September 29th, 2024
London, England
02 Arena [ Backstage ]
“Easy. Easy coming down these steps!”
The male voice echoed out in that hall as a stretcher came to the edge of those steps. Jayden’s almost lifeless looking body strapped to it. Each side of that stretcher had medical personnel around it as they eased it down each step until back on a flat surface. Before they began to rush forward again with it, as they went through a pair of doors into the parking garage where the ambulance was waiting for them. They stopped right there at the opening of the ambulance. Once again that voice could be heard.
EMT
Alright. On the count of three. Lift up with ease and push forward.
The rest of the personnel gripped the sides of the stretcher as they waited for those specific orders to come through to them.
EMT
One... Two... Three!
On that exact three count they lifted the stretcher up as the wheels folded under it and they gently pushed forward with ease. Within seconds they had Jayden in the back of that ambulance as two of the personnel jumped into the back of the ambulance closing the door. The other two ran to the front of it and hopped inside. Instantly those lights came on as the siren began to blare. As it began to pull out of the parking garage a very familiar face could be seen waving ‘goodbye’ to that ambulance. That almost sinister smirk spread across his lips.
KEVIN CARTER
Farewell kid...
Of course that smirk almost seemed to grow a little more. Watching the end of that ambulance finally finish pulling out of that garage. Kevin turning himself around a little bit and allowing his gaze to fall on the cameras right there before him.
KEVIN CARTER
You see that... Do you see what he made us do?!
He let that signature scowl overcome his expression.
KEVIN CARTER
No matter how much we warned him that this wasn’t a fight that he wanted. No matter how much we tried to tell him to walk away. No matter how much we demanded him to turn the other cheek. No matter how much we try to avoid Jayden meeting his demise. It was fate that led him down that path. Because he didn’t take the warning. He didn’t turn the other cheek. He didn’t walk away when he had the chance. So it played out how it should have. But we’ll be the bad guys in all of this.
Shaking his head in an almost disappointed manner. He began to take a few steps out of that parking garage and back into the arena. Forcing the cameras to follow along to keep up with him.
KEVIN CARTER
We’re prepared to be the villain in your story. That’s nothing all that new to us, if we’re being honest here. But the question remains now... What’s next? Where do we from here? What direction do we go? And what exactly do myself, Alexander, and James have cooking up in our brains? I am sure that you wish it would come that easy and we’d just tell you. But no, that’s not how this is going to work.
Again the man shook his head. But this time that smirk was appearing once again. Finding himself stopping just a few inches outside of the locker room door that had his name on it. His gaze locking with those cameras once again.
KEVIN CARTER
When the time is right. When we feel like we want you to know what our next goal is. You’ll know, but not until then. You see for a long time now. The three of us have known that keeping some things close to the vest is very-very important. It creates little to no room for error and if people could cause error. If they could derail our plans. They most certainly would. Jayden is a prime example of that, but there’s going to come a time and a place where we fill you all in. All you need to know at this moment is there is a New Era coming...
Carter’s arms folded across his bare tattooed flesh. Keeping that gaze forward. There was something in his eyes that just made people feel like they needed to listen. Even though the last thing they wanted to do was listen to him of all people.
KEVIN CARTER
An era unlike anything any of you have ever seen. An era that will put the “current” crop of self inflated egos to shame. An era that will make all the past “legends” look as if they never even mattered here. An era that is going to give Sin City Wrestling a much needed facelift. Simply this Era is going to change the entire game here and it’ll be guided by our hands. Only our hands.
A simple nod consumed the man for a moment.
KEVIN CARTER
And like I said we have always been prepared to be the villain in your story. We are prepared to be hated. We are prepared to have nasty vile things to be said about us. We are prepared to see the hit pieces put out against us. We embrace every bit of negativity that comes our way. So go ahead. Make us out to be that way, but when this is all said and done. When it all comes to light. I can make one promise that’ll stand true till the end of time. Once you see what we have prepared for you in our era. You’ll be thanking us for changing your experience and essentially your lives!
Standing there for just a moment longer with that smirk. Letting it register to the fans that he was a man that believed in everything he said. Only for Carter to then push himself off the wall outside of his locker room door. Heading directly inside of that locker room, slamming the door shut with force, and allowing the cameras to remain on that name plate before darkness overcame them.
Battered and bruised. Sore from head to toe.
All the physical forms of pain that one could experience. Carter was dealing with it at this time. The adrenaline had truly worn off and he was feeling every bit of it. Sitting there on the edge of his hotel bed just staring off into space. However there was this sudden voice that overcame the room.
“Now What?!”
Carter was forced to come back to reality and break that trans he was in. Looking around the room with a confused look on his face. Trying to narrow down exactly where that voice had come from. Again it was heard a little louder and commanding.
“I said what’s next!?!”
Kevin found himself shooting his eyes downward at his gear bag. Lying on top of everything was that very mask he once hid behind. Reaching down he grabbed a hold of that mask and held it in his hands just looking at it with a puzzled look on his face.
KEVIN CARTER
What do you mean...
There was silence that filled the room for nothing more than a couple of moments. Right then it looked like the mouth to the mask was moving.
THE ENTITY
Are you still the clueless idiot that came to me all those years ago?! You know exactly what the hell I mean, Kevin. There has been a plan and agenda set in place all along. To which you have followed none of it.
For a moment sat there in shock. Almost like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing or hearing. There was no way this was real. This had to be a figment of his imagination right. Or was it?
THE ENTITY
The entire point of coming back was to make them suffer. To get even. To make them regret everything. And to take back what was yours all along... but you have failed at every corner so far. Allowing yourself to get wrapped up with a kid that had zero importance and let it consume you for far too long.
KEVIN CARTER
There’s been an importance to everything I have done since coming back. Jayden is no different. That was just as crucial as everything else that needed to be done. The kid needed to learn a lesson and that much has been taught to him. Now it’s on to other things. That includes what you’re referencing.
THE ENTITY
Cut the bullshit.
KEVIN CARTER
Excuse me?!
THE ENTITY
I said cut the bullshit. I see right through you. I see right through the lies you’re trying to tell.
KEVIN CARTER
What are you even talking about?
THE ENTITY
You’re being a coward right now, Kevin. You’re showing that you’re afraid. You’re showing that you don’t have it in you to do what you talked about for years. It’s pathetic!
Those words were making the man’s blood boil. The last thing he ever considered himself to be was a coward. He didn’t see himself as afraid of anything or anyone. His eyes narrowed at the mask he had in his hand.
KEVIN CARTER
I’m not a coward! I’m not afraid of anything! Do you even know who you’re talking about?!
THE ENTITY
I sure do. I am talking to a man that couldn’t do things on his own. So he paired up with Alexander Raven and J2H to have back up. I’m talking to a man that is using two other men to remain relevant because he doesn’t know how to do it on his own.
KEVIN CARTER
That’s not true!
THE ENTITY
I’m talking to a man that didn’t know how to take an old man like Mark Ward out for good. A man that allowed a man in his fifties to come back, looking better than ever, looking as if there was nothing ever done to him, and looking like he’s ready for a fight. How does that make you feel? To know an old man like that is a threat to you now? Especially the man you blamed for so much for so long!
KEVIN CARTER
You are clearly delusional. That’s not even close to what’s happening. Mark fears me. Regardless of what his words might be, he is scared of me!
THE ENTITY
And everything involving Jayden. Three pussies banded together to beat down a kid that has never mattered. By acting the way you did. All you ended up doing is making Jayden a bigger deal. You’ve given the SCW faithful person to root for. A person to get behind. He went from not mattering to becoming an overnight sensation because of your weak mindset.
Carter’s narrow and anger filled gaze consumed his face. Never breaking from the mask that he had in his hand. None of this made sense. None of it. But each word spoken had his blood becoming hotter and hotter. This was a line being crossed.
THE ENTITY
You must have forgotten Kevin. I exist because you created me. I exist because you needed a confidence boost. I exist because you needed to find a way to convince yourself to make all the wrongs right. Every dark deep little insecure secret you confided in me.
KEVIN CARTER
Shut up, just shut up!
THE ENTITY
Why? Because you can’t stand to hear about yourself? Because it’s becoming clear that everything that happened all those years ago happened because it was true? Because you don’t want to admit that the truth is you’ve never been as good as you think you are?! It’s time to face the reality Kevin. You’re not the legend. You’re not a Hall of Famer. You’re not a future champion of any kind. You’re not anything special to this company and never will be. You just to be an afterthought you fucking loser!
KEVIN CARTER
FUCK YOU!
In a fit of rage Carter stood up from where he stood and slammed the mask down into the bag he had just picked it up from. Finding himself running his hands over his face in a very frustrated manner as he took just a few steps away. That blood of his was still boiling. Hatred had filled his eyes. As he slowly lowered his hands away from his face he glared over at the bag. Trying to convince himself what happened didn’t just happen.
With the cameras finding themselves opening up. The very opening shot was none other than the Scumbag himself. Kevin found himself just standing there looking at what appeared to be a piece of paper in his hand. His expression in the signature sour manner that it seemed to almost always be in. That very moment Carter turned the piece of paper around that was in his hand. It turned out to be a flier for the next Climax Control event. Pointing to a familiar face on that flier, the face belongs to one Justin Smith. Finally, finding himself speaking up.
“Again? Again with this fucking clown?”
The sheer frustration that came out of the man’s voice at that moment said all it needed to say.
“How in the hell do you still have a job at this point, Justin?! At this point, you’ve either signed on exclusively to be the entire roster’s punching bag. Or this company has just decided to keep you around as a pity signing because the CTE that you’ve experienced over the years makes it impossible for you to understand that you do not belong here. You’ve never belonged here. There’s never going to be any significant point in your career or lifetime you will matter here in Sin City Wrestling.”
Carter’s eyes found themselves narrowing a little bit with the words coming from his lips. It was becoming very clear this wasn’t going to be a positive experience. Further just painting himself to be the bad guy in the situation at hand.
“This is going to be our third meeting Justin. Our third time sharing the same ring with each other. The third time you have to experience getting your ass handed to you by me. I mean despite the CTE affecting that brain of yours. What the hell makes you truly believe this time will be any different? What makes you think that this time you stand a chance?! I am dying to know so I can finally wrap my head around your existence.”
“Because at this point, I am expecting the same shit you bring every single time you are set to compete. I’ll get the same generic ass ‘I’m going to kick your ass’ promo to hype up our match. It’s just rinse and repeat when it comes to that. Almost like you’re too much of a simpleton to form a better vocabulary. Not to mention there’s only so many times a wannabe tough guy is going to claim he’s going to beat someone’s ass and fail to do so before people stop paying attention to what you’re saying.”
“And trust me when I tell you Justin. Everyone stopped paying attention to those threats your second match in this fucking place. Once we get through the shit show that is your little match hype. It’ll come down to what you can do inside that ring. To which everything at this point says you cannot do a damn thing. You don’t know the difference between a wrist watch and a wrist lock. The lack of accountability in whomever allowed you to graduate from a wrestling school is insane.”
A slight shake of the man’s head could be seen.
“That’s the problem with today though. Anyone that wants to be a wrestler can be. Because of the lack of accountability. Anyone can be a wrestler as long as the money comes in and the trainer is benefiting somehow. Even if it means that it’s going to ruin the business for years and years to come. Not to mention look at who you are getting advice from Justin. Look at the man that seems to be some type of mentor to you. You’re taking what Casey Williams says as face value.”
“You’re taking it as if it is gospel and as if it is going to lead you to the promised land. That’s where you are making one of the many fatal mistakes. Because what has Casey Williams ever done to be considered great and good enough to give you advice? Are you basing it off the fact that he held the SCW Roulette Championship and the Tag Team Championship once? Everyone gets lucky every now and then Justin. That’s all it was. It was luck. Trust me it has nothing to do with that man’s skill.”
“Or is it a situation where you’re basing it off the fact the man has over a hundred matches under his belt in this company’s history? Care to discuss how many of them were matches of importance? Does he bother to tell you how many of those matches that he actually won? Because you see Justin. If I was a betting man. I would say that Casey probably lost about sixty percent of his matches. So that is clear right there if you ask me. Just because you have a bunch of matches, it doesn’t make you good.”
“Hell, that should already be a slap in the face for your reality Justin. You have a bunch of matches under your best already too. With a loss percentage of a hundred. Again, another situation that is based on facts, but we’ll come back to that. Because, I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt one last time here Justin. Maybe you hold Casey in such high regard because the man was inducted into the Hall of Fame back in twenty-twenty.”
“In most situations I would say that being in the Hall of Fame is an amazing accomplishment and speaks volumes about what you did as a performer. However, let's be real shall we? The Sin City Wrestling Hall of Fame is a fucking joke and it has been for quite sometime. You look up and down that thing. Sure, there’s people that belong there. But there are far more people that do not belong there. Casey might just be the worst induction ever. It’s very participation trophy-esq!”
Carter finally tossed that flier that was in his hand to the ground in frustration. Each word that kept coming out of his mouth made him sound more and more bitter. A true sign that he was nothing more than a hater at his core.
“How the hell can they put him in? But never once called me for an induction. Not at any given point was I ever considered. No, I didn’t have as many matches as Casey, but I did more in my career in a short time with this fucking place than he did with years and years. That’s how you know it’s a fucking joke. It’s a fucking scam. It doesn’t mean anything. That Hall of Fame is one hundred and ten percent a laughing stock. But if that’s what you want to believe in Justin. If that’s the man you want to let guide you.”
“By all means let that be the case, but all it is doing is leading you down the wrong path. Each match you have, you look worse and worse. But then again maybe that’s truly what you want. Because that’s where you went to get training in the first place. You didn’t go anywhere with some legitimate credentials. You didn’t go anywhere that would have made you work for what you wanted. You didn’t go anywhere that would have made you actually good.”
“I can guarantee you, Justin. If you trained where I did all those years ago. You’d quit the first day after training. You’d given up. Your ego would have been bruised. Because no one would have lied to you and told you you were good or you had a chance when deep down you didn’t. But clearly the times have changed as pathetic as it is. Everyone including you want instant gratification and will get wherever you can even if it’s going to cost you everything. Again... one of the many-many flaws you have, Justin!”
That disgruntled look didn’t seem to get any better.
“However, back to the point at hand. This coming sunday. You’ll step into the ring with me. You’ll once again be out matched. You’ll once again be out classed. You’ll once again just fumble around the ring looking like a drunken buffoon. You’ve got no skill. You’ve got no grace. There is simply nothing to write home about when it comes to you Justin. And like the other two times before. You’re going to have a very very bad time in the ring with me. That comes right back to what I said earlier about facts.”
“I mean for crying out loud here Justin. As much as you want the delusion that’s caused by that CTE to keep masking facts. That’s not how reality works. Facts are facts. When the two of us are in that ring with each other. You get hurt. You get hurt a lot. To the point that I actually start to feel bad when I put my fist into your face. Because it just gives in like hamburger meat. As disgusting of a visual that might be. It’s the truth. Think about that Hardcore Match we had Justin. Think about how that night went.”
“I beat the shit out of you under those rules. I can’t even put into words how it felt when I was able to grab a hold of that metal trash can lid and just smash it against your head. I cannot tell in words the joy I felt when I watched you begin to bleed all over the mat. I can’t tell you how happy I was watching you struggle to stand up on your own two feet after that crimson mask had overtaken your entire face. And then to be awarded a win by knockout... Chefs kiss!”
In a very mocking manner. Carter kissed those fingers of his and then held them into the air. Knowing damn well that was going to not settle too well with Justin.
“That night I should have really shredded the mindset that you were considered hardcore and no one should have ever considered you a veteran to begin with. But I guess when you just get the shit kicked out of you again and again that makes you hardcore. Just like being old and in the business just earns you the rep of being considered a veteran. It’s really not worth arguing about because the only thing that matters is I beat you then. And I did so at your own game!”
“Honestly you should be counting your lucky stars. That this match isn’t a rematch of that hardcore match. I actually have to stick within the confines of certain rules to avoid a disqualification. But that’s no stranger to me either. Considering there were rules in our last meeting. Six man tag team rules to be exact. I had to mind my p’s and q’s so to speak. I couldn’t wrap a steel chair around your neck with the intention of doing the worst thing possible. No, I had to rely on actual wrestling ability!”
Following those words. He could be seen pacing back and forth in that spot he had been standing in. Clenching up his fists in frustration. One could just tell he couldn’t wait to get this frustration out of his veins and sooner rather than later he would have the chance, but still the wait was enough to drive him mad.
“That tag match. Every single person knew that you weren’t a threat. Including your own partners. As they deemed you the weak link and said you would be the one to hold them down. That’s saying a lot when one of your opponents was a four eyed fat fuck named Troll. But even with five people telling you that you didn’t stand a chance. It still didn’t register and you tried to take matters into your own hands in the closing minutes of that match. You really thought you were going to be the hero.”
“You really thought you were going to get that one win that was going to be the game changing moment for you and your career. Only for you to find out my pure wrestling ability. James' pure wrestling ability. And even Alexander’s pure wrestling ability is superior to yours in every single way. You got tossed into the air like a fucking rag doll. Then dumped onto your head and neck with zero regard for your well being as we picked up a win. I obtained the pinfall over you.”
“Now of course I could see you being rather silly and telling me that tag matches don’t count. I could very easily see you being one of those people. Trying to find any narrative to spin. Because that’s why losers like you do. You find the one thing you can to try and spin it. But you might have had a chance to use that to your favor if I hadn’t already beaten you one on one. I think being knocked the fuck out is far more embarrassing than getting pinned. But the point is I have beaten you now twice.”
“A pinfall and a knockout victory. I’m looking like a million bucks right now. Even when you don’t want me to and even when the SCW faithful don't want me to. It all comes back to the facts and the facts never lie. So, you see this match. It’s not a matter of if I can beat you. No, it’s a fact I will beat you. But instead it’s a question of asking myself. How am I going to beat you? How can I embarrass you this time? How can I make you look weaker than you already do?”
Carter found himself pausing for that moment. A simple stroke of the gray beard could be seen, as if he was putting some ‘legit thought’ into the question he had posed.
“Now I wish I could say that however I choose to beat you. It would lead to a permanent end to your career. But we know that’s not going to happen... Not when you’ve got the mental issues that you do. You could have your neck snapped by me. Be drooling all over yourself. Using a computer to talk. And you’d still find a way to get someone to wheel you to the arena with the intention of competing. That’s how fucking mental you are.”
“However, pinning you just doesn’t seem like it’ll be worth my time. Been there and done that. Taking my fists and beating you in that stupid face of yours. Over and over and over again. Until you are unable to stand up which awards me a win by knockout. That doesn’t seem worth my time. Same situation, I have been there. I have done that. So whatever I do it has to be creative. It has to be satisfying to me. It has to be something that would make it worth my time to even show up and face you again.”
“That right there is crucial. Because the only way that you would ever beat me Justin is if I choose to just not show up. But my ego and my pettiness would never allow that kind of thing. There’s not a goddamn chance in hell. There’s ever going to be a result that reads your name as a winner when my name is attached to it. But at this point, it’s not worth my time to be there on Sunday. So, I gotta make a challenge for myself since you aren’t one to me.”
The smugness that spread across the man’s expression with that last sentence was second to none. Carter was a master at knowing how to use his words to get under the skin of those that were going to stand across the ring from him. Justin was going to be no different. After all beating him mentally and emotionally was just half the game.
“One thing that you need to remember about all of this is. It doesn't matter what you believe. It does not matter what Casey tells you. It does not matter what you think can happen. The one thing you cannot escape is fate. Your fate has been decided long long ago when it comes to someone like me Justin. It’s just easier for you to accept it now. It’s not such a bitter pill to swallow in the end, but at the same time no one can tell you what to do or believe. I just know how fate works.”
For a brief moment there was a smirk that spread across the man’s lips.
“This new era that is being led by yours truly. The TRUE Entity of Sin City Wrestling. It is going to be a thing that storms the history books. Justin... you just happen to be a very-very small chapter in this book!”
That narrowed disgruntled expression of the man referred to as Scumbag remained for a second or two. Giving everyone a chance to soak in the message that he delivered. Whether they choose to believe that message or not. It was ultimately their decision. From there the camera shot began to zoom out a little bit at a time before finally fading to black.
