November 3rd, 2024
Phoenix, Arizona
Grand Canyon University [ Backstage ]
Every single bit of pain that he felt at that moment was unreal. He had gone to war with men that he considered his “teammates” and in a roundabout way went to war with men he would consider “brothers” of the same mindset as him. Granted, it was a war they were forced into by the crooked and corrupt management of Sin City Wrestling. Yet, it still happened. He, J2H, and Alexander Raven easily put on a main event that would be hard to top for months to come.
Only for it to be ruined in a split second. The moment that Michael Harris had been allowed to insert himself as the referee of the match in the closing moments. To which allowed him to lay waste to all three of them and then declare the match a no contest. Once again a situation where the corruption in management allowed the outcome to take place. As Carter limped down the concrete wall, using his right hand to keep him up right while limping along.
He could see the backstage camera crew right in front of him. Filming him struggling to walk and get himself to the back. Instantly he could be heard chuckling in such a sarcastic manner.
KEVIN CARTER
You son of a bitches!
He let more of that sarcastic chuckle escape him. Finding himself just leaning against the wall for the moment.
KEVIN CARTER
I bet all three of you are real happy with yourselves right about now huh? I bet you’re just chumming it up in one of the offices right now. Patting each other on the back. Telling each other what a great job and gloating about how such a great plan had been executed out there tonight. Well enjoy it while it lasts Mark. Enjoy it while it lasts Christian. And enjoy it while it lasts Harris. Because that’s the last time you get anything over on us. The last time you get to celebrate!
Carter found himself letting go of the wall. Doubled over from the pain in his ribs while coughing for a moment. As soon as he was able to force himself to stand back up. He looked right back at that camera crew not too far away.
KEVIN CARTER
From this point on. I’m going to expect every curve ball you throw at me. J2H will expect every dirty underhanded tactic that you will be able to come up with. Alexander will see all the corruption coming before you ever get it set in motion. Not a chance that the three of us are going to let your evil deeds go unpunished. You got the upper hand tonight, but like I said that’s the last time. And honestly if I were you three. I wouldn’t even show up next week. Stay at home. Get the extra rest. Regroup and think of what the future has waiting for you in a few weeks from now.
Taking in that deep breath. Carter could feel just how much it hurt thanks to his ribs likely being cracked. Wincing through the pain and keeping his teeth gritted together. He continued on.
KEVIN CARTER
Mark and old man Harris get that extra little bit of training in while you can. Stay clear of us until High Stakes. It would be the smartest thing you could do. Because if you don’t and you do show up next week. I promise you the biggest event of the year will have to be canceled. More importantly than that you might all be forced to witness the death of Sin City Wrestling thanks to our hands!
Despite the pain that surged through every part of that man. He managed to muster up the right look in his eyes to let it be known just how he felt. There were big implications on next week and High Stakes. This wasn’t a game they’d want to take lightly.
KEVIN CARTER
Think about it gentlemen. Think about the outcome. Think about not just your livelihood but the livelihood of everyone else. Think about the people that have supported this journey. It’s bigger than you, it’s always been bigger than you!
Following those words. Carter found himself limping along once again. That message was one that he already knew would go in one ear and out the other. It was a message that wouldn’t be taken seriously. After all, everything that transpired in the last few weeks. They thought they had the control back and believed everything was going to go the way they wanted. But they could think and believe what they wanted. They choose to ignore the warning. Then the entire company would deal with the consequences.
The shot found itself opening up. Within a matter of seconds there was a very familiar face being revealed. That familiar face being none other than Kevin Carter. He found himself just sitting there with a shot glass in hand. Very much in his own little world it appeared, but his eyes found themselves finally lifting up. Seeing the cameras before him. With a scoff sound escaping his lips for a second. He could be heard with his first words.
“Bill Barnhart.”
Bringing that shotglass to his lips. The small amount of liquid that was in it was gone within seconds. Taking the glass and then tossing it out of view. It could be heard breaking, just as he stood up and began to walk forward.
“What is there to say about you that hasn’t already been said a thousand times before in a thousand different ways? How can I somehow make this match seem interesting? How can I make people give a shit about this match? How can I do my job as the supposedly loathed bad guy and get them to get behind someone like you? These are all very legitimate questions I have asked myself since the match has been announced and yet I cannot bring myself to find a correct answer to any of them.”
The entire vibe given at that moment was pure disappointment. All while he shook his head from side to side for a second.
“You see first and foremost. The only reason I am considered to be the bad guy is because I am one of the only few people that are willing to stand my ground on what I believe in. I’m one of the selected few that do not have a problem in calling things out the way they need and should be called out. I’m one of the very few that won’t act like everything is just peachy and everything is fine.”
“And I am one out of three people that have the balls to tell Mark Ward and Christian Underwood to their faces they are failures when it comes to running this place. They have allowed this company to go down into the dumps. They have allowed this company to become complacent and they have allowed this company to employ cockroaches like you and Felix.”
“That is why I get the hate that I do. That’s why I am considered to be an asshole, a prick, a dickhead, and whatever other word you simple creatures come up with. That is why I am the bad guy, but I’ve got no problem with any of that. I embrace it and I am going to keep being that guy. Until things get better or until those two clowns finally hand this company off to someone that can make it better.”
Carter’s eyes had narrowed. There was no hiding his disdain for Mark or Christian. Now more than ever with everything coming to a boiling part. Finally, those few steps that he had been making had come to a stop. As he stood still folding his arms across his chest.
“And furthermore it’s not my job to get people to want to root for you. It’s not my job to make people want to see you get in the ring with me. That’s all on you, Bill. But we all know it’s something you cannot accomplish. You cannot be the guy that these people believe in. You cannot be the guy that these people root for. You cannot be the guy they cheer for and want to see succeed!”
“No, you cannot and will not ever be that guy. You’ve had several chances over the years. And each time you had that chance you failed them. Over and over and over again. To the point they know what to expect with you. They know your skill set is limited. They know you cannot overcome anyone of real talent. They know that you’re going to end up flat on your back taking another loss.”
“Hell, even Mark himself knows what the outcome of this match is going to be. He may have made the match. He may have wanted to see me out matched. He may have wanted to feel like he got something over on me by putting me in this situation. But trust me when I tell you, Bill. He knew realistically there was no shot that you would win. He knew there was no shot that Felix would win.”
“But oddly enough even with me telling you this. Even when the facts are right there in your face. When it’s something you shouldn’t even logically try to deny. You will deny it. You will talk your shit. You will make your bold claims. You will hit me with all those useless and non-existing threats. It’ll be the same thing with you as it has always been. Rinse and repeat Bill. Rinse and repeat.”
“You are a wannabe tough guy. A wannabe badass and ultimately at the end of the day. You are a wannabe wrestler. You have been around as long as you have and still aren’t any better than the day you first started in this business. That’s a fucking problem if you ask me. But no matter what I say. No matter what anyone says. No matter how much facts and proof are presented. You will always be delusional.”
A shrug consumed the man’s shoulders.
“Ultimately with everything being the way that it is with you, Bill. There’s no one that’s going to give a shit about this match. There’s no way to make them give a shit. Not a single person is going to find this match to be appealing or interesting. Not even in the least bit. It’s kind of sad when a match featuring Harper Mason is going to be considered more interesting than this match. Especially considering Harper’s subpar wrestling skills are aligned with hers and she has a drier personality than you.”
“But it is what it is at the end of the day. Not my job to make people care or to make them feel interested. My only job is to show up, beat you down, pick up the win, and then onto the next thing. I mean ninety percent of this roster has that mindset? Granted most don’t win or even have the true skillset to carry themselves that way but still it’s the very mindset they have. Why can’t I do the same thing for one night?”
Carter’s lips instantly curled into a devious smirk. By no means was it a surprise that he was aiming to piss off as many people as possible with those remarks. Not that he had respect for his fellow locker room members to begin with.
“In all reality Bill. All this is doing right now is taking time out of my day. Making me waste my breath and energy for no reason at all. Because as we already established. You’re a delusional old prick. Nothing I say is going to sink in. Nothing I claim is going to make a difference to you. At no point are you ever going to come back to reality. You are too far gone.”
“Falls right in line with what I said earlier. There’s nothing to be said to you or about you that hasn’t already been said before a thousand times in a thousand different ways. Believe in what you want to believe in. Have whatever mindset you want to have. Say all the silly shit that you want to say, Bill. None of it will make a difference to me. It won’t have an impression on me.”
“It will not waver my mindset or my beliefs. Nor is it going to stop what is going to happen to you. I know the outcome. I know how good I am. And I know whose hand is going to be raised when this is all said and done. Your only saving grace to this is... it won’t be a record breaking situation for the shortest match. Because when the tough gets going. You can get running and tagging out of the match.”
“Now that won’t change the overall outcome, but at least the match will go a little longer and maybe someone somewhere out there in the arena that night will feel like they got their money’s worth. However, at the end of the day. You cannot outrun destiny. You cannot hide from what the universe has determined. You will not escape this loss.”
He found himself once again just shaking his head from side to side. That vibe not changing at all when it came to the overall feeling of disappointment.
“See you Sunday, clown.”
Following those words. Carter found himself walking right past the cameras. Disappearing out of the frame within a split second. Right then the shot found itself fading out to black. Leaving the viewer waiting for Climax Control.
November 4th, 2024
Los Angeles, California
City of Angels Boxing Gym
Heavy metal music blared over the speakers inside the gym. Off in a secluded Carter found himself drenched in sweat. Throwing everything he had with both his hands. Connecting time and time again with that massive punching bag. Then all of the sudden the music found itself being turned down.
To the point just the sounds of him hitting that bag could be heard. Once it registered Carter found himself stopping his actions and slowly turning around. His face twisted up to say more than enough about him as a person. With that in general of his shining through.
KEVIN CARTER
Who the fuck is messing with the music?!
His aggressive nature came out in those few words as he looked around. At that second the office door in the middle of the gym could be seen swinging open. Stepping out was a familiar face, at least a familiar face to him. This quickly resulted in his eyes narrowing a little more.
KEVIN CARTER
What are you doing here, Brock?!
That name held significant value to his career. Granted it was years ago, but that name went hand in hand with his. The man he hadn’t taken his eyes off of. Started to approach him.
BROCK JOHNSON
Kev. Long time no see.
KEVIN CARTER
That didn’t answer my question. What the fuck are you doing here?!
BROCK JOHNSON
Still bitter and angry at the world. Just a little older I see... Can’t an old friend stop by to java a conversation.
KEVIN CARTER
Not when we haven’t spoken in almost twenty years.
The demonor of Carter was still bitter. Still angry and still standoffish. Not wanting anything to do with the man that stood before him. Attempting to walk right on past him, but right away Brock snatched his arm and stopped him. Daggers consuming Carter’s eyes as he shot them right at Brock.
BROCK JOHNSON
Listen. You’re making a lot of headlines again in this business. And from what I see it’s not going well. Have you learned nothing from your past?
KEVIN CARTER
I don’t need advice from you. I never did.
BROCK JOHNSON
That’s just it with you, Kevin. You think you can do whatever you want to whomever you want. You did it twenty years ago. You’re doing it now. Targeting the boss never goes well.
KEVIN CARTER
You don’t...
BROCK JOHNSON
I know exactly what I am talking about! It’s what got you fired twenty years ago. And it’s going to get you fired now. Just look at the shit happening. Throwing you in a handicap match. Getting to book you in a match with him at a major event. He’s actively making you out to be the worst of the worst and you’re embracing it. This doesn’t end well. You’ve been down this path before like I said. It’s all going to blow up in your face!
For a second there was silence that consumed both men. They were hot heads twenty years ago as friends. They were hot heads twenty years ago as a team. Nothing had changed in that time. Carter shook his head.
KEVIN CARTER
Like I said I don’t want nor need your advice. I’m well aware of what I’m doing and the path I’ve taken. Just mind your business and disappear from my life again. We’re better off that way.
Brock just glared back at him.
KEVIN CARTER
And you touch me again. I’ll knock you the fuck out!
Not giving the man a chance to say anything else. Carter shoulder checked his former friend and walked right on by him heading for the front doors of the gym. There was simply no reasoning with the Entity!
With the shot finding itself opening up. There was a wide shot of the Walkup Skydome shown right away. Right in front of the building was a big banner that highlighted “CLIMAX CONTROL 410” in plain sight. Tonight was set to be the final show before High Stakes and it was expected to be one that would really set the tone for the biggest supercard of the year.
Now as the cameras found themselves zooming out a little from the building. It was revealed that the one they called the Entity of Sin City Wrestling had been standing there. Carter had his arms folded across his chest and just leaning up against the side of the building. As soon as it was clear that he was the primary focus, Kevin pushed himself off the building’s wall and began to address the SCW audience.
“You know the problem with professional wrestling these days?”
There was a slight eyebrow raise coming from the man. Of course it was a rhetorical question as he was quick to make that known with his own answer.
“Anyone and everyone can be considered a professional wrestler. Anyone and everyone can say they were trained here or they were trained there. Anyone and everyone can name someone as their trainer. Anyone and everyone can say they have done this, they’ve done that, they have competed here, and they have competed there. All while not having to legitimately prove anything. It’s fucking pathetic and it’s what is killing the business. It’s a slow death, but it’s death nonetheless.”
“And there’s not very many people that would even attempt to deny what I am saying. At least not the ones that dedicated their entire life to the business. I’m talking about the wrestlers that broke into this business and had to learn conditioning. Had to learn on concrete floors. Had to know the basics of cardio, lifting weights, and being in shape. Before they were even allowed to so much as even sniff a wrestling ring. I’m talking about the people that had trainers that beat the holy hell out of them.”
“Those that had trainers that would intentionally try to hurt them. Just to see if they were going to be able to withstand the physical and mental aspect of the wrestling business. Those that had trainers that didn’t give a shit about them on any personal level at all. Just took their money and then abused the hell out of them just because they could. I’m talking about the wrestlers that had to go through years and years of that torment of training before they were allowed to have their first match.”
“Then when they got to graduate to matches. They weren’t allowed to branch out. They weren’t allowed to take other bookings. No, they had to stay right where they were under their trainers' watch. To be beaten down, ridiculed, and told they were never going to amount to nothing. Those are the wrestlers that I am talking about that went through it all and came out the other side one of the best to ever do it. They won’t disagree with me, but I do know the ones that will.”
Of course the expression on Carter’s face said more than enough. He was a bitter old man and one that was going to say whatever he wanted. How he wanted and expected there to be no repercussions for it. He was as real as real could get and there was no changing that.
“People like Bill Barnhart and Felix Hernadez are the ones that will disagree with what I am saying. And why is that? Well for starters Bill is one of those people I am talking about when it comes to never truly ever deserving his spot in this business. Just someone that was able to lie his way in. Weasel his way in. Without having any proof of where he has been and what he has done to even be considered a wrestler. His track record speaks for itself as much as he wants to deny it.”
“And then there is Felix. Someone that proudly states he is under Bill’s wing. Someone that proudly admits he is Bill’s student. Someone that will proudly admit that he is Bill’s protege. But, then that goes back to what I just said about Bill. He’s been nowhere. He has no real credentials. He’s damn sure not good enough to be taking anyone under his wing and training them in any capacity. I mean surely, you’re not as delusional as him, right Felix?”
“What can that man teach? Other than how to talk shit that you can’t back up and how to lose ninety seven percent of your matches? I mean that truly Felix. It’s a legitimate question. I am trying to give you the benefit of the doubt here. I am trying to tell you that if you get away from Bill right this second. There’s still a little bit of hope for you. Maybe just maybe there’s a chance that you can go to a real school, learn some fundamentals, and then be an enchantment talent for true stars of the business.”
That ego of his was clearly shining through with those comments. Carter’s smirk started to grow a little as he found himself continuing.
“You might take offense to the enhancement talent comment, Felix. That’s fine. That’s your right to feel however you want to feel about something. But allow me to explain why that’s your best role even if you get away from Bill. You see this small amount of time you’ve been with Bill. He has already warped your mindset. He has already set you so far back from a mental aspect that you aren’t going to be able to have that damage reversed or undone.”
“Last week is a prime example of the damage that's already been done to your mindset. You got in the ring with Kris Ryans. A former Heavyweight Champion. A hall of famer. A man that everyone has frothed at the mouth over for years. A man that at one point was considered to be the standard of what a professional wrestler inside the halls of Sin City Wrestling should have been. Quite the big opportunity for you, but going into that match. You sold yourself short.”
“You showed no confidence in yourself. You showed no confidence in your abilities. You were pretty much accepting that defeat was coming your way. The same type of shit that Bill does when he’s outmatched and outclasses. Something that’s pathetic. Something that no one should ever do. But it’s what he taught you. It’s what you’ve embraced. And it’s what is making people not even bother to consider you a threat, just like they don’t consider him a threat.”
“Then to make matters worse Felix. You got lucky against Kris. Granted I’d say its clear the man is on a downward spiral and is past his prime, but regardless of how I feel. Regardless of if it was luck or not. You managed to defeat Kris last week. You managed to pin a former Heavyweight Champion. You have victory over a Hall of Famer. That right there was a breakthrough moment. Maybe the biggest moment you would have ever had. But what did you do with that moment?”
For a second the silence consumed him. Only the slight breeze of the Arizona sky could be heard blowing. Carter gave the time for it to sink in where this was going to go. With those eyes narrowing a little more.
“You did nothing with it. You didn’t even so much as brag probably. You didn’t say anything at all/ That was a crowning moment for you and you treated it as if it didn’t even matter. Again another horrible quality that Bill has taught you. Something you are willingly going to practice from here on out. So, as you can see what I mean now. You are far too damaged to become anything more than just a guy that serves as a punching bag to the real stars of this business. But that’s only if you get away from Bill.”
“If you don’t get away from him. If you continue to buy into the bullshit he’s feeding you. If you continue to proudly be his trainee and his protege as you’ve put it. Then it’s only a matter of time until you become just as delusional as him. It’ll only be a matter of time where the only place you will ever find employment in this business is right here. It will only be a matter of time before everyone starts to laugh hysterically when they find out you are their opponent for the night.”
“And if that’s how you want to be. That’s fine, but I guess there’s nothing else that needs to be said to you. However if this isn’t what you want for yourself. Then that leaves me with one other thing left to do. If my words aren’t enough to make you want to make that change. If you are needing something extra to take place. Something to give you that final push towards breaking away. Then I am more than sure balling up my fist and punching you in the face several times tonight will do the job.”
For only a moment. Carter held out the left hand of his, doubling it up into a closed fist. That message is being made clear. Even for a simpleton like Felix to understand.
“Now don’t even for a second let Bill get into your head when it comes to this match. Don’t let the man make you think that the numbers game matches. Don’t let him make you think that because this is a handicap match. It gives you guys some type of advantage. It doesn’t matter that it’s you two versus me. Doesn’t matter if it’s a tag in and out situation. Or if the two of you were allowed to be in the ring at the same time. Hell, it wouldn’t even matter if you included Bea into this situation.”
“Could have been a three on one match. I’d smack her around, just like I’m going to smack the two of you around with ease. There’s no denying that this match was set out to embarrass me. No denying that this match was made to put me at a disadvantage. No doubt this match was made to put me where my back was against the wall, but realistically and logically. Everyone knows how this match is going to turn out in the end. It ends with me having a victory.”
“But in that victory. In smacking you around. In the chance that I bust you wide open and have you leaking blood all over the match. In beating the hell out of you from one side of the ring to the other. There’s a small chance. It will push you in the right direction of seeing your career in the light it needs to be seen in and getting you away from Bill. If that happens when I did my job as a fellow wrestler, but if it doesn’t work. I still get to beat the hell out of you and that makes me happy too.”
The smirk that was plastered all across his lips at that moment. Another message being sent loud and clear. He did not have any respect for the two men he was going to be getting in the ring with. Finding himself taking a couple of steps forward. He made sure to crotch down a bit making sure just his face was taking up the camera frame when he spoke his final words.
“Felix. You’re stepping into my world now. And you’ll be lucky if you survive the first minute!”
Carter took his hand and pushed his palm against the camera lens causing the camera man to stumble backwards. By the time they were able to recover and refocus with their camera. They caught that last glimpse of the man known as the Entity pulling the door open to the building. Heading right inside the Walkup Skydome. Once he was completely out of the view the shot had no choice but to fade out to black. Only leaving people to wonder what would happen by the end of the night.
