One of the HWA’s most prominent stars, Matt Miller had just watched what former HWA World Champion, Maniac, had to say outside Madison Square Garden. Matt was finishing up a workout in the HWA Academy, coming to a steady halt after a 5km run on one of the Pelaton treadmills. He turned off the plasma screen hanging from one of the walls. After mopping his forehead free of the excess perspiration dripping from his forehead and temples, a scrunched-up look of confusion and frustration was painted across his face.
He looked at the camera and began to speak.
“Maniac, mate, you may think you’re being gracious or generous wanting to impart your… for lack of a better term… Wisdom…”
Matt couldn’t help but scoff the veteran’s incredulous “offer” to be a teacher to the HWA’s newer roster members.
“But all you’re doing is coming across as the forgotten has-been who thinks he’s still got something to offer a younger generation but sounds more like a patronising wanker.”
Matt afforded himself a light smile and shook his head before continuing.
“Now, I don’t expect you to know who I am or have even heard of me, so allow me to introduce myself. I’m Matt Miller, I was actually part of HWA’s old regime before Butch and Wisdom took the reigns. I only had two matches on-air but I remember what it was like. As you said, the cameras on you, the roar of the crowd, it was exhilarating.”
Matt rolled his eyes.
“But you really need to get your ego checked, fella. Whilst my friends and I have been busting our arses over the past seven years, what have you been doing? If you really wanted to give back to pro wrestling you would’ve contacted Butch and Wisdom years ago. If HWA meant that much to you, you would’ve put your petty differences aside and worked to make sure the most infamous organisation this sport has ever known still had a future. Instead, what have you been doing?
Matt paused after his rhetorical question. He took a sip from a bottle of water and continued.
“Don’t think I don’t respect your accomplishments, Maniac, because I do. I know you won your first World Championship in a triple threat against Buff and Butch. I know you had your wars with Senester and I know about what he did to your little brother. But that’s the past, fella. And to be honest, I’m even sure if you’re aware of how patronising you’re sounding right now but the gall you have to think you can just swan in here and think you can offer to be our teacher? Let me tell ya a little something, fella. Just because some of us are newer to the industry than others, doesn’t make us grass-green rookies. Like I said before, we’ve been busting our arses for seven years making sure HWA fans had a product to watch.
I was 20-years old when I signed for HWA back in 2015. You know what I did before then? I wrestled in Japan for Dragon Gate, I competed in the the 2014 Battle of Los Angeles for Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, I had on-TV matches against Seth Rollins and Sami Zayn in NXT for WWE. I was first trained by Fergal Devitt aka Finn Balor! And for the last seven years, myself, Sean, Michelle, Jeremy and the rest of us, we’ve trained and honed our craft in the HWA Academy, the best wrestling school in the country.”
Matt could feel his blood boiling. His Irish temper starting to bubble to the surface. He was so thankful for what the HWA Academy had done for his career, for his life and for so many others. He couldn’t help but be defensive of it.
“Do you know how many young, aspiring wrestlers have come through our doors and either went on to be HWA mainstays or went on to be successes in our wrestling organisations? Do you know how many mega stars in pro wrestling helped us out by sending talent to our doors to help either boost our YouTube subs? Or because they respected Butch and Wisdom and what they were trying to achieve?”
Matt held out his hand with his fingers extended out each time he said a name.
“Kenny Omega. Matt Cardona. Penta El Zero Miedo. El Hijo del Vikingo. KENTA. I could go on forever. So many knocked on our door, offered to help us, coach us, make sure we had doors to open for our careers. Where were you, Maniac? In fact, where were the rest of the HWA OGs? You, Dredge, Talon, Eddie, AC James, Nightmare, McNeil? Where the hell were you for the last seven goddamn years? Hmm? Happy to take a pay check when Senester was running things, acting like a mad scientist and HWA’s millions were made from illegal experimentation and blood money but the minute you guys didn’t have a platform to a global audience? You tuck-tailed a ran. Couldn’t fathom having to work for a peer when the Parkers were left in charge.”
Matt was disgusted. He thought about what Red Dragon had said to him the other week. His words still resonated with him.
“Y’know, fella, I’ve developed a lot of close relationships with the guys and girls on the HWA roster I’ve had the privilege to work with for years now. Whether I want it or not, I’ve become a leader of sorts. It’s not a role I wanted but it’s the one I’ve got. I’m proud that I’ve got a locker room that looks up to me, that leads by example, that speaks out for them. That’s why I have no problem saying, on behalf of the HWA locker room, we don’t want or need your help, your guidance or any sort of teaching you think you can offer.
We’ve been taught and trained by Butch Parker, by Wisdom Parker, by Red Dragon, by Hans von Richtoven - all former champions and Hall of Fame-worthy icons for what they’ve done, not only for HWA but for professional wrestling.”
Matt scoffs, a snort of derision shooting from his nostrils.
“And you think you can just slither back in when the moment feels right and act like some prophet ready to give back and show us the way? Man, you really are f***ing crazy, fella. I saw and heard what you had to say about Butch. He’s been like a father figure to me and so many other students who stuck around and made HWA their home. And for you to disrespect him like that, just because he took, what? A few days to respond to your phone calls? Y’know, I thought it was only cocky rookies who were self-entitled, egotistical pricks who thought the world owed them a favour. Turns out I was wrong. Y’know something, fella? I really do hope you turn up at the Reunion Show. I’ve got myself a match so why don’t you come to ringside and watch me? I really hope I bump into you afterwards, I really do. Butch might want to take the high ground and be the bigger man because that’s him all over. But why don’t you try come looking for me afterwards, try that Fight Club-wannabe gimmick shit on me. See you in New York.”
Matt turned away from the camera and made his way to the shower area as the scene faded to black.
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