He couldn't believe his eyes or his ears. Now granted, watching Simon Jones work the crowd on Sunday night was somewhat expected, if not overplayed. But to see Simon out there trying to maneuver himself for a title shot was completely unacceptable.
There was simply no way Sean Jackson was going to stand by and let Simon achieve that goal unopposed, to just stand in the back while that slack jawed mouth breather pulled a Gabriel and weaseled his way back in.
For the most part, he had accused the SCW hierarchy of trying to sabotage his championship reigns. The constant additions, the fake Sean Jackson's, and then Gabriel as the special guest referee. The only thing missing was Christian Underwood and Despayre on commentary. But what was done, was done and there was nothing that could be done about the past...
However, the future would be an entirely different story.
August 6, 2015
Off the coast of Samoa
Sitting approximately one hundred yards off the Samoan coast, the former two time SCW World Heavyweight Champion stood on the deck of his luxury yacht called Dynasty 1, looking out over the railing and back towards the coastline. With a glass of champagne in his hand, Sean wastes little time in cutting to the chase.
Jackson: "I want to tell you a little story."
As Sean begins speaking, a slight smirk starts to form. Wearing a thin button down shirt and khaki shorts, his eyes remain hidden behind a pair of dark shades.
Jackson: "Now granted, it's been a bit overdone through the years but I believe you'll get the gist of it."
As he continues to speak, Sean turns his back on the coast and leans against the railing. Even though his eyes are hidden, you just know they hold no remorse for anyone who dares step into the ring with him on Sunday.
Jackson: "One day, a scorpion looked about his surroundings and decided he wanted a change. It was obvious that the scorpion had become bored and wanted something different. So, as he decided to embark on his journey to discover something new, he came upon a river."
Symbolically, his head lowers as if to understand the scorpion's plight. After all, there was no way it could cross that river on his own.
Jackson: "But not just any river mind you, this one was too wide and too treacherous for him to cross on his own. So the poor scorpion sat there, having no clue what his next move was going to be. After careful consideration, and much thought to his plight, the scorpion saw a frog hopping along the water."
The smirk slowly starts to fade away, replaced with a dark and sinister edge that makes the air completely uncomfortable. For those who already know the story, the ending is anti-climactic. But for those clueless few, the story continues.
Jackson: "Now being a scorpion, he decided that the answer to his dilemma laid in the abilities of the frog. So the scorpion, who only knew that he needed to get to the other side, called out to the frog."
After taking a deep breath, Sean's head comes back to normal. With the tag match involving Simon Jones and Despayre, it's hard to determine just how the scorpion and frog plays into the equation. But one thing was for certain, before it was all over, it would make perfect sense.
Jackson: "Excuse me, the scorpion calls out to the frog, hoping that it would be enough to catch his attention. Can you please carry me across this river on your back? Now of course, this sounded perfectly good to the scorpion who was getting something out of the deal. But to the frog, it seemed the worse of ideas."
Now to a degree, Sean could relate to both sides of the story. On the ground, the frog had the advantage of being the quicker of the two. He could just hop away or go into the water and the danger would be over. But then curiosity would get the better of the frog because now he wanted to know why the scorpion wanted to go to the other side.
Jackson: "Which should have told everyone what they needed to know about the two parties involved. The frog, who could have hopped away at any time, didn't. He showed a weakness by not doing what came natural...."
Sean raises his index finger, the expression on his face begins to scream of counter-point. Not every good nature moment can be deciphered as a victim in waiting.
Jackson: "Now I know what you are thinking. You are thinking that the frog's response should have been self-preservation, to leave the scorpion to his own devices. Which may have been the correct play, but when you make snap decisions in life and death situations...."
Now the shades come off, showing that he has a total disregard for everyone. As if his demeanor wasn't bad enough before losing the title to Kain, now it seems the scale of evil has increased ten fold.
Jackson: "You often make the wrong choices. Which is what the weak and timid often do. So there's the frog, faced with the dilemma of choice. Does he offend the scorpion by saying no? or does he trust the scorpion to do the right thing?"
Trust, a powerful word. Sean can just imagine the expression on the frog's face, the pondering he must be doing before responding. He can just imagine how strong the current is, how dangerous the trip would most certainly be if the scorpion tried it on his own.
Jackson: "Now the frog, timid at first comes back with the only response open to him. He clearly tells the scorpion that with one puncture of the stinger, they both die as the water overcomes them. Which if you think about it, is a brilliant deduction on his part. The frog can just imagine being stung, his body filling with toxins until he can no longer stay afloat, causing them both to drown. But do you think the frog does the right thing?"
A slight shrug is met with the shaking of his head.
Jackson: "Of course he doesn't, because the scorpion brilliantly retorts with the classic line of if he kills the frog, then he too would die. That if he stings the frog, then they both would drown. So it made the frog think, it made him ashamed of thinking negatively about his fellow-creature of the Earth, who simply wanted to cross the river, and make a friend in the process."
Stepping away from the railing, Sean makes his way towards the inside part of the yacht, still on the upper deck. As he enters the closed in part of the upper deck, going thru the bridge area, the ornate elevator can be seen. As the doors slide open, he steps inside and the doors close behind him.
Jackson: "Now granted, the scorpion could have left it at that. But he really wanted to get to the other side, so he completely sold it all with one last statement. The scorpion finished it up by telling the frog he would be so grateful for the sacrifice, that he would never dream of rewarding the good deed with death."
Once at the bottom deck of the yacht, the doors once again slide open and out steps the Mental Rapist. Taking a sip of his champagne, he closes his eyes as to enjoy the taste running down his throat.
Jackson: "Upon hearing that, knowing that the scorpion would be so grateful, the frog agreed. He then allowed the scorpion to crawl on his back and as the frog began to cross the river, he made sure to stay as close to the top as he could...not wanting to take any chances of the scorpion being swept away."
Once Sean clears the elevator and the doors close, he continues forward until an aquarium comes into view. Once there, Sean looks down and observes a frog sitting stationary in the middle.
Jackson: "So the frog paddled for everything he was worth. He had made it to the middle of the river and with each passing stroke, gained confidence that he had ultimately made the right decision."
While speaking, Sean picks up a matchbox from a close by counter top and after slowly opening it, exposes one of the more deadly scorpions known to man. Carefully, he then lowers the matchbox into the aquarium where the scorpion can simply crawl out onto the bottom. Once there, it quickly recognizes the frog as a threat and becomes ready to do battle.
Jackson: "But because of the mis-placed confidence, the frog fails to see what is taking place above him. He fails to see the scorpion's stinger in the ready position...."
In the aquarium there is little action. The frog, completely oblivious to the scorpion even being there, and the scorpion not closing the gap. So for the purpose of his story, Sean picks up a small tool and uses it to grip the scorpion, it's stinger immediately thrusting at the tool causing no damage. It isn't until he places the scorpion on the frog's back that the stinger finds it's mark.
Jackson: "But he definitely feels the strike. As his eyes cut to the scorpion, the frog sees the stinger retracting, followed by a deadening numbness in his limbs."
The frog, leaping out of sheer instinct is able to shake the killer scorpion from his back but the damage had already been done. For at the bottom of the aquarium, the deadly venom was now coursing through his body as the scorpion created distance.
Jackson: "In shock, the frog now begins screaming at the scorpion. He says scorpion, you fool....why did you do that? why have you sentenced us to death?"
A smile once again forms on Sean Jackson's face.
Jackson: "To which the scorpion responded, I could not help myself because it was in my nature to do so."
Taking another sip of his champagne, the hint of unbridled evil resonates in his eyes.
Jackson: "Well Simon Jones, the moral of the story is that the frog should have gone about his business. He should have never underestimated the scorpion and did everything possible to keep from crossing his path. Well now Simon, you find yourself confronted with the scorpion of Sin City Wrestling."
He looks down one last time, watching the uncontrollable twitching that is now taking place through the frog's body. As the twitching begins to slow, it is clear that the frog is coming to the realization that he was taking his final breaths.
Jackson: "Just because Kain is the new world champion, doesn't mean that I'm any less dangerous. Matter of fact, it should mean quite the opposite because I'm not going to just sit back and watch as some pretender walks around with my championship. Much like that frog Simon, you too will drown in your own mediocrity, even if I have to make sure it happens personally."
But this isn't just about Simon Jones. No, there is also Gabriel's little buddy named Despayre. The same Despayre that Sean Jackson went through to win King Of The Hill, allowing him to cash in on Gabriel to regain the world heavyweight championship. The same Despayre who now has a problem with Blaque Hart Bruce Evans. Yes, THAT Bruce Evans.
Jackson: "Congratulations on your return Bruce. Now it is time to show the flashes of last year by taking care of Despayre, while I do the same with Simon. You see Bruce, the way I see it, we can drown two frogs in the same river AND set ourselves up for championship gold. It is time to finally put an end to this old guard, and to give the slack jawed mouth breathers two championship caliber athletes worthy of their cheers."
Taking one last sip, he then sets the glass down and gives one more glance towards the now dead frog.
Jackson: "Kain, I'm coming back for my world heavyweight championship. I so want you to pay attention to what Bruce and I do to Simon and Despayre because it's only a precursor to what's going to happen to you."
The smile disappears, but the evil gleam in his eyes remain.
Jackson: "Because Kain, the next time I get you in the ring, I'm going to deal the final blow that ends your title reign. I'm going to deliver the most brutal beat down of my professional career and I can guarantee that by the time I'm finished, you will never want anything else to do with that championship..."
He pauses for dramatic effect.
Jackson: "That I can promise."
But this isn't just about Simon Jones. There is an equal threat with his partner Despayre. The same Despayre who would do anything to protect him partner in crime....
That being Gabriel.
Jackson: "And as for you Despayre, you too need to be concerned about me. For what happened at King of the Hill was mere child's play compared to what's at stake now. Now granted, I understand that once again you get the benefit of protection from Christian Underwood by having that no good lying thief Gabriel in your corner...."
The frustration in his voice is unmistakable. Ever since his arrival in SCW, there has always been some form of a thorn in his side named Christian Underwood...and this would definitely be no different.
Jackson: "But one day you will look up and he'll no longer be there. He'll no longer be there because he too will fall victim to a scorpion's stinger. A stinger attached to a running high knee that will end his career, and leave you on your own."
His anger, slowly building, is now being put on display for all to see.
Jackson: "Yes Despayre, on your own. So before you step into the ring on Sunday night, you had better take into consideration exactly what will be at stake. Because if you are going to stand on that ring apron this Sunday and help Simon Jones to victory, then maybe I'll do the same...."
His face, stoic...his eyes, black with hatred. There is little doubt to the message being delivered.
Jackson: "When you put that championship on the line against Bruce Evans."
Meanwhile, at another location on the yacht, Marshall Owens sits in front of a large monitor. As the camera pans around, the face of Paul Stratton fills the screen.
Stratton: "Mr. Owens, be reasonable about this. If your client refuses to hand over the NWA world heavyweight championship, then we WILL take him to court."
Hearing this same song and dance before, Marshall knows that it's nothing more than a hollow threat. After all, it was the NWA that was guilty of breaching the contract, so he wasn't worried about the empty threat.
Owens: "Give me a break Stratton, if you had a solid case, we wouldn't even be having this conversation. You know that the NWA and more specifically Brad Batee breached the contract with my client...."
Marshall holds up his index finger.
Owens: "And furthermore, everyone knows that championships are won and lost in the ring, not by some decree from a third rate hack owner who hasn't been sober since my client left that cesspool."
Stratton's face is filled with frustration. Any and all attempts to avoid court has met opposition from the Jackson camp and not only that, he knew everything Marshall has said to this point was the truth.
Stratton: "Well, be that as it may. Your client still has something in his possession that belongs to us, and we want it back."
Smiling, Marshall begins to move his finger towards the disconnect button for the conference video.
Owens: "Then you can take us to court. But in the meantime, my client does have a response to that and it sounds something like this...."
With one push of the button, the video ends.
Owens: "Good...bye."
As Paul Stratton is no longer seen or heard on the screen, Marshall leans back and is ready to kick his feet up on the desk before his own cell phone begins to ring. As he fumbles through his pocket to retrieve his cell phone....
Owens: "You're damned right I hung up on you Str..."
Marshall's eyes go wide as he notices the name on the caller ID. His eyes go wide because it isn't Paul Stratton.
Owens: "Cameron Duke?"
ring, ring
The scene slowly begins to fade.
ring, ring
It's getting darker and darker.
ring, ring.
Now the scene has completely fades to black. However, the last thing you hear is a very nervous Marshall Owens.
Owens: "Mr. Duke, what a pleasant surprise...."
Finished.
