Things went a little odd with the debut of The Wyatt Family. Despite blood being spilled the audience for Warfare seemed to be completely into them. Meaning they were cheered more than booed. Perhaps it was because they had attacked Cody Rhodes who was notoriously disliked by fans and his own co-workers. Whatever the reason may be, The Wyatt's were given a positive reception from fans.
"We might go with you guys as faces" was the direction given to Windham Rotunda, the 26 year old man behind the Bray Wyatt persona.
"Wait..what?" Was his clueless response. Everything about this seemed heel. "Or maybe somewhere in between. Tweeners, you know? Obviously not like..Cena or anything. Hell, Waltman goes around saying 'Fuck Everything' and the fans love him." But it was explained to him with movies like The Conjuring doing huge numbers at the box office that fans were into this kind of thing. And the EBWF were known for allowing fans to decide who they rooted for or hated.
"..Sick world we live in." Rotunda remarked with a laugh, only half jokingly. The plan was to put him in the ring, his debut, against Damien Sandow to see how the fans would react. Damien had turned face in the past couple of months and the office wanted to see who the masses got behind more.
"Cool." Who was he, a young newcomer to argue? EBWF was PG-13 programming and there weren't many restrictions. It wasn't like he felt stifled in any way. Let the fans react however they want. Didn't make any difference. If they were all about demonic possessions and blood then that's what they would get. A lot of horror movie characters were revered and beloved even as they murdered people left and right. His brother had already been shown the door the previous week and he was going to prove that it wouldn't be a mistake signing him.
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The so-called Wyatt Family compound in the middle of backwoods nowhere. A camera crew was sent to get some type of mission statement from the mysterious batch of newcomers. Their sudden arrival and seemingly unprovoked attack on Cody Rhodes had sent shock waves through the EBWF but also a lot of unanswered questions. The viewer was led up the rickety pair of steps of a broken down, white home through the eyes of a camera. The home was in a state of decay with a lot of the white paint scarped off and it was unknown how long ago the coat was actually fresh. From the looks of it more than a decade of so. The sound of a swaying, rusty porch swing was heard and the camera turned in the direction of noise. Sitting on the swing, also in the same condition of the home, was an absolutely enormous man. Wide eyes, wild dark hair and beard, mouth slightly agape. A tattered white wife beater was sloppily concealed by a dirty flannel jacket and torn jeans. The man sat hunched over and looked like someone that would pop up on your local news for committing some kind of horrible crime. The camera didn't linger on him for too long and began to head inside.
"..Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.."
The camera turned back to find the towering figure repeating that one word over and over again. His eyes were locked onto the crew and they did something they hadn't expected. They quickly entered the home. If whatever inside was worse than what was dwelling within they were just going to take their chances. The home looked as though it had been ravaged by a hurricane. It wasn't dark inside but it was only lit by the sun courtesy of open windows. There didn't look to be any furniture either. Just creaking floorboards that sounded every time a step was taken. There was a fireplace but it was far beyond the point of use. Just an empty rocking chair. But there was someone standing behind it with their back turned to the camera. A man in a colorful, mostly orange Hawaiian shirt, white slacks and a straw hat. Long, brow hair could be seen draping across his back.
| Bray Wyatt | I see you've arrived. I hope you didn't have too much trouble finding the place.
The voice with a southern twang spoke, sounding mostly cordial. Which made what came next a little more than off-putting. Wyatt contorted his spine backwards, in a way a man his size shouldn't be able to bend, with his fingers nearly touching his ankles. His hat was clutched in one of his hands and he grinned wildly. His voice still sounded the same, almost polite, but his eyes were far gone. Almost as if he were possessed by some kind of other worldly spirit. An unnerving visual to say the least.
| Bray Wyatt | We've been expecting you.
The camera was removed from Wyatt and towards the lumbering sound drawing closer. Someone else was entering the home. An even more immense man than the first one that had been caught on film. A giant in green coveralls and a pale, white, disturbing lamb mask with blue colored eyes. Simply chill inducing. And he was holding a white rabbit by the scruff of it's neck that kicked it's hind legs about. He didn't seem to pay any attention to the camera which switched back over to Bray who was now sitting in the rocking chair. The gigantic masked man handed the rabbit over to Bray and departed straight back outside. Wyatt began to lightly stroke the rabbit in his lap.
| Bray Wyatt | I guess I should explain myself and my actions. Come gather around closer. Bring that camera in.
The camera zoomed in closer as instructed.
| Bray Wyatt | We are here to help all you kind, defenseless, folks. We may not look like it and it may seem unlikely but we are the saviors that you have been hoping for. This is place a wasteland and despair and agony. You have chaos running amuck in a murderous frenzy. There are invaders destroying what has taken many years to build.
The brim of his hat covered his eyes while a grin once again appeared upon his bearded face.
| Bray Wyatt | We'll save you all. You don't even have to thank us. No payment necessary. We're only here to spread our message. But I have a feeling that some people are going to misunderstand or judge the way we go about things. That's fine with us. Everything will all be made perfectly clear as long as no one decides to stray from the path.
He focused his attention on the rabbit in his lap and smoothed a few of his fingers along it's long ears.
| Bray Wyatt | I once knew someone who was very misunderstood. That was judged. A husky boy that wasn't strong enough to deal with monsters that inhabit this world. But I found 'em and he became my vessel! That husky boy became a man! A man who's eyes were peeled open and ready to see the world for what it truly is! A man who knew that this company was in dire need of a helping hand! ..A helping hand that only Bray Wyatt could provide! Yes! Bray Wyatt is going to lead the EBWF to new and prosperous era! A world where no one will have to be afraid of the creatures living in the dark and the demons in their heads!
Bray had risen to his feet and his voice had taken on the cadence of a preacher leading Sunday mass. He held the squirming rabbit above his head while it kept frozen.
| Bray Wyatt | It's all so clear, man! Just look at the bigger picture! Let me show you how so stand strong and fend for yourselves!
The rabbit was brought closer to his face.
| Bray Wyatt | I'm gonna show Damien Sandow how to fend for himself. Just like I taught Cody Rhodes last week. Damien Sandow relies on luck to get him through his biggest obstacles and challenges. That ain't no way to be! That's no way to go through life! This man can't possibly believe himself to truly be a champion! He carries around a rabbit's foot like it's really gonna change anything! A little ole' bunny rabbit like him can't survive when the wolves are out gnashing their fangs! There wouldn't be enough left of him to fit inside of a match box!
Bray was flashing his own canine's now at the rabbit who was blissfully unaware of what was being said to him.
| Bray Wyatt | And I assure you that I am wolf and a wolf will always feed on a rabbit. Monday night I will be feedin' and I will devour the entire world that Damien Sandow believes to be true. Everything he believes to be the truth will come crashing down upon him.
He began to chuckle as something had tickled his funny bone.
| Bray Wyatt | A wonder if Damien Sandow is a religious man. I wonder if he keeps a copy of the good book with him or if he reads it alone in his hotel room. I've read it cover to cover! If he is a spiritual man of God he is gonna find out that the sky he prays to is filthy and dirty. There ain't nothin' that's gonna stop me from enlightening him from his own self imposed shackles. That simply relying on luck alone is not gonna help when you run into someone like me. He will see me and he will know what is truly like to be free! His complacent little life will be shown new meaning!
The rabbit was allowed to stop dangling and lowered back onto the floor. Bray lowered down to a push up position and began to shoo the bunny away and out the front door.
| Bray Wyatt | Hop, hop, hop, along Mr. Rabbit. Best get to hidin' before the wolves find your scent. Go find Damien Sandow. Tell 'em that after our little encounter I might just carry his foot around my own neck for a good luck charm! Let him know that we're coming.
He laughed once more and slowly ran a palm across the side of his face as the rabbit escaped and went bouncing along down the steps leading up to the home. Bray pushed himself back to his feet and spread his arms outwards. He spin and spoke as if there was an entire congregation surrounding him.
| Bray Wyatt | Damien Sandow doesn't have to be afraid anymore! No one does! Fear doesn't have to run the lives of these poor, poor wrestlers anymore! I have come to liberate them! They will call me crazy! Crazy is only a label that learning men use to explain things they can't understand! I'm only as crazy as they are blind!
He began to sing to himself and sort of ball room danced by himself. This was not your average, run of the mill debut promo.
| Bray Wyatt |
Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...
He was done expressing himself through song and took off his hat. After allowing it to rest over his heart he bowed his head. The somewhat jovial smile had faded and was replaced by a much more solemn look.
| Bray Wyatt | I guess there's no point in waiting any longer..Samael, he's all yours. Run.
That statement was then delivered towards the camera but at a much more threatening pitch.
| Bray Wyatt | RUN!
The camera almost fell as it's holder nearly stumbled and lost his footing. The two behemoths from earlier were now staring through the open windows as the camera zipped left and right. That expressionless sheep mask hauntingly gazing right at them as well as the glaring sight of the intimidating beast with the crazy eyes. The camera man and his crew quickly took off in a sprint as the last things the viewer saw were frantic legs sprinting for dear life. When a group that looked like started to surround you it wasn't the time to ask questions.