Post by EWC on Dec 16, 2023 16:30:20 GMT -6
The camera cuts to an aerial view of the beautiful TD Garden, home of the Boston Celtics. It then shows fans walking around the arena, excited for last night’s game. After playing a replay of the Boston Celtics versus the Orlando Magic on Friday… The focus remains on the court.
As they stand there, the camera closes in as it becomes clearer that both Page and Cosmo have their respective United States and HBO Broadcast Championship belts around their waists. Cosmo is practicing his crossover, while Page is holding the ball like he hasn’t held it in years.. Which may be true.
Regardless, he soldiers on and Cosmo leads the two from the center of the court to right behind the three point line.
Cosmo: I’ll admit. You got me good in that pub last night. You drink your ass off, but you think you can shoot your ass off too?
Page: I am a natural-born athlete. I haven’t played basketball since the school yard. But I am fully confident that I am about to go two-and-oh against you!
Cosmo chuckles, continuing to dribble the ball as it bounces where the three point line is marked.
Cosmo: This is my domain. Now, I’ll give you your props big man. You’re much smarter than me— but this takes technique.
Page: And if I am anything else, it’s a technician.
Cosmo: Whatever. Let’s get this straight. Rules are simple, both of us shoot from the three point one at a time. First to five wins. You start it.
Page steps forward, deciding to take the first shot. It just barely rims out.
Page: Almost had it!
Cosmo steps up to the line. He shoots away.. Swish! Page furrows his brow and steps up for another shot. This one banks off of the backboard, hits the rim, and bounces away.
Page: Unbelievable!
Cosmo: C’mon now. You starting to feel a little too strong, yeah? Just cause it’s long distance doesn’t mean you chuck it at the glass!
Cosmo steps up for another shot, and fires off another three pointer, it swishes again. He smirks, looking at Page’s reaction.
Cosmo: Y’know, I’ve been thinking about last night. I won’t stop at anything to win that United States Championship, but honestly? You’re starting to grow on me, Page. You’re a lot smarter than I initially thought, you can drink beer with the best of ‘em, and when it comes to it? Regardless of result, you’ve got my respect.
Page: Yeah, I don’t hate you either. Really, we make a pretty great team. We aren’t exactly alike, but we aren’t polar opposites either. Whatever happens tomorrow, I respect you too. And we can still be friends and coexist cleanly in the world.
Page fires off his third shot. This time he makes it.
Page: Ah! There we go! Two to one. Don’t call it a comeback!
Cosmo rolls his eyes, but nods to give Page some respect. He steps forward and dribbles before shooting.
Cosmo: ‘Twas nice, but you’re still ways to go. Before I had wrestling, I had basketball. And shit, I was pretty damn good at it too. Just not where I was meant to be.
He pulls up for his next shot and misses, although he doesn’t seem to be discouraged. He’s got his cool on this a lot more than Page does.
Cosmo: I was meant to dominate on a global stage. In no time, I’m running EWC. And honestly? I hate that this has to come at your expense. Beating you in a three point contest today is no big deal, there’s nobody here. But beating you at the Alumni Stadium in front of all those people? Everyone watching at home? That’s gonna be rough. My ascent to greatness starts with beating you, and I hope you hold no hate in your heart when my arm gets raised tomorrow night.
Page: Time will tell. It’s funny how one minute you’re all “oh I respect you” and the next you’re all “I’m taking over. Don’t hate me.” Kind of odd, to me. But if that’s the game we are going to play, that’s fine. I don’t really need to talk much anymore. Basketball may not be my sport, but I’ve found a niche when it comes to wrestling. And you were right in what you said. I have gone up and down like crazy this year. But there is one thing that I haven’t done and you can’t forget it: I haven’t lost when it matters most. I may not have won at Scars and Stripes, but I never truly lost that HBO Championship you currently wear. It’s as rightfully mine as anything. And just like I never truly lost that, I’m not going to allow you to beat me for this.
Page dribbles and shoots, missing wildly.
Page: Well, the good thing is that I don’t miss in that ring.
Cosmo smirks, pulling up for his next shot, which swishes. It’s three to one.
Cosmo: That’s why I said I respect you. I respect you enough to let you know that I’m winning that championship, and I’m gonna take over Friday nights. You haven’t lost when it matters most, and tomorrow night is my first ever ‘matters most’ situation. It’s scary though, ain’t it? For the both of us. I need to beat you, so I’ll talk as big of a game to not just hype myself up, but get in your head. You know it’s true. We both love talking! And we both love throwing people off their game. Y’know, I’m glad you found wrestling though because you’d have no championships if you took this on as a profession. With that said, I have to be money everywhere I go. On the court, in the ring.. You may have not lost that HBO Championship straight up, but I’m gonna do everything in my power to decisively take that United States Championship away from you. I’m not gonna be patriotic or corny, but only one of us in The House can represent this goddamn country.. And it was the one that was chosen to join FIRST.
Page: Fair assessment. It really is a shame that we have to go against each other. I mean, you’ve earned it. Personally, I think both of us have earned a little more than the United States Championship, anyway. Don’t get me wrong. I love this Championship and wear it proudly. Will continue to do so after tomorrow night. But this isn’t the endpoint. For neither of us, and you know it. Imagine if a year from now we do a full circle and one of us is challenging the other for the Undisputed Championship?
Page takes his shot and drains it. Three to two.
Cosmo: You and I for the Undisputed Championship? Man, that’d be great. In a way, it feels like tomorrow night is just a glimpse of the future for both Rampage and EWC. Everyone raves about your Ace King’s, Scorpio’s, Lavender’s, Melody Malone’s.. But tomorrow? We set a new standard for this brand. They’re going to be talking about us now– but the only way I can ensure my name in that upper echelon and in the history books is by beating you. Now, I do like your idea about us facing off for the Undisputed Championship a year from now.. Because something tells me that the competition between you and I ain’t dying any time soon..
Cosmo sets up and takes another shot. His form and arch of the ball is perfect, as it swishes in.
Cosmo: That’s four to two. Game point for me. Sweating a little, aren’t ‘ya?
Page: I wouldn’t say SWEATING. Last night was a test of endurance. I won. Tonight, a test of technique. You may win. Tomorrow night, it’s a test of both. And it’s a different game, in a way. Except it is no game. This is our livelihood we are talking about. So I’m not going to nonchalantly be performing in that ring like I am right now. I almost knew that I had a lower chance to win this one because I haven’t played ball since I was like ten. But as far as performing in that ring goes, you and I have almost as much experience as the other. It’s really anyone’s game tomorrow night…
Page takes another shot. He banks it in off of the glass, this time.
Page: And, unlike tonight, neither of us really has the advantage if you ask me. Now it’s your shot. A chance to put me away. Be the hero or give me life? You decide.
Bruce: It sounds like he’s testing you!
Bruce yells from the other side of the court. Cosmo rolls his eyes upon hearing from his cousin, who’s been silent this entire time. He looks over to Page and sighs.
Cosmo: Be the hero or give you life.. Hm..
He steps up and shoots his final shot. It bounces off the rim twice, before rolling in. That’s game. Cosmo mimics wiping a sweat off his forehead before turning to Page.
Cosmo: And that’s all she wrote.
Page smirks and shrugs his shoulders. He extends a hand to Cosmo.
Page: Good game, buddy.
Cosmo shakes his hand with no hesitation.
Cosmo: Unlike yesterday, looks like we both get to leave on our own accord. May the best man win tomorrow.
Both Cosmo and Page give one final nod to each other and walk to the tunnels, headed to the exit of the arena. While the camera focuses on the two leaving, in the distance you can see Bruce Booth trying a full court shot, which misses horribly. The camera zooms in on Cosmo and Page walking through the tunnel.. And while Page is focused on leaving, Cosmo’s eyes dart to the United States Championship around his waist as the scene fades to black.