03-21-2026, 03:33 PM
PREVIOUSLY – OFF CAMERA
(Being back in Los Angeles felt different. Seeing Owen and clearing the air had been amazing, and like a weight had been lifted. With that in mind, coming back into Los Angeles hadn’t filled him with dread, knowing that the moment he landed he could go and see Dorothea, and not be given the evil eye throughout by Angyalka. He would have said he was in the best place; he was a long way from that. But he was getting his life back in order, and to a place where he could move on. Now, however, Shaun found himself in a large tower block, pressing the button for the 13th floor which he was trying not to associate with bad luck. A call to Drew Bryant, and then some pleasantries had led them to organizing a meeting. Drew had done nothing but confirm what Owen had already told him, with a promise that the detail would come today. As the elevator stops, he steps out, immediately seeing Drew sat behind a desk. The moment Drew sees him, he immediately gets to his feet and walks over, offering his hand.)
Drew: Shaun Cruze… it seems like an age.
(Shaun takes Drew’s hand and they shake.)
Shaun: Not wrong fella, that’s life for you huh?
Drew: Please, take a seat, we have a lot to discuss.
(Shaun does as he is asked and declines the offer of a whiskey.)
Shaun: So, what have you been up to? You went off the grid after EMERGE closed.
Drew: Nothing much to tell… kept my head down, licked my wounds, paid off a few debtors and cleared the decks. You?
Shaun: Seriously bro, we don’t have the time to spare to go through all that. Things are better now, let’s leave it at that yeah.
Drew: I heard about you and Angyalka… It couldn’t have been fun.
Shaun: No, it wasn’t, but all my doing so we move. No other choice really. Just concentrating on Dorothea now… well, until I heard from Owen about this little project you want to get off the ground.
(Drew takes that opportunity to pour himself a drink and then turns his back to Shaun, looking out of the window and across LA.)
Drew: Shaun, when I heard that you were considering this, I was pleased. Not just because we know each other and have worked together before, but because I knew you’d understand why I need to do this. When EMERGE shut down, it was unfinished business you know? We were so close to being just as popular as the big boys, and perhaps even more so. I felt cheated when it all went under and that has stuck with me for years.
Shaun: Yeah, I got that bro.
(Drew turns back to face Shaun, taking a seat whilst cradling his drink in his hand.)
Drew: This isn’t just me wanting to take on SCW anymore, this is about my reputation which took a nosedive when everything happened. I lost myself, and in doing so lost everything I loved. You and I… well we are so similar, and if you came on board, we’d be claiming our reputations back together.
(He pauses, lifting the glass towards Shaun)
Drew: That’s the pitch.
(Shaun didn’t know the details of what Drew had been through, but he knew the comments struck a chord.)
Shaun: So, what would be the plan?
Drew: I have a building in mind that would become our arena and the base of operations. To begin with, all shows would be out of that building, until we get such a following that we can head out on the road for special events. With regards to a roster, I’ve reached out to a few agents, and I reckon I can get some of the SCW talent on board.
Shaun: Owen has already offered exclusivity to ‘Next Level’
Drew: Even better… people are going to be cynical of course they are, but I reckon the wrestling industry is crying out for something different and EMERGE gave them that.
Shaun: So, say I came on board and I’m not saying that’s the case at this point, what would you expect from me?
Drew: Well, of course your name is a big deal in this industry, so I’d be a fool if I suggested a roll behind the scenes. If I could be so bold, I’m guessing that your tenure as SCW’s General Manager has left a sour taste in your mouth considering how you were literally hounded out. Just imagine their faces if you ran the upstart company coming for their fans.
(Drew knew that he was doing bringing that up, using Shaun’s ego as a weapon and Shaun was onto it as well… and it was working.)
Drew: Then, what you would receive off the back of your investment would be entirely in your hands… with input from myself of course.
Shaun: OK, so I’m interested, not going to lie. How much of an investment are we talking about?
Drew: Obviously the building isn’t cheap. Marketing, website… not forgetting paying arena staff and the talent themselves.
Shaun: And do you have any other investors?
Drew: Right now… no. But with you on board I’m certain they would come once we went live.
Shaun: OK, so give me a figure.
(Drew pulls out a notebook, and writes a figure down, before sliding it across the table face down. Shaun takes a look, his eyes widening.)
Drew: I know it’s a lot Shaun, but you know as well as I do how much a company such as this can make. You’ll get that all back and then some.
Shaun: I don’t know Drew, after the divorce this is close to all I have left. I made sure Angyalka and Dorothea got the bulk of my wealth… this would clean me out.
(Drew takes the paper, and throws it in the waste bin, turning back to Shaun.)
Drew: I know, it’s a lot to ask. But you and I together again, we can make this work, I know we can. You want to be a big deal in wrestling again; this is that moment. But… I won’t blame you if you think it’s too big a risk. All I will say is that the building will only be available for so long, and the talent I have already secured is not going to wait forever. I’ll let you think about it of course, but don’t wait too long or we might both miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime. And imagine the look on SCW’s faces if we announced this.
(Drew was right, this was an opportunity. A chance to put right some more wrongs. This could put him back on the map, and as competing again wasn’t an option to him, this was the next best thing.)
Shaun: I’ll have an answer to you by the end of the week, is that good?
Drew: Absolutely… and thank you for coming in. I hope we get the chance to work together again.
(Drew gets to his feet and the pair shake hands again. Shaun turning to leave.)
Drew: Oh, and Shaun…
Shaun: Yeah.
Drew: Ask Owen if he’s getting that itch again… would love him on the roster.
(Shaun laughs)
Shaun: You’ve no chance bro, he’s done. And even if he wasn’t, with our apparent budget we couldn’t afford him.
(Drew shrugs)
Drew: Ah well, worth a try.
(Shaun waves his hand and calls the elevator which arrives almost immediately. He steps in, and with a smile at Drew, the doors close. Was this it, the moment he could make Dorothea proud of him again. The chance to put the Cruze name back on the wrestling map. It WAS a risk, but was it a risk worth taking, that was the question he needed to answer. And he knew exactly the right person to help him with that answer… and that was his next port of call.)
RECORDING – ON CAMERA
(Once again, a single stool, and a more than relaxed Shaun Cruze. And why shouldn’t he be, considering latest events. He’d been named in a number one contendership match, totally out of the blue. But that didn’t mean he wasn’t going to sit back and take advantage of it. If Shaun understood one thing his opponents didn’t, it was how easily things could just drift away. He sure as hell wasn’t going to allow that to happen. So, with a cough to clear his throat, he starts to speak.)
“Let me start by saying this. I’ve heard the noise, and I’m not going to single anyone out here, but I totally disagree with that noise. That being… everyone in this match is here for a reason. I’ll get into the why’s and wherefores shortly, but Kemal has been a credit to Konrad, at least in some aspects. Amelia IS a tremendous competitor from the lineage of wrestling heritage. And Glory Braddock… well anyone who even tries to dispute that she shouldn’t be forever in the World Championship scene needs to give their head a shake. Me, I made my point last time out. I’m not going to come out here and berate someone for being in this match, because let’s face it, it’s not my decision in the first place. Nor am I going to come out here and treat you all like a list, highlighting all your failings, because let’s face it… if I did, then it would negate from the impact of what I am about to do. What’s the point in winning, if it was a foregone conclusion from the outset. But you see, that is the thing. Even in this day and age, there are still those that believe in the foregone conclusion. Even though the commentary team tag the SCW as a place where anything can happen, people still seem surprised when it does. Was I surprised when I was set upon by a pack of dogs… no. The surprise can with who helped me out… there was the ‘anything can happen’ element. Just like me being here might piss some off, ‘anything can happen’ and although I may not be the favorite of the peace, ignoring what I bring to the table would ultimately be foolish. So whereas some might adopt the Glory Braddock blah, blah, blah, Kemal Yilmaz, blah, blah, blah, Amelia Nevado blah… well you get it, routine. I’m going to take a different tact, summing up only in my conclusions. I’m going to tell you why ultimately, when the curtain closes on Retribution, you are going to be looking at the number one contender, who’s name… is Shaun Cruze.
Now, you might be laughing at that Kemal… don’t think I’ve forgotten about your sunshine, more on that later. But let’s take wrestling heritage into consideration, because that seems to be the topic of conversation right now. Glory and Amelia, you both come from a long line of generational wrestlers, and thus are well versed in the art. You’ve both been trained by some of the best who ever lived… no Kemal, you most certainly haven’t. You’ve listened around the table to some legendary figures speak and gained a wealth of experience. I have NO doubt whatsoever; it is those attributes that have carried you both as far as you have gone. I don’t know the answer, I’m just surmising… but I’m guessing your lineage comes up occasionally when you need to prove a point. Guess what guys, I’ll take your lineage, and I’ll raise you an Icon. You can speak of who you want, you can claim whatever you need to, but there has only ever been one Icon, my brother. And like I said last time out, the facts don’t lie… I won more than he ever did. Of course, some much has come out since he died, truth is, he was a flawed individual with his demons. But when it comes to this sport, it’s only here because of him amongst others. You want to talk about heritage, I have it. As I argued previously, it’s probably the only reason I’m here.
Then, we’ll come to topic number two, something that I’m sure will come up over the course of this week. How can Shaun Cruze be as hungry as any of the other three, considering what he has achieved? I mean yeah, I’ve got a list of accolades as long as my arm, but then again so as Glory Braddock… and heck, Amelia is putting together quite an honor roll too. But I’ve only just come back, how can I compete with Glory’s sheer will to succeed, Amelia’s wanting to make her family proud and Kemal’s desire that comes from being someone just starting out in his career. The answer to that is simple, it usually is. I’m a guy who had everything, the movie career, the successful company, almost obscene wealth… it’s all now gone. THIS is all I have, quite literally. I fail at this, I’m done… this is the stereotypical ideology of the wounded animal backed into a corner, with only one way out. Now, I know none of you will be able to understand that, and I honestly don’t need you too. There are things that one day I might share but now isn’t really the time. What you do need to understand is, someone like you Amelia, and you too Kemal, you have years, upon years ahead of you to hone your craft. I have perhaps twelve months before I start being told I’m washed, if not before. It’s cliché for sure, but this stage is quite literally my home, and you can be damn sure I’m going to perform when the chance presents itself. Point three is perhaps the biggest of them all, and the one aspect that may turn out to be true. That being that the three of you are just simply better wrestlers at this point in our careers, and that I’ll be found out against three individuals who have consistently been putting out stellar performances over the course of the past twelve months.”
(Shaun shrugs)
“Do you know what I have to say to that?”
(He waits, holding the moment with that question hanging in the air.)
“If I had a dollar for every time I was told that, I wouldn’t be back here doing this. I wouldn’t need to.”
(He scoffs before a smirk form on his face.)
“Glory will tell you both, I’m not talking out of turn here, I have never, not once, called myself the best wrestler in the world like some. Orlando was a better wrestler than I am. Owen was more skilled than both of us. I have never needed to be the best wrestler in the world; I’ve just stayed the course by being the toughest son of a bitch alive. I’m not saying I’m a shit wrestler, far from it. In fact, I can hold my own against most when it comes to the technical aspect of our industry. But when I hear people talk about their skill, their speed, or their abilities, I can only smile. A) because the likelihood is I already know this, because there is nobody on this entire roster that prepares to such depth as I do, and B) because it really doesn’t matter how good you are. I STILL tend to find a way. When I was the last IWC ever, was I the best wrestler at the time? When I claimed the SCW World Championship, was I stood atop my peers. When I came back after nearly two years and came second at Taking Hold of the Flame, was it because I was the superior competitor? The answer is no to all those reasons. The reason I did all those things is because what resides in here…”
(He puts his hand to his head, and then his heart.)
“Putting them together to have the smarts and the courage to overcome whatever was thrown at me. I have beaten soooo many individuals who claimed they were better than me, and you know what? They probably were. But they never achieved what I did. Their achievements are eclipsed by mine. Simply because they couldn’t accept what was right in front of their face.”
(Another shrug… he didn’t know if his words were falling on deaf ears or not, nor did he care. Listening wasn’t a common commodity a decade ago, and it seemed to be the same now. There were some however that bucked that trend.)
“And so… I walk into this match knowing the challenge I face, and how no matter how I have performed thus far, in defeating Gavin Taylor, Clyde Sutter and Ryan LeCavalier and narrowly losing to David Striker and the SCW World Champion Syren, I know that this performance is going to have to be another step up if I want to succeed. Glory, we’ve been through so many wars already, we’ve both won some, we’ve both lost some. What I would like to think is that at the end of the day, the two of each have a respect for not only this industry but also this match to go as far as to say that putting the other away is going to be a cakewalk. Truth is, you are probably the favorite to get this done, but with that comes its own pressures. You are there to be shot at, and you can be certain, I’m going to come to you with everything I have. If it’s enough, only time will tell… I’m looking forward to finding out. Amelia, you are probably the one who most excites me… just like I was with Striker, I’m looking forward to testing myself against one of the brightest young talents that this company as to offer. Honestly, I’d love to see you go one on one with Syren for all the marbles… I’d pull up a chair and watch that one, that’s for sure. Either way, this won’t be the last moment you achieve… I’m sorry I must be the one to make sure it isn’t YOUR moment, but mine. And finally, Kemal, there is no doubting your talent, your desire… you want this, that’s for sure. But I haven’t forgotten what you did to Impact Media, trashing my office for shits and giggles because Raab told you too. I told you then there would be a receipt… dropping you all AND Konrad in what was to my final match was a good start. But now Kemal, for your actions, I’m going to take away the one thing you want more than anything and leave you with nothing else but to go back to your master with your tail between your legs. Wishing that you’d not decided to open old wounds. Konrad might not be here, but his legacy is… the European Fiery Nation. That alone gives me all the incentive I need to put you down… if the opportunity alone wasn’t already enough.
(He gets to his feet.)
“So… I’m going to leave you all with a little sage advice. You can either take it in the manner it is given, or, as I believe will be the case, you can throw it back in my face. Words, in the general scheme of things, mean nothing. I don’t think any of us are that weak of mind that we are going to let a few comments get into our skulls so much that they have any effect. Don’t be a fool and pander to what you’ve heard from others, use your own brain matter, and just do one thing. Remember who I am, and what I can do. Because, although there aren’t many certainties in this industry, I can tell you one thing. If I don’t win, if I fail to take this opportunity and leave empty-handed, I can assure you the person who has taken it will have been the one who listened to my every word. The individual who thought, forget everything else, forget the white noise, this is Shaun Cruze. THAT Shaun Cruze who made a name out of making those impacts. Those moments that made him the Impact Player. I can’t stress this enough, perhaps I shouldn’t be here. Perhaps it is too soon. But the time for considering that is over. Now it’s time for realization. We come to the next stage of the rehabilitation of Shaun Cruze.”
(He winks at the camera.)
“And there is no better rehab, than becoming the SCW World Champion. This victory will take me one step closer. One step closer to where I need to be. Good luck everyone. You’re going to need it.”
(Shaun walks out of camera shot, as the scene slowly fades.)
(Being back in Los Angeles felt different. Seeing Owen and clearing the air had been amazing, and like a weight had been lifted. With that in mind, coming back into Los Angeles hadn’t filled him with dread, knowing that the moment he landed he could go and see Dorothea, and not be given the evil eye throughout by Angyalka. He would have said he was in the best place; he was a long way from that. But he was getting his life back in order, and to a place where he could move on. Now, however, Shaun found himself in a large tower block, pressing the button for the 13th floor which he was trying not to associate with bad luck. A call to Drew Bryant, and then some pleasantries had led them to organizing a meeting. Drew had done nothing but confirm what Owen had already told him, with a promise that the detail would come today. As the elevator stops, he steps out, immediately seeing Drew sat behind a desk. The moment Drew sees him, he immediately gets to his feet and walks over, offering his hand.)
Drew: Shaun Cruze… it seems like an age.
(Shaun takes Drew’s hand and they shake.)
Shaun: Not wrong fella, that’s life for you huh?
Drew: Please, take a seat, we have a lot to discuss.
(Shaun does as he is asked and declines the offer of a whiskey.)
Shaun: So, what have you been up to? You went off the grid after EMERGE closed.
Drew: Nothing much to tell… kept my head down, licked my wounds, paid off a few debtors and cleared the decks. You?
Shaun: Seriously bro, we don’t have the time to spare to go through all that. Things are better now, let’s leave it at that yeah.
Drew: I heard about you and Angyalka… It couldn’t have been fun.
Shaun: No, it wasn’t, but all my doing so we move. No other choice really. Just concentrating on Dorothea now… well, until I heard from Owen about this little project you want to get off the ground.
(Drew takes that opportunity to pour himself a drink and then turns his back to Shaun, looking out of the window and across LA.)
Drew: Shaun, when I heard that you were considering this, I was pleased. Not just because we know each other and have worked together before, but because I knew you’d understand why I need to do this. When EMERGE shut down, it was unfinished business you know? We were so close to being just as popular as the big boys, and perhaps even more so. I felt cheated when it all went under and that has stuck with me for years.
Shaun: Yeah, I got that bro.
(Drew turns back to face Shaun, taking a seat whilst cradling his drink in his hand.)
Drew: This isn’t just me wanting to take on SCW anymore, this is about my reputation which took a nosedive when everything happened. I lost myself, and in doing so lost everything I loved. You and I… well we are so similar, and if you came on board, we’d be claiming our reputations back together.
(He pauses, lifting the glass towards Shaun)
Drew: That’s the pitch.
(Shaun didn’t know the details of what Drew had been through, but he knew the comments struck a chord.)
Shaun: So, what would be the plan?
Drew: I have a building in mind that would become our arena and the base of operations. To begin with, all shows would be out of that building, until we get such a following that we can head out on the road for special events. With regards to a roster, I’ve reached out to a few agents, and I reckon I can get some of the SCW talent on board.
Shaun: Owen has already offered exclusivity to ‘Next Level’
Drew: Even better… people are going to be cynical of course they are, but I reckon the wrestling industry is crying out for something different and EMERGE gave them that.
Shaun: So, say I came on board and I’m not saying that’s the case at this point, what would you expect from me?
Drew: Well, of course your name is a big deal in this industry, so I’d be a fool if I suggested a roll behind the scenes. If I could be so bold, I’m guessing that your tenure as SCW’s General Manager has left a sour taste in your mouth considering how you were literally hounded out. Just imagine their faces if you ran the upstart company coming for their fans.
(Drew knew that he was doing bringing that up, using Shaun’s ego as a weapon and Shaun was onto it as well… and it was working.)
Drew: Then, what you would receive off the back of your investment would be entirely in your hands… with input from myself of course.
Shaun: OK, so I’m interested, not going to lie. How much of an investment are we talking about?
Drew: Obviously the building isn’t cheap. Marketing, website… not forgetting paying arena staff and the talent themselves.
Shaun: And do you have any other investors?
Drew: Right now… no. But with you on board I’m certain they would come once we went live.
Shaun: OK, so give me a figure.
(Drew pulls out a notebook, and writes a figure down, before sliding it across the table face down. Shaun takes a look, his eyes widening.)
Drew: I know it’s a lot Shaun, but you know as well as I do how much a company such as this can make. You’ll get that all back and then some.
Shaun: I don’t know Drew, after the divorce this is close to all I have left. I made sure Angyalka and Dorothea got the bulk of my wealth… this would clean me out.
(Drew takes the paper, and throws it in the waste bin, turning back to Shaun.)
Drew: I know, it’s a lot to ask. But you and I together again, we can make this work, I know we can. You want to be a big deal in wrestling again; this is that moment. But… I won’t blame you if you think it’s too big a risk. All I will say is that the building will only be available for so long, and the talent I have already secured is not going to wait forever. I’ll let you think about it of course, but don’t wait too long or we might both miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime. And imagine the look on SCW’s faces if we announced this.
(Drew was right, this was an opportunity. A chance to put right some more wrongs. This could put him back on the map, and as competing again wasn’t an option to him, this was the next best thing.)
Shaun: I’ll have an answer to you by the end of the week, is that good?
Drew: Absolutely… and thank you for coming in. I hope we get the chance to work together again.
(Drew gets to his feet and the pair shake hands again. Shaun turning to leave.)
Drew: Oh, and Shaun…
Shaun: Yeah.
Drew: Ask Owen if he’s getting that itch again… would love him on the roster.
(Shaun laughs)
Shaun: You’ve no chance bro, he’s done. And even if he wasn’t, with our apparent budget we couldn’t afford him.
(Drew shrugs)
Drew: Ah well, worth a try.
(Shaun waves his hand and calls the elevator which arrives almost immediately. He steps in, and with a smile at Drew, the doors close. Was this it, the moment he could make Dorothea proud of him again. The chance to put the Cruze name back on the wrestling map. It WAS a risk, but was it a risk worth taking, that was the question he needed to answer. And he knew exactly the right person to help him with that answer… and that was his next port of call.)
RECORDING – ON CAMERA
(Once again, a single stool, and a more than relaxed Shaun Cruze. And why shouldn’t he be, considering latest events. He’d been named in a number one contendership match, totally out of the blue. But that didn’t mean he wasn’t going to sit back and take advantage of it. If Shaun understood one thing his opponents didn’t, it was how easily things could just drift away. He sure as hell wasn’t going to allow that to happen. So, with a cough to clear his throat, he starts to speak.)
“Let me start by saying this. I’ve heard the noise, and I’m not going to single anyone out here, but I totally disagree with that noise. That being… everyone in this match is here for a reason. I’ll get into the why’s and wherefores shortly, but Kemal has been a credit to Konrad, at least in some aspects. Amelia IS a tremendous competitor from the lineage of wrestling heritage. And Glory Braddock… well anyone who even tries to dispute that she shouldn’t be forever in the World Championship scene needs to give their head a shake. Me, I made my point last time out. I’m not going to come out here and berate someone for being in this match, because let’s face it, it’s not my decision in the first place. Nor am I going to come out here and treat you all like a list, highlighting all your failings, because let’s face it… if I did, then it would negate from the impact of what I am about to do. What’s the point in winning, if it was a foregone conclusion from the outset. But you see, that is the thing. Even in this day and age, there are still those that believe in the foregone conclusion. Even though the commentary team tag the SCW as a place where anything can happen, people still seem surprised when it does. Was I surprised when I was set upon by a pack of dogs… no. The surprise can with who helped me out… there was the ‘anything can happen’ element. Just like me being here might piss some off, ‘anything can happen’ and although I may not be the favorite of the peace, ignoring what I bring to the table would ultimately be foolish. So whereas some might adopt the Glory Braddock blah, blah, blah, Kemal Yilmaz, blah, blah, blah, Amelia Nevado blah… well you get it, routine. I’m going to take a different tact, summing up only in my conclusions. I’m going to tell you why ultimately, when the curtain closes on Retribution, you are going to be looking at the number one contender, who’s name… is Shaun Cruze.
Now, you might be laughing at that Kemal… don’t think I’ve forgotten about your sunshine, more on that later. But let’s take wrestling heritage into consideration, because that seems to be the topic of conversation right now. Glory and Amelia, you both come from a long line of generational wrestlers, and thus are well versed in the art. You’ve both been trained by some of the best who ever lived… no Kemal, you most certainly haven’t. You’ve listened around the table to some legendary figures speak and gained a wealth of experience. I have NO doubt whatsoever; it is those attributes that have carried you both as far as you have gone. I don’t know the answer, I’m just surmising… but I’m guessing your lineage comes up occasionally when you need to prove a point. Guess what guys, I’ll take your lineage, and I’ll raise you an Icon. You can speak of who you want, you can claim whatever you need to, but there has only ever been one Icon, my brother. And like I said last time out, the facts don’t lie… I won more than he ever did. Of course, some much has come out since he died, truth is, he was a flawed individual with his demons. But when it comes to this sport, it’s only here because of him amongst others. You want to talk about heritage, I have it. As I argued previously, it’s probably the only reason I’m here.
Then, we’ll come to topic number two, something that I’m sure will come up over the course of this week. How can Shaun Cruze be as hungry as any of the other three, considering what he has achieved? I mean yeah, I’ve got a list of accolades as long as my arm, but then again so as Glory Braddock… and heck, Amelia is putting together quite an honor roll too. But I’ve only just come back, how can I compete with Glory’s sheer will to succeed, Amelia’s wanting to make her family proud and Kemal’s desire that comes from being someone just starting out in his career. The answer to that is simple, it usually is. I’m a guy who had everything, the movie career, the successful company, almost obscene wealth… it’s all now gone. THIS is all I have, quite literally. I fail at this, I’m done… this is the stereotypical ideology of the wounded animal backed into a corner, with only one way out. Now, I know none of you will be able to understand that, and I honestly don’t need you too. There are things that one day I might share but now isn’t really the time. What you do need to understand is, someone like you Amelia, and you too Kemal, you have years, upon years ahead of you to hone your craft. I have perhaps twelve months before I start being told I’m washed, if not before. It’s cliché for sure, but this stage is quite literally my home, and you can be damn sure I’m going to perform when the chance presents itself. Point three is perhaps the biggest of them all, and the one aspect that may turn out to be true. That being that the three of you are just simply better wrestlers at this point in our careers, and that I’ll be found out against three individuals who have consistently been putting out stellar performances over the course of the past twelve months.”
(Shaun shrugs)
“Do you know what I have to say to that?”
(He waits, holding the moment with that question hanging in the air.)
“If I had a dollar for every time I was told that, I wouldn’t be back here doing this. I wouldn’t need to.”
(He scoffs before a smirk form on his face.)
“Glory will tell you both, I’m not talking out of turn here, I have never, not once, called myself the best wrestler in the world like some. Orlando was a better wrestler than I am. Owen was more skilled than both of us. I have never needed to be the best wrestler in the world; I’ve just stayed the course by being the toughest son of a bitch alive. I’m not saying I’m a shit wrestler, far from it. In fact, I can hold my own against most when it comes to the technical aspect of our industry. But when I hear people talk about their skill, their speed, or their abilities, I can only smile. A) because the likelihood is I already know this, because there is nobody on this entire roster that prepares to such depth as I do, and B) because it really doesn’t matter how good you are. I STILL tend to find a way. When I was the last IWC ever, was I the best wrestler at the time? When I claimed the SCW World Championship, was I stood atop my peers. When I came back after nearly two years and came second at Taking Hold of the Flame, was it because I was the superior competitor? The answer is no to all those reasons. The reason I did all those things is because what resides in here…”
(He puts his hand to his head, and then his heart.)
“Putting them together to have the smarts and the courage to overcome whatever was thrown at me. I have beaten soooo many individuals who claimed they were better than me, and you know what? They probably were. But they never achieved what I did. Their achievements are eclipsed by mine. Simply because they couldn’t accept what was right in front of their face.”
(Another shrug… he didn’t know if his words were falling on deaf ears or not, nor did he care. Listening wasn’t a common commodity a decade ago, and it seemed to be the same now. There were some however that bucked that trend.)
“And so… I walk into this match knowing the challenge I face, and how no matter how I have performed thus far, in defeating Gavin Taylor, Clyde Sutter and Ryan LeCavalier and narrowly losing to David Striker and the SCW World Champion Syren, I know that this performance is going to have to be another step up if I want to succeed. Glory, we’ve been through so many wars already, we’ve both won some, we’ve both lost some. What I would like to think is that at the end of the day, the two of each have a respect for not only this industry but also this match to go as far as to say that putting the other away is going to be a cakewalk. Truth is, you are probably the favorite to get this done, but with that comes its own pressures. You are there to be shot at, and you can be certain, I’m going to come to you with everything I have. If it’s enough, only time will tell… I’m looking forward to finding out. Amelia, you are probably the one who most excites me… just like I was with Striker, I’m looking forward to testing myself against one of the brightest young talents that this company as to offer. Honestly, I’d love to see you go one on one with Syren for all the marbles… I’d pull up a chair and watch that one, that’s for sure. Either way, this won’t be the last moment you achieve… I’m sorry I must be the one to make sure it isn’t YOUR moment, but mine. And finally, Kemal, there is no doubting your talent, your desire… you want this, that’s for sure. But I haven’t forgotten what you did to Impact Media, trashing my office for shits and giggles because Raab told you too. I told you then there would be a receipt… dropping you all AND Konrad in what was to my final match was a good start. But now Kemal, for your actions, I’m going to take away the one thing you want more than anything and leave you with nothing else but to go back to your master with your tail between your legs. Wishing that you’d not decided to open old wounds. Konrad might not be here, but his legacy is… the European Fiery Nation. That alone gives me all the incentive I need to put you down… if the opportunity alone wasn’t already enough.
(He gets to his feet.)
“So… I’m going to leave you all with a little sage advice. You can either take it in the manner it is given, or, as I believe will be the case, you can throw it back in my face. Words, in the general scheme of things, mean nothing. I don’t think any of us are that weak of mind that we are going to let a few comments get into our skulls so much that they have any effect. Don’t be a fool and pander to what you’ve heard from others, use your own brain matter, and just do one thing. Remember who I am, and what I can do. Because, although there aren’t many certainties in this industry, I can tell you one thing. If I don’t win, if I fail to take this opportunity and leave empty-handed, I can assure you the person who has taken it will have been the one who listened to my every word. The individual who thought, forget everything else, forget the white noise, this is Shaun Cruze. THAT Shaun Cruze who made a name out of making those impacts. Those moments that made him the Impact Player. I can’t stress this enough, perhaps I shouldn’t be here. Perhaps it is too soon. But the time for considering that is over. Now it’s time for realization. We come to the next stage of the rehabilitation of Shaun Cruze.”
(He winks at the camera.)
“And there is no better rehab, than becoming the SCW World Champion. This victory will take me one step closer. One step closer to where I need to be. Good luck everyone. You’re going to need it.”
(Shaun walks out of camera shot, as the scene slowly fades.)
![[Image: Shaun-Cruze.jpg]](https://i.ibb.co/SX5Ng4rx/Shaun-Cruze.jpg)