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Since the true "waging of war" began for Jake Starr, against Silas Mason, things have not necessarily trended positively in Jake's favor. At the pay-per view, Jake was on the unfortunate losing side of the decision, and at Fatal Fortunes, that luck didn't change. Alas, Jake is not deterred, which was apparent when he stepped foot inside the ring, at Breakdown, and made it clear that no stipulation was going to deter him from taking his war with Silas to the next level.
Many were shocked when Jake threw his name into the hat, after Silas Mason issued the edict that, if his team wins, whomever was pinned or submitted will become part of his team. Many figured that would deter someone like Jake from wanting to be part of it, and rather fight another day, when that stipulation wasn't something he'd have to face off against. Instead, he was the first to step up to the plate, and the first to accept the terms and conditions. Some call it guts, some call it stupidity, for Jake, it's merely agreeing to whatever it takes in order for him to finally get his opportunity to destroy Silas Mason. People wonder, though, if the trend will continue. With the losses mounting, how long can Jake Starr conceivably push forward with this war? How long can he continue to say that there is a legitimate chance he could emerge victorious, if he keeps coming up short? Pretty soon the world would simply sit back and ignore his boasts, and simply pat him on the head to try and placate him, and being placated is FAR from what Jake wants. So the options are simple... Face what is ahead, and continue to trudge forward knowing things will soon change. In the back of Jake's mind, eventually he'll have his day in the sun, as long as he continues to push forward. He cannot regress. He cannot stand for missing out on some of the minor events. He has to treat them all the same way, and in his mind, that first step will be at Breakdown, against Chad Evans. Jake and Chad have tangled in the past, with Jake ending up with the upper hand. This time, however, the stakes seem higher for Jake. For Jake, this is really his chance to put the skid behind him, and start off on the right foot, going into Total War. Outside of the ring, Jake's life continues to be interesting as well. With his, once adversarial nephew now flanking him into battle, Jake has had a sneaking suspicion that something just hasn't been "right." The revelation of Thören, from hating him and wanting his demise, to ally in battle makes sense on some levels, but in others, makes him constantly wonder if he should be gazing over his shoulder. Thören, on the other hand, has had many realizations of his own. He has slowly realized, more and more, that Jake isn't out to "mold" or "sculpt" him into something he feels is right, but is merely trying to give him a framework to figure out his own path with. It's something that has made him feel a sense of support in his decisions, which he has never felt with his own family. He's come to realize that having Jake as an ally is beneficial for his personal wants for his career, and knows he needs to have his uncle by his side through their battles with Silas, at the least. As Jake, Thören, and Brandon walk into their hotel, the see a sight they aren't used to, silence. For once, they are inundated with fans wanting autographs and pictures, but rather the normal sounds of a hotel lobby at night. The restaurant inside the establishment is closed, but the bar is open with a couple of patrons inside. This gives a slight sense of relief to the trio, and lets them know that tonight should theoretically be an "early" night for them, and allow them to get a few minutes of extra sleep. As they walk through the lobby, a voice calls out from the shadows, directing the comment in their direction. Andrew Hart: You sons of bitches! The trio freezes, completely caught off guard by the hate-filled exclamation. Thören is the first to recognize the voice, and immediately scowls. Jake knows that the voice sounds familiar, but it isn't until the three of them turn that the "who" question is answered. Out from the shadows steps Thören's father, Andrew. Andrew approaches the three with vigor, and his voice is loud enough that it echoes through the lobby. His comments, for now, are directed straight at Brandon and Jake.
Andrew Hart: What the FUCK do you think you two are doing with MY son? Jake cocks an eyebrow, and instinctually shifts into his on-air persona, allowing the brash and cocky retorts to flow out.
Jake Starr: Now... Andy... Contrary to popular belief, just because the three of us are sharing a hotel room, there are absolutely NO shenanigans going on behind the door, when the lights go out. I will say, though, that I do appreciate that you were kind enough to come check on your son's safety, but unfortunately right now we have some bigger issues to prepare for, that don't involve you meddling in our business. Ok? Jake taps Thören on the shoulder.
Jake Starr: We're leaving now... Andrew hears Jake's comment about departing, and his voice booms again.
Andrew Hart: The HELL you are! Since this whole fucking charade began, YOU have robbed me of MY son. You have STOLEN my family from me! You are nothing but a fucking HOMEWRECKER! You're the ANTICHRIST! And this whole... Thing... You have going on is about to end, right NOW! Jake rolls his eyes, and this time replies on a more "personal" level than before.
Jake Starr: Alright, Andy... It really is time that you came out of the delusional fog that you're living in. This whole conspiracy theory thing that you're obsessed with is getting old, man... Seriously... I mean, I'm not liked, I get it... I really do. You have been making that ABUNDANTLY clear for a long time, and it's fine. I'm past the whole idea of being wholly-liked by that side of my family, and it's simply time you just accept that you're never going to like me like that either. You should just move on, and quit wasting the energy. It's fucking old, dude... Andrew steps up to get in Jake's face, but is immediately cut off by his son. Thören stands there, staring his father down, and Andrew addresses him with a very gravely voice.
Andrew Hart: Thören... Move... Thören Holt: No... Jake puts his hand on Thören's shoulder.
Jake Starr: It's ok... Your dad has been up in my face on NUMEROUS other occasions, and he doesn't scare me, nor does he actually DO anything when he steps up anyway. Andrew looks past his son, into Jake's eyes.
Andrew Hart: Fuck off, Jake... Jake smirks, and lowers his hand, as Andrew's gaze returns to Thören.
Andrew Hart: I am ending this whole cluster fuck NOW! As Andrew goes to step around his son, Thören steps right up into his father's face.
Thören Holt: There is nothing to end... Andrew scoffs.
Andrew Hart: Thören, you don't have a say in this. Thören goes to reply, but before he can, Jake taps him on the shoulder again. Thören turns his head slightly, so Jake can talk into his ear, but he can still keep an eye on his father's movements. Jake leans in a whispers to Thören, so that only he can hear what he is saying.
Jake Starr: You know... Maybe it's time for the two of you to actually walk about things? Thören turns his head a little more to reply.
Thören Holt: That's the thing, I don't want to talk. We BOTH know how this shit will play out. Jake Starr: And you're probably right... But if you don't, we'll have his ass stalking us every step of the way. So you might as well get this over with. Thören sighs.
Thören Holt: Alright... Jake leans back, and Thören goes back to facing his father. Jake steps to the side of Thören's "box out," and looks Andrew right in the eye.
Jake Starr: This is your big fucking chance to grow up, man. It's up to you whether or not you take that chance or not. I'll be watching from afar, but trust me, if you try anything devious or try anything that makes me question his safety and well-being, I will be stepping in and removing you myself. Andrew Hart: Is that a threat Jake? Jake smirks.
Jake Starr: You're damn right it is... Jake turns and taps Brandon to follow.
Jake Starr: We're going to let them talk... Brandon Evans: You think that's smart? Jake Starr: I think so... It's time for Thören to grow up, be his own man, and show Andy that he's not some child anymore. Brandon Evans: Ooph... Jake Starr: Yeah... The two make their way toward their hotel room, which happens to overlook the lobby, and allows Jake to monitor the situation without being "involved" in it. As they leave, Thören looks his father in the eye, and steps back, giving more space in their respective "personal bubbles," and allowing the two to hopefully feel less confrontational.
Andrew is quick to try and put sum up the beginning, middle, and end of their conversation in one swoop. Andrew Hart: Thören... We're going home, now, and all of this bullshit is over. Thören realizes his hopes for a less confrontational atmosphere were far-fetched.
Thören Holt: The hell we are... I'm going NOWHERE... Andrew is shocked.
Andrew Hart: Pardon me? I am your FATHER, and I am saying this whole thing is DONE. Thören steps up into his father's face again.
Thören Holt: No! Andrew snarls, and almost sounds repetitive in his retort.
Andrew Hart: Pardon me? Thören Holt: You heard me. Thören has finally reached the point of no return, and opens up to his father, and the volume in his voice begins to increase.
Thören Holt: ... I am not a damn child anymore. I am a FUCKING adult, JUST like you, Dad! I am not someone who just gets to be bossed around anytime you please, anymore. I have a RIGHT to make my own fucking decisions in this world, and that is what I am doing right now. I am doing what I WANT TO DO. Andrew Hart: And I could give a shit! What you THINK you want isn't right, anyway. I am the one who knows what is best here, and not you. Thören Holt: And how in the HELL would you, of all people, know what is best for me? Huh? How do you know what is RIGHT for me? When did you ever approach me, and have THAT conversation with me? When did you EVER come up to me and ask what I wanted to do, or what I thought was best? The answer is simple, NEVER! I was always just supposed to fall in line, like a good little soldier, and do what I was told, no matter what the fuck it was. It didn't matter if I enjoyed it, or if it made me happy, I was still supposed to suck it up and do it. Andrew Hart: Sometimes those things that are better for you long term aren't fun, and that is where I know far more than you. I know what is best, and what would ultimately make you an upstanding citizen and good family man. Thören squints in disbelief.
Thören Holt: Really? Are you serious? The man who is trying to come BETWEEN family members knows how to make people good "family men?" That makes no fucking sense whatsoever! And what you aren't hearing and understanding is that I have grown up and realized what it is that I want. And that want was something that I knew wouldn't be popular, but fuck, I figured my family would ultimately want me to be happy regardless. Unfortunately I quickly realized I was fucking wrong there! Andrew Hart: Your mother and I do want you happy, but we also know the RIGHT way to achieve it, and not in a manner that is unbecoming of one of our children. Thören Holt: You guys don't have a CLUE what would make me happy. You guys know NOTHING about me at all, and you never have. You always just lumped me into the same group as my brothers and sisters, and assumed I was the same way... But I'm not! I am my own man, and I'm tired of just being "another one of the kids," and not recognized as my own human being. So because of that, I opted to change that mentality, and Jake is someone who has begun to see that in me. He isn't trying to mold me. He's simply showing me some of the basics, so that I can find my own way, discover myself, and become who I want to be. On top of that... We're at war, right now... Andrew Hart: War? You don't know anything about war. I've see war. That alone shows how much Jake has brainwashed you. Jake is too stupid to learn to handle his own problems, so he preys on those he sees as expendable. Thören rolls his eyes.
Thören Holt: Whatever... If that's what you need to believe, Dad, then go right ahead. The truth is, I am going out there to become a professional wrestler. I WILL be a champion, too. I am not letting anyone stop me or deter me because I realize what I want in life. That includes Silas Mason, his friends, his business partners, hell, it includes Jake, but I can say this for sure... It DEFINITELY includes you! So I am giving you a choice, Dad... You can sit back and watch and stew, or you can be proud, whichever the case may be, and you can leave me the FUCK alone, or you can keep trying this sneaky shit. If you choose the latter, I will not hesitate to completely remove your ass from my life. You've obstructed me for too long, and I'm DONE letting that be the case. I'm a grown, fucking, man, and if you can't accept it, that is YOUR problem, and I won't lose any sleep over it... Now get the fuck out of here... I have business to tend to... With those final words, Thören looks at his father one more time, before turning and walking off toward the hotel room. Andrew's face boils with rage, but knows that he cannot do anything about it, especially since he knows Jake has been watching. He lets out a growl of rage, and bolts for the door, basically stomping out of the hotel lobby.
As Thören reaches the door of the room, he stops, and pauses. He looks down, feeling a sense of relief and worry about what he has just done in regard to "telling off" his own father. It's something he's wanted to do for some time, but worries about the ramifications he could face within his family. Nevertheless, he now feels like he has the chance to not have to worry about the constant barrage of texts and phone calls for a while, and focus on the major task at hand. Jake Starr: For once in a long while, I feel like a lot of eyes are on me here in Supreme Championship Wrestling. I've only had that feeling in my gut the times when titles were involved, but this time, there are no titles. There are no accolades. There are no contenderships on the line. This time, it's all about Silas Mason, his group, and the fact that I openly agreed to put my contractual "ownership" on the line to get a chance to bludgeon his ass inside a steel cage. It's a move that has made people call me stupid... Insane... Crazy... Incompetent... And even moronic. Those are each names that people have proudly attributed to me in the past, and at some point, I've agreed with, but let me be real with everyone... None of those are the correct adjectives for Jake Starr. This time, there is another adjective involved, and it's one RARELY anyone will utter about me, but shit, I am not scared to... The move was GENIUS! See, my entire career in SCW, I've always just gone for what I've wanted, and figured out the easiest path to get there. Each time, it was about one simple goal, via a few simple tasks. Each time I figured out what I wanted, I would go around and do what I could to get my way... But there was one avenue I really never investigated. I never was willing to take RISKS! With each title shot, it was done by winning some matches, bashing heads in, and basically demanding to get my way. The threats were there that if I didn't get what I wanted, I'd just repeat the process. It was a fun "in your face" type of mentality. But it wasn't risky. Sure, some people may have thought it was, and thought I was risking my career, but I'm the fucking Social Misfit. Those types of "my way or the highway" type of negotiating techniques are what made me the most hated motherfucker in this industry. Do you really think I cared about the risks? There were NONE to me. If some place decided to shit-can me, another place would "take the risk" on Jake Starr, to get my name on their roster. In SCW, they knew they couldn't let me go because I'd jump somewhere that would ultimately make them look foolish. Plus I kind of saved their ass in 2010 with that 2 for 1 Special... But hey... We're talking about the present, right? Each time, like I said, I knew another contract would be waiting for me at some point, and I didn't have a problem with the "dangers" because I was taking my life into my own hands. At Total War, that isn't the case. I am putting my life and my CAREER into the hands of myself AND two others, who let's be real, don't really give two shits about me. Sure, they want to win, but they don't care if I lose. So I was willing to go out there, and lay it on the line. I was willing to call Silas out, accept his ludicrous terms and conditions, and put my contract and my career on the line, ALL for the one opportunity I have been yearning for... A chance to FUCK HIM UP! Plus... It got people remembering that I am not some has been in SCW. It got people to think about the fact I was willing to take that risk all for the chance to get what I want. It made people acknowledge that I was the one who got this fucking ball rolling! So all eyes are on me... The world is focused on what I have started... So hey... As I always like, the focus is on yours truly! If there is some craziness in the world, and I get pinned, then you guys KNOW that I have a "plan B." Silas knows it, too. He knows that if he "owned" Jake Starr, his life would be a nightmare because at that point, I'd have nothing to lose. I mean, seriously, I'm financially stable... I've won more World Championships in SCW than his entire brood combined... I've already had a silly name, and at one point donned blue body paint... There isn't anything he could pull to embarrass me. Plus he'd basically be within arm's reach, and all I would do is bide my time... So yeah... Me in Silas's World equals absolute WORST CASE SCENARIO for that guy... Second worst case... Silas Mason inside a steel cage with me, alone, and nobody to protect him. Talk about a bunch of no-win situations! But let's be real here, shall we? Silas doesn't believe he's going to lose. He legitimately believes he can best me, Chris Cannon, and Shaun Cruze, and he's basically done it already. So why wouldn't this be any different? More so, why could anything I say really change his mind about things, either? Short answer is it won't... That's why actions have to speak louder! Before this good man goes to war, I have to cast the first stone. Words don't mean anything unless people believe what you say is true, and lately, I haven't been doing a very good job at stepping up to the plate and doing my best to send the right messages. Hell... I haven't won a match in how long, now? So why is Silas going to believe my shit-talking? It's because at Breakdown I'm going to do something very few, if ANYBODY, has ever been able to do, and that's make an EXAMPLE out of Chad Evans. Jake smirks.
... That's right folks. I am not going out there to simply beat Chad Evans, but I'm going out there to destroy him. It's something that I have to do. I've faced him on a couple of other occasions, that I can remember, and each time I have come out victorious. Each time has been a good win, but nothing that people remember... Hell I barely remember them. This time, it has to be different, and he is the PERFECT foil for that job. For years, Chad has always been someone revered as one of the long time elites, and rightfully so. Chad has done a lot in SCW, and proven to many that he can win a lot of big matches, including winning the World Championship on one occasion, and vying for it on several others. He's one of the best, and rightfully so, which is why, for once, I'm going out there to show Silas Mason EXACTLY what to expect, at Total War. Now don't get me wrong... I know Evans isn't going to walk into the ring, and say, "Hey Jake, just beat the fuck out of me, ok?" He's going to fight back, and Chad Evans is a guy who will fight back TIME after TIME until he just can't, before he lets you beat him. If you can't push him to that moment when he says, "Ok, I can't take it anymore," then you can't beat Chad Evans. He's relentless. He's delusional. He thinks he's God. Why would someone who has such a high sense of self be willing to do anything nicely and easily? He wouldn't. That's why I feel HONORED that he is walking into that ring with me at Breakdown. He's who I need to beat to A) get off of this snide, and B) show Silas's World what they're in store for. Does that make sense Chad? Do you realize why I'm not going to be nice to you? Do you understand why, this time, there is a chance I may go to extremes I have never gone to, all to prove to the world that I am still the guy to beat? If it doesn't, you're stupid. If you were in my shoes, I'd understand, and I would respect it. But you don't respect anything but yourself, and that is why I know you'll try to fight me tooth and nail, and ruin everything I hope to accomplish. You'll want to be that guy who can say he derailed Jake Starr, and you would RELISH the chance to laugh at me becoming one of Silas's pets. But at Breakdown, that shit isn't happening... Not now... Not ever! At Breakdown, I'm taking my next steps. I'm at a juncture in my career where those steps have to be far more calculated, if I want to have any hope of ever being considered one of the "top tier guys" again. I have to be methodical. I have to be concise. I have to make ALL of the right moves time after time, and if I don't, then that is when my declension into irrelevancy will continue, and ultimately speed up. So I have to go out there, and I have to nip that crap in the bud. I have to make sure people don't ignore me or forget about me. I have to make sure I'm not a Greg Cherry or a Jason Zero. I can't be one of those guys who people just pushes to the side, and pats on the head, when they say that they're still one of the top dogs. That's why I have to make you my first EXAMPLE in a long time... It's usually been something I've done with a chair and a smile, but this time, it has to be ruthless. Silas Mason is watching, anticipating that he is going to have Cruze, Cannon, or myself under his banner after Total War, and I'm sorry, that isn't something I want to see happen. As much as I want to have my way with Silas, I'm not going to be the guy who sacrifice someone else to save my hide. Not this time. So I have to make sure Silas realizes this is serious, and this is REAL. You give me that opportunity, Chad. You give me that chance. You walk out there cockier than I am, and with more respect than I'll ever see, so I have to show the world that Jake Starr isn't fledgling in his career. I have to show the world that come Sunday, the battle will not be one Silas will be walking away from unscathed. So I hope you don't feel bad, man, when I do this to you. I hope you understand that what happens isn't because you're inferior, or not as good as me, it's because I'm out on a mission, and I'm out to send a message. You just have the unfortunate task of being the guy who is thrown in my path, and given the moniker of "the message." But I guess it is a bit appropriate, isn't it? I mean, you're the deity of SCW, and you pride yourself in spreading "the good word," so why shouldn't you be the guy who helps me send "the message," huh? Each time we have battled I've mocked you about your overhyped sense of self, but this time, it is going to be the perfect canvas for what I need and want. You are my foil, Chad... You are my EXAMPLE... You will be my masterpiece, going into Total War! Fin |
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