Oscar O’Sullivan’s match had come to a close. It was short but the audience let their inner animals come out, having gone completely wild from the hype, consumed by the pure elation, ecstasy, and entertainment that is the AWE.
Joy Ryder stood beside one of the more… vicious animals in the building. Not necessarily a monster because there was strategy and tactics behind the brutality. A monster got lost in their blood rage and most, if not all, didn’t understand what they were doing that made others shake and quake with the very sight of them. There was purpose in this wrestler, always purpose, which honestly made this man far more intimidating than his colleagues because he
knew what he was doing. From the root of his impulses to the expressions on his face, he
knew what he was doing.
Gethin Rhys.
Although he was beyond charming, with a smile that could make anyone that was sexually attracted to him swoon, she knew better. Joy knew what he was capable of doing and how merciless he could and would be out on the ring. Some say a brutal artist, which he preferred, she related him more to a compulsive predator, constantly calculating his next move, while keeping that blinding smile on.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my guest at this time.” Pausing for a brief moment, she gazed up at the handsome man with her cute dimpled smile, but there was a slight edge in her expression, as if she were personally uncomfortable because she, along with the audience, feared this man. Was it fear, though? Or did she simply not trust the heel that stood before her?
“Gethin Rhys!” And with his introduction done, she could get straight into the promo.
“Gethin, so what are your thoughts with how the AWE World title tournament came to be?" She paused for a second and then added,
“With Drayden’s injury and all.” Gethin looked down at the small yet striking young woman and consciously decided to only lower his charming grin slightly instead of getting rid of it completely.
“First, allow me to congratulate you Miss Ryder, you are looking as beautiful as always.” The human torture device brushed a gentle finger across Joy’s marble skin before speaking again. He had not asked her permission to do that but he knew Joy or at least he hoped he did. She loved getting lost in the moment and making his character seem even more horrible was something she would jump at the chance to exploit. For his benefit, of course. As a result, Joy visibly cringed but kept the act up.
He touched her. Gritting her teeth behind her closed smile, she nodded to him as her ‘thank you’, but knew he had more to say.
“Secondly, well, I consider Drayden’s injury to be very unfortunate, I mean, after all I wanted to be the one to take him out myself. Not to worry though, when he comes back… I hope he enjoys the adulation from the sycophants, virgins and morons we call our fans. It won’t last. You see, Drayden will get his rematch for the championship and sadly for him, it’ll be against me. And when his blood has dyed that grey canvas red and the little kids tears in the crowd have stained the arena floor… that will be my masterpiece. That’ll be the end for him. This tournament doesn’t mean a thing. I debuted in a tourney remember? The Wally Norton Battle Classic. I won that, no problem. This thing will be the same. Bet on it.” The handsome Welshman took the glasses from his face and placed them somewhere off camera.
“Next question, darling.” Gethin cracked his famous fists and knuckles, his hands worn from the hard hitting style that had become his signature over his ten years pro. For a moment his mind wandered to his days as a young lion in Japan before the icy gaze of one Joy Ryder brought him back to the present.
Aha, darling. “As justified as your confidence is, be careful... Icarus too was confidant, until he flew too close to the sun. You don’t think there’s other competition out there for you? I’m sure Drayden may very well get his rematch, but who’s to say it’ll be against you? Well, besides you.” Joy felt like she was treading dangerous waters, showing her lack of faith in Gethin Rhys, doubting his abilities to take the title home. Biting her bottom lip, she brought the mic to his mouth and waited for his response.
Gethin’s eyes furrowed slightly. How dare she say something like that. He clenched his teeth and inhaled deeply, cracking his neck slowly and loudly for the microphone to pick it up clearly. He was holding back, that itch, that fever that tore apart his soul. The Edward Hyde inside his Henry Jekyll was clawing to the surface, clambering for air in the abyss. Gethin raised his left hand, the striker placed it softly on its side onto Joy’s shoulder,
“You feel that? That’s control. Don’t dare speak out of turn again.” Removing his hand and dropping it back into his other waiting palm, he continued on,
“I never said there wasn’t any competition, my dear. Competition is what keeps me going. It’s what makes me, me. That said, there may be competition but none can beat me. Bring me Owen Sparks. Bring me Savaka. Thunderbird. Hell, bring me your brother in Japan. It doesn’t matter who I fight, they’ll lose and I’ll tell you why. I have the one thing every wrestler fears; the ultimate hold. My Owari Death Clutch cannot be broke, that is a fact Joy and I dare anybody to come and try. Test me and you will fail boys, you will fail.” Maybe her brother will come at some point! Joy didn’t know. He didn’t keep her in the loop with his wrestling career. All she knew was what she found on the internet or the occasional skype calls of him talking about everything BUT wrestling, like the newest ramen flavor he tried, having a snapchat series called: Ramen Review. Blake Ryder was a man who liked to surprise, especially when it came to him coming home.
Gethin Rhys’ ego was bigger than his head and she prayed to god one day her brother would make this
sick fighter kiss the very ring he considered his life. His home. Internally, Joy’s stomach curled with how Gethin thought he was warranted to continuously
touch her, as if she was a mere object to make him
look good. She knew this was all acting, but still, she was a woman who thrived off of the moments and by hell, this moment was irritating the shit out of her.
“I think they’ve heard enough.” Joy’s stare turned cold, deciding Gethin didn’t need to say anymore. It was her job to help him, but overstep your boundaries and she’ll fucking walk away. Beatrice can bitch at her later.
“We’ll see what you have in store for us! Oh, and--” Before exiting the frame, she glanced back at him and grimaced,
“Don’t tell me what to do.” The interviewer was the first to leave and Chance Ryder, the videographer, kept the camera on Gethin Rhys for a little bit longer, after making sure the sound guy aimed the boom to the wrestler, to pick up any last words.
Turning to face the camera directly, a sick grin crossed the strong style killers face and a dirty, sadistic chuckle cleared his throat.
“A word of warning; gentlemen of AWE, I am the most dangerous professional wrestler on the planet. This we all know. Professional violence is what I do for a living. Step into the ring with me and you have two choices. Knock out or I choke you out. Whatever your preference. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go kill some idiot and then I’m going to go find myself a nice girl...or boy you know me, I’m not prejudiced. Good day.” Gethin reached down and pulled his gumshield into frame and placed it into his still grinning mouth before walking out of shot.
As soon as the camera stopped rolling, he quickly yanked the protector from his face and hurried to catch up to Joy. He was supposed to go to the Gorilla Position to get ready for his match but he couldn’t leave just yet.
“Joy, are you ok? I’m sorry if I crossed any lines. I got a bit into it.” Gethin had spent years developing his character and got really into it at the best of times, especially when he knew he could get away with pushing the boundaries like he did in Japan. Here in the AWE things were a little different and he sometimes forgot that.
Turning on her heel to face her recent interviewee, Joy brought down her professional face, her expression was a lot more natural and not with a constant smile plastered on it. She chuckled,
“It’s fine! I expect these things to happen on screen. And I’m sure the audience ate it up. I do need some time to cool down, but I’m not taking it personal. I guess I can be kinda vibrant with my emotions, huh?” She stuck her tongue out teasingly, to show that she was fine and a big girl. Being part of the AWE all her life, she knew exactly what could happen and took note of all the spontaneous moments, that at times could be questionable or controversial, to better herself as an on-air personality. However, she loved it. She loved this job and everything that came with it. The moments are what made the AWE great. She wouldn’t be a professional if she took it personally, would she?
“Thank god, that’s a weight off my shoulders. Right darling, I better head off. Hope you enjoy the rest of the show and aren’t too put off by my spots tonight. I’m going try out the mouth drag for the first time since back in Japan!” Placing his gumshield back into his mouth, Gethin offered the stunning interviewer a dopey smile before rushing off to go get ready for his match.
“Good luck!” were Joy’s final words and then her attention was brought to the producer walking out of her office. Oh, maybe she should talk to her to make sure that she too didn’t step out of line. Honestly, Joy knew she was fine. Both Beatrice and Wade had plenty of faith in her to help wrestlers make good promos, even if it meant Joy got an emotional rise… hey! Because of that, she’s given the writers’ inspiration for potential story arcs. Nodding to herself, she scurried to talk to her boss.
Aces Away
AlteredTundra
Festive
Sadie
Lildear18
Theyra
Hey Im Jordan
LovelyComplex
Rightful Heir
Damycles
