Free The Narrative II: The Monster In Us All – Full Results and Review
By Max Everett
If you have at all missed the cinematic matches of WWE‘s Thunderdome era, then EC3’s Free The Narrative will satiate your craving. Delivering over an hours worth of cinematic underground-style matches, Free The Narrative II: The Monster In Us All was the first major post-WWE wrestling appearance for Adam Scherr, formerly known as Braun Strowman when competing for the WWE; The entire event honed in on the concept of facing and owning up to the demons in your life and career, with a spotlight cast on Scherr’s position as number two within the WWE.
The show starts with EC3 and his followers walking along a train track with the blindfolded Jake Logan, former NWA National Champion, serving as an extended prologue and offering glimpses of Scherr as they walk through the streets.
After leading Logan to a ring set up in an undisclosed building, EC3 asks Logan about his presence, to which he explains that [wrestling] this is is his passion and he eats, sleeps, and breathes this business for 28 years and that it is all that he has ever wanted to do and all that he is good at.
Jake Logan reaffirms that he won’t be a professional extra, in the first casual nod to WWE that I spotted- WWE tends to use prospect wrestlers as extras before they are given the opportunity to prove themselves in the ring, and that he is here to make his dream a reality. EC3 scrutinizes Logan’s word and questions how far he will truly go and whether or not he is able to handle his dream, playing into his role as the serial antagonist of the night.
We catch our first sight of Jeff Parker and Matt Lee of 2point0, who will appear further throughout the show to give expository dialogue and interject humor into the fairly somber event.
EC3 continued to slam Logan for having his dream, explaining that nothing matters and that a dream will betray you, instead offering that a purpose is worth fighting for. Logan’s blindfold and binding are removed and EC3 informs him that in order to control his narrative he will need to fight.
Jake Logan vs. Fodder
The first fight of the night commences at we catch Logan battle Fodder, who is described by the narrator as EC3’s right hand. Fodder starts off in control until Logan returns with a Samoan Drop when the narrator says “not to do it” before Logan proclaims “I’m Jake Logan” and finds himself locked in a half crab lock with Fodder using the rope for leverage. Logan submits to the lock and as a result, loses the match.
Fodder Def. Jake Logan by Submission
2point0 brings their first offering of humorous exposition as they echo the thoughts of the viewer, questioning the rules and the whereabouts of the ref who called the match. They further discover that the “Real EC3” is present before debating the existence of a “Fake EC3” and whether or not there are any rules since the ring is missing a turnbuckle pad and eventually deciding that they like it and want more.
We catch a glimpse of Jake Logan discarded by trash outside the building before going to Westin Blake (Former NXT tag champion Wesley Blake) who is in the middle of doing farm work, where he explains that it was here where he learned that he was a prisoner of society. After further deliberation from the Forgotten Son, we cut to Blake meeting with John Skyler, with the two discussing and agreeing to a fight.
Westin Blake vs John Skyler
While still being a cinematic match, the battle between these two was presented as your more traditional match. Beginning with a lock-up, Blake takes control with a hip toss and other takedowns before Skyler takes control and works on Blake’s arm.
Blake comes back again and screams to Skyler that “I’m the star” in reference to his time with WWE, which acts as Popeye’s spinach for Skyler as he mounts a comeback by hitting a spinning uppercut from the top rope before knocking Blake to the outside. Skyler misses a dive to the outside and Blake begins to toss him around the outside area.
The narrator describes Blake as being called the best by his peers to no avail as he has nothing and no job. There is then a sequence between the two with Blake going for an apron piledriver which is reversed but then countered again with Blake nailing a dropkick.
The fight takes a more spirited edge as Blake removes his belt and asks Skyler if he wishes to learn how to win. Skyler is tied to the rope with the narrator explaining that what started off as a wrestling match has descended into a fight. Skyler receives a forearm to the back of the head from Blake before Blake goes for the sequel but misses and falls to the outside.
When Blake re-enters the ring Skyler regains control, telling Blake he is not a star and proclaiming his own star status. Skyler demands Blake stay down and delivers a superkick, and like Blake before goes for a second one which is denied and he is dropped on Blake’s knees.
When they both return to their feet they begin the “slugfest” trope. striking each other repeatedly until Blake hits a forearm to the back of his opponent’s head and calls for the belt once again. Blake goes to choke Skyler with it but is then reversed into a submission hold until Blake stabs the eye of Skyler with the belt buckle.
Another forearm to the back of Skyler’s head is delivered with the belt wrapped around Blake’s arm and Blake goes to the top rope to finish the fight. Skyler catches Blake and applies a crossface to finally earn a submission victory out of their brutal fight.
John Skyler Def. Westin Blake by Submission
2point0 are then shown to discuss their love for the match and defend Blake claiming he could never be ready with five or six kids as he hasn’t slept more than two hours in seven years. Another reference to WWE comes along as they question whether or not the eyeball came out or not when it was targeted by Blake but despite their reservations on that front by saying they give it two thumbs up.
They are interrupted by a Dave Meltzer parody called The Observer Mark Donica who lets them know they should use a star system and that being generous the match was three and a quarter stars when they dismiss him as an idiot and revert back to their initial rating.
The man formerly known as Percy Watson is shown in the streets with a megaphone questioning the motivations behind The Essential Character (EC3) saying he wants to control the narrative himself.
We are then introduced to William (Bill Carr as seen in CZW and HOH) who discusses the lack of AC and telling an unseen character that he is glad to be with him tonight. He is interrupted by Genetleman Jervis who says brotherhood is one of his pillars along with friendship, kindness, and respect.
William denies talking to Jervis and continues to talk about fighting tonight before going with the unseen person for steaks, mudslides, and a gory horror movie. Jervis again interrupts by offering to fight for William who agrees in order to finish his beer.
We are then treated to vintage cinematography that describes the naivete of Jervis, who believes “conflicts can be quelled with kindness”.
Gentleman Jervis vs. Parrow
Jervis attempts to hug Parrow but is knocked down with a big boot and splashes in the corner. As Jervis tries to escape he is hit with a German suplex. Parrow grabs Jervis and while his mask comes off the viewer is treated to a caption “What the BOTCH” before offering a psychological evaluation as to why Jervis is wearing the mask, to begin with.
Jervis tries to fight Parrow off with a cane before Parrow grabs him to hit a sit-out powerbomb and drill claw prior to choking Jervis to conclude the fight with a submission victory.
Parrow Def. Gentlemen Jervis by Submission
EC3 enters a bar and sits next to Adam Scherr. He says when you put so much work into your work you invest your body and your soul, resulting in your boss becoming more than a man. He explains that your boss becomes the model for your creator, and ponders on the thoughts provoked when your creator discards you. Scherr is described by EC3 as a monster, not in size and strength but because he was created in the likeness of his creator. Scherr casts a depressing figure in tears and drinks away.
It is said by EC3 that the smaller he feels now will result in the larger he can become, monsters can develop intelligence, they can have emotions and feel compassion because they seek acceptance.
“Monsters can be killed.”
EC3 says he is no longer controlled by the creator and now he has the freedom to fight for his battles and ideals and he is free to fight for himself. It is said that through all of this he can find purpose, before powerfully closing out by saying Adam’s creator only had one son, and his name was Roman.
We are cast back to Percy Watson, The Unknown Hand, who is talking about someone taking you and consequently you becoming a slave mentally and physically.
Back in the building, William is seen continuing his conversation with the off-screen character, asking if he bore witness to the demolition of Jervis whilst claiming it would have been a different case if he was in the ring. A guy named Antonio then walks in and asks William what it’s like to be friends with EC3 but gets his face slammed into the bar for his troubles. We are shown clips of William’s fight with Parrow months back with William describing how he almost died, staring death in the eyes and smelling fresh meat to fight. The off-screen character is revealed to be Vincent, William’s former teammate from Ring of Honor, who tells him to give him hell.
William vs Stanley
William’s “fresh meat” is Nick (Jamie) Stanley, who has recently appeared for NWA, who enters in a suit with the narrative description of a “demented narcissist”. Stanley goes to punch William, with nothing happening. William fights back before eating a dropkick. Stanley continues his offense trying to take William down before being choked out with his shirt. Stanley tries to mount offense from the top rope, before being caught by the neck and suffering a sidewalk slam.
William finishes the match by brutally slamming Stanely’s face to the mat for the knockout win.
William Def. Stanley by Knockout
Matt Taven vs. William
The venue turns purple when Matt Taven enters to fight his ROH foe. When Taven enters the ring for the attack on William, the latter heads to the bar to drink a beer which is spat into the face of Taven. William tries to go back to the bar with his beer but Taven supplies him with a dropkick. Taven hits a springboard kick and declares it’s time to “teach him a lesson” before pulling off the belt and making use of its whipping ability.
Taven condemns William for the stench of alcohol and begins to choke him with the belt, but William fights out to hit splashes and clotheslines and finishes with an over-the-head suplex.
Taven stops William in the corner and hits a spinning kick into a crossface attempt, with William escaping. Taven goes for a frog splash with no one home and William hits consecutive powerbombs. As William goes for a ripcord, he is reversed into a DDT, then Taven hits three running knees with the crowd shouting that “he’s done”. Taven ignores the sentiment and hits two more before declaring William a disappointment and leaving.
Matt Taven Def. William by Knockout
We go back to 2point0 who question whether or not there is a doctor since they have witnessed a lot of death tonight, they name their favorite characters and try to hail a medic for William.
EC3 on his way to the ring is faced with Tanga Loa, who gives him a smile. The Unknown Hand is shown to be preaching. Adam Scherr is shown with a man behind him playing the violin, the narrator describes that “those hands” were created by another from the darkest parts of his hands.
“Monsters develop emotion, attachment, and feelings.”
Scherr heads to the event on a motorcycle, he stops in front of the Amway Center with the narrator saying “it’s one last reminder that in this corporate coliseum a family was slain to honour the chosen son.”
Another clever nod to Scherr’s WWE career, the Amway Center played host to SummerSlam 2020, where the “chosen son” Roman Reigns returned to destroy Wyatt Family alumni Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman for the Universal title.
EC3 vs Adam Scherr
The narrator declares it’s no longer about ratings, demos, the gate, it’s not about trending and other metrics. This is about becoming more than you are.
“This is The Narrative.”
Scherr admits he is here because everything he cared about in his life was taken from him. He did everything he was asked, and it still wasn’t good enough. He was the monster they wanted him to be and he ruined everything in his life that he cared about, he has to kill the monster they turned him into in order to become the man he was put on this Earth to be.
He brags about the last time he stood across from EC3 he left him on the shelf for a year, taking away everything he cared about. He says that to find himself he needs to break EC3 once again.
EC3 asks “are you ready to control your narrative”.
Scherr begins to toss EC3 about, delivering a chokeslam and asking if this is his chosen one. EC3 says that he is here because of him, this place was his creation spawned from the disinterest of his false idol.
Scherr simply demands that EC3 shuts up and they start to trade strikes. Scherr tosses EC3 against the wall. The one-sided affair continues with Scherr tossing EC3 into the crowd outside, who catch him and return him to the apron. EC3 then snaps the neck of Scherr against the ropes and the fight is taken to the outside.
EC3 grabs a chair and begins to hit Scherr with it and then wedges it into the corner to throw Scherr into it.
“Wake up Adam!” EC3 screams prior to hitting him with the chair again. “Frankenstein’s monster can die.”
Scherr attempts to fight back but is halted with a body slam from EC3. EC3 then hits a DDT on top of the chair and once more before hitting the One Percent. EC3 gets on the back of Scherr, who fights back until EC3 makes use of a big chair shot to the head in order to knock him back down. Scherr is shown to be bleeding with EC3’s old theme playing, and the narrator says that “this monster’s end is written with blood.”
EC3 tells him to bleed for all of the sins he has committed and the lives he’s destroyed in a call back to their history. After repeatedly taunting and beating Scherr, everyone stood outside of the ring gets involved to stop EC3. Scherr finally starts to get up with the narrator saying that he is rebirthed as he removes his shirt.
Scherr takes out everyone in the ring before coming face to face with EC3. He grabs EC3 in a chokehold and then drops him. As he reverts back from his rage he drops to his knees whilst crying and looking at his hands. The narrator says: “No matter who you are, the world will try and break you.”
Scherr exits the ring.
Adam Scherr Def. EC3 by Knockout
The show concludes with a few mid-credit scenes, with one showing EC3 getting up and saying “it’s mine now, you have been warned.” I haven’t managed to figure out what this means. Jake Logan gets up and walks into the Unknown Hand Percy Watson, listening to his propaganda and that EC3 has fought so hard and so long against the powers that he has now become the one thing he hates the most.
The biggest news comes from the final post-credits scene. In a Black Widow/Red Sparrow esque video subtitled “come on darling, let’s go to work”. We are shown a female training in a gym with other spectating, who is revealed to be Marina Shafir. Her video segment is largely showing her training and sparring, teasing her future return to wrestling.
Review
Free The Narrative works as a pro-wrestling event worked into a movie format, with the feature-length and credit scenes leaning into this. The release of Braun Strowman made unusual waves in the wrestling world mainly owing to the fact that he has always been a product of WWE, akin to The Undertaker or John Cena. Using this as his platform for future opportunities was smart and creative as it allowed Scherr to advertise himself and clarify his stance ahead of his arrival to the independent scene.
While on the face of it, a star that has long been in the main event picture of WWE would be sure to find work in another company, Adam Scherr made sure to sport his allegiance to the company by slandering the independent circuit. By working Free The Narrative, Scherr has had the opportunity to show off both of his performative features, in-ring ability, and character work.
I enjoyed the references and easter eggs throwing back to the pasts of many of the names featured on the event, they were clever and leaned into the presented narrative that Scherr’s biggest downfall was his blind devotion to his boss when he was never considered as the favorite. We saw Scherr presented as a Nebula from Guardians of the Galaxy style of villain, who has committed atrocities only in their search for approval.
What the show did well was present other unsung talents on the show, the inclusions and stories told for these talents helped to propel their characters and it was good to see talent like Percy Watson and 2point0 used to interlude the event as it elevated their importance in the project.
Free The Narrative wouldn’t work on a weekly basis, it’s a very layered and cinematic wrestling experience that makes the Firefly Fun House and Boneyard Matches look like short films. The use of credit scenes and cliffhangers shows that there is an intention for future Free The Narrative shows, Marina Shafir is an exciting addition and it is interesting to see where she will come in.
It begs the question of how many other stars could get into this project with EC3, it’s known that the released Bray Wyatt has a creative penchant and he is another name that fits the cinematic wrestling format but there are more out there who could use the elevation and platform to showcase their story.