Breakdown 1-7-22
Spencer Pryce sits on a bench in a locker room. He's dressed for a workout in track pants and a t-shirt, both dark gray. He has his phone in his hand, and a video can be heard playing. He turns up the volume and it's from the End of the Year Special, the moment where Jonathan Knots announces Spencer as the Rookie of the Year winner. Spencer grins, and pauses the video.
Rookie of the Year, huh? For a guy who started here in SCW in August, less than half a year ago, that's some pretty hefty praise to hand me along with that trophy. I know I said it at the End of the Year Special, but I'll say it again – thank you. After Rise to Greatness weekend and the exhibition match I had during FanFest, I was shocked when Amy told me SCW had interest in signing me. They don't typically sign rookies right out of training, so I was told. Amy said it was a great opportunity and I should be flattered. Believe me, I was!
I was also nervous as shit. I grew up watching SCW, it's the biggest and the best, the most competitive promotion in the world. I wasn't sure that if I signed, I would be able to keep up. Or get noticed at all, with the high caliber talent on this roster. But, deep down I knew... if I passed up this chance, I would regret it. Sure, there was a chance I would fail. Get eaten alive. But what if I didn't? I'd have been a fool if I passed this up.
Putting the phone down finally, Spencer shrugs a bit.
Some of you might call me a fool anyway, including and especially my opponent this week, Tommy Valentine. And maybe I am, only a foolish rookie who is in deeper water than he thinks would stand up to some raging assholes who interrupted not one but two of his matches. Even Amy advised me to stand down. She said, part of being successful is knowing when to back down. Maybe that was true during that tag match I had with Marie, when the Jackals jumped our opponents, cause that had nothing to do with us. Fine... I can see her point in that specific case, she and Christy Matthews were right.
But later, when I was fighting Christy for the United States Championship? Nah bro... running in there trying to mess with her head might not have had anything to do with me in your mind, Tommy... but to everyone else watching and especially to me, it had everything to do with me! Maybe it was payback for me and Marie trying to stand up for the right thing, trying to fight you guys off a few weeks before, maybe you knew exactly what you were doing when Kandis ran in there and kicked me. You gave me a DQ win, handing Christy a loss right before your Tag Title match, but you also took away my chance at the championship, since titles don't change hands on DQs.
Spencer holds up a hand, showing two fingers.
Two for one, right Tommy? Maybe it was even your idea, you're the veteran of your group. You're the former World Champion, the highly decorated, the Hall of Fame guy. Just a couple of notches of your idea of justice on your way to reclaiming those Tag Titles you love so much. You probably thought you pissed Christy off enough that she'd be easy pickings in the Thunderdome, leading to that historic win y'all want... meanwhile intimidating me to the point I'd back down and step out of your way, since you cost me my shot at the title.
How'd that work out for you, bro?
Not only did you not get those titles back, but now you're faced with me. You can call me 'kid' as many times as you want, it's not gonna make me as naive or as easy to dispatch as I'm sure you're wishing it would be. Yeah, I'm younger than you, yes I'm a rookie here, as my award clearly states. But I'm not stupid and I'm not so easily pushed aside. Why do you think the people voted me for the award, huh? Not for coming in here all timid like, with the 'I'm happy to be here' face and tiptoeing my way around the locker room and the ring. If that's what you thought I was gonna be like coming out of BlackOut, just because you have some bone to pick with Amy Chastaine.... you got the wrong guy, bro.
You don't know a damn thing about me, other than where I trained and what I've shown the world at Breakdown. You don't know my life, how I grew up, what my motivations are. Most people don't, I keep that to myself for a reason. Yet you're out here accusing me of trying to be like David Helms. Maybe you need some extra motivation by comparing me to your former best friend, but truth be told, I'd never want to be like him. I don't want to be like anyone. I am my own man. And who I am, what I stand for... at least one of those things, is not picking fights with people that have nothing to do with you. You started this, by jumping The Bear and Penguin. Sure, they're associated with your rivals, but are they your rivals? No! And you want to say I stepped into something not my business? Come on man, that's a pretty thin stretch, even for the standards of a man who twists almost everything around some kind of way to his advantage.
Spencer shakes his head a little, a hint of an amused smirk on his face. He's aware that Tommy usually has a way with words that makes you think, but that accusation was just laughable.
But things are different now. We're gonna be across the ring from each other tomorrow night in Philly, that makes you my business now. Maybe some other rookies might be afraid of facing such high caliber opponents so early in their career. But not me. I thrive on it. I didn't come here to coast, to just be happy I made it to a huge company. I came here to be successful. I came here to face the best, to prove myself, to become one of the best. I stood up to the big man Tsunami. I beat several other competitors to earn my shot at the US Title. I gave Christy everything I had and I fully believe that I was gonna walk out as champion that night if it wasn't for your girl kicking me in the face. I still have yet to be pinned since I made my debut. I'm walking into this fully aware that you have a damn good chance of being the first person to do it. Your record speaks for itself, you've trained people who went on to be successful here. You've got almost as many years of doing this as I've been alive.
On top of all of that, I know you've got to be pretty pissed about the Thunderdome, you didn't get what you wanted despite the fact neither you or your girl were pinned. Shut out but you didn't really lose, did you? You'll no doubt be looking to blow off some steam, and why not take it out on the kid, right? I'll be right in front of you, and you need a punching bag.
Oddly enough, I know exactly how you feel. I didn't get the title I wanted either, and neither was I pinned. The difference between my anger and yours though... is that your situation had nothing to do with me, yet my situation was your fault. Not directly, since it was Kandis who actually hit me, but there's no doubt in my mind the whole thing was your idea. You've been so vocal about wanting to give Kandis the spotlight, a big moment to bask in. Of course you'd come up with a plan to ruin my match with Christy but allow Kandis to make the match-ending blow. It was something she could be proud of, but I'll never be convinced you weren't the mastermind behind it. So I guess I have a little steam to blow off of my own, and something more to prove.
Leaning over, Spencer rests his forearms on his knees. He uses one hand to gesture between himself and the camera, as if he was talking to Tommy in person.
Between you and me, bro... let's be honest here; The Connection are going to get another shot at some point. You weren't the team beat and you're one of the best teams that's ever existed. You'll break that record you've been chasing, there's no doubt in my mind about that, and I'm willing to bet most people agree, whether they hate you or not. Me on other hand? Sure, Christy said she'd be happy to give me another chance. Cian O'Dwyer said he'd recommend it. But we don't know if he's remaining in charge. If he does, great. If not... there's no guarantee that whoever takes charge will give Cian's opinions a second thought. That means, I've got to do everything I can to prove to whoever will be taking the reigns that I deserve that rematch. I'm willing to bet making a Hall of Fame former World Champion tap out would be a pretty epic step in the right direction. I know it can be done, just look at your history with Amy.
Spencer sits up straight and snaps his fingers.
Oh... is that why you hate her?
Gonna do my best to make you hate me, too.
Spencer grins, and turns away to pick his phone up as we fade out.