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Supercard Archives / Re: J2H v HBCARTER v AUSTIN MERCER v A RAVEN v GOTH v J WASHINGTON - WORLD TITLE
« on: October 18, 2023, 09:51:16 AM »
Monday, 16th October 2023.
For some reason, he had seen the light and finally let go of so many feelings over the weekend. The sun shone a bit brighter and the birds have sung a bit louder and there was a spring in his step as he walked through a local park in Beverly Hills.
He often went for a walk on his own before travelling and the family were heading to Las Vegas later that day to start soaking in the spectacle that is High Stakes XIII, a very special show for the fans and an important part of the SCW calendar. High Stakes could make or break the company as well as the wrestlers on the show and he often showed up well in advance for this show.
He walked with confidence to where a chess set was set up in the park, yet the park was strangely empty as he sat in front of a reset chess board, looking down at the pieces before moving just one. He felt completely alone and at ease with sitting alone, but he wasn't alone for too much longer. His eyes was on the chess board in front of him but a hand appears in front of him, moving a piece against him. A male voice spoke to him with a hint of an accent, maybe Eastern European.
Man: It has been a long time, James.
J2H didn't bother to raise his eyes to look at the man who sat in front of him, just studying his next move.
J2H: I would say who are you, but for some reason, that tends to trigger bitches lately and sends them to social media to cry and try and find someone on their side, so I think I'll just say I have no idea who you are.
A chuckle appeared from the man's lips along with a huff from his nose.
Man: You once tried to kill me.
J2H raised an eyebrow as he moved another piece on the board, his eyes not looking towards his opponent.
J2H: I've tried to kill a lot of people in my life, so that doesn't narrow it down too much.
Another slight laugh came from across the board as he made his move.
Man: But I'd wager not many with a wooden stake before.
J2H tilted his head to the left and inhaled deeply, sniffing at the air deeply and giving his brain a little bit of time to process the smell.
J2H: Smells like something around here has been dead for a thousand years but that can't be true, because if that's the case, then you should be burning up in the sunlight Dmitri.
J2H looked up and his eyes were met by those of Dmitri, the man recently announced to join SCW's Hall of Fame and huge rival of J2H. The duo had a torrid rivalry in 2017, bloody and angry that left permanent scars on both men mentally. The intensity was so high, that Dmitri's words were true and J2H did threaten to drive a stake through the heart of the man with Vampire roots.
Dmitri: You really shouldn't believe everything you read about my people.
J2H took a very deep breath as he stared with a blank expression on his face.
J2H: Shouldn't you be haunting a castle back in Romania or something?
Dmitri smiled at the young man opposite him.
Dmitri: I see your humor has not changed in all the time we have been apart, James and I see you can still use the Romania joke while you know I am not from Romania.
J2H half smiled at Dmitri and clicked his fingers.
J2H: That's right, you're a Russian vampire, not very common these days or popular. Well, it's just not that popular to be a Russian anything these days, especially if you're in politics or control a military.
Dmitri looked at J2H with a slightly lowered eyebrows, letting time pass for a few seconds before he spoke again.
Dmitri: So how is your lovely wife and child?
J2H run his hand over his own chin, just looking across the chess board at Dmitri, his lip poked out as he considered his reaction. He hasn't seen Dmitri in years, any sporadic SCW appearances coincided with J2H not being a part of the company.
J2H: That's none of your business, that is my business and speaking of business. You didn't just happen to be passing Beverly Hills and think you'll find me for a chat and this place being empty, I'm guessing it's all your doing too somehow.
There was a sense of pride in the smile Dmitri flashed at J2H.
Dmitri: I see you are still aware of my powers.
A scoff came from J2H as he looked at Dmitri. He never did believe in Vampires or things like that, even with his dealings with a certain past roster member that showed him more to life then what we see before us and things lurking in the shadows can be real.
J2H: So let me guess, this is a weird dream and just like Brother Grimm, you've popped in to my head to warn me about something that's gonna happen at High Stakes XIII and it's only you cause Brother Grimm is on vacation or something, right? This is just not real.
An unimpressed look was on J2H's face but Dmitri just smiled at him through cold eyes.
Dmitri: No but it does have something to do with High Stakes XIII, James.
J2H held his hand up to Dmitri, stopping him in his tracks. He wasn't sure why this face from the past had appeared to speak to him, nor did he really care. He just genuinely hated faces from the past showing up, especially when the last time they were really around each other, both men were covered in blood and J2H had a stake to Dmitri's heart, demanding his lady at ringside threw in the towel.
J2H: Last time I saw you, or was anywhere around you, I tried to end you. I was going to end you in front of all those people. Sure, it won us feud of the year but I was trying to end you Dmitri. I'm not interested in why you're here at all. It's like a one night stand, best to leave it on that great memory of me trying to kill you. Save travels back to Romania.
The memories flooded back from that night caused a smile to just appear on J2H's face as he stood to his feet and turned around, walking towards the exit of the park, only to be met with Dmitri standing at the gate. J2H looked and felt confused as he turned his head to look back just the few feet where he and Dmitri were just sitting, looking at the empty space that was now there. He turned his head back to Dmitri.
Dmitri: Again, Russian, not Romanian.
J2H waved his finger at Dmitri and turned his head back, just to be sure that there was an empty space where he was a few seconds before. No one had made there way there and he turned back with a confused look on his face.
J2H: How did you do that?
Dmitri smiled at J2H and slightly nodded his head towards him.
Dmitri: Because I can, because of who I am. Now James, I would just like a moment of your time before you return to that lovely family of yours and I travel to Las Vegas.
J2H: Getting a flight or turning in to a bat and saving a few dollars?
J2H smirked at Dmitri who just returned his gaze with the slightest curl of the left side of his lip as he looked at his former rival.
Dmitri: You sound nervous James and a nervous man often attempts humor to cover up for his fears of what's in front of him.
J2H: Not a touch of nerves in me.
He wasn't lying to Dmitri, inside he was as cool and calm as he could possibly be as he looked at him directly in the eye.
Dmitri: Well, now we have done our old song and dance with each other where you talk without thinking and I restrain the feelings of ripping you apart...
This line caused J2H to raise an eyebrow at the man in front of him. He put his hand out in front of him.
J2H: Do go on.
Dmitri: I'm sure you've heard on Sunday that I too will be joining you in SCW's Hall of Fame.
J2H: And you want me to show you the secret handshake that gives you all the benefits of being in the Hall of Fame? I'm sorry to break this too you, but this isn't like one of those secret society groups or even like The Stonecutters from The Simpsons. There is no secret handshakes or perks to being in the SCW Hall of Fame. It's bragging rights for some people and an ego trip for those dicks that lobby for themselves to go in there. For the rare few, it's the honor of cementing their legacy, but mostly, it's ego people lobbying for themselves to go in. No secret handshake so you've wasted your trip here.
Dmitri: I am not stupid, I see these things for myself but I have not come here for that. I have come here for a very different reason.
J2H: Well, while we're still young... Well, some of us, you're about four thousand years old apparently.
Dmitri filed a polite smile at the confident man.
Dmitri: I want you to induct me in to the Hall of Fame, James.
Hearing those words took J2H by surprise and his face couldn't hide that fact.
J2H: Me? I tried to kill you!
Dmitri: You did, but you are the perfect person for that job. We had that rivalry that captured the imagination of the world and the world remembers it. Who better to remind people of all that we did all those years ago then you.
J2H looked at Dmitri through confused eyes, scratching the side of his head.
J2H: You're only asking me to do this because it means I need to say nice things about you and I've never said nice things about you, right.
Dmitri smiled as he shrugged his shoulders.
Dmitri: That is something you will never know. So what do you say?
He took his time before looking Dmitri in the eye.
J2H: I'll think about it.
He walked past Dmitri and through the gates, heading towards the Aston Martin parked nearby. Leaving Dmitri to utter a few more words.
Dmitri: I will see you in Vegas, James.
The camera fades out, leaving us to wonder, will J2H be the man to induct his rival Dmitri in to the SCW Hall of Fame.
*******
Wednesday, 18th October 2023
The recent weeks of anger had seemed to have departed from J2H's body and continued to stay away. A new calm had developed along with the old confidence and arrogance he was once famous for. He felt that he let the past stay there and nothing could change the fact that his build up with Michael Harris was moved to the side for now and had to look what was in front of him.
He had brought his family to Las Vegas early this week instead of flying to the show the day before, it was a huge week in SCW history that wasn't just about one day, Vegas was excited for a week before the show and it was an atmosphere not to be missed.
Every wrestler on the SCW roster with an ounce of creativity in their head would find a good location outside of a sweaty gym or a hotel room to cut a promo, I mean who remembers a hotel room or gym promo? Or a guy in an empty room talking kind of promo? No one, so J2H decided to take the forty mile trip from Las Vegas to The Hoover Dam, just to cut a promo. Not bad for a guy who has to get dragged to work...
He stood looking over the dam as people walked by, a baseball cap shading his eyes as the camera got up close.
J2H: It's beautiful, isn't it? Fucking beats dull ass locations to talk.
He was already feeling confident in his words and he'd only spoken a single line.
J2H: On Sunday, it will be my fifth match in SCW on their last eight shows and appeared on pretty much every day show that I physically could for the last six months, more then pretty much everyone in SCW, which is not too bad for someone a few people consider as a part timer. A guy who has to be dragged to work.
He rolled his shoulders back and smirked.
J2H: But don't let the truth get in the way of bullshit if it helps to twist things in your way. Yeah, I'm throwing that towards one of my opponents, that would be you Alexander Raven.
He rolled his eyes as he mentioned his name.
J2H: Looks like someone got a little upset with me for not knowing who he is. I'm sorry to hurt your feelings Alexander.
It was a mocking tone that came from J2H and it continued.
J2H: I'm sorry I got you all upset because I really didn't know who you are but I do now, thanks to your Britney Spears style break down on social media. I do know who you are now. I know that you've beat some people, cool story bro, but I also know one match all through the cycle that you lost, and a couple of appearances, good for you! I also learned a few more things on my own... That's you're a little bitch who gets triggered when someone doesn't know who you are. I learned that you're one of those keyboard warrior sub tweeting little bitches that try and get people to rally around you with zero context or their own little fact checks, I learned that you might just be a pissy little snowflake who seeks attention on social media. That's the difference with us Alexander, I don't need the approval of some people behind a screen and I know how to grab the attention without it.
He knew he could without stooping low and his confident stance matched his feelings.
J2H: Look at it little this you poor little sensitive lamb you. All I had to do to get your attention and triggered was to ask who you were.... You had to run to social media and drop a C bomb or two to try and get mine. FYI, dropping C bombs is the lowest form of attention seeking there snowflake, makes you look like a little bitch. You had a blank canvas to make me learn about you and instead, I learned that you are the kinda guy who tries to gain friends by talking about others behind their backs. You're the kind of guy that is too lazy to research, while claiming I'm the same, so you go cheap and say I'm gimmick stealing from a man who stole someone else's must own a casino shit, when I was here before all of them, you're clearly a guy who can't take criticism. Clearly a guy who changes a script to suit yourself.
J2H looked around at a small crowd gathered to listen to him.
J2H: Because you were fairly respectable in your work last week showing your knowledge of me, but then you flipped out because I asked who you were and ran bitching about it. You knew my upbringing but didn't seem to know how many shows I've been on lately or what I did. Maybe you should actually watch the show beyond your own shit. Alexander, this bitching shows you're not ready to be a World Champion, it shows you as a little bitch so after your social media outburst, I might know who you are but I really don't give a fuck about who you are. I'm giving you even less chance to win this week.
J2H poked his lip out.
J2H: Does that trigger you too? Well, do what you do best, grab some cheap booze, go talk about me on social media without tagging me, act like a big man when I can't punch you in the face and show the world what a little bitch you are behind a screen, cause on Sunday, I'm gonna show you what a little bitch you are in the ring.
J2H confidently smiled.
J2H: Enough talk about the big baby there. Let's talk about you Jack Washington. You can call me Hawkes if you want but you'll be adding the word's mister and please stop before that, on Sunday when I'm stamping your face through the mat.
He tilted his head with confidence.
J2H: I don't say J2H because it's cool fuck face, I say it because it's a bit of a brand. Now you should know what a brand is, right Jack? That's one of those things you do differently from anyone else and market it to them differently. Something you should have thought of instead of just stealing the casino shit idea from someone and just being absolutely generic to the point of no one can remember what your casino was all about. Now if you brand something, people are gonna know what that's about as soon as they hear it. When people think of J2H, they think champion, they think leader, they think of someone who puts everything on the line to be all they can, to step up and take on the world. They think of a guy who can drag people in to a story, fuck, can actually create a story. What do they think of when they think of you Jack? Not too much.
He looked very nonchalant in his comment.
J2H: Frankly, you should be fucking proud if people compared you to me with the attitude and shit, because it never did me any harm. I do need to correct you on one thing there Jack, it's not people who don't bend the knee to me that I don't like, cause just like I'm gonna do to you, I can make them bend the knee, I really don't like anyone, and you know why Jack? Because they're all like you, they all think cause I have a dollar more then them, I'm some kind of snob, because they can't fucking face up to their own shortcomings, they can't look themselves in the mirror and see their own failures. They look at me and because I was born in to money, they, just like you think I don't need to work, yet here I am, working my balls off every week when you all think I can wake up and do what Scrooge McDuck can do and live in to a pile of money. It's jealousy, and that's why I don't like people and that's why I don't like you Jack. This is why I know I'm better then you, you're just like everyone else I've ever faced, beacon of jealousy. Also, what fucking year are you living in? People with money don't shoot pheasants, we drive fast cars and laugh at the little people... isn't that the 2023 take on people with more then a dollar then your broke ass?
He looked down the camera with waiting eyes.
J2H: Also, news flash for ya Jack, win or lose, I'm going nowhere. Leaving SCW in the hands of people like you, Raven or anyone else in this match does not bare thinking about, but don't worry, I don't plan on losing so you can go on being sick of me a little bit longer.
A confident smirk covered his face.
J2H: From one man obsessed with my wealth and upbringing to a man just obsessed with me. That's you Goth.
J2H flicked the brim of his baseball cap with his finger.
J2H: Judas, huh? What the fuck what you smoking when you came up with that nickname for me? Some kind of import from the homeland I suspect. Biblical reference to a guy that stabbed his friends in the back. I'm sure this is one of those situations where that just sounded better in your head because to stab friends in the back, you'd have to have friends and I don't have friends. I don't need friends to scramble over to get what I want, cause I'm J2H. I don't step over friends, I have no friends in this business, I have people I know, I have people that respect me enough to come and ask me to induct them in to the Hall of Fame because of legendary battles, but friends? Who needs them?
He shrugged his shoulders.
J2H: I don't need to belittle your accomplishments compared to mine Goth, far from it, we've all seen that history does that for me when you put them side by side. We've all seen how much more I've done then you and you've been around years before I ever thought of wrestling. That shows that I don't have to rip apart all of that. You've joined the bandwagon of why do I show up when I want, you've sat there and tried to belittle who I am, but what you really need to ask yourself is when you're on the roster a lot, why do SCW bosses keep paying me enough money to tempt my from my cosy little life to come back and keep having to save this place? You need to ask yourself why I'm needed if you feel you can carry this place. The truth is Goth, you should have fucking retired a long time ago because you can't carry this place. Look at the facts, I came back, I won Blast From The Past, I got hit by a fucking car and I still went on to become SCW World Heavyweight champion. I went through another two months of world class matches leading to the first ever barbed wire steel cage match in SCW, I bled all over that ring and I walked out two weeks later and said I wasn't going anywhere. I then built more over the last six weeks then you have in the last two years and end up as you put it rightly, blue balled, but I did it.
An arrogant look appeared on his face.
J2H: I come back because you're just not good enough to carry this place and that's something I'll show you on Sunday.
He knew inside he could back up his words.
J2H: Now Austin, I'm gonna give you credit on something because the six pack of beers thing, very good, very creative shit there. I would say hats off to you, but if I take my hat off, then all these people will know who the fuck I am and that means I won't get chance to talk about you.
He casted a side glance to the people walking past.
J2H: I need to disagree with you about a fluke win because I had a lot to prove in that match and I worked myself in to the ground trying to keep that championship away from him. I bled to keep that championship away from him, so it was no fluke but it has made me more determined to put right what I screwed up on, It has made me double determined because last year at this event, I got screwed out of something by someone who went in to business for himself so I was already determined to get my own redemption out of this whole thing, now that's twice as strong.
He held up two fingers to prove his point.
J2H: You implied something Austin that these jokers in the match simply don't get. These people think it's easy to come back and be who you were, and you couldn't do that or can't yet, but I could and yet these fucks don't see me as anything other then the arrogant prick I am. Zero respect for who I am, what I can do, what I'm going to fucking do on Sunday, but you get it and just hearing those words has made me see who my real threat is in this match. There was no bullshit from you there Austin, you didn't play on who I am, just what I can do in that ring. I respect that, and that means that you've just moved up to second favorite in my eyes for this because you're not blinded by anything. I'm saying second favorite for a reason because you being the smart man that you are, already know that I should have been just given the belt because you know as well as the rest of the world does, I was going to beat Michael Harris. I'm going to right that wrong of not beating him a couple of months ago, but now I got my eye on you a little more closer Austin.
He looked around the area for a second before continuing.
J2H: Down to one more of you to speak about, just the one and that's you Carter. Talk about pull on the heartstrings because your story lately has been just that. It's been a classic tearjerker.
J2H wiped away a fake tear from his eye.
J2H: And I clearly gave you a lot more respect then I should have by saying you was the only one who deserved to be in this match but fuck that, calling me entitled? Damn fucking right I'm entitled to that championship cause out of everyone in this match, I'm the only motherfucker who showed up every week to earn the thing. Yes, it should have been given to me or at least one on one with someone but no, that's not the way people think. I jumped through hoops, I put my legacy on the line for that championship, my legacy, the thing that defines a wrestling career, a thing that keeps you remembered long after you're in the ground, so yeah, I'm entitled but unlike everyone else in this match who think they're entitled, I am the only one who truly is. Instead I get to jump though more hoops for something that is rightfully mine.
He took a deep breath.
J2H: You think I'm egotistical but you said you deserve the championship given to you? Congrats, you pinned Harris, I pinned you, see where I'm going with this shit Carter? I made you in that match but what I created, I can and will break. I made you in to this person who thinks they stand a shot on Sunday. I made you in to this guy but it's all in your head. Everything is in your head because that one match, you lost but came out smelling like roses. You lost it made your career, in fact, I gave you the confidence to go on and beat Michael Harris.
A smirk once again appeared on his face.
J2H: Without that match, you would not have known what you needed to do to step up your game to play with the big boys at the top of the card, you would not have seen the difference in levels between your matches in the middle of the show, to your matches against the best there is in this place. I made you think that you could be better then you are but this is what makes me different from all the rest. I have more gears then anyone else in this match and I can take it to a whole new level. I'm chasing that belt like you are, and there's a lot of factors that are driving me on and not just that championship. I'm pushing myself because of last year here, I'm pushing myself because I worked my ass off for everything here so I've got gears you have never seen before.
Confidence flew out of every pour in his body.
J2H: Can you be a champion Carter? One day but you've got too much on that mind of yours to even think about the championship now. This is not gonna be a tribute to the dear departed father, this is not gonna be a pick me up for you, this is not gonna be the fairytale ending of losing someone a week before a big match and then walk out as champion where you can point to the sky and dedicate it to someone no longer with us, because frankly, I don't give a shit about what you're going through and no one else in this match does too.
He knew he might have crossed the line but didn't really care.
J2H: All they care about is winning and I'm gonna disappoint all five of you because there's only one man winning this match, there's only one man good enough to win this match and he's been talking to you for a while. In your own heads, you all think you might stand a chance but not one of you actually do. I'll see you all on Sunday, feel free to follow Alexander Raven on social media cause no doubt, he's gonna go on there and cry like a baby as soon as he sees this, with his cheap booze and lack of ability to tag people, must be a little thing with his group of cronies.
J2H nodded confidently.
J2H: I am J2H, I am your next SCW World Heavyweight champion and that's real talk bitch!
J2H turned and walked away as the camera faded to black.
For some reason, he had seen the light and finally let go of so many feelings over the weekend. The sun shone a bit brighter and the birds have sung a bit louder and there was a spring in his step as he walked through a local park in Beverly Hills.
He often went for a walk on his own before travelling and the family were heading to Las Vegas later that day to start soaking in the spectacle that is High Stakes XIII, a very special show for the fans and an important part of the SCW calendar. High Stakes could make or break the company as well as the wrestlers on the show and he often showed up well in advance for this show.
He walked with confidence to where a chess set was set up in the park, yet the park was strangely empty as he sat in front of a reset chess board, looking down at the pieces before moving just one. He felt completely alone and at ease with sitting alone, but he wasn't alone for too much longer. His eyes was on the chess board in front of him but a hand appears in front of him, moving a piece against him. A male voice spoke to him with a hint of an accent, maybe Eastern European.
Man: It has been a long time, James.
J2H didn't bother to raise his eyes to look at the man who sat in front of him, just studying his next move.
J2H: I would say who are you, but for some reason, that tends to trigger bitches lately and sends them to social media to cry and try and find someone on their side, so I think I'll just say I have no idea who you are.
A chuckle appeared from the man's lips along with a huff from his nose.
Man: You once tried to kill me.
J2H raised an eyebrow as he moved another piece on the board, his eyes not looking towards his opponent.
J2H: I've tried to kill a lot of people in my life, so that doesn't narrow it down too much.
Another slight laugh came from across the board as he made his move.
Man: But I'd wager not many with a wooden stake before.
J2H tilted his head to the left and inhaled deeply, sniffing at the air deeply and giving his brain a little bit of time to process the smell.
J2H: Smells like something around here has been dead for a thousand years but that can't be true, because if that's the case, then you should be burning up in the sunlight Dmitri.
J2H looked up and his eyes were met by those of Dmitri, the man recently announced to join SCW's Hall of Fame and huge rival of J2H. The duo had a torrid rivalry in 2017, bloody and angry that left permanent scars on both men mentally. The intensity was so high, that Dmitri's words were true and J2H did threaten to drive a stake through the heart of the man with Vampire roots.
Dmitri: You really shouldn't believe everything you read about my people.
J2H took a very deep breath as he stared with a blank expression on his face.
J2H: Shouldn't you be haunting a castle back in Romania or something?
Dmitri smiled at the young man opposite him.
Dmitri: I see your humor has not changed in all the time we have been apart, James and I see you can still use the Romania joke while you know I am not from Romania.
J2H half smiled at Dmitri and clicked his fingers.
J2H: That's right, you're a Russian vampire, not very common these days or popular. Well, it's just not that popular to be a Russian anything these days, especially if you're in politics or control a military.
Dmitri looked at J2H with a slightly lowered eyebrows, letting time pass for a few seconds before he spoke again.
Dmitri: So how is your lovely wife and child?
J2H run his hand over his own chin, just looking across the chess board at Dmitri, his lip poked out as he considered his reaction. He hasn't seen Dmitri in years, any sporadic SCW appearances coincided with J2H not being a part of the company.
J2H: That's none of your business, that is my business and speaking of business. You didn't just happen to be passing Beverly Hills and think you'll find me for a chat and this place being empty, I'm guessing it's all your doing too somehow.
There was a sense of pride in the smile Dmitri flashed at J2H.
Dmitri: I see you are still aware of my powers.
A scoff came from J2H as he looked at Dmitri. He never did believe in Vampires or things like that, even with his dealings with a certain past roster member that showed him more to life then what we see before us and things lurking in the shadows can be real.
J2H: So let me guess, this is a weird dream and just like Brother Grimm, you've popped in to my head to warn me about something that's gonna happen at High Stakes XIII and it's only you cause Brother Grimm is on vacation or something, right? This is just not real.
An unimpressed look was on J2H's face but Dmitri just smiled at him through cold eyes.
Dmitri: No but it does have something to do with High Stakes XIII, James.
J2H held his hand up to Dmitri, stopping him in his tracks. He wasn't sure why this face from the past had appeared to speak to him, nor did he really care. He just genuinely hated faces from the past showing up, especially when the last time they were really around each other, both men were covered in blood and J2H had a stake to Dmitri's heart, demanding his lady at ringside threw in the towel.
J2H: Last time I saw you, or was anywhere around you, I tried to end you. I was going to end you in front of all those people. Sure, it won us feud of the year but I was trying to end you Dmitri. I'm not interested in why you're here at all. It's like a one night stand, best to leave it on that great memory of me trying to kill you. Save travels back to Romania.
The memories flooded back from that night caused a smile to just appear on J2H's face as he stood to his feet and turned around, walking towards the exit of the park, only to be met with Dmitri standing at the gate. J2H looked and felt confused as he turned his head to look back just the few feet where he and Dmitri were just sitting, looking at the empty space that was now there. He turned his head back to Dmitri.
Dmitri: Again, Russian, not Romanian.
J2H waved his finger at Dmitri and turned his head back, just to be sure that there was an empty space where he was a few seconds before. No one had made there way there and he turned back with a confused look on his face.
J2H: How did you do that?
Dmitri smiled at J2H and slightly nodded his head towards him.
Dmitri: Because I can, because of who I am. Now James, I would just like a moment of your time before you return to that lovely family of yours and I travel to Las Vegas.
J2H: Getting a flight or turning in to a bat and saving a few dollars?
J2H smirked at Dmitri who just returned his gaze with the slightest curl of the left side of his lip as he looked at his former rival.
Dmitri: You sound nervous James and a nervous man often attempts humor to cover up for his fears of what's in front of him.
J2H: Not a touch of nerves in me.
He wasn't lying to Dmitri, inside he was as cool and calm as he could possibly be as he looked at him directly in the eye.
Dmitri: Well, now we have done our old song and dance with each other where you talk without thinking and I restrain the feelings of ripping you apart...
This line caused J2H to raise an eyebrow at the man in front of him. He put his hand out in front of him.
J2H: Do go on.
Dmitri: I'm sure you've heard on Sunday that I too will be joining you in SCW's Hall of Fame.
J2H: And you want me to show you the secret handshake that gives you all the benefits of being in the Hall of Fame? I'm sorry to break this too you, but this isn't like one of those secret society groups or even like The Stonecutters from The Simpsons. There is no secret handshakes or perks to being in the SCW Hall of Fame. It's bragging rights for some people and an ego trip for those dicks that lobby for themselves to go in there. For the rare few, it's the honor of cementing their legacy, but mostly, it's ego people lobbying for themselves to go in. No secret handshake so you've wasted your trip here.
Dmitri: I am not stupid, I see these things for myself but I have not come here for that. I have come here for a very different reason.
J2H: Well, while we're still young... Well, some of us, you're about four thousand years old apparently.
Dmitri filed a polite smile at the confident man.
Dmitri: I want you to induct me in to the Hall of Fame, James.
Hearing those words took J2H by surprise and his face couldn't hide that fact.
J2H: Me? I tried to kill you!
Dmitri: You did, but you are the perfect person for that job. We had that rivalry that captured the imagination of the world and the world remembers it. Who better to remind people of all that we did all those years ago then you.
J2H looked at Dmitri through confused eyes, scratching the side of his head.
J2H: You're only asking me to do this because it means I need to say nice things about you and I've never said nice things about you, right.
Dmitri smiled as he shrugged his shoulders.
Dmitri: That is something you will never know. So what do you say?
He took his time before looking Dmitri in the eye.
J2H: I'll think about it.
He walked past Dmitri and through the gates, heading towards the Aston Martin parked nearby. Leaving Dmitri to utter a few more words.
Dmitri: I will see you in Vegas, James.
The camera fades out, leaving us to wonder, will J2H be the man to induct his rival Dmitri in to the SCW Hall of Fame.
*******
Wednesday, 18th October 2023
The recent weeks of anger had seemed to have departed from J2H's body and continued to stay away. A new calm had developed along with the old confidence and arrogance he was once famous for. He felt that he let the past stay there and nothing could change the fact that his build up with Michael Harris was moved to the side for now and had to look what was in front of him.
He had brought his family to Las Vegas early this week instead of flying to the show the day before, it was a huge week in SCW history that wasn't just about one day, Vegas was excited for a week before the show and it was an atmosphere not to be missed.
Every wrestler on the SCW roster with an ounce of creativity in their head would find a good location outside of a sweaty gym or a hotel room to cut a promo, I mean who remembers a hotel room or gym promo? Or a guy in an empty room talking kind of promo? No one, so J2H decided to take the forty mile trip from Las Vegas to The Hoover Dam, just to cut a promo. Not bad for a guy who has to get dragged to work...
He stood looking over the dam as people walked by, a baseball cap shading his eyes as the camera got up close.
J2H: It's beautiful, isn't it? Fucking beats dull ass locations to talk.
He was already feeling confident in his words and he'd only spoken a single line.
J2H: On Sunday, it will be my fifth match in SCW on their last eight shows and appeared on pretty much every day show that I physically could for the last six months, more then pretty much everyone in SCW, which is not too bad for someone a few people consider as a part timer. A guy who has to be dragged to work.
He rolled his shoulders back and smirked.
J2H: But don't let the truth get in the way of bullshit if it helps to twist things in your way. Yeah, I'm throwing that towards one of my opponents, that would be you Alexander Raven.
He rolled his eyes as he mentioned his name.
J2H: Looks like someone got a little upset with me for not knowing who he is. I'm sorry to hurt your feelings Alexander.
It was a mocking tone that came from J2H and it continued.
J2H: I'm sorry I got you all upset because I really didn't know who you are but I do now, thanks to your Britney Spears style break down on social media. I do know who you are now. I know that you've beat some people, cool story bro, but I also know one match all through the cycle that you lost, and a couple of appearances, good for you! I also learned a few more things on my own... That's you're a little bitch who gets triggered when someone doesn't know who you are. I learned that you're one of those keyboard warrior sub tweeting little bitches that try and get people to rally around you with zero context or their own little fact checks, I learned that you might just be a pissy little snowflake who seeks attention on social media. That's the difference with us Alexander, I don't need the approval of some people behind a screen and I know how to grab the attention without it.
He knew he could without stooping low and his confident stance matched his feelings.
J2H: Look at it little this you poor little sensitive lamb you. All I had to do to get your attention and triggered was to ask who you were.... You had to run to social media and drop a C bomb or two to try and get mine. FYI, dropping C bombs is the lowest form of attention seeking there snowflake, makes you look like a little bitch. You had a blank canvas to make me learn about you and instead, I learned that you are the kinda guy who tries to gain friends by talking about others behind their backs. You're the kind of guy that is too lazy to research, while claiming I'm the same, so you go cheap and say I'm gimmick stealing from a man who stole someone else's must own a casino shit, when I was here before all of them, you're clearly a guy who can't take criticism. Clearly a guy who changes a script to suit yourself.
J2H looked around at a small crowd gathered to listen to him.
J2H: Because you were fairly respectable in your work last week showing your knowledge of me, but then you flipped out because I asked who you were and ran bitching about it. You knew my upbringing but didn't seem to know how many shows I've been on lately or what I did. Maybe you should actually watch the show beyond your own shit. Alexander, this bitching shows you're not ready to be a World Champion, it shows you as a little bitch so after your social media outburst, I might know who you are but I really don't give a fuck about who you are. I'm giving you even less chance to win this week.
J2H poked his lip out.
J2H: Does that trigger you too? Well, do what you do best, grab some cheap booze, go talk about me on social media without tagging me, act like a big man when I can't punch you in the face and show the world what a little bitch you are behind a screen, cause on Sunday, I'm gonna show you what a little bitch you are in the ring.
J2H confidently smiled.
J2H: Enough talk about the big baby there. Let's talk about you Jack Washington. You can call me Hawkes if you want but you'll be adding the word's mister and please stop before that, on Sunday when I'm stamping your face through the mat.
He tilted his head with confidence.
J2H: I don't say J2H because it's cool fuck face, I say it because it's a bit of a brand. Now you should know what a brand is, right Jack? That's one of those things you do differently from anyone else and market it to them differently. Something you should have thought of instead of just stealing the casino shit idea from someone and just being absolutely generic to the point of no one can remember what your casino was all about. Now if you brand something, people are gonna know what that's about as soon as they hear it. When people think of J2H, they think champion, they think leader, they think of someone who puts everything on the line to be all they can, to step up and take on the world. They think of a guy who can drag people in to a story, fuck, can actually create a story. What do they think of when they think of you Jack? Not too much.
He looked very nonchalant in his comment.
J2H: Frankly, you should be fucking proud if people compared you to me with the attitude and shit, because it never did me any harm. I do need to correct you on one thing there Jack, it's not people who don't bend the knee to me that I don't like, cause just like I'm gonna do to you, I can make them bend the knee, I really don't like anyone, and you know why Jack? Because they're all like you, they all think cause I have a dollar more then them, I'm some kind of snob, because they can't fucking face up to their own shortcomings, they can't look themselves in the mirror and see their own failures. They look at me and because I was born in to money, they, just like you think I don't need to work, yet here I am, working my balls off every week when you all think I can wake up and do what Scrooge McDuck can do and live in to a pile of money. It's jealousy, and that's why I don't like people and that's why I don't like you Jack. This is why I know I'm better then you, you're just like everyone else I've ever faced, beacon of jealousy. Also, what fucking year are you living in? People with money don't shoot pheasants, we drive fast cars and laugh at the little people... isn't that the 2023 take on people with more then a dollar then your broke ass?
He looked down the camera with waiting eyes.
J2H: Also, news flash for ya Jack, win or lose, I'm going nowhere. Leaving SCW in the hands of people like you, Raven or anyone else in this match does not bare thinking about, but don't worry, I don't plan on losing so you can go on being sick of me a little bit longer.
A confident smirk covered his face.
J2H: From one man obsessed with my wealth and upbringing to a man just obsessed with me. That's you Goth.
J2H flicked the brim of his baseball cap with his finger.
J2H: Judas, huh? What the fuck what you smoking when you came up with that nickname for me? Some kind of import from the homeland I suspect. Biblical reference to a guy that stabbed his friends in the back. I'm sure this is one of those situations where that just sounded better in your head because to stab friends in the back, you'd have to have friends and I don't have friends. I don't need friends to scramble over to get what I want, cause I'm J2H. I don't step over friends, I have no friends in this business, I have people I know, I have people that respect me enough to come and ask me to induct them in to the Hall of Fame because of legendary battles, but friends? Who needs them?
He shrugged his shoulders.
J2H: I don't need to belittle your accomplishments compared to mine Goth, far from it, we've all seen that history does that for me when you put them side by side. We've all seen how much more I've done then you and you've been around years before I ever thought of wrestling. That shows that I don't have to rip apart all of that. You've joined the bandwagon of why do I show up when I want, you've sat there and tried to belittle who I am, but what you really need to ask yourself is when you're on the roster a lot, why do SCW bosses keep paying me enough money to tempt my from my cosy little life to come back and keep having to save this place? You need to ask yourself why I'm needed if you feel you can carry this place. The truth is Goth, you should have fucking retired a long time ago because you can't carry this place. Look at the facts, I came back, I won Blast From The Past, I got hit by a fucking car and I still went on to become SCW World Heavyweight champion. I went through another two months of world class matches leading to the first ever barbed wire steel cage match in SCW, I bled all over that ring and I walked out two weeks later and said I wasn't going anywhere. I then built more over the last six weeks then you have in the last two years and end up as you put it rightly, blue balled, but I did it.
An arrogant look appeared on his face.
J2H: I come back because you're just not good enough to carry this place and that's something I'll show you on Sunday.
He knew inside he could back up his words.
J2H: Now Austin, I'm gonna give you credit on something because the six pack of beers thing, very good, very creative shit there. I would say hats off to you, but if I take my hat off, then all these people will know who the fuck I am and that means I won't get chance to talk about you.
He casted a side glance to the people walking past.
J2H: I need to disagree with you about a fluke win because I had a lot to prove in that match and I worked myself in to the ground trying to keep that championship away from him. I bled to keep that championship away from him, so it was no fluke but it has made me more determined to put right what I screwed up on, It has made me double determined because last year at this event, I got screwed out of something by someone who went in to business for himself so I was already determined to get my own redemption out of this whole thing, now that's twice as strong.
He held up two fingers to prove his point.
J2H: You implied something Austin that these jokers in the match simply don't get. These people think it's easy to come back and be who you were, and you couldn't do that or can't yet, but I could and yet these fucks don't see me as anything other then the arrogant prick I am. Zero respect for who I am, what I can do, what I'm going to fucking do on Sunday, but you get it and just hearing those words has made me see who my real threat is in this match. There was no bullshit from you there Austin, you didn't play on who I am, just what I can do in that ring. I respect that, and that means that you've just moved up to second favorite in my eyes for this because you're not blinded by anything. I'm saying second favorite for a reason because you being the smart man that you are, already know that I should have been just given the belt because you know as well as the rest of the world does, I was going to beat Michael Harris. I'm going to right that wrong of not beating him a couple of months ago, but now I got my eye on you a little more closer Austin.
He looked around the area for a second before continuing.
J2H: Down to one more of you to speak about, just the one and that's you Carter. Talk about pull on the heartstrings because your story lately has been just that. It's been a classic tearjerker.
J2H wiped away a fake tear from his eye.
J2H: And I clearly gave you a lot more respect then I should have by saying you was the only one who deserved to be in this match but fuck that, calling me entitled? Damn fucking right I'm entitled to that championship cause out of everyone in this match, I'm the only motherfucker who showed up every week to earn the thing. Yes, it should have been given to me or at least one on one with someone but no, that's not the way people think. I jumped through hoops, I put my legacy on the line for that championship, my legacy, the thing that defines a wrestling career, a thing that keeps you remembered long after you're in the ground, so yeah, I'm entitled but unlike everyone else in this match who think they're entitled, I am the only one who truly is. Instead I get to jump though more hoops for something that is rightfully mine.
He took a deep breath.
J2H: You think I'm egotistical but you said you deserve the championship given to you? Congrats, you pinned Harris, I pinned you, see where I'm going with this shit Carter? I made you in that match but what I created, I can and will break. I made you in to this person who thinks they stand a shot on Sunday. I made you in to this guy but it's all in your head. Everything is in your head because that one match, you lost but came out smelling like roses. You lost it made your career, in fact, I gave you the confidence to go on and beat Michael Harris.
A smirk once again appeared on his face.
J2H: Without that match, you would not have known what you needed to do to step up your game to play with the big boys at the top of the card, you would not have seen the difference in levels between your matches in the middle of the show, to your matches against the best there is in this place. I made you think that you could be better then you are but this is what makes me different from all the rest. I have more gears then anyone else in this match and I can take it to a whole new level. I'm chasing that belt like you are, and there's a lot of factors that are driving me on and not just that championship. I'm pushing myself because of last year here, I'm pushing myself because I worked my ass off for everything here so I've got gears you have never seen before.
Confidence flew out of every pour in his body.
J2H: Can you be a champion Carter? One day but you've got too much on that mind of yours to even think about the championship now. This is not gonna be a tribute to the dear departed father, this is not gonna be a pick me up for you, this is not gonna be the fairytale ending of losing someone a week before a big match and then walk out as champion where you can point to the sky and dedicate it to someone no longer with us, because frankly, I don't give a shit about what you're going through and no one else in this match does too.
He knew he might have crossed the line but didn't really care.
J2H: All they care about is winning and I'm gonna disappoint all five of you because there's only one man winning this match, there's only one man good enough to win this match and he's been talking to you for a while. In your own heads, you all think you might stand a chance but not one of you actually do. I'll see you all on Sunday, feel free to follow Alexander Raven on social media cause no doubt, he's gonna go on there and cry like a baby as soon as he sees this, with his cheap booze and lack of ability to tag people, must be a little thing with his group of cronies.
J2H nodded confidently.
J2H: I am J2H, I am your next SCW World Heavyweight champion and that's real talk bitch!
J2H turned and walked away as the camera faded to black.