An Entry From The Journal of Phillip Sullivan
January 10th, 2016
Where do I even begin? I’ve been thinking a lot lately about a lot of different things, but the one thing that has been on my mind the most has been my brother, Jake. Or Rage as he has been calling himself for the last several years. The name choice still strikes me as a little odd, but far be it from me to suggest he goes back to his birth name. I can understand why he chooses to distance himself from that name, because there are times when I’ve considered doing the same thing.
Changing my name.
Starting fresh, just like Rage did. At least up until a little over a year ago when our father died and we both found out that, contrary to what we had been told, we were both very much alive. We’d both been lied to. We both had been tossed aside and treated like trash by our parents and our sister, Ashley. Even after a year, it still amazes me how much he’s done for me since he found me.
You know, a lot of people see my brother the way that he wants to be seen. They see this overly angry dangerous asshole, because that is the side of him that he allows them to see. Maybe it’s because he doesn’t want to be seen as weak after everything he went through as a kid. I don’t really know the answer to that and I haven’t dared ask him, because I don’t need to. Regardless of the show he puts on in front of everyone else, after living with him for the last year, I’ve seen a different side of him. And I know he’s started showing that side to the rest of his family in the Seven Deadly Sins.
After I attempted taking my own life, he didn’t have to fly all the way out to Boston. He didn’t have to stay and make sure I made a recovery. And he sure as hell didn’t need to invite me to move here to Las Vegas to live with him. He could have just left me there in my own misery and moved on with his life.
But he didn’t. And I owe him so much for that. I owe him my life.
But how do I even begin to repay him? How can I repay him at all when he’s given up so much for a kid brother he thought was dead for over twenty years? Even after inviting me to live with him, his selflessness didn’t end there. He wrestled for a little while, but once that year long world tour had started, he took time away from his wrestling career to help me. Well, he was also helping himself, too. He can lie all he wants and say that the travelling would have been too much or that there was nothing left for him in wrestling, but I know now that that’s a complete lie.
So, I don’t care how long it takes or what I have to do, but I will find a way to make this up to him. He may be my brother...it may be what family is supposed to do for one another, but I will find a way to repay him for everything that he has done.
For everything that he continues to do.
Monday January 12th, 2015
Rage’s Home
Las Vegas, Nevada
Resting Before Answers
It has been a long twenty-four hours for Rage. Following Inception in Birmingham England which saw Rage competing in his final match, for now, Rage and Kittie were on the first flight they could get back to Las Vegas. Rage had made it known he was going to be taking some time off indefinitely from wrestling, and he didn’t feel the need to stay in England any longer. Especially when his brother, Phillip, was back home in Las Vegas.
Their flight landed less than an hour ago and upon getting their luggage from the baggage claim, they were finally able to head back to Rage’s place. Both looked completely worn out but they were mostly quiet on the ride back to Rage’s. The taxi finally pulled into the driveway, dropped the pair off by the front door and Rage paid the driver after getting their bags out of the trunk. The taxi drives off about a minute later as Rage and Kittie walk up to the door.
Rage: Try and keep it down. I don’t want to wake Phil if he’s sleeping.
Kittie laughs and rolls her eyes.
Kittie: Aww, look at you being all concerned, peanut head.
Rage growls as he finally unlocks the door and pushes it open. Kittie lets herself inside and Rage follows behind her. He’s about to walk down the hall to take his bags to his bedroom when a voice from the living room stops him.
Phillip: Damn. You guys are getting back late.
Phillip’s voice is a little groggy, like he just woke up. Rage and Kittie turn and look at him. He had been laying on the sofa fast asleep with Aggie, Rage’s pet cat. After Phillip woke up, Aggie took it upon herself to jump up to the back of the couch and perch herself there comfortably, which is where she is now, looking rather content, and Phillip just pets her.
Rage: Hey, Phil...Didn’t mean to wake you.
Phillip: No big deal. I didn’t think you guys would be back today...or tonight as it is.
Kittie folds her arms across her chest and rolls her eyes as she looks towards Rage.
Kittie: That would be Rage’s fault. I wanted to get some rest for a bit before we came back home, but peanut head here didn’t want to be in England any longer so he got the first flight back.
Rage: Hey, you could have stayed back in England with the others. Nobody made you follow me back here.
Kittie: I was hoping to change your mind about taking time off before we got back here!
Phillip watches on as Rage and Kittie now get into an argument. Rage drops his bags on the floor and glares down to Kittie.
Rage: I had already told you a thousand times I wasn’t changing my mind, so you wasted your time! I really wish you would have stayed back in England so I could have at least SOME peace and quiet for a while before you got back here!
Kittie is about to respond, but Phillip speaks up and beats her to the punch.
Phillip: Uhh, Rage...if this is going to turn into loud angry sex, can I at least borrow your car so I don’t have to hear that tonight? I’m happy to give you guys privacy…
Rage glares to his younger brother and Phillip just grins without saying another word.
Rage: Very funny, Phil.
Phillip shrugs and then laughs. He turns around and Aggie jumps down from the back of the sofa and into his lap where starts purring. She curls up a few moments later and falls asleep. Rage walks away from Kittie and walks over to the fridge, taking out a beer. He pops the top off and Kittie is glaring at him.
Kittie: Fine. If you want to be such an asshole and have some peace and quiet I’ll just go take a shower and go to bed. Don’t worry, Phil. Rage won’t be getting any action tonight.
She snarls, turns around and heads down the hall. Rage just rolls his eyes and lets out a sigh as he takes a swig of his beer. A few seconds later he walks into the living room and takes a seat next to Phillip on the sofa. Aggie wakes up almost immediately and she walks over to Rage, nudging her head against his arm. He doesn’t even hesitate obliging her wish to be pet.
Rage: So...did you enjoy having the house to yourself while we were gone?
Phillip shrugs.
Phillip: It was quiet, I’ll say that much. It was kinda nice not having to listen to you and Kittie all the time.
Phillip snickers again, and Rage just rolls his eyes as he continues to pet Aggie who is now laying in between him and Phillip.
Rage: She enjoys nagging the shit out of me. She wouldn’t be a Seven Deadly Sin if she didn’t enjoy pissing me off at one point or another.
Phillip: And yet she moved in here and you guys continue---
Rage: Phil, do you really want to sit here and talk about what goes on with me and Kittie? Because trust me, I really don’t…
Phillip laughs and shakes his head.
Phillip: No, I guess I don’t. How was England? How did you match go?
Rage takes another drink of his beer, but he doesn’t seem too interested in talking about the events from Inception.
Rage: It was alright. I wasn’t going into England expecting to win. I didn’t give a shit about winning. I’m just glad it’s over with.
Phillip: I still say you don’t have to take time off just for me…
Rage: Look, it’s not just for you, kid. I need answers just as much as you do, and I promised you we would find out what the fuck happened when we were kids. I’m not going back on that promise.
Phillip: I get that, but...I don’t know, maybe I don’t want to know the truth anymore.
Rage turns his head and stares at Phillip for a moment. Phillip has turned his focus away from Rage and just stares ahead.
Rage: Phil, we have to find out. I know it’s all a fucked up situation right now, but we have to find out what happened. We have to find out the truth. I got tossed in some psychiatric facility and you...I’m not just going to forget all that shit. And neither should you.
Phillip falls silent as the memories of the abuse his father dealt him flood his mind again. Rage nudges his shoulder and snaps him back to reality, if only temporarily.
Rage: Look, you don’t need to worry about it right now. We’re not starting the search right away.
Phillip: So...what now then?
Rage finishes off the last of his beer, setting the empty bottle on the coffee table in front of him. He stands up from the sofa and looks down at his brother.
Rage: Now...I just want to take a couple of weeks to relax before we get to searching for answers.
Rage then reaches into his pocket and pulls out his keys and tosses them to Phillip. Phillip looks down at them confused for a moment, until he gets the hint.
Phillip: I, uh, was just kidding about you letting me take your car. I have a good set of earplugs…
Rage laughs and shakes his head before he reaches into his back pocket and pulls out his wallet. He tosses a few hundred dollars to Phillip, only confused him more.
Rage: Go hit up one of the casinos or get a hooker or something, kid. Whatever you want. You know as well as I do those earplugs don’t hide shit when it comes to me and Kittie.
Phillip shudders for a second, trying to put any bad images out of his mind.
Phillip: Seriously? You’re telling me to go get a hooker?
Rage laughs and shrugs.
Rage: I was just telling you to do whatever the hell you want, and it’s on me. My point is, you need to get out of this house for a while for yourself so just go.
Phillip looks down at the money and the car keys in his hand.
Phillip: Uhh...how long should I disappear for?
Rage shrugs again.
Rage: Stay out all night if you want. I don’t care. Just as long as you bring my car back without a scratch on it, I’m not going to question you on where ya went or who you were with.
Phillip: Ok. Well...thanks, I guess. Just make sure you guys keep your angry sex session to your bedroom. I really have no desire to get back home and see your bare naked ass in the living room or something…
Phillip shudders again and Rage laughs, shaking his head.
Rage: I make no promises, Phil. Oh, and don’t even think about telling Gabriel I let you drive my car.
Phillip nods and gives Rage an appreciative smile.
Phillip: No worries, bro. I won’t tell him.
Rage nods and pats Phillip on the shoulder. He turns around and heads down the hall, disappearing into his bedroom. Phillip takes his time and pets Aggie for a minute or two, but a loud thud coming from down the hall gets his attention and he jumps up from the sofa and looks down to Aggie.
Phillip: Sorry, Aggie...That’s my cue to get outta here. I’d find a quiet place to hide if I were you, though.
She lets out a soft meow and Phillip pets her head one last time before he dashes towards the door and hightails it out of there as another loud thud is heard down the hall. Aggie curls up on the sofa where Phillip was sitting and falls asleep.
**FLASH FORWARD ONE YEAR LATER**
Sunday January 17th, 2016
After Climax Control in Laughlin, Nevada ended just a few hours ago, and what an eventful night it was. After signing a brand new contract with Sin City Wrestling, making his return to the six-sided ring official, the Sin of Wrath ended the night by assisting Synn at ringside at the end of Despayre’s match against Steve Ramone. Steve’s lackeys, Cyrus and Andreas kept getting involved and trying to cost Despayre the match, and in the end, Rage took it upon himself to help Synn ensure that didn’t happen. And Despayre walked away with the victory.
After the show was over, Rage made the drive back to Las Vegas, where fellow Seven Deadly Sins member, Kittie, and his brother Phillip stayed behind. Neither Kittie nor Phillip had any idea that Rage had signed a new contract with SCW, but he planned to tell them both as soon as he got home. He knew Phillip would support his decision, but Kittie was a whole different story. But Rage hadn’t gone to Laughlin expecting to make a return. He went there to support Despayre in his match against Steve Ramone.
As he pulls into his driveway, he sees the lights on in the home that he now shares with his brother and girlfriend(?) and their pet cat, Aggie. He parks his car next to a silver Chevy Camaro and cuts the engine. He takes in a deep breath as he grabs his duffel bag from the passenger seat and walks up to his house. When he walks through the door. Phillip and Kittie are seated in the living room playing a game on their PS4. From the frustrated look on Kittie’s face, Phillip is beating her. The sound of the door closing behind Rage distracts Kittie for a split second, giving Phillip the advantage he needs and he lets out a victory yell a few seconds later.
Kittie: Thanks, goat face! You just cost me the damn game!
Rage tosses his keys on the table by the door. He glares at Kittie and lets out a growl after she uses the newest nickname that Gabriel had coined for him.
Rage: Damn it. Don’t tell me you’re gonna start that shit now?
Phillip lets out a chuckle, but decides it’s best to keep his opinion out of this one.
Kittie: Hey, you’re the one that decided to go and shave your head again and then grow that scraggly looking beard! What did you think was gonna happen?
Rage: I don’t know...Maybe you guys not insulting my grooming preferences for a change? I’m sick of that shit.
Kittie: You mean your lack of grooming preferences?
Kittie lets out a laugh and this time, Phillip can’t help but let out a laugh of his own. Rage growls again as he leans on the palms of his hands against the kitchen counter, glaring towards the both of them. Phillip quiets down soon after and Kittie sets her controller down. She stands up from where she’s sitting, walks into the kitchen and grabs a bottle of water from the fridge. As she takes a drink, she notices the awkward look Rage now has on his face and she sets the bottle of water down on the counter.
Kittie: What the hell is wrong with you?
Rage: Did, uh, you two happen to watch the show tonight?
Phillip stands up from the sofa and joins the two of them in the kitchen. He looks at Rage, with a look on his face that says he knows what this is about. Kittie, however, just shakes her head.
Kittie: Phil watched the whole show I think, but I only caught Despy’s match. Nice job helping Synn out like that.
Rage looks towards his brother. Phillip offers Rage a reassuring nod.
Phillip: I’ll, uh...Give you two a few minutes to talk.
Kittie stares at Phillip curiously as he heads down the hall towards his bedroom, leaving the her and Rage alone. She turns her attention back to Rage as she points down the hall.
Kittie: What the hell was that all about?
Rage runs his hand over his head, trying to find the right way to tell Kittie. She stares at him, waiting for an answer until Rage pulls the folded up contract Christian Underwood had given him for Kittie, from out of his inside jacket pocket and he slides it towards Kittie. She stares at it for a moment.
Kittie: What’s that?
Rage: A contract…
Shocked, Kittie snatches it from off the counter and unfolds it. She stares at Rage for a minute before she looks down at it and begins to read it.
Kittie: Shit, Rage...Don’t tell me you’re thinking---
She stops when she reads further, spotting just what the contract is for and Rage shakes his head.
Rage: Not thinking, Kittie...I already did. I signed a new contract tonight. That’s a new contract for you to be my valet...If you still want to be anyway.
Kittie: What the hell, Rage?! I tried to talk you out of taking time off last year and you wouldn’t budge. Now I finally accepted that you were done with wrestling and you suddenly sign a new contract? Can you ever make up your damn mind?!
Rage: Look, I’m not forcing you to sign the damn thing and I’m not telling you you have to wrestle or anything. Christian already had it made up because he had a feeling I’d want to come back eventually.
Kittie sets the contract down on the counter, and she folds her arms, staring towards Rage.
Kittie: So why the sudden change of heart?
He takes in a deep breath and shrugs.
Rage: Honestly? I was getting pretty fucking bored. Not to mention, a part of me did it for Despy.
Kittie raises a confused eyebrow.
Kittie: Despy? What does this have to do with Despy?
Rage: Besides Synn, he’s basically all on his own in SCW now. Gabriel’s pretty much done...I think. And Shipman...well, I don’t even know what the fuck is going on with Shipman these days.
Kittie lets out a laugh, confusing Rage.
Rage: What? What the fuck is so funny?
Kittie: Don’t tell me you’ve actually got a heart now?!
Rage snarls at her.
Rage: Are you gonna start this shit again, Kittie? Really?
She shakes her head and holds up her hands defeated.
Kittie: Alright, fine. I won’t give you a hard time about it. But, seriously, Rage...if you’re doing this just for Despy…
Rage: I’m not doing it just for Despy, alright?! I told you, I’ve been getting bored as hell. I want to go back. The fact is, Phil has a job now. Gabriel and Odette are busy with Lucas. Shane and Fantasia are off humping somewhere as usual. If you don’t want to sign the contract, then fine. Don’t sign it.
Kittie takes in a deep breath before she grabs the contract again and grabs a pen that was lying on the counter. She quickly signs the contract and slides it back to Rage.
Kittie: I never said I wasn’t gonna sign it, goat face. Do you really think I’d pass up the chance to point out shit you’re doing wrong out there?
Rage frowns and Kittie laughs again.
Kittie: I don’t think so. But I swear, you better not change your mind in a week’s time. I swear if you pull that shit…
Rage: Relax...that ain’t gonna happen.
Kittie: Damn straight it’s not, because I’m going to make sure it won’t. You know what the first order of business is, right?
He shakes his head but doesn’t say anything.
Kittie: Perfect time for you to toss your name into the Blast From the Past tournament.
She grins but Rage immediately shakes his head, shooting down that idea.
Rage: No! Not just no, but FUCK NO. I have no desire to get paired with any of these dumbass Bombshells and wrestle in this tournament.
Kittie: Need I remind you that the winners get--
Rage: I know what they get, Kittie, and I don’t fucking care! I can’t trust any of those Bombshells. Please don’t bug me about this right now, because I already know what the first order of business is, and it’s not worrying about the Blast From The Past tournament.
Kittie: Oh? And just what is the first order of business then?
Rage rolls his eyes and lets out a sigh.
Rage: Some douchebag making his return at the same time as me. Eric Steel? I barely even remember the guy, but I’ve got a match against him next week in Stockton.
Kittie: Well...looks like we need to get to work then. We’ve only got a week to shake off that ring-rust.
Rage shakes his head.
Rage: Kittie, I may have been out of action for the past year, but I’ll be fine. I’m not out of shape or anything.
Kittie tosses her head back and laughs before she points to Rage’s gut.
Kittie: Seriously? Have you seen how big your gut is getting? That goat face isn’t the only thing people will be pointing out these days…
She laughs again but Rage doesn’t share her enthusiasm. A few seconds later, Phillip appears from the hallway and he’s looking back and forth between the two.
Phillip: Okay, I didn’t hear any shouting followed by loud thuds so either things went well, or they went really, really bad…
Rage turns and looks towards his brother.
Rage: Why do you think that every argument me and Kittie have leads to angry sex?! Seriously, Phil.
Phillip: Uhh, because it does. I have been living here for over a year now, and so has she, so I know the routine, bro.
Rage rolls his eyes and Phillip takes a few steps closer towards the two.
Phillip: So...you’re back with SCW then?
Rage nods.
Rage: Looks like it, kid. I figured now was as good a time as any since you’re working and keeping busy now. You’re more than welcome to come to any shows when you’re not working.
Phillip: Do what you gotta do, bro. I’ll be fine. I think things will finally start to feel a little normal now. After the last year and a half...I’m ready for normal.
Kittie: You know, you could always take time off from your job and come to shows with us. SCW is back in the area now so we won’t be travelling far.
Phillip shakes his head and Rage shoots her an angry glare.
Rage: Seriously, Kittie?!
Phillip: Rage, it’s no big deal. And thanks, Kittie, but I’ll pass. I’m enjoying my job and I’d like to start pulling my weight around here. Not that I think you guys need the money or anything, but I’d like to pitch in and feel useful. I’ll come to shows when I can, though.
Kittie: Relax, Rage. I didn’t mean anything by it. It was just a friendly offer.
Rage shakes his head and lets out a sigh.
Rage: Anyway, I’m gonna go take a shower and crash for the night.
Phillip takes a step back.
Phillip: I’ll disappear for--
Rage shakes his head.
Rage: Relax, Phil. Ain’t gonna happen tonight and I have a feeling I’ve got a long week ahead of me so I’d like to get some sleep while I can.
Kittie: Yeah, not to mention I’d like a rematch.
Kittie looks at Phillip and then points to the TV and the PS4. Phillip laughs.
Phillip: What? Three losses in a row wasn’t good enough for ya?
Rage: Right...you two, uh, have fun. And try and keep it down out here.
Phillip turns and stares towards Rage.
Phillip: Seriously, bro? You’re gonna tell me to keep it down?
Rage manages to let out a laugh.
Rage: Fine! I get your damn point..Geez.
Kittie lets out a laugh before she heads back into the living room with Phillip following behind her. Rage shakes his head and heads down the hall, disappearing into his room for the night. As of tomorrow, Rage’s return to the six-sided ring is officially underway as his preparations for his match against Eric Steel get started.
Twelve months. It’s been twelve long months since I was last on the active roster in SCW and let me tell you, it sure as hell doesn’t feel like it’s been that long. When you’ve had the almost year and a half that I have, it pretty much only feels like it’s been a couple of months. But, shit, either way it’s gonna feel great to step inside that ring again.
I have to say, I’ve looked at the roster lately and the “competition†that’s out there, and even some of the “competition†that has signed up lately, and I’ve only got one thing to say.
Are you fucking kidding me?
Seriously...are these the best that SCW has? It pisses me off watching all these assholes walk around thinking they’re hot shit or that they’re the best in SCW. I would have loved to see some of these dickheads be on the roster a few years ago when we had REAL fucking talent, because what we have now? Ain’t shit if you ask me.
Now, I don’t know much of anything about this guy I’m facing this week, but if you ask me, if there was really any reason for me to be concerned about facing him or losing to him, I’d have found it by now. I see all this talk about Eric Steel on Twitter, but who the fuck is the guy, really?
Come on, Eric Steel. Who the fuck are you?
I know you were signed with SCW at one point a couple of years ago. I think you had what maybe one match and then like so many others, you tucked your tail between your legs and fucked off for whatever reason. Now you’re back and this is part of some farewell tour bullshit between however many companies you’ve signed with. Tell me, Eric...What the fuck is the point of that? You want some grand send-off between so many companies? You want to feel special and accomplish shit you didn’t before? You’re fooling yourself, dude, because all I see when I look at you is some high and mighty nobody that’s about to end his career on the lowest note of them all.
Let me be honest, earlier this week I wasn’t focused on you, but it was through no fault of my own. I was more than looking forward to stepping in that ring after a year and beating your ass to a bloody pulp and getting your farewell stint in SCW off to a shitty start, simply because I can...and I will. But you know what happened? Your new little lap dog, CJ Sharpe, stuck his nose and his business where it doesn’t belong. Bravo to that dickhead for pissing me off when the ink on my new contract wasn’t even dry yet!
Let me be clear, Eric. There was never any intention of me taking this shit past our match and giving your boy CJ a reason to TRY and stop me or get a little payback. If either of you had done your research on me, you’d know that there are only two ways to guarantee that things will escalate with me.
One...fucking with ANY of my family in the Seven Deadly Sins. You fuck with one of us, you fuck with all of us. Let that be your one and only warning.
And number two...Don’t piss me off. And your boy CJ did just that. He pissed me off, and your little comments on Twitter were headed that way, too.
Eric, what the fuck kind of guy really lets some loser try and fight his battles for him, huh? You want me to be so worried and concerned about you? Tell your lap dog, CJ, to keep his mouth shut and not make YOU look like some pussy ass bitch, because that’s all he did. He’s worried about what I may or may not do to you AFTER the match? Let me tell you, you both should be worried about what I do to you DURING the fucking match!
I’ve been out of the ring for too long, Eric. It’s been a whole year since I last was able to wrap my hand around someone’s throat. One full year it’s been since I got to toss assholes like you around the ring like a fucking ragdoll and get paid to do it without an repercussions. And you really think I have no idea what I am up against? Do your research, asshole. I’m a hell of alot more intimidating than you’ll ever be.
I don’t give a shit what your reasons are for doing this farewell tour are or how long it’s going to last or where you’re going to fight next. I’ve seen nothing..NOTHING that has me concerned about facing you, but go on and continue thinking that I should be. On Sunday, you’re going to step into the ring with a six foot eight inch tall, three hundred pound short tempered beast! YOU are the one who should be VERY concerned.
But hey..I might do something nice.
I might let ya get one good shot in. But I wouldn’t count on that.
See ya Sunday, asshole. And tell your boy, CJ, that if he knows what’s good for him, he’ll keep his ass backstage.
