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SolemnIncline · (05-02-2026)

“I did some awful shit last year. I came back from a potential career ending injury at the hands of the BoB and I have been paying penance for that, it seems. Not a single victory since my grand return and yet, here I stand with an opportunity. I’m not the same man who called himself Psycho and ran a War Games team straight into the ground. I am clearly also not the same man who won and defended the X-Treme title and showed up week after week, resilient, no matter who stood across from him. I am something new, a man who finds himself a bit lost in the sauce.”

“I’ve gotten in my own way. I had the biggest possible return match. I had been medically cleared, but nothing could compare me for facing off against Kieran King and Centurion for all the fucking marbles. I didn’t back down. I came in and I took them both to the absolute limit. I opened a lot of eyes the way I stood toe to toe with two of the greatest to ever do it. I truly believe I had a chance that night, but I lost my footing and found myself falling. It was a short moment that felt like an eternity. There is no shame in a performance like that. I could have dusted myself off and come back ready for John Black. Your boy, Reggie. Not all T.H.U.G.S are built the same. In one of my favorite matches of my career, I came to this show and beat Tommy Wish in an insane match only Jimmy Stars could have conceived of. I earned his respect that night and I successfully retained my X-Treme title. The outlier, someone I haven’t faced yet, is you Reggie. I’ve been on a losing streak, but I’ll be damned if I don’t make it two out of three against the T.H.U.G.S.”

“Then there’s Oz. We have some history. In my first appearance on Anarchy, I teamed with Marisol Vilaro and you beat me in a tag match. That was over a year ago now. Feels like ancient history. Then there was the Corporation and War Games. You call your finished I Failed You, but I have to disagree, Oz. I failed you…as a captain. I didn’t have what it took to lead us to victory. You were a good soldier. You always are. That’s honestly all you’ll ever be, I fear. You don’t have greatness in you. You have potential. Limited potential. You’re a good hand, a utility player. You win some, but lately you’re content to follow men like Charlie Nickles and Jordan Penn. I don’t blame you for being there. I bought in once too, but I sure as hell don’t understand why you’re still there. I’m going to show you that I’m better off now that I left and you’ll just keep playing lackey. Good luck with that.”

“Summer. I can relate to you. You’ve had some great wins. You had XXXVI’s number every time before you faced him for the Rev title, but since then, things haven’t exactly gone your way. The way I see it? You and I are both on losing streaks and something’s gotta give. One of us is going to get a big victory and become number one contender to Betsy’s title. I think we both know that your track record in title matches is well, not good. I don’t see that trend changing here. Honestly the best and most likely outcome is me doing what I do best as a former two-time X-Treme champion and beating the shit out of the three of you to claim my shot at the Revolution title. It’s time to put my money where my mouth is and earn my spot at Leap of Faith.”

“It’s no L.A., but Oakland is still a pretty cool place, kid.”

Solomon Kline is in the gym, getting some reps in on the bench. The disembodied voice is all-too familiar. He rests the weight bar on the rack and sits up. “Uncle David? But you’re…”

“Dead? Kaput? No longer among the living?” He turns to see David Dremmen, very much not dead.

“That part. I quit drinking. So, tell me why I’m hallucinating right now?”

David reaches out and flicks Solomon on the arm. Solomon flinches as he feels the finger smacking his skin. “Simple. You aren’t.”

Solomon’s jaw drops. “I watched you die. You coded. I…we all went to your funeral.”

David nods along with everything he’s saying. “Yeah, great service. I liked the part where they pretended I was some kind of saint. When all those people who hated my guts showed up with crocodile tears in their eyes. Happens almost every time.”

Solomon shakes his head. “So, are you going to tell me what the fuck is going on?!”

“What’s going on is I faked my death and yes, I’ll tell you all about it on the way.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you! Does dad know?” Solomon asks, incredulous.

“Nah. There’s a lot my brother doesn’t know and it’s for the best. I wouldn’t come back in public and to you specifically if it wasn’t important. I could have stayed a ghost, you know.”

Solomon sneers. “Yeah, maybe you should have. Don’t think I’ve forgotten our last conversation. I still need answers about your dad and the money you were sending him. Oh, and I’ll be announcing the sale of Dremmen Landscaping soon. It’s just…so weird to see you again. It doesn’t feel real. Fuck you for putting us all through that.”

David clears his throat. “Yeah, I deserve that. All of it. I promise I’ll let you get back to training soon, I know this opportunity is a big one. I’m sure you’re going to want to hear what I have to say. How bout it?”

Solomon lets out a big sigh. “Ugh. Fine. Better be worth it.”

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