Post by The Gangsta on Sept 25, 2016 16:50:31 GMT -5
Ante Whitner RP
Loaded Weapon
Salt Lake City, Utah
9/12/16
At the crack of dawn, the lake appeared to me as an apparition, a shadow of who I’ll never be. It was crystal clear, yet shrouded in mystery. The time was just right, as an eerie haze of vapor lingered over the surface of the water. The temperature was also perfect as the cold vapor met the tender warmth of the air, creating a chill that made my mouth breathe out pockets of “smoke”.
The “smoke” I exhaled seemed like a wake-up call, telling me that this world is not shrouded in the darkness I perceive it to be. I watched the smoke rise from my mouth and seemingly disappear from my sight. I smiled every time it did and soon enough, I began to think of what may come out of tomorrow’s match. The name, “Golden Opportunity”, came to mind, reminding me of the gold I obsessed with long ago, but also of the word, “opportunity”.
“Opportunity” seemed more promising and welcoming, almost like a warmth, but also a call to arms. Opportunity is the very aspect every working man and woman desire. They desire an opportunity for advancement, an opportunity for change, desires that only effort and motivation can achieve. I soon looked out to the lake again to notice a slight wind pushing the morning vapor away and the leaves off of their trees.
I expelled the word opportunity out of my mouth and with the slightest touch, it echoed across the lake. Through every subtle wave, through every collection of mist, through every shrub that emerged out of it. I stood up from the little dirt patch I was sitting in. I looked all around me to fully inhale the strength of the life I was given. I felt like the nihilistic view of life I had before seemingly disappear, like the “smoke” that came from my mouth. I felt it travel across the lake, like the word “opportunity”. Maybe I was learning to grasp the balance I had been craving for years.
Maybe, just maybe, I found myself.
The sun began to rise over the Horizon as I walked back to my hotel room. I kept my hood up just in case anyone recognized me. Each stride I took on the sidewalk reminded me of the strides I’d take walking down that entrance ramp. Soon enough, I made it back to the room. As I approached the front door, I noticed a Post-It, just under the eye hole, with a message.
“Meet me in hotel lobby, 10 AM. -J.O”
James O’Malley, the ginger. I haven’t seen or talked to him in weeks. What business does he have here in the Mormon capital of the world? I ripped the note off of my door and entered the room. I put the note on the counter and turned the television on. I intended to watch some of my old matches to see if there is anything that can fixed or improved on. It had been a while since I last wrestled and I wasn’t bent on going in with a blank mindset.
First match I turned on was the day I won the National title, nearly two years ago at Men and Monsters. I had seen this match over a dozen times, but seeing it reminds me of how absolute power can corrupt your mind, body, and soul, even when it seems like you’re on top of the world. I was smart that match, opportunistic, and attacking every single weak point in Shapiro’s and Thornstowe’s bodies. Coincidentally, they titled that match as “A Golden Opportunity” as well.
This Dante guy is a rookie, just like I was, just like Axel Thornstowe was, just like Shapiro was. Two years later, glory and turmoil has reshaped me back into the rookie I was. Dante has an opportunity to bury me forever. But, I’m not ready to hang up the boots yet.
I grabbed the remote and turned on another infamous match of mine, the day I lost the National title to Nikki Dean at End Game. I spotted every fault in my awareness, I found every weakness Nikki exploited, every bit of strength that made me lose my title. Sometimes I recall that day and try to figure out if that was the day I lost myself or gave myself a renewed sense of hope. Did it mark me as a failure or a force to be reckoned with?
As I’m about to turn on the match between Michael Kyzer and I, my phone rings. It’s Ben, another individual I haven’t talked to in weeks. Grudgingly, I answer the call.
Ante: Hello?
Ben: Ante, what the f*ck?! I’ve been trying to call you for weeks.
Ante: I know and I’m sorry.
Ben: You have a lot of explaining to do. What made you decide to come out of retirement and fight again?
Ante: First off, I was never “retired” and secondly, I told you what happened.
Ben: Ante, the last time I spoke to you was in June. It’s the middle of September and you haven’t contacted me, Frankie, James, or anyone else. You never told me jack sh*t.
Ante: I needed time off from everything, alright?
Ben: Time off of what? You haven’t wrestled since May so I have no f*cking clue what you’re talking about.
Ante: I needed time off from you, I needed time off from James, I needed time off from the life I have been so confused with my entire life. I needed to find myself and in these past couple of days, I think I have finally found the last ounce of hope needed for me to keep moving forward.
Ben: What about all your contracts, all the payments, everything?! You can’t just take a sabbatical and leave everything behind. You’re a grown man with bills to pay and a job that requires your utmost physical strength. Leaving everything and thinking to yourself doesn’t put that on hold. Life keeps moving forward.
Ante: I know Ben, I know.
Ben: If you knew, you wouldn’t have pulled off a stunt like this. You would’ve been in contact with me, you would’ve kept track of everything that is going on. But, you didn’t.
Ante: I kept everything taken care of Ben, don’t worry.
Ben: Then, why do I have a statement in my hands that says your house is going into foreclosure?! Ante, get a f*cking grip already.
Ante: I knew about that Ben. I already decided I’m moving back to New York and stuff. Everything is going to be fine.
Despite the yelling that was coming out of my phone, I managed to keep my calm. Going off on him wouldn’t solve a thing.
Ben: Look, Ante, we may be good friends and all, but you’re still my client and I am still your manager. I am always here for you. Life is tough, it has its ups and downs, but how you move forward is what determines your fate. Acting like a child and trying to find your “place” in this world isn’t gonna cut it.
Ante: I know and I wish I let you know sooner. I’m sorry.
Ben: Have you been working out, keeping in shape?
I felt the lie muster in my teeth, but I had to expel the truth.
Ante: No, I haven’t.
Ben: And you’re walking into a match with a healthy, young, and strong rookie, expecting to win it?
Ante: No but, I have a different mindset. I want the kid to beat me, I want him to prove himself to the world. I want him to be known as the man who slayed the Godslayer.
Ben: And you think by making yourself weak and vulnerable will help? Ante, this is your job, forget about the whole strategy and mindset gimmick. You do this for money. You put your life on the line for money. You’re working a job that many crave. And yet, you treat it like some sort of game.
Ante: Because it is a game, Ben. In fact, it’s more than a game. Wrestling is a puzzle, finding new paths to follow, some leading you to a dead end, but some leading you to another path. I don’t wrestle for money or fame. I wrestle for the love of it. I love the career I’ve been given and I love the gain, positive or negative. Despite all of the restless nights and painful excursions, I never lost my love and passion for the sport.
There is a moment of mutual silence in the conversation. I glance at the clock and notice that it’s ten o’clock.
Ante: Hey, Ben? Are you still there?
Ben: Yes, yes I am.
Ante: Listen, I have to go now, but I’ll talk to you later, alright?
Ben: Yeah, yeah go ahead.
Ante: Alright, I’ll talk to you later.
I hung up the phone and let out a sigh of relief. Ben made me realize that all this time I haven’t been wrestling for money. I never explained how I felt about wrestling itself to anyone, not even Ben. That moment made me realize that some people just wrestle for money and fame. Sure it may sound pleasing, but wrestling is much more than that and it’s depressing how some don’t fully grasp that concept.
I grabbed my backpack and headed to the lobby. As soon as I step out of the elevator, I see James, in the flesh with a cocky smile and two muscular guards next to him.
James: Ante Whitner! It has been a while, am I right?
Ante: Yeah, it has.
He lets out his hand as I hesitantly shake it. We both take a seat with James taking a sip from his glass of whiskey.
James: So, how’s life been treating ya?
Ante: Well, to not go into detail, it’s been rough.
James: Why? Because you broke my “sweet” sister’s poor heart? Because you missed the payment on your house?
I hold my anger in as his smile widens.
Ante: No, none of that. I just needed time off.
James: Time off what?
Ante: You, Ben, and everything else.
His smile starts to fade.
James: Look, Ante. You think you know me, you think you know what I do for a living. But, you don’t. I kinda wish you did, partly for the fact that it’d make you a smarter man and not as stupid as I thought.
Ante: I don’t know who you are James, nor do I care.
James: Oh, but you will Ante. When that day comes, the day you finally decide to become a recluse and walk away from everything you created, I’ll be there with a smile on my face and a cold glass of whiskey saying “I told you so”. You’ll need me more than ever.
Ante: Why? Do you think I solely depend on others for my survival?
James: No, no, no. You just don’t realize the advantage you have at your fingertips. I am a merchant of death, Ante. And I am willing to sell you my product. I am willing to give you your heart’s desire and much more. I can become your biggest and most vital ally.
Ante: I don’t need an ally and most certainly, I don’t need you. I rely on no one but myself.
James: And what has that done for ya, huh? You walk away from everything, thinking you can leave everything in the past, but life doesn’t work in that miraculous way.
Ante: I’ve been told that many times already. What are you here for anyway James?
James: I’m in Salt Lake City for numerous reasons, one being business, two being you, and three being your job.
Ante: Why are you here for me and my job?
James: Didn’t I just explain that to you? I am your biggest ally, yada yada yada. I have the tools that can make you a top star again.
Ante: Yeah, and what about my job?
James: Well, the tools I have relate to your job, first of all. And second of all, I wanna watch you fight in person. I wanna see if you have the balls to face a young rookie once again.
Ante: I’m not interested in your product James, and I’ll show you that I don’t need it tomorrow night. So, just go off on your merry little way and let me take care of my own business, alright?
James begins to laugh and talk to one of his guards as I attempt to walk away.
James: Ha ha, this maniac thinks he’s funny.
While he’s taking a sip of his whiskey, I slap it out of his hands and the glass smashes on the floor.
Ante: I don’t need your f*ckin’ help.
James, frightened, stands up and orders his guards to take me outside. As I am grabbed by the two strong guards and unable to break the restraint, they take me outside into a cold dark alley. They start to kick me to the ground, ribs, stomach, everything.
James: One of these days, every single little thing will be taken away from you. And then, is when you’ll realize that you f*cked up big time on this very day.
Once the guards stop kicking, I get up and fight back, knocking the two guards up until they fall to the ground. I grab the fleeing James by the neck and choke him up against the fence.
Ante: I’m a loaded weapon, James. I don’t need any “product” from you, I don’t need any help from you. I just don’t need you at all.
James: You see...you’re losing yourself...again.
My eyes widen as I let him to the ground. He coughs and kneels over, still willing to talk to me.
James: You are a loaded weapon, but all you do is fire. You shoot everyone you care about, everything you love, and everything you own. When you think you have finally found yourself and you reload the bullets in your gun, you just fire and lose them again. I am not afraid of you Ante. But, you will need me when the inferno rages again.
I start to walk away from the alley, hearing James yelling out to me.
James: You’ll need me Ante! You’ll f*ckin’ need me!
----
I've relied on others my entire life, dependent to the point that others would interpret me as half the man I used to be. Each person I'd cling onto, the more portions of my sanity that would be lost.
And that's how I'd lose myself. First it was Frankie and I, a childhood pair that seemed inseparable. A friendship that soon turned sour for the better.
Then came the KoKaine Konspiracy, a group of misfits born to rule the wrestling world, and in Donnie’s mind, the actual world. We may have been at the top, but the fame choked us and we instantly fell.
And lastly came Ben, my agent. A guy who worked for me, giving me crucial advice and help wherever needed. He became a great friend and soon, a man I needed to talk to every single day to keep myself afloat.
It was at that point I decided to give up being a burden and find who I really was. I had to think of myself as a singular unit, a man born with one purpose and a mind of endless capabilities. As soon as I began to think that way, I felt healthier and ready to fight, which is what I did.
And I won.
That's what I fear most heading into this match Joe, a fear of letting you down. A fear of hurting someone I respect and admire. I understand the passion you have, I appreciate the mission you're on. Together, for a single night, we can do big things. We can show Trace and Lucas that we refuse to die and let our missions fail.
I speak truly and honestly, forget all of the sh*t I've said about you, forget all of the transgressions I've had. Just remember this, we still share a passion for wrestling and we still want to enjoy the fruits of this journey. No matter what happens at The Gate, I want you to think of me the same way I think about you, as a hard working and passionate fighter.
To the men we clash with in a few days from now, I admire you two as well. But, like the sycophant that is James O’Malley would say, I'm a loaded weapon. I fire, search for the bullets, and reload to fire yet again.
I've created a duality in my existence that unleashes chaos and hell upon my enemies, yet maintains a more humane side when not in action. In essence, I have begun to think more like a man than a predator because being a predator is what makes me lose myself. When there's no prey, how can a predator live up to his name?
He can't, it's basic knowledge. Lucas, you know me more than anyone here. I tried to take your title, I failed. I tried to make you think differently of your partner Justin, I failed. But this time, I won't fail and here's why.
You're consumed in the idea of being the lightning that hits the ground, the bird that splits the clouds. And alongside Trace, you're untouchable. But, against Joe and I, you're simply vulnerable.
Which goes for the same with you, Trace. You two have a lot in common, but I think you a bit differently. You are untouchable and you are the man in this company. You are the WFWF, you are the man who holds the reins. But, have you done anything with those reins? Have you learned to fly with them?
No, you haven't. I may not know everything about you, but Joe does. You know everything about me, but Lucas doesn't. That means we're basically evenly matched, two underdogs challenging the two figureheads of a corporation. The simple David Versus Goliath archetype.
But, knowing your taste for theatrics and our desires to make things right, we can make something very unique right here. A match that could set the course straight for SuperBrawl. This is just another opportunity, one that could just lead to another.
A Golden opportunity is coming for all of us, but I'm the loaded weapon here. And I'm just going to keep firing.
Loaded Weapon
Salt Lake City, Utah
9/12/16
At the crack of dawn, the lake appeared to me as an apparition, a shadow of who I’ll never be. It was crystal clear, yet shrouded in mystery. The time was just right, as an eerie haze of vapor lingered over the surface of the water. The temperature was also perfect as the cold vapor met the tender warmth of the air, creating a chill that made my mouth breathe out pockets of “smoke”.
The “smoke” I exhaled seemed like a wake-up call, telling me that this world is not shrouded in the darkness I perceive it to be. I watched the smoke rise from my mouth and seemingly disappear from my sight. I smiled every time it did and soon enough, I began to think of what may come out of tomorrow’s match. The name, “Golden Opportunity”, came to mind, reminding me of the gold I obsessed with long ago, but also of the word, “opportunity”.
“Opportunity” seemed more promising and welcoming, almost like a warmth, but also a call to arms. Opportunity is the very aspect every working man and woman desire. They desire an opportunity for advancement, an opportunity for change, desires that only effort and motivation can achieve. I soon looked out to the lake again to notice a slight wind pushing the morning vapor away and the leaves off of their trees.
I expelled the word opportunity out of my mouth and with the slightest touch, it echoed across the lake. Through every subtle wave, through every collection of mist, through every shrub that emerged out of it. I stood up from the little dirt patch I was sitting in. I looked all around me to fully inhale the strength of the life I was given. I felt like the nihilistic view of life I had before seemingly disappear, like the “smoke” that came from my mouth. I felt it travel across the lake, like the word “opportunity”. Maybe I was learning to grasp the balance I had been craving for years.
Maybe, just maybe, I found myself.
The sun began to rise over the Horizon as I walked back to my hotel room. I kept my hood up just in case anyone recognized me. Each stride I took on the sidewalk reminded me of the strides I’d take walking down that entrance ramp. Soon enough, I made it back to the room. As I approached the front door, I noticed a Post-It, just under the eye hole, with a message.
“Meet me in hotel lobby, 10 AM. -J.O”
James O’Malley, the ginger. I haven’t seen or talked to him in weeks. What business does he have here in the Mormon capital of the world? I ripped the note off of my door and entered the room. I put the note on the counter and turned the television on. I intended to watch some of my old matches to see if there is anything that can fixed or improved on. It had been a while since I last wrestled and I wasn’t bent on going in with a blank mindset.
First match I turned on was the day I won the National title, nearly two years ago at Men and Monsters. I had seen this match over a dozen times, but seeing it reminds me of how absolute power can corrupt your mind, body, and soul, even when it seems like you’re on top of the world. I was smart that match, opportunistic, and attacking every single weak point in Shapiro’s and Thornstowe’s bodies. Coincidentally, they titled that match as “A Golden Opportunity” as well.
This Dante guy is a rookie, just like I was, just like Axel Thornstowe was, just like Shapiro was. Two years later, glory and turmoil has reshaped me back into the rookie I was. Dante has an opportunity to bury me forever. But, I’m not ready to hang up the boots yet.
I grabbed the remote and turned on another infamous match of mine, the day I lost the National title to Nikki Dean at End Game. I spotted every fault in my awareness, I found every weakness Nikki exploited, every bit of strength that made me lose my title. Sometimes I recall that day and try to figure out if that was the day I lost myself or gave myself a renewed sense of hope. Did it mark me as a failure or a force to be reckoned with?
As I’m about to turn on the match between Michael Kyzer and I, my phone rings. It’s Ben, another individual I haven’t talked to in weeks. Grudgingly, I answer the call.
Ante: Hello?
Ben: Ante, what the f*ck?! I’ve been trying to call you for weeks.
Ante: I know and I’m sorry.
Ben: You have a lot of explaining to do. What made you decide to come out of retirement and fight again?
Ante: First off, I was never “retired” and secondly, I told you what happened.
Ben: Ante, the last time I spoke to you was in June. It’s the middle of September and you haven’t contacted me, Frankie, James, or anyone else. You never told me jack sh*t.
Ante: I needed time off from everything, alright?
Ben: Time off of what? You haven’t wrestled since May so I have no f*cking clue what you’re talking about.
Ante: I needed time off from you, I needed time off from James, I needed time off from the life I have been so confused with my entire life. I needed to find myself and in these past couple of days, I think I have finally found the last ounce of hope needed for me to keep moving forward.
Ben: What about all your contracts, all the payments, everything?! You can’t just take a sabbatical and leave everything behind. You’re a grown man with bills to pay and a job that requires your utmost physical strength. Leaving everything and thinking to yourself doesn’t put that on hold. Life keeps moving forward.
Ante: I know Ben, I know.
Ben: If you knew, you wouldn’t have pulled off a stunt like this. You would’ve been in contact with me, you would’ve kept track of everything that is going on. But, you didn’t.
Ante: I kept everything taken care of Ben, don’t worry.
Ben: Then, why do I have a statement in my hands that says your house is going into foreclosure?! Ante, get a f*cking grip already.
Ante: I knew about that Ben. I already decided I’m moving back to New York and stuff. Everything is going to be fine.
Despite the yelling that was coming out of my phone, I managed to keep my calm. Going off on him wouldn’t solve a thing.
Ben: Look, Ante, we may be good friends and all, but you’re still my client and I am still your manager. I am always here for you. Life is tough, it has its ups and downs, but how you move forward is what determines your fate. Acting like a child and trying to find your “place” in this world isn’t gonna cut it.
Ante: I know and I wish I let you know sooner. I’m sorry.
Ben: Have you been working out, keeping in shape?
I felt the lie muster in my teeth, but I had to expel the truth.
Ante: No, I haven’t.
Ben: And you’re walking into a match with a healthy, young, and strong rookie, expecting to win it?
Ante: No but, I have a different mindset. I want the kid to beat me, I want him to prove himself to the world. I want him to be known as the man who slayed the Godslayer.
Ben: And you think by making yourself weak and vulnerable will help? Ante, this is your job, forget about the whole strategy and mindset gimmick. You do this for money. You put your life on the line for money. You’re working a job that many crave. And yet, you treat it like some sort of game.
Ante: Because it is a game, Ben. In fact, it’s more than a game. Wrestling is a puzzle, finding new paths to follow, some leading you to a dead end, but some leading you to another path. I don’t wrestle for money or fame. I wrestle for the love of it. I love the career I’ve been given and I love the gain, positive or negative. Despite all of the restless nights and painful excursions, I never lost my love and passion for the sport.
There is a moment of mutual silence in the conversation. I glance at the clock and notice that it’s ten o’clock.
Ante: Hey, Ben? Are you still there?
Ben: Yes, yes I am.
Ante: Listen, I have to go now, but I’ll talk to you later, alright?
Ben: Yeah, yeah go ahead.
Ante: Alright, I’ll talk to you later.
I hung up the phone and let out a sigh of relief. Ben made me realize that all this time I haven’t been wrestling for money. I never explained how I felt about wrestling itself to anyone, not even Ben. That moment made me realize that some people just wrestle for money and fame. Sure it may sound pleasing, but wrestling is much more than that and it’s depressing how some don’t fully grasp that concept.
I grabbed my backpack and headed to the lobby. As soon as I step out of the elevator, I see James, in the flesh with a cocky smile and two muscular guards next to him.
James: Ante Whitner! It has been a while, am I right?
Ante: Yeah, it has.
He lets out his hand as I hesitantly shake it. We both take a seat with James taking a sip from his glass of whiskey.
James: So, how’s life been treating ya?
Ante: Well, to not go into detail, it’s been rough.
James: Why? Because you broke my “sweet” sister’s poor heart? Because you missed the payment on your house?
I hold my anger in as his smile widens.
Ante: No, none of that. I just needed time off.
James: Time off what?
Ante: You, Ben, and everything else.
His smile starts to fade.
James: Look, Ante. You think you know me, you think you know what I do for a living. But, you don’t. I kinda wish you did, partly for the fact that it’d make you a smarter man and not as stupid as I thought.
Ante: I don’t know who you are James, nor do I care.
James: Oh, but you will Ante. When that day comes, the day you finally decide to become a recluse and walk away from everything you created, I’ll be there with a smile on my face and a cold glass of whiskey saying “I told you so”. You’ll need me more than ever.
Ante: Why? Do you think I solely depend on others for my survival?
James: No, no, no. You just don’t realize the advantage you have at your fingertips. I am a merchant of death, Ante. And I am willing to sell you my product. I am willing to give you your heart’s desire and much more. I can become your biggest and most vital ally.
Ante: I don’t need an ally and most certainly, I don’t need you. I rely on no one but myself.
James: And what has that done for ya, huh? You walk away from everything, thinking you can leave everything in the past, but life doesn’t work in that miraculous way.
Ante: I’ve been told that many times already. What are you here for anyway James?
James: I’m in Salt Lake City for numerous reasons, one being business, two being you, and three being your job.
Ante: Why are you here for me and my job?
James: Didn’t I just explain that to you? I am your biggest ally, yada yada yada. I have the tools that can make you a top star again.
Ante: Yeah, and what about my job?
James: Well, the tools I have relate to your job, first of all. And second of all, I wanna watch you fight in person. I wanna see if you have the balls to face a young rookie once again.
Ante: I’m not interested in your product James, and I’ll show you that I don’t need it tomorrow night. So, just go off on your merry little way and let me take care of my own business, alright?
James begins to laugh and talk to one of his guards as I attempt to walk away.
James: Ha ha, this maniac thinks he’s funny.
While he’s taking a sip of his whiskey, I slap it out of his hands and the glass smashes on the floor.
Ante: I don’t need your f*ckin’ help.
James, frightened, stands up and orders his guards to take me outside. As I am grabbed by the two strong guards and unable to break the restraint, they take me outside into a cold dark alley. They start to kick me to the ground, ribs, stomach, everything.
James: One of these days, every single little thing will be taken away from you. And then, is when you’ll realize that you f*cked up big time on this very day.
Once the guards stop kicking, I get up and fight back, knocking the two guards up until they fall to the ground. I grab the fleeing James by the neck and choke him up against the fence.
Ante: I’m a loaded weapon, James. I don’t need any “product” from you, I don’t need any help from you. I just don’t need you at all.
James: You see...you’re losing yourself...again.
My eyes widen as I let him to the ground. He coughs and kneels over, still willing to talk to me.
James: You are a loaded weapon, but all you do is fire. You shoot everyone you care about, everything you love, and everything you own. When you think you have finally found yourself and you reload the bullets in your gun, you just fire and lose them again. I am not afraid of you Ante. But, you will need me when the inferno rages again.
I start to walk away from the alley, hearing James yelling out to me.
James: You’ll need me Ante! You’ll f*ckin’ need me!
----
I've relied on others my entire life, dependent to the point that others would interpret me as half the man I used to be. Each person I'd cling onto, the more portions of my sanity that would be lost.
And that's how I'd lose myself. First it was Frankie and I, a childhood pair that seemed inseparable. A friendship that soon turned sour for the better.
Then came the KoKaine Konspiracy, a group of misfits born to rule the wrestling world, and in Donnie’s mind, the actual world. We may have been at the top, but the fame choked us and we instantly fell.
And lastly came Ben, my agent. A guy who worked for me, giving me crucial advice and help wherever needed. He became a great friend and soon, a man I needed to talk to every single day to keep myself afloat.
It was at that point I decided to give up being a burden and find who I really was. I had to think of myself as a singular unit, a man born with one purpose and a mind of endless capabilities. As soon as I began to think that way, I felt healthier and ready to fight, which is what I did.
And I won.
That's what I fear most heading into this match Joe, a fear of letting you down. A fear of hurting someone I respect and admire. I understand the passion you have, I appreciate the mission you're on. Together, for a single night, we can do big things. We can show Trace and Lucas that we refuse to die and let our missions fail.
I speak truly and honestly, forget all of the sh*t I've said about you, forget all of the transgressions I've had. Just remember this, we still share a passion for wrestling and we still want to enjoy the fruits of this journey. No matter what happens at The Gate, I want you to think of me the same way I think about you, as a hard working and passionate fighter.
To the men we clash with in a few days from now, I admire you two as well. But, like the sycophant that is James O’Malley would say, I'm a loaded weapon. I fire, search for the bullets, and reload to fire yet again.
I've created a duality in my existence that unleashes chaos and hell upon my enemies, yet maintains a more humane side when not in action. In essence, I have begun to think more like a man than a predator because being a predator is what makes me lose myself. When there's no prey, how can a predator live up to his name?
He can't, it's basic knowledge. Lucas, you know me more than anyone here. I tried to take your title, I failed. I tried to make you think differently of your partner Justin, I failed. But this time, I won't fail and here's why.
You're consumed in the idea of being the lightning that hits the ground, the bird that splits the clouds. And alongside Trace, you're untouchable. But, against Joe and I, you're simply vulnerable.
Which goes for the same with you, Trace. You two have a lot in common, but I think you a bit differently. You are untouchable and you are the man in this company. You are the WFWF, you are the man who holds the reins. But, have you done anything with those reins? Have you learned to fly with them?
No, you haven't. I may not know everything about you, but Joe does. You know everything about me, but Lucas doesn't. That means we're basically evenly matched, two underdogs challenging the two figureheads of a corporation. The simple David Versus Goliath archetype.
But, knowing your taste for theatrics and our desires to make things right, we can make something very unique right here. A match that could set the course straight for SuperBrawl. This is just another opportunity, one that could just lead to another.
A Golden opportunity is coming for all of us, but I'm the loaded weapon here. And I'm just going to keep firing.
