[Thatcher Rex]

 


Usually, I would start this off by addressing my esteemed tag partner, Spike Staggs. The true champion. But I hope Spike will forgive me the breach in protocol, as I have something of a vendetta against one of our opponents. Given that they’re both a part of Team Erik, I should have a grudge against them all… but Kevin Carter, in particular, has earned my ire.

You want to know why I’m fighting for Mark Ward and Christian Underwood, Kevin? You want to know why I’ve decided to side with the Loyalists against Team Erik? The truth of the matter has very little to do with trusting them, with owing them anything. I was content to sit this particular war out, to take my title reign to heights that leave my previous ones in the dust. But then, Carter, your boss came to me with a proposal. Erik Staggs came to me, hoping he could recruit the new Roulette Champion to fight for him in his quest for power. When I refused, he had you people knock the piss out of me. Did you think I would just accept that? Did you all think that I would reconsider my refusal? Well, sorry to disappoint, assholes, but nobody pushes me into anything. Nobody bullies me into compliance, and for damn sure nobody intimidates me. My decision to align with Ward and Underwood wasn’t made out of any modicum of loyalty, Carter. It was made because Staggs decided to “punish” me. It was made because I want a fight against the man who perceives himself the master of all, the man who thinks he has the right to push around any who don’t immediately flock to his banner. I looked at the people he recruited and decided I wanted no part of it. And, well, you saw the result.

No, I’m mistaken.

You were part of the result. It was you, Kevin Carter, that kicked me straight out of the ring a few short weeks ago. And if you think I’m going to let that pass any more than I’d let Erik bully me into joining his alliance. You’re an arrogant ass, Carter, and I’m sure you’d shout your own praises to the heavens a million more times if given the chance. But Spike and I, we’re not giving you that chance. You’ve been flapping your gums since you walked through the doors of SCW, Carter, but all you’ve done is use trickery and deceit to gain the ground you. You scheduled a match in which you knew the defender would be unable to attend. That’s not cunning, son, that’s cowardice. You took the easy way out. That’s not the mark of a champion, or even a fighter. That’s the mark of someone who’s afraid.

You stink of fear, Carter. Your every action, your every word, practically broadcasts the fact that terror racks your body. Despite your bravado, despite your exceedingly vocal manner, I can see through you. Scream about how you do what you want, when you want, how you want, where you want, yadda yadda yadda. Proclaim to anyone who will listen that you’re the biggest badass the world has ever seen. But your words don’t match up to your actions, Carter. When you struck me, I had already been through the ringer with numerous other individuals. Hell, I was being lifted into the air when you decided to strike. When you chose your title match, you picked a time when your opponent couldn’t possibly make it in time to properly defend his belt. You hide, striking from the shadows when your enemy’s back is turned. But you’re not in that situation now, are you? You’re in the same situation as Giani Di Luca, last week. You can’t attack from behind, you can’t ambush, you can’t even make a bogus stipulation to save your hide. You’re going head to head with the two biggest champions of SCW. And you’re going to see exactly why we’ve picked up what we have.

This is the second Clash of Champions in SCW history. Spike and I, we’ve gotten to where we are by not being spineless cowards. We’ve done what we’ve done, and that has earned us the privilege of being recognized by both the fans and management, as well as the locker room, as deserving of what we have. This Sunday, we’re going to prove it once more. But this little confrontation goes beyond titles, doesn’t it? This is representative of the battle between the Loyalists and Team Erik, the first truly official battle of what is going to prove to be a very long and ugly war. I’ve got a good feeling for the kind of man Spike is, and what I’ve observed is that he is a man who, when relied upon, refuses to fail. This pivotal moment will set the tone for the rest of this war, and it’s up to us, Spike, to make sure that tone is set squarely on Ward’s side. We’ve got ass to kick, my friend. I’ve considered your request, and you must realize how difficult it is for me to accept. Most of my tag partners have revealed themselves as treacherous slime… but last week showed me what it was like to be part of a true team. And you know what? I liked it. The comaraderie, the feeling of having someone who will be there to pull trouble off your back when it becomes just a bit too much. Almost familial.

So you’ve got it, Spike. You have the word of Thatcher Rex. We’ll behave as a cohesive unit.

As a team.

And our collective boot will be shoved up Team Erik’s ass.

Starting with you, Ace Baldwin. They say you’re “amazing,” and judging by your past achievements, you are. But, as stated numerous times to me by various members of the roster, past accolades mean absolute squat in SCW. Yes, you’re one half of the Tag Team Champions now, and that’s nothing to sneer at, but you’re going up against the Heavyweight and Roulette Champions. We’re the guys who have taken the past and made it the present. You hold your title with pride, and you should, but you do not hold it alone. You share it with another, and it takes the two of you to make a whole. Without one of you, the other is piss out of luck.

You’ve got quite an impressive resume, son, and I ain’t about to take that away from you. But you’ve sided with the wrong people, Ace. You’ve set up camp in the den of wolves by throwing your lot in with Erik Staggs. Think about it; this is the type of man who is at war with his own blood. You’ve seen the way he regards Spike. What’s to stop him from doing worse to people he doesn’t even know?

All of you that have joined forces with Erik had best be aware of the type of snake you’re dealing with. Prior to this split, I really had no idea who the man was. But by viewing his actions, it’s become apparent that the man would sooner slip a knife into your backs to further his own career. None of you are particularly stupid; even Misty has an intelligence about her. So what gets me is why none of you can see through the bold-faced lies he is spoon-feeding you each and every day.

You say you belong in this match, Ace, and I very much agree with you. You’ve got the talent, the ambition, everything that screams champion. But where you don’t belong is with Team Erik. You’re better than this, kid. Better than them. Men are remembered for their actions. You want to be remembered, Ace? Then act like the good man that I know you are. You’re letting Kevin Carter drag you around, pulling you deeper and deeper into the mud. Those are the kinds of people that are with Team Erik. That is his particular brand. It’s no coincidence that the majority of his team is corrupt. Right now, the only name you’re making for yourself is that of “Erik’s Dupe.” Don’t do that, man. I know you want to make your mark on the world of SCW, but this isn’t the way to go about it. You want to beat me? Then come up to me, face to face, and beat me. Get into the ring, and let’s face off for the Roulette Title. If you want it so badly, come get it. You deserve a shot, after all… but you won’t be getting a shot if Team Erik emerges victorious. As unlikely as that may seem, it’s a possibility. And if that happens, how exactly do you think Staggs will live up to his promise?

He won’t.

You’re focusing on the wrong things, kid, even with the metaphor. You want to focus on the arms of the T-Rex, but that isn’t the thing you should be afraid of. The weapon of the mighty Tyrannosaur was his maw. His jaws, the bite force of which is unparalleled, are the danger. If you’re that blind to the obvious, then you’re really in trouble. I don’t need to beat you, Ace. I don’t have anything to prove against you. This belt, my first championship in SCW, says it all for me. The fact that I have an inter-promotional match against an individual from another company says that I have the influence to reach outside of SCW and draw others.

What can you and Kevin Carter claim? That you have Tag Titles? Bravo. That’s a third-tier championship. You’re on the bottom rung. If you feel you’re up to it, start climbing.

Just know that it’s a hell of a fall.