[Off Camera]

(Following Climax Control, Brandon walked up the steps where he was greeted by multiple fans. The show was over, no cameras on, so Brandon decided to give the fans his attention. He gives a couple autographs and pictures to fans before heading to his locker room where Angelo, Tony, Marco, and Matteo all await him. When Brandon walks through the door, Angelo meets him and pats his shoulder.)

Angelo Caito: I knew you would get this opportunity. My plan worked. I knew if Raven was to win, management would have no reason to not give you a match versus him for the World Heavyweight Championship. It was fool proof.

Brandon Hendrix: It was, Angelo. My only issue was having faith that Raven could pull it off. He's not fighting to win. He was fighting to barely survive. I'm going to break that motherfucker's mind and then at Violent Conduct, I'm going to retire him once and for all.

(Brandon grins as Angelo pats Brandon and walks off to discuss something with the boys. Brandon looks down at the floor and closes his eyes.)

Brandon Hendrix: *Mumbling* You want to be the hero, Raven? I'll give you your hero's death.

(Brandon chuckles slightly as he opens his locker and grabs his travel bag.)

[On Camera]

Brandon Hendrix: I'm glad you did not forget about me, Raven. I waited till last week on Climax Control to make my presence felt because I truly wondered what your reaction would be. I watched the two matches with Miles Kasey. I know who I'm going up against. A man…. No longer willing to do what it takes to keep the championship. Don't worry, I will. Remember? I'm the most ruthless and brutal man on this roster. And I'm going to carry all that ruthless and brutal aggression against you Ciaran Doyle. The rematch to our first encounter in January. I lost that match via disqualification because then, I wanted to send a violent message to LJ Kasey. This time? My message comes to Alexander Raven with victories. I want Raven to get the message that I'm going to win, not just hurt him. I'm going to win that SCW World Heavyweight Championship and the path starts with you, Ciaran.

You must think highly going into this match, having one DQ win over me. Now, if I was to accidentally get myself disqualified then sure, use it to brag to me. But it was no accident, but fully intentional. I left you in that ring, blood pouring from your skull, resulting in stitches. Tell me, who truly won? And where our careers went after that as well. You hover around, barely on shows while I've become the most critically acclaimed wrestler on the roster. I've outshined the previous main event scene to the point where I became the Walking Main Event. And I don't want you to be intimidated or anything of the type, Doyle. I want you to underestimate me like everyone has my entire career. Hell, most recently to do so was Alexander Raven, and I was the reason he is closer to retiring then he is farther from it. I'm the reason many wrestlers are closer to their ends then they want to be. But those men I've also defeated in the ring One Two and Three. In this match and every match I do from this one to Violent Conduct is going to be under a microscope by everyone in the media, higher ups, and the wrestlers. This match is ten minutes of fame then you're sent back to…. Ah hell send his ass to Sin City Underground because just like that, your career is dead in the water!

You should be thanking me for this match because this is the biggest you'll ever get, boy. Hell, should be lucky I'm even wasting a breath speaking your name because you aren't even the top fifty Irish wrestlers I ever stepped in a ring against. I fought and defeated the best of them, Jason Long. And everything i put going into that match you'd fucking pray I would into this match. You see I call myself the Greatest Of All Time because I can do it all. I make men look like stars in this ring. You want to hate them? I can do that. You want to love them? I can do that. You want compelling? I can do that. You need someone to step up and do it all? I can do that. You need someone to put their ego first and admit they're the greatest of all time because they are?

I

AM

THAT!

It's why I was placed in this World Heavyweight Championship match, Doyle. I make those worthy shine. Your worth is to buried in a fucking casket because not a single person alive today see any value in you. You were a body count hire, Ciaran. Fill a roster spot. And at Climax Control, I will put to rest your time in SCW and go on to Violent Conduct and kill the career and life of Alexander Raven and come back to Ireland and stand on your grave, on your tombstone, World Heavyweight Championship around my waist….

And piss all over your grave, you fucking worthless scum.

[Off Camera: Hendrix Compound]

(In the basement turned massive in door gym, Brandon is sitting on the trainers table, a doctor checking on Brandon for a normal check up that Brandon has on his health since his first major heart attack in 2022. When the doctor is finished up, he steps back and starts putting his medical equipment away.)

Brandon Hendrix: Alright doctor, give it it to me straight. How long do I have left to compete?

Doctor: Well, give or take… I say about five years, maybe seven.

Brandon Hendrix: Five to seven years? Are you kidding me? I spend two million dollars a year on my body to keep it in the best shape ever and you're only giving me less than ten years? Is this a fucking joke?

Doctor: I'm sorry Brandon, but even spending all that money on your body does not take away the toll and impact it's having on your body. Look at the scars on your face, your entire body. Most importantly, look at the one on your chest.

(Brandon stares down at the scar on his chest that is directly over his heart. This came from when Brandon was in a cryogenic chamber and a lightning strike ripped through the building and struck Brandon in the chest, not only healing his heart completely, but forming a protective barrier around his heart.)

Doctor: You thought because that became protected that you could do anything you want and be fine for another twenty to thirty years, but that's not the case, sir. The damage you're bringing to your career- no scratch that, your life to an end sooner than you think. Obviously, you're a grown man who makes his own decisions so I'll give you my advice: retire sooner than later unless you want to see your daughter walking down the aisle from a wheelchair… or from the afterlife.

(The doctor pats Brandon on the shoulder before grabbing his suitcase of medical equipment and walks up the basement stairs. The advice is sinking into Brandon's brain: being told to retire before it's too late. Brandon was only twenty eight years of age and he was being told this. No no no and no! He was not believing that nor would he listen to it. Brandon dusted himself off and walked out of his own trainers room and walked into his massive gym portion of his compound's basement. Brandon takes his phone out of gym shorts pocket and connected to the built in Bluetooth speakers in the walls of the gym.)

[Playing- Monster by Imagine Dragons]

“Ever since I could remember
Everything inside of me
Just wanted to fit in (oh, oh, oh, oh)
I was never one for pretenders
Everything I tried to be
Just wouldn't settle in (oh, oh, oh, oh)
If I told you what I was
Would you turn your back on me?
And if I seem dangerous
Would you be scared?
I get the feeling just because
Everything I touch isn't dark enough
That this problem lies in me”

(Brandon walks over to his bench press and sees his four hundred and seventy pounds is still on the bar. His max is five hundred and forty pounds, but being told what he was told, he wants more. Brandon starts putting more and more weights onto the bar. By the time Brandon was done, he was at six hundred and twenty pounds. This was eighty pounds more than his max and considering nobody should be adding that much weight to advance their max, he's not thinking like a sane man, but as a man who was told to take your foot off the pedal or you lose everything soon. Brandon grabs his wrist wraps and applies them to hs wrists, keeping his wrists safe from anything that could happen. Brandon paces in front of the bench press, breathing heavily, starting to yell.)

Brandon Hendrix: Come on…. Come on…. I'm that guy…. I'M THAT FUCKING GUY!!!!!!

(Brandon yells before laying on the bench and places both hands on the weight bar. He breathes heavily and he lifts, slowly raising the the bar off the rack and slowly brings it over his chest and slowly lowers the bar to his chest, the cold metal touches against the scar on his chest, the one right over his heart……)

”I'm only a man with a candle to guide me
I'm taking a stand to escape what's inside me
A monster, a monster
I've turned into a monster
A monster, a monster
And it keeps getting stronger”

(And with a burst of rage, he pushes the weight up into the air, yelling as he does so and the weight bar and plates slowly move upwards and stays in the air before he sets the bar on the rack. Brandon sits up fast and beats on his chest.)

Brandon Hendrix: BITCH I'D RATHER DIE!!! FUCK YOU DOC!! FUCK…. You….

(Brandon holds onto his head, the feeling of dizziness and a fading feeling takes over and suddenly, Brandon falls backwards, and suddenly everything goes dark for Brandon. When he comes too, he's in the middle of the ring, and surrounded by one hundred thousand fans. OWA's High Noon event in the AT&T stadium, one hundred thousand fans. In one corner stood a turn bad guy, but recently turned very evil Nobi. And in the other, stood a drizzled warrior with a massive brusie covering his chest and a their Immortal Heavyweight Championship around his waist in Brandon Hendrix. In Texas, Brandon's resting ground as both men get ready to battle in the main event, but didn't know this match would have drastic consequences. Everything around Brandon fades again as the next thing he can see is the end of the match. Brandon is laid on his back, Nobi on the top rope, and Nobi leaps, forearm in motion as he nails a nasty H-Bomb right into Brandon's chest, right into his heart…..

[DING! DING! DING!]

….. and like that… Brandon becomes unresponsive. Medical running into the ring, and Brandon is forced to watch himself be declared dead, Nobi step on his body and hold the World Heavyweight Championship up in the air, and then….. the visual of his crying daughter before everything fades out again. Brandon slowly opens his eyes and sits up. He holds his head, but he's not in the gym, but he's in his office. He is in the corner of the office, able to move his body, but every step he takes, he soon realizes that he cannot move at all. He can't move forward no matter how much he steps. When he blinks, on one end of the table is himself, Brandon Hendrix dressed in all white. On the other end, himself again, dressed in all black.)

[To Be Continued]

[On Camera: Monster]
 
Brandon Hendrix: Let me ask you something Carter……

How do I taste?

I ask this because ever since I went after LJ all the way to just recently on X, you've been talking about me while I never focused on you. I mean it runs in the fucking family because your husband's soon to be sister in law did the same thing at the same time. Almost like…. It was a planned attack. A family affair that I've done my best to stay away from because I'll be honest, if I was getting paid the big bucks like that Lethal Lockdown match paid me, I wasn't dealing with that stupid ass family. It's not beneficial to me right at this second, even if Miles is the World Champion because that pussy ass boy would never give me a title match for making a man out of his brother, something he or their father never did.

 Now I go out, leave your attention seeking ass family alone, and go after another wrestler, and all of a sudden it's your business. It's Alexandra's business. You should be focusing on Logan Hunter, you remember Logan, yeah? Graduated with the fucker and now he wants your career in the dirt. But of course, come jump on the Brandon train. Focus on me. Alexandra should have been focused on someone who could challenge her for the championship she holds, but no. She wants to ride the Brandon train too. I'm doing this match, but after this…..

Until your family becomes something that crosses my sight, truly leave my fucking name out of your lame ass marks mouths.

Now…

You're coming after a wounded dog, Carter- and you know that they are the most dangerous creatures in the world. That trapped in the corner feeling. Fight or die situation, approach me and lose everything. I haven't been one hundred percent since Into The Void, and probably won't be ever again. But that makes me more dangerous, and that's why you hate me. Remember the last time you fought a wounded dog? He took the World Heavyweight Championship from you. And while I put that old, wounded dog down, now you're facing a young wounded dog with a nastier bite. Ask your brother in law. When he has to show off those scars that will remain imprinted in his skin till the day his body decays and all that remains are his bones. My bite was nasty as a motherfucker.

Think of everything I've been accused of since I've returned. Coward, bully…. Monster….. dangerous… evil…. Deadly. The first two things are subjective, but the last fourth… truth.

I'm the real Truth.

At the end of the day I'm going to expose the lie that you are. The lie that you've presented to the Kasey Family. The lie you've presented yourself as to the SCW locker room. And the lie you've presented yourself as to the fans. You're trying so hard to be a good boy to Miles, a good brother in law to LJ and his whore, but when I expose that lie on television, you're going to have to admit that you're taking this fight because you need me more than I need you. I might be a monster and destroy people, but never once would I turn on my own family. You? Your eyes tell me you want to use this and Logan Hunter to fill your selfish needs, to fill that hunger your World Championship reign left you by having another one. You want to run it back, yeah? Have the name Helluva Bottom Carter run the spotlight again. And you speak like a man who'd fight and win anything you want, yeah? And deep down, you're the guy to turn on anyone, including your husband.

Makes sense, because sooner or later, Miles will see the lie for himself, and all you'll become to that boy is a pocket pussy. A toy he will use until he gets tired of you and tosses you to the side.

I said I'm the Truth because that's all I ever spoke. I tell people I will hurt them, step on them, and do whatever it will take in order it takes to make it to the top. And I'll speak the truth when you and your ‘family’ will speak lies. I always admit when someone is good in the ring, but you can't. It's why I've been main eventing every promotion I've joined, been in World title pictures since my debut in 2020, because even if they hate me, they respect what I do in this ring. Hell, I've wrestled LJ straight up, Cyrus straight up, and I'm about to wrestle Carter straight up, but the goal post will always move. What happens when I outperform you, Bottom Boy? What will you say then? “Even guys like you can get lucky I'm former SCW World Heavyweight Champion Helluva Bottom Carter and I'm just better than you 🤓” right? It was the lack of respect and opportunities I got when I tried so hard to be the good guy is what led to all of this. You didn't respect me when I did things by y'alls rules and traditions, but then I did things my way and I'm the son of a bitch?

Kill yourself.

You see, Carter, I got thick skin. Always have. But when the same person repeats the same insult every day over the internet or not to my face, yes talking to you, it becomes like a fly that just won't leave and is always trying to attack your food. That food being any success I get. “You weren't man enough! You weren't man enough!” Listen here, Cowgirl Carter. In one year, I've been more of a man than you ever pretended to be and I can handle hearing that I'm not one only one time. But you have to push and push and push until I react.

Congratulations, you got your reaction and your death certificate.

This isn't David Versus Goliath, it's two former World Champions that have been overlooked in their own ways to meet in the ring. And I do feel for Logan Hunter because I know he'll want you one hundred percent for your match, but he might not like me because I'm going to hurt you bad, boy. Now me? I'm going to the Internet Championship Gauntlet, enter last, and I'm going to walk out Champion. My path is clear, yours is on rocky roads, and it's all your fault for getting involved in business you should not have gotten involved in and lied your way to this match.

Also, you mentioned Raven, but let me ask you… why do you care? After all, he exposed you first for the fake ass bitch you are and took your championships after torturing you. Why do you care that I made sure his career ended in real time? You don't. Just my case of you needing to be in someone else's spotlight because yours is fading. Yes, fading. Let's keep it real, two pay-per-view matches I've had since my return, they get talked about more than any you've been in. Hell, rumor is Lethal Lockdown is in lock for Match Of The Year, and anything involving you? No. Hell, your husband could be getting Superstar Of The Year, me and LJ get awards for our shit. What do you get? To hold the trophies like a good little side bitch. Maybe I'll let you hold my trophies up too when I win them, let you feel what true greatness feels like.

I can't wait till our match Carter, because I truly end this once and for all. I don't have dead weight trying to hold me down anymore, I move on. And you will move on whether you want to or not. Word of advice, Carter. We can hear it. You still get cheers. No doubt, but you can hear the tide turning. Soon you'll have to face the music. Continue lying… or do what's right. Choose wisely, the consequences depend on that.

[Continued…….]

[Off Camera]

(After The Work Out- Taking Place In The Hendrix Compound)

Doctor: He has a slipped disc in his back. Looks like his L4-L5 disc.

Angelo Caito: Can he wrestle with it?

Doctor: No. If he steps into a ring, he can be at risk of permanent damage and being paralyzed. You need to tell whomever you work for that you cannot compete.

Angelo Caito: Alright…. Thank you, doctor.

(The doctor nods and steps out of the room in Hendrix's Compound. Angelo sighs and turns to Brandon, who hasn't said a word nor moved from looking at the ground after hearing that news.)

Angelo Caito: Well?

Brandon Hendrix: You know I'm competing, right?

Angelo Caito: I do. And that's why I always call you the bravest yet dumbest person I ever knew.

Brandon Hendrix: I'm a man, not a pussy like others.

Angelo Caito: Fair enough. You know what this means, right?

Brandon Hendrix: Beat LJ down and take no attacks. I know.

Angelo Caito: You know, but can you? No, you won't. Just let us come with you to ringsi-

Brandon Hendrix: No.

Angelo Caito: Brandon, you're not thinking straight. That's why I'm making the de-

Brandon Hendrix; No the fuck you're not! This is my match and I'll be damned if anyone ruins this for me! You guys will stay in the back until my match is over. End of discussion. Got it!?

Angelo Caito: …….. fine. But when you can't walk, don't forget this conversation.

(Angelo shakes his head and leaves the room too, leaving Brandon alone to his thoughts and decisions.)

[On Camera]

Brandon Hendrix; Revenge can be an evil game, with whom the Revenge falls into the hands can make it for the right or for the better need. Now, which hand will Revenge fall into for you, LJ? The hand of good? Or the hand of evil? Want me to tell you what you will do? You'll pick good. You'll fight to defend the honor of your fiancée. To defend the honor of yourself for what I've done to you. To honor your family for all the bad things I said about you, and with your good boy performance, hope and pray you can bring me to the promised land and bring me back to being a good guy.

Now let me tell you what you should do with that Revenge.

The Evil Revenge.

Destroy me, LJ. Forget everyone that we have involved and think about yourself. Come on Lyle, you know that I'm in your way of moving on in your career and I won't stop till you're out of my way. And that's the same mindset you need to think about when it comes to the future of your career. You know first hand, I'm a bad person. I'm an evil person. And the demise that an evil man like me deserves is to be killed in that ring by the man he wronged. But you won't, Lyle because you are weak. You are pathetic. You will enter Lethal Lockdown and fight your heart out to put on the greatest showing you ever could! Make the crowd roar, stand on their feet as you do every stupid jump and shit you can.

Nah, ima use every weapon to make sure you suffer. This is going to be the worst night of your professional and personal life, Lyle. You're going to miss out on your wedding, miss any chance of having children of your own, and miss out on growing old and you just can't see it. This won't end with a pinfall or a submission. This ends when one man… maybe both cannot answer.

You called what I did in that Texas Street Fight an escape, but it wasn't no escape at all, but that was family loyalty. Without them, you still wouldn't have beaten me. Your best move couldn't put a dent in me while your body convulsed into kicking out. We are not the same. After fighting years with a weakened heart, I trained my body to know what is my end. You couldn't do anything that would have kept me down for the three count.

Hell, you're correct about one thing. I do want control. I control the mob in Italy, I controlled every company I ever worked for, with or without a World title around my waist and yeah, SCW will be no different at all. And it does start with you. I'm a smart person, Lyle. Fight until it becomes needed to survive. I needed to survive the Street Fight, long enough to see you become the villain in this story. The control I have on our story is pushing for that. Because deep down, you know I'm right. You know my grasp of control is too much for you unless you embrace the evil and rip it from my beating heart.

You're stepping into Osaka, Japan. The country where Brandon Fucking Hendrix became the main event and won my first World Championship in and witnessed me take control and made sure the man i beat never and I meant ever become World Champion again.

Control.

My control comes from the wars I battled. The iron grasp I have over professional wrestling does not come from doing the right thing, but the best thing for my family and me. And this Sunday Lyle, I'm going to have control of you and the environment once again……

Man… let me keep it real with you. All the shit that I’ve done.  The blood.  The bodies.  The nights when I can’t close my eyes without seeing something that I wish I could forget.  I’ve made peace with all of that…or at the very least, I’ve learned to live with it.  But that doesn’t stop me from knowing that, after all the shit I’ve waded through just to still be breathing, I don’t deserve this life I’ve somehow managed to build for myself. I look at them…at my daughter…and some days I can’t help but wonder what kind of joke landed me here with them instead of six feet under the dirt.  I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life.  I’ve done shit that I can’t even talk about.  I’ve watched people die screaming and been the reason that they never made it home.  I’ve buried brothers, I’ve broken men.  I’ve felt what war does when it gets inside of you and rots away everything good.  And yet somehow…for some reason…they still love me.  I don’t deserve that.  I didn’t earn it.  I just survived.  That’s all I’ve ever been good at.

Lyle, You’ve seen it firsthand.  You’ve watched what happens when I flip that switch.  Hell, you’ve felt it.  You know exactly what I’m capable of.  So don’t start acting brand new just because I’ve let you live, my control once again, and you can keep telling yourself that this time is going to be different…that this time it’s the real you…that that loss didn’t count.  But you and I both know the truth… it eats you away more than you don't want to admit because if you do, I win control. Texas took something from you that I own now- and you want it back. But to make things seem alright, you lie to everyone but you cannot lie to me, boy.

Come and try to take it back.

Finish this, Lyle. Either our story ends once and for all…. There will be more bloodshed than we both can mentally afford…..

FINISH IT LYLE! FINISH THE FUCKING TORMENT! FINISH THE WAR OFF!!! I FUCKING DEMAND YOU, YOU NEPO BITCH! FINISH THE FUCKING PLOT!

Because if you don't, then I will. And your family will never forgive me or you.

(Seg end)

randon Hendrix: “Liam, you're in the wrong place at the wrong time. Brandon Hendrix has been placed in these death matches because each week, it's life or death and you're not ready for what happens when life doesn't become an option anymore. Ask LJ Kasey what happens. Look at him, Liam. I took a piece of him that he will never get back. Miles, a piece is gone from him as well. And Alexandra if she wants to try, will lose a piece of herself as well, and that's a fine I'll pay in advance. It started with the Texas Street Fight. You saw what happened with me, an opponent, and a car?

Heh…. The sound his spine made when it smashed into the hood of that car… then the glass shattered… I'm built for this shit. I'm a Death Match God, and you're not man enough to box with the undeniable Blood King because I always take my payment in their blood. Liam, listen to me very carefully, this is not the cake walk you were expecting, nor wishing for. I lose because I don't get paid enough to care for him, but Angelo talked to the boss, and if I win, I get twenty percent more for winning. A good payday for kicking your ass in business sense.

Liam you're stepping into not just a parking lot, but stepping into my zone. I was built to dominate the streets, parking lot included. When I was in college, I had to fight in parking lots for racism towards Italians, and I won each one because people expect a fight, I go for blood. First fight? Smashed his head into the principal's car driver window. The second fight ended when I curb stomped one's elbow, broke the son of a bitch in half. Third, sent the bastard off a car, spine first into the curb and he can't walk anymore. I've evolved ways to torment people. I've evolved and I thrive in life or death situations. With a dying heart, it was do or die for five years, and that mentality hasn't gone away ever, and it never will. What about you, Liam? This will be do or die in that parking lot in Staffordshire and you have to see if you can stay afloat on the bridge of torment that I will send you down or you can sink with the rubble of that bridge collapsing on top of you and me staring down at your lifeless body, waving after I swam back to safety.

Oh, and before I continue, allow me to make a challenge for Into The Void. LJ Kasey, this has to end for you, and for my career to move forward to claim my goal and that's becoming SCW World Heavyweight Champion. And let's raise the stakes even higher than before. I know you want revenge, so I'm letting you pick the stipulation because we all know this cannot end in some regular ass match after everything we've done to each other. But this will have my one condition…. Your family cannot be at ringside or in the crowd. They must stay in the back. If you can Honor that, then I'll have Angelo and my men stay in the back as well. Tick tock, LJ. I'll be waiting.

Back to you Liam. Listen closely to me you skinhead, dick shaped fraud. You're fighting the war against a man who was appointed the nickname God Of War because I became a God in war. You're fighting a man who's crippled people, caused people to off themselves because they couldn't walk anymore. The man who faced the greatest heavyweight in the business of professional wrestling and is the only guy to talk about it? You're facing a former World Champion who's one reign is better than any other reign any wrestler ever had as World Champion. You're stepping into the danger zone and your body will realize it when it's too late and you're buried in the wreckage of the cars and blood that spills from your skull. And there is nothing you can do about it because I am Game 7, I am clutch, I am the Legend, I am The Greatest Of All Time.

The Don.

The God Of War.

I am

BRANDON

FUCKING

HENDRIX!

And I will kill you and bury you next to the rest of them.”

[On Camera]

Angelo Caito: “Foolish intentions lead brave men to their demise. LJ Kasey, you are the bravest man I've met in a long time. You are, because you're letting this overtake you to your demise. The time for games is over, LJ. This is the moment that you've been chasing since it was revealed that Miles Kasey's dumbass half brother was revealed to the world and wanted to do everything it took to be anything close to the man he is. But that's where myself and Brandon do not respect you. That's why he attacked you. The real reason he attacked you, because he does not respect you. I tried protecting you by telling you it was all business and to not retaliate but you refuse to listen like your bone headed brother. This is the predicament you do not want to be in because a match where there are no rules, Brandon has faced and destroyed the best.

Texas Street Fight because SCW management refused to let this man have home country advantage, but they still gave him home field advantage. You see, the Hendrix Compound is located in the heart of San Antonio, Texas. Brandon Hendrix main evented in the AT&T Stadium to over one hundred thousand fans with the largest reaction to ever come from that stadium. Brandon Hendrix co main evented one company's biggest event of the year in a Death Match that stole the show. Have you ever been in a fifty seven minute war for a World Championship, have your heart stopped in the middle of the ring, have your heart restarted, and get up and win the Championship? Have you ever when your health was at its worst, go into the main event, wrestle another sixty minutes and lose because his heart stopped once again? To be left in a cryogenic chamber and only be revived from the coma he was placed in was from a lightning strike sent from the heavens above? No, but that's this man's story..”

[Off Camera- Flashback to the past]

[Two weeks in the hospital… two. The first week, Brandon had given up on life. He was tired of having tubes stuffed down his throat in order to breathe. At this point, he rather not be breathing at all. The second week, things got better. He was taken off the tubes, but was monitored heavily, to make sure he doesn't need any machines or surgery. When he was finally discharged, he needed to still be on watch so he was staying with his mother until further notice. The car ride was silent on the way to the house, and when they arrived at the house, Brandon sits on the couch, looking down at his hands. His mother sits beside him and places a hand on his shoulder.]

Mom: "It's never good to hold in your thoughts and feelings, my figlio. Let it out."

(Brandon looks up at her, tears rolling down his cheeks.)

Brandon: "It's not fair! I finally had everything going my way! I just got signed to my first massive contract, I am about to have my debut match, and this fucking happens!?!"

Mom: "Anthony! I know you're upset, but still watch your language-"

Brandon: "NO THIS IS BULLSHIT! I'M NOT A KID ANY MORE MOM! I'M A TWENTY THREE YEAR OLD WALKING DEADMAN! I'M GOING TO DIE AND YOU CARE ABOUT MY FUCKING LANGUAGE!?!?!?!?!"

Mom: "Of course I care! But you can't think like that!"

(She lifts Brandon's face up.)

Mom: "You give up, and you'll never forgive yourself, and you know that."

Brandon: ".....what should I do?"

Mom: "Do the unthinkable. Everybody wants to write you off, make them write you back into conversation. Don't quit on your dreams son, because if you fight for your dreams…. You'll be shocked how much they fight for you."

(Brandon looks at him mom and nods.)

Brandon: "Thanks mom…. I needed that."

Mom: "What a mother does. But promise me that no matter what happens, you do not quit."

Brandon: "Yes ma'am."

[Both embrace into a hug, and just like that, Brandon wasn't written off as retired before his career got started. No, he was going to make it despite the seventy five percent chance of dying now.]

[On Camera]

Brandon Hendrix: “Yeah, that's my life story, LJ. I'm the guy that gave his life to the ring and to the people. And in return, I become the villain in the story. I came from nothing, a poor little contadino in the worst part of Italy, where people died on the daily. You think I fear you or the possibility? I'm the man who went on a twelve day drinking bender and lost my best friend at the age of fifteen all because he wanted to get me a can of soup from the local market and got shot in a robbery. I fear the pain that you can cause for what I caused you? I don't fear death because I nearly brought it to myself ten years ago. Yeah, I popped ten pills and put the knife to my wrist, praying that God can forgive me for what I was about to do, hoping I get into heaven so I can be with my brother again. But I got stopped and thankfully I did because I wouldn't have my little girl right now. On my calf is a tattoo that says Reasons To Live Gives Reasons To Die. She is my reason to live and die. That means I'm surviving the war we will have in Texas, LJ. That means I'm winning the war. What are your reasons, LJ? Is it your girl? Your special girl there, what was her name again?

Ah yes.

Alexandra.

I see she lives in fairytale land. Like all the stories of David vs Goliath where David defeats the big monster….. but this isn't fairytales….

And you still think LJ has a chance?

Against the true Goliath?

[Brandon chuckles some before continuing to speak.]

Brandon Hendrix: “I can appreciate the fact that you say out loud that you believe in your man, but I think deep down inside your heart of hearts, you know that your soon to be husband is not going to be making your wedding alive. You see, it's hard for me to be motivated in the world of professional wrestling when I cannot do more. Rules bounding me to being less when I want to bring misery to those who step into my way makes me want to not even show up. But, this match…. Oh you got my full attention now. When there are no rules, nothing stopping me from ending your life, I hit GOD mode and I am on another level that only one person beside me has touched, and that person is my brother in arms, Michael Bishop.

I'm on a different playing field when I get this motivated. I'm going to destroy you. No no….. I'm going to fucking bury you in the desert of Texas. Let the rattlesnakes and black widows bite at your deceased corpse, let the maggots and worms feast on your flesh and retrieve your skeleton and donate it to a school for science tests. You're stepping to me like you're trying to be somebody. You're talking big like you can be somebody. When I leave you for dead in Texas, I'ma make you a nobody.

But you can't let that happen, right?

Not LJ Kasey.

Because you're built different, SÌ?

No, you're built like a twink that wants to play heavyweight against the best heavyweight in the world today. And it's only a matter of days when I swat you down like the fruit fly you are.”

[Off Camera: Another Blast From The Past]

Brandon's Thoughts And Dreams:

[This should be the biggest win my career. I can say I was Elena DeDraca's, a TWO TIME World Champion and one of the best in the company all time, fifth loss in Project Honor, fourth in a one versus one environment! This should be an absolutely HUGE deal for me…. But why does it feel…. Wrong? Why does it feel like I didn't win at all, but merely got through because of an injury? I make my way from the stage, passing the ramp, getting applause all around from different higher ups, referees, backstage workers, wrestlers, and so on and so on. But… I can't hear any of it. I can see the clapping of hands in my peripheral vision, but nothing is audible to me. Why am I being this way?! I just beat Elena Fucking DeDraca! I should be happy! Jumping around like a little kid! But I'm walking to the locker room like I'm the loser of this match. I open the locker room door before grabbing the end piece of my wrist tape and peels it back, removing the tape around my sweaty wrists before tossing them into a nearby trash can. I sat down on the folding chair that I had set in front of my locker from earlier in the night when I was preparing for my match up. I started unlacing my boots, but that was as far as I go. I sat back in the chair, looking down at my hands as everything comes back at once: my father's suicide, my attempt at suicide, and the meeting with Brian and his mother. I was mentally and physically exhausted. I just need some shut eye… for one minute. My eyes closed, but everything felt different after a few moments. I felt…. Comfortable… I hear the birds chirping…. Feel the sun rays shining on me.]

"Anthony! Get up! Time to go to school!". [My eyes open, and I sit up looking around my bedroom. I spin my body around and set my feet on the ground as I exit my room, and my nostril is hit with the amazing smell of food from the kitchen down the hall. I hungrily sit down at the kitchen table as a plate is placed in front of me by my mother. I look down at my plate and see eggs, bacon, sausage, and toast with a glass of Orange Juice on the side. Excitedly, I began to dig into my food, enjoying the meal my mother made me.] "I can't believe my big boy is almost done with the sixth grade! Don't forget when you get home to do your homework so that way I can bring you to your aunt's house."

"Yes mom I will.". [I happily said as I finished my meal. I quickly put my plate in the sink and ran to my room to grab my backpack. After making sure all my homework is inside my folders and all my pencils and pens are in my front pouch, I'm good to go. I leave my room and hug my mother goodbye, and I can feel the kiss she placed on my forehead. I leave the house, close the door behind me, backpack straps over each shoulder, and thus I begin my five minute walk up a short hill to the end of the street, where the school bus picks me up to bring me to school and drop me back off to walk home. Other students started appearing at the end of the street, including her, someone who I had grown feelings for…. Lots of feelings. She was a month younger than me, brunette hair, eyes that sparkled like the stars at night, and her smile that warms my heart.] "Oh… hey Brianna.". [She looks over at me, her smiling shining bright.]

"Oh hey Anthony. How's your mom?"

"She's good. She is still working those two jobs. Hoping one day I can make the money so she never has to work again."

"That's sweet of you. She's lucky to have a son like you.". [I peek over her shoulder, and see…. Him. The biggest pain in the ass I have ever dealt with in my life. He was part of the football team, an absolute jockhead if there ever was one. His name is Devin. Dude always picks on me for no reason, and when I try to stand up, he gets his friends to back him up. What makes it worse, is he always tries to put the moves on Brianna. While she doesn't appeal to them, I always worry she would fall for him. I turn my head as I look at the ground while he walks up to Brianna and places an arm around her.]

"Hello beautiful. When will you finally agree to go out with me?"

"With your attitude? Never.". >She says brushing his arm off her. Obviously annoyed, he remains calm in tone.]

"I'm giving you the opportunity to be with the Q fucking B of the school team! You're not thinking correctly."

"Um… No, I'm thinking very correctly. I'm fine without experiencing that."

"No no. No you're not Bri-"

"How about leave her alone Devin?". [He stops talking and slowly turns his head to face me.]

"Are you talking to me nerd?". [He says as he slowly starts walking over to me. Nervous, I swallow my pride and stare at him.]

"Yeah… I am. Leave her alone you oversized pig.". [I say this as he gets in my face.]

"What are you going to do about it?". [He went to push me, but I moved faster and pushed him, watching him fall backwards to the ground. She's shocked. He's shocked. And I was definitely shocked. The bus pulls up, the swinging door opens as Brianna pulls my arm and we get onto the bus together. Pissed off, Devin gets off the road and onto the bus. For safety reasons, Brianna pushes me into a seat and sits beside me, keeping her between me and the walkway. Devin walked by, eyeing me as I stared at him back. He drags his thumb across his throat and mouths "you're a deadman" before heading to the back of the bus and sitting with the other popular kids on the bus. I watch him as he walks past us before I turn my attention back to Brianna.]

"I'm a deadman, aren't I?"

"No no. He won't do anything. All talk and no action.". [I nod slowly as the bus drives off.]

**Later That Day**

[I'm at my locker, getting ready to head to PE class as I place my books and folders into my locker. When I turn around, there stands Devin and his three tools of friends: Jacob, Tracey, and Kevin. I look at all four of them, and see what seems to be socks in their grasps, and when Devin wacks the locker with the sock, and the metallic sound rings off the locker, and I know not only were the socks loaded, but I'm a deadman walking. I push Devin back and sprints off down the hallway, and the four chase me down. Unfortunately, I'm not fast enough to make it up the stairs in time, so Jacob grabs me by the leg and starts dragging me down the stairs. Tracey joins in and grabs my other leg and both drag me behind the stairway… and this was one of the moments I wished I had died rather than to have suffered the pain I did. Wack after walk with the socks filled, whatever it was, well, until one of the socks broke and it was revealed to be a bunch of quarters and coins in each sock that connected with my head and torso. When that sock broke, the person resorted to kicking me, stomping on my arms and neck. Each blow I take, the closer I am to blacking out. By the time they finished with the beating, I couldn't move… I was bleeding badly…. I thought my life was over. Nobody could find me if they weren't trying to look, and nobody was. I was alone… But, I had images of me and my mom, walking around the park together, laughing and smiling running through my head. I had images of Brianna… and her beautiful smile that always made my day… and I knew I couldn't quit. With so much pain in my body, I rolled myself over onto my stomach, and slowly started crawling from behind the stairway to where I could be in view of people walking the hallways. It doesn't help as soon as I'd wish however. And each crawl I do, the closer I am to blacking out again. I tried my hardest to stay awake, but by the time I was getting past the stairway, I couldn't handle the pain and blacked out again. Fortunately for me, getting my head past the stairwell was enough for me to be noticed by a member of staff, who immediately called for the nurses and the principal. The rest after that, I'm unaware of. Next thing I knew, I was waking up inside of a hospital room at the local hospital ten miles from the school. I open my eyes, the pain surprisingly gone away as I look over and see my mom sitting in the chair right beside the bed. I can see the marks down her cheeks, like she's been crying this entire time. Her eyes are red, her hair is a mess.]

"..m…mom…?". [I can barely say, but loud enough for her to hear me. She quickly looks up and nearly starts crying again.]

"Oh my God Anthony?! Oh my God". [She says in a shaking voice. I've never seen her this sad… even when dad left. It hurt me seeing her like that, as she was normally the person who was bringing smiles to faces no matter what, so seeing this hurt me more than I thought. Suddenly, I hear a knock on the door and my attention goes to the door, and I see the reason I got my ass kicked standing in the doorway to my hospital room.]

"B..Brianna?". [I exclaim out as she walks into the room, her jacket placed under her arm as she approaches the bed.]

"I'd thought you'd like to know they found out it was Devin and his friends and they were arrested on counts of assault. And I'm sorry I'm the cause of this Anthony."

"No… No, no need to apologize. He was treating you wrong. Someone had to stand up to him."

"Thank you for doing so.". [She then walks over and gives me a kiss on the cheek]. "I'll see you soon.". [She says before leaving the room. I place my hand on my cheek before looking at my mom, a little flustered from the kiss from my crush.]

"Someone's in love". [She says in a mocking tone. I try to hide my face from her.]

"Shut up.". [Suddenly, I feel something shaking me. And when I uncover my eyes, they're opening up as I look and see a member of Project Honor shaking me.]

"God bless. I've been trying to wake you up for thirty minutes."

"Sorry sorry. I've been… very tired lately."

"We're closing up, need you to go."

"Yeah yeah of course. My apologies.". [I stand up and grab a t-shirt from my open duffle bag, tossing it on before grabbing my bag and leaving the locker room. I make my way down the hallway before getting to the garage where my rental car I have got from the airport is. I open the trunk to the car and put my bag in the back before closing the trunk and getting into the driver seat. I take my phone out from the center console and pull up the Project Honor YouTube where they made an announcement about next week's card.[

"On Proving Ground next week it will be the man who's absolutely on fire in Brandon Hendrix going against Johnny Levy, and get this? It's inside a steel cage. If Brandon doesn't win this match, should Project Honor really make a stand with him as their future?"

[He dropped the phone on the passenger seat, and he turned the car on. He gripped the steering wheel, my eyes focused as he was more focused than he has ever been in my entire life.]

[On Camera]

Brandon Hendrix: “LJ, let me tell you something about myself. I go somewhere, talk stupid shit about how I'm going to be the man of the place, and disappoint early on. I.. I'm so sick and fucking tired of it dawg."

(Brandon chuckles as he rubs his eyes with his right hand before letting out a defeated sigh.)

"Why continue to hype myself up only to be a loser? Why hype myself to the point I'm sending myself bat shit fucking crazy that people are saying that I should lose my daughter before anything happens to her? Fucking hell am I that crazy to you all? Huh? I'm I'm THAT FUCKING INSANE TO ALL OF YOU HUH?!? And to top it off…. It's the people I trust the most saying this. Let me tell you guys a story. And trigger warning, it's not for the faint of heart. It was um.. five years ago that I was told that my… My mother passed away. She was my number one fan in the entire world, especially when nobody knew who I was. She was my motivation to stick to wrestling and do my best to become the best damn professional wrestler in the world. She almost got into a fight during a show IN JAPAN might I add. She flew to Japan to watch me wrestle. Anyway she almost got into a fight with someone in the crowd because they said I sucked…"

(Brandon chuckles a bit before wiping his face of the tears that start falling down his cheek.)

"And when I got the phone call from my father that she died… a part of me died too. That sent… my head into another universe. I have nightmares of that phone call to this day… the sound of his voice haunts me.. and I pictured in my head that… I had people around me for that shoulder to cry on… when in reality… I was all alone…..

Time started to move on, and I was slowly recovering mentally from her passing. So I was at a hotel after a show I was on, and I get a knock on my door. Of course, I open the door and there are two cops there, with looks of sorrow on their faces. That's when I find out that my da…"

(Brandon can't help himself. He puts his head down on his knees, and you can hear the muffled sounds of his cries. He cries into his knees for what feels like a century before lifting his head up, his eyes splashed with red and his cheeks stained from the years he shed.)

"I found out my dad killed himself… and there I was.. a twenty four year old orphan pretty much. That's… that's when I became.. crazy. I can still feel… the metal from the blade running across my wrists… as I sat there, wanting it to be my end… only to become the biggest coward in the world. When I couldn't make one fucking slice…. I went for my nine, and I put the barrel to my head. The echoes of me pulling the hammer of the gun runs through my head on a constant and it scares me sometimes. The sound it made puts fear in my heart. I wanted to pull that trigger… I wanted to END IT ALL!!

….. but I couldn't. I dropped that gun and cried. I went to the morgue he was brought to, and I felt… anger. I wanted everyone else to suffer like I did…. I still do. I mean… this is bullshit man. My friends get to have happier lives. Married, happy families…. Like any of the care that I have nothing….

Or I thought I didn't. Soon later, I get a call from an ex of mine, saying meet at a Cafe. So I did, but she did not show. Suddenly, this small child walks up to me with a note. The bitch couldn't even tell me that I was a dad to this amazing little girl."

(Brandon reaches up to his shirt and lifts up his necklace. It's one of those ones that have a picture on it and it's a picture of his daughter, Raelynn. He looks down at the picture, and for the first time, a slight smile appears on his face.)

"This….. is my motivation. But there's comes a point when everything becomes too much. I loved these fans. I fought through injuries for them. I did everything in that ring for them. But to chant "DIE Brandon DIE", "Go Away"... to verbally attack me in public when I have my daughter with me… to tell a five year old that her dad is a fucking loser… that's when you all turned me to the man I am today. I had to change from that kid to The Don. Now, I've become one of the most respected wrestlers in the world today. Like I said… I'm going to die sooner than anyone else here will. My heart…. Is not okay. Given a maximum of… hell a year at point…. I've made it my vow in this ring to kill each and every single person that gets put in front of me. You want to stand in my way, you have to pay the price of the judge, pray to the jury, and fear the executioner.

I'm the brute I am because of my life, kid. Nothing good ever came from it, so why continue acting it? You're the same way I was. Now you have learned. And at Blaze Of Glory… in the streets of Texas…. It's your final lesson…. And like my parents…. Your final breath. Tell them I say hi and that I love them. And when you're buried….

I'll remind Alexandra the same for you.”

(Replay of Inception fades into the screen. The scene shows LJ Kasey right after winning his brutal Dog Collar match, celebrating with his wife…. Only for his night to turn sour. The Spear, the reveal, the monster underneath the mask was Brandon Hendrix. A powerbomb to the outside of the ring, a chokeslam through the announcers table, Spear through the barricade, and finally a MAFIA to the floor below their very feet. Destruction followed suit of Brandon’s return to SCW after his initial retirement tweet, but not to Brandon, but looks to be the entire SCW is in his wake of destruction. The scene from Inception ends with Angelo Caito holding Brandon Hendrix’s arm in victory. Now, the first chapter of the new era of dominance and destruction comes to us in a brand new way: welcome to the Era Of Hendrix.)

{Chapter One}

Angelo Caito: “Ladies and Gentlemen. As the mentor and manager of the monster known as Brandon FN Hendrix, the time has come to witness exactly who this man has become when I awoke the beast. Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you, Brandon Hendrix.”

(The chapter starts within the compounds of a home gym, where the returning beast Brandon FN Hendrix is on the bench, bouncing over five hundred pounds off his chest into the air before down on his chest with little to no hesitation. Beside him is his mentor Angelo, who's watching his student working hard in the gym.)

Angelo Caito: “When you all look at this man, what do you see? A tall man with big muscles that is good in the ring but could never be the main one? Never be the last face you when that show fades to black? The face of the company? Come on now, you silly fools. This man wasn't trained by me, a Hall Of Fame wrestler, to be anything less but the main event every single night. Professional wrestling ruined this man's confidence when he was booked against absolute waste of time. He deserves better than Bill Barnhart. And he especially deserves better than the  Roulette Championship. So, with that being said, you must wonder why this killer would attack LJ Kasey of all people right? Though I feel like we should not give you an answer to that as it is the matter between me and Brandon, but I'll be generous and give a half decent answer. LJ Kasey has been labeled as a promising upstart wrestler in SCW. He gathered some wins under his notch and he's being called the future by those in the higher ups of SCW. That's bullshit and everyone knows it. Everyone knows that Brandon Hendrix is the Undisputed Future and Face of SCW, so I had to remind Brandon that him being this so called “goody too shoes” wasn't getting him anywhere. He didn't win his first and only World Championship by being a good guy, he did it by being the Greatest Of All Time. I had to drill it into his skull that he is the Greatest Of All Time, but also that he doesn't need SCW, but SCW needs him.

So when it came to his contract, I negotiated with the boss man himself that Brandon Hendrix is worth every penny of the multi million dollar contract he has now, he’ll be getting paid more than the roster while working less than them. So a when he signed that dotted line, he was given till Inception to return, and he controlled when he returned how. So when he heard about LJ Kasey, he picked him to make his message clear. It's not personal kid, you were the target of a business attack. Brandon wanted the world to remember exactly who he is and what he's capable of. He went and destroyed LJ Kasey, and left that man in a hospital bed, hell possibly ended his career. Which let’s be honest will be the best case scenario for him because if he was to return, he’d return and make it personal with my student, Brandon Hendrix. LJ Kasey, you do not want that at all. Because if you want to make it personal, Brandon will make it very personal. Hey Brandon, did you hear who's going to be at the show?”

Brandon Hendrix: “Why the fuck should I care?”

Angelo Caito: “LJ’s wife.”

(Suddenly Brandon stops lifting as the weight is on his chest. He slowly raises the bar up and places it on the rack. Hendrix sits up and looks at Angelo.)

Brandon Hendrix: “That so? What will she be there for?”

Angelo Caito: “Oh to give an update on the condition of LJ Kasey after what you've done to him at Inception.”

(An evil smirk creeps slowly on from Brandon's lips.)

Brandon Hendrix: “Good. I think we should definitely watch this. I can't wait to hear about his condition.”

Angelo Caito: “Before you do that, you have to go through this Ciarán Doyle fellow. Five foot eleven and one hundred and sixty seven pounds.”

Brandon Hendrix: “And yet another victim. Ciarán let me explain something to you. This match isn't some spotlight of hope that people will take you seriously as a wrestler. This match is to collect another body to the trophy case of irrelevant men that think they stand a chance at greatness. You're seeking belief that you are better than me, but I'm going for your neck.”

Angelo Caito: “Calm down there, Brandon. Let me handle this curtain jerker, you go and work out. We need that vocal to be ready for your meeting about your upcoming title shots. Ciarán Doyle, let me get you up to speed on what this man has done inside a professional wrestling ring. In a battle royal, he hoisted a man up in the air, powerbombed him to the outside, and paralyzed him. The man? Self deleted himself because of it. Brandon had his heart stopped in the middle of a match, a world championship match, and he sat right up and won the fucking title. He was stuck in a cryochamber and a lightning strike brought this big mean son of a bitch back to life. He's done more and been through more than any wrestler wants to admit, but when he was all smiles and high fives, SCW, its wrestlers, management, and the fans all took this man for granted. They expected him to accept scraps and smile and thank the world for being given the opportunity! Does that sound good to you, Ciarán? It might to you because all you want in life is to be given the chance at being a part of something decent because all you will ever be is decent at best.

But this upcoming match will be the greatest thing you've ever been a part of, kid! You see, you were hand selected by the man who decides who faces who to be the very lucky crash dummy for a hungry beast. You were hand selected to be thrown around, mauled, and victimized by Brandon Hendrix. You at one hundred percent will not be able to handle the massacre that is coming your way. Six foot five, two sixty five of pissed off man is coming for your head to be planted above his fireplace. And again, this is happening because it is business, not personal. But don't be trying to take liberties in this match or else Brandon will take liberties with your life.”

(Brandon looks at Angelo before the camera.)

Brandon Hendrix: “I'll make your mom bury her son, fucking try me.”

  Angelo Caito: “Does he look like he's bluffing? Does he look like he's telling jokes anymore? He's not. This is where you're hurting yourself, you're not taking this as seriously as you're supposed to be. You should be scared. You should be concerned, you shouldn't even show up. You should stay home Ciarán so your family doesn't put your body below six feet of dirt. Brandon, we have to go. We don't get paid to talk for too long. You have a match to dominate and we have an update to look forward to.”

(Brandon stands up from the bench, and approaches the camera, towering the camera.)

Brandon Hendrix: “Long gone is The Heart And Soul. Long Live The Monster.”

Off Camera:

(A day that Hendrix never thought of has arrived- his little girl starting her first day of school. Something a parent fears at first for their children, now Brandon got to go through it as well. Pulling up to the Howard Early Childhood Center is the Hendrix's family in a 2023 Ford Bronco, parking at the entrance of the school with the rest parents that are dropping off their children as well. Brandon exits out of the driver seat and walks to the back of the car, opening the door which allows his daughter to jump down out of the car with her Barbie backpack. She takes her father's hand and they walk into the school. Hendrix squats down towards his daughter to speak to her.

"Alright sweetheart. I'll be back here when school ends to pick you up. Remember, listen to your teachers, make some friends, and have fun. Bye sweetheart."

"Bye daddy."

Hendrix gives her a kiss on the forehead and watches as his little girl runs off to join the rest of the students. Brandon stands to his feet before leaving the school. Brandon enters the car and drives off with the rest of the parents. After a thirty minute drive back to the house, Brandon leaves the car running so the AC is on blast, and closes his eyes for a "moment".

Continued:

Anthony last spoke to her the day before she left Raelynn asking him to meet up at a coffee shop to discuss something, and when he arrived, a little girl that turned out to be his daughter walked in with a note from Hope telling him that she is his daughter and she cannot take care of her anymore and that was it. It's been almost a year since that happened, and to see her now…. He doesn't even know what to feel. When she heard her name from the man, she knew the tone… and recognized the voice.

"....Anthony? Wh…what are you doing here? I thought you sobered up?"

Anthony sighs as he takes off his sunglasses, setting them on the counter.

"You of all people wouldn't understand. No actually, let me ask you something. What the fuck is wrong with you?! You left my daughter to walk into that coffee shop alone? What happens if I didn't show up? Are you that far gone to think about that?"

"Far gone? Don't you remember, Anthony? Don't you remember how we met? Doing a line at junior prom in the bathroom of the school? Do you remember sneaking off from class senior year to go to the woods to fu-"

Anthony stops her from continuing on that statement as he downs his next shot.

"That's not me anymore Hope. I am a businessman now, I have a responsibility to my daughter-"

"OUR DAUGHTER! Jesus Christ Anthony you haven't changed a bit. You truly sit here, and think you're better than everyone here because you got money, but you're not. You're just a self-centered asshole like you always been. It's why I cheated on your pathetic ass."

Anthony stands up from the bar and tosses a hundred down for the bartender. He stares at Hope before shaking his head and leaves the bar, his emotions getting the best of him as he walks into an alleyway and kicks the bar's big metal dumpster.

"AH FUCK!"

Anthony grabs his foot as he limps his way over to a brick wall of an apartment building. He holds his leg, until hears a voice from the entrance of the alley.

"Hey Doll, everything okay over there?"

Anthony looked up to see the bar waitress, with a needle in her hand…..

Brandon suddenly jolts up when he feels his body shaken from the real world. He comes to and sees Angelo standing at his side with the driver door opened.

"Angelo? How long was I out?"

"Too long Brandon, you got fifteen minutes before Raelynn gets out of school!"

Brandon's eyes goes wide and he quickly puts his seat belt on. Angelo closes the door and Brandon speeds out of the driveway and speeds down the road. By the time he gets to the school, the school ended almost ten minutes before his arrival. Outside stands a teacher with his daughter, Raelynn. Hendrix parks in the entrance of the school and runs over to Raelynn.

"Raelynn sweetheart I am so sorry. Thank you for watching her Miss…"

"Kara. And thankfully I was still here. I found her in the hallways. She was in a real panic, calling out for her father."

Brandon looks down to seeing Raelynn holding onto his leg, almost crying.

"Please don't leave me again daddy. Please don't leave me again."

"It's going to be okay sweetheart. I promise you."

Brandon picks Raelynn up, thanking the teacher again and brings her to the car. Brandon can't speak at all. He wasted an opportunity to be there his daughter…. For a nightmare at the past.

To Be Continued!

"I have an opportunity of a lifetime here with this match at XV. And I've been in almost every match imaginable: cages, ladder, Ultimate X, Death Matches, Iron man matches. But I never been in a match where I don't know the fate of what I compete in. And while that doesn't bother me, what bothers me is still after winning again and again, I don't even have a sliver of respect here. Hell, the place I won my only World Championship in and kept the fucking place from dying is allowing their stars to take cheap shots at me on shows I'm not even booked in for cheap reactions. "Seriously… what more do I have to do to be taken seriously? I've tried my entire career, actually no, my entire life trying to be taken seriously in everything I do. When I was in middle school and tried out for the basketball team, I had players and coaches tell me I couldn't do it, and that I would be a joke. Football, I was told I would be a joke on the field. Professional Wrestling, management made me to look like a joke. And I'll be damned to let it continue. I'll be damned to my rotting heart if I let this go on. I'm placed on the show to make performances of the year because nobody expects me to win! Everywhere I look, it's "Oh Brandon Hendrix on the card! Can't wait to see him look good in defeat!". And I'll be DAMNED if I didn't come back from nearly DYING OVER AND OVER AGAIN TO THE SPORT THAT I FUCKING LOVE AND CHERISH THE MOST WHILE BLOOD SUCKING LEECHES LIKE YOU ARE HANDED EVERYTHING YOU OVERRATED BITCH! I'LL BE DAMNED IF I BUST MY ASS EVERY GODAMN DAY OF THE YEAR TRYING TO PERFECT MYSELF! PERFECT MY CRAFT! TO MAKE A NAME FOR MYSELF! TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES SO THAT WAY WHENEVER I DIE, THAT THERE WILL BE KIDS, TEENAGERS, AND ADULTS THAT SEE WHAT I'M DOING AND BE INSPIRED TO FIGHT WHEN EVERYONE SAYS YOU WON'T WIN! I'LL BE DAMNED IF VINCENT TRIES TO TAKE MY SPOT IN IIW THAT SPENT THE LAST YEAR DOING MY FUCKING BEST TO EARN!!! I REFUSE!!! I REFUSE!!"

"..... How fucking dare all of you? I thought I left the world of favoritism in a professional wrestling company, but this? This is the same case as before. People sending 'GOATs' to me to make them look good because they're expected to beat me. Because "I suck". Because "all you do is lose the big matches". All that hatred towards me use to make me want to quit my dreams of being a professional wrestler. Why would someone suffer the tortures of everyday criticism because he losses more matches then he wins? Because he hasn't won a title? Because he isn't in with the boys like most others? Because he isn't ass kissing bosses like some? Why do I inject myself to the poison that's killing my career at this moment in time? Because I know that I Can Do It. I don't need anybody thinking that they will be the reason Brandon Hendrix isn't on top once again.

Vincent, I always give credit where it's due, you are the current champion and with that comes respect. But let me break it down to you, because you showed me lack of. You questioned if I was ready. Worst mistake of your life. It's funny that we are in an environment where the main theme is about gambling and taking risk because when the chips are on the table, everyone makes a rash decision and puts all those chips on Hendrix because I always deliver. Hands down, it's always been on Brandon to get the job done. I don't have much time for this, but allow me to give you a warning. Vincent, next time I speak.

I'm really going to fuck you up.”

[/color]

{OWA had just gone on hiatus, leaving the status of many wrestlers unknown. Some retired, some decided to stay home and do nothing, but others can't just sit around and do nothing like other lazy people. That brings us to the Hendrix House Hold. Over the years, Brandon has embraced his Italian roots, and with the help of his mentor and Hall Of Fame wrestler, Angelo Caito, Brandon Hendrix became The Don. Not just in wrestling with his brutal, career ending approaches for his opponents, but because outside the ring, he's the Mafia. Brandon sits at his desk, paper work scattered all around his desk. Eyes red from the lack of sleep, the responsibility, but also the-}

“Daddy! Can you read me a bed time story?”

{Yeah, Parenthood also. Brandon placed his pen down and stood up from his chair, his “throne” as he calls it. The one thing that he was proud of and never would ever complain about. He walked out of his luxury office and down the hall of his San Antonio residing home and into the bedroom that screams “princess”, literally everywhere. Brandon walks over to the bed where his nine year old daughter, Raelynn was located, with a book in her hand. She can read on her own, but her mom, an ex of Hendrix’s that cheated on him and become a junkie that abandoned her at a cafe in 2022, never had someone to read her stories or anything, but her dad would always love to read her a story, no matter how old she is.}

“Alright princess. What story did you grab tonight?”

{Brandon lifted the book up and looked at the title: Goldilocks and the Three Bears. A classic book that Brandon's mom used to read him. In 2022, his mother died of a heart attack, then a week later, his dad committed suicide, leaving Hendrix without both his parents, and this came all before he knew he had a daughter. Raelynn never got to meet her grandparents, but they are definitely watching down over her right now. Brandon begins to read the story, never missing a word as the little girl listening captures every word that he reads from the book from beginning to end. When Brandon finishes the book, he places it on the little nightstand beside her bed and pulls her covers over her body. He leans in and gives her a kiss on the forehead.}

“Goodnight, princess.”

“Goodnight daddy.”

{Brandon stands up from the bed and goes to the door, and before he can leave.}

“Daddy.”

“Yes, sweetheart?”

“Do you miss Grandma and Grandpa?”

{Brandon looks down at the floor, finding the right words and looks back at his daughter.}

“Everyday. But one thing I learned, baby girl is that no matter what, they are always with you. And they will always be proud of you. Now go to sleep, okay?”

“Okay daddy. Night.”

{Brandon steps out of the room, closing the door behind him. Brandon leans on the door, let's out a sigh before starting to walk back to his office. Suddenly, his phone goes off. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone, revealing it's a notification from Christian Underwood. The title says “SCW Contract Negotiations”. A slight grin forms on Brandon's face as he walks back into his office, another chapter of his career about to start.}

[/color]

“Sin City Wrestling. It's been what? Three years? A lot has changed in that time period. After my departure and I apologize for how it went, Christian, but I was not myself. I was pretending to be something I'm not and I can't do that. So I went off and went back to OWA. And there, I grew into the wrestler that stands before you today. The wrestler that made Christian Underwood himself say is frightening to put against anyone on the roster. You see, what I say is all but pleasant, I'm a student of the game. I dissect everything people say about me when it's not true, and I can take those same counter arguments and send your career straight to Hell. I'm a magician on the microphone in all aspects of the meaning. In one go, I can make you laugh at the jokes, then make you hate me, then make you love me, and make you cry all within the same lines because I am that damn good. And for those who want some background on me, let me share some. I'm the guy who came into wrestling unknowingly with a bad heart that could have killed me at any second in my life, but did not. I went from being told by the doctor that between me and him, I wouldn't be standing to this day, to being between me and him being the Last Man Standing. I'm the guy who had his heart stopped in a match, had it restarted, and won my first World Championship ten minutes later. I'm the guy who walked into AT&T stadium in front of one hundred thousand fans as the World Champion and lost because his heart stopped completely. I'm the guy who was stuck in a cryo chamber and a lightning bolt struck the building and sent a massive shock to me. That is the reason my heart is cured today.”

{Brandon chuckles a bit as he rubs his temple some, even himself realizing how crazy that sounds to him, much less how other people will understand.}

“So anyway, the company I was in this year went on hiatus and now, I am a free agent. Even posted it on good ol Twitter, X, whatever we're calling it. And who replies, the Chairman himself about contract negotiations. So, after some back and forth, Brandon Hendrix signed a multi year deal with SCW. And this time, SCW isn't going to get the fake Brandon Hendrix that you experienced once before. You guys get the God Of War, the Heart And Soul of any company he signs to, the Legend In The Making, The Don, Brandon Fucking Hendrix. And to start the new era, I step into the ring with the previous era. Bill Barnhart. The Bulldog. A SCW veteran ready to return to the ring and face me. Allow me to offer my appreciation for the company. Unfortunately I didn't have enough time to look up everything you've done, but if the preview to our match at SCWrestling.Net where all you fans can check out your favorite wrestlers, says that you're a living legend, then it must be big for the company. So thank you.”

{Clapping from Brandon is the only sound that fills the air before he stops.}

“Now, let me tell you what will happen, however. I'm going to win. You see, my goals in my return to SCW are simple: prove to everyone that Brandon Hendrix is the real deal, become World Champion again, and become a Legend. And unfortunately, that means I'm going to have to kick the ass of the ass kicker. Almost a twisted irony if you think about it, Bill. It'll be a passing of the guard when we face off, because the old school ass kicking outlaw meets the new blood that follows within the same zone for pain and torment we unleash on our opponents. You see, I have no remorse, none whatsoever. In 2020, it was a battle royal, I powerbombed someone out of the ring, they shattered their neck, and could never walk again. Unfortunately, they're no longer with us anymore, but I felt no guilt. As an Ass Kicker, you should best, it's kill or be killed in this game and surviving this long for you and for me with what I had, means we're both killers. So what happens when two killers lock up in the middle of the warzone they create? Bloodshed, casualties, and memories people will want to forget. When we face each other, I want your wife, Bea, there. Nothing inappropriate towards her, I don't run like that. But in reality, it's more so for you than me. See, before our match, I will say a prayer for me, more so for you. I will ask the Lord that your wife will not hesitate to throw in the towel to save you when necessary.

I'm sorry for cutting short, because I am a busy man, but I want the world to watch this match and watch what I can do in that ring when the chips are in the middle of the table. And this might disappoint some that had any interest in me, I do apologize. Being an actual Don is a lot of work. But I promise you, Brandon Hendrix is here to stay, and Brandon Hendrix is here to win, and Brandon Fucking Hendrix is here to be the Best Freaking Wrestler On The Planet. Bill, allow me to offer you a rose and offer my condolences. I'm sorry that your run ends with my start.”

"It was all meant to be so beautiful, it was meant to be the greatest moment of my career. It was supposed to be exactly like my dreams. But then, within a matter of seconds, all of my hopes and dreams were crushed."

Scene calibrates to the sight of an interior blanketed in darkness, with hints of charred, bleak furniture seeming almost entirely dulled and malnourished of life -  if not for the seeps of daylight breathing into the setting. Amongst the rubble and torn chunks of scattered sofa sponge sprawled on the oak tiling, inklings of creaking and shuffling materialize -  the sounds of cupboards and cutlery tinkling and clanging in unison before a figure situates upon the frail leather support endowed. Gently, the left arm is placed onto the coffee table, a piece of bandaging thereafter removed to unveil incredibly charred flesh - the ghastly, ailing skin appearing ravaged by scabs and cuts, such wounding only being afforded to someone indebted to a trade where life and death become as menial as inhaling/exhaling. We witness the figure wince in pain slightly as they apply hydrogen peroxide onto the open flesh - first on the arm and thereafter their left calf. They’re considerably cautious when cleaning the latter with a cotton swab, as the camera pans to reveal a tattoo having been slightly damaged in the spoils of battles. Transcribed on his leg reads the following: “MI X LOV'' surrounded by a red heart that’s being suffocated by a brown tourniquet. The symbolism and ambiguity of both the lettering and imagery loom greatly over us, with the intrigue only mounting as the singular, distinctively sharp hazel eye of Brandon Hendrix is identified. Shortly after patching himself up, he sighs and gazes into the night.

Each raindrop colliding against the corroding steel and windowpane is that of a kaleidoscope. If we could only peer further, the very fabric of what we know would all but cease - or very well give way to material far beyond ordinary comprehension. The hazel eyes, however,  show no interest in allowing the intrigue to linger any longer. He pivots his gaze into one of the singular raindrops, becoming one with the dampened neverland. His mind synchronizes with the pattering percussion of nature’s tears, with the collision onto the concrete surface giving way to a tinnitus-like ringing. In that instance, Brandon's mind had reverted long elsewhere. And so, with a rucksack in tow he evacuated the premises thereafter, navigating to the damp, fairly illuminated streets of the night. Flies ricocheted off the dim orange hues that situated itself from above, the shallow pockets of life that exuded from the barren setting best being expressed by the fleeting murmurs of an inebriated homeless man in the distance, this and the empty liquorice he shouldered in his time of squallar clanging against the heaps of garbage piled . Shortly after entering a vehicle and and wandering off, something about the cinematic grain of navigating through the strobing nightlife of the capital bred a special enamoration within that corner within Brandon's mind - that screeching conscience of which chose to paint the tapestry of the world whatever he saw fit.  And so, the debauch of the city much like the place that once smouldered his youth and innocence became that canvas - it’s story becoming theirs.

“The motherfucking bible I’m forever the truth” summed up Tamer to a tee.

I wash these pills down with liquor and fall (I do)

Leave it to me, I do enough for us all (I do)

Got what you need if you like breakin' the law

My mother raised me a God (Hey)

But everything mentioned prior came with its respective ramifications, the stress of ultimately being unable to fulfill his personal expectations - be it through his lack of own power or the strength of many who opposed him colliding headfirst with life amongst his family only served to turn that initial piss and vinegar into venom. Only here, there was no renovation - rather,  a wish for the reparations to rest where his passion seemingly once resided, no matter the cost. It lost its sense of luster in remarkably quick fashion - acting as no more than empty chainmail to guard the innards of a desire to live up to everything he’d long yearned to become. In finally answering his own cries, Brandon had sworn unbridled committedness to his own perfect circle within, while still failing miserably in crafting his own in the world. A realization that settled as he became the product of chastise to the people whom he once longed to fight on the behalf of - collapsing in his reclamation  in front of millions. For the first time, the world finally had a real reason to hate him - and it tore at him within.

"Of princes there are few, of men with crowns taken by force there are many.”

 “Every fallacious justification for our countless personal mishaps, every failure to revive the youthful fervor of yesteryear that allowed us to stand in a momentary blissful triumph - exalted among all and unrivaled under the heavens. We sit as spokes on that steep merry-go-round, beseechingly watching our lives’ dreams slip through the crevices and plummet into Kingdom Come whilst over time, only being able to remark at the futility of it all, and yet we’ve no choice but to continue subjecting ourselves to the drudgery that is our covenant to this cyclical trade without the mercy of a fruitful end service in near sight. I suppose that over time, that it isn’t absurd that a journeyman wouldn’t prove exempt, to eventually give in and build a haven in such a contraption - to find a great deal of sustenance or intoxication to such a life after so many years of forcefully sifting through it all to guttural diminishing returns. In the end, ultimately knowing it to be no more than a paper-thin rationale to justify time invested. It’s been a journey, to say the least. Alexander Raven...."

"Should you worry about me? Probably not cuz, because you said it best yourself before, everyone suffers a loss. I've been beaten by major stars like Jason Long and Scott Oasis to name a few. I'm a name you expect to beat but you will not. I rather die and fall to the depths of Hell then to let you run around here, all that pep in your step and your ego even bigger because you beat me. You're not better than me. You can be in form, on fire, you can be in the best mindset that you ever have been but it doesn't matter. I'm not stepping into the ring to be your make it performance, I'm stepping into the ring to break you. Heck, the only reason you have this obsession with me is because end of the day, no matter how, no matter why: I. Beat. You. I walked out SCW (different SCW now ain't that something?) Heavy Metal Champion, and you walked out a loser. I walked into the very next week and became SCW Tag Team Champion, while you walked out a loser again. I became a double champion while your only name to fame you have was calling me out. Even after the owner took his ball and closed the company after only four weeks, you always had to keep me in your mind because you knew deep down that if you couldn't of beaten me, you wouldn't of allowed yourself to move on."

Everything goes black. The scene begins with the date "OCTOBER 9TH" in red. That night, Brandon Hendrix held both his titles in his grasp and said:

"...this isn’t for me. This may sound cliche, but this title isn’t for me, it for every single one of you. This...if for everyone that has been told that they aren’t good enough. This is for the people like me who were told to their face that they wouldn’t amount to anything…"

"THIS IS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO HAS EVER HAD A DREAM THAT THEY HAD TO SCRATCH AND CLAW TO ACHIEVE. THIS IS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO FEEL WORTHLESS AND FEEL LIKE THE WORLD WOULD BE BETTER OFF WITHOUT THEM. THIS IS FOR THE PEOPLE  WHO KNOW THEY DON’T HAVE A SNOWBALL’S CHANCE IN THE NINTH CIRCLE OF HELL TO BE ANYTHING MORE THAN NOTHING, BUT FIGHT WITH EVERYTHING THEY HAVE, EVERY OUNCE OF COURAGE AND POWER IN THEIR HEARTS AND THEIR SOULS, UNTIL THEY CAN SAY THAT THEY ARE WORTH A SHIT IN THIS WORLD. THIS. IS. FOR. YOU!!!"

"But, could you have said that, Raven? The False King of no kingdom when Brandon Hendrix is around. I told everyone that me winning those titles was for them, but me beating you, is for me. And while you need to hide behind Twitter, and act like a elementary schooler, telling everyone "but guys Brandon is swearing!", I am out there winning. I'm beating people left and right, gaining opportunities you waste because of this obsession. Now, for the better SCW, I am going to make my mark with YOU. It's simple, I'm going to beat you, end this once and for all, and move on to make a mark in this company. All you can do is watch and learn how a real man makes it big in wrestling."

- Off Camera: My Love -

Brandon Hendrix after losing his final Project Honor match is seen leaving the arena through the building doors that heads towards the parking lot, approaching the Conquest Knight XV vehicle. He quickly pulls his car keys out from his pants pocket, and unlocks the car and takes a deep breath hearing footsteps approaching. He really doesn't want this right now. Already annoyed from the loss earlier, he growls and grits his teeth, turning around with haste, he raises his fist up for a punch. He instintively but stops when he sees who it is. After sighing, he drops both his fists and mental guard.

"I'm sorry mom. I'm just… on edge right now."

The lady now known to be Mama Hendrix approaches her son and gives him a hug. She rubs the back of his head before letting go.

"It's fine my son. I'm so proud of you. You were amazing out there."

"Thank you mom. And thank you for flying out here to watch me compete finally. Unfortunately you had to fly down here to see your son lose."

"Oh honey, to me, it doesn't matter if you lose or if you win, it's about seeing you happy and doing the best you can. Gosh, I haven't seen you that focused since your first match last year."

"It has been a year, huh? Time flies a lot recently."

"So, what's next?"

"I'm going to Sin City mom... and I'm going to make it big, and make sure I buy you everything you want, like you guys worked your ass off for me to get. Even if it kills me... love you mom."

Brandon nods slightly before he and his mom hug each other. Brandon lets out a small sigh before slowly letting go from the hug. He enters the driver seat of the vehicle. He grips the steering wheel tightly. After giving mom a tentative farewell smile, he pushes the start button of the car and drives away from the scene that unbeknown to him right now, could really be the night that makes Brandon Hendrix in SCW, his debut against the man who's been causing him hell for a while now: Alexander Raven.[/font]