What About Raven?

[Nathan]

A camera crew is backstage before the PPV getting some extra footage when Cactus Jack comes storming into view. Walking over to the camera, he pulls it toward him so that his face fills the screen.

“Hey, tech monkey! On me!”

He shouts at the camera guy before releasing the camera and taking a couple steps back.

“Tonight we’re at King of the Ring and I’m getting ready to kick the show off with the first match. Why? Because those desk jockeys up there know that when they want to set off a pay-per-view right, they put me in the opening number. I know what it takes to raise the bar, to push the limits. Put me in a match and I’ll steal the show each and every night whether it’s the curtain jerk, opener, or main event. That’s how much they know and trust me in this business. But the mere fact that they had to make my match here tonight with the stipulation of Hardcore Rules, just goes to show that as far as trust to put on a decent match goes, Raven comes up seriously lacking!”

Cactus shakes his head and can’t help but let out a laugh.

“He’s got nothing substantial to say to me, nothing of quality to add to this match. All he does is walk around here asking the same damn question!”

Reaching out, he grabs the camera, pulling it closer to his face.

“What about Raven?!”

He shouts out in a whiny, mocking tone.

“What about Raven? What about Raven? WELL LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING ABOUT RAVEN!”

Cactus shoves the camera backwards as he yells out.

“When Raven was given his opportunity to make something of himself with a chance at the Breakout Championship what did he do? He fell flat of his face! When Raven was given a chance to shine and a boost up onto that ladder, what did he do? He failed miserably. When Raven had the chances to own up to his own shortcomings, what did he do? He pointed the finger and blamed others than himself.”

He shakes his head from side to side.

“Now you want to step up to me and say that you’re ready to lay it all on the line. You want to come into this match as if it’s time to go big or go home… You had your shot, Raven. You had that match where everything WAS on the line for you. You had that match where it WAS time to go big or go home. You LET that chance SLIP right between your fingers and now you want to puff up your chest and thump it because you’re about to step up to a real LEGEND?! Sit back down son, you sure as hell aren’t ready for me.”

Cactus lets out a loud laugh, throwing his head back, eyes wide with that familiar crazy look.

“You bring that chair with you, Raven. You’re gonna need all the help you can get. You think you know me? You think you know what I want out of this? You don’t know the first damn thing about Cactus Jack! You want to PLAY hardcore with the Hardcore Legend? Then strap yourself in for a bumpy ride, it’s gonna be a long night for you!”

Cactus grins and shoves the poor camera man down, laughing as he walks away.