Short breaks, a wrestlers God send on occasion. Many outside the wrestling world don't see what really goes on in the wrestling world. You're on constantly, you pose for pictures when you don't want to, you smile like you mean it, when there's days you just want to just be left alone and be genuinely normal, live a normal life, be a normal person. We accept that's what comes with the territory, but you don't have to like it. It's a dark side of fame and no matter what we do as wrestlers, as people on your screens, it will always happen. If you're a good guy, people expect it, they expect you to be nice, if you're a bad guy, everyone wants a picture with someone who's mean on television, it's just the way this works. Everyone has to keep the company they work for in a good light, it means they get more viewers, which means you get more money, and let's be honest, it's a capitalistic kinda world. Those short breaks away though, those one's where you're not told to advertise things, ones you can really have off.... Well, sometimes they don't start as well as you hope either...
Los Angeles International Airport - One of the busiest in America - often sees it's fair share of celebrities pass through it's gates and in to the air on a daily basis. From film stars, to pop stars, to those famous for the sake of being famous, many well known names have been on that runway and headed for the skies above. This brings out more than just a fan, hoping to spot a celebrity, it brings out the paparazzi, like sharks circling a prey, these men and women stand for hours at gates, hoping to hear the whisper of a famous person leaving or arriving, just to ask a few random question. On this warm Tuesday morning, this was no different, as people from various outlets were there, waiting for that famous face to appear. Their luck was truly in today as not one, but two famous people entered the airport, the man dressed in white, three quarter length pants, and a light blue sleeveless shirt, and the woman dressed in jeans, torn at the knees as is the fashion these days, and a white shirt, hugging her upper body, the couple you know as J2H and Melody Grace.
The World Champion and one half of the Bombshell Tag Team champions, walked hand in hand a bag over the shoulder of J2H, eyes quickly moving towards them as their faces begun to get recognized, not just by fans, but by those sharks mentioned early. Quickly approached by a man in his twenties, short dark hair, he identifies himself as a TMZ reporter as the couple head towards security.
TMZ Reporter: I'm from TMZ, I got questions! Where are you going?
The couple continue to walk away from the man.
J2H: You don't even ask if you can talk to us and ask us stuff, you just jump in? That's shit man.
TMZ Reporter: Sorry, I just heard a few things and I want to give you guys the chance to talk about them to our loyal fans.
A sharp inhale comes from the World Champion as he and Melody continue to walk, being followed by the persistent man.
J2H: That's the thing about rumors, they're ninety nine percent bullshit and made up by people who has too much time on their hands and need a life.
TMZ Reporter: These are from people close to you. It what I've been told and they've never steered me wrong before, so maybe you should answer them.
A smirk crosses J2H's face as he looks at Melody, shaking his head.
J2H: Or maybe I should just keep walking and not take any notice of any bullshit.
TMZ Reporter: Well, I've heard your contract is running out soon and you point blank refuse to sign a new one unless you're given more money and are made the star attraction of the show.
A wide smile crosses the young man's face as he stops and looks at the reporter, his eyebrow raised as he stares a hole deep through his soul.
J2H: Why would I care about money? Seriously. Do I look like I need money? Years ago, I was a money grabbing bastard and you know why? Because I wanted enough of it so I could do what I want with my life before I was old, and broken. I am not old, I am not broken, I got all the money I need. I would not refuse to sign a contract over money. As for being the star attraction, I already am the star attraction. I got idiots calling me out all the time that don't deserve to be in the ring with me, deluded people who think that they can keep up with me. Take Steve Ramone as the perfect example for that.
TMZ Reporter: Why accept a match with him then?
J2H: To prove that he doesn't belong in a ring with me. It might just shut him up about things and let him stick to his level of facing Ryan Keys or something.
TMZ Reporter: Is it true that you guys are actually going away to get married?
J2H holds back a laugh as Melody looks towards the reporter.
J2H: Bro, if Melody and I was gonna get married, it sure as shit wouldn't be in Romania, it would be somewhere a shit ton better than that. Only Romanians get married in Romania. With the money I got, I think I can do a lot better than that.
A smile crosses Melody's face as she hears him talk about possible marriage, a subject he has strongly avoided in the past and on many occasions, not even considered.
TMZ Reporter: I also heard something else about you leaving SCW.
An eye roll comes from him as he walks closer to security with Melody by his side.
J2H: Is that your go to question or something? Are you leaving? Is that all you got?
TMZ Reporter: It comes from a source very close to you and it ties in with your contract situation too.
J2H: Oh great.
Sarcastic tones come from J2H's lips.
TMZ Reporter: I heard no matter what happens in your match with Lord Raab, even if you become double champion, you will be at least taking a break.
The question seems to catch the World Champion off guard as he stops as the couple get towards the security gates, J2H looking firmly at the man, a slight smile appearing on the corner of the man's lips as he waits. Melody looks at J2H with a raised eyebrow as he stands in silence.
J2H: I focus on one match at a time. Lord Raab isn't next, Steve Ramone is. I could get injured against Ramone and not make it to the supercard. I could get injured in Romania and not make it to the next show. Now we didn't come here to talk, we came here to get on a plane and get away from here.
J2H points to security and he and Melody walk away from the reporter, and moving towards metal detectors.
It was clear J2H's hesitation hadn't gone unnoticed by his girlfriend, her eyes never left him the entire time he stood and answered. It seemed like an age had passed between the question and answer and it left a slightly bitter taste in Melody's mouth. Could he have made these plans without telling her? Was he keeping something as big stepping away from SCW hidden from her? The question has burned in to her mind, and never left for a second as they walked through security, as the walked through the terminal and to the gate. It played on her mind as she sat down on a private plane. It played on her mind as the engines revved and the plane flew gracefully in to the air. She had to ask, she couldn't wait anymore. Thirty thousand feet above the ground seemed as good a time as any to ask him. It's not like he could leave the room.
Melody: Can I ask you something?
Her voice caught his attention as he sat across from her, a table between them. His eyes were focused on the laptop set up in front of him for the early part of the almost fourteen hour flight between Los Angeles and Romania - Why Romania you ask? Why the fuck not? The world is out there to be seen, so see it. His eyes pull away from the laptop screen and look towards her.
J2H: Yeah?
Melody shifts in her seat, looking across at J2H dead in the eye.
Melody: That question about you leaving SCW after your match with Raab, you seemed uneasy answering it. Is there any truth to it?
J2H doesn't say anything, he simply looks across at Melody, biting his lip and thinking for just a few seconds.
Melody: Well? Are you keeping anything from me?
J2H: Mel, I don't like secrets. They show nothing but disrespect to the person you're holding them from. Being honest keeps trust up and builds trust.
Melody continues to look at J2H as its now his turn to shift slightly in his seat, trying to pick his next words wisely.
J2H: But I will do what you know I do. I'll evaluate after the supercard, like I do every time. I'll sit and see how my body feels and if I feel there's anything left for me to do. I'll think about my future because I'm owed like two weeks off from every month I held the SCW World title, and after my last run and this one, it gives me like half a year off if I wanna take it. I don't know what the plan is this time around, but I'm focused on Steve Ramone, then I'll be focused on having Raab try to rip the flesh from my bones and then I'll worry about the future.
Melody: So you don't already know what you're gonna do?
J2H: No, I don't but I know whatever it is, it will be right for me. I've had my ass kicked in so many matches and still come through them but if I wanna stick around in this for years to come, I need to be driven. If there's nothing left in SCW to drive me, then I'll consider taking some of that time off. Till then, I'll focus on what's next.
Melody looks at him, and J2H returns her stare, a silence between the two fills the planes cabin. Eventually, Melody nods her head as she looks at him.
Melody: Alright Jam, I believe you but if you do come to a decision, please tell me first, ok?
He nods towards her, slowly moving his head up and down.
J2H: I will. You know what, I'm just gonna take this laptop to the back of the plane, cut a promo on Ramone, send it in and we can have a few days away from all the shit that comes with being a wrestler. Let's actually have this break without having to work.
Melody: You'll always have to work, because you get noticed everywhere we go.
J2H: Nah, you get noticed first, then they see me and I become the guy that gets pushed aside.
Melody shakes her head in defiance of what he just said but he nods towards her.
J2H: I'll be back.
He stands up, grasping the laptop in his hand and moving towards the back of the plane. He steps past a few empty rows and sits down at the seat furthest away from Melody as he can find, and pulls down the tray from the seat in front and pulls it towards him. He places the laptop down and searches for a recording program and quickly double clicks it. He repositions the camera to capture his whole face and hits a red circle, setting it to record.
J2H: That's right Steve, a promo on you from thousands of feet up in the air, cause you're just not worth me scouting a good place.
He smirks down the camera, every movement being recorded.
J2H: Well it looks like you finally got what you wanted, right? The chance to prove yourself against the best wrestler in SCW. That mouth of you finally paid off. All that begging for chances at titles has finally landed you the biggest chance of your miserable little life. Why are you so fucking obsessed with titles Steve?
He lays a palm out flat in a questioning manner.
J2H: Are you that insecure as a wrestler, that you need to have these little trinkets to feel that you have some kind of worth?
He leans back in his chair.
J2H: Are you over compensating for shortcomings Steve? Is that why you just have to have gold, because if not, you see what a truly pathetic loser you really are?
A smirk crosses the champions face as he breathes calmly.
J2H: You're meant to be some kinda man, but look at yourself, you're a loser at every single level as a wrestler and a human being. You've mocked me in the past about who I was rather than worry about who I've become. Let me tell you Steve, THAT is a double edged sword because we all remember what you were. I mean people mocked you for it for year. Every single promo was you, alone in a hotel room with a laptop. Oh the memories have just flooded back for so many people out there listening to this bro. They remember Steve Ramone and his mighty laptop promos, where every one was the exact same and the only thing that changed was the opponent. You was still gold hungry then, but that laptop was your bestest buddy in the whole wide world, and every promo ended with you shutting that laptop. You remember that right Steve?
He holds back a smile.
J2H: Now me back at that time, I wasn't perfect, I couldn't wrestle for shit, but I was still better than you. I was this kid that had to throw out some kind of confidence or it would have shown people they could eat me alive. I wasn't great but I won, and I won gold. I earned it, I never once begged for a title shot like you do every fucking week like a broken record. I earned it with win, but I was never really that good. My five title runs Steve, most of them, I wasn't that good, your four, yes four, one shorter than me, was never any good. Fuck, my last title run before my current one, lasted longer than all yours put together, but I got better Steve, cause I evolved, you didn't.
He waves his finger from side to side.
J2H: I worked hard, I improved in every way possible and I did not stop until I picked up that title that I wanted, the title that I hold today. I pushed myself Steve, I went and I worked for everything, while you replaced your laptop with two idiots and a porn star. Yet you still think you belong in the ring with me?
A frown passes the face of J2H.
J2H: Hard work to get known vs two idiots and a porn star. This is why I'm known and this is why people couldn't care less about you.
He runs his hand over his chin, enjoying every fact coming out of his mouth.
J2H: You replaced the hotel room with restaurants. Here's a newsflash for you Steve. No one gives a fuck about how you like your steak and people sure as shit don't wanna see you sitting there scoffing your face and sending that in for SCW to air! Seriously, choke on that steak and fucking learn no one in their right mind wants to see that! No one cares for a second about what you order in a restaurant, which always seems to be steak, fuck bro, there are other things out there, you're a walking heart attack! No one cares what cut Cyrus likes, or how Andreas likes his cooked, abso-fucking-lutely no one.
Melody: Preach!
J2H lifts his head up, looking down at Melody, who smiles with a shrug.
Melody: Sorry babe.
J2H: All good.
He leans back down in to his chair and sits looking down the camera on the laptop.
J2H: You are the king of taking something and making people get bored of it real quick. How long did you think it took for people to get bored of your apparent sex all over the arena? Let's just say I overheard someone high up talking about banning that thing you are apparently engaged to, from every SCW show known to man. People got bored of seeing the same shit on the show every single fucking week. People get bored of seeing it in your promos Steve. Seriously, people are probably fucking each other all over SCW on the down low, but they keep it off camera. You making sure it's caught on camera makes all of us know she's just a paid actress to hide the fact that you can't get something below your waist working.
Melody: Gross!
J2H: Gross but true. We know she's not your fiancee. Who would want to marry a woman that ranks lower than dirt. Just a paid actress to fake shit because you're just not really a man. An embarrassment to SCW, yes without a doubt, a man who takes things and makes people switch off after two week, God yes, but a man, you are not. It proves it the way you wormed your way in to facing me.
J2H pokes his lower lip out with a pout.
J2H: Awwww, did poor little Stevie get protective of a festival?
His mocking tone quickly turns in to a more confident tone.
J2H: Grow the fuck up! Because I mocked a place where middle aged men, with long hair wearing biker vests and T-shirts with bands on them that no one has ever heard of and general promote death, war and anger. A place where people show up and look like they have no idea what a shower is, just to stand in a field full of nothing but mud, where men all bop their heads at the same time, pretend to understand what some tone deaf idiot is trying to scream on stage, while three other idiots randomly play instruments out of tune, before everyone starts running around in a circle and starts running in to each other, increasing the stink of body odour. Where people use stupid rock on lines, and throw up devil horns, promoting the dark arts, before going back to their little menial office jobs, this is what gave you grounds to step up to me?
A giggle can be heard coming from further down the plane from Melody.
J2H: Don't you see how ridiculous that place sounds? Anyone with just an ounce of self respect wouldn't turn up to that. Bloodstock? Fucking Bloodstock. More breaking news for you Steve, bloodstock actually means horses trained for the purpose of racing.
A laugh breaks out of his lungs, a wide smile plastering itself on his face.
J2H: All this fucking time you thought cause it had the word blood in it and cause you thought you could throw devil horns up at the great unwashed on the stage, you thought it was something to do with heavy metal, when all along, it's to do with race horses!
J2H covers his mouth, holding a smile beyond his fingers. He tries to compose himself, but more laughs pass his lips. He takes a deep breath and eventually composes himself.
J2H: You fucking idiot. All the time you thought it meant something darker and it's to do with horse racing. That is as stupid as your reasons for trying to step up to me, as stupid as everything about you. Now if you're that wrong about something you apparently attend on a yearly basis, then how wrong do you think you are when it comes to actually being able to hang with me?
He tilts his head, as if to be waiting for an answer, but a wide smile breaks out on his face once more.
J2H: I can't believe you used me insulting Bloodstock as a way to get a match with me, without knowing what it actually meant. I know you're hoping that this will get you in to the main event at the supercard, I know you're praying that this will help you worm your way in, but it really won't. You couldn't beat Halc, you've lost to people at the lowest level, Lord Raab's bitch boy Samuel could eat you alive and he gets lost in the ring on his own without Raab holding his hand. You couldn't beat Raab and you can't beat me. This match is just based on the fact that I let it happen, I wanted it to happen, I wanted you to be my warm up for the freak. I allowed it to happen so that maybe you will see that you're not good enough to even step up to the top two titles and you're not now, nor will you ever be able to step up to my level again. This is simply for me to show you to know your place here. That place is below me Steve, so far below me, you can't even see my level, let alone get to it.
J2H eases back on his chair.
J2H: Using this stupid ass reason to work your way to the top is gonna backfire on you. You seen you can't win the lowest title, you've jumped for the highest two titles and now once I beat you on Sunday, it's gonna prove that you're not good enough for the top two titles either. I suggest you wear a dress and try and beat Jessie Salco because bro, you shot yourself in the foot and you're gonna have nowhere to go once I'm finished with you. You bit off more than you can chew with me and now you're gonna choke on it.
He looks deep down the camera.
J2H: Next time Steve, you should think before you open that mouth of yours. You should think about those what if's. Like what if I don't win, where will it leave me. You didn't think of that, did ya? You thought of everything you could gain and not what you're about to lose. Trust me when I say you're about to lose it all. It's a long way back from the bottom Steve and when I send you back down below the roulette level. Enjoy opening the show against new people because you've committed career suicide by running before you can walk. For a guy that's been around SCW forever, you're still pretty naive to think you've gone and done something good here because basically, you've fucked it all up for yourself.
J2H waves his finger at the camera.
J2H: Now I'm gonna leave you to think about that, while me and Melody go and buy a bloodstock and name it Steve.
Melody's head pops up from over the seat, looking down the row of seats in between towards J2H.
Melody: Are we really?
J2H: To remind me of the glorious moment that Steve Ramone finally learned what the word bloodstock really meant, yes Mel, we are.
Melody clinches her fists together in excitement as J2H looks down in to the camera.
J2H: You're now fucked, your career is fucked, and every dream you've ever had of beating me Steve, is now well and truly fucked. That's real talk bitch! And now to go old school just for you....
J2H closes the laptop down as the scene fades to black.
