["Scumbag" Kevin Carter]

October of 2002 [ Flashback ]
Anaheim, California.
Police Station

Those handcuffs were quite uncomfortable. One of the only thoughts running through the teenager’s hand. No, Kevin wasn’t worried about the legal trouble he was in. He wasn’t worried about what his parents were going to say. He wasn’t worried about being expelled from school over what he did. He was just worried about how uncomfortable those cuffs were. That was until he found himself being slammed down into one of those metal chairs.

“Take a seat and don’t move!”

The words rang out from a very angry man that had planted Kevin right in that seat. For a second Kevin looked around. It was kind of like the TV shows and movies. A big investigation room. Consisting of two chairs, a table, and a door. Only one way in and one way out. Now considering his age this isn’t where he should have been. Not without his parents. Not without a lawyer. So this was already heading in a bad direction. At least for the man that had slammed him down in the chair. Officer Lee found himself with his arms folded across his chest. Glaring at the teenager.

OFFICER LEE: Do you understand the magnitude of trouble you’re in right now, boy?

KEVIN CARTER: For what? Self defense?

OFFICER LEE: Must think you’re clever or something. That wasn’t self defense!

KEVIN CARTER: I know my rights. It was self defense.

OFFICER LEE: And I know the law better than you do. It is my job. Beating another stupid over the head with a metal lunch tray is no self defense!

It was more than obvious that the teenager was getting under a grown man’s skin. All from the most simple of things. Kevin sat there in the chair with his arms behind his back, smirking at the office before him. Not helping his case at all.

OFFICER LEE: Something funny to you?!

KEVIN CARTER: Something is always funny to me. But in particular right this second? This entire situation is funny to me. From you putting me in handcuffs, dragging me down to the station, the entire bad cop attitude, and everything in between. You think it’s getting you somewhere. That’s the most hilarious part about it. Because it’s not doing shit for you.

OFFICER LEE: That right there is what is wrong with you smart punk mouth ass kids. You think you know it all. You think you have more control over things than you actually do. You think you always have a leg up on an adult, but you couldn’t be more wrong.

KEVIN CARTER: Are you done boring me with your logic?

OFFICER LEE: You little prick.

Again, the teenager’s words were enough to get under the officer’s skin. To the point that he snatched a hold of Kevin by the front of his shirt. Yanking him out of the chair. Turning to slam the young man up against the wall. Kevin didn’t seem to be phased at all. Keeping that smirk across his lips.

KEVIN CARTER: Man. My parents are going to love to hear that you keep putting your hands on me. And I’m sure some of the best lawyers in the state of california would love to jump on a case about an officer abusing a minor and using his authority to do so.

OFFICER LEE: At the age of seventeen and in the state of California. You can be charged as a minor for what you did. It could ruin your education. You could never graduate. You won’t be seeing mommy or daddy for a very long time. It’ll ruin opportunity after opportunity for you. You’ll never become anything when you get out from behind bars. Is that really the road you want to take? Do you really want to end up being a deadbeat to society?!

KEVIN CARTER: Aw look at you trying so very hard to try and scare me. It’s kind of cute.

That smugness just oozes out of the young man. Further only landing himself in hot water with this officer. Not that it made a bit of a difference to the teenager.

KEVIN CARTER: Are you trying to say you’re charging me? Because this entire time you’ve asked me questions without a lawyer present and you’ve yet to read me my rights. Just making mistake after mistake. How does someone like you? How does Someone so incompetent manage to get that badge?!

OFFICER LEE: You’re really lucky right now, kid. Real lucky right now that I’m holding back.

KEVIN CARTER: I think the only one that’s lucky right now is you. Because you know as well as I know. Any other situation. Outside of that outfit. Without that badge. Without these handcuffs keeping me shackled. I would have beat your ass by now.

Of course that smug smirk remained on the teenager’s expression. Everything about the kid just told a story that he believed everything that was coming out of his mouth and felt like he had some kind of control over the situation at hand. Only adding to the frustration for the officer. His grip got a little tighter on the front of Kevin’s shirt. Allowing himself to get into the teenager’s face a little more. Speaking in quite the low tone as if it was meant to be more intimidating.

OFFICER LEE: Cute to think so kid. Sadly for you that’s just a fever dream, but you’re about to really find out who is in control here. When I ruin your life at such a young age, you little prick.

No sooner than those words came out of the officer’s mouth. The door to that room came flying open. Another officer could be seen standing there in the doorway. Glaring over at the two of them.

CHIEF WILLARD: Lee! Get your hands off that young man.

OFFICER LEE: Chief. You don’t understand...

CHIEF WILLARD: I said take your hands off him! His parents are out here in the lobby!

A frustrated sigh left the officer’s lips. His grip on the teenager had been released. Kevin’s smirk found itself getting a little wider. Almost like he had known he was going to be right all along. With the chief of police heading back out the door and the other officer starting to follow behind. That smart ass teenager just couldn’t help himself. Popping off one last time at the mouth.

KEVIN CARTER: You are about to find out that police aint shit. Can’t wait to have your career and your livelihood in the palm of my hand!

Those words had the officer stopping in his tracks. His expression showed more frustration than before. For no other reason than he was starting to realize that he couldn’t do anything about the situation that was taking place. There might have even been some inkling in the back of his head this career might’ve been in some trouble. Out the door he walked shaking his head. Leaving the teenager alone for the time being. With that smug smirk on his lips. Kevin walked away from the wall and took a seat in the chair, waiting for it to all resolve itself like he knew it would.

July 3rd, 2025
Los Angeles, California
Home

Tank was barking up a storm. All thanks to the sound of the wheels of the suitcases rolling across the floor. Both Lilith and Kevin dragged their bags from the bedroom down the hallway. In just a few short hours they would be headed for Colorado. Another title defense was set to take place for the Internet Champion himself. Meanwhile it was a situation where Lilith had some of her own business to handle. Kevin leaned his bag against the wall by the front door. Pulling out his phone from his pocket to look at something on it.

KEVIN CARTER: Our flight is at three.

LILITH LOCKE: Plenty of time to get to the airport.

KEVIN CARTER: If I do not change my mind between now and then.

LILITH LOCKE: Why would you change your mind between now and then? This is a scheduled title defense. No way around that.

KEVIN CARTER: There is always a way around things Lilith. You just need to start thinking outside the box more. Not everything is so black and white.

There was a slight shake of his head. The man started to walk away from the front door heading towards the kitchen area. He could hear not only Lilith’s footsteps behind him, but his dog following along as well. Making it to the fridge to pull out a bottle of water.

KEVIN CARTER: As far as why would I change my mind? Better question you should ask is why shouldn’t I change my mind? Look at the grand scheme of things.

Untwisting the cap to his bottle of water. He began to take a swig from it. Lilith crossing her arms and just eyeballing him a bit. Trying to make sense of the situation.

LILITH LOCKE: I guess, I just don’t get it?

KEVIN CARTER: There’s two problems with this situation Lilith. First and foremost, I am being forced to defend my championship. Two weeks before the next big supercard. Do you see anyone else being forced to do so two weeks before?! Do you see anyone else having someone like Alexander Raven breathing down their fucking necks?! And do you see anyone else being in a situation where they have to keep eyes in the back of their head just for a title defense?!

LILITH LOCKE: ... No?

KEVIN CARTER: My point exactly. Once again Christian and Mark are just swinging their tiny peckers around. Because they can. Putting me in an unfair position. And for what? Because, I am steam rolling everyone they put in front of me? Because they want to make me feel some kind of pressure? Because they’d rather back someone like Alexander who has made it known more than once he doesn’t give a shit about them or this company? It’s an attack against me. An unfair attack at that. And if I just happen to not show up. What the hell are they really going to do about it?

LILITH LOCKE: Well, we both know the answer to that question. They’re going to strip you of the Internet Championship. Something you worked hard for. Why would you be so silly to put yourself in a situation like that? You see what I mean. You’re not making much sense.

KEVIN CARTER: I don’t have to make sense to you or anyone else. I just have to make sense to myself and that’s all that matters.

Placing the cap back on the bottle. He opened the fridge to toss it back inside. Before bringing his attention right back to her.

KEVIN CARTER: And if they did strip me. What the hell are they gonna do with it? Put it up for grabs in a mediocre multi man match? Go out of their way to hand it to someone like Miles further proving their clear favoritism once again towards a man that doesn’t know how to get his head out of his ass and succeed on his own?

LILITH LOCKE: They could just reward Liam with the championship.

KEVIN CARTER: The jackoff that shouldn’t have had the title shot to begin with?! That’s the whole other reason I am considering not showing up. How the hell do they hand someone who has two wins? Two wins over non significant and important people a fucking title shot?! How do they give someone a title shot that likely won’t even be here three months from now?!

LILITH LOCKE: I don’t have an answer to that question, Kevin.

KEVIN CARTER: I know you don’t and it isn’t up to you to have an answer. But the whole fucking problem is that the two morons running this place wouldn’t have an answer either. They’ve got no idea what they’re doing and it shows every goddamn week. It’s showing this week. And I’m tired of it!

Once again the champion shook his head.

LILITH LOCKE: So, then what are you going to do?

KEVIN CARTER: Guess, you’ll find out like everyone else.

Frustration was starting to boil over for the Internet Champion. As history had shown in the past, it could be a very bad thing for whomever was standing in his cross hairs. Assuming that the Internet Champion found it ‘worth’ his time in the long run to actually show up. There was a very good chance that Liam Davis was going to find himself in a bad way from the jump. This could end up being the first and last chance Liam is ever featured in the limelight again when the Scumbag is done with him.

July 5th, 2025
Grand Junction, Colorado
Suplizio Field

The shot found itself starting to slowly fade in. Night had fallen, but thanks to the bright lights of the stadium. It has become very easy to make out the Suplizio Field. In fact the pitching mound was becoming the primary focus. All thanks to someone walking right towards it. With the shot getting a little closer and a little clear, it was revealed to be none other than the Internet Champion himself, Kevin Carter. Quite possibly wearing the most ridiculous outfit possible. A baseball Los Angeles Dodgers baseball jersey intentionally left unbutton to showcase the Internet Championship around his waist.

The LA Laker basketball shorts didn’t match at all, but those were on and barely hanging to his waist. A chain-link oversized type of necklace hanging off his neck. With a Los Angeles Rams fitted cap turned to the side. And the retro Jordan 12s to complete the outfit. Nothing out there could have made him look any more ridiculous and he had to have known that. Nevertheless he finally found himself taking the middle of that pitcher’s mound. Letting his eyes find the recording cameras. His usual smart ass smug smirk starts to cross over his expression.

“I know, I know. Right now I look pretty fucking dumb. But I assure you there is always a method to my madness. It’ll all make sense soon enough. Which is why I am not here to waste any time. It has been announced that this Sunday. I will be forced to defend my Internet Championship once again. Forced to defend my championship against someone by the name of Liam Davis. Basically, I am being forced to defend my championship against someone that has been here for all of a cup of coffee.”

Taking a second to shake his head from side to side. Some very clear undertones that he wasn’t exactly happy with the decision being made.

“Now before anyone gets their panties in a bunch. Because I know it’s coming. Being forced to defend my championship. That’s not really a problem for me. I’ve made it clear I’ll be a fighting champion. That’s more than some champions we have now and some we’ve had in the past. This defense will make it number five. More times than some previous champions ever defended it. Well on my way to becoming one of the longest reigning champions of this title’s history. Over a hundred and fifty days clocked in. The problem I have with this defense is. Number one.”

“I’ve got a psychopath breathing down my neck. Well let me rephrase that. I’ve got a fake psychopath breathing down my neck. A guy that’s so obsessed with being spooky and scary. Desperately wanting me to fear him. And because I am not buying into any of that. It’s a bitter pill for him to swallow. Making him a little more on edge. Making him lash out a bit. So, as far as I am concerned. I have to grow eyes in the back of my head for this to even be a fair title defense. There’s no doubt in my mind. First chance Raven got. He would screw me out of my championship. Just to say he did something worth talking about.”

Of course this was going to be the narrative that he painted. Anything and everything he could to make himself sound like a victim. Even when the reality was Kevin brought a lot of this on himself to begin with. Something he was not going to take credit for. Not even close.

“I’m not the only one that knows that. So does Mark. So does Christian. They know he will be lurking in the dark, but they don’t care about what kind of unfair advantage that puts me at. In fact, if it meant the championship was no longer around my waist. They’d turn a blind eye to it and celebrate in private. That’s what kind of horrible people we have for bosses of a very profitable company. But then again, these are also the same men that chose to make this a match to begin with. Which is the second reason I have a problem with this title defense.”

“Like I said Liam has been here for all of a cup of coffee and he’s being rewarded with a title shot. Only three matches into his career here?! Meanwhile when I came back. I went almost six months. Maybe even more before I was even considered for championship opportunities. Do you people really not see the selective favoritism our bosses constantly choose to show? Of course they don’t. I’m always the one making shit up. I’m always the one that’s delusional. I’m always the one that’s lying. According to them and everyone else. But seriously, what the hell has this idiot done to deserve a title shot?!”

Carter left those eyebrows of his remained arched up in a questioning manner. It was a valid question had it been any other situation. Had it been anyone else. Then it would have been a question that got an answer. Hell, had it been anyone else this likely wouldn’t have even been happening. It was that narrative he was painting that they were just out to get him.

“Are you really going to say that his first two matches were that impressive? Are you really going to tell me that the two wins he has to his name have some ground for him to stand on? For crying out loud. Liam beat LJ Kasey and Justin Smith. Tell me who the hell hasn’t beaten them. We all know that Justin is a walking talking punching bag for the entire roster. Only person that has ever lost to him in recent memory is Bill Barnhart and that tells you all it needs to tell you right there. And as far as LJ goes? Anyone from the Kasey family is a fucking joke.”

“Defeating them doesn’t have any weight or significance to it. Nor should it ever be a damn thing where it dictates who gets a championship shot and who doesn’t. If that’s how this worked. If that’s how things were. If that was the merit and the standard to rewarding people. Then we would be seeing people like Logan Hunter getting consistent World Championship shots. Once again this just shows that this company and the men running it have no idea what the hell they are doing. They’re constantly doing dumb shit like this. Once again letting someone have something they don’t deserve to have.”

“And in the process of doing that. It’s allowing them to think that they’ve got some kind of stake in the company now. I am willing to bet anything that just handing this title shot to Liam has him thinking he’s a big deal. Has him believing that he’s going to be a force around here. I’d even be willing to bet that Liam has it already in his mind that he’s going to be able to go the distance to defeat me. He’s already got it in his head that he’s walking out of this Sunday with the Internet Championship around his waist. This is what happens when you just grant people things without making them work for it. You make them delusional!”

There was quite a bit of frustration that consumed the voice of the Internet Champion. Frustration that would no doubt end up falling upon deaf ears. As it always did. He paced himself back and forth on that mound.

“Although, this is partly Mark and Christian’s fault. Their decision making results in things like this. I do have to admit that they’re only half at fault. Liam was already a nut case when he signed his name to the contract. I mean seriously, this whole cop thing? This whole using wrestling as a way to help with ‘anger management issues’ as it was put. Is his brain locked into a timeline of the seventies and eighties with professional wrestling? You know where you saw the stupidest and goofiest of characters?”

“Repo men, Indians, and Clowns. And haven’t we already seen men claim to be police officers in this business? Especially during that time period? So not only are you a liar. Not only are you someone that can easily be considered a goof. It also seems to me, Liam. That you do not have an original bone in your body. No creativity to you whatsoever. Just rehashed shit we have already seen somewhere else throughout history. Yet you get rewarded with a title shot against me... Fantastic.”

Carter rolled his eyes a bit. Further displaying his frustration and overall annoyance by the man he was set to face off against.

“Let’s say that I want to go ahead and play along with this idea that you are a police officer. Let’s say that I am going to go ahead and believe this story you are telling us. Do you not realize how dangerous that actually is for you? There are plenty of people out there Liam that do not like law enforcement. They do not respect law enforcement. I’m one of those people. I don’t even respect the rules and regulations of the damn company we work for. You think I am going to give a shit about your badge? You think I’m going to bow at your feet because you hold some kind of higher power outside these four walls? You think that I am going to cower in fear because you think you’re above the law yourself?”

“Nah, that’s not going to happen. It’s not even going to be close to happening. Not when I remember the first time I encountered the law. I was a seventeen year old boy. Officer tried to bully me. Tried to swing that badge in my face. Tried to make me feel his authority. And more than anything else. Tried to make it seem like law enforcement was leaps and bounds above everything and everyone else. Told him then, what I’d tell him or any officer now. Take the badge off. Meet me in the streets. Let’s see just how big and bad you really are. So really when you think about it Liam. You should consider yourself lucky that I am calling this nothing more than a gimmick. Otherwise you could find yourself really getting hurt!”

The narrowed expression said it all for Carter. He was not backing down from his beliefs. Not even a little bit. Therefore making it clear it was going to be a long night for the man he was set to face.

“Or maybe just maybe... His mind time locked to the mid to late two thousands? This is where we are expected to buy into the voices in his head are what made him do it. That’s what we’re meant to buy into and believe right? We’re going to hear something outlandish when it comes to some kind of mental disorder. Don’t they call it intermittent explosive disorder? Or some stupid shit like that. Not to mention what the hell do you have to be so angry about huh? What has you so triggered that you need to come into wrestling to work out all this frustration?”

“Surely, it can’t be about being a sad lonely fuck right? After all, you’ve felt the need to tell anyone and everyone who would listen how useless you see relationships. Not that anyone gave a fuck or cared to have your opinion on the matter. The reason you’re angry and frustrated surely can’t be because of people like me. After all, it was a couple of weeks ago in your pointless match with Justin. You brought my name up and slobbered all over it like a big fat dick. About how you didn’t respect me. Wouldn’t respect me. Yada yada. I had nothing to do with the situation. But felt the need to bring my name up.”

“Kind of like you just wanted drama to come your way and that’s exactly what you got. No need to backtrack from it now. But of course that can’t be why you’re angry right? It can’t be why you’re frustrated? My existence can’t bother you that much. But you know what Liam? It’s not really going to matter why you are angry. It’s not going to matter why you are frustrated. It isn’t going to make a lick of difference that you are using wrestling to work out all these issues. Because when this match is over with. I got a good feeling. You’re going to go running far, far away from SCW.”

“As you are never going to want to ever face me again. You’re never going to want to be subjected to what I intend to do to you ever again. You are never going to want to ever experience having your ego shattered into millions of pieces ever again. And when you do, tuck your tail between your legs. The very second you go running for the hills to never be seen again. I can confidently say. It’ll ultimately be the smartest thing you ever did!”

Once again the narrowed expression of his locked on with the recording cameras. Surely everything that was said wouldn’t settle right with Liam. It was going to be a situation where he’d want to prove the Internet Champion wrong, but could he actually make that happen was the question.

“But that finally brings me back to this outfit. The look. How ridiculous it all is. I decided that for once in my career here. It’s time for me to relax a little. Time for me to have some fun. Time for me to be more than just the usual dickhead that you all see week in and week out. It’s time for me to not take something so serious. Considering the two men that run this company don’t take me seriously at all if they’re going to make me face a joke like this. Guess you could say this is going to be a once in a lifetime experience for every single one of you. Now drop that beat!”

Following those words coming out of his mouth. Almost right away there was a very generic hip hop beat that began to play over those speakers of the empty field. Carter cleared his throat for a brief moment before beginning to make a fool out of himself.

“So rumor has it.
I'm facing what the kids nowadays.
Call a serial capper.
Figured the only way to combat that
Is to become something I’m not.
A famous rapper.”

“They say...
He is a man of the law.
A man with some real authority.
But when it comes to beating me.
Not many have your back.
Just a small minority.”

“And who's to blame for that?
You could have more fans.
Yet, you don't want a relationship.
Guess it'll just be a silent arena.
As I beat your ass. To retain...
My Championship!”

“This whole fake cop persona.
It's laughable at best. Especially when
We all know you wouldn't make it past
The Academy's Application Process!”

Carter had stopped his ‘rap’ skills for a moment. Smirking from ear to ear. Clearly having fun making a mockery out of the man he was set to defend his championship against in just a few days. The thing was the Scumbag was the only one that would find this amusing. To everyone else it was cringe and in some retrospect just downright disrespectful to Liam Davis. That smirk started to fade as he appeared the man was far from done with this new found talent of his.

“And now you're a wrestler.
Believing you got a chance against me.
Not realizing I'll punch you in the face.
Harder than a prime Muhammad Ali!”

“Last time I checked.
You could go to prison.
For impersonating a cop.
But don't you worry Liam.
I keep my finger on the trigger.
We call that a desk pop.”

“I'm calling it what it is.
You're just a gimmick.
A fake. A phony.
You're full of bells and whistles.
But when it comes to me.
I'm real and authentic.
Carrying a tongue so deadly.
It’s like nuclear missiles!”

“To wrap it all up Liam.
This Sunday... You're facing a dose of reality.
With a beating so bad.
You call it police brutality!”

To make matters worse and push it over the edge with the ‘cringe’ feel. Carter crossed his arms across his chest as if it was some kind of ‘cool’ pose. By then the generic hip hop beat was starting to die down. What the cameras just captured, what Liam was going to have to endure, and what the fans were going to have to digest with this was a lot. But that’s where the shot found itself starting to zoom out a little at a time before completely fading to black. With the stage set on just exactly how the Internet Champion viewed this entire ordeal.