The Burden of Belief
”A cruise, time to relax for once.”
It was the voice of Sonja Jones, Alex's wife, business partner and fellow trainer. Her long light brown hair with a few blond streaks was tied back as she folded her arms over her chest with a grin. She seemed to be more relaxed, the acquisition of assets and opening of Wolfslair Orlando going smoothly and giving them all a chance to breathe. She had worked so hard the last few weeks, putting plans into motion, doing paperwork, spreadsheets, dealing with invoices and contracts.
All the things Alex was horrible at.
Sonja had been a full time competitor years ago, never losing her love for the business. But going through college, getting her law degree, these were things she cared about, things she was passionate about. Whole still taking the occasional local indy show she was now focused on the day to day running of wolfslair and training. She was still in incredible shape. Standing five foot eight and having impressive muscle definition nand strength, she was still incredibly athletic and could move in a way that would make others jealous. All while being a wife and mother.
And not just a mother to her and Alexs’ children. A mother to all those at Wolfslair. She was always open to give advice, to help and to set them straight if they got out of line. The younger kids being intimidated by her but growing to love and respect her. She had worked so hard, this cruise was something to look forward too.
Summer XXXtreme. The Sun Princess cruise liner was ready, SCW was ready, the fans were ready.
This was the one show a year where the families would come and relax. SCW paid for everything, food entertainment, the cabins. It made working for them even better. A company that took care of their employees and respected them. Alex smiled bat Sonja who seemed to be the happiest she had been in a while, the last few years being hard with work and time restraints. Covis being a huge issue and a time of uncertainty. But they were happy, they were secure, their children were safe and happy. Young Dylan, now three years old, approaching his fourth birthday and eight year old Harley, Alexs’ daughter from a previous marriage, coming to live with them after his ex-wife's complete mental and emotional breakdown, a little girl that Sonja had accepted as her own in the last few months, growing ever closer.
And now, they were ready to pack their bags. In a few days they would be on the deck of the cruise liner, relaxing in the sun, sipping cold drinks and watching the kids play in the pool. It was often a party atmosphere. Relaxing with co-workers and fans alike. Summer Xxxtreme was like a floating fan meet and greet, show and convention all wrapped into one. And Alex loved it.
He took a deep breath, his evil mind ticking over. m”Sonja…” She smiled turning to look at Alex, his facial expression changing to one of sadness and despair. He moved closer to his wife, reaching out and taking her hand in his before sitting down on the end of the bed. Sonja tilted her head but before she could ask what was wrong Alex swallowed hard and decided to tell her the “bad news” ”With the Covid protocols, they’re not letting us take family. I’m sorry.” The smile faded from her face, she sighed and shook her head.
Alex sat there, stone faced, staring up at her, his lip quivered, her eyes narrowed.
SMACK
Her hand his his shoulder, Alex couldn’t hold it in and began to laugh. Sonja shook her head and smiled turning away. ”You’re horrible.”
He let out another chuckle and got to his feet moving across the room grabbing his bag and throwing it on the bed, a checklist in his mind of things he would want, need and take. His eyes trailing over to the SCW Roulette title sitting on his badside table. A reminder of what he was doing and what he had to be capable of. A reminder of his career ressurection. His mood changed. From joking and jovial to serious and focused. He grabbed ring gear, clothes, vitamins and his workout and diet book putting them all into the black bag. He took a deep breath in and stretched his neck.
This was going to be fun and relaxing at some points. A cruise with the family.
But what made Alex different, what made him special was something that months ago he thought he lost. The one thing that others in the business let go for monetary gain or happiness.
Hunger
Alex was bungry again, hungry for wins, for titles, for accolades and accomplishments. Alex was starving for clout. He was no longer above anything, no longer believing he should only be at the top of the card, the main event, the world champion. A true leader makes the best of any spot, any situation. And that’s where he was. Who he was. Sonja smiled at him, recognising the look in his eye as she pulled out her own clothes packing her bag, and gave him a nod, a small gesture. But it was acknowledgment and support. A simple look that pushed him forward.
He wasn’t going to let anything, or anyone stop him.
To Be Decided.
”What a run huh?”
He smiled, his long hair down as his hand drifted up to his beard.
”From the lowest of lows, from losing match after match against the best of the best and questioning if I really wanted to do this and keep going, to being a champion and flying a flag happily. The roulette championship, one of the more unique titles and divisions in wrestling. And I have been able to be nit’s champion for over a hundred days. In fact by the time Summer Xxxtreme rolls around it will be one hundred and twelve days. I’ll get to be equal with Griffin Hawkins, Ben Jordan and Brother Grimm with their reigns. And, I get passed this match, I might very well close in on the longest reign, might even reach two hundred days. Make this title worth something again.”
“See, I never do things by halves. That is something people need to realise about me, and if something happens and I don’t put my best foot forward, well, I take it personally. My SCW title reign? I take how horrible it was personally. I take the fact this company, a company that I love and has become my home didn’t even acknowledge my reign until I made them personally.”
“So, when I won the Roulette title I vowed I would throw all of myself into it. I’d take my ego out of it, my pride, out of it.”
“I have been guilty in the past of looking down at this title. And the Internet. See, to me the world title was the only prize worth having in SCW. But I was wrong, it;’s not the title, it’s who you are and what you do with it. It’s a lesson I learned years ago yet somehow forgot, somehow allowed myself to ignore. So, I want to make the best of this, to make the Roulette title a prize wo4rth holding that rivals the others. And truth be told, I think I’ve been able to do it. See, Sin City wrestling is in need of strong champions. Not so much the women's side, Myra Rivers has been dominant as the Internet champion, Amber Ryan is a scary SCW Bombshells champion...but on the men's side of things?”
Alex shakes his head, his eyes rolling as he laughs to himself.
”Mac Bane has been an average Internet champion, I like the guy but I’m not going to sit here and kiss his ass because he’s with Amber Ryan, you don’t get clout for being able to eat her pussy bro…And Mark Cross? Mark fucking Cross. Look, he’s funny, he’s entertaining, he works hard. But the fact this droning NFL Europe washout who cuts promos longer than the Zack Snyder cut of Justice League is “our” champion? It’s a joke. A bad joke. Not the “haha side splitting funny” type of joke. The sad, people questioning if they want to watch SCW anymore ind of joke.”
“Austin being one half of the mixed tag team champions and myself as the roulette have been the shining lights of our side of things.”
“And I aim to continue that, to continue defending this championship in whatever match they want me to and against whomever SCW has decided has earned their shot against me.; And this time, in an ultimate X match over a pool, is myself, Caleb Storms and one of two men who will duke it out at the start of the night for the right to even be in the match. And before I comment on the fact I have to see Caleb Storms...again...let me address the big ol elephant in the room...not knowing who the third man will be until the day of the show…”
He lets out a sigh and folds his arms over his chest.
”I know some people would stomp their feet and complain about this. That they would feel they would be at some kind of disadvantage not knowing who an opponent is, maybe even a little unprepared. But really, how long do you need to formulate a plan in a match like this? Nine days? Cause I can do it right on the spot. And besides that, when you really think about it, Agostino and Shane Borderlands are the ones at a disadvantage. They have to compete in two matches. Whoever wins has to come down to the pool and try and beat myself or Caleb. Even though this match has a certain amount of...luck involved.”
“Maybe too much luck. See this isn’t about how good I am comp-ared to the others in the match, it’s about who can be lucky enough and fast enough to climb across some cables to retrieve a title and not get dumped in the water.”
“Agostino would be a threat at that with how fast he is, and he has proven he can be a champion in SCW. I don’t really like him that much and he honestly annoys me with how he talks and acts, but I can recognise athletic talent and he has it, so I know the dangers if he is able to get passed Shane Borderlands and get to the match, but getting passed Shane...well that is easier said than done.”
“See, I know of Shane Borderlands. I know his history in WCF and I even know Jason Cashe. I was there, in WCF, for a cup of coffee. I know Shane isn’t a joke, I know what he can do and I’m excited to see someone like him in SCW. I saw what he did in his debut, I know what he could do to Agostino, I know he could get into the roulette title match. But, ask yourself. After being in a match with Agostino, what can Shane do?”
Alex shrugs and nods slowly.
”Ring rust, time off, two matches and having to drag a six foot four frame up onto those cables. I don;t envy Shane if he gets in this match with myself and Caleb Storms.”
He chuckles.
”Caleb Storms. Are we sick of doing this song and dance Caleb? A month and a half ago you were in another triple threat match for this title. Yourself, me and Milo Kasey at into the void. I gave you props then for never giving up, never quitting and always trying to be better than you were the last match you had, whether or not you won or lost. ANd I still believe that. I still see that desire and hunger in you Caleb. It’s admirable. I said it then and I’ll say it noiw. But, to be honest, this is getting exhausting.”
“Instead of you being in the match they should have made it Agostino and Shane Borderlands against me and have done away with the qualifier”
“And it’s not that I don’t disagree with you having a shot Caleb, I just don’t want you to be a hypocrite. After all, before our match at Into the void a huge talking point you had was that I apparently hadn’t defended my title against anyone credible, despite only being a champion at the time for a month or so, you ran your mouth about Bill Barnhart and about how he just gets handed title shots over and over and over again…”
Alex pauses and blinks a few times deadpanning the camera.
”You want to rephrase anything this time Caleb?”.
“I’m getting tired of it. But, here you are again with another opportunity and I’m sure you’re not looking to waste it. But maybe, just maybe you should be more focused on recognizing the dangers of the opponents in front of you instead of making self egrandising comments and stroking your own ego?...cause, I’m no pushover, Agostino and Shane Borderlands aren’t push overs. And as good as you think you are Storms…”
“Well..”
“I’m just that little bit better. So whoever ends up in this match with me, whoever wants to try and dump my ass into the pool and take the Roulette title...you’ll be in for a fight...for a challenge and I dare any of you to try and stop me..”
In the spirit of competition.
The sunbeat down on the deck of the Sun princess after it had disembarked. Alex Jones and his family sat poolside, fans and other members of the roster and come members of the wolfslair gym not even signed to the company moved about as Alex smiled and laid back on a deck chair letting out a deep relaxing breath. All of this had become familiar to him, his mind casting back to the first time he had heard SCW held a show aboard a cruise ship. The fact that fans and competitors alike could relax and mingle.
There were competitions, games, shows and meet and greets. SCW had become masters of entertaining the fans and the wrestlers alike, as well as their families anjd friends. Alex smiled and looked over at his wife Sonja, her toned body shining under the sun as her tan made her impressive physical form look even more powerful. Alex looked over at his daughter Harley and his son Dylan, playing in the smaller kiddy pool as Dylan stomped his feet in the water and giggled like a lunatic. This was the life, and he was getting PAID for this….
Perks of the job…
Sonja smiled and shot up. ”LISA!” She laughed and embraced Lisa Mercer, Austins wife and former professional wrestler herself, until a neck injury ended her dreams prematurely. The two old friends laughed as Lisa waved at Alex who smiled back and gave her a nod. Behind her towered Austin James Mercer. A child in each arm as he held 3 year old Marcus and a year old Lilly.
Austin moved around and sat Marcus in the pool with Dylan and Harley, handing Lilly to Lisa. He sat down next to Alex and clasped his hands together. Alex looked over and looked Austin up and down, he wore a pair of black swim shorts and flip flops, but didn’t look at all relaxed. ”You know...you could look like you’re having fun.” Austin laughed under his breath and shook his head.
”Socialising has never been my strong suit.” And he was right, Austin didn’t go to parties, he didn’t spend too much time with people he didn’t know, always found it hard to make friends. Even the people he was close to in Wolfslair had to push him to be outgoing. ”Besides, this whole cruise thing has always felt weird. We’re on a vacation, being relaxed, but still expected to perform...I’m not going to let my guard down like you have.”
Alex raised his sunglasses looking over at Austin. ”Excuse me?”
Austin put his hands up and shook his head. ”Hey, I just mean you look relaxed, I’m ready to get into a fight now, you would need time to warm up first…” Austin looked over at the various competitions and activities on the deck with a smirk. ”Unless you want to prove me wrong?”
Alex let out a long, deep sigh before pulling his sunglasses back down over his eyes and leaning back before grabbing his mojito giving it a sip. ”I’m enjoying myself Aus...maybe later.”
Austin scoffed and nodded his head slowly. ”Yeah, I get it. Finn did say you were looking a little soft..”
Alex’s head snapped sideways. ”He said what?”
Austin stood up and folded his arms over his chest. ”Hey man, it’s cool, I know we all lose that fire sooner or later. It happens as you get older..”
Alex places his mojito down, he slowly stands up and takes off his sunglasses as the two men come face to, well, Austins upper chest. They lock eyes, it feels like an old wild west stand off, Alex narrows his eyes as we hear a hawk caw in the distance. Or, more likely, a seagull. ”Name your game Mercer”
”Deck bowling..”
Alex blinks. ”Skittles?” Austin nods slowly. Alex sneers and shakes his head. ”You’re on.”
Instead of a full blown match between the two, an 80’s style montage plays. Eye of the tiger, thrill of the goddamn fight!. Austin takes an early lead, Alex struggles, Austin gloats, and for some reason has a russian accent. Sonja gives Alex a tearful pep talk. Only for Alex to win at the end, and celebrate. Austin shakes Alexs’ hand showing respect and they smile in a cheesy way.
”So...that was weird.” Alex slowly nods. Austin reaches over and grabs what looks to be a strawberry daiquiri ”Lets never do that again…”
”Yeah….that was awkward as shit….” There was an awkward silence between them, Alex finished his mojito, Austin looked over and Alex smirked. ”...shuffleboard?”
Austin narrowed his eyes. ”You’re going down…”
A casual dip in the pool
”Well, this is relaxing…”
Alex Jones, current SCW Roulette champion and head honcho of Wolfslair moves through the cool waters of the pool, the ultimate X structure already set up around it. Alexs’ title belt up above on the center of the X.
”I figured I’d take a dip in the pool now since it won’t be happening in the match itself. When we are all fighting for a chance to get to the cables above, to get to the roulette championship hanging above me right now. And while Caleb and I have made our thoughts known, both Shane Borderland and Agostino Romano have remained silent. They have not done a damn thing to get anyone interested in this match, or their own one on one encounter earlier in the night. And that? Well that is just lazy.”
“Being a champion or a contender to a title means you have certain responsibilities. You have to defend the title or in a contenders case fight hard for it. But you also need to make sure people understand the weight and gravity of the opportunity you have in front of you. Neither of them have done that, to Caleb's credit, he has.”
“And the saddest part, is that they both have so much to talk about. The fact they have to jump through a hoop to get into the roulette title match to begin with, Caleb having another shot at the title, me as the champion and what it would mean to beat me.”
“So much to say, and so much time to have done it.”
Alex moves across the pool, grabbing the railing and pulling himself out as the water drips from him, he grabs a towel and wrapped it around him before folding his arms over his chest.
”But, there’s been nothing but crickets and tumbleweeds rolling down an empty street from those two. And the truth is, SCW should have just made it a fourway, I wouldn’t have cared. It wouldn’t have mattered. I have never hidden from a challenge, I’ve never denied defending titles against anyone. When I was mixed tag team champion, world heavyweight champion or roulette champion. It never mattered to me, sure I’d get annoyed if I felt like someone got a shot who hadn’t earned it, but that comes with the territory.”
“And I have made my desires for this title known, I want to be the best Roulette champion this company has ever had, I want the most defences, the longest reign, I want to be a fighting champion against anyone and everyone. And then, when I eventually lose the championship I want it to be because someone earned it.”
“Because they were better than me.”
“I want to build a legacy with this championship that will stand in the record books for the rest of SCW’s existence. I want to redeem myself and build myself back up, so one day, I can win the SCW title again and hold it for a respectable reign instead of the piss poor effort I put forward before, that was a disservice to myself and a disservice to the championship. And I refuse to let it happen again, with this championship or any other”
He smirks and shakes his head.
”But, one thing we can never say about Caleb Storms is that he’s ever lacking in confidence. Atleast outwardly.”
Alex shrugs and moves across the outside of the pool.
”It’s always the same with you Caleb, i mentioned it before and you didn’t disappoint. You look at a champion and a championship title and say “oh you’re just holding my championship”, and the sad truth about all of this is if you won even half the championships you have proclaimed as “yours” over the last few years, then you’d be a hall of fame level star a million times over. But, that’s not what happened is it?”
“You have made promises you have never kept, you have made proclamations that have never come true.”
“And instead of changing, instead of accepting it and realising you need to do something, anything different, you have rammed your head against the same brick wall over and over again. Austin realised things were wrong, he changed and became a mixed tag team champion, I realised I was heading down the same path, changed a few things, a new outlook, and became roulette champion.”
“But you?...same song and dance, same tune.”
“The entire lockeroom lost respect for you when you had a title handed to you, then lost it so fast. And now, here you are being handed opportunities again nand using the same tiered excuses. It was a triple threat match, and it was Miles who got submitted. In the end Caleb, YOU still lost. YOU failed to stop me from tapping Miles out, YOU failed to get one of us to submit first. But you will never, ever admit that. Instead you’d prefer to live in this fantasy world where you are a major player and not just someone who Christian and Mark turn to when they get bored…”
“So, when we meet in this match against one of the two silent sisters….well...be prepared to go in the pool Caleb...and be prepared to watch me grab MY title…”