Looking sweaty, disheveled, and exhausted, Bruce McLeod is back in front of the Triad Challenge backdrop, and this time he's flanked by the lovely and talented Elaine Brant. Smiling, she looks over at the veteran grappler.
Elaine Brant: Bruce, congratulations go out to you and Leah for making it past the first round. I know many of the folks I've personally talked to were quick to write you off-
Bruce McLeod: Course they were, luv. Am not the type who gets anything more than a footnote in the record books. Am no Rocky Balboa... no scrappy underdog with the heart of gold. Nae, am just the backbone of this business, the foundation nobody ever sees.
Elaine Brant: A solid foundation is crucial, though. Without that, the entire structure is unsound.
The Highlander taps the side of his nose, his smirk widening for a moment.
Bruce McLeod: Aye. So, if one must paint in familiar colors, I suppose the underdog will do. The perennial loser, perhaps? Always the bridesmaid...
He rolls his eyes.
Bruce McLeod: I've been lucky tae last this long in the industry – spin it like that, hmm? No target on me back, no attacks coming from all sides. Been able tae pick battles. Wage wars on my own terms and while the stats sheets don't quite reflect that, I feel as though I haven't done so bad.
Elaine Brant: And how do you feel that experience gives you an edge against someone as talented as your first-round partner?
Bruce McLeod: I don't. It doesn't. That's... aw, fuckin' hell-
He looks sheepish for a moment.
Bruce McLeod: Pardon the French, luv. The War Queen has a bright future ahead of her – the writing's on the wall as far as that's concerned. What happens out there in a few moments will have no impact on that whatsoever. Competitors like her... those with the raw passion, they leave behind legacies. They leave behind footprints on this landscape that others try tae follow... try their best tae fill.
Elaine Brant: And you don't think you do?
Bruce McLeod: Wanting tae be the last man standing when the dust settles is one thing. Managing tae pull off an upset like that when the entire universe is dead-set against it? Ah, well... even I'm not so deluded tae think that magical moment'll fall from the sky an' let me walk out of this business on a high note, having finally won something that matters for more than twenty seconds to about thirty people. The fact that I'm here, luv... that's the biggest honor. I appreciate that.
Elaine Brant: That's an awfully grim way to look at it, don't you think?
Bruce McLeod: Aye, mebbe so. But, as ya said yerself: I've got the experience tae back up the claim.
Elaine Brant: I didn't quite put it like that.
Bruce McLeod: Potato. Pah-taw-toe. Amounts to the same thing in the end, no? Dearth of knowledge on the wrong side of the spectrum can go one of two ways, aye? This opportunity won't be squandered – they never are. You watched me out there in the team round. Watched me step up, willing tae put this old body on the line... take one for the team, for the sake of winnin'. We did. The question now isn't how much I've left in the tank or how much a win over War Queen means tae me.
Elaine Brant: Then what is it?
Bruce McLeod: It's whether or not I can go down swingin' against one of the best in the business. That's always the most important question, luv.
Elaine Brant: Can you?
The Highlander chuckles and turns away, starting to walk off camera. His final words are flung over his shoulder, barely audible.
Bruce McLeod: Guess we'll find out.
WAR QUEEN LEAH
The scene opens up with Shelly Marks and War Queen Leah standing side by side in front of a Splat! logo behind them. Leah is still in her ring attire, between her tag team match earlier tonight and her upcoming match against The Highlander Bruce McLeod. Sweat still glistening off her forehead after the battle she just endured.
Shelly Marks: Ladies and gentlemen, at this time, I would like to welcome one of our winners coming out of the first round of The Triad Challenge, she is the War Queen Leah.
War Queen Leah: Thank you, Shelly.
Shelly Marks: Leah, earlier tonight we saw you team with Bruce McLeod to defeat the duo of Jazmin Davis and Rick Dickulous. As a result of that win, you now face The Highlander later this evening to see who goes on to the finals of this challenge. What sort of mindset do you have going into this next match?
War Queen Leah: For starters, Mac and I knew what we were getting into from the get-go. He showed that he can more than hang as we took down that HGH pumped lumberjack, Rick Dickulous, and Jazmin Davis. Now the real fun begins. Mac is a hard-hitting, dirty bar brawler. He knows how to throw down when the throwing down is necessary. That’s right up my alley. I look around at the field of talent Splat! put together and I see them trying to get through the first round unscathed; end things quickly and conserve energy for rounds two and three. Some may view that as wise. Sure, it is wise. Where’s the fun in that though? For most of this second round you’re going to see people continue to go for the quick falls, end it early and move on. The only way my match is ending early is if my boot catches Mac upside the head early on and, well… we know that always spells The Endgame.
Shelly Marks: It would make sense to conserve that energy as the finals of The Triad Challenge is a fatal four-way Last Person Standing Match. You’ll want to stay as fresh as possible.
War Queen Leah: Where’s the fun in all that? I get it but I signed up for The Triad Challenge because I wanted the best of the best that all these promotions have to offer. Anyone that knows me knows that I want the fight. I want to prove myself each and every time I step in that ring at all costs. I didn’t get into the position I am by taking shortcuts, by sitting idly by while others just eased into their roles. No, I took every opportunity that stood before me and I seized that by any means necessary.
Shelly Marks: You have certainly gone from virtual unknown to one of the most talked-about wrestlers making waves in the last year. It seems every time we turn around there’s something major surrounding you.
War Queen Leah: I run with a good crowd is what helps that. It started with the Coven in MHW. It turned into the Kwonspiracy in NFW. The Triad Challenge, however, isn’t about any of them. Not about Coven. Not about Kwonspiracy. Not even about the Second City Riot Squad. No, The Triad Challenge is my baby to tackle. I haven’t had the best of luck when it comes to tournaments. At OPT 3, I was eliminated in the first round. OPT 4, same shit. Back in Mile High Wrestling I was able to make it all the way to the finals in the Rise of the Phoenix Tournament but still fell to defeat. Tonight is about not just making it to the finals. It’s about winning this whole damn tournament and kicking off the Summer of Leah.
Shelly Marks: You’re going to have quite a bit of competition should you make it through Bruce McLeod in this next round. It is a