A new one emerges...

[Trent Raven]

The camera fades in on a dark boiler room. As is moves forward, it pans from side to side to show the slime covered walls and the dripping pipes. It takes a left turn down another walkway and speeds up. Further down, it takes a right turn and then a quick left and comes to an abrupt halt in front of none other than Trent Raven, wearing his cut off shorts and ratty t-shirt with a flannel shirt tied around his waist, sitting with his knees pulled to his chest and his arms around his knees. He sits rocking until he hears a voice.

Unknown Voice: Psst.

Trent jumps, looking around, applying his weight to his right arm

Unknown Voice: Over here.

Trent looks out toward the camera, just to the left.

Unknown Voice I heard you were great, one of the greatest. What the hell happened to you?

Trent shrugs and squints, trying to see who he is addressing.

Unknown Voice: It doesn't matter now. I can't face you like this. I have to get you cleaned up and back in shape before I can.

Trent looks puzzled, confused.

Unknown Voice: You will be my salvation, my saving grace, the stepping stone which will start my rise to the top of RCW. You will be my mentor, and my nemesis, and I will become an enigma.

Trent puts his other hand down and crawls toward the camera, trying to get a better view.

Unknown Voice: Not yet, you are unworthy to approach me yet. You will be great once more. You will be so great it will be I who will be unworthy to approach you, but that road starts with you cleaning yourself up. You must take pride in yourself before you can take pride in your skills and abilities.

Trent looks down and pulls his hand up holding a piece of paper. Scribbled on the piece of paper there appears to be an address.

Unknown Voice: When you have prepared yourself, I will meet you there. Show up, I don't want to have to track you down here again.

Trent cowers back toward the wall as the camera retreats along the same path it entered and cuts to black.

[Trent Raven]

The camera fades in on a run down theater which has been converted into a wrestling arena. It is the PCW Arena in Arlington, TX. As the camera pans around the building, we see busted out windows and chipped and weathered bricks adorning the building. There are a few scattered cars around the parking lot and there are several more at the adjoining mall just 100 yards away. The camera stops at a door that says 'The Gym' on it. As the door opens and the camera goes in, it turns to the left and moves forward to a cash register with a friendly gym employee smiling. The camera reaches the cash register and turns right, heading down a ramp that leads to the gym floor. Turning back to the left, we can see that there are several wrestlers working out. Two men are boxing in a boxing ring set up on the far side of the gym just before the dressing rooms. The camera moves to the middle of the workout equipment and turns right to reveal a curtain up a small set of 4 steps. Two huge wrestlers stumble through the curtain and fall to their faces forgetting that there were steps leading down into the gym area. They stand up and their faces are panic stricken.

Wrestler #1: Somebody's gotta do something about him. He's crazy as hell. I'm not working this weekend if he's still here.

Wrestler #2: Who the hell is he? I've never heard of this clown before he showed up here tonight, looking for a shower and a ring.

Wrestler #1: You should have seen him when he got here. He was covered in sewage from head to toe and his hair was a mess. I thought he was homeless until Mike let him in and showed him to a shower.

Wrestler #2: Mike let him in here? What the hell was he thinking? He's already destroyed half of the props for tonight's show. We had to send some new guy out to get some more. He bent every chair and ladder and broke every table in a rage. I thought that sheriff's deputy would take care of him, but the taser didn't even stop him. He grabbed the deputy and threw him into a stack of tables set up for tonight's no holds barred match.

Wrestler #1: I think I'm going to tell Mike I can't do this crap. I'm going to RCW where they know how to take care of trash like this. Of course, I'm not telling him that.

Wrestler #2: Well, we're a tag team, so where you go amigo, I go.

The two men walk toward the camera, leaving the view of the camera. The camera moves forward, up the stairs, and into a dark, empty arena, save for one man sitting in one corner of the ring with his arms draped on either side of the ring ropes. The camera pans, first left to survey broken tables and bent folding chairs, to the right to see more bent chairs and a couple of bent folding ladders. The camera moves toward the ring and moves toward the figure in the corner of the ring. He is wearing cutoff jean shorts, a flannel shirt tied around them, and a black t-shirt. It is Trent Raven. His hair, now washed, looks like greased oil. He is staring off toward the camera. The camera moves through the ropes and turns in the direction Trent Raven is facing when a voice booms across the arena.

Unknown Voice: Look what you did you pathetic loser. You destroyed the property of a small independent federation with promising young talent. They will now suffer a huge blow as money they thought would be there to pay their roster will be poured into equipment and they will be forced to wrestle for no pay, or not to wrestle at all. Aren't you proud of yourself.

The camera turns, following the shadowed areas of the arena. We see rows and rows of chairs lined up as the camera continues to turn.

Unknown Voice: Do you really think this will impress me enough to allow you to face me? Trent, you know me. I am your darkest fear and your deepest desire. I know you better than anyone else. I was there, lurking in the shadows when you defeated Ares. I was watching as you decimated En Fuego. I was there when you were the most respected and feared wrestler on all of the NEW card. You were at the top of your game. Now? Now you are scaring off rookies and tearing up aluminum like you are some kind of He-Man on steroids? You haven't been Barry Bondsing have you? It's really pathetic if you have. There was a time when you would spend hours on end in the gym, flexing your muscles for the ladies. What happened to you? Do you even notice the ladies anymore?

The camera stops and pans up to a loft area where the projector used to be when this was a movie theater, and what now serves as an announcer's booth/production area. We can see the outline of a figure sitting there with headphones on sitting over a light and sound board.

Unknown Voice: Indeed, you are pathetic. After the death of your wife, Akasha, you were reduced to nothing. I will keep my word. You will be great again. You will be feared again. You will be respected again. You have taken a step when you stopped your wreckless behavior and sat your sorry self down there to brood. Your insight into the depths of your own soul was your greatest asset. Now, you barely know yourself anymore. It's time I leave you to yourself. Trust your inner voice Trent. It will guide you where to go next. It will tell you what path you are to choose. If you choose correctly, I will see you at your destination. If not, then you will truly rot in a hell of your own making. I tell you this not because I hate you, but because I call you friend. You and I are one, and our fates are linked. I am sure you will choose right. I am sure I will see you soon.

The lights in the arena soon come up and we see that the figure outlined with the headphones is nothing more than a mannequin used as a prop by one of the more popular PCW wrestlers. The camera turns to Trent, who slowly rises and moves toward the side of the ring closest to the curtain. He climbs though slowly and moves toward the curtains and as he does, the camera follows. As the camera moves through the curtains, we can see the two wrestlers from before arguing with a man in a black t-shirt and a bald head, with a goatee and sun glasses. They recoil as Trent walks past. Trent turns to look at them and one of them jumps. Trent turns back toward a door straight ahead and moves through the door, and as he does the camera follows. He looks around the parking lot and sees a Jeep Cherokee. He moves to the back door and opens it. Climbing in, he closes the door and pulls a blanket over him, completely concealing his body. The camera turns back towards the door which opens and produces the two wrestlers from before. The walk over to the Jeep Cherokee and one gets into the drivers seat as the other opens the back side passenger door and throws two bags of gear into the back seat. He closes the door and gets into the passenger seat. The camera zooms in on the license plate which has Arkansas plates and reads 'REDNECK'. The camera follows the Jeep Cherokee as it drives out of the parking lot and heads north on Highway 360. The camera fades to black.

[Trent Raven]

The camera fades in on an Arkansas license plate that reads 'Redneck'. As the camera pans up, we see, from the outside of the Jeep Cherokee, the same two wrestlers who were afraid of Trent Raven at the PCW gym. They are chatting and laughing. As the camera switches to the back seat, we begin to hear what they are saying.

Wrestler #1: Sure am glad we're leaving that place and headin' for home, Carl Wayne.

Carl Wayne: Me too Junior. I sure am glad that lunatic is far behind.

Carl Wayne looks out the windshield and points at something up ahead.

Carl Wayne: There's the Arkansas state sign. We're home Junior!

Junior: I ain't never been so glad. That psycho done messed up my concentration. I sure am glad that we done decided to get ourselves back to good ol' Arkansas.

Carl Wayne: Yeah. Now we ain't gotta act like we're high society or nothing no more. Say, does your wife run that cabaret still?

Junior: Uh, yeah, why?

Carl Wayne: How much is the cover?

Junior: Nothing for you man, we's friends.

Suddenly Trent pops out from under the blanket he was hiding under.

Trent Raven: Count me in guys, but could you keep it down, I'm trying to get some sleep.

Junior pulls the wheel and the Jeep Cherokee rolls into a ravine. Junior and Carl Wayne are screaming as Trent Raven laughs at every roll. Finally the Jeep comes to a stop, upright in the middle of the ravine.

Junior: How the hell did you get into my car!?!

Carl Wayne: You always leave the door unlocked and the keys under the floor mat, dumb@$$. He could've taken the Jeep if he wanted to.

The three men crawl from the wreckage. Junior and Carl Wayne are glowering at Trent, who sits, grinning from ear to ear.

Junior: What're you so happy about? We just wrecked in case you haven't figured that out yet.

Carl Wayne: Junior, I really don't think that provoking him is the right move. Remember what happened at the PCW arena?

Junior: I don't care. Look, I've been thinkin', I never actually saw him damage anything. I was too busy duckin' and so was you. He might have been just as scared as we was. Hell, he may have been sitting in the ring because it was the safest place to be.

Carl Wayne: What about your son, Junior, The Deuce. Do you really want to gamble on your son not growing up with a father based on what you think you saw or did not see?

Junior: But dammit, Carl Wayne, I'm scared!

Carl Wayne: Me too, but he's not even paying us any attention. Let's just get walking up the road. I think there's a truck stop ahead where we can get a lift to Little Rock.

As the two begin to walk off, a crash of lightning and thunder strikes and when the camera refocuses, they are knocked out. The camera turns to Trent Raven who looks completely panic stricken. The Unknown Voice booms once again.

Unknown Voice: Trent, what have you done? I never said you needed to bring anyone else along. Now you jeopardize their lives because of your stupidity.

The camera turns to see the two men toss and turn.

Unknown Voice: There may be genius in you yet, though. I tell you what. Take these two, mould them into tag team champions. Make them feared and respected and by doing so, you may find what you have lost on the inside. Trent, do not fail them, because in doing so, you fail yourself. I sense it in you. You want to be free from me. You want to defeat me and put me behind you, but as long as you fear me, you will never win. Your victories will be hollow and your efforts futile as you quest for gold. All you are and have been will be like a pile of ash. Obey me, and you will live forever in the hearts and minds of the fans that adore you and the wrestlers who respect you. Take them to RCW and make them great. Become great yourself, for then, and only then will you be unafraid to face your fate.

The lightning and thunder crashes again and the two men regain consciousness. They sit up rubbing the backs of their heads. Slowly they turn to Trent Raven.

Trent Raven: Are you guys ready to get going, or what?

Both men scream as the camera fades to black.

[Trent Raven]

The camera cuts in on Carl Wayne and Junior walking about a tenth of a mile ahead of Trent Raven. He is jogging toward them. They look whipped and cannot find the energy to even jog. Raven catches up in a couple of seconds and pants hard.

Trent Raven: I said wait up. I've been running for about 5 miles now. It's not safe to be out here alone.

Junior: Surely you ain't scared.

Trent Raven: What, me scared? Nah, I'm talking about you two. You could get picked up by some crazed psychopath or something.

Carl Wayne and Junior stop and look at each other.

Junior: Look, the only crazed psychopath out here is you...

Carl Wayne shoots Junior a look before cutting in.

Carl Wayne: In. Ewen McGregor. Crazy scotsman. Doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut, that guy.

Trent Raven: Well, at any rate, I got the Jeep Cherokee running.

Junior and Carl Wayne look at each other and then turn back to Trent.

Junior: If you got it running, why did you walk up to get us you stupid idiot?

Carl Wayne: screaming JUNIOR!

Junior snaps his head to look at Carl Wayne. Trent digs a cell phone out of his pocket and dials a number.

Carl Wayne: Now you've done it. He's calling for backup. We're so dead.

Trent Raven: Uh, yeah, Warlock, if that's you who's stalking me, you need to stop it. Look, come up here to RCW and we'll grab a beer or two and go talk about things. I mean, I'm sorry I put you out of wrestling and all with that busted vertabrae. I did pay for your medical expenses though. Just call me and we'll work things out.

Junior: Is he serious. He thinks that gimp Warlock Hall has been doing this?

Carl Wayne shrugs as Trent Raven dials another number.

Trent Raven: Uh, yeah, Loner, if that's you who's stalking me, you need to stop it. Come up here and we'll, uh, go shopping or whatever kinds of pansy things you like to do now you are out of the closet. Trent Raven laughs Just kidding man, just call me and stop freaking me out.

Carl Wayne and Junior look at each other and shrug before jumping on Trent and beating him down to the ground. Trent takes it for a second, but then lifts up, throwing the two of them off and sending them running. The lightning crashes again and the two of them once again are on the ground when the view clears. The Unknown Voice emerges yet again.

Unknown Voice: You are not going to let them get away with that are you? You must teach them a lesson. You must make them pay dearly. Otherwise you will lose their respect. And stop calling all your friends, it makes you sound like a fool. You know who I am.

Trent gets up and walks over to Carl Wayne. He picks up the lean cowboy and ties him to a street sign. He produces a black marks-a-lot and writes Trent's B*TCH on his chest. Then he picks up the huge mass of Junior and forces him down on his knees, tying him face first in Carl Wayne's butt. He laughs maniacally as he continues to walk in the direction they were all facing. The camera cuts to black.

[Trent Raven]

The camera cuts to a Jeep Cherokee racing down the highway. The license plate reads 'REDNECK' and the driver is none other than Trent Raven. He speeds toward a streetsign which has two men tied to it and squirming. One man is standing tied with his hands behind his back. The other is tied with his hands in front of him between the first man's legs. His face is buried in the first man's hind quarters. Raven breaks and comes within inches of hitting the two. He puts the vehicle in park and hops out running toward the two. They both wince.

Trent Raven: Hey, are you two okay? What happened? We'd better get you two out of here before the crazy psychopath that did this to you returns.

He unties Junior who bolts for the Jeep. Junior puts the Jeep Cherokee in reverse and screeches out into the street. Trent Raven looks up, confused. Junior puts the car in drive, but hesitates to leave.

Junior: To himself I can't leave Carl Wayne, he'd never leave me.

Carl pulls back up slowly and puts the Jeep Cherokee in park. He hops out and helps Trent Raven untie Carl Wayne.

Trent Raven: What made you do that?

Carl Wayne: Yeah, you was gonna leave me, Junior? We grew up together. We's best friends. Why the hell you gonna leave me?

Junior: Well, I didn't, so stop fussin'. I'm just so ready to part company with this crazy psychopath.

Trent Raven: I understand. If someone would have done this to me, I'd be so angry, I might just hurt someone.

Junior finishes untying Carl Wayne and pulls him aside. Looking at Trent, he motions toward a nearby tree line.

Junior: Nature calls.

Trent waves them on. He produces the cell phone and makes another call.

Junior: Hey, let's get out of here. We don't need the Jeep, we can take off toward the truck stop and leave him here.

Carl Wayne: Nah, it wouldn't work. He'd have the Jeep, and the advantage. He'd catch up in no time.

Junior: I got the keys.

Carl Wayne: He could hotwire it.

Junior: What if we ran through the trees? He can't follow us there.

Carl Wayne: In the middle of the night? There ARE crazier folks out here than him, believe you me.

Junior: Then what are we gonna do? We can't stay with him, he could KILL us and not even know it.

Trent walks back over to the two and they talk hastily.

Trent Raven: Speaking loudly Are you two finished yet?

Carl Wayne: Matching Trent's tone Almost. Whispering to Junior Listen, I think he's not aware of what he is doing when his 'friend' appears. He must have some power over him. We have to help him see that.

Junior: Woah, we don't gotta do nothin'. I'm going to the truck stop. You can sit and play with Trent and his 'friend'.

Carl Wayne: So you would leave me alone with that lunatic. Look, Junior, just drive him to the RCW offices. We can tell the front office folk that he needs some medical care or something. If we leave him out here, he could hurt himself.

Junior: Better him than us.

Carl Wayne: What if he finds your house? What if he finds The Deuce?

Trent Raven: Taking the other two by surprise at how close he was without them realizing it. You two ready to go?

Scared, Junior tosses Trent the keys to the Jeep. Carl Wayne stares at him. Trent rushes over to the Jeep and starts it up. Carl Wayne and Junior both shuffle over and get into the Jeep. Junior gets into the driver's side back seat. Carl Wayne is about to get into the passenger's side back seat when he changes his mind and moves to the front seat.

Trent Raven: Decided to ride shotgun after all, huh? Well, strap on your seat belts, we're gonna make up some time.

Carl Wayne barely has time to buckle his seat belt when Trent peels out and sets off racing toward the RCW.