Post by CJ Phoenix on May 27, 2021 16:57:08 GMT -5
Act I: "Azareth"
We find ourselves inside the home of the Luminary of Despair, CJ Phoenix. He's home alone and putting pictures up on the bedroom wall under the television. The Hardcore Title rests on the bed. The TV is paused on a replay of the May 10th edition of Monday Night Clash. The moment where he, Kyle Kemp, and Dandy DiVito are all sitting in the ring with their titles in front of them. A team as successful as they are dysfunctional in that moment. After finishing up with the pictures, he sits on the bed with his title in front of him, replicating the last moments of CJ's most recent appearance on AW programming. The pictures are arranged to where they spell out "WHY?" on the wall. Each one also has a different in ring moment from CJ Phoenix dating back to his return to AW.
Why? A question that branches out into so many others. One that I've asked myself the last few days. Some may also wonder why I would even take part in Havoc this year. There are so many understandable reasons for me not to participate. There are also just as many obvious reasons for anyone to be involved. However, none of them have anything to do with why I'll be there. In order to understand why I'm choosing to be in this match, one must first understand why I even came back to the squared circle.
The camera cuts to the first picture. It's a shot of CJ during his first promo since his return. He has his hand covering half of his face. At the bottom is a sentence that he had said. "Despair...that's what has brought us together."
If I told you that I planned and predicted everything that has played out exactly as it did since my return, I'd be lying. When I said that sentence back in October of last year, I was speaking to three people. I never expected it to mean even more now than it did back then, but it does. Despair is what brought me back to wrestling. There's just something about it that brings me so much joy. It doesn't matter if it's my despair or someone else's. As long as it's there, I am happy, and Action Wrestling has proven that it has an abundance of it. That's what drives me to show up every week. Not for the money. I have plenty of that. Fame is irrelevant to me as well. Recognition doesn't pique my interest. Titles? They'll come in due time. Besides, I already have one, so I've proven I'm capable of becoming a champion. It's the constant sighting of hope being destroyed that will always put a smile on my face.
That's probably why I like Havoc so much. One person's dream gets realized while all of the others get destroyed in one match, even the entrants who are simply heading in with the goal of being noticed. Not winning doesn't matter to them as long as they have some kind of highlight that they can brag about after being eliminated. I don't need to name any names. Picture anyone that's debuted in AW this year for example. They have nothing to lose. Any of them could get booted instantly and it wouldn't hurt them. They'd just get a pass because they're still new. They're honestly just happy to be there. It's no different than a group of peasants dining with royalty for a night, so they try their hardest to stand out and be remembered for something. Nothing wrong with that, but being in the same room with a king doesn't make you one. They're gonna learn that the hard way when they're sent back home, hoping to try again next year.
Despair won't spare them because they're new, neither will I. That's what makes my pursuit of despair so simple. It allows me to be versatile enough to fit any role I please in this company. Things could happen that I have no control over, yet I'd still end up benefitting in some way. Havoc is one of those benefits. Not only do I get to cause despair to just about everyone wrestling for AW in a single match. I also have an opportunity so rare and unique that I'm the only one capable of making it happen. Ironically, a lot of what has led to it was out of my control. All it took was for me to be in the right place at the right time........even if it's for something horrific.
The screen fades to black for a moment.
Act II: "Metrion"
The screen fades back in, and it's playing back a moment from earlier in the year. The vicious assault on Wesley at the hands of Philidor Holdings that CJ Phoenix and his fellow Following members were forced to watch. The camera transitions to a picture on the wall that matches what was on the TV screen.
No one escapes despair. Not even me. Its reach goes beyond mortality. Gods. Goddesses. Even the Bible shows how inescapable it is with its shortest sentence. "Jesus wept." I knew before I returned that I would feel some form of despair at one point or another, but this moment will always be in my mind. January 11th. The despair I felt on that night was different than any I had felt before. It wasn't like the feeling of losing a match. Simply losing a match only gives me a reason to keep winning. But....I won my match that night, yet I still left unhappy. I didn't expect a night that started so well to end so tragically. Then again.....
The next picture to show up was of CJ Phoenix handing the tag titles to Dandy DiVito and Kyle Kemp.
.....I didn't expect to join The Following either. I just happened to be there when they decided to show up. I wanted was despair. They wanted to better themselves and others. Simple goals. Different goals, but not mutually exclusive ones. I already had something good, but this was a chance at something better. So I took that opportunity, and I made the most of it. Turmoil was the first night that solidified my alliance with them. Different core goals working together. All because we were at the right place at the right time.
The screen returns to the previous picture.
By the time we got to this night, we had time to grow together. I didn't get to be around them that often as I was still on CruiserClash, but it was fine. However, because of that one CruiserClash visit, I would end up watching that horrid night up close. That was the first time that the despair I felt was....painful. He was just out of reach, but he might as well have been on another continent. We wanted to help him, but we couldn't save him. Do you know how it feels to want something so badly...only to not be able to get it? That feeling of being so close...only to be heartbroken. Dionysus knows that feeling. I've watched him do everything he could think of to try and get the number one spot in the Havoc Rumble. He fought for it with everything he had, and just when he thought that he had gotten it, he was denied. Something that meant so much to him was taken away, and there was nothing he could do about it. Now what? He could have the performance of his career, but it won't mean as much now that the primary reason for him entering is gone. I know the pain you're feeling, Dion. I can sense your despair, but it's okay. You'll see that what happened was ultimately a good thing as you're not gonna win Havoc this year regardless of whatever number you come out at. Who knows, maybe you'll get that number one spot next year. It might even mean more to you because you got denied it this year. As for me, that night was when the pieces slowly started coming together.
The camera moves to another picture. The OG Bishop Battlebowl Memorial.
The Battlebowl Tournament was the first time I got to team up with one of my Following brothers. Dandy and I got paired up, and as fate would have it, Kyle Kemp was paired with Carter Shaw. Another vital piece of the puzzle that was just a random coincidence to me back in February. Despite our...differences, we all made it to the finals of the tournament. That's when I saw it happen. My brothers. The tag champs. The most cohesive duo on the roster.....had a moment of miscommunication. The armor had cracked. Only a little, but it was there. I noticed, but I wasn't the only one who did. Spencer Adams noticed it, and he took advantage of it. I'm not mad at him for it. He was already doing well, and when an opportunity came up when he least expected it, he did his best to make the most of it. I know that feeling. I know what it's like to be rewarded for diligence. His persistence was rewarded with the victory at Battlefield. It all worked out for him, and now he gets to waste another Havoc Rumble by showing up last and still getting yeeted out of the match. I know he doesn't want that to become a part of his reputation, but there's a reason why the Lombardi Trophy isn't given out to pre-season champions. He can beat the Havoc demo all he wants, but that doesn't mean he can conquer the full game. I'll give him props for his dedication though. I respect that. If he can somehow manage to win the Battlebowl Tournament again next year, that might be the year he actually does something with the opportunity. Good luck with that. Actually, speaking of unexpected opportunities.....
An image of CJ holding up the Hardcore Title for the first time after winning it appears.
.....this is a direct result of one. When the unification death match got announced, I wanted in. What was also convenient was the fact that I got into a kerfuffle scuffle with one Carter Shaw a week before I won this that was essentially a no-contest. Again, an isolated incident that became another puzzle piece. I took one swing at the Hardcore Title and came down with it. Seven days later, I made history by winning the first ever Execution Cage Match to not take place at Execution. Even if I were wrestling for fame and recognition, I don't need Havoc to make a name for myself because I've already done so. Besides, none of that makes you invincible.
The camera moves down to the final picture. The dot of the question mark. It's the same image as the first one that appeared on the TV. CJ, Kemp, and DiVito sitting in the ring.
See what I mean? A unit that was once on the same page seem to not even be in the same library anymore. I've stared at this image every day for over two weeks. The sheer despair from that one image is mesmerizing. It's a reminder that my brothers will also be in the Havoc Rumble. This isn't like Battlefield where I would've been fine with any of us winning. This time, I'm the only one that I want to win because I have no choice but to win. Hopefully, you two can hash things out soon so that one of you can win Havoc next year. As for this one, the time has come for the pieces to come together.
The scene fades to black for the second time.
Act III: "Zinthos"
The final scene doesn't open in CJ's room like the previous two did. Instead, the location is unknown. A red light shines in the center of a dark and nearly empty room. CJ Phoenix is under that light, sitting in a chair with the Hardcore Title laying over his shoulder. He slowly raises his head up and stares at the screen.
Everyone of my opponents in the Havoc Rumble have something in common. Two words: next year. That's one of the beauties of Action Wrestling's penultimate major event. One year from now, Havoc will still be here. All of them can just run it back and try again next year after they fail....provided they're still here. All the newbies get a full year to try to establish themselves and potentially be a favorite next year. Even people who have already made names for themselves in their own ways like Downfall, Corey Bull, and James Nightingale can just scrap for an Evolution spot in the coming weeks and then take another crack at Havoc the next time it rolls around. Teo Blaze is also welcome to try again. I haven't forgotten about CruiserHavoc, old friend. You showed your hand when you came out and immediately went after me. You never could stand being around me, even back in our days in WCF. You were always afraid that I'd end up outshining you, so that's why you did what you did at CruiserHavoc. Funny thing is, I still ended up outshining you, and I'll do it again in the Havoc Rumble. At least you'll have another chance to catch up next year during your fruitless side quest to capture the World Title.
And now that I've mentioned the title, let's get the elephant out of the room. While there are other champions like Der Metzger, Claire Hawkins, and Soldado Fortuna trying to secure a seat at the Evolution table, I'm aware that I already have a spot locked in. So does the Oblivious Johnny Bacchus. We all theoretically have a chance to become a double champion at Evolution, but they'll have to wait until the next one to try to make that happen. At least they'll have their respective titles to cry on after they're eliminated.
Speaking of champions and Evolution, we've come around full circle. Why would I take part in the Havoc Rumble when I already have the death match I wanted at Evolution? Surely I shouldn't take it that seriously, right? But that's the thing. I'm taking this seriously BECAUSE of how I earned that spot. I was willing to jump shows, win the Hardcore Title, AND defend in one of the most violent structures there is because I wanted an even more violent match. That's poof that motivation doesn't have to come from a title shot. Walter and Odin are well aware of that. Those two mammoths are more focused on making each other extinct than they are on actually winning Havoc. To them, that's what's more important. If they make it to the next Havoc, maybe they'll be out for everyone else's blood.
You know who else has something other than the World Title as their main focus? Corey Black. He's a legend with a Hall of Fame career. Hell, he's even held the Hardcore Title longer than anyone's ever held any title. The man's done it all.....except for winning Havoc. That's the one thing left on his bingo card that he hasn't daubed. As great as he still is, time is starting to catch up to him. One has to wonder how many more shots at this goal he has left in him. If he truly wants that one Havoc Rumble win, then he'd better hope that next year is his year, because this one is already taken.
CJ pauses and lets out a sigh.
Everyone can rely on next year. Even Donald Deruty, who's claiming this to be his final match. He may surprise us sometime later with another Havoc appearance. You know who can't rely on next year? Me. That's why this match is so important to me. I need to win THIS Havoc Rumble, and ONLY this one....for the perfect storm of despair! A force of nature so majestic that only the most unique of circumstances can create one. And wouldn't you know, Philidor Holdings would be fortunate enough to be eviscerated by this storm.
What makes it a perfect storm? The fact that so many things about this had to happen the way that they did, and most of them can't ever be duplicated. I can't join The Following for the first time, twice. I can't be in the first ever Execution Cage match outside of Execution a second time. I can't fly under everyone's radar anymore because I've already soared to heights that they hoped I'd never reach. Plus, I've done so while Philidor has been hitting their stride. I haven't just endured while the lives and careers of so many others have been falling apart. I've thrived in that chaos, and now it's time to unleash my own!
CJ hops up from the chair.
Nobody deserves to win Havoc this year more than I do, and NOBODY'S gonna be working harder than me to win it! Even if winning were to come at the price of not being able to compete in next year's Havoc Rumble, that's fine with me! Every title could be on the line at Havoc next year and it STILL wouldn't mean as much to me as this one does! I won't be able to have the momentum of an explosive breakout star next year that I have now! Philidor's confidence won't be any higher next than it is now! They probably won't even be together next year! So I'm willing to shove all of my chips in and sacrifice everything I need to in order to make this happen!
He walls up and kneels in front of the camera.
I'm willing to sacrifice more than anyone else for this opportunity. I'll take years off the back end of my life if it means I leave the Havoc victorious. I don't have to be in another Havoc Rumble, for the rest of my career, as long as I win this one. I'll even lay down my Hardcore Title and my spot in the death match that I've wanted since the moment it was announced if it means I leave Evolution with the World Title around my waist and despair all over Philidor's faces. I can always get it back, but I'll never be able to have a second chance at this. That's why I'll gladly toss away all of my other goals and the happiness that I'd receive from them in exchange for the ultimate despair on the grandest stage.
CJ stands up and slowly places back and forth under the light.
I'm not carrying the hopes of the fans or anyone else into Havoc. Why should I when I've weaponized the despair of friends, foes, and everyone in between? Besides, hope only gets you so far in the Havoc Rumble, right Lissie? Last year, Lissie WAS hope. She went in and had one of the all-time greatest performances in Havoc's history. The crowd was on her side. Her loved ones were by her side. Hope was shining brightly in that ring. Only a brick wall could stop her. Its name was Walter. She could've died a hero that day. A mighty warrior cut down in her prime. Such an honorable way to go, but you know what tends to happen to those who don't die a hero. Her life fell apart, and now she's become the villain. She fell HARD from grace and became Lissie Hopeless. However, she's found a posse of people to hide behind. Now, she's back with a vengeance like zombie Liu Kang in Mortal Kombat Armageddon. She's got her confidence back, and it's transmogrified into arrogance. She's gonna pick up where she left off and swing for the fences! Only a brick wall can stop her! This time....its name is CJ Phoenix. Not even hope can escape despair, Lissie.
CJ stops and turns his head towards the camera.
And neither can you, Carter Shaw. Out of everyone outside of The Following, you're the one that understands me the most. I understand you as well, and I'm impressed with how you've managed to fool everyone else into thinking that you have no intentions on using your briefcase as anything other than insurance for Ash Blake. I liked that speech you made. It confirmed what I already knew. You don't think Blake can hold on to that title long enough for the All In briefcase to expire. In fact, you don't want her to. You'd rather see her lose the World Title so that you can have a reason to cash in. Then, you just strike at the most opportune time and pat yourself on the back afterwards. Finally, you go out and brag about how smart you were to hold on to the briefcase as long as you did while the rest of Philidor admires your genius. That's your REAL plan. It burns you up inside knowing that you're soooooo close to the World Title, but you have to play your cards a certain way to avoid blowing your cover. I could build the despair building up every time we came across each other. Oh, and speaking of our interactions, I've figured those out as well. When you visited The Following's compound, you saw me training. Anyone else would've just seen a man working on his skills, but you saw past that. You saw the locks breaking on the door to the boundless potential that I've always had. It was something that you couldn't let go of, so you popped up on CruiserClash hoping it would lead to us doing battle, and it did. That match was never about winning or losing. It was about you trying to confirm your suspicions about what I'm capable of. You witnessed it firsthand in that brawl, and you saw it from a distance the following week when I became Hardcore Champion. To the fans, it was a bit of an unexpected surprise, but you knew better. You knew I'm far better than what I've been given credit for. Even when you called yourself "congratulating" me for my title win, you were really just thanking me for proving you right about my limitless potential. You've already realized what many others would never want to admit to. Of the short list of people capable of beating Ash Blake at Evolution, two of them are Carter Shaw and CJ Phoenix. You don't want to win Havoc, but I do. You don't want to be the one to take the belt from Balakay, but I'll happily do it. While everyone else in Philidor will be distraught when I win, you'll be elated because we'll both get what we want. I get to unite the world under the perfect storm of despair, while you get the chance to pursue the World Title while keeping your "Philidor first" facade going. Then, you can match wits with the Luminary of Despair. One of the few people capable of matching you move for move with the highest of stakes on the line.
CJ walks up and grabs the camera.
Despair....that's what's brought us all together for the Havoc Rumble. It's the reason I'm in it and the reason I'll win it. As long as I walk out of Havoc victorious and I leave Evolution with the World Title while the most tyrannical group in Action Wrestling writhes in despair, nothing else matters afterwards. You all can have the rest of the Havoc Rumbles then. This is the only one I desire. No do-overs. No restarts. This is the only chance I'll get to take a swing at this....and that's all that ever needed. I won't just knock it out of the park, I'm gonna sail it out of the galaxy.
He shuts off the camera and the final scene ends.