WFWF Confluence: A New England

I guess I should be feeling happy. Ecstatic. Perhaps, even, proud.

Frank Lynn has just defeated Trace Demon, and f***, I wanted that so badly. More than I wanted to beat Sean Casey, more than I wanted to beat Trace Demon, perhaps even more than I wanted to beat David Brennan and become the World Heavyweight Champion.

I wanted that sign that I had made the right decision, that encouraging Frank Lynn to throw himself into this fight, would be of real benefit to the WFWF.

And, coupled with that, I wanted the cancer that is Trace Demon, to have his ego so brutally bruised that he'd decide that there's just no carrying on from here. Because I know Trace, I knew he'd treat Frank like a walk in the park and I knew that losing that battle fair and square would be enough for him to seriously think about packing it in before he damages the reputation he's so proud of any more than he already has.

Yet, I'm sitting here, with just a bitter taste in the mouth to be honest.

Not really happy, certainly not ecstatic, and though I'm pleased for him in some ways, I wouldn't go so far as to say I'm proud of Frank Lynn.

Because what do you know, the hero's back and after discovering, at Superbrawl, that he can't really compete seriously he's going after 'The King of Demons'.

A comic book hero everyone had forgotten until a few months ago, versus a comic book villain who's becoming less and less relevant by the match.

Psst – in case it wasn't obvious guys – nobody gives a s*** about your kids story.

That that match is happening, that the Future is back and taking on Trace Demon in a match that best case scenario ends with synchronised heart attacks, isn't really what's bothering me.

In some ways it'll be nice to let the WFWF fans contrast the sheer awfulness of that match with the spectacle myself and Frank will have in store for them in the night's Main Event. There's certainly a large part of me that's going to take pleasure in the fact that thousands of WFWF fans will be appreciating Trace Demon vs. The Future in the same way I'll be appreciating it, as a welcome toilet break.

What bugs me about what went down, is that Frank Lynn took advantage of it.

And I know, I know, I keep telling myself that there's really nothing else he could do. He couldn't throw the match, he couldn't exactly wait for Trace to regain his bearings – it's instinct for us to follow up. And he couldn't just walk out, leave that match without an ending and let Trace Demon claim a victory.

He did what he had to do, and I know, I do, that I'd have done the same thing.

It just, as I say, it leaves a bad taste in the mouth.

There's no way that match could be salvaged from the point that The Future stuck his nose it. Not that it was much of a spectacle before that. But that doesn't make the fact that its ending stole the joy of seeing Frank Lynn upstage Trace Demon away from me any more bearable.

I dunno. I guess I shouldn't be too disappointed, there's a long way to go and I guess, maybe, I'd just put too much emphasis, in my own mind, on this one. I mean Frank Lynn is someone I see real potential in, and Trace is basically everything we're rebelling against.

I so wanted to be coming out of it with the victory that definitively proved that his way is wrong, and our way is right.

But, hey, you can't change the world overnight. I suppose.

---

I'd startled the poor lass.

Poppy Yates: I... I don't want to talk about it.

Shuggy: Fair do's.

Didnae want to be too pushy, but I figured she could use a shoulder to cry on.

Shuggy: Might help though.

Poppy Yates: It's... it's just Joe.

Of course it is.

She couldn't stop herself from sobbing again, poor lass really has made a bit of a mistake if she thinks she's ever gonna be more important to him than this revolution but it ain't my place to say it.

Poppy Yates: I'm sorry, I'm being stupid.

Shuggy: Dinnae worry about it, you're not.

Poppy Yates: Don't know why it bothers me so much.

Shuggy: What's he done?

Poppy Yates: The usual 'F*** you, you hackette', not sure why I expect anything else any more.

Shuggy: Give him time.

Like 40 odd years to 'finish' the revolution, retire and I'm sure he'll start paying attention to ya.

Shuggy: He's under a lot of pressure. Can't be easy being World Champion, must be a lot to cope with.

Poppy Yates: I guess so... doesn't make it any easier for me.

Shuggy: I know. Sorry.

Got to admit I was replying on autopilot by then, lost in the thought of being WFWF World Champion. 'cause I mean I'd love to be, but at the same time I dinnae envy Joe one bit, f***ing hell of a lot to juggle. Notta clue how I'd cope with that. Probably about as well as Joe seems to be.

Poppy Yates: I'm so f***ing stupid.

Shuggy: Come on, you look like you could use a drink.

---

Frank Lynn's triumph over my former mentor wasn't the only thing that caught my attention at Foundation.

Of course I had an eye on David Brennan, and by extension on Lila Sleater's big announcement. I was obviously interested to find out that David Brennan was willing to stake his career on a rematch, a chance to win this title from me.

I just wasn't too sure how to react to be honest.

Not just to the fact that David Brennan would accept such a deal. And I've a lot of different theories as to why he might have done so, some noble, others less so.

But what really shocked me, was Lila Sleater's narrow-mindedness in apparently putting such an offer on the table. If indeed that's what she's done, I don't know frankly, but that's the impression I got.

I really need to learn to stop being shocked by Lila Sleater's narrow-mindedness, it's just incredible though isn't it?

The WFWF has been on its knees in terms of real talent, and whatever grievances she or anyone else may have with him, David Brennan is a real talent. No he's not in my good books after he took advantage of Trace Demon's cheating in order to beat me at The Climb. But come on, seriously?

One of the best wrestlers in the sport is going to be thrown aside, at a time like this, because what? Because he's abrasive? Because we're worried he's gonna relapse and make the place look bad?

Well f*** you're gonna have to put me up against half the roster in 'retirement' matches if you want to get rid of all the alcoholics, and the whole lot if we're throwing in the reformed now too.

It just makes no sense at all.

Now give me the chance to end Trace Demon's WFWF career, Philip Schneider's WFWF career, Drakz's WFWF career, Michael Kyzer's WFWF career, and I'd understand that. And yeah, I'd relish the opportunity.

But this?

No.

David Brennan may be the most deserving of a rematch, and believe me I want the chance to make what happened at The Climb right. But forcing him to put his career on the line to get it?

F***ing idiocy on a new level there Lila.

So now, here I am, heading into the first defence of my WFWF World Heavyweight Championship, and I can't even begin to enjoy it. Because I know it's best for the WFWF that I stand up and defend this belt, that I give it a proper champion who truly loves and believes in this sport, who upholds its laws. But in doing so, I'm about to throw one of the best athletes we have on the scrapheap.

What is there to be excited about there? The WFWF fans are getting a rematch of one of, if not the greatest match they've ever seen, and yet somehow Lila has managed to make it lose lose.

I just don't get what possible justification there is for that, and to be honest thinking about it too much is just making me f***ing depressed.

Now what I am interested in, is the psychology behind David Brennan's decision to take her up on it.

Because there's a part of me that finds that decision very strange, and another that – if I were in his shoes – would lead me to do exactly the same thing.

If it were me? The ambitious athlete that I am, then I think I'd stake my place in the WFWF on getting a second chance, a chance not so much to win the belt, but to beat the competitor who had gotten the better of me. And if that's why Brennan is willing to put his career on the line then, well frankly, I admire him for it. If that's the reasoning then it's the right thing to do and it's a crying shame that it's going to result in his career as a professional wrestler coming to a close.

On the other hand, there's a chance that David Brennan just doesn't really care too much. And that's an idea that really depresses me, but it's plausible nonetheless.

Maybe he's willing to risk his career as a professional wrestler, not because he's so confident in his abilities, but because he doesn't really value it.

That'd be a terrible f***ing shame, but I suppose, it's the nicer of the two options. Because the reality is, after this Canadian Tour comes to its close, David Brennan's history.

I guess at least, I could take some joy in sending packing someone who doesn't care any more, even if that's not the type of opponent a World Champion should be facing.

Either way, it all feels very very strange.

It just seems odd that of all the people Lila hates she's gone with trying to get rid of Brennan. And that he's willing to put so much on the line when he's probably the only potential opponent that could 'draw' anyway, and let's face it that's what the businesspeople and by extension Lila care about.

It's very strange indeed.

Unsettlingly so.

This match, with David Brennan's career on the line, from a business standpoint... from Lila Sleater's point of view...

It only makes sense, if she thinks, that she knows...

That David Brennan can't lose it...

---

Joe Bishop: They're gonna screw me.

And I don't know what the f*** to do about it.

Andy Yates: Calm down.

Joe Bishop: How can I calm down?!

Andy Yates: Joe you're not even making any sense... at least slow down.

Joe Bishop: Brennan, Lila, they're gonna screw me out of the title.

He laughs, not sure what's so bloody funny.

Andy Yates: Lila hates Brennan.

Joe Bishop: Like I hated Trace Demon when she locked me in a cage with him and Solomon Crowe?

Exactly like that.

Joe Bishop: Maybe that's what this is, maybe she wants to avenge that wrong. How f***ing naïve was I to think she'd forgive what we tried to do to her?

Andy Yates: Joe, seriously. You're being ridiculous.

Joe Bishop: Am I? Really?

Andy Yates: …Yes...

Joe Bishop: How do you explain her 'forcing' Brennan to put his career on the line then.

Andy Yates: I might have mentioned this before, but, she hates him....

Joe Bishop: No. This isn't right, none of this is right. It doesn't make sense.

Andy Yates: It makes perfect sense, she wants him gone, she's hoping you'll get rid of him.

He seems pretty confident, which surprised me because he's usually as distrustful of the WFWF hierarchy as I am, if not more so.

Joe Bishop: You think?

Andy Yates: I'm positive. You're really, really overthinking this.

Joe Bishop: She must be f***ing stupid if she'd let Brennan go over some petty personal grievance. There's got to be more to this.

Andy Yates: Not everything has a deeper meaning.

Joe Bishop: This does.

It has to.

Andy Yates: You don't even know she's behind it, it could just as easily be Brennan's decision.

Not likely though. Is it?

Andy Yates: Sit down.

I obliged. Andy waltzed over to a water-cooler, grabbed me a glass and filled it up. Returning, he thrust the glass into my hand and the lecture began.

Andy Yates: Now look, being World Champion is a lot of pressure, I know. And this match with Brennan is a big f***ing deal, of course it is. But you have got to relax, there's no deeper meaning, no need to watch your back any more than there always is in the WFWF, just try to focus on Lynn for now okay.

Joe Bishop: Lynn, yeah, good plan.

Andy Yates: You ready for it?

I get the impression from his tone that Andy doesn't think I am.

Joe Bishop: Yeah, no problem.

Andy Yates: Because you know this one isn't going to be easy, especially not if your mind's on Brennan, or Lila or this f***ing bizarre conspiracy theory.

Joe Bishop: Trust me, I've got this, it's not gonna be a problem.

Andy Yates: Well he's just beaten Trace, he's learning fast, you really want to be a bit more focused if you don't want to come unstuck here.

Joe Bishop: Remember when you doubted I could beat Trace and I made you look silly? Trust me, I know what I'm doing.

Andy Yates: I hope so. I really do.

Of course I do.

Andy Yates: Looks there's something else we need to talk about.

He'd cranked the assertiveness up a notch for that, think I might be in trouble.

Joe Bishop: Yeah?

Andy Yates: Yes

Andy had turned on a dime, his needless concern for me and this match with Frank dissipating and being replaced with a needless concern for his daughter...

Andy Yates: You've really been upsetting Poppy you know.

I think the water and the sit down was helping me regain my cool somewhat, even if I continue to have my doubts about Pacific Rim's stipulation. So I was just about able to contain myself at being lectured now about Poppy f***ing Yates, bane of my existence.

Joe Bishop: Is there anything I could do that wouldn't upset Poppy?

Because it feels like there isn't. I throw myself into wrestling and I'm pushing myself too hard, I relax a little and I'm not being myself. It really is no win with her sometimes. I don't know where I stand with the WFWF higher ups right now – if Lila is out to get me – but I know for a fact that Poppy is. And all in the name of a good story.

Andy Yates: You could stop treating her like dirt.

F*** off.

Joe Bishop: I'm not

Andy Yates: Well that's not what she thinks.

Joe Bishop: She's being melodramatic.

He didn't seem convinced. Poor deluded father in believing their daughter's sob story shocker.

Andy Yates: Do you even care that you're hurting her?

Joe Bishop: Obviously I care.

Andy Yates: Really, 'cause from where I'm standing it's not that obvious.

Joe Bishop: Do we really have to have this discussion.

Andy Yates: Yes.

Ugh.

Joe Bishop: Look, God help me there's a part of me that likes Poppy. And I care, sure. But this revolution is so much more important than anything else, there's just moments when I really don't have time for her journalist bulls***.

Andy Yates: I really don't think her spending months following your tail round, sniffing your ass, has anything to do with journalism.

Joe Bishop: Yeah well, whatever, I haven't got time for it. I'm trying to change professional wrestling, and she's getting in the way.

Andy Yates: Fair enough.

Thank God for that.

Andy Yates: But you've got time to cook up baseless conspiracy theories and pontificate about everything from the media to arena f***ing lighting that, let's be honest, has nothing to do with the state of the sport. Maybe get your prioritise in order.

Yawn.

Andy Yates: You don't have to cut yourself off from the rest of the world to change things.

---

Oh s***. S*** s*** s***.

Shuggy: Morning.

The lesson here ladies, is don't go out drinking with an oddly charismatic Scotsman when you're feeling romantically unstable.

S***.

Poppy Yates: Morning.

I carried on preparing a bowl of weetabix, thinking – quite fairly – 'WHAT THE F*** HAVE YOU DONE, WHAT THE F*** HAVE YOU DONE, WHAT THE F*** HAVE YOU DONE' repeatedly.

Shuggy: Y'awright?

Poppy Yates: Last night was a mistake.

Shuggy: Okay... sorry.

Poppy Yates: No need to apologise. Just isn't gonna happen again.

Shuggy: Fair do's.

God this awkward.

…

I had to end the silence eventually.

Poppy Yates: Want any breakfast?

Shuggy: Nah, thanks, think I'm gonna head back to base, J... Joe... uh... wants to teach me a couple of new holds.

Thank f*** for that.

Shuggy: Bye.

Poppy Yates: Bye.

I'm so f***ing stupid.

---

Sons kill their fathers.

It's harsh, but it's true.

In the days when I was driven far more by self-interest, by a desire to get to the top no matter who I had to tread on, I shackled myself to Trace Demon. I figured I'd let him drag me a few rungs up the ladder. It wasn't a conscious decision, but let's be honest, that's what I was doing.

And then, when I thought the time was right, when I thought I'd outgrown him, I stabbed Trace Demon in the back.

I'm not saying that's what's gonna happen here, but I'm not oblivious to the fact that could be exactly what Frank Lynn's doing.

And let's face it, the thing about a protégé is, if their mentor's half decent, then they do outgrow them.

I'm not oblivious to that fact, to the fact that Frank Lynn will outgrow me.

What matters now, is the timing.

That and the manner in which he takes this position from me.

Usually the warning I send out to opponents is that they better take this sport, and this match and me seriously or I'll send them packing. I don't need to say any of those things to you Frank. You know it all already. My warning to you is, quite simply, don't f*** up the timing, because believe me, it'll bite you on the ass if you do.

The first thing a good mentor has to do, is be honest. And I've got to be honest with you.

You're not ready.

You're not ready to step up and try to fill these boots, and if you do try to do that, then you're gonna be in for a painful wake up call.

I misjudged the timing with Trace. And in the end I'm glad I did, because it meant I didn't ascend to the top his way. I didn't latch myself to a megalomaniac with a God complex.

But our situation's entirely different.

Unlike Trace, I'm doing things the right way. You know that Frank.

I was able to misjudge when to eject myself from Trace Demon's lap, and I got away with it because there was no way that I was going to let my time in the WFWF come to a close without having reached the top, and without having made the WFWF better than it was when I walked in through the door.

If you make the mistake of getting ideas above your station Frank, at this delicate stage, so early in your career as a wrestler. I've got to be honest, I'm not sure you could bounce back from that. I'm not sure you're at that point where you could handle the disappointment.

You need to take your time, to be patient. To be satisfied with making slow and steady progress. Because if you don't, if you fly too close to the sun, you're gonna be in a whole heap of trouble, and I really don't want that. Because you're an incredible talent, and one day you could, potentially, contribute to a WFWF that is so much more than it is today.

I'm begging you Frank, take your time. Savour it. Wait for that better WFWF to lead.

And whatever you do, don't try to force the issue in the way I did with Trace, the way generation after generation of WFWF wrestler has tried to do it.

No cheating. No backstabbing.

I'm trusting you, to know, that that's not the answer. That the best that can ever get you, is being on top of a WFWF that means f*** all.

I believe you understand that. I believe you know that we need to change things for the better, and that when the time comes you need to usurp me in that ring fair and square. And believe me, I'll enjoy it every bit as much as you do, perhaps more, when that day comes.

But Frank, I'm sorry - fitting though it would be - it's not gonna happen at Confluence. It's just not.

You have made some f***ing huge strides, you have come so so far. But you are not World Champion material yet.

I'm not saying that to hurt you. I'm saying it because it's my job to tell you the truth.

Not to sugar coat the way things are, not to kiss your ass. To tell the harsh truth, and to help you get better.

I want this match, you stepping into the ring with me for the first time, I want it to be a lesson for you. And I don't mean that to be cruel or as some 'I'm gonna teach you a lesson little man' bulls***. I just mean, I want you to start getting a feel for what it's like to be in there with a champion. With a wrestler at the top of their game. I want you to pick something up from this match that makes you a better wrestler, something that puts you a step closer to being ready to reach the top.

That's all I want from it.

Let's face it, a champion's not what you faced in Trace Demon last week. And if you want to call it a victory, even if it was a bit of a hollow one really, then go for it. But it's not a victory over Trace Demon World Champion, Hall of Famer, 'King of Demons'. It's a victory over Trace “Oh, I remember when he used to be good” Demon.

It's positive, of course it is, but I'm sure you'll agree, it's not enough.

And it's not proof, that you're ready for this.

It's not proof that you're ready for me.

We are going to put on an incredible show. We are going to do so much for professional wrestling in this match. We're going to change things with this performance. And you're going to take so so much from it.

But at the end, the reality is, it's my arm that'll be raised.

One day I'll be ready to pass the torch, and, one day, Frank Lynn will be ready to take it from me.

But not today.

---

I'm not too sure where I stand on Daphne to be honest. I mean it's great that Lynn's got someone to confide in, to support him in his push. And someone who's passionate about professional wrestling. But the thing is... not everyone who's passionate about professional wrestling, loves it in the way Frank Lynn and I do.

Not everyone truly understands it.

I'm all for Daphne stepping in that ring, challenging Anna Ahriman, but TV shows are only so long. In coming out to that ring Daphne kept that f***ing pathetic drama that Frank didn't need to get caught up in raging even longer.

Now frankly, if you ask me, I think Anna Ahriman had a pretty good point.

I mean it was difficult to spot because it was surrounded by a f***ing boat load of bull s***, but it was in there if you looked hard enough. No I am not proclaiming myself to be 'THE guy', thanks Anna. No I am not some f***ing wolf in sheep's clothing who's about to turn his back on his principles to keep a strap and a gold plate. That's not who I am.

But she was right when she said that David Brennan deserved a rematch, in so much as there's no candidate who's got a stronger claim to it.

So to be honest, I didn't really need Frank Lynn to fight that battle, and I certainly didn't need Daphne battling it for him. Because ultimately Anna Ahriman might like the sound of her own voice, but the best way to avoid any WFWF fan paying attention is for two of the best athletes in the WFWF to, frankly, ignore her. Because, if I wasn't paying her any mind, and Frank hadn't, then no f***er would. 'cept maybe her ma and pa.

It's particularly embarrassing that she went in there and really didn't cut it.

And then there were the f***ing tweets. Jesus. I'm almost worried she'll be setting up social media nonsense for me if Poppy doesn't beat her to it.

So I've got to admit, I was feeling a tad weary about her already when she came to me to discuss this match.

Daphne Velasquez: You v Frank then.

Joe Bishop: Yep, nice chance for us to put on a show.

Daphne Velasquez: Yeah, 'bout time they put the two best wrestlers in the WFWF up against each other.

Joe Bishop: Don't know about that.

Don't see any reason not to be honest, Frank's close but he's not there yet.

Daphne Velasquez: You don't think so th...

Joe Bishop: Not yet. Frank'll get there, in time.

Daphne Velasquez: You didn't watch him despatch Trace then?

Joe Bishop: I watched The Future ruin his chance to despatch Trace properly. Not his fault of course, but it was a bit disappointing.

Daphne Velasquez: Properly? Could have sworn I saw Trace pass out.

See, this is what I mean about understanding.

Joe Bishop: Look I'm not looking for an argument, I'm just saying Frank's got room for improvement. I'll get him there.

Daphne Velasquez: You'll get him there?

Joe Bishop: Sure.

Daphne Velasquez: Frank's doing a pretty incredible job of raising his own game.

Joe Bishop: Oh of course, he is. Having a clear focused ideology, a way of thinking about the sport, that has helped him. You can't deny that.

Daphne Velasquez: You know, you keep talking like you're in charge here. Until the two of you step into that ring together you're equals, you'd do well not to forget that.

Joe Bishop: Yeah?

Daphne Velasquez: Uh huh, then it won't come as so much of a shock when Frank makes you tap out.

I couldn't help but chuckle.

Joe Bishop: It's just not happening, not yet.

Daphne Velasquez: I'm sorry Joe, but you're in for a nasty wake up call. Don't say you weren't warned.

I'll believe it when I see it.

OOC: Thanks to King Richius for letting me use Daphne and approving that scene for me at short notice, I owe you (another) one.