Post by Cosmo Goldworthy on Apr 9, 2024 22:00:56 GMT -6
"Who can I love when they tell me I can't love myself? How in the hell could I possibly love someone else?"
As the sun sets in New York, the scene opens to Cosmo Goldworthy looking up to the darkening blue and purple sky. Cosmo sports a bandage on his forehead and above his eyebrow to protect the gash from JoJo Rush’s barbed wire Bull Rush Lariat cutting his face. He stands on Dimitri Graves’ personal yacht, once again taking advantage of his manager’s money to unwind after a successful outing for The House in War Games at Scars & Stripes.
Despite getting pinned by Jason Anderson in the final stretch of the match, he was able to successfully lead the team to victory, and left Jason ripe for pickings for “The Beast” JoJo Rush to capitalize. “Let Me Know” by Brent Faiyaz faintly emanated from the speakers inside of the yacht, as Cosmo simply enjoyed the view – and life in general.
It was a crushing loss, getting pinned by El Pablo this coming Monday on Brawl – but nothing he couldn’t bounce back from. Cosmo was starting to become much more vulnerable than he was in his rookie year, but vulnerability doesn’t make you weak.. It teaches you how to work around your weaknesses and in return make you stronger.
“If you thought that I was bitin’ off more than I chew going into War Games at Scars and Stripes, imagine how I feel now..” Cosmo lightly chuckles to himself.
“Unfortunately, I ended up losing to El Pablo. I thought I had it – but it slipped out of my hands. A shame, but I’m no stranger to facing defeat at this point. It doesn’t hurt me. I hate it, but it’s not the end of the world.”
Cosmo hesitates for a second, leaning his arms on the railing.
“As I approach Rampage #526 this Friday in Alabama, it is the final show before StrangleMania, which means I need to be at my A-game. Cassie Wolfe is the woman that stands in front of me and I know how much she’d gain from knocking me off with an upset victory right before the big show. Imagine that? Two losses in a row before StrangleMania?”
He gives a painful chuckle. Cosmo thinks long and hard about that – because it really is that simple to be at the top of the mountain and lose it all at the snap of a finger.
“Even though Cassie isn’t the strongest of competitors, I can’t lose focus and allow her to run through me. Losing focus has cost me many times before. I’d arguably say that it meant I took my eyes off the prize when Pablo and Narumi practically united to take me down..”
As the yacht sways above the flowing water, Cosmo keeps focus on addressing this match.
“In my first PPV appearance, I took on Cassie Wolfe and Jason Anderson in a triple threat. Even though I beat Jason too and he tries to act like that didn’t happen – the person that I ended up pinning was Cassie. What has happened to her since then? Maybe a fluke tag victory here and there, over bums like Aiya and Sonya; but what has she done since then? Who has she really impressed?”
Cosmo pauses. He simply looks to the skies as the yacht continues on. Cosmo runs his hands against the steel bars connected to the railing. He was trying his best to not give it off, but Cosmo was clearly still pained from the War Games and Brawl matches. But at the very least, being able to admire his surroundings could take his mind off the pain.
The wood slightly croaked as behind Cosmo were the footsteps of his cousin, Bruce Booth approaching him. Bruce stands next to Cosmo and the two collectively look at the beautiful night view of New York City in the distance.
“Hey..” Bruce ponders. “You never told me why you wanted me to tag along with you for this. I’m not even booked for Rampage this week and I’m sure you wanna go this one alone after I screwed up with Darkw–”
Cosmo cuts him off before he can go further. “That match is in the past, but you’re right. I need to get back to my roots and not rely on interference. I did it with Pablo and Narumi, but I felt off my game that night. I know I can dispatch Cassie without any help needed.
Bruce nods to Cosmo’s sound thought process, although that doesn’t quite address what he was originally looking for. “Right. But back to my first point, why am I here?”
Cosmo turns to look at Bruce. Before he answered, Bruce could tell something was up, cousin connection– or something corny like that. The two were worn down from their battle last Friday, so there was a mutual understanding of however way they’d may be feeling right now.
“I get lonely, dawg.” He says, bluntly. “Ridin’ ‘round with Dimitri is cool. It allows me to take in things like this.. But openin’ myself up to others? That ain’t easy. The House is family, but you know you can’t just take them ‘round anywhere. I don’t got nobody in my life, and I feel like the only person I can trust these days is my own blood.”
“You say that like we share a fuck ton of DNA, or something.” Both chuckle at that. “..But listen, cuzzo. I understand. It’s a cutthroat industry. I came from acting where they chewed me up and spit me out– fuck them for life for that. You never know who you can confide in. But I always got you, and you always got me. That’s what matters.”
“You damn right it is.” Cosmo smirks while looking at the sunset. He looks over to the cameraman who motions if Cosmo wants this all recorded or not, but he gestures that he keeps going.
“But at the same time, y’know, it’s probably good to have a perspective on life from someone that’s not caught up in this wrestling shit.” Bruce says, a rare sign of seriousness from the conceited ex-actor. “How come you don’t have a woman? You were a chick magnet in high school– not to mention JoJo’s married to Tori and he’s a literal nutcase.”
Cosmo is caught off guard by the comment about JoJo and starts laughing. But he starts to calm down and actually answer Bruce. “Dunno, man. I don’t think a guy like me is supposed to find that happiness. I’m so dedicated to this shit– I will do anything to succeed. I can’t guarantee if a ride-or-die awaits me on the other side. There’s so much pain inside of me that I weaponize to use against my opponents. Who’s wastin’ their time with that shit? I wasn’t as fortunate as you, Mr. Rich At Birth.” Cosmo rolls his eyes, saying the final statement in a sarcastic manner – although everything else was solemn.
“I’d appreciate some company, but there’s no tellin’ how that’ll turn out. At least you and Dimitri get me. Besides, it’s not companionship I need – but to keep this championship. To push further for the Undisputed Championship.. The checks, the legacy, that’s what matters.”
“And what if it doesn’t?” Bruce genuinely asks, a question that not even he had considered before.
“A ‘what if’ has never gotten me anywhere.” Cosmo plainly states. “But what I do know is that winning three matches in a row, at Rampage and then both at StrangleMania, gets me to where I need to be.”
The two nod to each other. “I’m gonna go talk strategy with Dimitri, we’ll catch up when the cameras ain’t on.”
“Take your time.” Bruce and Cosmo dap each other up and Cosmo walks off. The scene transitions to the inside of the yacht.
Cosmo walks inside of the yacht where Dimitri is enjoying a fine glass of whiskey. He offers Cosmo some, but Cosmo shakes his head and takes a seat.
“Congratulations on Friday night.” Dimitri says, proud of his success.
Cosmo winces, feeling at his forehead. “I needed that. Everyone’s been so hellbent on trying to see me fail. I’m sure that people would point out the fact that Jason pinned me – but it came from miscommunication. The point is that I started the match from number one and I led our team to victory. If I was fresher, I wouldn’t have made such a mistake; but who knows if we would’ve won if I didn’t set the tone?”
“But that same mistake is what cost you against El Pablo and Narumi Tsutsumi. You didn’t set the pace, you allowed them to dictate where it went and look at that. An unintentional tag move cost you the match. You need to rectify those mistakes by bringing the fight to Cassie as soon as the bell rings and not even allowing her a chance to breathe.”
Cosmo nods his head to that.
“Without a doubt. Cassie has been hungry for a while.. But hunger doesn’t always equate to success. As it stands right now? In combined singles and tag team action, she is 0-10. She hasn’t even won a single match. And in comparison, I’m 7-4. Am I happy about having four losses, when I’ve already earned more losses in this season than I did last season? Not quite, but the difference between us two is that I’ve never let my failures dictate me. However, I can’t say the same for her.”
Dimitri sits comfortably with a glass of whiskey in hand, and he intermittently brings it to his lips for a sip, exuding an air of casual confidence. Meanwhile, Cosmo maintains an upright posture in the plush chair.
“Cassie always finds herself in big situations, but she doesn’t know how to adjust.” Cosmo states, matter-of-factly. “When I first saw her, I pointed out how her high-flying ability was going to screw her over. I could catch her in the air with a strike and I could cut her down like it was nothing. Since then, it seems that all of her opponents have employed that same strategy or simply outmatched her at her own game. To be honest, whether it be striking, grappling or even the rare high flying from me. But to be blunt Dimitri, I don’t want to keep failin’ you because you went through that with Jack Severn, did you not?" Dimitri winces at that statement, aware that he was there for Jack’s constant failures when he was expected of more. It was the beginning of the end for their relationship.
“No matter how much Cassie wants this one, if she was going to treat it with more dignity and determination she would have done so already. And yet, she hasn’t? By the grace of god, she was given a Television Championship match against The Lad and despite her experience competing on Friday nights, he utterly embarrassed her. I watched as Cassie got an opportunity to face ZERO for a shot at the Fighting Spirit Championship and what happened? He dismantled her like it was nothing, because he wanted it more.”
The yacht propels forward with increasing velocity. With each surge forward, it begins to rock and sway. Dimitri's grip tightens around his glass, but Cosmo remains concentrated on his points.
“That’s what it boggles down to, really. Wanting it more than Cassie. She can fight, but she can’t hold on for long. All that potential, that youth and it all goes to waste. Like all of my opponents, I expect Cassie to come with some determination because when you’re in the ring with Cosmo Goldworthy, you give it your all or I’ll dust past you like I have the rest of my opponents. You’ve seen it with many of the top names, bona fide legends.. Some that I’ve beaten, some that I didn’t because they were just so damn desperate to defeat me. But Cassie lacks desperation. She walks around with a big smile on her face and everytime it kills her because she ain’t built to swim with the sharks, and not everyone is. But when you step in the ring with one of the smartest that squared circle has ever seen? You can’t come in with a smile. You better come to the ring with your game face or I will rip you to shreds.”
Cosmo's smirk widens slightly as he taps the side of his head, a gesture of self-assurance for his proficiency in putting together a game plan. He shifts his weight comfortably in the chair before continuing.
“And as it stands? Cassie Wolfe isn’t even booked for StrangleMania. That tells me all I need to know. I’m not only booked – but I have two matches. I know everyone is wondering if I’m shooting myself in the foot with that, but I’m not. I am looking to send a message, because it’s a given that I beat Cassie anyways.. This isn’t just about picking up the win but reminding everyone what I can do. Lavender, Vin Havoc, Mercenary. I hope they’re all watching, because if bones are broken and skulls are smashed – it simply ain’t my fault.”
Dimitri's grin widens as he locks eyes with Cosmo, a flicker of mischief dancing in his gaze. He wastes no time adding on to what Cosmo’s already said, the two doing all they can to maximize the United States Champion’s chances of winning this Friday.
“They have no choice but to watch. They always watch! You’re public enemy number one these days and you leading The House to a victory at War Games was no difference. Everyone fears you, so they’d love to diminish your hard work by belittling it down to an elimination when you know it was more than that. Jason was too hurt to follow up with The Beast. That was your work and you SHOULD be proud of that, because now you’re undefeated in War Games.”
“Cassie isn’t notorious for being a student of the game. She doesn’t always watch the tape back. There’s gaps in her game that we identify immediately, whereas she doesn’t even know where to begin with Cosmo Goldworthy’s flaws. But I know what your flaw is, you know what it is. It’s simply that you’re too talented for your own good. With every blessing is a curse, but we’re going to skip the curse and take you straight to double champion status at StrangleMania because that is what you earned and that is what you deserve!”
Cosmo’s expression shifts subtly from the motivation in Dimitri’s words. It expands upon his thinking and gives him a lot to add to. Cosmo's fingers trace the contours of the soft chair's upholstery, his touch lingering briefly as he takes in the plush surroundings of the yacht's interior.
“Deserved and earned are two different things. But I can proudly say that I represent both. For Cassie Wolfe? She represents neither. There’s no deserve. There’s no earn. She doesn’t work like I do. She doesn’t dedicate her entire goddamn life to this like I do, because she’d rather play silly games with Harper Mason – and there’s no surprise why Young Justice are always on television but neither of them can pick up a victory. It’s no surprise that she’s got as many losses as Peach Gelato and Steve Lawson combined, because she doesn’t know what she’s doing. The most active team in the division happens to be the worst, how silly is that?”
As Cosmo gazes down at his hands and a subtle twitch dances across his eyes. A smirk escapes his lips. Instead of recoiling in horror at his heartless actions, he's beginning to confront them with a newfound acceptance.
“And I don’t fault her for fighting her ass off. I’ve been on multiple shows this season. I’m a workhorse and people always try to use it against me. But if you’re going to be a workhorse, your legs better work very well or they’ll put your ass down like the rest of ‘em. Ain’t no surprise why Eleos Affect used that horse analogy against y’all, because you really are just a dyin’ animal waitin’ to be put down. So let me do you a favor. I’m going to grab your arms and I am going to bash on them with my legs, whether it be my lethal kicks or a vicious stomp. I’ll take your legs and start beating into them with kicks, and ground you with submissions to disrupt your high flying, because we all know that I’ve got The House Special at my disposal.”
His eyes dart over to his arms, which he holds his gaze on. Cosmo is well aware of limb targeting and he always uses it to his advantage, especially when he needs to pick apart tougher competitors like his upcoming ones.
“Doomsday is approaching for you, Cassie. You have had so many matches but this one means the most, doesn’t it? You are going toe to toe with the United States Champion. And I hate to break it, but there’s not a single universe where Cassie Wolfe defeats me because if she was ever capable of it? She woulda’ done it in my second match. Look at me now, a whole year later and I’ve gotten even better.”
Dimitri hands Cosmo his championship and Cosmo stares at it. This championship means the world to him and he’s never going to lose track of it.
“When we touch down in Alabama, I’m going to maul Cassie Wolfe and I’m going to like it. Because I don’t like defeat. I don’t like this idea that I need to be humbled. So you know what I say to that? Fuck it. I’m just going to dismantle everyone in my way.”
That trademark intensity of Cosmo flares up, and Dimitri nods to him. Cosmo looks to the camera, pointing at his bandaged face.
“All of these stitches jammed firmly in my head because I met barbed wire to my face! I am willin’ to do whatever it takes to win.. I’m willin’ to endure everything. And it’s time that Cassie understands that The House Always Wins.”
Cosmo takes his championship and raises it up to the camera as Dimitri proudly looks up.. I seems that they’re going to cut things, but Bruce walks back inside.
“Yo. There’s one more thing I wanted to talk to you about.”
Cosmo looks up to Bruce, caught off guard. “What’s up?”
“What’s this whole deal with Jack? He’s saying that you don’t respect me or value me. That I’m as expendable as Jamie?”
Cosmo snarls, taken aback. “What? Don’t– don’t listen to him, dawg. That’s nothing. Hold on..”
He raises his hand up to call for the cameras off, this time. Cosmo motions Dimitri leave the room too. As the camera fades to black..
The last thing that viewers can hear is.
“Let’s talk. Forreal.”
Cut.