[Backstage at Summer XXXtreme II, we find Max being attended to by the cruise’s physician. He is a bloody mess as he lays flat on the cot. Even in his current state, you cannot wipe the smile from his face even as the needle pierces his skin. The physician keeps wiping away the remnants of Burke’s crimson mask acquired from the barbed wire that Kain introduced in the match.]
DOC: Okay, Mr. Burke one more stitch, and I’ll be done. There we go sir. All fixed up. He did a number on you with that barbed wire. I want you to take it easy for a few days, and let the stitches properly heal. You might be a little lightheaded for the next couple of hours due to the blood loss also. Keep an eye on him miss.
[The physician looks over to Ruby, who is sat by Max Burke’s side holding his hand tightly. She smiles in acknowledgement of the request. Max attempts to sit up, but he does so a little fast prompting him to lay back down. Max chuckles under his breath, and looks over at the doctor.]
MAX: I’m in good hands boss. I think I’ll just lay here a few minutes. I’m in no rush at the moment. You’re good with hangin’ out for a bit eh Ruby?
[Ruby runs her hands through Max’s bloodied hair, and gives his hand a squeeze. Ruby is showing the after effect of the bloody match also as her outfit is spotted with both Max and Kain’s blood.]
RUBY: That’s fine Max. We can stay here for as long as you’d like. You’ve earned the right to rest.
MAX: Thanks. Appreciate that. We’ll let the mob outside die down, and just chill out here. Hey Doc, how’s Kain?
DOC: Pissed off as usual. You’ve definitely stirred him up. You’re about even on the blood loss too.
[Max laughs at the physician’s description of his dance partner in the bloody affair here tonight. He reaches down, and lifts the Roulette Championship off his waist. He flips it up so that he can get a good look at it. Ruby smiles at the expression on Max’s face.]
RUBY: You earned that.
[There is a quick knock on the door, and Hot Stuff Mark Ward pops his head in. He gives quick thumbs up to his new Roulette Champion.]
HS: Congrats Burke. You look like shite.
MAX: Cheers boss. You can put my bonus in my bag.
[“Hot Stuff” Mark Ward smirks, and walks over to Max’s bed side. He offers a quick handshake, which Burke accommodates without hesitation. Mark nods to Ruby before leaving the room, and returning to the show.]
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[Fast forward to last week’s Climax Control. Word has just been leaked to Max Burke as to who he will be facing in his next match. We find ourselves in the “backstage” area that was set up on Hadicurari Beach in Aruba. We come across Max Burke, with Ruby at his side absolutely fit to be tied. Max is dressed casually in a pair of distressed jeans and a Marvel Wolverine t-shirt. Max has the Roulette Championship held tightly in one hand, and his fingers interlaced with Ruby’s as they are on the search for none other than “Hot Stuff” Mark Ward. After several moments of searching, Max and Ruby find Mark at catering. Max releases Ruby’s hand, and rushes up to “Hot Stuff”. ]
HS: Max.
[“Hot Stuff” Mark Ward offers a hand to Max Burke, but he can see that Max is in no mood for pleasantries. He can tell that Max obviously heard about his next booking. Max is fuming, and Mark fully expected it.
MAX: Ward, what the hell!? Are you serious man!?
[“Hot Stuff” tips the bottle of the local brew back, and takes a long swig before answering his Roulette champion. As Mark is about to set the bottle down, Max swats it out of his hand and sends it flying. Mark looks down at his now empty hand, and quickly back up to make eye contact with Max Burke.]
HS: Mr. Burke, that was uncalled for. I’ll let it slide THIS time, as I am guessing you have received your booking for next week?
MAX: You are damn straight I heard Mark. Why the fuck do I have to waste my time once again… facing the King of Delusions, Kain. I mean seriously Mark, how many times are we going to do this?
HS: He’s got a rematch clause. It’s a champion’s privilege. Why are you concerned?
[The look on Max’s face hardens with Mr. Ward’s question. Max picks up a bottle of the local brew on the table, cracks it open, and hands it over to “Hot Stuff”. He picks up another, cracking it open, and takes a long swig himself.]
MAX: Sorry Mark. You didn’t deserve that. I’m not concerned. I’m just frustrated. He’s like a damn tick. I’m sick of hearing the same shit and his verbal diarrhea week after week. It’s becoming quite the bore. The King of Excuses needs to realize when it is time to move on. His time with the Roulette Championship is over. I seriously do not know what it’s going to take for him to finally come to that conclusion. I zipped him up in a body bag for Christ’s sake.
[Mark listens to Max’s rambling rant, nodding periodically to acknowledge he is listening to “Pro Wrestling’s Pedigree”. Mark takes another haul off the bottle.]
HS: Listen Max. Kain is Kain. How many times have you fought over the past year? Things are different now.
[Mark points down at the Roulette Championship. Max looks down at his championship, and nods in agreement.]
MAX: That they have Mark. The blowhard doesn’t have this anymore. How many times have you seen Kain lose his focus over the years?
HS: Very seldom.
MAX: Exactly. I broke his focus. It didn’t take much surprisingly enough. Kain’s a family man now. He’s not the unstoppable war machine that he claims he’s always been. He’s just Mr. Nanny now. His focus is at home with his kids and the wifey. He’s gone soft. He can deny it all he wants.
HS: That is your assessment. Kain is still dangerous.
MAX: No doubt that he is still dangerous when he wants to be, but his head is not in the game like it used to be. He can put on the brave, mean face of the “King of Kings” all he wants but I’ve shown the world exactly what makes Kain tick, and how he can be broken. I dissected him at Summer XXXtreme II and he was on display for the viewing public as I showed the world his innards as he lay on my operating table.
HS: How’s the head? Doc said you were cleared.
[Max brushes his hair away to reveal the wounds of war suffered at the hands of Kain’s expert use of the barbed wire at Summer XXXtreme II. You can see that it is healing well.
MAX: Had Doc take a look earlier tonight. It’s healing up. Keeping it glued to make sure I don’t bleed like a stuck pig everywhere. Not to mention, I’ve got a great nurse at my beck and call day and night. Anyways, sorry for the rant boss man. No hard feelings.
[Max extends his hand first this time, and “Hot Stuff” accepts it. Max turns, and returns to Ruby’s side. Max quickly turns as he hears a whistle from behind.]
HS: Keep doing what you’re doing kid. You have a bright future.
MAX: Cheers boss.
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[Friday, September 9th 2013. Beautiful Morningstar Beach Resort in St. Thomas. It’s been almost a week since the announcement of the Roulette Championship Rematch in the Main Event of this week’s Climax Control. Max and Ruby have settled into their rooms at the resort, and are anxious to get in a workout. SCW crews have arrived earlier in the week, and have set up the ring in a private area on the resort so that the wrestlers can get in some work outs under the beautiful skies of St. Thomas. We join Max and Ruby as they arrive at the SCW workout area which includes some free weights, mats, and portable heavy bags among other pieces of equipment scattered about. Max is sporting his Under Armour workout gear today, which is fantastic in the St. Thomas heat. Ruby is also dressed in black workout gear also from Under Armour. She’s sporting all black compression wear which reveals her curves to the approval of Max. She has her hair pulled back with a black Under Armour headband also.]
MAX: Way to support our sponsors! Looking goooooooood.
RUBY: Typical male…
[Ruby rolls her eyes at Max as he just laughs. She playfully shoves him away. In the SCW ring, several of the SCW trainees are working out. They are in the middle of their warm-up as Max and Ruby make their way to ringside. Max and Ruby leans up against the side of the apron to check out a few of the rookies. “Stoner” Scott Oliver is also plunked on the apron. He greets Max and Ruby.]
STONER: S’up kids?
MAX: Hey Scotty. Enjoyin’ the vacay man?
STONER: Know it bro.
[All of a sudden, you can see the proverbial light bulb go off in Stoner’s head. He snatches his SCW issued camera off the apron, and flips the viewing screen open.
MAX: What’s up Scotty?
STONER: Oh! Boss men wanted me to catch ya for a little pow wow. Duh! You right here bro. Let’s rock this shit dude.
[Max has a look of slight confusion on his face, but he nods in approval at Stoner’s request.]
MAX: Okay. Shit, might as well man.
STONER: You ready dude?
[Max rolls his eyes at Stoner.]
MAX: Yes dude. Whenever you’re ready fire away.
[ Stoner mounts the camera on his tripod and lines it up so it will catch both Burke and himself in view. The recording light comes to life on Stoner’s camera. Stoner scoots over next to Max Burke.
STONER: Yo! S’up SCW? I’m here with the P-W-P… Max Burke. I ran into this heartless S-O-B right here on the beach in St. Thomas. Max, my man… you ready to tangle again with Kain?
[Max glares at Stoner as he starts off with the expected question which doesn’t need to be asked in Burke’s opinion.]
MAX: Scotty, yes… I’m ready. I’m ready like I am always ready. This pathetic son of a bitch spews the same shit week in and week out. It’s the same old song and dance. He claims his focus is 100% on me, and taking my Roulette Championship away this week. Really Kain? I don’t think so. You are so full of it. You know, and I know deep down… the fact that Goth is walking around with the Sin City Wrestling Heavyweight Championship is eating you alive.
STONER: HA! Ya, I would say he’s right pissed about that.
MAX: Oh you could read it all over his face. He was ranting like he typically does. He’s going to eat my soul… destroy me… turn me to dust… whatever. I had him so wound up about his little family, and that got in his head. Now… even better… Goth is SCW Heavyweight Champ, and Kain is absolutely going batshit crazy over that fact.
STONER: You guys tore each other apart at Summer XXXtreme II in that body bag match. How are you two going to top that?
MAX: Sunday is going to be a reality check for the King of Excuses. I’ve heard every single excuse that he’s been spouting. On Sunday, I’ll be giving him his opportunity to take paternity leave from Sin City Wrestling, and go home to be with his wifey and newborn twins. I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again Kain. Bring your best on Sunday Kain. I want you at your best. I want that ruthless bastard that you claim is rising from the ashes Sunday. I love how you’ve made every excuse in the book to downplay the fact that I’ve got your damn number Kain. Deny it all you want. The fact of the matter is this Kain. I have figured you out. Your best just isn’t good enough anymore. I broke your stranglehold on the Roulette Championship. How long did you hold it? That’s right… a long ass time… far too long. I was the one to take it away from you. That kills you. You are just not GOOD enough anymore. Face the facts Kain. Go home. Be a dad to your kids. You’ve proven yourself time and time again. But there comes a time when you have to realize that your time is over. You can feel it in your bones. You can feel it in your joints when you get out of bed in the morning. You know deep down, you’re not the same anymore. It’s time to call it a career. You just have to take that crucial step, and just admit it.
STONER: Harsh words bro.
MAX: The truth hurts sometimes Scotty. It stings like a son of a bitch. The sooner Kain realizes his truth, the better it will be for his family. You’re not very old Kain, but those street fights, and the battles in the squared circles around the globe have taken their toll already haven’t they? There’s no harm in admitting that your priorities have changed. Make the right choice Alex. Go home. It’s what your kids want. Hell, I heard you are officially a dad again. Congratulations. They all want to have their daddy home with them every night. It’s what Ariel wants. She wants her husband, and the father of her children home. Don’t be selfish. Do what’s right for your family Alex.
STONER: He keeps telling you not to make it personal. You’re definitely not listenin’ Max.
MAX: It’s not about making it personal. It’s about making him realize that it is time. If I have to send him home permanently… so be it. I will be that man that makes the decision for him. If…
HEYA BABE! WANT TO TAKE ME TO THE DARKSIDE!?
STONER: What the hell?
[Max whips his head around to see where the interruption came from to see a very ballsy, yet idiotic student attempting to make a pass at Ruby. Ruby shoots a look at Max as if it to tell him that she’s got the situation well under control. Max is having none of it, and pops to his feet. He gets directly in the face of the young wrestling hopeful. Max is nose to nose with the young man. ]
MAX: NAME! NOW!
STUDENT: FUCK YOU EHHHH!
MAX: WRONG ANSWER BUB!
[Max smashes the student’s nose with a bone crunching headbutt. Max grabs the kid by the back of the neck keeping full control over him. He unleashes two more vicious headbutts right to the bridge of the nose. Blood is gushing now. Max keeps control of the student’s head with a tight grip on the back of his neck.]
MAX: Lesson #1 that I learned when my family was training me kids. Listen up. See where I have my hand? You control your opponent’s head… you control everything about him. You can have your way with him. Especially, smartass punks who have no business talking to a woman. Want to drop someone with ease? Break their nose. You’ll make giants cry.
[Max pulls the rookie’s head down, and fires off a vicious knee into his already bloodied face crumbling him to the canvas. Max spits on him in a sign of disrespect. Stoner Scott Oliver has taken control of his camera and has zoomed in on the carnage. Max turns to the camera as he kneels down next to the disrespectful student.]
MAX: If you do not have respect… you don’t belong in this business. My name is Max Burke. I was born to win… it’s in my blood! Kain… this ends Sunday!
[Max takes Ruby by the hand, and escorts her out of the ring. The rest of the students surround their fallen comrade in training to check on his wellbeing. A few snicker at the lesson learned.]
