Capítulo 35: It's Time!

In a blur, days passed and became weeks... The time for the showdown was near. Both social media and reality were ignited as the preparation unfolded.

Arnold took his training procession to another level, most times preferring to workout and practice alone. With the help of privacy, he was able to maintain peaceful meditations and even train harder without getting distracted, earning him quite good progress in his attributes.

[Agility: 21.]

[Strength: 17.]

[Endurance: 17.]

[Attack Power: 18.]

Arnold managed to get his Agility over twenty, the effect manifesting through his veins. He could often feel the advancement in his fitness, making him believe that he was ready for whatever the championship battle would bring.

Perhaps...

He also gained 3 points for his Intelligence... Well, he only got a few points to his Intelligence with training, they massively increased after every match as it was clear that his Intelligence was entirely similar to Experience Points.

While going for different exclusive interviews, Arnold was asked so many questions, and yet, he would only give one certain reply.

"I'm ready. The champion is ready. The winner is just going to be the capable one."

Countless comments and posts from fans made the road to the event more exciting, adding to people's impatience.

Martinez: "Max Fury might have incredible fighting tactics, but he can't defeat Jerry Blaze. There's no way that can happen."

Jack: "Jerry Blaze is a powerful fighter. His Stunner finisher is just enough to end it all."

Thomas replies to Jack: "What do you mean??? Haven't you seen Max Fury's Neckbuster finisher?! C'mon, you should go take a look."

Ella: "Max Fury is my superstar, I hope he wins!"

Razor: "Jerry Blaze will win. Max Fury lacks experience and strength."

Several discussions caused a stir as "Siege" drew near. Arnold decided to also perfect his use of Sorrowful Kiss, believing that it might be helpful in the match.

In the morning, he would practice hard and workout in the gym... He made sure he maintained a balanced diet to prevent nutritional defects in his body. And thanks to the system, Arnold's body appeared to be fresh and healthy even though he skipped meals often.

With the Pro Wrestling System, visibly, life seemed to me to be moving smoothly, at least.

******

Soon, the day for the show reached, and every superstar assembled at the Grindhouse Wrestling staff airplane to Columbus, Ohio.

Due to the show being a pay-per-view event, it was clear that Capside Centre might not be able to contain the audience. After all, they would need a lot of people for the event.

Arnold went alone because Mark and Lila wouldn't be participating in the event, it wasn't necessary to invite non-participants after all.

They arrived shortly at Zenith Arena in Columbus, a stadium with twenty thousand sitting capacity. Carrying out the pay-per-view here has cost the management a lot, however, it wasn't as if they would be losing after all. There were many gains to receive at the end of the day.

With every facility rendered for preparation, the wrestlers never had a problem in the new building. In fact, Arnold still visited the gym like he always did at Capside Centre.

He was the only one who had earned a match at the pay-per-view, so of course, it was another time to train alone and reflect.

When it was almost nighttime, the kickoff began. The arena was already full and overcrowded outside even before evening, indicating the interest of tens of thousands of people.

To pass the time and just chill out, Arnold decided to watch the early matches of the show. Coincidentally, it turned out that Rowan Pierce and Axel Stone were having a No Disqualification Match.

Although it was a tough one, Rowan's usual lack of calculation before launching a deadly attack put him into trouble. As it was a one-on-one match, there was no one to break any count or attack from behind.

Having injured his right shoulder, Axel Stone used that opportunity without hesitation, destroying and defeating him.

"Sigh... Poor foolish Rowan," Arnold cursed.

It was time for the Grindhouse Omega Championship Title Match after several matches. Although this wasn't the main event, there was a Grindhouse Alpha Championship Title Match to go on later tonight.

Arnold was set and ready, getting dressed in his long red leather jacket boots. With a sigh, he shuffled into the alleyway and made his way to the entrance of the arena.

His eyes focused ahead, his mind already in the ring.

While he heedlessly and peacefully walked, he never expected another attack from behind again.

Not here.

*Boom*

Two masked men came from nowhere and attacked from behind, sending Arnold to hit against hard ranges of metal boxes in the alleyway.

"Do you think you can just win the spotlight over me so easily, huh?!"

"Do you?!"

*Bang*

One of the attackers launched a kick on Arnold's belly. Severally, he punched hard.

Arnold was utterly in pain.

"I'll make sure I make your life miserable... More than you can endure before murdering your own self!"

The guy carried Arnold again and threw him against a huge hard metal box. Arnold's head banged against it, his skull feeling the impact.

These men kept beating the heck out of Jerry Blaze's challenger until some group of security came out from the near distance. In a rush, they ran out of the scene, leaving Max Fury lying on the hard floor in pain, losing it.

...

In the ring, Jerry Blaze was standing and waiting for his challenger to show up. He could be seen laughing loudly as he roamed around, uttering disgusting statements.

"He must have been wise enough not to show up. Of course, he knew I would destroy him so shamefully," he teased.

Some people among the fans had a grim look on their faces, not seeing their wonder fighter show up in the biggest opportunity in his career yet.

"Why the heck is Max Fury not showing up?! Could he be afraid???"

"Or did he have some change of mind???"

Suddenly...

The sweet song of Max Fury sounded, almost making the whole arena erupt.

"He is here!!!"

"Huhu! He finally came!!!"

"YEAH! MAX FURY IS NEVER AFRAID!"

Max Fury staggered out of the entrance, sluggishly approaching the ring. For a moment, everyone froze.

Observing his movement and appearance, he was clear that he was attacked.

Jerry Blaze back in the ring froze at first, then he let out an evil smile. Everyone who looked at him could know what came flooding into his mind.

An opportunity... To destroy Max Fury without stress.

Arnold insisted not to give up and had showed up after the attack. With the surging pain all over his body, still, he guessed he was still ready to fight.

Right in the eyes of his fans, glints of doubt glowed brightly in them.

It wasn't the Max Fury they knew they were seeing right now... Or maybe, their Max Fury had just been weakened before the showdown.

"And his challenger, from San Diego California, weighing in 223 pounds, Max Fury!"

Ignoring the congregation, Max Fury entered the ring and looked at Jerry Blaze in the eye. Jerry Blaze stared back with an evil smile, his face full of mockery.

As both men were present and introduced, the referee ordered for the match to begin.

Ding. Ding. Ding.

With the third sound of the bell sounding loud, Jerry Blaze quickly charged at Arnold before he could even notice him. Launching punches and stumps, dragged him to the middle of the ring and launched his finishing Stunner!

He was ending it right now.

Quickly the referee began the count...

Just three seconds away, and Max Fury would shamefully be defeated in his first pay-per-view performance.