And so it was official. After a Skype meeting between the Mexico touring Tommy Bennett and the Grand Rapids based president of PWT Talent Relations Jonathan Brooks, a lavish deal had been ironed out to secure one of the hottest heels in the sport today. And with that acquisition all the pawns were officially in place for PWT’s triumphant return. This weekend PWT’s franchise program, Shockwave, would return to airwaves around the world and upon that show, Tommy Bennett would make his PWT in ring debut.

Tommy’s return fell in the middle of his Mexican tour but he’d worked things out with the MLLS promoter to miss the booking tomorrow. Today however, he was in Tijuana at the Hotel. Tonight he’d be off to face Azumo in a big main event match but right now, he was lounging poolside under a large umbrella in a pair of brown sandals and tan cargo shorts with no shirt and a pair of gold framed Ray Bands. On the table near his lounge chair sits a half drank Corona with a lime floating about inside the bottle.

Tommy, “Professional Wrestling Today… Allow me to formally introduce myself. I am the Sultan of Swagger, The Sensei of Sexy, the Apparition of Awesome… I have been knighted Sir Excellence and crowned King Sensational… I am, “The Playboy” Tommy Bennett and I assure you, PWT Fans, it is an absolute pleasure and a privilege for you to meet me.”

His expression didn’t change in any way to indicate he was kidding. Tommy was laying it on thick but what made him such a dislikable guy was that he believed every word he said.

Tommy, “Now it has been brought to my attention that this Saturday night I’ll be gracing the PWT Ring for the very first time in a qualifying match for the King of Professional Wrestling Today tournament. Well, I may not have ever been in the company PWT before but, I assure you that nobody deserves to be crowned the king of the sport of professional wrestling today more than yours truly. That includes Christian Michaels whom I’ve beaten more times than the oldest of rugs. That includes Phoenix Winterdouche who couldn’t carry my jock with a wheelbarrow and six extra hands. That includes the inferior McMillion sibling with the hair dye obsession. That includes the formally nefarious, sudden patron saint of those tubby little people in PWT T-Shirts, Jacob Mitchell. And most of all, that certainly includes my adversary this Saturday night, Holden ‘My claim to fame is getting beat by a whiney stoner on Pay Per View while recognized as ‘That One Guy’ Riser.”

Tommy rolls his eyes.

Tommy Bennett, “Mister Riser… Let me be the first to extend my sympathies on your early exile from this tournament. Now I know, I know, you probably think I’m being presumptuous. Perhaps. But I can be presumptuous and correct at the same time and I assure you captain nobody, I am correct. There’s a better chance of this show being cancelled due to a blistering snow storm than there is of you advancing beyond the single greatest competitor in the game today. Obviously, that’s me.”

Tommy reaches over and grabs the Corona from the table, tipping it back and taking a long drink. He places the Corona back on the table. After doing so, he withdraws his sunglasses from his face and folds the arms, placing the shades on the table before sitting up, placing his feet on the concrete on either side of the lounge chair.

Tommy, “Holden… Let me cut straight to the thick of this thing. Much like ninety five percent of this little tournament, you, are not in my league. It’s that simple. You may very well be a decent enough wrestler. But decent enough isn’t nearly good enough to place you in a position to beat me. I am the primary representative of the highest echelon in our sport. When people think excellence they begrudgingly think, ‘Tommy Bennett’. There’s a reason for that. It’s not hype. It’s a track record. A track record of excellence. Every where I have been I left a slew of bodies in my wake the likes of which would only be comparable to a hurricane going through a Chicago morgue.  You may have been the inspirational story of the month five years ago when you went from complete obscurity to challenging for the Heavyweight title on Pay Per View in a virtual ‘single bound’ but, that was five years ago. That was five years ago and, that was your biggest attribute to date. Contrarily while you’ve been bouncing around from Indy to Indy begging children who can’t remember you and toothless hillbillies who worship anybody who’s mastered the use of Irish Springs to spend ten dollars on an autographed eight by ten so you can pay the rent… I’ve been quite arguably the fastest rising star in our sport since Bill Goldberg. I’ve been on magazine covers, Pay Per View posters, late night Television… When I walk down the street people say ‘There goes a star’.  When I walk down the street people beg me to stop long enough for them to take a picture of me. When you walk down the street people say, ‘Excuse me sir, could you take a picture of me and my friend here.’ That right there is best explanation of who we are and how drastically different our stations in life are. I’m the guy people beg to be photographed with, you’re the guy people ask to take the picture.”

Tommy shrugs.

Tommy, “But, don’t let that bother ya, “Guy”. Because this Saturday for a brief moment you’re going to know what it’s like to matter. You’re going to know what it’s like to have an entire nation watching you with great interest. Because this Saturday night, you’re going to be in the ring with me and when you step between the ropes with the Playboy, you get the luxury of having all eyes on you by association to me. And hey, after I become the official King of Professional Wrestling Today, your name will forever be cemented as a footnote to my accolade. After all, being the first stepping stone to my throne is quite the accomplishment. Congratulations. Your name will be in the record books forever.”

Tommy gives a nod.

Tommy Bennett, “In the mean time, I suggest you work on some neck strengthening excises in an effort to survive the Hollywood Star Crush without a broken neck. Winning’s not a possibility but survival? Well, as long as I’m in a good mood, that just might be feesable.”

Tommy offers a wink and reaches back grabbing his shades before standing up. He places the shades back on his face and offers a small smirk before walking off. We slowly drift to the half drank Corona and begin to slowly fade to black.