Can we walk a mile in another's shoes
To determine what we have to lose? (To lose)
Disconnection of a common reality
Becomes so lost in this world of hypocrisy
Nowhere to hide, strength realigned
The signal fire's alight
Given to fight, there's hope just in sight
The signal fire's alight

Prologue- “The Howl of Wolves”

I sold my soul.

No, not to rock n roll. To the horde. To the darkness that has slowly swept over the wrestling landscape in recent months like a biblical plague. It’s member base far-reaching as we have come to dominate all. And the thing is, I was never meant to be a part of it. In fact, I was against the idea.

Against the philosophy.

But the old adage rings true.

If you can’t beat em. Join em. And I saw what the Dogs were capable of. I saw them sweep over companies and take the championships and leave a scorched earth policy in their wake. And I realized in my heart and soul. That’s where I belong. Their attitude is what will help me. Because I have ignored my nature for too long. Softened by the love of family and respect of friends. But, a dog is only loyal to a master.

A wolf is loyal to the pack.So I remade the failed Dogs of war into my own image of a gym and a faction, and a family.

So now, the real Alex Jones is about to stand up.

The real Alex Jones is a dangerous beast.

The real Alex Jones is about to take Vinnie’'s head and Cry, fucking, havok

Scene One-Scared to death.
Off Camera
Chicago, Illinois.
2 Years Ago

Alex sat in the lockeroom of the united center in Chicago. His long hair and body covered in sweat as he finishes packing his bag looking at the clock tick past on his phone. He took a deep breath reading the last message from his wife with a smile. Sonja was back in New York City. A two and a half hour flight away. She had gone into labour over 24 hours ago but their son had refused to be born. Instead deciding to wait all the way through Alex's time off and go into the hardest part as he had to leave for work. Now it was a race against time. Alex's flight left in 2 hours. He had finished packing and was waiting for his ride to the airport. His eyes darted across the text and he laughed to himself.

Sonja Jones-Your son is taking his sweet time. If he's not out in the next few hours they'll make him. Hurry....

Alex picked up his bag and moved through the hallways, past catering as he gave a small wave to some of his co-workers still hanging around as the show raged out in the arena. The crowd booed and cheered, music played and Alex was out into the cool night air. He dropped his bag and paced back and forth as his phone rang. His sister charlie. Alex raised an eyebrow answering with a low tone. "Hey, what's up?" Charlie sounded excited and happy, her voice crackled down the line as she squealed. Alex pulled the phone away from his ear and winced. "Jesus Charlie..calm down..."

"Sorry sorry!. I'm just so excited!." Charlie had always loved kids. She wanted to be an Aunt and when Alex's first wife gave birth to their baby girl Charlie wanted to be there. But due to stupidity, and pettiness she couldn't be a part of her life. But this was different. Sonja was sweet and kind, she and Charlie got along well and loved spending time together.

They both loved to work out and Charlie had decided she was going to take it upon herself to help Sonja train. Alex sighed as he looked around for his ride, his hand sliding into the pocket of his jeans. "I'm on my way back now. I had a match in Chicago for {REDACTED}. It's a short flight and right now it looks like the little guy isn't coming for a bit."

Charlie giggled on the other end of the phone. Alex heard the ding and talk over a loudspeaker. "Charlie...where are you?" She stuttered her words trying not to laugh. "Uhm...nowhere..." Alex raised an eyebrow. "Charlie..." She sighed and laughed. "I'm at the hospital. I'm outside the birthing suite. Sonja is just fine by the way, she wanted me to give you a call and let you know you have time...."

He sighed again and rubbed his chin as the car turned up, a relief washing over him as he threw his bag in the boot slamming it shut. "Thanks Charlie, I'm happy you're there, look i'll be a few more hours but if I don't make it in time...you cut the cord and be there for her ok?...." "I will but..you'll be here...I know you will...I love you bro..."

"I love you too C....."

25 Hours Later
New York Presbetaryan

“Fuck!” Sonja’s voice rang out as she squeezed Alex’s hand. Her grip becoming superhuman as the bones in his fingers cracked in her palm. Alex ground his teeth together breathing deep as his other hand drifted up slowly moving her long blond hair from her face. She took a deep breath and laid back on the bed, her head hitting the pillow as her body was angled up, her legs held up as the medical stuff moved around. All of them calm. Alex smiled and looked down at Sonja, into her bright blue eyes as her face twisted.  

Her mouth moved into a small grin before the pain hit again, her body jerking up as she squeezed Alex harder. “I love you and hate you so much right now.” Alex couldn’t help but laugh. Sonja growled and frowned before yelling out again, her hands shaking as Alex looked down at the doctor positioned with his hands out. He looked up and gave a small nod to one of the nurses who moved around to the opposite side of Sonja.  

“Alright Sonja it’s almost time to push.” She went white as a ghost looking up at Alex shaking her head. Alex gave a small nod and ran his hand over her head again giving her forehead a small kiss, Sonja bit her lip and shook her head again. “I’m not ready...not ready at all…” The nurse gave her another small grin and leaned in close. “Unfortunately he is Sonja.” Alex gave her a smirk and looked down at the doctor. Sonja groaned and squeezed his hand again. “I can’t do this Alex...fuck!”

“Yeah you can. You can do anything.” Before Sonja can say anything else she moves up groaning louder, her hands crunching Alex’s. He breathed deep holding his wife close as the tears rolled down her cheeks. After a few moments the doctor moved away as the sound of crying filled the birthing suite. The nurse took Dylan to the side with a smile to wipe him up and clean him off. Sonja laid back with deep breaths looking up at Alex. “Is he ok?....did I do alright?”  

“You did perfect.” As the doctor went to work on Sonja the nurse walked over laying Dylan on Sonja’s chest. She looked down and swallowed hard looking at the tiny pink baby laying on her. Alex smiled slowly as Sonja’s cheeks went red, her eyes welling up with more tears. Her hand drifted up to lightly run her fingertips down his back.“He’s so soft and little.” Alex laughed again and kissed her forehead as she moved against Alex’s chest. Sonja sniffed back some tears and laughed as she heard Alex’s heartbeat realising Dylan was listening to hers, his little head glued to her.  

“We did this.” Alex gave her a small nod and slid his hand over hers holding them both “You did a lot of the work, I was here for moral support” Sonja laughed and sighed as she noticed Dylan move and startle at the jolt. His little head moving to the side as he looked up, his brand new eyes adjusting to the light as his little hands fumbled. Alex smiled again and reached down lightly touching his newborn son's head. Dylan seemed to react to his touch calming down as Sonja looked up at Alex with a grin, her body too relaxing as she closed her eyes.

Promo:Am I deceitful?
On Camera
Wolfslair Training Facility, New York City.
Present Day

”Why do people hate me?

Alex sits back on a large black leather chair, a red neon wolf sits behind it turned on as we hear the faint buzzing of the power flowing through it. His leh sits across his knee, a hand drifting onto his shin while the other grips the arm of the chair. A small arrogant smirk crossing his lips curling upward.

”It’s not a question I want answered by any of you watching this promo, any o0f you that shall be in attendance at Climax Control 251 this coming weekend. No, I already know the answer. But I wonder. Do all of you?. Do any of you know what it is to be hated for the reasons I am?. Tell me, is it because of my arrogance?. Hmm?. My hubris?. Is it because I have had success everywhere else I’ve gone?. Now, I want you to cast your minds back, back to when I first signed with SCW. I walked in and I told the world that SCW was about to change. That the name’s on top of this great company were going to rotate.”

“See, SCW has a very long and storied career. But in the current landscape of professional wrestling it, along with Honor had started to slightly fail. There are too many places for talent to work now and because of that both companies had the same issue. So, they merged. And some names stayed, some left but in the end the roster settled into one big happy family.”

“And back then I told you all that SCW was going to change. I told the truth. And at the time, the truth was hard to swallow. SCW loyalists like Jake Raab and Fenris and even Ty West, well they all resisted. They all said myself and Austin and even Alicia were full of shit.”

“See, the rest of Honor, when we came here, either failed and went to join SCU or they just disappeared completely. Caleb Storms, Jesse Salco and Mercedes Vargas all had pasts here. But I didn’t. Austin didn’t, Alicia didn’t. And when I opened my mouth and spoke the wrestling world took notice but those of you who had more guts than brains and some form of arrogance simply laughed me off as some kind of weathered veteran who was talking about a past that no longer had meaning…”

“But I...was right…”

Alex pauses for a moment a small chuckle escaping as he drew in a deep breath and then back out again looking around his office in the training facility. Papers stacked high, laptops sitting on a waiting mode. And Alex shaking his head as thoughts run through his mind.

”Fenris was the champion when I put pen to paper and signed here officially. Something I was bound to do sooner or later. I just needed time. I saw a man who wasn’t even one of us at the time. He was a fighter for sure. A talent that many people had been destroyed by. Including our current champion and of course myself. Fenris is a rare talent. Someone whose past in the cage had given him a foundation and a base for professional wrestling. I’m man enough to admit when I was wrong about someone and I was wrong about Fenris. Just as he was wrong about me. See, Fenris believed I was just all bluster, someone who had no worth aside from that.”

“But slowly he opened his eyes and he learned, because he is not a fool. Something I wish I could say about Vinnie.”

“I faced Fenris one on one in that ring and even when I lost, I could still see it in his eyes he knew I was on equal footing, he knew that I was someone who could beat him if given the chance. Just like Austin did. I watched that match and when it was over and Austin raised the SCW title over his head, well. I’d hate to say I told you so. But, well, I told you so.”

“Again, I told the truth. Again I wasn’t wrong.”

“But where do I find myself now?. I came in and along with Austin I beat down many names on the roster and climbed up the ladder to a glass ceiling of my own construction. I watched as a friend of mine ruled the SCW title picture with an iron fist and laughed as men like Jake Raab spat on it. See, this world is full of arrogant liars. Much like you Vinnie. You are a liar, you are a fraud. You are someone who lies about who they are and what they’re about. So again, I ask…”

“Why do people hate me?”

He pauses up and off the chair turning and walking towards the door and out of his office onto the floor of the gym, a small smile on his face as he looks around.

”Because, I tell the truth. That’s why Vinnie. I told you all what was coming, the storm that was swirling over all your heads yet none of you listened. I told the truth to Fenris and if you remember Austin told the truth to Ty West, that he wasn’t worthy or good enough to be the champion and look what happened. So now, I wonder, will you listen?. When I speak will my words actually worm their way into your head?. I mean, you seem to take such offense to my words Vinnie. I said I was going to enjoy Ty beating you and taking the title but come on now. We both knew Ty was going to fail...again…”

“So you stand as the champion still and come Climax Control you will have to defend that championship against me.”

“But, how many times did you try and win it Vinnie?. How many times did you fail against the man holding the title you now covet?. You said it yourself Vinnie. You told us all how you went through it all, how you came back time and time again trying harder and putting your heart on the line. Only to now stand as a triumphant champion. Yet, you’re not really…”

“You beat Austin, once, like Fenris had beaten him before but he declined a rematch to stand aside and let others challenge you. And in that first challenge. You failed. You failed to pin me or make me submit and then when confronted with such a thing you use the lame excuse of “I should have known the rules”. Really?. You had a chance right then and there Vinnie, a moment to plant your foot before everyone and show them how you had changed from the snivelling overgrown weasel who liked to use a potted cactus as a weapon into a real champion…”

Alex growls the last few words and folds his arms over his chest with a sneer. His arms folding over his chest.

”A real champion Vinnie, would have wanted a match against me. A real champion would have demanded it so all doubt would disappear but instead all we got was excuses and you trying to get out of it. Only for Christian and Mark to bring your glass house crashing around you. And honestly, if I was being honest I would say it was your actions and words that made them book this match. A defense for you against me since they knew Ty was going to be...a little limp….”

“But me?. Well. You know damn well what I can do Vinnie. You stand there with the title proclaiming yourself as a champion. But what have you done?. A failed defense against me after I had a decisive victory over you then,, a successful one against everyone’s favourite whipping boy and no promotion on social media. No eyes on the product, no fanfare and people interested in SCW. No one wanting to sign a contract to be here.”

“You don’t do anything to improve this place, you don’t have the attention of anyone but me. You are a fake champion and a fraud. And me as champion?. I will be visible, I will be loud, I will be brash and I will continue the work started by Austin and Fenris and I will win my tenth world title. And you Vinnie?. You will make bold claims, you will lie to the people and you will run your mouth even more than me. But the difference is, when I speak my words carry weight...when you speak?...no one cares..”

“And that is the shame of it all. Vinnie, you are a large, powerful man. You can go in that ring and you have this streak of insanity about you. But you lie to yourself as much as you do everyone else. And it didn’t need to be this way. All you needed to do was embrace who you were, be the vicious asshole you should have been. But now? You’ve moved to far from it. I am the champion this place needs. I am the champion that title deserves. You did something you can never lose...and held it...but now….well now it’s time for a real champion to take it and make it what it once was instead of watching the light from it fade into nothing…”

”Oh for fucks sake would you listen to yourself?. When we’re out there the crowd cheers and chants and goes completely insane. When those arrogant old fucks whose careers are behind them get to preen and bounce around as if the world still owes them stand out there what do you hear Mike?” Alex stops and smirks as he looks around, the silence through the halls giving voice and reason to his concerns. Spike sighs and swallows hard giving a small nod as if understanding.

Alex laughs to himself, backing up and turning to grab a shirt throwing it on. Mike looks down and laughs to himself.

Alex stepped up and around putting his hand on Spike’s shoulder. ”We do what we have to, and hope that when our time comes, we know how to stand tall…”

”Alex?”

He snapped out of it, the thoughts of the past well removed. The sun beats down on the deck of the sun princess. Alex sitting on a large white deck chair as Sonja moves around him, taking a seat next to his. The kids all play and splash in the pool, Alex slowly smiles and looks back over at his wife with a loving grin. ”You seem relaxed, no one would know you have a huge match on the weekend.”

”Well, when you’ve been at this for as long as I have you learn to cope. And I have been doing this a very very long time. His voice fades away for a moment as he reaches down grabbing his knee rubbing the side of it as he feels a hard and sharp pain shot up his leg, Sonja looks down at his hand and then back up to him with a small smile.

”Still thinking about it?. Retirement?. You know, most men in your profession would still have 20 years left.” He groans and laughs a little sitting up and forward bringing a leg to rest on either side. ”Yeah, but not at this level Sonja. When I was younger I hated guys in their fifties who limped out to the ring, who took position from me. I don’t want to be one of them” She reaches up to cup his cheek with a grin. ”You’re not, Alex you’re 33 years old, you know how good you are and you know you haven’t slowed down. Look around…” She pauses and forces him to move. His eyes trailing over the deck.

The sun, the smiles, the life. The salt air filling his lungs as he nods slowly, his body relaxing, the pain in his knee disappearing.”You have a lot left in you, if you didn’t know that...would you be here?” ”No...I guess I wouldn’t…”

Promo: A dogfight
On Camera
Sun Princess Cruise Ship
Present Day.

”I am an arrogant human being.”

A small chuckle escaped his lips, his long hair flowing down over his shoulders and back.

”I freely admit it and I see it. My friends and family have often pointed it out. From Austin and Alicia, to my old friends Michael and Chris. To my sister and my own wife. It’s nothing I haven’t heard before, nothing I haven’t seen before. But I have to admit that some people mistake my intent. When you have done what I have seen, what I have and held what I have you get to know a few things about this business and how to judge what we do. When I sit and look at someone and tell them I don’t think they’re shit in this business it’s honestly to help them…”

“I know that sounds contradictory and strange. But it’s true.”

“It weeds out the people who shouldn’t be in that ring. It weeds out those who don’t have the heart. And the soul…”

“They either take my words to heart and quit, or do everything they can to prove me wrong.”

“But sometimes you get to face someone where the things you say don’t have to be so harsh or negative because they have already proved their worth and that is when my thoughts, feelings and words should be respected even more. There is not much difference between myself and Austin. He chooses to deliver his words with more thought and care than me because he doesn’t really know the difference between need and want.”

“He told Ty West the truth and that was as far as he went, Ty got angry but then realised Austin was right.”

Alex scoffed and shook his head.

”But against the man I have to face, harsh words or truths aren’t needed. I don’t need to or want to play mind games with Fenris. I said it before and I will say it again, he is an incredible athlete. A former champion, a man who could be a champion again. Despite his seeming reluctance to face Austin again. But there lies the true measure of you, eh Fenris?. Hell you’re right, you don’t ask for much and because of that when you do people listen. You wanted to strike against Caleb because of things he said and god bless him he had the balls to agree and get in a cage with you.”

“Negating any advantage he might have by being able to fly around the ring. Negating any chance, even a minute one, of beating you.”

“But I’m not Caleb, as I said before.”

“Thing is Fenris, I watched your promo, I’ve heard everything you have had to say about many people and I believe us to be of similar mind. We both know everything should be earned, even simple requests. I haven’t asked for anything, never demanded. I came to SCW with a simple goal, to prove myself and the people I stand with as being the best of the best and that doesn’t always come with championship gold.”

He turns leaning against the wall, his arms folding over his chest.

”Sometimes they come from facing the best of the best. And your scalp Fenris. Your scalp is now as meaningful as a championship belt. Hell you said it yourself right?. Twenty eight matches, one outright loss. An impressive record. And who knows if you’re able to keep it going but you have to realise, this isn’t MMA. With how often we have matches and how often you have to get in that ring losses will come and snowball. You have had an impressive start Fenris...and had an impressive recovery.”

“The loss to Austin has not defined you.”

“Just like no one loss should, or one win. You and I will go out to that ring and meet in the center. No title on the line, no childish reason for name calling or hatred. It will be this sport in its purest form. Just two men looking to prove who is better. And it’s that kind of thing that gets me excited. That gets my blood boiling and makes me remember why I wanted to do this. And for that Fenris. I thank you. I’m looking forward to our match at Summer XXXtreme and I know it won’t be our last…”

“But….”

Alex looks up and smirks.

”You never forget your first eh?”

 While I was learning to live, we all were living a lie
I guess you got what you wanted
So I will settle for a slaughterhouse soaked in blood and betrayal
It's always somebody else, somebody else was me
You want the real smile?
Or the one I used to practice not to feel like a failure?

Scene One-Gone too soon
Off Camera  
Dallas Texas  
10 Years Ago  

Her voice was frantic on the end of the line. My sister Charlie, she was upset and panicking. I could hear it in her voice as she tried to explain what was in front of her. I could barely make out anything she was able to get out. “D-Dylan he’s not moving, Alex he’s not moving or breathing, what do I do?” I could tell she was crying as each word seemed more like a scream or a breathless squeak. I kept the phone close to my ear as I steered, my car speeding down the highway.  

“You need to hang up on me and call an ambulance Charlie, you need to get someone there but keep him on his side. I’m almost home.” I swerved in and out of traffic trying to keep myself calm and my sister calm all while not crashing my car. I heard the beeps and the yelling of people as I passed them and cut them off. My heart started racing as I hung up. What had Dylan taken?. Was he going to be alright?. How would Charlie recover from seeing our younger brother motionless on the floor?.  

I turned the corner into our street, the brakes screeching to a halt as I kicked the door open slamming it behind me, I made it inside before any medical personnel, I stormed into the bathroom and found them. Dylan was pale, clammy and not moving, Charlie was shaking, her hands cradling his head as she looked up at me, her eyes pleading for my help. I stood there for a few moments taking it all in, I swallowed hard and everything went to a blur.  

I didn’t even hear their voices as the paramedics pushes passed me. They asked all sorts of questions, ones neither myself or Charlie had the answers too. I couldn’t move, I was like stone, no emotions, no sounds. Just me staring at the floor watching them try and work on my brother’s limp, lifeless body. Charlie was the opposite, she was loud, she was screaming. She was a ball of energy begging them to help him, to stop him from leaving us. She got up and stood in front of me, her eyes filled with tears as she clung to my shirt. It was instinct that I put my arms around her, I pulled her out of the bathroom into the hall where we waited. It seemed like an eternity but in reality, it had only been minutes. But it was too late...he was gone.  

The days seemed to move fast, in and out as we planned for his funeral. It rained that day. Dylan loved the rain. I remember standing on the lush green grass of the cemetery, staring at the dark brown box that my baby brother's body was in. I hadn’t been able to cry. My mother, my sister, Dylan's friends. They all wept. I stood at the side, my hand on my mother's shoulder as she sobbed and wailed. I stood like stone, my jaw clenched together.  

They lowered him down to the ground, I watched as it disappeared six feet down, the priest said a few words, my sister read a poem. And it was over. He was gone and I felt nothing. I wanted to, I needed to. But nothing came. Everyone left. Everyone but Charlie. She had waited till the very end with me. I wondered why. Why hadn’t she gone home with our mother?. Why had she stayed with me?. Then it all became clear as she walked up behind me.  

“You should have done something.” Her voice was shaky and unsure. Her eyes were hidden under a pair of black sunglasses. I stayed facing his grave. “He looked up to you, he was in trouble Alex.” She didn’t tell me anything I didn’t already know. Dylan was closest to Dad, he only knew the dying alcoholic who wanted to make things right with his kids. Dylan never remembered the cruel asshole that terrorized Charlie and me.  

“When Dad died he needed you, and even though you stayed….you were never really here.” She was right. Of course. I had decided to stay after our father had passed but I never really accepted it. Maybe that’s why I couldn’t cry, why I couldn’t just let go. Because deep down I didn’t deserve it. I didn’t earn the closure. I turned my head to Charlie as she stepped around to face me. Before I could open my mouth I felt it, a slap, her huge hand connecting with the side of my face.  

Charlie was only a little shorter than me and almost as strong. She had trained hard in the last few years, we all did. But I never kept an eye on Dylan as she did. But he never listened to mom, or her. “It was your fault….you didn’t see it, or you did and you just didn’t care…” She brushed past me and said nothing else. I didn’t argue, I couldn’t. In my heart, I knew she was right.  

Promo: Not a real challenger.
On Camera
New York, New York.
Present Day.

”I’m going to make this as perfectly clear as possible…”

Alex shoves a chair to the side and quickly grabs the top of it spinning it around backward before sitting on it and folding his arms over the back of the chair leaning in.

”I have never been okay with being “second best”. I have never been ok with anyone being ahead of me on the pecking order. But the only reason why I haven’t gone after Austin, why I haven’t tried to stake a claim at it despite being one of the most successful performers in this company this year, is because I’m also loyal. Austin is a great champion and I know he would face me in that ring and put the title on the line and it would be a great match and whoever won the title would still stay in the family. I have been all over the US in the last few months wrestling for various companies as well as taking part in Sin City’s European tour and I have done everything that has been asked of me and I will continue to do so as I9 am a professional…”

“But something you all need to realize, something you need to accept, is that while Austin is the champion, and while he may be at the top of the mountain, I’m a step down waiting for anyone to walk up so I can knock them back down.”

“I look at the SCW title scene and there are some great names. Fenris and Ty are constants, they’re talented, this is all things we know and accept. Lachlan Kane could get a shot and he wouldn’t look out of place despite his failures against Griffin Hawkins, another guy who could challenge Austin for the SCW title. There are names, there are opportunities and there are new names and old legends coming into SCW to try and make an impact.”

“Ben Jordan, Jack Asher, Redron Williams, Ace Hart. A mix of old names that are new to SCW and new names in general or people like Ben Jordan who I believe have been overlooked...but there are two names, two names in this company that just linger around...sniffing and begging for title opportunities…”

Alex scrunches his nose up and shakes his head.

”One of them, is Jake Raab. A loud-mouthed backward piece of shit who talked a big game and got taken down with ease. But he still gets handed shots and opportunities. The other is my opponent at Climax Control, everyone's favorite six foot eight 280 pound singing monster, Senor Vinnie.”

“Now, Vinnie is different from Jake in that he earned his shot. He didn’t just whine and get a lucky win before being handed one. He has an opportunity and will be taking it against Austin. But, is he really going to be that challenge that you all desperately want to see?. Is he going to worry the man who beat Fenris?, a guy who Vinnie failed against to the point where some people were tired of seeing it happen?. Vinnie is a great wrestler, he’s big, strong, tough and can fight. But he’s never really been the guy here. Ground Zero?..yeah maybe. We’ve watched him dominate there, but then again Amanda Cortez was a “legit” star there so what does that say?”

“And I know, I get it, some people are probably sitting there thinking “oh god Alex no, Vinnie might kill you”. First off, that’s rude but thank you for your concern. Second off, Vinnie is physically intimidating, but this is a case of a guy with a million-dollar body and a ten-cent brain,”

“The question people shouldn’t be asking is how can Alex beat a monster like Vinnie, it’s how can Vinnie beat a man who is a bonafide legend. See, Austin is a successful kid, on the verge of a career that could become legendary with title reigns and the right look and a scary skill set for a guy his size. But me?. I am the hype…”

Alex stands up kicking the chair to the side pacing back and forth with a small smirk on his face.

”But you Vinnie?, what are you? Are you a threat?, Are you one of the best?. Are you a wrestler?, a musician?, A cactus growing aficionado?. Or are you an inconsistent weirdo?. Someone who let himself fall and fail to Jake Raab. You put yourself over as a threat beating people like Malachi, but then you step into the ring with anyone who could be the real deal in SCW like Fenris, you fall. You end up in a situation where you earn shots as long as no one credible is near you. And for a while Vinnie...that was fine. You beat people like Malachi, Travis Levitt etc, but now? That loss to Jake has exposed you. The aura you had around you had faded and it’s an aura I never cared about. People lose in this business, but the fact is you are judged by your losses over wins and those losses Vinnie, they just show you are painfully average.”

“Your personality is out there and unique and special, and that’s great man, really. You’re a different cat and people flock to you because of that charisma. But charisma doesn’t win matches, charisma doesn’t win you championships, something I thought you knew.”

“But now you’re not facing the current champion, you’re not facing a former one like Fenris, you’re not facing a curtain jerking wannabe either. You’re facing a dangerous veteran. You’re facing someone who could be a future SCW world champion, you’re facing someone who is quite frankly...better than you. I have been all around the world and I have been on top of the wrestling world for years Vinnie. Flat out years. Not a month here and a month there, I have had title reigns and runs in top company’s as “the guy” even without the title.”

“And now it’s my job to step in the ring with you, assess you and see if you are the guy to possibly take the title off Aus...but from what I’ve already seen?....I ain’t holding my breath…”

 Blow it up, you like the way it burns
You’ll burn at every turn
Soon enough you’re gonna have to learn
When you light the fire to your flame
There’s nothing left to say
Don’t expect for me to call your name

Chapter Ten: A little bundle of surprise
Off Camera  
New York City  
2 Years Ago

Alex’s eyes fluttered open, he reached over to Sonja’s side of the bed feeling nothing, the covers pulled back and the space where she would normally be laying felt cold and empty. He looked over at the small digital clock as it clicked over to 6 am. Alex pushed himself out of the bed and yawned moving out of the bedroom looking around. No sign of Sonja except for a light coming from the bottom of the bathroom door. Alex moved closer towards it hearing loud heaving noises and liquid hitting liquid.  

Alex opened the door slowly, he looked down to find Sonja holding onto the toilet heaving and looking pale and sick. Alex raised an eyebrow crouching down putting an arm around her rubbing her back lightly. Sonja turned her head looking at Alex with a small smile before a sudden frown as she started throwing up again. Alex shook his head and sighed. “I think I need to get you to a doctor.”

Sonja put her finger in the air tilting it back and forth before grabbing Alex’s shirt as she heaved again. Sonja wiped her mouth and sat back on her heels. “I don’t think I can be separated from my new porcelain best friend.” Alex went to protest but stopped with a sigh nodding his head pulling out his cellphone, he looked for a number dialing it fast before leaving Sonja for a moment. “Hey, yeah I need a Doctor, my wife is throwing up and can’t leave…...yes….yes the address is {REDACTED}...Manhattan New York. Thank you…”  

Alex hung up the phone and turned walking back in finding Sonja laying down clutching the toilet with one arm and her own stomach with the other. “Babe...this isn’t good….” Sonja shook her head unable to really speak, she heaved and slid up over the toilet before holding it in, Alex lightly drew his hand over her back again rubbing lightly back and forth as Sonja seemed to breath more easily, slow and steady as she took one last deep breath. “That feels good…..”

After a few minutes the doorbell went off, Alex walked out to the hallway and opened the door, a young man with thin wire-framed glasses stepped in with a medical bag. “Mr. Jones is it?.” Alex gave a small nod and led him through the living area and past the large kitchen to the bathroom, Sonja sat on the floor, her hair down and in front of her face as she heaved again. The doctor gave a nod and walked in as Alex backed off. He heard some conversation and mumbling. The doctor laughed a little and stepped out closing the door behind him.  

“Mr. Jones, was this a sudden onset with the vomiting?” Alex thought about it for a moment and shook his head. “Well she hadn’t mentioned anything, I travel for work and she stayed here to look after our business here. But this is the first I’ve seen or heard.” He gave a small nod as Alex looked at the door wondering what was going on. The doctor adjusted his notepad and smiled a little. “What are you smiling at?..my wife is really sick and I-”  

The doctor put his hand up scribbling a few notes down with a sigh. “Mr. Jones, I assure you your wife isn’t dying and doesn’t have a terminal illness. It could be a case of food poisoning, a stomach bug or...well we’ll just wait.” Alex raised an eyebrow as the doctor put his hand on Alex's’ shoulder. The door opened and Sonja called the doctor in, he stepped through and closed the door behind him. After a few moments, he stepped back out tucking a small vile of blood into a storage container. He looked at Alex and held out his hand shaking it. “Congratulations I can see myself out…”

Alex looked confused as the doctor moved to the front door, he then turned going into the bathroom as Sonja slowly looked up at him, still not feeling well, still pale but with a small smile on her face. “3 weeks” Alex raised an eyebrow. “What?” Sonja laughed and held her mouth for a moment and then her stomach before clearing her throat. “3 Weeks is what the little stick says…” She held it up for Alex to see. A small white plastic stick with the front covered by a clear cap, A small digital screen reads “Positive 3-4 weeks” Alex shakes and lowers his hands staring at Sonja who slowly gets to her feet.  

“Well?. You need to say something.” Sonja raised an eyebrow looking worried as Alex stayed silent. His jaw opened but nothing came out as he looked back down at the test and then back to Sonja, his heart nearly exploding from his chest. “Are you upset?” Alex let out a small laugh before setting the test down, he then turned and picked Sonja up in his arms spinning her around, Sonja shook her head and heaved. “Please...don’t do that…” Alex laughed and swallowed before stroking her cheek.  

“How could I ever be upset?...you’re pregnant” Sonja gave him a small nod and put her hand against his as it rested on her cheek. “That is what the little stick says.” She smiled as Alex leaned in for a kiss, Sonja pulled back and shook her head. “You might not want to do that..at least wait till I can use mouthwash” Alex smiled and kissed her cheek instead placing a hand on her stomach. Sonja stayed silent and slowly slid against his body squeezing Alex tight. They stood together for a moment as Alex kissed her forehead. “We need to celebrate…I need to call Pixie!....”  

Sonja laughed as she clung onto him. “We need to go out to dinner tonight, somewhere really nice. Somewhere that sells that chocolate mousse you like, you know the wobbly one with the-” “Oh god” Sonja shoved Alex back running into the bathroom again as she heaved and held her hair back. Alex raised an eyebrow and sighed. “Was it something I said?”

Setting Records

”Well, that isn’t how we wanted to win, but all things considered I don’t blame Mackenzie for doing what she did.”

Alex Jones slides his hands into the pockets of his black jeans, his black biker boots making a loud clunk sound on the floor as he comes to a stop near a large window looking down onto the streets of London from a hotel room.

”Goth is a horrible, disgusting, perverted relic. And he didn’t deserve to get close to this match. Mackenzie put in so much hard work and I hot she gets the recognition she deserves but Goth?. If he’s going to stick around, our paths might cross again someday and he might find out why I was a member of the Dogs of war and why I am now the leader of Wolfslair. See, in a very short amount of time, we have taken over SCW. The two championships that mean most in this company are in our possession and I am one match away from winning the Blast from the past and having an all Wolfslair match for that SCW heavyweight championship.”

“One match away…”

“And honestly I wouldn’t have got this far if it wasn’t for Devona. When I was matched up with her in this I did a little research and I saw what kind of career she had before she left and I was amazed. She was a true talent, a diamond in the rough and I knew she was someone I could team with and be successful. See Alicia and I would have been the perfect team but putting that aside Devona is the only person aside from Alicia where I know if I handle my half she’ll handle hers.”

“And now we have one more hurdle, one more match and one more night to prove we deserve this.”

Alex smirks, his long black hair tied back in a bun as his boyish grin shines under his beard. His upper body covered by a brand new Wolfslair hoodie available from Wolfslairshop.com, yes cheap plug get over it.

”And we’ll be doing it against another team who has been incredible. I can’t fault them, you don’t get to the finals without working hard and that is exactly what Kale Smith and Brittany Williams have done. They were even able to eliminate Alicia from the tournament. Admittedly she was stuck with an opponent who was rustier than a steel gate in the ocean but they still did it. Hell Brittany has been somewhat impressive. She’s the daughter of a good friend of mine, see while Alicia hates Crystal I really don’t, Crystal and I have known each other for years and little Brittany has grown up to be very similar to her mother…”

“In all the wrong ways…”

“See Britt, I like you kid, I do. But you have a chance to right the wrongs of your parent's careers. Crystal always took her movie career more seriously, she never committed to the wrestling business the way she should have and Todd was always more distracted by other things too, you have a shot at being something truly special. Hell, you are the youngest champion in SCW history and at your young age, you have more talent than some people twice as old as you with four times the experience.”

“But, as I said...you are making the same mistakes...namely your ego…”

“I get ti kid I do, with all this talent and being born into the business you believe you are one of the best and you deserve the world. But the problem is, you don’t. You don’t deserve the world handed to you on a silver platter. You still have to earn everything you get and even though you have said that I look into your eyes and I can tell you don’t fucking believe it. But you and Kale win this match, then you will have earned something, the only issue is to win this you have to get past myself and Devona, and I’m sorry kid...but Devona is levels above you. Not to say you won’t get there someday...but as of right now...Devona is one of the best on this planet…”

Alex nods slowly and turns before sitting down.

”But how could I forget the other name in this match, the guy who I’ll be getting in the ring with. The 6’2 Australian sensation with a winning smile and a look to make all the women in the audience need fresh underwear. You know Kale when you first walked back into SCW I wondered how’d you go, see back in 2016 when you first came here you went one and one. You lost your second match and then promptly disappeared. Here we are three years later and you have been able to take the SCW world by storm. You beat that idiot Caleb Storms, you and Brittany won your Blast from the past matches and now you are on the brink of getting a life-changing opportunity.”

“You win this tournament and you get a shot at whoever wins the SCW championship match after London Brawling. You could be getting in the ring with Fenris, Ty, Caleb or, more than likely Austin. What a story it would be, a return, an amazing run, and a title opportunity to take a career no one really cared about and etch your name into history.”

“And all you have to do is hope your partner beats Devona, or hope you can somehow beat me. Now, I’m not going to say you don’t have the skillset to do this, I’m not going to say you’re not impressive, cause you are. But what I will say is that you are taking a huge step up in competition. You started off your return with Caleb, who is a joke, Joshua Acquin, who is just as big of a joke, or Blade Alexander who..well...he may as well have just walked away since his return was a giant disappointment. Nah Kale, now you’re facing one of the best professional wrestlers on the planet, a man who has held more world titles than most people have had matches, a guy who has been at the top of this business for over a decade. And it’s not just arrogance here….it’s the truth.”

“You are stepping in the ring with the king of the jungle...and when that dust settles you’re going to know if you were the hunter or the hunted...and London Brawling will be a moment born of infamy….as Alex Jones gets another notch on his belt and another accolade on the list….but don’t feel bad Kale….you still got to the final..you still surprised the world...you’re just going to come up a little short..”

 Prologue: Old Fashioned?

Am I old?  

Has the world now passed me by? I remember when being a champion meant being the face of a company. The first name that people identified with when a name or lettered suffix was mentioned. The face in the posters, DVD covers, the leading name on the marquee.

All of it, the visible past, present and future.  

But somewhere along the way from the ideals I learned and lived by to now something has gone wrong. Wires crossed, the role of a champion confused with that of an entitled child.  

See the role of a champion is to be the shining light. The leader. You live up to and honor the title you work for it. It does not work for you. You use it to inspire others to be better. To rally the troops in a way that befits the company and the status of champion.

But now the role of a champion seems to be that of an entitled brat. Holding it hostage and only turning up when asked. Doing the bare minimum in promotion and effort. It makes me sick. It breaks my heart. But hell I might just be old fashioned in my beliefs.  

I might be a relic of a time when champions were champions.

I might just believe things that are now antiquated and have been overlooked, replaced, destroyed.  

The gentlemans game was dead.  

But, we are bringing it back. Austin, Alicia and myself. They are the champions you can believe in, and I can be one too. We belong at the top. We belong draped in gold.

Chapter Eight: Move your foot….
Off camera  
Blackpool England
2 Years Ago
.
The cracks in his knuckles were loud, echoing through the gym. He looked up at the clock. 3 am. It was empty, lonely. No one knew he was here. No one knew where to find him. All except Danny. Alex stretched his neck and let out a sigh pushing himself up to his feet. He moved across the mats on the main floor of the gym. His whole body still in pain from the day before. The cold air moved in through the area as Alex pulled the chains near the large roller door.  

It was pitch black outside. The sounds of the nearby city moving into the air, the smells from nearby shops readying their breakfast menus for hungry dock workers filled his nose. Alex smirked and zipped up his black and red hoodie, the hood flipped up over his head. He took a deep breath and leaned down his hands wrapping around the silver bar. Large plates on either side.  

His teeth ground together as he pulled the weight up past his knees, his arms burned as he lifted it to his chest, a step forward and a dip before switching legs. Alex growled as the pain shot through his back, his legs, his arms. His whole body. He stopped and dropped the weight letting out a grunt of anger and frustration. Alex looked over at the plates and loaded up the bar much higher, his eyes burning as he readied himself again.  

He closed his eyes trying to calm himself. Her voice echoed in his head. A warning not to do it, a warning to stop. Even her voice calling him a moron as he jerked the bar again. He could feel the veins in his arms bulged as the blood pumped and coursed through his veins. He pulled it to his chest and opened his eyes stepping down and then up, changing feet.  

He dropped the weight again, the thud slamming through the gym. He was so focused he didn’t even hear the footsteps. Danny’s rough voice catching him off guard. His accent making it sound even more grizzled. “Yah going to end up pulling something doin that mate.” Alex scoffed and let out another grunt with a nod as if to say hello. He added another two plates. Danny walked up and put his hand down on Alex's’ shoulder. “What are you doing Alex?”

“Working out Danny…” He pulled his shoulder away locking the plates in place, he took his hoodie off throwing it to the side as the sweat seemed to roll down his forearms. He stood in front of the bar and as he touched it Danny slammed his foot across the front of it. “What are you running from?” Alex paused for a moment he sighed deeply and shook his head, his eyes locked on the bar. “Move your foot Danny…” Alex’s voice was deep, almost like a growl. “Nah boy, you need to tell me what-” “MOVE YOUR FUCKING FOOT DANNY”

Alex stood straight up getting face to face with the old man. Danny stood about 6 foot tall, same height as Alex. Danny was still in great shape for a man in his sixties, Alex growled again as his eyes stayed locked on his. “You’ve got to let her go son….” The words caught Alex off guard. His eyes widened, Danny shook his head and sighed. “I knew what you were running from the second you came back. Alex backed up and folded his arms over his chest, his eyes darting back and forth unable to make eye contact.  

“I did some checking Alex, you’ve got a wife, a beautiful wife. She’s been calling and looking for you….” The words seemed to drown out but where still there, the anger in the pit of his stomach rose hand in hand with a sadness and a frustration. A hurt he couldn’t explain or let go. “You need to let that love go and-” “And what? Alex looked back over at him stepping forward. “I moved on. I love Sonja, I do. She’s the only other woman I could ever love and be with but…”

Alex trails off, his hands clench into fists as Danny shakes his head in disappointment. “When there’s one person in this world that actually understands you. That in your heart you know you’re just...meant to be with...how do you let it go man?” Alex's’ voice shook, he held back all the emotion behind a wall. His anger, the pain all of it. Danny reached out putting his hand on his shoulder. “You bury it….and hope it doesn’t kill you…”

Whatever Caleb..
On Camera
New York, New York.
Present Day.

”Well, I’m a few hours away now from flying back out to Europe for SCW Climax Control. The next round of the Blast from the past tournament as Devona and I take on Caleb Storms and Roxi Johnson.”

Alex Jones claspes his hands together as a large black suitcase sits next to him, his hair is tied back as he wears comfortable clothes ready for the long flight to Cardiff Wales.

”Defona and I got here by beating Daniela Rodgers and Teddy Warren, and as much as I’d love to stand here and say that it was a hard fought amazing match, the truth is those two should not have been in the ring with us. Some scrub from SCU and the worst Warren to ever put on a pair of boots. Which is saying something. They weren’t in our league. And I have to say, Devona lived up to all that promise I believed she had. She looked amazing, she looked fast, strong and incredibly skilled.”

“She looked like a future championship challenger.”

“I say challenger because lets face it, as good as Devona is, as much as I believe she’s a great wrestler, if we win thw Blast from the past, she has to go and face Alicia Lukas. All roads lead to a member of Wolfslair, and that is a road most people cannot handle. And that is a truth most people can’t see or feel. Devona will be a great partner in this match and I know she can take Roxi, as amazing as Roxi is. But, against Alicia...she’d fail.”

“Not going to stop her and myself from trying to win though.

Alex smirks, his arrogance shining through the small facial movement. His hands staying clasped together as he clears his throat.

” And what can I say about our opponents this week huh?. I mean I have beaten and embaressed that heavy metal wannabe Caleb Storms so often I should get a new tattoo to comemorate every little ass kicking I’ve given him and the US government needs to allocate a ribbon color to morn the brutality of his humiliating losses which should be considered some form of international crime. But, then there’s Roxi Johnson. A woman who is rightfully considered one of the best professional wrestlers on the planet and an SCW legend. She knows the six sided ring of SCW better than most people know their own home.”

“Roxi Johnson is a role model to many and a hero to others. And she had earned it all. Every accolade, every accomplishment, every piece of fan mail and every smile she gets from fans. Devona is an amazing athlete and can stand up to Roxi in that regard but if we’re going ty aura’s in the wrestling world this is about Roxi and I sharing a ring, even if we can’t go at it.”

“See she and I are both relics in some eyes.”

“Ghosts of a wrestling past. People who coast by on past victories. Roxi made her career in SCW befoee moving on and even gaining success in GoL. She has been in and out of the ring with a more relaxed scedual, much like myself for a time. But make no mistake, Rosi Johnson is someone I understand because real recognises real. I have had a hallf of fame worthy career in many places, I have received that accolade in IWF and NCW. I have always been someone who puts his all into whatever company I’m in just like Roxi.”

Alex smiles now with a laugh.

”Roxi Johnson would be a great challenge against Alicia or really any of the other Bombshells in this newer generation. There’s just one problem, one flaw, one weakness. Her partner Caleb Storms. See while Roxi is an exceptional athlete and a professional wrestler of the highest order and quality, someone who will back up her claims and her reputation, Caleb Storms is...not any of those things…”

He shrugs and shakes his head, seemingly disappointed with his half of the opposition team.

”Caleb pops up every single time he has a match, spouts off the same overused bullshit and tries to make excuses about why he’s losing, or if he happens to fluke his way to a win, crows about how great he is. He’s a long haired, high flying, heavy metal loving man shild. And hey, I have long hair, I love heavy metal, I can fly through the air when I feel like it. But unlike Caleb with his cheesy smile and happy go lucky attitude, I’m a serious athletic competitor. And while Caleb simply shrugs losses off and never learns from them, well...I’m a student of the game…”

“Actually I take that back, I’m ahead of the fucking game….”

“I learn from mistakes and losses and as such I am someone who very very rarely losses Caleb. I bust my ass in and out of that ring to make sure I am seen as a preofessional and a wrestling god. And you?. You’re a joke. And not even that great belly laugh joke that is entertaining. Nah man, you’re one of those jokes that someone tells when they’re despreate, that falls on deaf ears and might get a pity chuckle from one of the nicer people listening. And the proof is in our careers…”

“You have one small Roulette title reign to your name, a concolation prize…”

He folds his arms over his chest and raises an eyebrow deadpanning the camera.

”I’m a nine time world champion, multiple time hall of fame star and right now, at this moment I am already ahead of you in SCW’s pecking order while being distrated with making sure Alicia and Austin are prepared for their championship reigns. I’m one half of the portland pro tag team champions. And you?. You’re being dragged to wins over a former broken bombshells champion and an overrated lush like Stewart Mason by Roxi. But that ends Caleb, that ends and Devona and I will end it. Cause let’s face it...Caleb Storms…”

“It’s another way of saying “Alex Jones’ bitch…”</color>

“Slutty bitch Jean did this..she broke up Ana and Alex….well...doesn’t have to be that way now does it Alex?” Jean slowly turned the gun towards herself and Alex swallowed hard, he quickly leapt forward and grabbed the gun moving Jean out of the way as it clicked but nothing happened, she laid under Alex and her sadness turned to...something else….

Alex slid up and shook his head, Jean moved towards him with the gun and just laughed before pointing it at him clicking it twice. “Bang bang….” she breezed past him and walked to the door humming before turning around. “Don’t worry daddy...we’ll be fine….” Another click is heard as the door closes and Alex closes his eyes with a deep breath. “Fuck….”

And the nightmare continued.

The Next Day: Sadie Wilson’s home. Las Vegas Nevada.

She tapped her foot with her legs crossed over one another. Her arms folded, her hair tied back in a high ponytail. She stared at him with a scowl and a hurt expression of broken trust and anger. A dozen roses sit on the edge of the table as she looks them over, a card with a hand written note sits open and as her eyes trail over it she tears up.

Alex looked at the floor, his eyes right at his feet. He had hurt her, broken her. She had been visible with her pain, taking it out on her friends, family, the house. All the while proclaiming she knew the truth. She knew the real Alex not the one who had been parading around with Jean Jones, the woman he was still technically with who was at home asleep in their bed. He was there...with her…

“You...were right.” The words seemed to want to explode out but were held back to a near whisper. Sadie softened a little not enough just a small amount, her body language changing as the tapping stopped and her arms went from angrily folded over her chest to lightly hugging herself. Alex stayed staring at the floor, his expression not changing as he didn’t even look up to her.

After a few moments Alex continues, his voice was calm, soft and steady. Overly so in an almost uneasy fashion becoming monotone. “I went back with Jean because, I felt that’s what I deserved. To be unhappy…”

He sighed deeply pausing for a moment trying to hold back the emotions that bubbled to the top. Sadie swallowed hard and held her hands together, a twitch showed she wanted to reach out to him. But she sighed and kept it in check. “You keep telling me you know the truth, you keep telling me I should be here with you…”

Sadie slowly nods and tilts her head. “As I said, i don’t care if you’re with me...you just shouldn’t be with her…” He looked up at her for the first time, her long blond hair was tied back as her bright blue eyes just studying him, they were warm, inviting and full of love. Her lips twisted into a small smile seeing him finally look at her.

Alex moved towards her, unable to control himself her kissed her, his hand moving up to lightly stroke her cheek. Sadie was taken back by the kiss but melted into it, after a few moments Alex pulled back and sighed. “I’m sorry” Sadie just shook her head and laughed. “Don’t be...I told you...I’d be here….”

Alex gave a deep breath and smirked with a laugh he gave her a nod and sat back down on the floor bringing his knees to his chest. “So what do we do now?..” Alex threw his hands up and shrugged. “I go back to Jean...figure this out…..then come home to you….” Sadie’s eyes lit up and she smiled wide for the first time in days. “Home...I like that….see me anytime Alex...I don’t want to be apart from you…”

He gave her a small nod and stood up grabbing his keys, wallet and phone. Sadie stood up and met him with a hug and then a small kiss.  

And the darkness of the nightmare faded just enough for light to break through.

Repetition and Replication
On Camera
New York, New York
Present Day

“I have a riddle for you all. If a tree falls in the woods, and no one is around to hear it, did it fall?. Too hard?. Here’s another one for you. If you don’t cut a promo before Jake Raab, and he has nothing to watch and reply to, can he cut a promo?”

Alex Jones sits in a leather chair overlooking the New York skyline out of the window of his apartment. A small smirk on his face as he interlocks his fingers together.

”You need to stop doing a Donald Trump and pretending like my promo’s are performed by Michelle Obama buddy. “Borrowing” quotes in wrestling just shows that you couldn’t come up with an original idea if we replaced your brain with Thomas Edison...oh..wait...I guess Nikola Tesla would be a better analogy in this situation. In fact if we’re going by this analogy I’m Tesla and you’re Edison, but that wouldn’t be right either, Edison made money, you can’t draw a dime…”

“But, if we’re going to play the he said he said game Raaby let me just throw this out there…”

“Travis Levitt and I had to battle through two vicious triple threat matches. Mine had two former champions, even if Acquin was questionable at best and Levit had to beat Austin a guy who once he had a fair one on one match with you fucking murdered you and Lachlan Kane one half of the current tag team champions. You didn’t have to do shit Jake. But it’s not whining, it’s straight up facts. You go on about Austin whining and why he didn’t whine when he lost to Fenris. It’s simple, he lost to a better man in Fenris, he didn’t lose to a better man in you, he lost to a backwards whining loser snake in the grass.”

“If you were a man of honor like you said you were, you could have gone to Mark or Christian and said “hey I want to earn this spot, so please put me in a match with my spot on the line.” But you would never do that Jake, you’d never do that because it’s not advantageous to you. And Austin didn’t complain he lost to Travis either and wouldn’t of if it was Lachlan. Cause he felt like he let himself down. It was you. Because he shouldn’t have been put in that situation, just like Fenris shouldn’t be put in this one.”

Alex leans back in his chair looking up at the ceiling with a chuckle.

”I don’t mean a multi-person match. Those happen from time to time and with such a dominant champion he should be defending the title against people who earned it. But again, you didn’t earn it. You got it for stupid reasons, whether that reason is you held the Honor title for a cup of coffee or that you gave a nice handjob to Mark, you ended up in this match and I can guarantee you, if you somehow, someway fluke a win out of this, Fenris, Myself and Travis will all groan and roll our eyes along with the entire wrestling world. Cause...just between us Jakey…”

“No one likes you….”

“I don’t care if you haven’t bitched or moaned for three months and you have a fucking AA chip to prove it. The truth is you’re a disrespectful little prick who shouldn’t be let within fifty feet of an SCW title match. I may be an arrogant, self righteous asshole. I may have a huge ego and a loud mouth, but the difference Jake is that for over a decade I have earned that. I have earned the right to run my mouth like a true warrior. You on the other hand haven’t earned anything and you walk around with an air of arrogance. But when called out on it you act like that isn’t you at all. You backpedal and go backwards then forwards and you have no idea who the hell you are…”

“You have no identity. You don’t know if you want to be Lord Raab or Konrad Raab. Flip flop up down whine, cry, argue. Pick one and stick with it or go pay for the psychiatrist to help you. I9n fact, after I win the SCW title and get that fat champions bonus, I’ll cut you a check, go get your mental health sorted out on my dime...you whiny bitch…”

Alex scoffs and rolls his eyes.

”Oh damn, all this and I almost forgot that Travis Levitt was in this match. It’s ok. He apparently forgot he’s in SCW and needs to actually promote his appearances to help us get fans in the door. I wonder if he’ll even remember to turn up, or maybe he’s too busy trying to find a place to bury Pandora after confronting her about cheating with Chris Matthews. Also...does he remind you of anyone?”

Alex tilts his head and looks over at a mirror before shaking his head.

”Nah. But legit though, Travis has been quiet as a mouse. All bluster and anger in the match against Austin and Lachlan, but when it comes to a match that matters, a big match that people care about. It seems like he does his disappearing act. Wish I could say I was surprised. I’m sure he’ll turn up with some excuse like he was training or had nothing important to say. But then again..he never does and it hasn’t stopped him since he walked into this company. And while Travis did in fact earn a shot and a spot in this match he’s almost as bad as Raab…”

“Someone who goes on about titles and destiny when he spent 16 years sucking harder than the casting line out the front of Harvey Weinstein's office…”

“And now here he is on the cusp of winning a title that matters, and he’s choking, like an 18 year old actress in...look you get the point…”

He pushes up to his feet and takes a few steps to the glass, his hand travelling up to press against it as he looks down to the ground below, ten stories up, Alex lets out a small sigh and shakes his head.

”The truth is while Fenris doesn’t bat an eyelid at defending his title in a fourway, I know that this match should be one on one. It should be Alex Jones against Fenris. One on one. And I’m not going to bring up the whole not knowing me thing, I found it disrespectful at the time and as I said it then dawned on me that you’re from a small town overseas and not even a student of wrestling. The thing is Fenris I admire you.”

“Yeah, It’s true. I do.”

“See I was born to love this business. Born to be a professional wrestler. You and Jake both came from another world but while Jake has made a fool and an ass of himself you have grown and prospered. And truth is I see the love and passion for wrestling in your eyes and I know how hard it is to gain that love as you become an adult. As you had another love in MMA, your first love. But here in pro wrestling you have become a world champion and a damn fine one. I won’t discredit you, against the current crop of SCW wrestlers, you Fenris have proved yourself time and time again…”

“But I am unlike all of them…”

“I am not a reject from other companies or someone inexperienced. I’m not like Vinnie, Ty, Jake or Austin, as good as Austin is. I’m not like them. I’m not even like Travis, cause while he has been at this for as long as me, I’ve been successful. I have held world mtitles, I have started at the bottom of the mountain and dragged and clawed my way up more than once. You have done it here in SCW and you have done it well. But I have done it more times than I wish to admit. This business has taken so much from me. Two marriages, time with my children, time with my current wife who thankfully is a goddamn saint.

Alex folds his arms over his chest and relaxes.

”As I said, I wish this match was one on one. No Travis to lazily fumble in front of us, no Jake Raab to sneak in and be a snake, just you and me on on one. To find out who is better. The young white wolf or the wily veteran black dragon. You know why they named me that Fenris?. In Japan I wore black tights and fought with such intensity they decided to give me that name. It wasn’t one I came up with it was one that young lions in different dojos and companies called me. It was a sign and mark of respect. And it was also because of the policy I had with enemies…”

“Scorched earth….burn all in front and behind me, leave nothing for anyone to feed off.”

“Todd Williams, Crystal Hilton, Mercedes Vargas, even our referee for this match, Griffin Hawkins knows it. Anyone from Honor, WWH, VWS, NGW, Hybrid, Portland Pro. They all know, they’ve all seen it and they all know it. And I get it, in this world where everything is so open but still closed it can be hard to know who to take seriously. Someone can waltz in here with a thousand title reigns from regional companies no one cares about and get exposed quick. So it’s hard to know, just who is the real deal?. Well, Fenris, Jake, Travis. The three of you should know by now, seeing what I have done and who I have done it to….I am most definitely..the real deal. And at Blaze of glory I will set the world on fire. I will end the reign of Fenris, I will hold that SCW title over my head and I will carry that championship with all the respect it deserves….cause honestly...that’s what I do...and I dare any of you to stop me…”

 Chapter Four: How it almost ended before it began
Off Camera
Cedars Sinai Hospital, Los Angeles California.
6 Years ago.

His feet tapped down the hallway, his long hair tucked up and under a baseball cap. He nervously looked around each corner as he turned. A brown paper bag in his hands. He looked over at a nurse sitting behind an admissions desk, his eyes scanning the clipboard in front of her for a name. He mouthed it slowly under his breath.

“Ana-Maria Valentine Room 4F” He smiled and moved around and down along the hallway coming to a stop just outside the door. He took in a sharp deep breath and pushed it open. There laying in the bed was Ana Valentine. Her long blond hair tied back away from her beautiful face. Alex swallowed hard and his heart fluttered. He seemed lost in the moment.

Alex moved around her bed and sat down on the small chair next to her. Sitting on the table was a few cards, some flowers. A box of chocolates. Alex tilted his head reading the names. Christian Mercer, Angel Blake, Spike Kane. He scoffed and rolled his eyes with a small laugh. Ana groaned and her eyes fluttered open.  

Ana turned and looked over, her mind still in a post surgery haze. She focused and looked confused. “Alex?....Alex is that you?”  

He smiled and looked away, Ana tried to turn her body but she winced, her arm moving around her ribs as the pain shot through her body. The wince turned into a cry of pain. “No...Ana...don’t move…” She swallowed hard and looked up at Alex with a small grin that slowly turned to a frown.  

“You shouldn’t be here...if Angel OR Spike know they’ll..” Alex smiled again, much warmer this time as his finger crept up to her lips. He placed it gently on them and gave a shushing sound. “I’m not worried about them…”

He squeezed her hand and Ana gave him a nod looking around the room. Her hand moved up to her ribs, feeling over the bandage wrapped around her upper body. She looked up at Alex then away letting go of his hand. “I must look horrible...monstrous….” Alex shook his head and sighed deeply staying forward. “Stop….you took a fall off a ten foot cage...no one is going to look good after that…”

Ana turned her head looking hurt. “Gee...thanks Alex….I love you to…”

Alex laughed to himself as Ana looked away again, his hand slowly trickled up her body, his fingertips replacing hers as they danced along the bandage. Ana shook her head as her breathing seemed broken. “Don’t...Alex….” He again shushed Ana with a boyish grin that seemed to calm her. He leaned down and with a light kiss on her ribs he sighed deeply.  

“I don’t care about what artificial pieces you have inside you. It’s keeping you together….” He gave a small laugh again and his hand drifted back down her body to hers. “You will wrestle again...you will get back in that ring and you WILL make everyone remember the name of Ana Valentine…”

Ana closed her eyes and gave Alex a small nod. Alex ran a hand through her hair and Ana sniffed the air trying to change the subject. “Wait..what...what the hell is that…” Alex smirked and pulled the bag up, he opened it and placed a burger all wrapped up on the hospital tray. “Is that….a mushroom swiss cheeseburger?....”

Alex shrugged and sat back, Ana pulled herself up a little ignoring the pain as she found a comfortable position. She unwrapped the burger and took a huge bitch moaning as she does. Alex couldn’t help but laugh. “Not very ladylike sweetheart…” Ana gave him a wink and swallowed. “Hey you love me so...you know...shut up….”

Alex sighed again and sat back with a smile. “I do you know?....love you I mean….”Ana swallowed her bite and placed the burger down looking away, the reality of the situation hitting her. “I told you we...we can’t..” “I know...be together...not now...but you need to know I love you….and nothing you could ever do will change that Anamaria…”

Ana’s mouth opened as if she had something to say, but staring into his eyes she just couldn’t. She looked down and took a deep breath closing her eyes, as she counted in her head she calmed herself, as she opened them she couldn’t help herself… “I love you too”

But he was gone. The burger sat half eaten, flowers from him had replaced the others...and on the table a small card with a simple message….”I know”

Cedars Sinai Hospital-2 Years Later.

Alex sat on the bed. One of his arms up holding onto a stabilising cloth. His other arm down by his side as he stared at his leg. His right knee. He studied it, every single inch of it. The bloody post surgery bandage laid on a table next to him, his knee though looked like it was out of some kind of horror show. It had been washed and sterilized but it still looked horrid.

Alex’s heart sank as he looked over the bruising, the swelling. His skin discoloured yellow and in some places a deep purple. Then he got to it. The surgical scar. It was held together with thick stitches and a few staples. It ran right up the side of his knee. Alex closed his eyes and tried to move it. His mind pulsed and pleaded.

He could hear himself willing it to move. His own voice almost begging it to. He leaned forward and with a grunt he moved his leg, his knee only slightly bending as he let out a muffled grunt and a yell that he internalized. “Alex what the fuck are you doing?”Ana stormed in, he turned and held his leg breathing hard as she reached his bedside.

“Really?...that’s what you’re going to do?...you pigheaded idiot!” Alex shook his head and held onto his leg, just above the knee on the lower part of the thigh. Ana sighed and reached up squeezing the bridge of her nose. Her long newly dyed brown hair was tied up in a ponytail. Her ruby red lips twisted in a disappointed scowl.  

Her hand dropped down to his arm, She squeezed it tight to get his attention. “Remember last time we were here?...” Alex shakes his head and pulls his arm away. “Don’t Ana...just...just don’t…”

She steps back and folds her arms, Alex looks away again and stares out the window, his hand holding his leg “You’re pathetic…” Ana spits her words with anger and venom, Alex just seems to stay vacant and uncaring, she steps forward getting her face close to his. “If I had known you’d pack your balls in a little bag and throw them away at the first speed bump…..well…”

Ana scoffs and sits back a little. “I would never have agreed to do everything I did for you. In fact, this isn’t the man I fell in love with….the Alex Jones I love...he’s a real man….” Ana gets up to leave, as she turns her back she hears his voice, deep and guttural almost demonic. “What the hell do you know?....” Ana pivots on her feet and spins. “I know you’re a fucking champion….and champions don’t quit…”

She steps forward and smirks. “Champions don’t stop….Champions don’t fail…” Alex looks up at her and sits up as she gets close, Ana’s hand reaches out caressing his face before leaning down and kissing him. “Now, get to fucking work….you’ve been lazy long enough….”

Ana chuckles and draws back, Alex looks at his knee and back at her. “I got out of surgery 7 hours ago…Ana…..ANA?!?...HEY!” Ana continues laughing as she walks out the door

You keep what you kill
On Camera
New York, New York
Present Day

It was a beautiful late winters day in New York. It was cold outside but inside the Wolfslair gym it was bustling. There was activity everywhere. German sensation Johanna Krieger was training a few women in submission grappling, Australian star Aiden Reynolds was doing cardio sprints with a few others. SCW stars Austin James Mercer and Alicia Lukas were in the corner laughing going over different business deals as Alicia’s sister Zoey worked out in one of the rings. And the gym’s head trainer and part owner Alex Jones stood above it all on the second floor scaffolding watching it all with a smirk.

“This was my dream. A place where I could get the best of the best under my room to train and get even better. A place where the next generation could come and learn under those who were the current crop and the current world beaters. That is what Wolfslair was always meant to be. Not just a stable in SCW but a brand. And since our inception we have proved ourselves to be a formidable team. But then again, did anyone really expect us not to be?. You look at the resume of the three of us and a pattern emerges. Alicia Lukas was always destined to hold the top women’s title in this company. A star in Honor, WWH and 4CW she has always been a name that companies chased. And for good reason…”

“She took a loss to Dani Weston, a woman who has proved herself to be an exceptional talent. One on one losses for Alicia don’t happen often. And she came here, back to Wolfslair to train and to center herself. And that loss made her even more determined and dangerous. Just like Austin’s loss to Fenris has made him more dangerous. But, look at the next big supercard, Blaze of Glory. Do you realise what could and most likely will happen?. Alicia has a contractually obligated title defense before we get there, but she wins that, then she will still be a champion defending that title in a fatal fourway….”

“Meanwhile. Austin and I could both be in that fatal fourway for the SCW championship. Against Fenris and...Jake Raab…”

Alex pauses with a smirk as he says Jake’s name. He looks down at Austin, a small nod of pride as he watches his pupil and friend work hard pulling himself up on a chin up bar, heavy chains around his neck as he lifts his hulking frame up and down, the sweat pouring down showing his effort and dedication.

”Austin and I could be in that match and that would give us a fifty percent chance of walking out of Blaze of glory with the SCW world title in our possession. And honestly, I could use a tenth world title to add to my collection…”

One half of the current Portland Pro Wrestling tag team champions slowly turns towards the camera from the side folding his arms over his chest, his long black hair tied back as he smiles again with a laugh.

”I can forgive many things in this business. I can forgive betrayal, I can forgive things done or said in anger. But two things I can’t forgive are ignorance and disrespect. Now, you don’t have to agree with what I say or respect what I say but you damn sure will respect the things I’ve done. And as for people like our current world champion Fenris and his partner Ty West who want to use the outdated and stupid insult of “who?”, if you don’t know who I am, then you shouldn’t be in a wrestling ring. I’m not someone like Austin who started his career on a bigger stage a year and a half ago, I’m not like Sierra Williams and Lachlan Kane, indy darlings who have exploded onto the main stage with SCW. No….”

“I am a nine time world champion, a hall of fame talent. Someone who has held thirty championships all around the world many of which were in the biggest companies around. The only two time Honor champion, the first ever Honor champion and the longest reigning. If somehow you were living under a rock and didn’t know all my other title wins and championship reigns the fact I was a huge name in a company that merged with yours should speak volumes. But, before I can get into the ring and give Fenris a lesson in humility, and trust me, I will...you thought Austin was a handful you have no idea what you have with me….before I can do that….I have to win this triple threat match against Caleb Storms and Joshua Acquin…”

“Caleb Storms, well, there’s a name I know. A guy I’ve faced before. And beaten before. Awesome taste in music aside it seems that Caleb was more successful here in SCW than he ever had a chance to be in Honor. A man who straddled that line in both companies. Now, I’m not arrogant enough to stand here and say Caleb has no talent. Cause the truth is Caleb Storms is a hell of an athlete. He flies around the ring with reckless abandon and isn’t afraid of anyone. I know this first hand and I’ll admit Caleb has had me worried in that ring before. But only for a moment. See the one issue I have with Caleb is that compared to people like myself, Austin or our SCW champion, Caleb just doesn’t have it in him to line up that killshot...and pull the trigger…”

“But, you’ve been somewhat successful in SCW, I mean you had a little run with the SCW roulette title, I mean, I took a nap and when I woke up you’d already lost it but still, you got to hold some gold Caleb, and ever since then you’ve been sniffing around the Roulette championship, you were in the warriors brawl and failed, you were in a triple threat match with Casey Williams and Austin and had a chance to show just how good you could be, and again failed. In fact, you had a few shots at me in Honor and to you there were so impactful that you have tried to use them as fuel to get better…”

“But to me...they were a few Thursdays in 2018…”

Alex shrugs with a smirk and continues.

”I told you last time we went toe to toe Caleb, humility gets you nowhere. You need to learn to pull that trigger, if not..well...you’ll stay under the glass ceiling. Not as bad as Josh Acquin is, but still pretty bad. In fact I gotta ask, why is Joshua Acquin here?. I know names got pulled from a hat but why was his name even in the damn hat?. Is it a longevity thing?. In April it’s going to be six years, Six long years of you being in SCW. Sure, you’ve had a few breaks, a little time off. But for the most part you have been here working your ass off in SCW to the point where you even call yourself “Mr SCW”. But...why?”

“People work somewhere for six years and expect to have something to show for it.”

“You Mr Acquin have a tag title run that is as forgettable as it is ridiculous. And that’s it. I don’t know what you’ve done outside SCW but inside?. It’s just not impressive. You are what we call a dead brand. You’re someone who people have simply stopped caring about and in some cases have forgotten even existed. Yet here you are being handed this lifeline. This opportunity. I mean, wow, what a beautiful story right? Joshua Acquin, a man who is “Mr SCW” overcoming Alex Jones, a bonafide legend everywhere else in this industry and Caleb Storms, a rookie midway through his second year who somehow has had more success than him. It could have a movie written about it, you could get Bradley Cooper to put on some bad fake tattoos and shave his head to play you….”

“The only problem Joshua, is that it would have to be billed as “Adapted from a true story” instead of “based on”. Because the amount of details they would need to change would be staggering…”

“There is no happy ending here, there is no amazing montage to show how hard you’re training or how great of a victory it will be. Those things don’t happen, and they don’t happen to people like you. I am going to beat you two, I am going to go on to Blaze of glory and I am going to h world title and end the white wolf...the way he deserves to be ended….by someone who has the balls…”

Alex makes a gun motion with both his hands.

”To pull the trigger…”

He “fires” the guns as we hear a gunshot and the scene cut to black and silence.

 Chapter Two-When it rains it pours
Off Camera
Las Vegas Nevada.
5 Years Ago

Alex sighed happily as he sat by the bay window in the lounge room of his large Las Vegas house that he and his wife Ana owned. His eyes stared out at the beautiful day, the sun was shining as the small gated community went about their day. Men rode their ride on mowers or in some cases had their gardener’s doing it.

Women sat on their decks laughing with their iced teas that they had probably “long islanded” up. A typical day in a beautiful upper-class suburb of Las Vegas. Ana and Alex were not openly accepted in the community. Alex’s long hair and tattoo’s and Ana getting looked at with lust by all the sad old men in the neighborhood.

Alex looked down at Harley, his and Ana’s baby daughter, she fumbled with a teething ring giving it a bite, or rather gum as Alex smiled. Her light and wispy blonde hair tied in tiny little pigtails. She sat happily on her father's lap as his hand trailed up and down her back calming her. She made cooing noises as she turned her head to look outside as well.  

“It’s a nice day isn’t it baby girl?” Harley gabbled some baby language at Alex, her little blue eyes turning back to him as he couldn’t help but smile at her. They both turned as they heard a door open. Ana emerged hanging up her phone looking annoyed. She stepped down the hallway out into the large lounge and stopped looking up at her husband and child.

Ana sighed and looked down at her phone before sliding it into the pocket of her tight black designer jeans. Alex threw up a half smile and a nod, his heart sank as he knew what Ana was about to say. She cleared her throat and moved towards him before leaning down and picking Harley up in her arms.

“Um Harley, mommy has to go out today as there has been an urgent meeting….” Ana looks from her daughter to Alex, her eyes full of apologies, she looked over at one of their nannies calling the older woman over handing Harley off with a smile before turning back to Alex. “I’m sorry Alex I know we planned to have this day but I-“

Alex put his hand up and smiled shaking his head with a slight cough, He gets to his feet and slides his hands down Ana’s arms before looking into her eyes. “I know, and it’s fine. You don’t need to apologize…” Ana smiled back and shook her head. “Are you sure you’re ok with this?...”

Alex turned and sighed deeply looking back out the window. “I understand Ana, sacrifices need to be made. You have things to do and they are important…..I’ll see you tonight ok?.” Ana gave a small nod and turned pulling her phone back out dialing fast. Alex looked down and then back up outside. Happy families walking their dog, fathers playing with their kids, mothers laughing at them.  

“Sacrifices….” Alex scoffed and grabbed his own phone looking through it with a grin. “Hey Harley…ya want to go out?”

A few days later

Alex walked along the hallway leading from the kitchen out into the large lounge room. His hand lightly touching the wall with his fingertips on his left hand as a bottle of water stayed in his right. He took a sip and sighed as he heard nothing but silence in the house. A rare thing when you have young children.  

He smiled and sat down on the couch before a familiar sound filled the air Ana yelled, a deep yell obviously showing her anger and frustration at a situation, Alex raised an eyebrow as Ana stormed down the stairs with a paper in her hand, she held it out for him to see. “What the hell?...”

Alex shook his head looking up at her and smirked trying to turn on the charm to defuse the situation. “What’s what?...sorry baby you’ll have to be more specific…” He let out a light-hearted laugh hoping his jovial nature would lighten her mood.

She tossed the papers down into his lap with an angry noise, storming across the lounge, reaching the window and spinning on her heels, shaking her head as she almost laughed with the rage she could feel building…

“YOU PROMISED!” She couldn’t control the volume of her voice as she shook her head still, waving her hands at the papers now scattered on the floor with a huffing noise “You promised that you were cutting back, that we meant more than some pig-headed pride.”[/color

Alex sighs and opens the papers to find a contract for another company. He slid it onto the glass table in front of him and got to his feet with a shake of his head, the jovial, lighthearted side seeming to slip away a little as he took a sharp breath in. “Pride...Promises….”

Alex pauses for a moment and looks down at his wife with a smile that fades away. “I promised I would cut back, stay home, be there for you...but you know what I find when I stay home Ana?....” He raises his eyebrows with a hurt nervous chuckle. “An empty house….”[color]

“I find maids, nannies….but no you...cause you’re not here...so I signed a contract to work two extra dates a month...so freakin...what….” Alex steps back and shakes his head swallowing hard.  

“So you promised… And you lied.” She nods to the door now, where one of the house employees stands with a couple of matching luggage pieces, her eyes prick with tears as she looks back at her husband. “You lied to me… After everything…” She shook her head slowly, snapping her head back to bite down the tears as she stared him down, her gaze almost burning a hole through him…. “Enjoy your empty home… And your two extra shows.”

Alex scoffed and threw his hands in the air stomping back and forth for a moment. “So you’re going to make a big show of this huh?....say that I lied?...ME?!” Alex stares up at Ana as she leaves, his voice rising louder to echo through the huge room with the high ceilings. “I’m not the only one that broke promises!.... YOU WALKED AWAY NOT ME…” The front door slammed shut behind her, Alex stopped and exhaled loudly and hard. He looked around and suddenly felt so alone. His hands shook, his voice cracked and for the first time in a long time, he had no idea what to do…

Athos Corp New York Hotel-A week later

Alex took a deep breath in, his eyes staying locked on the door. The number engraved in a golden circle that shined under the light above, he reached up and knocked lightly on the door waiting, his mind burning with questions. He heard the latch click and the door open and his throat stopped mid swallow causing him to almost choke on his breath. Ana opened the door and looked up at Alex, her eyes a little red as she fumbled her hands away from her stomach. She was quiet and reserved but had a wave of anger and sadness boiling under. Alex’s eyes softened and he had to push down a smile. His body ached and the urge to just grab Ana and hold her was almost too strong to bare.  

But Ana’s eyes and body language put a stop to that, and an awkward silence passed between them before Ana cleared her throat and broke it in her low tones. “So, what do you want Alex?”

He sighed and looked away shaking his head, he looked around the hallway and then back up at Ana keeping his voice down. “Can I come in?. Just to talk?” Ana went to say something but stopped looking out into the hallway herself and the businesswoman took over. She realized this could be bad publicity for Honor and looked up giving him a nod moving away and into the room leading Alex.

He walked in and as the door shut behind them Ana folded her arms and gave an unhappy groan. “Well?...your text said you wanted to talk…you’re lucky…I had just woken up my lawyer…”[.color] Alex turned and shook his head. “Lawyers?..do we need that?” Ana shakes her head and sneers. “I never thought we would, but when you decided to lie to me and break promises…well…I have to think about what is best for me, Harley..and…” She trails off for a moment looking down. “You promised me…”

Alex sighs and seems to let it all go, a large breath follows. “I did and I’m sorry…”

Ana goes to talk but she stops with a stutter. “I-you what?” Alex steps forward and looks down and away as his voice seems to break. “Ana, I let my own feelings take over and focused so much on what I wanted and how wronged I felt that I didn’t even…I didn’t take yours into account…and I’m sorry…” Alex pauses for a moment and lets out a deep sigh. Ana steps back and away from him seemingly anxious.

“Too little too late….” Her voice is hushed and quiet as it breaks a little hearing his. Alex steps forward and shakes his head almost forcing her to look at him. “I didn’t fight for you, Ana. I didn’t understand but I do…after what happened we both-“ “After the miscarriage…..say the fucking word, Alex…” Ana interrupted with a burst of anger and emotion, Alex gave her a nod and looked away again. “After the miscarriage, we both pulled away. And I hurt you, I did break a promise….I love you Ana…this is worth fighting for.” Ana shakes her head as the emotion seems to overtake her for a moment, the mask breaks down and her breathing staggers. “No…you don’t get it Alex…it’s all happening again….I’m pregnant…”

Alex stops in his tracks and he seems to go white, Ana looks up at him and then away as her heart drops. “You…you’re pregnant?” She nods slowly and places a hand on her stomach, then she feels his hand sliding over hers holding her stomach too. She looks up and see’s it. Alex’ smile. “I love you…I always have…..I’m so sorry Ana…” Ana closes her eyes and nods again shooting him a small grin. “Just take me home?.....please?” Alex leans down resting her forehead against hers before kissing Ana lightly on the lips. “Home is wherever you are….”

Self Importance{/b]
On Camera
Las Vegas, Nevada.
Present Day

”So, apparently talking about our pasts, our accomplishments and goals we have reached is taboo here. It’s funny, these members of “Gamers INC” not only decided that Austin and I talking about our pasts was offensive to them but also the fact Honor wrestling even existed. Now, instead of going back over what I’ve done and reminding the world just how good I am I guess I should mention that Jimmy and Jack have a few advantages over myself and Austin…”

Alex pauses for a moment and slowly steps back and forth, his hair tied back in a bun as a smirk comes across his face.

”You two have more experience as a tag team. See Austin and I have never teamed together. We may know each other really well, we may be united in a common goal. But in the ring, we haven’t worked together. So yeah, you two have that advantage, you know how to read each other in the ring, you know when the other one is in trouble and will need to tag, when to get involved and when not to. You have that edge, you have that advantage. That is something Austin and I have to overcome.”

“Another one?...you two have home field advantage.”

“Austin has had a few matches here but he’s still not looked at as an “SCW” guy. And this is my first appearance here. Despite knowing a lot of who is in the company and who has been in the company I never stepped over that line. See I have always had my eye on this company. I9 have always looked at SCW as a possible home but things just never lined up. I was always somewhere else. Working in other places, dominating in other places. The stars never aligned. That is until this merger….of course...is it really a merger?...”

“A merger would have been that we all come in and our champions faced SCW champions while both Honor and SCW stars entered into number one contenders matches to sort out a joint pecking order. But that isn’t what happened.”

Alex pauses again and laughs to himself, his eyes trail over everything as he looks out the window down onto the Vegas strip.

”We, want to fight to earn our place. Thing is this was never about being handed anything. If Honor had just closed and we all happen to join SCW then yeah, you start from the bottom, you work your way up. No matter who you are. But when this company and Honor decided to integrate. The second Brooke and Henry Saxon decided to sell out and Brooke took her cushy ass job here as a GM then that means what you earned in Honor, you earned in SCW. But we have been looked at as second-class citizens and all you have to do to see proof of that is too look at how Austin has been treated. Not so much me, I was gone as I said but Austin. Jimmy, Jack, you two along with the two female members of Gamer INC are a great team of people, you are neck deep in the mixed tag division and you all work together and push yourselves and hey...that’s great…”

“But Austin and I are former world champions, a fact you two seem to piss on because it’s not an “SCW title”. You two just breeze past it and say “yeah so what?”. We are a level above you two, and the fact that we are facing you two in one of the biggest shows of the year is an insult. Austin is a fucking killer. He wanted to become an SCW guy he wanted to love this company and its fans but these people and the rest of you have pissed on his legacy and his career. Austin should have been in that co-main event against Fenris and now, Fenris gets a low-quality opponent in Jake Raab who never EARNED SHIT and we have to face you two?.”

“That’s bullshit…”

“But, we’ll be good little boys, we will turn up to the gold coast casino on the 13th, we’ll full fill out media obligations and then when Inception 3 starts, Austin and I are going to make an example out of you both. And it’s not that much of a personal thing, yeah, it pisses us off you’re these gamer nerds while he and I do this, and only this. But I don’t hate either of you and neither does Austin. We don’t pity you we don’t even dislike you. But SCW needs a wake-up call. SCW needs to realize that they could become such a bigger company, a brand that everyone has their eyes on and a place for great wrestling. Austin and I are the future for SCW. And it starts at Inception….”