05-03-2026, 06:28 PM
PREVIOUSLY – OFF CAMERA
Officer: OK, so let’s go over this again.
(Shaun sighs. He’d been here a couple of hours already and the whole situation was starting to annoy him. All he wanted to do was get out of here and locate Drew so he could find out what was going on, but the Police were still going on about breaking and entering a building that he was certain in some respects belonged to him. He couldn’t explain anything else because he didn’t know.)
Shaun: Do we have to?
Officer: Just trying to ascertain the facts, I’m sure you understand that.
(Shaun rolls his eyes making his thoughts clear but starts talking regardless not wanting to delay this anymore than it already was.)
Shaun: My partner and I…
Officer: That’s Mr. Bryant, yes?
Shaun: That’s right. We were going into business with each other, bringing back a company that Drew used to own.
Officer: A wrestling company?
Shaun: Yes. The building you found me in was going to be our arena where we would put on our shows and stream them around the world.
Officer: OK, so what were you doing there tonight?
Shaun: I needed to talk to Drew, and he wasn’t answering his calls.
Officer: So, you don’t know where he is?
Shaun: No.
Officer: So, when you saw the place was locked up, you broke the chain… correct? You don’t deny that?
Shaun: No, because I thought Drew had just done that for safety. I fully intended to replace the lock tomorrow.
Officer: So, why did you need to talk to Mr. Bryant?
Shaun: Like I said, I just wanted to go through a few things with regards to the launch.
Officer: Couldn’t that wait till tomorrow, or when he answered your call
Shaun: I guess, but when I have something in my mind, I like to deal with it there and then.
(Shaun was holding back on the real reason for wanting to see Drew, eager to find that out for yourself.)
Officer: And, if I have this right, you and Mr. Bryant were going to ‘rent’ the building for free from someone called ‘Kai’ but you don’t know his second name?
Shaun: I hardly knew the guy, he was Drew’s contact, so no, I didn’t know his second name. I only knew he owned the building, and Drew knew him so that was good enough for me.
Officer: We’ve checked the records Mr. Cruze, and the building has been in possession of the city since 2016… ten years. Going back prior to that, there is no one of that name who ever held the deeds to this building. If what you are saying is correct, then it seems like this ‘Kai’, if he exists, was trying to play a scam on you both. Do you think that might be possible?
(It could have been and was looking increasingly like it.)
Shaun: I don’t know, that seems a little farfetched don’t you think?
Officer: Happens far more often than you’d realize Mr. Cruze.
(The officer pauses to look at his notes, which gives Shaun an opportunity to speak.)
Shaun: Am I under arrest?
(The officer puts his notebook on the table and looks at Shaun with suspicion. He didn’t know who Shaun was when he entered the building, but he had certainly found out from his colleagues. Having a celebrity on a string was amusing to him, and although he knew that charges wouldn’t be pressed, he was enjoying Shaun’s irritation.)
Officer: Not yet Shaun… just a few more questions to ask
Shaun: Like?
Officer: Putting a wrestling company can’t be cheap?
Shaun: No, it isn’t.
Officer: So, how come you have that kind of money still, considering you have just divorced that beautiful wife of yours?
(He was now obviously baiting him, trying to get a reaction that he could tell the guys about later. Even the officer sat next to him who had been silent throughout and showed very little emotion, raised a smile at that comment. In the past, Shaun would have probably snapped and got himself into a great deal of trouble, but these days Shaun knew better than losing his temper.)
Shaun: Ah you know Officer, when you have been as successful as I am, even losing half your fortune leaves quite a chunk to play with. I’m sure you wouldn’t know that considering the pittance you are probably on.
Officer: Why you…
(Just as the officer is standing, another guy walks in, wearing a suit.)
Officer: Chief, I…
Police Chief: We’ll talk later Hudson… I’ll take it from here.
Officer: But…
Police Chief: That is an order Hudson.
(The two officers skulk out, and once they are gone, the Chief holds out his hand. Shaun had spoken with Chief Wilson on many occasions, Shaun even giving him tickets to show back in the day, the Chief a big fan.)
Police Chief Wilson: Good to see you again Shaun, sorry about Hudson, he’s a bit of a wildcard. I only just found out you were being questioned in here. So, we both know you’re not into breaking and entering so what was going on?
Shaun: Like I told your officer, I was just looking for someone.
(Even though he knew the chief, until he knew more about what was happening, he didn’t want to get anyone else involved, especially the cops. Their help could antagonize and he didn’t need that right now.)
Police Chief Wilson: Nothing else untoward going on?
Shaun: No, if there was, I’d tell you.
Police Chief: I’ve dealt with the Cruze family enough to know that more than likely isn’t the case. Your brother was a nightmare for it… thankfully Owen has a good head on his shoulders. If you’re in trouble Shaun, you can tell me and I’ll do all I can to help you out. You know you can trust me.
Shaun: I know, but it isn’t anything I can’t sort myself once I find Drew. I just need to get out of this place.
Police Chief: Well, I can’t stop you from leaving Shaun, you’re free to go.
Shaun: Thank you…
(Shaun gets to his feet, but the chief stops him.)
Police Chief Wilson: If you need anything, don’t be a vigilante. I know what you Cruze’s are like.
Shaun: Not me Chief… I’m too old for that.
(He shakes the chief hand and after collecting his belongings leaves the station, pulling out his mobile phone. The first thing he does is check his calls to make sure Drew hasn’t called back, but there is nothing. Then, he brings up his banking app, using facial recognition to open it. He then goes into accounts, and his eyes widen… a whole lot of zeroes and nothing else. All his money had been taken, sunk into a business account for a venture that was becoming increasingly likely didn’t exist.)
Shaun: FUCK!!!
RECORDING – ON CAMERA
(The scene opens with Shaun sitting in his hotel room, on a balcony overlooking the beautiful city of Melbourne, scene for the latest PPV event as we hurtled towards Rise to Greatness season, stopping off at Taking Hold of the Flame along the way. His return to SCW had been a mixed bag of results, but he knew that this period of the season tended to bring out the best in him, or at least it had in the past. If the Impact Player was going to show himself, it was going to be in the here and now. As far as he was concerned, he hadn’t yet had a poor match. He’d gone toe to toe with some of the brightest talents in the company, even overcoming the current world champion. Any ring rust had been shed a long time ago. But he wasn’t back to his best, though he felt it was coming. With every passing match, he had felt closer to breaking off the shackles of what had brought him back and reinventing himself in front of the SCW Universal. Although he was called a ‘relic’ he certainly didn’t feel like one, if anything what he felt was readiness, a readiness to give those fans that had returned with him, that moment they had enjoyed in the past. His latest assignment was with someone whose belief system was fundamentally flawed. Someone who alleged that he was to blame for all her strife. The moment this match had been signed, Shaun had two thoughts. Eliminate another on his way up the ladder, whilst opening her eyes. Putting that mirror in front of her so she had no choice but to look at herself, before smashing it right between her eyes. Beliefs were ok, disrespect was something he could never allow. And it was that disrespect he intended to shove right back down her throat. With a raise of his glass of Jack Daniels, and a sip to moisten his dry throat he starts to speak, his voice as always confident, and precise.)
“Let’s kick off this narrative by making something abundantly clear to you Polly. You are nothing like as important as you think you are. Don’t get me wrong, you’re not alone in that, there are others in this company that believe they own the place, but you, you are a special kind of something who thinks that now you are on the pay roll of good old Frank, everything else is going to fall into place. The fun girl image has been shed, and now you want to come across as some kind of bad ass, showing disrespect to anyone who you encounter, all because you think you have backing in your corner. Tell me Polly, how certain are you that if Frank had to choose, it would be you he would pick? If you say you are definite in that opinion, then I’m certainly going to call you out on that, just like I would if you claimed that you ‘don’t care’. This whole thing, everything you are doing, is because you DO care. You DO care about being a superstar around these parts, and having the same status as the bigger names, or in my case the ‘relics’. You do care about having a championship belt around your waist and having the respect of the fanbase and your colleagues. But Polly, it’s a tale as old as time, it goes back as far as I can remember and beyond. You’ll never claim that respect you believe you already deserve, by taking the short route to that success. You’ll never have the same status as Dawn Lohan if you cannot show that you can do it on your own steam. Polly, I don’t care if you’ve had meeting after meeting, confirmations coming out of your ears as to how that’s not going to happen. I don’t care that you believe that everything that happens from here on in and by your own actions. In the background, pulling those strings, you are going to be receiving that assistance, until you’re not. Until he gives up and moves onto the next chump who decides his words are gospel. I could have taken that route Polly, we could have been in the same group right now, but I didn’t. Why? Because if I had, this return wouldn’t have had the meaning that it will. I never needed to take your spot Polly, because the moment I stepped back into this company the unstoppable momentum started, and believe me, if I didn’t believe I could be World Champion again, I wouldn’t say it. I’m here, not for the lip service from the fans, or a journey down memory lane. I’m here to work damn hard to put myself on that pedestal that Gavin Taylor, at least for the moment, resides. If you think I’m taking your ‘spot’ sweetheart, think again, because even with the leg up, you are not even close to my ballpark. Why do you think Frank came kissing my ass… long before he dropped his lips onto yours?
But do you know the real irony to all this Polly? You are a talented individual within these corridors who was more than highly thought of before you took this current trajectory. You’re not a no mark without talent, in fact very few people like that get signed to this company, such is its reputation. I’m not sitting here getting drunk on JD, this will be the only one to relax, because I think our match is a foregone conclusion. A few weeks ago, I spoke about hunger, and how I had to match mine with yours and then some. I spoke about how you are more than capable of producing a shock at Hubris. You say I disrespect you, but I challenge you to evidence anyone else who has given you those props. You’re good, I’m going to have to work for it. Maybe I’ll have to overcome some of Franks little games at the same time. Who knows? You didn’t NEED Frank in your corner; you COULD have achieved it all by yourself. You most certainly had the talent to cause a problem to most on this roster. But the reason you fail isn’t because of anything I have done. My return hasn’t dropped you back on the ladder of success, far from it in fact.”
(He taps his temple.)
“What hold your back, is the same as so many individuals who believe they are going to claim it all when they walk into this company. Those that haven’t been given an arm around the shoulder, or mentored into the whys and wherefores of this amazing company. Mentally, you are weak. You have a skewed opinion of how this business works. And with that skewed opinion, you constantly, and consistently make the same mistakes against whoever you face. Tell me Polly, when was the last time you blamed yourself for your situation? When was the last time you self-reflected instead of putting the blame on everyone else including me.”
(He takes another sip of the whiskey, hesitating for a few seconds to look over the skyline.
“Let’s elaborate, shall we?”
(His gaze then comes back to the camera, a grin clearly forming.)
“Tell me Polly, what does it feel like to be playing second fiddle to Dawn Lohan, who has for most of her career played second fiddle to her sister Brittany. You must admit, there is a certain irony that is happening, why else do you think Dawn for also accept Frank’s good graces. I know, I know, Frank has given you assurances that isn’t going to happen, you are his primary focus. But come on Polly, I know you’re not stupid. We both know what happens if he must make a choice. Dawn is a former World Champion, he’s been gagging to have one of those in his books, that’s why he came to me. He’s virtually creaming every time the two of them are on camera together. Dawn snapped her fingers and you would get cast aside. The whole world knows it, and you know it too, but you try to put it to the back of your mind. Just one in a long line of mistakes you have made, while trying to put the blame on us ‘relics’ that know how this industry and indeed this business works. Did you ever wonder why I didn’t accept Franks help? I’ll tell you… because I knew how it would end.
Moving on to something you said prior to Breakdown, something that I fixed on so that I could bring it up right here. This whole whining because I didn’t receive title opportunities. I think you will find that the opposite is the reality. I mean don’t take my word for it, go back to the archives if you wish. Rewatch what I said to Kemal, Amelia and Glory. I was quite clear, though obviously not clear enough for you. I stated with clarity that I didn’t belong in that match but would do everything I could to make the most of the opportunity. Yep, that’s right Polly, in direct contradiction to your claims, I was whining BECAUSE I got a title shot, because I didn’t believe I’d earned it. Now, I know the concept is alien to you, so allow me to explain. My end goal is for sure the World Championship, but am I ready now? No. I couldn’t beat David Stryker, I couldn’t beat Syren, I couldn’t beat the three contenders. If I was ready, I wouldn’t have lost those matches, and well beating Gavin Taylor was only by DQ and isn’t that big a deal, beating the worst Champion in SCW history, but I digress. Just another mistake on the resume, another example of how far you must go to even be close to how good you think you are.
But there is more.
I kind of touched on it earlier, but this whole lack of respect. I’m starting to think you are having some lucid dreams. Because I was nothing more respectful, even though in my eyes, respect is something you earned. Even after you’d showed me the animosity, I still went as far as to say I was more than willing to fight my way to the top, and that this return was anything but a walk down memory lane. I never expected handouts, and I never accepted them. The short cut… remember that? You can blame me all you like for taking your spot, but the sad facts are that if you were as good as you claim, I wouldn’t have been able to. I could argue that my record in this company had spoken for itself, but never once have I referred to what happened a decade ago unless asked. Remember when I said the Impact Player was yet to arrive… that was me admitting that I still had a way to go. So, although I could have answered your comments towards me in kind, I resisted. Although I could have called you out as nothing more than the runt of the litter, I kept my composure. Only when it became clear you were acting like nothing more than an envious little child did it become clear you me that your ego needed to be shattered. You needed to be reminded that Shaun Cruze in his current guise may not be as good as he once was, yet he was still more than capable of giving you a good hiding. Hey, if you were as good as you claim, maybe I wouldn’t have been asked back. Perhaps if you were capable of carrying this company, I’d still be sat at home watching. But I’m not, and why? It’s because the board believed I had more to give. More to give to company that whether you like it or not, will always have a place for someone like me. I’ll make a prediction right here Polly, bookmark it if you want. But I reckon I’ll do me during this return that you will in your entire career. The reasoning for that? All the aforementioned. And I’ll predict that your response will only confirm that.”
(He picks up the glass and stands, facing the camera, the city behind him.)
“So, Polly, in closing I’m going to leave you with this little takeaway. I note that you are not going to ‘go away’. And that’s cute, and more than a little endearing. Fact is, I don’t want you to go anywhere, I just want you to learn from your many mistakes. I want you to stop blaming others, and look within, because that is where the problem resides. Do that, and you’ll be a better competitor, but in the meantime, let me just say this final thought. At Hubris, in front of the amazing Australian crowd, I won’t be looking to end your career. No, all I’m going to do is make sure you are taken out of my business and shown that staying away from me is always the best policy. I’m going to come to that ring and make sure that you are left with no other conclusion, than there are levels to this shit…”
(He raises the glass towards the camera and downs the contents.)
“And that although you are good. Even with the backing of Frank the Douche Canoe, you are levels below mine.
The way it’s gonna stay.”
(He walks off camera, as the scene slowly fades.)
Officer: OK, so let’s go over this again.
(Shaun sighs. He’d been here a couple of hours already and the whole situation was starting to annoy him. All he wanted to do was get out of here and locate Drew so he could find out what was going on, but the Police were still going on about breaking and entering a building that he was certain in some respects belonged to him. He couldn’t explain anything else because he didn’t know.)
Shaun: Do we have to?
Officer: Just trying to ascertain the facts, I’m sure you understand that.
(Shaun rolls his eyes making his thoughts clear but starts talking regardless not wanting to delay this anymore than it already was.)
Shaun: My partner and I…
Officer: That’s Mr. Bryant, yes?
Shaun: That’s right. We were going into business with each other, bringing back a company that Drew used to own.
Officer: A wrestling company?
Shaun: Yes. The building you found me in was going to be our arena where we would put on our shows and stream them around the world.
Officer: OK, so what were you doing there tonight?
Shaun: I needed to talk to Drew, and he wasn’t answering his calls.
Officer: So, you don’t know where he is?
Shaun: No.
Officer: So, when you saw the place was locked up, you broke the chain… correct? You don’t deny that?
Shaun: No, because I thought Drew had just done that for safety. I fully intended to replace the lock tomorrow.
Officer: So, why did you need to talk to Mr. Bryant?
Shaun: Like I said, I just wanted to go through a few things with regards to the launch.
Officer: Couldn’t that wait till tomorrow, or when he answered your call
Shaun: I guess, but when I have something in my mind, I like to deal with it there and then.
(Shaun was holding back on the real reason for wanting to see Drew, eager to find that out for yourself.)
Officer: And, if I have this right, you and Mr. Bryant were going to ‘rent’ the building for free from someone called ‘Kai’ but you don’t know his second name?
Shaun: I hardly knew the guy, he was Drew’s contact, so no, I didn’t know his second name. I only knew he owned the building, and Drew knew him so that was good enough for me.
Officer: We’ve checked the records Mr. Cruze, and the building has been in possession of the city since 2016… ten years. Going back prior to that, there is no one of that name who ever held the deeds to this building. If what you are saying is correct, then it seems like this ‘Kai’, if he exists, was trying to play a scam on you both. Do you think that might be possible?
(It could have been and was looking increasingly like it.)
Shaun: I don’t know, that seems a little farfetched don’t you think?
Officer: Happens far more often than you’d realize Mr. Cruze.
(The officer pauses to look at his notes, which gives Shaun an opportunity to speak.)
Shaun: Am I under arrest?
(The officer puts his notebook on the table and looks at Shaun with suspicion. He didn’t know who Shaun was when he entered the building, but he had certainly found out from his colleagues. Having a celebrity on a string was amusing to him, and although he knew that charges wouldn’t be pressed, he was enjoying Shaun’s irritation.)
Officer: Not yet Shaun… just a few more questions to ask
Shaun: Like?
Officer: Putting a wrestling company can’t be cheap?
Shaun: No, it isn’t.
Officer: So, how come you have that kind of money still, considering you have just divorced that beautiful wife of yours?
(He was now obviously baiting him, trying to get a reaction that he could tell the guys about later. Even the officer sat next to him who had been silent throughout and showed very little emotion, raised a smile at that comment. In the past, Shaun would have probably snapped and got himself into a great deal of trouble, but these days Shaun knew better than losing his temper.)
Shaun: Ah you know Officer, when you have been as successful as I am, even losing half your fortune leaves quite a chunk to play with. I’m sure you wouldn’t know that considering the pittance you are probably on.
Officer: Why you…
(Just as the officer is standing, another guy walks in, wearing a suit.)
Officer: Chief, I…
Police Chief: We’ll talk later Hudson… I’ll take it from here.
Officer: But…
Police Chief: That is an order Hudson.
(The two officers skulk out, and once they are gone, the Chief holds out his hand. Shaun had spoken with Chief Wilson on many occasions, Shaun even giving him tickets to show back in the day, the Chief a big fan.)
Police Chief Wilson: Good to see you again Shaun, sorry about Hudson, he’s a bit of a wildcard. I only just found out you were being questioned in here. So, we both know you’re not into breaking and entering so what was going on?
Shaun: Like I told your officer, I was just looking for someone.
(Even though he knew the chief, until he knew more about what was happening, he didn’t want to get anyone else involved, especially the cops. Their help could antagonize and he didn’t need that right now.)
Police Chief Wilson: Nothing else untoward going on?
Shaun: No, if there was, I’d tell you.
Police Chief: I’ve dealt with the Cruze family enough to know that more than likely isn’t the case. Your brother was a nightmare for it… thankfully Owen has a good head on his shoulders. If you’re in trouble Shaun, you can tell me and I’ll do all I can to help you out. You know you can trust me.
Shaun: I know, but it isn’t anything I can’t sort myself once I find Drew. I just need to get out of this place.
Police Chief: Well, I can’t stop you from leaving Shaun, you’re free to go.
Shaun: Thank you…
(Shaun gets to his feet, but the chief stops him.)
Police Chief Wilson: If you need anything, don’t be a vigilante. I know what you Cruze’s are like.
Shaun: Not me Chief… I’m too old for that.
(He shakes the chief hand and after collecting his belongings leaves the station, pulling out his mobile phone. The first thing he does is check his calls to make sure Drew hasn’t called back, but there is nothing. Then, he brings up his banking app, using facial recognition to open it. He then goes into accounts, and his eyes widen… a whole lot of zeroes and nothing else. All his money had been taken, sunk into a business account for a venture that was becoming increasingly likely didn’t exist.)
Shaun: FUCK!!!
RECORDING – ON CAMERA
(The scene opens with Shaun sitting in his hotel room, on a balcony overlooking the beautiful city of Melbourne, scene for the latest PPV event as we hurtled towards Rise to Greatness season, stopping off at Taking Hold of the Flame along the way. His return to SCW had been a mixed bag of results, but he knew that this period of the season tended to bring out the best in him, or at least it had in the past. If the Impact Player was going to show himself, it was going to be in the here and now. As far as he was concerned, he hadn’t yet had a poor match. He’d gone toe to toe with some of the brightest talents in the company, even overcoming the current world champion. Any ring rust had been shed a long time ago. But he wasn’t back to his best, though he felt it was coming. With every passing match, he had felt closer to breaking off the shackles of what had brought him back and reinventing himself in front of the SCW Universal. Although he was called a ‘relic’ he certainly didn’t feel like one, if anything what he felt was readiness, a readiness to give those fans that had returned with him, that moment they had enjoyed in the past. His latest assignment was with someone whose belief system was fundamentally flawed. Someone who alleged that he was to blame for all her strife. The moment this match had been signed, Shaun had two thoughts. Eliminate another on his way up the ladder, whilst opening her eyes. Putting that mirror in front of her so she had no choice but to look at herself, before smashing it right between her eyes. Beliefs were ok, disrespect was something he could never allow. And it was that disrespect he intended to shove right back down her throat. With a raise of his glass of Jack Daniels, and a sip to moisten his dry throat he starts to speak, his voice as always confident, and precise.)
“Let’s kick off this narrative by making something abundantly clear to you Polly. You are nothing like as important as you think you are. Don’t get me wrong, you’re not alone in that, there are others in this company that believe they own the place, but you, you are a special kind of something who thinks that now you are on the pay roll of good old Frank, everything else is going to fall into place. The fun girl image has been shed, and now you want to come across as some kind of bad ass, showing disrespect to anyone who you encounter, all because you think you have backing in your corner. Tell me Polly, how certain are you that if Frank had to choose, it would be you he would pick? If you say you are definite in that opinion, then I’m certainly going to call you out on that, just like I would if you claimed that you ‘don’t care’. This whole thing, everything you are doing, is because you DO care. You DO care about being a superstar around these parts, and having the same status as the bigger names, or in my case the ‘relics’. You do care about having a championship belt around your waist and having the respect of the fanbase and your colleagues. But Polly, it’s a tale as old as time, it goes back as far as I can remember and beyond. You’ll never claim that respect you believe you already deserve, by taking the short route to that success. You’ll never have the same status as Dawn Lohan if you cannot show that you can do it on your own steam. Polly, I don’t care if you’ve had meeting after meeting, confirmations coming out of your ears as to how that’s not going to happen. I don’t care that you believe that everything that happens from here on in and by your own actions. In the background, pulling those strings, you are going to be receiving that assistance, until you’re not. Until he gives up and moves onto the next chump who decides his words are gospel. I could have taken that route Polly, we could have been in the same group right now, but I didn’t. Why? Because if I had, this return wouldn’t have had the meaning that it will. I never needed to take your spot Polly, because the moment I stepped back into this company the unstoppable momentum started, and believe me, if I didn’t believe I could be World Champion again, I wouldn’t say it. I’m here, not for the lip service from the fans, or a journey down memory lane. I’m here to work damn hard to put myself on that pedestal that Gavin Taylor, at least for the moment, resides. If you think I’m taking your ‘spot’ sweetheart, think again, because even with the leg up, you are not even close to my ballpark. Why do you think Frank came kissing my ass… long before he dropped his lips onto yours?
But do you know the real irony to all this Polly? You are a talented individual within these corridors who was more than highly thought of before you took this current trajectory. You’re not a no mark without talent, in fact very few people like that get signed to this company, such is its reputation. I’m not sitting here getting drunk on JD, this will be the only one to relax, because I think our match is a foregone conclusion. A few weeks ago, I spoke about hunger, and how I had to match mine with yours and then some. I spoke about how you are more than capable of producing a shock at Hubris. You say I disrespect you, but I challenge you to evidence anyone else who has given you those props. You’re good, I’m going to have to work for it. Maybe I’ll have to overcome some of Franks little games at the same time. Who knows? You didn’t NEED Frank in your corner; you COULD have achieved it all by yourself. You most certainly had the talent to cause a problem to most on this roster. But the reason you fail isn’t because of anything I have done. My return hasn’t dropped you back on the ladder of success, far from it in fact.”
(He taps his temple.)
“What hold your back, is the same as so many individuals who believe they are going to claim it all when they walk into this company. Those that haven’t been given an arm around the shoulder, or mentored into the whys and wherefores of this amazing company. Mentally, you are weak. You have a skewed opinion of how this business works. And with that skewed opinion, you constantly, and consistently make the same mistakes against whoever you face. Tell me Polly, when was the last time you blamed yourself for your situation? When was the last time you self-reflected instead of putting the blame on everyone else including me.”
(He takes another sip of the whiskey, hesitating for a few seconds to look over the skyline.
“Let’s elaborate, shall we?”
(His gaze then comes back to the camera, a grin clearly forming.)
“Tell me Polly, what does it feel like to be playing second fiddle to Dawn Lohan, who has for most of her career played second fiddle to her sister Brittany. You must admit, there is a certain irony that is happening, why else do you think Dawn for also accept Frank’s good graces. I know, I know, Frank has given you assurances that isn’t going to happen, you are his primary focus. But come on Polly, I know you’re not stupid. We both know what happens if he must make a choice. Dawn is a former World Champion, he’s been gagging to have one of those in his books, that’s why he came to me. He’s virtually creaming every time the two of them are on camera together. Dawn snapped her fingers and you would get cast aside. The whole world knows it, and you know it too, but you try to put it to the back of your mind. Just one in a long line of mistakes you have made, while trying to put the blame on us ‘relics’ that know how this industry and indeed this business works. Did you ever wonder why I didn’t accept Franks help? I’ll tell you… because I knew how it would end.
Moving on to something you said prior to Breakdown, something that I fixed on so that I could bring it up right here. This whole whining because I didn’t receive title opportunities. I think you will find that the opposite is the reality. I mean don’t take my word for it, go back to the archives if you wish. Rewatch what I said to Kemal, Amelia and Glory. I was quite clear, though obviously not clear enough for you. I stated with clarity that I didn’t belong in that match but would do everything I could to make the most of the opportunity. Yep, that’s right Polly, in direct contradiction to your claims, I was whining BECAUSE I got a title shot, because I didn’t believe I’d earned it. Now, I know the concept is alien to you, so allow me to explain. My end goal is for sure the World Championship, but am I ready now? No. I couldn’t beat David Stryker, I couldn’t beat Syren, I couldn’t beat the three contenders. If I was ready, I wouldn’t have lost those matches, and well beating Gavin Taylor was only by DQ and isn’t that big a deal, beating the worst Champion in SCW history, but I digress. Just another mistake on the resume, another example of how far you must go to even be close to how good you think you are.
But there is more.
I kind of touched on it earlier, but this whole lack of respect. I’m starting to think you are having some lucid dreams. Because I was nothing more respectful, even though in my eyes, respect is something you earned. Even after you’d showed me the animosity, I still went as far as to say I was more than willing to fight my way to the top, and that this return was anything but a walk down memory lane. I never expected handouts, and I never accepted them. The short cut… remember that? You can blame me all you like for taking your spot, but the sad facts are that if you were as good as you claim, I wouldn’t have been able to. I could argue that my record in this company had spoken for itself, but never once have I referred to what happened a decade ago unless asked. Remember when I said the Impact Player was yet to arrive… that was me admitting that I still had a way to go. So, although I could have answered your comments towards me in kind, I resisted. Although I could have called you out as nothing more than the runt of the litter, I kept my composure. Only when it became clear you were acting like nothing more than an envious little child did it become clear you me that your ego needed to be shattered. You needed to be reminded that Shaun Cruze in his current guise may not be as good as he once was, yet he was still more than capable of giving you a good hiding. Hey, if you were as good as you claim, maybe I wouldn’t have been asked back. Perhaps if you were capable of carrying this company, I’d still be sat at home watching. But I’m not, and why? It’s because the board believed I had more to give. More to give to company that whether you like it or not, will always have a place for someone like me. I’ll make a prediction right here Polly, bookmark it if you want. But I reckon I’ll do me during this return that you will in your entire career. The reasoning for that? All the aforementioned. And I’ll predict that your response will only confirm that.”
(He picks up the glass and stands, facing the camera, the city behind him.)
“So, Polly, in closing I’m going to leave you with this little takeaway. I note that you are not going to ‘go away’. And that’s cute, and more than a little endearing. Fact is, I don’t want you to go anywhere, I just want you to learn from your many mistakes. I want you to stop blaming others, and look within, because that is where the problem resides. Do that, and you’ll be a better competitor, but in the meantime, let me just say this final thought. At Hubris, in front of the amazing Australian crowd, I won’t be looking to end your career. No, all I’m going to do is make sure you are taken out of my business and shown that staying away from me is always the best policy. I’m going to come to that ring and make sure that you are left with no other conclusion, than there are levels to this shit…”
(He raises the glass towards the camera and downs the contents.)
“And that although you are good. Even with the backing of Frank the Douche Canoe, you are levels below mine.
The way it’s gonna stay.”
(He walks off camera, as the scene slowly fades.)
![[Image: Shaun-Cruze.jpg]](https://i.ibb.co/SX5Ng4rx/Shaun-Cruze.jpg)