Sarah Wolf, Syren & Bree Lancaster vs. Nicole Kinneck, Owen Cruze & Ravyn Taylor

[Owen]

+++ New York – 29th December 2022 +++

 

Having spoken with Finch and Chloe, Owen had to admit he felt a little more at ease with the situation. Even if they couldn’t get the building next door, and it was razed to the ground and turned into a car park just to spite them, it didn’t stop them from expanding away from New York. It was a shame, no question about that, but if there was no way of appealing the decision, then stopping the Memorial from being demolished had to be Owen’s priority. With that all sorted, Reed had come in, and Finch had filmed his very first promo, shot for the End of Year Special that was only a couple of days away, and that had lightened Owen’s mood still further, and made him recognize the good that he was doing. The building next door meant he wouldn’t have the opportunity to do twice as much good, but there were still people he could, and would help regardless. That is, unless Eric Morris took it one step further and got Level Up shut down… which was looking more and more like it was in his power. With Finch having gone home, promising to watch both Owen and Reed and pay per view, it was just Reed and Owen at the gym, the two of them flying to Toronto in just a few hours.

 

Owen: So, you got your passport sorted yeah?

 

Reed: Yes, stop fretting, I’m ready. And anyway, I’d say that my passport is the least of my worries considering I’m about to step into the lion’s den.

 

Owen: You’ll be fine. Just do the best you can… your promo was awesome.

 

Reed: You wrote it, I only had to read it

 

Owen: Exactly, like I said. Awesome.

 

Reed laughs, Owen laughing too… it seemed like it had been a while.

 

Reed: So, what’s going on with you? You seem a little tense, and I know it’s not just the World Championship match.

 

Owen: Lot going on bro, but nothing you should concern yourself with. Just concentrate on the Battle Royal and let me deal with the rest.

 

Reed: I think I can do that.

 

Owen: Honestly Reed, I sometimes wish I’d stuck to just being a competitor and left everything else to others.

 

Reed: Don’t believe you, you’d only be bored.

 

Owen: You’re probably right.

 

The two of them are interrupted by the door opening, Owen turning to see who it is, his eyes widening as he see’s Eric Morris walking towards him. Of course, he isn’t alone, why would he be after what happened last time, and he walks directly towards Owen.

 

Reed: You want me to stay?

 

Owen: Nah, I got this. Just remind me to lock doors in future.

 

Reed: Yeah… might be a good idea to keep out the undesirables.

 

Reed says that just loud enough for Eric to hear, but it doesn’t change his smug nature one bit.

 

Owen: Can I help you?

 

Eric: Ah, very civil Owen. If only you’d had taken that tact a few days ago.

 

Owen: What do you want?

 

Eric: I’m here to help.

 

Owen: I doubt that very much.

 

Eric: How cynical for someone so young. You must have had some real hardships in your life to react this way towards someone who only wants to assist. Especially in your current predicaments.

 

Owen: And how do you know about those I wonder?

 

Eric pulls over a chair and sits on it, his hired help standing either side of him, keeping an eye on Owen should he react.

 

Eric: I’m sure you have come to the realization that I am quite a powerful man in this city. And more importantly, if I want something to happen, then it surely happens.

 

Owen: I’m kind of getting that idea yes.

 

Eric: Good, then by the same token, I’m sure you would like to know that I can make certain ‘situations’ go away.

 

Owen: And which of my ‘situations’ are we talking about?

 

Eric: Both of course.

 

Owen: So, are you admitting that the planning permission being revoked, was you?

 

Eric: Come now Owen, I’m sure by now you’ve realized that I’m far from stupid. You got someone listening around the corner I’m guessing?

 

Owen: No, it’s just you and me

 

Eric: Like I said… I can make things go away. IF, you do something for me.

 

Owen: OK, I’m listening.

 

Owen wasn’t sure what he was going to do, but if this ‘could’ go away, he had to listen to what Eric was suggesting. He owed it to do many people, especially Shaun who stood to lose the most.

 

Eric: Good… starting to show a modicum of intelligence at last.

 

Once again, he wears the look of a man who knows he has control.

 

Eric: So, I have it in my power to ensure that the decision on next door is reversed and given the go ahead for your little expansion. I will even renege my rights to the land that you built on without my permission, and hand over the deeds to either you, or your uncle, whomever you decide. A couple of phone calls in the morning, and it will be done.

 

Owen: That easy huh?

 

Eric: That easy

 

Owen: And what do I have to do?

 

Eric: Well, that’s simple too. All you must do is fire Jason King from his position here.

 

Owen: I can’t do that…

 

Eric: Then we have nothing more to talk about.

 

Eric gets to his feet and motions for his goons to follow, Owen shouting back after him.

 

Owen: Wait… Jason’s a friend, Willow as well. They have done a lot for this place.

 

Eric: Perhaps so Owen, but Jason laid his hands on me, not you. So, it is only right that he is the one that is punished. You do this, and everything else will just be a bad memory. You don’t, and you become just as culpable as him.

 

Owen stands there, stunned by the suggestion.

 

Eric: I know it’s a lot to think about, so I’ll give you a few days to think about it. Don’t keep me waiting too long though Owen, because if you think things are bad now, I can make them much, MUCH worse.

 

Eric motions for his guys to head towards the door, before pausing to turn back to Owen.

 

Eric: You’re a decent kid Owen, don’t let his temper drag you down with him. Oh, and good luck in Toronto. Landon watches Supreme Championship Wrestling all the time and you know what… I reckon I might tune in. In fact, I wonder if they are looking for an investor?

 

He smirks again, before turning on his heels, leaving Owen speechless. As the door closes, Owen immediately heads to the door and locks it, making sure he doesn’t get another visit. He’s been given an option, but he couldn’t throw Jason to the wolves for his own sake… could he?

 

Scene fades.

 

+++ Boston – 4th January 2023 +++

 

Owen sits in his hotel room in Boston, ahead of the conclusion of the Trios Tournament which was taking place this week. It had been mooted to take place at the upcoming PPV, but that had changed, something that Owen was glad off, considering that it may have meant him defending the World Championship AND trying to win the Trios Tournament in one night. It might not have been a problem had New years Eve gone South, but now with a title defense in his back pocket, Owen had found himself glad of the change… and the opportunity to have a ‘Plan B’ available such someone relinquish him of the World Championship down the line. With a camera set up and ready to record, Owen presses the remote and starts filming, with a now well-known nod of acknowledgment to kick it off.

 

“I don’t think I have to elaborate again just how important New Years Eve was to me, the World title defense against the Hairless Penguin at the End of Year Special my primary focuses the moment that he was voted for by the fans. I’ve spoken so much about redemption and achieving that, and it was almost as important to me to be able to walk into Toronto and defend that Championship, than it was winning it in the first place. My first title reign, ended by Sienna Swann in the Elimination Chamber, had left a real bitter taste in my mouth for what had seemed like an eternity. I couldn’t work so hard to once again claim that mountain, only to fail at the first hurdle and slide back down that slippery slope. I knew Penguin would be one heck of a competitor. I knew that the two of us would put on a show of fast paced, high-energy wrestling that would leave the fans salivating for more. What I didn’t allow for, was the outside interference of someone who would have done better to let Penguin do his thing, rather than get involved in something that wasn’t her business. Lexy Chapel COULD have shattered my dreams all by herself, but thankfully she couldn’t get it done. And even more crucially, I thank the SCW Board for doing the right thing and restarting the match when I had obviously placed my foot on the ropes. To lose the title in that way would have been heartbreaking, and I’m relieved that I could get through it, even with all that going on. No Shaun making decisions to help me out. No ignorance to the flagrant rule breaking of someone who doesn’t deserve her place in this company. What happened, how things ended, it was the right outcome, but I don’t place any blame on Penguin, and I thank you bro for one heck of a match. I place it firmly on the shoulders of Lexy Chapel, who couldn’t just let her ‘client’ do his thing. SHE didn’t have faith in him to get it done by himself. It seems I had more faith in the Hairless Penguin that she did.”

 

Owen shrugs his shoulders; it didn’t matter now. The right result had transpired, regardless of her actions. It was now time to start looking forwards.

 

“What New Years Eve did show however, was how quickly this could all be over. And how title reigns are held together by the thinnest of strings. I could lose the title at my next defense, or the one after that and be thrown to the bottom of the pile. Adam Allocco lost the title and was then told he couldn’t compete for it till Xander was no longer Champion. Selena held the title for what, seven months. And she hasn’t been anywhere near since. In comparison to the United States title, where apparently ‘someone’ is worth a rematch immediately, even though he severely messed up, it seems that the moment you lose the World title, you are immediately cast to the wastelands, left to scratch and fight your way back regardless of circumstance, or situation. Thus, it is vitally important to have an insurance policy up your sleeve. Enter the Trios Contract. Now, don’t get me wrong… I’ve beaten Xander Valentine, I’ve defeated Adam Allocco, one on one or not. No matter how much Josh Hudson goes on Twitter, or states in promo ‘he made me tap’, he knows full well that but for that thinnest of strings, he would have been the one tapping out, that’s why he makes such a big deal of it every single time he speaks. Yes, one New Years Eve, Lexy Chapel WAS found out, but it wouldn’t have been any great surprise if she had gotten away with it, we’ve seen it a million times before. Winning the Trios Tournament with Nicole and Ravyn, putting our differences aside for the greater good. It’s critical in ensuring that if ever I’m not bested by an individual’s talent alone, and someone comes along and uses anything BUT ability to get it done… I’m sure you know who I’m talking about. It would be amazing to know that no matter how much rematch clauses are a thing of the past, I would have something just as useful by winning the whole damn show on Thursday night. One on one I believe I can beat anyone, and yes Josh, I include you in that equation no matter what happened at Rise to Greatness. Unfortunately, some, and you know who you are, don’t have the morality that I possess, and will quite openly cheat to get what they want. Penguins’ promo was funny, as they referred to a person I once was. But like many, it showed in glorious technicolor, that he, and Lexi Corp, didn’t have the first clue who I am. NOW. Unfortunately, there are many just like Lexi Corp, that continue with their ignorance.”

 

Owen picks up the camera and holds it as he slumps back into the sofa and changes position, placing the camera on the sofa arm.

 

“But I’m not a fool, far from it. I’m not going to be like some and claim that the importance of my victory and my desire will carry me on to certain success. I look around the eleven individuals still in this competition and every one of them can claim it is important for them to win too, some arguably even more so than myself. For some, it’s to right the wrongs of the past. For others, it’s to jump to the front of whichever queue they wish and claim what they believe is their right. And there are those that might put together a match that was weird in it’s making, and yet could have massive permutations for the World Championship going forwards. In essence, every single team will be singing the same tune, promising to be ‘one’ for one night, and show unity not seen for every other day in the year. But you won’t get that from me, it’s stupidity on another level. You can ‘hope’ for that unity, but you sure as hell can’t promise it. You only have to look at our team for evidence enough. Don’t get me wrong, night one, we put on quite the show, but it all went well. Could we do the same if our backs were against the wall? It’s blatantly obvious that Ravyn hates me, and probably always will. Am can I be stupid enough to believe that Ravyn will put our team before Syren? You can’t. All you can do is hope that whatever each team has, will be enough. I’ve seen these other teams showing these public displays of affection, and acting like the Waltons, and there can’t be anyone who is buying it surely. Knowing that amongst those teams are people that have proven themselves untrustworthy, and how the default setting of many in this company is to put themselves above anyone else. It’s not defeatist, it’s being a realist. Randomly selected teams always bring about this dynamic, and that’s what makes the Trios Tournament so intriguing and how it always brings in the viewing figures. It’s chaos, and that is why it is a regular fixture on our calendar. It puts people out of their comfort zones, or at least it should. Those that accept that chaos are ultimately the ones who succeed.

 

And so, with so many moving parts, all you can do is hold on the best you can, praying that you don’t lose your grip on what is one of the biggest rollercoasters in the wrestling industry today. You cannot worry about how Syren would love to drive a knife into the heart of the Cruze family, or if Bree Lancaster has forgotten that I tried to permanently put her on the shelf… of course she hasn’t by the way. I can’t worry that laying in wait for us should we get past Sarah, Syren and Bree is potentially Kim Williams who no doubt wants to gut me, Adam Allocco who hates the Cruze family more than Syren, or Glory Braddock who has somehow placed me in the same melting pot as my uncle, proving herself the spiteful, chameleon of SCW just like I said she was six months ago. And who can forget, that just around the corner could be my good friend Josh Hudson, who with every passing day it becomes clear that making me tap out wasn’t enough, and that he won’t stop bleating until he has my career. And why? Because I had psychological problems and walked away from a business that had broken me. Walked away… something that he has done COUNTLESS times before. Josh Hudson Ladies and Gentlemen… the world’s biggest hypocrite.

 

And do you know why I won’t let it worry me?

 

Because for all their statements and PDA’s, I know the truth that they constantly attempt to deny. I know that Kimberley Williams will never play well with others, The One is one of the most arrogant individuals on the planet, clues in the name, and Adam Allocco is so consumed by hatred he cannot see the wood for the trees. I know that Chance Owens is the poor meat in the sandwich that is Glory Braddock and Josh Hudson who most definitely still have just as much axe to grind with each other as I do with either of them. I rent more space in their heads than they do mine, that’s for sure. I sit here waiting for that moment when Syren and Bree Lancaster remember their history, and what they have done to each other in the past and wonder why poor Sarah Wolfe is so obviously oblivious to what is happening right in front of her eyes. Can anyone really be that naïve? You know what I hope… I hope that one of the other teams throws away childish things and tells it how it is. I hope they tell a story where any ‘friendship’ is a fallacy, and that the team that prevails will be the one that best managed to hold it all together, despite the obvious fractures. Maybe it happens, maybe it doesn’t. Maybe I win a Trios with Ravyn and Nicole, the first time I will have been successful in this tournament, or maybe this is where it all comes to an end, and those contracts are destined for elsewhere, and the successful team will all come looking for the World Championship, challenging me, if I’m still lucky enough to hold it…”

 

Owen pauses, a smile forming on his face. For him, this was all a pleasure, a release from what was going on in his personal life. Either way, win or lose, he would walk away with the World Championship in his possession, but with maybe a few more challengers to that title, contract poised and ready. Either way, Breakdown promised to be one heck of a show, and the perfect way to kick of the calendar year for the company.

 

“All I can do, is focus on the one thing I do have total control over. Not what Ravyn is going to do, or even Nicole. Constantly worrying that they will stab me in the back and throw away the need for the ‘greater good’. Or who does or doesn’t want my head on a silver platter, in this semi-final, or indeed the final. All I can do, is what I have done for the last twelve months. Mending my damaged reputation, persuading people to once again have faith in me, whilst doing the very best I can to be one of the top talents in this industry.

 

And do you know what I reckon?

 

I’d say that is precisely what I am doing, every single time I step into the ring. Giving my all, for a company that made me, broke me and then rebuilt me from top to bottom into the person I am today. I’m not unbeatable. I can be stopped, and the same goes for our team. But I promise all the teams left in this competition, if we remain on point, and stay true to one thing, winning., whilst ignoring everything else, we will take some stopping.

 

The winners of Trios will have earned it. Whichever team stands victorious will deserve the plaudits, and the opportunities those contracts will give them.

 

And I’m going to do everything I can to ensure that team, is ours. I can only hope my team, feels the same.”

 

Owen salutes the camera, before ending the recording which cuts to black.