As the scene opens, we return to a place we’ve seen not too long ago. Adam Stryker’s little fortress of solitude inside his own house, a room filled with memorabilia from Adam’s career, championships old and new, pictures of friends and rivals long gone. Adam is sitting in his armchair there, dressed in dark jeans and a black polo shirt, the AWS Undisputed Heavyweight Championship on his right shoulder, the KØЯ∃ Interstate Championship on his left.
What we haven’t seen here yet is the second person in the frame, occupying the second armchair next to Adam’s. David, his young son who’s just starting to shape a wrestling career of his own, sits there in his black tracksuit. The hoodie reads STRYKE DOJO in white print on the front.
Adam looks at his son and they both smile. Then, the Undisputed champion acknowledges the camera.
“It’s incredible how life goes by and people grow,” Adam says. “Not too long ago, this room was the only one in the house where nobody else from the family was allowed to step foot. I’ve shared drinks and stories with fellow wrestlers here, but even for my own wife and kids, this was forbidden territory. A sacred place. But young David here?” he nods towards his son. “He’s earned his place at the table. His keys to this room.”
David nods in approval. “As you’ve all been seeing in recent weeks, the Strykers became the new number one family in AWS,” he says. “In four matches with the promotion, I did more than most others on that roster did in the past year. I will put a stamp of that when I win the Gold Rush Tournament. And my father? Well…”
He glances at the championships on Adam’s shoulders.
“I think you can all see his importance to AWS,” David says and smirks.
“Now, the main event of Monday Night Ward will see a clash worthy of a PPV,” Adam takes over. “On one side, the Undisputed and Interstate Champion alongside the biggest prospect in all of pro wrestling. On the other, the duo holding both sets of tag team titles of AWS. It has big fight feel written all over it. And it can have some major implications on where this company is heading.”
Adam adjusts the titles on his shoulders.
“Tagging alongside my son has long been a dream of mine, and one of the main drivers behind all the hard work I had to do to return to the ring. And I will be honest with you, the idea of winning the tag team titles down the line alongside him makes me very excited. When we beat The Order on Monday… That will be the first step towards it,” he says.
“I’ve talked a lot about KD Feigel already,” David says. “Much like me, he is the son of someone whose name carries a lot of weight in the business. But while I decided to honor that legacy, he’s coasting along. Letting himself be carried to success. I understand the success of The Order, winning the tag titles wherever they step… But to me, a true student of the game, they are still one step away from true greatness. I don’t see their input as equal.”
Adam raises his hand to stop David.
“You’re right,” the champion says. “You’ve talked a lot about young Feigel. Maybe more than he deserves.”
David nods and chuckles.
“But I feel,” Adam continues, “That we need to have a few words about his tag team partner. See, Vin Halsted… He’s become something of a bucket list item for me. He knows very well what it feels like holding this beauty,” he nods towards the Undisputed Heavyweight title on his shoulder.
“In fact… He’s the only former Undisputed Champion still in this company who I haven’t beaten yet. In fact, I’ve never even faced him. I feel that in order for my run with this championship to be complete and truly historic… That needs to change. But let me make one thing clear. I want the Vin Halsted that was Powerbombing fools and taking titles from them. The Halsted who was at the top of his game.”
Adam leans forward towards the camera slightly.
“I don’t want the boss’ kid babysitter.”
David laughs. Adam keeps a straight face and sits back again.
“All we’ve been hearing this week is about chaos. Vin Halsted let KD be chaos, The Order bring chaos… That’s the problem with you guys,” Adam continues. “You think that’s your main weapon. I’ll admit, it’s worked out for you well, but it has its lifespan. There comes a time when chaos, something you can’t control, turns against you. Intelligent wrestlers understand you need to have strategy and not just a plan but multiple ones to be successful in the long run. That’s what I do. That’s what my family does.”
He looks around at the championships in the room, then pats the ones on his shoulders.
“I’d say it has worked out well,” he smirks.
“At Ward,” David jumps in, “The Switchblade Family will bring actual order to The Order. We’ll show them that chaos means very little against people who know exactly who they are. My father is the standard of AWS. And me? I’m the future of it.”
Adam nods in approval.
“Vin… KD… Enjoy your time in the spotlight. It’s getting shorter. Because on Monday, we beat you. And then? We replace you,” Adam claims. Both Strykers look at into the camera as we fade to black.