*We open at the side of Water Front Park in West Hollywood, California. Home this week to ECWF's next Revolution. No one has arrived yet. The place is so tranquil, with the occasional breeze rustling through the leaves of differing shades of green and brown being the only thing to be heard. The sun is hidden behind buildings, the weather is that of a typical sping day. We flip the shot towards Sammeal McBane sitting alone on the end of a walkway sticking out into the lake. The type that people use to board small boats. Sammeal sits quietly, almost silently with his feet hanging off the walkway, much more pensive than usual*
Sammeal: When we are young, we come into this world a blank canvas …influenced by nothing, and believing in nothing. The world we live in changes us, moulds us …around our experiences and the trials, and tribulations we endure as human beings. The person we become as an adult is the result of every experience, every decision, every significant moment we experience in our lives. Am I proud of everything I have ever done to get here? I'd be lying, if I said that was the case. I'd be lying, if I said I hadn't cut a corner, taken a deal or acted unceremoniously to become the man I am today. What counts however, is that it got results …
~Louisiana, September 2021~
*We join a local Wrestling show mid-match, the shot focusing on a much younger Sammeal. He runs out from a turnbuckle, ducking a clothesline from his opponent, leaping to the second rope in the opposite corner, executing a backflip before landing horribly. His knee crumbles beneath him and instantly all play stops. The referee hesitates for a moment to make sure it isn't part of the show before throwing up the familiar "X" signifying a problem before the match ends. Confusion in the crowd as Sammeal holds his knee in agony...silence. We go forward a few minutes. Sammeal is being helped to the back by two fellow wrestlers in an effort to maintain character. He is lowered into a chair in the corner, before the First Aider on call for the show starts to take a look at him. Tim, Sammeal's trainer paces nervously*
Timmy: How you feeling, mate? That bump looked ugly!
Sammeal: Bro, it feels like my knee just f*cking exploded. I've landed that shyte a thousand times, picture perfectly.
*Sammeal grimaces as his knee is poked, and prodded by the examiner. His pain, both physical and mental are obvious to everyone. This was to be his big night. The night that punters from around the area, as well as a Talent Scout for another company were to witness him winning the Championship. This was to be the start of a big push for a lad, who had worked so hard to receive a break. Giving up his job, time at home and missing countless engagements with his girlfriend. The examiner tapes up Sammeal, advising him to stay off it for a while before disappearing*
Timmy: So??
Sammeal: So what? It doesn't look great right now. I'm headed home to wash down, a few painkillers with a couple of beers, and see how I feel in the morning. I'll keep you posted.
*With that, Sammeal throws his stuff into his bag, puts his coat on, and hobbles out of the back entrance to the venue in the best way he can*
~Present Day~
”Many people like to judge what they see before them. The man that graces their venues, their TV screens and their homes. They think because they paid their money or sat down with an oversized bag of crisps each, that they know me. They know what shaped me. The fact is that no one ever asked. No one ever wondered why I make the decisions I do. Am I just a dirty player? Or is there something else?”
~West Hollywood, California: April, 2023~
*We come back to a small hut on Witch Hill. Sammel is walking to the door. His knee appears to be better. His rehab was a success. He has his kit bag on his shoulder. Maybe he has just come home from the big comeback show that his girlfriend was too sick to get to. A gloomy title belt adorns his other shoulder, just catching the moonlight on the broken, metallic plates. His family witnessed it, even his elderly Grandma. It was the first and last time she ever got chance to see Sammel in action. He puts his key in the door and unlocks it, expecting to see his girlfriend in her familiar seat in the lounge, watching some late-night crappy TV show. Nothing new. The lights are off, and there are no signs of life down here*
Sammeal: What's that??
*Sammeal hears a sound upstairs. He moves towards it and starts to head up the stairs, before tripping on a pair of shoes he doesn't recognize. Switching on his phone to gain a bit of light, he sees that the shoes aren't the only thing on the stairs. Discarded trousers, shirts and his girlfriend's familiar underwear, the set she bought to wear for him as a Birthday surprise last year are cast along the floor on the landing. Now we know what those sounds were. Sammeal creeps up the stairs. He wants to catch them in the act. On reaching the door, it seems he hasn't been noticed. He hesitates for a second. The other side of that door, the girl he had been with for five years was with another man. He seems to ponder the consequences of his actions. Seconds seem like hours right now*
*In Thought*: I have two choices. I break this door down and we see what whoever it is inside my missus is really made of. That's not like me. I prided myself on being a good guy. That's what won her over when I met her. I wasn't like the other jerks and dickheads that hit on her. But the nice guy act isn't what she's into at this minute right? This could change my life. What's the alternative? I leave them to it? Offer them a cup for afterwards? Shyte, maybe she wants the sheets changing. That's our f*cking bed!! I'm ...no ...fool!!
~BOOM!!~
*Sammeal's foot thunders against the wooden door. The door flies open, smashing into the dresser behind it. Makeup flies all over the place as Sammeal's girlfriend and a man bolt-upright. It becomes apparent as Sammeal's eyes adjust to the light that the man is none other than his old Tag-Team Partner - Darrick Kaine! The guy he has travelled the country with for three years up until his injury! The man that was there in the Hospital as Sammeal was told that if the operation didn't work, he was finished. What a F*cking Betrayal!*
Sammeal: DARRICK!!
*Sammeal looks heartbroken. In one night, the night that was supposed to be his greatest night and the culmination of years of hard work, his whole world had come crashing around him. He leapt across the bed, tackling Darrick to the ground. Darrick is rocked, dazed by the speed of the guy who two months back couldn't make it up the stairs. He hits the wall hard. Sammeal is on top of him, raining down lefts and rights into his face. His nose explodes, covering the beige carpet in bright red blood. The contrast is astounding. Darrick manages to wriggle free and gets to his feet as Sammeal gets up*
Darrick: Sam, I'm sorry! It meant nothing!
Sammeal: NOTHING?! This woman, was the woman I was to marry, and you of all f*cking people …the man I told about the plan to propose next month, the man I was going to ask to be my best man tears it all down for f*cking NOTHING??
Darrick: Look, I'm sorry! Sam, come on! You're not being yourself!
*Darrick is backing away from Sammeal. Pleading with him to stop the onslaught as he tries to gather his clothes. Sammeal reaches onto the shelf above the bedroom door and pulls down a black bat that they stored there in case of intruders at night. The purple tape on the handle makes it look somewhat familiar. He grasps it tightly in both hands and takes a swing at Darrick as he is putting on his trousers*
~WHACK!~
*Darrick drops to the ground. Holding his head in pain in a semi conscious state. Again, the bat comes down*
~WHACK!!~
*Down onto the left knee of Darrick. The same knee Sammeal injured a year prior. Was this when this all started?*
Sammeal: Get up, prick!!
*Sammeal hauls Darrick to his feet, forcing him up against the wall at the top of the stairs. The moonlight coming through the window catches the look of sheer hatred and intensity in Sammeal's eyes. Similar in emotion to the slightly dazed fear emanating from Darrick's eyes. One push was all it took. Darrick tumbled down the stairs clumsily, trying to grab a rail on the way down, to no success. Darrick hit the floor, trying to get back to his feet to thwart the next attack. Sammeal is bearing down on him. His girlfriend is in hysterics, screaming and begging for him to stop. If only he wasn't right by the trousers her phone was in, so she could call for help. He hits the bottom of the stairs and Darrick is frantically trying to open the door*
~WHACK!!!~
*Another swing connects with the hand Darrick has against the door, breaking two fingers. Darrick screams in agony as he collapses to the ground. His fingers pointing in ways which fingers shouldn't point. Sammeal casually kicks the clothes Darrick didn't manage to collect away from him, so he is positioned bat in hand between Darrick and his clothes*
Sammeal: Well, Darrick. You have about three seconds ...The times it's going to take me to warm another swing up to get the F*CK out of this house. If I ever see you, hear from you or even hear your name, trust me ...this will be just a f*cking warm up for what you'll get.
Darrick: Sam, bro …I'm sorry! Come on!
Sammeal: You want me to finish this count?!?
*Darrick high tails it to his car. Fumbling with the lock, hopping in and within seconds he has gone. Sammeal stands in the doorway of the hut that just played part in his personal destruction. Picking up his title belt and his kit bag, with bat still in hand. He walks out of the hut, slamming the door behind him. He gets to his car, throwing his bag and belt onto the passenger seat. He takes a look at the bat, decorated with the fresh, warm blood of his former friend*
Shadow Walker: Well, I guess you need a name ...How about the name of the one woman it appears, I can rely on ...I'll call you, Lilith!!
~Part Two~
*The scene reopens in the swamp lands of Louisiana. As the camera pans around the landscape, it comes across a man standing on the far side of the muck. He's covered in rugged camouflaged, with mud covering most of his body. He's face is covered in that ever so famous mask, we've all come to love or fear*
Shadow Walker: I'm not sure why, but the powers that be ...have decided to place me in a match against five other wrestlers, for a number one contenders match for the World Heavyweight Championship ...
*As his voice fades out, so does he. Like a ghost in the wind, he disappears. The camera moves side to side, trying to find him. After a few moments, he reappears off to the left of where he was before*
Shadow Walker: James Walker, you've done very well for yourself here in ECWF ...you've managed to win a few titles, and have picked off some very impressive names. But that's where your highlights end, I've seen and beaten better ...you're just another stepping stone, for me to walk on. You claim to be "Bulletproof" ...we'll see how that holds up, when you're thrusted Into The Shadows!!
*Again, as soon as he's done talking. He disappears into the background. He blends in, almost like a comelian. The camera pans from side to side, but can't find him. Soon, a thunderous laughter is hear and The Shadow Walker appears on the far right side of the swomp*
Shadow Walker: Robert saints, your name sounds very familar ...yet, I'm not sure what you've done here? I'm sure you've made a name for yourself, but I don't see it mentioned a whole lot. Maybe ou can tell me all about yourself, once I've sevard your head from your shoulders?? Or maybe, your mouth will just flap like it always does ...Never know, what'll happen when the lights go out!!
*The Shadow Walker fades away, again. This time the camera holds still, as a mythotical laughter rings out. A few moments later, he reappers in the middle of the thick tree line*
Shadow Walker: TJ Alexander, here's another name I know ...yet, the lack of domination. Is quite interesting ...You seem to get yourself into these high profile matches, and can't seem to make a difference. I mean, come on ...you have a big match elsewhere, and you'll be lucky if that lunatic does't kill you. But, non the less ...here you are, tyring to take something from me ...just like you are, in that other promotion. It's not in your future, to be as great as you think you are!!
*Just like every other time, as soon as he's done talking. He vanishes, but this time when he reappers. He's right in front of the camera. The muddy camoflauge outfit is replaced by a pair of jeans and a leather jacket. The mask is gone, and his long hair is pulled back in a pony tail*
Sammeal: Mike Dimter, and Razor Blade ...you two idiots, are nothing more then card fillers. Neither one of you, can hald a candle to what I've done in my short career. Hades, the two of you together ...could tie my boots, nor could you beat anyone as a team. So, in the end ...you're just here for a quick paycheck, and an ass kicking!!
*As the camera fades away, that familiar creepy voice rings out one last time*
Shadow Walker: Do You See, What I See??