"An individual who has earned a distinct reputation for social alienation and exclusion. Typically shunned by others because of perceived behavior, or choices that have deemed them undesirable. This person, through action or circumstance, has become an outcast, viewed with contempt by those around them…”


The snap of a book shutting opens the scene. I place the dictionary down, resting my splayed fingers on it. Today, I’m in my study, reading up and researching my upcoming Anarchy opponent. A television in front of me replays the match from Anarchy showing Pariah’s XWF debut. After the match concludes, I jot some thoughts down in a notebook resting in my lap before switching the TV off. I look up to the camera.


“…that is what this dictionary defines a pariah as…so what transgressions have you committed in a former life that cut so deep you felt the need to coin the term as your ring name? Or did you just think the word sounded cool and ominous and go with it?”


A shake of my hand dismisses both notions.


“It doesn’t even matter. But you’ve certainly arrived here in XWF with a bang, haven’t you? You’ve burst onto the scene and won a match that included one of the most badass dudes around in Barney Green.”


A small inclining nod of my head is all Pariah gets in acknowledgement.


“You know, I listened to what you had to say before that match, Pariah, like I do with every match in XWF. I do this because I like to know what’s going on around me, see what’s on everyone’s mind. Want to know why?”


My finger points towards the camera, wagging for emphasis.


“It’s because you can learn a lot by what guys like us, pro wrestlers, say in moments like this…”


I look up and around the room, my forearms and palms upturned.


“...because just like in the ring, when this camera is on you, you either sink or you swim. You can either captivate your audience or bore them to tears. So, I listened to what you had to say. What was it you called Barney? Witless? Talentless? Spineless? I think that’s what you said, because, if I’m being honest, I got a little bored with all that vitriolic pomp and pageantry you spewed out…


…And, just like my next championship challenger, you have a lot to say without actually saying… anything. You speak of death, of vengeance yada yada yada, the same old shit that’s been rehashed and regurgitated a hundred times before. But in reality, like every other dime-a-dozen wrestler trying to make a name for himself, just like I said before, you’re nothing but a bowl of tortured vitriol with added dashes of pomp and pageantry.”


Another brief moment of silence occurs, allowing the weight of my words to sink in.


“Pariah, you're facing the guy that put it all on the line in the fiery temples of Cambodia with the Gods of Angkor Wat watching over me. The guy that faced off with the likes of Alexander Raven, Penelope, Sahara Duke and Sarah Wolf and came back better. I’ve witnessed things you can’t even perceive, so you’ll forgive me for not being impressed by your previous attempts of theatrical intimidation.


See, the thing you need to know about me, Pariah, is I’m getting better every single day. When I arrived in XWF, I was just a young upstart. I won my debut match with Chris Mosh, got to the finals of a tournament to declare the number one contender for the XWF World Championship and even took down former World Champion Kieran King.”


I stop briefly, feeling myself in the moment.


“Hell, Thaddeus Duke needed Chris Page at ringside, low-blowing me, hitting me with a chair AND attacking the ref - all just to have a look-in against me! Then I came to Anarchy, outlasted everyone to win the Anarchy Championship in my first appearance.”


I can’t help but allow a smile dripping with conviction to stretch across my face.


“So, imagine what you’re going to have to do to even touch the sides, Pariah. Are you prepared to have the match of your life? To go to levels that you’ve never dreamed of going to before? Because that’s what it takes when you’re in the ring with me. I’m the dream opponent everyone wants until they realize what they’re up against. Win or lose, I make my opponents realize the heights they need to go to compete with me. So, when I take you to these heights…”


I hold both my hands out in a measuring motion.


“Will you adapt and flourish?”


My lips emit a whistling sound as I guide my hand downwards before clapping my hands together loudly in violent fashion.


“Or will the lack of oxygen to your brain send you free-falling back to earth, burning up because you couldn’t handle the pressure?”


I pick the Anarchy Championship belt up laying next to me, staring at the faceplate for a moment before holding it and looking back at the camera.


“See, every single day I hold this championship, I instantly become better, because that’s what being a champion is, what leading a brand mandates, Pariah. This fifteen pounds of leather and gold spurs me on to train harder, be the standard bearer for this brand. It makes me better than who I was yesterday and motivates me to wake up tomorrow and be better than who I am today.


That’s bad news for you, Pariah, because I am already very, very, very good at what I do. And Anarchy is still a week away, so imagine how much better I’ll be by the time you climb through those ropes and see me standing across the ring from you. You might be ready for a career on Anarchy here in XWF, Pariah…but you’re not ready for me.”

The scene fades out.