[Christian Underwood]

Please post all roleplays here! Have fun and good luck!

[Logan Hunter]

Summer XXXTreme was finally on the horizon and SCW’s annual cruise was coming with a match that SCW co-owner Christian Underwood had wanted to book for years at the event: the Overboard Battle Royal! The rules were simple: you had to literally toss your opponents overboard to win AND Logan Hunter was in it! But who was his competition? “Unbreakable” Eddie Lyons, Aiden Reynolds, Miles Kasey, Liam Davies, Justin Smith, “Bulldog” Bill Barnhart and former World Heavyweight Champion Alex Jones! The prize? The #1 Contendership for the World Heavyweight Title! Can Logan book his ticket to the biggest match of his career to date?

Backstage at Climax Control 430, Grand Junction, Colorado
Sunday the 6th of July 2025, 22:00pm

A message had to be sent.

I said what I said about Guy with a Cape and J2H out there and I stand by what I said a hundred percent! Guy is a disgrace as champion and if those idiots in charge had any spine they wouldn’t have let that match happen!

Instead? MY CHAMPIONSHIP is being defended by a damn clown against a manager and all I’ve been told about Summer XXXTreme is that I have a match!

”Okay, seriously!” Marissa called out to us as me and Brooke marched down the halls and we turned to her, it was then that I noticed the doll’s head prop that I had used in my segment in her hands. ”And I can’t fucking believe I have to ask this but where the hell did you find time to locate a severed doll’s head and dress it up to look like Guy’s severed head?!”

”That is none of your concern Marissa.” I responded as I turned to her and the brunette beauty rolled her eyes. ”The message mattered, not the method of which it was delivered.”

”NONE OF MY CONCERN?! Have you even seen the looks I’ve been getting since I carried this damn thing from the ring!” Marissa responded as she rolled her eyes and then threw the doll’s head at me and I caught it. ”Great idea leaving something people can trip over in a  wrestling ring by the way! I’m sure your co-workers would’ve loved tripping over that damn thing!”

”That doesn’t fucking matter!” Brooke responded as she ran a hand down her face. ”What matters is Logan’s match at Summer XXXTreme and what bikinis I’ll wear by the pool!”

”And if you had let me talk during that segment? You’d know!” Marissa responded and we gave her a pointed look. ”Because while you two were doing god knows what to set up for that segment? They actually announced your match!”

”What are you talking about?” I demanded but got the answer in the form of the new card text, I checked it and it wasn’t long before I saw the match. ”Overboard Battle Royal……………..WHAT?!”

Brooke subsequently looked over and raised an eyebrow. ”Justin and Bill AKA the losers Guy sent after you, LJ’s more successful brother Miles, the formerly undefeated cop Liam Davies, the Lyons that no one gives a shit about AKA Eddie, the guy you beat at Into the Void in Aiden and the worst World Heavyweight Champion of recent memory Alex Jones.” Brooke commented to herself as she read through the match, meanwhile Marissa had grabbed a drink from a nearby vending machine. ”Wrestlers are eliminated by being tossed overboard, this will be…………..”

”It doesn’t matter!” I interrupted Brooke as Marissa took a sip of her drink. ”I will toss off every other man on my path to glory!”

There was a brief silence followed by Marissa spitting out the contents of her drink, I paid no attention because I was already tweeting that. ”You know, it’s considered polite to buy someone dinner first before you offer that service!” Marissa commented as she barely contained her laughter. ”I’m just saying!”

”Shut up Marissa.” I responded bluntly before I walked off and Mari shook her head before turning to Brooke.

”Ignore him, you know what he’s been like since the title was stolen.” Brooke advised her older sister and Marissa nodded. ”You’re still coming on the cruise, right?”

”That’s the plan.” Marissa responded as she folded her arms and Brooke nodded in understanding. ”I’m technically still a non-contracted talent even though I’ve been a part of SCW shows for the past several months so my cabin likely won’t be as fancy as yours and Logan’s but I asked the bosses to put me in a cabin that’s on the opposite sides of the ship from you and Logan.”

”It’s because of what happened during the Viking Era Tour, isn’t it?” Brooke asked with a sigh and Marissa nodded without hesitation. ”Mari, I swear, he’ll behave this time.”

”Don’t care, I’d like to have some peace and quiet on my first ever cruise.” Marissa responded as she brushed some hair over her shoulder. ”Besides you’ve got my number if you want to hang out! Now, let’s find Logan before he does something crazy!”

”Great idea.” Brooke nodded in agreement before they walked off.

The Home Gym, Logan and Brooke’s Home, Las Vegas, Nevada
Thursday the 10th of July 2025, 14:00pm

While this injustice persists? I must train.

I have been alternating my time between the Go Gym and the home gym sine my Summer XXXTreme debut was announced and frankly? So has Brooke, she may be my manager but we need to be prepared for every possibility.

So far? Not a lot has changed, Alex Jones has been pulled from the match for reasons unknown  but that washed up fool was never a threat! As for the others? One by one the fools shall fall and I shall rise! There is no one more prepared for this cruise than me!

”Hey! Just to let you know that I just finished packing most of my stuff for the cruise.” Marissa called out to us and we turned to her as she made her way down the stairs, Brooke’s dog Aolfie was right behind her and the Irish Wolfhound was wagging his tail. ”And that I noticed that neither of you have done any packing.”

”We will pack in due time.” I responded as I briefly glanced up at the Brunette Woman. ”Has the dog sitter been arranged?”

”I could’ve sworn that was Brooke’s job since Aolfie is her dog,” Marissa grumbled as she patted the dog on the head. ”But yeah, I contacted the dog sitter we used for the Viking Era tour and they are happy to look after Aolfie again! Also, what do you mean by “in due time”?”

”He means that we’ve been too busy training.” Brooke responded as she walked up to the ring ropes to look at her older twin sister. ”We’ve got plenty of time anyway.”

”Brooke? It’s Thursday! We’re boarding the ship on Sunday, don’t tell me you’re leaving the packing to the last minute?!” Marissa sighed as she ran a hand down her face. ”I’m only leaving a handful of stuff until the last minute and we’re talking stuff that I can pack in minutes, toiletries, women’s hygiene products, my laptop, stuff like that!”

”We will pack the night before.” I insisted as I walked up to Marissa and leaned on the ropes. ”Not a moment before or after, training for my match must take priority!””

”Logan I don’t care if you’re facing six other men or the rest of the damn male roster.” Marissa responded as she messaged her temples in annoyance. ”If I wake up on Sunday morning to find you scrambling to get everything packed for the cruise? You will not hear the end of it from me!”

”Okay, as much as I want to get more training done? Marissa has a point.” Brooke admitted and Marissa allowed a small, satisfied smirk to appear on her face. ”If we’re not adequately prepared? Then there’s every chance we’ll miss the boarding and the bosses won’t be happy!”

”FIN!” I grunted before getting out of the practice ring and heading towards the stairs that led me and Brooke back to the house. ”We will commence with the packing immediately!”

I slammed the door behind us and Marissa shook her head before kneeling down to stroke Aolfie. ”Ever get the feeling that we’re the smartest people in the house Aolfie?” Marissa asked the dog who barked in response. ”Come on doggo, let’s get you some food!” Marissa added before leading the dog back up the stairs and too the kitchen.

The Home Gym, Brooke and Logan’s Home, Las Vegas, Nevada
Thursday the 10th of July 2025, 21:00pm

*promo time*

As me and Brooke got ready to cut our first promo for Summer XXXTreme I had a lot on my mind as I headed into the cruise ship showdown.

”Make no mistake, as I head into Summer XXXTreme and that disgrace of a Roulette Champion is defending his title against a manager we are monitoring that situation closely! But Guy is merely a king of the ring, I hereby pledge A Vow To Conquer The Ocean!” I started as I made a fist with my hand. ”And to achieve this? I must win the Overboard Battle Royal! The goal? Throw every opponent overboard, the prize? The #1 Contendership for the World Heavyweight Championship! My opposition? Eddie Lyons, Aiden Reynolds, Justin Smith, Bill Barnhart, Liam Davies and Miles Kasey!”

Brooke stepped forward with a smirk on her face.

”Logan can refer to these fools by their names all he wants! To me? They are naught but lambs to the slaughter!” Brooke smirked sadistically as she flipped some hair over her shoulder. ”Justin, Aiden, Miles, Bill, four men who Logan has faced before, Miles and Liam? New victims to be added to Logan’s ever growing list of bodies that he has left in his wake! We are not worried about any of those men, they set them up? Logan will knock them over the edge!”

And I start with my most recent opponents.

”Justin, from day one you have been a thorn in my side! From my debut match to what SHOULD’VE BEEN THE FIRST OF MANTY DEFENCES OF MY ROULETTE CHAMPIONSHIP you have persisted!” I growled as I leaned against the ring ropes. ”And now? We meet again, at my first ever Summer XXXTreme show as a wrestler, they must’ve taken pity on you for you to be added to such a prestigious match!”

Brooke shook her head.

”Seriously Justin, what kind of blackmail do you have on the bosses for you to keep getting opportunities such as this?” Brooke asked pointedly as she started pacing around the ring. ”The fact that you were in that farce of a Roulette Title Match doesn’t count, hell that match shouldn’t have counted in the first place but we all know that the bosses are too spineless to do their damn jobs! My point is, that was King Guy’s design but besides that? Opportunity after opportunity, squandered because they gave it to you.”

As for Bill?

”Bill, Bulldog, Wiliam, does it matter? No, what matters is what you truly are to me: dog meat!” I snarled as I pointed right at the camera. ”You wish to be the World Heavyweight Champion? Please don’t make me laugh Bill! You’re not even fit to carry Brooke’s bags, much less the World Heavyweight Championship! I will eliminate you from contention and if Bea Barnhart tries to intervene? Maybe I will throw her overboard as well and do everyone a favour.”

Brooke smirked as she continued.

”Or I’ll do it and save Logan the fine! After all, what better way to take out the trash? Did wonders for Michael Harris at last year’s Summer XXXTreme!” Brooke added with a smirk as she made a fist. ”And believe me Bill, no one will miss you when you go over the edge at Summer XXXTreme, if anything? Logan will do everyone a favor, who needs an old fart like you, hmmm Bill?”

Now for Aiden.

”We meet again Aiden! Was the carnage we inflicted on each other in Paris not enough for you?” I asked with a smirk as I looked at the camera. ”And your luck since losing the title has not turned around, has it Aiden? You lost that Triple Threat Match to Eddie after you took out Miles, took the pin from Eddie himself, I did not know that that was a preview of this match but now that I do? Consider it a precursor to yet another failure on your part!”

Brooke nodded along before she started looking at her nails playfully.

”It’s the same old Song and Dance, isn’t it Aiden? You brought the momentum of the Roulette Division to a standstill and now here you are, vying for a championship that you are not worthy of!” Brooke added as she looked right at the camera. ”When Logan takes you out of the match the world will consider it a mercy because no one wants to see a choke artist like Aiden Reynolds as the World Heavyweight Champion! That would be a greater crime than the robbery committing by the Clown King!”

Next up is Miles.

”Miles Kasey, the first man to defeat me in an SCW Ring and for a shot at this very prize at that! But did you really defeat me?” I shook my head. ”Not in an honourable way! You had help from Carter and like to pretend that your still a decent person after betraying those closest to you! But alas, we meet again and I will rectify what happened in my first ever SCW Main Event!”

Brooke shook her head as she chimed in.

”I’m sure all the fools who cried hypocrisy at us calling foul over Guy’s stunt are getting ready to do the exact same thing now that we’re bringing this up!” Brooke scoffed as she folded her arms. ”But there is a key thing that separates me and Logan from hypocrites like Miles who think they’ve got us when we cheat: we admit it! We’ve always been up front about the fact that we view our methods as a means to an end! Meanwhile Miles looks back on that ill-gotten win and acts like he’s our moral superior? PUH-LEASE! Logan will always stab you in the front, Miles is fond of stabbing you in the back, we are not the same! Abd when Miles is eliminated from the match? The world will know!”

Next up is Eddie.

”And now? We’ve reached the two men in this match whom I have never faced, come into my sights, said the Hunter to the Lyons.” I started as I made a hunting rifle motion with my hands. ”Eddie Lyons, the white sheep of the Lyons family, set to tie the knot on the Summer XXXTreme Cruise, how lovely! Wouldn’t it be a shame if that got ruined? Wouldn’t it be a shame if the blushing bride had to watch inn horror as her beloved gets thrown into the ocean below? For you? Yes, for me? I don’t care!”

Brooke stepped forward again.

”Eddie, Eddie, Eddie, yet another fool who peaked in the Roulette Division! What’s that? You won the Mixed Tag Titles? Who cares about those belts? The Wolves grinded that division into the dust!” Brooke stated as she gave the camera a playful, flirty look. ”Just like how Logan will grind your hopes of a happy marriage into the dust! I do hope your bride has some insurance on you, she might need the windfall!”

Last up? Liam!

”And thus we come to the final man standing in between me and destiny: Liam Davies! A man who represents law and order while I represent chaos and anarchy!” I stated as I folded my arms. ”Three matches in and you’re already in the deep end Liam, I suppose the term Sink or Swim moment is very apt for your situation, isn’t it? Don’t worry, I’ll insure that you will sink!”

Brooke chimed in one final time.

”A wrestling police officer? How quaint, whatever will they think of next?” Brooke asked ass her voice dripped with sarcasm. ”Shame that the phrase “ACABW” or “All Cops Are Bad Wrestlers” must apply here, isn’t it Liam? Sure, your one loss was to Kevin Carter but really, if your losing to a washed up has been who has to rely on someone half his age to win matches for him? What does that say about you Liam? I rest my case!”

It's that simple.

”If there was any justice in this world I would be defending the Roulette Title at the cruise, instead it’s wasted on a feud that no one cares about! But no matter, I will take it all out on Miles, Aiden, Justin, Bill, Eddie and Liam!” I sneered as I paced around the ring. ”You can try to bury me but I will rise from the grave! You can bury me at sea but I will wash ashore, I am inevitable, you cannot escape me SCW and this match will set right what the bosses are too spineless to correct!”

And with that I decided to wrap things up.

”I belong among the champions far more than Guy and Kevin combined! I should be the Roulette Champion BECAUSE I AM THE FUTURE OF THIS COMPANY AND I WILL NOT BE DENIED!” I growled as I stared right at the camera. ”Justin, Bill, Eddie, Aiden, Liam and Miles are naught but cannon fodder for my rise to greatness! Woe to the vanquished, for the lives of those lost at sea will not be mourned and as for Liam, Justin, Bill, Aiden and Miles? I COMMAND THEE KNEEL! I will reclaim my glory, I am the Lord of all That Is Golden and you will not deny me MY THRONE! Get ready to embrace oblivion!”

Brooke turned off the camera as the scene fades.

[Andrew]

OVERBOARD BATTLE ROYAL MATCH PART 1

We see a camera shot of Bill Barnhart walking near the Princess Cruise ship that Sin City Wrestling will be utilizing for the wrestling matches for SUMMER XXXTREME XIII. Bill is casually dressed wearing shorts and a Hawaiian shirt. When the camera person gets close to Bill Barnhart they ask Bill if they can air his comments for SUMMER XXXTREME XIII and Bill is glad to do so. The two continue to walk around near the Princess Cruise ship while Bill presents comments leading up to his match.

Bill:  I will start off my comments for my match at SUMMER EXXTREME XIII with the comment that there is a reason that you do not see Bea or Felix at this venue. Bea remained in Lawrenceville, Georgia, to take care of our English Bulldog Iris and Bea stated she would return on the tour after SUMMER EXXTREME XIII. As for Felix? Well he had a match against Vincent Lyons Junior and he bragged a bit too much about him going to defeat Vincent in their match. Karma has a way to come around when you least expect it and Felix took a beating that left him hurting quite a bit so he decided to return to his home in Athens, Georgia, and relax so he will be ready for wrestling action after SUMMER XXXTREME XIII is over.

A grin comes across the fact of Bill Barnhart as he loves teasing Felix Hernandez and Felix loves teasing Bill.

Bill:  In Sin City Wrestling we have had many multi-wrestler matches where elimination took various forms. The included tossing someone out of the ring over the ropes to the arena floor to eliminate them. Or you had to climb ladders to try to grab onto a briefcase, or other item, to become the winner of the match. Well do we have something interesting for you for this OVERBOARD BATTLE ROYAL MATCH with the winner getting a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship. I would come across as a fool if I tried to tell you I am not excited about being in this match and having a chance to earn a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship.

Bill looks into the camera with a deep look into the camera while giving a huge fist pump.

Bill:  There are eight participants in this match. I will discuss seven of them since I am the eighth one in the match. When I address my opponents I will do so alphabetically by their first name. Why would I do that? I will do that because I want them listed alphabetically by their first name so none of my opponents think they are better than everyone else.

Bill burst out in loud laughter before composing himself and continuing with his comments.

Bill:  Here are my opponents, and what I think of them, alphabetically by their first names. Aiden Reynolds. Alex Jones. Eddie Lyons. Justin Smith. Liam Davis. Logan Hunter. Miles Kasey. After presenting that list of fools and morons there is ME as the eighth wrestler in the match and I am going to be the winner of this match.

Bill is grinning huge with his comment that he will win this match and become the contender for the World Heavyweight Championship.

Bill:  I know some of you are asking why I am so positive that I will win this match and challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship. That is a good question and I have a great answer. As most of you know, or should know, my father, William Barnhart was a career United States Navy Chief Petty Officer. He told me about the training they had to go through to enable them to challenge and defeat enemies. The battles they might be sent to participate in had many opponents of various sizes. It turns out that it was not always the tallest, or the heavy person, who had the advantage and won the fights. The person who usually won the fights were the ones who could calculate several moves ahead and anticipate what their opponent, or opponents, would do before they did it, and arrange for a counter to take their opponents out. Yep! There you go! That’s what I am going to do with Eddie Lyons, Miles Kasey, Liam Davis, Justin Smith, Logan Hunger, and Alex Jones. Just stay one step ahead of all of them, toss them off of the ship into the ocean, and the shot at the World Heavyweight Championship is mine!

Bill laughs loudly before continuing with his comments.

Bill:  I want to know if my opponents, and the fans, understand what our match is about when it is called an OVERBOARD BATTLE ROYAL MATCH. Well feel blessed as I am here to tell you what it means. This match is designed that the way a wrestler is eliminated in the match is to have one, or more, of the other participants in the match, throw them overboard and into the ocean. Yes you heard that correctly. To be eliminated you have to be thrown overboard on the Cruise Ship and land in the water. No you are not eliminated it your opponents try to toss you overboard from the ship but you slip out of their grasp and you fall to the deck of the cruise ship. No you are not eliminated if your opponents manage to throw you over the side of the ship but you grab onto something and do not land in the water. Do you understand how this works now? I may get dropped to the deck of the Cruise Ship but I will not be eliminated from the match at that time. I may get thrown overboard but grab something that prevents me from landing in the ocean but I will not be eliminated since I did not land in the ocean. Understand now? I damn sure hope so because the last thing I want to hear it whining and complaining from my opponents, the other wrestlers in Sin City Wrestling, and the fans, that they try to claim that I cheated in this match.

Bill informs the camera person that he will make closing comments then the camera person can cut his camera feed.

Bill:  I won’t go into specific detail at this time but the next time I get on camera for the my second round of comments for Summer XXXTreme XIII I will give you specific details. I will leave you with my basic comments for today and then load you up with the specific comments during my next round of commenting on our match. Yes I have worked for around 30 years in the sport of Wrestling. Most of my time in wrestling was in the Wrestling Federation called ASYLUM WRESTLING ALLIANCE. Several of the people currently in Sin City Wrestling also worked or wrestled there so they can verify that what I am going to say is the truth. I held Championships in Asylum Wrestling Alliance around 20 times. These Championships included the Heavyweight Championship, Hardcore Championship, and the Tag Team Championship. During the last few weeks of Asylum Wrestling Alliance they introduced several new Championships but then Asylum Wrestling Alliance closed their doors for the final time. I didn’t have enough time to challenge for, and win, the newly created championships. From Asylum Wrestling Alliance I worked in RED SUN WRESTLING. After I joined Red Sun Wrestling it wasn’t too long of a time before the Federation was experiencing problems and they were contemplating if they should close up shop permanently. I was the last reigning Heavyweight Champion of Red Sun Wrestling but the Federation closed up shop so I was their last Heavyweight Champion. I will admit I have not done as well as I wanted here in Sin City Wrestling but that is okay because I always give everything I have. . .I never back down in a match. . .and as long as I am doing my wrestler and that makes the fans happy then I am okay even if I am not currently holding a Championship. That’s all I wanted to say today. Next week I will provide more comments on our upcoming OVERBOARD BATTLE ROYAL.

Bill flashes a signal to the camera person that he is done with his comments and the camera person cuts the camera feed and our screen goes dark.

[Aiden Reynolds]

Yakuza 1: 家族間の意見の相違 (Family Disagreements)

It was time to suit up.

Aiden stood in his bedroom, slowly sliding the perfectly tailored jacket over the pressed white shirt that he had buttoned up and tucked into a pair of black slacks, with a leather belt clipped at the front. He did the cuff buttons, pulled the jacket around himself, buttoned it at the front, then smoothed it down and took a deep breath, looking into the mirror. He looked good. He knew he looked good. He glanced down at his polished black shoes and lightly tugged the sleeves of his shirt just out from the jacket cuffs.

He looked like one of them now. He didn’t have one of their crests as a pin yet on his lapel, but he felt like one of them. Moving out of the bedroom and into the lounge room and kitchen, he smiled at Kallie. At first, her eyes widened as she took in the sight of her husband in a perfectly tailored black suit. Then she tilted her head and furrowed her brow before taking a deep breath. “Ummmm, what’s the occasion?”

Aiden smiled and shrugged. “I’m gonna go watch Dickie’s back. Gotta make sure he doesn’t get himself killed.”

Kallie frowned. She was clearly upset. Her hands wrapped around a teacup before she took a sip and stood up. A small baby bump was visible under her shirt as she moved around to her husband, grabbed his hands, and shook her head. “Aiden, I really don’t think you should be involved. I don’t think Dickie should be involved—or Finn. This is really stupid and dangerous. But you have a choice. Don’t do this. Don’t hang around those people.”

“Asians?”

“Mobsters, you ding dong!”

Aiden chuckled and leaned down, giving his wife a kiss on the forehead. “Aye, I get it. But I’m not doing anything too crazy, and I’m just there to make sure Dickie doesn’t either. I don’t want to become a member of the Yakuza. I don’t want to get into a life of organized crime. I’m just a fucking professional wrestler.” His voice was soft and sweet. He was trying to be reassuring, to take the tension out of the room. But he could tell that she was still worried.

Kallie swallowed hard and rested her head against Aiden’s chest. She took a deep breath and then took his hand, slowly placing it onto her stomach. Reminding him that he was about to have a second child. Another life he was responsible for. It was a subtle moment. Something that didn’t need to be said between the two. “Just be careful. We need you and love you.”

He nodded slowly. He could hear Dax playing in the next room. He could feel his wife’s warmth and the growing baby bump under his hand.

Knock knock

It broke the moment between them. Frantic knocking. Aiden turned and moved toward the door. The knocking continued as Aiden reached forward, looked through the peephole, and unlocked the bolt. He opened the door, and a smaller Japanese man stepped through. He was dressed in a black suit as well and was panting, taking a few deep breaths as Aiden raised an eyebrow. “You alright, mate?”

Kallie looked concerned. The man, a young foot soldier, breathed heavily. “Aiden-san... we… we need you.”

“What’s up, mate? Is Dickie alright? Has there been a raid on the coffee shop? Did one of our boys get hit? What’s going on?”

The young foot soldier breathed in and out deeply, trying to calm himself down. After a few moments, he looked up at both Kallie and Aiden. “No… but big emergency… we have n—”

“Have no what? Guns? Meds?” Kallie tilted her head to the side, looking at her husband. She was slightly perturbed by the fact that he immediately jumped to guns. But it didn’t stop there, as Aiden didn’t let the young foot soldier speak, instead happily interrupting. “It’s guns, right mate? What do we need? A few Glocks? 9mm? M4? AR-15s?”

“Aiden, what the hell?”

“Udon!”

“I.....-what, mate?”

Aiden blinked a few times, unsure of what he had just heard. Kallie chuckled and shook her head as the foot soldier took a deep breath and repeated himself. “Udon, broth, pickled radish, green onion…”

“Groceries?”

Everyone fell silent. Aiden blinked a few more times, and Kallie looked confused. The foot soldier nodded slowly. “Yes, we need food…” Aiden slowly nodded and took a deep breath.

“Alright… we better go. I know how the boys get when they’re hungry.”

The two left, making their way down the hallway as Kallie smiled. She pulled out her phone, looked at it, then swiped it open and made a phone call. After a few moments, we hear the voice of Dickie Watson on the other end. “Hello?”

Kallie placed her phone on the kitchen bench. “I know what you’re doing. You’re keeping Aiden out of certain jobs to keep him safe, aren’t you?”

“Yes…”

Kallie took a long, deep breath before smiling. “Thank you.”

Multi-Man Overboard

“Mate, what even is this? What am I doing here? Here I am with an opportunity right in front of me to earn a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship, and all I can do is ask why? I’m not gonna look a gift horse in the mouth, but this company and its practice of throwing whatever at the wall until it sticks is starting to destroy everyone’s morale.”

Aiden tuts and rolls his eyes before stretching his neck and clearing his throat.

“I’ll be completely and brutally honest here. I don’t deserve to be in a match with stakes this big. Not at all. I lost a triple threat match to two of the people who are in this thing. So tell me, why am I here? I know why. Because they needed something for all of us to do. Because I’ll be straight with you, Miles doesn’t belong here, Justin Smith doesn’t belong here, Bill Barnhart doesn’t belong here, Logan Hunter does not belong here. In fact, this match should be between Eddie Lyons and Liam Davis.”

“One on one.”

“See, while Liam lost his match against Kevin Carter, the guy put in a ridiculous effort and should be rewarded for it. And Eddie Lyons beat me and Miles. So congrats, Eddie, you beat us only to be put on the exact same level as us in a multi-man match, where the winner gets to face the World Heavyweight Champion. And again, most of us shouldn’t be here. If only there were another annual multi-person match that took place on this cruise ship every single year.”

“Oh wait, there is.”

“The Ultimate X over a pool match. You guys remember that? Sure you do. The females internet championship is being contested in that match this year, and usually there’s a partner match with the men. And it's for the Roulette title Instead of this Overboard Battle Royale, where half of us don’t deserve a World Championship match, we’d be in Ultimate X. But that match isn’t happening this year. I wonder why. It’s almost as if someone who says he doesn’t always get his way… got his way. Like some kind of weird setup where he gets to do whatever the fuck he wants.”

“Oh well… fuck us and fuck this company. I guess we’ll just sit here and change traditions we do every year to please one person. Awesome.”

Aiden scoffs and steps forward, his steely blue eyes on fire.

“But hey, just because I don’t agree with all of us being in this match doesn’t mean I’m not going to try and win it. I’m going to toss Eddie Lyons out. Even though I respect him, and even though he literally just won a triple threat match against me and Miles, he still isn’t the type of person who’s going to be able to win the World Championship. Because he chokes. He is a choke artist. As good as Eddie Lyons believes himself to be, and as great as his family is, he can never break through that glass ceiling above his head. He just keeps smashing his head on it every time he tries to become something better than he is.”

“It’s honestly getting maddening, Eddie. It’s maddening from my standpoint because I like you. I think you are a great professional wrestler, and I have all the respect in the world for your abilities. But you have this fear of failure in you. Almost like you don’t want to take that next step because you’re terrified of it. And that’s honestly what I think it is, you are terrified of success. You’re terrified of being the best because you know the kind of pressure that’s going to come with it. And that’s a problem. It’s a problem because most people step up and want to be the best. And you? You don’t have the balls to do it.”

“Other members of your family have the guts to do what’s needed, but they don’t have the talent. That’s Victoria’s problem. She has the guts to do everything she needs to become a World Champion, but she doesn’t have the skills that you do. If we took your skills and her guts, we’d have someone who would be a multi-time World Champion by now, instead of two failures.”

He rolls his eyes and continues.

“And speaking of failures… hey Miles, how’s it goin’, buddy? Man, this is great, isn’t it? We’re both getting a shot at becoming the number one contender for a World Championship! All we have to do is throw everyone else overboard. Sounds great, right? But here’s the issue, you definitely shouldn’t be in this match. You are screwed if you somehow fluke your way into a win. If Carter wins, then you and Carter have to go head-to-head, and that’s going to be a waste of a match. Neither of you are really going to want to beat the other, and it’s going to be boring. The rest of us are going to have a nice little nap while you’re in the ring, dancing around and doing whatever it is you do.”

“And if J2H beats Carter?”

“Well, shit. I don’t think anyone’s ready for that kind of massacre. Carter is better than you and he’s going to have trouble with a guy like J2H. You? You don’t have what it takes to beat him. Because you let people’s reputations intimidate you to the point where you become a shrinking violet in a world of war. I might not end up being able to beat J2H, but I’ll put on a much better show than you will,  and I’ll do everything I can to beat him, instead of turning into a fucking coward like you will. So I’m gonna toss your arse overboard because you do not deserve this championship match and you don’t deserve this opportunity.”

Aiden spits his words like venom as his hands ball into fists.

“Man, I can talk shit about Eddie and Miles, but at least they somewhat understand what they’re up against. They also do everything they can to destroy the preconceptions that they’re not good enough. But a guy like Justin Smith? This is ridiculous. Justin, I don’t want to be a dick, but I’m going to be. The fact that you’re in this match makes the match mean less. You have no chance of winning. You are nothing on the SCW spectrum. You shouldn’t be involved in any type of championship opportunity,  let alone for the World Championship,  and I despise everything about you and everything you think you are.”

“You are a waste. A complete waste of space. You’re taking up a position on the card let alone in a match like this, and it’s fucking disgusting. You shouldn’t be here. And I’m going to try and throw you out first because you don’t belong in this match. And if I keep seeing you there, it’s going to go from me trying to throw you off the boat to me trying to cave your goddamn head in. Because you stand for everything I hate about this business. You are a waste of time, a waste of space, a waste of a human being — and you shouldn’t even be in this business anymore, you piece of shit.”

“And I wholeheartedly mean that. And I also mean it when I say these things about you, Bill.”

“What else can I say about a guy like you, Bill Barnhart? Week after week, month after month, year after year, you stick around SCW like a bad smell, while never actually accomplishing anything. You, your wife, and your friend Felix are three of the worst human beings and worst professional wrestlers I’ve ever seen in my life. If you trip over something and fluke a win, that’s one win too many. You will never become anything more than that in this business. A fluke. And you and Justin are the types of people we need to run out of this business, instead of letting you come in and waste all of our fucking time.”

He stands up, slamming his fist on the table, clearly angry. Yes, he’s angry. Something you really don’t see.

“Kind of like you, Logan. You little shit-talking lord. I’m going to be very, very honest here. You should not have beaten me. You should not have been the Roulette Champion. And if you hadn’t somehow beaten me, you wouldn’t have been in the position you were in, and that stupid clown wouldn’t be holding the Roulette Championship.”

“By the way, kind of weird how you got an immediate rematch when you didn’t defend the title at all, while I held it for months, defended it, and haven’t had a rematch. I’m sure they’re going to use me being in this match as justification for not giving me one. But we all know the real reason. There’s someone who has a problem with that — and he’s a giant pussy.”

“But hey, that’s fine, right Logan? You get handed stuff. I get shafted. Exactly what I’ve been talking about for the last few weeks. But it seems to be falling on deaf ears. So I’m going to make an example out of you. You don’t deserve this position. You didn’t deserve to be Roulette Champion. All you deserve is to be destroyed on a grand stage so people can see what kind of pathetic piece of trash you are.”

“And of course, I want to finish on a more positive note.”

“Liam Davis…”

“Mate, you almost beat Kevin Carter. You did. I don’t think anyone can disagree with that. You almost beat one of the longest-reigning champions in this company, and you did it by putting the pedal to the metal and going at him. And now, because of that amazing effort, you’re in this Overboard Battle Royale. And I meant what I said. It should come down to you and Eddie. Even though Eddie seems to always fail, you’re an unknown quantity. You could put on a show and go after the World Championship.”

“But here’s the problem. While I can freely admit my path to this match hasn’t been the smoothest, and I don’t fully deserve it — I’m still going to take this opportunity with both hands and do whatever I can to win. Because deep down, I know I can be World Champion. I just need an opportunity. And if I have to get that opportunity by throwing you and everyone else off the ship… then I’m gonna do it.”

“And it is on every single one of you… to stop me.”

[JustinSmith]

The scene opens up with Justin Smith standing on the deck of the Princess Cruise. Before he goes to get a drink, he decides to call his friend and former trainer Casey Williams.

Justin-Hey Casey, looks like I am in a battle royal for a shot for the World Heavyweight championship against Eddie Lyons, Milo Kasey, Liam Davis, Aiden Reynolds, Bill Barnhart and Logan Hunter. What do you think my chances are?

Casey-I think you have as much a chance as they do, as it’s every man for themself.  I would say that you may be a target because you are the weakest link due to your record.”

Justin-I was thinking the same thing.

Casey-Ifigured, and I should expect you to be confident in yourself despite your record.

Justin-Yeah, and I will do my best to win the match, regardless of what needs to be done.

Casey-I’ll send Dying Breed and Hitamashii to train with you.

Justin nods and waves off the cameraman, asking him to leave so Justin can continue his conversation as the scene fades to black.

Early the very next day, Justin is seen at his cabin, on the way to the gym to meet up with Dying Breed and Hitamashii. He arrives at the gym to see Dying Breed members Andrew Garcia and Ivan Darrell already there sparring with each other and Hitamashii.

Andrew-You’re late!

Justin-Sorry, got stuck behind some slow people on the way here.

Ivan-Let’s work on some different techniques.

Justin-Let’s do this!!![/b]

Andrew-At least your skill set can hopefully shine in this match!

Justin-How so?

Ivan-You are known for your power and speed, right?

Justin-Yes.

Andrew-Let us see how we can use that to your advantage in this match, given some of the guys are more agile than you.  Let’s see you do a rack attack.

Justin and Ivan get into position and Justin attempts to give Ivan an ankle lock.

Andrew-That’s good. Now I want to see you try it again.

Justin and Ivan get into position again and Justin’s 2nd attempt of an ankle lock looks much better than the first time.

Andrew-Good job!

Dying Breed and Hitamashii continue working with Justin as the scene fades to black.

Later that night, Justin is seen at the cafeteria for dinner, but turns to the camera with an evil look in his eyes to call out his opponents, first Eddie Lyons.

Justin-”Eddie, you may be the most likely to win this match, due to your reputation but I will do everything in my power to make sure you do not win this battle royal.  There is nothing you can do that will surprise me as I am expecting the unexpected”

Justin then gets a water before turning his attention to Miles Kasey.

Justin-”Miles, I know you’re as talented as Eddie is, and I expect you to go far, but I plan on beating you and doing whatever it takes to win”

Justin then gets a burger and fries. He sits down to eat it and then turns his attention back to call out Liam Davis.

Justin-”Liam, I see you’re still as confident as ever.  Even though you beat me not too long ago, I have a ton of respect for you, as you call it as you see it, but inside that ring, you will be just another victim of my assault and my rise to superstardom. Everyone in this match is just a stepping stone to my success!”

Justin breathes, finishes eating, disposes of his trash and then goes to the deck as he calls out Aiden Reynolds.

Justin-”Aiden, another guy who I can see winning it, and just like I said to Eddie, I will do everything in my power to toss you over and earn this win. I am going to use my power and my speed to dodge any assault and toss people over. You will be just another guy tossed over by the end of the night. I am going to prove to you and the world that I am not as worthless as you think I am when I’m the one standing tall at the end of this.”

Justin arrives at the deck, sits in a chair, takes a sip of his water, and calls out Bill Barnhart.

Justin-”Bill, you seem super confident you won’t be eliminated, but I see you as one of the weakest competitors in this match. Sure, you’ve got some size and power, but you aren’t really that good a wrestler, and you will be one of the first eliminated.  You will be tossed over the ropes and then fall off the deck and into the water because you are clumsy. Nobody wants to hear about your former accolades in other wrestling organizations. Lately, you have been a terrible wrestler, who needs to hang up his boots for good.”

Justin cackles before calling out Logan Hunter.

Justin-”Logan, you can bitch and moan about me being a thorn in your side since your debut, and there’s a reason for it. I need to prove that I am the best in the industry, and I feel that going through you is a step in the right direction in achieving that goal. I agree that you should have held onto that Roulette title longer, but at least you can’t blame me for your losing the title.”

Justin then hums his theme song “Madness” by Liliac as the scene fades to black.

[Eddie Lyons]

Momentum. That's what Eddie had fought for and won a few weeks ago against Aiden Reynolds and Miles Kasey. Momentum for a match that was for yet another opportunity at the championship.

A place Eddie had been before more than once and the only time he had managed to gain the opportunity he blew it.

He couldn't argue when people said his career had run stagnant and he just continues to run in place because it was in fact the truth and Eddie wasn't the type to make excuses for anything.

He didn't know what needed to be changed, but he did know he wasn't done. What he did know is that he wasn't a quitter. What he did know is that he would find what it took and he knew that he would be the world champion one day.

Two things were certain in his life, he was getting married on the Princess Cruise and he was weeks away from becoming a father.

Maybe he can add becoming world champion on top of that.

__________

Eddie stood in the living room of the Las Vegas home holding two certain either hand Spider-Man on the left and Super Mario Brothers on the right, like he was making the decision of a lifetime.

“I don't know which one to take.” [/color]said Eddie “Spider-Man or Mario.”

“Do you need to take any more shirts” said Sabrina “I thought we were already packed. Didn't you pack like fifteen shirts already? You know you're not going to need that many right?”

“So Spider-Man?” Eddie said with a grin.

Sabrina just rolled her eyes and smiled at him.

“I'm still surprised we were able to get you on the ship.” he said, folding both shirts to be packed for the trip. “Pregnant women usually aren't allowed past twenty four weeks.”

“They aren't.“ Sabrina reminded him “That's what the waiver for is remember? Plus me being ex-crew, I was able to pull a few strings.”

“I know it just makes me nervous.” said Eddie, "You're almost into your eighth month now. ”

“It's only for a few days.” Sabrina said “I'm going to be okay. I promise I'm not going to pop the baby out in the middle of this cruise.”

Eddie walked over in out in front of her kissing her softly on the belly.

“Hey Jordan sweetheart.” he said “We're all really excited to meet you but please don't be too eager to get here, please just hang out for a few more weeks okay?”

Sabrina smiled.

“She's listening.” she said.

“Good girl.” Eddie said kissing the baby bump one more time before sitting next to Sabrina and giving her a kiss on the cheek.

There was a moment of comfortable silence between them, their upcoming wedding looming happily on both their minds.

“You know it's still hard to believe all this is real sometimes.” Eddie said “Sometimes I feel like there's another entity writing our lives like we're just characters in their story.”

“Well.” Sabrina said “I can assure you the cramps are most definitely real.”

“Yeah I know.” he said “I'm just saying sometimes it feels like it's a story being written out by someone with a wild imagination.”

Sabrina struck her head with a smile and raise her arms to the sky.

“Almighty Storyteller!” she said sarcastically "Please let the cruise go smoothly for us, don't push me in the early labor for dramatic story effect.”

They both shared a laugh together, as Eddie's phone buzzed. It was a text from Coach Kaiser.

“Oh hey it's from Coach.” he said he says “He's packed up and ready and he'll see us on the cruise.”

-Cool I'll see you there, coach.- Eddie replied in a text.

“I guess it really is real." Eddie said putting his arm around his fiancee, “Next week when we get on the Princess Cruise our lives change forever.”

“I can't wait.” Sabrina said smiling.

“Me either.” said Eddie.

They sat there quietly, arms around each other thinking about the future and ready for whatever it brings the both of them.

__________

The cameras open in a darkened room and the middle amid a single light is Eddie Lyons sitting at a table with the deck of tarot cards in front of him. The camera moves in closer as he looks at it and speaks.

“People don't realize that our business is more than blood and gold." Eddie said “People forget that it's a game of archetypes with everyone playing a role. Some know it, some don't but everyone in this business has a part to play.”

He reaches out and shuffles the deck before him.

“Six names stand between me and where I need to be.” Eddie said “Six archetypes, six different stories tangled together. Each trying to escape what the cards already know because as everyone knows the cards don't lie.”

He reaches out to draw a card and sets it face down in front of him.

“So who's going to show up first?” he said

He flipped the card over and looked at it with a smile.

“The fool reversed…” he said “One full of blind ambition and naivety. This one's calling out to you Justin Smith isn't it? I mean one can't say you aren't earnest. You keep trying again and again and again and you keep coming up short again and again and again. I know I've blown a few big opportunities but you can't even seem to gain any momentum at all yet there you are trucking along.”

He pauses and shrugs casually.

“More power to you I guess.” Eddie said “But we've done battle in the past, and I've told you time and time again you need to find something different. Maybe you need to reinvent yourself because what you're doing now isn't working and it's not going to help you win this match. At Summer XXXtreme, The fool will be cast out to sea.”

He nods to the camera and flips over another card.

“The Hanged Man…. reversed” he said casually “Stagnation. Just clinging to old ideas because they're afraid to change, do you feel this calling out to you Bill Barnhart?”

He pauses and keeps a gaze on the camera.

“I mean how long have you been running a place Bill?” said Eddie “I don't think you realize how willfully ignorant you've become. You show up and you do your little routine and try to sound tough like anybody's intimidated without the ability to realize that nobody's biting anymore. At Summer Xxxtreme I'm going to cut the rope and drop The Hanged Man into the sea.”

With another pause he pushes The Hanged Man card to the side next to The Fool, and he drives a third card. A smile appears on his face as he looks at it.

“The lovers… upright” he said. “This one's calling out to you, is it not Miles Kasey? But it's not just about the love you share with our world champion Helluva Bottom Carter, it's talking about the love you share for this business and just who you are as a person.”

He pauses for a moment tapping his finger on the card.

“You wear your heart on your sleeve Miles.” Eddie continued “And you fight with feeling. You fight like someone who loves it even when it doesn't love you back. We're no strangers to each other, we know exactly what each other are about and in some ways we're a lot alike. I can respect that but there's only room for one of us to move forward, only room for one of us to climb higher and that means the other one gets thrown overboard. You might be the best pure heart in this match Miles, but at summer Xxxtreme I send The Lovers out to sea.”

With that he pushes the lovers next to the other cards and draws another.

“The devil upright “ he said “Well this one has to be calling out to you Logan Hunter. The man who thinks he's been wronged and at the world's out to get him. The truth that everyone knows is you weren't wronged,  Guy with a cape simply outsmarted you. If there's anybody that's been wronged in the situation, it's Aiden Reynolds.”

He pauses again.

“The devil wants power but never knows what to do with it.” he said “He lashes out and manipulates, breaking everything he touches. Then he blames the pieces for not staying together. That is you Logan because everything you've done since losing that championship screams desperation.  You are consumed by the need to control Logan and that will be your ultimate downfall and the cards of your own self-destruction because at Summer Xxxtreme,  I cast the devil into the waters and put out his fire.”

With a slight nod he pushes The Devil card next to the rest and draws another card flipping it over.

“The Hierophant upright.” Eddie said “A preacher of a broken truths worshiping their own self-righteous delusions. Wrapping themselves in their own flag of justice. Does that sound familiar Liam Davis?”

He paused for a moment looking intently into the camera.

“You shouted at Kevin Carter and went on and on calling him a fake a coward a fraud everything in the book.” Eddie said “But did you listen to yourself Liam? Did you really listen? Because I won't deny that Kevin Carter is an assole, but you dug into his family, his personal life and tried to stand on it like a pedesta. Acting like you're some noble hero, like you're doing something for the greater good. I don't call that justice, I call that ego."

He pauses shortly again.

“You can talk all you want about how the big criminals you've dealt with.” said Eddie “But I've got a newsflash for you badge boy, this ain't your beat. This is SCW, this isn't the holding cell, this is the place where you don't get to play judge, jury and executioner. You don't get to flash your badge around here and expect people to stand in line.  You're all noise and fury Davis, and at Summer Xxxtreme it's time for The Hierophant to take a swim.”

He slides the Hierophant card next to the others, and draws another sliding it forward.

“The Chariot….reversed. The one fighting a battle between justice and vengeance.” he said “The one that's battling their own frustrated ambition. This one if you haven't figured it out, is talking directly to Aiden Reynolds. You used to have all the jokes the charm and the charisma the guy who can make you smile while beating you into the mat but now all that's left is resentment and rage.”

He taps his finger on the card.

“Hey if you're going to call me out for running in place then I have to return the favor right?” Said Eddie “Maybe you just said those things about me to light a fire under my ass, and if you didn't notice after I pinned you it worked.”

He winks at the camera.

“You acted like you forgot who I was.” said Eddie “So I had to make it my mission to remind you. So respectfully now, I want to remind you who you are. You should be the Chariot upright, full of willpower and determination steady on its path, but you're not  you're becoming full of aggression with no clear direction. I saw it in your eyes when I pinned you. You know you're not where you want to be but you can't figure out how the hell you're going to get there.”

Eddie pauses for a moment.

“I'm not going to walk into Summer Xxxtreme with any chip on my shoulder.” said Eddie "I'm walking in with the momentum, and I'm going to send The Chariot crashing into the sea.”

He slides the card next to the rest before pulling out one more.

“It wouldn't be fun if I didn't pull a card for myself would it?” said Eddie “Now which card might speak and call for Eddie Lyons?”

He flips the card over and looks at it with a knowing smile and nod.

“Justice. Upright.” he said “Did you expect anything less he said and it's not about me being some righteous hero. It's because I put in the work I've fallen on my face and gotten back up every time I've carried my failures without excuse and never stopped moving. I never lied to myself. After every stumble and every failure and lost opportunity that I experienced I kept going I didn't throw a tantrum I didn't blame anybody else I carried it and I put that blame on Eddie Lyons.”

He pauses again.

“That's what Justice represents.” said Eddie “Truth and accountability. Aiden Reynolds said that I'm wasting my potential and needed to wake up and so I pinned him, and did just that. Now I'm wide awake and ready for Summer Xxxtreme. This time Eddie Lyons doesn't miss. This time Justice wins.”

He looks at the cards on the table before him.

“No blind ambition, continuing to stumble in the dark.”

He flicks The Fool off the table.

“No more stagnation. No more running in place.”

He flicks The Hanged Man off the table.

“I understand how love can motivate you, but be careful it doesn't also blind you.”

He flicks The Lovers off the table.

“I've heard enough desperation and excuses that's not who I am.”

He flicks The Devil off the table.

“Around here you're not the law.”

He flicks The Hierophant off the table.

“I may be having my own issues breaking through but I won't allow myself to become lost in the process. “

He flicks The Chariot off the table.

“You're all going to face Justice at Summer Xxxtreme.” Eddie said “Justice is going to throw each and every one of you overboard, because the cards don't lie, and the cards say it's time for Justice to break through and get what he finally deserves. ”

Eddie stands up and walks off screen as the camera pans across the floor to the cards littered about before rising up and focusing on the Justice card in the middle of the table as everything fades to black.

_________

The house was still at this hour, about three in the morning, as Eddie sat alone at the kitchen table unable to sleep. A lot resting on his mind, his wedding, his upcoming daughter, his career, it did nothing but keep his mind racing and wondering what he really needed to prove, as he sipped his tea.

I've been stuck. There's no doubt about that. I've had to watch others move forward as I continue to be the guy who's always so close but never quite there.

But that doesn't mean I'm done, not by a long shot. I've fallen more times than I care to admit but I continue to get back up and that's what counts and that's what makes the difference.

Of course there's Sabrina my wife to be she believes In Me more than anybody and I need to be the man that deserves that the man who stands through the good times and the hard times she needs to know that she's never alone with me by her side, but I need to be the man that makes her beliefs come true. I owe that to her.

And Jordan. She's going to be here soon. It's crazy that I haven't even met her yet but I love her more than anything.  I just want her to be proud of me and I want her to see her father as someone who's strong and steady. As someone who always shows up no matter what. A man who even in defeat, picks himself up and continues moving forward with no excuses. That's the inspiration and value I want to instill in my daughter.

And there's people in SCW who have written me off, who don't think I have what it takes. That I'll just continue to tread water and I'm not really here to rise.  But I won't stop I won't stop until Eddie Lyons is on the top.

He finishes off his tea and here's the voice of Sabrina calling for him.

“Eddie… come back to bed.” the sleeping voice rang out from down the hall.

He smiled and headed back to the bedroom. Win or lose, the next couple months were going to be a crazy for him. A wedding and a baby that was drawing closer to finally arriving.  A World Championship opportunity on top of that would be icing on the cake and if he could win the World Championship from the winner of J2H and Helluva Bottom Carter as a result?Well, that would be the cherry on top.

_________

The cameras open open on Eddie Lyons standing against the back wooden railing of his home,  as usual he wears a look of determination and has an aura of never wavering confidence about him.

“You know boys, as ridiculous as this match is..” said Eddie "I'm not going to sit there and worry about it. If they want me to throw you overboard to get a World Championship opportunity then that's what I'm going to have to do.”

He pauses for a moment.

“I'm sure the world champion will have a lot to say about how I earned my opportunity when that time comes.” said Eddie “But right now it's all about the six of you. The six that I need to overcome.”

He exhales.

“I have to deal with Justin Smith.” Eddie said “A man stuck repeating the same mistakes. Predictable as ever. Has the hustle but no killer instinct. Everyone he faces says the same things about him but he never seems to learn.”

Eddie's shrugs casually


“Of course neither does Bill Barnhart.” Eddie said “He wants to cling to old ways. He remains overconfident in his outdated tactics.  He thinks that he has some intimidating presence, and maybe once upon a time he may have but he doesn't have it anymore.”

Eddie pauses again.

“Logan Hunter is just too desperate for control.” said Eddie “He's letting rage cloud his judgment and he's unstable under pressure. He's a man easily cracked and he won't be able to stand against somebody that's unbreakable.”

Another short pause.

“Miles Kasey will fight with the heart that he always does.” said Eddie “But he'll continue to be blinded by emotion and rely too much on passion. Unfortunately for you we're chasing the same thing Miles and this time it's going to be my turn to rise.”

He exhales again.

“Liam Davis..” he said "You continue to mask your ego as justice and you continue to want to be the judge and jury of SCW.  Like you have any real authority around here. You're going to find out that your badge doesn't earn you respect in that ring, and it certainly not going to help you win the match.”

He pauses again with another exhale.

“And of course Aiden Reynolds.” said Eddie “A man currently choking on his own frustration and resentment.  Becoming consumed by bitterness. You can say that I'm running in place all you want, but the truth is maybe you've lost your edge. Respectfully Aiden I don't need you to tell me about my career and what I need to do to improve it. Maybe you need to take a look at yourself and figure out why you lost to Logan Hunter. Maybe you need to look back and figure out why I'm going into this match with momentum because I pinned you. I'm going to go on to earn a world championship opportunity this time and you're the one that's going to be running in place and remaining stagnant.”

He pauses for another short moment.

“I hope you all can swim boys.” Eddie said with a grin “Because all of you are going to be taking a dip. But don't worry I hear the waters are rather nice this time of year.”

With a confident odd and a grin on his face everything fades to black.

[/i]