As the promo begins a long dark corridor can be seen. Lighting is very scarce and does nothing to illuminate the shadowed figure who sits at the end of the solemn corridor. A large man, his silhouette is lurched over and perched with his back against the wall. As the camera moves up the corridor, the lights begin to flicker and then go back to the stable status. It soon becomes clear that it is Karnage that has his back to the dingy, grime covered wall with his hand raised to his head. A strange looking, red journal is beside him, lying open at a page.
Karnage: Do you feel it? Do you feel it changing you like it changes me? Something
Something is coming over me. One thing my mother always told me was that you can run from what you are, Hell you can even hide from it but, you will never escape it.
Karnage raises his head from his hands and stares into the camera. He turns away from the camera and picks up the red book that lies beside him.
Karnage: There are many things that I cant say to people without behind looked down on or attacked because of it. People dont want to know me, they look at me and think that I am not worth their time, they jusge instead of listening. In here though, I can say what I want without persecution. Let me read you an extract from my journal shall I?
Meltdown 27 Matt Royale.
I was upbeat about this match when I was first told. I always remember my first matches in WZCW and think about how hard it was to come in against someone who never gave a crap about me and my development. Then, I heard about my match with Royale, a kid who was coming from the cold and trying to make a name for himself. I remembered how, not so long ago, I was in the same position as he was. Sure, he is cocky and he is brash but so was I. When I heard about the match, I was excited. Here was a kid that I could help develop into the future of WZCW. He showed no fear and talked about me but I never cared, all I knew was that I was going to go into the ring and have a Hell of a match against a brash new superstar.
To be fair, he bossed the match and he was always in control. I remember lying on the mat after being knocked down, I was looking at the rafters and thinking how did I get into this situation. The referee was asking me if I wanted to go on and it was all I could do to say no. I got to my feet and at that moment, something came over me. I looked at Royale and his facial expression changed to a look of fear and intimidation. I remember thinking how good it felt to be feared again in peoples eyes, it was like a wave of emotion came over me and for some reason, I just couldnt stop myself. For a while, I was fighting what I was. I tried to make people cheer for me and I thought that I could be different from the rest of the criminal scum that comes out of each and every prison across the world
But Im not.
Karnage lifts his head from looking at the book and stares into the camera once more, his eyes are blood shot and red. His glare is burning and full of emotion. After a moment, Karnage withdraws his gaze and once more, looks towards the journal that is perched upon his lap.
Karnage: I remember lifting him onto my shoulder and the fans were cheering. The adulation of the people that I wanted to entertain was amazing. Then, something happened, I looked at him and a force overcame me. I just wanted to hurt him. I wanted to inflict as much pain as was humanly possible on another human being. I hit him and I hit him and I couldnt stop. It was all I had in me to cover him and give him a reprieve. Otherwise, I dont know what would have happened to him. I got out of the arena as fast as I could.
I didnt know what to do so I ran.
Karnage looks up once more and closes the journal. He inhales deeply through his nose and sighs loudly. Lifting the book from his knees, Karnage places it back onto the spot that he lifted it from prior to the reading.
Karnage: And I came here. The first time I was ever seen on WZCW, it was right here. Something in my head kept telling me to come here. When I arrived, there was a peace that washed over me that I had not felt in a long time. I stayed here myself for a while, worried that if I went into the public, I would not be able to control what would happen. I know that I must stay here now. I have to go back to what I was because if I dont, people will get hurt. Matt Royale knows this and Celeste Crimson will soon know it too.
One person that always helped me and showed me that there was more than mindless violence in me was Blade. Blade was always a guy that always pushed me into doing the right thing and showed me a friendship that I had never felt before. At Ascension, I will once again step into the ring against one of the most imposing and professional superstars in WZCW: Celeste. For longer than I can remember, Celeste has always been dominating her opponents and showing that she can deal with anything. However, I have a warning for Celeste.
Celeste, at Ascension, I do not know who I will be. Will I be the same person that you see in front of you just now? A man who knows what he is capable of and keeps his ugly side under wraps through a façade of respect and niceties? Or, will I be the man who destroyed Matt Royale, one of the most impressive rookies on the roster, in less than 20 seconds? I dont know. Be warned though, I am not going to be responsible for what happens in that ring. This match is for Blade, who has always been beside me and now I have the chance to repay him ten-fold by making sure that Mr. Baller doesnt get one over him and I will show him that his friendship has been the prevailing light in this time of uncertainty for me.
At Ascension, I will be fighting for something more than just hurting someone. I will be fighting for friendship, for trust and for some stability in my life. Celeste, I wish you luck but please, know what you are getting into. I implore you to listen and not judge. Do not write me off because it will be at your peril, I assure you.
Karnage stands up and picks up the journal that is lying on the floor. After picking it up, Karnage looks at the camera once more and begins to walk down the corridor with nothing more said. Only the clipping of his shoes on the cold stone floor can be heard as the screen fades to black.