Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2021 19:50:09 GMT -6
Team Davey proudly presents...
005: Two Birds, One Stone: Warming Up (To) The Crowd (BRAWL 563 Pre-Show)
February 8th, 2021 (Half-Hour Before BRAWL 563 Goes Live)
Davey arrived at the Long Beach Arena as the sun was coming up. He spent the morning mingling with the early birds, signing autographs and getting to know the EWC employees who make it all happen. It was an eye-opening experience, but in a good way. Despite his previous hiatus from wrestling, Davey found himself assimilating nicely.
The show was booked solid, from top to bottom. The International Champion, Gabrielle Visconty, the Undisputed Champion, Stitches, and huge names like Clay Byrd, Xavier Reid and Bosa were all scheduled to appear. No doubt about it, BRAWL 563 was going to kick off its Season 22 on a high note. However...
"We've got a problem. The fans are getting antsy out there," Davey overhears one stagehand tell another.
"People are still coming in. I haven't seen Gabrielle yet and she's supposed to kick things off."
"Then what should we do in the meantime?"
"I guess we could--"
"Excuse me. Sorry to interrupt, but is everything all right? Anything I can do to help?"
"Uh," says the stagehand holding a clipboard. "You are...?"
"Avery, this is Davey--I mean David--he's the guy we signed late last season. Sir, it's a pleasure to meet you."
The second stagehand shakes Davey's hand enthusiastically. The guy with the clipboard runs through the list of names he has in front of him.
"Ah, yes. Welcome to the EWC, sir."
"Please, call me Davey. And it's my pleasure."
Another handshake.
"I'm afraid we're booked tighter than airport security tonight," Avery informs Davey. "We tried freeing up some space for you, but we just couldn't juggle it."
"That's all right. It wasn't mandatory I showed up tonight, anyway. But hey, I was just thinking that if you want, I could go out there and keep the fans occupied till the show starts."
Avery looks over at his colleague. The latter nods his head.
"I don't see a problem with that. Do the audio-visual guys have your set on hand?"
"Yep. We got all that taken care of this morning."
"Good. Okay then, feel free to head on out there."
"I'll run on up ahead and let the guys know. Their walkies aren't working right now. I'll try to get that taken care of, too."
"Thanks, Jay. And thank you, Davey. You're already proving yourself to be an asset."
The man named Jay bows his head to Davey before turning around and running off to speak with the audio-visual crew.
"Do you have something in mind for what you're gonna say out there?" Avery asks as the two men start walking toward the ring entrance.
"I have an idea, sure."
"That's good. This helps us and you get to introduce yourself to the fans. I assume that's what you wanted to do here tonight."
Davey nods his head.
"Two birds, one stone. Okay, so once your music plays, you'll head on through this curtain and, well, you know the rest. I've gotta get back to checking people in."
"Right. But hey, could you go to my locker room on the way and tell my family to meet me out there?"
"Sure thing. Good luck out there."
"Thanks," Davey tells Avery. As Avery runs off, Davey peeks through the curtain and his eyes light up with excitement. "That's a lot of people."
Moments Later...
"Crossroads" by I Prevail starts to play and the fans focus their attention on the entrance way. 'New music? Who's this?' they're asking themselves. Moments later they're given an answer as Davey Dunham walks out on stage. The first thing they notice about him is that he's dressed to the nines. His suit and tie are way too nice to wrestle in, so 'what's he here for?' they wonder.
Davey makes his way down the ramp, smiling from ear to ear. A few of the fans closest to him reach out for high-fives, to which he's more than happy to oblige. 'Okay, so far, so good,' he tells himself. He walks around to the commentary station and picks up a mic. He taps it a few times and hears nothing. Looking at it, Davey sees a little button at the bottom of the microphone and he presses it. Tap, tap. Yep, it works. Davey spots an older fan he'd met earlier--the guy who said "I'm already a fan, Davey. Can't wait to see you compete again"--and he waves. "Crossroads" comes to an end as Davey walks the steps and enters the ring.
Davey Dunham: Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me a moment to introduce myself. Some of you recognize me from way back when, some of you from this morning. My name is Davey Dunham, I'm a Pisces. I enjoy long walks on the beach and little umbrellas in my martinis. Candlelit dinner and roses and some R&B tunes, and there you've got my perfect date. Wait a second, this isn't a dating convention?
Davey blushes and tries to act innocent.
Davey Dunham: Oops. Anyway, I'm so glad you all could make it here to see tonight's season premiere of Monday Night Brawl. So much time and effort is spent on trying to give you a show you're gonna wanna talk about at the water cooler the next day. Is that still the right expression, because I don't know. Moving on, though. Physically, the roster is in tip-top shape from top to bottom. Those men and women in the back are the lifeline of this sport we call wrestling. The EWC is home to the greatest crew of assemblers and technicians, as well. This truly is thee place to be. I appreciate y'all having me here to share such an incredible experience with ya. I am deeply and eternally grateful, so thank you very much!
Davey starts pointing around at the fans and they get loud.
Davey Dunham: And you guys are the reason I'm coming back from a ten-year separation. You're the reason I'm here tonight, and you're the reason I'm going to be here--right here on Monday Night Brawl--each and every show. Brawl is my home, and you are all my family.
A respectable pop. 'They seem to like me so far,' Davey thinks.
Davey Dunham: Speaking of.
Two exquisite ladies are seen walking down the ramp toward Davey. They're wearing black gowns to match Davey's suit, with little white flowers in their hair. Very pretty.
Davey Dunham: Everybody, please allow me to introduce you to the two most-beautiful ladies to ever light up my life and keep me going strong. My wife, Haley, and daughter, Elizabeth. Please show them some of the love you've shown me, would ya?
They oblige. Haley and Elizabeth enter the ring and stand beside Davey, their hands politely crossed in front of them.
Davey Dunham: Aren't they the best-looking, most-supportive family a guy could possibly have? I am blessed in so many ways, and that's why I can never stop smiling. That's probably the first thing you're gonna notice about me: I'm an upbeat kind of guy. I've known a lot of grumpy wrestlers, and let's be honest, okay? If you get to come out here and perform for audiences as great as the one we have here tonight, you've already got a reason to smile. It's not about title shots and who-beat-who. Being in the EWC is a privilege, not a right, and some people could probably use a little reminding of that.
Huge round of applause. This guy seems cool, the fans are thinking.
Davey Dunham: Being here, being back in professional wrestling, and being a part of something so much bigger than I alone, is the best gift I could ever ask for. Once again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you all SO much!
The ladies blow the fans kisses and wave.
Davey Dunham: This is my chance to start again. A new life... is upon me. Everything is bright and shiny, and open to an endless list of possibilities. I am excited for this, but I must stop to wonder: "does everything have to change? What if there's something from my past that I'd do over and over again if I had the chance? Something to bring with me from one life into the next." I am most-certainly referring to my wife and daughter.
Big "d'aww" moment.
Davey Dunham: You two ladies represent everything I've ever wanted in life. As I transition from one life into the next--from landscaping and construction, to wrestling--I want you both to stand by me. I want you in my life every day, in every city, on every new adventure. Elizabeth, if you would...?
On cue, Elizabeth produces a small velvet box. She hands it to her father as he kneels to the mat, box in one hand, microphone in the other. He opens the box to display the ring within.
Davey Dunham: You're soulmates with a guy who never actually believed in such a thing until I met you. Cheesy, yes, but true nonetheless. Even though our 12th anniversary is coming up, will you do me the honor of keeping my last name? Haley Elizabeth Colebridge-Dunham. Will you re-marry me?
D'aww! Somebody break out the tissues, that was actually quite sweet. Haley's nodding 'yes' with a lot of moisture in her eyes as she brings Davey back to his feet. Davey slides the ring onto her finger till it sits comfortably next to her wedding band.
Davey Dunham: In case you missed it, she said YES! Thank you all for having me, enjoy the show tonight!
Davey sets the microphone down near the corner and turns to embrace his family as "Crossroads" by I Prevail begins to play again. The fans are certainly much more amped up now and the show is meant to start momentarily... Mission: Complete. The Dunham Trio head for the back.