One month later…

At the Superstars of Wrestling event, the cheers around the place continued to be showcasing how things would go in this situation. Indeed, it was becoming a situation, unlikely any other. Suddenly, Curtis "Thunder" Hale began to walk around the arena, bringing the cheers into the arena, while his theme song began to play, making everyone stood in their feet, almost taking the place by storm with the claps and cheers, on which Curtis began to smile, waving his right hand around the arena, smiling around the place. Indeed, he was proving something else. More than the eyes could see since his debut.

It's early morning, the sun comes out

Last night was shaking and pretty loud

My cat is purring, it scratches my skin

So what is wrong with another sin?

The bitch is hungry, she needs to tell

So give her inches and feed her well

More days to come, new places to go

I've got to leave, it's time for a show

Here I am

Rock you like a hurricane

Here I am

Rock you like a hurricane

"Gorilla Monsoon here, alongside with my commentary pal, Jesse Ventura, here for one more episode of Superstars of Wrestling. In these last few weeks, the rising star, Curtis "Thunder" Hale has been taking the World Wrestling Federation by now. Five consecutive wins, counting his debut against Ted DiBiase. Then, in the following week, a surprising win against Andre the Giant, managing to beat all odds."

"Indeed, this is quite the rise in WWF that we've seen until now. Several matches, and until now, undefeated. Five wins, five matches, undefeated, and for a man like Curtis Hale, he's beginning to feel on the top of the world. Indeed, there are some stuff that seems to surprise some people watching us around this arena and for the people who are seeing us through most TVs in their homes, now."

"Well, folks, he's in for one wild ride these weeks and Curtis has said that when Superstars began, he would try and get something off his chest. It seems that he wants to say a few words to several of the fans around the arena, even though some situations can be very unpleasant, it seems different at the moment. It's the feeling most people have in their bodies when the confidence could be seen as part of something bigger. A rise for the future."

Still walking towards the ring, Curtis kept himself confident and with this, grabbed a microphone from one of the announcers, while hearing the cheers and claps around the place, making sure that he was going full in, during this ovation, he smiled and lifted one of his hands. The mic on his right hand, almost feeling himself being confident, while at the same time, being sure that with his emotions, he had something to say in this story. With a smile, he clenched his left hand, almost looking at the idea with everything in his mind.

"Tonight, I'll think that I'm going to be shaking the place. I'll do everything to entertain the people. For one month, I managed to surprise the people with my wins and my personality. This face thing, it's something awesome. And indeed, this is living the dream. After everything, and no matter what, I think most of my body is willing to risk it all just to surprise the people."

In his thoughts, Curtis was willing to cement himself as a superstar, no matter the costs and consequences. His wish, being fulfilled, day after day, was becoming truth, and indeed, he was living every part of the dream. Giving a Woooo, similar to Ric Flair would, he showcased his personal feelings on the microphone and held his hands through one of the ropes, and indeed, looked around the fans and the people in the arena, with a smile.

"Hooray!" James began to talk, almost screaming, while hearing the cheers around the place. - "Gotta say I'm kinda surprised with all of this ovation. Can say that it's amazing for me to be here, for each one of you, and to do everything to entertain everyone that is an important part of this world. What will I say? Thank you. I have to say that it was a dream of mine, ever since I knew myself several years ago, to be part of something else. Something bigger. Kinda funny, right?" Managing to get a certain laugh from the people around the arena, Curtis smiled. Almost like if it was a promo, that was being off script, being something sincere. - I will say a few words now: Vitamins. And saying my prayers. I'll admit I'm doing these two things, day after day. But one thing is true: Indeed, we're in different times. I believe that the days of the Hulkamania kinda shaped this story as we've known until now. But how can we be certain of something? Well, I am of one thing: That is to be the most inspirational, dedicated, superstar that you all have ever seen, folks!" The cheers around the place cemented Curtis as a babyface, indeed, willing to do everything for his fans and the audience watching WWF. - "I can see that most people are willing to fight for everything. Well, I have certain stories if you want to listen to them."

"What's he doing, Jesse?" Monsoon asked, in a sincere laugh that managed to be described as something genuine.

"I think for once, Curtis Hale is doing something odd. But in a good way, Monsoon."

"I thought to myself, when I was 10 years old. It was kinda funny, if you want to know: I asked my father once what it had to take to be a wrestler. And the answer he gave to me? Vitamins. Vitamins and more vitamins." With this, the people around continued to laugh, almost as if it had become something much more funny. - "And then he said to me: Being a powerhouse, it takes vitamins. I guess Hulk Hogan is right on this one: I've been taking mine for several years and I did everything before setting my foot here. Vitamins and prayers? All right. But then, he said to me: To be a great wrestler, be truthful to yourself. And my funny answer is? My body is willing to take on challenges. Several challenges. And I think I'll do something different tonight: I'm willing to take on an open challenge now. If someone wants to lace their boots and run with what the Hulkamaniacs say, "the largest arms in the world", I'll take on you." The commentary table and ring announcer, Howard Finkel, stood in disbelief at the declaration. No matter what, Curtis was managing to grab the attention of the people around. - "My dream here is to entertain each one of you. And I'll gotta admit that I'm anxious on not doing anything off this ring. So, who wants to go for some old tug-o-war and struggle, just come outside, and I'll take on everyone! Because the people need some entertainment. So… come and get it, I'll give everything to you." The cheers, claps and screams around the place showcased how Curtis had cemented his personality: Extroverted, confident, trying to connect with the people and fighting for them, like a true hero would.

"Did we see what we think we just see, Jesse?"

"Indeed. He's issuing a challenge. And he seems to be doing this, to show the intent to make the fans happy with everything. What will happen now? Who will answer the challenge, Monsoon?"

Suddenly, high energy music. A certain tune that took place around the arena that made the people scream, on hearing this. And with this, a man, wearing the Intercontinental Title around his body, paint face, that showcased a mask and high energy entrance, began to run through the ring, on which the fans began to extend their hands, almost to touch him, and while the people around, managed to make sure on how things were going now.

"That's The Ultimate Warrior! The Ultimate Warrior is answering the challenge, Monsoon! Unbelievable!

"We were not expecting the Warrior to have a match tonight! Last week, when he defended his IC Title against Andre the Giant! But we know one thing, folks! When a man, like The Ultimate Warrior, answers the challenge, you know he will not hesitate on take on the first person he'll be fighting with!

Running outside the ring and clenching his right hand, running through the ropes, he entered the ring and began to shake several ropes with his hands, showcasing the high energy, personality and everything he had to show, and with this, reaching for a microphone, the Ultimate Warrior lifted his right hand, and with this, managed to leave the audience into delirium, screaming and cheering with everything in their bodies. Standing face to face with Curtis Hale, he smiled, almost like if he was taking a certain overdrive in adrenaline.

"Oh. I've been hearing about you. The newcomer who's been bringing the thunder around this place. Can I ask something?" He continued to look into Curtis and with this, began to smile. - "Do you know… DO YOU KNOW WHOSE STRENGTH IS MIGHTIER HERE?" Managing to grab the people by storm, it was clear how things were going. A tension that continued to get stronger, each minute. - "You seem to be taken by an overconfidence, newbie."

"And I heard everything about you! The Ultimate Warrior, in a meteoric rise that managed to be a story, every different. Intercontinental Champion in over two years. Gotta say it's a record, even for me here. But I bring the thunder! For every single person that wants to see entertainment, surprises and twists, unlike any other! And I have to be truthful. This challenge here is unexpected. I've been waiting for everything, however, one of the most prestigious champions around WWF? Surprises me." Curtis said, kinda answering back on the scene, while at the same time, trying to see what his reaction would be. Indeed, his smile showed a certain overconfidence that managed to showcase how things would go now. However, the Warrior was smiling, almost in a insane reaction.

"Oh, boy… you're only in for one surprising ride. I gotta say one thing! I've been answering this challenge, to show you a certain shock of reality! All of my Warriors can count on one very important part!" Giving a certain time to breathe, The Ultimate Warrior continued to show on how things would go in this battle of words, he began to walk, until reaching near his opponent once more. - "THAT NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, EVERY STRIKE, EVERYTHING, NO MATTER WHO'S ISSUING A CHALLENGE OR NOT, TRUST ON ME WHEN I SAY THAT THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR WILL BRING IT TO YA! ME AND MY WARRIORS WILL SMASH YOU WITH EVERYTHING!" Answering back, screaming in every part of his lungs, Curtis saw how the Ultimate Warrior was being sincere, pushing back against his rival.

"You want to know something? How about we answer part of the stakes? You and me, Warrior. If I win… we're gonna have another match. In the next few weeks, Royal Rumble, with the Intercontinental Title on the line! The power of the Warrior against the fury of the Thunder! And trust me when I say, Ultimate Warrior, that I'm on fire now!" The cheers around the arena took everyone by surprise and indeed, the commentary table began to see the scene, in disbelief.

"I can't believe it! The open challenge became something personal! That's a thing you don't see very often!"

"But the Warrior still needs to answer his opponent." The things really became something else. Indeed, the situation was kinda different, no matter what.

"You dare to issue something in this challenge? Wanna know something? You're on!" The screams around the arena began to take the stage, in a way that no one could predict. - "Trust me, Curtis Hale! Me and my Warriors, if I lose, will put the Championship on the line with everything! But you still need to beat me, and all the Warrior Nation, right now! DO YOU WANNA KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH THE ONES WHO BECAME MORE ARROGANT WITH THE TIME? I'LL SHOW YOU NOW! BECAUSE I'M THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR! AND THE SPIRIT OF THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR, WILL CRUSH HIS MIGHTY ENEMY WITH EVERYTHING!" Screaming, lifting his right hand with the microphone, the stage was set for a bigger match that no one could predict.

"Indeed, things became more personal, Monsoon."

"Indeed."

The challenge was set. For Curtis Hale, the chance to face the Ultimate Warrior for the Intercontinental Championship at Royal Rumble came with everything. Now, he just needed to do everything in his heart and body to be sure that things would go his way. The Warrior Nation against the strength of one rising star. Whose hand would come out on top and rise as the winner that no one could expect now? One issue, one challenge at a time. And now, the odds are bigger than ever. Because the story was becoming more different than usual.

To be continued…


Author's Note: That's when the story is taking a different path now. The next chapter, a match, that is more unexpected than the ones you're seeing now. No matter what can happen, things are promising now: The Ultimate Warrior vs. Curtis "Thunder" Hale. And the stakes are bigger than usual. The next chapter, intensity, passion, action, and no matter what, chapters that will surprise each one of you that you'll be in a way that no one will see now. Twists and turns are awaiting, folks! You can all be sure of that!

See you all next time, dear readers!