Post by Apollo Polamalu on Apr 19, 2024 22:44:15 GMT -6
The scene is completely unexpected from your typical promo, as it begins up in the air, focused on the tallest building in London, The Shard. The noise of chopping and blades rattling in the air is heard as the camera pans over to Apollo Polamalu seated in a helicopter, observing the view.
“We’re up to over 350 metres in the air. Can you handle going higher?” The pilot quips, chuckling.
“I can go as high as you want to be. Nothing fazes me.” Apollo says, his voice monotone. The pilot rolls his eyes and the plane starts to go higher.
Apollo continues to look around, a profound expression on his face.
“Everyone hails the Hellevator as a great launching pad for your EWC career, and understandably so. Past winners include: Lavender and Saidie Sharpe. It’s great company. And as someone who’s defeated Ibuki Ito and Xavier Reid in his first three matches, I don’t see why I can’t join those list of names.”
Apollo remains stoic, but it’s not hard to tell that he’s extremely serious and assertive when saying that.
“This is a tough pool, probably the toughest when you add up the stakes. The Iggy Swango Memorial Cup. Only one can be the first to honor the legacy she left behind. And out of respect to Iggy, she deserves to have this cup attached to a man who will do her legacy well and forge one of his own. Besides The Lad, I’m the man with the most momentum in this match. It’s factual. Who in here can say they’ve beaten 1/2 of the main event?”
“Narumi Tsutsumi and Melinda Rhodes are no strangers to Xavier Reid. In general, they’re superstar talents that transcend this match. Yet, they couldn’t hold it together in recent times and find themselves scraping to make this card. Narumi went from the main event of last year’s StrangleMania to the opener. She’ll be hungry to reach those old heights, but she’s bound to overcompensate because how can you be confident when you let everyone down— including yourself? All I have to say from Melinda is that she ran from the grind. The moment she lost her International Championship, she left EWC. Only a coward quits, and in my realm? Cowardice is a punishable crime.”
The wind blows in Apollo’s beautiful hair, and he moves it out of his eyes. He can feel the height getting to him and his eyes squinting, but fights the temptation.
“Pressure molds diamonds and I have to throw people to the floor, my heart will inevitably beat as I try my hardest to try to keep my body in tact. Caleb Scott and Delilah Ashe love risking their body, so what’s it matter to them? Caleb is in his third Hellevator, which is telling of how good he is. He can’t even graduate from this match. I think Caleb has heart for days, but he continuously lets smarter competitors walk over him. He got in Darius’s way last year, and Darius tore him a new one in their inevitable singles match. Ashe always finds herself in these kinds of matches, but she’ll always be known as Scorpio’s sidekick. I’ll take her small frame and ‘cut’ her just like Bruce Booth did.”
“Speaking of. There will be no ‘director’s cut’. I’m especially punishing the lazy. Bruce Booth? Phoenix Winterborn? You are lazy. Talented competitors who could be more, but Bruce relies on The House and Winterborn relies on experience. I’ve already dismantled a club who are both veterans, so imagine what I’ll do to two men who have to dream to see the heights I have this quick in my career.”
Apollo chuckles as the helicopter begins to lightly circle around The Shard. “Like what you see?”
“I’m preparing myself by going beyond the altitude. When you’re at the top, you can get scared by looking down. Not me, because nothing scares me. I need this win because no one is in any position to deny me of my first accolade, not even you, Lad.”
He chuckles, showing an interest in Paramount’s new rising star.
“Both of us are the leaders of the new breed. You beat M$J and I beat Ito. In under a year or less, that North American Championship will be contested between us. And while you’ve done exceptional, six defenses as Television Champion, you’ve beaten underachievers. Can you tell me when you’ve faced a rookie who defied the odds like I have?”
“You can’t.” He smirks. “I wonder if Pastor Morales will be watching this one, considering this match has ‘Hell’ in it. I hope you’re preparing for me, like I am for you. You’re so enamored with the points. One match won and I’m next up for the North American Championship. While you focus on those measly checks, I’ll be negotiating a new contract before you see it coming— see what I did there?”
Apollo mocks Lad, pointing to his right eye. The helicopter starts to move away from The Shard.
“StrangleMania XIX is the continuation of a new legacy. ZERO, you’ve shown skills as a rookie. Posing a challenge to Lavender and Vin, but you still haven’t beaten them. Big man, but always getting the air cut out of him. I’ll be cautious when fighting you, but if Moises Ferro can’t give you instructions then you’re in danger against me. All I need is to introduce you to Impenitency. Autumn Raven felt limp in my arms. I lick my chops thinking how you’ll feel.”
There’s a rabid, bloodthirsty look on Apollo’s face. Even the pilot is slightly uncomfortable at his gall. “Jesus christ, man. What’d I sign up for?”
Apollo chuckles as he adjusts his legs in the cramped seating.
“You signed up for greatness. Tell your kids about this when you get the chance. I will win Hellevator because I don’t know what it’s like to lose and who knows if I ever will? I hope people aren’t sleeping on me, because I’m the most dangerous threat in this match. How do you prepare for a man that not even two Undisputed Champions knew how to handle?”
He lets that sit as the helicopter continues to emit tons of noise. Oddly, it’s a much needed distraction from Apollo’s sadistic thoughts.
“I’m not trying to recreate old glory like Rick Rampage and Justin Paige. Ironic that two men who lack substance have close last names. Whether you wrestled elsewhere or went to war, nothing prepares you for Apollo Polamalu. Seek faith, because it’s the only way you can avoid eternal damnation, forced to relive this moment a million times. Rampage couldn’t defeat Lad, and Paige lost to Mercenary and Cosmo Goldworthy. I’ve defeated men who beat both of them.”
“I’m EWC’s new golden boy, and all I’ve gotta do is prove it by winning this. Lavender won the Hellevator and became a two-time Undisputed Champion afterwards. Imagine what I’ll do if I win it.”
Apollo smirks. He looks down to see all of London at his feet. Most would fear looking down from this view. Especially knowing what would happen if they fell to their demise. But Apollo’s confidence, the aura he exudes... he feels like an impenetrable being right now.
“Even if I jumped from this high up and plummeted to the ground. I have no doubt in my mind that I wouldn’t find a way to sprout wings before I fall.”
The pilot looks back, in disbelief. “Wha–”
“Silence.” Apollo coldly cuts him off before he can continue.
“Everyone has a fair motive to win this match. Whether it be to make a name for themselves, or to honor a hall of famer in Iggy Swango. I’m here to tell you that I’m out to win because EWC needs me to win. I know what awaits me is a North American Championship match, but if Xavier Reid wins, I can even leverage an Undisputed Championship match. The world is in the palm of my hands and I just got here.”
“You should be afraid.” He darts his eyes to the pilot. “EVERYONE should be afraid, because I am the roaring avalanche coming to sweep through all comers in this match like they are nothing. When the fans in Wembley Stadium watch this on the big screen, they will be subject to shock and awe because this is the very definition of rapid dominance. A military strategy built on overwhelming the opposition in every single kind of way.”
“They will not just resist when we duke it out. But they will wish that they never faced my wrath. I’m winning Hellevator, and no one changes that.”
Apollo has a massive grin as he looks down to the city below him, knowing that this was his stage to shine on. The camera somberly fades to black as Apollo looks confident as ever, and the pilot is in disbelief at the man he's just met.