Post-Havoc Scene: CJ Phoenix
Jun 1, 2021 21:45:11 GMT -5
Downfall, Harvey Marx, and 2 more like this
Post by CJ Phoenix on Jun 1, 2021 21:45:11 GMT -5
Instead of going straight to the back after being eliminated, CJ waited for a couple more eliminations before slipping by Nate Burleson as he was interviewing one of the Havoc Rumble participants. He had a lot on his mind, and doing an interview wasn't one of them. CJ walks through the backstage area of the Allstate Arena with the Hardcore Title over his shoulder. The look on his face is emotionless. The inside of his mind is chaotic. He had a goal set to main event Evolution and created the perfect storm of despair, but he failed. It would be easy for him to blame that on a number of things, including his own Following brothers. However, the only person he blames is himself. It's his own fault for allowing himself to be distracted. Thus, he didn't deserve to win. As his mind clearing walk continues, he comes across Kyle Kemp on his way out. The two stop and look at each other. No animosity between them. Just a shared sorrow. A few seconds pass before they turn their heads away from each other and continue walking in different directions. Minutes later, CJ comes across Dandy DiVito. The two lock eyes as it feels like a potential argument is about to break out, but it doesn't. They just look at each other and then they look away. Perhaps this isn't the night to discuss things with them.
A little time passes. The Havoc Rumble has ended. The Luminary of Despair is still venturing when he comes across a familiar face. The winner of the 2021 Havoc Rumble, Spencer Adams. The two of them stand a few feet from each other in a way that's almost identical to a month and a half ago. The two of them have come a long way in such a short time. Just six weeks ago, they shared the ring together in a slugfest for the Hardcore Title. Despite the intensity before, the violence during, and the emotions after the match, Spencer Adams still gave props and respect to CJ Phoenix without saying a word. This time, it's Spencer who's overcome with happiness while CJ has approached him in silence. Neither man speaks, allowing time to pass in silence. Then, Phoenix breaks the silence with a light sigh. He extends his arm out to offer a handshake. Spencer is a bit surprised by this and hesitates for a moment. He tries to see if he can get a read on CJ's intentions, but the latter's facial expression doesn't change. Ultimately, he decides to reach out and shake his hand. No surprise attack. No animosity. Just a show of respect. After breaking the handshake, the two men nod at each other and CJ starts walking forward. He places a hand on Spencer's shoulder for a second and speaks calmly.
Phoenix: Don't make me regret being fine with you winning.
CJ continues walking and doesn't look back. He's nearing the front entrance when he spots Carter Shaw, who appears to have noticed him as well.
Shaw: Look who it is...the only battery left in The Following's think tank.
Phoenix: Shut up.
Shaw: What? I didn't win Havoc either. It's not my fault that I didn't need to. Plus, you could've won Havoc if it wasn't for-
Phoenix: Don't say it.
Shaw: You know I'm right. You could've just went in there and only looked out for yourself. You should've put yourself first, and maybe then you would've finished first. Instead, you went out and tried to fix things between Kemp and DiVito despite it not being your business if we're being honest. Know what that makes you?
Phoenix: I'm gonna regret saying this, but do tell.
Shaw: Loyal.
There's a pause before Carter speaks again.
Shaw: There aren't many people capable of doing what you did. You're different.
He walks forward and the two walk past each other.
Shaw: It's a shame that you keep choosing to be on the wrong side of this war.
Phoenix: I was gonna tell you the same thing.
Carter Shaw smirks as the two walk away from each other.
After finishing his walk inside of the arena, CJ steps outside and sits a good distance away from the front entrance. He stares at the sky and reflects about the Havoc Rumble. About 15 minutes pass before he is joined by Vanessa who just so happened to see him while she was heading back into the arena. The assistant decides to take a seat next to him.
Vanessa: You okay?
Phoenix: Yeah.
Vanessa: You did really well out there.
Phoenix: Not well enough. First and tenth are miles apart.
Vanessa: I believe you accomplished more than you think.
Phoenix: That makes one of us.
A sad look grows on Vanessa's face.
Vanessa: You're being too hard on yourself.
Phoenix: You sure about that? I didn't win Havoc. I didn't fix things between Kemp and DiVito. I failed on both accounts.
Vanessa: At least you tried.
Phoenix: Maybe, but that wasn't good enough, so it doesn't matter.
Vanessa: No....no, that's wrong. It does matter.
CJ turns and looks at her.
Phoenix: How?
Vanessa: I know you don't like to consider yourself good or evil until you're saying it to get under someone's skin, but I've figured something out after hanging out with you for so long. You're the first person I've ever met that actively pursues something that should make you hated in a way that makes it hard for a lot of people to hate you. You go out of your way to help people, including me with this whole Jim Mud situation. I wouldn't have been able to pull off that stunt with the cameras a couple of weeks ago if you hadn't taught me how to use the equipment in the production truck, and that's just one example. You said you're just here for despair, and I don't deny that, but you've done more than that. You've given hope to people. Sometimes even through causing despair. Plus, you don't even do the stuff that bad guys generally do. Not even in the ring. Yes, you have a drive for violence, but you win matches clean. You don't attack people before or after matches. You even got that Hardcore Title by working your way to it. Between you and me, you're too likeable to fully hate and too persistent to be kept down.
Vanessa finds herself able to smile again and gives him a hug.
Vanessa: Things will get better for you. I promise. Just keep being yourself, and you'll see the good that I see. You may not be a full-blown good guy, but there's no way I'd consider you evil. I'd go as far as to say I'm not the only one that feels that way either.
Her phone rings and she checks the notification. She rolls her eyes in disgust and stands up.
Vanessa: I have to go. It's that jerk again. I hate that he attacked Donald Deruty before he could even compete in the Havoc Rumble. I hope Deruty's okay. I don't think anyone wants any more of 'Jim Mud's CruiserClash'. See you later!
CJ thinks about what Vanessa said while she walks away. He stands up and stares at the sky once more. The scene ends with Vanessa's words echoing in CJ's mind.
'You've given hope to people. Sometimes even through causing despair.'
A little time passes. The Havoc Rumble has ended. The Luminary of Despair is still venturing when he comes across a familiar face. The winner of the 2021 Havoc Rumble, Spencer Adams. The two of them stand a few feet from each other in a way that's almost identical to a month and a half ago. The two of them have come a long way in such a short time. Just six weeks ago, they shared the ring together in a slugfest for the Hardcore Title. Despite the intensity before, the violence during, and the emotions after the match, Spencer Adams still gave props and respect to CJ Phoenix without saying a word. This time, it's Spencer who's overcome with happiness while CJ has approached him in silence. Neither man speaks, allowing time to pass in silence. Then, Phoenix breaks the silence with a light sigh. He extends his arm out to offer a handshake. Spencer is a bit surprised by this and hesitates for a moment. He tries to see if he can get a read on CJ's intentions, but the latter's facial expression doesn't change. Ultimately, he decides to reach out and shake his hand. No surprise attack. No animosity. Just a show of respect. After breaking the handshake, the two men nod at each other and CJ starts walking forward. He places a hand on Spencer's shoulder for a second and speaks calmly.
Phoenix: Don't make me regret being fine with you winning.
CJ continues walking and doesn't look back. He's nearing the front entrance when he spots Carter Shaw, who appears to have noticed him as well.
Shaw: Look who it is...the only battery left in The Following's think tank.
Phoenix: Shut up.
Shaw: What? I didn't win Havoc either. It's not my fault that I didn't need to. Plus, you could've won Havoc if it wasn't for-
Phoenix: Don't say it.
Shaw: You know I'm right. You could've just went in there and only looked out for yourself. You should've put yourself first, and maybe then you would've finished first. Instead, you went out and tried to fix things between Kemp and DiVito despite it not being your business if we're being honest. Know what that makes you?
Phoenix: I'm gonna regret saying this, but do tell.
Shaw: Loyal.
There's a pause before Carter speaks again.
Shaw: There aren't many people capable of doing what you did. You're different.
He walks forward and the two walk past each other.
Shaw: It's a shame that you keep choosing to be on the wrong side of this war.
Phoenix: I was gonna tell you the same thing.
Carter Shaw smirks as the two walk away from each other.
After finishing his walk inside of the arena, CJ steps outside and sits a good distance away from the front entrance. He stares at the sky and reflects about the Havoc Rumble. About 15 minutes pass before he is joined by Vanessa who just so happened to see him while she was heading back into the arena. The assistant decides to take a seat next to him.
Vanessa: You okay?
Phoenix: Yeah.
Vanessa: You did really well out there.
Phoenix: Not well enough. First and tenth are miles apart.
Vanessa: I believe you accomplished more than you think.
Phoenix: That makes one of us.
A sad look grows on Vanessa's face.
Vanessa: You're being too hard on yourself.
Phoenix: You sure about that? I didn't win Havoc. I didn't fix things between Kemp and DiVito. I failed on both accounts.
Vanessa: At least you tried.
Phoenix: Maybe, but that wasn't good enough, so it doesn't matter.
Vanessa: No....no, that's wrong. It does matter.
CJ turns and looks at her.
Phoenix: How?
Vanessa: I know you don't like to consider yourself good or evil until you're saying it to get under someone's skin, but I've figured something out after hanging out with you for so long. You're the first person I've ever met that actively pursues something that should make you hated in a way that makes it hard for a lot of people to hate you. You go out of your way to help people, including me with this whole Jim Mud situation. I wouldn't have been able to pull off that stunt with the cameras a couple of weeks ago if you hadn't taught me how to use the equipment in the production truck, and that's just one example. You said you're just here for despair, and I don't deny that, but you've done more than that. You've given hope to people. Sometimes even through causing despair. Plus, you don't even do the stuff that bad guys generally do. Not even in the ring. Yes, you have a drive for violence, but you win matches clean. You don't attack people before or after matches. You even got that Hardcore Title by working your way to it. Between you and me, you're too likeable to fully hate and too persistent to be kept down.
Vanessa finds herself able to smile again and gives him a hug.
Vanessa: Things will get better for you. I promise. Just keep being yourself, and you'll see the good that I see. You may not be a full-blown good guy, but there's no way I'd consider you evil. I'd go as far as to say I'm not the only one that feels that way either.
Her phone rings and she checks the notification. She rolls her eyes in disgust and stands up.
Vanessa: I have to go. It's that jerk again. I hate that he attacked Donald Deruty before he could even compete in the Havoc Rumble. I hope Deruty's okay. I don't think anyone wants any more of 'Jim Mud's CruiserClash'. See you later!
CJ thinks about what Vanessa said while she walks away. He stands up and stares at the sky once more. The scene ends with Vanessa's words echoing in CJ's mind.
'You've given hope to people. Sometimes even through causing despair.'