Post by Trav McBang! on Feb 20, 2011 0:00:10 GMT -5
underdog, noun, a person or group in a competition, frequently in electoral politics, sports and creative works, who is popularly expected to lose
In their first match, the Maschinen didn’t just defeat Los Sexys. They made a statement. The two powerful men decimated their opponents in such a way that the entire locker room stood up and took notice. The humiliating event ran the men known as Super Sexy and Rico Suave right out of Pride. From August through December, the Krieg destroyed many of Pride’s slackers and left a trail of broken bodies in their wake. As legitimate challengers began to step up, the Krieg turned them aside just as easily. Men such as Robbie Venom, Shawn Stevens, Stephen Callaway, and Josh Eagles had all fallen victim to the two mysterious monsters and their petite manager.
However, after their match against the Renaissance, the challengers for the Maschinen had run thin. Without any teams willing to step up and challenge them, the Krieg had faded into the background of Pride. New faces, such as the Pride Championship Cup winner Eddie Nash, were gaining their own measure of notoriety in the minds of the fans. As the Knighting was quickly approaching, the Krieg found themselves in a place that they’d never really been before.
Der Krieg Maschinen were the underdogs.
The Monopoly Hotel
6 Months Ago
In their first match, the Maschinen didn’t just defeat Los Sexys. They made a statement. The two powerful men decimated their opponents in such a way that the entire locker room stood up and took notice. The humiliating event ran the men known as Super Sexy and Rico Suave right out of Pride. From August through December, the Krieg destroyed many of Pride’s slackers and left a trail of broken bodies in their wake. As legitimate challengers began to step up, the Krieg turned them aside just as easily. Men such as Robbie Venom, Shawn Stevens, Stephen Callaway, and Josh Eagles had all fallen victim to the two mysterious monsters and their petite manager.
However, after their match against the Renaissance, the challengers for the Maschinen had run thin. Without any teams willing to step up and challenge them, the Krieg had faded into the background of Pride. New faces, such as the Pride Championship Cup winner Eddie Nash, were gaining their own measure of notoriety in the minds of the fans. As the Knighting was quickly approaching, the Krieg found themselves in a place that they’d never really been before.
Der Krieg Maschinen were the underdogs.
The Monopoly Hotel
6 Months Ago
“Do I know you? Look, if you’re a hooker…I’m not interested.”
That’s how Kaja Reinhardt met Johnny Noble. Those comments could have easily led to a rocky start that turned the younger Noble into a hated enemy of the Krieg. However, despite the unfavorable query, Johnny Noble followed it up by helping Kaja in a time of need. Without a firm grasp on the language or the culture, Johnny was the unlikely hero that took her under his wing and taught her a thing or two about America. As he said it himself;
“Don’t worry. I’ll cover you this time.”
Two weeks ago, Kaja’s Maschinen were placed in a match that featured the younger Noble brother. On a usual week, Kaja would have encouraged her men to attack everyone in sight…but she felt as if she owed it to Johnny Noble to spare him. The result of the match was a positive one for the Krieg, as Somba was able to pin Jing while not inflicting much damage on Noble. However, this week was different.
Over the past month, Somba had fallen to Dru Dallins and Eddie Nash. The dominance once associated with the Maschinen had drastically diminished. Even from ringside, Kaja was able to notice a lack of fear that opponents had when squaring off against her two warriors. At the Knighting, Kaja couldn’t afford to “cover” Johnny Noble…she was going to prepare Balraj and Somba as if he was any other opponent. She just hoped that no severe harm would come to the man who had helped her in the past.
Eddie Nash was a different story, though. Kaja Reinhardt did not know Eddie Nash. His tenure in Pride had mostly occurred when the Maschinen were warring with the Otbet and the subsequent fallout that caused the Krieg to fade into the background. Prior, to the match two weeks ago, Nash was barely on the Krieg’s radar. However, after his defeat of Somba on the final Oblivion before the Knighting, he was now very much a priority of the Maschinen. Eddie Nash’s debut and subsequent run of victories was nearly as impressive as the Krieg’s initial string of dominance. His Championship Cup win was also impressive.
However, the match at the Knighting was going to be a completely different animal. In a tag team match, Eddie Nash would have to work with Johnny Noble. The two weren’t friendly with one another and in a fight with the Maschinen, one slip up or miscommunication could lead to a defeat. Pure talent and the support of his wolfpack couldn’t win a tag team contest. Eddie Nash was going to have to work well and trust someone other than himself.
And Kaja wasn’t sure he could do that.
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Present Day
Present Day
Backstage, just moments before Paul Sant and Silence would kick off The Knighting, Kaja Reinhardt had both of the Maschinen in a secluded locker room away from the rest of the wrestlers. Somba was exerting himself, throwing various strikes into a punching bag. The lost against Eddie Nash last week seemed to have lit a competitive fire within the Samoan that he’d been missing in the previous month. Ever since being pinned, Somba had been a force at Silver Mitts. Kaja had even caught him shadowboxing several times.
Balraj sat in the corner silently. He hadn’t taken to the boxing like Somba had. However, the giant carried a silent confidence on his shoulders that let Kaja know he was ready for the challenge that lie ahead. As the two men were preparing, a soft knock came at the door. The locker room’s door slowly creaked open and Alex Avice stuck his head into the room.
Alex: Excuse me, Miss Reinhardt. Do you have a minute?
Kaja looked over to her Maschinen, both of them completely engulfed in their pre-match warm ups. She realized that neither man needed her at the time being and opted to motion Avice into the locker room. The interviewer stepped in and fumbled around with his microphone. Neither Maschinen even acknowledged his presence.
Kaja: I guess I could spare a moment…
Alex: Excellent. I have a few questions about tonight’s match. Eddie Nash and Johnny Noble are very familiar with one another here in Kingdom of Pride, but this pairing seems to have come out of left field. Would you care to comment on that?
Kaja raised an eyebrow, a bit confused at what Avice was even asking.
Kaja: Left…field?
Alex: Oh, my apologies…Um, how can I put this? Eddie Nash and Johnny Noble don’t seem to get along well. What do you think of them teaming up tonight to face Balraj and Somba?
Kaja: Ohhh, yes. I understand. I think this pairing is a very dangerous one…but not to the Maschinen. This is a very dangerous endeavor for Nash and Johnny Noble. My men are both very dangerous…as you can see.
Kaja motions towards Somba, his punches landing harder and harder on the heavy bag in the corner.
Kaja: If these two men do not get along, they can’t possibly hope to win against Balraj and Somba. However, if their bickering and lack of communication affects their in-ring performance, they could very well get legitimately injured.
Alex: A very valid point, Miss Reinhardt. That’s something else that I’d like to touch on. It seems as if the art of teaming is dying here in Kingdom of Pride. Part of that can be attributed to your men. Do you think that the way Balraj and Somba function as one has caused people to become disinterested in teaming together and facing the Maschinen?
Kaja simply shrugged.
Kaja: I cannot guess the thoughts of any other roster members, Alex…but I believe our track record speaks for itself.
Alex: Indeed it does. I take it you’re unaware of the fact that the Krieg are being hailed as underdogs in the match tonight?
Kaja stared blankly, unfamiliar with the terms and ultimately unaware of the status being bestowed on her team.
Alex: People are saying that the Krieg don’t have a good chance of beating Noble and Nash tonight. Do you care to comment on that?
Kaja laughed.
Kaja: People say a lot of things…but that doesn’t make them true. Eddie Nash knows nothing about us. Absolutely nothing. However, given his fondness of America, he probably thinks he knows everything about us.
Before Kaja could continue her rant, a familiar face appeared in the doorway. Klaus Krupp peered into the locker room…Kaja’s mouth dropped. Were the Krieg in America? If so…who all had come?
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team, noun, a cooperative unit (especially in sports)
This isn’t Eddie Nash and Johnny Noble. They don’t like each other and they can’t beat a functioning team. Also, Somba doesn’t wear face paint.
This isn’t Eddie Nash and Johnny Noble. They don’t like each other and they can’t beat a functioning team. Also, Somba doesn’t wear face paint.