I’m fascinated by the way Bray Wyatt’s promos cycle through periods of stagnation in which he’s mumbling the tedious nonsense of a nutjob cult leader, and then suddenly out of the blue he is delivering a profound theatrical monologue with undertones of Dostoyevsky, Tennessee Williams, maybe even Dante or the Bible, that cuts right to the heart of humanity’s existential angst. I find that once a wrestling narrative tanks I get really jaded and have a hard time losing myself in it again, even when a lightning bolt comes down from the ceiling and strikes a rocking chair. But Bray’s chilling words on RAW last night finally lured me back in. I’m most fascinated by his suggestion here that he now controls the spirits, that he will take his place among wrestling’s Roland Barthesian gods. If you feel like going down the rabbit hole on the topic of wrestling’s animal spirits, I wrote about the imagery of these energies in a Rob Schamberger portrait of Daniel Bryan. I think that’s what Bray’s getting at here — the lighter flame apps will attest to the fact that he rules the energies of the crowd (so long as he’s not being made to do something stupid). Let’s hope this new Face of Fear thing takes root! We need somebody who totally freaks our shit out during these dark times. And now, enjoy a transcription of Bray’s words:
Why oh why do people hide from the truth? Is it because you’re afraid? Is it because you’re embarrassed to show the world who you really are? But I understand, man, I do, reality can be a very, very difficult pill to swallow. But that does not change the fact that each and every single one of you are guilty! You’re guilty because the truth is, somewhere in there deep down, you hate the person that you have become. The truth is, you hate your job, because now the only thing you can see is the color green. The truth is that you wake up every morning, you look in that mirror, and you don’t like the person that is staring back at you. So you cover your face with make up, as if that’s going to heal the sores, as if that’s going to cover up all the inconsistencies and ugliness inside of you, but it does not change the fact that you are all liars!
And me, I’m different. I’m not like you. I am not a liar. And I may be a lot of things, but I am not a liar. As a matter of fact, my tongue is the sword of truth, and it cuts through the deception of everything in your world. I speak the truth that you all so desperately try to hide yourselves from. The truth that you all want is the truth that I will give you. The Undertaker is just like you. The Undertaker is a liar. He tries to hid the fact that he is lost. And he tries to deny the fact that he wants so desperately for his soul to be set free. But don’t you worry about a thing, Undertaker. Because luckily the angel with the burnt wings has been sent to take you back to the other side.
And you see, there is that mystical aura you’ve all become so addicted to, and can you feel it man, can you feel it, can you feel it? Well these spirits no longer operate by your command. These spirits belong to me now. As a matter of fact, everything belongs to me now! I control the light and the darkness and these demons, they all march to my command! I am the judge, I judge the living, and Undertaker, I judged you! You are guilty! At Wrestlemania there will be no redemption. There will be no shield for you to be carried out on. The only thing you’ll receive is your fate sealed by Sister Abagail’s kiss. And then, against your will and against everything you stand for, I will take my rightful place among the gods as the new Face of Fear! At Wrestlemania you’ll get the mercy that you so desperately have been begging for. At Wrestlemania, Undertaker, you can finally rest in peace.
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