You never stare at your own reflection.Is it all really worth it.
The pain, suffering, and dedication.
It's a harsh reality in this world.
Not everyone has a destiny.
A strategy was devised and then abandoned.
Now action must be taken.
The look in my eyes tells a story.
A story too grim for society to understand.
It's time to unleash the demons inside me.
On my path to the top, not one person will stand.
I am the one person people should fear.
This isn't just my career.
It's a lifestyle I chose.
After looking at his own reflection for several moments, the new Combat superstar Axel Shaw becomes very enraged. Not long after, he takes his left hand and balls it up into a fist before shattering the mirror as, the pieces crash to the floor. Blood trickled down his fist and palm, dripping to the concrete floor just beneath him. The room isn't well lit, but we know Axel Shaw has a slice on his left hand from the shards. After a few moments of blood dripping, he begins to speak in a very aggressive tone of voice.
"You think I asked or wanted this to happen; my guess is no; but, now I must suffer through the pain, even though I like it. Staring at my reflection reminds me of the anger and painful emotions that I have buried deep inside me. I didn't sign up to join the IIW because I wanted the fame and attention; I signed up because all I know is about hurting the people in front of me. Every company I have ever stepped foot into is the same basic, generic, overly hyped fan favorite affair, and that's just not my style. I am more than the average professional wrestler, with a different mindset and mentality. I have carved out my path of carnage very strategically and plan to follow that path until it leads me to the promise land. With a single snap of my fingers, I can bring my career to a screeching halt. When the bell tone sounds, I can turn dreams into nightmares and shatter every last hope and breath. The best part of all of this is that while you are down screaming in agony, I will be laughing manically, and there is not a damn thing you can do about it."
Taking a moment to laugh about his comments Axel Shaw who is still dripping blood on the concrete floor, has a giant smirk on his facial expression. Putting his hand up against the wall next to him, leaving a bloody hand-print image on the bricks, he begins to speak again.
"Let the blood soak in for a moment, and remember that anyone who steps into the squared circle against me must be aware of the risks. Combat is set to debut in the next two weeks with hope and promise that it will produce an entertaining night. Ace Johnson and Wraith were hand-picked for the match and opponents. On top of that, throw in the term wild card for a Global Qualifier and then ask me if that wild card spot is not mine. I am sure management will be watching each and every match with their eyes glued to that television, knowing they need to make the right decision. I can tell you the truth: a spot is something I want, but, also something I will take without a doubt. My eyes grew wide when I found out there was a match put forth in which I could destroy not just one or two opponents, but a ring full of them all at one time."
Reaching into his front shirt pocket, Axel Shaw pulls out a joker card that seems to have come out of a standard deck of playing cards. He smirks slightly as he throws the card down to the concrete floor, where it sits in the small puddle of blood that is still pooled on the concrete, before continuing his conversation.
"Before I can even think about that Global Qualifier I need to compete against two other opponents in this three way match. Let's start with the biggest superstar in the match, Wraith, and what can we say about this individual. I can clearly tell this guy's claim to fame is his size, but, I can tell his heart isn't there. I honestly don't give two shits about how big this guy is because, you don't need size to cut through an opponent. As far as, I am concerned, this guy is a placebo that was implanted into this organization to fill out the roster. Let me ask you a question, Wraith and be completely honest with me: Do you really believe for one moment that you are the grim reaper or that you were murdered? I find it comically hilarious that a grown man has let too many hits aimed directly at his head affect his thought process this much. Now I can't promise you this war is going to be all smoke and mirrors because, obviously, the mirror is shattered on the floor underneath me. Make sure your stagehands who work on your supernatural abilities don't make any mistakes. You wouldn't want to look embarrassed on live television, wouldn't that be a shame right? If you went missing years ago and were presumed dead, and nobody looked for you, it can only mean two things: either they didn't care, or you were an ass hole to everyone who tried to help you. So which one is it? It really doesn't matter which answer you decide upon; the only thing that actually matters is management acknowledging my abilities."
Axel Shaw appears to be having a good time as he picks up the blood stained joker card with a sadistic smile on his face. Knowing he still has just one person left to speak about in this match before he can think about that Global Qualifier, he begins to speak in a soft, gentle voice.
"Next we have Ace Johnson, who has the same hairstyle as Ms. Frizzle from The Magic School Bus. Isn't that ironic? He's nineteen years old and thinks he knows the world of professional wrestling and everything it offers already. A total of fifteen matches and a total of fifteen wins did you practice for those matches in front of the mirror too? John Cena, though? Come on, you really believe you're already in primal form. You need to stand back for a moment and take a gander at the business and organization before you make idiotic remarks like that. I can picture it now in your own eyes you already won that wild card slot and no one can take that away from you, am I correct? I know deep down you are still young and arrogant, but, hopefully this loss will become a great life lesson. You see, when I was just nineteen years old, I was already holding my first championship on my left shoulder, ready to compete against anyone. "I understand, and while everyone deserves a chance in professional wrestling, please accept my apologies in advance for jeopardizing your debut in IIW."
Without spending to much time talking about Ace, you can see Axel is beginning to pace back and forth where he is currently standing. With his two opponents out of the way, he can concentrate on the Global Qualifier, but he appears a little more aggressive than he was previously.
"The first ever Combat show is in production, and it will separate the men from the children in quickness and violence. I have looked over the entrants involved with the Global Qualifier, and not many stand out to me. Toe-to-toe, I can throw down with anyone on the Combat roster and take that Global Championship for myself. What IIW needs the most is a Global Champion who isn't afraid to defend his title against anyone who is willing to step inside that squared circle and leave it all out on the mat. I want management to see exactly what they have in-front of them. I didn't come to IIW to be booked in opening matches; I came here to fight and push myself up the ranks. My only objective in Combat is to leave the world of professional wrestling stunned, dazed, and confused about exactly what just happened and who exactly Axel Shaw is. I am telling you, all these other competitors sitting in the locker room with a taste for glory are just wasting their time. That wild card spot has already been determined and claimed, and if you don't believe me, you will once Combat finalizes and you witness it firsthand. I want this match to be a statement, and if I have to beat that statement out of it, I will do that gladly and without remorse. War is not about manpower; it's about will and testament, which make the individual more powerful. I have spent countless hours preparing my mind and body for an opportunity like this and won't let that seep between my finger tips as, I reach. I am ready for Combat and ready to shock the world, just don't blink or you might miss it."
Axel Shaw walks away from where he was standing, laughing, to the corner of the room where there is a red steel door with an illuminated "EXIT" sign above it. Opening the door, he walks through it and disappears into the night.