Booking Glory-Chapter 125: Backstage Politics 2

"You can change the finish slightly," Rob spoke, after receiving Mr. Gibson’s permission. "Since Marshall wants to avoid losing his momentum, he can’t be pinned or submitted. However, you can go for a count out or disqualification."

"Have Mark join us at the commentary table," Rob said, gesturing at Mark. "During the end, Marshall can get distracted seeing Mark there and let him get into an argument with Mark. He can either be counted out while arguing with Mark or he gets disqualified by picking a fight with Mark."

"This will protect all three of them, while adding Rictor to the program," Rob shrugged. "If you want a clean finish, then Hector can roll up Marshall while he is arguing with Mark from inside the ring."

Everyone thought for a bit and reluctantly nodded. None looked pleased by Rob’s suggestion. Rob had maintained the status quo while solving their problem. They should have been grateful, but they just accepted it grudgingly as if they had no other option.

This just confirmed to Rob that the issue was never with the booking. They were just jockeying for influence. Robin had been the booker of this program until now. With Robin’s absence, the top dog in the scenario was a bit vague. Thus, such a situation arose.

Mark Weathers was the reigning champion and top draw of the promotion. His importance need not be stated. Marshall Jones was a veteran who commanded respect from the locker room. While he wasn’t the locker room leader, his position wasn’t far off.

Logically, as the owner of LWC, Mr. Gibson should have assumed the top dog position as soon as he took over the booking position. Both his seniority in the industry and company ownership should have made sure of that.

But, the times were different. There was a subtle tug of war between LWC management and the wrestlers at present. While most wrestlers would keep their head low, some influential wrestlers will test the water a bit to see if there was any leverage to be gained here.

As a veteran and one of the main event talents, Marshall Jones was the kind of wrestler who can try to test the boundaries a little. So, Rob wasn’t surprised he tried to do that here. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

This was all backstage politics. If Mr. Gibson compromised to Marshall’s demands, then it would signal that the wrestlers had much leverage on their side. If Mr. Gibson didn’t agree, then it would send a signal for all wrestlers to act within the pre-established lines.

But now, Rob ruined the entire play with his idea.

The jockeying for upper hand was a subtle game. No one would be overt in their actions lest it bring dissatisfaction from others. By fulfilling the requirements of both parties, Rob had ensured that they could only agree to his idea.

Now, neither couldn’t disagree as it would make them look petty and capricious.

What bothered Rob was why Mark dragged him into this. There was no need to drag him into this. Rob’s influence in LWC was limited to certain circles. Furthermore, Mr. Gibson’s actions were also a bit strange. He should have never called Rob over.

Rob watched Mark evade his gaze for a moment, before excusing himself from the group. Luckily, Dallas and Irvin had already arrived at their meeting spot and were chatting with each other already. It gave him a readymade excuse to get away from the tense atmosphere.

*****

<November 6, Longham Wrestling Arena, Longham City>

"Hello folks, welcome to yet another weekly television of pro wrestling extravaganza. We are joining you live from Longham City. And this week’s edition of <Fyre> is promising to deliver some exciting moments."

"Joining me on the commentary table are Rob Williams and Dallas Moonbyte. Last week’s episode ended on an interesting note. With LWC Champion Mark Weathers walking away from Marshall "The Headsmasher" Jones’s challenge, things are a bit unclear currently."

"Well, there is good news on that front folks," Dallas chipped in. "Tonight, Rictor Swole will be looking for revenge as he takes on The Headsmasher once more in our main event. What about you Rob? Are you excited for it?"

"I am looking forward to it," Rob spoke in a monotonous tone to indicate his disinterest in that match. "But, what I really want to see is how Evelyn is going to dominate that silly bint Alanna in their match later. Mark my words, Dallas. Evelyn is going to destroy Alanna tonight. Just like how she destroyed Selena two weeks ago."

"Ah, Rob, did you forget that it was a tag team match? Surely Marie is not going to abandon her partner. Even then, who knows Alanna might surprise us," Irvin replied.

"Well, that’s a small mercy for Alanna," Rob replied dismissively. "Moreover, Leia Beaumont would also be present. Even though she isn’t on Evelyn’s level, I think she might be able to handle Marie. So, I am really looking forward to seeing Evelyn rip Alanna into pieces."

Just then, the titantron came alive, causing everyone in the arena to look over.

Diana Wharton’s face opened the show causing the arena to come alive. Cheers resounded everywhere as Diana was shown being checked up by a doctor backstage.

The doctor was checking on Diana’s back which was taped up. And they were discussing something in a hushed tone. The doctor nodded at Diana and patted her shoulders. Diana thanked the doctor and walked away from her.

Suddenly, someone attacked Diana from the side and sent her crashing into the nearby area filled with metal equipment, causing the crowd to shout in surprise. The attacker relentlessly attacked Diana a few times and turned around to look at the camera.

It was Dacey Surestone.

There was a vicious smile on her face.

The crowd boiled over seeing Dacey attack Diana backstage with a sneak attack. The boos filled the arena.

Dacey turned around and started stomping on Diana’s back repeatedly. Diana arched her body repeatedly and let out pained yells. This made the crowd remember that Diana’s back was still taped up and she just got checked over by the doctor as well.

Furious whispers came from the crowd as they loudly condemned Dacey for her despicable actions.

But, Dacey wasn’t done yet.

She found a steel chair nearby and began swinging it on Diana’s back relentlessly. With each swing she would angrily roar at Diana.

"You want my title?"

Smash!

"You think you can beat me?"

Smash!

"How do you like that, huh?"

Smash!

"I am gonna end you bitch!"

Smash!

Just as Dacey began to swing her chair once more, backstage personnel rushed over to separate her from Diana. Doctors rushed to check on Diana who was writhing on the ground in pain.

A furious Mr. Gibson came on the scene shouting loudly and angrily demanding answers. He asked the security to throw Dacey out of the building while he rushed to check on Diana.

The crowd watched Dacey’s vicious attack on Diana in stunned silence. They never expected Dacey to be so brutal with her sneak attack. Compared to their outrage at Dacey, their concern for Diana’s well being was higher at this point.

*****

Rob felt the weird atmosphere in the crowd and smirked in satisfaction.

He knew the segment was a big success after seeing the reactions of the crowd. In order to cement Diana’s babyface status, he had to make Dacey more hated. In recent weeks, Dacey has been portrayed as an annoying entitled bitch. That had diminished the hatred towards her a bit.

Sure, the crowd loved to see her get beaten up last week. But, it wasn’t enough for Rob. He felt the crowd needed some reminder of what Dacey was capable of. This buildup was toward an extreme match. So, the intensity of the feud needs to be upped a little. The level of hatred between Diana and Dacey wasn’t enough.

Thus, this vicious sneak attack was put in place.

The purpose was twofold. First, to create sympathy for Diana and make the crowd root for her. The crowd shouldn’t be turned away with how viciously Diana was going to beat up Dacey. Rather, they should cheer her on.

The more vicious Diana becomes, the more excited the crowd should become. For that, the crowd should feel that Diana was justified in beating up Dacey viciously. And now, this segment has created that justification for Diana. The crowd would be behind her completely now.

The other purpose was to remind the crowd that Dacey was no pushover either. She might come off as an entitled bitch, but they need to remember that she can become vicious when she wants. The crowd shouldn’t forget how despicable Dacey can be when it suits her.

For weeks, Dacey had worked the chicken shit heel type. But, extreme rules meant Dacey should be vicious. So, the change in heel persona was needed. Now, Dacey would come off as a despicable person who would do anything to gain an advantage.

Furthermore, the more Diana suffers in the buildup, the more the crowd will root for her to defeat Dacey and regain her championship. Rob set out to lay the seeds for it this week and the reaction told him he had succeeded.

*****

A/N: Hey folks!

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