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Supercard Archives / Who do you see?
« on: November 21, 2024, 09:47:15 AM »
4th November.
It was a typical day in the office on a Monday for Mark Ward and Christian Underwood as the duo had headed back to Las Vegas from Arizona after another successful Climax Control. Hot Stuff sat in the common area of the office, his eyes reading some paperwork as he put his feet up on the sofa. He could hear footsteps approaching, but kept his eyes on his work.
HS: What have I told you about lurking around on me, Christian? It's a bit creepy to say the least, very damn creepy at most.
Hot Stuff was right with his guess as Christian Underwood stood nearby, looking over to Hot Stuff.
Christian: It's not lurking, you just never gave me time to announce myself.
Hot Stuff kept his eyes on the paper in his hand.
HS: You'd make a lousy stalker.
Christian looked up with a thoughtful look on his face.
Christian: Well I haven't been caught yet.
Finally Hot Stuff looked up and in the direction of Christian, his face frowning at his business partner.
HS: Say what?
Christian: Nothing.
Christian tried to put his best innocent face on but Hot Stuff looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
HS: You didn't come out here to just stare at me while I was reading away at the schedule, did you? I can tell when something is running around that dome of yours.
Christian sighed as he moved forward, sitting at a chair nearby Hot Stuff. He looked at him with worried eyes.
Christian: It's about High Stakes.
Hot Stuff pressed his hands together as he looked towards Christian.
HS: What about it?
Christian bit his lower lip, trying to find the right words in his head as he looked towards Hot Stuff.
Christian: It's this match with Kevin Carter. Are you sure you want to do it?
Hot Stuff scratched his chin, looking towards the floor for a few seconds before looking Christian directly in the eyes.
HS: Yes.
With that one word answer, Hot Stuff looked down at the paper in his hand causing Christian to frown.
Christian: That's it?
Without looking up, Hot Stuff simply responds to Christian.
HS: Uh uh.
Frustration passed over Christian's face as shuffled forward in his seat.
Christian: Mark, seriously. It's been years since you've been in a ring and wrestled. It's been over a decade and you think you can't just pick it up just like that again and just go back to how it used to be?
Hot Stuff looked up, putting the paperwork down and stared at Christian.
HS: You're right, I haven't been in the ring for years, been a long, long time. I'm not stupid princess, far from it... This is why I'm not doing it in the ring and doing it in the street instead.
Hot Stuff flashed a cheeky grin in Christian direction but Christian just rolled his eyes at Hot Stuff.
Christian: That's not funny.
HS: Nope, it's hilarious. Look, I get your concern and I'm sure everyone is gonna be concerned, but I'm not over the hill yet at forty three. There's guys much older then me doing this at a good level, and everyone who comes back for one more match is older then me. Chill Winston, I got this.
Christian looked confused at Hot Stuff's last line.
Christian: Huh?
HS: Movie reference. We don't all watch horror films older then our grandparents you know. Honestly, you got nothing to be concerned about, I'm not even concerned about it. I'm relaxed, I'm calm, I'm alright. This is just another day at the office, except the office is the street and I get to smack some bitch in to the middle of next month. It will be like riding a bike. People take years off from this and come back better then ever.
Christian: You're not a young man anymore.
A look of false offence passed Hot Stuff's face.
HS: How dare you! Only as old as the woman you're feeling which makes me about twenty four judging by the other night.
Christian shivered and cringed at Hot Stuff's comment.
Christian: Dirty old man.
HS: Proud of it, but it proves there's life in this old dog yet. I mean am I gonna be jumping off buildings on to people like I did in the past? Absolutely not. Am I gonna play stunt man? Who knows, but I know I'm gonna wrestle smarter. Carter is all huff and puff, style over substance, wrestling brain the size of a dodo and we all know what happened to them. I'm seriously not worried about this one at all and you shouldn't be either.
Christian: But a street fight of all things?
Hot Stuff smiled and shrugged towards Christian.
HS: Sure, why not?
His nonchalant attitude wasn't lost on Christian as he started to massages his own temples.
Christian: Nothing I'm gonna say is gonna change anything, is it?
HS: Not a thing.
Christian sighed, giving up the battle before walking away. Hot Stuff shook his head.
HS: Dude needs to get laid. I should probably give Scotty a call...
The camera fades.
19th November.
Days away from SCW's biggest show of the year, it was time to make the world buy what SCW was selling. Everyone on the roster had been going from event to event, talking about High Stakes XIV. It was tradition for SCW to have press conferences before and after shows and this was no different as Hot Stuff Mark Ward sat at a table with reporters all around him.
HS: Hey everyone, thank you all for coming as we head towards High Stakes XIV. Please understand time is a bit limited and I won't be able to get to all of you, but lets see how many we can get through.
Hot Stuff pointed to a reporter.
Reporter: Hi Mark, this show has always been known as the biggest show in the SCW year, how do you feel the build up has been this year?
Hot Stuff cleared his throat.
HS: Honestly it's been a bit up and down with some uncontrollable things, but people have worked hard, they've taken everything in their stride and moved on. From a commercial view, everything has gone smooth, our wrestlers have been out and about in their home states, cities and even our guys from outside the United States have been working their arses off getting it out there and doing what they do best, so I feel the build up has been ok.
Hot Stuff pointed to another reporter.
Reporter: In terms of comparing this High Stakes to past High Stakes, where do you think this one will rank?
HS: I think this one will be right at the top. We've done everything to book a very solid card, not only for this show, but to lead on to future shows. I mean the invitational thing, which you guys know, it's common knowledge that I'm not a fan of battle royals, rumbles or gauntlet matches was done to lead on to our last show of the year, which is the twenty second. It's there so we can build towards that holiday show. I think that adds some excitement to things plus we obviously have a lot of great stuff on the show with big implications.
Reporter: Let's ask about the Hall of Fame. Necra has to be one of the biggest surprises in years considering she seemed to hall off the map.
HS: You're not wrong. Christian and I have had a list of names for people for years that we would like to have in the Hall of Fame and she was high on that list, but yeah, hard to find until Christian had some luck. People like Necra built this place years ago. Without people like her, we might not have got this far. I feel that it was great that we found her and that she's gonna be back on the screen again at High Stakes.
Hot Stuff nods towards another reporter.
Reporter: A lot of people have found it strange that a World Championship match isn't headlining the show, can you explain why?
Hot Stuff rolled his eyes.
HS: People on the internet find everything strange, let's be honest but I can explain that. It's a new direction for us, breaking the traditions a bit, that we've put in over the last few months where championships spoke for themselves and didn't need to end the show. It's about giving people the chance to step up. For me it's a way of saying put in the work, put in the effort and anyone can headline things. It's no slight on any of the champions we have and you need to see this isn't an ordinary match. There's a lot on the line for this so it's not random. This match was meant to happen a year ago at this show so it's not like we've just thrown something together. Over a year of hard work has gone in to this, little stories woven in to one. I'm comfortable with the choice and after the show, I think others will be too.
He pointed at someone else.
Reporter: Will there be many surprises at this show?
HS: There always is. I mean we don't always go for shock value but it's High Stakes and everyone is invited here. The door is open at High Stakes for anyone past or present to walk in. It's our thank you to everyone who got us this far so you never know who you might see on camera. You will see a few faces in the rumble that you might not expect, but yeah, anyone can appear on camera.
Reporter: Let's talk about you. Your first match in a long time, do you feel any nerves knowing we're days away?
Hot Stuff smiled at the woman asking the question.
HS: None at all, very calm, very chilled out, not worried about it at all. Already planned the victory party afterwards. If possible, can we keep this about the show and not me. I got plenty to say in a day or two about it all.
Reporter: Do you feel there's a match on the card that can steal the show?
HS: Pretty much any of them to be honest. It's great from top to bottom. Anyone can step up at this point and show what they've got. We always say this is a soft reboot of things, where it's a new dawn for the company after this so anyone can impress now and it will set them up. Everyone in the back knows it so I think any match, or any person can get out there and impress me any everyone here.
Hot Stuff pointed at someone else.
Reporter: Christian teased on social media about maybe award winners might be revealed early. Can you reveal any winners now?
Hot Stuff smiled at the question.
HS: You pretty much summed Christian up there. He teased, he is a big tease but I doubt very much he would leak anything to anyone about who has won what. You've seen him for years, he loves to do that but as for any winners being announced early, no, can't see that happening, but glad it got noticed. His job is done there.
Reporter: There's been a lot of talk in wrestling lately, not aimed at SCW, but in wrestling in general, about safe working environments. How do you rank SCW's working environment?
Hot Stuff frowned at the question.
HS: Bit of an odd question, one to stir up some controversy. Everyone will sit and tell you their locker room is the safest in the land but ours actually is up there. Christian and I won't tolerate a single thing out of place. We've built a reputation on being safe, on being comfortable to work with. You didn't aim it at SCW, but if you speak to anyone in SCW, if your connections are deep enough to know people in that locker room, they'll tell you the exact same thing. People love coming to work, they feel safe doing so and if they didn't, it would very much be dealt with and it will be safer then before. Like I said, odd question, can we have one a little more normal?
Reporter: What does the future look like for SCW?
HS: Much better question. It look bright, we will be having a tribute show on our next Climax Control for someone who passed recently and every time we have to do this, it breaks my heart. We've lost so many people over the years and it don't get easier, but we will do it. We have of course two tours to work on and finalize and well, you all know that we have the roster to push on and do great things. We'll get through High Stakes, we have our plans set, we'll make them all more solid and go from there. The beauty about a show like High Stakes is everyone steps up and could change the mindset. There might be new champions that will change the look of their divisions, there could be new faces, new challenges, but either way, the future is very, very bright.
Hot Stuff looks at his watch.
HS: Well, thank you all for coming out. We are out of time here so need to cut this off. I'll see you all at High Stakes wandering around with those golden ticket press passes.
The scene fades to black
21st November
The camera opens up on the face of Hot Stuff Mark Ward as he sits on his desk, wearing a black suit and white shirt with a light blue tie. He wears glasses on his eyes as he looks through them and down the camera.
HS: How do you see me?
He straightens up his suit jacket and flashes his smile as he picks up a coffee cup.
HS: This is how you see me, isn't it Kevin? The guy in the office, the guy with his expensive suit, sitting behind a desk, nice, safe, not able to get his hands dirty. It's funny how the view of the businessmen, the view of how people like me are seen can be so damn misleading, that you can't see the wood for the forest. People who sit behind desks are seen as weak, as nothing, as fellas who wouldn't say boo to a goose and would run away from everything because they just don't have it in them to be a man who can get out there and get his hands dirty. People like you Kevin, you fail to see the leadership, you fail to see that the most powerful thing in the human body is the brain. Great leaders build things, create, they see things that others don't, people like you take orders because you're not strong enough to see that mentally, they're the weak ones.
Hot Stuff taps the side of his head.
HS: Christian and I built something that allows you to put food on your table, that allows many to live the life they've always dreamed of. We've done something that's entertained people for years, we've brought that little bit of joy in to people's lives that gives them a break from reality and the way this world is, we all need that little break from reality. You look at that as weakness, but you don't see the shit we have to do to keep that going. You think it's as simple as putting on a show and getting paid, you see that as coming to work and earning a few bucks to live the life you want to live. You don't see the hidden side to it all. Your small mind sees it in the simplest of terms, you don't see the sacrifices or the drama or the fact we have to put up with dicks behind the scenes trying to make my life miserable when all I'm trying to do is give people what they want. Because I wear the suit, because I sign my name on documents and pay checks and shit, that's weak in your eyes.
Hot Stuff shakes his head.
HS: No pal, that's real strength. That's me doing more in my life then you could ever do in yours. That's being strong, but I can see why you targeted me Kevin.
Hot Stuff takes a sip of the coffee in his hand.
HS: See you and that little circle jerk group of yours, your whole thing is to pick on people who are weak, well, people you think are weak. The young up and comer with a bright future but a bit to learn, you saw him as weak. You went for the guy who was happy and settled in his life, content with a career well done, because you saw that as a sign of weakness. Now you've come for me because I spend my time behind a desk. You see that as not being strong enough. It's a gang tactic, it's a bully tactic, you try to pick off the weak because you see them as nothing. That's where you're wrong. Michael and Jayden Harris were not weak, I was never weak, but us three do have something in common. You saw us as threats, threats to you running around trying to take over something you never will. You knew Jayden had no fear and could dent your plans, you knew Michael is an unpredictable, crazy bastard and could come back any time and throw you in to irrelevance and put all eyes back on him and you knew I could make that happen anytime.
Hot Stuff tilts his head and smiles.
HS: You knew all that was possible that we could piss on your cornflakes at any time so you tried to pick us off with the schoolyard mentality. All because of the twisted way you see us, the way you see me, but the pen pushing, contract signing, paying your wages guy isn't gonna be the man you're facing on Sunday at High Stakes, Kevin.
Hot Stuff slowly shakes his head.
HS: You and your Mr Magoo version of your mind seems to have forgot that I'm not just Mark Ward, I'm Hot Stuff Mark Ward, one of the best wrestlers to lace up the boots and win championships all over the world. I'm the guy that has been in matches that you can only dream of doing, wrestled in places that's not on the map for people like you, I'm still that guy and you can say I haven't done it in so long, I'm not who I was... Well, you'd be wrong.
Hot Stuff waves a finger at the camera.
HS: See, you see me as this all business type, and that I just don't have it anymore, but that isn't me. This is me.
Hot Stuff takes a few steps to the right and the scene changes completely. No longer is he wearing the suit, but smart jeans and a bright shirt opened down by a few buttons, the coffee cup has been replaced by a glass of whiskey and a party appears around him. Men and women dance around him, holding drinks in their hand of various colours and types, music plays in the background as a pool party rages on. He sits down in a nearby chair, resting the whiskey on a table next to him.
HS: This is who I was Kevin, this guy, this is the guy that used to beat the unbeatable, this is the guy who used to beat people who would go on huge win streaks and looked like they couldn't be beat. This is Hot Stuff Mark Ward, the man who used to go out there and give the world what it wanted and be the best wrestler that ever lived.
Hot Stuff looks at a woman as she passes him in a thong bikini.
HS: And this is the guy you're gonna get on Sunday. You're getting the classic, you're getting the original, you're getting someone that you might have thought was long gone, but nah, he was always there in me waiting to come back. I'm not nervous like most would have been after not wrestling for all those years. I'm not worried about anything at all like that. I'm actually looking forward to smashing you around that ring like no one else ever has Kevin. I have no fear of you, or the world shittest boy band you knock around with. I'm not worried about that in the slightest. You woke up that guy who was asleep for a long time, you woke him up and now he's ready to come out and play once more.
Hot Stuff picks up the whiskey and takes a sip.
HS: The second your bony little hand connected with me, it woke me up and I didn't just randomly think about a street fight, I knew it was the way to go because I don't like getting woke up, I'm a bastard when you wake me up and I'm ready to tape the fists, I'm ready to fight like my life depends on it because I know my life does depend on it. My company depends on it and I will make sure that I do this for everyone in SCW, everyone who is sick of being put under the boot by people like you. I will do it for every single person who wants to stand up and be heard. I will do it for them, because you three bitches are not taking over what I built. You three bitches will not be destroying everything Christian and I worked so hard for.
Hot Stuff places the whiskey back down.
HS: You don't get to come in with a mask, hiding away in the shadows and think you can take over, it don't work that way pal. It works the way I say it works and it works the way I want it to work and how I want it to work is me whooping seven bags of shit out of you. It works with me beating the ever loving snot out of you. I took it to the streets because it was my choice, because you don't deserve to stand in my ring, because this is about me making you pay for your sins on a tab you've been rattling up for months. You've been pushing this higher and higher and it's time to pay the piper and I'm the horrible one playing the tune.
Hot Stuff mimics playing a flute in front of him.
HS: No rust on me, I've been ready for this one for a while, I've been working my arse off to be ready for this. This is non stop for me and I will be stopping you from all those little evil plans in your head. I will take whatever game plan you've come up with and shove it right up that place where you think the sun shines from, but really doesn't. I'm not coming out here to mess around, I'm coming out there to put you in your place, to get rid of whatever this thing is that you're doing, or think you're doing.
Hot Stuff puts his hands out in front on him and shrugs his shoulders.
HS: I don't know what you think you're doing, and I don't know what your end game is but it doesn't matter, because it ends when I get you out on those streets and beat you like your daddy should have done. All your plans go to shit as soon as you square up to me, cause it all ends there and then, it's all over at that point for you. You putting your hands on me is the biggest mistake you will ever make until you face me and that time is getting closer Kevin, High Stakes is getting closer, the end of your little trio of misfits is getting closer and closer. It will be game over for you Kevin.
Hot Stuff stands up from his chair.
HS: You're not getting a beaten down old man, you're not getting someone wet behind the ears, you're getting me, you're getting all of me, everything I can possibly give, that's what you're getting. You're getting the real me and many people bigger then you, better then you, stronger, faster, smarter then you have tried to take me down over the years. All tried to get the best of me and failed miserably. What makes you think you of all people are going to do anything differently? Because you got your little friends about?
Hot Stuff scoffs.
HS: Let me tell you about friends pal. It's well known I'm friends with Austin Parker. Many years ago, there was a death match and I ended Austin Parker's full time in ring career. Now you can put on all the hype, all the glitz and glamour that you want but behind the camera, Austin and I, real good friends. Now I did that to him, I didn't have to but I did that to him. If I'm willing to do that to my friend, what do you think I'm gonna do to a little shit stain on society like you?
Hot Stuff smiles and takes a few steps to the left, half the screen showing Hot Stuff in a suit and back in the office, the other half in his party clothes at the pool party.
HS: It's time for you to really start worrying Kevin, because what you thought you was gonna get, is not the person who will be taping up his hands and coming for your head on Sunday at High Stakes. The pencil pusher you thought was just that, is not what he seems. All your little attacks like at the last Climax Control brought the real Hot Stuff back, it brought the man back that you really don't want back. You know who that man is?
A serious look appears on both sides of the screen.
HS: That man is Hot Stuff Mark Ward and he's too damn hot for you to handle!
Hot Stuff puts his hands together from both sides of the screen as the scene fades to black. >
It was a typical day in the office on a Monday for Mark Ward and Christian Underwood as the duo had headed back to Las Vegas from Arizona after another successful Climax Control. Hot Stuff sat in the common area of the office, his eyes reading some paperwork as he put his feet up on the sofa. He could hear footsteps approaching, but kept his eyes on his work.
HS: What have I told you about lurking around on me, Christian? It's a bit creepy to say the least, very damn creepy at most.
Hot Stuff was right with his guess as Christian Underwood stood nearby, looking over to Hot Stuff.
Christian: It's not lurking, you just never gave me time to announce myself.
Hot Stuff kept his eyes on the paper in his hand.
HS: You'd make a lousy stalker.
Christian looked up with a thoughtful look on his face.
Christian: Well I haven't been caught yet.
Finally Hot Stuff looked up and in the direction of Christian, his face frowning at his business partner.
HS: Say what?
Christian: Nothing.
Christian tried to put his best innocent face on but Hot Stuff looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
HS: You didn't come out here to just stare at me while I was reading away at the schedule, did you? I can tell when something is running around that dome of yours.
Christian sighed as he moved forward, sitting at a chair nearby Hot Stuff. He looked at him with worried eyes.
Christian: It's about High Stakes.
Hot Stuff pressed his hands together as he looked towards Christian.
HS: What about it?
Christian bit his lower lip, trying to find the right words in his head as he looked towards Hot Stuff.
Christian: It's this match with Kevin Carter. Are you sure you want to do it?
Hot Stuff scratched his chin, looking towards the floor for a few seconds before looking Christian directly in the eyes.
HS: Yes.
With that one word answer, Hot Stuff looked down at the paper in his hand causing Christian to frown.
Christian: That's it?
Without looking up, Hot Stuff simply responds to Christian.
HS: Uh uh.
Frustration passed over Christian's face as shuffled forward in his seat.
Christian: Mark, seriously. It's been years since you've been in a ring and wrestled. It's been over a decade and you think you can't just pick it up just like that again and just go back to how it used to be?
Hot Stuff looked up, putting the paperwork down and stared at Christian.
HS: You're right, I haven't been in the ring for years, been a long, long time. I'm not stupid princess, far from it... This is why I'm not doing it in the ring and doing it in the street instead.
Hot Stuff flashed a cheeky grin in Christian direction but Christian just rolled his eyes at Hot Stuff.
Christian: That's not funny.
HS: Nope, it's hilarious. Look, I get your concern and I'm sure everyone is gonna be concerned, but I'm not over the hill yet at forty three. There's guys much older then me doing this at a good level, and everyone who comes back for one more match is older then me. Chill Winston, I got this.
Christian looked confused at Hot Stuff's last line.
Christian: Huh?
HS: Movie reference. We don't all watch horror films older then our grandparents you know. Honestly, you got nothing to be concerned about, I'm not even concerned about it. I'm relaxed, I'm calm, I'm alright. This is just another day at the office, except the office is the street and I get to smack some bitch in to the middle of next month. It will be like riding a bike. People take years off from this and come back better then ever.
Christian: You're not a young man anymore.
A look of false offence passed Hot Stuff's face.
HS: How dare you! Only as old as the woman you're feeling which makes me about twenty four judging by the other night.
Christian shivered and cringed at Hot Stuff's comment.
Christian: Dirty old man.
HS: Proud of it, but it proves there's life in this old dog yet. I mean am I gonna be jumping off buildings on to people like I did in the past? Absolutely not. Am I gonna play stunt man? Who knows, but I know I'm gonna wrestle smarter. Carter is all huff and puff, style over substance, wrestling brain the size of a dodo and we all know what happened to them. I'm seriously not worried about this one at all and you shouldn't be either.
Christian: But a street fight of all things?
Hot Stuff smiled and shrugged towards Christian.
HS: Sure, why not?
His nonchalant attitude wasn't lost on Christian as he started to massages his own temples.
Christian: Nothing I'm gonna say is gonna change anything, is it?
HS: Not a thing.
Christian sighed, giving up the battle before walking away. Hot Stuff shook his head.
HS: Dude needs to get laid. I should probably give Scotty a call...
The camera fades.
19th November.
Days away from SCW's biggest show of the year, it was time to make the world buy what SCW was selling. Everyone on the roster had been going from event to event, talking about High Stakes XIV. It was tradition for SCW to have press conferences before and after shows and this was no different as Hot Stuff Mark Ward sat at a table with reporters all around him.
HS: Hey everyone, thank you all for coming as we head towards High Stakes XIV. Please understand time is a bit limited and I won't be able to get to all of you, but lets see how many we can get through.
Hot Stuff pointed to a reporter.
Reporter: Hi Mark, this show has always been known as the biggest show in the SCW year, how do you feel the build up has been this year?
Hot Stuff cleared his throat.
HS: Honestly it's been a bit up and down with some uncontrollable things, but people have worked hard, they've taken everything in their stride and moved on. From a commercial view, everything has gone smooth, our wrestlers have been out and about in their home states, cities and even our guys from outside the United States have been working their arses off getting it out there and doing what they do best, so I feel the build up has been ok.
Hot Stuff pointed to another reporter.
Reporter: In terms of comparing this High Stakes to past High Stakes, where do you think this one will rank?
HS: I think this one will be right at the top. We've done everything to book a very solid card, not only for this show, but to lead on to future shows. I mean the invitational thing, which you guys know, it's common knowledge that I'm not a fan of battle royals, rumbles or gauntlet matches was done to lead on to our last show of the year, which is the twenty second. It's there so we can build towards that holiday show. I think that adds some excitement to things plus we obviously have a lot of great stuff on the show with big implications.
Reporter: Let's ask about the Hall of Fame. Necra has to be one of the biggest surprises in years considering she seemed to hall off the map.
HS: You're not wrong. Christian and I have had a list of names for people for years that we would like to have in the Hall of Fame and she was high on that list, but yeah, hard to find until Christian had some luck. People like Necra built this place years ago. Without people like her, we might not have got this far. I feel that it was great that we found her and that she's gonna be back on the screen again at High Stakes.
Hot Stuff nods towards another reporter.
Reporter: A lot of people have found it strange that a World Championship match isn't headlining the show, can you explain why?
Hot Stuff rolled his eyes.
HS: People on the internet find everything strange, let's be honest but I can explain that. It's a new direction for us, breaking the traditions a bit, that we've put in over the last few months where championships spoke for themselves and didn't need to end the show. It's about giving people the chance to step up. For me it's a way of saying put in the work, put in the effort and anyone can headline things. It's no slight on any of the champions we have and you need to see this isn't an ordinary match. There's a lot on the line for this so it's not random. This match was meant to happen a year ago at this show so it's not like we've just thrown something together. Over a year of hard work has gone in to this, little stories woven in to one. I'm comfortable with the choice and after the show, I think others will be too.
He pointed at someone else.
Reporter: Will there be many surprises at this show?
HS: There always is. I mean we don't always go for shock value but it's High Stakes and everyone is invited here. The door is open at High Stakes for anyone past or present to walk in. It's our thank you to everyone who got us this far so you never know who you might see on camera. You will see a few faces in the rumble that you might not expect, but yeah, anyone can appear on camera.
Reporter: Let's talk about you. Your first match in a long time, do you feel any nerves knowing we're days away?
Hot Stuff smiled at the woman asking the question.
HS: None at all, very calm, very chilled out, not worried about it at all. Already planned the victory party afterwards. If possible, can we keep this about the show and not me. I got plenty to say in a day or two about it all.
Reporter: Do you feel there's a match on the card that can steal the show?
HS: Pretty much any of them to be honest. It's great from top to bottom. Anyone can step up at this point and show what they've got. We always say this is a soft reboot of things, where it's a new dawn for the company after this so anyone can impress now and it will set them up. Everyone in the back knows it so I think any match, or any person can get out there and impress me any everyone here.
Hot Stuff pointed at someone else.
Reporter: Christian teased on social media about maybe award winners might be revealed early. Can you reveal any winners now?
Hot Stuff smiled at the question.
HS: You pretty much summed Christian up there. He teased, he is a big tease but I doubt very much he would leak anything to anyone about who has won what. You've seen him for years, he loves to do that but as for any winners being announced early, no, can't see that happening, but glad it got noticed. His job is done there.
Reporter: There's been a lot of talk in wrestling lately, not aimed at SCW, but in wrestling in general, about safe working environments. How do you rank SCW's working environment?
Hot Stuff frowned at the question.
HS: Bit of an odd question, one to stir up some controversy. Everyone will sit and tell you their locker room is the safest in the land but ours actually is up there. Christian and I won't tolerate a single thing out of place. We've built a reputation on being safe, on being comfortable to work with. You didn't aim it at SCW, but if you speak to anyone in SCW, if your connections are deep enough to know people in that locker room, they'll tell you the exact same thing. People love coming to work, they feel safe doing so and if they didn't, it would very much be dealt with and it will be safer then before. Like I said, odd question, can we have one a little more normal?
Reporter: What does the future look like for SCW?
HS: Much better question. It look bright, we will be having a tribute show on our next Climax Control for someone who passed recently and every time we have to do this, it breaks my heart. We've lost so many people over the years and it don't get easier, but we will do it. We have of course two tours to work on and finalize and well, you all know that we have the roster to push on and do great things. We'll get through High Stakes, we have our plans set, we'll make them all more solid and go from there. The beauty about a show like High Stakes is everyone steps up and could change the mindset. There might be new champions that will change the look of their divisions, there could be new faces, new challenges, but either way, the future is very, very bright.
Hot Stuff looks at his watch.
HS: Well, thank you all for coming out. We are out of time here so need to cut this off. I'll see you all at High Stakes wandering around with those golden ticket press passes.
The scene fades to black
21st November
The camera opens up on the face of Hot Stuff Mark Ward as he sits on his desk, wearing a black suit and white shirt with a light blue tie. He wears glasses on his eyes as he looks through them and down the camera.
HS: How do you see me?
He straightens up his suit jacket and flashes his smile as he picks up a coffee cup.
HS: This is how you see me, isn't it Kevin? The guy in the office, the guy with his expensive suit, sitting behind a desk, nice, safe, not able to get his hands dirty. It's funny how the view of the businessmen, the view of how people like me are seen can be so damn misleading, that you can't see the wood for the forest. People who sit behind desks are seen as weak, as nothing, as fellas who wouldn't say boo to a goose and would run away from everything because they just don't have it in them to be a man who can get out there and get his hands dirty. People like you Kevin, you fail to see the leadership, you fail to see that the most powerful thing in the human body is the brain. Great leaders build things, create, they see things that others don't, people like you take orders because you're not strong enough to see that mentally, they're the weak ones.
Hot Stuff taps the side of his head.
HS: Christian and I built something that allows you to put food on your table, that allows many to live the life they've always dreamed of. We've done something that's entertained people for years, we've brought that little bit of joy in to people's lives that gives them a break from reality and the way this world is, we all need that little break from reality. You look at that as weakness, but you don't see the shit we have to do to keep that going. You think it's as simple as putting on a show and getting paid, you see that as coming to work and earning a few bucks to live the life you want to live. You don't see the hidden side to it all. Your small mind sees it in the simplest of terms, you don't see the sacrifices or the drama or the fact we have to put up with dicks behind the scenes trying to make my life miserable when all I'm trying to do is give people what they want. Because I wear the suit, because I sign my name on documents and pay checks and shit, that's weak in your eyes.
Hot Stuff shakes his head.
HS: No pal, that's real strength. That's me doing more in my life then you could ever do in yours. That's being strong, but I can see why you targeted me Kevin.
Hot Stuff takes a sip of the coffee in his hand.
HS: See you and that little circle jerk group of yours, your whole thing is to pick on people who are weak, well, people you think are weak. The young up and comer with a bright future but a bit to learn, you saw him as weak. You went for the guy who was happy and settled in his life, content with a career well done, because you saw that as a sign of weakness. Now you've come for me because I spend my time behind a desk. You see that as not being strong enough. It's a gang tactic, it's a bully tactic, you try to pick off the weak because you see them as nothing. That's where you're wrong. Michael and Jayden Harris were not weak, I was never weak, but us three do have something in common. You saw us as threats, threats to you running around trying to take over something you never will. You knew Jayden had no fear and could dent your plans, you knew Michael is an unpredictable, crazy bastard and could come back any time and throw you in to irrelevance and put all eyes back on him and you knew I could make that happen anytime.
Hot Stuff tilts his head and smiles.
HS: You knew all that was possible that we could piss on your cornflakes at any time so you tried to pick us off with the schoolyard mentality. All because of the twisted way you see us, the way you see me, but the pen pushing, contract signing, paying your wages guy isn't gonna be the man you're facing on Sunday at High Stakes, Kevin.
Hot Stuff slowly shakes his head.
HS: You and your Mr Magoo version of your mind seems to have forgot that I'm not just Mark Ward, I'm Hot Stuff Mark Ward, one of the best wrestlers to lace up the boots and win championships all over the world. I'm the guy that has been in matches that you can only dream of doing, wrestled in places that's not on the map for people like you, I'm still that guy and you can say I haven't done it in so long, I'm not who I was... Well, you'd be wrong.
Hot Stuff waves a finger at the camera.
HS: See, you see me as this all business type, and that I just don't have it anymore, but that isn't me. This is me.
Hot Stuff takes a few steps to the right and the scene changes completely. No longer is he wearing the suit, but smart jeans and a bright shirt opened down by a few buttons, the coffee cup has been replaced by a glass of whiskey and a party appears around him. Men and women dance around him, holding drinks in their hand of various colours and types, music plays in the background as a pool party rages on. He sits down in a nearby chair, resting the whiskey on a table next to him.
HS: This is who I was Kevin, this guy, this is the guy that used to beat the unbeatable, this is the guy who used to beat people who would go on huge win streaks and looked like they couldn't be beat. This is Hot Stuff Mark Ward, the man who used to go out there and give the world what it wanted and be the best wrestler that ever lived.
Hot Stuff looks at a woman as she passes him in a thong bikini.
HS: And this is the guy you're gonna get on Sunday. You're getting the classic, you're getting the original, you're getting someone that you might have thought was long gone, but nah, he was always there in me waiting to come back. I'm not nervous like most would have been after not wrestling for all those years. I'm not worried about anything at all like that. I'm actually looking forward to smashing you around that ring like no one else ever has Kevin. I have no fear of you, or the world shittest boy band you knock around with. I'm not worried about that in the slightest. You woke up that guy who was asleep for a long time, you woke him up and now he's ready to come out and play once more.
Hot Stuff picks up the whiskey and takes a sip.
HS: The second your bony little hand connected with me, it woke me up and I didn't just randomly think about a street fight, I knew it was the way to go because I don't like getting woke up, I'm a bastard when you wake me up and I'm ready to tape the fists, I'm ready to fight like my life depends on it because I know my life does depend on it. My company depends on it and I will make sure that I do this for everyone in SCW, everyone who is sick of being put under the boot by people like you. I will do it for every single person who wants to stand up and be heard. I will do it for them, because you three bitches are not taking over what I built. You three bitches will not be destroying everything Christian and I worked so hard for.
Hot Stuff places the whiskey back down.
HS: You don't get to come in with a mask, hiding away in the shadows and think you can take over, it don't work that way pal. It works the way I say it works and it works the way I want it to work and how I want it to work is me whooping seven bags of shit out of you. It works with me beating the ever loving snot out of you. I took it to the streets because it was my choice, because you don't deserve to stand in my ring, because this is about me making you pay for your sins on a tab you've been rattling up for months. You've been pushing this higher and higher and it's time to pay the piper and I'm the horrible one playing the tune.
Hot Stuff mimics playing a flute in front of him.
HS: No rust on me, I've been ready for this one for a while, I've been working my arse off to be ready for this. This is non stop for me and I will be stopping you from all those little evil plans in your head. I will take whatever game plan you've come up with and shove it right up that place where you think the sun shines from, but really doesn't. I'm not coming out here to mess around, I'm coming out there to put you in your place, to get rid of whatever this thing is that you're doing, or think you're doing.
Hot Stuff puts his hands out in front on him and shrugs his shoulders.
HS: I don't know what you think you're doing, and I don't know what your end game is but it doesn't matter, because it ends when I get you out on those streets and beat you like your daddy should have done. All your plans go to shit as soon as you square up to me, cause it all ends there and then, it's all over at that point for you. You putting your hands on me is the biggest mistake you will ever make until you face me and that time is getting closer Kevin, High Stakes is getting closer, the end of your little trio of misfits is getting closer and closer. It will be game over for you Kevin.
Hot Stuff stands up from his chair.
HS: You're not getting a beaten down old man, you're not getting someone wet behind the ears, you're getting me, you're getting all of me, everything I can possibly give, that's what you're getting. You're getting the real me and many people bigger then you, better then you, stronger, faster, smarter then you have tried to take me down over the years. All tried to get the best of me and failed miserably. What makes you think you of all people are going to do anything differently? Because you got your little friends about?
Hot Stuff scoffs.
HS: Let me tell you about friends pal. It's well known I'm friends with Austin Parker. Many years ago, there was a death match and I ended Austin Parker's full time in ring career. Now you can put on all the hype, all the glitz and glamour that you want but behind the camera, Austin and I, real good friends. Now I did that to him, I didn't have to but I did that to him. If I'm willing to do that to my friend, what do you think I'm gonna do to a little shit stain on society like you?
Hot Stuff smiles and takes a few steps to the left, half the screen showing Hot Stuff in a suit and back in the office, the other half in his party clothes at the pool party.
HS: It's time for you to really start worrying Kevin, because what you thought you was gonna get, is not the person who will be taping up his hands and coming for your head on Sunday at High Stakes. The pencil pusher you thought was just that, is not what he seems. All your little attacks like at the last Climax Control brought the real Hot Stuff back, it brought the man back that you really don't want back. You know who that man is?
A serious look appears on both sides of the screen.
HS: That man is Hot Stuff Mark Ward and he's too damn hot for you to handle!
Hot Stuff puts his hands together from both sides of the screen as the scene fades to black. >
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