Why am I even doing this?
It was a constant thought that ran through the mind of J2H as he sat watching Melody and James Jr decorate the house for Halloween. Plastic skeletons and pumpkins aplenty filled the living room as J2H sat and observed from the sofa, looking at the joy on his family's face. It brought the question to his mind once more.
Why am I even doing this?
He was thinking about wrestling, his future, his life. His eyes were firmly planted on the two things in the world that mattered most to him. He knew he didn't need to put himself at anymore risk. He knew he didn't need to earn more money. At the ripe old age of twenty seven, he knew he could have gave up the rat race years ago, well, he knew he never had to put on those running shoes and join the race in the first place, but things are different now, a wife, a son, why was he putting himself at risk anymore when he had nothing left to prove in wrestling?
His eyes darted towards the smile on his sons face as Melody held more Halloween decorations before him to place.
He knew why Melody was stepping back in the ring, although he hated it being against a nobody like Kate Steele. Melody's return should have been as grand as his own, someone worth it, someone much more worthy than a bi polar lunatic like Kate Steele, but he got why Melody was coming back.
James Jr.
He was the biggest wrestling fan most had ever met, even at a young age. He knew the difference between moves, he knew the mental side, he knew the physical side, I guess it comes with the territory when your parents are both wrestlers, but he's never seen his mother wrestle. The look on his face said it all when Melody made an appearance in the ring was priceless than only he and his father got to share as they watched the screens backstage. Melody was doing it for the little light of her life, she was returning to the ring for the little man himself. He wanted to see mommy wrestle and this was too good for her to refuse. The glitz and glamour of High Stakes is unrivalled by any wrestling show in any company, this was the biggest night of SCW's year, the start of the next year, the big cycle. But it still begged the question....
Why am I even doing this?
What was J2H's motivation? He's publicly stated it's about making a ton of money, Kris Ryans has stated the same, the two have played it off like it's simply financial and to give the fans one hell of a match, and to some level, that might be true, the money on the table was likely to be far more than what Amber Ryan, Roxi Johnson and Chr... Whatever name she's going by at the moment, would be earning for their main event. The match itself was a dream match of fans all over the world. But did he really care about the money? No. Did he really care about the prestige? Not really. Did he care about the fans? Not all of them, but one of them, one of them right in front of his face - his son.
J2H had the easy life growing up, never had to work if he didn't want to, spent his teenage years in a pissing contest with other boys born with platinum spoons in their mouths. His father was rarely around, leaving his upbringing mostly to Simpson, but not even a man with a kind heart such as Simpson could draw the natural born arrogance out of James Huntington-Hawkes III. He could only guide him and make sure that he kept within certain boundaries. James hated his father for not being there for him growing up, he hated that every problem was solved by throwing money at it. He was resentful because of that fact. He was resentful because he did the same thing to get involved in the wrestling business, throwing money at an auction to become a wrestler, having people protect him in the ring, while talking to the bosses behind his back, telling them how poor he was and their auction experiment had failed. Joke is on them now, but he didn't know what hard work was until Austin Parker drilled it through his head. Austin was more of a father figure than his own father, ever was. He refused to be like his own father, and swore if he had kids, he will teach them the value of hard work, and the only way he knew how was to lead by example.
That's why I'm doing this.
That thought ran through his head as he watched Melody pick James Jr up in her arms and spin him around, listening to his laugh fill the room.
That was his motivation, to lead by example, to show his son that hard work pays off, to be the man that Austin Parker taught him to be, to install the good side that Simpson showed him. Being a father himself had changed him, he'd had his tough times growing up that could have been avoided if he actually put in the effort to be the best he could. That is what he wanted to show his son. How better to do it then the one thing he loves besides his parents? Wrestling. Show him that you're making the effort, lead by example and work hard.
Still, there was a lot of time between then and stepping in the ring to show his son worth ethic. It was time to switch off from the wrestling world for a little while....
We're all defined by what we do in life, so are remembered as heroes, some as villains. We're all defined by what we do, irregardless of if we want to be remembered that way. J2H had all his achievements and awards in front of him, a room dedicated to his and Melody's wrestling careers from the beginning to present. Photos hung on the wall of their first matches, replica championship belts sat in cases, awards adorned shelves. J2H's whole career was in front of his eyes as he looked around the room.
This wasn't an uncommon thing for him to do. Before every match, leading up to it he would spend at least an hour a day in this room, looking at who he was, looking at who is, looking at the legacy he was leaving behind. It wasn't an ego trip for him, it was empowerment, remember the hard work and sacrifice that came in to his career just to have a room filled with these objects. It reminded him how hard he would have to work to stay on top, at least for another match. He knew deep down this match at High Stakes could be his very last, but he would never use the word retirement. He hated these long drawn out retirement speeches, only for them to return a little later when the wrestling bug attacked them, or they ran out of money. He knew neither would bother him when he hung up the boots for good, but seeing so many retire and return put him off ever using the word. Also, he knew that Christian and Mark had deep pockets and could sell ice to an Eskimo. They could always get back the people they wanted.
This in front of him though, was his legacy. He knew there was not a lot more he could do to extend it, win Blast From The Past? Nah, he'll end up with Jessie Salco as a partner and have to carry her. Win the Mixed Tag Team titles with Melody? Sure, that'll be cool but there's no competition there. Come back and win that world title and break his own record? Sounds like too much time away from the family. All he could do is beat Kris Ryans to add some extra shine to his legacy.
As he looked over the multi championship belts, a tug on his pants and a little voice interrupted his train of thought. Looking down, he saw his son by his side. His son loved wrestling, I guess it's a side effect of growing up with two parents as wrestlers, and although J2H himself didn't want to watch too much of it, Sunday nights had become a family thing thanks to JJ - as long as he could keep himself awake for the SCW show. He knew all the wrestlers by name, he knew their finishing moves, he was an avid SCW fan. His eyes grew like saucers whenever he got to be backstage.
JJ: What are you doing Daddy?
J2H looked down at his son and smiled.
J2H: I'm just looking at all the things Daddy worked hard for. All these things in this room, Mommy and Daddy worked their butts off for.
J2H swooped down to pick his son off the floor. He knew this was a teachable moment with his young son. The reason he's wrestling is to show James Jr what working hard can reward you with.
J2H: See, all these belts, I had to scrap for and I didn't do it right away. I was lazy when I was a teenager, I thought the world was gonna come to me, but the world didn't. I had to go and work and I never got to do that, or see I needed to do that till I met Austin.
JJ: Uncle Austin?
He walked his son over to a picture on the wall of J2H and Austin Parker, on the ranch where J2H trained, grew as not only a wrestler but as a man.
J2H: Austin taught me how to step up to everything, meet it head on, show me how to do things as an adult. I hid behind money, and became a joke to everyone, I became someone everyone laughed at. No one took me seriously, everyone thought I was a joke and then Uncle Austin showed me that hard work can get you all of this. Hard work can stop people laughing at you behind your back. Hard work means you can be a world champion. I was at my lowest point ever and I had to rebuild, and it was hard work, but I did it and now everyone looks up to me. All cause I worked hard.
JJ: I'm gonna work hard and be a wrestler like Mommy and Daddy.
A frown crossed J2H's face. He wasn't sure how he felt about his son or any future children stepping in to the ring. He knew that his son was a huge fan, and this might be a pipe dream. Most children get them.
J2H: You have to work very hard little man, like very hard. When I went to Uncle Austin, he had me doing crazy things before he would even let me wrestle.
JJ: Like what?
A curious look crossed James Jr's face as he looked his father in the eye.
J2H: He made me carry these heavy bales of hay around a barn. He made me clear out the horses, he made me get up before the sun came out, but it helped me, it helped me be the man I became, and you can do the same if you work really hard to get what you want.
JJ: I can be a champion?
J2H: You could be, you could be anything you want to be as long as you're willing to work for it. As long as you're willing to give it your all to be the best you can be. That's what I did and I became the best I could be. When I wrestle again, I'm gonna be the hardest working wrestler in the building. I'm gonna remind everyone why hard work beats pretty much everything kiddo.
J2H couldn't see her, but Melody had silently moved in to the room, watching her husband and son talk with a proud smile on her face. She'd known her husband before the transformation from laughing stock to the world's best wrestler and she was proud he wouldn't let his son live the slow start to life that he did. She watched as he imparted more wisdom on her son, before the cameras faded in to the next scene.
The Huntington-Hawkes home
Sunday 31st October.
Time jump in to the future. Does that date seem familiar? It should do, because it's Halloween, a time where children and adults alike dress up as characters to guilt people in to giving them candy. Long gone are the days of horror characters, now every Sally and John were Harry Potter or Harley Quinn. It was the first year James Jr had been more than involved in this tradition, the first year he will most likely remember and the excitement was on his face as he held his Buzz Lightyear helmet under his arm, his costume matching the famous Toy Story character.
JJ: Where's Daddy?
Melody leaned down towards her son, her Little Bo Peep costume coming in to view for the first time, her golden hair tied up.
Melody: He'll be out in a minute.
From not too far away, but clearly behind a door, J2H's voice could be heard.
J2H: No he won't!
Melody smiles at JJ and rustles his blonde hair.
Melody: You go and find your pumpkin and I'll go get daddy and we can go.
A smile beamed bright on his face as he took off in search of the plastic thing that would hopefully house all the delights from the night, and give him one hell of a sugar rush in the morning. Melody stood up straight, stretching her long legs before turning around and walking towards a nearby door. Her hand reached down for the handle and she pulled it down, pressing her weight forward to open it, but the door remained firm. A frown adorned her face as she knocked her bare knuckles against the wooden door.
Melody: Babe?
J2H's voice could only be heard behind the solid wood.
J2H: No one's in, try again later.
She couldn't help but smile as she knocked her knuckles on the door once more.
Melody: You have to come out sooner or later.
J2H: No I don't. At least not dressed like this.
Melody: I'm sure you look great and JJ is almost ready to go. You know he'll be so disappointed if you don't come with us.
A sigh could be heard behind the door as the lock turned and the door opened slowly. The camera moved to the floor, showing brown cowboy boots and spurs, before moving up to show blue jeans, held up by a brown belt, with a gun holster. The camera moved further up to show a yellow checked shirt, underneath a cow skin patterned waist coat. The camera moved to the unimpressed face of J2H looking at Melody. Melody covered her mouth, trying not to laugh as she looked at her husband.
Melody: You're missing your cowboy hat there Woody.
Melody turned around, covering her stifled laugh as J2H reaches behind him and picks up a brown cowboy hat, slowly placing it on his head, his face still not impressed. Melody glanced over her shoulder at her husband but quickly turned her head away, struggling to keep the laughter within.
J2H: Go on, let it out.
Melody couldn't contain herself any longer as she burst out laughing, causing her husband to roll his eyes behind her back.
He knew what he looked like and a million thoughts ran through his head. This wasn't his idea, he never went trick or treating as a kid, it was all beneath him but this wasn't about him at all, this was his son. In his head, he repeated three simple words... Lead by example. He would have dressed up like this for the sake of it in the comfort of his own home, with his wife as Bo Peep, and his son as Buzz Lightyear to have a marathon watch of the Toy Story films, but to go out in public like this shook him to his core.
He watched Melody turn around, trying to keep the straightest face she has ever tried to keep in her life, and failing.
Melody: I think you make a great Woody.
He scoffed as he looked at his wife.
J2H: I look like a dick. I coulda gone as a cowboy, with John Wayne or Clint Eastwood vibes, hell, I coulda gone as Arthur Morgan or John Marsden from The Red Dead Redemption game, but no, I'm a toy.
Again, Melody tried to hide her bright smile as she turned to link her arms with J2H and lead him away from the door he was hiding behind and towards the living room area.
J2H: Do I really have to go out in public, dressed like this? I look stupid.
And he felt it too, but deep down he knew what had to happen, deep down he knew his son would be disappointed with him if he didn't.
Melody: You look just fine, you'll be the cutest cowboy there has ever been.
He knew Melody was messing with him, he wasn't mad at her, the thoughts of dread at being out there in public dressed like Woody from Toy Story took over any other emotion that he could possibly feel.
J2H: Why couldn't I wear a mask or something? Hide who I am, hell, a Woody mask so no one could see it was me.
Melody: Because people will still know. Besides, you're over thinking it Jam, kids will be too busy going after candy, not looking at you. This is JJ's first one that he's known what's going on and understands it.
Melody poked out her lower lip in a pout, not a real pout but enough to make J2H breathe deeply and shake his head.
J2H: I'm gonna regret this big time. Watch, we'll step outside there, they'll be news vans, camera from SCW, hell, knowing my luck, Kris Ryans. There will be camera flashes, and autograph hunters and I'm dressed like Sheriff fucking Woody.
A slight smile crossed Melody's lips as she looked at her husband. She knew this made him uncomfortable but she would do anything to make her son happy, even if it meant putting up with a grouchy J2H for a few hours. She knew when they were back home and James Jr was sound asleep, he would go back to a less grouchier version of himself and if he didn't, well, that's what good wine was invented for.
Melody: There won't be, there will be children happy, smiling, laughing, filling buckets with candy, having fun.
There was only one child in the world J2H liked and that was his own flesh and blood. He wasn't a fan of little humans, but to be fair, he wasn't a fan of many bigger humans either.
J2H: I don't like kids.
Melody: Well focus on your own one, I like to think you like him.
J2H: I did until today.
Melody knew he was joking and playfully hit him on the arm as he smiled as his wife. His son was the only child he did care for, the rest, he couldn't give a shit for.
He breathed deeply as he heard little footsteps pressing down under the wooden floor of the living room, getting louder and louder as they approached. It didn't take long before James Jr was diving at his parents legs, his arms wrapped around one of Melody's and one of J2H's.
Melody: There's my little Buzz Lightyear!
Melody reached down and picked James Jr up, cradling him in her arms.
Melody: Ready to go?
An enthusiastic nod returned to Melody as she placed her son back to the ground and looked at J2H watching the two together. He knew the question stood for him too as he let out a sigh.
J2H: As ready as I'll ever be.
He was resigned to this night, and hoped that it would pass quickly, but he knew it wasn't about him. He knew that he had to lead by example though, for the sake of his son growing up to be the best man he could be, and this was a way to show him not to take life too seriously, even if J2H was guilty of that about twenty three hours a day.
Melody: Ok, put your helmet on JJ and we'll go.
As instructed, JJ listened to his mother and she quickly looked at J2H standing next to her frowning.
J2H: I wish I had a helmet.
Melody smiled as the trio moved away. I know you're probably curious on what happened next and how uncomfortable J2H was during this whole experience.... Well, I suggest you go and watch Melody's promo.
The Huntington-Hawkes home.
Monday 1st November
It was a chilly time just after midnight, the trick or treating went as well as it could in J2H's mind and he was out of the Sheriff Woody costume and sitting in the vast backyard of his home. Melody had put James Jr to bed and the little man slept contently, thinking about the huge amounts of candy collected hours earlier. Melody opted for a long soak in the tub, but wrestling was on J2H's mind. Thinking about the upcoming match weighed on him a little. His last match was a loss, albeit by his own design and although it was always in his mind to make Crystal Hilton, Zdunich, whogivesafuck-ich look stupid, he knew in his heart that he couldn't go out like that. The thoughts of Kris Ryans as his last match had crept in to his mind lately, although he knew there was a chance at High Stakes XI, someone else was gonna leap out of the shadows and make a challenge for the next High Stakes. The truth is though, who do you face after you face Kris Ryans? Last year it was Mr. Piss Ya Pants. This year, it's not. This year is a chance to go out on top and although he knew he didn't need to sell this match for anyone, no one did, he had set a camera up in front of himself as he sat out on the deck to record something, to get it sent in to the production team at SCW before heading to New York.
J2H: The stage had been set for a long time, a whole year it had been there, a whole year since I smashed Teddy Warren around and took his little title belt and gave it away like the trash that once held it. One whole year, a much, much better match has been teased, touted and left people wondering if it was actually gonna happen. People were excited at the thought back then, but now, I know people are sitting there about to pull a Teddy Warren and piss their pants. As soon as it got made official, regardless if you already knew it was gonna happen, excitement filled the world, I sure as shit felt it, I know Kris Ryans sure as shit felt it. I know everyone in the SCW locker room felt it, and not just because their pay is about to go up from the extra sales for this supercard. They felt it because without even thinking too much in to it, they know what they're about to see is not just a lesson, not just a master class, but pure, unadulterated genius. They know that what they're about to see is one for the ages, the most talked about match in SCW history, fuck, the most talked about match in wrestling history. Before a punch is even thrown, they know the greatness that they are about to witness. Battle of the Great Ones? Nah, War of the Gods.
The confidence flowed through J2H like a roaring river hitting every rock on the way through.
J2H: Gods? Gods you say? Yeah, Gods I said, but as always, there can only be one and holy wars have been fought over who the greater God is. Even in the same religion, religious wars have been fought if you're in to that kinda shit, but this to me is what it feels like. It feels like the two almighty beings on earth are meeting for a show down, a shoot out, a last man standing to claim the throne. It feels like a big fight and you know why? Cause it fucking is! Everyone has been crying out to see this match, the sale rate went through the roof when it was made official because it is that clash of the titans, it is that match everyone is tuning in to see. No one gives a fuck about half this card, no one gives a fuck about Alex Jones and Jack Washington, Amber Ryan, Roxi Johnson or whatever her name is. No one gives a fuck about Fenris or Marcus Cage, no one gives a fuck about the new preacher man's debut, they give a fuck about J2H Vs Kris Ryans.
Deep in his heart, he actually believed this, he believed that this match was the best match on the card, that it was likely to steal the show. He believed in himself and through all the problems Kris Ryans had through the years, he knew that he could put on an amazing match with a broom if he had to.
J2H: I wasn't gonna bother wrestling on High Stakes this year, what was the point? I mean last year was a let down. To hear all year that someone wanted to face me, only to fade away when it really mattered, left a bitter taste in my mouth, it made me think fuck this, if you can't trust someone to actually do their job, do what they're paid to do, while they're living under the illusion that they're actually something special, someone worthy enough to get in the ring with me, then what's the fucking point? I was set to walk in to Christian's office and say I'll give the belt to that soap dodging hippie look alike Storms and I am done, and then like a flash out of the blue, a few tweets back and forth put me on the path to Kris Ryans. You know I couldn't help but smile right away, couldn't help but think fucking yes! This is a match that needed no selling, this is a match that both of us could put our feet up and watch the world burn in anticipation, this was a match that sold a million buys based on one tweet to light the fuse, but there was that little flicker of doubt in my mind, the part that asked me why I should go for it.
His head turns away from the camera slightly as he thought back to that moment of doubt, to the split second he wondered if he should do it. He knew that Christian Underwood and Mark Ward would be all over it if he did even drop the slightest of hints he was interested.
J2H: Because it could be my way to go out on top Kris. That's why I took it. I wanted to show my son that when you work hard, you can leave something behind on top with no regrets. The thoughts are in my mind that this could very much be my last hurrah, that this could be my swan song, my end to something that the whole world could see has been remarkable. So this may very well be the last time I put on those boots and get in the ring, this might be it and well, better going out beating Kris Ryans than Teddy Warren, right?
He laughed slightly as he knew that was the truth. Teddy Warren was a let down in J2H's eyes, a year ago, there was potential there to build Teddy Warren in to something special, he had grabbed headlines with eccentric tendencies, but when push came to shove, he had fallen very short, but Kris Ryans was a whole different species.
J2H: I will beat Kris Ryans, I have no doubt about it, but it's all about what is gonna happen in that ring. My legend is set in stone, everyone who thinks of SCW thinks of J2H, it's that fucking simple, it's not bragging, it's the cold, hard truth. I am the greatest that's ever stepped in that ring, the best you'll ever have the pleasure of seeing, but Kris Ryans is way up there, he's way up the top, not sitting next to me but not far behind either, this is why I see it the way I do. If this is my last match in SCW, if this is the last time I step foot in that ring, ready to kick the shit out of someone, then who better to do it against, than Kris Ryans?
He was actually being serious. He'd never officially retired but he's seen many come and go, retire and trying to come back for one last match to taste the glory days, when their star had long faded in to nothing. Their star power and shine had burned out but they wanted that one last chance in the spotlight, their one more time to shine.
J2H: I've sat and watched the likes of Drake Green, Sean Jackson, Jordan Williams, Nick Jones, all just fade from existence, like their legends never was. I could drag any of those out of the retirement home and beat up on them for fun, but with Kris Ryans, it's different. He's physically in the best shape I've seen him in, he's still got everything he had from the glory days, he is a challenge, but there's one thing stopping you from being a bona fide threat Kris, one thing that's stopping you from taking shit seriously. It's your mind Kris, it's been more than a little distracted lately and it makes you an absolute idiot, that distraction is Mikah.
He didn't dislike Mikah at all, they were more than similar at times with the ego, the attitude their disdain for human life, but he knew she was dragging him down.
J2H: Before you came back, she was playing tonsil hockey with the boss on live fucking television, she was tweeting at him to go to Hawaii and lay in that same bed you're lying in now. He wasn't stupid enough to fall for someone who's had more pricks than a second hand dartboard, but you have and she's got you under a fucking spell. Let's be honest, all we're gonna get for two long weeks is Mikah and Kris in one long fucking conversation over multiple promos, you know it, I know it, we all know it. She has put a spell on you where you've come running back like a little puppy dog with stars in your eyes and it's made you weak as fuck. That's not the Kris Ryans I want to face, that's not the guy I signed up to face at all. I signed up to face the man at the top of his game, the man with no distractions, a man who can think with his big head and not his little head. I know how to separate family life from work life, but you, you've gone running back like nothing has changed, living the charmed life, that's not the Kris Ryans I want to step in the ring with.
He never wanted anything other than the best Kris Ryans he could possible face. Last year was a let down against an opponent who couldn't be bothered, this year, he wanted the absolute best version of his opponent and not some watered down type.
J2H: Get your head out of the clouds, get your body out of the place every man has been before and come and be the best version of yourself Kris, that's the you I want to beat, that's the you I want facing me in the ring, not some bitch who runs back to the bleach blonde whenever she snaps those fingers. I want the best version you've ever been, I want the Kris Ryans that can beat anyone on his day, I want that Kris Ryans who will not back down from anyone, I want that Kris Ryans willing to put everything on the line for one single match.
He emphasised the point by raising a finger, this was the person he wanted.
J2H: I don't want a shell of a man Kris, I want the real deal because I don't wanna hear any lame fucking Deontay Wilder style excuses when I beat you. I want you to sit there, look me in the eye and tell me that I beat the best version of you, that you did everything you physically could, but came up short. That's the Kris Ryans I've been looking forward to facing, so step away from Mikah, save us the boring conversations and be that Kris Ryans that won the world championship, be THAT guy, cause I don't want anything else, I don't want anything less. Anything less wouldn't stand any kinda chance against me, at least you on top form would have a punchers chance of this, but let me make it real clear, even a punchers chance will not be good enough to get past me. I think you know it.
J2H also knew why he was the object of Kris Ryans attentions, he knew from the get go why Kris Ryans wanted this match.
J2H: It's all about the legacy, right Kris? I beat you, I just prove once again that I am the greatest wrestler of all time, but you beat me, people sit up and take notice, people look at you as the man who put my shoulders to the canvas and stopped me from getting up, people see you as the guy that did the unthinkable, the unexpected, the unbelievable and your legacy will be cemented in one night. Become a Hall of Famer and beat J2H in the same night will put you very, very close to my level, but I'm sorry, only one of those things will be happening and as your Hall of Fame has been confirmed - and I very much look forward to Mikah's speech for that.
Although not confirmed anywhere, J2H had an inkling Mikah would be inducting Kris in to the Hall of Fame. It felt considering they're joined at the ass, it would make sense, even if very, very predictable.
J2H: That just means you will not be scoring that huge victory that you so sorely want over me. I know beating me is better than winning any championship in this company, I'm above every single title belt. Beating me is as good as making yourself a legend, but this is your one and only shot Kris, this is where you need to shoot for the moon but I will make it clear, you will fall short, so damn short because me mentality is that if this is my last match, I'm going out on top, I'm going out in a blaze of glory, I'm going out leaving people without a shadow of doubt in their minds who the best in the world, was, is and will always be.
The confidence flowed again, he could feel his heart beating faster in his chest because he truly believed that he would walk out victorious.
J2H: I'm not coming to play around, I'm not coming to even try and mess around, I'm coming to High Stakes XI to do what I do best, I'm coming to High Stakes XI to remind everyone just who I am. Violent Conduct didn't mean a damn thing to me and Austin James Mercer and Tempest know for a fact if it was me and Melody, they wouldn't be champions right now, but this one, this means everything to me, this could write my fairytale ending, this could be the one where it all ends and fuck, if that's the case, I'm going out on my terms, I'm going out with my arm raised, I'm going out as the man who changed everyone's opinion on him. I'm J2H and what's you're gonna get Kris is a one hundred percent J2H performance, what you're gonna get is classic J2H, what you're gonna get is a man with the will to work his nuts off in that ring and walk away from the War of the Gods as the last immortal standing. I have every intention to do that and you better fucking believe that's exactly how it's gonna go down, that's exactly what's gonna happen. For that night, for High Stakes, you become my little bitch instead of Mikah's little bitch.
A serious look was on his face but inside, the twenty seven year old was smiling, he was proud, he could still cut a promo like no other, even without the usual hate for his opponent or looking down his nose at someone. I didn't hate Kris or look down his nose at him... Well, too much, but he was proud of the way he got his point across.
J2H: And that Kris Ryans, is real talk bitch!
And with that, the promo ended, a click of a button in J2H's pocket brought the scene to darkness. It wasn't too long before it was sent in to editing and the world could see once more that the fire in J2H's eyes was well and truly back and his determination to walk out a winner at High Stake XI was at an all time high....
