Are you ready?
[Scene] A pair of fists are being taped up.
Are you sure you're prepared to tread the pain fields with me?
[Scene] The same fists are shown being ground down into a pit of glass, covering the resined tape.
I've gone to great lengths to expand my threshold of pain...
[Scene] Glass shards tear away at flesh. Blood mixing in a deadly combination with sweat drips in slow motion to cold pavement.
You've brought out the best in me, but with it, you're bringing out the worst...
[Scene] Josh Sutton stands over Xtreme Rebel, his glass-topped gloves freshly painted with blood. Josh's chest heaves, small trickles wavering their way down. Sutton's face is almost unbearable to look at. Blood covers the scenario... and it fades out...
This is your future, Matt...
[Scene] A loud ringing can be heard before the camera even fades in. As it does so Josh Sutton is seen walking through a crowded airport, fighting to keep his bags and answer his cell phone at the same time while wading through the people. Sutton shoves his way through to the side of the terminal, tossing his back down to his side and putting the phone to his ear.
Sutton: Vic, about damn time you called. Did you find him yet?
[Scene] Sutton fumes with anger as he tensely squeezes the small phone in his hand. His face is quickly turning to a crimson color as he outlashes at his mentor.
Sutton: What the fu… What do you mean no?! I told you to find Stetas! Victor, I told you… If you don’t find Stetas, it’s your ass! No! No! Stop explaining! You don’t find him, it’s your ass. Later…
[Scene] Sutton lets out of a loud sigh and clips the phone back to his pants. He picks up his bag and begins heading for the exit where his rented Lumina awaits him. Sutton climbs in, tossing his bag into the backseat, starts the car and drives off.
[Scene] The scene resets as Sutton is driving down the highway.
Sutton: You know Matt, for years I dealt with the same thing you’re dealing with now… The constant anguish of having to walk through the door at three in the morning to have your spouse waiting on you. To be taking that Norman Bates shower while your “loved one” stands outside the door, yelling and belittling everything but your choice of marriage. Yep, I know it all too well.
[Scene] Sutton clears his throat.
Sutton: (mocking voice) “Why Josh?! Why are you never home!?”
“You see them more than you see me! I think you’d rather be there than here!”
“I’m getting tired of this Joshua Sutton! I’m so tired of staying up all hours of the night waiting for you to come through that door to make sure you’re alright.”
“Stop being so inconsiderate! Think about your family! What about children?! Don’t you want to have children?”
[Scene] Sutton once again clears his throat this time a humored grin spreading across his lips.
Sutton: You see Matt, in this business there isn’t time for families. There isn’t time for mother/son walks in the parks. There isn’t time to take Junior and his friends to the movies for his birthday. There isn’t time to go home and make that sweet, passionate love to your wife like you did when you first tied the knot. Oh no, indeed there is not.
Sutton: In this business, we’re you’re family, Matthew. And lately, you and I have done some major brotherly bonding. But, I don’t think we’ve even come close to covering all this lost time.
[Scene] Sutton is interrupted by the annoyance of his cell phone. He flips it open and holds it to his ear.
Sutton: What?
[Scene] The faint sound of another voice can be heard and the spreading smile on Sutton’s face indicates that the news is good.
Sutton: Keep him isolated until the show, Vic. Don’t let him find Callaway again. Protect his eyes from the light, as they say. We need Stetas, not Callaway, remember that.
[Scene] Sutton folds the phone back over and lays it in his lap.
Sutton: All the pieces of the puzzle are falling quickly into place. Matt Scheffert, your attempts to flatter me have failed. This is not about honor. This is not about respect. This isn’t about a way of life. This is about the United States title, money, and power. I care not about the fans, your family, or your wellbeing. You’ve entered into this world of pain with me and it’s time for you to realize that you must suffer the consequences for the actions you indulge in.
Sutton: But perk up “brother”…
[Scene] A malevolent smile comes over the face of Josh as he puts emphasis on the word “brother”.
Sutton: Because I’m about to take you to places you could never imagine. The pain will be great, the agony will be humoring, and your defeat will be bitter. Match three is mine and only mine for the taking. I’ll see you when I beat you, sweetheart.
[Scene] Sutton pulls his shades over his eyes and cranks up his CD player. The scene fades with Stetas’ theme playing in the background.