and has a disgusted look on her face.

Amy: Eww, no. That’s gross.

Bobbie: Oh. Ok. Soo…what are you doing here then?

Amy takes a deep breath and the looks back to her mother. Her mother nods her head and points to the envelope in her hand. Amy lets out a frustrated sigh before she holds the envelope out to Bobbie.

Amy: My mom says I hafta invite you to my birthday party or there won’t be a party at all. It’s girls only so you can’t bring your weird boyfriend, Artie.

Bobbie looks back to Artie. He is not paying attention to them at all, and Bobbie turns her attention back to Amy.

Bobbie: Artie isn’t my boyfriend.

Bobbie takes the envelope, which apparently contains a birthday invitation.

Amy: You don’t hafta come though. I don’t want you ruining my party or eating all the food and cake anyway. I just had to invite you.

Bobbie: I wouldn’t ruin your party! Parties are super fun. What kind of games and stuff are you gonna have?

Amy: Ugh. Why are you so weird?! Mooommm! Why do I hafta invite this weirdo to my party?!

Amy’s Mother: Amy! One more argument out of you and I swear…Bobbie, you go ahead and show that invitation to your Mom, okay? She can call me with any questions.

Amy then starts throwing a fit, stomping her feet as she walks away back towards her mother. Bobbie looks at the invitation and then turns around and rushes over to Artie excitedly.

Bobbie: Artie look! I got invited to Amy’s birthday party!!

Artie looks at her awkwardly.

Artie: Yeah, only because her mom made her. Why would you want to go to her party anyway. She doesn’t like us.

Bobbie laughs as she sits back down next to Artie.

Bobbie: Because parties are fun and she’ll probably have the best cake ever, too!

Artie just shakes his head as Bobbie gets back to digging in the yard. He knew if Bobbie went to the party, something bad would happen, but not to Bobbie. To Amy. Because it was well known even at their young age that when things did not go Amy’s way…all hell broke loose.

---

Present Day…

High Stakes XIV is rapidly approaching, and the excitement surrounding this particular show is always the highest of any show. Well, this and Blaze of Glory, but there was something about High Stakes that was just slightly more important. Perhaps it was the year end awards or the Hall of Fame ceremony. Whatever the case, the show always proved to be the biggest of the year.

Bobbie wasn’t sure if she would have been booked in a match had she not taking things into her own hands and laid down the challenge to Harper Mason. She wasn’t about to sit and think about the what if, because all that matter was that she had a match and she hoped to have everyone talking about this both before and after the match took place.

But the show is still a week away and for the next couple of days, Bobbie is enjoying some downtime at home in Las Vegas. Her mother was over for a visit, too, and the two were currently seated in the backyard enjoying the slightly cooler fall temperature. It wasn’t the cooler temperature that they were accustomed to in Illinois; more like what a spring day would feel like in Illinois. To put it simply, it was the perfect day weatherwise where Bobbie was concerned.

Bobbie: Hey Ma…Do you remember that girl Amy that was in mine and Artie’s class when we were kids?

Her mother turns and looks to Bobbie, appearing deep in thought. Barbie thinks for a moment before she slowly nods.

Barbie: Amy Morris? That spoiled brat that lived three houses down?

Bobbie laughs and nods.

Bobbie: That would be her. The one whose Daddy gave her everything she wanted when she wanted it, but her mom was the smart one.

Barbie is now the one who laughs. She takes a sip of her drink as the two now beginning to talk about Bobbie’s childhood.

Barbie: Yeahhh I remember her alright. I also remember her father calling your father screaming at him to come get you after what you did.

Bobbie: Which incident are we talking about here? Because I thought when I tripped over my own feet and went flying face first into the cake was her mother calling you?

Barbie lets out a single laugh and nods. She looks sideways at her daughter.

Barbie: Tripped over your own feet, yes. On accident? Absolutely not. And yes, that incident she called me. I’m referring to when you *air quotes* accidentally fell backwards into the side of the back of her car and left that dent with your ass?

Bobbie bursts out laughing loudly. She nods her head as she laughs, clearly still remembering that fondly.

Bobbie: You know how clumsy I was growing up. The cake truly was an accident, but I won’t lie. I tripped myself to leave that dent in her car. She had it coming anyway. Kept bragging how she persuaded her father to buy her that car for her sixteenth birthday.

Barbie: I knew it! You always denied that, but something told me..

Bobbie: I had to. We couldn’t be held liable for an accident. And they couldn’t prove I did it on purpose. People didn’t believe I was as smart as I was.

Barbie shakes her head, but she can’t help but laugh at Bobbie’s confession.

Barbie: Anyway, what about her? Why are you bringing her up after all these years?

Bobbie: This whole thing with Harper Mason really reminds me of Amy. Girls who throw a hissy fit when things don’t go their way or they don’t get what they want.

Barbie has a confused look on her face that says she disagrees.

Barbie: The only difference is that you’re a grown woman now that is instigating a feud with a teenager.

Bobbie: I don’t think she’s a teenager anymore, Ma. She’s still an adult and is acting like a five year old.

Barbie shakes her head again. Loki suddenly comes up between the two, enjoying the immediate pets he is getting from both his mama and his gramma.

Bobbie: I’m just having a little fun the best way I know how. I’m not planning on losing this match to Harper anyway, because I’m really looking forward to seeing her really play the big baby she is. Every time she talks or tweets, she feeds right into my plan. She just doesn’t realize it.

Barbie: You better hope this doesn’t backfire on you, Bobbie. Because lord only knows the scene you would make owning up to your mistake in making this a loser wears a baby costume idea. You always did love to be loud about everything you ever did.

Bobbie chuckles, nodding in full agreement. She wouldn’t deny it. If she was going to act a fool, she was going to be loud and obnoxious about it. Play into it to hide the discomfort.

Bobbie: Again, because it’s fun. And lord knows how much I need to have a few laughs these days…

Barbie: Things still tense between Artie’s parents? You never did tell me how all of that went anyway.

Bobbie nods slowly and takes a deep breath. She leans forward in her chair and looks at her mother with a puzzled look on her face.

Bobbie: His father went back home…

Barbie: He did what?!

Bobbie nods, still in disbelief.

Bobbie: Yep. She somehow talked him into giving her a second chance. They’re going to go to counseling and all of that. Artie isn’t happy about it, but I wouldn’t expect him to be. This whole year has just been so crazy.

Barbie is left speechless. She and Artie’s mother had been friends for a long time, but she simply couldn’t condone what she did. No one could.

Bobbie: Who knows. Maybe things will get better. Or maybe they won’t. I’m just sitting back and waiting for everything to blow over so life can go back to normal…ish. And then Artie and I can go through the adoption process and adopt a child that will never turn out like Amy Morris or Harper Mason.

Both women share a laugh and Barbie raises her glass.

Barbie: Amen to that, sweetie.

Bobbie raises her glass and shares in her mother’s toast. She leans back in her chair once again and the two just watch as Loki runs around the back yard playing with his favorite Loki-sized tennis ball.

---

Hello, hello, hello everyone! High Stakes time is finally here, and man I am really looking forward to this show. It’s true, I’m not involved in any sort of title scene, and that’s okay. Artie tried to talk me into throwing my name into the mix of that Open Invitational Rumble, but I said I was going to pass on it. That might seem silly and all, but I’d rather focus all of my time and energy on this match against Harper, because this one…I can’t lose. I won’t lose.

I have a bit of a confession to make. And I’m hoping Harper is listening really closely to this one, though I am sure she isn’t. I am sure she is probably off kicking and screaming about something not going her way until someone gives her what she is blubbering about. It’s what she does. She is just that type of little girl. But where was I? Oh…right…

Confession time. Harper was right…partially anyway. She was right when she immediately went to Twixter and cried foul that I stole the win from her in our match last week. I mean, I did steal the win. I didn’t let her get the win, because I had to see her reaction. Not because she carried me through the match or blah blah blah. No.

I stole the win from her because I knew…I KNEW she was going to react the way she did, and I want people to see her true colors. I want Harper to act the way she has been, so everyone can see that she’s not this good girl she wants everyone to believe. That she’s not worthy of having been trained by the legendary Team Hero and that they should be embarrassed that she represents their gym.

Girls like Harper…they’ve always made it so easy for me to get under their skin. Because they have one obvious big weakness that they just can not hide. Their self-entitlement. The fact that because Mommy or Daddy always gave them their way, that that is how their entire life will go in every aspect of it.

Sorry, Harper. WRONG! You can sit there and claim that when you were throwing a fit about not being booked before our last match was made you were just wanting to be afforded a chance to prove yourself. But, Harper, did you ever stop to think that…you’ve already had ample opportunities to prove yourself? And you’ve yet to leave any sort of last impression on anyone?

You’ve been in SCW for about a year now and you’re still trying to prove yourself? Honey, if you haven’t done it yet your chances of ever making an impact are pretty dang slim. Deny it all you want, or try and paint a different picture but I call it like I see it. Mark and Christian know what they like and what they don’t like. And Harper…they don’t like you.

I don’t like you, either. And its because I don’t like you that I am playing you like the little puppet you are and having a damn good time doing it. You may have one win over me, Harper, but as soon as you agreed to the stipulation that the loser dresses like a baby at the next Climax Control, you signed and sealed that win for me. And delivery of that win is at High Stakes XIV.

I’ve always enjoyed toying with entitled little brats like you because it just brought me such great joy and many many laughs at watching the melt downs. And I loved seeing the reactions of everyone else, too, particularly the other parents when I was a kid. Because they all got to see what bad parenting does. They got to see what the consequences are of them giving in to their screaming childs every demand just to shut them up.

And you are going to find out the consequences of your actions, Harper. If you were smart, you’d realize it now, but you’re simply just too young, Harper. And too dumb. You’re living in this delusional childhood mode, and I’m going to give you one big dose of reality. Or maybe more than one.

In the form of a Bobbie Bomb..

See you next week, Harper!

Friday October 25th
Party At Bobbie’s!!


October. Perhaps one of the most popular months of the year and all because of one specific day. One very fun holiday- Halloween! Yes, aside from the lovely weather that comes along with October, most people look forward to Halloween when they can decorate their homes in all sorts of crazy and spooky decorations, and search around for the perfect costume to wear for parties and the like. Kids and adults both seem to look forward to Halloween the most throughout the year. Bobbie Dahl especially!

Bobbie and Artie have lived in Las Vegas full time for a couple of years now and she realized that she has never hosted a Halloween party at their home. She had been to others, yes, but she needed to show everyone the kind of extravaganza that only she knew how to put on. And given how much she and Artie had been through over the last several months, they needed to have one night where they could forget all of that and have a good time. Or, at least try to.

The party starts in less than an hour and people will start arriving soon. Their house is decked out to the max in Halloween decor from full size skeleton’s, to black bats hanging from various areas of the ceiling. Bobbie even rented a fog machine to make the atmosphere even spookier, although she is waiting to turn it on while they finish getting everything ready. She’s currently in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on all of the spooky snacks she put together for tonight and she’s already dressed in her chosen costume for the night…Elvira!

“Artie!” She suddenly shouts as she places some Mummies in A Blanket on a serving tray. “Do you need my help with the face paint?!”

Face paint? Oh what a telling tale that is for whatever costume Artie is wearing for the night. Bobbie has a smile on her face, excited to get this night started. She is about to walk out of the kitchen and go find Artie, but as soon as she turns around his father is right there in front of her and she nearly jumps out of her skin.

“Oh good lord!” She says, bringing her hand up to her chest. “You sure have the scaring part down pat don’t you?” She stares at her father in-law, dressed in his Michael Meyer’s suit, but not wearing the mask just yet. Instead, he is holding the mask up over his right hand and holds a fake butcher knife in his left, looking a bit concerned.

“Are you sure I really need to be here for this party tonight?” He asks, looking very hesitant at his entire costume. He had been staying with them for about a month and a half now and it had not been easy on Bobbie. As much as she loved her father in-law, she wanted things to go back to normal, before her mother in law had ruined her marriage.

“Of course!” Bobbie says trying to reassure him. “It will do you some good to socialize and meet some of our friends! Besides, my parents are coming over too! Which they will be here any minute, Artie!!” She shouts louder so Artie can hear her.

He can be heard grumbling before his footsteps follow and he walks up to join them. His choice of costume for the evening? Dracula! His face his painted stark white, with fake red blood down the sides of his mouth and Dracula fangs to complete everything. But ge doesn’t look too happy.

“I look ridiculous.” He’s never quite found the perfect costume every year and is always disappointed. He takes one look at his father and shakes his head. “Dad did you really have to choose Michael Meyers?!

Bobbie doesn’t give her father in-law a chance to respond. “Both of you stop! You look just fine! Quit your moping and let’s all try to have some fun because we all certainly need it after the year we’ve all had.”

Artie’s father looks at him, cracking a bit of a smile. “So…any of these friends have single mothers?”

“DAD!”

Bobbie’s jaw drops and Artie just stares at his father in shock. His father just holds his hands up defensively before he walks away. Bobbie looks to Artie and points her finger at him. “You watch him like a hawk tonight, you understand?! And make sure his drinks are alcohol free!!”

They both shake their heads, now more nervous about this party than anything. As Bobbie heads back into the kitchen, the doorbell rings and Loki zooms down the hall heading towards the door to greet their guests as they arrive.

---

SCW’s Halloween show is quickly approaching, and given the fact that every match will have a special Halloween theme to it, Bobbie knew she had to do something extra special to prepare for and address her opponent for the evening. She had never been as good at trash talking her opponents, it was true, but tonight had to be different. Tonight would be different. And she chose a very special-and downright eerie- location to film the entire thing. And it just so happened that the weather decided to cooperate and add to it, as there was a slight fog building.

It’s completely dark outside as the sun set within the last hour. The camera is slowly approaching the gates of a local cemetery, and an owl can be heard in the background. As the camera approaches the gate, it swings open on its own and the camera keeps moving forward. A few solar lights can be seen just up ahead, along with 2 shadowy figures standing near them.

As the camera slowly gets closer to the two shadowy figures, the larger of the two turns around revealing herself to be none other than Bobbie Dahl! Soon after, Artie reveals himself, looking less than thrilled to be there and perhaps a little terrified. They are standing over an open grave and Bobbie removes the black cloak she is wearing to reveal she is dressed up as Boobie Krueger!

Boobie Krueger sighs and rolls her eyes. “Really?! It’s BOBBIE Krueger! Did you make a typo on the information to the narrator again Artie?!”

Artie shrugs, but he has an apologetic look on his face. “My phone started autocorrecting your name now! I’m sorry!”

Boobie Krueger lets out a frustrated sigh and shakes her head. “Remind me to fix that when we get home. I guess I’ll just have to deal with it for tonight, because I can’t stand around and waste any time.”

She shoos Artie away and he nervously backs away and out of the view of the camera. Boobie Krueger stays where she is, over the open grave, but the gravestone is covered with a black cloth. Boobie Krueger looks up and into the camera with a wicked smile on her face. “Most people wouldn’t dare be standing where I stand at this very moment. Certainly not this late at night, either.”

“You got that right!” Artie shouts from behind the camera.

Boobie Krueger looks up and shoots Artie a quick glare. “You hush, Artie! Before I summon the Woman in White or something to come get you!”

Artie doesn’t respond and Boobie Krueger gets back to the task at hand. “Most people are afraid of cemeteries during the day, but would never step foot in one at night for fear they might catch sight of a ghost or demon or something. Well, to that I say…chickens!”

She crouches down over the open grave, running her hand along the edges of the dirt very much not afraid of her surroundings. “I used to be one of those people. In fact, I used to have nightmares about it growing up. I’m sure many children did, but oh how times have changed. This is no longer my nightmare…but something that will bring me great joy come this Sunday.”

Boobie Krueger chuckles slowly as she stands up once again, her eyes never turning away from the open grave. “You see, I am going to do something that not many people have the guts to do. I am going to take things a step further when I step into that ring against Harper Mason, and I am going to finish her off. I am going to end her and her career and then…we’ll all have ourselves a funeral for Jessie Salco’s little cousin.”

Boobie Krueger again laughs as she takes a few steps around the grave, stopping directly behind the gravestone. She reaches for the black cloth and pulls it up, revealing just what was underneath. Harper Mason’s name etched into the stone! Boobie Kruger crouches down, running her hands along the top of the gravestone. “Here will lie Harper Mason. Such a short life she lived.”

“Bobbie, can we please go now?” Artie breaks his silence, wanting no part of being there any longer than they already had been.

Boobie Krueger sighs and shakes her head again, losing sight of the character she was playing. “Artie, you’re ruining my mojo here! I was just getting into my vibe and now I gotta start all over again!”

“This is all a bit much though, don’t you think?!”

Boobie Krueger just growls, refusing to answer. She closes her eyes and takes in a deep breath trying to focus once again. “Aaaannnnyyyway. As I was saying!” Artie can be heard letting out a huff from off camera. “On Sunday, we are going to lose such a young troubled talent in Harper Mason. A true fighter with potential no doubt, but oh how that mouth of hers always seemed to get herself into a pickle. And to think she represented Hero Academy as one of their graduates.”

Boobie Krueger shakes her head and lets out a ‘tsk, tsk,tsk’ sound with her mouth. She stares down at the grave and continues. “She has such a thirst to prove herself and to represent Hero Academy with pride and success, but where has that gotten her even in her short career? I'll tell you where…in the crosshairs of the bosses when she runs her mouth on X when she doesn't get her way.”

Boobie Krueger laughs and looks up into the camera. “This business is not meant for crybabies, Harper. And SCW is no place for entitled spoiled brats such as yourself because when it comes to Mark Ward and Christian Underwood? They don't take kindly to that stuff, Harper. But you know what…keep it up. Because that entitlement of yours that you got going on?” Boobie Krueger sniffs the air as if smelling the entitlement from where she stands.

“I feed off of it, sweetie.” A wicked smile returns to her face as she continues. Off camera, Artie is growing more and more nervous by the second. “You see unlike Freddie Krueger who fed off of your fear, fear does not matter to me. It is little brats like yourself who throw a hissy fit when they don't get what they want.”

She shakes her head and crouches down closer to the grave again. She takes a handful of dirt and slowly sprinkles it into the grave. “You must have been a Daddy's girl, Harper. But not the good kind. The annoying kind that always got her way so you'd stop screaming and crying. And you know what that turned you into?”

Boobie Krueger shakes her head. “The type of grown woman who thinks of herself as a princess that needs everything just handed to her on a silver platter. Well, Harper. You wanted a match this week? You got one. But it's not going to end well for you.”

From out of view of the camera, a flash light can be seen shining. Artie gets nervous and tries to get Boobie’s attention. “Umm..Bobbie?”

“IT'S BOOBIE!” Boobie Krueger frowns, realizing what she just said. “Dammit! Now ya'll are confusing even me!!”

“Hey! You two! What are you doing here?!” Boobie Krueger and Artie look up suddenly to see a cemetery worker heading towards them! Artie quickly high tails it and runs off not even waiting for his wife. “STOP!”

“Sorry!” Boobie Krueger shouts as she, too, runs off afraid of getting caught. “I just had to borrow it to make a point! Toodles!!”

The cemetery worker stops directly over the open grave and glances to the gravestone. He looks confused as he reaches down and very easily picks it up and then breaks it in half revealing it was fake and completely made of styrofoam! He shakes his head before he turns and walks away.

Off in the distance, Boobie Krueger’s voice can be heard. “One, two Bobbie’s coming for you! Three, Four better cry some more!!” This is of course followed by her crazy laughter and Artie screaming.

June 23rd
After Climax Control
Medical Facility
Denver, Colorado



As has been the case often lately, tonight did not go as Bobbie had hoped. She was facing Mercedes Vargas yet again, and while she had expected to walk away with the win much like she had in the past, that is not what happened. Late in the match, Bobbie had felt a sharp pain in her lower leg and ankle, and Mercedes had quickly taken advantage of it, putting in an ankle lock. Bobbie tried as hard as she could, but the pain had been too much so she was forced to tap out, adding another loss to her record. Artie had helped her to the trainer’s locker room backstage and it was there that she was advised to head to the hospital for further evaluation.

And that is where we find her and Artie now. As happens often in any emergency room, their wait has been longer than they’d like, or that it really should be. They’ve already been there for several hours, and she had gone through the x-rays of her lower leg and ankle. They were now just waiting for the results of those x-rays to be discussed with the doctor. Bobbie is leaning back on the gurney with ice packs over her leg, while Artie is glued to his phone. Both are quieter than normal.

Eventually, Bobbie turns her head to look at her husband, wanting nothing more than to break the silence between them. But things had been strained in their marriage for a while following the bombshell revelation that Artie’s mother had had an affair, thus ruining his parent’s marriage. Nothing Bobbie said ever seemed to help, and it was taking Artie a long time to process everything he was feeling. And not only was Artie’s parent’s marriage ruined, but Bobbie felt that her own to Artie was falling apart as well. And she didn’t know what to do to stop it, or if she could.

But she had to try.

“So, uh, I have a feeling that I’m probably going to be sidelined for a bit.” She starts, breaking the silence between them. But Artie doesn’t even look up from his phone. “What do you think about going on a bit of a vacation, just the two of us? Just unplug from everything.” She tries to get some sort of response from Artie, but he is either texting someone or looking something up on his phone and isn’t paying attention, and Bobbie can’t help but get frustrated.

“Artie?!” She finally raises her voice.

He shakes his head and finally looks up at her, and then around the room. “Huh?” He says, confused. “Oh, I thought the doctor was in here.”

Bobbie rolls her eyes and shakes her head. She struggles to pull herself up a little further in the bed without moving her bad leg, but she does let out a slight wince. “Can’t you even pretend to be concerned right now? Or is whatever you are so glued to on your phone more important than your injured wife?”

He sighs and tucks his phone away in his pocket, giving his full attention back to Bobbie. If only temporarily. “Sorry. I was just texting my dad and letting him know what is going on.” Bobbie nods, but remains quiet. “He sends his love and hopes the injury isn’t serious.”

“Uh huh.” Bobbie quickly responds, unable to come up with anything else to say. She loves her father in law and believes he is genuinely concerned about her, but Artie seems more focused on him and his mother’s affair, than about their own marriage struggles.

“What?” Artie asks, sensing there is something more behind Bobbie’s short answer. “You don’t think he’s concerned about you?”

Bobbie opens her mouth and is about to respond, but they are quickly interrupted when the doctor walks into the room. They both turn their attention to him as he looks at Bobbie and her injured leg. “Okay so your x-rays have been closely reviewed, and it appears that you just have a severe sprain.” Bobbie lets out a sigh of relief and nods, but the doctor continues. “But because you are a professional wrestler, I’m afraid you won’t be cleared to get back into the ring for a bit. You’ll need to wear a walking boot for at least four weeks and then follow up with your doctor or your company’s medical team to decide when you will be cleared.”

“Understood.” Bobbie quickly replies. “I’m just glad it’s not broken.”

“Well, a severe sprain can sometimes be just as bad as a break.” The doctor replies back, making sure Bobbie understands the extent of her injury. “The recovery can take just as long in some cases, depending on the situation. But I will have them get a walking boot ready for you and get all your discharge paperwork ready.”

Bobbie and Artie both nod and thank the doctor. Bobbie takes in a deep breath and turns and looks at Artie with a shrug. “Welp, there is that. So what do you say about my idea? Or did you not even hear me earlier?”

Artie takes in a deep breath of his own. He stands up and takes the few steps closer to Bobbie, suddenly looking very serious. “I…I just want to go home. I need to go home.” Bobbie nods, thinking that by home, Artie meant Las Vegas. After all, that is their home now. But Artie suddenly drops a bombshell on her. “And I don’t mean our place in Vegas.”

Bobbie’s jaw drops open and she stares at Artie, confused. “What are you talking about? Las Vegas is our home, Artie.” She stops a thinks for a moment when she figures out exactly what he is referring to. And she doesn’t like it. “You mean Illinois. We can’t just-”

Artie nods, but he stops her from continuing. “I don’t mean the two of us, Bobbie. I…I need to go back to Illinois by myself for a while and deal with this situation between my parents.”

Bobbie’s heart sank. This was the hit that could potentially be what ends their marriage. She wanted to break down in tears right then and there, but she couldn’t. She just felt…numb. “For how long?”

Artie shrugs. “I don’t know. As long as it takes.” He reaches for Bobbie’s hand but she pulls it away. “My dad is going through a really hard time right now and I need to make sure he is okay. That he is going to be okay. Please understand, Bobbie.”

She wanted to understand. A part of her did understand, too. But as much as his father needed him, she needed him too. “Oh I understand.” She bites back through her frustration. “What I wish you would understand is how all of this is affecting us.” Bobbie looks away, unable to look at him out of the hurt and the anger.

Artie again reaches for her hand and this time he is able to grab it, refusing to let her pull away again. He squeezes it tight and despite her refusing to look at him, he looks at her. “I love you Bobbie.” He says and she wants to believe him. “I always have, and I always will. This is just something I need to work out on my own. I can’t explain it right now, but I promise–”

“It’s fine.” She says, interrupting him. She didn’t want to hear anymore of what could be a broken promise. “I just want to get out of here and get back home to Loki.”

“Bobbie…”

She finally turns her head to look at him again, and her eyes are welled up with tears, but she is holding them back with everything she’s got. “I…I don’t want to talk about this anymore tonight. You do what you need to do, and I will do the same.”

And those were the final words spoken between the two of them. Artie just nods, knowing there is nothing more he can say to make her feel better. Bobbie leans her head back against the pillow on the gurney and tucks everything she is feeling away into the back of her mind. As best as she can, anyway. And the moment she did that, she felt her anxiety starting to slowly creep back onto the forefront.

This was all temporary, she tried to quietly tell herself.

Or was it?

---

Here we go again, folks! This week I find myself once again tossed into a triple threat match against two women who I’ve faced numerous times before and who I’ve beaten before. Don’t get me wrong, a match is a match at this point, but Mercedes and Seleana AGAIN?! How many times are we going to do this song and dance before it truly gets old?

Before I get to addressing those two, I need to talk about my performance last week against Victoria Lyons. It wasn’t great, obviously. I could have done more. I should have done more, but things have just been…stressful. I wanted nothing more than to beat Victoria and give her a taste of her own medicine, but I guess it just wasn’t that time. But I am sure there will be another opportunity down the road.

I’m not going to lie. I’ve been struggling lately. I know I have said it before and it’s the truth. I love wrestling and I know I am no where near done accomplishing what I want to in my career, but I feel like I’m sliding. Everything is just crashing down, and I’m disappointing not only Mark Ward and Christian Underwood, but myself. I had finally gotten myself to a great spot when I won the Bombshell Roulette Championship and then boom…everything starts to fall apart.

It’s my fault, though, so I have no one else to blame for all of this but myself. I just need to fight through the struggles and get back to where I once was, because if not I’ll just be turned back into the joke that I was before. And I can’t have that.

So this week I have to do better! Now I’m not worried about Seleana, because again, she hasn’t done much of anything lately for me to worry about or consider her a threat. Maybe she is a punishment or something. Just throwing me against her again because I’ve let the bosses down so much recently, and she’s kinda been stuck in that same spot too? I don’t know.

What I do know is that she’s not going to get past me. She may get past Mercedes, but me? No Ma’am! Then once she walks away defeated, again, she can stay at the bottom for as long as she wants. She seems pretty comfortable there because there’s just no fight in her anymore it seems. Ah well, that’s her problem I suppose right?! I don’t know what else to say about or to her that hasn’t already been said before.

As for Mercedes? Let’s just say I’m going to be focusing more on Ms. Vargas than Seleana. And the reason is because Mercedes is the reason I was put on the shelf for a couple of months in the first place. I lost that match to her back in June and suffered an injury that had me sidelined for the last couple of months.

It’s time to make up for that. It’s time to take that loss back, and best Mercedes. It’s time to injure her like she injured me! I’m going to use everything and anything I can against her and when I see a weak spot? I’m going to take advantage of it. It’s time for Ms. Vargas to take a break for a little while, just like I did.

Mercedes likes to walk around like she’s still at the top of the division, but she’s not. What has she done recently? What titles has she held recently? Nothing and none. Because she only tries when it’s convenient for her. She shows up when she feels like it, but because of her record in this place, she gets away with it. Just like she gets away with hurting people!

Well, if I have anything to say about it, she won’t be getting away with it anymore. I’m going to show everyone just where Mercedes belongs. And that’s at the bottom of the barrel and buried away for good!

It’s time for Bobbie Dahl to take back her status on the Bombshell roster, and it all starts this Sunday.

Seleana…Mercedes…you ready?!

See ya Sunday, ladies!

Sunday May 26th
After Climax Control
Artie did WHAT?!


Tonight didn’t go completely as planned for Kallie Reznik and Artie. They had come close to advancing to the finals of the Blast From The Past tournament, but in the end, Artie had been pinned and they were eliminated, crushing their hopes of winning World Title opportunities. Artie was perhaps disappointed the most, having been the reason they lost, no doubt eliciting a few laughs from everyone who doubted him, he thought. And to make matters worse, Bobbie had once again defended him after the match when Luna Pasilno started to mock him. Artie loved Bobbie and of course loved that she would defend him like that, but he had repeatedly made it known he didn’t want any help in any of this.

But it was all over now. His time in the tournament was officially done, so there would be no need for anyone to protect him. At least, that is what Bobbie thought. But Artie had other plans in mind. When she stepped away to use the restroom, Artie got an idea and quietly snuck away. She probably wouldn’t be happy with him, but this wasn’t about her, nor was this her decision. This was Artie’s decision, and he wasn’t about to let Bobbie stop him.

After sneaking away, he has stopped outside of a door labeled “CHRISTIAN UNDERWOOD.” The makeshift office for the co-owner of SCW. He stands outside the door for a few moments, really contemplating his decision carefully. He takes a deep breath and then finally goes to knock, but as soon as he does, the door opens and Christian Underwood appears in front of him.

Christian:: What are you doing?

Artie jumps back, holding in a startled scream. His heart races for a few moments before he regains his composure.

Artie: Oh, uh, Hi. Hi, Christian. Mr. Underwood.

Christian:: No need for pleasantries, Artie. I assume you have some sort of business you would like to talk about? Otherwise, I’m not quite sure what you were doing just standing outside my office door.

Artie scratches his head, almost embarrassed. But he stands up straight and nods.

Artie:  Oh, yeah. I have a favor to ask. If it’s not too late and if it’s at all possible.

Christian:: Color me curious. I suppose we should discuss this inside?

Christian steps aside, allowing Artie to enter his office. He closes the door behind them, before walking back over to Artie.

Christian:: So, I’m all ears. What is this favor you have to ask?

Artie takes a seat and chooses his words wisely. He was expecting Christian to laugh in his face as soon as he asks what he is about to, but he had to try. The worst that could happen was Christian would say no.

Artie: Well…I know that Kallie and I were eliminated from the tournament tonight, and I know Into The Void XIII is in two weeks and probably already set in stone. But I was kinda wondering if…you could make a match for me?

After sitting down in his own chair, Christian stares at Artie, shock written all over his face.

Christian:: You…want another match?

Artie nods. Christian folds his arms for a few moments, thinking his response over through carefully, and Artie takes his long silence as answer enough.

Artie: It’s okay. I get it. The card is already made, so there is nothing you can do. Not to mention, my contract was only for the Blast From The Past tournament. It was stupid of me to ask. I’ll just be–

Artie starts to stand up to leave, thinking he had been shot down, but Christian holds up a hand.

Christian:: Now wait a second…I didn’t say no.

Artie slowly sinks back down into his chair and stares at Christian.

Artie: Oh…

Christian:: Yes, the card for Into The Void XIII is pretty much completely booked but some tweaks can be made, and we were still finalizing a few things anyway. I think I might have an idea for you, yet.

Artie’s face lights up.

Artie: Really? You do?! What…what is it?! Who is it against?!

Christian grins and shakes his head.

Christian:: That…you will have to wait and find out when the card is announced later on. I have to admit my surprise that you want to continue being booked. Your involvement in the tournament was because of a mistake after all.

Artie: Oh, I know. But, there’s so much more I want to learn and achieve. I think I have what it takes so I want to keep at it.

Christian:: You still are not fully trained, so you agreeing to this is at your own risk. And I don’t want Bobbie coming at us if you get injured in any way.

Artie stands up and shakes his head. He’s almost jumping with excitement.

Artie: Don’t worry about Bobbie. I will handle her. Thank you so much for this opportunity, Mr. Underwood. You won’t regret it!

Artie doesn’t even give Christian a chance to respond before he turns and skips off out of his office. Christian sits back in his chair, grinning and shaking his head.

Christian:: Good luck, Artie. You’re going to need it…

Unfortunately for Artie, he was already gone and couldn’t hear Christian’s last words for him. Christian sighs and shakes his head again and gets back to some paperwork before the scene fades.

---

SCW Exclusive
Interviewing the(hopefully)Future King
On Camera


Many superstars and Bombshells have passed through the SCW doors and hallways over the years. Some good. Some not. Others, not much of a clue as they didn’t even last longer than their first match to make an impression. Today’s very special exclusive is a sit down interview with one of the newest, and probably most talked about superstars. Manager and husband to Bobbie Dahl turned SCW Superstar- Artie Miller!

The camera opens up onboard the Battleship Missouri in Hawaii, where in just one week’s time, Into The Void XIII will be taking place for the select amount of fans who were lucky enough to score tickets to this once in a lifetime event. A designated area for this interview is set up on deck, presumably where the six-sided SCW ring will be set up next week. The camera is focused on Pussy Willow, seated in a chair shaded from the sun by a large canopy.

Pussy: Hello SCW superstars, Bombshells and fans watching around the world. Today I am being joined by a very special guest. A guest who is eager to have his first official exclusive interview to answer a list of questions and speak out about his match next week at Into The Void Thirteen. A match that should he win, gives him an advantage that many others dream to have. Everyone, please welcome…Artie.

The camera switches to the chair just across Pussy Willow, also shaded from the sun by the canopy, where Artie is seated. He’s dressed in a very casual set of shorts and an SCW Into The Void XIII T-Shirt. He smiles at Pussy Willow, appearing only slightly nervous.

Artie: Hello, Pussy. Thanks for having me here. This battleship is huge!

Pussy Willow smiles as they both look around at their surroundings. Indeed the battleship is quite large. Perhaps larger in person than it seems in pictures, and knowing the history of where they sit, is a lot to take in.

Pussy: That it is, Artie. And thank you for joining me today, although I’ve been told that you were quite eager in agreeing to this interview and somewhat excited also. A far cry from your once normal nervous and shy personality. You certainly have come a long way, haven’t you?

Artie nods, offering her another smile. He grips the arms of the chair a bit, gently sliding his arms back and forth, showing the first signs of nerves, but he manages to keep them in check for the most part.

Artie: I’d say I agree with that, yes. It’s no secret that I’ve always been considered the geeky shy guy and a bit awkward most of the time. But, being in SCW has helped a lot. Especially recently. I don’t know. It’s weird, because I never thought I’d be sitting in a directors chair putting on any sort of interview that so many people will watch.

Pussy Willow chuckles and nods. She adjusts her position in her chair slightly to get more comfortable.

Pussy: So how has SCW helped you in that way? Because up until recently, you were relatively quiet and only did your manager duties for Bobbie.

Artie shrugs as he thinks about his answer.

Artie: I mean, you have a point there. But, even all of that helped me. It forced me to step outside my comfort zone and do stuff I normally wouldn’t have done. But I did it all to be supportive of Bobbie. Because she needed me. Well…I think she needed me anyway. I think for as long as I’ve known Bobbie, and before we even started dating or got married, it seemed like I needed her more than she needed me.

Pussy: I think a lot of people would disagree. I think Bobbie definitely needed you more than you think. And she still does. She is also very protective of you, as we have witnessed on more than one occasion over the last couple of months with your involvement in the Blast From The Past Tournament.

Artie nods, but he frowns a bit after being reminded of the assistance he had received.

Artie: I know she is, and so are our friends. Miles Kasey for example. But, what they need to realize is that…I don’t need their help. I’m a grown man, and I need to do things for myself. I don’t want everyone thinking I’m this weak person who can’t do anything without help. That’s how the Blast From The Past mix-up helped me in a big way. It forced me to face my fears and to learn how to stand up and fight for myself.

Pussy: I see. You make a good point there, and your frustrations with the assistance you received is quite understandable. But certainly you can’t completely blame them, considering you hadn’t gone through the extensive training that everyone usually does within the wrestling business. It can take years for someone to be fully ready to step into a wrestling ring.

Artie thinks for a second and nods. He takes a deep breath before he responds.

Artie: You have a point, too, but…Bobbie didn’t go through that extensive training. I’m sure others didn’t either, because look how many of the current superstars and Bombshells on the roster have trained at the GO Gym or HERO Academy at such young ages and debut in SCW after less than a year of training? It’s unusual, but it happens. And I had been working with Fenris, Miles and Carter to get me as ready as I could be.

Pussy: And you did quite well for yourself, I think. You and Kallie made it all the way to the semi-finals, so despite anything that happened you should be proud.

Artie nods slowly, but the disappointment is apparent on his face.

Artie: I was proud of everything I was accomplishing, yes. And I wanted to make it to the finals and then win it. But I lost it for both Kallie and me. I can’t tell her enough how sorry I am for that, but at least I know she won’t rip into me like other Bombshells would have if they had been teamed with me in that situation.

Pussy: Well you know what they say. The tournament doesn’t get any easier the farther you advance. And I must say I think I speak for everyone else when I say how surprising it was to find out that even after being eliminated from the tournament, you were booked in the King For A Day ladder match. I think everyone expected you to be done once you were eliminated.

Artie manages to laugh as he nods. He sits up straighter in his chair, adjusting his posture that was beginning to lower.

Artie: I wanted to throw everyone for a loop with that one, and I think it worked. I wasn’t expecting to get put in the King For A Day match, but that is an added bonus I suppose. I just told Christian Underwood that I wanted to continue to be booked if he had any room for me.

Pussy: Why is that? You’ve been so vocal about not wanting Bobbie or your friends to be so protective of you, so why give them a reason to continue being worried and continue trying to help you if they wanted to?

Artie pauses for a moment, carefully thinking that question and his answer over in his mind. He knows she makes a very valid point in asking those questions, but his answer will surprise perhaps everyone.

Artie: Because I am not done proving myself yet. And if I am honest, I had a lot of fun in those first few matches so why wouldn’t I continue? Plus, if Bobbie, Miles and everyone else knows what is good for them, they will respect my wishes and let me wrestle on my own. I’m not afraid to lose. How else am I going to get the experience I need?

Pussy: Very well said. Tell everyone what was going through your mind when you found out that you were put into the King For A Day ladder match? Were you just as surprised about finding out about the mix up with the Blast From The Past contract signing?

Artie shakes his head, but he does so with a smile and a laugh.

Artie: Nah. Nothing could possibly beat the shock I experienced after finding out about that, but I was surprised about the King For A Day match. In a good way. Because this is the perfect opportunity to get the recognition I would have gotten had Kallie and I won the tournament. Maybe more recognition and attention if I am honest. Winning King For A Day literally gets everyone on the roster to pay attention to you, and avoid making you mad in any way, right?

Pussy Willow nods, also letting out a laugh.

Pussy: I would agree. Having booking rights to an episode of Climax Control following Into The Void is quite an advantage. Not to mention, everyone will wonder what matches you could possibly put them in. Or…put yourself in.

Artie: Like would I give myself a World Heavyweight Championship match? Or any title match for that matter?

Pussy again nods.

Pussy: It is the one thing most winners do when they win this match. Bombshell and men alike. Not that you could be blamed, as it would be well within your rights to do so. So…have you thought about what matches you might make should you become King For A Day?

Artie lets out a sigh and shrugs. He follows it up with a smile, thinking about just what is at stake with this match.

Artie: I have a few ideas, but I’m trying not to get ahead of myself. I do have to beat five other guys. This is going to be my toughest challenge yet, and the odds are stacked against me…yet again. I just have to hope that I am quicker than the rest of them.

Pussy: Let’s talk about those five other superstars, Artie. As you said, this is your biggest challenge so far, and in a match as physically dangerous as a ladder match at that. Originally it was supposed to be just four superstars, but two more were added just twenty-four hours after the card was announced. In addition to facing Lyle Kasey Jr, Bulldog Bill Barnhardt, and Helluva Bottom Carter, Teddy Warren and Guy With Cape were added.

Artie lets out a snorting laugh as Pussy mentions Guy With Cape.

Pussy: What is funny?

Artie: Guy With Cape…I just can’t help but laugh at a name like that. And not only that, from what Bobbie has shown me from Twitter…oops, sorry, I mean X…Guy is a few screws loose in the head. He was apparently making a bunch of noise as if he was already King For A Day. I mean…do I really need to be worried about him?

Pussy thinks for a moment and shrugs.

Pussy: I wouldn’t count him out. Individuals like him who make a lot of noise tend to find a way to walk out with the win.

Artie: Can you imagine the chaos if he were to win?! I don’t even know what sort of matches he could cook up in that brain of his, but I sure don’t want to find out. So I’m going to do everything I can to make sure he doesn’t win. He hasn’t even been around in how long? And now he comes back and is put into the King For A Day match?

Artie snorts again.

Artie: Mark and Christian sure do have weird senses of humor, don’t they?

Pussy: That decision may have been Christian’s doing. He has a way of making it so certain matches gather as much attention as they can get.

Artie: Seems so. He achieved it with Guy With Cape…and myself, of course. Bravo, Christian. Bravo.

Artie slowly claps as he looks into the camera.

Artie: And let’s talk about the others. Teddy Warren?

Artie laughs.

Artie: Look, I know I said that I’ve never been the best at the whole trash talking your opponent stuff that everyone seems to do before their matches. I’ve never really understood it, but Teddy Warren? I don’t even have to go back and watch any of his past matches and stuff to know he’s been just as weird as Guy With Cape. He gets married and changes his last name. He’s paraded around in women’s clothes.

Artie shrugs.

Artie: I mean, whatever floats your boat I guess. But he can’t expect people to take him seriously if he’s just so out there with all of his craziness and wild antics, right? Does that take away from what he can do or has done in the ring?

Artie shakes his head.

Artie: No, of course not. But it doesn’t exactly get people to like him or give him the support to win. Not to mention, people certainly won’t be interested in what matches he would make, either. Teddy Warren has been gone for a bit too until recently, so I’m not super worried. I think I can hold my own against him and hopefully do my part so that no one will have to worry about listening to him parade around if he were King For A Day. How annoying would that be, am I right?!

Pussy laughs and nods, not even pretending to hide how much she agrees with that statement. But she can’t say as much, as reporters and interviewers are meant to remain unbiased.

Pussy: Teddy has always found a way to make a statement in some form. I will say that much. If he truly makes an effort, he is definitely one to watch out for in this match. “Bulldog” Bill Barnhardt as well. He’s very accomplished and also has the size advantage.

Artie waves his right hand, putting any worry about Bulldog Bill out of mind.

Artie: Ehhh…Size doesn’t matter in a match like this, Pussy. If anything it puts him at a disadvantage, right? I may not be an expert, but I’ve learned enough to know that. Plus, I’m pretty sure the other guys will be targeting Bill to get him out of the picture first. And he may be accomplished, but I think last I heard and saw, his failures outweighed his accomplishments.

Pussy: You’d have to ask the resident SCW historian and statistician, I suppose.

Artie smiles.

Artie: Don’t really need to. Bill Barnhardt talks a big game, but when it boils down to it, he loses a lot, so he’s got nothing to back it up. I won’t underestimate him, though. I’m not stupid enough to do that. I’ll do my best to keep him from climbing that ladder, which probably means tiring him out by running him in circles or something. I dunno. I’ll figure it out as I go along.

Pussy: You seem to have all of this quite figured out. I think the last two you have to address may be toughest for you to go against, considering one is a friend, and the other is his fiancee’s brother. Helluva Bottom Carter and Lyle Kasey Junior. Both of course connected to Miles Kasey.

Artie nods. He takes in a deep breath and considers his feelings on his final two opponents. He places his palms on his knees and rubs them back and forth gently.

Artie: I don’t know Lyle all that well. I don’t think anyone really does considering he just recently was discovered and came onto the scene and all. But considering his last name? Well, that will make him a threat no matter what. If he truly wants to win this match anyway. It’s a big prize for anyone, but us newbies? It’s even bigger if you ask me. And as for Carter?

Artie nods, but he is showing no ill will towards Carter.

Artie: I have a lot of respect for Carter. He’s been a good friend to me and Bobbie, and he’s one of the most entertaining people to be around. He’s been through a lot over the last couple of years, both in and out of the ring and he deserves every bit of success he achieves in SCW. But as much as he may want this. As much as any of the others may want to win this one. I want to win it that much more. I have to win it.

Pussy: Why is that? There’s really nothing to lose if you don’t win King For A Day. Just as being eliminated from the Blast From The Past tournament. You can still continue proving yourself.

Artie shakes his head and he leans forward in his chair. He looks around the deck of the Battleship Missouri and closes his eyes as he thinks about next week in his mind. He imagines what it will feel like. The energy in the air and coming from the fans.

Artie: There is everything to lose, Pussy. Regardless of the fact that just like everyone else I will be walking into that match with nothing, but losing isn’t an option because if I lose, it just further shows everyone that I shouldn’t be here. No. I need to win. I need to show everyone that despite my size. Despite my lack of experience. I’m still capable of competing against the best. I can still shock everyone and BE the best.

He sits back in his chair again, folding his arms across his chest. He looks straight at Pussy Willow, having spoken his mind to the best of his ability.

Pussy: Well, I think that is all the time we have, but it has been a pleasure, Artie. I think we’ve all gotten to know you a little better and gotten a sense of just how much your heart is in this one. None of us ever expected to see you in this position, but I think after this, you’ll have many many more supporters and people cheering you on.

Artie: That was my hope, Pussy. If people didn’t believe in me before, I hope part of them does now, because I’m serious about this. I will be crowned the next King For A Day. No ifs and or buts about it.

Pussy: I wish you all the best of luck, Artie. You and Bobbie, too, as she competes in the Queen for A Day match. Who knows, maybe the two of you will become the next power couple in SCW after this one?

Artie shrugs with a not-so-sure smile.

Artie: Maybe. We will see. But thank you, Pussy. Next week can’t come soon enough.

The camera then focuses in on Artie’s face, full of a fiery determination. It stays focused there for a few moments before it slowly fades to black.