Datura, James Evans & Polly Playtime vs. Glory Braddock, Chance Owens & Josh Hudson

[James Evans]

James Evans sat in front of the camera. He was scheduled to compete in the opening round of the upcoming Trios Tournament. He knew there would be those who’d claim they were going to win the whole thing. James had been in the tournament before, and he knew such claims typically backfired on those who made them.


He also knew that there would be those who the fans as well as wrestling insiders had picked to be the winning team right out of the gate. Teams like Owen, Ducky, and Rayvn. Allocco, Williams, and the One. James didn’t expect to be selected as part of the chosen few.


James just knew that he’d be in the ring against Chance Owens, a competitor he didn’t know much about. He’d also be against Glory Braddock, as well as his mentor, Josh Hudson. Glory and Hudson were technicians. Glory talked a big game but he knew for sure that Hudson enjoyed torturing his opponents. It was the same mindset Hudson had instilled in James during his days as merely a student. A mindset that James was trying to shake.


“Here we are again. Trios tournament is upon us. We’ll hear everyone’s intentions with contracts they’ve not won yet. Everyone plans to dominate and all that jazz. You know what I’m going to do? I can’t speak for Datura and Polly, but I know where I’m coming from. I’m going to step into the ring and I’m going to wrestle. I mean, that’s what we are here to do. We’re here to entertain the fans.”

James sighed.

“Now. I know the fans weren’t too happy with my performance at Under Attack. I know they expected me to come inches away from straight up ending Konrad Raab’s life, or just his career. I know they booed me. I heard them. I mean, how could I not? But the thing is this. It’s okay. The people…they have a voice and they love using it, letting us know how they feel. It is their right. And I feel we can give them more bang for their buck by freaking wrestling, instead of talking about being the Face, or being a Lion that’s ready to roar. I think it’s better to let our in-ring skills do the talking.”

“Someone who should believe in that, is you Glory. You’re one of the best in-ring technicians in the history of this business. Yet, you have this mentality that just makes everyone want to punch you in the throat. I mean, I’m not going to do that but I’m speaking in generalities. And I get it, Glory. You have won this tournament twice before. You’re supposed to be feared and all this stuff. But, Glory you just talk a lot these days. It takes away from what you can do in that ring. No one is going to remember your reign as U. S. Champion. They’ll just talk about how you ran from challenges.”


“I’m sure everyone is rolling their eyes at the fact that you attacked Owen. Like, it just doesn’t fit. It doesn’t make sense. It doesn’t even look good on paper. If anything, you need this more than I do. I’ve literally done it all in SCW. I’m back to make up for the wrongs of my last run. It left a sour taste in my mouth. I intend to leave one in yours when I show you that I’m damn good at this. That I can out wrestle the best when they’re placed before me. Which brings me to you, Josh…”


James paused for a brief moment, as he thought of his time at Hudson’s wrestling school. All the hard work he put in, and how that hard work paid off. Exhaling, he began to speak once again.


“I heard your words. I felt that disappointment. I get it. I really do. Like so many, you want to see the monster. You expect to see the monster, but the monster…he’s not there anymore. I can’t live that way, anymore. People need to realize that and accept it. I have to do what’s best for me as well as my family. Now, I’ve got no issue with wrestling you. We can go hold for hold, but I’m not going to go out of my way to cripple you. I don’t want to make you bleed, or stretch your limbs beyond their means. I hope you understand that. If not, then I guess I’ll continue to leave you disappointed, just as I intend to do with the results at the end of our match at Breakdown.”


“At Breakdown, Chance…you and I get to cross paths. You’re trying to find your footing in the company, just as I am. Totally different paths, but we’re at the same starting point. I want to get back to where I was. I just want to do it a different way. You’re trying to get started in SCW, period. You want to achieve success. Take one look at you and you scream money. No one can deny that. It’s just up to you if you live up to that or not. You’ve got two partners who would be great teachers. One thinks they can coexist and the other wants to curb stomp them into oblivion. You’re caught in the middle. As my mentor would say, you’re a casualty of war. And if you’re not sure about yourself, then come Breakdown, you and your run in Trios, most certainly will be.”

“As far as things on my side go, Polly Playtime…Datura…Glory believes me to be the only one on our team worth a damn. I don’t believe that to be true. Polly you’ve stepped it up. You’re the TV Champ. Datura, you’ve gone toe to toe with the best and you’ve always made an impression. I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish. But in saying that…”


James paused again. He thought about the path he was trying to follow and the actions of his partners.


“Polly. I know you’ve got your cronies. I know the three of you do not like to play fair. I know you like to bend the rules. Just like with you Datura. You did the whole thing with Kim. You have a thing for violence. I get it. I used to have it, too. But as I’ve said…that’s not me. So, consider this a warning. If any of that starts to go down with either of you, Trios or not, contracts or not, I will walk. As I just mentioned, I’ve got to do what’s best for me. I hope you can understand that. If we’re on the same page, I’ll see you at Breakdown. Stay safe out there.”


James smiled and gave a nod before stepping out of view, hoping his partners took his words to heart when they heard them. He told himself they would. He told himself to have hope before cutting the camera off, letting it fade to black.