It would be safe to say that everyone associated with the show was long gone. Returned back to their hotel rooms.
There were some that probably already hopped on the first flights out. After so many treated it like a nine to five job. Show up when booked. Wrestle. Go home.
However there was one person left behind. The masked figure known as Entity sat in the dark locker room. Only the smallest little lamp was there to feature them.
Reaching behind their head, they let their glove covered hands work against the tight knots of the mask until it was loose. Entity then took the mask off slowly and held it in their hand.
Slowly standing up. Their body felt bruised and battered. But they had gone from an Inferno Match to a Ladder Match in just a few weeks time. Of course their body was beat up.
All while clutching that mask in hand they looked up at a mirror there in the locker room. Staring back at their maskless reflection. Grey in the beard. Sweat covered hair. Tiny cuts to the face.
It wasn’t a pretty sight and the first time Entity had looked at themselves without the mask in quite some time. Then the reflection in the mirror began to talk.
“Have you learned your lesson yet?”
Entity just stared at that reflection with a confused expression.
“I tried to tell you. I tried to tell you in that psych ward.
That mask wasn’t going to do anything.
Hiding your true identity wouldn’t give you an edge.
Being spooky and cryptic wouldn’t make a difference.
And most of all. I told you, you couldn’t undo what’s been done.”
Those words were ringing out in the ear of Entity. Finding themselves growing upset, frustrated, and even angry with what they were hearing from. . . themselves.
Entity finally snapping back at the reflection.
“You’re wrong.”
“Am I? Am I really wrong?
Name one thing that you’ve done worth mentioning.
Tell me how your plan you mapped out has worked.
Inform me of what our legacy is from where it was eleven years ago.”
“Plenty has worked out.
You saw what I did to Goth at Into The Void.”
“You defeated a man past his prime.
You set a man on fire that had already crashed and burned.
Goth was in the same boat we were in eleven years ago.
Already an afterthought. No one cares about that match.
No one cared what you did to him.
It made no difference. It had no significant impact.”
“I’m the reason Mark Ward hasn’t been seen.
These people witnessed that man be beaten to a bloody pulp.
Fear was struck into them. They were forced to see I have no line that I won’t cross.”
“Congrats. . .
You beat down a non-wrestler.
You beat down a man in his fifties.
And you beat down a man that people had forgotten about in most cases.
You see Christian more than you see Mark on any given day.
No one saw what you did as scary.
It didn’t strike fear into anyone.
Beating down Mark didn’t suddenly gain you any clout.
Instead it made people see you as pathetic.
And saw you as someone grabbing low hanging fruit.”
The words from Entity’s reflection were crossing a line it appeared. In frustration they threw the mask to the floor. Taking their hands and dragging their dirty nails across their face.
The reflection of Entity didn’t reflect what they were doing. Instead they shook their head as they watched Entity starting to unravel in the room.
“The truth hurts Entity.
It’s not something we have ever handled well.
Not when we have always believed in ourselves.
But as I had to learn a long time ago.
When it comes to this company and these people around it.
It’s a waste of time.”
Entity suddenly dropped their hand raising their voice as they screamed at the mirror where their reflection was. That anger is finally boiling over.
“No! No it isn’t!
Our name will be remembered.
Our legacy will be restored!”
“You’re still delusional.
That psych ward was the worst thing for us.
It’s created this monster, but not the one you thought it would.
Our name will stay forgotten. Our legacy will never be restored.
And that’s because they don’t want it to be!
Like I said you can’t name a win that has mattered.
You cannot name a moment where you were feared.
You certainly cannot showcase anything that has shown that you’re on the right track.
Beating the likes of Goth, Justin Smith, and Rodrigo Afonso does nothing for you.
Mentioning those wins would just get you laughed at.”
“They were stepping stones.
Not once did I mention them, but they were crucial to get me. . .
Get us where we need to be.”
“It’s gotten us nowhere.
Every situation that would have mattered.
And would have started to get us where we needed to be.
You dropped the ball in.
Starting with J2H.
Arguably the greatest to ever do it in SCW,
You target him. You start a war with him.
You set out to make our mark and use him to set an example.
Then you got into the ring with him and couldn’t get it done.
So you disappear like a coward.
Helluva Bottom Carter. . .
One that claims to be one of the best.
Yet has never done anything of true significance.
And you couldn’t get past them.
You allow them to be the first one to pin you.
Take away all your momentum.
Ruin any hope of what you could be.
And then there was Eddie Lyons. . .
In hindsight it is a fine competitor.
Better than most, but not someone that should have given you trouble.”
The words coming from the reflection of Entity were getting stronger and stronger. All while Entity themselves were looking increasingly more and more upset.
“But you did struggle.
You struggled a great deal.
To the point you knew what was coming.
So you got yourself disqualified.
As if that was going to be some saving grace.
And in reality it just made you weaker.
Then last week you had a chance.
A real chance to really do what you said you were going to do.
That golden briefcase would’ve been everything to us.
We would’ve had all the power.
And would’ve had everyone on their toes.
But again you couldn’t get the job done.
You couldn’t be better than Carter.
You couldn’t be better than Vaughn.
You couldn’t be good enough to win.”
“I was good enough!
I destroyed Artie in that match.
He’s gone. Likely never to return.
I pinned J2H. Right out the gate.
Shocked the world.
There were a lot of factors that came into play that night.
I can still turn this around for us!”
“No, you can’t.
And like I said the reason for that. . .
They don’t want it to happen.
You will always be fighting an uphill battle.
Mark and Christian never wanted our name to be what it was.
They never wanted our legacy to be what it was.
It’s why they did what they did to begin with.
And even if you break through that.
You have to deal with every superstar on the roster.
They’re favored over us.
Doesn’t matter how many years have passed.
Doesn’t matter that it’s a new batch of talent.
They still come first. It’s only certain people’s playground.
Only they are allowed to have fun.
Only they are allowed to succeed.
And thus far.
You have proven you can’t pass them.
You can’t stand up to them.
You’ve got no shot at beating them.
And becoming one of the favorites.”
Again those words were spoken from the reflection with reason. It made sense, but deep down Entity didn’t want to accept it. They couldn’t accept it.
That’s not how their brain was wired. Not after putting up this fight they have. Not after making it back to SCW. It just couldn’t be.
“Even if some miracle things turned around tomorrow.
And you started to get past the superstars.
You started to live up the hype you’ve tried to create for us.
It wouldn’t make a difference.
Because there is ALWAYS going to be someone LURKING in the shadows.
They won’t have the balls to admit who they are.
They won’t have the courage to admit why they do what they do.
But they will be hell bent on hindering you.
Hindering us and seeing to it we don’t succeed.
I’ve dealt with SCW long enough. I know the truth.
Speaking of truth. . .
The moment you listen to what I’m saying.
Pack up your bags. Walk away from all of this.
Understanding our name isn’t meant to be remembered.
And understand our legacy isn’t meant to live on.
The better we will be.
Go home to Nicole.
Go home to our son.
Live life as it was meant to be.
We are not welcomed or appreciated here.”
Entity found themselves covering their ears. A clear sign they couldn’t handle hearing what they were being told anymore.
They turned away from the mirror for a brief moment. Shaking their head from side to side. Another sign they weren’t accepting what was being told to them.
Finally turning themselves back around. To lool back at the reflection in the mirror but it was gone. The mirror was just black.
That’s when Entity reached down and grabbed the mask off the floor. Holding it up and just staring at it.
“You may have given up on us.
And you may be willing to accept how things are.
But I’m not going to allow that.
We deserve better!”
Their eyes narrowed on that mask. Holding it tighter and seemingly making a pact with themselves. As odd as it sounded. Taking that mask and slipping it back on.
Who knew what was going to come out of all of this, but whatever it was. Things were about to take a turn for the worst before they got better. . .
“We meet again Eddie. . .”
The voice of the masked figure could be heard with the cameras finding themselves rolling in. It appeared the setting was inside an old warehouse.
Barely lit up aside from the one lone spotlight that shined down to expose the Entity sitting in the middle of a very old and broken down wrestling ring.
“I am more than aware that you’ve been frothing at the mouth.
For this rematch. Something that you’ve likely lost sleep over.
Something that’s become a bit of an obsession for you.
All because you’re not happy with how the last time things ended.
The mist that blinded you and disqualified me.
It’s made you bitter, because that’s not how you wanted it to go.
And because I don’t play by your honor before glory rules.”
Entity slightly shaking their head in disgust.
“Have you ever really thought about that?
Thought about how ridiculous that statement is.
Honor Before Glory. . .
You really meant to tell me that you’d rather have someone’s respect?
You would rather have a good match.
You would rather have people ranting and raving positively about that match.
Before you have any type of glory or success?
I find that hard to believe.
Because every single person that gets into this business.
Every single person that calls themselves a pro wrestler.
And every single person that comes to Sin City Wrestling.
They’re all motivated by glory. They want success.
They want championships. Main events and Hall of Fame inductions.
So you’re not going to convince me that you’re different.
Because you would be a goddamn fool to care about honor.
Especially when you're contracted by Sin City Wrestling.
This place doesn’t care about honor. They don’t care about respect.
All they care about is who is going to be their next big shiny toy.
Who they can tell lies to, feed their ego. So they can pimp them out.
And make the most profit off of it in a short amount of time.
Right now you’re in their scope, Eddie.”
The soulless eyes of the masked figure seemed to glow with each word that escaped their lips. Motioning for the cameras to come closer.
Sure enough they began to do so. Close enough for Entity to reach out with their gloved hand and put the cameras right up onto their face.
“You’re one of the shiny new toys for them.
And one of the people they’re going to send to the moon.
Make you feel real good about yourself. Like you’re one of the best to ever do it.
All so they can benefit from it. Use you up for all your worth to them.
But that downfall. . .
That downfall will be such a glorious crash and burn.
Now you see Eddie. I’m not saying you’re a bad competitor.
You’re solid. Better than most people here.
You in retrospect deserve some success.
But if you’re going to be an idiot and buy what they sell.
Then when you do crash and burn.
You will one hundred and ten percent deserve it.
It’s something that I will certainly enjoy.
I might end up being the only one to enjoy it.
But that’s fine by me.
Now with that being said Edddie. . .
You have a chance to cut the bullshit.
Drop this honor before glory mindset.
Admit the truths. Admit to what you’re really after.
And more importantly don’t buy into what they’re selling.
Don’t let them push you to the moon.
Don’t let them feed with lies.
And don’t let them benefit from you or profit off of you.
Stand your ground like the man you want to claim you are.
Get it on your own.
Thrive on your own.
Succeed on your own.
Not because the powers that be are behind you.
Not because the people lurking in the shadows want it.
Will you rise to the challenge, Eddie?”
With the cameras right there. They got a close up of that daunting evil smirk that crossed the painted lips of the masked enigma.
“But if I were to make a bet.
You’re not listening to me.
After all, why should you, am I right?
I know that you’re hyped fixed on how things went in our last meeting.
But at the same time, it’s fair to ask why you should listen to me.
I’ve done nothing. I’ve achieved nothing.
It’s been all empty promises.
And failed threats.
I have yet to truly succeed at anything.
It’s fair to say I am damaged goods.
I have lost my edge.
The mystery and the mystic is gone.
I am nothing worthwhile.
A failed project and a failed man.
Those are facts.
I am not going to deny that.
But I am also not going to deny why they are facts.
The right people in charge have been determined to stifle me.
The powers that be do not want me to obtain my goal.
Especially now since they know who I am.
They’re not going to tell you that.
Of course they're not going to admit to knowing who I am.
They’re going to continue to play clueless.
For the sake of continuing to put up a facade,
So they don’t have to admit to any wrongdoing.”
The head shake that consumed Entity in that moment. It was one of pure disappointment. Their words backed it up. Such a somber tone to them.
Of course at the end of the day Entity knew. Everything he was saying now was based off opinion and theirs didn’t matter to most. So it would just fall upon deaf ears.
“But if this is the route you want to take Eddie.
By all means take the route. Don’t listen to me.
Write me off. Laugh in my face.
Like we’ve established, I'm ruined.
I serve no real purpose to SCW. I never have.
But there are two very crucial things you need to understand.
The first one being I may be damaged goods now.
However, being in the ring with me will result in. . .
You are getting hurt.
I will make sure you feel what wrath I still have to offer.
And the second thing.
I’m man enough to admit the truth.
Congratulations Eddie.
You’re leaving with the win on Sunday.
But it isn’t because you’re better than me!”
Entity took that gloved hand of theirs and held it up in front of the cameras. Waving their lone index finger from side to side to signify no.
Before turning themselves around away from the cameras. Stepping more towards the center of that old ring. With a quick gesture of their hands.
The dim light that did shine down went out. Entity disappearing in the darkness. Leading to the camera feed having no other choice but to cut.
Nicole was walking down the hall. She could hear what sounded like shuffling from one of the rooms down the hall. As she got closer and closer.
The sound was coming from a room that hadn’t been entered in for a very long time. She noticed the door open and peeked her head inside.
She saw him standing there maskless and all with several boxes in front of him. Each box was filled with old gear. Old championships and other memorable things from his career.
“Are you okay?”
Instantly it forced the man to look up from the boxes he was inspecting.
“I’m fine.”
“Then what are you going through all this for?”
“They’re my things are they not?!”
An almost offended tone left the man’s lips. His eyes narrowing up at Nicole. She found herself stepping more into the room. Leaning against the doorway.
“It’s not a debate about whether or not it’s your stuff,
But since you left that day. You have not been in this room.
Not once since you’ve been back have you been curious about this stuff.
Why now?”
“There’s no particular reason.
You never know when I might need something.”
“What could you need from stuff that’s well over ten years old?
And from stuff that brings up the memory of who you were.
Something you have been so desperate to run away from.”
“I’m not running from any-fucking-thing!”
His eyes glowed with anger over her remarks. Although it didn’t appear like it was going to get hom anywhere. She wasn’t letting up.
“I know you spent time away.
But I know you like the back of my hand.
Something is up. Something has caused you to go looking for something.
We’re not going to leave this room until you tell me what’s going on.”
“Is that some kind of threat?”
“No, but after the hell you put me through.
By being gone for the last eleven years.
Not fucking being here when our daughter passed.
You owe me this! You owe me a lot!”
That was a low blow. It made him grip the side of the box right in front of him. Even though it was a low blow and it got to him. She was right.
“I don’t know how to explain it.
So it makes sense. To make me seem less crazy.
Then I have already allowed myself to become.”
“Try me.”
“Something inside me.
Or rather a part of me is wanting to give up.
Telling me I should just walk away.
Leave it all behind.
That there’s no way to make this right.
No way to restore the legacy.
No chance at my name being remembered.
And I can’t just accept that. Regardless of what I’m being told.”
“You know I am going to say something.
That I have held my tongue on for the last months you’ve been around.
But it’s something that has weighed on my mind,
Since you’ve been unraveling all this information to me.”
Her tone made his grip on that box get a little tighter. Something was telling him in the pit of his gut whatever was about to be said.
It was going to have a significant impact and meaning to everything he’s already feeling. That likely wasn’t good. She pushed herself off the door rame.
“Has the thought ever entered your mind. . .
That this isn’t what you think it is. That there was no real wrongdoing.
They didn’t aim to hinder you. They didn’t aim to end your career,
They didn’t aim to smear your name or erase your legacy.
Has the thought ever entered your head?
That maybe it’s just that. . . It’s ALL in YOUR head.”
“What?”
“I didn’t stutter with my statement.
Have you actually thought about it
And considered that a real possibility?!”
“No. Not at all.
I know what those people did to me.
They have to pay. Or all of this has been for nothing.
I don’t know how many more times.
I have to repeat that to you.”
He slammed his hands down against the box in frustration before standing up. All of this was weighing heavy on his shoulders.
No one knew what he was going through and no matter how much he may have explained it. Still it wouldn’t be something people would understand fully.
“Why do I have to pretend?
Why do I have to let it go?
Why do I have to act like they did nothing to me?!”
“I never said any of that.
But you went back and nothing has changed.
Nothing is better. Nothing is different.
You clearly aren’t achieving whatever your goal is.
If anything it seems to be making it worse.”
She found herself starting to take a couple of steps to him. Coming up from behind him but being cautious for all the obvious reasons.
“Either everything you said about them before is correct.
They did hold you back. They did you wrong.
They ruined everything you worked hard to have.
And no matter what you do. You can’t make it right
Because of their unwavering relentlessness to hold you back.
Or. . .
Things were never that bad.
Something triggered in that brain of yours.
Not that you’re crazy or unstable.
But something happened that changed your mindset.
And you've been fighting a constant losing battle.
That doesn’t really exist.”
Her slender hand squeezed his tattoo-covered shoulders gently. It resulted in the man quickly pulling away from her touch.
Before slowly turning himself around to look at her. The eyes were a telling sign. So much emotion behind them.
“I’m not fighting a losing battle that doesn’t truly exist.
And this isn’t a situation where I can’t overcome what they’re trying to do.
As well as what they have done.
I set out to do what needed to be done.
And nothing is going to stop me.
Regardless of who does or doesn’t believe in me.”
He didn’t give her a chance to respond. Instead he walked right past her the moment he let those words come out of his mouth. Exiting the room within seconds.
Everything he was going through. Everything he was thinking, seeing, and feeling. It had to be handled. He had to finally take a stand.
Prove everything he set out to do because if he didn’t. There was a very good chance it truly would all end up being for nothing. His worst nightmare.
It was well over ten hours before Climax Control was set to take place. Yet oddly enough the shot found itself opening up inside the venue.
Not even the ring crew had shown up yet. The entire building looked as bare as it could. When all of the sudden a very familiar voice could be heard.
“Quite the cliffhanger I left you on huh Eddie?”
Off into the distance, the cameras were able to make out the masked enigma in the distance. Sitting there in the empty stands of the venue.
This led to the obvious taking place. The cameras started to zoom in a little bit at a time. To the point they could make Entity become more defined to the view.
“I left you with the words.
You’ll win tonight, but it won’t be because you’re better than me.
And that’ll turn out to be the most truthful thing to ever come out of my mouth.
Now before you get in your feelings.
That’s not meant to be a shot at you.
You see I said it once before Eddie.
You’re a valuable wrestler.
You’re better than most. I get why all eyes are on you.
But that doesn’t change what the facts are.
And the facts are they don’t want to see me win!”
Entity stood up from where they were sitting. Starting to walk down those concrete steps from the floor that he was on.
“I know that I have said it before.
Wins and losses aren’t something I have been after.
It’s just been about revenge for me.
Been about righting the wrongs.
But at the same time wins do matter.
It’s the only way the powers that be can control me.
The more and more I lose.
The lower and lower that I fall.
And the clearer and clever it becomes.
People like you don’t view me as a threat.
And the reason it’s like this.
Is because I rejected those advances.
I didn’t want them to hold my hand and lead me to the promised land.
I didn’t want them to make me a star.
I was more than capable and wanted to do it on my own.
That didn’t set right with them.
Suddenly, I was viewed as difficult.
I had ideas turned down left and right.
They weren’t as friendly as they once were.
And in spite of all of that I was doing it on my own.
But when the time came to resign.
After all that I had done.
And after all that I had achieved.
I was told they just didn’t see it in me.
And decided not to renew my contract eleven years ago.”
Each step that the masked figure had taken. Carried Entity closer and closer to being on ground level. Forcing the cameras to step down as well. Zooming out some.
“Now when I came back.
It was a big mystery and it still is to most.
But like I said to you before Eddie.
They figured it out. They knew who I am.
They’re just not going to acknowledge it.
So they can hide in the shadows.
And keep controlling the outcome of how things go for me.
After all these years they still don’t want to see me win.
But you. Oh they’ll all about it.
They'll be all about making you look like a star.
All about taking you to the promised land.
All about feeding your ego and telling you lies.
To profit off you. You don’t see it right now.
But if you follow my advice from before.
You tell them no. You reject their advances.
You say you want to get in on your own.
Watch how quickly the tone changes.
You’ll see you fall out of favor real fast.
No more big matches for you. No more championship runs.
No more being friendly and making sure you’re comfortable.
You’ll no longer be considered a favorite.
No longer considered to be a star.
No longer considered marketable or profitable.
You’ll fall from grace so fast.
Take it from the man that’s experienced it first hand.”[/b]
By then Entity had reached the last guardrail standing in the way of the ground floor. Their hands wrapped tightly around the bar.
“Or don’t.
Take the risk on your own.
For the sake of having a win over me.
But when you win. You have to ask yourself this question.
What does it mean?
What does beating Entity mean?
Especially when they’ve done everything to hinder me.
Is mentioning beating me really going to hold water?
And where is it going to lead you?
Maybe if you drink the water they’re selling.
You might end up in a world title match.
Or you could just end up having another mediocre Roulette Tite reign?
Or take it one step further. It may not lead to anything at all.
Kind of the risk you run buying in.
But then again who am I to tell you anything.”
The shrug that consumed the shoulders of Entity was unlike anything people had seen before with them. There was a true shift in their nature.
“In the end Eddie. . .
You have to do what you feel you need to do.
No shame in that, but in the same breath.
I have to do what I have to do.
And even if winning is impossible for me.
I still have to leave you in a pool of your own blood.
I still have to tear limbs.
Break bones.
Leave you in pain you’ve never felt before.
Aim to cross a line where you never walk again.
Pain and suffering is all I can control.
So you’re looking forward to seeing a lot of it tonight.”
Narrowing those soulless eyes a little bit. At least the one thing that seemed to be the same was the bitterness.
“I have to go down
I’m taking whomever I can with me.
Mark my words!”
Those soulless eyes were the primary focus for that last couple of moments. Something in them had changed. Much like a lot had changed with the masked enigma.
The feeling putting out was this was going to be a match to be seen. For no other than the change within the Entity. How it would affect things.
And how it would all play out. Entity turned their back to the camera then started to walk back up the steps. Moments later the shot faded to black.
