Recoba v Valkyrie

[UKWF]

Post your RPs for the match below. 2RP cap, max. 500 words per RP.

[Cross Recoba]

The UKWF cameras find their way into PAUL, a high-end coffee shop on Brompton Road - located in Knightsbridge. They center on a man sitting on a table alone, The Financial Times open in front of him obscuring the camera’s view of his face.



“Is it that time again?” The man’s voice is American and mildly surprised, though a note of irritation rings through his words.


The paper drops to show Cross Recoba, his appearance faultless as always - a Barbour jacket and scarf being sported in the cold climate of London in November.


“In times of war, it is sometimes necessary to make sacrifices for the greater good. To lose a battle in order to win the war, if you will. That’s what should be taken away from UKWF Showdown, that New Management, or more namely I, sacrificed myself in order to protect the Generals.”


Recoba takes a sip from his coffee, espresso naturally - as anyone of Sicilian heritage would choose.


“What was it you called that chair shot on Twitter, Valkyrie? An equaliser? A way to even the numbers? Cute...but now it’s time to face reality. At UKWF Face Off it’s just going to be the two of us - where will your equaliser come from then?”


Recoba starts to smile.


“I get that you’re taller than me but where does that get you when you’re giving up weight? Pound-for-pound I’m stronger than you, it’s just maths. I know that you’ve been in this ring longer than I have. I know your game is all about - you’re going to come into the ring looking to ragdoll me until you think you can apply the Hel’s Gate, or look for Freyja’s Justice. I’ll even put money on you targetting my legs - after all, it’d play to the submission and, more importantly, you’ve probably realised I like to fly around the ring.”


Cross leans forward towards the camera, his eyes narrowing.


“You might have made a triumphant return in your own eyes but what you’ve really done is put a target on your back when you should have stuck to the shadows. In case you didn’t realise, I’m the Enforcer for New Management. My role is to identify threats and neutralize them and that’s what I aim to do at Face Off. Like you’ll be going after my lower limbs I’ve got enough in my arsenal to target your neck - how’re you going to hit the Allfather Drop or Wrath of Hel when every attempt to lift me makes you feel like your vertebrae are on fire?”


Recoba casually brushes his fringe from his face.


“I don’t let the past go easily, that’s a message for you as much as it is for Kincaid. More importantly, UKWF Face Off will be known as the night The Great Dane Bitch was put down by The Sicilian Typewriter courtesy of The Man Worth a Thousand Bullets…”


Recoba picks up the broadsheet to resume reading as the camera fades.

[Valkyrie and Hana]

Within moments of the camera flickering to life, the rarest of all views; inside of the Omega Academy. Away from the rings where training was conducted, Valkyrie was found practising her strike training, the Dane opted for barefoot as she mercilessly threw kicks, palms and forearms at the heavy leather bag.

“Some things, good things, come to those who wait. My motives for turning my back on whatever hashtag Stella dreamt up with will come in good time, when I choose to explain myself in ring so she can have a front row seat and hear me for herself. Right now though, my focus is on Cross Recoba. And if you think for one second that your words that it is going to be one on one, then you'll forgive me if I call out that I don't believe you for one second.”

Each word came, the Dane speaking loudly over the sounds of the leather bag being struck at full power...

“Stella knows me better than anyone, and I wouldn't bet a single pound that she won't have let you in on secrets about me, or have her other associates standing behind the curtain or even more hilariously, joining you at ringside as Special Guest announcers, commentators, time keepers. I'd expect that of her and I won't trust any of you to keep your word that they'll be in the back. The words of New Management are about as reliable as a plumbers estimate.”

“As for what I can do in the ring, don't ever judge me by what you read on my profile or what you can see on old videos of me. I like to think outside of the box and vary things about to the point that you'll be surprised by what I'm capable of.”

Then she let out a snort, the kicks from her legs getting higher and higher with each successive strike as she began throwing jumping Roundhouse Kicks.

“It's funny, the situation reversed reminds me of the Head Office run that started off and ended with the company dissolving, except this time, I'm not the one being paid to perform the beatings on behalf of someone else. And if you think being willing to throw yourself in front of a chair to protect a general is smart, all that it says to me is you're stupid enough to let yourself be hit with a chair, ironically for someone who prides himself on being intelligent. But when Stella takes you with the palm of her hand and either pays or brainwashes you to do her bidding, well I guess you're obviously one of the brainwashed ones. You'll last long enough to see the company fold, and at some point, you'll come to the realisation I did after what happened to me about twelve months ago”

And then it came, Valkyrie span on the spot and struck the bag with a hard lariat, the chain snapping, the camera cutting to black.

[Cross Recoba]

We open the shot to see the camera following Recoba as he walks beside Regent’s Canal. In the background we see the perimeters of the London Zoo pass by. The weather is unlike America right now - the cashmere overcoat and scarf address this point.


“The funny thing about rebellions is that while the people who take part in them often feel justified it’s hindsight that decides how they are pictured. That they always feel like the current regime needs to be brought down because they seem to believe that it isn’t how it should be. I’m no stranger to them, my heritage is driven by rebellion, neither is this country - it’s seen more than it’s share of them. The question is - are you like Garibaldi, and yeah, the connection is there, or Giuliano? Beloved by the people you helped set free? Or like Oliver Cromwell? Someone who, now their moment has passed, is seen in a less favourable light?”


Cross smiles to himself it seems.


“One thing you did get right - I’m being paid to be here by Stella, and quite handsomely I might add. She saw something in me before she was unveiled to the UKWF and now the time is right I find myself under her employ. As for my motives for stepping in front of that chair? Call it protecting my political interests - you were head-hunting and while I might be valuable I know it’s mainly in between the ropes, who you were really gunning for? They have leverage and power beyond my own, protect the Queen and the Crown goes on another day…”


Recoba stops at the entrance to Regent’s Park.


“But enough exposition - after all, when we’re in the ring at the Harrow Leisure Centre it’s going to boil down to one simple question - how long will it last before I have my arm raised in victory? It’s not going to be about what your history is with my employer, it’s not going to be about if the UKWF ever shuts it’s going to be about watching me take you down and systematically take you apart.”


Cross lights up a cigarette with a match which he discards behind the camera, seemingly into the canal.


“You can worry about what might be, to be honest, that totally plays in my favour so be my guest. You can worry about whether I’ll be unaided in my victory, about whether your past is going to come back to bite you. That can be your viewpoint, always looking in the rearview mirror. What’re you going to do if you’re right? Think you can control that rage of yours? Think you can keep yourself together when things aren’t going your way? You might be strong physically but mentally, you sound like you’re at breaking point - so at UKWF Face Off will you snap or tap first?”


Recoba walks into the park as the camera fades.

[Valkyrie and Hana]

War Preperations. Might as well have been as Valkyrie was busy packing the single suitcase allowed for travel with the weight limit. The Dane was busy arranging clothing with wrestling attire to make sure it fit in place.

“Rebellions. One dictators terrorists are another regimes Freedom Fighters. To make light of the situation in the world today, the Civil War in Syria. President al-Assad would consider those fighting his system terrorists and rebels would he not? And there are those who support those trying to depose him who would call them heroes and Freedom Fighters. The roles assigned to a situation are dependant on a certain Point of View, and whilst each side has their own story, the truth remains in the middle of the situation.”

In went the Dane's oversized boots, in ring, the soles alone added a few inches to her height.

“Me, as anyone who knows me will tell you, I'm Chaotic by nature. I've never been much of one for fan support, though I can't deny that I'm flattered when I hear the cheers, but I'm the one who is happy to introduce a little bit of anarchy to the establishment, as my ancestors did all across Europe for a few centuries. England, France, Ireland, Wales, Spain, Russia to name a few countries where we went looting and pillaging, with female raiders just as likely as males. Scandinavia terrorized the Old World for centuries. And that is who I am Cross. The Monkey Wrench in the words, the fly in the ointment. I see you with the pretty words and history, but my time as an active wrestler has made me blunt and more to the point.”

Vee added a few t shirts and a pair of jeans into the bag, then zipped it closed.

“See, I'm about to hurt you in a number of creative ways, as though the time of the Vikings has come back for round two, you'll see me charge at you and fight you like it is going to be to the death! My gender means nothing, you might think pound for pound that you're stronger, but I know what I can do, and that includes bashing your skull around to the point I can lift you up and drop you head first into the mat. Or maybe take out your legs to soften you up for the Hels Gate, and aid you with singing soprano in Choir practice, making you feel as though I'm trying to make a wish with you! You don't impress me with all your words, but if you want something philosophical, maybe I'll let you hear this, it's attributed to Søren Kierkegaard but no one is actually sure: Once you label me, you negate me. I'm not a mathematical symbol... I am!”

Then it appeared, Valkyrie smiled, full of teeth, devoid of warmth, not out of place on a serial killer.

“See you in London.”

And the camera cut to black...