The camera comes to life backstage. It is not a polished OCW production shot. There is no interviewer. Instead, the cameraman is standing several feet away, partially hidden behind a production crate waiting for a viral moment. In the distance, Devon Flash storms through the backstage area. He still has his gear on. Sweat runs down his face. His jaw is clenched. He rips the tape from his wrists and throws it into a nearby trash can. 

Devon Flash: God damn it!

Flash kicks the bottom of a nearby equipment case.

Devon Flash: LPM last time out. Nate Ortiz tonight. And everybody wants to sit here and tell me I’m supposed to be happy because I “looked good.” against the man who claims to be Greater than the Greatest. The man chasing the OCW Champion, but I don’t want to look good! I want to win!

Flash paces back and forth, running both hands through his hair.

Devon Flash: Looking good doesn’t get your hand raised. It doesn’t put championships around your waist and it doesn’t keep you a main eventer. You have to be great and maybe…maybe that just aint me.

He stops. His breathing slows as he can feel the crashout coming. His phone begins to ring. Flash looks down.

UNKNOWN CALLER.

He hesitates then answers.

Devon Flash: Hello?

Silence.

Flash listens. We cannot hear the voice on the other end, but whatever they are saying causes his expression to change almost immediately after a few moments of silence.

Devon Flash: Yeah…I’m listening.

The cameraman subtly moves closer as Flash leans against the wall, still listening.

Devon Flash: You really think that?

There’s a pause. Flash looks down at the floor.

Devon Flash: You know what? You’re right.

His frustration begins to fade.

Devon Flash: At the end of the day, Ortiz didn’t run through me. He had to fight for every damn second of that match.

Flash starts pacing again, but this time there is purpose in his movement.

Flash: Yea, I did lose that match, but I wasn’t outclassed. I wasn’t embarrassed. I wasn’t exposed.

Flash: I’ve been so damn focused on the fact that I haven’t won these big matches but the people. The fans…

Flash smiles faintly.

Devon Flash: They finally might understand me. They know that Flash is the loudmouth. They know I’m an asshole, but they know that Im the guy who’s going to talk his shit, back it up, and throw himself into a fight with anybody standing in front of him, no matter the odds.

He pauses.

Devon Flash: The crowd isn’t waiting for me to become somebody anymore. I don’t need to keep looking for myself. They’re waiting for me to own who I am, own the competition and break through the door.

Flash looks down at his phone.

Devon Flash: I’m due for another big win. Another moment to prove that Devon Flash is everything he believes he is and more. 

Flash smiles.

Devon Flash: And now I know exactly where it’s coming. On 4th Edition of Unleashed against The Mandem. The OCW Champion, Tony Everett.

Flash stands completely upright with confidence.

Devon Flash: When I step into that ring with him at Unleashed…I’m not knocking on the door anymore. I’m running right through it and I just might run straight to another world title opportunity. 

Flash grins thanks whoever on the phone for calling, then leaves the hallway.

The camera remains fixed on the empty corridor for a moment.

CUT TO BLACK.

Lovely babyface promo fam! (Someone listened to the pod eh? lol)