"We are who we are, the Unholy Trio.." Those were the first words publicly issued by Edge, a member of the Brood- an obscure triad of individuals who, until recently, have remained silent. In breaking their vows of silence, the three broke away from the Ministry and way of life they were a part of ... for a time.
"The Undertaker's thoughts and feelings were not the same as ours, For in the darkness we see a much different light. We live our eclectic lifestyles for who we are and what we believe in- and this search for the answer to the mystery of life and the hereafter and the power is within all of us - we just have to unleash it," Gangrel declared.
When Edge and Gangrel first encountered each other in the World Wrestling Federation, there was an intense power struggle between the two. It was obvious they had a shared history - but the nature of their past remained a mystery. It can be suggested that their struggle was symbolic of the struggle between mind and body. Gangrel, the physical force of the duo, was combating against the emotional, intellectual Edge. One could certainly speculate that it was with the addition of Christian - the spirit- that balance was finally achieved, and the Unholy Trio were united as a complete entity.
Clad in threads reminiscent of medieval times, adorned with jewels suggestive of mythical creatures, manes of long blonde hair framing aesthetic faces, the Brood emerge from rings of fire and smoke into arenas nationwide. Are their eclectic ways just gimmicks with the sole purpose being to attract attention? Or is the Brood "Goth," a popular trend among young people in America and overseas. Whatever - or whoever - the three may be, they certainly defy definition.
Prior to matches, Gangrel drinks from an ornate chalice at ringside and spews a red viscous fluid that suggests something else. After matches - many of which they are not even involved in, the Unholy Trio attack other Federation superstars and give them what has been coined "blood bath." Are these tactics psychological warfare employed by the Brood to psyche out their opponents? Or are they rituals symbolic of something more profound than victory?
Rituals are defined as repetitive ceremonial acts performed in order to convey specific messages and to reinforce an individual's or group's ideology. Just what do the Brood believe in?
In a recent interview, Edge hinted about a "Brood Movement" - those who are a part of it know it, and those who aren't don't. It is not a clique, but is in fact an anti-clique. No status is conferred upon membership for that matter. However, this again raises a myriad of questions. Is initiation a matter of self-declaration or ritualistic invocation? And just what is the motive behind the movement? Movements are often the result of discontent with the status quo - when a group of people desires change. Is the Brood seeking to shake up the establishment, namely the Corporate Ministry? One can only guess what kind of change the Brood seek - wether of a spiritual or physical nature...Do they wish to spread their message, whatever it may be - or to exert their control over the Federation? If they were to reveal their world view, perhaps their objectives would become clear.
The Brood are philosophers in their own right. They are in fact probing the most central of all metaphysical quests - the mystery of life and the hereafter, as Gangrel has stated. Perhaps the trio know something the rest of us don't...
Perhaps it is Christian - the grounding force of the triad - who holds the key to undertanding the Brood. He is the only one yet to break their silence, and if he chooses to speak perhaps the pieces will fall into place.
A compelling question remains. Why couldn't the Brood and the Ministry of Darkness see eye to eye? Does it have anything to do with the Ministry's objective of a corporate takeover - a direction that may have forced the Brood to compromise their own beliefs? Were they disgusted by the Undertaker's cruel approach to human life? Is this Higher Power the Undertaker keeps referring to one that the Brood cannot believe in? Or did they simply have a different vision than that of the Ministry and so departed in order to follow their own path unhindered? Regardless of the reasons, one thing is certain - they will have to contend with the Ministry at some point. The Undertaker does not take dissension lightly.
Definitions limit rather than explain. To place a label on the Brood is to pigeon hole them and the world has yet to hear the message of the Brood or bear witness to what they are capable of. The Unholy Trio is now autonomous and stronger than ever. They are also proof in point that actions do speak louder than words...
