Josh Hudson vs. Owen Lee

[Owen]

29th Jan 2022

Newquay

 

Although the Estate Agent was speaking, Owen wasn’t listening to a single word. Selling the house in Newquay has always been a priority for him, and yet now, with him about to hand the keys over, he couldn’t help but have second thoughts. This house held a lot of memories, there was no questioning that, unfortunately most of them involved Orlando, and as such had been tainted, Owen still struggling to come to terms with what he saw as one big lie. But there were other times, fonder memories that he knew once the house was gone, he would soon forget.

 

Agent: Owen… is everything ok?

 

The question breaks him from his trance, and he turns to the guy who had been speaking to him for the last five minutes

 

Owen: Sorry man, miles away. Lot’s on my mind.

 

Agent: I understand… a house move is one of the most stressful things we go through in our lives. Especially if the house has been in the family for as long as this property has.

 

Owen: Yeah…

 

Agent: In my experience it tends to help with the process if you know that the house is going to be looked after, and I assure you that the family that have taken possession of the property will make the most of living here. Plenty of space to grow into and right next to the beach, it certainly is the perfect family home.

 

Owen: Well, I hope their happy… I know I was.

 

And he was, and he’d never forget that. It may well have been a lie he was living, but it was filled with laughter for many years.

 

Owen: Do you mind if I have one final look around the place?

 

Estate: Of course, I’ll make a few calls whilst you say your goodbyes. Take your time.

 

The Estate Agent makes his way through the front door, and Owen climbs the stairs, immediately making a beeline for what was his bedroom. In his mind he pictures sitting on his bed, playing FIFA against Shaun, as well as Orlando. Shaun was ok at the game, but Orlando had always been awful, but never seemed to care. Owen turns, and makes his way to the master bedroom, and pictures how it once was, Owen laid in the middle of Kloe and Orlando as they took turns reading parts of the story. Biting his bottom lip, Owen steps out of the bedroom again and makes his way downstairs, and through the kitchen, finding himself in the back garden, walking down towards the gate that he knew would lead to the beach beyond. He opens the gate, but doesn’t step through, and remains on the pathway, looking at the place where he had always built sandcastles, or played football. He closes his eyes, and there clear as a bell is Orlando’s voice, as once again he makes a mess of the simplest of passes.

 

Owen: Christ you were shit at football…

 

He turns again, puffing out his cheeks, and stopping at the French Doors he looks back, down the garden, where the swing set remained even though he and Ruby had long since grown out of it. He then steps back into the kitchen and closes the French doors, before then locking them. He then walks through the kitchen and opens the front door, turning and inhaling the smell of the house for the very last time, pausing, before slowly closing the door to. After a deep sigh, he spins around to face the Estate Agent, and holds out the keys to the house.

 

Agent: All done?

 

He looks over his house, at the number 21 on the door, and nods his head

 

Owen: All done

 

The Agent takes the keys, Owen walking past him and down the pathway.

 

Agent: Do you have any more questions Owen?

 

Owen looks up and down the house, in particular the window that was his bedroom, and then shakes his head.

 

Owen: Nah… just tell the family that I hope they are happy here will you?

 

Agent: I will Owen, take care.

 

The Agents phone rings again, and he motions a goodbye, Owen walking through the gate and then turning right, making his way towards where his rental was parked.

 

“Owen!!!”

 

He turns, and see’s Dani, a old schoolfriend crossing the road, smiling to greet him.

 

Owen: Oh hey Dani… good to see you.

 

Dani: And you… I see you’ve sold the place.

 

Owen: Yeah, got a really good price for it as well… it’s gone to a good home.

 

Dani: Is it a family?

 

Owen: Yeah, kids, a dog… they’ll fit in well around here.

 

Dani: Yeah, well I hope you’ve warned them that there is a psychopath loose who hangs poor dogs from trees.

 

Dani was referring to the last time Owen was in Newquay, Owen scorning Maisie Phillips, Shaun’s ex-girlfriend, and her reacting by hanging his dog, Owen barely saving the dog in time, but Owen unable to find proof that she was at fault. Dani tilts her head, placing a hand on his shoulder

 

Dani: Sorry, I’m sure you didn’t need reminding of that. How is Virgil?

 

Owen: He’s good, I’m flying him out to Miami once the house is ready. Shaun is looking after him at the moment and he’s having the time of his life playing with Gerrard.

 

Gerrard was Shaun’s Labrador that he’d had for years now, For some reason, Dani looked concerned.

 

Dani: You ok Owen? I know what that house meant to you.

 

Owen: Yeah, I’m alright, it’s only bricks and mortar after all.

 

Dani: I know, but I always thought it would belong to the Cruze family.

 

Owen: Perhaps, but I’m not a Cruze anymore so…

 

He tries to force a grin at his sarcasm, but it falls flat.

 

Dani: You know what I mean

 

Owen shrugs his shoulders

 

Owen: Yeah, sorry… I do. I just thought it would be easier if I didn’t have those memories of Mom and Dad you know? I thought if I sold up, they would disappear.

 

Dani: And have they?

 

Owen: No, guess not. But it’s all still a little new. Sure, it will.

 

Dani: Are you sure that it’s what you want? To forget I mean.

 

Owen: Forget the lie? Yeah, damn right I do.

 

Dani: It wasn’t all a lie Owen, and you’re not stupid enough to think otherwise. Better to live with a lie than it is to live with regrets.

 

Dani for a moment looks away, Owen picking up on something else. He’d know Dani for years and could tell something was wrong.

 

Owen: Are you OK Dani?

 

Dani: Not really… my Mum died a few weeks ago.

 

The statement takes Owen by surprise, and as is the case in these kinds of situations he isn’t immediately sure what to say.

 

Owen: I’m so sorry… I didn’t even know she was ill.

 

Dani: No, neither did we until recently. It happened so fast which watching it happen was kind of a Godsend.

 

Owen: Fuck, and here I am bleating about my problems. Sorry

 

Dani: It’s OK, you weren’t to know. She didn’t really have time to suffer it happened so fast. I guess it’s the ones that are left behind that do the suffering isn’t it? I mean, you’ve been through it… with your Dad.

 

Owen: Both of them… which is kinda ironic.

 

It was a lame joke and Owen knew it. Truth was, he was really trying to hate Orlando, but over time it was getting harder and harder to keep a hold of the animosity towards him. Was he just getting more hardened to the facts, or, as was more likely, was he starting to understand?

 

Dani: I’ve found the hardest thing to handle is the guilt. Asking yourself if you could have done more, or all the things you’d wish you said but never had the opportunity.

 

Owen: You getting at something Dani?

 

Dani: All I’m saying is selling the house, trying to forget… none of it will make the situation any easier. Your Dad passed away, both of them…

 

Now it is her turn to tell the same lame joke.

 

Dani: But your Mom Owen, she is still here, and she wants to take away that pain. And no matter what you might think, anything that she did, she didn’t do it to hurt you. In fact, it was exactly the opposite. They may well have got it wrong, but all they were trying to do was protect you. To bring you up so that you became the man you are today. And for many years, that’s precisely what the two of them did. If your Mom died tomorrow, you’d have to live with those feelings forever. Wouldn’t it be easier if you could just let them go?

 

Owen shrugs his shoulders; thought deep down he knew full well that she was right.

 

Dani: That reaction tells me that you know I’m right. Go and see her Owen, and instead of shouting, ranting or raving, talk to her. Tell her exactly how you are feeling and put a line through all that has happened and move on.

 

She points over towards the house.

 

Dani: Selling the house and all those memories wasn’t ever going to change anything. Putting things right with your Mom, and letting that hate die, THAT will make the difference. And if it doesn’t, then at least you can say you tried.

 

It was Daisy who had given that advice early on in his recovery, but at that time he could only treat it with disdain, never believing he could find that forgiveness. And so, Daisy had never approached it again, and instead had concentrated on him finding Jennifer, and getting him back to a point where he didn’t let his career go to waste. Even back then, he’d known that Daisy was right, and right now Dani was confirming it. Was his Mom the final piece of the puzzle… the answer to everything.

 

Owen: I’ll give it another go. And I really am sorry about your Mum, she was an amazing woman.

 

Dani smiles, with relief more than anything that it seemed like she had gotten through.

 

Dani: Yeah, she was, but so is your Mom. She’s been through a lot, just like you have.

 

Owen: I know.

 

Dani: Just forgive them Owen… it will make your life a whole lot easier.

 

Owen nods his head, grateful for the advice which seemingly had finally sunk in. Being angry had been tiring, maybe almost a year down the line since he found at the truth, he was able to at last let it go.

 

Owen: Thanks Dani… has the funeral for your Mum taken place?

 

Dani: No, it’s in a couple of days.

 

Owen: Then if it’s ok with you, I’d like to attend and pay my respects.

 

Dani: Of course… I’d appreciate that

 

Owen: Then, I’ll see you there. And you’ll get through this, you always were a tough cookie.

 

Dani: I’ve had to be… but so are you.

 

With that they part, that final statement ringing in his ears. Owen had taken a lot of crap in his young life, his nickname ‘Calamity Cruze’ testament to that. But rather than be the albatross it once was, he now felt like those hardships were giving him strength. He felt ‘stronger’ than ever before. He felt ready… to finally move on.

 

15th February 2022

Los Angeles

 

Owen had taken Dani’s words to heart, and once the funeral had taken place, Owen had promised her that he would go and see his Mother and try to finally put the last twelve months to bed. He had arranged to go and see her in Los Angeles for his birthday and having arrived a few minutes earlier than he had expected, he finds himself in the car sat just around the corner of Kloe’s house, still rehearsing what it was he was going to say. He looks up at the rear-view mirror, looking at himself and even now wondering if it was the right thing to do. Before he can change his mind, he puts the car back into gear, and doesn’t stop again until he arrives at the top of the driveway where he kills the engine. Stepping out the car, he doesn’t even have time to close the door before Kloe steps out of the house to greet him. No words are said, but she holds out her arms, Owen accepting the hug. After a short while they part, Kloe stepping back and giving Owen space.

 

Kloe: Happy Birthday…

 

Owen: Thank you.

 

Kloe: Twenty-two. Wow, I feel old.

 

Owen: Well…

 

He smirks, Kloe stepping into the house and Owen following, surprised to see Ruby stood in the hallway.

 

Owen: Ruby, what you doing here? I thought you would be at uni.

 

Ruby throws her arms around him, Owen gratefully receiving the hug

 

Ruby: Wasn’t going to miss my big brothers birthday, was I?

 

Even though he wasn’t strictly her brother, he certainly didn’t feel like he was anything but. Even so, it was nice to hear her say the words.

 

Ruby: Anyway, now you’re here, I’ve just got to run a few errands and then I’ll be back so that we can catch up properly. It’ll give you and Mom time to talk.

 

Obviously, his Mom and Ruby had been talking, but Owen wasn’t bothered

 

Owen: Sure… gives you time to buy me a massive present as well.

 

Ruby: Dick… I’ve already bought it.

 

She sticks her tongue out at him and heads out the front door, Kloe motioning towards the kitchen.

 

Kloe: Shall we sit in the garden, it’s nice out?

 

Owen: Yeah ok

 

Kloe: You got get comfortable and I’ll bring us out some juice.

 

Owen nods, and heads through the kitchen and out into the back garden, sitting on one of the garden chairs. He moves the parasol slightly to keep the sun from out his eyes, and only has to wait a few moments before Kloe steps out with the drinks.

 

Kloe: Apple alright?

 

Owen: That’s fine… just sit Mom.

 

He didn’t know if she was stalling because on the call Owen had made it clear that he had something to say. But she does sit after passing Owen his drink which he thanks her for.

 

Kloe: So, have you had anything nice for your birthday?

 

Owen: Had some nice messages but not really seen anyone but you. I’m going to go round Shaun’s after here, and then Taylors so who knows.

 

Kloe: I’m sure they will have remembered. Do you want my present now, or do you want to talk first?

 

Owen: Let’s talk… present after?

 

Kloe: OK…

 

She replies with some trepidation, not sure what Owen was about to say

 

Kloe: So, what did you want to talk about?

 

Owen takes a deep breath, which concerns Kloe even more. He then quietly starts to speak.

 

Owen: I’ve been thinking a lot about the situation of late, what you and Dad went through, and how you both had to make some tough decisions. I’ve tried to put myself in your shoes, and although I think I would have dealt with it differently, I understand why you did what you did. Selling the house in Newquay, visiting New York… leaving Los Angeles, it’s given me time to think about everything, what I have lost and what I still have. And the importance of holding on to the people that are still around. I was talking with Dani, and she lost her Mom a few weeks back and I was imagining what that would be like if you passed away, all the regret and anger I would feel. And that’s not what I want Mom. I don’t want there to be any ill feeling between us anymore. It’s time for us both to move on.

 

Kloe: That’s good to hear Owen.

 

Owen: I’m not going to be changing my plans or coming back here to live. I still recognize that I need the space in which to grow which I’ll never have unless I stand on my own two feet. But that doesn’t mean to say I have to exclude the family I still have, and pretend like they don’t exist. It’s spiteful, and it’s not the person I want to be.

 

Kloe: So, you’re saying everything’s OK?

 

Owen: Yeah, you know what… it’s taken some time and some harsh words, but I think it is.

 

Kloe gets to her feet and holds out her arms, Owen getting to his and accepting the embrace, this time with a lot more feeling than before. When they part, Kloe wipes away tears, not of sadness but happiness, that finally she had her son back.

 

Kloe: Then, I guess I should go and get your present.

 

She walks back into the house and after only a few moments returns, the two of them once again taking a seat. She had over a package, wrapped in birthday paper with a red bow on the top. And then an envelope.

 

Kloe: Open the envelope first.

 

Assuming that it’s a card, he rips open the envelope and pulls out the contents which he realizes isn’t a card. Confused he opens it and finds two tickets inside. Opening the tickets his eyes widen…

 

Owen: Tickets to the World Cup final in Qatar… Mum this is amazing.

 

Kloe: Hotel and everything is booked, you just need to hope either USA or England get to the final. Had to pull a LOT of strings to make that happen.

 

He laughs

 

Owen: Not much chance either of them make the final, but this is brilliant thank you.

 

Kloe: You’re welcome. Now the other present…

 

She motions towards it and looks decidedly excited. Usually, Kloe left the best till last, but how could she top World Cup tickets. He rips off the paper, to reveal a scrapbook, he then opens it, the first picture he sees one of him as a baby.

 

Owen: That’s me… but I don’t get it.

 

Owen starts flicking through the pages and realizes that it is documenting his life. Cuttings from nursery school, photos from New York and Newquay, all of it is here, some pictures that Owen had never seen before. He reaches the back, the penultimate photo pasted into the book on of Owen and Adam Lucas at the Icon Wrestling School when, dated April 2016, the last photo one of Owen and Orlando stood in front of the school, Orlando with his arm around Owen, that one dated September 2016. Both taken when he would have been sixteen. Seeing that Owen is dwelling on that last photo, Kloe finally speaks.

 

Kloe: You like it?

 

Owen: I love it, but why are you giving this to me now?

 

Kloe: Because that book had nothing to do with me Owen. Orlando started that on the day you were born, and he kept it up all the way till the day he died. Every single newspaper cutting, every single photograph, Orlando pasted into that book.

 

Owen: Wow, I didn’t know.

 

Kloe: He wanted to give it to you when you got older, a momentum of how proud he was to have you as a son. See, it didn’t matter that he wasn’t your biological Father, he didn’t care. As far as he was concerned, you were always his son just as much as Ruby was his daughter. You only have to look at that last photo to see that.

 

Owen nods, he could see it alright.

 

Kloe: Everything he did Owen, he did it for you. Like any Father should…

 

Owen knew she’d used the word purposely, and he lowers his head, almost with an element of shame.

 

Kloe: He would be heartbroken that you felt this way about him Owen. I don’t want to upset you, especially after today, but in WAS your Father. In every way bar one.

 

Owen: I know…

 

He brings up his hand to wipe away a tear but isn’t quick enough, and it drops onto the scrapbook, and in particular the photo. Owen wipes it away with the back of his jacket, before looking back towards his Mother.

 

Owen: I miss him Mom.

 

Kloe: I know you do; we all do. And if he was here, he’d tell you the exact same thing I have, but in his own eloquent way. Don’t hate him Owen, we were only doing what we thought was best. If he is looking over us now, all he’d ever want is your forgiveness. Do you think you can do that?

 

He nods, his bottom lip quivering with emotion.

 

Kloe: Biological or not, I see him in you every day. Nothing changes that.

 

They hug again, Owen doing his best to contain his emotions but failing. It had been a long hard journey, but finally he felt like he had arrived at his destination, ready to get off this train he had endured for the last twelve months. Where he went from here, he wasn’t sure, but what he did know was that it felt better with BOTH his parents beside him, whether that be physically, or in his memories and thoughts. They part, and Kloe wipes Owen’s glistening eye with her finger.

 

Kloe: So…cake?

 

Owen: You got me a cake?

 

Kloe: Oh, come on, when have I ever let you down when it comes to cake? I’ll call Ruby and tell her it’s safe to come home.

 

Owen smiles, nodding his agreement

 

Kloe: Oh, and Owen… thank you.

 

Owen: What for?

 

Kloe: Understanding

 

Owen opens his mouth to say something but decides this time that words weren’t required. Both knew exactly what the other was thinking so there was no need for words to be said. After placing a hand on Owen’s shoulder, Kloe heads into the kitchen, the camera focusing on Owen. A contented smile forms on his face, as the scene slowly fades.

 

29th April 2022

Miami

 

The scene opens with Owen on his rear patio area at night, the area illuminated by the lighting that he had only just recently installed. He wasn’t big on DIY, but this set up was probably one of his proudest DIY moments and sat under the lights gives the situation a certain ambience. Over his shoulders we see the ocean, and on the horizon several boats bob on the water, the owners either just say with a beer enjoying the moment or engaging in some night fishing. Peaceful would be a good word to describe what we see, and Owen raises a bottle of beer to acknowledge the cameras presence. He then clears his voice, and he starts to speak.

 

“I’ve been thinking about this a lot since I delivered my first promo yesterday that was focused solely on Josh Hudson. When I returned at the End of Year Special, I’d love to be able to sit here and tell you all that I knew that from there it was going to be plain sailing. Truth be told, I didn’t have the first clue how it was going to pan out. I’m not just talking about results either… when I stood in that ring prior, explaining my actions and why I choose to target the Jackals, I always had a thought process in the back of my mind that I was going to be booed out of the arena for everything that I did. Thankfully, it didn’t turn out that way. I want to take this opportunity to thank you, the SCW ‘universe’ I guess we call it, for giving me this second chance at a career that I always wanted, even during those dark times when I lost my mind. None of you had to forgive me, but the majority certainly have, and I could never express how much I appreciate that. The results will look after themselves whether successful or not, but you can never take support for granted. I’m happy that even if I know I still have a way to go, and so much more I still need to prove, that I’m being given the opportunity to make good on everything I did to this company. It’s nice to know that even though so many bridges were burnt, they can be rebuilt… stronger than ever before, if you really stand behind your beliefs. I lost my way, there is no denying it. When I retire, leaving my boot prints on Olek’s chest will be one of my greatest regrets, something that there will be some that always remember me for, and I accept that. People pay their money, and so therefore have every right to make their choice. And although I know that there will never be a point when everyone has forgiven me, I’ll never stop trying. There is a massive different between the Owen that won the World Championship at the age of nineteen, and the guy that sits before you today. A whole world of difference. And although it was a tough period in my life, a period that without others who know who they are, I wouldn’t have been able to emerge from it. I’m the person I am now because of it. Tougher, stronger, more aware of myself and who I am. My own person, more capable of handling whatever this industry can throw at me.

 

But this is a results game, of course it is. For example, although Josh Hudson’s reputation precedes him wherever he goes, his career has ultimately been a success. I think we all know that even the world’s biggest asshole can become the SCW World Champion. You don’t have to be a nice guy, or kiss babies to succeed, and perhaps I didn’t understand that before. There is always going to be a time when you have no choice but to stand up for yourself, and until recently I couldn’t do that. In my eyes, being a champion, there is a responsibility to do what is right, but my opinion isn’t the only one. So even if you raise hell wherever you go, disrespect this company at every turn… if you’re talented, you’ll always find your way to success. You don’t achieve those goals by being a dick, although cheap shots along the way can help, of course it can. But it’s illogical to say anything else except wins equal another step up that ladder. Many wins, well they equal title shots.

 

Why do I feel the need to explain this?

 

Well, it would have been all well and good having people believe in me again, and the path I was now travelling. It would still have been great having people trust me again, just like Asher was going to trust me at Tactical Warfare. But if I would have lost every match since I returned, and had my ass handed to me every single week, would Asher have chosen me to be a part of his team because now I could be trusted? Perhaps. But the primary reason why Asher came to me was because since I returned to Supreme Championship Wrestling?

 

I’ve been kicking ass. It really is as simple as that.

 

Drake Hemingway was sent to do the Jackals bidding, and failed, and was soon eradicated from the SCW’s landscape. Polly got her knickers in a twist, got distracted and fell by the wayside, a common theme in her career, no matter which guise she presents herself. She could be my opponent in the next round, is there any doubt that result will be playing on her mind. Kandis, well she’s proven how good she is at this stage in her career, and simply put, I wasn’t ready for that standard. But Derek Adonis, a former Champion, didn’t have what it took to defeat this new and improved Owen Lee. Alexis Quinne was perhaps a turning point, the moment where all I learned seemed to click together. Sammy Thomas Davies, an inevitability thanks to him needing to do his ‘masters’ bidding. Konrad Raab, a current champion not able to keep up with the pace… my skills more than enough to put him away, predictably. SIX victories. ONE defeat. The common theme, on all but one occasion I have put away whoever I have faced, and even that defeat could have ended in a different way. It was lost by the narrowest of margins.”

 

He takes a sip from the bottle and wipes his mouth with the back of his sleeve.

 

“But I look at those names, and barring perhaps two people, these are names that I HAD to beat you prove that I hadn’t been sat on my ass during my hiatus and I had in fact grown stronger over the course of that time. Without those wins, this return would have fallen flat, no question. Five of those names, and I exclude both Kandis and Alexis now, were all fighting to break through that ceiling and climb their way up the ladder, even Konrad, and I couldn’t let them stay above me. I WAS Main Event when I left this company, I’m not sure anyone could deny that as I’d just come runner up in Taking Hold of the Flame. So, with the greatest of respect for them, and ring rust or not, I had to ensure that I didn’t lose. I knew I was running the risk of just like those individuals, being lost in the shuffle. The belief people had in me again as a person, would have been ruined if I’d not put in those performances, bettering myself every time. EVERY match I have had so far, I feel like I have proven something. Whether it’s taking it to those disrespectful or beating someone on the same path. Even going as far as I can beat a current champion here in this company, regardless of the environment they place me in. I’ve been there, front and center. All a part of a process. A process that was always designed to bring me right here.”

 

He pauses for a moment to compose his thoughts. The preliminaries over, it was time to deal with the crux of the matter.

 

“Again, I will exclude you Kandis because you’ve shown the world precisely what you are capable of, and whether I like you or not, I respect that. The fact you were going to face Selena Frost is proof positive that right now, you are one of the biggest names in SCW, and considering where you once were, that is quite the achievement. I wish you well in your recovery, but the truth is, regardless of whether Konrad holds the Underground title or not, and even though he is a champion, my next opponent IS a massive step up. Because he IS one of the most technical proficient wrestlers in the world. There is no doubting that, nor would I ever.”

 

Once again, he pauses, lowering his head before bringing his eyes back to the camera.

 

“But that could be said for six others who will all have their eyes on the exact same prize at Holly-Wood of the South could it not? Some even call themselves the ‘Best Wrestler in the World’ so that says it all doesn’t it? Some of you are huge names in this industry that have seen and done it all, but none of you are guaranteed the title, no matter what I have to endure at the hands of Josh Hudson. No-one will get to the semi-finals and beyond fresh as a daisy. Everyone single one of us is going to have to dig deep to get anywhere near close to that belt. Gavin and Alexis… Gavin already had a taste of what Alexis can do last week. Glory and Tsunami is going to be a knock down, drag out affair no matter how much you hype it up. Amelia and Polly, Amelia trained by Glory, Polly as determined as I’ve ever seen her. Neither will be fresh as a daisy, as neither will Josh or I. None of them are givens, all will be hard fought. Whoever wins the United States title on that night WILL have earned it, of that there is no question. It could all come down to who wrestles the least. But are you all built to go through three matches in one night to seal the deal? I won’t answer for you, but I will for myself. The answer being categorically, and undeniably that I am. Is Josh Hudson, in his forties capable of wrestling three matches at 100% when he’s going to have to put himself on fast forward to keep up with me? Is Tsunami able to suck up enough oxygen to fill his huge body for what could be over an hour of competitive action, or will he be nothing more than a tired-out lummox after each round? Are Amelia Stone, or indeed Polly Playtime anywhere near the level of experience required to map your way through this minefield, ensuring that you always have something left for the next one. Will Gavin Taylor have enough left after trying to keep up with Alexis Quinne to then knock over Tsunami or Glory Braddock if that’s the way it pans out. And will Alexis manage to wrestle three matches without making the critical mistakes that have cost her recently? And finally, can Josh Hudson compete without losing his shit?”

 

He affords himself a smirk at the last one.

 

“Lots and lots of questions, too many in fact, and of course… there are similar allegations that could be thrown at me. Is my night going to be over whether I win or lose to Josh, having expended too much energy to continue? Can someone of my size use my skillset to take down a monster such as Tsunami when power wrestlers have always been my weakness? Right now, I can only surmise, but if I was to hazard a guess, I’d say that NOW, yes, I can. Before, I would have come up short because don’t forget, this is a man who WON Tactical Warfare in a match that defined the SCW’s future forever. Make sure you understand; I am a man who has never under-achieved in Taking Hold of the Flame and has always either been the Iron Man or come top ten, stamina and Endurance may has well have been my middle name. End of Year Battle Royal, yes that one Alexis… completed it. Just last year, second to Ace Marshal at the biggest and baddest of Battle Royales and by the width of a gnat’s testicle. Before my previous tenure endured, I was the child prodigy renowned for being able to wrestle forever. But now, I am even stronger, faster, BETTER. When I beat Josh, I’ll be ready for whoever. I beat them, I’ll be ready for the finals. I reference the theme song as I did in my previous promos, I’ve been preparing for this moment for years, and now it’s here I am NOT going to let it pass me by. Twenty minutes, Sixty, Hundred and Twenty… I’m prepared to go the distance. MORE prepared than I have ever been in my life. Undisputable”

 

His eyes narrow, and for perhaps the first time he shows the emotion that is bubbling within.

 

“How can I say that so confidently? I’ll tell you. Before, I was highly trained in this industry. I had, for my age at least, an excellent understanding of how to wrestle, and how to utilize the talents I’d been given. I’m not the biggest, I never will be, but it was all about wrestling smart, going high and using my speed whenever I could. Sometimes it worked, no question. I came close, so very close to becoming everything Orlando and Shaun thought I could, but always in the back of my mind was the belief that something was missing, the ‘X-Factor’ that could make all the difference.

 

The Slaughterhouse gave me that.

 

Josh can take the piss out of our relationship and claim that there is something else there, and yeah maybe he’ll get a cheap laugh here and there like a poor episode of Comedy Central. But the fact is, in that slaughterhouse and thanks to Daisy and Rachel, I learned the ‘dark arts’ required to help me succeed. They taught me techniques that before I couldn’t possibly have ever understood, techniques that have seen me put down people much bigger than myself. The Cruze mentality has always had a certain persistence, and ability to ignore pain and bounce back. But now that has been enhanced, and then some. And just like my first year, when I first burst onto the scene, nobody bar Kandis has recognized that. For some reason, once again I have become an unknown quantity. And the seven of you still don’t get that. Kandis beat me before she understood...”

 

He grins, winking at the camera.

 

“The seven of you won’t… because you don’t.”

 

He shakes head.

 

“Because not one of you will focus on what matters. Who I am.? Right now.”

 

He takes this moment to take another drink, looking up at the sunshine and adjusting his shades. He turns back to the camera, and apparently more relaxed continues.

 

“So, Polly, if you want to go ahead and make the same misconceptions that you did before, be my guest, but believe me when I say this, Amelia is thinking the EXACT same things I did when I faced you, and will no doubt be looking for the same result.

 

Climbing that ladder

 

Gavin, you got the shitty end of the stick, because you’re facing Alexis, and you’ll no doubt discount her just like you discount everyone, and she wants this bro… I can see it in her eyes, the desire that burns to climb that ladder once again. And she, like me, is going to take some stopping.

 

Determination on an entirely different level

 

Tsunami… you’re a beast bro, a powerhouse in every way, but can you take out the ‘Best in the World’ and then still have enough to go again… twice? And Glory, will there be anything left after facing someone known for taking individuals out? Can even the very ‘best’ withstand that amount of punishment?”

 

He shrugs his shoulders again, very aware of the many variables in play, and there being very little doubt that there were no guarantees.  

 

“As you can no doubt tell, I’m backing myself at the PPV. And not because the seven of you are in anyway less deserving of being United States Champion, or less talented to be able to carry a belt of that stature. Because each of you are. The main reason is, I feel like my return and consequent matches have brought me to this point, where I am on the verge of once again becoming a champion, and this time being mature enough to carry that honor. I look at the seven of you and I see heart, desire and determination in each and every one of you, but none of you are Owen Lee.

 

And some of you will be glad of that fact.

 

Listening to you Josh, I know you are, it’s undeniable. After all, who wants to be a whiny little kid huh? Who wants to be the guy who pissed all over this company and what it had given him? But there’s the thing, I’m not that person anymore. I’m more than capable of winning this tournament, and you know the biggest take away for you all, it wouldn’t be a shock for anyone. People are giving me props again guys because I’ve earned them. I’m in this United States Championship tournament because I earned it. Call foul all you want, make your claims of it being a handout from Shaun. Heck wax lyrically about all I did OVER A YEAR AGO if it makes you all feel better and gives you something to say

 

Don’t care.

 

All I care about is winning. Not for the seven of you, but for those people that matter, everyone that right now is taking in what I have to say. All those that stood by me and didn’t just discard me to the trash like so many. I want them to know that they backed the right horse, and that after all the trials and tribulations that are now firmly in the past, I am ready to take on the World. And I’m going to do precisely that, by becoming the United States Champion.”

 

He gets to his feet and looks out over the ocean, resting his elbows on the fence separating his garden from the beach and the sea beyond. The camera pans around to the side of him and he turns his head only to face it.

 

“So, before I go, let me give you one last morsel to digest. All of this…”

 

He holds his arms outstretched for a moment.

 

“It’s only words and more than most I am aware of that. To make a statement, you don’t do it here in front of a camera in your backyard, you do it between those ring ropes where legends like Josh Hudson, and Glory Braddock were made. I’m not asking anyone to take my word for it this weekend. I’m not even asking anyone to believe a word that has passed my lips. What I am asking is that when this tournament is over, and even with the talent involved. I STILL emerge as the US Champion; you remember all the words that came before. When I show you the truth, please I beg of you, never, ever adopt such a lazy approach ever again because hanging onto the past is nothing more than a fool’s errand. I learned that the hard way. Letting go of the past, turned me into the man I am today.

 

Focused.

 

Relentless.

 

And ultimately more prepared than ever before.

 

This is the moment I have worked for. My career finally resurrected in front of the eyes of the world. The sole judge and jury. No pressure of legacy, no dread. Only excitement... and it’s feels good.”

 

He smiles, keeping all those emotions he was now feeling bottled up and away from the eyes of the world.

 

“Championship worthy in fact.”

 

With that Owen winks at the camera and gives his trademark salute before making his way into the house. He then turns and smiles once more before turning off the patio lights plunging us into darkness.