Fade In
* The HWA viewers gain sight of Michael James seated behind an exquisite desk placed in the center of his home office in Fujisawa, Japan. He has a cigar gripped between his teeth, a smile on his face and a collection of championship titles displayed on the wall behind him. James exhales a cloud of smoke from his mouth before he removes the cigar and ashes it in a large glass ash tray *
Michael James: Sometimes in life things don’t always turn out the way people usually expect them to. It doesn’t matter who you are or what system you use to base your beliefs and confidence, it all comes down to the complex dexterity of human nature. Take Stu E Price as a perfect example. Despite whatever imaginary confidence he is using to strike back at me to show some kind of intimidation, none of it is going to give him the outcome he’s looking for. No matter how hard he tries or how much smoke he blows out of his ass, the stage is set for his humiliating defeat at Blood, Sweat and Tears. And don’t get me wrong. I understand that I should acknowledge him as a worthy opponent but after hearing what he had to say I am having a REALLY hard time taking the guy seriously. To be completely honest I really expected more from him. I expected something with actual creativity but instead he comes at me with the same tired bullshit I get from everyone else. But you know what? I’m fine with that. If he wants to make an ass out of himself by relying on stereotypical dialogue and racist clichés to get through matches then I wish him the best of luck. It didn’t work for Hitler but maybe it will work for you, Price. To be honest I really don’t care. All I really care about right now is moving towards bigger and better things that have nothing to do with you. The only reason we are in this situation is because you were stupid enough to stand in my way. You could have made the smart move by standing aside. You could have avoided the public shame of a loss at Blood, Sweat and Tears if you had just kept your mouth shut. But you couldn’t do that, could you?
* He picks up his cigar and takes a drag. He exhales the smoke through his nostrils. He removes his sunglasses and looks into the camera lens *
Michael James: Price, I have a strong feeling when you look into my eyes you can see your distant future and the grim fate that it holds for you. I think by this point I have put you in a situation you have no desire to be a part of because unlike your past opponents, I actually hold a threat to everything you deem important and decent. You’re feeling something you haven’t felt before. That feeling, my over confident friend, is referred to as individual uncertainty. An emotion that until this point you have yet to experience on a realistic level no matter what past experiences you might care to mention. This is what it feels like to walk around worrying if your next step might be your last. And don’t worry because it’s actually very common to feel the way you do when staring down the barrel of a loaded gun, which is exactly what you’re going to be doing at Blood, Sweat and Tears. In less than one week I will mame you, I will hurt you and I will make you realize just how truly sadistic I can be. You will be put on display and the world will be witness to your obvious lack of skill as a man who gave it all but in the end still didn’t have enough to get the job done. After all the hard work, sweat and the long hours spent preparing this is what it all comes down to, a one-sided ass kicking that you will never be able to come back from. You can look at me and see the very future of the HWA staring back at you, Price. And just like you can’t change the future, there is nothing you can do to change the outcome of this match. You aren’t a miracle worker so you won’t be pulling off the impossible anytime soon.
* James brings the cigar to his mouth and inhales. He exhales the smoke through his nostrils and places the cigar on the ash tray. James stands up and turns towards the wall. He removes one of the championship titles from its mount on the wall. He smiles as his reflection gleams off of the face plate. He sits back down in his chair and looks up towards the camera *
Michael James: You just need to understand something, Price. I’m completely content with the person I’ve become and continue to be. And what exactly is that, you ask? It’s simple. I’m the future of the company, the Personification of Perfection and the man who is destined to walk out of Blood, Sweat and Tears with a victory over Stu E Price. I’m not some shameless douche bag like Butch Parker making promises he can’t keep. I’ve proven time and time again that I keep my promises and I stand by my convictions. I’ve proven that if I say I’m going to do something it’s not a joke or effort to build up my own confidence. I know what I’m capable of doing and I’ve proven it through the bloodshed and humiliation of men who frankly have no business competing on the same level that I do. Unlike you Price, success just comes natural to me. And you know what? If I have the natural born ability to thrive as a winner I’m going to do exactly that. If fate has destined me to run through this company’s roster to ensure a flagship name people can admire, so be it. I am that man. I am that champion and I am the one that’s going to prove to be the different from the rest. And the only way to start doing that is by eliminating people standing in my way of advancement. I’m talking about assholes like Butch Parker, Bryan Deas, Judas Mercury and you, Price. People who are doing nothing more but showing me the same bullshit I’ve seen a million times throughout my career. And no matter how many names you assholes try to throw my way I don’t give a #### about people from the past. I don’t care about a bunch of has been retards that aren’t around in put in their two cents. That was then and this is now. They’re the past, I’m the future. That’s all there is to it. Get your heads out of your asses and get with the times.
* Michael James stands up and drapes the championship title over his shoulder. He takes the cigar from the ash tray and grips it between his teeth as he walks towards a wall holding up a variety of photographs. Once we get a closer look the photographs are revealed as people in the HWA. There is a red X marked on images of Butch Parker, Stu E Price, Judas Mercury and Wisdom Parker *
Michael James: Some are skeptical and some just accept the truth for what it is. Let’s face it. In today’s society, people constantly surround themselves with materialistic things to secure their own happiness. I’m not one of those people. In this business to be recognized as the best you have to push aside everyone else in the company for the good of your own advancement. When you hold a world heavyweight title in any company you are automatically given the duty of representing everything about that organization and its entire reputation. Being a world champion means bearing the weight of a million strong on your shoulders without having the ability to have a choice in the matter. Personally, I never had a problem with any of that. There are things in life you can’t change. You can learn to roll with the punches or you move aside and forfeit any chance of success. I’m one of the people who can learn to adapt to any situation or confrontation. I will have no problems adapting to the predictable things that come with being a champion of any kind. I’ve been in this game a LONG time and there isn’t a ####ing thing that anyone in the HWA can show me that I haven’t seen before. In fact, I dare them to try. I dare them to deliver something that will present an actual challenge instead of the routine shit that I’ve seen up to this point. I dare them to push themselves past the point of racist remarks and childish babble to possibly find a way to equally compete for my respect and acceptance. But judging from what I’ve seen from them so far that isn’t going to happen. Parker will have his cock eyed girlfriend fighting his battles for him and Price will be back on the football field spewing the same shit we’ve heard a thousand times before. Nothing special, nothing unique, nothing out of the ordinary. Big ####ing surprise.
* James walks back to the desk and picks up the cigar from the ash tray. He takes a drag and exhales the smoke through his nostrils. He turns towards the wall with the championship titles and places the one on his shoulder back onto its proper mount. He turns around and takes a seat behind the desk *
Michael James: Do me this one favor and don’t take my words the wrong way, Price. I’m still walking into this match with the same frame of mind I’ve always had. Don’t underestimate my abilities and don’t think you can go to war with someone like me with little to no preparation. If you do, I can promise that it will be the most painful choice you will ever make. I told Heckler, Kosh and that nutless sack of shit Butch Parker just like I’m going to tell you. I’m the ####ing future of this company and you can’t stop the future. You can fight it with everything you have but in the end you’re going to end up broken, beaten and defeated at the hands of the Personification of Perfection. Over the past few weeks I’ve proven that when I’m placed in a match of any magnitude, Michael James is the ####ing king. At Blood, Sweat and Tears I plan on defending that reputation the same way I would any legit championship the HWA has to offer. To me, this is about my own self respect and personal dignity. I can’t afford to let myself down because unlike you Price, failure is not an option for someone who defines the living art of perfection. Failure is not an option for someone who is destined to become the most celebrated name in company history. And despite what anyone wants to say about my position in the company this has nothing to do with paying dues. My match against Heckler and Kosh had nothing to do with paying dues. If that was the case I would be waiting at the back of the line with the rest of the douche bags who aren’t fit to headline a ####ing house show. But I’m not doing that, am I? You wanna know why? It’s because the HWA can recognize natural born talent when they see it. They know I’m past the point of paying dues despite the claims coming from a handful of clueless imbeciles.
* James leans back in his chair and places the cigar between his teeth. He looks up to the ceiling where the HWA viewers gain sight of an older poster using his image as the main attraction. He removes the cigar from his mouth and grows a cocky smile *
Michael James: But you were right about one thing, Price. When it comes to providing entertainment for an event like Blood, Sweat and Tears; we truly have no choice but to push each other past our own limitations for the good of the company. Unfortunately for you, victory is not an option here. You can lose with pride and dignity or you can lose with shame and bitter humiliation. It makes no difference to me. I’m here to win and that’s exactly what I plan to do at Blood, Sweat and Tears. And don’t think you can bullshit me like you do everyone else. I know exactly who you are, Price. I know your kind and I’ve seen it all before so don’t think I’m going to be putting a lot of extra effort towards your defeat. You’re just like Wayne Heckler and Michael Kosh. You’re just another weak ass opponent that is going to fail to live up to his own expectations against the future of the HWA. There's only a limited amount of time left and we all know you don’t have what it takes to beat someone like me. You'll probably try to defend yourself at the last minute or you'll cut the worst promo of your life. As I said before you hold no accomplishments of any value, no important connections and have nothing to speak for. The only thing holding you up right now is your luck and as you know from experience that will only keep you secure for so long. Think about it, Price. After everything is said and done people are only going to remember one thing, the winner of the match. And that isn’t going to be you. It’s going to be me. If you were smart you would take my advice and quit now. Be like Wayne Heckler and Michael Kosh. Give Up. Punk out. More importantly...get the #### out of my way.
* James recalls a quote made by Stu E Price regarding their upcoming battle at Blood, Sweat and Tears *
* James looks down for a second trying to best to hold back his laughter *
Michael James: Tell me something, Price. Why would I want to admit such obvious lies? That’s right. I wouldn’t because I’m not that type of person. I’m a man of realism so if I say something you can bet your ass that it’s going to check out. You, on the other hand, are a man who is completely full of shit so nothing you say will ever hold any value whatsoever. Think about it, dipshit. Why would I be jealous of a future that doesn’t exist? Why would I be jealous of a man with no serious accomplishments? The only reason I attacked you is because you were there. It could have been Parker, Deas, Judas or anyone else so don’t flatter yourself by thinking I’m giving you special attention. I don’t give a shit who you are or what you’ve done. To me you’re just a damn road block. You’re just another piece of shit standing in the way of progression and that’s why we are going to war at Blood, Sweat and Tears. Not because I have some half assed personal vendetta against you. To be honest I don’t know much about you, Price. All I know is you’ve been pissing me off since I arrived and this match is my chance to make an example out of you. This is my opportunity to put you in my rear view so you can bet your ass that I’m going to take full advantage of your public shame and everlasting disgrace. So what are you going to do now, Price? You can either promote the match with everything you have or you can sit there like a weak piece of shit and make things worse by disrespecting the most feared man in the HWA today. I know you don’t want to do that. Not with your lack of experience and defeatist personality. Wayne Heckler did the exact same thing and I made him pay for it. You saw with your own eyes exactly what I did to make sure he remembered the night he underestimated the Personification of Perfection. And you know what? I’m going to do the exact same thing to your career if you don’t grow some balls and get with the ####ing program. Effort or no effort, I’m not coming to Blood, Sweat and Tears to shake your hand and call it a night. I’m coming to defend my reputation as the best the company has to offer.
* James leans forward and opens one of the desk drawers. He pulls out a bottle of Sake and removes the cap. He takes a swig from the bottle and slams it down on top of the desk *
Michael James: I can't tell you how many people have told me that I talk too much. And I’ll admit it. There are times when I probably should have kept my mouth shut and decided not to because that’s just the kind of person I am. I pride myself in being a man of my word so it would be hypocritical to just sit back and take no action. Would you like to know what that essential pride has done for me over the years? It has given me lead way towards those championship matches that people like Stu E Price will never earn. It has given me win after win after win no matter where I decide to seek employment. And when we face off at Blood, Sweat and Tears you're going to learn exactly what kind of effect it has on you, Price. So keep telling yourself what a pushover I’ll be. If you want to use that as a source of confidence more power to you. Where I come from we call it arrogance. I don't want to have a field day with your mistakes anymore. All I want is to face you in the ring and shove everything you said about my capabilities back down your ####ing throat. Feel free in creating more delusional portraits of me if it helps you sleep at night. Do whatever you have to do to avoid the fear of your own defeat. It makes no difference to me what you decide because the outcome will still be the same. I’m still going to be the one standing above you at the end of the match and you’re still going to be another pitiful opponent that lost to the Personification of Perfection. You'll end up just like the rest I’ve faced in the past but you're probably used to that. Aren’t you, Price? Yes, I thought so.
* He takes another swig of the Sake and places the cap back on the top of the bottle. He places it back inside the desk drawer and closes it. He picks up his cigar and takes a drag before looking towards the camera *
Michael James: But you wanna know something? I can understand where you’re coming from. I understand that it’s not fair being placed in a match where you are so obviously outmatched. But you know what? Shit happens. You roll with the punches or you lay down and die like a dog. Maybe this is one of those occasions when you should consider lying down since the embarrassment of losing may be too much for you to handle. Humiliation is a painful cross to bear in this business. Fortunately, I didn’t enter this industry to sit around and dwell about what people think or say about me so I wouldn’t know much about the subject. Your boyfriend Butch Parker on the other hand is an expert in personal humiliation. Every single day he gets out of bed, puts on his adult diapers and climbs his ass onto that short bus without a care in the world. You kind of have to admire that. But at the same time you also have to pity the poor bastard knowing he’s walking around on a daily basis with his head stuck up his ass. Personally, I just think he’s an idiot. I refuse to feel pity for imbeciles who refuse to help themselves. Parker wants us to believe that he has super powers. He wants to believe he’s capable of doing things now that he couldn’t do before. But you know what? I don’t believe the hype. I don’t believe in miracles and I sure as #### don’t believe in Butch Parker. You want to know what I do have faith in? Me. I have complete confidence that I’m going to run through Stu E Price without breaking a sweat and walk out with my second victory in the HWA. I have confidence that I’ve had this match won before it even started and I have confidence knowing that Price doesn’t have what it takes to get the job done.
* He ashes the cigar while the confidence he mentioned surrounds him like a thick aura *
Michael James: In this type of situation you do what you have to do. Damn the consequences. If Price ends up in a hospital somewhere being force fed through a straw due to some catastrophic injury then it only means I’m doing my job better than expected. I don’t need imaginary powers to secure a victory at Blood, Sweat and Tears. All I need to do is show up and take what belongs to me. And don’t get the idea that I’m failing to take you seriously, Price. I’m sure advancement means a great deal to you as it does for me. But a victory in this match will require a hell out a lot more than you have the ability to deliver. Like I told you before, sometimes things just don’t turn out the way you expect them to. Sometimes life just isn’t fair and you can’t do a ####ing thing about it. That’s when it’s time to just quit while you’re ahead. But I have no need to do that since I’m the one that’s ahead. I’m always two steps ahead of anyone that wants to try to match wits with me. That’s how it has always been and that’s how I like it. Even now I have stacked the odds in my favor to a point where it’s going to be impossible for you to make any kind of formidable reply. You need to seriously consider my advice and just quit now. Quit while I’m ahead because your chances in this match are nothing more than a myth. I’m not going to bite my tongue or hold anything back because you can’t keep up with active competition. I was never one to show mercy towards anyone in my career and I’m not going to start now. If I did it would contradict everything I have planned and no one wants to see that happen. You need to understand something, I enjoy being an asshole. I like being the type of person that people love to hate. Unlike the childish stories that Butch Parker wants to portray, in our business the good guys don’t always win in the end. In our business, most heroes end up with broken legs and bankruptcy. And if that’s where Parker truly wants to be than I will have no problem sending him there. No problem at all.
* James stands up and casually walks along the right wall until coming to a portion used for hos own personal memorabilia. He stands directly in front of a black and white framed photograph featuring James posing with Antonio Inoki and Atsushi Onita. He turns around and faces the camera *
Michael James: Unlike you Price, I don't believe or rely on pathetic luck to achieve victory. I believe in getting the job done right. I'm a man of my word and I’m telling you right now that this match belongs to me. Either get used to it or allow me to give you your first step towards retirement. But aside from all of that I want you to do something for me, Stu. I want you to bring me something new. Bring me a promo that will make me actually pay attention and not roll my eyes at the repetitiveness that I’m used to. Bring everything you can possibly offer because there's a very good chance that you're going need everything you have in order to hang with the Personification of Perfection. If I you I'd take a cash load of money to the nearest betters and wage some cash on my head. It would be the only wise decision you can make at this point in the game. If you know you're going to lose you might as well make some money betting on me. Ironic isn't it? I don't mean to spoil your fun but whatever positive outlook you might have in this match isn't happening, Price. It's just not. You can take your morals and your hopeless ambition and shove it all right back up your ass because none of it will help you walking into this match. You just can't win. I'm a fierce competitor, I’m relentless and cunning. And that’s what makes a champion. But you wouldn’t know anything about that because you aren’t championship material. You’re a mid card clown and that’s all you will ever amount to. Just accept your role in life or die like a dog. It makes no difference to me.
* James leans back in his chair and exhales a cloud of smoke from his nostrils. A static feed interrupts the promo. We cut to a frame showing nothing but black bars and white noise *
Fade Out
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