Rematch Clause

Quickly after, Quincy Reagan's music strikes through the P.A. System. Out of the curtain he comes, in his ring attire. He salutes the crowd, clearly in a better way than he has been in weeks past, but his focus is obviously pointed. By the time he reaches the end of the stage, his eyes have locked onto Howell Saxon, the microphone in his hand has been raised to his lips, and his music has begun to fade. Upon his first words, he points to the former World Champion.

Quincy Reagan
I don't get people like you.

He continues to walk toward the ring as his speech carries on.

Quincy Reagan
People like you who always want to blame x, y, and z for why you failed.

He reaches the steel steps and holds off on his words until he's entered the ring. Once in it, he allows for about five feet between the men.

Quincy Reagan
You came out here, stomping down like a kid, and the first thing you do is bitch. You don't have the balls to say what really happened - that you just weren't good enough. Of course not. For people like you, you've got to blame Owens, Jericho, the fans, corporate, capitalism, democracy, the world - anything but yourself and your failure to show up.

Howell is obviously annoyed, rolling his eyes. Quincy's face is all business and his glare doesn't stop.

Quincy Reagan
It's people like you, who are arrogant, self-righteous, who overrate yourselves, up until someone or someones are able to show us all how truly useless you really are. It's people like you who refuse to accept the truth: your title reign was as much of a lucky fluke as your little tantrum here tonight was childish. It's people like you who make me sick.

Saxon is by now quite tired of the tirade and begins to close the gap the two men have had. Quincy doesn't move, but instead continues to stare Howell down, his microphone still to his lips.

Quincy Reagan
Usually, I wouldn't stoop myself down to your pathetic level, but you've decided to stomp on my grounds, and that can't go untouched. Unlike you, I won at Locked & Loaded, clean as whistle, and I by doing so I earned my title shot, for tonight. I earned the right to a fair, one-on-one shot at the most prestigious strap in this company. But you're trying to stomp over that and push me to the sidelines. I just can't let that happen.

Quincy, now closes the gap some.

Quincy Reagan
But I'll tell you what. There is a pretty obvious solution here, isn't there? We're both, in our own right, entitled to a shot. So, why not treat these deserving fans to a triple threat main event championship match? It's feeling like a fun night to whoop both your asses.

Quincy smirks confidently, before holding a five up and pulling each finger down before they form a fist. Immediately after, an enraged Howell Saxon gets in Quincy's face. Quincy gets right back, and that smirk is long gone. They're forehead to forehead, nose to nose, Howell spewing trash talk, Quincy choosing to stay silent.

TBC - Saxon, Owens, or Atlas

The crows erupts in cheers as Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho emerge from the back with Kevin holding the world title over his head. Then they hug and begin to walk down the ramp before stopping. Chris motions to the belt and tries to put it around Kevin. Kevin stops him and tries to put the built around Chris' waist.

Tazz: What a cup'o'smartasses!

They stop their shenanigans and look at each other before high-fiving and putting the belt around both their waists. They then proceed to walk down the ramp back-to-back, crab-like. The fans laugh. They make it all the way to the ramp before Kevin trips over the stairs and the belt pops off. Kevin scratches his head and then puts his finger in the air as if to say "A-ha!". He goes to ringside and reaches under the ring for something.

Jim Ross: ...Good lord...

His hand comes out from behind the ringskirt with a belt extender. The fans laugh as they more comfortably wear the belt across both of their waists so they are standing shoulder to shoulder and enter the ring in unison.

Chris Jericho
Welcome to RPW is...

He looks at Kevin and nods.

Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens
THE RPW WORLD CHAMPION!

They turn to the crowd as the crowd pops loud for the triumphant best friends. The dynamic duo turn to face the others in the others in the ring. They walk over to Quincy and Chris puts his arm around him. Quincy eyes Jericho up and down.

Kevin Owens
Quinton, we like you more and more each time we hear you speak.

Chris Jericho
Yeah, we seem to be on the same page when it comes to Hormel.

Kevin Owens
We agree that Huey got himself into that situation at Locked and Loaded. He has no one to blame but himself. It could have been a normal match with some fun banter in the weeks building up to it, but you had to go and make a mistake. You had to target my best friend in an attempt to weaken me before the match, but that didn't work. All you did was give me the motivation to rip that title from your hands. You brought what happened to you at Locked and Loaded onto yourself and I gotta say...I loved every minute of it.

The crowd cheers as a sick grin comes across Kevin's face.

Chris Jericho
You tried to cripple me and cripple our friendship, but guess what, you stupid idiot? It didn't work. Look who's standing across from you on his own two feet!

He takes his arm off of Quincy and the unit walk over to their own section of the ring. Chris then puts his arm around Kevin.

Chris Jericho
There's nothing you can EVER do to split us up, Hugo. It's the gift of friendship.

Jericho spreads his arms wide, and it looks like the only reason Saxon won't jump him right there and then is because he is severely outnumbered by the three fan favourites.

Chris Jericho
FRIEND IT IN, MAN!

Tazz: That ain't even make sense.

Chris Jericho
You don't have the title, you don't have any friends...

Kevin Owens
You do have your virginity though, which is more than any of us can say.

Owens and Jericho pose for the hardcam like 19 year olds, with Quincy in the middle of them, just awkwarded out and confused about what's going on.

Kevin Owens
Speaking of which, Quinton. We met your kids. They're great. Seem bright.

Chris Jericho
Shaniqua's a stone cold bitch though.

"OOOOHHHHHH!!!"

Jim Ross: That was completely unnecessary!

Quincy gives them a confused if somewhat entertained look.

Kevin Owens
It was at an amusement park, don't worry about it. We sure did put her in her place though.

Before Quincy Reagan can say anything, Owens addresses the crowd.

Kevin Owens
I think this whole idea of having a championship match on Showtime is ridiculous.

The crowd begins to boo as Kevin puts his hand up.

Kevin Owens
Hear me out. I won't deny that Quinton earned his title shot or that Hedwig is granted a rematch clause. Those are undeniable truths. The thing is we had big matches at Locked and Loaded. We should wait a week or two and decide who actually get's the title shot.

He turns to Howell.

Kevin Owens
If it's you, I won't mind beating your head in again and again and again and again. You are basically a non-factor to me.

He then turns to Quincy.

Kevin Owens
I like you Quinton, I really do. I like your kids, I like what you are trying to do in this industry. BUT, when we fight, I hope your children aren't watching because it will not be pretty and you will not win.

Quincy is about to say something but now Howell is the one to cut in. Except Jericho cuts in Howell cutting in by shoving a finger in his face.

Chris Jericho
SHUT...

The crowd pop! Jericho gives Saxon a mad look, and Quincy and Owens do not interrupt. The fans are really feeling it now.

Tazz: Oh boy.

Jim Ross: This again...

Jericho pulls his finger away and looks at it, almost crossing his eyes. Then abruptly raises it in front of the former RPW Champ.

Chris Jericho
IT!

The fans pop again.

Chris Jericho:
As far as we're concerned, there isn't even a need to have a number one contender. As long as we are best friends, there will never...

Jericho pauses.

Chris Jericho
EVER-AH!!!

Chris turns to the audience.

Chris Jericho
Be another RPW Champion. AGANE!

All the men in the ring are now facing each other almost itching for a fight.

TBC: Howell, Quincy, or Atlas

Before anyone else can get a word in, Howell puffs out his chest and barges through Quincy, Kevin and Chris. All their expressions turn sour and the crowd begin to boo as Howell raises his microphone again, addressing the crowd.

Howell Saxon
Let me ask you lot something. How dense do you have to be to not catch on to what’s going on here?

Quincy, Kevin and Chris exchange vaguely confused glances. Howell pauses for a moment, then chuckles, his signature smirk returning after its lengthy absence. He points at his three rivals, without turning to look them in the eyes.

Howell Saxon
They’re jealous.

The crowd’s boos get louder as Quincy, Kevin and Chris exchange eye rolls and “Oh, come on” expressions. Howell’s smug smile widens as he feeds off this reaction.

Howell Saxon
They’re jealous of my MMA background. Of my work ethic. Of my strength, of my skill, of my no-holds-barred approach to my matches. And, for all their talk of how bloody mature and respectful they are, they deal with their jealousy by grouping on this stage and ganging up on me! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; everyone in this federation’s got it in for me, just because I’m the only one here who gives a damn about real skill and training!

Finally, now that he’s got his trademark smugness back, Howell turns to face his rivals. They’re obviously seething, but keeping their cool so as to not stoop to his level.

Howell Saxon
Reagan. You love to tell me how arrogant and self-righteous I am, but this is coming from the man who takes every opportunity he can to remind this crowd how squeaky clean your wins are and how much you love your family, acting like you’re the moral centre of RPW. It’s just arrogance masquerading as humility!

Quincy glares at Howell as the crowd erupt into boos, more disgusted than ever.

Howell Saxon
And I don’t think I need to say any more to you two. But, just for shits and giggles, I may as well.

Kevin and Chris stare at Howell, clearly pissed off but looking exasperated and bored too.

Howell Saxon
Even now, you can’t resist making a stupid, over the top entrance. And somehow I’m the childish one in this ring, apparently. Sharing the belt and shimmying down to the ring like a bloody circus act, when you, Jericho, have done nothing to deserve association with that title… now, tell me, who’s the one with no respect for this federation again?

All three of Howell’s rivals are now staring him down with disbelief and disgust. The crowd’s vocal response is similar.

Howell Saxon
You know what? Owens, Reagan, bring on that triple threat. I’ll be happy to destroy both of you in front of everyone. To prove that friendships, family, honour, showmanship and all that crap won’t matter when you’re up against someone like me, Howell Saxon, the real… hardworking… sportsman!

The crowd boo monstrously as Howell brings back his old catchphrase. Nobody’s impressed at all, but Howell doesn’t care. He keeps his chest puffed out and smirk on his face as he raises his mic-free hand to point at Chris.

Howell Saxon
As for you, Jericho. I would say I’m sorry you can’t join us, but the only thing I’m really sorry about is that I didn’t stomp on you much harder. I should’ve fucking paralysed you. Maybe then your buddy might have had something to really complain about.

Pure rage and hatred flash in Kevin, Chris and Quincy’s faces. The crowd’s horrified response is now near deafening, and Howell can barely be heard as he raises the microphone to his mouth once more.

Howell Saxon
Next time. Triple threat match for the RPW World Champion. And I’ll get that belt back.

He throws the microphone to the ground, soaking in everyone's reaction.

TBC - Atlas

On the stage, through the curtain, emerges Tony Atlas, microphone in hand. Thanks to his signature laugh not being present today, it takes the fans a while to notice him. Once he's in the centre of the stage, he begins to speak through the microphone in his hand.

Tony Atlas
As much as it pains me to say it... Howell Saxon may have a point.

The crowd boo.

Tony Atlas
Hold up! Hold up! I don't like him either! And I'm not saying any of what he just said rings true! I'm talking about his claims to a rematch clause. He has that right, and technically, with it being a rematch clause, it makes sense that he uses it for an actual REMATCH against Kevin Owens. But the problem is, I also promised Quincy Reagan that tonight, he gets a shot at the title too... so what do we do?

The crowd sit on the edges of their seats in anticipation.

Tony Atlas
Well, I think it's been mentioned already. Quincy and Howell, you both seem to be on board for a TRIPLE THREAT match for that Championship Belt tonight?

The crowd cheer.

Tony Atlas
And Owens, you make some good points yourself... but this is RPW! And in RPW, there's never a bad time to have a big match! I don't think the Virginia crowd would be opposed to seeing a big main event for the RPW World Championship tonight would they?

The crowd cheer again.

Tony Atlas
That is a resounding YES! HE HE HA HE HO HE! So tonight then, in our main event, it's going to be the RPW World Champion Kevin Owens, versus the Former Champion Howell Saxon, versus the Number One Contender Quincy Reagan, in a triple threat match for the title!

The crowd explode with the news of the new main event.

Tony Atlas
You have the rest of the night to get prepared boys! Tonight we'll see who'll carry the belt into RPW's next Pay-Per-View... Brute Force!

And with that, Atlas moves backstage, leaving the rest of the men in the ring.

END