02-27-2019, 09:28 AM
[Scene Opens....]
[Passing images of Las Vegas flash through the scene. It's nighttime and a few images of downtown show that business is booming.]
[Cut to inside a limo from the inside.]
[The door swings open. Ms Budde enters, followed by Jack Parker. This is followed by the appearance of Dante McCaffery; dressed in a black suit jacket and matching pants.]
[CUT]
[Dante's seen peering out the window; the camera solely focused on him.]
Dante: Business. Wrestling is nothing but a business. People may think it's something more. It's something about heart and soul, about being the absolute best. It's about winning titles, leaving a legacy behind that no one will be able to touch.
[He places his hand on his chin.]
Dante: I've always believed there's something more valuable than championships. Something more important than catering to people who don't give a shit about me. Four years ago, I told all of you. I didn't desire to become World Champion. I didn't want to become "the best of the best." Why would I want to chase after something so subjective? Why would I want to chase after something so temporary? Knowing, we're not getting younger by the day. Knowing we don't have all the time in the world to remain young.
Wrestling, if nothing else, is a business.
They take all of our physical peak, they put us out there, in front of you, like I will on Breakdown this Wednesday against James Evans. And they want me to entertain all of you because all of you paid a ticket to see us kill each other. We put our bodies on the line, knowing that in ten to twenty years that's going to catch up to us and some of us will barely be able to walk or run or bend down and play with our future kids. I've been consistent with that point and yet, all of you will say that I'm wrong. That I should strive to be like your favorite wrestlers; bending over backwards to chase after things that don't have as much meaning as they think.
[Dante turns to the shot.]
Dante: I'm not mad. I understand why the system is what it is. These SCW officials, they have families. They have mouths to feed. They have mortgages to pay. If the action isn't good, that's food out of their children's mouth. I understand. They need to get theirs. If I get hurt out there, they'll just find someone else to replace me. That's if I pursed the same things people like James Evans did. Awards, praise, pats on the back.
They have their reasons. And I have mine.
People idolize David Helms and Kelcey Wallace for their excellence in the ring, Yo heard me when I first talked to all of you who I look after. Silas Mason. Aiken Frost. Laura Steinback, even. They've found a way to succeed and sustained themselves in this business without lifting a finger, without having to sacrifice their body. They found a way to pivot everything and everyone towards them. The people desperate to reach the main event. Couldn't do it without joining them or going through them. Those are the people I look at an try to model after. Those are the ones that I respect. Those are the ones that's provided the foundation for someone like me.
If anything James, you and I want the same thing. Security. You want to feel secure in your identity. I want to put food on my table. I want to be able to financial make a living doing this without having to put my body through hell to do so. There's a template that proves that you don't have to. If anything, the "Network" is in the business for everybody. The more we all succeed, the more people can see that there's another way. There's ways to exploit this system.
If they want to squeeze all they can out of us physically for their benefit, then I can find a way to profit without having to sacrifice as much as everyone else is. And they can't don anything about it. Management itself is corrupt. You got power struggle between Mr.D's family, favoritism, where the ones' lives they're gambling with is us wrestlers. They fight for power with us being the lambs. Katya didn't care for me or for anyone besides Dark Fantasy. You all don't think Sasha has her biases?
So knowing that, doesn't it make sense to get as much as you can before they squeeze you out? They can't come after Jack, Hannah, me...Mika, Violet, Celeste..because we've put ourselves above reproach.
We have earned Diplomatic Immunity.
Which is why, Xander Valentine, why LEO is coming for you. Why I'm coming for you. Because no one cheats us and gets away with it.
[He snarls.]
Dante: You beat me last week. You're not a slave right? Yet, despite your legacy, despite your name, you keep coming back, trying to convince everyone you are still the guy that struck fear in people's hearts. For someone with a reputation as yours, you yourself don't think it's good enough. Because you keep coming back. Because you keep dragging your name and all you've done in every video with the intent of recapturing these fucking memories of past glory. You put your body through so much only for you to look at that Hall of Fame ring, look at your championships, and believe in your heart that it's not enough.
That's why I made that deal with you.
You don't need to keep trying to chase after something you already have. You don't need to drag whatever's left in that broken down body in the ring. I tried to show you a new purpose. Being paid to help others succeed. To know that you're wanted. To have the entire industry pivot to you and rely on you. To be able to be secured in your role, your place in wrestling instead of trying to find one.
But you allowed Katya and Dark Fantasy seduce you. You convince them to go back on our agreement. On your word that you made to me. To us. We're not friends, but we were partners.
You hit me pretty good last week. I still feel it right now. But Xander, your broke our agreement. And for that, I can't let slide.
[He runs a hand through his hair.]
Dante: Breakdown's in Denver this week. Pepsi Center. I've already advanced the venue. Scoped it out. I know where all the exists are. I know where the locker room are. I know you're be there. We all have. Given your role with us, you weren't included in our meetings. You weren't included in the gatherings in private rooms where the waiter is twisting the cork. You weren't there when we were brainstorming, planning our next moves over Shrimp Scallop at dinner tables. So you don't know how far my reach goes. You don't truly know how the "Network" operates.
But you will.
LEO said he'll take care of you. That's his choice. By all means. You don't know what's he's capable of. You've heard stories. Second person information. Everyone has. But you haven't seen it yet. No one knows why he's really capable of doing. You also don't know what I'm capable of either. The point is, I have the entire arena scouted. We know where you might be. And you don't know who's coming with me. LEO'll be there. I'll be there. But who else. I can play the long game because I have the resources. For the last four years, I've made sure that I have been intertwined within the fabric of SCW. "The Network" is in the veins of SCW. I am in the veins of this place. Most of you believe I don't do things the right way. But I don't think about the present like all of you. I think big. Long term. Setting up my future. This wasn't the life I expected to have. This wasn't something I was suppose to be. And yet, in four years, I've turned it into a life where I can prosper. Without becoming a haggered, broken down, sell of his physical self like you, Xander.
There's consequences for your choices, even when you're a legend.
Even when you're Xander Valentine, SCW's Executioner. Everyone meets their maker.
And for you, that's us.
You made your choice. And this is the result of your choices.
We'll see you at Breakdown. There's no where you can run. We know everywhere you can be. If you come after LEO or myself or whoever comes with us, it'll be expected.
Understand what you've gotten yourself into.
[The car stops and the door swings open. Dante glares at the shot before stepping out, along with Budde and Jack, outside one of the several casinos in Vegas. We hear someone say "Don't worry Mister Dante, we have your money", before it fades out."]
[Passing images of Las Vegas flash through the scene. It's nighttime and a few images of downtown show that business is booming.]
[Cut to inside a limo from the inside.]
[The door swings open. Ms Budde enters, followed by Jack Parker. This is followed by the appearance of Dante McCaffery; dressed in a black suit jacket and matching pants.]
[CUT]
[Dante's seen peering out the window; the camera solely focused on him.]
Dante: Business. Wrestling is nothing but a business. People may think it's something more. It's something about heart and soul, about being the absolute best. It's about winning titles, leaving a legacy behind that no one will be able to touch.
[He places his hand on his chin.]
Dante: I've always believed there's something more valuable than championships. Something more important than catering to people who don't give a shit about me. Four years ago, I told all of you. I didn't desire to become World Champion. I didn't want to become "the best of the best." Why would I want to chase after something so subjective? Why would I want to chase after something so temporary? Knowing, we're not getting younger by the day. Knowing we don't have all the time in the world to remain young.
Wrestling, if nothing else, is a business.
They take all of our physical peak, they put us out there, in front of you, like I will on Breakdown this Wednesday against James Evans. And they want me to entertain all of you because all of you paid a ticket to see us kill each other. We put our bodies on the line, knowing that in ten to twenty years that's going to catch up to us and some of us will barely be able to walk or run or bend down and play with our future kids. I've been consistent with that point and yet, all of you will say that I'm wrong. That I should strive to be like your favorite wrestlers; bending over backwards to chase after things that don't have as much meaning as they think.
[Dante turns to the shot.]
Dante: I'm not mad. I understand why the system is what it is. These SCW officials, they have families. They have mouths to feed. They have mortgages to pay. If the action isn't good, that's food out of their children's mouth. I understand. They need to get theirs. If I get hurt out there, they'll just find someone else to replace me. That's if I pursed the same things people like James Evans did. Awards, praise, pats on the back.
They have their reasons. And I have mine.
People idolize David Helms and Kelcey Wallace for their excellence in the ring, Yo heard me when I first talked to all of you who I look after. Silas Mason. Aiken Frost. Laura Steinback, even. They've found a way to succeed and sustained themselves in this business without lifting a finger, without having to sacrifice their body. They found a way to pivot everything and everyone towards them. The people desperate to reach the main event. Couldn't do it without joining them or going through them. Those are the people I look at an try to model after. Those are the ones that I respect. Those are the ones that's provided the foundation for someone like me.
If anything James, you and I want the same thing. Security. You want to feel secure in your identity. I want to put food on my table. I want to be able to financial make a living doing this without having to put my body through hell to do so. There's a template that proves that you don't have to. If anything, the "Network" is in the business for everybody. The more we all succeed, the more people can see that there's another way. There's ways to exploit this system.
If they want to squeeze all they can out of us physically for their benefit, then I can find a way to profit without having to sacrifice as much as everyone else is. And they can't don anything about it. Management itself is corrupt. You got power struggle between Mr.D's family, favoritism, where the ones' lives they're gambling with is us wrestlers. They fight for power with us being the lambs. Katya didn't care for me or for anyone besides Dark Fantasy. You all don't think Sasha has her biases?
So knowing that, doesn't it make sense to get as much as you can before they squeeze you out? They can't come after Jack, Hannah, me...Mika, Violet, Celeste..because we've put ourselves above reproach.
We have earned Diplomatic Immunity.
Which is why, Xander Valentine, why LEO is coming for you. Why I'm coming for you. Because no one cheats us and gets away with it.
[He snarls.]
Dante: You beat me last week. You're not a slave right? Yet, despite your legacy, despite your name, you keep coming back, trying to convince everyone you are still the guy that struck fear in people's hearts. For someone with a reputation as yours, you yourself don't think it's good enough. Because you keep coming back. Because you keep dragging your name and all you've done in every video with the intent of recapturing these fucking memories of past glory. You put your body through so much only for you to look at that Hall of Fame ring, look at your championships, and believe in your heart that it's not enough.
That's why I made that deal with you.
You don't need to keep trying to chase after something you already have. You don't need to drag whatever's left in that broken down body in the ring. I tried to show you a new purpose. Being paid to help others succeed. To know that you're wanted. To have the entire industry pivot to you and rely on you. To be able to be secured in your role, your place in wrestling instead of trying to find one.
But you allowed Katya and Dark Fantasy seduce you. You convince them to go back on our agreement. On your word that you made to me. To us. We're not friends, but we were partners.
You hit me pretty good last week. I still feel it right now. But Xander, your broke our agreement. And for that, I can't let slide.
[He runs a hand through his hair.]
Dante: Breakdown's in Denver this week. Pepsi Center. I've already advanced the venue. Scoped it out. I know where all the exists are. I know where the locker room are. I know you're be there. We all have. Given your role with us, you weren't included in our meetings. You weren't included in the gatherings in private rooms where the waiter is twisting the cork. You weren't there when we were brainstorming, planning our next moves over Shrimp Scallop at dinner tables. So you don't know how far my reach goes. You don't truly know how the "Network" operates.
But you will.
LEO said he'll take care of you. That's his choice. By all means. You don't know what's he's capable of. You've heard stories. Second person information. Everyone has. But you haven't seen it yet. No one knows why he's really capable of doing. You also don't know what I'm capable of either. The point is, I have the entire arena scouted. We know where you might be. And you don't know who's coming with me. LEO'll be there. I'll be there. But who else. I can play the long game because I have the resources. For the last four years, I've made sure that I have been intertwined within the fabric of SCW. "The Network" is in the veins of SCW. I am in the veins of this place. Most of you believe I don't do things the right way. But I don't think about the present like all of you. I think big. Long term. Setting up my future. This wasn't the life I expected to have. This wasn't something I was suppose to be. And yet, in four years, I've turned it into a life where I can prosper. Without becoming a haggered, broken down, sell of his physical self like you, Xander.
There's consequences for your choices, even when you're a legend.
Even when you're Xander Valentine, SCW's Executioner. Everyone meets their maker.
And for you, that's us.
You made your choice. And this is the result of your choices.
We'll see you at Breakdown. There's no where you can run. We know everywhere you can be. If you come after LEO or myself or whoever comes with us, it'll be expected.
Understand what you've gotten yourself into.
[The car stops and the door swings open. Dante glares at the shot before stepping out, along with Budde and Jack, outside one of the several casinos in Vegas. We hear someone say "Don't worry Mister Dante, we have your money", before it fades out."]