Owen Lee vs. Kandis

[Owen]

30th July 2021 - Texas

Owen brings the car to a half outside a building having been instructed to by Daisy. It hadn’t been a particularly long drive from the airport, but the Hire Car handled like a bitch, and Owen was glad of some respite. He peers out from Daisy’s passenger side window, taking in the building.

Owen: This is it? 

Daisy: Yep, what do you think? 

Owen: Well, it doesn’t look as horrific as it sounded that’s for sure.

Daisy gets out, and looks up and down at the building, Owen getting out as well, pulling his sports bag from the back. Only now do his eyes widen, as he can finally get a good look at the place. 

Owen: It’s a literal slaughterhouse?

Daisy: Yep, the perfect place for you to get back your mojo.

Owen scowls, still not really understanding.

Owen: Is it like still in operation?

Daisy: For sure, my Dad owns it… come on, I’ll introduce you to him.

Daisy starts walking towards the entrance, and then steps inside. Immediately she sees her Father, and she walks up and throws her arms around him.

Dad: Daisy, it’s great to see you. And I’m guessing this is young Owen?

Daisy: In the flesh. Owen, this is Howard

Owen holds his hand out, her Father taking it as Owen only now sees the blood covered apron. 

Howard: Good to meet you kid, Daisy has spoken a lot about you.

Owen: Good to meet you too Mr. Lee

Howard: Please, call me Howard. Hope you realize what you’ve gotten yourself into here. It’s not for the faint hearted.

Owen: I’m ready for whatever she throws at me

Howard: That’s half the battle son. 

He turns back to Daisy.

Howard: It’s all ready for you…

Daisy leans forwards and kisses him on the cheek, ignoring the blood splatter.

Daisy: Thank you, I really appreciate this.

Howard: Not a problem… well, good luck Owen, you’re going to need it.

Daisy places a hand on his shoulder and leads him through a door and to the back, Owen immediately recognizing the drop in temperature. 

Owen: Christ, it’s freezing in here. 

Daisy grins, that had been her first reaction all those years ago.

Daisy: What did you expect?

Owen: It not to be so damn cold…

He exhales, his eyes widening as he sees his own breath. 

Daisy: We can hold back a little if you want, it’s been a long drive, a long flight… we can kick all this off in the morning if you want. 

Owen: No time like the present Daisy. I’m intrigued as to how you believe that this place is going to bring back my love for wrestling.

Daisy: It will kid, all you gotta do is trust the process. 

Owen: I don’t know about the process, but I trust you.

Daisy laughs, holding out her arm so Owen can pass her his jacket.

Daisy: Let’s see if you still feel the same in a few hours.

Daisy leaves the room so that Owen can get changed, and although he thinks it, Owen doesn’t question why he couldn’t get changed in a place that was a little warmer. He changes into a sweatshirt and a pair of tracksuit bottoms, a pair of trainers finishing off the outfit and then shouts for Daisy to come back in. She walks past him, beckoning him to follow which dutifully he does. 

Daisy: A surefire way of showing how much you care about something is what you are willing to endure to achieve your goals. In the past you have gone through Taking Hold of the Flame, the Elimination Chamber… and on most occasions you have fallen at the final hurdle. Take the Chamber, that was your first World title defense wasn’t it? 

Owen: Yeah, don’t remind me

Daisy: I watched your promos for that event, and it sounded like you’d lost before you even entered. That is the kind of logic we need to get rid of, whilst at the same time get you able to go to places you didn’t believe possible. For many years you’ve spoken of the Cruze ‘desire’ and ‘never say die attitude’… we need to evolve that into something else.

They stop, Owen staring at three or four meat hooks that are nearby, Daisy stood next to one.

Owen: How?

Daisy: By showing you that even with all the places you’ve been, and the pain you have endured in your life, you have it within you to go even further. Ace Marshall had that at Taking Hold of the Flame. Sienna Swann and James Evans had it at the elimination chamber. We need to bring out the monster that resides in all of us, containing it, and using it to push you to places you never thought possible. We need people to step into the ring knowing it is almost possible to put and keep you down… right now you simply don’t have that.

Owen: OK, I’ll take your word for it.

Daisy: You don’t have to. You believed Giovanni Aries didn’t break you, because you eventually got the victory, and yet still, he knew precisely what to use to get inside your head, and you went into that match weaker than you ever had before. You still won yes, and you deserve credit for that, but do you think Giovanni cared about losing, when just a few months later he saw you quit. Don’t get me wrong, there are not many Giovanni’s in this world, but you need to learn to ignore the white noise, and remain focused, no matter what is put in your way. Giovanni was the catalyst for your demise… if you step back into the ring, that can’t be allowed to happen again.

Owen: I understand.

Daisy: Good… then let’s begin.

Daisy looks around the room for a moment, Owen catching her and trying to see what she is looking at, until then she looks over and across the room, once again beckoning Owen with her finger.

Daisy: I want to show you something.

Owen had a witty remark ready, but doesn’t use it, knowing that Daisy would see it as him not taking the situation seriously. She pauses, next to a huge door, Owen taking it all in.

Daisy: You know what this is right?

Owen: Looks like a giant freezer.

Daisy: That’s right…

She pulls open the door, the cold escaping from inside like steam making Owen shiver.

Daisy: Care to look inside?

Owen smirks

Owen: What, so you can lock me inside, I don’t think so.

Daisy: Do you know how cold it is in there? As if I’d do something like that.

Owen still wasn’t sure, but he trusted her, and he does indeed step inside, immediately noticing that the temperatures were far lower than in the room. He turns, and holds out his hands, but he is too late, the door shutting him in.

Owen: What the fuck… Daisy???

Daisy: Sorry, I lied.

Owen: It’s freezing in here…

Daisy: Oh, it’s way below freezing Owen, it’s -15 degrees Fahrenheit to be precise. 

Owen: Daisy, let me out.

Daisy: No. You need to realize just how much you can endure, and how capable you are. 

Owen: I’m gonna die in here

Daisy: Nah, you won’t… not if you don’t want to.

Owen: Daisy… for fucks sake.

Daisy: Shit Owen, sorry I forgot something I need to tell Dad. I’ll be back in a minute…

Owen: DAISY!!!

Owen bangs on the door, but it is useless, as it is sealed shut. He can almost feel any warmth he had slowly leaving his body. He wraps his arms around himself, trying to keep as warm as he possibly can, telling himself that Daisy would come back and open the door soon… she had to. 

TWENTY MINUTES LATER

Daisy finally opens the door, and finds Owen stood by the side of the door, still holding his arms tightly around him. When the door opens, he pushes past Daisy, obviously angry at what had just occurred.

Daisy: You OK kid?

Owen takes a moment, his body immediately starting to warm, Daisy throwing him his jacket which he immediately puts on and zips up. When he can finally speak, it is clear he is still not happy

Owen: What the hell you playing at? I could have died in there.

Daisy: You were perfectly safe Owen, at least for a while. No real danger.

Owen: So, what was the point?

Daisy: Come with me

He follows her into the room they first entered, Owen still a little disorientated from the cold.

Daisy: What would you say is your greatest attribute?

Owen: Huh?

Daisy: Your go to… when things get tough?

Owen: I don’t know… speed I guess, to get myself out of situations.

Within warning, she gets one of the hooks and swings it, Owen ducking but just a moment too late as the side of the hook catches him on the forehead, almost knocking Owen from his feet. Daisy catches the hook as it comes back, Owen holding his head, blood seeping through his fingers, now even more dizzy that he was before. He doesn’t say anything, he can’t he is so shocked, Daisy stepping forwards so that she is stood in front of him.

Daisy: Sorry…

Owen: Sorry? That’s all you have to say

Daisy: You said you’d trust the process Owen

Owen: Yeah, I did, but I didn’t know then that you were going to halve freeze me to death and then throw Meat Hooks at me. I’m done Daisy, I don’t need this. 

He turns to walk away, but Daisy puts a head on his shoulder, half-smirking.

Daisy: Owen, you rely on your speed… it’s got you out of more trouble than you can remember, but the fact is speed, reaction… it’s impact can be lessened. You were cold, disorientated, you weren’t sure where you were… speed didn’t get you out of trouble then, and it didn’t at Taking Hold of the Flame because you’d given all you had… so therefore speed wasn’t of consequence to Ace Marshall. Nine times out of ten, you’d be ok… but that one time could be a World title match, or an opportunity. Or else you’ll always be at a disadvantage. You need to be more resilient, and you need the tools to turn a match on its head in an instant. You need something else… something that you lack.

Owen: Which is?

Daisy: You need to stop allowing yourself to be put in these situations. YOU walked into that freezer under your own steam. You need to be more aggressive, more forthright and always be on the front foot, instead of waiting for mistakes. And more than anything, you need power. They can’t take advantage of you if their already down.

Owen: I dread to think what comes next.

Daisy: Look, by the time we’ve finished, you’re going to be able to endure far more than a few minutes in that freezer. I’m going to teach you how to still function at full capacity and dodge a flurry of meat hooks never mind one, even if you have been beaten out of shape. And lastly, I’m going to give you the power to put your opponents on the back foot by putting more behind your strikes. If you can endure all that, for the sake of wrestling… then you’ll have back your love for the game that you lost.

She walks over to a load of hanging carcasses, frozen by the temperature. 

Daisy: Hit it…

Owen: What?

Daisy: Punch it, with everything you have.

Owen: That’s gonna be like punching a block of ice.

Daisy shrugs her shoulders.

Daisy: So? 

Owen: I’ll break my hand.

Daisy: You think punching Xander Valentine full in face doesn’t hurt? What about a monster like Tsunami? You punch either of those now, and they will laugh at you.

Owen looks at the carcass and puffs out his cheeks.

Daisy: Punch it.

He hits it, but nothing like his full power, holding most of it back

Daisy: Are you kidding me right now Owen. You’re not a little boy anymore. PUNCH IT!!!

Owen, starting to get angry, puts all his force into the shot, howling in agony as his knuckles immediately redden as the bruising process begins.

Daisy: Now the other hand.

Owen does it again, his anger now having taken over. 

Daisy: Again… left right combo.

Owen throws a combo, smashing his fists into the carcass

Daisy: Again…

He throws it again, his eyes starting to glisten from the pain

Daisy: AGAIN!!!

He throws the combination once more, this time blood left on the carcass, blood pouring from his knuckles, adrenaline flowing through his body.

Daisy: AGAIN!!!

He hits with the left, but feigns with the right, not able to bring himself to put the bloody hand through any more punishment.

Owen: I can’t…

Daisy: Can’t or won’t?

Owen: Daisy… please.

Daisy sighs, but to Owen’s relief, she nods her head.

Daisy: OK…

Owen starts to walk away from the carcass, but Daisy holds up her hand.

Daisy: Where you going?

Owen: I’m bleeding

Daisy: You’re not finished, now Kick it.

Owen scowls, looking at the carcass and then back at Daisy.

Daisy: What you waiting for?

Owen takes a deep breath, but lines himself up ready and is about to throw the kick when Daisy stops him.

Daisy: No… take your trainer off first.

Owen: What?

Daisy: Barefoot…

Fire burns in his eyes, the intensity taking over. Without even thinking he kicks off his trainer, and lines up the shot.

Daisy: Hold nothing back, everything you’ve got.

Owen: You’re a fucking sadist

Without giving it any thought, he kicks the carcass, a crack heard around the slaughterhouse, and he drops to the floor holding his foot.

Owen: Are you crazy… it’s broken.

With a stoic expression she drops to her knees and feels the top of Owen’s foot, Owen squirming in pain.

Daisy: We’re done… go get a shower, you’ve done some good work today.

Without another word she gets to her feet, and leaves the room leaving Owen sat on the floor. He gets to his feet, hardly able to put any weight on his right foot. He limps to the door, turning to look at the room, shaking his head, and wondering what the hell he’d gotten himself into. With a sigh, he follows Daisy up the stairs, as the scene fades.

31st July 2021 - Texas

Owen walks down the stairs, still obviously limping after his exertions the day before. He’d not seen Daisy since his ‘training’ and it had been left to her Father to tend to his injuries. Although there were no broken bones, he did have severe bruising on both his hands, and indeed his right foot, and the pain as he placed his foot down on every step sent a shock all the way up his leg. Truth was, as he reaches the kitchen and steps inside, he is feeling more than a little disheartened, and wondering if all of this was worth it.

Howard: Hey Owen, sleep well?

Owen looks around, still not able to see Daisy, although her Father was cooking breakfast. 

Owen: Bed was very comfortable thank you, but my foot wouldn’t stop throbbing.

Howard: Few more applications of that ointment I gave you and you’ll be fine. Full English ok? Anything you don’t eat?

Owen: Nah all good… I was a Vegan but gave that up.

Howard: Never understood those folks. Each to their own though.

He pulls a plate out the cupboard and starts piling it up with food, before pushing it in front of Owen.

Howard: Ketchups and stuffs on the table, help yourself.

Owen: Thanks, I appreciate you putting me up like this.

Howard: It ain’t a problem Owen. Daisy speaks very highly of you, and you’ve been through a lot of hardship of late… seems like it’s my duty to help.

Owen: Well, it’s good of you, and I hope I don’t intrude.

Howard: It’s nice to have folk around the slaughterhouse. Usually only got the meat to talk to, makes a change to have some interaction.

Owen: Yeah, I’ll bet… can’t imagine I’ll be here much longer though, seeing as Daisy seems intent on killing me. Where is she anyway? Dreaming up new ways of putting my life in danger.

Howard pours himself a cup of coffee, and takes a seat at the table, waiting for Owen to polish off a mouthful before reengaging in the conversation.

Howard: She’ll be back later this morning, told me to look after you till she returned.

Owen: Great… I mean, you are looking after me.

Howard: You’ve no need to explain.

Owen takes in some more food, for some reason his appetite greater than usual.

Howard: She doesn’t like doing this to you, you know?

Owen: Really, I find that hard to believe.

Howard: Before she left last night, we had a conversation about whether she was doing the right thing. You’ve got to remember Owen; she understands what you are going through right now.

Owen: How?

Howard: Because she’s been through it, just like you have. Her and Rachel are two of the toughest women I know, and that didn’t happen by accident. It happened in that slaughterhouse.

Owen: Really?

Howard: For sure. I’m sure you’ve heard of my wife Mary.

Owen grins

Owen: Who hasn’t?

Howard: Yes, she has quite a formidable reputation that’s for sure. Anyway, Daisy’s early training took place in that very place, Mary putting her through the exact same situations you are being put in right now. Believe me Owen, if Daisy didn’t believe you could take it, she wouldn’t put you through it, but she see’s something in you, something special. 

Owen puts down his fork and pours himself some orange juice, sipping at it as he digests Howards words. 

Owen: Well, maybe she’s wasting her time.

Howard: Does Daisy come across as someone who would waste her time? Do you think she would do this for anyone? 

Owen: No, I don’t, but she’s only doing it for me because of a promise to Orlando.

Howard: Ah, the Father that wasn’t… I apologize but Daisy told me the story when she asked if she could borrow the slaughterhouse for a while. I won’t say anything, that’s your business not mine. But if you think this is all about the promise, you’re wrong. She’d never admit it Owen, but she cares about you, and she doesn’t want you to walk the path that she ended up on. And if I know Daisy, she’ll not fail either, because she very rarely does. 

Owen lowers his eyes to the table

Howard: Look kid, I know right now you don’t see the point in this, but the cuts and bruises, all of it will serve a purpose. And when you come out the other side, you’ll feel like you could run through a brick wall. I know that, because that’s how Daisy felt when Mary had finished with her. And I sat here with her as well, giving this exact same talk.

Owen lifts his hands, looking at his knuckles still red raw.

Howard: It will be worth it, you’ll see. Now eat your breakfast, you’ll need your strength once Daisy gets back.

Owen: Oh God… really?

Howard: I’m saying nothing… it’s more than my life is worth.

Howards winks at Owen and gets to his feet, before heading out the kitchen, leaving him with his thoughts. Daisy was indeed one of the toughest, if not THE toughest women he knew. So, could she really work the miracle in the same way Mary Beth Mallory had done with Daisy all those years ago? And even if she could, would Owen continue in the industry and put it all to use. 

LATER THAT DAY

After finishing breakfast, Daisy was still nowhere to be found. Seeing as punching or kicking anything was out of the question, and he couldn’t even go for a run without it being at half speed and limping like one leg was shorter than the other, he decided to put in a session to at least keep his stamina high. There was something about doing sit ups, pushups and pull ups at this temperature that had gotten his blood pumping and he had enjoyed doing something that didn’t involve bleeding all over cattle carcass, and without the pain that had come with it.

“Owen, you down there?”

Owen: Yeah, just finished training.

Owen hears Daisy walk down the stairs and into the room, and gets to his feet and she arrives.

Daisy: Good to see you back at it… not been hitting anything, I hope?

Owen: No, not today… didn’t see the point in staying idle. Gonna be honest, I think I like it down here. It’s peaceful, calming even.

Daisy: Well, you weren’t very calm yesterday.

Owen: Yeah about that… I’m sorry. I had a long chat with Howard…

Daisy: Dad?

Owen: Yes. He told me all about how Mary trained you here, and well… you didn’t do so badly so I guess I should try and see it out. 

Daisy: You don’t think I pushed you too far?

Owen: No, I get it now. I’m going to benefit from all of this, regardless of if I got back to wrestling or not. So, I’m sorry if seemed like I doubted you. I guess I just needed a little reassurance.

Daisy: Owen, I wouldn’t put you through this if I didn’t think you could do it.

Owen: I know, your Dad said exactly the same thing. 

Daisy: So, we go again tomorrow?

Owen: Yes. I’ll be ready.

Daisy: Good, because I’ve got a surprise for you.

Owen: Oh no.

Daisy laughs

Owen: Your surprises thus far haven’t exactly been cake and candles.

Daisy: No, this surprise is much better than that.

Owen: Any clues?

Daisy: No clues… I’ll just show you. See, Dad might have told you the story about how I went through the slaughterhouse experience just like you, but that wasn’t my whole training story. This place wasn’t the only reason I made it as a wrestler. 

Owen scowls obviously confused.

Daisy: That’s where I’ve been this morning, I was meeting someone from the airport. Someone who took me to Mexico and finished off my training, turning me into the woman you see before you today

Daisy motions towards the door, Owen’s eyes widening as he see’s who walks through. 

“Hello Sugar…”

In front of him was Rachel Tatum Lee, former SCW World Champion and one of the best and toughest wrestlers that the world had ever seen. No matter how difficult yesterday was, it seemed like it was going to get a whole lot worse. The funny thing was, it excited Owen, he craved to be tested. He wasn’t scared of what was to come… and surely that was a good thing. Was this the shoots of his love for the business coming back? Rachel smirks, looking directly at him.

Rachel: Yer ready fer some pain kiddo?

He looks at Rachel, and then at Daisy, and he bites his bottom lip

Owen: Oh shi…

Scene fades.

21st January 2022 - Detroit

Owen Lee appears on screen, sat on a sofa chair, next to a simple table on which sits a glass of water. He wears a black tee-shirt with a white logo on it, a pair of blue jeans and a pair of Nike trainers and he greets the camera and indeed us by taken the glass of water and lifting it towards the camera before taking a sip. Putting the glass back on the table and then wiping the moisture away he starts to speak.

/RECORDING

“It’s hilarious how people seem to lose their minds and their entire thought processes when things don’t go their way. I should know by the way, I’ve been there. But take Polly Playtime for example who totally lost her shit over claims that I was disrespecting her. Why? Because she didn’t take the time to listen to what I had to say. Did I believe that I was better than her? Yes, I did, and I think the way the match panned out, I was more than proven correct. She got her knickers in a such a twist, she aligned herself with the Jackals to make me ‘pay’, when the fact of the matter is all I did was tell her the truth. I’ve been main event, I’ve been World Champion, I’ve been voted by my peers as the Male Wrestler of the year, what has Polly Playtime done? 

Nothing.

And that was my point, a point she would have realized should she had kept her calm and not had herself a hissy fit. I’ve only just returned, but I believed myself a better wrestler than she is. She was higher up the ladder, and I had to beat her to regain the status quo. Was it worth her little performance on Breakdown, or her hate fueled promo that I was on the receiving end of? No, of course it wasn’t. And it was a mistake she could have refrained from making if she had just done something as simple as standing back and seeing the wood for the trees. Then, she would have heard that all I was doing was telling the truth.”

Owen shrugs his shoulders, and takes his hairband out, allowing his hair to drop partially in front of his face.

“But of course, misunderstandings are what make an industry like ours turn on its axis. I mean, I’ve been just as guilty as anyone else, and it led to a six-month hiatus, getting my head straight and at least starting to understand the mistakes I’d made. And I accept the blame for all of that, it’s all on me. But take the Jackals for example…”

A wry smile forms, and he sniggers to himself.

“I mean, I don’t know what sense of importance they have, but the moment I showed up, ‘daring’ to step up to them, immediately they made out as if it was this ‘personal vendetta’ I was on. Truth be told, they are not that important, and that’s not me trying to make anyone mad, or disrespect them, it’s just the facts. Me facing Drake, and now Kandis, it isn’t some kind of hate fueled mission like they seem to imply. I don’t for one second believe that my victory will be an end to their bullshit, they are way too tough skinned for that. There’s a saying, ‘a means to an end’, The Jackals right now are everyone’s enemy, and I need to show that I’m a better person that left this company like it was nothing. I’m not expecting to step into the ring and have people cheering from the rafters like they used to if I manage to overcome Kandis. I’m not even expecting people to congratulate me on the forums, or wrestling websites. I don’t even want people saying good effort if I lose. What this is, is a start… focusing on those who right now are pissing the SCW fanbase off to such an extent, that getting in their way would begin a long process back to where I once was. 

Beating Polly Playtime would never do that. 

Beating Drake alone wouldn’t get me back in the good graces of those that I left down. 

Tommy Valentine and Kandis, two people who have total disregard for SCW, just like I did, these are the standard, the level of individual that I needed to focus on, to show that for all I’d gotten wrong in the past, there IS hope for me in the future. I’m not stupid, what I did to this company will leave a stain on my reputation that I may not ever be able to totally erase. But if standing up to The Jackals makes even one person decide to give me a second chance, then it’s a battle worth enduring. Because if there is one thing that I have learned whilst I’ve been away, you never truly win when you go toe to toe with a group like the Jackals, even if your hand is held in victory. But if there is one attribute that I want to display, it is that very same ability to endure. I quit once, and I’ll regret that decision for the rest of my life. But there is one thing that is for certain, I’ll never quit again.”

He lifts the glass and rests it on his thigh, his eyes never once leaving the camera.

“So Kandis, when you come out and you make these threats, these statements of intent, do you really believe that I wasn’t prepared for it? I’m one person Kandis, one individual. Does that not give you an insight into my mentality right now? That I am more than willing to poke the hornets’ nest without any concern for myself. And yeah, Daisy is in my corner, but I’m the one standing before you, not her. I’m not stupid Kandis, this wasn’t done without thought, everything that has transpired thus far, I knew precisely what I was doing, and these threats, this price, I was always willing to pay. The fact remains, it wouldn’t have been worth doing otherwise. Even if Minerva had still been around, or Konrad, it would always have been the Jackal’s, because the Jackal’s are everything that is wrong with this company right now. Clue’s in the title really, Jackal’s pick at the carcass of those that are weak, but the strong… they step up and it’s ‘getting in their business’. Just like I needed stopping by SCW the moment I stepped on Olek’s chest, so do you, this bullshit charade of yours must eventually come to end. I won’t be the definitive hammer blow, I’m not conceited enough to believe that, but that doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t play my part. A business like this, people don’t want to hear words, they need to see actions. They need to see a person trying, trying to be better than they were before. And honestly, I’m taken aback by the understanding I’ve already seen, from people in arenas, to fans stopping me in the street, hoping that I find my purpose once again. THIS is my purpose though Kandis, ensuring that no one disrespects Supreme Championship Wrestling to the extent I did and make the same mistake. And beating you isn’t about title contendership or climbing up the rankings like it was with Polly. No, facing, and beating you is just another step in the process to taking back my name. And whether you pour scorn on me or not like Polly did, refusing to use my real surname and still referring to me as a Cruze, you need to realize that if you think you’re going to be facing the same person who defeated you several months ago, you’re in for a very long night because in this moment, I am so much more than that. I hope you don’t let your urge for revenge cloud your judgement Kandis. I hope you see me as the bona fide threat to your success in this match that I truly am. Because I see you Kandis. I see a woman who is much more focused and three times the competitor she was the last time we matched up, when you were more concerned about showing your ass on social media than winning matches. Since then, you’ve had a fire lit underneath you, your domination in the tag ranks has shown that, and you won’t ever catch me disputing that now. The truth is, you deserve praise, not that you would accept it from me of course. But I hope, truly I do, that you don’t play the usual games and turn this into a farce, because you’re better than that now. You don’t need the bullshit.

Excuse me though if I don’t hold my breath. 

Because even before the Jackals, when you were the Connection, that’s always been the basis of your logic hasn’t it? Why rely on your wrestling ability, when you can use other means to get the victory? The result simply isn’t my primary concern, the statement at Body, Heart and Soul is MUCH more important. Fact is, I can get what I want, even in defeat Kandis. Tell me, can you say the same, knowing how embarrassing a loss to me would be, whilst considering all that you have said and done already? YOU’VE placed me as an underdog. YOU’VE been implying over the past few weeks that at Body, Heart and Soul, I WILL pay the price for my intervention. What if those words fall on deaf ears again, just like every threat you have made since Minerva thought it best to ditch the man baby, and Konrad was in turn treated with the same disdain he experienced even in the group? What if you fail again, just like you failed to regain the tag team titles from a team formed no more than five minutes ago. Will the Jackals maintain their grip on the title of most dominant group in SCW, once people realize that every word that comes out of ANY of their mouths turns out to be bullshit? I dunno, maybe then you can offer ‘Enlightenment’ at the bargain price of $39.99 over five payments? Funny that, seeing as I got it for free, and it didn’t cost me a single dollar.”

Owen takes a sip of the water, his mouth starting to feel dry. He shuffles in his seat to get more comfortable. Satisfied, he continues.

“And MY enlightenment allows me to see things that before I couldn’t recognize, or perhaps I chose to ignore in the past. I’m no longer driven by success, I’m driven by redemption, knowing in my heart that achieving that goal will bring me the belts and accolades and the respect anyways. Looking back at my first stint, I now see quite clearly that if anyone negated my speed, or grounded me, I was left defenseless. I WAS a one trick pony, even if it was a half decent trick. But now, having been helped by Daisy, and by spending a great deal of time in Japan, I’m more rounded and there’s a few tricks up my sleeve ready to be revealed. I’m tougher, more aggressive, more able to fight the match on the front foot. I’m stronger, I hit harder, whilst still being one of the quickest wrestlers on the roster. Unlike like Polly believed, I haven’t spent six months sat on my backside, pondering life, the universe and everything. And don’t get me wrong, those first days after my suspension, I was a waste of space. I’m simply didn’t care about anything. But slowly, surely, Daisy turned me around. And right now, I’m the best version of myself. Ready to take on one of the most dominant women in the company right now, ready to take on the Jackals. In fact, no, I’m ready to take on the world. You might think that our match at Body, Heart and Soul will turn out to be payback of the highest order, and perhaps I’ll have Drake, Tommy, even Polly to contend with over the course of the night. But you should know by now, nothing is guaranteed. Especially when, although you will of course resist the truth, right now… you don’t know me as well as you think you do, and that you are dealing with the unknown. You WILL NOT make me angry Kandis, you’ll not crawl under my skin, or rent headspace. My personal life, that’s dealt with, I’m at peace with it, so please don’t be as predictable as Drake and Polly were, because you can see what happened with them. My focus is simple, give those fans a reason to trust me again, and by defeating you, I see no reason why that cannot do anything but help. And then it will be the next one, and the next, until finally I’m back where I was. Clear-minded, focused…”

He tilts his head ever so slightly.

“… Redeemed.”

Owen takes a moment, composing himself for what would be his final words. Had Kandis been listening? He certainly hoped so, because what he didn’t want, was for there to be any excuses, and that went for him as well. Leaning forwards so he is closer to the camera, he continues.

“So, spit your bile Kandis, drop your bombs, be all consumed by revenge… it’s not like that hasn’t been pretty much your entire rhetoric whenever we have faced off in the past, so why should it be any different now? I’ll be the one stood back, listening, ready to show you, like I did with Drake and Polly, that I’m a far different animal from the one you knew before. I can’t take all the credit, I’ve been helped along the way, there is no doubt about that. But the fact is, if I didn’t want this, if I’d not had the desire to return a better man, a better wrestler, then I wouldn’t be stood here before you today. I was ready to walk away, start a new life, do something different. But I was showed, sometimes quite forcefully, that this life, being a wrestler, competing for Supreme Championship Wrestling, it was… if you would pardon my hark back to the past, what I was born to do. Regardless of my blood line, OWEN was always supposed to be here. OWEN was always supposed to perform on behalf of our fans. OWEN was always supposed to stand HERE, in your way, making sure that Kandis doesn’t necessarily get what she wants. This is where it all begins again for me Kandis, by taking down a bona fide talent, in front of the eyes of the world. And this is where it gets serious, and I show everyone, including you, that I haven’t missed a beat.”

He nods, a smirk forming

“Because I’m not trying to be a hero. I don’t want to be a role model. I just want to be better. Day by day, step by step… I’ll get there, no question. And Kandis, at Body, Heart and Soul, I won’t let you be the one to stop me. I want this, I need this…”

He winks towards the camera, holding up the bottle once more

“I’m TAKING this.”

He sits there stoically, as the scene fades.