CLIMAX CONTROL 400
Sunday -- July 21st, 2023
Inglewood, California
The adrenaline still ran through the veins of the masked man they called Entity. The response that the crowd had just given him when he came to Jayden’s aid was second to none. Surprising considering that since he had arrived. He had been anything but someone that was cherished. Finally, he walked through that private locker room door and shut the door behind him. Away from all the chaos and the commotion of the crowd. Away from anyone that could see who he truly was.
He reached up and tugged that mask off of his head. Tossing it down on the chair as the man behind the mask looked at his reflection in a mirror. Kevin was eleven years older. Looking a little bit rough, but that was due to the bitterness he had been holding on. While looking at his reflection in the mirror, he couldn't;’t help but smirk to himself. Before a small chuckle fell from his lips.
“This has been so easy. So fucking easy.”
His chuckle got a little louder.
“We’re months in. They still don’t understand. They still don’t know who. They don’t know what I am truly after. They don’t know how to get under my skin or how to get me to break. It’s becoming very-very frustrating for them. It’s so fun for me to watch. They are just as clueless as they were day one. Everything is working the way I want. Everyone is falling into place. Piece by piece or... at least it was.”
A small little expression change took place. It appeared a little more bitter as his eyes remained on his own reflection.
“This kid shows up out of nowhere and now has everyone talking about him. He’s taking the eyes off of me. He’s taking my spotlight away. And why? Just because of his last name? Just because people know who his father was? All because he talks a good game and tries to sell himself as the second coming of Jesus Christ to this company? No, no. That’s not how this is going to work. Not on my watch.
See, that’s the problem with this company. That’s why I have had to be so bitter and why I’ve had to carry this chip on my shoulder. Because every time a shiny new toy comes around. I’m pushed aside. I’m forgotten about and I’m forced to feel like I don’t matter. It happened back then and it’s happening again with this giant man-child. I let it happen before. I couldn’t stop it, but I’m not letting history repeat itself.
Not when... I’ve got something in store. Something that’s going to shock this company. Something that will no doubt flip it on its head and make it impossible for them to recover from. The moment it’s all revealed, it’ll solidify me back in my place with the history of this company. Whether they want to believe it or not. So this kid... he can’t stand in my way. He won’t stand in my way.”
Shaking his head. That facial expression became relaxed again. With the arrogant smirk returning to his lips as he continued on.
“His ego is going to be his downfall, but he’s proving to be just as clueless as everyone else. So desperate to get his hands on two men that he’s got a grudge against. He’s willing to accept help from a man in a mask. Someone he doesn’t know. Someone that has proven to be evil. Someone that no one likes, but he’s so desperate and so ego driven.
That’s he is looking past all the signs. Looking right past the fact that he is putting himself in danger. Looking right past the fact that this isn’t going to end well for him. This mindset is just allowing himself to fall right into the trap I’ve set for him. A trap that’s going to get him hurt in the worst ways. More importantly though, a trap that’s going to lead him no longer exists here.
Summer XXXTreme is always the most talked about event of the entire summer for Sin City Wrestling. Right now, he thinks he’s got someone in his corner. Right now he thinks he’s going to get a measure of revenge against two men he feels has done him wrong. That is his only focus. Not knowing that the first chance I get. I’m going to stab him in the back and watch him bleed out.”
Kevin looked away from the mirror and his reflection for a brief moment. Looking down at the mask he had tossed in the chair. Slightly just nodding to himself.
“Soon, the spotlight will be right back on me where it has always belonged!”
His eyes remained on that mask. That was everything to him at this moment. It was the glue that held things together and kept everyone in the dark. But there was going to come a time. There was going to come a place. There would be a specific situation where it was no longer going to be needed. When that day came, it was going to change the course of Sin City Wrestling’s trajectory for the reminder of his history of existence.
Her pacing back and forth across the floor had gained Kevin’s attention. Pulling it away from his phone and looking right up at Nicole. His facial expressions said it all. He was confused, but also almost annoyed at the way she was pacing. Before he could say anything, she was already starting to unravel.
NICOLE AUSTIN
Don’t you think that was too far?!
There was almost a sound of franticness in her voice. This only added to the confused expression on the man’s face.
NICOLE AUSTIN
No, don’t even answer that. It’s not a matter of thinking it was too far. It was too far. Why would you do something like that?!
KEVIN CARTER
What are you talking about?
NICOLE AUSTIN
I saw that video. It’s all over the internet. Your son has his friends sending it to him at school. You dumped a man’s body in the sea?! You literally committed a crime, Kevin! This is going above and beyond wrestling now!
KEVIN CARTER
Until you calm down and be sensible. I’m not going to discuss this with you.
His expression was becoming more sour now than confused. Finding himself pushing himself up off the edge of the bed he had been sitting on. Starting to walk towards the doorway like he was going to exit but before she could. She screamed at the top of her lungs.
NICOLE AUSTIN
Goddammit Kevin!
It caused him to stop in his tracks. Turning himself back around and looking at her. Tears were flowing from her face, but it wasn’t a matter of sad tears. They were angry tears. Everything about her expression and body language screamed she had enough.
NICOLE AUSTIN
I can’t fucking do this anymore with you. I thought I could. I thought I could convince myself it would be fine. I thought I could make it work. I really did, but I can’t!
Both of her hands balled up in a tight fist down at her side. Those tears continued to flow from her eyes.
NICOLE AUSTIN
For eleven years. I thought I had done something wrong to cause you to just vanish. I blamed myself for you not being around. I truly believed that I had driven you away. Then when we lost our daughter. I had to go through that alone. I had to go through every bit of that alone. Knowing that I didn’t have someone to support me, but also knowing I didn’t have anyone around to support me because I was the cause of them leaving.
KEVIN CARTER
We have already...
NICOLE AUSTIN
No, you shut the hell up and listen!
She brought one of her hands up and just pointed at him in an angry manner. This didn’t settle well with Kevin, but his silence consumed him for the moment.
NICOLE AUSTIN
Then out of thin air. You came back into my life. You came back into your son’s life. And tried to act as if nothing had happened. Hell, I did too, but it wasn’t easy. Not when learning I wasn’t the cause of why you were away. Not when learning that this wrestling business has caused you to become mentally deranged.
To the point you had yourself committed to a psych ward. You abandoned me. You abandoned our children. You weren’t there during a time you were needed the most. And you did all of that, just to allow yourself to become more unhinged in order to get some measure of revenge eleven years later. Does that truly make any sense at all? You’re not right in the head and you want that!
Her face was becoming a more angry shade of red with every word that she let escape her mouth.
NICOLE AUSTIN
It’s got you so off your rocker. You’re willing to commit an actual crime. One that could have you put in prison for the rest of your fucking life. Not once did you think about that. Not once did you think about the consequences. Not once did you think about me or your son and how that would affect us. That tells me everything it needs to tell me.
And it’s more than just selfish. It tells me that you don’t give a damn about us. You haven’t in a long-long time. And for what? All because you care about proving something in a business that has chewed you up, spit you out, and made it clear they don’t give a shit about you. Your goals to be the best or whatever ended eleven years ago, but again you’re fucking delusional. You’ve allowed it to make you that way!
KEVIN CARTER
I told you a few months ago. You didn’t understand and that you wouldn’t understand. You’re going to likely never understand. That’s fine. I’m aware of that. But...
NICOLE AUSTIN
But nothing Kevin. You’re right. I don’t understand. I’m never going to understand and I’m not going to try to understand. Because as of this moment. You want to be delusional. You want to be inside. You want to allow the wrestling business to create this monster you’ve become. Then fine, I’m not going to stand in your way. I hope it's worth it to you in the end. Because I’m done!
KEVIN CARTER
Done?
NICOLE AUSTIN
Yes, I’m done. I’m done with you. Done putting myself through mental and emotional abuse. Done with putting out son through the same. Done with thinking you’ll change and you’ll get better. Done thinking that you’ll finally put us first.
She had started to walk right towards him. Those narrowed eyes of Kevin hadn’t left her for a second since she started this tantrum that he would call it, but little did he know. It was much-much more than that. She stopped right in front of him with her hand on the doorknob to the bedroom door.
NICOLE AUSTIN
The difference between you and I, Kevin? I have the actual balls to tell you to your face I’m leaving you. I, on the other hand, won't be back!
Yanking that bedroom door wide open and finding herself storming out. Kevin just watched as she stormed down the hall and eventually down the steps out of sight. Not once did he say anything. Not once did he make a motion to go after her. He stayed right where he was out. Maybe she was right. Maybe there was something off about him. Maybe there was something different about him.
Maybe he did let the business change him for the worse. But who was she to judge? She didn’t feel the way he felt. She didn’t have the thoughts he had. She didn’t know what he was living with every day as a cause of this business. If she wasn’t willing to be part of the solution and instead be part of the problem then oh well. His eyes just narrowed a little more as he looked in the direction she had gone.
KEVIN CARTER
Good riddance, bitch!
Reaching out to grab the door that she had flung open. He slammed it shut and found himself just looking around the room angrily. There was a burden let off his chest in one way, but at the same time that was just one of the many that existed. It was going to be a long time before the man ever felt like he could truly relax and that was fine to him. For there was a lot of unfinished and unsettled business he looked forward to handling now with no distractions.
Forty eight hours from now Climax Control was set to take over the ING Arena. It was the most talked about thing coming to Belgium in years. Sin City Wrestling was truly going to take over the city. Kevin sat there staring at his phone scrolling when he heard something.
“This needs to be handled.”
The words were strongly worded. Kevin looked up from his cell phone for the moment. His eyes focused on J2H who had a glass of scotch in hand. Sipping on it while pacing the floor of his hotel suite.
J2H
Jayden has been a thorn in my side long enough. It’s becoming a nuisance each and every week that this continues. It has to end with you this Sunday.
KEVIN CARTER
I told you from the start of this alliance, James. Nothing was going to stop us from doing what we need to do and send the message we need to send. I truly meant nothing and no one.
J2H
I never said you didn’t, but each time we have the upper hand on him. Each time we beat him down. Each time we proved that we are better. He keeps coming back. Like a cockroach!
KEVIN CARTER
That’s because of his ego, but the moment that’s broken. He’ll have nothing to motivate him to keep on going. The moment that’s shattered into a million pieces that cannot be put back together. We’ll see him disappear.
He found himself picking up his phone and putting it in his pocket. Standing himself up from the suite’s bar. In a few seconds he found himself standing in front of J2H.
KEVIN CARTER
As soon as Sunday Night ends. The name Jayden Harris will never be spoken again. The man’s face won’t be remembered. Anything he has ever done in his short time with the company. It’ll be forgotten, just like that. You have my word.
J2H
I take your word for everything it has been thus far. However, maybe we approach this differently. Don’t even let it turn into a match. Let us blindside him. Right out the gate. Handle it once and for all. That way we can move on to what’s important for us.
KEVIN CARTER
I understand the want to move on, but you see. As much as he’s a pain in our ass. He’s not as dumb as we’d like to believe at times. He’s expecting it to be a three on one situation. He’s expecting himself to be jumped. But let’s not give him what he expects.
J2H
I don’t give a damn what he expects!
KEVIN CARTER
I know, I know. But trust me, the element of surprise is going to be in our favor this time.
The expression on James’ face said a lot. It wasn’t like he was keen on what was being said to him. Kevin holding up his hands a bit.
KEVIN CARTER
You had your match with him. He didn’t learn when he should have. Alexander had his match with him. He didn’t learn when he should have. But I haven’t had my match with him and I’m a little more violent. I’m a little more unforgiving. A little more hateful. Let me have this and I promise you. He won’t be a problem going forward.
For a moment there was some silence between the two men. James taking it upon himself to take another sip from that scotch. Before finally speaking up.
J2H
We have a good thing going here. I’ll let you have this moment. But you need to be a man of your word. There’s no reason for him to walk out of that match on his own two feet. No reason whatsoever for hiim to come close to surviving.
KEVIN CARTER
And he won’t. You have my word. I’ve got just the thing in mind to see to it. Like I said, trust me on this James. I’ll get rid of this pest once and for all.
The devious smirk that crossed Kevin’s lips was a telling sign that he had something in mind. Extending his hand in the direction of James who gladly accepted it with a firm handshake. Both men having a look in their eyes that said all it needed to. There was a mutual understanding of what needed to be done. Each passing week the trio of Alexander, J2H, and Carter got stronger. Now more than ever it was looking like Jayden had met his match in the worst possible way.
“Jayden...”
The name was being spoken to a very familiar voice. Cameras quickly zooming out and finding themselves revealing the sinister Kevin Carter standing there before him. Off in the distance behind the man was the historic Atomium. It looked great in this lighting as dusk was just starting to fall over the Belgian sky.
“You really fail to see your flaws don’t you? You really have that superior and god-like complex, eh? But the thing about it that doesn’t make any sense to me is why you think you get to be that way? You look at your career here in Sin City Wrestling. The biggest thing you’ve done is run a man down with a vehicle. That was your biggest moment and at the time. Not a single person even knew your name. All they knew was you were just Michael’s kid. That’s it.”
In an almost disappointed manner, Kevin shook his head from side to side.
“That’s the stigma that has still followed you. You’re still known as just that man’s kid. Something that seems to be eating away at you. As you claim that you want to stand out on your own. You want to be your own man. You don’t want to be compared to him as you want your own career, but at the same time you say that. You know as well as I know. You only got the job here because of who your father is. Deep down, you know that this company would have never even looked at you if it wasn’t for your last name.
You had no problem using the name to get your foot in the door. No problem using the name to bag yourself a contract. No problem using the name to make yourself seem like a big deal. But then when it comes down to you stepping out of the supposed shadow and doing your own thing. You can’t seem to do it. It’s like you’re scared to do it. Terrified that you can’t do it. So much in fact that you’re trying to follow in your father’s footsteps despite everything you’re saying.
First week into the company. You tried to fast track yourself to the World Championship picture. Granted, he actually got the job done and was in a World Championship match, his first supercard. You on the other hand had to use the cheap route that was the Blast From The Past tournament and failed at getting the job done. You can blame your partner all you want, but if you were half as good as you’re trying to tell everyone you were. You’d actually make it happen.”
Finding himself starting to scroll along with that smirk covering his lips.
“Then when the fast track to the World Title didn’t work. You went and put your focus on J2H. The very last man to defeat your father and the man that would have ended your father’s career if he hadn’t been an alcoholic maniac that got himself fired. Yes, I’m talking about the one and only J2H. So desperate to stay in the shadow that you had to target the man that clearly made your father relevant again after years of being nothing. And you thought it would make you relevant. Like an idiot.
Challenged the man to a Parking Lot Brawl in your very first singles match and your very first supercard at that. Seems to be a recurring thing where you think you run the show and where you think you can just make whatever happen. Yet, they gave it to you. They gave you the match and I'm sure it was a boost to your ego. That was until... you couldn’t get the job done. You put on a hell of a match and yes, you showed that you could endure the violence that comes with that match.
And yes, you could blame the fact that Alexander got involved. However, it was clear from the start. You were out matched and you couldn’t get the job done. Now, you could have just licked your wounds and went to hang out with the Bill Barnharts and the Justin Smith’s of the place. After all that’s about all your talent has proven to be worth thus far. But you couldn’t do that. You had to go back at J2H. Not only that, but you had to make Alexander a target as well. Showing that ego of yours is your worst enemy.
To the point it foolishly had you thinking you could take them on two on one. Only to be denied and told the only way you could get them in a match is if you found a tag partner. That’s of course where I come in. Because I knew that someone had to put you out of your misery. Of course J2H and Alexander didn’t need my help to do that, but they shouldn’t have been forced to have their talents wasted because some child thinks he’s bigger than what he is.”
There was a little bit of a scowl that covered the man’s face. It very much told a story that he didn’t see Jayden’s value at all. Not enough to consider his partners in crime as people that should be dealing with him.
“I knew that no one was going to team with you. You’re not well liked. You’re a liability in a lot of ways. That and your father’s reputation isn’t working out for you either. As much as it did to get you in the door. So, I waited in the winds until I knew you’d be desperate enough to get your hands on them. That you would just foolishly agree to team with the first person that came your way. You fell right into my plan, Jayden. Thus proving you’re not as bright as you think you are.
And then when the time was right. We made sure your entire world came crashing down at Summer XXXTreme. You got handled the way you needed to be handled. Then your old man stuck his nose where it didn’t belong. So he got handed the way he needed to be handled. We proved that the Harris name means nothing. You serve no real purpose or value here, Jayden. But once again despite the reality of being shown to you. You’re not willing to accept it or believe in it.
It’s like you get dumber and dumber each time you get proven wrong. It's honestly pathetic, but now you’re talking about how things are personal. How you’re out for revenge. You are clearly not in the right state of mind and I get it. Seeing something so tragically happen to your father and knowing in the back of your head. You’re kind of at fault for that because you didn’t listen to his advice. It has you acting this way, but now you’re leaving me no choice...”
Kevin stopped his stroll and found himself just balling up his tatted-up first tightly. Several emotions seemingly went through him at that moment. His eyes finally came back over as the silence was broken once again.
“The moment you thought you were good enough and bad enough to stand across the ring from me. Like you are a threat to me. That’s the moment you left me no choice, but to see to it. Your demise is very much like your father’s. I don’t tolerate disrespect very well. Look at everything I’m doing right now, Jayden. I have been bitter and jaded for the last eleven years. I held onto a grudge like no other just to come back and get even. A little bit at a time.
And because you want to be such a foolish moron. You’re forcing me to derail from what I am aiming to accomplish. Just to deal with you when you’re inferior to me in every single way possible. I’ve done more in my career than you ever will. That’s a cold hearted fact. One you’re going to learn when you find yourself in a wheelchair drinking from a straw after our encounter this Sunday is over. But you need to keep in mind that you asked for this. You begged for this. You demanded this, not me!”
The tone of his voice said it all. He was angry, very angry. Something that he didn’t have a problem showing off in this situation.
“You’re not dealing with James. That’s not a slight on him. But he’s a man that likes when people like you think you have a chance. It’s something that he enjoys stomping out of you when he feels like doing so. He’s going to always let you think and believe what you want. Because in the end he knows how good he is and his reputation always precedes him. Nor am I like Alexander. Again, not a slight at him either. But Alexander is one of those people that feed into it.
He feeds into all the things being said and done. Because our Roulette Champion is someone that thrives the best in a world of chaos. If feeding into it is going to bring chaos and it’s going to bring a catastrophic ending to you in the end. Then that’s all he cares about. There’s no right or wrong way to handle things when you’re as good as they are. But I’m wired just a little differently, Jayden. I won’t feed into what you’re saying. I won’t feed into what you’re doing.
And I’m damn sure not about to let you think you have a chance. Not when I know what the outcome is going to be in the end. I’m just going to tell you how things are going to be. If you don’t want to take the words seriously. If you’re not willing to just walk away. Then every bad thing that happens to you in the end. That’s your fault. It’s your funeral that you’re forcing your family to prepare for Jayden. Do you think that’s fair to them though? They just had to plan your fathers.
Do you really think you should be this self centered and egotistical when really you’re only hurting your family? The only people that give a shit about you. Cause trust me, the moment you’re stuffed into that body bag and the moment that you’re put into the ground. It’s not going to matter to Sin City Wrestling. They’re going to move onward. They’re not even going to bat an eye at the fact that you are long gone. It’s time to really think about this. There’s still time for you to back down.”
The clenching of his fist had started to let up. The red coloring in his face wasn't nearly as obvious as it had been moments ago.
“In the end Jayden. You can be smart for a change and not hurt the ones that care about you the most. You can let that ego of yours fall back. You can go play in the kiddie pool of this roster where you truly belong and stay out of our way. Or you can do what you have done and continue to leave me with no choice. Leave it to where it’s in my hands and then I take everything from you. Your dreams, your ambitions, your goals, and most of all your career. Literally everything!”
Of course his eyes remained narrowed. The anger hadn’t gone away completely. At that moment the cameras found themselves really zooming in. Revealing just his face.
“The one thing you need to understand more than anything else, Jayden is this...
No matter: I will live on in infamy!”
It appeared that was all the man needed to say. For now anyway, his eyes left the cameras and he started to stroll once more. Those cameras caught the man’s back as he continued to get further and further into the distance as the shot finally faded to black.
