The Re-evaluation of Shaun Cruze

[Shaun2025]

PREVIOUSLY…OFF CAMERA

Shaun: So, what do you want from me?

(She hesitates, her eyes narrowing as she stares directly at him.)

Angyalka: Right now, space. Because I can’t even stand to look at you.

Shaun: Angy?

Angyalka: Out

Shaun: Angyalka?

Angyalka: OUT!!!!

(Shaun lets a deep breath escape, before getting to his feet.)

Shaun: I’m sorry

Angyalka: Sorry you got caught.

(As the door shut behind him, he realizes that he hadn’t even said goodbye to Dorothea who wouldn’t have a clue what was going on. For a moment he thought about walking back inside but knew that would be the worst thing he could possibly do. Instead, he gets in his car and just sits there, for a moment glancing at Angyalka looking through the window, probably to ensure he was going to leave, Dorothea in her arms, possibly a parting shot at him, purposely designed to hurt him. He starts the engine, and then with a sigh, takes the car down the driveway, pulling out onto the road and making his way away from the house. It isn’t long until he finds himself in probably the most predictable of places, a downtown bar where he knew he could drown his troubles. And after a few Jack Daniels, the process is at least part working, the pain certainly numbed. Perhaps it also draws some Dutch courage, because he finds himself pulling his cellphone out of his pocket, and dialing the one number he knows he shouldn’t. He waits a few moments, then hangs up, common sense getting the better of him. He then holds up a single finger, the barman nodding his acknowledgement, and his need for another drink.)

TWO HOURS LATER

(Having helped the bars profits for the evening, a round for the whole place a particular highlight, Shaun finds himself in his hotel room for the night. The mini bar was well stocked, and once again Shaun helps himself, knowing that the reality is that he wasn’t. Again, he calls the same number from earlier, this time allowing it to ring that little bit longer. This time he gets an answer, a woman’s voice.)

Woman: Hey… wasn’t expecting your call.

Shaun: Hi, wasn’t sure if you’d be awake.

Woman: Yeah, just reading, the husband is away on business.

Shaun: No difference there then

(The bitterness in his voice obvious, he makes no attempt to hide it. Why should he?

Woman: Are you ok, you sound weird?

Shaun: Thanks

Woman: No, you just don’t sound the same that’s all.

Shaun: Guess that’s my good friend Jack.

Woman: …

(The silence tells its own story, but Shaun was passed caring right now, the drink having yes numbed the pain, but also taken away an of his inhibitions.)

Woman: So, your drunk then?

Shaun: Seems so

Woman: Well, you know I prefer you sober, so how about you call me in the morning.

Shaun: No, I mean… I had to call you; there’s something I need to tell you.

(She scoffs)

Woman: I swear Shaun, if you say you love me, I’m hanging up. You know this was only ever a bit of fun.

Shaun: I know…

Woman: OK, so what’s this all about?

Shaun: He knows.

Woman: What do you mean?

Shaun: He knows about you and me Sarah. Angyalka knows as well.

(The woman we now know is named Sarah goes silent again, this time not out of concern as to what is going to be said, but more of a shock. When her and Shaun had met, it wasn’t ever going to be anything special, and in fact, she had been the one who had done all the chasing until Shaun eventually succumbed. A few late-night texts, many pictures of her in various states of undress, and eventually Shaun had agreed to meet, and since they had met many times. She understood men, and how they couldn’t help themselves, and with her husband almost ignoring her for the sake of his business, she craved attention and with Shaun she had gotten it. What she hadn’t planned for, was being found out.)

Sarah: How did he find out? We were discreet.

Shaun: Obviously not discrete enough… he hired a private investigator to follow you. Unfortunately, he hired one of the very best.

Sarah: Hold on though… have you spoken to my husband? How do you know that he knows about us?

Shaun: Because the private investigator is Chris Clay… who is a friend of mine. He gave me a heads up so I could come clean to Angyalka before she found out second hand. He’s not going to spill what he knows until I tell him I’ve told Angyalka. So, I’m giving you the same opportunity.

Sarah: Where are you now?

Shaun: I’m in a hotel room downtown… Angy asked me to leave.

Sarah: Oh… I’m sorry Shaun. Guess that explains why you are drunk

Shaun: Answer to everything… well for me anyways. Can you come round?

(Even saying the words, he knew he was wrong. He knew that meeting with Sarah tonight wouldn’t do him any favors tomorrow… but that was tomorrow. That was the thing with alcohol, many people thought it made you do things you didn’t realize you were doing, when the truth was it was more you didn’t care. And in his current state, with his wife no doubt questioning him, and their marriage more than ever before, he didn’t care. He just wanted to feel… something else.)

Sarah: No, I can’t come round Shaun

Shaun: You said he was on business.

Sarah: He is. But like I said, you and I was only ever supposed to be about fun. What happens next isn’t going to be anything like.

Shaun: So what are you saying?

Sarah: I’m saying it’s over Shaun. Sort things out with your wife, do everything that you can to make things better. But you and I can’t see each other again.

Shaun: But…

Sarah: No, we are done. Do not contact me again.

(The line goes dead abruptly; Shaun left in obvious shock. There was a more than a sense of having your cake and eating it, and he knew it. He also knew that the best thing to do now was go to sleep, and deal with everything in the morning. Instead, he does what every idiot on the brink of losing everything does, and puts himself further into the abyss, reaching once again for the mini bar, and chugging the liquid straight from the bottle, not even hesitating to see what it was he was drinking. That was the pattern of the evening, an evening that only came to an end when Shaun eventually and inevitably passed out.)

TWO DAYS LATER

(Shaun had tried, and failed to speak to Angyalka, the day after the big reveal Shaun going around to the house and found Angyalka and Dorothea gone, and a note left to say she had gone to stay with her parents. Truth was, her parents had never really taken to Shaun so would be reveling in this latest news, whilst at the same time showing concern for their daughter. Every call he tried to make when to voicemail, every text read but never replied to. The husband now knew of Sarah’s infidelity, but already she had wormed her way back in with him, he a lot more pathetic that Angyalka apparently. So getting out of Los Angeles and finding his way to Miami and Owen seemed to be his best option. Unfortunately for him, the welcome when he knocked on the door of his nephew wasn’t as warm as he’d expected.)

Owen: You’ve got some nerve showing up here you really do.

Shaun: Well, I guess I know who’s side you’re on. Been speaking with Angy I take it?

Owen: Not a case of sides, is it? It’s the case of someone who had everything, and may have just thrown it all away.

Shaun: I know…

Owen: Do you, because from where I’m looking, if you knew, you wouldn’t have skulked over here, and you’d be in LA trying to save your marriage.

Shaun: She’s not there… she’s gone back to Hungary.

(There is none of the usual command in Shaun’s voice. In fact, his tone comes across as nothing but pitiful. Owen closes his eyes and sighs.)

Owen: What have you done Shaun?

(Puffing out his cheeks, Owen makes his way to the fridge, pulling out a couple of orange juices. He knew right now, Shaun would be looking for something stronger, but he also knew that self-destruction wasn’t something he could allow Shaun to do. Handing Shaun the drink, the two of them go out onto the terrace overlooking the ocean, the boat that Orlando had left Owen, now restored, tied to the dock. They both take a seat, and for a moment sit in silence. It is Owen that breaks it first.)

Owen: Can I be honest with you Shaun?

Shaun: Sure…

Owen: I never once believed that you could just ‘be’ without wrestling, or Impact Media. I know, you wanted what I had, and I appreciated it when you told me that I had it all, but neither you, or my Dad could ever be someone who just ‘exists’. Your ego wouldn’t have ever allowed it.

Shaun: So why didn’t you say so at the time?

Owen: Wasn’t my place to was it? And for a while I thought you were going to prove me wrong, but then you had to have that last match with Konrad Raab. It was then when I really started to question it. I knew that in time, you were always going to get bored… it’s in your nature. And so you’ve proven.

Shaun: Not pulling your punches huh?

Owen: It’s something you need to hear. My family… my wife and kid, even my dick of a dog, they will always be the most important thing to me, I made sure that was always going to be the case. But for you, and Orlando… family could never be enough.

(Shaun lowers his head, knowing that his nephew was right.)

Shaun: I really wanted it to be

Owen: I know you did Shaun, but the moment you didn’t have something else, you started looking for something else didn’t you? That’s where this ‘woman’ came in. She was something for you to get excited about again. Something to relieve the ‘tedium’ you felt just being at home with the family. You shouldn’t have ever needed it, because you had something that millions will never possess, and now in chasing that excitement, you could have lost it all.

(Shaun can only listen and nod, agreeing with the sentiment. Truth was, he wished it was Angyalka giving him this lecture because she was the one he needed to really talk to. These were home truths, and hearing his character decimated by his nephew could have come across as patronizing, but Owen had been on the other end plenty of times.)

Owen: And, my guess is, you didn’t even love this woman, did you?

(It was a perfectly logical opinion, but it was still surprising to hear, as if it would have made any difference if he had.)

Shaun: No

Owen: A bit of fun yeah? Bet you both told each other a lot of times?

Shaun: Yeah.

Owen: I’m sorry Shaun, but it’s pathetic… and could have been so easily avoided if you’d not tried to chase your impossible dream. You could have gone part-time with SCW. You could have kept Impact Media on instead of selling it for a steal to Blake. Heck, you weren’t even that shit an actor… you could have done some more films, I’m sure you’d have got some work. It’s not nice having to say this Shaun because I love you. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for you, and I’ll always have to thank you for giving me this life. But you’ve fucked up, and you’ve fucked up bad, and right now, I’m not sure even you can wrangle your way out of this one. Angy is furious, and I can’t blame her.

Shaun: So, what do I do?

(It was a question that Owen knew he would be asked. A full circle moment, with Owen now the one taking the moral high ground and providing what advice he had to give. In Owen’s opinion, right now there was nothing Shaun could do but wait. Wait for an opportunity for Angyalka to give him a chance. But having spoken with her only twenty-four hours ago, Owen wasn’t sure she would even give him that chance. In her mind, the trust was broken, and potentially forever.)

Owen: I honestly believe your only option is to remain patient, because Angyalka rightfully holds all the cards. There is going to be a time when she has calmed down enough to talk to you, and that will be the moment where you decide if Angyalka is what you truly want or is this something that you are just going to do again, and again. More than anything though Shaun, you have GOT to make sure that Dorothea doesn’t suffer. Because if she does, and you don’t get things right with her, then it won’t just be Angyalka you’ll be dealing with.

(It was a thinly veiled threat, which showed just how much of a man Owen had become over the years. Owen cared for Dorothea deeply… Angyalka was an adult that could look after herself and then some… Dorothea was just a little girl. If she suffered, in any way, Owen wouldn’t hold his tongue, and he left Shaun with no doubts regarding that.)

Owen: One thing you don’t do Shaun, is revert to type and turn to the drink to solve all your problems, because that isn’t going to serve you well. Though recent events show otherwise, you aren’t stupid, and you are going to need a clear head for whatever comes next. I never thought I’d be the one to say this to you, but you need to sort out your life… one way or another.

(Again, every word rings true, with the burn of the sharpest knife. The fact he was hearing it from his nephew, and it wasn’t the other way around made the hurt still more. There was no debate, he HAD fucked up, and what happened from here on in, may not ever be on his terms. Nor was there any certainty of the perfect ending.)

LATER THAT DAY

(Though there had been some harsh words, Shaun and Owen still spent some time together at the Miami section of Owen and Adam Lucas’s wrestling franchise. No more was said about the elephant in the room, and Shaun had almost enjoyed himself passing on some wisdom to the students who didn’t have the first clue what he was going through, or the mistakes he had made. As they are packing up however, Shaun sat in his car ready to make his way back to the airport and head back to LA to wait for Angyalka’s return, his phone rings loudly, connected to the car itself. Shaun doesn’t recognize the number, but connects the call regardless, wondering if it might be Angy from a different phone.)

Shaun: Hello…

Man: So, you’re the asshole who’s been fucking my wife

(Shaun immediately goes on the defensive, and half thinks about hanging up.)

Shaun: Who is this?

Man: My name is David… I believe you have become quite close to my wife… Sarah.

(There isn’t anger in his voice, but a tone that comes across as quite threatening.)

Shaun: How did you get my number?

David: That doesn’t matter. What does matter is thanks to your friend Chris, I know who you are, and more importantly, what you are.

Shaun: What do you mean by that?

David: Former Professional Wrestler, Actor, Producer… only recently sold Impact Media for no doubt an extortionate amount of money. More importantly though, I’m guessing that you are the type of guy who would want to protect his public image… especially when you have a wife and daughter who could be affected by your little ‘indiscretions’ getting out.

Shaun: So that’s what this is about… money?

David: You tried to take my wife from me, so now I intend to take something from you.

Shaun: And the wife isn’t enough?

(David laughs)

David: Come now Shaun, that’s a bit like the pot calling the kettle black, is it not? Was your wife enough for you?

Shaun: Well, maybe if you’d not always been away on business…

David: Oh, the irony… I was away, because the business was in trouble. Sarah didn’t know the sacrifices I was making for her, but she does now. Thanks to you.

Shaun: So, what do you want?

David: That’s simple Shaun. I need five million dollars to get my company out of trouble, and you are going to give it to me.

Shaun: So, blackmail?

David: Let’s call it more bankrolling some debts. My guess is that to someone like you, your ‘name’ is everything, not to mention the hurt this coming out would bring on the family. Five million, and that all goes away. No five million, then I guess I reveal my story to the world and any ‘honor’ you had, is lost forever… with probably your family too.

(Shaun doesn’t miss the ‘honor’ dig. David had obviously done his homework. Nor was he naïve to the fact that this information would destroy all the credibility he had built over the years. And David knew it, the smugness in his voice obvious.)

David: I’ll give you a couple of days to make your decision, but I reckon you’ve already decided. Speak to you real soon Shaun… how’s that for an impact?

(The line goes dead, Shaun throwing the phone on the bed, shaking his head, something else for him to consider when he was at his lowest.)

Shaun: Can this get any worse?

(He’s only talking to himself… but what he didn’t know at this point was that it WAS going to get worse. MUCH worse.

Scene fades)

[Shaun2025]

PREVIOUSLY…OFF CAMERA

(Life wasn’t great for Shaun… perhaps that sentence didn’t do the situation justice. He’d not seen his wife and daughter now for two weeks, he was five million dollars down thanks to paying off a husband that he knew wouldn’t let go. And now, it seemed that no one who knew him wanted to have anything to do with him, not even his best friends. Shaun had experienced some tough times in his life, and there was no getting away from that. But this, this was something else. He had tried and failed to stay off the booze. He had even started to frequent the local casinos to get a ‘high’ in his life. But nothing was filling the void that had been left by the single biggest mistake he ever made. Some might have said that he was at a crossroads, but Shaun felt he had long since gone past the moment where he had that kind of option. No, right now, he felt he had a one-way ticket to oblivion. He had lost hope, he knew that. And those close to him, they knew it too. Owen, Jennifer and Adam Lucas had tried to rally round, but they knew they weren’t enough. What Shaun needed now was Angyalka and Dorothea, and they had never felt so far away, almost unreachable, untouchable. He was floundering, in danger of losing it all, but worse than anything, he felt he didn’t have the answers. He felt helpless, and helplessness would eventually lead to hopelessness. When that happened, then everything would truly be over. He stares at the empty glass in front of him, even annoying him to the point of frustration, his anger threatening to overwhelm him still further. At least he could resolve that problem. He picks up the bottle, pouring himself a ‘generous’ measure, knowing that it wouldn’t be too long before he would be reaching for another, until eventually he found sleep once again. At least sleep gave him a chance to see Angyalka again, even if just in his dreams. Perhaps, dreams were now all he would ever have.)

Shaun: Gone and fucked it all up now haven’t I big man?

(He stares into space; there is no one there. No one ‘real’ for him to talk to. Maybe he does see something, perhaps he doesn’t. Maybe it is just his imagination, or more likely alcohol.)

Shaun: What did they always say huh? Shaun Cruze, forever destined to be in the ‘Icons’ shadow. They were right weren’t they, because he I am, making the exact same mistakes you did with Kloe. Fucking hilarious.

(He still stares, absolutely giving the impression that he believes who he is talking to.)

Shaun: Can you remember when I first came in, when you asked me to carry the mantle and be the ‘New Icon’? What a joke that turned out to be. No one could ever be the Icon, not me, not Owen. No, only the almighty Orlando Cruze could be a total asshole, and still be loved by fucking everyone. How many times did you cheat on Kloe huh? Taylor? What about Adam… you fucked him over as well didn’t you? Forcing his mom to give him up for adoption. Fucking piece of work you were fucking piece of work. And yet here I am… still making the same mistakes. It’s pathetic. I thought I had everything, perhaps I did have everything. The American Dream. Now I get it though Lando… I get what you understood years ago. Guys like us, we don’t deserve that dream, because it can never be enough. Owen is a better man than both of us… the kid is just about the only person you didn’t come into contact with and didn’t fuck up. He’s the way he is, despite you, I’m the way I am because of you. And even after all that, I can’t hate you either. But I can sure as hell blame you.

(He downs the Jack Daniels, and immediately pours another, going to drink that too, but holding it at his lips, his eyes narrowing, as if he has heard a response.)

Shaun: Self-pity? Well, that’s a staple of the Cruze gene, isn’t it? The way we can fuck everything up and still find ways to feel sorry for ourselves. Why do I have the right to feel sorry for myself, when it was my decision to put my dick in that whore? I should own it, I know I should. I should recognize when I have failed, but I don’t. And why? Because you taught me it was much easier to just let the JD do it’s thing, pass out drunk, before waking in the morning and doing the whole thing over and over again. This is what we do isn’t it, the whole self-destruction thing… when I should be over in Hungary banging her parents fucking door down. But I’d prefer to wallow in the shit I’ve created. Yeah, talk about making an impact already… just a shame that the impact is on others, more than it will ever be on me.

(He raises the glass to his imaginary companion, a sneer forming on his face.)

Shaun: Yeah? Well fuck you, and fuck what you did to me. Fuck this need to have morals and be all high and mighty. If no one is going to stand by me, and support me, then I’m going to be that guy that they say I am. After all… I’m a Cruze, they will love me anyway, right?

(He pauses, for a moment the anger subsiding, and replaced by nothing but sheer heartache.)

Shaun: Kloe was better without you. Taylor too. And Angyalka and Dorothea would be better without me.

(He pulls out a bottle of anti-depressants, placing it on the table next to the Jack Daniels, for the first time, realizing what it was that had entered his mind. He doesn’t look at it but still stares into the same space. A notification on his phone breaks his gaze, and he lifts it to look at the screen, struggling to focus. In amongst the haze, he makes out the words.)

‘I’m back in LA. Call me in the morning.’

(He stares at it, trying to hold his head up, as the alcohol fully takes its toll. He falls backwards onto the bed… sanctuary from his thoughts at last.)

ON CAMERA

“Well, it seems like ‘Fate’ had different ideas for me, doesn’t it? Sutter believes he has all the answers. He thinks that his ‘Vision’ are on the verge of taking over the place. I’ve not been back long, but it seems to me like ‘Vision’ is just a by word for ‘Failure’. The same that can be said for most ‘groups’ that believe they are going to take over the World. Very few exert their dominance over a sustained period. Many, like Sutter’s little band burn out with nothing more than a whimper. Sutter made one mistake, a crucial one. He thought he was going to war with the Shaun Cruze that dominated this company many years ago. He was wrong, and the version he got, was, well… something else. Yes of course, ring rust was apparent, how could it not be? Of course, I ached like a bitch the following night, because Sutter as expected put up one heck of a fight. But here’s the thing. I have never backed down from a single person or challenge in my life. And now, as a person much more in tune with not only himself, but the state of this company right now, I’ll readily admit, I am NOT the Shaun Cruze that won the SCW World Champion over a decade ago. It might be quite a statement, but I promise, I’m going to be better than the man who won all those titles including the big one, and I will not stop until I have shown every individual in this company that now, THIS means more than it ever did. THIS is all I have and you can be damn sure I’m going to make the most of the opportunity this company has given me.”

(Shaun pauses for a second, allowing those words to sink in. There would be bigger challenges than Sutter, some of them that would be aware of the attributes that Shaun Cruze now possessed. But that was for another time. Now it was time for an event that could truly cement Shaun’s comeback. Fatal Fortunes.)

“Up next, is one of the most unpredictable events on the calendar not named Taking Hold of the Flame. I’ve spoken at length about the Rumble, and how it is an event that has many moving parts which makes it almost impossible to prepare for. But Fatal Fortunes… there is only ONE way to prepare for that event, and that is as if you are going to be the one to compete for the SCW World Championship. Look at the options, you could be fighting for ANY of the many titles, you could be fighting for the number one contendership. It might even be a match that in the grand scheme of things means nothing except for an opportunity to on the night be better than another. Bragging rights. One thing that I have always done, no matter what the circumstance, is give nothing less than 100%. I’ve not doubt that you will hear some claim that their victory is guaranteed, although they could be booked in a match that places them four against one. Some will step onto camera and tell anyone who will listen that they were win regardless. This is one thing that I picked up with Clyde Sutter, and unfortunately it is rife within Supreme Championship Wrestling right now. Intelligence is a rare commodity in this company. People believe that if fate shines on them, and they get a shot at Cid, they are at the level required to dethrone him and make good on their ‘fortune’. Of course, they end up having their eyes opened, and yes I do regard Cid at the bar right now, why shouldn’t I? But the fact is he is World Champion for a reason. That reason being that he has earned it. He knows he’s going to have a Championship match, and thus, he CAN prepare. The Champions know that they are likely to defend, and thus they can be prepared. It’s called champion’s advantage. And it’s the reason why this event is so aptly name. You could be fortunate yes… but also, the ramifications can be fatal. That’s why I look over the landscape of SCW, and I see perhaps one of the most talented rosters in recent times. I see people that currently are regarded as lower on the card, doing their thing and having some of the most impressive move sets I have seen. I see some familiar names who need no introductions and who’s reputations precede them, but then I see names I’d not heard of… because I tried to stay away from watching wrestling whilst I was aware. These people do things I wasn’t even dreaming of at their age.

But ability isn’t everything.

Look, I’m going to level with every person on this roster right now, some that won’t be listening, others than may well be. I was never the best wrestler on any roster I competed for. Never. Over in IWC where I became World Champion, I could have named ten people who had a million and one way to take you down. Here in SCW, at the time of my pomp, when I ruled the roost, I was competing with the likes of Syren, Kelcey Wallace and David Helms… all that were more proficient at this ‘art’ than I was, or I ever will be. Now, I’m not saying that I’m a dogshit wrestler, because a dogshit wrestler wouldn’t have got as far as I did. What I’m saying is at the times I was Champion, there were people that could wrestle more proficiently. That’s a fact. It’s same right now… and I don’t mean any disrespect when I say this. Cid is NOT the best wrestler in this company right now, but he holds the belt. The reason for that is the exact same reason I could come back after two years with no warmup matches and almost win Taking Hold of the Flame. The reason is that I could do the same and dominate Konrad Raab and all his goods. I have more heart, more courage and never said die attitude that ninety-nine percent of this roster. I refuse to quit… because unlike some to whom it is a catchy little tagline; I don’t have the options they have.

Not anymore

What the last two years have proven to me is that no matter how far you climb the mountain, there is still something waiting to kick you right back down to the bottom. It’s shown me that I have been many things in my life, but the one thing it has always been about is the raw emotions of those crowds. When I was on the red carpet, it was always about the thrill of competition, and the need to prove who I truly am. In the past, perhaps I was too young to understand. Perhaps, I didn’t grasp that THIS is all I truly needed. All I was worth. Yes, that probably sounds selfish, but I assure you that it isn’t. It sounds cliché doesn’t it, saying that I want something… I need something. But for all cars, the money, the materialistic things that I once took for granted, I now know that it is the business that I took most for granted. The SCW that I competed in, not understanding that THIS was what got the hairs standing up on the back of my neck. Backstage, after beating Konrad Raab, and in the weeks that followed. I was given a realization in the worst way. Only then did it become clear to me who I really was, and what I could never be. It was the most sickening pill to take. But I found the strength, I built the bridges, and I’ve come back fighting. Knowing that people will never suffer because of me again. Not needing to emulate Orlando Cruze. Not wanting the life of my nephew Owen. I come back, to be me. The Impact Player. Shaun Cruze. The individual I should have been all along. You are witnessing, the Re-evaluation of Shaun Cruze.”

(Shaun licks his lips and allows a smile to form on his face. He then continues, clearly enjoying himself, and ready to perform once again under the most unpredictable of circumstances.)

“Orlando already preached from the same playbook, never deviating from his stance. It didn’t matter where you were, or what you were doing, you could never be anything less than the hardest worker in the room. It wasn’t something to stick on a tee shirt, never a marketing gimmick. What it meant was no matter what, you never approached any situation by being lazy. Since I’ve returned, I’ve spent more of my time in the gym that I have at home. I can almost guarantee that I have more ring hours in the weeks building to this event than anyone else. Like I said earlier, I’ve prepared with one notion that I am going to be fortunate enough to get a shot at a Championship, potentially the big one that Cid holds. And that if I am lucky enough, the one thing that doesn’t cost me is the fact that I wasn’t ready to tackle anything. I know I am a more than capable wrestler, I know I have the heart and courage of a lion. I accept that although I can be ‘put’ down, it’s another thing to ‘keep’ me down. These are all given. What I won’t allow is excuses. If I’m beaten, it’s because I was outfought and had nothing more I could have given. That is the creed by which I return. Making assumptions… well I’ll leave that to the likes of Sutter. But rest assured, I’m gunning for Cid, even if I understand that the SCW has no reason to put me in that position… just yet. Fatal Fortunes may not give me a Championship match; it might not even give me a main event worthy confrontation. But that doesn’t mean to say I will allow my match to be forgettable. The clue is in the title ladies and gentlemen. I’ve already been about making an Impact, and Fatal Fortunes will not be any different. One way or another, this roster is going to have no option but to recognize Shaun Cruze is back, and that once again, you WILL know my name.

How?

If you are asking that question right now, then I must ask you. Have you been listening to a single word I have said? Here I am, putting myself out there, and you don’t even have the courtesy to pin back your earholes and take it all in. Yeah, I get it. We’ve seen this all before, haven’t we? The big name coming back to reclaim former glories but ending up a shell of what they once were. We’ve seen those OAPs come back, and take the spots of the younger, hungrier SCW competitors at the time. I don’t blame you, any of you, for taking that stance. I’m not going to come out here and accuse you of being wrong. Because in the grand scheme of things, these words I speak here mean very little. Only the weak of mind can fall foul of a sentence. I don’t stand here expecting you all to believe every, or any of the words I have said. You know why? Because I DO have that intelligence. I’ll come on camera, and I’ll hype up the matches. I’ll give the fans an insight into my thoughts and feelings if they feel like I am someone that they want to listen to.

But I won’t rely on it to get my point across.

No, the only way to do that, is by dragging those boots on, making my way down to that ring with my music and the fans cheers the only noises I can hear, and then kicking the ass of whoever it is that comes down next. Whether it be someone just starting out, or the World Champion Cid himself, I just got to do what I have done every single waking moment of my life… and that’s fight. Regardless of what comes next, Fatal Fortunes IS an opportunity. Because when eyes are on me, it’s my chance to make a difference. Yes, for SCW, and yes for the fans in the arenas and worldwide, but the most important difference I need to make is for me. This company took a risk bringing me back, and I’m sure they knew that there would be those that would claim I was being given preferential treatment. But they did it anyways. Now, it’s my turn to pay that faith back. It started with Sutter, and it continues at Fatal Fortunes. Whoever I face, don’t make the ‘fatal’ mistake of underestimating me, but I assure you, my ‘fortunes’ by the end of that night will have only gotten better.)

(He chuckles to himself.)

“And if by the end of those two nights I do find myself with a SCW Championship, whichever Championship, and you do believe that is only the case because I’m SCW’s shiny new toy…”

(Shaun shakes his head dismissively.)

“Well, all you have to do is take a walk through those corridors and knock on the door with ‘Shaun Cruze’ on it. If you think fortune shined on me, or at least SCW gave me a title I didn’t deserve, when I open that door all you must do is you look me straight in the eye and say it to my face. In fact, even without a belt, any of you think that after everything I’ve said, I’ll be happy to meet you in the parking lot, or between those strands.

I’ll be happy to straighten you out

I’m here to compete. I’m here to be the best version of myself. I’m here because this is the one place I have always belonged and anyone that thinks that they can take this from me now, be my guess. Give it your best shot, because it won’t be enough. I’m taking it back, all of it. Their World, those like Sutter that believe they own what I helped to build, WE are taking it back.

I can be stopped, but that doesn’t mean that I will be.

I’m back in SCW… my home… where I belong.”

(Shaun gets to his feet and walks off camera.)