TV Championship match

[supremecw]

Chris Lawler will defend the SCW Television Championship. Who will he defend it against?
- Ryan LeCavalier
- Adam Brock
- Clyde Sutter
**The two that don't win the vote will face each other; Re/Gain the TV Title or Get the last word in this budding rivalry?

ALL ROLEPLAYS FOR BOTH MATCHES SHOULD BE POSTED HERE.

2 RP Limit for singles; 4 RP limit for tag
Deadline: 11:59:59 pm ET Wednesday, April 30, 2025

[Chris Lawler]

Waiting to Burn

[The Assassin]

1 of 2
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April 16th, 2025
Birmingham, England
Off Camera
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He may be without the SCW Television Championship after taking the loss to Chris Lawler on Breakdown, but “The Assassin” Clyde Sutter has not lost faith in Fate. Fate, he believes, has its plan for him and his career going forward. In fact, The Assassin’s belief in Fate is only further cemented with news of what CHBK has planned for the fans choice edition of Breakdown on May 1st. The Television Championship, initially having been fought over by Ryan LeCavalier, Adam Brock, and Clyde Sutter, now is in the possession of Chris Lawler. The fans will get the opportunity to decide how this four way entanglement will end. Who will get the chance to fight for the championship and which two will get the opportunity to settle an old score? A fan vote between Adam Brock, Ryan LeCavalier, and Clyde Sutter will determine which of the three will challenge Lawler for the championship while the other two compete one on one. Yes, this is being billed as Fan’s Choice and yes, the fans may get to vote, they may believe their voices are being heard, but in the mind of Clyde Sutter the ultimate deciding factor and the only real voice here is that of Fate. Fate will decide if he gets the opportunity to regain his Television Title in a rematch with Lawler. Fate will decide if Sutter will have to settle for taking down and ending a bitter rivalry with Brock or LeCavalier instead. And, quite frankly, The Assassin would be happy either way. His mission is to do the will of Fate.

After losing the championship, Sutter did not waste any further time stateside. Instead he booked a flight back to his hometown of Birmingham, England. One would think that after the constant harassment he has been receiving from his sister, Lilith Sutter, that The Assassin would want to put as much distance as possible between himself and his sister. But Lilith has been trying desperately to get The Assassin to lose control of his temper, knowing that if he goes into rage mode again that he risks losing all of the precious connections that keep him sane; namely, his girlfriend Melinda Braddock. Clyde knows that Lilith’s endgame is to somehow gain control over him and to do that she needs to split up himself and Melinda. He has taken every necessary step imaginable to prevent her mind games. He has even started seeing a therapist again and, upon the suggestion of the therapist, he took on a father figure, Henry Van Stanton, his step-father, thinking that a larger support system will provide him with a stronger wall around his mind to keep Lilith’s influence out of the way. But Clyde fears that this solution is far too simple for such a complicated and complex problem. He fears that Lilith is planning, or may already have perpetrated, further acts to potentially try and get to him. He refuses to be taken by surprise by his sister again and this is what brings him back to his home in Birmingham, England. He is seeking answers the only way he knows how…from the streets.

Birmingham at night was a symphony of grime and smoke; this was the bad part of town and consisted of crumbling red brick warehouses, their soot-stained faces catching what little light filtered down from flickering street lamps. Rainwater from an earlier storm pooled in uneven patches along cobblestone streets, reflecting fractured fragments of yellow light like broken glass. The wind blew low and steady, threading through alleyways and skeletal iron scaffolding, whistling secrets only the rats and the desperate understood. The scent of old oil and rust filled the air, mingling with something fouler. Somewhere in the distance, a train screamed its way along unseen tracks, its wail lost amid the occasional bark of a dog or the slam of a door. Life persisted here, in the cracks between progress and poverty. It breathed through muffled arguments behind boarded windows, in the shadows of hunched figures warming their hands over trash fires. It was a part of the city most people ignored until it reached out and reminded them why they should’ve stayed away.

Clyde Sutter moved through it like he belonged because, in some ways, he did. For most of his life, this was all he knew. He grew up fighting to survive on these streets. He got in trouble as a drug enforcer here on these streets. He was tall, well-built, his frame casting a long silhouette against the puddled street. His long black hair was tied back in a low, neat tail, strands clinging to the sides of his face where the mist and sweat had settled in. He wore a thick, black overcoat made of waxed canvas, the shoulders broad and stiff against his frame. Beneath it, dark woolen trousers and scuffed leather boots marked him as a man who moved more than he rested. His gloved hands remained deep in his pockets, but even at rest he gave the impression of coiled tension. His coat shifted as he walked past a cluster of flickering neon signs buzzing above a boarded pub. The blue and red glow bathed him in pulsing light, giving brief glimpses of the black shirt beneath his coat, unbuttoned at the throat, revealing a faded silver chain. His expression was unreadable, half-hidden in shadow, jaw tense, eyes sharp and always scanning. A man like him didn’t walk here without reason. He had a purpose.

He paused under a rusting iron awning. His breath curled into the air, white and ghostlike. He listened, not just to the sounds, but to the silences between them. Something was shifting in the night. That was when the stranger appeared. He emerged from the far end of the street like a shadow peeling itself from the brick. Shorter than Clyde by at least half a foot, the figure was wiry, almost boyish, though the way he moved. casual, yet deliberate, hinted at a confidence that belied his frame. His hair was cropped short, almost military style, and his eyes were too sharp for someone his age, glinting like the edge of a blade under the streetlamp’s dying glow. He wore a fitted brown leather jacket, a faded green hoodie and black jeans clung to a narrow frame, the fabric thin and damp from the earlier rain. A knife hilt poked from his belt, half-hidden beneath the jacket, and there was a barely noticeable bulge beneath his right sleeve, suggesting another tool of persuasion tucked out of sight. He walked toward Clyde with a lazy gait, hands in his jacket pockets, mouth curled in a half-smile that could’ve meant trouble or amusement, or both. The stranger didn’t speak right away. He just stopped a few feet away and tilted his head, studying Clyde like a puzzle box he’d already decided he could crack.

“It’s about time, Joseph.” Clyde snarls with a hint of annoyance in his voice. “Do you have any idea how long I have been waiting on your sorry ass to get here?”

“Hey, you know me, lad, I like to make a grand appearance.” Joey snickers.

“Yes, your charisma was always a nuisance.” Sutter remarks. “Understand, Joseph, that your desire to make an entrance is bothersome. You operate on my time, Joseph. Remember that. I have a schedule to keep. You, on the other hand, have all the time in the world.”

“Bloody hell, mate, like you have anywhere you gotta be, huh?”

“Quite the contrary, I actually am a busy man these days.” Sutter grins. “I am not the same man you once knew.”

“Don’t I know it!” The tension seemingly breaks out of nowhere. Joey approaches and embraces Clyde in a tight, brotherly hug. Sutter accepts the hug graciously. “God damn, man, it has been way too long!”

“It has, indeed, Joseph. It has been too long.”

“Joey.” He corrects him. “Quit the Joseph garbage. You may be a made man now but you came from the streets. You always will be from the streets, my man. So yeah, it’s Joey.”

“Fair enough…Joey.” Clyde sighs. “I admit, it is good to be back here.”

“Why? Do you miss the old life?”

“Not at all.” Sutter shakes his head. “It serves as a reminder of what I once was and of the person I do not wish to be again.”

“I can’t blame ya there, mate.” Joey chuckles. “I’ve been following your career and, I gotta admit, I’m impressed with your turnaround. You were a drug enforcer, drug user, you and I used to cause all sorts of hell in these streets of Birmingham. Yet now look at ya! You’re a successful wrestler!”

“Not what your definition of successful is…”

“You’re too humble, Clyde.” Joey remarks. “You were in Millennium Wrestling and was a Television Champ and Riot Champ. You were Global Championship Wrestling and was a Tag Team Champ. Now you’re in Supreme Championship Wrestling and you’re their Television Champion!”

“Shows how much YOU pay attention, Joey.” Clyde sneers. “I lost the championship.”

“Wait, what? To that Chris Lawler bloke?” Joey asks. He sighs. “So what? I missed an episode! But it’s no biggie! You’ll get it back!” He pats Sutter on the back. “I believe in you, mate!”

“It is true, an opportunity to regain the championship is there…” Sutter’s voice trails off momentarily “...but it is all up in the air, in the hands of Fate. Or as management wants to put it, up to the choice of the fans. I have to rely on the fans to decide to choose whether or not I get to win my title back.”

“That’s bullocks.” Joey shakes his head. “What do those idiots know?”

“What they know does not matter. My trust is in Fate.”

“Alright now, Clyde, drop that cryptic fate talk.” Joey snickers. “That’s the one part of your career that annoys me!” Joey smirks. “I annoyed you by being late…you annoyed me with your talk about fate…we’re even!”

“We’re hardly even, Joey.”

“Sure we are.” He smirks as he wraps an arm around his shoulders. “So tell me, my man, what REALLY brings you back to the mean streets? I don’t suppose I could interest you in some action for old times sake?”

This mere suggestion, the implication, that Sutter might be here to resume his old life on the streets as a drug enforcer nearly causes him to snap. He roughly pushes Joey away. The Assassin backs him up with his imposing, intimidating presence.

“I assure you, Joey, I am NOT here to resume my old life. I do NOT CARE to relive my old life.”

“Whoa, calm down, mate…” Joey seems to get the idea that he might have pushed Clyde’s buttons, that he may have pushed him too far. Clyde grabs Joey by his shirt collar.

“Do you understand, Joey? I am NOT here to relive my past. I am trying desperately to forget my past.”

“Yeah, I get it, mate but…” he nervously chuckles “...if you want to forget your past, then why are you HERE? With ME of all people?”

The Assassin stares deep into Joey’s eyes. He can sense the fear. He has frightened his old friend. Sutter, realizing he almost lost control again, steps back a few steps, which causes Joey to settle down as well.

“I need information.” Clyde remarks and then points at Joey. “And you always seemed to have had the best connections to every piece of the seedy underworld in this city. If anyone can get me the information I need, it would be you.”

“Oh well…thanks?” Joey looks rather confused. “But, uh, mate, you’ve been living it up in the United States lately. What could ya possibly need to know about the old homeplace?”

“Do you really want to ask questions?” Sutter reaches into his pocket and produces a wad of cash. He hands it to Joey, who takes it and quickly looks at it, almost as if counting it mentally. Joey’s eyes grow wide as he goes through each bill. He immediately stuffs the cash into his coat pocket and then looks up at Sutter.

“Damn, mate! That’s a lot of cash!”

“Indeed it is.” The Assassin nods his head.

“But you’re just a wrestler!” Joey exclaims. “Where are ya getting this much cash?!”

“I am not doing anything illegal if THAT crosses your mind.” Sutter states. “I get paid very well for what I do for a very wealthy individual.”

“Oh I get it.” Joey smirks. “So you’re still an enforcer, just not a drug enforcer. A mercenary who works for the highest bidder.”

“Shut up.” The Assassin snarls angrily. “Just answer this question…is that enough?”

“Yeah.” Joey nods his head. “But it makes me wonder…why exactly am I getting paid this much?”

“What did I just tell you about asking questions?”

“That’s a lot of money, mate.” Joey states. “That makes me think this is dangerous.”

“You always had good intuition.” Clyde nods his head.

“So it IS dangerous?”

“Not necessarily.” He states, shaking his head. “Just very…complicated. Complex.”

“I’ll take your word for it.” Joey nods his head. “So what do I need to about this complex job of yours?”

“Someone has been giving me some grief the past several months. The harassment has become unbearable and I do not have any reason to believe that she is going to stop.”

“She?” Joey arches his brow. “Sounds like a real winner to me!”

“You have no idea.” Sutter rolls his eyes. “For reasons that I would rather NOT discuss with you, she seems intent to ruin the relationship I have with my beloved…with my Melinda…”

“Oh ya mean the drop dead gorgeous looker that accompanies you to the ring?” Joey whistles. “Now that is a nice piece of ass!” That statement sets Clyde off and he turns to growl fiercely at Joey.

“Do NOT call Melinda that!”

“Hey, sorry, mate, I didn’t mean anything by it!” Joey backs up.

“Consider it a warning.” The Assassin snarls. “Needless to say, Melinda’s story is the one you need to hear. Before she and I became an item, she was dating a young man named Archie Van Stanton.”

“Oh yeah? How close were they?”

“Close.” He nods his head. “He was clean cut, polite, wealthy…”

“So everything you’re not?” Joey says with a smirk on his face. Instantly he realizes that he may have insulted Clyde again and backs up. But The Assassin snickers which puts Joey at ease.

“Yes…you could put it that way. Nevertheless, Archie and Melinda were very close. They were engaged to be married.”

“Oh.” Joey furrows his brow. “So wait a sec, if they were going to be married, how did that end and you two become a thing?”

“Archie and Melinda were victims of a drive by shooting.” Sutter says stoically. “Melinda survived. Archie did not.”

“Oh…damn…” Joey sighs “...lucky you?”

“I want you to do everything you can, use all of your resources, do as much digging and research as you can, to learn whatever you can about this shooting. Was it random or was there a target? If there was a target who was the target? Who was behind the shooting? Find out anything and everything you can and report back to me.”

“I suppose I can do that.” Joey says. “But, uh, just out of curiosity, is this for your own knowledge or for Melinda’s?”

“Both.” Sutter answers. “This case has gone unsolved for years and my love deserves answers. But I do have a suspicion that it could have a connection to me.”

“Fair enough.” Joey nods his head. “Where did the shooting take place?”

“Miami.”

“Whoa, hold up, buddy…Florida?” Joey asks, sounding shocked. “You DO know that my connections are ENGLISH not AMERICAN, right?”

“You will find that there is enough cash to fund you a trip to America, in case your investigation leads you that way, but as I said, I have a suspicion that this could connect to me, and thus you may feel free to begin your investigation right here in London using your…English connections.”

“You’re right. This does sound complicated.” Joey smirks. “I might need more money.”

“I promise more money if you get me the answers I need.” The Assassin says coldly.

“That’s good enough for me.” He extends his hand. “It’s great doing business with you again, mate.”

The Assassin accepts his handshake and smiles back at his old friend.

“Yes, indeed it is.”

The old friends embrace one more time in one more hug. After breaking the embrace they turn and go their separate ways. A nervous smile forms on the face of The Assassin as he walks back into the dimly lit Birmingham night; he is hopeful that, with Joey’s help, he can get the information he needs. Melinda Braddock was once in love with Archie Van Stanton and deserves to know the truth about why she and Archie were targeted. But he has a stake in this as well. She may claim that she is trying to legitimate her business, but Sutter knows that his sister’s business is currently organized crime, and Archie Van Stanton has a connection to the Sutter’s through Autumn Van Stanton, Clyde and Archie’s biological mother, making them half-brothers. Is it possible that Lilith took him out? Did she order the hit? And if it was her, was she really targeting Archie or did she target Melinda? This is the answer he wants to know.

He knows that he can rely on Joey to do this job. Joey is good at digging up dirt. Which means Sutter can now turn his entire focus and attention on the Fan’s Choice edition of Breakdown. This has nothing to do with Fan’s Choice. This is the choice of Fate. Will Fate give Sutter one more opportunity to regain the Television Title or does Fate want him to end either Adam Brock or Ryan LeCavalier? The Assassin does not care which path Fate has chosen for him. He eagerly awaits the task that Fate has given him for Breakdown and whoever his opponent will be, their Fate is sealed.

[The Assassin]

2 of 2
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April 20th, 2025
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Off Camera
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The deep rumble of the crowd beyond the black curtains was pulsing in time with the flashing lights that painted the concrete walls backstage in wild, shifting colors. The PPG Paints Arena was alive tonight; every seat filled, every voice raised, every heart pounding in anticipation of the action to come for SCW Rebirth. The air itself seemed electric, thick with the mingled scents of sweat, leather, and the faint chemical tang of pyrotechnics lingering from the previous match. In this charged environment, Clyde Sutter isn’t scheduled to compete yet here he is backstage as a spectator, watching all of the action from his fellow SCW wrestlers. There was a time in his past when Sutter would never have attended one of these events unless he had been scheduled to compete or unless he had a job to do. But things change and people change and, in this case, The Assassin has changed. He was once driven by hate and rage but now he is driven by something greater. He has a legitimate support system that cares about him; his mother Autumn Van Stanton and step-father Henry Van Stanton, girlfriend Melinda Braddock, and more. Sutter is no longer involved in wrestling just simply to hurt people. He wants to be successful to make these people proud of him, especially Melinda Braddock, his beloved girlfriend. He recently got a second chance at making things work in Supreme Championship Wrestling and he has made the most of that second chance, winning the Television Championship in a brutal ladder match against Adam Brock and Ryan LeCavalier. Unfortunately he lost the title to Chris Lawler one week later. Now, at the fan’s choice edition of Breakdown, he potentially could get the opportunity to regain that championship. He is now here at Rebirth, despite not being schedule for the show, to demonstrate his commitment to the company and his commitment to keeping his success on an upward trajectory.

Standing near one of the heavy packing crates, Clyde seemed almost carved from stone. He was a tall man, broad-shouldered and barrel-chested, with the kind of presence that demanded attention even when he wasn’t trying to take it. His long black hair, sleek and shining under the backstage lights, hung loosely around his shoulders, brushing against the collar of his plain black T-shirt. Faded jeans clung to legs corded with muscle, and a worn leather jacket hung heavy across his frame. His fists were at ease, his gaze curious rather than confrontational. He wasn’t here to trade blows or test his strength; he was here simply to watch, to observe the night’s battles from the sidelines. Yet the fire in his dark eyes said it wasn’t easy for him. He was left off the card of Rebirth, which is frustrating to some extent, but what really bothers him is the fact that he lost his Television Title. He lost it to Lawler. Now he has to wait for Breakdown and hope that the fans gift him with his rematch, a rematch he feels he deserves, he feels he is entitled to. By his side stood Melinda Braddock, who was all polished brilliance and effortless style. She wore a soft, tailored jacket the color of ivory, cinched at the waist to emphasize her hourglass figure, with a shimmer of metallic gold along the lapels that caught the light when she moved. Her tight black pants and high-heeled boots only added to the sleek, commanding image she projected. Long blonde hair cascaded down her back, framing a face made up with flawless care. Tonight she was here, at Clyde’s side, perfectly at ease, flashing knowing smiles to those who recognized her and cold, dismissive glances to those she deemed beneath her notice. She clutched a small, glittering clutch purse in one hand, though she hardly needed it; Melinda Braddock herself was an accessory, a statement piece, enhancing the rugged glamor of the man she accompanied. All around them, wrestlers bustled, some stretching and pacing to shake off nerves, others slapping on last-minute layers of paint or adjusting their gear. Crew members barked into radios, hustling about with ladders, cables, while agents in cheap suits scurried like anxious ants, clutching clipboards and trying to herd chaos into some kind of order.

“I’m surprised you want to be here.” Melinda says, a hint of annoyance in her voice.

“I am on the SCW roster, am I not?” Sutter asked. “Rebirth is an event sponsored by SCW. I am expected to show up and support the company.”

“Since when did you become a company guy?” Melinda smirks. “I mean, seriously, babe, you were the Television Champion. You won a very competitive ladder match on Breakdown. You have had fiercely competitive matches since your return. Even your match against Lawler, even though you lost, was one of the most watched matches on Breakdown. CHBK should recognize your talent by now. He should have had you somewhere on tonight’s card.”

“I feel honored and privileged to have someone as beautiful and gorgeous as you to be my defender.” He leans over and plants a kiss on her lips. “But I do have reasons to be here other than simply trying to impress Mr. Desoubrais.”

“Oh yeah?” Melinda arches a brow. “You can’t be scouting competition. Lawler isn’t competing tonight, neither are Brock or LeCavalier. Unless you know something I don’t…”

“I am not scouting future competition, my love.” Sutter says with a knowing grin. “But I do something you don’t.”

“Like what?”

“We are about to have a visitor.”

“Who? It better not be your creepy ass sister.” Melinda remarks. “I still can’t get over her stalking you…stalking us!”

“Believe me, I want nothing to do with my sister.” Clyde shakes his head. “But there is a certain someone I do want to get to know better and I invited him to join us tonight as a special guest.”

“Fair enough.” Melinda nods her head. “Just keep in mind what’s important…fan’s choice Breakdown is your opportunity to regain the Television Title.”

“Ah but that is where you are wrong, my sweet.” Clyde responds lovingly, to correct her. “It is in the hand of Fate to decide if it is my opportunity to regain the Television Title. Fate might gift me that opportunity or it might gift me the opportunity to put an end to Brock or LeCavalier once and for all.”

“Yeah, that’s the problem with fans choice…it’s up to the idiot fans.” Melinda sighs.

“Regardless, I will be doing the will of Fate come Breakdown, no matter who my opponent happens to be.”

The conversation stops suddenly when The Assassin notices something out of the corner of his eye. He turns to look and spots a familiar figure approaching from down the hall. He is tall and lanky, wearing a white button up shirt, tweed jacket, and black pants and shoes. This is Henry Van Stanton, his mother’s husband and thus his step-father. These two had hit a rough patch a long time ago but recently they have made it a point to try and repair their relationship. For Sutter it is about finding a father figure. His therapist, and Melinda, both agree that having a father figure would be of considerable help to his support system, and Clyde knows that he needs a strong support system in order to beat back the mind games generated by his sister, Lilith Sutter.

“Henry!” Melinda exclaims with a hint of excitement. She dated Henry’s late son, Archie Van Stanton, who was murdered in a drive by shooting. Melinda was involved as well but she survived. To this day no one knows who the real target was, Archie or Melinda. No one knows that Sutter has already put an old informant friend of his from his time on the mean streets of Birmingham, Joey, on the case to try and learn as much as possible about this case.

“It is so good to see you, Melinda!” Henry embraces her in a tight hug. Despite how things went, Henry has always viewed Melinda as a daughter. After breaking the embrace he shakes Clyde’s hand. “Clyde…thank you for inviting me.”

“Of course.” Sutter answers. “You grew up in the wrestling business just like my beloved. I thought you would appreciate taking some time to watch Rebirth.”

“I have always been impressed with SCW’s managerial structure and how they promote their events. Their wrestlers are some of the top notch, which makes the fact that you are a former champion in this company very impressive.”

“Thank you for the compliment, but I only held that title for week.” Sutter smirks. “If Fate is on my side, then I shall get my rematch soon and I shall reclaim it.”

“Ah yes, fans choice.” Henry chuckles. “Those sort of events are popular with the people but can be rather annoying to the talent. I’m sure you, Brock, and Ryan all believe you deserve that title match but only one of you will get it.”

“Only Clyde deserves the title match.” Melinda says boldly. The Assassin chuckles and kisses her on the lips again.

“Once again, my fiercest defender. I appreciate you, my love.”

“I am just grateful that you invited me, Clyde, and not just to watch the wrestling.” Henry says warmly. “I am so grateful to have BOTH of you back in my life.” He looks at Melinda and then back at Clyde. “I know we’ve had our ups and downs, but I sincerely want to make this work out.”

“Me too.” Melinda says. Sutter is about to interject when he feels his cell phone vibrating. He picks it up and looks at the caller ID…it’s Joey. He forces a pleasant smile on his face.

“Excuse me, but I must take this.”

“Is everything ok?” Melinda asks. Clyde nods his head and then kisses her on her forehead.

“Yes, everything is fine.”

The Assassin walks off to the side, far enough away so that he knows Henry and Melinda will be unable to hear him, and far enough away from any other prying eyes and ears so that he is certain to have the privacy he needs. He gets to a dark corner and then looks from side to side, making sure he is alone. Then he answers his phone.

“Joseph…”

“I told ya, mate, don’t call me Joseph. It’s too bloody formal. Call me Joey.”

“Whatever.” The annoyance in Sutter’s voice is obvious. “What are you calling me for?”

Is that any way to treat your pal? Especially the pal you paid to work this dangerous…sorry, ‘complicated’...mission to get information for you? Thanks for the paid vacation Florida, though. It’s real nice over here!”

“Don’t mention it.” Clyde says dryly. “What did you learn?”

“Well first of all your instincts were right, mate. It wasn’t a random hit and run. It wasn’t some botched attack or shit like that. It was an organized hit.”

“I knew it.” Sutter answers angrily. That confirms his theory that this was an organized hit and the target was either Archie Van Stanton or Melinda Braddock. The question now is who was the target? Clyde’s current girlfriend or Clyde’s half-brother? “Tell me…who was the target?”

“I knew that was gonna be your next question. I should make you pay extra for that information.”

“And I could track you down and crack your skull open…” Clyde says threateningly.

“Chill, mate. I was just joking!”

“I am not in the mood for jokes. Tell me the information. Who was the target? Who was behind this?”

“Well I don’t know who was behind it. But I can tell you the target…you should be safe knowing that your lady, Melinda, was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. She was not the target, so whoever was behind it is unlikely to go after her again.”

“So Van Stanton was the target?” Sutter asks.

“Yeah. And it makes no sense. Archie was some no name, am I right? Not all that important, his family isn’t all that famous or wealthy. Why would they target him? It makes no sense.”

“Actually…it makes perfect sense.” Sutter answers stoically.

“Care to clue me in, mate? Cause I’m lost.”

“Later.” He answers back. “We will be in touch.”

He doesn’t even say goodbye. He just hangs up on Joey and quickly stuffs his phone back into his pocket. It all makes sense to Clyde Sutter, even though it doesn’t make sense to Joey. Archie Van Stanton’s mother is Autumn Van Stanton, which makes him Clyde’s half-brother. Everything is falling into place like a puzzle. Archie wasn’t targeted because he was a Van Stanton. He was targeted because of his Sutter bloodline. And who has had a vested interest in the Sutter bloodline more than Lilith Sutter?

Clyde’s sister was behind the attack. He is certain of it.

==========
April 30th, 2025
Kansas City, Missouri
On Camera
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The camera rolls. The backdrop for this scene being recorded is dark, moody, and illuminated by red lights, creating for a foreboding atmosphere. In the forefront stands the imposing figure of “The Assassin” Clyde Sutter along with his lovely and devious girlfriend Melinda Braddock. Sutter has a menacing and intense expression on his face, his long black hair hangs down past his shoulders and is wearing a black leather jacket. The lovely Melinda is wearing a tight, long sleeved, little black dress with a hemline that stops just at the knee. Her long blonde hair also cascades in waves to past the shoulders. She has an arrogant smirk etched across her beautiful face.

“Mr. Lawler, perhaps a congratulations are in order? After a very disappointing return to Supreme Championship Wrestling, you finally managed to succeed at something. You finally became the Television Champion. It is indeed something to be happy about, having championship gold is something to celebrate and to cherish. And do cherish it, Mr. Lawler, hug that title belt tight. Sleep with it. Take photographs of yourself with it so that the memories will last forever because success in this cutthroat, ruthless business will all become just that one day…mere memories…and that is assuming you have friends and family who care about you enough to remember your successes. But make no mistake about it, Mr. Lawler, your championship reign and success will become just a memory soon enough. Furthermore, do not delude yourself into believing that your victory over myself was merely your doing. As I have said time and again, we are all at the mercy of Fate. Fate gifted you that championship, Mr. Lawler. That is the reality and if you can accept that reality then the better off you will be, the less it will hurt when you lose that championship.”

“I would listen to the man, Lawler.” Melinda says smugly. “That championship you hold is the workhorse title. It is defended each and every week. Currently it is held by yourself, a man whose record in SCW up until recently has been spotty at best. So how long do you really expect to hold that championship? How many challengers do you think you can survive until someone figures you out? Breakdown is coming up and you don’t even know who you are defending your title against. You just know it will be one of three people…Adam Brock, Ryan LeCavalier, or my man, The Assassin. Now I cannot speak for Ryan or Brock, but if I recall, Sutter had you dead to rights until you had to resort to a low blow.” She snickers. “And people call out Clyde for cheating? You were about to be choked out, Lawler. You were done for. And if you face him again on Breakdown, then I guarantee you that your reign as champion, for what it’s worth, will be over.” Braddock remarks. Sutter nods his head.

“Quite right, my love. Although I would be remiss if I did not point out to Mr. Desoubrais that his name for this upcoming edition of Breakdown is false advertisement. Fans Choice may sound nice, it may play to the heartstrings of the sheep who tune in and the fools who attend the weekly events, but this is not their choice. The fans never had the power and they never will have the power. Fate makes the choices, Fate makes the decisions, and Fate has all the power. Fate will decide the destiny of myself, Mr.. Brock, Ms. LeCavalier, and you too, Mr. Lawler. And if Fate is once again gracious enough to gift its most lethal Assassin and enforcer of its will a Television Title match, then yes, I will choke you out and rip that championship out of your cold dead hands! I will right the wrong from Breakdown and reclaim what is mine!” A cold, evil laugh escapes his lips. “Fate’s will be done…and unlike my opposition, I am perfectly at ease and content with doing the will of Fate. If it is Fate’s will that someone else get that title shot, so be it. That doesn’t mean I have fallen out favor with Fate. It just means that Fate has decided that someone’s time is up.”

Melinda Braddock nods her head. “Adam Brock, here we go again…the fool whose sole mission is to fight against bullying. Yet you are directing your rage against the wrong person because Clyde is no bully. He just does the will of Fate. If you have a problem with him, take it up with Fate.”

“He would be a fool to challenge Fate itself, my love.” The Assassin sneers. “Then again, he is indeed very foolish to think that he can stop me. We have fought in Dusseldorf, we fought in a ladder match on Breakdown, and I am STILL here! Every single action you have taken to rid SCW of the supposed ‘bully’ has been in vain because I am STILL standing! Despite your actions I still became SCW Television Champion! If that doesn’t equate to a failure then I do not know what does. Perhaps that is why you have pissed off Fate so much? You have become a failure and Fate no longer sees a reason to keep you around. You have been a worthy opponent, Mr. Brock, and it would be an honor to do the will of Fate and get rid of you.” The Assassin chuckles.

“And that brings me to my final potential opponent of Fans Choice…excuse me, FATE’s Choice.” He points a finger at the camera. “That would be you, Ms. LeCavalier. Welcome back. I dearly missed you. What I missed the most was your unwarranted overinflated opinion of yourself. I missed that arrogance and oozes from every pore of your body. Your words have not gone unnoticed. You look down on me, you speak of me as if I were no true threat. But when you had the chance to fight me one on one you could not pin or make me submit. You had your chance to definitively end this in the ladder match and again you failed. Not only did you fail but you lost your championship. Like Brock you are but a failure and that is why Fate has you marked for your end.” He sneers.

“If this were truly Fans Choice then a failure like Brock or another failure like LeCavalier would be the chosen challenger for the Television Title. But I have my trust in Fate and that this is truly Fate’s Choice. Fate will see that there is but one true worthy challenger to the Television Title, the one man who destroyed Chris Lawler and would have choked him out had he not resorted to a low blow to gain an unfair advantage. Fate will look kindly on its worthy and loyal servant and grant me the rematch I deserve and when it does, I will tear Mr. Lawler apart and take back what is mine.” He chuckles. “Mr. Brock, Ms. LeCavalier, you both should pray that Fate will grant me my Television Title rematch, because if I end up facing either of you on Breakdown, it will be the end of you.”

[Chris Lawler]

Scorched

[Ryan Lecavalier]

Chaos Is A Ladder