OVER Pilot

COLD OPEN Over black, the words "BREAKING NEWS" (big, white, capital letters) start flashing, as a voiceover says ANNOUNCER (V.O.) We interrupt the following for this important announcement. The graphic transitions (glass shatter, complete with sound effect), revealing some badly rendered flames in front of a red background, with JWA-JERSEY WRESTLING ALL-STARS closing in on screen. THE BEST WRESTLERS IN THE GARDEN STATE fades in underneath. The graphic cuts to some clips of pro-wrestling (dropkicks, moonsaults, bodyslams), and in between, wrestlers will appear, with their names at the bottom of the screen, as they start talking into the camera. Wrestlers like "BIG" TERRY NELSON (mid-30s, no shirt, long navy tights). Nelson rocks stringy blonde hair over deep forehead scars, and is not quite as built as expected for the pros. That doesn't stop him from snarling and mean mugging, as he slaps his chest. TERRY Welcome to the extreme world of Terry Nelson. Sometimes there is a team, like brothers DAVE and DANNY DIAZ. These two are in their late teens, their still-can't-quitegrow-a-beard-yet phases. Matching blue and red vests and tights. They're really just happy to be there. DAVE DIAZ I'm Dave, he's Danny. DAVE AND DANNY We're the Diaz brothers. DANNY DIAZ And we're here to fly high and steal the show! Next up is a guy with a little more braggadocio, MARCO GRANDI. Late 20s, taller and more defined than the last three guys, in purple trunks, with gel caked into his hair, almost dripping onto an open button-down. He turns to the camera, eyes peeking out from the top of his aviators, speaking with a put-on Spanish accent. MARCO Marco Grandi is here to show all of you Americans how to have a good time.

2. Characters come up one after another, like JENK and MERLEthe Barren Boys (rednecks-one big guy, one smaller guy, wearing camo vests and faded jeans), L.E.S. (20, AfricanAmerican, baggy jeans and Timberland boots), OLLIE STALEFISH (19, shaved head, covered in tattoos), BRIAN REEVES (22, jocktype, letterman jacket), and OSCAR ESTRADA (27, holding a Samsonite briefcase, dressed like the first half hour of Scarface). OSCAR The Boss, Oscar Estrada, and (holds up and taps briefcase) I've only got one thing on my mind. JACE (28, African-American) is up next. He's big, even for these guys. On his shoulder is the JWA Championship belt. No emotion on his face. JACE Two-time JWA Champion, Jace. Last one up is CHRIS GRAYSON, 21. 5'10''. About 170 pounds. He's fit, but not ripped. The joke around the locker room is that if you saw him outside, the last thing anyone would think would be that he is professional wrestler. But here he is, in black boots and tights, because this is what he does best. Except... CHRIS I'm Chris Grayson, and-and... He's freezing up again. It's bad enough he gets nervous in front of the camera, but everyone else came in with something to say: a catchphrase, a joke, something. Everyone but him. CHRIS (CONT'D) I've got nothing, Max. CUT! MAX (O.S.) CUT TO: INT. BACKSTAGE LOCKER ROOM- NIGHT Chris is standing behind a green screen, propped up in front of some lockers. In front of him is a consumer grade camera on a tripod, and five other guys. Four of them start fighting back laughter. The only one not smiling is MAX GIBSON, 54, who steps out in front of the camera.

3. MAX Alright, that's enough! Max walks over, frustrated, to Chris. MAX (CONT'D) I keep telling you how important this is. You gotta know your character, and you gotta present it. If they don't know who you are, it won't matter how good you are in the ring. Don't ignore this. CHRIS Yeah, yeah I know. MAX We'll discuss this more later. You gotta get ready. You're up next. Chris can tell that Max is disappointed, but he cant worry about that now. It doesnt help that the other four, SETH GRAVES (23), Brian, Oscar, and JON ROLLINS (29) start LAUGHING as Max leaves. Chris joins his so-called friends and tries to laugh it off. Dave and Danny come into the room, Danny sporting some bruises on his arm and a cut on his chin. Dave is holding a pair of elbow pads. DAVE DIAZ Here are your pads, Chris. Chris puts them on as fast as he can, along with some matching kickpads. CHRIS You have to get your own pair this week. DAVE DIAZ I will. As soon as I get today's cut, I'll order some nice red ones. DANNY DIAZ No, you're not. We gotta coordinate this kind of thing. You're getting blue. DAVE DIAZ You know I'll look good in some red kicks. DANNY DIAZ You should have saved up and bought your shit before I did.

4. This is not the only discussion in the locker room. We see The Barrens Boys rubbing something onto their arms to make them look dirtier , Ollie practicing the screech he does in his entrance, Grandi listening to his iPod, pumping his fist, as they all try to get into character and warm up before they go out there. Amused by the glossy boxing follow him so they would do goings on of the locker room, Chris throws on a robe, and heads out to the ring. The other four they can watch his match. Chris is the only one this for. CUT TO: INT. JWA ARENA- NIGHT MUSIC: Jamaican dancehall. Something like Shabba Ranks. The sound of a big crowd gets louder as this group walks to a curtained off portion of a hallway. This area is littered with chairs, wiring, and some sound equipment. Right outside is the crowd, and it sounds like thousands. Rollins goes to a CD player connected to the PA system and fades out the song, before queueing up Chris'. Chris is just okay with his entrance theme. It's the fifth one he's tried out. Chris takes off a silver chain he has around his neck, and kisses it, before handing it to Jon, who will hold it until after the match. Chris starts jumping in place, psyching himself up as he walks out past the curtain. ANNOUNCER (O.S.) And his opponent, from Union City, New Jersey, weighing in at 230 pounds, CHRIS GRAYSON!!! MUSIC: 2000s rap-rock song. Limp Bizkit, the like. Chris steps out to an audience of maybe 40 people in a high school gym. The loud school colors contrast with the black tones of the ring and entranceway. All the JWA equipment looks stained and dirty in comparison. Still, there is nothing fancy about this venue. Linoleum is peeling on the floor, as the ring sits at halfcourt. Steel barriers separate the ring from the twenty or so seats at ringside and the couple of chairs along the entrance way. The crowd is filled some dads with their young sons, a couple of college kids, one or two grandmas, but for the most part, it is guys in their late 20s-early 30s, wearing faded wrestling T-shirts. Theyre a little rowdy, but thats better than no reaction.

5. Chris comes down the aisle, high-fiving the crowd along the way. Already in the ring is tonight's opponent, BRODIE WILLIAMS, 22. 348 pounds over a huge white tee and a singlet, looks like he's a second away from ripping Chris' arms off the sockets. The announcer steps out of the ring as a REFEREE comes in. He has a few words with each wrestler at their corner, going over the rules, then he motions to the TIMEKEEPER. The bell RINGS. The two charge at each other and lock up in the middle of the ring. INT. LOCKER ROOM SUPER: 30 MINUTES AGO Brodie is sitting on a steel chair in the locker room, shifting around nervously while everyone around him is changing into their gear. He's been dressed in his gear for an hour. Chris walks in, dressed in his tights and a cheap tshirt, and once Brodie sees him, he lights up. They shake hands. BRODIE Chris! Good to see you! CHRIS This is it, the big night. You nervous? BRODIE Is it that obvious? I've changed this shirt twice already. CHRIS (puts his arm around Brodie's shoulder) Hey, remember that this is your moment. Everybody gets nervous their first time. Hell, I still get shaky heading out there. You just have to remember why you're here. For them. To give them what they want to see, so they get their money's worth and come back to see you next week. BRODIE Well, Max and Jon couldn't have given me a better person to work with.

6. CHRIS Thanks. That's good to hear. Alright, so here's what I was thinking. We'll start with a lockup, and then I follow up with a dropkick. No sell it. INTERCUT BETWEEN THE MATCH AND THE LOCKER ROOM FLASHBACK The two separate themselves in the ring, and Chris DROPKICKS Brodie square in his chest. The height that Chris gets on the jump gets some cheers from the crowd. Brodie wobbles, but he stays in place. He cracks a grin, which gets some boos. CHRIS (CONT'D) Then you come at me with a clothesline. Brodie drops the smile and charges at Chris with his right arm outstretched, HITTING Chris' neck. Chris takes it like he was hit by a truck, doing a backflip as he crashes to the mat. CHRIS (CONT'D) Give me a couple of stomps, and we'll start slowing it down. Hit me with some slams and get a two-count in. Chris is on the mat after taking a body slam. Brodie starts gesturing to the crowd, smack-talking the front row as he walks around the ring. He picks up Chris and puts him into a headlock. Chris starts to fade (arms lowering, eyes closing), but he quickly gets his second wind and begins to elbow Brodie in the ribs. The crowd claps with each elbow. Brodie violently releases the hold, and just as quickly puts Chris on his shoulders and drops him on his back. The crowd shuts up, then they start booing. BRODIE I've been working on the piledriver. It's looking pretty flush at this point. CHRIS Good. I've got the perfect place to introduce it. Brodie picks Chris up so he is draped on him shoulder. He positions him for reverse piledriver, with Chris showing fear for a split second, right before Brodie drops to the ground.

7. CHRIS (CONT'D) We'll have good heat in by now, so you'll go for the pin, then really heel it up. Blood starts dribbling from a cut under Chris' eye, sopping onto the mat. Frank saunters over to Chris' prone body and instead of dropping down for a pin, he puts his foot on Chris' chest and orders the referee to start counting. ONE! TWO! CROWD

Chris kicks out of it at two and three quarters. The crowd is ELECTRIC now, as Brodie gets in the referee's face, arguing the call. He rages at the crowd, too, as he climbs out of the ring and gets a steel chair. The people in the ringside seats are booing in his face and calling him a cheater. Brodie has the whole crowd against him. Good. That's his job. Brodie slides into the ring with the chair. The ref immediately confronts him about it, trying to pry it out of his giant hands. Chris pops back up, and tries to elbow Brodie, but Brodie turns before impact, and Chris ends up HITTING the referee. The striped-shirt collapses. He won't be getting up for a while. Brodie swings the chair, but Chris ducks out of the way and kicks Brodie in the gut, as the chair falls outside. The two fight into the ropes and out of the ring. Brodie throws Chris into the barricade, and the crowd surrounds him, cheering him on but not getting involved themselves. Brodie looks around for the chair while Chris catches his breath, and when Brodie comes back with his weapon, Chris fights back, STOMPING and KICKING him until he is flat on the ground. Chris climbs back in the ring and goes to the opposite side, before running back towards Brodie, jumping over the ropes. BRODIE You sure you want me to go full force? CHRIS I'll be fine. Trust me. You need a good ending for your first match. We'll wrap up right after the bump, and I'll buy beers after the show. The two shake hands. BRODIE I can't thank you enough for this. This is big.

8. CHRIS Just remember everything I said, and have fun out there. We will. BRODIE

Back to the fight. Chris is jumping outside towards Brodie, who's slowly getting up. But Brodie has the chair in his hands now, and he swings it into Chris' head as he's in midair. The CRACK from the swing echoes, and some GASPS are heard from the crowd. Chris is down, and Brodie grins, proud of his accomplishment. RINGING. A single tone. A glazed look over Chris halfbloodied face. He can't move. He cant hear the crowd, Brodie, or his own breathing. Just a RINGING. Brodie picks Chris up with some difficulty, and rolls him back in the ring, covering him for the pin. Brodie is in the moment, thinking that Chris is just selling the chair shot really well. The ref starts to wake up as Brodie pins Chris, and he slowly starts the count. CROWD ONE! TWO! THR-! Chris manages to nudge a shoulder up, wide-eyed like a miracle just happened. The crowd ROARS. Brodie shoots to his feet and starts berating the ref, taking him by the scruff and threatening him. Chris is still down. He should have gotten up by now. Brodie senses something is wrong and stalls for a bit by yelling at the crowd. Chris tries to move his fingers and legs. He's panicking, conscious but lifeless in the middle of the ring. A finger twitches. Then another. He can form a fist. Then he stands up. Slowly. Hearing nothing but ringing. Brodie is still with the ref, both keeping an eye on Chris. Once he's back on his feet, the ref gives Brodie a slight nod, and Brodie turns around...into a running kick by Chris. The SMACK from Chris' boot onto Brodie's chin reverberates in the arena. Chris falls on top of Brodie, and the ref gets into position. CROWD (CONTD) ONE! TWO! THREE! The bell RINGS. The ref raises Chris' arm and declares him the winner. Chris looks into the crowd. They all look like they're cheering, but all he hears is that ringing. He gently rolls out of the ring and tries to interact with the crowd on the way up the entranceway, but even they are noticing that Chris is hurt.

9. There is no color in his face (other than the blood), and he is walking like he's tied to a barbell, up the ramp and through the curtain. INT. BACKSTAGE LOCKER ROOM-CONTINUOUS Once he gets past the curtain, he is immediately led by Max and a DOCTOR to the locker room. The doctor sits him down and starts checking his eyes for head trauma. Blood is still covering half his face. Some of the other wrestlers are huddled around them, all still in their wrestling gear. But there is still a show going on, and the two main eventers, Terry Nelson and Jace (the best looking guy in the room) walk past the group. Nelson keeps an eye on Chris as he steps out. Jace is right behind him, not looking at anyone. DOCTOR Follow the light. Don't move your head. The ringing is finally starting to dissipate, and now Chris is feeling embarrassed that the whole locker room is looking at him. DOCTOR (CONT'D) Other than the cut under your eye, you're looking alright. Pupils are fine. I would suggest checking with your doctor tomorrow for a full test, unless you feel you should see someone right now. Are you feeling any ill effects: Trouble breathing, fatigue, hearing problems? The ringing has stopped, replaced by a murmuring coming from the boys, and a distinct YELLING coming from behind them. It's Max, going off on Brodie (who's holding an icepack to his chin) in the corner, with Jon trying to calm the boss down. Brodie might start crying. Chris waves the doctor away, stands up, and goes over to Max. CHRIS Max, lay off of Brodie. The spot was my idea. I thought we could get some good heat off of it. It's my fault.

10. MAX Chris, with all due respect, you just almost died in there. Go back to the doc before you hurt yourself. CHRIS I'm OK. (Turns do the doctor) Other than the bump on my head, I feel fine. Max and Jon take a beat, surprised at Chris' statement. The doctor just nods. JON You're sure? CHRIS Yeah. I am. Max and Brodie sigh in relief. Jon seems a little more cautious; like he knows Chris is leaving something out. MAX Well, alright then. All things considered, you two made it work. But I don't want to see anything that fucking stupid in my ring. From any of you! Understood? Chris and Brodie both mean it when they say Yes. CHRIS AND BRODIE

MAX (glancing at Jon) We don't need another early retirement. Max brushes past the two, walking towards the others. BRODIE Chris, I am so, so sorry. Anything I can help you out with, seriously... CHRIS Seriously, don't worry about it.

11. MAX (to all) Well, as you're all here, I might as well announce this now...we've got our main event booked for our first ever live show on Saturday. I know we've been working our asses off to get to this point, and none of this would have been possible without every one in this room. But, this is a business, and since the only people who would buy a ticket to see you guys are already outside, I've brought in an extra hand. Angel Salinas, who some of you may know as Angel Hermoso from his time up north, will be doing a one-night-only deal with JWA, and he'll be main-eventing with our very own...Chris Grayson. Max caught Chris as he is getting stitched up by the doctor. He looks up as everyone in the locker room starts giving him a round of applause-some genuine, others are slow-clapping. Chris knows other people wanted this spot, and he's sure he's ready for it. He just didn't think anyone else thought so. MAX (CONTD) (to Chris) You deserve this. You've proved it over and over again. CHRIS Thank you. I won't let you down. The bell RINGS to signal Jace's victory. ANNOUNCER Your winner, and still JWA champion, JACE! We get a shot of him posing for the crowd with the belt. The fans cheers, and as far as they're concerned it was a good show. ANNOUNCER (O.S.) (CONTD) We would like to thank all of you for being a fantastic audience tonight. Please be careful as you make your way home this evening. We hope to see all of you next week, right here at Jersey Wrestling AllStars! (MORE)

12. ANNOUNCER (O.S.) (CONTD) The Best Independent Wrestling Promotion in the Garden State! CUT TO:

EXT. HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT-NIGHT The wrestlers are all in their civilian garb (jeans, sweatpants, hoodies) as they go to their cars. Jon and Chris (stitches under his eye) are walking and talking as they go to a grey, faded Hyundai. Jon is in his regular leather jacket and boots, his long hair tied back. JON That was impressive what you did in there. Working with a rookie, getting yourself rocked and you still got a bigger pop than anyone else tonight. And, you got chewed out by Max. Sounds like one of my nights. You sure you've only been doing this a year? CHRIS 1 year, 3 months--no days off. How long did I go? JON 11 minutes, 45 seconds. To be fair, you spent like two minutes of that on the mat. Jon tries to laugh as he opens his car door, but he takes a beat. JON (CONT'D) Hey, you sure you're OK? I mean, I've seen some bad chair shots and yours was.. CHRIS For the last time, Jon, I'm fine. JON OK, OK, I won't bring it up again. Just looking out for the boys, getting used to the new role. Speaking of, we've got prospective talent coming in tomorrow. (MORE)

13. JON (CONT'D) Do you wanna come in--show them the proverbial ropes? CHRIS No problem. Jon starts his car. Chris is passenger-side. JON Chris, be honest. How have I been doing so far? CHRIS Honestly. Best assistant booker I've ever had. Jon, smiling, drives off to drop Chris off at his house. The parking lot is now empty, except for a blue van. CUT TO: INT. HIGH SCHOOL GYM-NIGHT The locker rooms are empty. The curtains and steel barriers are gone. All the chairs are stacked up against the walls. Everything has been put away, except for the ring. GRUNTS and SLAMS echo through the empty gymnasium. The two in the ring, still in their gear, are Seth Graves and Oscar Estrada. Seth is about the same size as Chris, if not an inch taller, with badly dyed blonde hair, cheap tattoos, and an indie band t-shirt. Oscar is more cut, in a black wifebeater and khaki pants. They look like opposites, but their in-ring work meshes well, Oscar's strikes and grapples mixing with Seth's kicks and springboards off the ropes. Not a word is said by the two as they train. They've been doing this so long that they can read each other's minds. They both know what the next move will be. It's nothing special, it's just practice. INT. CHRIS' HOUSE-MORNING 6:29 turns to 6:30, and the alarm goes off. Chris lets it go for a few seconds before turning over and shutting it off. Sunlight is cracking through the blinds, showing a room full of high school baseball trophies, wrestling posters, and pictures of his pro-training. Still sore from the night before, he gets out of bed and slips into a t-shirt and gym shorts he grabs from a pile of dirty clothes on his desk.

14. He goes to his front door (pictures all over, five smiling faces), and stretches for a bit, before going outside. EXT. CHRIS' HOUSE-CONTINUOUS Chris' white , two-story home fits right in with the rest in the neighborhood. Chris takes out his Beats, starts playing some pop music, and goes on a jog. The sprinklers start popping up as Chris passes them on his run. 5 miles every day. He's got his time down to 32 minutes. He runs past some lawn signs and flyers reading "JWA WRESTLING-FIRST TELEVISION TAPING-THIS SATURDAY". INT. CHRIS' HOUSE-CONTINUOUS Chris is in the kitchen, mixing a protein shake and cooking a small steak and egg whites. His MOM (46) is mixing Taster's Choice next to him, and DAD (60) is at the table, along with his 13-year-old sister, ERICA. MOM How did you do at your show last night? I won. CHRIS

ERICA (sarcastic) Didn't they tell you if you were gonna win or not before the match? CHRIS (chewing his food) They did, but I looked good doing it. You dork. ERICA

MOM Well, you need all the practice you can get before you go on television. Dad rolls his eyes. ERICA Oooh, he gets to be on at midnight on a Saturday.

15. Mom ignores her daughter's biting (but true) remark. MOM Finish up your cereal. Charlie, try to get here there on time. Mom almost drops her mug as she immediately realizes what she's done. The whole room has gone silent. Mom tries to force down any emotion that is trying to escape. MOM (CONT'D) Chris, will you please drop your sister off at school? CHRIS Will do, Mom. DAD (changing the subject as fast as he can) Do you have any plans for later? CHRIS I have work at 10, and then afterwards I'm gonna go help some kids train. DAD Train? To do what you do? CHRIS That's the plan. Erica gets her backpack, Chris gets his gym bag, and the two leave the room quietly. Their parents glance at each other: Dad irritated, Mom trying to be reassuring. EXT. HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT-DAY Chris pulls up-it's the same school from the show the night before. ERICA See you later. Have fun playing with your juicehead friends. As she gets out of the car, Chris cracks a smile. His sister's insults always have a way of doing that. CUT TO:

16. INT. GYM-DAY MONTAGE Chris hits the weights. His routine focuses more on conditioning rather than power, so the weight used is light. He also focuses on quickness and flexibility. He jumps onto platforms, each raised higher than the other, followed by kicks to a punching bag. CUT TO: INT. VITAMIN STORE-DAY Chris is now in his work uniform (red shirt and black pants). Brian is his co-worker, and the two spend their time goofing off (practicing light wresting moves in the aisle, eating, talking about old wrestling, watching some on a laptop), and when a customer comes in, they clean up and do their best to sell something in the store (arms around shoulders, holding up canisters and containers). As soon as the clock reads 4, though, Chris is in his gym clothes again, running out of the store. END MONTAGE INT. JWA WRESTLING ACADEMY-DAY Dimly lit building--it used to be a empty furniture store. One bloodstained wrestling ring in the back, with some guys building another one next to it. Assorted gym equipment lining the walls. Guys are either stretching, lifting, or in the ring. This is professional wrestling school. Chris and Oscar are in the ring, practicing footwork by whipping each other into the ropes and leapfrogging over the other, mixing in headlocks and tumbles. Seth comes out of the locker room and steps into the ring, ignoring the two training in it. Chris and Oscar pause, slightly offended by his lack of respect, but unsurprised. This is not the first time Seth has done this. Respect is the most sought after entity in the locker room, and anyone other than Seth showing this level of disrespect would be sent home, bones intact if they're lucky. Seth holds his hand in front of his face, like he's holding a microphone. The wrestlers all stop what they are doing. He faces front and walks around the ring, like he's facing a crowd of thousands.

17. SETH What is everyone doing? What is everyone DOING! Can't you see? Can't you see? All this violence? The blood, booze, and bad guys? It changes you. It turns you into SCUM! (Beat) But who am I to talk. I'm already there. I am Seth Graves, and I am the Scum of the Earth! And here, around all this mindlessness, around these people who would rather get in line for another corn dog than do something meaningful with their lives, here, I'm home. This (stomps on the mat) is my bed. These ropes are my walls. Hell, its a lot more welcoming than my own family's anyway. (Beat) There is nobody who can do what I do in here. There is nobody willing to do what I will to stay here. Because I'm already gone. Nothing to lose, but you--you can lose it all. And if you still have a little hope left, step in here with me, and I promise, I will take whatever is left. Seth takes a breath, winded from talking. The wrestlers silently get back to training after Seth's promo. No need to add to an already inflated ego. They know it was good, and so does he. This is why they've keep Seth around: his passion. CHRIS (to Seth) You wanna get out of the ring. Me and Oscar were in the middle of something. And hey, you could use some work on your footwork, too. SETH Hey, this is what I've got, Grayson. Spontaneity--rolling with the punches. Let's see how good you are when you're calling it in the ring instead damn near writing the thing in the back. A group of 5-6 walk into the gym, all GUYS between 16-18, with one 14 year old, accompanied by his mother.

18. CHRIS 5 o'clock already? SETH Oh, yes! This is gonna be fun! CHRIS Hey, we need at least a few new bodies for the battle royals. So, let's keep it at least a bit centered around reality. Focus on the basics, and no blood. SETH (sighs) Can't be too easy on 'em. Chris sighs. He knows Seth is right. Chris and Seth get out of the ring and the group sits kindergarten style on the floor, in front of them. The two wrestlers are joined by a 2-3 more trained professionals. CHRIS I'm Chris Grayson and this is SETH Nightmare St. James. CHRIS Let's start simple--how many of you watch wrestling? All of them raise their hands. CHRIS (CONT'D) That's good to see. Now, how many of you are here because you want to be on TV? The group is a little hesitant to put their hands up. CHRIS (CONT'D) Hey, you can be honest here. Everyone that comes here wants to be on TV--me, Nightmare, everyone you see around you--they want to be in New York. A few of them slowly start raising their hands. Chris points to one of the guys who didn't.

19. CHRIS (CONT'D) You. Why are you here? GUY #1 I wanted to try something different. Learn the basics of what you guys so. Seems like something I could get into. CHRIS The basics, huh? Alright. Basic question then. Anyone can answer. What is it we do here? Everyone looks at the floor. CHRIS (CONTD) The simplest answer is...we're not fighters, most of the time. And we're not actors. What we do, from the moment we're out the curtain to the second we walk back through the curtain, is we tell a story. CUT TO: INT. JWA WRESTLING ACADEMY-CONTINUOUS The group of potential wrestlers is jogging around the ring, sneakers squeaking on the concrete. CHRIS Alright. Everyone take a two minute break. One of the taller guys raises his hand. GUY #2 Why is cardio so important? CHRIS You really wanna know? Tell you what, I'll show you. Jump in the ring. Oscar, get in the ring with him. The kid immediately regrets asking the question, and doesn't move at first. CHRIS (CONTD) Hey, don't be nervous. We're not going to hurt you. Get in the ring.

20. Still shaky, the lanky teen steps through the ropes. CHRIS (CONTD) Now, what's you're name. Kevin. GUY #2

CHRIS OK, Kevin. Oscar's a pro, but we're going to keep it simple. Oscar, run the ropes. And Kevin, run the other way, and try not to bump into him. Kevin looks relieved. Seems simple enough. Oscar runs the ropes full force, and Kevin does the same. He hits his ropes and...YELPS in pain. The ropes are not elastic, like he thought. They are metal cords wrapped in electrical tape, with little to no give. He tries it again on the other side, and it hurts worse the second time. He starts limping and holding the small of his back. Oscar is still going, he could do this for hours. CHRIS (CONT'D) Alright. That's enough. Everyone in the ring. The group nervously lines up at one corner of the ring. Chris, Oscar, and Seth are on the other corner. Kevin is on one knee, trying to catch his breath and nursing his new bruises. CHRIS (CONTD) That was twenty seconds. No fan has ever clammored to see a twenty second match. It's a waste of their time and wasting their time is a waste of yours. To stay here, we have to be able to trust you with our lives, so before you get in this ring with us, you'll have to work harder than you've ever worked before in your life. The money sucks, you're in almost constant pain, but every match is an opportunity to get closer toChris! JON (O.S.)

Jon is standing in the doorway all the way in the back, leading to a little office. By his voice, Chris can't tell if it's good or bad news.

21. CHRIS Seth, take over for me, please. SETH Certainly Mr. Grayson. Chris walks to the back. Seth gets out, too, to make sure he is gone. Once he is out of sight, he gets a thick cloth bag from under the ring, and he brings it back to the kids, who haven't moved during all this. SETH (CONT'D) OK, kids... Seth opens the bag and turns it upside-down, and hundreds of THUMBTACKS spill onto the mat. SETH (CONTD) Here's how you fall onto tacks! The woman who brought her son immediately pulls his arm and drags him out of the building. INT. OFFICE- DAY Max is standing in front of his wood-paneling IKEA desk, as Chris takes a seat on a folding chair. Posters of old wrestlers and cards fill the office, along with pictures of Max holding a thumbs-up, shoulder to shoulder with guys drenched in blood. Jon is standing on the wall closest to the door. MAX I thought you should be in on some of the plans we've got for your match with Angel. The three of us have thought it over, and we want it to be a squash, turning you heel in the process. Chris looks confused and heartbroken. This is not the way he wanted to do this match. This gives him nothing as far as any future is concerned. If everyone sees him squashed, it will be forever until he builds himself back up, longer if he's a heel (bad guy). CHRIS Do you think that's a good idea? MAX The change will be good for you, let you work outside of your comfort zone. So, yeah, I do.

22. CHRIS By not doing anything? MAX Look, we both know you've got the basics down, but that's not enough to make it in this business. You gotta learn to shovel shit, because you're gonna be doing it for a while if you wanna make it. This is your chance to show us that you have what it takes. Or, you know, don't. You're good, but not irreplaceable. Chris gets up to leave. Thank you. CHRIS

He awkwardly shakes both their hands, and leaves the office. JON You know he deserves better. MAX Look, it's not that I don't like the kid, but he's not ready for it. He'll finally get some heat from the heel turn, and he can sell for Angel for a couple of minutes. JON So, you're turning him and you're squashing him. You know he's not going to be able to come back from this. Not when it's on TV. MAX If he does, I'll be surprised. He's a good hand, but not much else. The two look out to the ring. Chris is already back in. He does a flying crossbody onto Seth, and immediately rolls out and starts dodging clotheslines. He's doing his best to hide his anger, but there's a little more kick in his move set. CUT TO:

23. INT. RESTAURANT-NIGHT The Denny's type of establishment. Monday night at dinner time brings an odd crowd. Our wrestlers (dressed in thrift store jeans and t-shirts) occupy two tables, already spilling their drinks and making a mess. At the head of one of the tables is Terry-leather vest and a flask of Jack in his hand. We come in as he is finishing his story about the good-oledays. TERRY ...I'd wrestled maybe three matches at that point, greener than goose shit, but I'm still coming out with the gold boots, the white tights, the robe. In my head, I'm somebody. The guy's in the ring, they're the old boys, they'd been around a while, and they're thinking- oh, you think you've got a look, huh? So, bell rings, first thing they do is they whip me in the corner and they stiff the fuck out of me. I'm thinking they broke my ribs, so I do the only thing I can do-I start punching him back. We end up out of the ring, the ref starts yelling out us, "Get the fuck back in here!" We end up taking the double count-out. Supposed to go ten minutes, we go like four. Ref breaks us up, and the only thing I'm thinking is, "Am I going to have to fight my way out of the parking lot?" Go back to the locker room, tap on the shoulder, and it's the other guy, not the guy I got in the fight with, and he goes, "Nice job fighting back, kid." The only time I ever felt okay about getting stiffed. BRIAN Did you ever see any of those guys again? TERRY I know the one I fought still works around Tampa, doing I-don't-knowwhat. The other guy, Artie, we ended up traveling together. (MORE)

24. TERRY (CONT'D) He's got a wife and a teenage boy now, I think he's a registered nurse...but, yeah, he was a good hand. Jon comes into the restaurant, with Chris right behind him. All the younger guys around the table get out of their seats to give Chris a standing ovation. SETH Here comes Mr. Main Event! Seth goes to Chris and puts his arm around his friend's shoulder. Right now, Chris would rather be anywhere else. SETH(CONT'D) Now, you know we're all behind you as you rise up from rookies to the op, but at least I know I'll have a good job guy once I get there. CHRIS Honestly, I don't know how I'm going to do this. Everyone takes a beat. OSCAR Well, this is classic Angel Salinas. CHRIS What do you mean? BRIAN Oh, come on. You're not thinking that this is the same Angel Salinas from fifteen years ago, right? (Beat) Right? They all sit down. BRIAN(CONT'D) Stop. Before you say anything, let's go through everything you know about Angel Salinas, and we'll see what syncs with reality. MONTAGE OF VHS QUALITY CLIPS, PHOTOS, AND YOUTUBE VIDEOS CHRIS(O.S.) Started wrestling in Mexico when he was 14. (MORE)

25. CHRIS(O.S.) (CONT'D) Spent ten years wrestling around the world: Japan, England, Germany, Canada, before getting signed. Pictures of wrestling magazines from around the world with a very handsome young Latino man, clean shaven, in white tights and a headband. Clips show him doing amazing springboard dropkicks and flipping himself out of the ring on bulky Japanese wrestlers and tall German wrestlers. He gets his pinfalls with the Faith Breaker (technical term: shooting star press, basically a front-backflip) off the top rope. CHRIS(O.S.)(CONT'D) Booked as a high-flying pretty boy for most of his career. No one ever kicks out of the Faith Breaker (syncing with Angel saying the same thing to the camera, after winning a match). Got to hold a couple of midcard belts, ended up getting released in '08, and he's been in the indies ever since. The clips switch to a slightly better quality, as the crowds watching Angel get bigger, including some stadiums. Faith Breakers around the world. He's seen holding belts up in celebration. But he's also seen growing a beard, and getting heavier. And? BRIAN

CHRIS What am I missing? The whole table groans. SETH The fact that he's been having shit matches since leaving the big leagues. You ask anyone he's been in the ring with in the past five years-they all say the same thing. Salinas, one of the best I've ever seen, that guy's not around anymore. You're getting a liquoredup washout, who's OK with taking our money for as little time as he can give. Now, if it were me, I wouldn't even come in, or I'd stiff him until we get arrested. (To Jon) Sorry. But since it's you, Chris, I'm guessing you've got some kind of plan.

26. CHRIS I don't know what you're talking about. Chris slyly takes a sip of his Coke. CHRIS(CONT'D) Terry, give us another road story. Terry starts talking as the group intently listens. Chris goes to Jon, who's standing near them. CHRIS(CONT'D) What time is Angel coming in? JON I'm picking him up tomorrow morning. You've got a plan? CHRIS I've got something. The group laughs together as Terry points to his crotch. FADE TO: EXT. CHRIS' HOUSE-DAY Jon's car pulls up. Chris is at his doorstep, dressed like an Express Men's mannequin, except for a stuffed backpack. Jon pulls up in his car, almost laughing when he sees the kid, as Chris hops in the Elantra. INT. JON'S CAR (DRIVING)-DAY JON What do you have in the pack? CHRIS My highlight reel. Chris unzips his bag, revealing a laptop and some DVDs in blank cases. CHRIS (CONT'D) How was Angel? JON (nervous) He was...alright. So, what did you have in mind?

27. CHRIS I just want to show him what I can do. That I can hang with him in the ring. I know his style and I can take everything he can dish out, and we can both look really good out there. Jon, I really think this could work! Jon just keeps looking at the road. JON Yeah, it might. Chris isn't listening. CUT TO: EXT. MOTEL-DAY The car pulls up to a flat-looking two-story building. Grime on the staircase railings, leaves in the pool. JON (CONTD) We're here. CHRIS He asked for this place? The two walk upstairs. JON He's used to a certain kind of lifestyle. This is a place that won't kick him out. CHRIS Why would they kick him...? Jon KNOCKS loudly on door 217, like a detective on a cop show before they bust down the door. WHAT?! ANGEL (O.S.)

Chris only knows Angel's voice from his work. He can tell it's Angel because of his distinct accent, but that's it. The door jiggles open, and Angel's sunken in face peeks out. Unshaven. Smelling like wet cardboard and alcoholism. Nothing on but a pair of white briefs.

28. ANGEL (CONTD) I'm not really a morning person, Jon. Jon pulls out a decent-sized envelope from his jacket, so Angel's bloodshot eyes can see it. Angel opens the door. INT. MOTEL ROOM-CONTINUOUS Jon and Chris step carefully into the room. It wouldn't have been particularly great if it was clean, but the stained clothes strewn everywhere and the bottles littering the floor add to the sadness. Jon starts counting a stack of $20s from the envelope. JON I also wanted to bring around the guy you'd be workiANGEL (to Chris) Who the fuck are you? CHRIS (rushing) I'm Chris Grayson, and I'm going to be working with you on the live show, and I just wanted to saANGEL I didn't ask you any of that shit. I just wanted to know your name. CHRIS It's Chris. ANGEL Yeah, I know. Angel moves to a box in the corner of the room. In the box, there are some XL tees with Angel's face and logo on them, and some glossy studio photos. ANGEL (CONT'D) What do you want, kid? Shirt? 8x10s? Action figures? CHRIS Well, I actually wanted to show you what I can do.

29. Angel stops, and starts eyeing Chris up and down, paying as much attention as he can. CHRIS (CONT'D) I think we can have a really good match. ANGEL Jon, what the fuck? I thought I told you I wanted a squash. Angel gets in Chris's face. ANGEL (CONT'D) I don't know who the fuck you think you are, kid, but don't even try to start any of that bullshit in the ring. 'Cause I've taken down bigger and better, and I'm not scared of stopping your ass in a second. Got it? CHRIS (scared, barely audible) Yeah. I got it. ANGEL Good. That't good. Angel starts to sit down. ANGEL (CONT'D) You can take an 8 byAnd immediately falls to his side. Passed out, but snoring heavily. Jon is already by the door. JON Christ. Let's go. Chris does not react at first, then he turns to Jon. Come on!. JON (CONT'D)

Chris walks out the doorway. CUT TO: INT. CAR (DRIVING)-DAY The two stay silent at first-Jon concentrating on the road, and Chris staring out the window, watching people pass, thinking at least their dreams are probably still in reach.

30. JON (CONTD) Look, I'm sorry you had to see that. (Beat) They're all the same, Chris. They're here to get their cut and leave. Forgetting the reason they got in the business in the first place. Or maybe they got in it for the wrong reasons. He may be a bigger name, but he is no different. But...it's a part of what we do. It's the ugliest part of all this. And, we've got a job to do. CHRIS No, it's my job. And, I don't think I can do it. CUT TO: INT. GYM-DAY The boys work out at a bargain gym that Oscar works at a few nights out of the week. Suburban moms on the ellipticals, teenagers on the treadmills and leg presses. Seth, Brian, and Oscar are huddled around a bench press, while Chris benches a decent, but unimpressive amount. BRIAN We told you this was going to happen. OSCAR I hope you're not too beat up about it. BRIAN Honestly, what do you expect from guys like these. Just starting to break out, and they reward you with a burial. And for Max to be okay with it after all you've done for him. SETH I'm just saying--I wouldn't do it. Who's to say that Jace wasn't asked first; who's to say that he doesn't want you out there, taking the burial, instead of him?

31. BRIAN You're not their guy, so you take the fall. Chris tries not to pay any attention to them, concentrating on his reps. He silently picks up the pace, forcefully handling the bar. Angel comes into the gym, wearing one of his own shirts, with the sleeves cut off. He goes to the dumbbells. Chris and his guys try to keep to themselves, but Angel glances at them as the guys keep talking to themselves. CHRIS (to Seth) You're not doing anything. You're not even booked for the show yet! SETH Don't worry, I've got something in mind. Angel walks over to the group, just as Chris finishes his set. ANGEL (to Seth and Oscar) What are you looking at? Oscar looks at the ground. Seth looks like he's about to kill him. ANGEL (CONT'D) (to Chris) Kid, you know what, I got a look at your tapes. I see you do a pretty good superkick. I can't wait to kick out of it. Chris stands up and gets in Angel's face, like an MMA weighin. Seth cuts in between the two. SETH Chris, you know you don't have toSeth PUNCHES Angel. Angel reacts quickly and takes him down, and the two roll around on the rubber gym floor. Oscar, Brian, and some gym employees break the two up. Angel doesn't have a scratch on him, but Seth looks like his eye might start swelling up. Angel looks around for Chris, and when he sees him, he starts LAUGHING. ANGEL I'll see you in the ring, kid.

32. Angel shoos away the gym workers holding him back. Brian and Oscar rush away with Seth into the locker room before round 2 can start. Chris walks out the door, trying not to look back at the chaos. Angel straightens out his shirt and goes back to his dumbbells. CUT TO: INT. JWA WRESTLING ACADEMY-DAY Brian and Oscar, along with some of the younger crew, are in the ring practicing their armdrags. Chris storms in, still in his gym clothes, ignoring everyone he would normally greet, going right towards Max's office. The guys in the ring immediately see what he is doing, and they all rush out of the ring to follow their friend. Chris goes into the office, where Max is sitting and doing paperwork, and he SHUTS the door. The guys outside start whispering about what this could all be about, as Brian keeps his ear to the door and waves them off. BRIAN (whispering) Shut up, everyone! They all quiet down, and now the yelling coming from the room is audible. CHRIS (O.S.) What do you expect me to do?! MAX (O.S.) I expect you to do your job. CHRIS (O.S.) You're completely shutting me out! After everything I've done for you and this placeMAX (O.S.) Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realize we started keeping count! CUT TO: INT. MAX'S OFFICE-CONTINUOUS Max is standing now, behind his desk.

33. CHRIS I just want to know why I'm being cut down. Before I can even get a chance to get overMAX Because you're not over! This gets Chris' attention, and now he starts looking at Max intently. This was not the answer he was expecting. MAX (CONT'D) Chris, you are one of the best workers I've ever had come through here, but you can only wrestle one type of match. The crowds know, and they're not popping. That shot you took in the head last week was the first time in months that they cheered, and if that's what it's going to take, then I can't be held responsible. Chris looks down, trying to process all this at once. MAX (CONT'D) You will always have a place here, you've earned that. But as for the ring, you have one more shot. And it can't be any other way. CHRIS Yeah, it can. Chris opens the door. All his friends and co-workers are crowded around the doorway. Chris pauses for a second, then he starts walking. The wrestlers part so that Chris can move through them, as they watch him walk out the door.

INT. CHRIS' ROOM-DAY Chris throws his bag with his ring gear on the bed, and collapses onto it. He takes out his wrestling tights and boots, and looks at them for a bit, before closing his eyes. DREAM SEQUENCE-THE RING-MONTAGE Chris jumps into that swinging chair. The sound ECHOES loudly.

34. Chris looks into the crowd, and all he sees are blurred circles instead of faces. The tone starts Chris struggles to move his arms and legs on the mat. The tone is the only thing he hears. END DREAM SEQUENCE Chris quickly opens his eyes. INT. CHRIS'S ROOM-NIGHT Chris shoots up out of bed. The clock reads 10:30. He sees that his gear is still next to him. He throws the pieces into the trash can next to his desk. He pulls out his phone, and plays a voicemail on speaker. MAX (V.O.) Chris, I just wanted to say--if that was our last go-around, that I was happy that I got the chance to work with you, and that you will always have a place with us if you decide to come back. Thank you for all your hard work. Goodbye. The phone clicks. Chris lays back down, intent on sulking, when he hears a young-sounding VOICE coming from downstairs. He walks to his living room, as the voices (two boys) start to get clearer. On the couch is his sister, Erica, watching some grainy, VHS quality footage of a shirtless, 13-year-old Chris, outside, in front of what looks like four wooden posts with three garden hoses wrapped around them, with a blue gymnastics mat on the ground. The Chris in the video has eye black on, and in front of him is a microphone, being held by a hand offscreen. The camera keeps shifting, like the person holding it has to constantly keep looking up to get the shot. TV CHARLIE (O.C.) Ladies and gentlemen, 'Flying' Chris Grayson. Now Chris, you are the number one contender for the EWF Championship, but your opponent isn't too happy with your guarantee to walk away with the gold. TV CHRIS Well, the fact of the matter is-

35. CHARLIE (13), who looks almost exactly like his twin brother, except with shorter hair and a bit heavier, jumps into the shot and hits Chris with a cardboard championship belt. They wrestle into the makeshift ring, as the cameraperson RINGS the bell (which sounds like a Fisher-Price xylophone). Erica watches intently, as does Chris, who takes a seat on the couch. CHRIS Where did you find this? I thought Dad said he got rid of these tapes. ERICA Mom kept a few of them. I think they just said that so you wouldn't make anymore. The two kids in the video wave toward the camera, trying to get its attention before trying any of their moves. ERICA (CONTD) He looks so happy. CHRIS Because he always got to win. In the video, Charlie trips up Chris, who goes face first into the wooden post. Chris immediately grimaces in pain as he holds his nose. Blood starts seeping out through his fingers. ERICA Oh, yeah! Mom got so mad at you and Charlie for that. CHRIS I think she was more mad about who was holding the camera. Charlie gets a good look at bleeding Chris, and his eyes widen. But he doesn't do anything about it--because they're in the moment. Think about the consequences later. ERICA It's actually kind of amazing. What? CHRIS

ERICA All that time, you two were watching so much of this crap on TV. (MORE)

36. ERICA (CONT'D) All those guys whose moves you memorized, whose catchphrases you kept saying--you're about to be one of them. Chris looks at her for a bit. ERICA (CONT'D) Maybe someone will end up doing the same thing about you. And Mom and Dad might not say it, but they are proud of you for getting this far. And Charlie would be, too. On the TV, Chris takes Charlie down with a running tackle, and counts the three on the mat himself. Charlie gets up and runs off screen, and goes back to his announcer voice. TV CHARLIE Your winner, and new Grayson Wrestling Federation Champion, Chris Grayson. As Chris is celebrating--broken nose and all--the video starts shaking around, like someone is taking it from the cameraperson. As the camera shakes, we get glimpses of a younger version of their mother, and a four-year-old girl in all pink. TV CHRIS' MOM BOYS! What did I tell you about having your sister out here while you two- Chris, what happened to your nose?! INT. CONVENTION HALL-DAY Max has a large ballroom space rented out for the night. The Diaz brothers can be seen setting up chairs and steel barricades. Actual cameramen can be seen setting up, with their giant cameras still tagged with big NEWS stickers on the side. There is a commentary table set up at ringside. There are 200-300 chairs out tonight, compared to the 50 from earlier. Max heads out to the center of the hall, to the ring that is currently being built by some of the referees and Chris, who's tightening a rope in the corner. MAX It's good to see you, Chris. Chris does not react. He just keeps tightening the rope.

37. MAX (CONT'D) Well, good luck tonight. Max turns to walk away, but he turns back around to Chris. MAX (CONT'D) Oh, and just so you know, if you try anything during your match, you better hope Angel kills you in there, because if he doesn't, I will. Max steps out of his ring. Chris finishes up and looks out into the empty chairs and shining lights. CUT TO: INT./EXT. CONVENTION HALL-NIGHT The regular crowd from last week starts filing into their seats, but there are a lot more families tonight. Lots of kids, and lots of 20-something guys, too. They huddle around the merchandise stand (that is only sells two shirts-Angel's and a generic black JWA one). INT. LOCKER ROOM-NIGHT The boys (except Angel--yet to arrive) are getting readystretching, dressing, Instagraming. The room is not that big, and the twenty or so guys are bumping into each other as they psyche themselves up for the show. Brian and Oscar talk amongst themselves. BRIAN Have you talked to Seth? OSCAR Not since he got the suspension from Max. He almost threw his phone out of the car when he heard it. You? BRIAN Nah. He's gotta be pissed that he's missing all this. OSCAR The only thing he told me was "It's not over yet. Things can change."

38. Brian gives a "really?" look. Oscar just shakes his head in confusion. As soon as you think you have an answer, Seth has a way of changing the questions. Max comes into the locker room. MAX Can I have everyone's attention, please? Everyone immediately stops what they are doing, and circle up around the boss. MAX (CONT'D) Firstly, I would like to thank each and everyone of you here for making this night possible. None of this would have happened without the hard work put in by every single person in this room. Six years ago, I would have been happy with getting 20 people into the armory downtown. I never thought that JWA would get to this point. And now, I see how far we can actually take this. This is what we have been working for. The crowd is ready and hungry. We have a new audience of thousands that wants something new. Everyone here has a chance to have their hard work pay off tonight. This is your shot. Take it. The boys start clapping, except Chris. MAX (CONT'D) I'll see all of you in the ring. (facing Chris) Make yourselves proud. CUT TO: INT. CONVENTION HALL-NIGHT The Diaz brothers are already in the ring, posing on the turnbuckles. They are both wearing shiny new ring gear. Out on the entranceway, 90's grunge starts playing, and the Barrens Boys come out, with camo vests and faded jeans. The crowd starts booing them immediately, and they respond by insulting them. Danny and Jenk get on their spots on the apron, as Merle and Dave are in the ring.

39. The bell RINGS, and the two lock up, before Dave whips Merle into the ropes and hits him with a standing dropkick. The crowd CHEERS. INT. BACKSTAGE-CONTINUOUS Max is pacing right outside the entranceway, as Jon stands with Oscar and Brian, going over their match. Chris is standing with Jon, not saying anything. MAX Where the fuck is he?! Jon steps away from the group and goes to Max. JON You try his cell? MAX Nothing yet. Goddammit, I wanted him to open the show and hype the goddamn main event. Leave me with something before he skips out. (Beat) Fuck, fuck, FUCK! Max storms off. CHRIS Is he going to be okay? Max TOSSES a trash can into a wall and KICKS over a table. He's fine. MAX

Outside, L.E.S is doing some dance moves for his entrance, when Oscar runs up behind him and HITS him with his briefcase. The two start fighting up the entranceway, close to the fans, and near one fan in particular--a LITTLE GIRL (4). LITTLE GIRL Daddy, daddy! Oscar body slams his opponent onto the concrete, before picking him up and throwing him close to the little girl. He saunters over and starts beating him down, before popping up in front of her. OSCAR (whispering) I love you, chiquita.

40. He takes L.E.S and throws him towards the ring, looking back at his ecstatic daughter, and her mother, who just rolls her eyes. INT. CONVENTION HALL-NIGHT The cameramen put their equipment down for a bit, as the show goes into a commercial. Some of the crowd shifts as people get some beer or file into the bathrooms. In the front row, a guy with his hoodie covering his head gets up and stands on his chair, with one foot on the railing. It's Seth. Bruise over his eye. No microphone, no invitation. SETH What is everyone doing? Why can't you see?! The crowd rushes back to their seats, thinking their about to watch someone get their ass kicked by security. SETH (CONT'D) All this violence, it changes you, it turns you into SCUM! Backstage, the movement has grabbed Max and Jon's attention. JON What the fuck is he doing? MAX (sighing) I'll go take care of this. Max heads down the entranceway, with a microphone in his hand. Seth sees him, and he gets louder. SETH My name is Seth Graves, and I am the SCUM OF THE EARTH! And around here, around all this mindlessness, here I'mMax gets in the ring, and he faces Seth. MAX (to the crowd) Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to apologize for this interruptionSETH No! Don't you cut me off, old man!

41. MAX Look, son, if you have a problem with me and what I do, why don't you get in here, and we can hash this out. The crowd starts to cheer. Seth looks confused, and then he sneers with confidence. Gladly. SETH

Seth hops over the barricade and rolls into the ring. SETH (CONT'D) You are the purveyor ofMax winks at Seth, and then kicks him in the dick. The crowd cheers as loud as they can. Seth collapses to the mat, and Max gets down and applies a crossface submission. Seth starts TAPPING out immediately. Max holds the move for a little while longer, then he gets up and kicks Seth's prone body out of the ring. Everyone thinks this is "real". Seth is carried out by security through the audience, as Max stays in the ring, with a big smile on his face. He milks it for a bit, but then the cameramen start gesturing to him, and he rushes back up to the back. INT. BACKSTAGE-NIGHT Terry is warming up, as his music starts (Pantera), and he heads out. Next is Jace, with the gold around his waist. He calmly cracks his neck and does some light movement to loosen up, before he walks out to something like Nas' "Made You Look". Jon runs into the little room, where Max is still pacing. JON He just came in. He'll be ready in ten. MAX Well, that only gives us about five minutes for the promos, and five for the match. It's gonna be close. Angel swaggers in, in his classic purple tights and sunglasses. Max barely reacts. He just hands Angel a microphone.

42. MAX (CONT'D) You have five minutes for the promo. ANGEL Good. That's good. Angel seems flippant and uncaring. Chris steps out from his corner. CHRIS What do you want to do, then? ANGEL Mmm...once you finish your promo, run into the ring anAngel's voice faces into the RINGING Chris heard earlier, after he took the chair shot. He tries to fake paying attention--nodding and gesturing like he understands what Angel is saying, trying his best to hide how scared shitless he is at the moment. The tone starts to fade, as Angel clearly mouths "Got it?" as he extends his hand to Chris. Got it? ANGEL (CONTD)

Chris just nods and shakes his hand. ANGEL (CONTD) Let's make some magic in there, kid. The crowd CHEERS. The BELL rings. Jace poses on the turnbuckle as Terry limps to the back. INT. CONVENTION HALL-NIGHT ANNOUNCER Ladies and gentlemen, from Guadalajara, Mexico, he is a former three-time Intercontinental Champion. El Hermoso! Angel Salinas! MUSIC: CYPRESS HILL-HOW I COULD JUST KILL A MAN Unlike everyone else, Angel does not focus so much on the crowd as he does to the camera. Every step he takes is calculated, precise.

43. He has a swagger none of the other guys have, one that comes from experience. It's all almost involuntary at this point. Max hands Chris some notes on a wrinkled piece of paper. MAX Here's your promo. Say it word for word, keep it short. Get in, get out. Chris looks at the notes. INSERT NOTES Phrases like "you people" and "who do you think you are?" are highlighted. Chris can't look anymore disappointed. He would never say anything like this, because no one talks like this. He makes his way stopped cheering chanting Angel's fades out. Angel listens. to the center of the ring. The crowd has not since the music came on, and they keep name for a little while after the music raises the mic to his face, and the audience

ANGEL Wow! Well, I can see what I've been missing out on up here. First, I'd like to say how great it is to be back in Jersey! The crowd cheers weakly. Backstage, Max grimaces at Angel's cheap attempts to get the audience behind him. ANGEL (CONT'D) So, the reason I've come around is because, supposedly, the best this place has to offer wants to challenge me...and he thinks he actually has a chance! Max is turning red. Now, the crowd will think no one in the back will measure up to a "legitimate" performer like Angel. This would make the show uninteresting. I mean, who would want to watch a bunch of losers with no futures fake-fight? MAX He had one thing to do, and he couldn't even do that. (To Chris) Who is he trying to buryyou or us? Max walks away, fuming.

44. Chris is in position. Whatever confidence he normally has is gone. He looks to Jon, who tries to look busy, but can't hide his frustration at everything. ANGEL Well, come on out, and let's see if you can match with the very best in the business. Chris steps slowly to the curtain, paper still in hand. He looks at the microphone that Jon is about to give him. JON You know, not everything Max said before was bullshit. You've got a lot of people out there and back here who think you're something special. Every time you go out there, there's your shot. Take it. Or, you know, don't. Chris takes it all in. There is a slow clap coming from the crowd CHRIS Give me the mic. Chris steps outside, to no music. He squints, because the spotlight is extra bright for the show. The crowd does not really know how to react-some boo, some cheer. In the ring, Angel does not look impressed. ANGEL Who in the hell are you? Chris raises the microphone to his mouth. CHRIS My name is Chris Grayson. And I am a professional wrestler. That means, I am no different than anyone else in the back that comes out here, busts their ass, gives everything they have for this crowd. (Cheering) I'm here because of them, but I'm also here because of you. I'll be honest about it, I watched you growing up. I became a wrestler because I wanted to be Angel Salinas. I wanted to be just like you, Angel. Nobody did the things you could do in this ring. (MORE)

45. CHRIS (CONT'D) You had it all, you brought it every night, and win, lose, or draw, the crowd chanted your name when that bell rang. That's the kind of competitor you were. But not anymore. The crowd starts stirring. CHRIS (CONT'D) Now, I look out into that ring, and I see a wash up. Someone who'd rather get paid and leave than give these people what they came to see. Like everyone else who stepped in the ring tonight, I'm leaving everything I have in there. That makes me better than you. What I can do in that ring. That makes me better than you. You want to do something about it? Why don't you prove me wrong. Chris drops the microphone, the noise echoing. Angel looks murderous, and focused.

Chris steps into the ring, and the referee places the two in their corners. DING! DING! DING! The two get face-to-face in the center of the ring. ANGEL (quietly) Was that all you? YeCHRIS

Angel SLAPS Chris with such force that he almost knocks him on his feet. Chris comes back with a punch, and they trade a few stiff hits. Angel then gets a few chops in a row, and clotheslines Chris out of the ring. Chris gets up, plays it off like it's no big deal, and slowly reenters the ring. The two slowly set up a test of strength (hold both your opponent's hands and try to knock them down), but Angel boots Chris in the gut, and cinches in a headlock. ANGEL You ever call it in the ring before, kid.

46. CHRIS

No.

Angel frustratedly whips Chris into the ropes, and bends down, intending to back body drop his opponent. Chris counters by kicking Angel in the face. Chris bounces off the ropes, going for a clothesline, but Angel answers back with a smooth dropkick to the mouth. He mounts Chris on the mat, and starts punching him in the face. ANGEL Do exactly what I say. Don't question anything. Chris nods, with a little blood dribbling from his mouth. Good. ANGEL (CONT'D)

Angel gets off of Chris, and starts posing for the audience. They are at a 50/50 split between cheers and boos, but at least they're being loud. Angel then goes back to Chris, trying to pick him up, but Chris grabs him by the head and puts his shoulders to the mat. These are not the mannerisms of a fan favorite--this is something a wrestler would do if they were trying to get the crowd to turn against him. 1! 2! CROWD

Angel powers out at two. Angel stands right back up, looking shocked. He starts stomping on Chris, before picking him up and throwing him of the ring. Backstage, Max and Jon are looking at the clock. MAX What the hell is going on out there? Angel BANGS Chris' head on the steel steps. He goes for a big punch, which Chris dodges. Chris starts hitting back, before picking Angel up and dropping him chest-first onto the barricades. The audience is loving this. Chris then gets onto the steps, and jumps off, hitting Angel with a knee. Chris gingerly picks his opponent up, rolls him back into the ring, but as he tries to get back in himself, Angel runs and hits Chris with a baseball slide. Angel then jumps over the ropes and out of the ring, somersaulting onto Chris. The RINGING can be heard, faint but noticeable. JON We only have two minutes left.

47. Both men are down on the floor. Reversal. ANGEL

Chris has no idea what this means. Angel slowly gets to his feet. He picks Chris up and puts him into a powerbomb position. Do it now. ANGEL (CONT'D)

Chris gets it. He stands up, body dropping Angel onto the announcer's table behind him. It does not break. ANGEL (CONT'D) Do your elbow. Chris does a quick double take, but he does not question it this time. He goes back up the steps, takes in some of the crowd's electric reactions, and drops an elbow onto Angel, smashing the table. CROWD Ho-ly shit! Ho-ly shit! Amongst the crumbled bits of cheap wood, Angel and Chris roll around in pain. The ringing starts to cede. You OK? CHRIS

ANGEL I'm fine. Get back in the ring. Chris rushes back through the ropes, selling his sore right arm. He pulls the referee, ordering him to start the tencount. (If a wrestler cannot come back to the ring before a count of ten, then his opponent is given the win by countout). CROWD 1! 2! 3! 4! Backstage, Jon and Max are looking at their monitors. They are still showing the footage from the ring. JON We're still on. MAX We should have been cut off 45 seconds ago.

48. The crowd is up to seven. Angel is just starting to get up. 8! 9! CROWD

Angel jumps back into the ring before ten. Chris goes for his superkick immediately, but Angel catches it, and grabs his head and drives it int the mat. Angel then points up to the lights, before climbing the turnbuckle, pausing, and then does the Faith Breaker onto Chris. He goes for the cover. 1! 2! Kick out. CROWD (CONTD) ANGEL

Chris lifts a shoulder off the mat just as the ref is about to touch three. The crowd cannot believe it, because they have never seen anyone kick out of Angel's finisher. Angel "can't believe" it either, looking at the ref and mouthing "that was 3" a couple of times. Angel then looks to the crowd. ANGEL (CONT'D) One more time! He climbs up to the top rope again, but Chris shoots back up and throws him to the center of the ring. He then tries to superkick him again, but Angel dodges it. Angel then drops to the ground, hooks his feet underneath Chris' arms, and pulls him, rolling over him. Chris' shoulders are on the mat. Angel's are not. Chris kicks his feet, trying to get out. 1! 2! 3! The bell RINGS. Back to the backstage monitors, Angel can be seen celebrating through the small screen. JON Signing off. MAX I can't believe we got all of that on air. JON How were we not cut off? CROWD

49. MAX Who else is awake right now? Guy must've dozed off. Does it really matter? Back in the ring, Chris is sitting at the corner, amongst all the cheering. He's holding his elbow, selling the injury, looking dejected. Angel goes over to him and helps him to his feet, before raising his good arm to a lengthy ovation. The two shake hands in the middle of the ring, and they get a standing applause. They get out of the ring, and walk up the ramp, shaking hands with fans on the way to the back.

INT. BACKSTAGE LOCKER ROOM-CONTINUOUS The whole locker room claps as they step through the curtain. They had been watching the whole match. MAX Great match. The two of you. ANGEL All in a day's work. Jace busts into the scene, already changed into his clean, white button-down. He looks pissed. JACE (to Max) You told me that it was going to be a squash. MAX Let me explJACE This whole thing just killed all my heat. How was I supposed to compete with that?! Now they're all goANGEL Motherfucker! That crowd is losing their minds and you bust in here talking about your heat?! Chris just gave you a perfect match. I haven't been around someone that good in years. (MORE)

50. ANGEL (CONT'D) Now, it's your fucking job to to better the next time. Or maybe there's someone they would rather see with that belt. Jace doesn't say a word. He just leaves in a huff. ANGEL (CONT'D) I thought so. (to Chris) What are you doing later? FADE TO: INT. BAR-NIGHT A dive. ESPN on a small screen in the corner. Dusty pool table in the back. One or two other people in the bar. Chris and Angel go right to the bar. ANGEL Dos copas de patron, amigo. The BARTENDER gives them two shots. ANGEL (CONT'D) To this business. Down the hatch. Angel takes it smooth. Chris makes a face. CHRIS So, how did you know I did an elbow? I haven't done that in months. ANGEL It was on your video. CHRIS You saw my videos? ANGEL There was nothing else on. You know, you lit a fire under my ass tonight--something I could work with. I haven't had that in years. That's how you move up. You have all the pieces to make it. You just need a character they can get behind. Then there's nothing stopping you.

51. CHRIS Thank you. That means a lot coming from you. ANGEL Don't mention it. Just don't be afraid to take those risks. A lot of you indy guys are either too scared to go all out, or just plain suck. No matter what anyone says, the goal is to make it out of here and to New York, onto that (points to television), and to be on top. If that is not on your mind 24-7, then you're in the wrong business. CHRIS What was it like up there? ANGEL It was fun, at first. I mean, tonight was fun. Nice, little venue. You get close to the fans, but being in stadiums, with tens of thousands, it's something completely different. And I was over. CHRIS What made you leave? ANGEL Oh, we're already going there. CHRIS I'm sorry--you don't have to ANGEL No, it's okay. It's just that--I wanted a shot so bad. I knew I could do it if they just let me run. I told them I could carry this to somewhere it's never been before. But they gave me some shit about how 'I didn't move the needle'. So I just got burned out by the whole thing. I miss it, though. The crowds. The spectacle. The two sit awkwardly for a beat.

52. ANGEL (CONT'D) Look, I also wanted to apologize for anything I might have said before. If it makes you feel any better, first meets usually go way worse than that. CHRIS Oh, we've met before that. Hmm? ANGEL

CHRIS Yeah. When I was 11, me and my brother saw you after a show at the Garden. We went to the hotel you guys were staying at. We saw you in the lobby, and we tried to get an autograph. ANGEL (cautiously intrigued) Oh, yeah? What did I do? CHRIS You told us to go fuck ourselves. ANGEL (quickly) Oh, man. I'm sorry. I was tired, I was coming off a heel turn I wasn't reallyCHRIS No, no, you don't understand. You see, I was mad at first. Really mad. But I never stopped watching you, and I never stopped being amazed at what you did in the ring. And I'm thinking--this guy was good, so good I didn't care if he was a dick to me. That's something special. That's something I want to be a part of. Because you are my favorite wrestler. And thank you for giving me a great match. ANGEL You are welcome. And, think of it this way. You're now your favorite wrestler's favorite wrestler. MUSIC: WON'T BACK DOWN-EMINEM

53. ANGEL (CONTD) See you around, kid. Angel walks out of the bar. INT. ARENA-NIGHT Chris steps through the curtain. He has a sleeveless white hoodie on, and the Eminem song is his new entrance song. When the vocals kick in, he whips the hood off and gets the crowd pumped. ANNOUNCER From Union City, New Jersey, weighing 217 pounds, Chris Grayson! CROWD Grayson! Grayson! Chris is smiling. The RINGING starts to fade into the entrance music and crowd chants, until that is all we hear. CUT TO BLACK. THE END