Blade is backstage, in his locker room. The usual cigarette is not in his hand. He doesnt need anything like that today, because he is happy. He is on his phone, the trademark smirk spread across his face as he receives the news of Scott Hammonds little outburst yesterday towards the referee of their Apocalypse title match. Before he had received any word about it, before his phone had ever rang, he knew something like this was inevitable. Hammond has such passion, but it is unfortunate for him that it regularly crosses the line into straight out fury. Indeed, Blade had known his opponent inside and out by the time Apocalypse arrived. Or, at least, he thought he did. Yet, at Apocalypse, their match happened and for a brief moment, Blade was worried. Hammond, for some of the match, had used his passion and his resentment towards Blade and he had harnessed into a great power, becoming stronger and more focused whilst remaining brutal. It had truly caught off Blade off guard. But by the end of the match, Hammond had lost his grip on that power and his passion became fury, as it always has and it led to his downfall, as it always has.
Blade said goodbye to his source on the phone and put it down. He began pacing slowly and calmly, still deep in thought. Everywhere hes turned in the last week, Blade has been asked the same droning question, whether it be from the few Blade fans in the world, the considerable amount of Scott Hammond fans, or the neutrals. Why on earth had he, Blade, tried to shake Hammonds hand? Blade wasnt even entirely sure himself. And every time he had had to ignore or shake off this question, the real reason in Blades had faded more and more. But his memory was clinging tightly to what left of the reason. The core and base of why he had tried to shake the hand of the man he had mentally tortured for over a month, the man who despised him. During that match, when Hammond was harnessing that power, in those seemingly eternal minutes that the thought of losing entered his mind, which was the first time those thoughts had invaded his mind in literally months, he saw something in Hammond. Something strange, but grand.
The primary difference between Blade and Hammond is on the surface and how they are viewed by the world. With Hammond, what you see if what you get. Hes a big, powerful man with some decent technique between the ropes. But he also fits the stereotypical meathead persona. For all his strength, there are times when it seems like his emotional depth is limited to anger and calmness. As if he doesnt have two brain cells to rub together at times. Blade, on the other hand, is deceptive in his appearance. If he wanted to, his appearance could allow him to go out to the ring and be a clean-cut hero to the fans, generic and plain. He would make heartfelt speeches every week, crowd members would cheer him on. They would repeat his catchphrases and let out a big pop when he hit a signature move.. He didnt look like a manipulative mastermind, far from it. If he tied his hair back, shaved and stopped smoking, he would very much be that generic guy. Even with his slightly unkempt hair, stubble and bad habit, he still looked marketable for TV audience. But that, in some ways, was Blades greatest strength. Blade took to psychology like a duck took to water, thats why he could play mind games like no other. And it was manipulation 101 that told him his scheming inner thoughts must never, ever be reflected on the outside. If you showed on the surface what you were thinking on the inside, you would never be trusted, you would always be watched and you could never do what Blade does.
Hammond never kept his hand close to his chest. Thats why it was nearly shocking to Blade when he saw what he saw in Hammond at Apocalypse. There was something that is currently residing inside him. Hammonds, shall we saw, below average intelligence had stopped it from ever coming out. This power, this thing he was able to control for a very brief time in their match, it was dangerous. And Blade knew the second he realised it existed. It could also be a ticket to something incredible.
So why did Blade do what he did at the end of their match? The thing he saw in Hammond, this potential for true greatness, Hammond would never be able to take advantage of it on his own. Not for longer than he did in their match, anyway. And Hammond didnt even realise it then. And he doesnt realise it now. If Blade can.... Somehow... Get Hammond on his side... They could do great things, run this whole federation. But getting Hammond on his side would be easier said than done. Manipulation is one thing, but this is erasing all his negative opinions about Blade. With this realisation, Blade shrugged nonchalantly to himself. He always enjoyed a challenge.... And this time, defending the EurAsian title wasnt going to be the biggest challenge. Of course, he loved his title, it had truly become part of him since Kingdom Come. But this thing between him and Hammond... This was bigger than that.
Suddenly the door knocked. Blade strode across the room and opened it to see Becky Serra awaiting her usual interview with Blade. Blade invited her inside and she quickly made herself at home, sitting on the couch and wasting no time jumping into the questions.
Becky: So, first things first. Everyone wants to know, why did you shake Scott Hammonds hand at the end your match at Apocalypse?
Blade shakes his head and grabs his title before sweeping out of the room, leaving Becky alone and utterly confused.