We open back at Chamelion’s home, where we find the former BWF tag-team champion in his study.  Currently it’s set up like a small paint studio.  A couple bare canvases lean against the wall, and one is set up on a large easel, with the painting turned away from us and Chamelion standing there. Wearing traditional painting garb and hat, he holds a pallet of colors in his left arm, as he stokes lovingly with his brush, creating something wonderful.  He stops though, setting the brush and pallet down, and picks up a single dark red rose. Eyes closed, Chamelion sniffs the delicate fragrance of the rose, inhaling deeply.  He sighs, contently.

 

“A rose by any other name….”

 

Chamelion opens one eye to the camera, tossing the rose to the floor. Shrugging, he smirks.

 

“…Would probably be a little more challenging.”

 

Picking his brush back up, Chamelion executes a couple more gentle strokes onto the canvas.

 

“I know our match was changed, but I was inspired none the less to create this beautiful work of art.  Come Monday, I will design yet another masterpiece, by earning another victory in my storied career, and propelling me one step closer to that which I seek.”

 

Tilting his head, he examines his work, and selects a new color from his pallet.  As he continues to work, he doesn’t miss a beat speaking his mind.

 

“Rose, I told you to go check out my history, not repeat it to me like in some text book.  What points were you trying to make, when you revealed your knowledge of my loss to Lisa Seldon?  So you found out I am not Mr. Perfect, I could have told you that.  It was no shame to lose to Mrs. Seldon, for she is a wild and capable athlete.  Oh, and for the record, she beat me twice.”

 

Lowering the brush, he examines his progress before dipping the tip into the cleaning solution. He stirs for a moment before his next selection.

 

“You then go and quote numbers.  So many wins, so many losses… all of this is just facts being displayed for eye candy.  There’s no depth, no revelation of what brought myself to these levels.  Let me help you!  I lost to Lisa because she out smarted me.  I stepped aside for Wacko to fight because he’d been mute since we agreed to tag.  I had to know if he was in the game, or if I was going to have to find a new partner.”

 

A color chosen, Chamelion returns to the canvas, applying new strokes to the surface.

 

“For all your apparent homework, you failed to mention the plethora of successes I have had in my career, instead focusing on the few negatives you could dig up.  If all you’re going to be, in this match, is half-assed, then why should I bother to consider you a threat?”

 

He pauses, admiring his work.

 

“A true master of his work, has the discipline of patience, the knowledge of skill, and most importantly; the ability to pull it all off in that ring.  You ask if I remember my past, I do.  The past is what made me what I am today; undefeated.  I suffered many losses to learn how to avoid them.  I have never, nor will I ever underestimate an opponent… and I certainly do not underestimate you.   It does not mean I will not mock you, play you, and otherwise mess with your head.”

 

He smiles, warmly.

 

“That’s just the way I am!”

 

Cleaning the brush, Chamelion again goes back to work, not missing a beat.

 

“Oh, and as for my brother? We were on opposite sides back then.  It wasn’t the first time I’d dealt him such a serious blow, and it may not be the last time.  But we’re family, we understand the business and what it sometimes makes us do.  Hell, he’s bruised me a few hundred times in return.”

 

Stepping back, Chamelion closes one eye and focuses the tip of the brush in front of him, measuring his next move.

 

“So, you’re no push over, as you destroy an innocent desk and computer parts. Impressive, kiddo.  I am not one to be trifled with either, as my history does prove.  Focus on my failures, and you’ll miss the reasons I am so good here.”

 

Touching up the last of his work, he sets the brush down and wipes his hands on the clothe sitting on the easel.

 

“As for you? Looking back to your one promo you aired for Wrestlefest, I got a laugh out of your exclamation that talent should be renamed ralent.  I mean, what the heck, am I watching a Scooby Doo cartoon now?  *imitates voice* ‘Ruh, Roh, Rose ras ralent!!!”

 

A quick cough, Chamelion chuckles and regains his composure.

 

“Face it, kiddo, you’re in over your head here.  But I’ll give you a lot of credit, you stepped up.  The line was drawn and you were quick to put your feet right there and show you’re not one to hide.  I respect that.  I need this to be challenging, so I know if I’m really back in the game the way I should be; or if I’m just fooling myself.”

 

He puts his left hand on the top edge of the canvas, and smiles his Cheshire grin.

 

“But, I’m confident. Confident that my abilities have not faded, that my skills are still top notch, that I…*pauses and chuckles*..still have ralent.  By the looks of this piece of art, it’s safe to say that the most Devious SOB in the business today, is back in full force, and you’re going to be the first to fall on the path to my World Championship.  GOT IT?”

 

Turning the canvas to the full view of the camera, Chamelion walks off, giggling to himself.