Zack is at the NXT tapings just visiting and he promised Morrison he'd pick up something that he forgot when he was filming WrestleMania. So he sneaks into the locker room walking over to the locker he needed. Zack opens the locker grinning from ear to ear.
He pulls out the necklace Zack had gotten him the day he found out his cancer was in remission. He wanted to thank his brother for being there for him. He puts the necklace into his pocket before shutting the locker door turning the corner when he hears the door open. He hears a loud bang and a pained grunt.
"Please, get off! I'm…I don't know what I did." Johnny says his voice full of terror.
"You don't know what you did?! You don't know, Johnny?" Scotty asks.
"No!" Johnny says. Zack moves so that he can see what is happening but they can't see him. Johnny is currently up against the lockers, his hands protecting his face, still in his ring gear. "AH!" Johnny cries out when Scotty pulls his hair pushing his head into the locker behind him.
"We fucking told you what to do! When Hunter asks you to be called up, you say yes. And what do you do? You say no." Scotty says punching Johnny in the stomach. Scotty grabs hold of Johnny's chin. "They want you badly, I know you know that. I know you are scared of them and you should be but remember that we own you. You can't keep avoiding them, they always get who they want." Scotty says. "Don't get comfortable here, Johnny. A few months' time you'll be gone and you'll be theirs. Get dressed." Scotty says letting Johnny sink to the ground in pain. Once Scotty is gone, Zack comes out of hiding slowly approaching Johnny. Zack has to bite his lip to prevent him from crying seeing Johnny start to crawl away from him.
"It's okay, Johnny. It's me, Zack. It's Zack Ryder. Johnny, I need to know who they are. Who is he talking about?" Zack asks. Johnny groans holding his stomach and head.
"Hayes…Porter, and Luger." Johnny says.
"You mean, Montel?" Zack asks. Zack regrets even asking because he can see the fear in his eyes. Johnny just nods in response. "Alright, come on, let's get you cleaned up. How is your head?"
"It's not horrible." Johnny says. "I've had worse. He…he always comes after my matches."
"When you are less likely to fight back." Zack says.
"I can…I got it." Johnny says. "Can you get my bag? I'm gonna go shower."
"Sure." Zack says. Johnny points to a locker.
"That's mine." Johnny says. Zack nods watching Johnny grip onto the bench for leverage hoisting himself up. He continues to watch him until he disappears behind the wall. Zack digs into his pocket grabbing his phone.
Zack: It's still happening; T. More trainers and producers are involved.
Trent: Are you sure?
Zack: I just saw it for myself. Scotty 2 Hottie was beating up a NXT guy. He told me who else is involved. Hayes is still doing it and apparently he has Montel wrapped up in it as well.
Trent: MVP? Shit. Alright, thanks.
Trent and Chuck knock on Jericho's dressing room. To their surprise Kenny answers the door.
"Hey guys! Everything okay?" Kenny asks.
"I…we…need to discuss something with the both of you." Trent says nervously.
"Um…sure. Come on in." Kenny says.
"Trent, Chuck that was a match tonight!" Jericho says.
"Yeah it was, wasn't it?" Chuckie says. "But that's not why we are here."
"Why are you here?" Jericho asks offering them a seat. Trent takes a deep breathe sitting down. "You alright, Trent?"
"Not exactly?" Trent says his leg bouncing up and down again only this time Chuckie is there to put his hand on Trent's knee to stop it.
"What's up? Is everything okay?" Kenny asks worriedly.
"You were there in 2013, in WWE, when…Hayes had to take a leave of absence for an unknown reason." Trent says.
"He stated it was for personal reasons but yes I remember." Jericho says.
"It wasn't. I filed a complaint with WWE. Hayes has a very different way of getting people to do what he wants or getting them in line. I was young and had a really hard time with promos; his solution…was punching me and slapping me until I got it right." Trent says. "It went on like that for 3 months until I couldn't take it anymore and told someone. They pretty much forced me to go to Hunter."
"But he wasn't fired." Kenny says.
"No, their…their solution was moving me to NXT because I had no evidence and there were no witnesses." Trent says. "I found out tonight that it is still happening. With more producers and trainers."
"Okay. What has that got to do with you?" Jericho asks.
"I…I need to make a statement." Trent says. "About what went on with me and what is still going on potentially. If I make a statement and it lets just one guy in that locker room know that they aren't alone and it starts an investigation then I did my job. My friends can't continue to be hurt."
"Alright. We'll have a media person sit down with you two and discuss. Do you know if it is going to be written or spoken?" Jericho asks. Trent looks over at Chuckie.
"It is up to you. Whatever is easier, babe." Chuckie says.
"Written." Trent says.
"Okay, I'll have the writer get a hold of you tomorrow." Jericho says.
"Babe, why don't you go wait in the car with Cassidy?" Chuckie asks. "I'll be right there."
"Sure." Trent says walking out of the room.
"How much has this affected him?" Kenny asks. "Is that why he only trusts Billy?"
"It has affected him a lot. When he first told me…I honestly wanted to rip his head off. I wanted to drive to WWE and rip his head off. Trent…he…I don't even know how to describe it, like blacks out almost? And he won't respond to me or Cassidy. I've gotten good at getting him out of the fits though with music and putting stuff in his hands." Chuckie says.
"That's called dissociation." Kenny says. "Does he have nightmares?"
"He used to have them all the time before…well before Cassidy." Chuckie says. "It has gotten a lot better now that we have him."
"I'm gonna ask that once we finish filming that you stay home. You have a security system right? You guys live together?" Jericho asks.
"Trent and I do, yeah." Chuckie says. "Why, you don't really think that something is going to happen do you?"
"When things like this happen, you never know what the response is going to be." Kenny says.
"I'll keep him safe." Chuckie says.
"Just be there for him. Make sure he doesn't read any shit people are saying online." Kenny says. "Until other people start coming out about their own experiences people could just think that this is a ploy."
"That's fucked up! Who would do that?" Chuckie asks scoffing.
"I'm not saying it is going to happen but it is a possibility." Kenny says. Chuckie sighs standing up.
"I should get out there. Thanks guys." Chuckie says.
"No problem. Thanks for letting us know." Jericho says. Chuckie nods exiting the room. Kenny sits there thinking their next moves.
"Chris, you think we should ask the others?" Kenny asks.
"Billy would know the most." Jericho says.
"Yeah but I still think asking the rest would be a good idea. You never know and that way we can get them help." Kenny says. "Are…are you worried about Alan?"
"I'm worried about a lot of them to be honest but yeah…" Jericho says. "I'm…I need to make sure."
"This whole thing is screwed up." Kenny says. "Reminds me too much of the DeMott situation."
"I mean, should we let the Bucks know what is going on?" Jericho asks.
"I'll fill them in." Kenny says. "I just don't want anyone else to get hurt."
"Me either." Jericho says. If only that were the case.