Riot 551: Fallout

[Lotus FloJo]

This is page two

[Michael Morrison]

TWO STONES, ONE BIRD

I always enjoyed Valk as a face, even though it seems like I caught the tail end of that particular persona. None the less, having seen her go through the various arcs: from Ready-to-Rumble to Heroes-Can-Stumble, to Tested-n-Humbled, I find it easier to see Valk as a person, rather than a symbol. She has flaws and follies, but it doesn’t stop her from being a warrior. It doesn’t matter if she’s good or bad... to never surrender is an admirable quality.

 

Plus, who doesn’t like a 4-way cat-fight to start things off?

 

LOOKIN’ UP FOR LOW BLOWS

When will the black-on-black violence end? I don’t see many silver linings on the subject, not as long as there’s gold-to-hold in OCW. Either way, Everrett should have held his hands over his Harvey-Wall-Banger, knowing that Sparks is almost eye-level with his one-eyed monster. Mantis Luther King would not be happy.

 

BOWLIE FOR COLUMBINE

Speaking of “black”, and violence: it would appear that Jim Black has a knack for setting up the pins for Watts to knock down. Danny is literally running through anyone who gets in his way... or anyone who simply asks a nasty question. Squeaky wheels get the oil, as the saying goes, but Watts may be more inclined to just rip the wheel off and replace it with a nice quiet wheel.

 

SAFER IN THAN OUT?

When Austin Lee finally leaves the confines of his vast vault of edible prison-mates... it begs the question: is it better to feel safe inside a prison... or to live in dangerous freedom?

 

T&A HERE TO STAY?

Tucker and Asher seem to be getting-along and going-along... but something seems off. Maybe it’s all this talk about “taking advantage” of every opportunity.

 

IT’S HARD WORK: LETTING PEOPLE IN

Ambiguous OCW employee #22467, opens the door to the past, possibly allowing trouble to simply waltz right into our “safe place”. Fortunately, the mysterious man isn’t asking for much... but it doesn’t mean OCW will abide. Maybe they’ll give him an abundance of “flashy”, just to spite his wishes. It’s the Jay way.

 

DON’T STAY HUNGRY

In this business, once you lose your hunger, you lose your spot. That’s why you gotta hustle, every minute of every day. You gotta put in the work. You gotta hit that gym and train like you’re heading to the Olympics. You gotta dedicate yourself to excellence... or, you can skip the gym and go eat, just like El Parca and Aisu. Just as you wouldn’t skip leg-day, you wouldn’t skip brunch day, right?

 

BUTTONS WERE PUSHED, KNOBS WERE TURNED

Sometimes we can be our own worst enemies: reflecting our own weaknesses and failures back towards ourselves. Sometimes, we leave ourselves stranded in what can feel like a strange and unfamiliar world. Sometimes, this isn’t even a metaphor... sometimes it’s just the crazy, literal shit that happens in the world of P3.

 

RAISING CAINE’S EYEBROW

J. Tuck gets some positive attention from a not-so-straight shooter: Solomon Caine. There is still a sense of unease in the air... like someone who believes they're walking into a chess tournament, but in reality, they're entering a colosseum full of lions.

 

ASHES TO ASHES, DUST TO REAL ARTIFICIAL CHEESE DUST

Cort talked the talk, but can he walk-the-walk without walking away? Cheesy fingers point to... maybe? The OCW fans wait to see if Cort will continue to be our American Gladiator or give-in to the urge of being, yet another, American See-Ya-Later.

 

ARCH YOUR BACK

And watch it as well. Although these aren’t really critiques, I have to say that this was a great Video RP -- reminded me of WWF type scenarios from back in the day. It was familiar but satisfying in its execution. Anyways, Archer gets a taste of his own medicine, courtesy of The Doc, and he don’t like the flavor. Not one bit.

 

GRIMM MESSAGES

The road to recovery is often fraught with danger, but the threats usually consist of internal struggles. In Jehst’s case, he has to worry about trash-talkin’ dragons who send false, fiendish fan-mail. What a world we live in. On the bright side: Elsa’s English is getting better, but to be honest: I want to know how her French is doing (giggidy).

 

UNDERDOG TAGS

Tre can’t go a day without some gold around his waist -- it’s in his name, after all -- so now his sights are set on the one thing that may quench his thirst: a nice, tall glass of heavyweight H2O. Harvey and Baker aren’t convinced that Tre is deserving -- or so they say -- so perhaps a little tag team action will help demonstrate and/or validate their case. Can’t wait for this one.

 

MOORE MONEY, LESS PROBLEMS

Nothing wrong with hiring a little muscle to keep you safe for your tussle. Ashley isn’t taking any risks, not with this lot of ferocious felines. The lady’s lockerroom may not have Y chromosomes, but they have plenty of Y-Not in their DNA, that’s for sure. You’d be crazy not to have some kind of backup plan... and why not stick with the latest trend of dawning a mask. Even OCW is following current CDC protocols these days.

 

FAVORITE TABLETOP

Caine is done playing games -- tabletop or otherwise -- and reveals his hand. Turns out, he may not have been sincere, in regards to his previously proclaimed praise towards the Tuckster. In fact... I get the feeling he doesn’t even like J. Tuck. I’m no expert, but I’m pretty sure that putting your peers through a table is a fairly damning display of dislike.

 

LISTEN TO REASON

If there is a phrase, more likely to be wasted on a man called Mad Morrison, I don’t know what it is. Coincidentally, he has no trouble expressing just how many reasons prevented him from letting go of the past... from letting bygones be bygones. Sure, Versus may want to clear the air, in a grand gesture of solidarity before taking OCW on a path of metaphysical growth; but first, he’ll have to break through the hate-filled walls of a madman.