This was a match I took seriously. I was going up against a man who I beat to start my reign in the first place. I spent most of the afternoon at home, watching my previous matches with him in the living room. Soon I heard the footsteps of my brother come into the room. I don't even look at him as I am watching my previous matches with Travis Levitt.
Charles Hawkins: Hey bro, hows it hanging?
Griffin Hawkins: Eh, I'm good.
I don't even pay any attention to him. I just continue watching our Into The Void match, making sure I see his every move.
Charles Hawkins: Nice weather we're having lately...
Griffin Hawkins: Yeah, cool.
Charles Hawkins: ...Motley Crue is considering asking you to perform with them this summer..
I immediately turned to him.
Griffin Hawkins: Huh? Wha?
Charles Hawkins: Not really, just thought I'd get your attention.
Griffin Hawkins: Not cool man...seriously.
Charles Hawkins: What are you doing watching a rerun?
Griffin Hawkins: I'm facing Travis once again...dude's coming for my title.
Charles Hawkins: What's to study? You've already beaten him..you got this in the bag.
Griffin Hawkins: Dude that way of thinking is gonna get me beat..he may be more ready this time.
He sits down next to me, watching the fight. He sees him land a kick right at my head.
Charles Hawkins: Oh man! He really knocked you for a loop there.
Griffin Hawkins: I could eat solid foods for days after that...dude kicks like a mule, that's what I gotta watch out for.
Charles Hawkins: Well truthfully that's not what makes him dangerous...see, he has been gone for such a long time..he's had time to think on his defeat, on losing the title..how everything around him crumbled. He holds you responsible and that's gonna make him more desperate than ever.
Griffin Hawkins: I realize that...I'm facing a whole different animal this time around. I have to up my game.
We continue watching until I gain the victory, making him tap out.
Charles Hawkins: See right there? That's the type of intensity you need to win this. You need to end Travis' comeback before it begins..
Griffin Hawkins: Would it be something if it landed on Submission Match again?...
Charles Hawkins: Hey, anything can happen. Just don't get cocky.
We continue to watch both matches back to back, studying everything..where I excelled, where I made mistakes and everything in between. Travis was here to make a comeback..I had to end it.
-------------------------------------
Days later, I was called in to rehearse with my band at the empty arena. We were set to tour with The Gemstones, so we had to make sure we were ready. After a while, we decided to take a little break. Instead of talking with the others, I decided to do a little search on the album I bought months ago from the dark band...The Dark Cauldron. Something about the band and my dreams seemed connected. I was looking the band over on my laptop, googling it. My guitarist saw what I was doing and came over.
Chip Zanuff: Hey Griff, what's going on?
Griffin Hawkins: Oh nothing...just browsing the net as usual...
Chip Zanuff: Anything interesting?
Griffin Hawkins: Not yet...
He looks over the google search.
Chip Zanuff: Ah...The Black Cauldron...haven't heard that name in years..
Griffin Hawkins: You know who these guys are?..
Chip Zanuff: Dude..they were one of the most known satanic bands in the late 70s and early 80s! Their theatrics laid the groundwork for other bands like Gwar.
Griffin Hawkins: Well, I did pick up one of their albums..they sound pretty grim...
Chip Zanuff: That seemed to be their only album...
Griffin Hawkins: Lemme guess, one of those one hit wonder bands like Right Said Fred..Hootie and The Blowfish and Vanilla Ice?
Chip Zanuff: Not really, they're dead...
I felt my heart drop to the floor.
Griffin Hawkins: .....shut up.
Chip Zanuff: It's true man..search it.
I typed it in on google and an article came up from 1982.
Griffin Hawkins: Heavy Metal Band dies at the hands of the lead singer?....
Chip Zanuff: It's true man, it was all over the news. Apparently the frontman was into some sick shit..
I begin reading it.
Griffin Hawkins: He killed his entire band...
Chip Zanuff: Word is, all that satanic stuff wasn't just to sell records, he really believed in that..more than his band mates. One night, dude just...lost his mind and killed everyone..claiming the voices in his head was commanding him to slaughter his band mates.
Griffin Hawkins: Is he still alive?
Chip Zanuff: Yeah..but in a mental asylum, somehow that crazy fucker is still alive...why all the interest in this band?
I didn't want to tell him I was having vivid dreams about the past..
Griffin Hawkins: No reason, I was just curious. Let's get back to rehearsing.
I go back and join the others
Griffin Hawkins: Okay guys, let's do this.
We go back to our usual rehearsal. At least I had some info on this band...and I know for sure I have to find the lead singer if I want answers behind everything that's going on...I did not want for history to repeat itself.
--------------------------------------
Cameras open in what looks to be a gallery filled with sports stars from the past..Basketball Players, Baseball Players, Hockey Players and other athletes. I step from behind the pictures, dressed in a long white button down shirt and leather pants. The Roulette Title resting proudly around my shoulders. I begin speaking as I look to the camera.
"Comebacks...they all happen in this sport. It doesn't matter if you play Football, Hockey, Basketball or any other sport you desire. When you've been gone for so long...you get the itch to return and make a comeback. When I came here months ago...I wanted to know for sure if I still got what it takes to be the star I was in SCW before it closed up shop..and judging by the last few months, I've shown that I still got it...and it was at the expense of none other than my opponent at My Bloody Valentine 3...Travis Levitt. How ironic is it that he is looking to make a comeback this time around? After his loss to me, he went into obscurity...and now he returns looking to take back what he believes was stolen from him...but will this comeback be successful?.."
I go over to the first one.
"Michael Vick...years ago he made his comeback, but that was preceded by his time in prison. His legacy will forever be tarnished by his involvement in Dog Fighting. Before his stay in the Big House..or as I call, Club Fed..he was an average passer...but made for it by running the football like a back. By the time he came back in 2013, he was a shadow of his former self. Is that where you are leading to Travis? Because I look at you..and I don't the same fire in your eyes when you were here months ago. I'm not looking at the great Phoenix that scorched up everyone in the ring. All I see before me as a man who blames everyone and everything...mainly me for his downfall. I gave you the chance to fight me like a man, but you chose to hide backstage like a coward.."
I shake my head.
"You know what that tells me Travis? That tells me you're afraid. You don't think that you can beat me...I see doubt in your eyes. The Travis Levitt that I know wouldn't jump me from behind with the lights out..or refuse to fight when he gets called out. It seems as if you're second guessing yourself...like you don't think you can beat me. Yeah, you mentioned before that I beat you for the title..but you never mentioned that I beat you twice. You remember don't you? It was a ladder match on Climax Control..and going into that match, I was intent on proving that my victory over you was no fluke at all..and after that, you disappeared. And now you come back trying to regain what you once were by jumping on me again...well..it's game three and I am 2 and 0 against you. If you lose to me for the third time...where do you go from here?"
I then go over to a picture of a familiar looking boxer.
"Sugar Ray Leonard....some would call him the king of comebacks. Dude retired and unretired so many times we've lost track. It was one faithful night where he unretired in 1997 against Hector Macho Camacho..tearing him to shreds in the 5th round...Sugar Ray's career ended on a bad note. Is this what you worry about Travis? Do you fear that your comeback to SCW will be your last? Because this is the chance for you to right all the wrongs made at Into The Void when I made you tap out."
I knew somehow Travis was looking to avenge his loss..something that would drive him to do the unthinkable.
"Let me see if I got this right...you blame me for everything. You blame me for the wrestling company you worked for, you blame me for your injury..and more importantly you blame me for your relapse into drugs. Its sad...no matter what happens in life it's always everyone's fault but yours. First off, injuries happen, it comes with the territory. Secondly, it's not my doing that some second rate company goes belly up because it can't compete with organizations like Sin City Wrestling..and last of all, me being the reason you relapsed? That one is serious. Because years ago, I had a serious drug addiction..and in rehab they taught us to take responsibility for ourselves and our own actions...something you apparently forgot because it seems you'd rather point the finger of blame at everyone...but yourself. But know this...when I beat you, you'll have no one to blame for it...but yourself."
I go over to what looks to be a baseball player.
"You all remember Bo Jackson right? back in the day, dude was a HUGE star..not just in baseball, but basketball too. If given the chance he probably could've been great in Hockey as well. He was a multi sport athlete who was riding high until a degenerative hip disorder forced his retirement from the NFL and the MLB. When he returned from hip surgery...he was never the same...and eventually he retired from all sports. So just how good is your shoulder Travis? Is it still working? Because the feeling I'm getting is that you're slowing down...you're not the athlete that I found the last time you were here. You allowed yourself to get careless when you let of all people, Teddy Steele beat you. Last year you would've kicked his head right off his shoulders, but you didn't. Sure..you could blame me for being there..."
I take off my silver aviators.
"But the last time I watched your match and I was on commentary..and you won despite me being there. That alone tells me you're not the same guy from before. To be quite honest...you've already been defeated...you just don't know it yet. Because I have you beat mentally before the match even begins. Just me sitting out there enjoying the show, sipping champagne and smoking a cigar was enough to get you angry and distracted..and I didn't even need to come down to ringside! I've beaten you mentally...and now I am gonna beat you physically at My Bloody Valentine 3"
I walk in front of all the pictures of the sports athletes.
"You have something in common with all these athletes Travis. Is it greatness?...no. It's the fact that each and every one of them made a comeback just like you are....and failed. Now you're trying to make one by coming to get me and my Roulette Title. Well I got news for you man, your comeback is gonna be the shortest one in SCW history. Because I am looking to prove once again that my victories over you was no fluke. If you think you hate me now...you'll have a REAL reason to when I send you back to whatever sick decrepit place that you call home..a beaten and broken man. At the Supercard...I will leave you lying as I walk to the back with the Roulette Title. And when I do...the age of the Phoenix won't just be dead...it'll be like it never even existed."
I then reveal a picture frame of Travis..standing right in the center among all the athletes who made failed comebacks in sports history. I leave as the camera crew packs everything up.
