Wednesday, May 18, 2011
7:52pm
Hello, my friends. Well, here we are. In just one day, the HWA's regular weekly show Havoc will be underway. There is an aura of anticipation in the air, a tangible thing blanketing the entire city. As I sit right now in my dressing room, awaiting what I hope to be my greatest test yet, I find myself musing just a tad, and I thought that perhaps I'd share my final thoughts. You know, seven years ago at the ripe age of eighteen, I stepped into a small gym just outside my hometown. There, under the tutelage of one Don Costantino, I took the first steps on my path through this sometimes bizarre little sport of ours. That path quickly took me to Japan, like so many others who begin their own journeys. I spent the next two years honing my skills, doing damage to myself and my opponents that could possibly carry jail time if it had been done in the States. I quite literally gave my blood, my sweat, and my tears for this sport back then. I was subjecting my body to horrendous treatment on an almost daily basis, leading to the thick bands of scars that now decorate my flesh. Fast-forward to just over three years ago. I was twenty one years old. I was back in the States, and I had a fairly respectable contract (considering my inexperience at the time) with a company that will remain nameless for the sake of my current contract. After nearly a year in that company, I was finally enjoying the renown, the money, and the respect which came with holding an Intercontinental Championship. For two months, I held onto that belt, giving my all each and every week to keep it around my waist. Then came a Pay Per View event, it was a Three Way TLC Match for my title. I fought like hell. We all did. We took each other to the very edge of our limits. That night, I found my own limitations, and when one of the men seeking my title sought to push me past them, the only thing that broke was my vertebrae. Two of them, actually. I fell from the top of the ladder to the outside of the ring, crashing through a table and onto the concrete floor of that arena. My head and neck took most of the impact, fracturing two of my vertebrae. I still remember the sound of my bones cracking on that floor.
Doctors were able to repair the damage. There was no doubt in my mind that they would. After all, even John Wayne Bobbit had been sewn up, right? Well, unfortunately my injuries were far different, and at the time my doctors were doubtful I'd even be able to walk again without a cane or some kind of assistance, and I had a snowball's chance in Hell of stepping back into the ring. That, my friends, is when my own fear began to set in. Just what the hell was I supposed to do now? Let's fast-forward again just a little bit. I made up my mind to prove them wrong, period. I spent the next two-plus years reshaping my body, honing it to the absolute best position I could possibly get it to. Then, just a few months ago, I came back to the Hardcore Wrestling Alliance. I thought I was ready. I was anxious to get back in the ring and see what I could do. I took it. Since that moment, I've been getting myself back on track, getting back to the man I was when I was kicking ass and defending championships. Considering how things have progressed, I'd say I'm a little behind schedule, and I'm damn sure a better man than I was during my first run in the HWA. This, of course, brings us to tomorrow.
To be honest, I didn't think it would happen as quickly as it has. After only a handful of weeks, I've been given the opportunity to take a big step towards HWA gold. This is the sort of thing I've chased for since I came back. This is the one thing that kept me going when I finally got out of that hospital bed, only to find that my muscles had practically turned to jelly from under use. The thought of feeling that gold-plated leather strap around my waist again kept me pushing, driving myself harder and harder with each passing day. Now, the time is finally here, and I have my chance to regain the honor, the glory, and most importantly the respect that I enjoyed when I was the HWA World Champion. To get it, though, I've got to go through Butch Parker. It’s no secret that Butch and I have a history, and there's been a lot of talk circulating back and forth between us. Well, I have done most of the talking and Butch finally decided to open his trap AFTER I verbally assaulted him TWICE. But there's been talk of being a survivalist and doing whatever it takes to pull out a victory. There's been talk of being brutal and bloodthirsty. And when Butch Parker finally opened his mouth, there was talk of...well...being arrested.
The simple fact of the matter is that in just one day, the lights will dim. Our names will be announced, and we will each step into the ring. All these pretty words and witty jousting we've partaken in won't amount to a hill of shyt. Butch can all talk about being brutal and bloodthirsty, about being willing to do whatever it takes to secure a victory. That suits me just fine, as I'm all of those things. But the one thing that Butch hasn’t mentioned...and by far, the most important...is being hungry. Just how badly does Butch want it? Does Butch want it as badly as I do? If I'm honest with myself and the rest of you, I have to think not. Don't misunderstand me. I don't mean to imply that I think he’s lazy or worthless or that he just doesn’t care...although I do think it's clear that Butch has lent some weight to such accusations. But no...I'm speaking simply of the pure, unchecked desire that drives us all to our greatest heights. I'm hungrier than Butch Parker is. I want it more than Butch Parker does. I learned to walk again so that I could have this championship. I damn near killed myself in and out of the gym so that I could feel that gold around my waist once again. That championship belt has been my sole purpose for years and tomorrow...when the lights come on and the bell rings...Butch isn’t going to stand in my way. I will go through him if that's what it takes. I will give everything I have from the time the bell rings until the referee raises my hand. And I will earn the right to challenge for the HWA World Heavyweight Championship. All of you will be witnesses to history at Havoc. I sincerely hope that you all enjoy the ride. I know I will. The bell is drawing close, beckoning me to the carnage it promises. Until next time, my friends...VIOLENCE IS GOLDEN!!!
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