HKYA! HKYA! RP – A Hole In Ma Pride

[Markw]

WFWF HKYA! HKYA! – A Hole In Ma Pride

I didnae see this coming.

The WFWF coming back was starting to feel a wee bit farfetched. But me? Invited to be a part of it’s resurrection?

Get tae f***.

I’m under no illusions, my first run with the WFWF didnae warrant this. Arrived, claimed I was gonna bring back the Intergalactic Spaceman Championship, got naewhere f***in’ near, left.

But I amnae gonna question it. They wanna give me another run at chasing my dream, course I’m gonna take it with both hands.

‘You’re only there because they’re short on numbers’ dinnae give a f***
‘You’re only there because your kid’s ma works there’ dinnae give a f***
‘You’re only there to be a ‘showcase’ jobber’ dinnae give a f***
‘You’re only there because they thought it’d tempt Bishop back’ dinnae give a f***

The important thing is, I’m there. A wee little kid from Possil, skinny as a twig, nae natural aptitude for wrestlin’, spent the majority of his youth reading about UFOs instead a turnin’ up for training. And yet, somehow, here I am. The WFWF.

WFWF wrestler, Shuggy.

Sounds f***in’ class don’ it?

Hasnae gone exactly as planned I’ll admit, believe me, I did not have ‘make an enemy of Trace Demon’ top o’ the agenda. But tha’s life, Trace isnae the only WFWF wrestler who could pick a fight alone in a locked room, som’in I’ve just gotta get used to I guess.

But aside from tha’, honestly, it’s been pretty f***in’ ace.

Got myself a spot in Scars & Stripes, one a’ the WFWF’s greatest institutions. An’ who knows, if I’m at ma absolute best, and get a very, very healthy dose a luck, could book masel a shot at the Intergalactic Spaceman Championship. Yous never know do ya?

An' got masel a match with the Vanguard Champion right outta the gate, win tha’ an’ I’ve gotta be in contention for tha’ one right?

Hard no’ ta feel like everything’s coming up Shuggy.

---

Poppy: Alright say goodnight to your Dad Ellie.

Ellie: Night Dad!

Shuggy: Night Ellie, love ya.

Joe whisks her away, she’s still waving halfway up the stares haha.

Poppy: Thanks honey.

Shugs seems a bit sad.

Poppy: How you doing?

Shuggy: Ah, you know, it’s tough bein’ so far away.

Poppy: You’re always welcome, whenever you can make it.

Shuggy: I know, I know, thanks.

It must be hard. I just don’t know how to make it less so to be honest.

Poppy: Got be glad to have the WFWF back?

Shuggy: Yeah!

That perked him up at least.

Shuggy: It is, really good. An’ I guess you’re excited about it to? I read the article.

Poppy: Yeah it’s really big for me, shame Joe’s being Joe about it.

Shuggy: Hasnae changed then?

Poppy: In some ways. But where the WFWF’s concerned. Not a bit, haha.

Shuggy: I dinnae suppose he ever will.

Not wrong.

Poppy: Speak of the devil.

Shuggy: Hey Joe.

Joe: Hey, talking about me?

Poppy: Just talking about how much we’re enjoying having the WFWF back.

Joe: Ugh…

lol

Shuggy: Watching Ascension, it’s just got me so pumped again you know.

He knows Joe is hating this. I love Shugs.

Shuggy: Mesh’s win, my wee spat with Trace, the Scars & Stripes battle royal comin’ back. It’s so excitin’ ya know?

Got to get him off Ascension before he brings up EBR though, I cannot cope with hearing this again.

Joe: Four hours of Alex Sean videos followed by a 30 second match. The WFWF successfully flying out you, Trace, and God knows how many others who had no reason to be there but failing to get three of the booked participants to the building. The f***ing Kool-Aid Man. Yeah, really exciting.

Think we’ve dodged the bullet.

Shuggy: Look I amnae saying it’s perfect, but let me be a wee bit excited you know?

He does know who he’s talking to doesn’t he? I know we haven’t chatted about wrestling in a while, but he must remember that’s not what Joe does?

Joe: I just don’t get why you want to be a part of that?

Shuggy: I don’ know, I… I guess you’ve got tha’ luxury of pickin’ and choosin’ your jobs in pro-wrestling Joe. You’re a former WFWF World Champion, you arnae gonna struggle for bookings, and let’s face it, you havnae got any vices, nae expensive hobbies, you can live off what you earned for the rest a your days if you wanna.

It's true enough. Can’t see that being enough to shut Joe up though.

Shuggy: Me? For me it’s this, or I keep workin’ a couple of shows a month, keep working a nine to five. Keeping being a cog in the machine of whatever boring business will take me, struggle to contribute to Ellie’s future financially, and she has nae reason to look up to me, you know?

Poppy: Of course she does, you’re her dad.

Shuggy: Aye. Aye. It’s just, well, that isnae enough is it?

Poppy: It really is.

Shuggy: Well, isnae for me.

Sad he feels like that.

Shuggy: I donnae wanna be a nobody.

---

If I’ve got any doubts about going back, honestly, it’s all about Ellie.

I donnae see her nearly as much as I should now 400 miles away. 4000 is pretty f***in’ daunting.

But honestly? With Poppy’s job, I’m hoping maybe it’ll help. Or at least tha’ the impact won’t be too huge.

An' hey, what have I got to lose? I amnae doing enough for her here.

Anyway, it's becoming increasingly clear…

Shuggy: Are yous still playing tha’ game?

Being a da is f***in’ hard.

Kyle: Too easy.

Kelsie: Next time I get to be Trace.

I just wish I was being a da to ma wee girl not ma teenage brother and his lass.

Kyle: Maybe it’d be fairer if neither of us had to be Shuggy.

Shuggy: I heard tha’.

Kelsie: Agreed

At least she thought she was whispering quietly enough that I couldnae hear.

Kyle: Sorry bro, you really are s*** though.

Shuggy: They’re create-a-wrestlers, you literally made me tha’ s*** you bawbag.

Kyle: I value accuracy.

Cheeky c***.

Shuggy: You value accuracy? Look at them! I’m literally the wee hat away from being Peter Pan, and tha’ Trace is just bad. Really, really bad.



Are those f***ing crocodile boots? What’s tha’ all about?

An I know it isnae real, but seein’ Kyle’s aberration of Trace flinging me round like a wee ragdoll doesnae fill me with confidence.

Shuggy: Seriously though, if Joe catches you twos playin’ these s***y wee games when you start your training he will send you back up here so f***in’ fast.

After he’s ripped them a pair o’ new arseholes.

Shuggy: And considering I amnae gonna be here anymore to do yer cookin’, and cleanin’ and generally keepin’ the two of yous alive, you prolly wanna avoid tha’.

Kyle: I will bet you any amount o’ money tha’ they release you again before Joe sends us home.

Kelsie: You don’t have any amount of money, like any at all.

Kyle: Shut up.

Kelsie: Touché.

Shuggy: You’re prolly right, I’m just sayin’ give yer head a wobble an’ have a think about what happens if you’re not, ‘k?

No' tha’ he’ll listen to a word I say. Maybe Kelsie’ll make him see sense, she’s got her head screwed on.

Shuggy: An’ yous two. Listen to everything Joe tells ya, take on board everything he can teach yous about being a pro wrestler. You can learn so much from him.

Kelsie: Course.

Shuggy: But please, for the love o’ god, donnae pick up all tha’ baggage. Tha’ communist bull, the holier-than-thou wrestling snob s***e. It eats away at him and it’ll do the same to yous if you let it. If he tries to teach yous how to be a human bein’, in one ear and out the other okay? An’ tha’s coming from one of his friends.

They better not tell him this.

Shuggy: Donnae let him drag you down.

Kyle: Whatever.

They’re definitely going to tell him.

---

Cannae say I’ve missed America too much really.

Generally I dinnae give too much of a s*** about politics. Isnae anything I can do about it, and I am no’ naïve enough to think I know nearly enough about it ta say much. But I certainly amnae mad excited about coming to the land of guns and sexism.

Whole place lacks the class and charm of Glasgee.

But I gotta admit, arriving at the Andrew W. Mellon, on the back o’ the Press Conference and Ascension. Everything was starting to feel a wee bit special.

This is really f***in’ happening.

I may no’ have been in the WFWF long first time around, but I did manage to make masel one good friend on the roster. And I knew bumping into her before He’ll Kick You Apart was gonna make it feel even more special.

Shuggy: Y’awright Mesh?

M̴̊͐E̴̓͘S̷͑͝H̶̾̐: Oh… hey.

Doesnae seem quite herself, I was definitely expecting more bubbly.

Shuggy: How you doing? It’s been too long!

She gives a wee nervous laugh. No' the greeting I was expecting either.

M̴̊͐E̴̓͘S̷͑͝H̶̾̐: Yeah…

Shuggy: Excited to have the WFWF back?

M̴̊͐E̴̓͘S̷͑͝H̶̾̐: Umm yeah, yeah it’s good.

Shuggy: I was so pumped seeing you beat POISON, congrats.

M̴̊͐E̴̓͘S̷͑͝H̶̾̐: Thanks.

Well she’s determined to talk my ear off today int she?

Shuggy: Time to get your title back now huh?

M̴̊͐E̴̓͘S̷͑͝H̶̾̐: Yeah!

At least that were a wee bit more enthusiastic I guess.

Shuggy: Wondered if I could pick yer brains about Mason?

M̴̊͐E̴̓͘S̷͑͝H̶̾̐: Mason? We’re not scared of him.

Shuggy: I know you’re… we’re…(?) not. Dinnae mean that. Isnae like you to turn down a handshake though, I figure he must have done something pretty s***ty?

M̴̊͐E̴̓͘S̷͑͝H̶̾̐: His son died.

His… what? F***.

M̴̊͐E̴̓͘S̷͑͝H̶̾̐: Have you met TITUS yet? He’s an alien.

Shuggy: He… sorry can we go back a few steps? Johnny’s son died?

M̴̊͐E̴̓͘S̷͑͝H̶̾̐: Car crash. Yeah you’d probably like TITUS, he’s huge.

Shuggy: Are you feeling ok?

M̴̊͐E̴̓͘S̷͑͝H̶̾̐: I’m good. Really good. Going to be Vanguard champion soon. Beat Poison. G̷̛̮̣͆̽͐̍͋̚l̶̤̫̬̉͌̊̚̚a̸̟̰͓̦̾̋͘ḑ̴̡̭̪̞̫́ ̸͈̥͇̻͕̃͆̅͗h̸͕͒è̴͕̖͙̦͘͜ ̷͎̇c̶̰̎̀͝͝͝r̸̨̡͎̬̎̀͌͗͗̔ȃ̶̜͈̀s̶̢̩̣͕̃͛̈́̃͂h̷̖̖̹̦͔̣̀̎͜ḙ̸͈̼͔͙̤̭̊͠d̷͈̪̕

Jesus.

Shuggy: …

M̴̊͐E̴̓͘S̷͑͝H̶̾̐: Umm, sorry, I really didn’t mean that.

Shuggy: Do you need some help?

M̴̊͐E̴̓͘S̷͑͝H̶̾̐: It’s fine, I think, yeah fine.

Shuggy: You sure?

She nods, something aint right though.

M̴̊͐E̴̓͘S̷͑͝H̶̾̐: I really should, I’ve… got to go.

Shuggy: Mesh, if you ever need to talk I’m here, okay?

M̴̊͐E̴̓͘S̷͑͝H̶̾̐: Okay. Bye.

And off she goes. Isnae the Mesh I knew right now.

---

Gotta admit, I tuned out just a wee bit after ma first run (I still cannae believe I can call it ma first run, pinchin’ masel) with the WFWF came to a screeching halt.

I love wrestlin’. I love the WFWF. Always have, always will. I think it were just to painful ya know? I didnae think I’d get another chance, and I thought I’d completely blown ma shot at the one thing I’d always wanted.

Thought I’d doomed masel to a miserable life, lamentin’ what coulda been if I’d got ma head in gear.

So yeah, I was nae watching that closely.

I watched SuperBrawl. Of course I did, couldnae miss that. I saw Jackson and Watts turn their back on you. But honestly, all I felt, was disappointment for Mesh. That in deserting you, all your ex-goons had done was cost her the chance to win back her title.

I was absolutely gutted.

If anyone deserved tha’ big SuperBrawl moment it was her, and the politics of your stupid wee gang cost her it.

That’s how I saw it then.

That’s how I saw it a week ago when I was told I was takin’ you on. I was ready to go out there and give everything to get a wee bit of revenge for tha’ moment your boys took away from her.

Now?

I still feel some of tha’, sure. But I gotta admit, knowing that you’d just lost your son. That your friends turned their backs on you when you needed them most.

F***.

I’ve got nothing but respect and sympathy for you Johnny. It’s a miracle you get outta bed every day, get yourself dressed and function after what happened to you. Let alone go to the ring night after night and defend tha’ title of yours. I didnae know him, but I’m sure Bryce would be proud of you.

And I know, I just know, Mesh has that same respect for you that I do.

I dinnae know what’s happening with her. I dinnae know why she wouldnae shake your hand at Ascension. But I know her, and I know she will. She’ll feel terrible about it, and she’ll put it right. Donnae know when, but I know she will.

The lass that ran away from tha’ offer at Ascension, that isnae her.

Donnae get me wrong. I admire you so much Johnny. An’ it’s certainly humbled me, put ma own parenting problems into some f***in’ perspective. But it doesnae change things too much for me.

Because ultimately, this? This is ma second chance.

Yous rarely get them, and when you do, you really gotta take ‘em.

This is ma chance to not be a loser. To give my daughter a reason to be proud of me.

I lose to you on night one, off the backa my first run with this company? Everybody starts questionin’ what I’m doing here, again. But beat ya? A win over the Vanguard Champion, and I instantly show all yous that this isnae the same Shuggy who left with his tail between his legs last time.

This isnae the same green lil’ alien enthusiast who clearly wasnae ready. This is now a much more polished wee alien enthusiast who is prolly just about ready.

I wanna win tha’ Scars & Stripes Battle Royal. I wanna be the second Intergalactic Spaceman Champion. I wanna shut tha’ wee red demon’s gob. Isnae likely, but you gotta aim high. But I definitely cannae do any of it, if I cannae beat you 1…2…3.

Isnae gonna be easy. I know that there’s gotta be so much pain in you right now Johnny, an’ I know tha’s gonna make you real f***in’ dangerous. I fully expect ya to channel all that anger, tha’ pain, tha’ grief, directly at me. An’ I’ll forgive yous for it. Believe me I will. If you go to far with it, well, I couldnae blame you for a second. I can only imagine what you’re going through.

An’ I know, that me, with ma skillset, I’m quite rightly the heavy underdog here.

But I’m from Glasgee. I can deal with dangerous. I can deal with pain. I can deal with bein’ the underdog.

What I couldnae deal with, is bein’ a disappointment again.

I’ve no intention of bein’ tha’.

I wish you all the best. I hope that having this place back can help you, I really do. An’ after He’ll Kick You Apart, I’ll wish you every success in this place, a really will.

But right now, I gotta be focused on doin’ wha’ nobody believes I can.

See yous at the ballroom.

[sonstuds]

Let me just say just say first off, I love Shuggy and he legitimately might be the top face, or at least fighting for it with Mesh. The monologue perfectly gets that across. Writing face monologues is inherently more difficult cause a lot of the instinct (and fun tbh) is just running down and insulting your opponent, but it's a personality trait that just directly contrasts with someone who's supposed to be a face (aka likeable and someone you want to see succeed). So to write a monologue in which you don't sh*t talk Mason, constructively criticize him without judgment, and even give props and condolences, all while simultaneously advancing your own character's motivation and story in an interesting way is very commendable and impressive. I thought it was very well done and a prime example on one of the many ways to write a great monologue.

You have an interesting and good cast of characters, and sky's the limit in terms of what you can accomplish exploring those relationships, but at times I do felt the "life" scenes were a little underdeveloped and lacking in context. Even something as simple and brief as setting the scene at some point and establishing they're in the living room or wherever would make the scene feel a little more "real", as opposed to just jumping straight in with dialogue and never expanding from there. Like Joe Bishop just kind of shows up and as a reader I'm left wondering if he was there the whole time and they just didn't see him, did he just enter the room, etc. Compare that with the Mesh conversation where we know it takes place at HKYA!x2 and it just makes the scene feel more complete and "lived in", so to speak.

All in all, nice work and I love what you're doing with Shuggy.

Favorite line

Shuggy: Wondered if I could pick yer brains about Mason?

M̴̊͐E̴̓͘S̷͑͝H̶̾̐: Mason? We’re not scared of him.

Shuggy: I know you’re… we’re…(?) not. Dinnae mean that. Isnae like you to turn down a handshake though, I figure he must have done something pretty s***ty?

M̴̊͐E̴̓͘S̷͑͝H̶̾̐: His son died.

His… what? F***.

M̴̊͐E̴̓͘S̷͑͝H̶̾̐: Have you met TITUS yet? He’s an alien.

Shuggy: He… sorry can we go back a few steps? Johnny’s son died?

M̴̊͐E̴̓͘S̷͑͝H̶̾̐: Car crash. Yeah you’d probably like TITUS, he’s huge.

oh and Shuggy wanting to win the Intergalactic Spaceman Championship is A+ lol

[Markw]

Thank you for the feedback E!

Joe was the one person I did try to account for in that scene, he was taking Ellie to bed, but it would help if I'd written stairs insteads of stares XD. Totally take the point though, I mapped that scene out as taking place over Skype, but reading it back there's no way anybody but me knows that which probably says an awful lot lol. I've often struggled with setting the scene - I think a big part of it is having aphantasia, in other people's work that stuff can be a bit of a chore for me to get through because I don't visualise the scene, and so it just doesn't matter much to me, but I appreciate that I definitely need to be giving people something to work with in that regard and just generally fleshing things out a bit more.

[Rated R]

I think E really hit the nail on the head with saying that your scenes feel a little bit underdeveloped. I don't know if that's solely because of the lack of scene description, I think it certainly plays a part though, I get that it can be difficult to write that kind of narrative description if you can't visualise it yourself, but it doesn't need to be cut and dry stage directions exactly. The way I try to set my scene is purely in the context of what's important to Trace here, what's he noticing, what's he paying attention to, how are the other characters responding to what he's paying attention to, or what he isn't which can be just as important sometimes. I think factoring stuff like that in, the scene, body language, expressions and the like, it adds an element of humanity to the work, rather than it simply feeling like words on the page. You manage to get a sense of emotion out of your dialogue and the internal thoughts as well, but not building on that with the scene itself risks making your characters feel a little two-dimensional.

On the flip side you do a fantastic job of making Shuggy likeable, and not just in a 'oh this is entertaining' kind of way, but in that he's easy to get behind, he's believable as the good guy, and that's a lot harder to do than to write someone who is entertaining but an out and out terrible person (finger pointed firmly at myself there). There's tons of room to work with a true face, and it gives you a narrative edge that other writers won't necessarily have because Shuggy feels like a real person, someone who if you actually ran into in real life would be easy to support. I think if you dig into that while continuing to add layers to him in terms of his motivations and the like then you're onto a real winner.

Overall some solid work man, there's room to grow sure, but what you've got is a real interesting character who is really set apart from anyone else in the WFWF, good stuff.

[Swarm]

Man, this was altogether delightful.

I actually kind of disagree with the perspective shared above that your scenes feel underdeveloped. Something distinct about this RP is it has an almost Spiderman comic-like dynamic where it's not even so much just Shuggy's internal thoughts, but kind of his internal thoughts he is sharing with us. Like as if internally he imagines there being someone listening which, considering his affection for UFOs, might be a possibility.

So to me, I read the descriptive text not as description but like, voice-over monologue. Like a Greek chorus to the scenes we are seeing play out. The fact that Shuggy is a Greek chorus to his own damn self is kind of perfect. As a result, it feels like Shuggy is reading along with us and then providing commentary and since Shuggy is such a delightful character, that was a really fun way to watch the scenes that were taking place.

I've always believed strongly in the idea that, in a competitive environment, if you can't do something as well as the best, finding something you can be the best at that they don't do as well. In a sense the old Eric Bischoff if they're selling Mercedes, sell Harley Davidsons argument. It sounds like with Aphantasia it would probably be very hard for you to write in a more visually-centered way and, in that sense, I think the way you have developed your writing style is a really cool way of essentially doing something really well that doesn't require you to have to do that less well.

I think my only critique is while I enjoyed everything, it did feel like there was a lack of a singular idea/theme driving the work. There were certainly motifs that could have been woven together to form one but I think they were left on the table a bit, tbh. A good example being how often parenting/fatherhood comes up and the juxtaposition of Shuggy trying his best to be one and Johnny Mason mourning the loss of having been one. That's not to say one couldn't infer an overall theme but I think it's lack of focus in that regard leaves it all feeling a little like potato chips; Very enjoyable to consume but perhaps lacking a bit in nutrients, if that makes sense?

But overall, like I said, this was an absolute blast. There are so many lines/bits in here I loved. The bad CAWs fighting each other, the bickering kids, Joe Bishop's overall grumpiness, it was all very fun and entertaining. I look forward to more Shuggy!

[Markw]

Jul 13, 2022 8:48:29 GMT -5 Swarm said:

I've always believed strongly in the idea that, in a competitive environment, if you can't do something as well as the best, finding something you can be the best at that they don't do as well. In a sense the old Eric Bischoff if they're selling Mercedes, sell Harley Davidsons argument. It sounds like with Aphantasia it would probably be very hard for you to write in a more visually-centered way and, in that sense, I think the way you have developed your writing style is a really cool way of essentially doing something really well that doesn't require you to have to do that less well.

I think it's a balance that I'm not on the right side of here. I definitely can bring more life into the scene, more movement/action where it's required but still narrated in this style which I can write. Where I struggle more, and tend to switch off, with both reading and writing is the eloquent third person narration that like Brennan as a prime example would write. It's obviously objectively good but it definitely loses a lot if you're not holding, or trying to form, a picture of the scene in your head while reading. There's no reason I can't do the scene setting and visual stuff in the way that say Drakz and Trace do where it's first person narration that's very much focused on the character's perception of things and in many ways a continuation of their monologue, it's just an area I've realy neglected because I've always had this frustration with scenes that probably stems from trying to write third person narrative previously. And just general laziness because monologues are so much easier for me to write without needing to think much at all.

Thanks for the feedback Alex/Trace much appreciated.

[jdfranchise]

Hey man,

So I definitely with E's assessment that Shuggy has some serious traction as a top babyface. I definitely think that's a testament as your ability as a writer, especially when you consider that your most success came as writing a neutral/heel character.

I think the above mentioned hit most of the main talking points, so I'll offer my thoughts to add off theirs:

You dialouge has come a long way and easily the best part of your scenes. Like the Shuggy/Bishopverse are good people (including Joe Joe deep down, don't let him fool you with his brooding sh*t), and dynamic is one you can get milage out of. I've seen narration from you that hit better than what this outing did, and I wonder if it was because you were trying to cover the content with both Shuggy and Poppy. While Poppy is an important part of the cast, Shuggy is the main focus and his thoughts are the ones we care about the most. Not to say we don't care about Poppy, because we absolutely do. But when the scene is from her eyes, it should carry a lot of weight. I think that Elle's bedtime scene did, because wanting your kids to be proud of you, and realizing you model for them, that's real. It seems like when you switched perspective to Shuggy, that momentum took a hit. Just my opinion.

I don't need to tell you anything about promos. It's always been your strength.

Overall, this was a delight buddy.

[Drakz]

Not much to say that hasn't been covered here mate. Shuggy is about as pure of a babyface as we've ever seen here, and I love that. It could be boring to read, but because of your skill as a writer I enjoyed it all. I think writing in the Scottish vernacular helps that as well, for me at least. As a fan of Irvine Welsh I've always loved reading in that Scottish voice, as it immediately helps me settle into the character.

I thought the Mesh interaction was great, short but great, as it ties into what's going on with her as a character at the moment, and that continuity is something I'm a real sucker for.

Some of my favourite lines:


"Trace isnae the only WFWF wrestler who could pick a fight alone in a locked room"

"They’re create-a-wrestlers, you literally made me tha’ s*** you bawbag."

"This is now a much more polished wee alien enthusiast who is prolly just about ready."

[Deleted]

It's no secret that I'm the biggest Shuggy fan so I am so excited to see you feeling inspired and motivated to give the character another go! There was so much left in the tank for him as a character last time so to see him back at it, accent and all makes me so happy!

I loved this RP! The embedded song for the opening was a nice touch, I will ALWAYS put that over whenever it is done. I feel like I've gotten better at reading and understanding Shuggy's accent which to me, is the main thing that sets him apart from ANYONE on the roster, haha.

I always get excited whenever you introduce new characters because I know that they will always be written very well and very clever. You did it with Andy before and now with the introduction of Shuggy's brother and girlfriend, they felt like their own characters and didn't feel out of place or anything like that which can sometimes be a risk when introducing side characters. You don't want them to eat up the scenery, so to speak and each side character needs to have a purpose or role within the confines of the main character's story. Shuggy's brother and girlfriend serve as his window into how he's seen by the wrestling community based on how he was being jobbed out via the video game, which was another great scene.

I love the dynamic between Shuggy and Poppy. There is a distinct tonal shift from Poppy's perspective to Shuggy's which only make your RPs stand out even more. The 'haha' and 'lol' from Poppy's point-of-view were nice touches, haha

Your monologues are always on point. Nothing new there. What I loved the most about it was how naturally it was for you to write a babyface promo. That is the one thing I have always struggled with when writing as Mesh - how to write a babyface promo without veering too much into heelish lines or comments. You gave Shuggy plenty of motivations to want to win, you put over Mason and acknowledged his personal struggles but then reiterated why Shuggy NEEDS to win. Very well done. I'll definitely be taking a page out of the Mark's Book of Babyface Monologues for future reference, haha