End of the Year Open Invitational

[Jake Starr]

For Jake Starr, his reunification with his sister has been one that has given him a lot of positive hope in his life.  Growing up he always wanted a sibling, and after being informed by his parents of Jordan's existence, part of him has truly wanted to live that "older brother" lifestyle.  It's been a struggle for both.  Both grew up in vastly different environments, and have very opposing outlooks toward their birth parents.  Jordan wants to have her older brother, but does still harbor a lot of anger toward her parents, whereas Jake wants one big happy family.  Both know that his viewpoint probably stems from his near death experience, and that the reality of what could be or what would need to happen long before any feelings change is extensive.

For now, they've simply decided to move forward, and enjoy taking the time getting to know their respective siblings.

In SCW, people have gotten to see this all play out on air.  They've gotten to see the contrasts in humor and personalities both mesh and contrast, but ultimately somehow work.  They've gotten to see Jordan exposed to a, what seemingly looks like, a revitalized Jake Starr who has gone out there and started to simply be himself again.  Many have deduced that Jordan wasn't quite ready for the endless sarcasm and lack of seriousness with Jake, and one always has to wonder if there is a point she will get in his face and tell him enough is enough.  Jake has begun to pick up on this possibility, himself, and decided that it was time to bring some happiness, inspiration, and a true sense of himself to his sister.  He hopes that be expressing himself, opening himself up, being vulnerable, will show her who the older brother is that she has only just begun to know.

He asked her to meet him on the outskirts of the Des Moines Metroplex, and allow him to take her for a drive.  He freely tells her it's going to resemble a drive as if they were going to a premature location with a deep pre-dug grave.  He also assures her that this is not the case, and said if it was he wouldn't be driving himself but instead surprise her there with a clean getaway vehicle.  Part of his morbid humor doesn't always go over with Jordan, and she knows that Jake wouldn't put her into any danger.  She hasn't forgotten, however, Jake's "teaching" tactics from the ladder match, but figures if that's the worst Jake can get, she survived it already.

As the two drive on a desolate road and come to a stop outside a dark and rundown church.  Jake parks the car, and smiles.  He looks over at Jordan who is just staring up at the building.

Jake Starr: Here we are!

Jordan Majors: I thought you promised I wasn't going to die?

Jake looks confused, and then looks back at his sister.

Jake Starr: What do you mean?

Jordan Majors: You've brought me to the Bates Motel.

Jake looks up toward a window on a top floor.

Jake Starr: ... Nah... No rocking chair, you're good... C'mon!  Trust me the exterior is just a facade!

Jake hops out of the car, and Jordan mutters under her breath.

Jordan Majors: Yeah... Right...

She gets out uneasily and Jake makes his way toward the front door.  He takes a couple steps up onto the porch of the building and reaches out to grab the handle, which immediately falls off in his hand.  Jordan walks up and sees the exterior now breaking into Jake's hands.

Jordan Majors: ... Just a facade, huh?

Jake Starr: Hey!  This is a popular place.  The knob gets a lot of use.

Jordan Majors: First time you've said that, huh?

Jake goes to reply, but pauses, realizes Jordan just threw shade back at him in a very Starr-esque manner.  He's almost proud, but instead simply turns and pushes the door open and walks in.  Jordan smirks, realizing she shut her brother up, and follows him.  As the two get inside, they walk through a lobby area to another set of doors, and Jake immediately opens, and they enter.  Inside is a creepy, dusty, cobweb filled, old church.  The pews are slid in very unparallel rows, and one light shines through a broken roof board on the pulpit.  Jordan scoots a little closer to Jake, ensuring if she is grabbed by anyone, she can grab him in return, or at least kick him.

As the two approach the pulpit, Jake sees a random bell and rings it, slowly leaning his head in, smiling, and shaking with a stupid grin on his face.

Jordan Majors: What in the HELL are you doing?

Jake Starr: SHHH!

From the darkness, an ominous laugh slowly begins to emanate.  Jordan begins to see a figure walking toward them, and as it steps into the light, the man exclaims...

Guru: HELLO PANTS!

As the man becomes fully illuminated, it is revealed to be none other than the infamous Gary Busey.  Jordan looks over at Jake confused, as Gary and his gigantic teeth smile at them.

Jordan Majors: Umm... Who's the guy with the Chicklet teeth?

Gary Busey: Jackie, don't worry, I got this!

Jake Starr: It's Jake, I know it's been a while...

Gary Busey: That's what I said...

Jake Starr: You said... You know... Ok...

Gary looks over at Jordan to introduce himself.

Gary Busey: Hi... I'm Chet Steadmon...

Jordan Majors: And?

Gary Busey: And?  AND?!  I'm Chet Steadmon.  Mr. Rock and Fire.  Mr. High Stinky Limburger!  Stepdaddy to Hammerin' Hank, who I must say has grown up to do a lot of good in this world, especially after we won the World Series.  Nah I'm just joshin' with you, Miss, I'm actually Buddy Holly.

Jordan Majors: I thought he was dead?

Gary Busey: That's how powerful I am.  I brought him back to life.  All through the power of LOVE.  You know what love means, right?

Jordan Majors: Umm... To care about someone a lot?

Gary Busey: HA!  No... It means Letting Other Voices Echo.

Jordan is completely lost and confused.  She looks over at Jake.

Jordan Majors: What in the hell is he talking about?

Jake Starr: Jordan, let me introduce you to my guru.  The man who helps me get a better grasp on LIFE!

Gary Busey: LIFE!  Looking Into Future Events!

Jake Starr: See!  That's deep!

Jordan Majors: ... -ly disturbing...

Jake Starr: Jordan, I get it, he's kind of different, but this is THE Gary Busey.  The one and only!  He's had an experience far more intense than mine, and now I realize, having been there even for a few minutes, what he's getting at here.

Gary Busey: I died for two hours...

Jordan Majors: Impressive?

Gary Busey: I met Jesus and we had some wine and crackers.  It was Passover so it was those Jewy cracker things, and the tea tasted like water, but we all know Magical Jesus and what his water becomes, amirite?!

Jordan's patience is running thin.

Jordan Majors: Seriously, Jake, why are we here?

Jake Starr: To embrace the knowledge...

Jordan Majors: What knowledge?  What can I possibly garner from him?

Jake Starr: I mean, I've learned a lot.  Plus, he's Gary Busey.  He's a legend AND an icon.  I mean, look at him...

The two turn back to see Gary biting one of his fingers, and shaking his head like a dog.  He then pulls his finger out and taps on one of his front teeth before scraping it, and then licking his finger.  He then looks up at the pair, looking back at him.  He smiles and points to his teeth.

Gary Busey: Good news, they're still there and still solid.

Gary looks at Jordan.

Gary Busey: Want to sniff my finger?

Jordan throws her hands into the air.

Jordan Majors: AND I'M DONE!  I'M... DONE!

Jordan turns and immediately begins storming toward the back.  As she approaches the door, she quickly realizes the door is now being blocked by two large, male figures, who come into the little light there, smiling, and revealing themselves as Tommy Valentine and David Helms.  David clears his throat while Tommy motions for Jordan to turn around and return to the front.

Jordan Majors: What are you two doing here?  Out of my way!

David smirks even bigger.

David Helms: OH no!  You're not going anywhere.

Jordan Majors: And why the hell not?

Tommy Valentine: Because... We had to endure this crap, and now it's your turn!

David Helms: Yup... Once we heard he was bringing you here, we had to come watch this trainwreck, and how long you actually last...

Tommy Valentine: So turn around... Back back you go... Ha ha ha...

Jordan Majors: You two are fuckers...

Both David and Tommy shrug as she turns and walks back up to the front with Jake.  Jake is surprised, and looks to the back, catching a glimpse of The Next Level propping their feet up and watching.

Jake Starr: OH!  Hey guys!

Both men just wave, and Jake turns back around.

Gary Busey: Well back Little Philly!

Jordan Majors: My name is Jordan, OK?!  Jor-dan!

Gary Busey: Prophetic name, Jor-DAN... Jesus Ordered the Rapture Denying Atheists Nourishment.

Jordan Majors: Wow... Really...

Gary Busey: Oh yeah...

Jordan looks back at Jake.

Jordan Majors: ... Ok Jake... Ha ha... You've brought me into your fun zone.  Hooray.  I appreciate it.  Not really, but can we go?  This is simply a waste of my time, and I have more important things to focus on.

Gary begins to smile and shake his head.  His arms outstretch and appearing to "feel" something.  As he slows down, he looks at Jordan with a look that actually looks mentally stable and his words come out in a much more somber tone than before.

Gary Busey: Jordan Majors... Your body and soul aren't feeling as if they are wasted.  They are causing you to sense FEAR.  False Evidence Appearing Real.  You're starting to FEAR your relationship with Jake is going to be a SIN on you.  Well you're wrong because a SIN is Self-Imposed Nonsense.  It is part of who you are but you're so worried about the PAST, or Preoccupation About Spent Time, and that you don't look at it with a sense of FAITH, a Fantastic Adventure In Trusting Him.  You have the one thing in front of you that you've always wanted.  That you've always dreamed about.  That you've always wished you could have like everyone else.  It's the one thing you also are scared of the most based on where you've come from, am I wrong.

Jordan pauses.  For once Gary's ramblings have actually made sense, and have her thinking like she was hoping to not have to do.

Jordan Majors: What's that, Mr. All Knowing?

Gary Busey: Feeding A Miracle In Loving You... A FAMILY!

Jordan goes to respond but freezes, knowing Gary has just hit a very sensitive area in her life.

Gary Busey: Your past has taught you to fear that word.  Well today is the END of that.  Today is your EXCITING NEW DIRECTION!

From the peanut gallery in the back, David whispers to Tommy.

David Helms: That was deep...

Tommy Valentine: Mmm Hmm...

Jordan stands there quietly, with her arms folded.  Somehow Gary has gotten her to think.  Jake can see this, and thinks of it as a miracle.

Jake Starr: I told you he was a guru!

Jordan, still with the words running through her head, responds very directly.

Jordan Majors: I'm ready to go now...

Even Gary realizes not to push his luck further.

Gary Busey: I shall have my Acolytes show you out then...

Jake Starr: Acolytes?

Gary Busey: Yes.  They prefer that term to "squatters" I am told.

Two men emerge in druid-esque outfits from the back, and flank Gary on both sides.

Gary Busey: Frank... Beans... Would you escort our guests out?

One of the druids, presumably the one refered to as "Beans" is heard sniffing.  His head lifts up, and Jake's eyes widen.

Jake Starr: Oh no...

Jordan is confused.

Jordan Majors: What?!

"Beans" exclaims, echoing through the entire Fellowship Hall.

Star Wars Kid: HE'S HEEEEEEEERE!!!!

"Beans" rips off of the druid outfit to reveal himself as Star Wars Kid, and quickly grabs an old flagpole and makes a B-line for the back of the room.  Tommy's eyes widen, as do David's.

Tommy Valentine: Oh shit!

David Helms: Why do we always get involved in this somehow?

Tommy tries to jump up, but is quickly stopped by the point of the flagpole in his belly.

Star Wars Kid: YOU GOES NOWHERE!  I FINALLY FINDS YOU!!!

Jake turns back toward the other druid, who unsurprisingly reveals himself to be Numa Numa Guy.  Jake, Jordan and Numa Numa Guy make a brisk walk toward the back and Numa Numa Guy quickly tells Star Wars Kid to heel.  Star Wars Kid slowly removes the flagpole from Tommy's stomach and backs off.

Numa Numa Guy: Good boy... Good boy, you found him!

Star Wars Kid: DOES I GET MY TREAT?

Everyone looks around, and David offers him the leftover popcorn from the bag he was eating.  Star Wars Kid smiles gleefully and snatches the bag.  He shoves his face literally into the bag, and begins eating.  Numa Numa Guy looks over at Jake.

Numa Numa Guy: Does this mean I get to go home now?

Jake Starr: You know, I think so.  I mean, his mission is complete, finally.

Jordan Majors: Well what am I supposed to do about him?

Jake Starr: Umm...

Jake turns back to the front.

Jake Starr: Hey Gary... Kid here wants to stay and protect you, using his lightsabre!  That OK?

Gary Busey: That'd be A Wonderful Experience Showing Others Magnificent Energy!

Jake turns back.

Jake Starr: Kid... New mission!

Star Wars Kid pulls his face out of the bag which is now covered in butter and random kernels stuck to his face.

Jake Starr: You protect Gary!  He thinks you're special and would be an AWESOME protector!

Star Wars Kid: MEEEEE?

Numa Numa Guy: You're the only one of us who knows how to wield that lightsabre properly.

Star Wars Kid: YOU STAY TOO?

Numa Numa Guy: Not this time.  This time you're the strong one.  I'll visit sometime though.

Star Wars Kid: ME MISS YOU!

Star Wars Kid gets choked up and hugs Numa Numa Guy to where he can't breathe.  As he lets go, he nods at Jake, and frantically runs up to the front and stands in front of Gary, swinging the flag pole around.

Numa Numa Guy: Part of me is going to miss that kid.  He was good to fetch things for me.

Tommy Valentine: Does this mean I don't have to worry about him stalking me anymore?

Jake Starr: Nope... He finally found you!

David Helms: Is it OK to leave then?

Jordan Majors: God I hope so...

Jake motions with his head for everyone to follow him out.  Each go to their respective cars, with Numa Numa Guy getting a chunk of cash from Jake and a ride from David to the airport, so he can head home, finally.  As Jake and Jordan start to drive off, Jake looks over, smiling from ear to ear.

Jake Starr: So... What did you think of that?

Jordan Majors: You have fucked up friends... That's all I have to say about that...

She goes back to looking out the window and actually thinking about everything that Gary said.  Jake realized she didn't want to talk and decided to not press the issue further.  Jake ultimately returns Jordan to her vehicle and heads off himself, while Jordan sits in her car for a few minutes reflecting.  With Jake long gone, she realizes she's still alone in kind of a desolate area, and alone, and realizes she had better get the hell out of Dodge herself.  She fires up her car and speeds back to town, passing Jake in the process.

--------------------------------

Jake Starr: Ladies and gentlemen, it is honestly my pleasure to welcome you to this momentous day in the world of Supreme Championship Wrestling.  No, folks, Mr. D hasn't finally gotten his wits about him and given me my full ownership rights to the company, but I would say this runs a close second.  Why?  BRANDON!  CUE THE MUSIC!

Out of nowhere the "Mexican Hat Dance" and Brandon and Thoren are seen on camera for a rare appearance dressed in very stereotypical Mexican garb.  Jake waves off screen multiple times, before pulling Jordan in, who is annoyed to also be anointed with a sombrero.  Jordan stands still while the others dance around with maracas celebrating something.  Finally, Jordan has had enough.

Jordan Majors: OK!  STOP!

The record scratches to a stop, and everyone freezes in place.  Jake looks over in her direction?

Jake Starr: Why you no celebrate with us?

Jordan Majors: BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE ARE EVEN CELEBRATING!

Jake Starr: Well... Duh... Isn't it obvious?  We are celebrating our first victory in SCW together!

Her eyes go wide.

Jordan Majors: You're shitting me, right?

Jake Starr: Well, no, but...

Jordan rolls her eyes, and throws the sombrero in the air.  She then walks toward the camera, ultimately off screen.

Jake Starr: Well I guess the party is over, guys...

Brandon and Thoren collectively groan, before walking off of the screen as well.  Jake, still wearing a tiny sombrero under his large one, turns back to the camera, and continues.

... Well anyway, as I had said it was just a matter of time before the forces of the Emaciated Penguins, or Entitled Unicorns, or Exclusive Hamsters, whatever aired on TV actually did what they were capable of and WON.  Yes... It was by a DQ, and yes it was due to a couple of entitled hoodrats who seem to be obsessed with me.  Nevertheless, the record books show a win.  And I can say this... Those two Blue Waffle hoes would be lavishing in a DQ win because it would just have that magical letter W next to their name.  So I figure, why not do the same?  Why not embrace the victory and embrace the fact WE WON, and THEY LOST!  And in all honesty, no matter the how, it was something that Jordan and I needed to feel.  We needed to feel that sense of victory and knowledge that, by hook or crook, we can emerge victorious and get ourselves ready for 2020.

Speaking of 2020... What does that hold for she and I/  Where do we go?  Who do we set our sights on?  I'm going to be blunt and say our eyes are fixated on the two who have seemingly the same obsession with us.  Yeah... Infamous... Our eyes are on you, and those Tag Team Championships.  Normally I would say we would get in line for our opportunity.  But this situation has Infamous seemingly OBSESSED with the two of us, and our business.  It seems they want a piece of us, just like we do them.  So in 2020, I have a distinct feeling the way they seem to magically appear anywhere we are, we start putting the shoe on the other foot, and playing the same game of peek-a-boo that they are.  See, Jordan and I, while different in our methods, are so similar in how cutthroat we can be when you fuck with us in the wrong way.  And this little obsession you two have is beginning to borderline on that type of "wrong way."  So I would suggest making yourself a New Year's Resolution... Avoid the Eclectic Aardvarks like the plague.  It would behoove you both, and your stale run as champion.  Or make the wrong decision, and end up crying to one another when you are taken down, AGAIN by Jake Starr and company!

Jake clears his throat.

Now speaking of stale champions, let's look at that World Championship Belt.  Let's look at the game of hot potato it's effectively played between a few select individuals over the past few YEARS.  SCW has fallen into a slump where there has been this small handful of individuals who have been able to legitimately challenge for its most prestigious prize.  In some places, it's a matter of talent.  In SCW's case, it's a bit of a self inflicted wound.  Why?  SCW has a few who seem to dominate the headlines.  They seem to dominate the screen time.  They are the ones who SCW feels it is the "right move" to push here or there, and ultimately what we see is a revolving door of the same name.  The excitement wanes until there's that one moment when someone appears through the cracks, wins out of the blue, and makes those usual suspects turn into bad imitations of Jake Starr and Greg Cherry, demanding they are next in line.  The difference, not only are they next in line, they're next in line on very specific terms that put the ball back in the revolving door, and begin to shun those others who could conceivably have a chance at contending for the prize they so covet.

But then you also have those who see this, and decide to just blow the revolving door to shreds, and send those usual suspects into epic tantrums because now they don't control the flow, and instead, EVERYONE is calling the EQUAL shot... Hence the End of the Year Special!

Since I first walked into SCW, the End of the Year Special has been a night where the World Champion was put with his back against a wall in some form or fashion.  2009... I was the World Champion, and I had to walk into that arena and defend my title against Justin Davis, who yeah I had dominated in the past, but was on a fucking hot streak from hell.  And if I had beaten him, I was stuck against the guy everyone in SCW believed was truly unbeatable, in Hurse.  In 2010, I was the World Champion again, and what had become a mark of the year for me, I had to face my best friend for the World Title.  This time it wasn't Tommy, it was David.  Then comes 2017 where I face another guy on a MAJOR hot streak, and if memory serves me right, someone who had already taken me down, Ikiro Yoshida.  Now, I bring this up because I was World Champion in each of those instances.  I didn't have a say in ANY of the people I faced, or the situations that were put in front of me.  Instead, I had to simply suck it up, walk out there, and prove I was the World FUCKING CHampion.  Did I want to face Justin AND Hurse in one night?  Did I want to face David at all?  Did I want to face someone I hadn't beaten?  NO!  But I did it.  And not all went my way.  I lost against David.  But I still went out there and performed.

So what's my point?

Why this diatribe?

Why this history lesson?

The 2010s are being ended with as much of a clusterfuck of a match as I threw at the world when I did my Trios Gauntlet in the Chamber.  This time, some lunatic decided to not only cash in his Trios contract for the End of the Year Special, but he did so giving THE WORLD an SCW World Championship shot inside it's traditional End of Year Battle Royale with Cheese.  You know what that means?  IT MEANS I GET A WORLD TITLE SHOT TOO!

CUE THE MUSIC!

This time "La Cucaracha" begins to play and Thoren and Brandon return to the scene.  The three dance around until it's assumed Jordan cuts the music behind the camera.  A collective "awww" comes from the trio, and Brandon and Thoren leave with their heads slumped.

Apparently my sister isn't in the fiesta mood at the moment, so I guess we will save that for another time.  Anyway... So we have another battle royal in SCW with a lot on the line.  It's a moment that can end the 2010s with the biggest moment it has seen.  Let's be real... Like I said we have only seen a handful of champions.  It's as if they have a timeshare on the title, and simply are in agreement when they each get to play with the toy.  Well as far as I'm concerned, the days of the "Timeshare Champion" are over in SCW.  It's going back to the days when people EARNED, WORKED, SCRATCHED, and CLAWED their way up the ladder to be given matches like I had to endure, triple threat matches for the number one contender, hell Chamber Matches for the World Title, it's time SCW goes back to the days of stiff competition, and not a few commanding the man.

You see, when I came to SCW, competition was REAL.  Competition was TIGHT.  Jason Wheeler, Christian Savior, Shawn Winters, James Exerer, yes, myself, Thomas Valentine, David Helms, Greg Cherry, the list was LONG for those in line for a crack at the big prize.  EVERYONE had a chance to make their case and then go out there and prove it.  It's time to end this decade and end the constant back and forth and allow SCW to be a bastion of competition again.  This battle royal gives it that opportunity.  Since the early 2010s we've been subjected to this.  Since the early 2010s we saw SCW shift.  Well that decade of dullness is coming to an end and you know, this old man plans on going out there and showing why ANYONE on ANY NIGHT can compete, if given the shot.

Because now I have that shot...

I have a shot to become World Champion and end a DECADE as its final champion.  I also have a chance to go out there and do something that I don't know if anyone else has, and that's transition the World Championship from one year to the next on FOUR separate occasions.  It could have been done.  I don't know the exact stats on it.  But I know if it has been done, it would have had to have been done by a very select and few number of individuals.  Now, honestly before this was even an option, I wasn't planning on competing.  I was planning on relaxing.  I was planning on continuing to ease my way back into SCW's regular schedule, but this is something I couldn't pass up.  It's something I couldn't ignore.

So why me?  Why Jake Starr?  Yeah, it's a battle royal, so anyone could get lucky enough, so why me?  What makes me special?  Like I said earlier I am one of the few who understand that the End of the Year Special and the World Championship come with a lot of unexpected twists and turns.  I know that I can't expect there not to be more thrown into the mix.  But I can expect to go out there and fight it like any other battle royal.  And honestly... Part of me thinks this is my chance to FINISH what I started at Taking Hold of the Flame.  I got caught out of position and eliminated.  It's the nature of the situation.  I wasn't screwed, I just made a mistake that, had I been a little wiser, may have led to another outcome.  So here's my chance to go out there, do what I did then, but then focus on not making the little mistakes that can lead to that unwanted outcome.

This time, I can focus on doing everything right!

Now to you who threw the world into chaos, and made those usual suspects throw hissy fits, cheers to you!  That's what I like to see.  To those who think they are one of the few entitled to the World Championship, your days of doing a Harlem Globetrotter's weave with it are over.  This decade ends with a conclusion to the game of tennis you bitches have going on, back and forth and back and forth.  There are a number of us who WANT it.  There are a number of us who CRAVE it.  But let's be real...There is only one person in this fight who can make history by bookending an ENTIRE DECADE as the beginning and ending World Champion...

ME!

2009, Hurse and David... 2019, the World... The result, AND THE SCW WORLD CHAMPION, JAKE STARR˙