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Thunder Knuckles™ · **Yesterday, 02:15 AM**

XWF cameras capture a door creaking open revealing a familiar abandoned gym. A single light shines down on a folding chair at its base is a tattered XWF logo. The place where Thunder Knuckles ultimately ended Robert Main apon his latest return.

TK walks into frame wearing a fancy suit and Pit Viper shades. He stops with both feet planted on the logo and stares at it for a long moment. He smiles.

"You know, folks think this logo means opportunity."

He scuffs the toe of his boot across the logo.

"I think it remembers. It remembers every promise broke. Every man who walked in here thinkin' his name was forever."

He chuckles.

"Robert Main thought forever was written in permanent ink. I taught him it was chalk. All it fucking takes is one good rain."

He kneels, running his hand over the ragged XWF letters.

"This spot...this very damn spot is where I stop legends from reintroducin' themselves."

He stands.

"Now the Trillionaires Management Group got themselves a shiny new toy. Jim mother fucking Ceadus."

TK laughs through his nose before he shrugs like Warstien after finding out just about anything.

"If they were so damn desperate for a foul-mouthed star... Why didn't they just call a megastar with staying power?"

He spreads his arms.

"I didn't become Thunder Knuckles because I'm fucking controversial. I'm not Thunder Knuckles because goddamn controversy became me. I've buried careers, I've broken partnerships, I've carried championships. When people leave this company, they're still tellin' Thunder Knuckles stories."

TK smirks.

"Now, I haven't actually talked to the new management team. I have some advice for them, though. Next time you go lookin' for lightning, quit buyin' batteries."

He steps off the logo and starts toward the exit without looking back, he says,

"This gym's got a funny habit. It don't remember the loudest man. It remembers the last man fuckin' standin'."

TK pushes open the creaky old steel door. As sunlight pours inside, a group of women dressed for a night out and approach TK with smiles and laughter. One loops an arm around his shoulder, another hands him a cold beer, and another tips his sunglasses down for him just enough to catch his eyes.

"See, Jim..."

TK gives a devilish grin, reminiscent of a fucking legend, just before giving a wink.

"Some men spend their whole lives beggin' for fuckin' attention."

He looks at the women gathered around him.

"Some of us just walk out the front door. By the way, welcome back for as long as it lasts."

His last words were a cue for Todd to play a clip just for Jim.

JimCaedus · **Yesterday, 10:35 AM**

Audio broadcast. Because TK ain't worth the mutual expense of time, effort, and money he just dropped for a set, script, and actresses in pursuit of a theatrical attack hiding the thirsty subtext of a flat out Jim Caedus fanboy fluffing.

"S'cute, Teeks. Apparently in my absence you've outgrown your adorable past emulation of me and gassed yourself up to believe y'can now run that mouth in my presence as if I can't fold you up like a lawn chair, penetrate, an' leave you throbbin' for a week. I'm sure y'impress the scared shitless quiet cartel composed a' those "in the know" and the new-booty who've only got to go on what they're told. That's okay. The atmosphere here was definitively frigid upon re-entry, to say the least, an' that's okay too. I won't bother attemptin' to purify a preemptively poisoned well... I'll just piss in it.

Your at-length clout chasin' rundown is duly noted.

I'm flattered my return commanded yours.

Guess I'm still your daddy.

See y'around."

Thunder Knuckles™

Your television/computer monitor, or whatever youre watching quality XWF programming, fires up to a dramatic crane shot of a pristine stage bathed in gold and white spotlights. Something straight out of a Donald Trump wet dream. A massive XWF banner hangs perfectly behind an mahogany podium that had to be errected from Theo Pryce's old desk. Giant LED screens cycle through Thunder Knuckles highlights.

A balled out limousine pulls up bumping "Bad idea, right?" by Olivia Rodrigo. Once stopped the driver gets out, walks around, and opens the rear door. Thunder Knuckles steps out in the same tailored suit from earlier, not to mention his always fashionable Pit Viper shades. The same glamorous women from before step out behind him, laughing as camera, flashes of camrea bulbs explode around them. One straightens TK's tie, another dusts off his shoulder, as TK smiles.

"Now this is more fucking like it."

He walks to the podium once in front of it, he adjusts the microphone.

"Ladies and goddamn gentlemen. It's amazing what happens when you've got a budget."

He looks around.

"Last time y'all saw me. I was in a busted-down gym standin' on a fucked up XWF logo."

He gestures toward the immaculate banner behind him.

"Now look at this. They finally figured out if Thunder Knuckles is gonna speak, maybe, just maybe don't shoot it with a flip phone in somebody's garage."

The crowd chuckles.

"I ain't one of these fuck boys recordin' audio-only promos straight into a cellphone while drivin' seventy-three miles an hour."

He taps the podium.

"Nah, when Thunder Knuckles has something to say. These mother fuckers build a stage."

TK adjusts his cufflinks.

"Now, let's discuss Jim Ceadus."

A sigh escapes TK's lips, which Jim is obviously focused on.

"I've noticed something. You spend an awful lotta time wantin' grown men to call you Daddy."

TK slowly removes his sunglasses.

"...That's fuckin' weird. I mean... really fuckin' weird. I don't know what happened in your life and frankly, I ain't qualified to unpack that shit for you. If this whole comback revolves around convincing other men to call you Daddy... Brah. you don't need a championships, you need a therapist."

The women behind him exchange amused glances as TK grins.

"You walk around actin' like every room owes you respect. Brother, respect ain't somethin' you demand, son. It's what's said about you about after you've left. Oh and the only thing folks say after you leave is..."

TK gives the hand geasture than made him famous.

"'...did he really say Daddy again?'"

He shakes his head.

"Creepy... Real fucking creepy."

TK leans into the microphone.

"I could give a good goddamn what these imps say about me. You know why? Cause I fucking earned it. Good or bad I didn't workshop it. I didn't beg people to say it."

The crowd laughs but just then...

Soft music begins playing. TK stops and looks around.

"The actual hell is that?"

The music grows louder. An offstage assistant gives a gand signal to wrap it up. TK nods after rolling his eyes.

"Oh, so I'm gettin' the Oscar music."

He smiles.

"Fair the fuck enough. You'd think id have more time..."

TK straightens his jacket.

"I'd like to thank the XWF production crew for upping myproduction budget. I know its been awhile. I'd like to thank every person who bought a ticket just to watch me make an absolute mockery of yet another memeber of Apex."

He glances toward the women standing behind him.

"I'd like to thank my lovely guests for reminding Jim Ceadus that confidence doesn't have to be announced every five goddamned minutes."

The music swells louder.

TK places both hands on the podium.

"Jim, you keep chasing attention. I'll keep making history."

TK gives the audience a slight bow.

"Thank you, XWF. You've been a wonderful audience."

Thunder Knuckles steps away from the podium as the women fall in line beside him. They exit together under the bright stage lights while the orchestra crescendos, the pristine XWF banner filling the screen as it fades to black like the end of a career.[/b][/b]

JimCaedus

ooc: I've been asked to leave. As much as I'd love to take part in this fed I call home, I can't. I'm proud of what you accomplished here TK, and proud of everyone else and what they've accomplished. I don't know how it came to this, but I'm respecting what I've been told. This is my final post, and the last I'll be seen.

Threaded Mode \| Linear Mode Welcome back, Jim!
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