Me, Myself and I
“Okay, so here’s the thing. I know some of what I am going to say might upset some people that I actually have a very high level of respect towards. And no, it’s not because I am about to go woke on anyone. And no, I do not take being called woke as any form of insult, even if it’s intended to be. To me, being woke means to be awakened toward the needs of others. It’s having the desire to make the world a much better place for everyone - not just the people who live like you do or how you believe they should or just those that have the same beliefs as you. Everyone. So please, by all means, call me woke. I take it as a compliment!”
“But… I also don’t consider myself the typical member of Generation Z, the young men and women my age or relatively close who will freely go around and tell anyone who will listen - willingly or not - how offended they are by even the slightest of slights. If I am going to be perfectly honest, there are times when my generation actually embarrasses me with how easily they get butt hurt over just about anything. Comedy. Politics. Religion. Food - pretty much everything gets under the skin of my generation it seems.”
“Of course what I’m saying isn’t limited to just my generation. I’ve seen people of all ages, men and women alike, cry about this or that offending them and expecting the world to bend over backwards to accommodate them. I read the news about how older generations are banning books from libraries because they feel the literature will be bad for younger minds. Okay, I mean, yeah. Sure! If by bad you mean bad that they’ll learn truths from your older generation that you don’t want them knowing about. Despite separation of church and state in politics, some older generations want everyone to live as they do - dictated to by their church and their religion. They firmly believe that since their religion says that they can’t do this or that, that it also means that you can’t or shouldn’t do this or that. Sort of like someone being on a diet and telling me that I can’t buzz saw through that pint of cherry cordial ice cream Same thing!”
“I mean, yeah. I’d be lying if I told you that some things don’t annoy or offend me. I just don’t make it a habit to try and force my views on the world around me. I don’t try to axe beloved cartoon characters like Apu from the Simpsons or cost someone their job because they express an excited interest in a video game. There’s right and there’s wrong. Just don’t try to tell me how I should think and act or else I’m going to sit down at a table full of vegans and order the bloodiest thing on the menu, just to be a bitch.”
“But I can see that I’ve gotten off track here to some degree, but trust me when I tell you that I have a point that I’m trying to make. When the Saviors first debuted in SCW, it was before the closure of Sin City Underground and before I moved on up, and while a part of me regrets not being there for the heyday of this group that made such a huge impact upon its arrival, another part of me breathes a sigh of relief that I wasn’t just another statistic of that team. Because when they first came to SCW, the Saviors were legit feared because you never knew who was next on their agenda. Every week it seemed someone new, someone unexpected, came under their radar and suffered the consequences. Even if it seemed like there was no reason for who they were targeting or attacking, the implications were clear to anyone paying attention. They wanted all eyes on them, and they certainly succeeded in accomplishing just that! They were going after everyone from Bill Barnhart to Jack Washington and even Aron, Fenris’s little brother, got attacked. The Saviors were on their way to becoming the single most dominant stable in SCW history – until they weren’t. And it wasn’t because they weren’t successful inside of the ring because they were! Mac Bane’s string of championships is proof of that! It’s just that, all of a sudden, the attacks stopped and people stopped being afraid. When that happened, the aura of invincibility that they enjoyed for so long was just gone. Poof! Mac continued being a badass inside of the ring, and they even brought in top guys like Ken Davison and Peter Vaughn, and some tough as nails women like Kim Pain. But still… not the same as it once was. Especially when they actually brought in the Troll and Krystal Wolfe as new members. I could almost see Krystal, but the Troll??? And the sad thing is – the Troll has lasted longer! Krystal didn’t even last a month on that team before they kicked her to the curb!”
“And then … Mac left. I know he’s watching and no Mac, I’m not saying any of this in an obvious attempt to try and talk you into returning to SCW. I mean, I hope that day comes and I hope it happens soon, but dude – I respect you and I can understand why you needed time away. It’s just that I always saw you as the life force of the Saviors. The heart, I guess you could say. With you gone … again, not the same.”
“Just my opinion.”
Harry Reid International Airport -
Las Vegas, NevadaHow many people here knew that after 73 years as the McCarran International Airport, the state commission voted unanimously to rename the airport to the Harry Reid International Airport? I certainly didn’t. But after the negative publicity surrounding McCarran and certain views the man held, it happened – in 2021. I guess it would help to do better research. Thanks a lot wikipedia! But I digress!... Here we are, in the airport that delivered thousands of tourists each and every day! Yes, day. It has been recorded that just under 110,000 people come to the famed “City of Sin” each day, and this day was certainly no different as Harry Reid International was absolutely flooded with tourists from all over the world, male and female, young and old alike. One might be forgiven for thinking it had everything to do with being so close to the weekend but the truth is, that the scene is just as familiar on a Tuesday morning as it would be on a Friday afternoon.
But this isn’t entirely about someone arriving - it is and it isn’t. This also has much to do with the one being visited. Carter McKinney, known to the SCW Universe by the unique ring moniker of Helluva Bottom Carter, waited rather impatiently at the airport’s arrival in the lower level, as crowds descended from the escalator to retrieve their luggage and be on their way. Carter had slyly maneuvered his way to the forefront of the many who held signs with names on them, hoping to attract the attention of whomever they were waiting for, be it business or pleasure. As he glanced around while he waited, he saw some who were holding up signs with names on them, hoping to catch the eye of one person or another. Carter was really no different, but anyone could hold up a cheap piece of poster board from the dollar store with a name scrawled on it. Carter? He had six colorful balloons floating above, tied to his upper arm; one for each color of the rainbow. If that didn’t attract the eye of this very special lady coming for a visit, nothing would! Not unless… a whiff of a fresh scent attracted his attention, and to his right, from the corner of his eye, Carter spotted a rather large bouquet of orchids in the hands of his boyfriend, Miles Kasey who just reappeared after wandering off.
Carter looked from Miles to the flowers and back again, with a raised, inquisitive eyebrow. To which Miles simply shrugged his shoulders with an air of innocence and asked, “What?”
“So that’s where you wandered off to?” Carter smiled, adoring this man and how he managed to find new ways to surprise him every day. Spoiling his family just added to the feelings between the two men. Carter added, “I can’t believe there’s a floral boutique in the airport.”
“There's not.” Miles mused. “I found that out the hard way. I lucked out and got these from this cute little old woman selling flowers near the stores.”
“First you buy out that flower shop for Mother’s Day, and now this.” Carter chuckled silently, casting a sidelong glance to the man beside him with the heart of gold. “You’re going to spoil them, you know?”
To which Miles just smiled and answered with a quip, “Hey your Mom and Grams have to love you. I’m earning it.”
“Earning what?”
Carter answered casually, “Your love.” Before he realized who had approached to ask the question, and then realized, “Grams!” And practically threw himself at the older woman who played such a vital role in his life, from his years as a child to his awkward teen years - clear up until now. The loving embrace was returned with mutual affection, as Joan hugged her beloved grandson, Miles noting the calm and loving look on her face - a look only a loving grandma could truly pull off.
Once she separated from Carter, Joan aka “Grams” turned to Miles and her face lit up even more, if that were at all possible, at the sight of the loving man who had entered their lives in the most meaningful of ways. Miles played such a pivotal role in saving her grandson from a downward spiral that would have quickly led to tragedy if not for their forced intervention. And while Carter had convinced himself from the get go that good things like Miles did not happen to him, for the first time ever, Joan was over the moon at her grandson having been proven wrong. Joan quickly enveloped Miles in the same, warm embrace while he returned the hug with one arm, holding onto his welcoming gift with the other hand.
After adding a soft peck on Miles’s cheek, Grams separated from him and took a step back, her attention turning toward the orchids in his hand. She looked up to him through her lashes and smiled, “Are those for me?”
“Who else?” Miles smiled, offering them over to her to which she accepted gratefully. Her fingers stroked the white and purple petals with care, before she brought them in close for a sniff of their fragrance. She then lowered them and said, “Thank you dear, they’re lovely.”
She then teasingly turned toward her grandson and added, “I’m glad to see someone knows how to welcome a lady properly.”
Carter’s jaw fell open, as Miles offered her his arm, “Shall we go get your luggage? Your carriage awaits.” Joan then slid her arm into Miles’s offered one and Miles started to escort her toward baggage claim with Carter right beside. Miles leaned over as they walked to add for his man, “Grams gets shotgun.”
“Fine.” Carter said without thinking clearly. “I guess I get your backseat.”
Grams stopped and turned to look at Carter without saying a word. Her face was without expression as Carter came to a halt and saw her looking at him with a twinkle in her eye. He asked, “What?” Then after a brief moment’s pause, the proverbial light bulb lit up and his face flushed a charming shade of pink. Grams just smiled and patted his warm cheek and resumed being escorted forward through the crowd while Miles cast a glance back over his shoulder and gave his boyfriend a coy wink.
“I guess I need to elaborate a little further because I’ve come to know and respect a few members of the Saviors, Kim Pain, Kat Jones and Mac bane chief among others. And, by association, that fabulous lady known as Whisper. I don’t want anyone upset with what I said earlier or taking offense because I wasn’t intending it. I was just trying to say that the Saviors were one of the more feared and dominant groups ever in SCW, their success rate not having been seen since the Seven Deadly Sins stable. And while their in-ring success continues, the fear factor has just slipped away. With Mac gone and Goth’s injury, things just aren’t the same and speaking from the heart, I hope that all changes. Because I’ve had experience against the Saviors inside of the ring. I learned firsthand what Mac Bane is capable of inside of the ring. He’s one of the best ever in SCW, and even though I like to flatter myself and say I gave as good as I got in that match, truth be told the man handed my ass to me. So, I’m familiar with being in there with a Savior, which is a good thing because I find myself returning this week to face another Savior.”
“Peter Vaughn, the brand new Roulette Champion. I watched that match happen in London and even though I have to admit I was pulling for Malachi, I can’t say that I am surprised that Vaughn walked away with the gold. It could have gone to any of the three, but Vaughn brought a championship back to the Saviors. Which just goes to prove everything I’ve said about the team is true, that their track record just keeps continuing and they were meant to bring gold into the fold. But then again, I’d like to take the time to flatter myself for a moment and say the same thing about myself. Now maybe I am tooting my own horn but … toot toot! I know I have yet to win a championship here in SCW, but I’m not exactly without having held a title or two during my time down in SCU. Pride tag titles. TV. Combat. And, yes – the top tier title, the Underground title. Now, I have to admit that in the end my head wasn’t into things the way they should have been and I wasn’t the Underground champion that SCU deserved, but that’s the past. This is the present and the future is where my mind is right now.”
“Because despite what some have hinted toward, no. I am not insulted or upset at the fact that this match against Peter Vaughn is a non-title match. I mean, why would it be? This is my first match back since Blaze of Glory XI - in March! Ironically in the same city then that we will be in soon - Vegas baby! So no, I couldn’t justify getting a title shot after being out for three plus months, even if I wanted to. Peter worked his ass off to win that title, and if I want to get a crack at it, I’m going to have to work my ass off in order to earn it. That right there is where my future lies. Because this is what I had in mind… should I – when I – win this match against you Peter, I’m not going to do what others have done and immediately cry for a title shot since I beat the champion. I’m going to be patient instead, and just ask that I be entered into the traditional Ultimate X match for the Roulette title once Summer XXXTreme rolls around and we board that cruise. That’s all I ask. And if somehow I don’t win this match…?”
“I guess that would mean it’s back to square one with no hard feelings.”
“What I said on Twitter, I meant Peter. I’m booking forward to this match because I’m still in my formative years in this business and I am never going to rise and get better without getting in there against the best. And the opportunities just don’t get any better than by getting inside of the ring with a reigning champion. Belt at stake or no, win or lose (and I hope to win!), I’m going to be satisfied enough that Peter Vaughn walks away from this match knowing who he was up against.”
“Me, myself and I.”
