THE AGE OF THE FALL


RP #	NEXT MATCH	RECORD	ACCOMPLISHMENTS	TITLES HELD
TWO	VS. THE ROAD WARRIORS @ ANARCHY	1/0/0	SIGNED WITH ECW	COMING SOON!
Success could be measured in any number of ways. Primarily, for The Age of the Fall, it came in the form of debut success; something that only few on the roster could claim at this point. In the world of wrestling, it was notoriously difficult to keep the scales of momentum tipped in your favour. However, that was the aim for the duo of Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black, as they were to undertake their first of many demanding matches of this upcoming Grind for the Gold series. The Age of the Fall had a penchant for exploiting the vulnerabilities of their opponents, so it was necessary for them to ensure that their research was completed extensively this coming week in order to do just that. Then again, there wasn't a lot about the careers of this week's foes, the mighty Road Warriors, that wasn't already well-established public knowledge. As the scene flickers on from darkness, there didn't appear to be a lot to consider. The room itself was somewhat unremarkable, the walls washed in a dull matte paint with small patches of it beginning to peel. It felt as though a room like this had purposely lacked distinguishing features as to not take away from anything that may occupy it... either that or a potential lack of budget. The typical fluorescent lights buzzed overhead as what was currently the only audible noise at present. While it may not seem like much to many, it was still the sort of environment that allowed the Age of the Fall to feel at peace; almost as if the quiet and calmness of it was a sanctuary before the metaphorical storm. Whilst the plain walls swallowed much of the scene, the juxtaposing figures of the taller Tyler Black towered over that of Jimmy Jacobs, as they stood prominently. JIMMY JACOBS The definition of bragging rights is a 'temporary position of ascendancy in a closely contested rivalry'. And temporary, it is. That moment is often short and fleeting. Of course, we're incredibly proud of our success. I don't feel as though it's necessary to shy away from that but yes, it's an incredibly temporary sensation that's already passed us by. Thanks to that success, however, we are now on a path of ascension. That path will lead us to the absolute pinnacle of the ECW Tag Team division. TYLER BLACK We essentially made history by being the very first winners of the very first match of this new era. That's something to be proud of. That's something that nobody else can brag. We're a team very much on the rise and we're showing absolutely no signs of slowing down any time soon. It's safe to say that was just the beginning. To his right, Jimmy nodded in firm agreement with his partner. TYLER BLACK Yet, there's a slight shift in our focus. Due to the recent announcement regarding the ECW Tag Team Championships and the round robin tournament we're to embark upon, that is our new goal. Not simple destruction and annihilation of others; it's more than that. We have a real and much more tangible objective now. Are we favourites heading into this? A light shrug of his shoulders followed as Jimmy took over. JIMMY JACOBS I'd say there's a strong and legitimate argument as to why we may be. However, complacency isn't something to take lightly. Oh no, we're aware of what awaits us now. The fight issued to us by the Dudleys was a wake up call and snapped us back to reality. We're capable but not invincible. We're mere mortals, just like the rest of you. While we can taste success and reach the highest of highs, we're not immune to failure and despair. We're humans, with the same beating hearts and functioning minds as the rest of those within this business. We have a conscience and even morals, to some extent. We don't think the sun shines out of our ass and we do understand that failure, to some degree, is inevitable. It's not about if, it's about when. TYLER BLACK And we don't intend for this week to be the week in which it all begins to unravel. As we embark on this new mission, it's time to open our eyes to the bigger picture, as it were. This is no longer just a war against one team, no, it's a war against an entire division. And as we venture into this crusade, we wish to issue everybody who will inevitably attempt to stand in our way, a message. A smirk gently tugged at his lips as his eyes narrowed a fraction, yet still remained firmly on the camera. TYLER BLACK We've conquered every challenge that's come our way and sure, we don't have the 'mainstream' success that most other teams here have. That's the reality of it but we're not allowing that to become a negative. Not at all. See, Jimmy and I? We have an unbreakable bond. This unity is simply unmatched. We bring innovation to every match that is simply incomparable. Any underestimation you may have regarding us will be the downfall of you all. But let's just get one thing straight, shall we? We're aware that we have targets on our backs. We're the top team at present and we're the team to beat. We're the team that everybody wants to hand those losses so we rack up no points in our journey to the top. A brief silence consumed the scene but it was Jimmy who spoke once more. JIMMY JACOBS But when it comes down to it, do you think that our match against the Dudleys was us reaching our pinnacle already? You think that's the best we can do? You think that was the absolute best that the Age of the Fall can give? You think we can't improve on that effort? He scoffed, almost laughing under his breath as he shook his head. JIMMY JACOBS That was nothing! Nothing! His raised voice echoed through the otherwise silent scene. Moments later, he spoke up again, glaring into the camera. JIMMY JACOBS That was simply the beginning and you witnessed only a mere sample of what the Age of the Fall can and will do moving forward. You can call these empty threats, if you want to. Go ahead. Say we're just full of crap and these words don't mean anything; they have no substance. Just take a look at what we've done already, in just a short space of time. It's impressive, isn't it? And we fully intend on keeping that momentum rolling, no matter who we're faced with. The Road Warriors? Well, they're right up there with the Dudley's, aren't they? In terms of achievements and longevity, at least. Although, if anything, they may be seen as slightly lower on the totem pole; having not had quite as much mainstream success overall. So why should we fear them when we already defeated a team that's universally perceived as greater? He left the rhetorical question there to simmer for a moment before he slowly shook his head. His gaze was now seemingly directed at the grimy floor underfoot but he soon lifted his gaze back to meet the camera. JIMMY JACOBS I think the key difference here though is mentality. After all, the Road Warriors are at least going to take us seriously, you can tell. They can sense that a challenge awaits them; something that the Dudley's failed to do and paid the ultimate price for it. That at least puts them in good stead. So kudos to them on that. And I want to stress that we have that same mutual belief that we will soon have a significant challenge on our hands. We wouldn't dare to shy away from the challenge of a historically dominant and respected team. Those are the sorts of mistakes that we refuse to make. Yet we see that happening just about everywhere else around here. TYLER BLACK This is a mental game, boys. It's all psychological and if you can't fathom the challenge that will soon await you? Then I'm afraid that you do, indeed, have problems. These are problems you probably haven't even grasped at this point. Not fully, anyway. While your mind might be on the task at hand, we want you to take a look at our history, not just your own. We want you to comprehend our skill, our talent, our teamwork and even our longevity. We're not some brand new, flash-in-the-pan newcomers. We've been doing this for as long as each of us can remember. We've got decades of relevant experience behind us. JIMMY JACOBS And that's the sort of thing we'll put to good use. After all, a round robin style tournament isn't about just the occasional loss here or there. No. You have to remain consistent because it's that one loss that might trip you up in the end and cost you everything you've worked your ass off for. So you've got to remain focused, consistent and you damn sure better have stamina on your side. And Road Warriors? I'm not entirely convinced that you do... TYLER BLACK Maybe once upon a time there was some level of truth to that. Perhaps back in the day, you were a relevant name in the mouths of others but now, you're nothing more than a sideshow. A relic of what once was. Remember, you're not the only cohesive unit around here. That's not an advantage when everybody has the same precedence. It makes it an even playing field. Tyler placed his hands together in front of him, lightly cracking his knuckles on both hands. TYLER BLACK It's easy to revel in the confidence that comes with a dominant victory. That same confidence can topple into arrogance and that's always a fatal mistake; a nail in the coffin, particularly against a team of such skill and aggression. So for us, it's learning to adapt and finding ways to prevent those mistakes that's going to work in our favor. JIMMY JACOBS For many, it's hard to hear the truth, let alone accept it. For the Road Warriors, we admire their tenacity and the career that they have successful forged over many decades. But the harsh reality of the situation is that while we may not be a name with the weight of mainstream success attached to it, we are more relevant now than we ever have been. In fact, many of the key skills a team needs to possess to thrive actually eclipse those of the Road Warriors. Do you hear that, boys? For every ounce of chemistry you have, we have more. For every slither of experience you have, we have more, at least in terms of more recent offerings. For every hardship you've been forced to endure, I can assure you that we've had even more to contend with. And y'know what? We've come out the other side stronger for it. Finally stopping to take a breath, Jimmy opted to remain silence for a moment, letting his words sink in while he thought over his next. JIMMY JACOBS So to the Road Warriors, if we are to address you once more directly, understand this. To use a somewhat cliched phrase, this is indeed the end of the road for you. It's just a shame it never truly had the opportunity to thrive to begin with. Things never really got going. Drawing us in the first round of this tournament is simply akin to you drawing the short straw. I know, a loss here won't define you. It won't take away from the future matches you'll participate in nor will it halt your efforts within this tournament itself but yet, it will leave you with the worst possible start and for weaker teams, it will feel like an impossibly steep climb towards redemption. TYLER BLACK We know that the higher you are, the harder you fall. We're right at the top at this point, so to crash back down to earth with a bang? Oh, it could happen and it could hurt us. But we're used to bumps and bruises... they're nothing. Since our reunion, a fire has been ignited within us. That fire has always burned to some extent but our time away from the ring as a duo didn't allow it to fade. As Jimmy lightly nodded, once again in complete agreement with Tyler, he shuffled forward slightly. JIMMY JACOBS As we once again stand before you and speak our truth... the truth... allow me to reassure you that the Age of the Fall is here to capitalise and embrace the chaos that will inevitably consume our lives within the next few weeks; months, even. We will deliver on every single one of our promises. We have thus far and with our one hundred percent strike rate, our reliability should be carefully considered, even from the small sample size. His eyes locked to the camera with intensity, Jimmy smirked but kept the same level of seriousness to his tone of voice. JIMMY JACOBS So once again, we invite you to walk with us down our road... Both stood tall in the silence, heavy with a level of intensity that the Age of the Fall had grown renowned for. As usual, there was no veil over the truth. Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black were two men who had established their name from speaking their minds and using their unpredictability to their advantage. A storm was brewing on the road to success. The question was, could the two maintain their steady level of momentum or would it all come crashing down when they least expected it?

Success could be measured in any number of ways. Primarily, for The Age of the Fall, it came in the form of debut success; something that only few on the roster could claim at this point. In the world of wrestling, it was notoriously difficult to keep the scales of momentum tipped in your favour. However, that was the aim for the duo of Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black, as they were to undertake their first of many demanding matches of this upcoming Grind for the Gold series. The Age of the Fall had a penchant for exploiting the vulnerabilities of their opponents, so it was necessary for them to ensure that their research was completed extensively this coming week in order to do just that. Then again, there wasn't a lot about the careers of this week's foes, the mighty Road Warriors, that wasn't already well-established public knowledge.

As the scene flickers on from darkness, there didn't appear to be a lot to consider. The room itself was somewhat unremarkable, the walls washed in a dull matte paint with small patches of it beginning to peel. It felt as though a room like this had purposely lacked distinguishing features as to not take away from anything that may occupy it... either that or a potential lack of budget. The typical fluorescent lights buzzed overhead as what was currently the only audible noise at present. While it may not seem like much to many, it was still the sort of environment that allowed the Age of the Fall to feel at peace; almost as if the quiet and calmness of it was a sanctuary before the metaphorical storm. Whilst the plain walls swallowed much of the scene, the juxtaposing figures of the taller Tyler Black towered over that of Jimmy Jacobs, as they stood prominently.

JIMMY JACOBS
The definition of bragging rights is a 'temporary position of ascendancy in a closely contested rivalry'. And temporary, it is. That moment is often short and fleeting. Of course, we're incredibly proud of our success. I don't feel as though it's necessary to shy away from that but yes, it's an incredibly temporary sensation that's already passed us by. Thanks to that success, however, we are now on a path of ascension. That path will lead us to the absolute pinnacle of the ECW Tag Team division.

TYLER BLACK
We essentially made history by being the very first winners of the very first match of this new era. That's something to be proud of. That's something that nobody else can brag. We're a team very much on the rise and we're showing absolutely no signs of slowing down any time soon. It's safe to say that was just the beginning.

To his right, Jimmy nodded in firm agreement with his partner.

TYLER BLACK
Yet, there's a slight shift in our focus. Due to the recent announcement regarding the ECW Tag Team Championships and the round robin tournament we're to embark upon, that is our new goal. Not simple destruction and annihilation of others; it's more than that. We have a real and much more tangible objective now. Are we favourites heading into this?

A light shrug of his shoulders followed as Jimmy took over.

JIMMY JACOBS
I'd say there's a strong and legitimate argument as to why we may be. However, complacency isn't something to take lightly. Oh no, we're aware of what awaits us now. The fight issued to us by the Dudleys was a wake up call and snapped us back to reality. We're capable but not invincible. We're mere mortals, just like the rest of you. While we can taste success and reach the highest of highs, we're not immune to failure and despair. We're humans, with the same beating hearts and functioning minds as the rest of those within this business. We have a conscience and even morals, to some extent. We don't think the sun shines out of our ass and we do understand that failure, to some degree, is inevitable. It's not about if, it's about when.

TYLER BLACK
And we don't intend for this week to be the week in which it all begins to unravel. As we embark on this new mission, it's time to open our eyes to the bigger picture, as it were. This is no longer just a war against one team, no, it's a war against an entire division. And as we venture into this crusade, we wish to issue everybody who will inevitably attempt to stand in our way, a message.

A smirk gently tugged at his lips as his eyes narrowed a fraction, yet still remained firmly on the camera.

TYLER BLACK
We've conquered every challenge that's come our way and sure, we don't have the 'mainstream' success that most other teams here have. That's the reality of it but we're not allowing that to become a negative. Not at all. See, Jimmy and I? We have an unbreakable bond. This unity is simply unmatched. We bring innovation to every match that is simply incomparable. Any underestimation you may have regarding us will be the downfall of you all. But let's just get one thing straight, shall we? We're aware that we have targets on our backs. We're the top team at present and we're the team to beat. We're the team that everybody wants to hand those losses so we rack up no points in our journey to the top.

A brief silence consumed the scene but it was Jimmy who spoke once more.

JIMMY JACOBS
But when it comes down to it, do you think that our match against the Dudleys was us reaching our pinnacle already? You think that's the best we can do? You think that was the absolute best that the Age of the Fall can give? You think we can't improve on that effort?

He scoffed, almost laughing under his breath as he shook his head.

JIMMY JACOBS
That was nothing! Nothing!

His raised voice echoed through the otherwise silent scene. Moments later, he spoke up again, glaring into the camera.

JIMMY JACOBS
That was simply the beginning and you witnessed only a mere sample of what the Age of the Fall can and will do moving forward. You can call these empty threats, if you want to. Go ahead. Say we're just full of crap and these words don't mean anything; they have no substance. Just take a look at what we've done already, in just a short space of time. It's impressive, isn't it? And we fully intend on keeping that momentum rolling, no matter who we're faced with. The Road Warriors? Well, they're right up there with the Dudley's, aren't they? In terms of achievements and longevity, at least. Although, if anything, they may be seen as slightly lower on the totem pole; having not had quite as much mainstream success overall. So why should we fear them when we already defeated a team that's universally perceived as greater?

He left the rhetorical question there to simmer for a moment before he slowly shook his head. His gaze was now seemingly directed at the grimy floor underfoot but he soon lifted his gaze back to meet the camera.

JIMMY JACOBS
I think the key difference here though is mentality. After all, the Road Warriors are at least going to take us seriously, you can tell. They can sense that a challenge awaits them; something that the Dudley's failed to do and paid the ultimate price for it. That at least puts them in good stead. So kudos to them on that. And I want to stress that we have that same mutual belief that we will soon have a significant challenge on our hands. We wouldn't dare to shy away from the challenge of a historically dominant and respected team. Those are the sorts of mistakes that we refuse to make. Yet we see that happening just about everywhere else around here.

TYLER BLACK
This is a mental game, boys. It's all psychological and if you can't fathom the challenge that will soon await you? Then I'm afraid that you do, indeed, have problems. These are problems you probably haven't even grasped at this point. Not fully, anyway. While your mind might be on the task at hand, we want you to take a look at our history, not just your own. We want you to comprehend our skill, our talent, our teamwork and even our longevity. We're not some brand new, flash-in-the-pan newcomers. We've been doing this for as long as each of us can remember. We've got decades of relevant experience behind us.

JIMMY JACOBS
And that's the sort of thing we'll put to good use. After all, a round robin style tournament isn't about just the occasional loss here or there. No. You have to remain consistent because it's that one loss that might trip you up in the end and cost you everything you've worked your ass off for. So you've got to remain focused, consistent and you damn sure better have stamina on your side. And Road Warriors? I'm not entirely convinced that you do...

TYLER BLACK
Maybe once upon a time there was some level of truth to that. Perhaps back in the day, you were a relevant name in the mouths of others but now, you're nothing more than a sideshow. A relic of what once was. Remember, you're not the only cohesive unit around here. That's not an advantage when everybody has the same precedence. It makes it an even playing field.

Tyler placed his hands together in front of him, lightly cracking his knuckles on both hands.

TYLER BLACK
It's easy to revel in the confidence that comes with a dominant victory. That same confidence can topple into arrogance and that's always a fatal mistake; a nail in the coffin, particularly against a team of such skill and aggression. So for us, it's learning to adapt and finding ways to prevent those mistakes that's going to work in our favor.

JIMMY JACOBS
For many, it's hard to hear the truth, let alone accept it. For the Road Warriors, we admire their tenacity and the career that they have successful forged over many decades. But the harsh reality of the situation is that while we may not be a name with the weight of mainstream success attached to it, we are more relevant now than we ever have been. In fact, many of the key skills a team needs to possess to thrive actually eclipse those of the Road Warriors. Do you hear that, boys? For every ounce of chemistry you have, we have more. For every slither of experience you have, we have more, at least in terms of more recent offerings. For every hardship you've been forced to endure, I can assure you that we've had even more to contend with. And y'know what? We've come out the other side stronger for it.

Finally stopping to take a breath, Jimmy opted to remain silence for a moment, letting his words sink in while he thought over his next.

JIMMY JACOBS
So to the Road Warriors, if we are to address you once more directly, understand this. To use a somewhat cliched phrase, this is indeed the end of the road for you. It's just a shame it never truly had the opportunity to thrive to begin with. Things never really got going. Drawing us in the first round of this tournament is simply akin to you drawing the short straw. I know, a loss here won't define you. It won't take away from the future matches you'll participate in nor will it halt your efforts within this tournament itself but yet, it will leave you with the worst possible start and for weaker teams, it will feel like an impossibly steep climb towards redemption.

TYLER BLACK
We know that the higher you are, the harder you fall. We're right at the top at this point, so to crash back down to earth with a bang? Oh, it could happen and it could hurt us. But we're used to bumps and bruises... they're nothing. Since our reunion, a fire has been ignited within us. That fire has always burned to some extent but our time away from the ring as a duo didn't allow it to fade.

As Jimmy lightly nodded, once again in complete agreement with Tyler, he shuffled forward slightly.

JIMMY JACOBS
As we once again stand before you and speak our truth... the truth... allow me to reassure you that the Age of the Fall is here to capitalise and embrace the chaos that will inevitably consume our lives within the next few weeks; months, even. We will deliver on every single one of our promises. We have thus far and with our one hundred percent strike rate, our reliability should be carefully considered, even from the small sample size.

His eyes locked to the camera with intensity, Jimmy smirked but kept the same level of seriousness to his tone of voice.

JIMMY JACOBS
So once again, we invite you to walk with us down our road...

Both stood tall in the silence, heavy with a level of intensity that the Age of the Fall had grown renowned for. As usual, there was no veil over the truth. Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black were two men who had established their name from speaking their minds and using their unpredictability to their advantage. A storm was brewing on the road to success. The question was, could the two maintain their steady level of momentum or would it all come crashing down when they least expected it?