07-01-2026, 02:28 PM
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(This was the longest wait imaginable, as the police tried to recover enough DNA to figure out if the body at the bottom of the ravine has truly been Drew. Part of wished it wasn’t, as Drew had been once a good friend who had obviously gone off the rails, but the other part hoped it was him and would bring an end to this sorry mess. Shaun had tried to get on with his life, making sure that Dorothea dominated his time, and the rest he spent trying to find a job, anything that could bring in some money as his limited savings dwindled. Owen’s offer to mentor students seemed like his only hope, especially as he looked at the employment websites, and sat in one of his favorite cheap cafes in Los Angeles.)
???: Mind if I take a seat…
(Shaun looks up, his eyes widening as he sees Kai looming over him, until without invitation he takes a seat anyway.)
Shaun: What do you want?
Kai: Oh, very kind of you Shaun, I’ll have a flat white please.
Shaun: I wasn’t asking what you wanted to drink
(Kai doesn’t say another word, so with a sigh he calls over the waiter and orders the drink.)
Kai: Thank you. Is there any harm in us being civil with each other?
(The arrogance of the man frustrated Shaun to the point he wished he could just lay him out there and then, but he maintains his composure.)
Shaun: Sure, why not? You’ve only ruined my life after all.
(Kai is about to say something but the waiter returns with his drink, Kai taking a sip before he continues.)
Kai: Did I though Shaun?
Shaun: Well…
Kai: Let me stop you there. It wasn’t me who swindled you out of your money, that was Drew. It wasn’t me who was stupid enough to sign a contract for a half-assed idea about some wrestling show. Like, who watches that shit these days anyway. Am I the beneficiary, yes, I am. But I wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth when I had the opportunity to get my money back. I’m not the monster, you think I am Shaun. I’m the monster you want me to be and that’s different.
Shaun: You really are something else. And the fact Drew was found at the bottom of a ravine burnt so badly that the cops can’t even ID him, I guess that doesn’t make you a monster either?
(Kai scoffs, totally unfazed by that comment.)
Kai: That was an unfortunate circumstance.
Shaun: It was a warning you mean.
Kai: A much needed one if you ask me. And from your last text, I’d say it had the desired effect.
(Shaun was feeling increasingly uncomfortable as the time passed, the need to get out of this situation almost overwhelming. He felt like a puppet on a string and had little to no control. Kai wasn’t just a monster; he seemed to be very intelligent. And three steps ahead of Shaun, and the authorities.)
Kai: So, are we able to now put an underline to all this, or are you going to cause me more problems?
Shaun: I told you, keep the money I don’t care anymore. Just leave my family alone. You have my word.
Kai: And you will tell LAPD the same story… that you don’t want them to carry on their investigations.
Shaun: What? You think that is going to stop them after your little stunt. This is a murder investigation now, and I’ve already made you the primary suspect.
(Kai chuckles which increases Shaun’s unease.)
Kai: I like you… you’re a funny guy. Let me explain. Firstly, you’ve given the cops a name that they don’t recognize, and you don’t have the first clue what my real name is. You have no photographic footage, no CCTV so as far as they are concerned, I don’t even exist so good look pinning a murder on someone they don’t even know. And secondly, and here’s the kicker Shaun, but I didn’t want to divulge until I had your word… do you want to know a secret?
Shaun: Stop playing games Kai and tell me
Kai: Once they get it all figured out and the DNA they need, they are going to realize that it isn’t Drew Bryant at the bottom of that ravine, and that it is randomly picked up off the street. Someone that no one is ever going to care is gone. They will close the case; I’ll go on with my life and you… well what you do is up to you really. But, if you want to take my advice, forget I ever existed.
Shaun: Drew’s alive?
Kai: Absolutely… and if you play nice, it will stay that way. Drew is ‘useful’, let’s just leave it at that. If I see you talking to the police again, THEN we’ll have a problem, and you understand what I mean by that yes?
Shaun: Yeah, I do.
(Kai gets to his feet and finishes off his drink, nodding towards Shaun and making it clear he meant what he said.)
Kai: Good talk… hope I don’t see you around.
(Kai walks off down the street, turning the corner until he is out of sight, Shaun finally able to exhale. He couldn’t believe Drew was alive and hadn’t come to him. He also couldn’t believe he was down millions of dollars. The worst part of all, however, was the fact he had to let it go.)
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TWO MONTHS LATER
(The police had indeed found out it was just some homeless guy and had indeed almost immediately closed the case. He hadn’t heard from Drew, nor Kai, but for that he was thankful and he had tried to carry on. To many people this was just everyday life, but to Shaun Cruze, walking to the grocery store for a few provisions had for the longest time been alien to him. Sure, he went to the off license on occasion, yes, he had stuff delivered, but hardly ever had he stepped in a store, walking around it with basket in hand. The local store was only a couple of minutes from his rented accommodation, but more importantly, Shaun had to be careful with the little money he had left, and his shopping had been stripped back to only what he needed. He even found himself picking up tins and comparing prices, that’s how serious he was taking his situation. As he walks around the store, keeping himself to himself, he becomes aware of being watched. A woman in her early 30’s looking at him and then turning away whenever he catches her gaze. This continues for a couple of minutes, until Shaun approaches her. Since recent events, Shaun had grown more paranoid and already surmises that this is another of Drew’s ex’s looking to warn him or even tell Shaun where he is.)
Shaun: Can I help you?
(The woman tries to pretend she hasn’t heard him, embarrassed that she has been caught.)
Shaun: Excuse me?
(The woman looks up, her cheeks reddening.)
Woman: I’m sorry…
Shaun: For what, I mean you were looking at me right? I must ask, do you know Drew?
Woman: Drew… no I don’t think so. I was just…
Shaun: Just?
Woman: Oh, what the hell… years ago we met in Madison Square Garden for an SCW event, you were doing a meet and greet.
(She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a photograph, showing it to Shaun who recognizes them both.)
Woman: Since that day I was a proper fangirl, I went to the cinema to watch all your films, and I was gutted when you retired. I’m not some stalker… I promise.
(Shaun softens, and his guard comes down, recognizing that the women is far away from being a threat.)
Shaun: Look how young I look in that picture… Wow. Thanks for supporting me back then. Without you guys I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere so it is appreciated.
Woman: You’re more than welcome… I’m Grace by the way.
Shaun: Pleased to meet you Grace, and next time just come up to me and say hi huh?
Grace: Sure… if you don’t mind.
Shaun: Always happy to meet a fan…
(He looks at his shopping, and in that moment the realization of his existence hits him. He never wanted to be the sad guy doing his own shopping and yet here he was. He puts his basket down, who needed food anyways, and turns back to Grace.)
Shaun: Do you want to go and grab a coffee or something?
Grace: Do I? Of course I do. If you have the time.
Shaun: Grace, these days I have nothing but time. Come on, I know a place just round the corner
THIRTY MINUTES LATER
(When Grace had said she was a fangirl she wasn’t joking, and after getting their coffees, Shaun had marveled about just how much she knew about his career. It didn’t come across as creepy, and was a genuine interest of hers, wrestling had somehow become her escape from the real world, and Shaun had been her favorite wrestler. No doubt, this was a real moment for Grace, but it was just as significant for Shaun who was enjoying talking about something else other than Drew Bryant.)
Grace: I’m sorry, I bet like I sound like a right weirdo, don’t I?
Shaun: No, not at all. Must admit, it crossed my mind before, but I know more than most how much wrestling can be an escape from real life. I’m happy to meet someone who I had a legitimate effect on, no matter how small that might have been.
(Grace chuckles.)
Shaun: Something funny.
Grace: If my sister could see me now, she’d never believe I was sitting with you. She was almost as big a fan and I was.
Shaun: Do you want to take a selfie or something to send to her.
Grace: Would love to, but not sure how she’d get it. She died about five years ago… cancer.
Shaun: I’m so sorry
Grace: Don’t be, you didn’t know, did you? It’s just a nice thought that she could have seen this. Her illness taught me something though.
Shaun: Yeah, what was that?
Grace: Sounds a bit cliché but there is nothing more precious than life. Not money, possession… not anything. If I wake up in the morning, I reckon I’ve won. Because there will be many that don’t.
Shaun: Damn
Grace: I might look simple, but I reckon I could teach people a thing or two about life. I mean, I’m not special but look at me, having a coffee with the Impact Player.
(It all seemed so logical having heard the words, but even if Shaun had lost his money, he didn’t have anything while ever he had Dorothea and his own health. He didn’t need anything else. Years ago, he would have pursued Drew to the ends of the earth, probably putting himself into an early grave. He was right, let the cops deal with it and what will be will be.)
Shaun: Grace, I’ve liked talking to you… do you think we could do this again?
Grace: Are you serious right now?
Shaun: Yeah… do you want to swap numbers or something?
(By the time he finishes the sentence her mobile phone is out, and Shaun is inputting his number before allowing her to call him to hers.)
Shaun: There… I’ll give you a call.
Grace: Really?
Shaun: I promise.
(The smile on Grace’s face was everything. It was just like the good old days, when all Shaun did was make people happy, instead of ruining their lives. This felt like a moment, something that he would remember. He had someone other than Owen that he could talk to. And for the first time in what seemed like forever, that felt good.)
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“Yeah, I’m annoyed.”
(His expression changes and a grin form on his face.)
“Always the bridesmaid and never the bride. I’m not certain how many of these things I’ve been in, what I do know is that I have never finished outside the top ten and ultimately that is something to be proud of. Coming third at Taking Hold of the Flame is a difficult pill to swallow, especially what I went through to get there, but you can bet next year I’ll be front and center to try again. Don’t care much for what has happened since, but hey… it’s par for the course in this company isn’t it? I’ve lost count how many times the lunatics have been allowed to run the asylum; I’m way too long in the tooth to get annoyed by it. Doesn’t mean to say however I’ve going to stand back and allow it to happen. See, it’s funny how people like Syren and myself are seen as ‘hogging’ the limelight. The outcry when Syren became World Champion again was like a tsunami of abuse from those that hadn’t quite managed to climb the mountain themselves. You heard Polly blaming the machine, you’ve seen people come back and join Frank’s cause. All because what… we should all just fade away and wither. Someone should have had a word in Frank’s shell-like because that was never going to happen. I’m not going to relinquish my place on this roster because people who haven’t smashed through the glass ceiling mistakenly believe it’s my fault. Let’s not forget that this stance that these people stand for, it came about because good old Frankie Boy wanted ME to lead HIS revolution. The one you all claim is taking up roster space was Frank’s first choice before any of you clowns jumped on the bandwagon. Once again, you all exampled how little grey matter you all had by siding with him due to promises of greatness. And I can’t deny that some of you have indeed been successful. But, if you are all stupid enough to believe that Frank wouldn’t cast you aside in a heartbeat if you weren’t helping his cause, to take over SCW, then you deserve everything that you will get. He cares about one thing, stirring you all up so you are more than happy to make your way to the trenches, and prepare for this incoming war. Like I said, this isn’t my first rodeo, and certainly not my first hostile takeover to deal with. I’d go as far as to say this current incarnation wouldn’t even make my top ten.
Which brings me to this next ‘match’ thoughtfully booked to give some more leverage to the ‘outsiders’ who relish the opportunity to escape from this ‘outside looking in mentality’ they have brought on themselves. We have the current SCW World Champion Amelia, who represents everything that is wrong about this company, Gavin Taylor who… well is just being Gavin Taylor. And poor old Polly Playtime, still banging the drum for irrelevancy. Still making claims from her imaginative little mind, still claiming I dismissed her when I first came back to the company.
Taking Amelia first, she is the World Champion after all.
See Amelia, one thing you need to understand is, whether it’s true or not, you are always going to have to handle allegations of how you were ‘helped’ towards that world title. Not me, I’ve spoken at length as to how talented an individual you are, and when we had our contendership match, I think I was the only one who stated that. You may not care about reputation, or what people think about you and honestly that is a good attribute to have. But by the same token, the more your world title reign is controlled by an individual who seems to be treating you like some kind of ‘glamor’ project, the more you are never going to be taken seriously as World Champion. Now, before you respond and go out on a limb about how disrespectful that is, I agree, and don’t shoot the messenger. I’m a firm believer that the only thing that matters is your own attributes, and you should be judged on that. But I’m promising you something right now Amelia, the moment a certain someone sees it all slipping away, they are not going to stand by and rely on your talent. They will get involved, and when they do, your title reign is delegitimized by someone who let’s face it should know better. Already, someone else is being called the Premier Asset, from his own mouth. THAT’S disrespect Amelia, because YOU should be the only asset that matters, because you hold the most important wrestling accolade that everyone aspires to. And the words I am hearing are things I have heard so many times before. The difference. I’m the one who’s still here, not to take up space, but to prove my worth. Try as you may Amelia, you cannot claim any difference.
Which brings me to a former Champion, Gavin Taylor.
You know something, I find it astonishing that you still manage to carve a profession out of this industry off the back of being nothing more than a clown who would be better placed on Trump’s Government than he ever be as a professional wrestler. Again, much like Amelia, I’d never dream of pulling you up on your wrestling ability, but you Sir are the epitome of wasted roster space, because even now after many years of knowing you, I’m still waiting for you to rely on anything other than comedy skits and an entourage doing the dirty work for you. I don’t expect you to agree with me, in fact I expect the usual redundant retorts about how you are the best thing in wrestling to every walk this earth, but some of us Gavin, we know where you came from, and how this whole persona you have created is drawn out and ultimately tired, You had your moment, you got a World Championship, I thought it would be the end of it. And yet here you are, larger than life, stealing a living as per. It will be my pleasure to once again show the world how deluded you are
Just like our third individual Syren, Chris and I will face.
And there seems to be a common theme here Polly, because as stated before and totally opposite to what you claim I say, you are also another talented individual, but another who five years down the line has still not evolved enough to warrant this bitch fest we get from you every single week. Yeah ok, you’re not the gamer chick anymore, and portray yourself as some kind of badass, but your attitude and your mentality unfortunately suck. I was nothing but complimentary to you, I didn’t shun you as you claim and still haven’t, yet still you double down on it as if magically it will make it fact
It won’t
And thus, you’ll be kept in this endless loop whereby it’s everyone’s fault but your own. Learning nothing, while at the same time expecting to be given handouts just because you asked for them. I can hear it now in fact, if your team win on Breakdown, you are believing that in some way it means something.
It doesn’t.
This match means nothing in the grand scheme. I’m more intrigued by Alistaire showing up. Of course, I want to win, because it’s all about momentum heading into the biggest show of them all, but I won’t lose any sleep if we don’t. Battles are won and lost something else you need to learn. You’re fighting an enemy that doesn’t exist, an enemy that couldn’t care less about how you feel towards me. That’s dismissive. But it’s the truth Polly, and no matter how much you claw and scratch, every week, every newcomer, you fall further down Frank’s pecking order. Just like I told you months ago.
So finally, Chris, Syren… I think we all know this won’t be a balanced playing field; it very rarely is. Good old Frank is no doubt already stacking the deck in their favor. But I think we all agree on one thing, and that is that odds mean nothing. Overcoming them, it’s what we have done all our careers. “
(He laughs and then winks at the camera.)
“Shaun Cruze and Syren on the same side. Chris Dumont, ambitious and always up for a fight. All three, on the same page, whilst our opponents all crave the spotlight. Stacks the odds all you like, because the truth is, it ain’t going to matter.
It’s Rise to Greatness season Ladies and Gentlemen.
What better time to make an Impact… Players.”
(Scene fades.)
(This was the longest wait imaginable, as the police tried to recover enough DNA to figure out if the body at the bottom of the ravine has truly been Drew. Part of wished it wasn’t, as Drew had been once a good friend who had obviously gone off the rails, but the other part hoped it was him and would bring an end to this sorry mess. Shaun had tried to get on with his life, making sure that Dorothea dominated his time, and the rest he spent trying to find a job, anything that could bring in some money as his limited savings dwindled. Owen’s offer to mentor students seemed like his only hope, especially as he looked at the employment websites, and sat in one of his favorite cheap cafes in Los Angeles.)
???: Mind if I take a seat…
(Shaun looks up, his eyes widening as he sees Kai looming over him, until without invitation he takes a seat anyway.)
Shaun: What do you want?
Kai: Oh, very kind of you Shaun, I’ll have a flat white please.
Shaun: I wasn’t asking what you wanted to drink
(Kai doesn’t say another word, so with a sigh he calls over the waiter and orders the drink.)
Kai: Thank you. Is there any harm in us being civil with each other?
(The arrogance of the man frustrated Shaun to the point he wished he could just lay him out there and then, but he maintains his composure.)
Shaun: Sure, why not? You’ve only ruined my life after all.
(Kai is about to say something but the waiter returns with his drink, Kai taking a sip before he continues.)
Kai: Did I though Shaun?
Shaun: Well…
Kai: Let me stop you there. It wasn’t me who swindled you out of your money, that was Drew. It wasn’t me who was stupid enough to sign a contract for a half-assed idea about some wrestling show. Like, who watches that shit these days anyway. Am I the beneficiary, yes, I am. But I wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth when I had the opportunity to get my money back. I’m not the monster, you think I am Shaun. I’m the monster you want me to be and that’s different.
Shaun: You really are something else. And the fact Drew was found at the bottom of a ravine burnt so badly that the cops can’t even ID him, I guess that doesn’t make you a monster either?
(Kai scoffs, totally unfazed by that comment.)
Kai: That was an unfortunate circumstance.
Shaun: It was a warning you mean.
Kai: A much needed one if you ask me. And from your last text, I’d say it had the desired effect.
(Shaun was feeling increasingly uncomfortable as the time passed, the need to get out of this situation almost overwhelming. He felt like a puppet on a string and had little to no control. Kai wasn’t just a monster; he seemed to be very intelligent. And three steps ahead of Shaun, and the authorities.)
Kai: So, are we able to now put an underline to all this, or are you going to cause me more problems?
Shaun: I told you, keep the money I don’t care anymore. Just leave my family alone. You have my word.
Kai: And you will tell LAPD the same story… that you don’t want them to carry on their investigations.
Shaun: What? You think that is going to stop them after your little stunt. This is a murder investigation now, and I’ve already made you the primary suspect.
(Kai chuckles which increases Shaun’s unease.)
Kai: I like you… you’re a funny guy. Let me explain. Firstly, you’ve given the cops a name that they don’t recognize, and you don’t have the first clue what my real name is. You have no photographic footage, no CCTV so as far as they are concerned, I don’t even exist so good look pinning a murder on someone they don’t even know. And secondly, and here’s the kicker Shaun, but I didn’t want to divulge until I had your word… do you want to know a secret?
Shaun: Stop playing games Kai and tell me
Kai: Once they get it all figured out and the DNA they need, they are going to realize that it isn’t Drew Bryant at the bottom of that ravine, and that it is randomly picked up off the street. Someone that no one is ever going to care is gone. They will close the case; I’ll go on with my life and you… well what you do is up to you really. But, if you want to take my advice, forget I ever existed.
Shaun: Drew’s alive?
Kai: Absolutely… and if you play nice, it will stay that way. Drew is ‘useful’, let’s just leave it at that. If I see you talking to the police again, THEN we’ll have a problem, and you understand what I mean by that yes?
Shaun: Yeah, I do.
(Kai gets to his feet and finishes off his drink, nodding towards Shaun and making it clear he meant what he said.)
Kai: Good talk… hope I don’t see you around.
(Kai walks off down the street, turning the corner until he is out of sight, Shaun finally able to exhale. He couldn’t believe Drew was alive and hadn’t come to him. He also couldn’t believe he was down millions of dollars. The worst part of all, however, was the fact he had to let it go.)
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TWO MONTHS LATER
(The police had indeed found out it was just some homeless guy and had indeed almost immediately closed the case. He hadn’t heard from Drew, nor Kai, but for that he was thankful and he had tried to carry on. To many people this was just everyday life, but to Shaun Cruze, walking to the grocery store for a few provisions had for the longest time been alien to him. Sure, he went to the off license on occasion, yes, he had stuff delivered, but hardly ever had he stepped in a store, walking around it with basket in hand. The local store was only a couple of minutes from his rented accommodation, but more importantly, Shaun had to be careful with the little money he had left, and his shopping had been stripped back to only what he needed. He even found himself picking up tins and comparing prices, that’s how serious he was taking his situation. As he walks around the store, keeping himself to himself, he becomes aware of being watched. A woman in her early 30’s looking at him and then turning away whenever he catches her gaze. This continues for a couple of minutes, until Shaun approaches her. Since recent events, Shaun had grown more paranoid and already surmises that this is another of Drew’s ex’s looking to warn him or even tell Shaun where he is.)
Shaun: Can I help you?
(The woman tries to pretend she hasn’t heard him, embarrassed that she has been caught.)
Shaun: Excuse me?
(The woman looks up, her cheeks reddening.)
Woman: I’m sorry…
Shaun: For what, I mean you were looking at me right? I must ask, do you know Drew?
Woman: Drew… no I don’t think so. I was just…
Shaun: Just?
Woman: Oh, what the hell… years ago we met in Madison Square Garden for an SCW event, you were doing a meet and greet.
(She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a photograph, showing it to Shaun who recognizes them both.)
Woman: Since that day I was a proper fangirl, I went to the cinema to watch all your films, and I was gutted when you retired. I’m not some stalker… I promise.
(Shaun softens, and his guard comes down, recognizing that the women is far away from being a threat.)
Shaun: Look how young I look in that picture… Wow. Thanks for supporting me back then. Without you guys I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere so it is appreciated.
Woman: You’re more than welcome… I’m Grace by the way.
Shaun: Pleased to meet you Grace, and next time just come up to me and say hi huh?
Grace: Sure… if you don’t mind.
Shaun: Always happy to meet a fan…
(He looks at his shopping, and in that moment the realization of his existence hits him. He never wanted to be the sad guy doing his own shopping and yet here he was. He puts his basket down, who needed food anyways, and turns back to Grace.)
Shaun: Do you want to go and grab a coffee or something?
Grace: Do I? Of course I do. If you have the time.
Shaun: Grace, these days I have nothing but time. Come on, I know a place just round the corner
THIRTY MINUTES LATER
(When Grace had said she was a fangirl she wasn’t joking, and after getting their coffees, Shaun had marveled about just how much she knew about his career. It didn’t come across as creepy, and was a genuine interest of hers, wrestling had somehow become her escape from the real world, and Shaun had been her favorite wrestler. No doubt, this was a real moment for Grace, but it was just as significant for Shaun who was enjoying talking about something else other than Drew Bryant.)
Grace: I’m sorry, I bet like I sound like a right weirdo, don’t I?
Shaun: No, not at all. Must admit, it crossed my mind before, but I know more than most how much wrestling can be an escape from real life. I’m happy to meet someone who I had a legitimate effect on, no matter how small that might have been.
(Grace chuckles.)
Shaun: Something funny.
Grace: If my sister could see me now, she’d never believe I was sitting with you. She was almost as big a fan and I was.
Shaun: Do you want to take a selfie or something to send to her.
Grace: Would love to, but not sure how she’d get it. She died about five years ago… cancer.
Shaun: I’m so sorry
Grace: Don’t be, you didn’t know, did you? It’s just a nice thought that she could have seen this. Her illness taught me something though.
Shaun: Yeah, what was that?
Grace: Sounds a bit cliché but there is nothing more precious than life. Not money, possession… not anything. If I wake up in the morning, I reckon I’ve won. Because there will be many that don’t.
Shaun: Damn
Grace: I might look simple, but I reckon I could teach people a thing or two about life. I mean, I’m not special but look at me, having a coffee with the Impact Player.
(It all seemed so logical having heard the words, but even if Shaun had lost his money, he didn’t have anything while ever he had Dorothea and his own health. He didn’t need anything else. Years ago, he would have pursued Drew to the ends of the earth, probably putting himself into an early grave. He was right, let the cops deal with it and what will be will be.)
Shaun: Grace, I’ve liked talking to you… do you think we could do this again?
Grace: Are you serious right now?
Shaun: Yeah… do you want to swap numbers or something?
(By the time he finishes the sentence her mobile phone is out, and Shaun is inputting his number before allowing her to call him to hers.)
Shaun: There… I’ll give you a call.
Grace: Really?
Shaun: I promise.
(The smile on Grace’s face was everything. It was just like the good old days, when all Shaun did was make people happy, instead of ruining their lives. This felt like a moment, something that he would remember. He had someone other than Owen that he could talk to. And for the first time in what seemed like forever, that felt good.)
RECORDING – ON CAMERA
“Yeah, I’m annoyed.”
(His expression changes and a grin form on his face.)
“Always the bridesmaid and never the bride. I’m not certain how many of these things I’ve been in, what I do know is that I have never finished outside the top ten and ultimately that is something to be proud of. Coming third at Taking Hold of the Flame is a difficult pill to swallow, especially what I went through to get there, but you can bet next year I’ll be front and center to try again. Don’t care much for what has happened since, but hey… it’s par for the course in this company isn’t it? I’ve lost count how many times the lunatics have been allowed to run the asylum; I’m way too long in the tooth to get annoyed by it. Doesn’t mean to say however I’ve going to stand back and allow it to happen. See, it’s funny how people like Syren and myself are seen as ‘hogging’ the limelight. The outcry when Syren became World Champion again was like a tsunami of abuse from those that hadn’t quite managed to climb the mountain themselves. You heard Polly blaming the machine, you’ve seen people come back and join Frank’s cause. All because what… we should all just fade away and wither. Someone should have had a word in Frank’s shell-like because that was never going to happen. I’m not going to relinquish my place on this roster because people who haven’t smashed through the glass ceiling mistakenly believe it’s my fault. Let’s not forget that this stance that these people stand for, it came about because good old Frankie Boy wanted ME to lead HIS revolution. The one you all claim is taking up roster space was Frank’s first choice before any of you clowns jumped on the bandwagon. Once again, you all exampled how little grey matter you all had by siding with him due to promises of greatness. And I can’t deny that some of you have indeed been successful. But, if you are all stupid enough to believe that Frank wouldn’t cast you aside in a heartbeat if you weren’t helping his cause, to take over SCW, then you deserve everything that you will get. He cares about one thing, stirring you all up so you are more than happy to make your way to the trenches, and prepare for this incoming war. Like I said, this isn’t my first rodeo, and certainly not my first hostile takeover to deal with. I’d go as far as to say this current incarnation wouldn’t even make my top ten.
Which brings me to this next ‘match’ thoughtfully booked to give some more leverage to the ‘outsiders’ who relish the opportunity to escape from this ‘outside looking in mentality’ they have brought on themselves. We have the current SCW World Champion Amelia, who represents everything that is wrong about this company, Gavin Taylor who… well is just being Gavin Taylor. And poor old Polly Playtime, still banging the drum for irrelevancy. Still making claims from her imaginative little mind, still claiming I dismissed her when I first came back to the company.
Taking Amelia first, she is the World Champion after all.
See Amelia, one thing you need to understand is, whether it’s true or not, you are always going to have to handle allegations of how you were ‘helped’ towards that world title. Not me, I’ve spoken at length as to how talented an individual you are, and when we had our contendership match, I think I was the only one who stated that. You may not care about reputation, or what people think about you and honestly that is a good attribute to have. But by the same token, the more your world title reign is controlled by an individual who seems to be treating you like some kind of ‘glamor’ project, the more you are never going to be taken seriously as World Champion. Now, before you respond and go out on a limb about how disrespectful that is, I agree, and don’t shoot the messenger. I’m a firm believer that the only thing that matters is your own attributes, and you should be judged on that. But I’m promising you something right now Amelia, the moment a certain someone sees it all slipping away, they are not going to stand by and rely on your talent. They will get involved, and when they do, your title reign is delegitimized by someone who let’s face it should know better. Already, someone else is being called the Premier Asset, from his own mouth. THAT’S disrespect Amelia, because YOU should be the only asset that matters, because you hold the most important wrestling accolade that everyone aspires to. And the words I am hearing are things I have heard so many times before. The difference. I’m the one who’s still here, not to take up space, but to prove my worth. Try as you may Amelia, you cannot claim any difference.
Which brings me to a former Champion, Gavin Taylor.
You know something, I find it astonishing that you still manage to carve a profession out of this industry off the back of being nothing more than a clown who would be better placed on Trump’s Government than he ever be as a professional wrestler. Again, much like Amelia, I’d never dream of pulling you up on your wrestling ability, but you Sir are the epitome of wasted roster space, because even now after many years of knowing you, I’m still waiting for you to rely on anything other than comedy skits and an entourage doing the dirty work for you. I don’t expect you to agree with me, in fact I expect the usual redundant retorts about how you are the best thing in wrestling to every walk this earth, but some of us Gavin, we know where you came from, and how this whole persona you have created is drawn out and ultimately tired, You had your moment, you got a World Championship, I thought it would be the end of it. And yet here you are, larger than life, stealing a living as per. It will be my pleasure to once again show the world how deluded you are
Just like our third individual Syren, Chris and I will face.
And there seems to be a common theme here Polly, because as stated before and totally opposite to what you claim I say, you are also another talented individual, but another who five years down the line has still not evolved enough to warrant this bitch fest we get from you every single week. Yeah ok, you’re not the gamer chick anymore, and portray yourself as some kind of badass, but your attitude and your mentality unfortunately suck. I was nothing but complimentary to you, I didn’t shun you as you claim and still haven’t, yet still you double down on it as if magically it will make it fact
It won’t
And thus, you’ll be kept in this endless loop whereby it’s everyone’s fault but your own. Learning nothing, while at the same time expecting to be given handouts just because you asked for them. I can hear it now in fact, if your team win on Breakdown, you are believing that in some way it means something.
It doesn’t.
This match means nothing in the grand scheme. I’m more intrigued by Alistaire showing up. Of course, I want to win, because it’s all about momentum heading into the biggest show of them all, but I won’t lose any sleep if we don’t. Battles are won and lost something else you need to learn. You’re fighting an enemy that doesn’t exist, an enemy that couldn’t care less about how you feel towards me. That’s dismissive. But it’s the truth Polly, and no matter how much you claw and scratch, every week, every newcomer, you fall further down Frank’s pecking order. Just like I told you months ago.
So finally, Chris, Syren… I think we all know this won’t be a balanced playing field; it very rarely is. Good old Frank is no doubt already stacking the deck in their favor. But I think we all agree on one thing, and that is that odds mean nothing. Overcoming them, it’s what we have done all our careers. “
(He laughs and then winks at the camera.)
“Shaun Cruze and Syren on the same side. Chris Dumont, ambitious and always up for a fight. All three, on the same page, whilst our opponents all crave the spotlight. Stacks the odds all you like, because the truth is, it ain’t going to matter.
It’s Rise to Greatness season Ladies and Gentlemen.
What better time to make an Impact… Players.”
(Scene fades.)
![[Image: Shaun-Cruze.jpg]](https://i.ibb.co/SX5Ng4rx/Shaun-Cruze.jpg)