Sunday 15th June 2025,
Colorado Springs.

He was fuming as he bounded through the curtain as the show closed, his plan to end Carter's title reign very short lived as it backfired for him, not only leaving himself embarrassed but leaving his partner in crime, Kevin Cater, blinded by the mist spat at him from that clown Guy. He could feel the hairs on his arms stand up through blind rage as the red mist of anger clouded his vision.

J2H: Motherfucker!

He wasn't speaking to anyone in particular and the production crowd and wrestlers alike backstage turned to not make any eye contact with him, so not to anger him further. They had all seen him enraged before, and knew it was for the best not to deal with him. Only the brave would attempt to even try and talk to him, and there was none braver around the backstage area then Austin Parker.

Austin: I told ya that wouldn't work.

There was a tone of told you so arrogance to Austin's voice as he approached J2H from behind, but J2H snapped his head around, staring at Austin but remaining silent for a few seconds. Part of him knew not to take it out on Austin, if anyone was likely to hit him around the head, it would be Austin, but the anger wouldn't subside, it burned in his chest as he spat out the words he could.

J2H: No one asked you! 

Austin smiled, he knew J2H wasn't angry at him, but more likely at the world. He hated being embarrassed or his plans backfiring, he knew the wrestling world would still be talking about him the next day, but preferred it to be about his successes rather then failures.

Austin: Carter saw that coming a mile away and so did that clown. Hell, I reckon Artie saw that coming a mile away.

J2H just glared at Austin, burning a hole in his vest with his eyes. His vision was clearing from the proverbial red mist but the anger still boiled inside of him.

J2H: Good, I wanted them to know I could fuck them up any time I wanted. I wanted them to know that me and Kevin run this fucking place, and all the cry babies out there better know they're one step away from going down the same path as every other loser bitch that I have put out of this place.

Everyone knew the history J2H had of ending people careers and hurting people. Part of him wanted to make sure Carter was the next one he rid SCW of.

J2H: I hate Carter, he doesn't deserve that championship.

Austin had seen J2H like this a million times in the past, he knew to just let him vent his rage and he will be fine.

Austin: Why do you hate him so much?

J2H gritted his teeth, his mind racing with the millions of answers that he could answer with.

J2H: I hate everything about him! He's literally the kind of person I can't fucking stand, he's gay, we get it, but does he have to constantly be one of those guys who's whole life is based on sexuality? News flash! No one gives a fuck about who people choose to sleep with, but him! Ugh! The pride of SCW? Bullshit! I don't want this guy leading our company because he hasn't earned it! I hate him because he hasn't earned it, I hate him because he thinks he's better then everyone. I hate him because that stay humble bullshit is an act. I wanted him to lose tonight to know he is no better then me, because he need to be brought down a peg or two.

Austin was enjoying the show, not the first time he'd heard J2H rant somewhat incoherently, but he got a kick out of it, the complete opposite of J2H. He hated being angry at things that he could have changed.

Austin: Someone needs a nap.

Again, J2H glared at Austin, his eyes narrowed as he looked at a man trying not to laugh at his own joke.

J2H: You're not funny.

He turned his head away from Austin, kicking a nearby water bottle away from him, causing members of staff to turn around and look at what was going on, being seeing it was J2H, quickly turned and shuffled away, trying to avoid the man's wrath.

J2H: You know who I blame for this shit?

Austin: No, but you're gonna tell me anyway.

J2H: That fucking clown! Ever since he's been here, he's been nothing but bad luck! If he would have turned around sooner instead of spitting shit at Kevin, the plan would have fucking worked! That clown is a fucking Jonah around here. Was it so difficult for him to just turn around and look where he was supposed to look? No, but instead, he decided to try and fucking blind someone! He has been a fucking curse, pissing off people like me from the second his scrawny little neck came in to this place. He's been a pain in the ass of every single person he's come across! Don't get me started on his bullshit King for the Day shit!

It amused Austin more to see J2H get lost in a rant that he could see was pure anger and looking for reasons not to feel as embarrassed by his failure from earlier tonight.

J2H: He can go on the shit list alongside Carter and Miles, I will get him too, and Artie for that matter.

Austin looked confused at the inclusion of Artie being on the list of enemies. As far as Austin was away, these two men had little, if any interaction at all. J2H wasn't big on making friends with anyone at all, let alone a polar opposite in many ways, like Artie.

Austin: What has he done to you?

J2H: It doesn't fucking matter what he's done to me. He couldn't get the job done tonight. I handed it to him on a silver platter. I handed it to him, it was right there for the taking and he couldn't call out to that stupid fucking clown to make a pin. 

Austin: He was dealing with Kevin.

J2H: Kevin was about to get down and out the way till that clown turned him in to a Simpson's character! Either way, Artie didn't get a simple job done when I handed it to him just like that, so he can go on the shit list along with the others. In fact, I got an idea.

He might not have been thinking too straight at that point, anger still tore through his body, yet to subside.

Austin: And what might that be?

He was almost too afraid to ask, he knew J2H's judgement was a little lax when it came to having an overwhelming emotion running through him.

J2H: You go to Ward, or Underwood, or whatever person they've decided to pass the booking off to this week, and get them to get me on the card next week against none other then Artie. Call it his punishment for fucking things up. Go tell them that their star attraction actually wants to fight, wants to wrestle, wants to beat the shit out of someone and that someone is Artie.

Austin: Are you sure? The guy has been booked a lot lately. Maybe they wanna give him a break or something.

Austin being apprehensive had no baring on J2H's decision, he knew what he wanted and nothing was gonna stop him from getting it.

J2H: I couldn't give a fuck if you have to drag him to the ring kicking and screaming, that's who I want to beat up, that's who I will beat the shit out of. I want it to happen, you can make it happen, so go do it. Make it happen, go tell whoever the fuck is running this place to put me in a match with Artie so I can show him what happens when you let me down.

Austin shook his head, he knew it was anger talking but knew how angrier he would get if he didn't get the match he wanted.

J2H: While you do that, I'm gonna go check on Kevin, and maybe go beat up a fucking clown outside the building.

Austin sighed as J2H walked off in a stomping huff, shaking his head before walking in the opposite direction. The camera faded to black.

---

Monday 16th June 2025,
Somewhere between Colorado Springs and Beverly Hills

It was a long flight between Colorado and California, and J2H sat on a private plane on his own the morning after the show. He chose to stay in Colorado for an extra day, just as a way to calm down before heading back to family life for a few days and returning to another part of The Centennial State. He felt overly restless as the plane moved through the air at high speeds, getting him closer to home as the minutes passed by. He shuffled in his chair as he opened his laptop in front of him, pressing around at a few buttons as the thoughts from last night still weighed heavy on his mind. It wasn't the first time a plan backfired but for some reason, this one annoyed him more then most. He needed a friendly face to take his mind off things, so it wasn't long before he made a few more keystrokes and waited for that friendly face to appear, the face of his wife Melody.

Melody: Hey! Hi! How ya doing? Are you nearly home?

As soon as he saw his perky, upbeat wife, he instantly felt happier, she was always the light side to his dark soul, always the one who kept him anchored to some level of normality.

J2H: I'm good, maybe a couple of hours away from being home.

Melody was always great at gauging his mood, and she could instantly tell something was on his mind as he slumped in his seat.

Melody: Is something wrong?

He chose his words wisely, just taking a few seconds to breathe before answering.

J2H: I'm just a little pissed off at last night. I always said if I lose my edge, then I'm done, and man, last night, I should have been better with what I was trying to do.

Melody knew he was his own worst enemy when it come to critiquing his work. He was a perfectionist that wanted everything to go better then good. He raised his standards above everyone else and pushed himself past his own limits.

Melody: Everything looked great, and you know what it's about, it all leads somewhere good, even when things don't look as good at you wanted.

He knew what she meant. He had chance after chance to get himself back to the top but fell short every time, but something about this current run made him feel like he couldn't be stopped. The momentum from the Blast From The Past win, to the wins in between felt different, like he was being propelled to something greater.

J2H: Maybe but I hate looking like shit out there, could have been better. The whole thing just annoyed me. I need to be better next week.

Melody: I saw the next card, Artie, eh?

He nodded slowly as he looked down the camera of the laptop, slightly smiling.

J2H: Yeah, I asked for that match.

Melody looked surprised by his response. She knew her husband would take on anyone put in front of him but would rarely go out of his way to ask to share the ring with someone. As much as he had power and could pull strings and has done in the past, he rarely goes out of his way to request opponents.

Melody: Why? That's not like you to do.

Again, it wasn't like him. Maybe it was spur of the moment, maybe it was the anger from the night before, but he requested it.

J2H: I was pissed off but there was a voice in the back of my head telling me anything Carter can do, I can do better. If he thought he could look good against Artie, I could look a million times better. No matter who Carter faces, I can look so much better against them. I might make it a thing for the future. If Carter gets booked against someone, I request the same match to show that I'm so much better at what I do.

Melody: I feel sorry for the guy you both have to face back to back. He'd be in for a tough couple of weeks.

She was joking and he could tell from her smile that she was trying to lighten his mood.

J2H: Yeah, well it's a bad time for Artie to come anywhere near me. I'm surprised he didn't go and hide somewhere, cry on Bobbie's shoulder or something. Kevin made it look easy against him, beat him easier then the lesser Carter did. Now it's my turn to make sure that I look good.

Melody: He might like facing the top guys.

He might do, but J2H didn't care to know for sure.

J2H: It doesn't matter if he does. He's not even a wrestler, tricked in to it so chunky ass can keep coming to catering for free.

Melody: James! That's not nice!

Melody's emotions were serious as she frowned down the camera at her husband who casually smiled back at her.

J2H: Never tried to be nice but it is true. He's not a wrestler, she's there for catering, neither of them belong there. I'll be surprised if he even bothers to put the effort in, comes up with some bullshit excuse, while secretly crying in a dark room. Pretty sure this is gonna be the match that puts him in the mental hospital. By the time I'm done with him, he'll be begging for the days of opening the card again.

Melody: Well, I admire your confidence.

It was something he always had, no matter who the opponent, no matter what the challenge. Confidence was always his key to success. It was something he was taught about many years ago.

J2H: If I wasn't confident, I just wouldn't be me. I'm confident that I not only go on and win this match, but I go on and beat Carter too. I'm not letting this one slip through my fingers.

Melody: That's what I like to hear, but I need to get going, so I will see you when you get home.

J2H: Alright, speak to you soon.

He watched Melody blow a kiss before the screen went dark, and closed the laptop down. Family man James was kicking in and just seeing his wife for a few minutes changed his mood. He was ready for what waited for him over the next week. Finally the scene faded to black.

---

20th June 2025.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre,
Denver, Colorado.

He needed time away to a much peaceful place, a place to reflect on what was about to happen in just a couple of days time. He's heard about The Red Rocks Amphitheatre and waited for the crowds to leave before making an appearance, sitting down about half way up to take a moment or two to breath and relax. J2H was always known to be calm before matches and even leading up to them, because he had faith in his abilities, but everyone needs a place to clear their mind, and this was where he chose to clear his. He wasn't too concerned with facing Artie, he didn't see him as a challenge at all, and Artie's past form when it came to matches backed up his thoughts. Still, he knew his job, he knew he had to get people interested. 

He took a long deep breath, as he looked around, the sun setting behind him before he began to speak down the camera.

J2H: Momentum, the thing that keeps us going, pushing us to where we deserve to be in life.In this sport, win after win gets you there. Being known for what you do gets you there, even those idiots that sit there and boo because they're too stupid to see the bigger picture, they get you there. They drive you to your goal, because they motivate you and give you momentum.

He paused to briefly think about his own momentum. Everything was going great for him, win after win since coming off the Blast From The Past, the highest rated segments on the show, his presence in a city seemingly raising the interest of the place. He was truly becoming a force of nature.

J2H: Can't say the same for everyone though, like you Artie.

He smirked a little as he looked around.

J2H: So much to say about you Artie, so many flaws to pick on in the ring, so many character flaws to rip you to pieces for. You must have pissed off the wrestling Gods or something for your last few weeks, because getting your ass beat by Kevin, sneaking past Carter and then coming up against the end game here, because make no mistake about it, I am the end game for everyone. What the fuck did you do to piss off all those people to find yourself in this position where you're now facing me? Doesn't matter because we see how it goes with you in big matches.  You get there and you choke, you get there and you can't handle the pressure of being there in these big matches and you fucking know as well as I do, that matches come no bigger then facing me when I'm building towards a place you will never get to in a thousand lifetimes. In your head you could tell yourself they were testing you, seeing if you was ready to step up to be their next big thing, someone who could chase me down after I'm done with Carter and become Sin City Wrestling's World Heavyweight Champion again. Maybe they were testing the waters to see if you could swim amongst the big boys, but you proved that you can't, that you wave your arms around like a toddler thrown in a pool for the first time and you sink to the bottom. You should be disappointed in yourself.

He slowly shook his head. He was disappointed in not only Artie, but the fact SCW might have considered him to be someone they could rely on.

J2H: They should have known it wouldn't have work out. Not one person in this world called Artie has ever drawn a dime for anything. It's a stupid name, and it's no fucking surprised you got tricked in to wrestling. A name says a lot about a person, shows strength, shows power, shows intelligence, but the name Artie just screams the kid who got bullied at school, the kid who was picked last for every sport and the kid most likely to grow up and spend his life sitting behind a desk in an office, in like a bank or something, with no prospects of a life anywhere. It screams unpopular, and anyone in this fucking company who thought a man called Artie could one day lead this place, or even deserves to be in my spotlight. No one good has ever been called Artie, no one who has led anything has been called Artie, so whoever thought it was a good idea to give you the chance, fucking idiot.

He gritted his teeth before he continued.

J2H: When did you last win anything Artie? I mean anything at all? I know you haven't done much in SCW, I know you haven't won here for a long time, but how about at home? I mean I know you're never gonna win the grab the last slice of pizza contest with that thing you chose to be around you for eternity, but win at anything? People like you don't win at anything. You were born to lose at life and that's what you do. You are just existing, you're not living, you're just on this earth to make up the numbers, like a non playing character in a video game that someone randomly gets out of their car to hit with a baseball bat. That's your role in this world, it's not to be someone like me, someone to be known for something special. There's nothing about you that screams you could change the world or be something different from the average accountant working out of a shitty little office above a stinky Chinese takeaway. There is no it factor with you and yet you find yourself in the ring with a guy like me. Sad thing is Artie, is that when you look back on how I started, and how you started, it's not very different.

He had that in his mind for a while, but hearing it out loud made him cringe inside.

J2H: Before you get excited and piss your pants or expect me to give you praise or some bullshit like that, chill the fuck out. When I say that, my early career, I was treated like a joke because of the way I got here and it's the same for you. I paid my way in through a charity thing, and you got signed up to do something you never wanted to do. I wanted to be here to wrestle and be a champion, you wanted to be on television around your pet hippo, but the eyes of the cranky old bastards we have here now and then, still looked at us the same. They saw us as not paying our dues, that we are not wrestlers, that we shouldn't be here. I mean there was this cranky old bald bastard with anger issues that would remind me of that every fucking time he saw me. He loved to remind me I didn't belong cause the way I showed up, and people will look at you through the same eyes. Tricked in to being here, you don't belong here, but I proved every one of them wrong, I made them eat their words. We might have both come in to this place as joke acts, but you're never gonna get away from that.

He thought back at how hard he fought to get away from that and couldn't see Artie having the same passion. 

J2H: Difference is I wanted to be here so bad, I made it happen, I earned respect and made them see I belonged here, but you're always gonna be the guy in their eyes that was forced to be here and no one is gonna respect you for that, no one is gonna ever think you have the passion to be here. You'll always be that joke in peoples eyes. No one will take you seriously because you don't have the heart to be a wrestler.

He knew what it was like to deal with all the mocking words and the side eye glances and knew he had the character to break it but also knew Artie did not.

J2H: I know you're thinking you're getting trained now, you should be better, you are improving but you backed the wrong horse when you chose Fenris to be your trainer.

He couldn't help but grit his teeth as soon as the words fell from his mouth. He had a history with Fenris, with Fenris being one of the few that beat him in a controversial style that caused a lot of backstage friction.

J2H: Not a good person to be around Artie. People think I got an ego but his is off the fucking charts. He had to use some serious underhanded tactics to get through me and he didn't give a fuck about it, this is the guy you're looking up to. Let me tell you something about that person you see as a mentor, the man who is doing what he's doing to help you. He's not actually helping you at all, he's only helping himself. He's only doing this for his own ego boost. The thing when Fenris is although he got one over on me, he will never be thought of like I am. People look at guys and remember when they got in the ring with me, but no one does that for him. He's using you Artie, you're not actually learning from him, he's using you to stay relevant. No one cares about him anymore and it hurts him, it breaks him down inside because no one thinks of him. He doesn't see any fucking potential in you at all, none at all, all he sees in you is to have his name mentioned on television so maybe a couple of people prick their ears up and say they remember that guy. Believe me, there's no other reason he's doing it, it's not out of the kindness of his heart because he don't fucking have a heart. His fucking theme song has that damn line in! It's the name of his fucking theme song!

J2H stared blankly down the camera, as if to give people time to catch up.

J2H: And Miles Kasey? Fucking really? I mean he's had no success here but hey, he's the one that's gonna help you get to the promise land and be something special?

A look of disbelief passed over the number one contenders face.

J2H: They're not doing this for you and they never has been Artie. They're both doing it for the name drop, for the fact that you can add something to their dying legacies. These are the people you surround yourself with and expect to be a success? No Artie, you need better people around you, serious people around you. Just like I did.

He was referring to Austin Parker, a man with years of experience in the wrestling business, a World Champion in more then one company.

J2H: That's how I broke the mould. I became serious and look at you right now Artie, you're not serious, you're nowhere near serious, your bullshit drama should be on daytime television on those shitty soap operas, cause no one gives a fuck about your little personal plights, no one gives a damn about your wife's problems, which for your information, makes you the side character in every little thing that you do. It shows me you're never gonna be any good while that big anchor is weighing you down. Maybe someone out there likes it because look at you getting the big matches but that's the reason you can't perform in these big matches, because you're too tied down to what is going on at home. Separate it Artie, but it won't make a difference in this match because I got you beat already and I haven't even stepped in the ring with you, I had you beat when I got you thinking about what I was doing last week.

He paused to reflect on last week and smiled.

J2H: Everyone was wondering my motivation about why I was there, why did I get involved?

He tapped his chin.

J2H: People even thought I did it to get the belt on you because you're gonna be much easier to beat then Carter will be. Well, you will be much easier to beat then Carter but that was not my motivation to be there. If I could have made you both lose, I would have, but what's the fucking point? I didn't do it to put the belt on you, fuck, even for a few weeks you'd be an embarrassing champion. I just don't like Carter, I want him to know that I see the irony of him being the SCW World Champion while calling himself the pride of SCW in pride month. I just wanted him to know that I can control his destiny whenever I wanted, nothing to do with you.

He shrugged his shoulders as he looked as confident as he felt.

J2H: But Carter got by you with a little distraction, but anything he can do, I can do better and that is why you're here Artie. I'm following his path, hunting him down and showing him that no matter how well he thinks he beat you last week, I'm gonna beat you better this week. There might be some strange fucking clown in the ring as the ref again, but I get to upstage him and Carter. You're the unwitting dumb fuck sitting there thinking yay, another main event, I'm really going places, I'm getting that rocket strapped to my back because they're trusting me with their top people. Fact is, you're just becoming the jobber to the stars right now and the trend don't change when you step in the ring with me. There's not a bookie in Vegas that would give odds on you beating me because I can't be stopped Artie. Everything about me screams that I am better then you in every single way.

He was confident in his words and he felt it rush through his body,

J2H: You can't out talk me, you can't out fight me, there's not a single thing on this planet you can do better then me, not one thing. You surround yourself with fools and expect to be something special from it all? You're more stupid then you look if you think that. You might have think you've had a tough run of things leading up to this, but things are about to get a whole lot worse for you.

He looked down the camera with a smile on his face.

J2H: And that's real talk bitch!

And with that, the camera faded to black.

Wednesday 21st May 2025,
Ritz Paris Hotel,
Paris, France.

J2H had been in the country a few days, his wife unable to join him right away because of James Jr's schooling, but he had media commitments to deal with in Paris, as did every other Sin City Wrestling wrestler on the roster. He had no choice but to go along without her. He'd already done interviews all over Paris, three or four a day and tiredness had set in to his bones. He needed some time to just relax but his not so out going self had soon kicked in by the time he reached the hotel lobby. He had hoped by paying for this expensive hotel for himself, the fans would not be present but looking through the big glass doors, he could see a group of people and in his mind, they looked like wrestling fan. He took the smart option in his head and pulled his hoodie over his eyes, are far as he could above his baseball cap and took a seat at a table to the side of the lobby, just out of view from the fans. He had his phone in his hand when he could sense someone approaching him. He had grown a sixth sense being in this business for when he was about to be approached and sighed to himself before looking up. His eyes narrowed before widening, seeing a sight he didn't expect to see in front of him, the face of Ms. Angel Parker, wife to Austin. She pointed to a seat near J2H

Ms. Angel: Is this seat taken? 

Ms. Angel was a mother figure to J2H. When he begged Austin Parker to train him better then the shit show that he was, to become the man he is today, Austin was more then reluctant, but Ms. Angel fought on J2H's side, endeared by his will to learn and be better. She'd been around the block long enough in the wrestling business to know that rich kids come and go, walking away from the hard work and sensed there was something different about him. He lived in a small four room building, barely more then a trailer while training for the best part of a year on Austin and Angel's ranch, and she treated him like a son.

J2H: Of course not. I didn't know you was in Paris.

She smiled as she took the seat next to him, looking at him through warm, soft eyes, a look a mother would give a son.

Ms. Angel: Well, Austin told me about this swanky place you got here and I thought darn it, I must see this for myself.

He smiled at her, knowing the three thousand dollar a cost per night he had set himself and Austin up in, while other wrestlers were at much more affordable hotels.

J2H: Well, I thought the old fella needed a bit of a break. Travelling around was never his thing unless it was on horseback. I thought he could do with a little break.

Angel smiled at him once more, she had grown accustomed to J2H's jokes about Austin's age over the years, it was natural and Angel was comfortable hearing him make those jokes, seeing it as a sign of affection rather then insult.

Ms. Angel: So, how are you doing?

It was a loaded question for him, he was tired and although Paris was one of his favourite cities in the world, he had worked hard since the second he landed. He knew out of respect he couldn't lie to the woman who showed him as much concern over the years.

J2H: I'm tired, I'm tired as all hell. I'll be so glad when I get this match out the way, win it and get back home for a solid two weeks off. I feel like it's been non stop for so long, but I know once I get through Sunday, things will be better.

She could sympathize. She watched Austin work up and down the country for huge companies over the years, national companies that did shows all over America. She knew the stress that it could cause on a body and mind.

Ms. Angel: Still, Ms. Melody will be here to help soon, right?

Inside, he always smiled at her politeness when it came to mentioning Melody, he was the only person in to world to call her Ms. Melody.

J2H: They're flying in later and thankfully I got tomorrow off. I've been grinding my butt off for the last few days and people sit there and think I show up when I want and just wrestle.

Ms. Angel: No one sees behind the curtain, darlin'. It's like being on a movie set, no one sees the hours of retakes or how much work goes in to things, just to put something on the screen for a couple of hours.

He never looked at it that way before. He knew he was the hardest working man in SCW by a long way, so many others phone it in every week, but he also knew no one saw that.

J2H: I guess so. I'm just looking forward to getting this match over with. I've worked real hard to get there and I know if I let things slip, then I gotta start over again and I don't know if I want to. I'm missing my boy growing up.

She could understand that all too well, Austin missed a lot of time on the ranch while he was wrestling.

Ms. Angel: I think a lot of people after years in the business, wonder what they do this for, everyone wonders if they will be on top of everything again, when they still have a part to play. No one does this forever and you're still a young man, so you need to ask yourself why do you do it.

It was sage advice, and he knew his motivations for doing it and again, he couldn't be anything other then honest with her.

J2H: Family, I do it for them. My son loves this sport, he's growing up in it, and loves it. He can throw a better dropkick then most of the people on the roster. He even seems to be ok with the fact that I'm away for weekends when he's not at school. I do it because he wants to see me as a champion again.

She took it all in and smiled sweetly at him.

Ms. Angel: Would he look at you any differently if you wasn't a champion?

It was another thought provoking question, not something that had ever crossed his mind.

J2H: I don't know. I don't think so. I think he love the whole thing. He understands it, I think he loves what he sees on television but he's been backstage enough, that he gets how it works sometimes. He's a kid, he lets things blur between what's real and what's not, but the kid loves being backstage. Everyone knows him backstage and likes him. I think if I'm not here, then I take that away from him. To be here, I need to be the champion, I need to be the focus, because that's how he's always known me to be.

Ms. Angel: I think if he loves this as much as you say, I don't think it would matter of the result regardless. There's also nothing stopping you from taking him to shows even if you don't wrestle.

He could tell she was trying to put him at ease and release some of the pressure going in to Sunday's big match, it was something she used to do while managing her husband.

J2H: Here's the kicker though, there's something in me right now that really makes me want to win, get back to the top once more. I've worked too hard for this place not to be at the top again. I sat at home for so long, being a dad and enjoying that. I came back for a little bit and never left. I have given SCW so many big moments over the last couple of years, while sticking to my word and staying away from the top. I did that because I won't be here forever, others need to shine and no one has. All eyes were still on me.

She couldn't help but laugh with her southern tone coming through.

Ms. Angel: As humble as ever.

He matched her smile, unable to ever take offence at anything she said.

J2H: Of course, but I know my worth. I've done matches that others wouldn't have considered, I've worked harder then anyone else in this company for year. I have left my blood all over the world and done everything I could. I can't come this far to fall on my face. If I do that, then it will all be for nothing. It would have been a waste of my time.

Ms. Angel: Is it really a waste of your time if you created memories for so many people? Millions of people will remember what you've already done, millions do.

He knew she had a point, but he knew deep down, he had to win.

J2H: Maybe but I need to win.

She put her hand on his, looking at him.

Ms. Angel: I'll tell you what I told Austin when he was coming up to a big match. Pressure is not always the best thing to drive a person. It can have the adverse effect on things. Pressure makes people over think and make mistakes. It doesn't always make diamonds James, it sometimes crushes things. You're a smart young man, think about that. I need to get doing but dinner with the family?

He stood up to hug her and she put her arms around him, lingering for a few seconds.

J2H: Absolutely.

Ms. Angel smiled before turning and leaving. He knew she was right and for some unknown reason, he felt the pressure lift from his shoulders. He knew that woman had a calming effect on people, but couldn't believe how quickly it had set in. The pressure was off and he was ready to think clear and get what he had set out to do.

---

Friday 23rd May 2025,
Eiffel Tower,
Paris, France.

The week had flown by in Paris and reunited with his family had put J2H much more at ease, but he knew there was still some work to be done.He knew Sunday was drifting closer and he had to get his head in the game. He had done all he could to relax his mind, put any doubts about anything out of his mind by taking in the sights and sounds of a lively Paris, the tension and excitement in the air for not only upcoming Sin City Wrestling event, but the Champions League final in a little over a week, featuring local football, or soccer juggernauts, Paris Saint Germain. It was an exciting time for the city of two million, one hundred thousand people, looking forward to two big events within a week of each other, and he knew he had to play his part in delivering an unforgettable week for the city of romance.

Night had set in and the lights of Paris broke through the night sky as he stood on top of the Eiffel Tower, the noises of the city seemingly quiet from his high perch overlooking everything and the cameras were there, he knew it was time to talk.

J2H: Yes, it's the top of the Eiffel Tower, yes, it's probably been done by people this week, I don't know, I've not watched shit from anyone else, you know, you slowly being dragged down to everyone else's level and really, I don't give a fuck. This isn't about beautiful fitting settings today, oh no, this is about business. This is going to be a wrestling promo, not a pissing contest about who can come up with the best setting. This is about me getting down to business and talking about what needs to be done, what's going to be done and how I'm gonna do it. If you find it cliche, or something, go fuck yourself, cause this isn't about you, it's about me.

He flipped his middle finger at the camera and smirked.

J2H: Paris is a city of history, this is why we're here, because of the history, it's history with Viking raiders, the battles that made men make the ultimate sacrifices and push themselves to be warriors. There was no fear for a man to charge at another, knowing it's kill or be killed, knowing they can become a hero with one swing of their blood soaked blade, or become a footnote in history. One battle could have made their names forever famous or simply be one of the thousands that died for nothing. See, this is how I feel going in to this Sunday. This is how I feel when I look at what's in front of me and what needs to be done, because I could go in to this match, come out and be remembered forever. I could have my name crashed in to the history books to remind the world for the rest of eternity that I was the first solo Blast From The Past winner and live on forever in the hearts and minds of the world, or I could become the guy forgotten. I could be like those Viking Warriors who died on the losing side, never to have my name remembered again for this. I refuse to work for all these years, go through all these battles, stay away from the throne, only to get so close and be forgotten like others who came before me. I refuse to let this hard work go to waste.

He could feel that he meant every word. It had been a long journey back to the top for him, and he was so close once more.

J2H: Like those warriors, I endured hell. I chose my path to stay away from the gold. I let others have a turn to prove themselves as warriors and that didn't work. I went through epic battles of my own, I did things that prove time and time again that there's a very special heart inside of me that makes me a very special person, because no matter what was thrown at me, I showed the spirit that turned this city in to a battlefield, with a no giving up attitude on either side. I proved my worth and even when I got knocked down, I got back up. The mistake everyone makes with me is the same as in those Viking times. If you knock a warrior down, you better make sure that he doesn't get back up because it will come back to haunt you.

His face stayed in a serious look as he continued to speak.

J2H: No one made sure I stayed down and I found my way back. I might have been shocked, I might have been battered and bloody but no one killed me and I found my way back to get in a position that I too will rule the Kingdoms again. These warriors believe in fate and I don't know if I do, but I do know that it's my time to rule again, as soon as I banish these two invaders from my shore. We know who these invaders are. In times of these battles, you'd think of one as the battle harden warrior who will fight to defend his kingdom, the other, a young arrogant upstart who feels he is guided by the Gods and will be immortal.

He knew no one would know who he was thinking about, when linking these two to people from Viking lore, not only just his opponents, but the rest of the world too.

J2H: No one is immortal and Eddie Lyons certainly isn't.

A small smile seemed to appear on J2H's face.

J2H: Ah, Eddie. I listened to you talk, I watched your body language, I saw your movements, I realized that there was more to you then I thought, but I heard the nerves in your voice. I heard how shaky that voice of yours became when you was talking about me. I could tell that you wasn't convinced by the things that were coming out of your own mouth. The nerves had taken over and that the sense of occasion had hit you and hit you hard. I think you started to see right there and then that what I said was true of you. This match is far bigger then you. This match is way beyond your level and I could hear it every time you opened your mouth. Just like me Eddie, just like Alexander, we're all trying to do the same thing and take that big chance to step up, but I could hear it in your voice that when that camera switched on, when you had to sit and talk about me, you saw the difference between us.

In J2H's mind, the differences between himself and Eddie Lyons was night and day. Eddie had talent, sure but he was no J2H, he hadn't done anything near the levels of what J2H had done in his career.

J2H: I think you saw that my words will ring true. There is less people in this match then the chamber, there is no where to hide from me in this one. I think it hit you that you're in the ring with two former World Heavyweight Champions with a past connection and right there on camera, you could see yourself shitting your pants more and more as the realization set in at what sits there in front of you. You wouldn't be the first, I've had bigger men shit talk me for a longer time and when it came down to it, they couldn't rise to the occasion and step up to the plate. You will not be the last that does that because no one works out how tough it's gonna be till they have to sit there and sell the match to the world and they end up babbling on like a child cause it sets in that you've got a mountain to climb, and you're nowhere near putting on those mountain boots and starting to pull yourself up that rocky ledge.

He was confident in what he said, he saw he and Eddie worlds apart.

J2H: I can tell the difference between real confidence and shit just flying out of someone's mouth. I can sense when the nerves are there Eddie and you could smell the nerves through the screen. Who uses being a talker as an insult in this business? Wake up call for Eddie Lyons, that's half the job that we do Eddie. It was at that point I knew your heart wasn't in it because you're right, I'm a talker bro, but it's not about just being a talker Eddie. Anyone can talk, Justin Smith can talk, he talks shit that sounds like it's out of the mouth of a five year old, but he can talk anyway. Difference is, I can back up my words. When I say I'm gonna do something in this business, I back it up. All those years ago, when I just got to SCW, I was a joke, I was a laughing stock. People threw me in trash cans because they looked down on me. I told myself and I told the world one day, they'll all look up to me and they did. When I first one the World Heavyweight championship, veteran wrestlers, in fact two Hall of Fame wrestlers pissed on me, went crying to Christian, asking why a mid card nobody just became World Champion, and I said I will make them respect me. Beating the piss out of them got them to respect me. I'm a talker but I'm fucking good at backing up my words and showing people I'm better then them. I told you last week I was gonna beat you, I'm backing that up on Sunday.

He looked around the Paris skyline for a few seconds.

J2H: You too, just like me think this is your story. It's not Eddie, it never has been. You pretty much regurgitated what I said, that's a sign of weakness, that's a sign of babbling, that's a sign of I'm in your head. I should be flattered that you're trying to be like me, like the poor version of me or something.

He rolled his shoulders back slightly.
 
J2H: You mentioned things being below me. Let me let you in on a little secret Eddie. Everything is below me. Cities, wrestlers, people are below me. You are almost certainly below me in every aspect of your life. There's not one thing about you that's actually better then me in any single way. People don't buy tickets to see you. There's not a line out of the door waiting for you to show up, regardless of you putting your heart and soul in to everything wrestling for most of your life. I worked out this business a long time ago. You have to work smarter, not harder. I built myself to the point where I show up and everyone else follows. I don't have to be here every week, I don't need to leave my castle as you put it. I just need to be me. Go kill yourself for this business to get yourself in the fans mind, I don't have to do that. Smarter then you Eddie. 

He tapped the side of his head.

J2H: Much smarter then you'll ever be. You can't beat me Eddie and that unbreakable thing you like to call yourself, well, it's about to be broken, mentally and physically because I have no fucking intention of letting my spotlight fade. I have no intention of letting you pass me, I have no intention of falling to someone like you. That don't work for me. You need to see it this way Eddie. This company needs me, Alex Jones is a good champion, better then most, but this company needs me to lead it, it needs someone like me to push it through to keep it going, to keep you in a job, because without people like me who built this place on his back, you wouldn't be where you are today. I did that, you are benefiting from it all. You're profiting from my hard work. The world needs me, this place needs me, they don't need Eddie Lyons. People like you come and go Eddie, people like me, well, we shine forever there Hercules. 

He smiled at the camera, taking a second to think about things.

J2H: Now to the battled scared king, Alexander Raven. Never change bro. Maybe I was too quick to judge you last week, it has been a while, but I listened to your words Alexander, I could still feel the passion in you, I saw that the old you is still there inside and I can respect that. 

He nodded almost genuinely.

J2H: I watched your stuff and I saw the old you. I expected you to come back broken down, I expected you to come back and not be your usual self. I thought that maybe you had gotten in to your own head once more and become something that is simply not good enough. I admit, I was wrong on that.

He held his hands up.

J2H: Same old Alexander Raven. To wonder if you still have it is a crime because you can still cut a good promo, looking back at your matches so far, there's still something there. It's made me think a lot, it's made me have flashbacks to the days we did do battle, and how much we tore each other apart. It made me think about waking up the next day and hurting, it changed my view a lot Alexander. Last week, I did the me thing, I tore in to you because it was the me thing to do, I didn't know what to expect from you. What do you expect from one of the few friends you had in the business when like you said yourself last week, things got a bit fiery at the end. I was conflicted Alexander, I had it in the back of my mind that maybe you will see this as your chance to get one over on me, pull things back to how you thought things might have ended. I threw shots because I wasn't sure how to deal with this situation. I don't have friends in this business, I wouldn't piss on half this roster if they were on fire, you know this as fact.

He was speaking facts too!

J2H: I felt the respect is still there Alexander, and that's something I can respect. I felt that there is something still there. The end boss is the perfect way for you to describe me, because you know me, you know me better then most on this roster and you know I won't back away. Funny thing with the final boss in everything is there's a reason they're called the final boss and that's because they've earned that reputation. As humans, we all need the same thing, food, water, air, it's the only thing we're all on the same level, but some of us rise, some of us show that we can be better and that's earned through reputation and I get that everyone wants to break the end boss, everyone wants the crown, everyone wants to be at the top of the tree by taking down the end boss, but you know better then anyone Alexander, this boss don't fuck about when it comes to putting people in their place.

He felt proud of that fact.

J2H: But I heard your proposal Alexander and part of me expected that, I didn't expect a lot from you, I didn't know what you was gonna come at me with, but I did expect that and you're right. This match would be much better without Eddie Lyons in it. Everyone wants to see old teammates who destroyed people every single week, that had eyes on them, explode and go for it, see who was the top dog in that group, Eddie is just an inconvenience. Will I accept that proposal? You'll have to wait for Sunday to find out.

A coy smile crossed his lips. He knew he was playing mind games with a man who was a master at mind games.

J2H: Once again, I've lit that fire under you Alexander, it's what I was good at, it's what I knew I could do and maybe you're right about everything you said about me. I do spit venom at everyone, but would you have expected anything less of me?

He stopped as if to wait for an answer.

J2H: Of course you wouldn't have, you'd have no only expected it from me, but deep down, I know you're glad that I did that because you know that's what lights a fire under you and that's what you needed. It's what I needed to do Alexander, because I don't want you to come and half ass everything against me. I need that real Alexander in the ring, that sick fuck who will push it to the limits, I need that more then you need to be that. Weird thing to say against a dangerous man? No, because you don't get that heart racing if you're fighting people who don't care, you don't feel alive if you feel safe, so I need you to be that. Maybe I haven't grown up, maybe I'm still that petty little fuck who needs the control over everything. Maybe I am insecure at my chances, but that drives me Alexander and it gets me thinking, how's it gonna feel for you on Sunday to get beat by an insecure petty little fuck on Sunday?

He knew he was playing mind games with a great, but his ego drove him on.

J2H: How's that gonna feel Alexander, knowing that you just got beat by all those things you claim I am? That's gonna be pretty fucking embarrassing for you Alexander, but I'm gonna be consistent with one thing. Remember what I said to you after I beat you the first time? I told you I hope you stick around and you did, I know, I know, I beat you again after you did stick around, but I really hope you do stick around after this one because even though I'm gonna beat you over again, I still see the heat in you, I still see that you might still have it after all.

He was being completely honest in that assessment.

J2H: I've missed those verbal battles with you Alexander.

Again, he was being honest.

J2H: But it doesn't stop the fact that on Sunday, the unbreakable will be broken, the one true king will fall to the one true god, the fireworks will fire in the air to mark the victory of one person. The battle of Paris, the siege of Paris only ends one way. With the blood of two on my face, with my weapons soaked in the blood of my enemies, with two men heading to Valhalla and one man to sit on the throne and look over his kingdom. This is where I rewrite history. Another achievement with my name on it, another thing for me to brag about for years to come. My name is J2H, and I am your next Blast From The Past winner.... And that's real talk bitch!

And with that, the camera fades to black. >

27th April 2025
Stockholm, Sweden

The match had been won and a happy J2H wandered through the curtain with Austin Parker and a huge arrogant smile on his face, proud of the match he had just put on out there for the fans in Sweden.

J2H: Told ya I was gonna smash that clown to pieces and send his ass back to the circus where he belongs.

Austin looked at J2H, adjusting his cowboy hat and starting at the much younger man.

Austin: Y'all might wanna look that back. For a fella that doesn't wrestle that often, he was better then ah thought he would be.

J2H  stopped walking and looked towards Austin, his head tilted as he let the words slowly sink in to his brain. He put up his hands in front of him, his palms towards Austin.

J2H: Ok, maybe, just maybe he was better then I expected, maybe he lifted up his game because everyone needs to lift their game against me, but I handled him well. I don't underestimate people but he was there to be underestimated. He was a referee, he is a referee, he's not on my level at all. He's seriously what he makes himself to be, a clown.

Austin was used to the confidence slash arrogance of J2H, so let the comments ride off his back.

Austin: Just don't get complacent. Keep yer head in the game because you have no idea who is going to be next.

J2H waved his hand, dismissing the notion of who might be next as a threat.

J2H: It doesn't matter who's next. I don't fear anyone in this competition, I never have, I never will. 

Austin: Ya signed up without looking at who was in it.

J2H smirked at Austin, winking at him while the smirk sat on his face.

J2H: Because I'm that confident. There's no one who can beat me in this thing. I just hope I get a good opponent in the final so I don't have to carry some idiot through. I had a clown this week who doesn't wrestle, probably get some idiot next time who can't wrestle.

Austin: Just don't take anyone lightly.

J2H rolled his eyes, unimpressed with what Austin had to say but before he could talk further, the cameraman interrupted them.

Cameraman: I'm sorry to interrupt, I've been asked if I can get your immediate reaction to the match you just had.

J2H's head snapped around to face the cameraman, looking beyond the camera and in to the man's eyes.

J2H: Who fucking asked you that? I don't really give a shit about who's around me, but I don't think anyone came over to you. Are you going rouge to get a promotion or something? Wanna steal Scott Oliver's job? Although that might not be a bad thing because he loses his stoner shit when talking to the Barnhart's. It's like he's just come out of rehab.

Cameraman: I uh, I got a message in my ear from Mr Ward asking me to film. He thought it might be good to help with selling the tournament.

J2H fired Austin a sideward glance, before looking back down the camera.

J2H: Yeah, always sell, sell, sell, get the brownie points by making shit about wrestling therefore making his bank account look good, but ok, you want me to talk about what I just did out there? You want me to sell the fact that I'm a fucking wrestler and that I can actually wrestle better then everyone else on this planet?

Cameraman: I um...

J2H put his finger to his lip, holding it up to instantly stop the cameraman from talking.

J2H: How do I feel? I'm J2H! I've seriously just gone out there and put on one hell of a match with a guy who barely wrestles. That was one of the best matches on Climax Control this year. I went out there and made him look good. I'm on top of the fucking world, I've taken the first step in to winning this whole damn thing. You want me sitting here selling the tournament, the whole thing was already sold the second my name went on the paper to be part of this. Everyone knew at that point, that I was gonna walk out there every week and make fucking magic and I did that tonight. I made fucking magic against a guy who looks like he belongs in a magic act. I feel like I got this tournament in the bag. I feel like there's not one person out there who can stop me.

Confidence went through him like a freight train, the adrenaline building up.

J2H: I said to everyone this match was gonna be a warning to every person in this tournament. I said I was gonna show you all just what I am capable of and what did I do out there? I went out there and showed everyone what I was gonna do to anyone I face. Shots fired and I'm not running out of ammo for a long time. I got more ammo then everyone in this tournament has brain cells put together. It doesn't matter who is next, I will beat them, because I'm J2H. Now fuck off, time to go home.

J2H attempted to walk away, but Christian Underwood's voice stopped him.

Christian: Actually, I'd reconsider going home. I mean flying all the way back for a few days, then having to go to the next spot, which is much closer, will probably be better for you.

J2H looked curiously at Christian Underwood, an eyebrow raised in his direction.

J2H: Spoken like a man without a family to see. What are you talking about? I just wrestled, I just won, now I get to go home for a couple of weeks.

Christian face changed, almost sympathies, but with hints of joy.

Christian: Well, this is awkward because you won't be at home for a couple of weeks. See there was some changes and you're up again next week so I wouldn't be going home just yet.

The anger instantly hit J2H hard as his blood started to proverbially boil as he looked at Christian through narrowed eyes and spoke through gritted teeth.

J2H: What the actual fuck!? I don't need to wrestle every week, I'm J2H! I'm the special attraction that you need! I don't need to do this, my contract says so!

Christian: The thing is, when you signed up for Blast From The Past, it said everyone can be booked at any time, till the tournament ends. You are up again next week.

J2H turned his head and looked at Austin in disbelief but Austin shrugged his shoulders.

Austin: This is what happens when ya sign shit you don't read.

J2H glared at Austin before turning back to look at Christian.

J2H: Fine, but who the fuck am I facing?

Christian smiled.

Christian: Travis Levitt... Now you have a nice day!

With that, Christian walked away, leaving J2H to just stare at Austin.

J2H: No fucking problem.

Both men wandered away as the camera faded to black.

---

30th April 2025,
Copenhagen, Denmark.

He was never the most sociable person in the world, keeping his circle close in his personal and professional life, only Austin Parker, Kevin Carter and until recently, Alexander Raven breaking that mold and being close to J2H in a professional environment. He had always made it very clear that he didn't like the people he worked with, other then the job at hand, wrestling, he had zero in common with any of them. Even attempted forced friendships thrust upon him in the past never hit home, with the likes of the innocent Despayre trying to be his friend, and Devona trying to open him up and make him more fan friendly. He'd found his path early, he knew he didn't need the fans on his side to be known, and it worked, why change something that never needed changing? It's no surprise that he wasn't like the rest of the SCW, running to play tourist and looking at famous sights with every country he stepped in, so it would be no surprise that he was laying in a hotel room looking at the ceiling.

His mood was bored as it often was away from home and Kevin wasn't around to keep him entertained. For a man who can take the attention on television, walking around a foreign land with eyes on him wasn't for him. The thought to sleep had run through his head countless times and it felt like it could well be the winning thought until his phone on the nightstand lit up. He reached over for it to see Melody's smiling face, attempting to Facetime with her husband. He wasted very little time in clicking the answer button and seeing Melody's face appear on the screen.

J2H: Hey!

Half a smile appeared on his face as his eyes adjusted to the bright screen in front of him, the feeling of happiness seeing his wife ran through him but there was a slightly different look on her face, her voice faster then usual.

Melody: Are you alright? I got this really weird feeling that something was wrong, so I tried calling and it couldn't connect so I called Simpson and...

He had to stop her, he knew she could talk fast till she ran out of breath.

J2H: You might wanna breathe or something there. Slow down and just talk.

She listened to her husband and took a deep breath before she asked just a simple question.

Melody: Are you ok?

He was more then a little surprised by her asking that, but also knew they had a connection that neither one of them could explain to anyone, they just knew when something was up or wrong.

J2H: Yeah, I'm just bored out of my head in this place. I know this is all about glamour so people think but when ya in a hotel room in a city that makes me think shit it's expensive, takes away to side of the job everyone thinks we have. 

A look of relief instantly covered her face as she looked at him.

J2H: Is everything ok there?

She nodded at a normal pace, her anxiety left her after checking on her husband.

Melody: Yeah, little guy is in school, he misses you, he thought you was gonna be home on Monday.

Internally, J2H sighed, as much as he knew how good he was wrestling, he always preferred to do it in America. SCW was booked close to home for him, he could always get home pretty soon, but half way across the world, he hated it.

J2H: I thought I was gonna be home on Monday, they never do this shit and put me twice in a row, they never do it. This tour has been bullshit from the start. Bad countries with nothing to really do, gawking fans everywhere, and I do mean everywhere. They're polite, but they're everywhere, all over the place. I've avoided everywhere public since I've been here.

She could hear just by his tone that he wasn't happy being there, but she knew he had to do it.

Melody: They won't book you next week, right?

He smiled inside hearing that, knowing it was very unlikely.

J2H: They shouldn't be but you never know. It's not likely, they don't need me there to work on a promo to sell the match or work on anything. Wouldn't be shocked if they want me to do something just to piss me off, but wrestle won't be one of them. Then off to Paris.

It was strange as most people disliked France and the bustling side of Paris, but J2H didn't mind it at all. 

Melody: I can't wait to see Paris again. We'll be flying over as soon as we can for that one.

J2H: Yeah, I just need to get past this match. I know without me getting to that final, there's no need for me to be there for some bullshit match. I can smell the booking now, Blast from The Past losers teaming up to take on other Blast From The Past losers in a mixed tag match. Some kind of bullshit there I don't want any part of. Probably make it a contenders match, means me getting my hands on Finn for the first time will be in a throwaway nothing match.

Melody couldn't help but smile at J2H's fantasy booking, even if she knew it was unlikely, she knew her Husband had been around SCW long enough to notice booking patterns.

Melody: I don't think they'll do that. 

She was assured with her words, adding a slight nod to the end.

J2H: I better make sure I don't lose then. It's a bit of a banana peel, even though I'll rip him a new asshole on like Friday or something, but I hate taking on people like him.

Melody wasn't sure on what to make on J2H's comment.

Melody: What do you mean James?

He chose his words wisely, taking a few seconds to think.

J2H: He took on Justin Smith, not exactly gold standard there. I think he just about did enough to get past him. I don't like people like that, just doing the minimum to get through but me, I'm the guy with the target on my back from the second I signed up, so people who don't take shit one hundred percent serious, I don't like. Watching his match there, he's hard to read. Everyone knew he was gonna get past Justin Smith, seriously everyone. Maybe he knew, but with me. I don't know. I'm not doubting myself, it's just people like him are tricky.

He still had every confidence in himself, but he knew how things could go sometimes.

Melody: You have nothing to worry about at all.

Her words were reassuring and he knew she was right.

J2H: Yeah, I guess being in some hotel looking at the ceiling gives me way too much time to think about every little thing.

Melody knew what he was like on tour and often stayed away from everyone until he had to do something, like check out the arena, or cut a promo.

Melody: I know it's not usually your thing, but why don't you go out for a while? Put on a hood and just walk around the place, I'm sure no one will recognize you if you pull the hood up.

J2H: Are you kidding? This is place is swarming with people. They're everywhere. They're not a threat but seems like SCW has brought out everyone already. It's not even the weekend and people are coming to the city. It's like they're going for the whole tour experience. We've done a lot of tours and I'm praying there's never a world tour again, because these tours are getting worse.

Melody: We'll that'll teach ya to sign up to something without seeing where the shows are going to be held.

He knew she was mocking him and he couldn't help but smile at her.

J2H: Hearing that don't sign shit a lot lately. Surprised with all the stupid shit I sign lately, Despayre hasn't popped up out of nowhere to get me to sign something to adopt a mongoose or something.

Melody instinctively laughed, covering her mouth after her initial outburst. After a few seconds, she composed herself to speak.

Melody: A mongoose? Where did that come from?

He honestly didn't know, it was just the first thing that came to his mind.

J2H: No idea but I wouldn't put it past him. He's been way too quiet lately.

The joke broke the mood, making it in to a much lighter tone and the two spoke for hours more, nothing that was overly important to wrestling, and nothing that would keep the average human being entertained, so this is where the scene fades out.

---

2nd April 2025,
Rosenborg Palace,
Copenhagen, Denmark.

He sat on the banks of the water surrounding the castle, his back to it all, the camera showing a wide shot of J2H as he looked around at the empty area, closed just for him to sit and talk, as was the respect between the people of Denmark and Sin City Wrestling. The city had been very accommodating to everyone involved in Sin City Wrestling and appreciative of the new trade a wrestling company had pulled in to their city. J2H looked over his shoulder for a second before looking back down the camera.

J2H: A home fit for a king, maybe but when you're a God, you deserve better.

He smirked as he looked down the camera, always proclaiming himself to be a God.

J2H: Well Copenhagen, you're fucking welcome because once again, I've rolled in to town and business just booms once more. The crowds flock from all over Denmark just to see this guy wrestle again. Consider yourself the luckiest people alive because I didn't want to be here, I don't give a shit about this place or anyone in it, but you're welcome anyway.

Arrogance was always his strong suit, but he knew those feelings had some truth to them.

J2H: I was set to go home, be with my family, not give a damn about being here or being around you so called wrestling fans, yet here I am because I was forced to be here. Believe me, if I wasn't being made to smack another nobody in the face, then I would be back in Beverly Hills, not giving a fuck about anything or anyone, but I am here and I'm here to book a ticket, I'm here to book a ticket to a city that is so much better then this place. I'm booking my ticket to Paris, not for that shitty Disneyland offspring, but to once again become Blast From The Past winner. Unfortunately, I had to come to this overpriced garbage land first. That just means by Sunday, I'm not gonna be in the mood to fuck about, I'm coming to destroy someone and get out of here. We all know who that poor bastard is, right?

J2H waited for a few seconds, waiting for people to have time to form an answer. 

J2H: Unless you've been living under a rock, you all know it's Travis Levitt. You guys remember him? Did he actually do anything here at all?

A tap of his chin with his forefinger, along with a frown indicated that he was thinking about the answer.

J2H: Well, no. Didn't do a whole lot, but Travis, you have made the same mistakes so many people have made over the years when it comes to this tournament. You've fell right in to the trap that every returning guy or girl has made when it comes to Blast From The Past. You look at it with tunnel vision, you look at it looking at the end of the road and not seeing everything else that's around you. You've stepped in thinking this is going to be your chance to relive those glory days, because you're back in the big time. You're back in the biggest place you've ever stepped foot in and you're sitting there thinking fuck, I can be someone again, I can actually get back the thing that I lost, prove to myself that I can still hang with the best in the wrestling world. That's what you was thinking when you put your name on that contract, right? 

He put out a hand flat, inviting an answer from no one.

J2H: That's where you've gone wrong, because everyone thinks that. Everyone thinks about the glory, without the work, everyone thinks of the dream ending but not the shit you need to get through to get there. I am the guy no one wants to face cause they know all about me, they know what I can do, they know who I am and when I'm determined as fuck, no one stops me. Deep down, you remember me, and you know this to be the truth, but you're still making that mistake Travis, you're still thinking about the glory at the end of the road. There's a problem there, I see the problem, everyone watching this sees the problem, those brain dead fucks that can just hear me cause they have porn open in another tab can see the problem. While you're looking at the end of the road, not taking any notice of what's around you, I've built a brick wall that you can't get through. I'm everyone's road block. I killed the dreams of a moron with a cape last week.

He smiled as he thought back to his previous victory.

J2H: I stopped him from getting something that he'd always wanted. He was looking for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow and didn't see the things that was right there in front of him. You're the same Travis, you can't see the wood for the trees. If you're unfamiliar with that saying, looking it up, because this is what you're doing. I bet you didn't do any research, I bet you didn't look in to anyone in this thing, neither did I, but I know nothing stops me. Probably wondering why I'm mentioning that when I can fall on that sword too, right?

He bunched up his fist and mockingly hit himself in the chest in a stabbing motion.

J2H: Well, that's simple. You've looked around and you saw Justin Smith as your first round opponent and you pushed yourself to learn a little about him, but the truth is, he sucks. He doesn't beat anyone, he never has beaten anyone. The guy is nothing. I'm sure you got a big ass confidence boost beating on someone who just make up the numbers. Absolutely well done...

He sarcastically slow clapped, mocking the victory.

J2H: That confidence getting a win must have made you really happy, got you really excited, but go back further, watch the shit that he does and you soon work out that even if you was blindfolded and had one arm tied behind your back, you could have still beat that cackling shit for brains idiot. You could have your legs shackled and still beat him. Believe me when I say he's never gonna have a match in his life where people will call it epic, not one, but me on the other hand...

A prideful smile crossed his face, and he had every right to be proud.

J2H: While you've been gone, I've been in some of the biggest matches of all time. The last two years alone, I was a two time World Champion, I gave the belt up just to let someone else have a go Travis, and they pretty much killed the place because even with the belt, they couldn't outshine me or what I was doing, they couldn't step up and grab that limelight away from me. I put my body through hell, in matches that tore of my flesh from my bones, I went home hurting for weeks, no able to pick up my son. I did that, winning award after award, after award, putting my body on the line for this place for years. While you've been sitting on your sofa, changing up the look, piling on a couple of pounds, I was creating something special. 

He smirked as he looked in to the camera.

J2H: They say long term story telling is dead, but I am proving that wrong.

He nodded to himself at what was quite possibly an inside joke.

J2H: While you sat on your ass for so long, I hit the highs, and I hit some lows. I should be number one contender now but some English son of a bitch stopped that, so I'm doing it by going through this. The dips will make the end game so much better Travis and my end game is winning this whole fucking thing. You returning, doesn't get me excited, you beating Justin Smith is on the level of watching paint dry. Do you think you're gonna come back and stop the biggest story of the year? I don't think so. You're not gonna fuck with the plan. As soon as the chamber was done, I knew I had one more shot at everything, I knew I had to take it and you coming back to wave your flag and try and live those glory days is not gonna stop that. Like I told you, you're no different from anyone else that comes back and tries to win this thing.

He shook his head slowly to get his point across.

J2H: Are you even expecting the fans to actually care about you? Did you think a couple of weeks ago you was gonna get a roaring reception with everyone chanting your name, holding up welcome back signs, throwing out a parade for you?

He looked horrified at the thought of that.

J2H: These people are stupid, they love nostalgia, they're probably pissing their pants over Joanne Canelli coming back this week, which is a bit random, but Travis, they don't care that you returned. They didn't against Justin Smith and they're not tuning in to this match because you're in it. They're tuning in because of me. They're not following your great return story, they're following my rise to the top again. They've seen the "drama" I bring, that roller coaster ride, that lightning in a bottle and they know it's what they want to see. You being in this match, well, they all know it's a goodbye for you because they know that once you lose, you'll be back to the sofa, or under whatever rock you crawled out from, knowing you don't have it anymore.

He pointed to his eyes.

J2H: These things right here, you have some too and yours are gonna be wide open after Sunday because you're gonna see so much from this one little match. You're gonna see you can't hang with people like me anymore. You're gonna see that Justin Smith is your level and I'm sure Christian or Mark will sign you to fight people like him every week, but you're gonna see you're just not up to this level anymore. I mean you never was when compared to me but this is gonna hit you like a truck. Still, you can take away a mostly expenses paid trip to a bunch of cold countries as a win. I mean you've probably never been to these places before so tick them off, but your time of touring around ends after Sunday.

He mocked Travis with a slow wave down the camera.

J2H: No one's gonna remember you after Sunday until they mention me winning Blast From The Past in a few weeks time. No one's gonna care when you walk out that door, because this is all about me, all about J2H. You're just there for the sake of being there, because you put your name on a contract and that's it. You're there because you had a little bit of hope that I will take away from you. I'm thinking that you're not gonna be as much of a challenge as that little clown that I beat last week. He surprised me a little, but I am not expecting anything from you Travis. Justin Smith is like beating up an overgrown baby, but me? I'm a whole different game. People talking about one hundred men beating a gorilla lately and all that stupid shit. Well, it's gonna take more then one hundred Travis Levitt's to beat one J2H. You don't have it in you, you never when you was in your prime and you sure as shit don't have it in you now.

He cracked his knuckles together.

J2H: Whatever delusion you have in your head right now, it's time to get rid of it, because now you've heard me, now you know I'm not coming here to fuck around, I'm coming here to get rid of you, make sure that you never get to darken the door of SCW again. Turn the lights off when you leave and lock the door Travis, we're not throwing you a farewell party, it's time for you to move on again because Sunday's about to show you that any doubts you had about yourself in your mind leading up to this, well they're all true. You don't belong here anymore, you outstayed your welcome after your first match back.Time for you to go and never look back again and that's real talk bitch!

With his last line delivered with complete confidence, a quick nod of his head indicated for the camera to fade to black. >

November 25 2024

It was the day after the night before so to speak, High Stakes XIV in Tucson, Arizona was a huge success and everyone had gone their own ways for a deserved break. Battle scars rested on many wrestlers bodies, and none more so the J2H. His brutal match with Michael Harris was the talk of the wrestling world, overshadowing many great matches on SCW's biggest show of the year. He had flown back to Beverly Hills along with his family as soon as he could, not waiting around for anyone or anything. His body was in serious amounts of pain immediately after the match, neither he nor Michael Harris had held anything back during their war. The flight back was also nothing but agony. SCW staff had requested he spoke to their medical people after the match but he refused, wanting to get back home but the night saw him worse and the next day, found himself sitting opposite a doctor.

Dr. Wilson: So we have your results back, James.

The middle ages male doctor, with greying hair around the sides and noticeable balding patch, sat across his desk from J2H, staring through silver rimmed glasses, as he shuffled through some papers before looking back up at him.

J2H: Well, don't keep me in suspense doc, I got other shit to do today.

The doctor looked slightly uneasy across the desk, picking his words wisely.

Dr. Wilson: I would consider cancelling any immediate plans if I was you James. You have a few things you need to deal with first.

J2H put his hands together and raised an eyebrow.

J2H: I always got shit to deal with doc, this is why I need to get this done and get the fuck out of here. I got things to do with my family.

Dr. Wilson: Well looking at the results, it's a miracle you can still stand. You don't have any internal bleeding but you do have a tear in your left lower leg that won't need surgery, but will take time to recover, you have....

J2H raised his hand at the doctor, stopping the man's words from coming out of his mouth, his patience running out with every second passing.

J2H: Look, all I want to know is if I need any kind of surgery and what the worst injury is. I don't need a whole list of shit.

The doctor removed his glasses and placed the on the desk in front of him.

Dr. Wilson: No James, you don't need surgery, rest will be fine and changing the bandages covering those stitches in your head. You do have a very bad concussion right now.

J2H shrugged his shoulders at the doctor.

J2H: That's it? A concussion. I've had those before, I got it, rest and it will go away.

The doctor looked slightly perplexed at J2H.

Dr. Wilson: James, I've known you for a long time, I've known your family for a long time and more then anything, I have treated many of your injuries after your wrestling matches. I know how many concussions you've had so you shouldn't dismiss this one as just a concussion. These kind of injuries have had a lasting effect on people's lives.

J2H waved his hand, not completely listening to the doctor. Like most people, having something they've had before seems to make them an expert on the subject and J2H was no different to those people.

J2H: Been there, done that, had the headache. I know I will be fine.

It was the doctors turn to raise his hand towards J2H to stop him from continuing what could have turned in to a rant.

Dr. Wilson: You don't seem to understand James. This is the most severe concussion you've ever had. I should be recommending you stay in hospital for observation, which is not completely common practice for people with concussions, but this one is very severe.

J2H rolled his eyes as he listened to the doctor's words.

J2H: I'll be fine, I just need a couple of pills and a few days rest and I'll be back at work next week.

The doctor frowned as he shook his head.
 
Dr. Wilson: I don't believe that is possible. You won't be cleared to wrestle for a while. Injuries like these need a prolonged period of time to heal, if they fully heal at all.

The last few words struck something with him.

J2H: What do you mean if they fully heal at all?

Dr. Wilson: That severe level of concussion has forced many athletes in to retirement. Head injuries are more and more common these days that force people out of their respective sports. Even with helmets, football players have sustained these injuries and never played again.

He looked seriously at J2H from across the desk, his eyes not leaving J2H's for a second. J2H responded with lower eyebrows and silence for what seemed like an eternity.

J2H: You're trying to say...?

Dr. Wilson: That you might want to consider retiring. You're still a young man, you have financial security and very famous. There are many things you can do that doesn't put you in harms way to occupy your time.

It was J2H's time to frown as he looked across the desk at the doctor, just staring a hole through him.

J2H: I have worked too fucking hard to just give this up. I have one goal left in me before I'm done, need to do one more little thing before I hang up the boots so I won't be retiring any time soon.

Dr. Wilson: It's something you should consider because I can not clear you to work right now.

Frustration crossed J2H's face as he looked at the doctor, his fists clenched, his jaw set and his mind racing at a mile a minute.

J2H: I need you to clear me to wrestle so I can get back to work.

Dr. Wilson: I can't do that in good conscience. The medical team will know immediately that you are not fit to return to the ring and won't allow it. If I clear you to do so, I will be ruining my reputation as competent doctor. Importunely, you're going to have to sit this one out for a little while till you recover. 

J2H could feel the anger building up in him but couldn't do too much about it. He knew he couldn't wrestle without clearance from the doctor.

J2H: Fine, I'll take a couple of weeks off, I'll take it easy, I'll do all I need to at home, but I'm telling you this doctor, I will be back, I will be in that ring again without a shadow of doubt in my mind. You said yourself, you've known me for a long time, you know I'm gonna do what the fuck I want anyway.

Dr. Wilson: I know you will James.

J2H: And every fucking week, I'm gonna be here knocking on your door over and over till you clear me. That's not me just talking shit, that's me telling you how it is. Are we clear doctor?

An uncomfortable look from the doctor buried in to J2H's eyes, as J2H's stone like face stared a hole right through the medical professional.

Dr. Wilson: I have no reason to doubt you but please rest for a while.

J2H stood up, just nodding at the doctor.

J2H: Yeah, yeah.

His unimpressed tone was the last thing the doctor heard before he walked out of the office. He did stick to his word and returned every week and for many weeks he was denied. He started wondering if his career was over, but something made him more determined then ever to return and the stars aligned as he was cleared to do light work, around the time he heard something that made him want to return more...

*******

9th February 2025

A lot of time had passed and his thoughts were starting to turn towards giving up the sport he loved so much and it was getting to him. He sat at home more and more, itching to get back, but needed to see the a way in. His goal was in his mind but he waited for the way back in and it came in SCW's off week. He sat on the sofa with his wife Melody when his phone lit up.

Melody: Who's that?

He looked down at his phone resting on his knee and looked at who the message could be from.

J2H: SCW sending out their shit for next week. 

He clicked the message, rolling down and reading the information, but his eyes narrowed, causing Melody to look at her husband with curiosity.

Melody: What's that look for?

A smile passed over his face as he looked at the words from the e mail sent to him from the offices of SCW.

J2H: Well, it looks like they're doing an elimination chamber qualifiers for a number one contenders match for the World Championship, but for some reason, doing a women's one for the actual title.

Melody looked confused by hearing that.

Melody: Why for the title for the women's but contenders for the men?

J2H: I don't know, SCW usually do things equally, but maybe someone is waving their magic band or something and just don't fancy defending against multiple people. That makes no sense to me, but you know what does make sense to me? What makes a whole lot of sense to me?

Melody straightened up on the sofa, knowing her husband well enough to sense he sees an opportunity in this.

Melody: I think I know where you're going with this but I don't think I like it.

J2H: This is my chance to get back involved and get to the World Championship. It's the long way around when I should just be able to step in to the match after all the good shit I've done over the last year or two without going for it and I know I'll have to go through hell, but fuck, this is the thing I've been waiting for.

Melody frowned as she looked at him with concern.

Melody: James, you can't keep doing these insane matches all the time. After the last big match you did, you nearly had to retire. You could barely walk for a month and you want to put yourself through this?

He put his hand on her knee, reassuring her.

J2H: I wasn't that bad.

Melody: You was that bad.

J2H: Doesn't matter. I'm not anymore, I'm in good shape and I need to get in that match. It's not because I want to get to face Finn Whelan, I don't wanna work with the guy, hell, he doesn't work hard, harder working mailmen out there, but I want that title. I don't care if I have to take it off him or someone else. That's the goal for me, one more run just to show people that I am everything a champion is meant to be. This place has not had a real leader for years, and it needs one.

Melody: I'm still worried that this might be one big match too far.

He stood his head defiantly.

J2H: This is my kind of match. I don't run from the big matches, I run towards them. I don't dodge people or fear anyone. I'm a fighter and I don't give a shit who will be in that match, I want to be in it. I love these matches, I've beat five or six guys at the same time to win championships and to defend championships. I don't fear these matches Mel and this is the perfect way to get back to the top.

Concern ran through Melody, she'd seen her husband put himself through hell in the past in these matches and always worried about him.

Melody: How do you know if you'll be in it?

J2H: I'll make them put me in it. They need star power for this one, they need a draw for this one and who better then me? They always come to me when they need something big, but I'm gonna chase them. I don't care if I have to bribe every fuck in the company and every doctor in the country, I'm gonna be in this match. In fact, I have a few calls to make right now to make sure I am in this match.

Melody sighed but knew once his mind was set, she wouldn't be able to stop him from doing this. He already had his phone to his ear, trying to contact someone to get him in this match. It didn't take him long to get the answer he was looking for. He knew in his heart this was the way to the top without some bullshit Blast From The Past tournament. He knew in his heart he could win it because that's what he was determined to do and a determined J2H, was a tough J2H to beat. The month passed quickly and he found himself in the match, now it was all eyes on Blaze of Glory and the six men he would have to go through to get to the thing he wanted the most...

*******

22nd March 2025
Beverly Hills, California.

The night sky is shown over the home of J2H has he sat on a flat section of roof on top of his house, looking at the night sky. He sits with his legs crossed, just looking up for a few seconds, he's breathing barely noticeable as he looks in to the unknown, just talking to himself in a soft tone. 

J2H: All those stars and the biggest one is down here sitting on a roof, about to talk shit about a bunch of idiots who don't deserve to live at the same time as me but here we are.

He rolls his shoulders back, his mind in thought about where to start. So many opponents flashed through his mind, so many things he could say to belittle them all, to get in their heads.

J2H: So it's come down to this. Months of doubts in my mind, months of thoughts about maybe it's a good time to spend more time at home, and by that, I mean permanently, so many thoughts coming off a huge match like that against Michael Harris, which I'm fucking proud of, wondering in my head if that was the mountain high for me again. I know I more then still have it, compared to most in this business of veterans and wonderkids, I'm literally peak fucking age, but I had to ask myself, what's my motivation? Why should I continue? Where's the drive?

He taps his chin in contemplation.

J2H: I looked, and I searched at it wasn't difficult to find. See a while ago, I said I wouldn't challenge for the World Championship for a whole year and that year passed and what have we seen in that year? One champion, one person who is sitting there with the belt, going to bed at night knowing they broke my record. Throwing little jabs in my direction while thinking they're special. They fail to see in my reign, I defended it every other week against people much better then we have in here today. I didn't run or hide from multi people matches just to cling on to that belt for a few more weeks, I showed up every week and worked and when I sat there thinking about this, about the championship, about this belt, my motivation was clear. It was to take away the belt from the champ that we all know is gonna leave after I win it back, because the belt, the company I built, even those idiots who pay to see us, deserve better. 

He sighs as he looks down, shaking his head.

J2H: But as usual, the short memories of people, where I put on the greatest matches, had the biggest rivalries, seem to get pushed aside. Maybe someone has a little too much power to pick and choose opponents, or maybe blackmail pics, or whatever, but as usual, the man who has worked harder then anyone else in SCW for the past two fucking years, has to jump through hoops to get to that shot, but that's ok. Whoever's game this is, I'll play it and you know why? Cause I like fucking winning. I should have just been given the spot in this thing, fuck, I should of just been given the championship match instead of watching a weak little civil war between who cares and who gives a fuck, but I see the hoops in front of me to jump through. You made me face Jayden fucking Harris again! I jumped through that loop and yet he still got in to that match... Now I get to face him again, oh joy oh joy. I see why, I'm the star power, he is my natural heat because I fucking hate him, the rest are just there to make up the numbers.

He looks up and stares in front of him.

J2H: That's all they are and I will talk about you in a while Jayden but I need to get these fucking morons out of the way, because they are unworthy of being in this match with me.

He breathes deeply, gathering his thoughts.

J2H: Eddie Lyons, let's start with you. The thing with you Eddie is you've been pretty fucking solid since you showed up, done well, won a few things along the way but you need to ask yourself if you're on the level that I have been on for years. You got to ask yourself if this is one step too far for you. I have no doubt that you will be that little workhorse that you are and in your mind, you think you can handle someone like me, but lets stop that delusion right now. You're really nowhere near my level. There's nothing wrong with confidence, nothing at all, I've built my career on confidence and being able to back it up, I'm J2H, it's what I do, but here's your problem Eddie. You don't have that cutting edge, you don't have that bastard side to you where you will overstep the line and go for that big hit just to get the job done. I've looked back at you and you are not too much different from me. Built yourself up for those little titles, proved you can actually work an angle, that is lost on a lot of fucking people, you've even got people giving a fuck about you but the big difference with us two is the killer instinct and you just don't have it. You just don't have that instinct to take something by the throat and rip it out for the good of yourself because you care too fucking much about what others think. The truth is, your sister, she's got the right idea, she don't give a fuck and makes that very clear, she will step over everyone to get what she wants and that doesn't run in the family. If it did, you might have a chance in this thing but you don't. Maybe you should be like her and you just might stand a chance in this thing.

He smiles slightly before continue.

J2H: Speaking of someone with absolutely no chance, and trust me Eddie, you got more chance then this guy, but Bill Barnhart...

A look of disgust crosses his face.

J2H: Man, if a picture could smell, no one around would be able to keep in their lunch looking at this guy. How the fuck did you get in this match Bill? I mean seriously, who has any interest in seeing you wrestle in general let alone in a big match like this? You're the fucking cure to insomnia. No one gives a fuck about you at all. Let's break down a Bill Barnhart promo shall we? Fat sweaty guy sits talking about management giving him matches, gives a tale of the tape of past battles, which you should stop because you don't win many, then that equally as boring woman talks for you, a narrator talks and you basically spend ten minutes talking about shit everyone already knows. Ever thought about developing yourself to actually seem a little more interesting? No, because you're what we call old school and old school doesn't work anymore Bill, old school is just a way of saying you're incapable of keeping up with modern wrestling. Could you imagine this boring prick as a World Champion? Come on, the company will go broke in a month. Either evolve or get the fuck out of the way old man, because I'm gonna show you that you don't belong in a match like this. However you've got your way in to it, you're about to see that you don't belong and never will. You give scraping the bottom of the barrel a new meaning. Fucking insult to the barrel.

He rolls his eyes before he continues.

J2H: It's like the more I talk about this, the more I go from one idiot to the next because now it's Senor Vinnie.

He looks up and shakes his head as if to ask the heavens why.

J2H: Surrounded by fucking morons in this match. I got an idea to make this match more interesting Vinnie and that's for you to step aside and let the cactus take your place. I mean thinking about it, that little fucking thing that isn't real is more interesting then you are, other then that weird ass thing of the cactus and the dog thing, that was just fucked up. Still, the cactus has more life in it then you. I was actually fucking glad when you was gone for a while Vinnie, no more shit music, no more you chasing some fat woman, then no more you chasing a commentator, it was peaceful. I mean that's what I remember you for, nothing to do with wrestling, nothing that makes me think I should fear you in the ring. I mean are you the same Senor Vinnie that left? Because you look very different behind that scruffy beard of yours but something hasn't changed and that's what you can do in the ring. You was bad then and you're no better now. You're meant to get in my mind and make me feel insecure if you want a chance of beating me, but a banjo playing freak that talks to a cactus and is friends with idiots like Bill Barnhart doesn't make me piss my pants in terror amigo. Might piss my pants laughing at what a sad pathetic joke you are but other then that, no terror, no fear, just an after thought.

J2H looks back up at the stars.

J2H: Now I got to talk about a man everyone is saying should be one of those.

He points to the stars.

J2H: But something just hasn't clicked for you yet, has it Carter? Everyone can see you're the rising star, everyone can see this is your big chance to finally break off the shackles of just another guy on the roster. You do have something above everyone else in this match, two things actually, one, people know who you are and two, people actually give a shit about you. Most people give a shit about you, I might have respect for you from past battles but I don't actually give a shit about you, because like the others, you're in my way for me to get the ultimate goal and that's to save this place from a championship held hostage so respect will go out of the window like it doesn't even exist. Past battles have shown you're not too far off from being the man of the company, it shows that you might have a chance if you came up against the champion, but you have to go for the man who is most likely to get the job done and that's me. I know it's a fairytale ending for you to win this and go on to get that belt, but it's not going to happen Carter. I am gonna stop that happy ending for you. I couldn't give a shit if the fans are behind you and they will be behind you in this one more then anyone else, but I'm gonna disappoint them and leave them all in tears.

He rubs his eyes, mockingly wiping away invisible tears.

J2H: Then there's your little boy toy Miles. Forever in the shadows of Carter. I mean you have some popularity but it's not you they think of first when it comes to your coupling. It's all about Carter, you're just the guy with him, forever to be in his shadow. Like I said about Eddie, you share a trait with him, because you too just don't have that killer instinct to put people away. If it came down to it and you had the chance to eliminate Carter, could you do it? Would you put your personal life on the line for a shot at greatness and stab him in the back with the whole classic playbook move of Crystal whatever she wants to be called these days? No, you couldn't Miles. You couldn't stab him in the back and that makes you weak. Matches like this need strength and you don't have that. I'm not talking about muscle, I'm talking about your mind and we know you're mentally weak because you couldn't take down one of your own, you couldn't sacrifice a relationship for a championship shot. This is how I know you're not standing a chance against me. I would say prove me wrong but we both know you can't do that.

He looks as confident as his words sound.

J2H: One more to go and there's a reason I saved you till last Jayden. We do this dance all the fucking time and more time then not, I end up on top. Have you ever wondered why? Because you fucking suck compared to me! You're fucking nothing compared to me. You never have been and the fact is that won't go through to your brain damaged mind, that you never will be. You showed up here trying to use me for clout and showing what a shitty driver you are, and it's all been downhill from there. Look back at everything, look back at all the things we've gone through, the blood spilled in the ring and you'll see I've always been the one who has come out on top, I've always been the one who's put you behind me, but like an annoying little bastard, you keep coming back for move, over and over again. It's time to end this one Jayden because as much fun as it is to try and make that brain of yours bleed again and put you permanently in a care home, I gotta bigger goals then you to deal with, but one last dance, I will put you away again.

He cracks his knuckles.

J2H: We're the first two in the ring, that's what Christian said and I can read a fucking card, there will be a third joining us, but that third isn't gonna save you. I got my plan and it's to humiliate you, whoever the third is can just stand there and watch, because it's elimination and you're going out before a forth even gets in that ring. I'm gonna invite the third to just sit back and watch from an up close space, watch how a real man gets it done because I'm not getting paid by the hour Jayden, I'm coming to end you quickly, shame you in to stepping away again. I'm not coming here to play games, this is it for us and I will make very short work of you and every other little bitch that steps in my way. Enjoy this last dance Jayden, it will be your last in SCW.

He smiles with confidence.

J2H: Not once of you little bitches in this match actually stand a chance against me, not one of you. I'm the one everyone has come to see, I'm the one everyone knows is the better man in this match, it's not even close. Everyone wants to see me against Finn Whelan or Alex Jones because we all know it's a bigger match then Finn Whelan Vs Alex Jones. This match is a means to an end and when I say I'm not letting this slip through my fingers, I'm not fucking around. I'm coming in to this one more determined then any of you in this, I'm coming in to this more motivated then I ever have before. It's not about this one more run bullshit so many spout about before happily sitting back in the midcard, this is about me saving a championship that needs saving, this is about me chasing people hiding in the shadows, this is about me, it's always been about me, SCW is always been about me and if I got to go through six people to get there, then so be it. Blaze of Glory is going to be my night and no one in this match is gonna stop me.... That's real talk bitch!

And with that, the scene fades to black. >

Preparations for High Stakes XIV was well underway in the TCC Arena in Tucson, Arizona as a busy ring crew started to set the scene for what will no doubt be a night that everyone will remember for a lifetime. The entrance ramp was set up and the ring ready to go, as the crew made their final preparations for Sunday's huge supercard. J2H sat up in the stands, his eyes on his eyes on his son, James Jr, leaning on the barricade and few rows in front, watching the men and women at work. He looked around as the screen burst in to life, testing logos and graphics. His attention turned back to his son, completely taking his focus to the point he didn't even hear his wife Melody walking down the steps beside him. She moved along the row, sitting next her husband, his focus elsewhere.

Melody: Hello? Earth to James?

His head slowly turned around to look at her, an eyebrow raised slightly.

J2H: Sorry, was keeping an eye on the little guy.

His hand pointed towards his son as he leaned on the barricade, looking over. It wasn't uncommon for J2H to bring his son to the big supercards, no matter where they were in the world, he was a huge wrestling fan after all and was popular amongst the wrestlers backstage.

Melody: It's all good. How are you feeling?

The was a rush of emotions running through J2H as he sat and looked at the set. Deep down he knew he could be looking at the last ring he'll ever wrestle in. He knew there was a slight chance Sunday night could be the last night he has as a wrestler.

J2H: I'm fine, it's just a lot to take in.

Melody: But you do this all the time.

Melody was right, before every SCW supercard, J2H would often just appear at the arena a day or two before just to sit and look, just to feel the caged energy. He knew how different it would be when the arena was full and people were screaming for their favourite wrestlers to appear. He could already feel the electric staring to fill the air as he looked down at people pointing directions to others. He could see the excited looks on other wrestlers faces as they inspected the ring and everything around it.

J2H: I know I do, but you know how it is. Biggest show of the year and it rests upon my shoulders to bring it home the way I have so many times, in a match where limits get pushed and shit. 

Melody slightly frowned as she looked towards him. She had always known him to be confident in everything that he did, but this time, he seemed almost human, almost the average Joe you see on the streets.

Melody: Feeling the weight of expectation?

It was a valid question that seemed to snap him back in to his old confident self.

J2H: Not at all. I know what I can do when I get down there. I know everything I'm gonna try to do and will do. This doesn't worry me, not even the insane amounts of money that is riding on this. Millions around the world have bought this show because they think this is my last ride. They think that I will walk out here for the last time and that they can see my career end right in front of their faces.

His eyes quickly diverted towards the ring, tracing his way up the ramp.

Melody: That's the whole point, right? To get people watching.

Her tone was soft and her husband nodded in agreement to her sentiments.

J2H: Yeah, all eyes on the prize and that prize is me. It's not gonna happen but I lose this one, I won't be the biggest loser out of the whole thing, because I am SCW's cash cow. They lose me, they lose a lot of eyes. That's why they keep paying me big money to come back when I didn't need them, because they need me. Everyone back behind that curtain knows this, they lose me, they lose millions. They know if I am done, they better sign me to some non wrestling shit to keep the viewers and pull in the sponsors.

Melody: I have faith in you to win, but what happens to the group if you lose?

It wasn't a question that really passed J2H's mind in the slightest so he took a few seconds to think about it.

J2H: I don't know. I guess Kevin and Alexander continue, I can still be around but won't be able to wrestle again, which I think I might have come to peace with.

The last line shocked Melody as she turned her head towards him with a quick, sharp snap.

Melody: Did I just hear you correctly?

He smiled towards her, his eyes strangely warm for a few seconds before turning back towards his son.

J2H: Worst case scenario that will never happen, is I lose, I leave my boots in the ring and I go home. I don't need wrestling, my reason for wrestling is right in front of me.

Melody knew he was instantly talking about their son, still looking at all the work going on around him.

J2H: But it means I spend more time at home, we don't need money, we got so much as it is. I just get to do the school run and you can still bring him to supercard shows and shit that's local.

Melody frowned towards her husband.

Melody: What do you mean I can bring him to shows?

She put her finger on her cheek, as a mock quizzical look crossed her face.

J2H: You think I'm coming to SCW shows when I'm retired and don't have to be here? Fuck that, I don't like ninety percent of people backstage. I don't like most of the people down their setting up the arena. I have been beating the drum about how lazy this roster is for a long, long time and if I'm forced to leave everything in the ring, I am putting this shit show of a roster far behind me.

He smiled at Melody, but Melody was unsure if he actually meant it or not. Her curiosity got the better of her.

Melody: Do you actually mean that?

J2H: Oh every single word. I am not wasting my time here. I know heckle and Jekyll in the back are probably writing up some kind of deal right now to keep me around if the worst happens, but if it means being around these bunch of freaks and misfits, you know where I'm gonna tell them to shove that thing. No amount of money keeps me around this shower if I don't have to be. I won't train these idiots because they don't work hard enough now, so they'll just piss me off and disappointment me, I won't sit around and give them advice because they're too stupid and I'm certainly not gonna do what every other retired wrestler does.

Melody looked at him unsure what he meant.

Melody: What do you mean by that?

J2H: I'm never having another match again. If I lose, I will not be one of those guys that gets lured back. This is why I never once said I was retired when I was out of the ring. I never once said I was done, because I'm not some hypocritical bitch that will work their way back, sign up for open matches and tournaments. If that guy manages to retire me, then I am done, finished, I will never get back in a ring and wrestle again.

Melody wasn't sure if he was completely serious, but he was one hundred percent sure of his words.

Melody: Not for anything?

J2H: Not for anything. I'm not one of those guys, I'm better then those guys. They say no one is truly retired when you're a wrestler but if I'm forced to without injury, then I am never coming back. I can be done at thirty and never look back, but you know something?

He waited for Melody to respond.

Melody: What's that?

J2H: Doesn't matter cause he's not retiring me on Sunday. I said from day one all those years ago when I was a kid, I was gonna end my wrestling career my own way, I was gonna choose how it was done and when it was done. No one can take that away from at all and no one will, certainly not Michael Harris. It's not even handing over a torch or anything, dudes gonna be gone either way. He's not gonna sit around and dine off the fact he's beat me, ended something he shouldn't have. He'll show up, brag and disappear again, back in to the wild where he will never be seen again.

He said every word with the confidence you expected from him.

Melody: I'm sure that won't be the case.

J2H: Oh it will be. He'll go back to where ever the hell he wants, sitting there with the cold memory that taking my career has led him to absolutely nothing at all. This is why the fates are on my side, this is why everything is screaming out that I will not be retiring on Sunday. Everything is on my side and there's no way I lose this. 

Melody: That's the confidence we know and love.

He was confident, more confident then he's ever been in his life before a match but knew the realization was there. It's wrestling, there's no director shouting cut, there's no re shoots, he knew it could be his last but was sure it wasn't.

J2H: I got nothing here to worry about really. I know his game, I know he will try scare tactics and crazy shit that people will be surprised at. I know this and he knows I know this. He will take himself out by doing something stupid because he's bought in to his own hype. All I gotta do is just be me in that ring, know and accept I won't walk out the same, and do what I do best. I'm not stupid enough to go in to this thinking I'm untouchable, I will bleed and it will hurt like a bitch for a long, long time, but I also know in a couple of weeks, even if I have to be carried to the ring, I will get there and he will bend the knee.

Melody: Maybe you could get carried down her on a throne or something.

She was joking of course, but a smile crossed over her husbands face as he looked towards her with a smile.

J2H: That's actually a great idea. Take down the ropes, carried on a throne, put in to the ring and make him really bow down to the king.

Melody: I didn't....

J2H: It's a perfect idea, the perfect idea to end all this shit. In fact, I'm gonna go now and make that happen, give those two in the back something to really think about.

J2H stood up and shuffled past his wife. Melody rolled her eyes as she took over the role of watching her son, as J2H made his way backstage and the camera faded to black.

---

The spotlight lights up once more as we appear on the same stage as last week, the confident and calm looking J2H stands with his fingers intertwined and his head down. He looked up towards the camera.

J2H: Did you think I was done talking?

He slowly shook his head.

J2H: Welcome to act two, the final act of this long, draw out epic battle between the old and the young, the in his prime and past it. We all saw over last weekend what happens when someone past his prime steps up against someone in his.

He was of course referring to last weekends boxing match.

J2H: I listened to you Michael, I laughed a lot at your maniacal rants with the blood pissing down your head, all crazy eyes and trying to intimidate, but you finally saw what the rest of the world saw. It took blood streaming from your head to finally get what I was trying to show you and that was that I was always in control of this. I could smell the sarcasm from your voice, believe me, it's not lost on me at all, but we know the sarcasm was just to hide the fact that deep down in that black heart of yours, you knew it was true.

He slowly starts to clap, mocking Michael from the week before.

J2H: About time you saw the bigger picture, about time you saw that you've been my little puppet all along. The beast was in me all along and people have been telling you that for a long time, I've been showing you it for a long time, you really should have listened Michael, you really should have stopped playing dumb and start seeing what's around you. Ask yourself why I've been doing what I've been doing. It was always to get rid of you from this world we live in, it was always to get rid of you from what we do and now you can see, I won't stop at nothing till this happens.

A plain look crossed J2H's face as he revealed his plans.

J2H: I was doing this world a favor and now we're coming to the grand finale, the big ending, the thing that everything has lead up to and people expect this to go the comic book way, the superhero wins, or in this case, the anti hero for you, but this is one of those big plot twists Michael, this is where the bad guy wins, this is where the anti hero gets buried. Now movies are a money machine, they do shit like that for the sequel, for the hero to rise and once again take his throne, become the top dog again, but there is no sequel to this one Michael. When that screen fades to black, when it all disappears, the show ends, that's it, there is no comeback, the person here you paint as the villain, will have got rid of the person everyone was rooting for.

His voice was cool, calm, collected and very focused as he continues.

J2H: No matter what you bring to this party, if you really am gonna be that evil, no good son of a bitch that we all know you can be. If you really want to bring that fucked up mind of yours to come and play, it still won't be enough, because you're not enough.

He smiles slightly.

J2H: You heard me, you're not enough, you never have been. This is why I've done everything I can to get rid of you, but you're like a fucking cockroach! You just won't die! I throw you off a fucking ship and in to the sea and you still won't fucking die! 

The angry tones echoed around the room, but soon were replaced with a softer tone, almost dangerous.

J2H: I will change that Michael, because this is the end for you, this is where you run out of strength. I've been trying to get lazy motherfuckers to work hard, or get the fuck out, I've been doing it for a long time but everyone is too fucking scared to call me out on it, but you were a much different case. I could see you was weak since the day I ended up in a ring with you, I could see you were weaker when I last saw you show up for your pay check. I could see you was getting weaker and weaker and that means it's time to go Michael, it's time to head off in to that sunset and disappear forever. I'm going to make that fucking happen and these ungrateful fucks that boo me, they're gonna see that I was doing this for them all along. I was getting rid of the weakest link in the chain that makes up SCW. I am doing this for people who are too fucking blind to see this, but I'm gonna do it anyway.

He nods slowly and with confidence.

J2H: I don't need to be anything like you to win this one. I don't need to go psycho to win. All that bullshit is a front, psycho or not, you still bleed like anyone else and I've proved that. I've seen you bleed like a stuck pig. All that bullshit psycho act means you're scared. It's a big scary front to try and intimidate me and trust me dick for brains, I ain't falling for that bullshit. I'm not scared of the big man acting like it's Halloween all over again. I've beat people crazier then you before because I don't have to put on that front, I just have to go do what I do best and kick the shit out of you. Act deranged all you want but the sad truth is, it's pathetic, you're pathetic, you're a sad little man living in his own head, still thinking he's something special, still thinking he's a draw when really, you couldn't draw flies to horse shit.

Once again, he nods with an air of confidence.

J2H: You're not the bogeyman, you're not some monster from a nightmare, you're a man, a man who can get beat up like every other man around, a man who can get beat in to the middle of next week, just like everyone else and that is what is going to happen. 

He rubs his hand together.

J2H: You're not scary and you never have been. It proves your head isn't there because I am not thirty five you fucking idiot. You think you know me? You don't know shit about what's behind these eyes.

He points to his eyes.

J2H: You think a death match scares me? You think me potentially losing my career scares me? You're living in cloud cuckoo land if you think anything about you scares me. Pull back the curtain on me and see what you think you see, but you have no idea what I have planned. You think this is your domain when really, I've pulled the strings, I know what I'm doing and you're just walking blindly in to what I wanted all along. I wanted something that was gonna pull you in to my web because I know at that point you will think you control everything, you will think you are leading me in to something and that's when I will take you the fuck out. This whole thing has lead to this point and all I had to do was be patience. I worked out you wouldn't just fuck off and not come back, I knew it ate away at you every time you saw me on screen, I knew you just couldn't refuse to walk back towards me. Yeah, you took the belt off me, big fucking deal, I would have taken it back from you a year ago, instead I had to sit and beat five others for it and I know you was watching that match. I know it made you bitter and twisted inside because you saw me beat so many, proving I was and still am the best around.

He places his hands together again.

J2H: It ate you up knowing that if you bothered to show up for that, as champion, there was half a chance you could have ended me that night. You should be fucking grateful I'm giving you another chance to end me now. You wanted my legacy then, I offered you my career, you should be so damn thankful that I even gave you that chance, but it's all part of my game. You heard the phrase give them enough rope and they'll hang themselves? That's what I've done. I've given you just enough rope for you to hang yourself, just enough for you to finish yourself off and that's what's gonna happen. I am not coming here for you to finish me, my career doesn't end this way and it never will. It goes the way I want it to go, it goes the way I see it ending and it will not end because of you. To end my career, you will have to go through with your promise.

He runs his finger across his throat.

J2H: You'd have to kill me. You'd have to end me in front of the entire world. You'd have to look down on me as I take my final breath and see the light fade out in my eyes. You'll have to make good on that promise, but I don't think you have the heart to do it. When you took a dive overboard, I was willing to end you for good, but I don't think you have it in you to do the same to me.

J2H shakes his head and smiles.

J2H: Because you're a coward Michael, you're all talk and no action. You're like a prissy little girl who can talk forever but when it gets to getting things done, when it gets to crossing that point of no return, I don't think you can step over that line. I don't think you've got it in you to go that far, you're all mouth, no action. You want my career? Kill me for it, I fucking dare you to send me out on a blaze of glory, put me in the ground and be remembered. Do it Michael, step over that line and be remembered.

J2H smirks.

J2H: But you won't. You haven't got it in you now, you will never have it in you to go that far, to cross that line, to step over in to a place that no man can return from. 

He shrugs his shoulders.

J2H: You don't have the killer instinct, no matter how much you talk it up, no matter how much you try to act like you do. You just don't have it in you at all, but I'm daring you to Michael. I'm daring you to walk across the line cause no one's gonna remember you for anything else you've ever done. This is your one chance to be remembered, and you are gonna fuck it up. I know you're gonna fuck it up, because that is the story of your life. One big fuck up after another. From your fuck up kid to your fuck up career, to your fuck up life, to your fuck up mind. You're one big fuck up and that's gonna continue over and over again.

He smiles as he looks down the camera.

J2H: You can't do it, you won't do it, you need to bend the knee and admit it, and I will make you do that because I fucking can. I can go through on my promises, I can make them happen, but you, you're just a disappointment to me and everyone else around. You are not on my level and all those promises you made to the people, just empty words, nothing more then hot air, blowing out of a has been's mouth. Just another line to get you another unearned pay day. That's who you are Michael, that's all you'll ever be because when it comes down to it, you're not J2H, you never will be J2H. You're just a sad old man who needs to be put in his place and I know the guy for the job.

J2H points at himself.

J2H: You won't close the curtain on my career, you won't be the one who denies the world this living legend. I'm J2H and you're fucking nothing compared to me. You never have been and you never will be, that's stating facts, that's being honest, that's real talk bitch!

And with that, and possibly for the last time in his storied career, the scene fades to black. >

Climax Control was another winning experience for J2H in one of the strangest matches ever devised by the minds of SCW top brass, a Witches Road match against Bill Barnhart. Some might think whoever put that out there might have a slight obsession with a certain TV show or witches in general but it was another one J2H had overcome. The night had ended, the main event done and all the fanfare that went with it and J2H sat on a bench in the backstage area, dirt and mud still clinging to his body from his aforementioned Witches Road match. Tiredness shot through him as he picked up a bottle of water and drunk deeply as a cameraman spoke to him.

Cameraman: Tough night?

J2H looked up at the man, looking beyond the camera and at the male holding it. He put the water back on the bench to his left.

J2H: No shit Sherlock. Did you see what I had to do tonight? Did you see the shit that happened tonight? Anything to try and get under my skin, so yeah, tough night.

He wasn't in the mood for stupid questions but his tired legs wouldn't allow him to stand and move away from them.

Cameraman: At least you won, right?

J2H lowered his eyebrows and frowned towards the camera, almost a look of disgust passing on to his face.

J2H: You know who you're sitting here talking to, right? I mean you came at me with a camera, you knew I won so what kind of stupid fucking thing is that to say to me? Did you or anyone else expect less? I mean, wasn't it obvious that I was gonna do some stupid ass match and still win and not because Bulldog put respect on my name and was in awe of who the fuck I am, it's because I am that fucking good. I am better then everyone around, so yeah, at least I won? Shit man, we have trained reporters here who know how to ask questions and you clearly want to be one of them, you should stick to holding the camera.

The awkwardness of the cameraman could be felt through the airways but he kept his camera pointed at J2H.

Cameraman: Sorry, I'll leave you alone. Good luck in your match next week.

The cameraman turned to leave, the screen flashing around to show others walking around, but J2H called after him.

J2H: Whoa! Get your ass back here!

The camera stopped panning and returned to a curious looking J2H, his hand resting on his chin.

J2H: What match next week? The fuck are you talking about? Stop stumbling and spit it out.

Cameraman: I uh, I ummm.

J2H: What part of stop stumbling didn't you get? This fucking place is full of geniuses. Did you go to school to hold that camera or did they just find you wondering around the streets? Spit it out.

Cameraman: I got the schedule for next weeks, that comes with the card and your name is on it.

He gritted his teeth as his face turned to a stone look, perfectly still as he narrowed his eyes and looked at the camera.

J2H: First off, I don't wrestle two weeks in a row. I've already done them a solid by wrestling that big ball of sweat this week and trust me, that swamp shit didn't make him smell any better and secondly, why would a lowly guy like you find out about this shit before I would?

Cameraman: I...

J2H raised a hand, cutting the man off instantly.

J2H: Shut the fuck up, I just want you to answer my question, it's not a difficult one for a guy like you with all the answers. Just tell me this, who the fuck am I kicking the shit out of next week?

The air of awkwardness once again fills the area.

Cameraman: Erm, Kevin Carter and Alexander Raven...

J2H frowned at the man.

J2H: So six man tag, fine, great, let me rephrase the question so you understand. Who the fuck are we kicking the shit out of next week?

Cameraman: No, you're facing Kevin Carter and Alexander Raven in a triple threat match.

J2H stared blankly at the man, the camera shifting awkwardly as J2H lets the news sink in a bit.

J2H: Are you fucking kidding me!?

He tone rose quickly, louder and more angry.

Cameraman: No, it says Christian...

J2H threw up a hand, stopping the man in his tracks.

J2H: Christian fucking Underwood. I should have known he has his dirty little fingerprints all over this one! Should have fucking known the second he appeared, he would do whatever it takes to fuck with me cause his little buddy couldn't handle us on his own. Here's what I want you to do. I want you to point this camera at me and not ask another stupid question again, are we clear?

Cameraman: Yes.

J2H: Good.

J2H took a deep breath as he looked down the camera, not taking any notice of the cameraman.

J2H: I guess you think you're pretty smart, eh Christian? Make this little return when no one has given a shit about you for a long time and now you're trying to be relevant again by getting in my business, in the business of the three biggest talents you have? Some genius move, three people give you ratings and money and you come and try and shit on that for what? You're trying to drive a wedge between the people  who put money in your pocket. That's called shitting where you eat Christian and I ain't falling for that shit.

He stood up and started to pace slowly up and down.

J2H: Genius plan, come back and drive a wedge between us, try and destroy the only interesting thing about this fucking company? Where's your world champions Christian? What are they fucking doing for ya? Nothing! Where's the people you have has champions other then Alexander working his ass off? They're nowhere to be found when they don't have to wrestle but you wanna come back like some kind of hero and destroy us. I used to think you was a smart businessman Christian, but now I feel you're like the rest of them, you're ego driven, you're pushing your means above the good of this place. You should have stayed on vacation and counted the money we were making you. Your plan isn't gonna work Christian.

He stopped pacing and looked down the camera.

J2H: We're not stupid, we're not your fucking puppets, we're not going to that ring to fracture everything we've built, the only fucking group that's made this place interesting. Everyone else faded away but you try to break us cause we're stronger then you've ever been well fuck you Christian.

He pressed his hands together.

J2H: What do you want me to say? Do you want me to look down this camera and tell you how bad Alexander Raven and Kevin Carter are? Do you want me to shit on them by telling the world I'm better then them and I can beat them whenever I want to. You want me to sell this by starting shit and thinking this could kick off some kind of war. I get it, no one can destroy us except ourselves. I'm not doing anyone's dirty work for them. You want to take us down, you gotta do so much better then this bullshit.

He tapped the side of his head.

J2H: I'm J2H, I'm not just the best wrestler in the world, I'm not just amazing at everything I do, but my mind is untouchable, I can smell bullshit a mile away, I can see people's end games before they even start writing the fucking script. I'm not just some thick as shit wrestler still wet behind the ears, and I've got more education in my little finger then everyone on this roster combined and people still think I can fall for this. Seen it all before, big boss at the top tries to feel like he belongs, tries to relive those glory days that are long gone... Yeah Mark, I'm talking about you, just fucking give it up already! Then another big boss who has been overshadowed sits there and feels that draw back to the spotlight, so they put their heads together and come up with this. Come up with trying to take away your cash cow for just a moment in the sunlight one more time before they go back to sitting at a desk and signing their names on things.

He shook his head in disappointment.

J2H: Biting the hand that feeds you just because you think you can start something between me and my brothers. Everyone loves a good sibling rivalry but this is one of those falling flat one your face moments because it won't happen, I won't let it happen because we are stronger then you fucking think. You think we're gonna go to that ring and kill each other for you two to sit back there with your popcorn and shit eating grins on your faces?

He looked away from the camera.

J2H: Not going to happen.

He turned his head back to camera, a look of anger on his face.

J2H: No matter what you think you've done, no matter how much you pat yourself on the back or jerk each other off, we're so much fucking stronger then you on every level. Physically, mentally, we're better then you both, so if you think this shitty little plan is going to work, you're wrong, because my fists are not going to be beating on Kevin, these feet will not be kicking on Alexander, and I know they won't be laying a finger on me. Your master plan has fallen at the first hurdle.

He looked deep in to the camera.

J2H: So play your games, fuck around, think you're the big men around here, act like you run the show and we don't, when you know in reality who really runs this place. No matter what the fuck you do or say, we're not imploding, all this is for nothing, so again, go fuck yourself.... that's real talk bitch!

His mind was clear as his feet pounded the pavements down the south bank of the river Thames, his feet hitting the solid ground in rhythm as he jogged his way through the streets of The City Of London, on a typically cold London morning.

It wasn't unusual for J2H to pull his hood over his head and blend in with the crowd to run every morning, no matter where in the world he was, and today was no different as he pounded the streets while thinking about the challenges that stood in front of him on Sunday at Violent Conduct X. He was always confident in his abilities and this was no different as the confidence with every stride he took grew and grew.

He stopped for a few seconds, looking across the river at the famous London Eye, essentially a giant Ferris Wheel located next to the river, allowing people to sit in a pod and look over the famous and historical city. He breathed deeply as he looked at the line of tourists lining up to ride the attraction as fine rain slowly started to fill the air and he looked to his right at his future running route.

He noticed people looking towards him, pointing at him and knew he had been recognised but he didn't care, his mind was focused on Sunday.

He started to run again, thoughts running though his mind as he took a fast pace, moving past people.

"Sunday is what it's all about. Everything has been leading to this. Months of my life. Months of my hard work, months of putting this fucking roster to shame and showing them what it's like to actually work, it's all come down to this.

For so long you've shown everyone that you're still the best in the world without that championship, you knew you didn't need it, you knew you could let the little people play with that championship because you knew you didn't need a belt to be up there because you showed them all what wrestling was all about and Sunday is gonna be your crowning fucking moment because you're gonna show them just how good you are, no matter what gets thrown at ya."

The speech in his own head brought his confidence levels through the roof as a smiled crept on to his face as he moved through the streets. Luckily he had timed it well enough that most people were already where they needed to be today and tourists were the main group around.

"Violent Conduct will live up to it's name, Violent Conduct will be something no one on this fucking earth will forget, because you will make them remember this shit for the rest of their lives. No one is gonna expect a fucking thing that I'm gonna do, no one is going to ever forget it."

It wasn't uncommon for J2H to think like this as he built himself up before a big match, even days before. He knew the key to success was his own confidence and he knew it couldn't be destroyed or matched.

"Everyone claims to be the best in the world, but they will never come close to me, they will never be anywhere near as good as I am. I am J2H, I am the main fucking attraction. Even in this miserable city full of tourist traps, I am still the main attraction and on Sunday, I will prove it."

His feet hit the solid ground harder as he moved in and out of the crowd, moving back towards the hotel room he had called home for longer then he wanted. He had finally got to his destination and slowed down to walk inside to be met with the familiar faces he had been waiting for, for the entire tour.

Melody and James Jr.

His family had made it to London, and he knew that everything was going to be perfect. He was focused on Sunday but before then, he could relax and have some family time

---

London Zoo, another of London's tourist traps with high prices and very little to offer, was strangely a place people from all over the world flocked to. Money wasn't an object to J2H and his family so bringing his son and wife to an overpriced place barely registered in his mind or bank account. He walked through the zoo arm in arm with his wife as he watched his son staring in amazement at the animals that surrounded him. They watched him stare in to a cage with giraffes roaming freely around, sitting on a bench nearby, their eyes focused on him.

J2H: This is a pretty shitty zoo.

The random words from her husband's mouth made Melody raise an eyebrow towards him, curiosity covering her face.

Melody: What makes you say that?

J2H looked around himself before returning his gaze to his son.

J2H: This is a zoo, but this place doesn't even have an elephant. What kind of place calls itself a zoo and doesn't have an elephant?

Melody smothered a smile with her left hand but the look on J2H's face was completely and utterly serious.

Melody: Erm... ok..

J2H: Not a damn zoo without an elephant. Come on.

Again, Melody covered her mouth as she frowned away from him for just a second before turning to look back at him.

Melody: So Sunday, it's a big day.

J2H turned his head to the left to look at her as she turned her attention to their son.

J2H: Same as most, show up, beat someone up, leave this miserable cold country.

Melody: But what happens after that?

He couldn't help but feel slightly surprised by her serious tone.

J2H: What do you mean?

Melody: Well you've been touring around the world for months and I know shows will be back in America after that, but physically, this match is going to take it out of you.

He tilted his head in a slight agreement with her.

J2H: This match might be a nothing match. Roulette rules means shit with some of the stupid crazy shit people sneak on to that thing. I could end up in one of those scientific matches or a no punch in the face match or something, but I've pretty much done everything in the past, so whatever it is, isn't gonna bother me, it's not gonna shake me and I have healing powers of a God, I can bounce back in no time.

Concerned, and her face showing that concern, Melody placed her hand on J2H's knee.

Melody: But what happens after that? Surely this is the end of the whole thing, the blow off match?

He rested his hand on hers, looking towards her.

J2H: I don't know. I know I won't be going for the World Championship, I made that clear months ago. I will admit, I'm never gonna get bored of beating Jayden up. It's one of those little pleasures in life that everyone should do just once.

Melody knew J2H was joking but was intent on finding out what he might be thinking.

Melody: Be serious.

J2H: Well, it is fun beating up Jayden, but what's been more fun is showing everyone backstage how to build things. Me, Kevin, Alexander, and even that fool Jayden have shown everyone what they should be doing to get noticed. We are the most talked about thing on the show, no one even cares what the champions are doing and I don't care that people got pissy that we are just behind the main event.

Melody's face scrunched as she heard the last line.

Melody: People got upset?

He nodded as a proud smile crossed his face.

J2H: Yeah. Top belts should be the last two matches and all that shit. Bullshit, complete bullshit, because neither of them could be bothered to sell anything. Even if they didn't know their opponents, not one champion did anything to get peoples attention but we did, fuck, we should be in the main event for this. We earned everything out there. That was us getting their attention. Every week we went and did something.

Melody nodded her head in agreement.

Melody: You did.

J2H: No one else can say that, but we did it. Anyone could have done it, anyone could have stood out in the crowd from this piss poor roster, anyone at all but no one did. The whole roster could have stood up and made an effort but none of them did. We pushed them to do something, to be better then what we was doing and no one stood up. Spineless bunch. The thing is, this has actually been a whole lot of fun.

A look of surprise instantly appeared on Melody's face.

Melody: Slow down there. Did you just admit that you're having fun? That wrestling is really fun for you?

He rolled his eyes as he looked away from Melody. He's never once admitted that wrestling was actually fun.

J2H: Well, it's not like I need to do it. When I came back a couple of years ago, wrestled more often then High Stakes, I didn't think it would get this far. I didn't think I'd grab that World championship a couple more times. I didn't think I'd do anything after Blast From The Past but I fucking rocked it and got eyes on it. Yeah, I got bored but this whole thing, the whole creating shit from the ground up, putting eyes on this place again, it became fun.

Melody puts her hand on her chest, over dramatizing her shocked response.

Melody: Never thought I'd see the day.

J2H: Neither did I.

Melody: Are you gonna take a break after this match at least?

It was a hard question to answer, he hadn't thought about it.

J2H: I don't know. I think when this shit is all done, we go home via somewhere else where we can sit on a beach for weeks and see what happens. I ain't looking at retiring or any of that shit. We'll see who the hell deserves to be in the ring with me next, or who's got the stones to step up and try and stop us. We can take this place over, we can take over and make people chase us if they can be bothered to put the effort in.

He sighed slightly.

J2H: It doesn't matter who it is. If not one is gonna step up, we'll sit back and take our time picking the next target. Until then, don't worry, let's just enjoy the day and deal with everything after Sunday.

That was his final word on it, and as planned, the rest of the day was indeed family time.

---

He stood outside Buckingham Palace on a cold, grey morning, tourists undeterred by the poor London weather and the potential of rain at any minute. J2H pulled his fur lined hood of his thick yellow jacket, over the top of his baseball cap, the peak of the cap shading his eyes. Tourists moved past him but he was focusing on the camera in front of him, his eyes looking only at that.

J2H: Yes, there's a theme to my shit. My promos are in front of palaces, not some shitty Salco old school hotel room, slam the laptop bullshit, called fitting in with the theme of things.

He gritted his pearly white teeth as the serious look continued to cross his face.

J2H: Man, I am so sick of this shit, so sick of every fucking thing I've had to see, every fucking thing I've had to listen to for months. It's the same old song and dance, the same old stuff to get noticed, the same everything over and over to try and fit in to a place you really don't belong and to hell with everyone who sees how much of a dick head you are, but in your head, you're super fucking cool and think you're popular, think you're respected. So focused on the bullshit you think you're doing right, you just can't see everyone laughing behind your back and thinking that they can not wait to see you crash and burn. You do all of this thinking you're gonna get somewhere in this situation, when everyone watch can not wait to see you fail. Everyone can see the shit you're trying to pull and they're laughing at you, they're smiling, they know you're in way over your head with what you're doing and there's a lot of people out there that are simply embarrassed by your behaviour.

He slowly shook his head, slowly enough that it was barely noticeable.

J2H: But you keep going on, you keep the fantasy in your own little head alive, while trying to punch above your weight. In your head, everything makes sense, right? Running around like a dog with two dicks but you think it's great. Tough man, hard man, guy who thinks he can get what's out of his reach because somewhere in that deluded little mind of yours, you're destined to get what you want. I'm gonna tell you the truth and that truth is you're not gonna get what you want, regardless of the fact that you'll piss on anyone to try and get it.

He stared hard down the camera.

J2H: You live in your own little world if you think that you will get what you want. You live up in your head where there's you and what you want, but I live in reality. I live right here in reality where I can see everything through clear eyes and so can everyone else. I can see that one day, you'll have to go crawling back like the little bitch that you are to the people who once respected you and admit that you failed. You tried to get in my head, you tried to gaslight me, tried to make me feel that I wasn't seeing things clear, but I see things much clearly then you think.

He pointed to his right eye with his right hand.

J2H: Through your eyes, you thought you was special, talk a lot of shit, throw your weight around, thinking that you gained some popularity and that you are untouchable, that you're someone's future, that your future won't be so boring and shitty, but I see it through crystal clear eyes. I've sat there and watched your every, single fucking move you've made lately, I've watched you try and get the right people on your side to get you closer to your goal and I know that your goal, it's fake, it's not going to happen no matter how many people you get close to. It won't happen no matter how many times you stick that dirty tongue of yours up the assholes of people you think will get you closer to what will get you there. The fact is week after week, you make yourself look stupider and stupider. Over and over again, you make yourself look like a weak ass bitch that's all talk and no substance.

He half smiled as his finger pointed to his lips.

J2H: Even right at this minute, you're sitting there sucking up to people, talking your bullshit to try and get you what you want. You want me gone for good, you want me out of the way because I will not stand for any of your shit. I'm your biggest threat and you know it, and you will do whatever you can to get me out of the way. Kiss up to the right people, drop comments about me. Here's the fucking thing dick, you're not getting rid of me and I will stop you from getting everything you want here. I will go darker then I ever have to stop you from getting anywhere near what you want.

He pressed his hands together.

J2H: I'm willing to do that Jayden.

He took a step closer to the camera.

J2H: I didn't even have to mention your name for people to make the connection that all that was the bare bones of what you've done for a long time, and I don't have to put your name in my mouth again, I don't need to have that rotten taste in there. You haven't changed from the moment I met you, you haven't grown, or evolved. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results and for fucking months, I've watched you do that over and over again and watched you not give a fuck on who you've stepped on. Do you think this makes you the slightest bit popular? Do you think it makes people care about you to step in to places where you really shouldn't be. You've been making a fool of yourself for so fucking long, you probably don't know how to stop till someone gets hurt. It's gonna be you that gets hurt, because you're about to lose everything you had and everything you could have had. You're about to lose who you were, you're about to lose who you are and you're about to lose everything you could have had.

He took a deep breath.

J2H: You could have had so much, everything you ever wanted, but you're a fuck up. You've always been a fuck up but right now, you're sitting there trying to fuck you're life up. You're like some old drunk going through a midlife crisis trying over and over to screw some cheap barmaid cause she flashes her tits and knows your name. You self sabotage every single thing in your life cause deep down you know you don't match up. Deep down, you know that little dick energy you give off means that no one will take you serious so you try over and over again to be noticed. You try over and over to be the loudest bitch in the room, when people sit there and wish you would just shut the fuck up and go home. Go home, watch shit movies and stop looking for everyone to give you the attention cause the only attention you're getting is people laughing behind your back. You have people embarrassed to be in your company. You're the kinda guy who walks in a room and people think not this prick again.

He shrugged his shoulders and continued with his serious tone.

J2H: This is what I see every time you end up anywhere near me. This what I think when I see you walking down that ramp, knowing what you're gonna do before you do it. You can see every little thing you're gonna do before you even do it. I know what you're gonna say, how you're gonna act, I know what's gonna be utter bullshit before it goes from your brain to your mouth. I know you're doomed to repeat the same shit you do all the time. This is what you've done for months, how'd that work out for you?

He paused for ample time for an answer that never needed to come back.

J2H: What changes at Violent Conduct? Nothing at all because once again, you've gone and got yourself in way over your fucking head with your own actions that you could have avoided just by taking a second and thinking. You've put yourself in a position to get hurt, in a position where you really can't win. This is your piss or get off the pot moment because you've put yourself in a position where you want everyone's respect, but all that shit talk you do, all that shit that you think earns respect, earns you nothing. People are bored of every little thing you do, people are bored of you acting like a fucking child. It's time for you to grow the fuck up, realise you're not a kid anymore and see that your actions will have consequences that will get you well and truly fucked up.

He cracked his clenched right fist against the palm of his left hand.

J2H: I know you won't learn but you've put yourself against more then just me and I know I can beat the shit out of you. You've gone and put yourself against three because your mouth is bigger then your brain. All because you think you're God's gift to pro wrestling and that people are gonna look up to you but after Sunday, they're just gonna see the man you really are. A never was, that's how they will see you because I will make them see you that way. Everything in your life, you've come up short, everything you've tried to do in your life, you've come up short. You've achieved absolutely nothing in your sad little life, and before you know it, you'll be middle aged and looking back on the times you shared a work place with me and see that you've done nothing with your life at all and over half of it has passed you by.

He can not stop himself from smiling.

J2H: You're gonna be sitting there in your pokey little place with zero fucking good memories to look back on, just nothing but regrets on how you wasted your potential. A mind full of what if's and nothing to show for it. Make all the bold moves you want, be brave while you're young, but you're a born failure, and nothing will change that, Sunday won't change that because you will not go through three of us, you will not go through one of us. You can put this one down to being a fucking moron because Sunday, we end you. Sunday, Violent Conduct lives up to its name and you better hope that I come out first to save you from more and more beatings.

His face changed back to a serious look.

J2H: This whole thing doesn't end well for you, and I will be laughing when your whole fucking world falls to shit. There will be no one there to pick you up, there will be no one there to put a hand on your shoulder and tell you it will be alright, it will never be alright. Remember this, this is all your fault, no one else's, yours. You have mastered your own downfall, you have brought all this on yourself, no one else left this at your doorstep and told you to pick it up, no one held a gun to your head and told you to put yourself where you are and do all that you have done. You did this to yourself, you made the choice to go for something out of your range, like getting rid of us, and now you will suffer the consequences. When this happens, don't be a cry baby bitch and blame it on anyone other then the one man in this world that is to blame for this shit shower.

He pointed down the camera.

J2H: You.

He tilted his head to look down the camera at an angle.

J2H: No one else out there is to blame, just yourself. You created this entire mess and you're gonna live in it when I'm done with you, because I'm being serious. I will ruin your life, I will ruin your career, I will make sure that you know daily what a fucking let down you are to every single person that has to hear you shouting to be heard. No one cares about you, you're a fucking joke, an unfunny joke and it's time to end this bullshit, it's time to end you for good. It's time for you to see that sense I'm gonna beat in to that tiny little head of yours, because your days of thinking that you're something special are coming to a fucking end.

J2H walked towards the camera, his face close to it.

J2H: And that's real talk bitch!

J2H walks past the camera, leaving one final shot of the palace in the background before the scene fades to black.

The day had passed and the moon had risen, shining down on the water surrounding the cruise ship. One man stood on an abandoned deck, no one within one hundred feet of him as he looked down at the activity below. The camera zoomed in on the man to see him as J2H.

J2H: Why fucking him?

He spoke through gritted teeth as the words hit the night air.

J2H: Of all the fucking people who would have came to the rescue of that worthless piece of shit, it had to be him, it had to be the man who did what he did to me. Beat me within an inch of who I was, changed me in ways I could never explain. It had to be Entity, it just fucking had to be.

The angry tone in his voice filled the air.

J2H: Probably thought you played a masterstroke, right Jayden? Finding the man who tried to put me in the ground, just to fuck with my head a little more. I think you got that one a little bit wrong because it's another genius move for you cause what you've done is put someone in the firing line that I've wanted to get my hands on for a long, long time. Oh no, not the man who beat me up and disappeared, not the guy who fucked with my head, what am I to do?

His tone was mocking and a cocky smile appeared.

J2H: Bro, I've been waiting to get my hands on him for a long fucking time. I needed to put right what went wrong last time and I'm not gonna fucking miss, so maybe I should thank you Jayden, maybe I should thank you because you're the fucking gift that just keeps giving. You're forever giving me the chance to beat the hell out of you, always giving me that chance and now you've given me a chance to bury someone I've wanted to for a long time.

A serious look passed J2H's face.

J2H: You must be thinking that you could do what you did to me again, you little masked bastard. I got news for ya, lightning isn't gonna strike twice, you're not doing that to me again, you're never doing that to me again, because pay back is a bitch and I'm about to be collecting. I thought about this moment over and over again Entity, I laughed when your star started to fade, but I always knew we'd cross paths again and I was ready for it, I am ready for it, I will not be the one laying there with blood pissing out of my head again. This doesn't happen for you again, in fact, what happens will be the opposite, but I won't be disappearing like you did, I'll make sure to hit, and hit, and hit, and hit, and hit and hit, till you stop moving. I will beat you so fucking hard, they're going to have to peel me off you. You being the stupid one to join that idiots side, just put you in a whole fucking world of trouble. I'm not coming to play Entity, I'm coming to hurt your DC villain looking ass. You changed me, you made me sit there and think I was playing too nice for shit bags that don't deserve to breathe the same air as me. You made me switch back to who I once was, the person everyone hoped was dead and buried.

He smiled.

J2H: But he's alive and kicking thanks to you. You will be destroyed by your own creation, you will be wiped out. It's your own fault for wanting to help out that idiot. Speaking of that idiot.

He cleared his throat.

J2H: When will you learn Jayden?

He paused for a second.

J2H: Stupid question because we all know the answer is you'll never learn. You keep coming at me, you come at Raven and you expect things to be different because you have something that looks like shit CGI in your corner? Just because you have him there makes you no less of the trash you've always been. This is just rinse and repeat. You come at us one way, we kick the shit out of you, you come at us another way, again, we kick the shit out of you, you come at us a different way, we kick the shit out of you. Do you see a fucking pattern here Jayden? Everything you do is pointless when it comes to us because it ends the same way, every fucking time, it ends the exactly same way but you're too stupid to see that.

He let out a sigh.

J2H: Did I give you brain damage or something with every beating I gave you? Is that why you keep coming back like a little lost puppy? I guess I never got the message across clear enough so I'm gonna up my game and give you a clearer message that we are done after this, no more trying to take down the man who is clearly your hero.

He pointed to himself.

J2H: No more will you be chasing me for clout, because you want to be in my spotlight. This will be your burial at sea. This is where I make sure no one ever has to hear your name again. We're sick of you Jayden and its down to me to put an end to you, it's down to Alexander to put an end to you and in a couple of days time, we're gonna do exactly that.

He looked around.

J2H: Enjoy your last few days at sea, enjoy your last few days in life because this is one trip you don't come back from. This will be the last thing you ever do in life. This will be it for you. So say goodbye to your family, look in their eyes at the disappointment of having you born in to their world, because you're going out of this world as your daddy's biggest failure.

He smirked slightly.

J2H: This is where it all ends for you, it will not be your dream ending. This is it for you Jayden, you can't and won't stop it, there's nothing left for you to do but accept it. That's real talk bitch.

The camera fades to black.