"And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD." (Leviticus 10:1-2)
Havoc was approaching as he looked at the video wall in his office Senester had a wry smile on his face. Something that had never happened in HWA was about to happen. A masterpiece years in the making was nearly complete. So much history had brought the company to this defining moment. A moment when he prepares to stand before the world and say “I told you so.” He himself had been away from the ring for a little while and it was time to step back and take the reins once again. The face of Buff Bridges comes up in a promo of their scheduled match. He pauses the screen and brushes his hand across the enlarged image, across his cheeks, his hair. Over a decade of history between them he thought, and it all was about to end.
(Senester): It doesn’t seem as such, but it’s been three years since our last match together Buff. Have you missed me, or have you merely been grateful that my attentions have been drawn elsewhere leaving you to lurk in the shadows relatively unnoticed? In any event, you are once more on my radar and not by chance. I made this match at Havoc between us. We’ve faced one another countless times over the years, but this, this will be our most important match in history. You know what of what it is I speak. You’ve felt this darkness creeping up on you for a long time now. You’ve retreated to every corner of shade you could find, but I’m afraid there is nowhere left for Buff Bridges to slip away undetected. There something you don’t want to hear, something you don’t want to believe, something the wrestling world and it’s fans don’t want to tell themselves because once the words slip out, it becomes real….but I will tell you. I will make you hear it, and make you believe it. Can you guess what it is?
I could name dozens, even hundreds of names of those who have opposed me. Men like you who at one time or another decided to rise up against me. Without fail they have all felt the insurmountable will of God. Be them men standing alone, or grouped together in paltry alliances they have fallen at my feet. I’ve humbled men to the point of suicide, questioning their very existence and they’ve disappeared never to be seen again. I’ve destroyed men before the eyes of the world, ripping flesh from bone, and draining them dry of their blood, sweat and tears. But, it hasn’t been all business. I’ve ruined the lives of men and women, crushing their hopes and dreams in the palm of my hand. Time and time again they’ve come to the kingdom of God, laid their hands upon my gates thinking they could tear it all down brick by brick, until failure overwhelms them. Some people have called them heroes. The brave men and women who have stood up to me, arose against me, fought my will.
The next image that pops up is of Butch Parker, now back home in Scotland far from the wrestling world and the American media.
(Senester): The fall of Butch Parker is more instrumental in my design that you could ever imagine. I didn’t force that match to continue at Fatality for sportsmanship. I forced it to continue because I knew it was the end for Butch Parker. His flesh had been ravaged, his blood, sweat and tears had been spent, and this loss…this loss would crush him. He was the greatest hero HWA has ever known, and now he is nothing. His demise is the sunlight you retreat from like a vampire. You Buff Bridges are now exposed, and you stand the last remaining. The last shred of optimism the wrestling world has in heroism. This is why our match at Havoc will be unlike any other before. This is the truth the wrestling world wishes to deny itself. You Buff Bridges are the last hero in wrestling, and at Havoc I will put an end to you as well, and there shall be none left. No heroes. No “good guys.” No one but God and those who walk in my footsteps.
Shakir and Styles’ match has a brief preview on the screen and he looks over at the custom brief case containing the All Star Championship.
(Senester): Which brings me to you Mr. Styles. I’ve listened to your recent comments, and you’ll forgive the delayed response but I thought you might utilize this time to reassess the situation. I’m afraid the meaning of my words escape you completely. You think my commentary on Ronnie McNeil, your beloved mentor are filled with disdain? They aren’t. I said his career was legendary and it was. I said that, “despite holding various championships in his career, he never felt within himself that he had achieved that illustrious status of true recognition and greatness.” Do you even know what that means Mr. Styles? Look at your mentor, and tell me. Tell me of a man who dedicated his life to his profession, who has done nearly everything there was to do, and still felt unfulfilled. I thought you were smarter than this. I thought you were more capable of putting reality into perspective. McNeil had it all, talent, accolades, fans, but still he felt something missing. I know what it is, do you? Surely, his student who watched him so intently knows.
Now looking forward to Havoc, yet again I find myself questioning the integrity of your consciousness. No doubt you’ve encountered Shakir in numerous matches before, but if memory serves me right this is your first real one-on-one encounter. Quite different from Triple Threat, Tag Team, or Fatal 4-Way matches. As I told Buff, you have no idea the importance of this match, this coming night at Havoc. The Road to Ruin is being paved Mr. Styles, and the lines painted that divide the elite in the fast lane from the useless broken down on the shoulder. One of you will leave one step closer to being worthy of the All Star Championship. Call it advice, call it my confidence in profitable ratings...but you can’t afford to dismiss Shakir as casually as you have. One thing your mentor should have taught you is to never underestimate your opponent, and more importantly never overestimate your own ability. Be careful at Havoc Mr. Styles, and look both ways, we wouldn’t want you caught on the wrong side of the road, alone, with no one to save you….when all the heroes are gone.
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