Dont Choke On You're Own Hype
Oct 8, 2022 18:04:44 GMT -5
"The Peoples GOAT" James Raven and TheNewBreed like this
Post by Ezra Gideon on Oct 8, 2022 18:04:44 GMT -5
“Don’t choke on your own hype”
“He who conquers himself is the mightiest warrior.” — Confucius
Grande Junction, Colorado is a lot of things, but Grande is not one of them. The only reason I’m even here is the dojo. Hell’s Gate is run by another old friend and mentor of sorts named Whisper. Back in the day, she was one evil bitch and that’s putting it lightly. It was one of the qualities I admired about her. Today she is known as a mentor, friend, and by some “The Mother of Arch Angels”. I am not only proud of the fact that I am one of them but the fact that I am part of this family. I was here today, not only for training but to talk to my baby sister, Kat. She had called me and wanted to talk about something she had done recently. So, I stood in the dojo with my hand covering my face, yes a literal facepalm. As she told me about her bet with Joe. It was partly because I was in disbelief and partly to hide the smile that was threatening to bloom into laughter. “....Mac, I really need you to win this match,” she began, and then I couldn’t hide it anymore and chuckled. She slowly forced my hand away from my face. Her glare was all it took and I started laughing.
“You ass!” she exclaimed, it’s not funny, I need you to focus. I held up a hand and finally was able to calm my laughter. “Kat, I understand. Even though you don’t have one, you stepped on your dick.” I shook my head and sighed. “Why would you even entertain the thought of making a bet like that?” That’s when she gave me the pout of doom, which of course she considered her secret weapon against all men. Don’t get me wrong, it’s effective but not so much against me. I’ve already raised a daughter who used the same tactic. I smiled at her, “Kat, you know I’ll do my best against Joe but a part of me wants to just lay down for him in order to teach you a lesson.” Her mouth was hanging open at my comment. “I’m not going to do that though, I’ll do my best to make sure that there is no dirty diaper duty for you.” She closed her mouth and smiled. “Thanks, big brother,” she said as she walked away. The man we affectionately refer to as Rene stood nearby and smiled. (//looks like Goldberg) His ring name had been, “The Renegade”, and he was an absolute beast.
“Hey brother,” I said to him in a casual manner. He approached and we shook hands which of course turned into a “bro hug”. This man was every bit as big as me with more muscle mass. He was also one of the most agile men I’d ever sparred with. He was the one that I went to work with when I knew it would be an extremely challenging fight. Rene always brought out the best and absolute worst in me, and I loved the process. I was already dressed for training, as was he so we sat cross-legged on the dojo floor to talk. He caught movement out of his eye and shook his head. There was a sudden flash of light and pain in the back of my head, followed by the words, “you deserved that.” This of course always caused me to laugh as I looked back at Kat. “Yeah, I probably did.” This had become routine between us over the past year, I allowed it mostly because it gave her a sense of victory, and to be honest, sometimes I was a jerk and deserved it. “You two are truly siblings,” Rene smirked as he said it. I smiled back at the big man, “Yes sir, that is more true than you know.”
I followed that statement with, “I seem to collect wayward children as I go through life.” He nodded, “You seem to be someone who attracts those that need some kind of help of some kind. It’s not always obvious what they need. You’ve helped her more than you can ever understand.” I nodded, “I only understand bits and pieces of Kat but I’m thankful that I was able to help her in some way.” Rene studied me for a moment, I swear to God the man can look directly into your soul. Much the same way that Whisper can. He grunted, “You are a giver, Mac, you nurture others and teach them the lessons they need to learn.”
He hesitates only a moment, “I get the sense that no one ever nurtured you.” There was a moment of clarity between us, I think that may have been something I’ve needed to hear since childhood. It seemed odd to me, it was a sense of relief that someone understood me if only for a moment. He and I both knew it hit home for me and we rose in unison and headed to the practice ring. “Now then, it’s time you were on the receiving end of some lessons that I think you need, Mac.” I nodded, “Never too old to learn.” He smiled a mischievous smile, “or bleed”, and he caught me with a sucker punch that busted my lip open. “Never let your guard down, kid,” and he lunged at me again with a hard right hand. I ducked under it and hit him with a shot to the kidney. He only grunted, “Quit holding back little brother,” he growled at me. We came in together and locked up again, this time, he took me in a wrist lock. He leveraged it until I thought he was going to break my arm. Forcing me until I was doubled over. He then struck me with a clubbing blow across my shoulders that drove me to the mat.
I tried to clear the cobwebs as he continued to bring the pain. I looked up at him and I heard him speak with the voice of my father. “You’re holding back, that guy is gonna whip your ass and embarrass you, and more importantly me.” Those words, I would learn later was never spoken by Rene. The words I heard, transported me back in time….
I was eighteen years old, and I was sparring with a man who was twice my own age. My father had instructed him to torture me physically until I tapped out. This was the third time, the old man had stopped the sparring session to chastise me. I didn’t understand why at the time but I did now. He was trying to break me, he didn’t want me in the business. That was his sacred territory and he didn’t believe I deserved to be a part of it. “He’s going to beat you down until you tap out, Mac. You continue to pull your punches and he’s going to destroy your soft ass.”
Unlike then, I lashed out with a force that was almost alien to me. I hit Rene so hard, it lifted him off the canvas by twelve to fourteen inches. To be honest, I never remembered even getting to my feet. He lay on the canvas, unconscious and unmoving. At first, I thought I had killed him as the others gathered around him. ” calm yourself”, came the words of Whisper in my mind. I could smell the acrid aroma of the smelling salts as it was passed under my nose and Rene’s. I shook myself out of it and looked over. Rene was in a sitting position with a toothy grin on his face. “Fucking Hell, Mac, that’s more like it!” he exclaimed. I shook my head in dismay, he was actually proud of bringing that out of me. “That is exactly what I’m talking about, you need that type of aggression when you are swimming with the sharks. These ain’t bull sharks you’re swimming with, Kid. They are tigers and great whites. They are the elite of this business. You have no room for friendship with any of them.”
To be fair, what he said was not new to me, I’ve always known this about the industry. It’s okay to have friends in this business, It’s the reason that I trust exactly three people in this industry and Joe ain’t one of them. My thought process was broken as he asked a question, “I’ve never seen you use that move before, the jumping knee strike was unexpected.” I looked up at him, “I’ve been trying to incorporate more and more Krav Maga into my arsenal over this past year. Also, I don’t suppose anyone videoed it did they?” Whisper stepped forward, “Well we can look in my office, the cameras in here are always rolling. Why though?” I smiled rather sheepishly at her, “What if I told you, I didn’t remember even getting off the mat before I laid him out?”
She arched an eyebrow at that comment, “Then that came from deep within you, it has meaning and it has value.” I absently nodded in agreement, even though I had no idea what it all meant. The only thing I know is that something inside me just snapped. I’ll have to make sure I ask Rene, exactly what it was that he said during that moment.
Fade
The days that followed were a bit rough. I just couldn’t shake that feeling of anger, it was like a dark crowd that was following me around. I’d tried to hide it from family and friends alike but my wife always saw through my pretending to be okay. It turns out that I can’t hide shit from her, when we have the chance to actually spend time together I tend to wear my emotions on my sleeve. Must be that damned cinnamon perfume she wears, then again maybe she’s just smarter than me. As I sat on our back porch with Sher and her puppies gathered around me, I noticed that I just felt…off. She looked at me over her morning coffee and her right eyebrow rose slightly. “What are you brooding about, Mac?” I tried to act like I didn’t hear her, “What was that, Red?” She glared at me, “You heard me, what happened in Colorado that’s got you so out of sorts.” I allowed a heavy sigh to escape me, “That obvious, is it?” She gave me a curt nod in response and so I began to tell her. As was usually the case I told her what happened, the way I was feeling at the time, and everything that followed.
She studied me for a long time it seemed, but to be fair, anyone who is being scrutinized by Amber will feel uncomfortable. I felt like I needed her help to sort out what was going on with me. I finished telling her the story, and she said to me, “I really have no clue what’s going on inside your head. I honestly can’t imagine you unleashing that kind of force on someone, outside a match.” Something must have clicked, she snapped her finger in that “eureka” kind of way. I know what this is, this goes back to Carnage. One of the last matches you had there was with Maggie Lockheart.” I nodded, that match still gave me nightmares. “Yeah, that was the match that I almost broke her neck.” She nodded, “You still feel guilty about that? We all know you weren’t trying to hurt her.” I nodded, “yeah, how can I not feel guilty about that? I know she forgave me, saying the exact same things you just said.” She placed a reassuring hand on my forearm. “Mac, you’ve been going half-speed in matches ever since. I think you are afraid of hurting someone and that’s the reason for this.”
I considered her words carefully, and as I thought about it, my mood began to lighten. “I think you’re right, love.” She smirked at me, “Yes dear, you should always start with that.” I chuckled at her and her quick, and sharp wit. “You’re right of course,” I said with a bit of sarcasm. “It seems that whatever it was that Rene said to me, triggered that response. I need to call him and see what that was.” She patted me on the arm, “Or you could just do what you told Peter to do and embrace that shit.” She said it with a smile as she went back into the house for more coffee. I knew she was right, but the dangers of me completely letting go, what about that? I knew that there was also a greater danger. I could end up losing my way, and completely losing my identity as a competitor. That would be far more tragic than physically hurting someone in a sanctioned match. Joe was not the guy I wanted to unleash this on, far from it. I liked Joe and his swagger, it was amusing, and he was a damn good fighter. This was my debut, that was the resounding thought that kept pounding at me, from inside my own head.
This was my chance to have a great showing in a new company. It was filled with many familiar faces but they seemed like strangers to me most of the time. I knew that was the competitive drive that made me feel that way about them and them about me. Everyone was going through the feeling out process and it made sense. It also made what I was going to say in my promo, even more important. Outside of Page, my friends would be few here. It was a matter of proving myself all over again, and I was fine with that. I’ve always been that guy who was more than willing to start at the bottom and work my way up. I was that guy who could be an asshole like someone just flipped a switch. To embrace what I had been so many times when the time was right. That put anyone who stood across the ring from me in a no-win situation. I lit a cigarette and leaned back in my chair. I finally accepted what I had to do.
“Sorry about your luck, Joe, tonight just isn’t your night.”
Fade
A black screen, slowly the lights come to life, illuminating the room, and removing the darkness. Dressed in a black Stetson, plain white button-down shirt, blue jeans, and black boots, I sit in the middle of the room. My hair hangs loosely, cascading across my shoulders. I slowly stand and with a measured pace, I reach the center of the room. I verify that by looking up to make sure I am centered under the boom microphone. As the camera pans out, other details become obvious, the sound-dampening foam tiles, strategically placed on the walls and ceiling in hopes of decreasing or eliminating echo. I smile at the camera.
Welcome to my home, my studio, and a small piece of my life. Quite a lot of it is spent in this room actually. Amber and I designed it and have enjoyed its use for a while now.
The smile remains while I gaze at the camera, stroking my beard.
According to Chris Page, I require no introduction, however, I believe one is in order. There are a lot of people who don’t know me or even ever heard of me. While there are others here that have forgotten who I am, and what I’ll do in order to make sure that I’m successful in every aspect of my stay in this company. That being said though, I’d be remiss if I didn’t comment on the level of talent. It’s high, from the main eventers right down to the commentary team. James Raven and Centurian are among the best to ever lace up a pair of wrestling boots. Virtually everyone on this roster has won countless titles over the years, while others haven’t sniffed a world title. In other words, this roster is fucking stacked.
My smile fades slightly and my face takes on a more focused look.
To be considered a main event caliber star in this company is not something that should ever be taken lightly. There are many, if not the entire roster. Atara Themis, Peter Vaughn, myself, John Cable, Lexi, and the list goes on and on. My boy Bam and even Joe Montuori are included in that mix.
I wink at the camera.
Before I move on Joe, I have to say to Peter Vaughn, I was dead serious about what I said on Twitter when I told you to embrace that. No one should ever tell you how to live, and I don’t feel like I did that. I just wanted to encourage you to do what you want to do. It’s what I do, it’s a thing called “What I want.” Now, Joe, said that we had to put friendship aside for this match. I know whichever way I would respond to that is a double-edged sword. So, I told him that it was always business with me. So, he, of course, decided to take that personally. That’s fine Joe, we are associated through CCPE. We don’t hang out together, I didn’t get an invitation to your wedding, so, do you want to call us friends? An interesting turn of phrase, don’t you think?
I smirk at the camera and the thought of it all. We’ll have to put friendship aside, indeed.
One thing I learned a long time ago in this business, keep your circle small so you don’t fall into the trap of trusting someone you shouldn’t.
I take the black Stetson off and holding it in my hands, I begin smoothing the brim of it. I work the brim which had a minor flaw in it until I’m satisfied.
So, yeah Joe, we can definitely put “friendship” aside. The thing with you and Atara is strictly y’all business but the little I do know of her is that she doesn’t hate lightly. That tells me a few things about you. You must have really been a dick to her at some point or maybe it was shit you said about James?
I spread my arms out to the side, holding my hat in my left hand.
When I asked the question you dodged it, so there’s that. Whatever the reason, unless it’s made personal for me is none of my business. Going into our match, which most certainly is my business. You don’t really seem to be able to grasp who I am. I know who you are and I’ve always treated you with respect. I’ve never talked down to you like you were some kind of an afterthought. You brushed me off on Twitter like I don’t matter. That you winning this match is a foregone conclusion. I guess we’ll see how well that ages.
I turn and set the hat on a nearby stool, putting it down upside down.
Another thing I’ve noticed about you is you don’t need Chris to hype up your coming here to WGWF, you do that all on your own. You are your own hype machine dude, too bad you’re the only one that believes the hype. I’m a fan of people having self-confidence, but when you go over that line? It just makes you look like an asshole. I know that depending on who you ask, you’re used to that feeling, am I right?
Allowing the self-amused smirk to remain, I continue on about our match.
There’s also Joe’s showmanship to be considered. He’s good at it, but I wonder why he would bring a couple of mid-card belts to WGWF when they are not being defended here. I’ve often wondered why a person would bring anything less than a world title belt from another company to the ring. Is it an effort to proclaim yourself as the best mid-card guy in two different companies? Are you legit trying to promote those companies or are you trying to make people forget that you don’t have a world title? I don’t have a title of any kind currently but even if I did, I would not bring it here. I don’t know, to me, it seems rather insulting when people do that. To the company and to their opponents. Maybe that’s the real intent here. It’s an assumption, I don’t live in your head, although others have already said that I’m living there rent-free.
I turn and pick up my hat, taking care to make sure it’s adorned in a proper manner, I smile at the camera.
When we enter the ring, you’ll get to find out which version of me you’ll be getting. The gentleman or the wolf. I know you don’t care right now but I think you will when the match is done. There’s so much in motion right now, and I don’t think you are seeing things clearly. The bet you have with Kat is nothing. Something that was said in fun and at my expense. I guess we’ll see if Kat has diaper duty or if you have to change your plans. It’s a gamble, either way, we are pretty closely matched. Gambling is our way, Joe, we bet on ourselves every time we enter the ring. Being proud of who you are and what you’re about is not a crime. It only becomes personal when you shove it in the faces of your opponents. That’s how people become enemies, Joe. Don’t try so hard to be that guy, by now you should be above all that. If you’re not, then please carry on. I’ll do whatever it takes to shut you up. Don’t doubt that for a minute, son. I know you welcomed this match like I was the first guy you wanted to face. I should have been the last motherfucker you wanted to see standing across the ring from you.
I feel, not really worked up but annoyed nonetheless as I continue.
I’ve said this before and I’m going to reiterate it for those in the back. Every punch or forearm that I connect with is to knock you the fuck out. Every move I use is used with maximum velocity. I hurt people, that’s what they pay me for. While you are out there trying to win a wrestling match, I’m out there trying to win a fight. Don't misunderstand me, Joe, I can wrestle circles around most men, but I’d rather fight, it suits me more. As the blows rain down on your face and cranium, it brings me joy. It’s my happy place if you can understand what I’m saying. I hope that when you lose, you won’t wander off into obscurity or retirement. That seems to happen a lot around me in the last few years. Good luck broseph, you’re going to need it.
“He who conquers himself is the mightiest warrior.” — Confucius
Grande Junction, Colorado is a lot of things, but Grande is not one of them. The only reason I’m even here is the dojo. Hell’s Gate is run by another old friend and mentor of sorts named Whisper. Back in the day, she was one evil bitch and that’s putting it lightly. It was one of the qualities I admired about her. Today she is known as a mentor, friend, and by some “The Mother of Arch Angels”. I am not only proud of the fact that I am one of them but the fact that I am part of this family. I was here today, not only for training but to talk to my baby sister, Kat. She had called me and wanted to talk about something she had done recently. So, I stood in the dojo with my hand covering my face, yes a literal facepalm. As she told me about her bet with Joe. It was partly because I was in disbelief and partly to hide the smile that was threatening to bloom into laughter. “....Mac, I really need you to win this match,” she began, and then I couldn’t hide it anymore and chuckled. She slowly forced my hand away from my face. Her glare was all it took and I started laughing.
“You ass!” she exclaimed, it’s not funny, I need you to focus. I held up a hand and finally was able to calm my laughter. “Kat, I understand. Even though you don’t have one, you stepped on your dick.” I shook my head and sighed. “Why would you even entertain the thought of making a bet like that?” That’s when she gave me the pout of doom, which of course she considered her secret weapon against all men. Don’t get me wrong, it’s effective but not so much against me. I’ve already raised a daughter who used the same tactic. I smiled at her, “Kat, you know I’ll do my best against Joe but a part of me wants to just lay down for him in order to teach you a lesson.” Her mouth was hanging open at my comment. “I’m not going to do that though, I’ll do my best to make sure that there is no dirty diaper duty for you.” She closed her mouth and smiled. “Thanks, big brother,” she said as she walked away. The man we affectionately refer to as Rene stood nearby and smiled. (//looks like Goldberg) His ring name had been, “The Renegade”, and he was an absolute beast.
“Hey brother,” I said to him in a casual manner. He approached and we shook hands which of course turned into a “bro hug”. This man was every bit as big as me with more muscle mass. He was also one of the most agile men I’d ever sparred with. He was the one that I went to work with when I knew it would be an extremely challenging fight. Rene always brought out the best and absolute worst in me, and I loved the process. I was already dressed for training, as was he so we sat cross-legged on the dojo floor to talk. He caught movement out of his eye and shook his head. There was a sudden flash of light and pain in the back of my head, followed by the words, “you deserved that.” This of course always caused me to laugh as I looked back at Kat. “Yeah, I probably did.” This had become routine between us over the past year, I allowed it mostly because it gave her a sense of victory, and to be honest, sometimes I was a jerk and deserved it. “You two are truly siblings,” Rene smirked as he said it. I smiled back at the big man, “Yes sir, that is more true than you know.”
I followed that statement with, “I seem to collect wayward children as I go through life.” He nodded, “You seem to be someone who attracts those that need some kind of help of some kind. It’s not always obvious what they need. You’ve helped her more than you can ever understand.” I nodded, “I only understand bits and pieces of Kat but I’m thankful that I was able to help her in some way.” Rene studied me for a moment, I swear to God the man can look directly into your soul. Much the same way that Whisper can. He grunted, “You are a giver, Mac, you nurture others and teach them the lessons they need to learn.”
He hesitates only a moment, “I get the sense that no one ever nurtured you.” There was a moment of clarity between us, I think that may have been something I’ve needed to hear since childhood. It seemed odd to me, it was a sense of relief that someone understood me if only for a moment. He and I both knew it hit home for me and we rose in unison and headed to the practice ring. “Now then, it’s time you were on the receiving end of some lessons that I think you need, Mac.” I nodded, “Never too old to learn.” He smiled a mischievous smile, “or bleed”, and he caught me with a sucker punch that busted my lip open. “Never let your guard down, kid,” and he lunged at me again with a hard right hand. I ducked under it and hit him with a shot to the kidney. He only grunted, “Quit holding back little brother,” he growled at me. We came in together and locked up again, this time, he took me in a wrist lock. He leveraged it until I thought he was going to break my arm. Forcing me until I was doubled over. He then struck me with a clubbing blow across my shoulders that drove me to the mat.
I tried to clear the cobwebs as he continued to bring the pain. I looked up at him and I heard him speak with the voice of my father. “You’re holding back, that guy is gonna whip your ass and embarrass you, and more importantly me.” Those words, I would learn later was never spoken by Rene. The words I heard, transported me back in time….
I was eighteen years old, and I was sparring with a man who was twice my own age. My father had instructed him to torture me physically until I tapped out. This was the third time, the old man had stopped the sparring session to chastise me. I didn’t understand why at the time but I did now. He was trying to break me, he didn’t want me in the business. That was his sacred territory and he didn’t believe I deserved to be a part of it. “He’s going to beat you down until you tap out, Mac. You continue to pull your punches and he’s going to destroy your soft ass.”
Unlike then, I lashed out with a force that was almost alien to me. I hit Rene so hard, it lifted him off the canvas by twelve to fourteen inches. To be honest, I never remembered even getting to my feet. He lay on the canvas, unconscious and unmoving. At first, I thought I had killed him as the others gathered around him. ” calm yourself”, came the words of Whisper in my mind. I could smell the acrid aroma of the smelling salts as it was passed under my nose and Rene’s. I shook myself out of it and looked over. Rene was in a sitting position with a toothy grin on his face. “Fucking Hell, Mac, that’s more like it!” he exclaimed. I shook my head in dismay, he was actually proud of bringing that out of me. “That is exactly what I’m talking about, you need that type of aggression when you are swimming with the sharks. These ain’t bull sharks you’re swimming with, Kid. They are tigers and great whites. They are the elite of this business. You have no room for friendship with any of them.”
To be fair, what he said was not new to me, I’ve always known this about the industry. It’s okay to have friends in this business, It’s the reason that I trust exactly three people in this industry and Joe ain’t one of them. My thought process was broken as he asked a question, “I’ve never seen you use that move before, the jumping knee strike was unexpected.” I looked up at him, “I’ve been trying to incorporate more and more Krav Maga into my arsenal over this past year. Also, I don’t suppose anyone videoed it did they?” Whisper stepped forward, “Well we can look in my office, the cameras in here are always rolling. Why though?” I smiled rather sheepishly at her, “What if I told you, I didn’t remember even getting off the mat before I laid him out?”
She arched an eyebrow at that comment, “Then that came from deep within you, it has meaning and it has value.” I absently nodded in agreement, even though I had no idea what it all meant. The only thing I know is that something inside me just snapped. I’ll have to make sure I ask Rene, exactly what it was that he said during that moment.
Fade
The days that followed were a bit rough. I just couldn’t shake that feeling of anger, it was like a dark crowd that was following me around. I’d tried to hide it from family and friends alike but my wife always saw through my pretending to be okay. It turns out that I can’t hide shit from her, when we have the chance to actually spend time together I tend to wear my emotions on my sleeve. Must be that damned cinnamon perfume she wears, then again maybe she’s just smarter than me. As I sat on our back porch with Sher and her puppies gathered around me, I noticed that I just felt…off. She looked at me over her morning coffee and her right eyebrow rose slightly. “What are you brooding about, Mac?” I tried to act like I didn’t hear her, “What was that, Red?” She glared at me, “You heard me, what happened in Colorado that’s got you so out of sorts.” I allowed a heavy sigh to escape me, “That obvious, is it?” She gave me a curt nod in response and so I began to tell her. As was usually the case I told her what happened, the way I was feeling at the time, and everything that followed.
She studied me for a long time it seemed, but to be fair, anyone who is being scrutinized by Amber will feel uncomfortable. I felt like I needed her help to sort out what was going on with me. I finished telling her the story, and she said to me, “I really have no clue what’s going on inside your head. I honestly can’t imagine you unleashing that kind of force on someone, outside a match.” Something must have clicked, she snapped her finger in that “eureka” kind of way. I know what this is, this goes back to Carnage. One of the last matches you had there was with Maggie Lockheart.” I nodded, that match still gave me nightmares. “Yeah, that was the match that I almost broke her neck.” She nodded, “You still feel guilty about that? We all know you weren’t trying to hurt her.” I nodded, “yeah, how can I not feel guilty about that? I know she forgave me, saying the exact same things you just said.” She placed a reassuring hand on my forearm. “Mac, you’ve been going half-speed in matches ever since. I think you are afraid of hurting someone and that’s the reason for this.”
I considered her words carefully, and as I thought about it, my mood began to lighten. “I think you’re right, love.” She smirked at me, “Yes dear, you should always start with that.” I chuckled at her and her quick, and sharp wit. “You’re right of course,” I said with a bit of sarcasm. “It seems that whatever it was that Rene said to me, triggered that response. I need to call him and see what that was.” She patted me on the arm, “Or you could just do what you told Peter to do and embrace that shit.” She said it with a smile as she went back into the house for more coffee. I knew she was right, but the dangers of me completely letting go, what about that? I knew that there was also a greater danger. I could end up losing my way, and completely losing my identity as a competitor. That would be far more tragic than physically hurting someone in a sanctioned match. Joe was not the guy I wanted to unleash this on, far from it. I liked Joe and his swagger, it was amusing, and he was a damn good fighter. This was my debut, that was the resounding thought that kept pounding at me, from inside my own head.
This was my chance to have a great showing in a new company. It was filled with many familiar faces but they seemed like strangers to me most of the time. I knew that was the competitive drive that made me feel that way about them and them about me. Everyone was going through the feeling out process and it made sense. It also made what I was going to say in my promo, even more important. Outside of Page, my friends would be few here. It was a matter of proving myself all over again, and I was fine with that. I’ve always been that guy who was more than willing to start at the bottom and work my way up. I was that guy who could be an asshole like someone just flipped a switch. To embrace what I had been so many times when the time was right. That put anyone who stood across the ring from me in a no-win situation. I lit a cigarette and leaned back in my chair. I finally accepted what I had to do.
“Sorry about your luck, Joe, tonight just isn’t your night.”
Fade
The Gentleman Wolf
A black screen, slowly the lights come to life, illuminating the room, and removing the darkness. Dressed in a black Stetson, plain white button-down shirt, blue jeans, and black boots, I sit in the middle of the room. My hair hangs loosely, cascading across my shoulders. I slowly stand and with a measured pace, I reach the center of the room. I verify that by looking up to make sure I am centered under the boom microphone. As the camera pans out, other details become obvious, the sound-dampening foam tiles, strategically placed on the walls and ceiling in hopes of decreasing or eliminating echo. I smile at the camera.
Welcome to my home, my studio, and a small piece of my life. Quite a lot of it is spent in this room actually. Amber and I designed it and have enjoyed its use for a while now.
The smile remains while I gaze at the camera, stroking my beard.
According to Chris Page, I require no introduction, however, I believe one is in order. There are a lot of people who don’t know me or even ever heard of me. While there are others here that have forgotten who I am, and what I’ll do in order to make sure that I’m successful in every aspect of my stay in this company. That being said though, I’d be remiss if I didn’t comment on the level of talent. It’s high, from the main eventers right down to the commentary team. James Raven and Centurian are among the best to ever lace up a pair of wrestling boots. Virtually everyone on this roster has won countless titles over the years, while others haven’t sniffed a world title. In other words, this roster is fucking stacked.
My smile fades slightly and my face takes on a more focused look.
To be considered a main event caliber star in this company is not something that should ever be taken lightly. There are many, if not the entire roster. Atara Themis, Peter Vaughn, myself, John Cable, Lexi, and the list goes on and on. My boy Bam and even Joe Montuori are included in that mix.
I wink at the camera.
Before I move on Joe, I have to say to Peter Vaughn, I was dead serious about what I said on Twitter when I told you to embrace that. No one should ever tell you how to live, and I don’t feel like I did that. I just wanted to encourage you to do what you want to do. It’s what I do, it’s a thing called “What I want.” Now, Joe, said that we had to put friendship aside for this match. I know whichever way I would respond to that is a double-edged sword. So, I told him that it was always business with me. So, he, of course, decided to take that personally. That’s fine Joe, we are associated through CCPE. We don’t hang out together, I didn’t get an invitation to your wedding, so, do you want to call us friends? An interesting turn of phrase, don’t you think?
I smirk at the camera and the thought of it all. We’ll have to put friendship aside, indeed.
One thing I learned a long time ago in this business, keep your circle small so you don’t fall into the trap of trusting someone you shouldn’t.
I take the black Stetson off and holding it in my hands, I begin smoothing the brim of it. I work the brim which had a minor flaw in it until I’m satisfied.
So, yeah Joe, we can definitely put “friendship” aside. The thing with you and Atara is strictly y’all business but the little I do know of her is that she doesn’t hate lightly. That tells me a few things about you. You must have really been a dick to her at some point or maybe it was shit you said about James?
I spread my arms out to the side, holding my hat in my left hand.
When I asked the question you dodged it, so there’s that. Whatever the reason, unless it’s made personal for me is none of my business. Going into our match, which most certainly is my business. You don’t really seem to be able to grasp who I am. I know who you are and I’ve always treated you with respect. I’ve never talked down to you like you were some kind of an afterthought. You brushed me off on Twitter like I don’t matter. That you winning this match is a foregone conclusion. I guess we’ll see how well that ages.
I turn and set the hat on a nearby stool, putting it down upside down.
Another thing I’ve noticed about you is you don’t need Chris to hype up your coming here to WGWF, you do that all on your own. You are your own hype machine dude, too bad you’re the only one that believes the hype. I’m a fan of people having self-confidence, but when you go over that line? It just makes you look like an asshole. I know that depending on who you ask, you’re used to that feeling, am I right?
Allowing the self-amused smirk to remain, I continue on about our match.
There’s also Joe’s showmanship to be considered. He’s good at it, but I wonder why he would bring a couple of mid-card belts to WGWF when they are not being defended here. I’ve often wondered why a person would bring anything less than a world title belt from another company to the ring. Is it an effort to proclaim yourself as the best mid-card guy in two different companies? Are you legit trying to promote those companies or are you trying to make people forget that you don’t have a world title? I don’t have a title of any kind currently but even if I did, I would not bring it here. I don’t know, to me, it seems rather insulting when people do that. To the company and to their opponents. Maybe that’s the real intent here. It’s an assumption, I don’t live in your head, although others have already said that I’m living there rent-free.
I turn and pick up my hat, taking care to make sure it’s adorned in a proper manner, I smile at the camera.
When we enter the ring, you’ll get to find out which version of me you’ll be getting. The gentleman or the wolf. I know you don’t care right now but I think you will when the match is done. There’s so much in motion right now, and I don’t think you are seeing things clearly. The bet you have with Kat is nothing. Something that was said in fun and at my expense. I guess we’ll see if Kat has diaper duty or if you have to change your plans. It’s a gamble, either way, we are pretty closely matched. Gambling is our way, Joe, we bet on ourselves every time we enter the ring. Being proud of who you are and what you’re about is not a crime. It only becomes personal when you shove it in the faces of your opponents. That’s how people become enemies, Joe. Don’t try so hard to be that guy, by now you should be above all that. If you’re not, then please carry on. I’ll do whatever it takes to shut you up. Don’t doubt that for a minute, son. I know you welcomed this match like I was the first guy you wanted to face. I should have been the last motherfucker you wanted to see standing across the ring from you.
I feel, not really worked up but annoyed nonetheless as I continue.
I’ve said this before and I’m going to reiterate it for those in the back. Every punch or forearm that I connect with is to knock you the fuck out. Every move I use is used with maximum velocity. I hurt people, that’s what they pay me for. While you are out there trying to win a wrestling match, I’m out there trying to win a fight. Don't misunderstand me, Joe, I can wrestle circles around most men, but I’d rather fight, it suits me more. As the blows rain down on your face and cranium, it brings me joy. It’s my happy place if you can understand what I’m saying. I hope that when you lose, you won’t wander off into obscurity or retirement. That seems to happen a lot around me in the last few years. Good luck broseph, you’re going to need it.