As Jeremy entered his locker room following the main event, his phone was going mad with rings, pings, and chimes with every social media notification known to man. He had been utterly humiliated, outed by Erica to throw him off his game and secure Maniac and Deas the win and he was furious. The next ring of his phone brought enough rage in him that he shattered it against the wall, leaving a little hole where it broke through drywall as he yelled out loud.
(Jeremy): Fuking Bitch!
The look on Matt’s face. He didn’t know what to make of it. That was a lie, he knew exactly what to make of it. It was that look of pity people have seeing dogs and cats up for adoption, knowing how much they like them, watching their tails wag and ears perk up with hope, only to walk away knowing they don’t want to take one home. He hurriedly grabbed his bag intent on disappearing before Matt (who couldn’t have been far behind him) made it backstage. They had all come to the arena together, but he found a side exit, still throwing on clothes as he rushed along. The corridor dumped him out on the side of the arena where he threw his hood up over his head and disappeared around the corner to call an Uber to the airport.
The day after Havoc…
He hadn’t slept, instead he rewatched Havoc and made footprints all over his apartment. It was a night of deep, thoughtful reflection, a few light tears, a lot of anger, and when daylight cracked the sky he felt resolved. He had a lot to get address, and in the light of a new day the conviction in him was unwavering as he opened his laptop, logged into the employee portal on HWA’s site and began not recording, but broadcasting live.
(Jeremy): I’ve got a lot to get off my chest so let’s just get into it. First, Michelle, what happened to you last night was beyond words. I think I speak for all of us when I say I’m sorry we weren’t there when you needed us. Butch might have fired them, but if I know Sean he’s probably trying to find a way to get his hands on Fallen and Legion now and I don’t blame him. It doesn’t look like any of this is going to happen within the confines of a ring, and the rules of wrestling and HWA, but I’m done with being the victim. Fallen, Legion, we will find you, we will get our hands on you, and we will make you pay for what you did to her. You hurt one of us, you hurt is all and you face us all.
(Jeremy): Let’s talk about the elephant in the room then.
Jeremy smiles as he brushes his hands through his hair and shrugs his shoulders.
(Jeremy): I’m gay! There, I said it…everyone happy now? Erica, you drop just enough truth in your bullshit for people to find you believable, but you’re pretty far from 100% accurate. I’ve never been ashamed of who I am. Why do people assume that because a person is LGBTQ+ that we have to make some announcement about it? When has anyone ever told me they were straight? Who walks around letting everyone know their vegan, like it’s important for everyone to know? You live your life, and I live mine. What you did was extract from your so-called observations a bit of truth and probably the only valid thing to come out of your mouth recently. I’m only going to say this once Erica, and the fans and the company and whoever else can take it for how they want, I don’t care. You should listen to your maestro carefully Erica, he recently commented about Sarah stepping to him like a man and how he treated her as such, and for once I agree with him. This is the business we are in. I’ll say what I need to say to Matt directly, but the next time you open your big “boca” with my name and business in it I’m going to put my fist so far down your fuking throat you’ll think you’re choking on a 7-Eleven burrito. You got that “Chica?”
And you “Maestro”…as if you don’t have enough on your hands with Matt, you decide to put another piece on the chess board by attacking my dad. Game on Maniac, you’re too overconfident to realize you’re biting off way more than you can chew and you’re going to choke, just like your star pupil. My old man is more stubborn than you found him to be, and tougher too, but what man is any good against a coward who blindsides him with a weapon?
Jeremy has his hands on his hips as he paces back and forth.
(Jeremy): My parents have known who I am since I was 15 or 16 when they came home and saw me and Kenneth Peterson in the pool Frenching like there was no tomorrow, swim trunks floating by, balls drawn up like raisins, and boners as long and hard as the stick on the pool skimmer. You’re not shaming anyone with your stunt forcing my old man to say crap he doesn’t mean. It just shows how desperate you are to try and recapture your old HWA and push yourself to the top. Newsflash Maniac, it’s not coming back. You’re riding the coattails of our success now. We are the present and the future of this company, hell…in this business and you can let that fact eat you up inside or to steal a line from Ric Flair…you can learn to love it, because it’s the best thing going today. Bryan Deas is too chicken shit to accept my challenge for Art of War, but don’t worry…I’ll be sure to be busy enough, but if you do show up Bryan, know that we’re not quite done and I’ll be waiting for you. For you though Maniac, it’s just around the corner and you think you have the edge because you invented the Asylum Match but trust me when I tell you…that road you once created has been repaved…and Matt is going to run you over on it and stain it with your blood and leave your imprint on it, right where you belong. I guess that brings me to you Matt.
Jeremy sits down facing the camera, a serious tone comes over him as he looks on.
(Jeremy): Matt, like I told Erica…she’s got some sprinkles of truth, but not the whole picture. Cards on the table…what happened at Havoc was certainly not how things should have been communicated, if ever at all. The only thing I was humiliated by was her revealing the simple truth that I do have feelings for you. It wasn’t fair to you, and it made me embarrassed and upset having you in that situation. Look Matt, I’m not going to lie…the truth is I’ve been into you for a long time. I’m not going to go into all the reasons why…there are many, and it's irrelevant anyway in the end.
Jeremy sighs and looks remorsefully at the camera.
(Jeremy): Other than what happened at Havoc, I’d say that neither of us have ever given the other any real indication of having any feelings beyond friendship. Unless there’s something I don’t know, let’s just leave it at that. I respect you and cherish our friendship too much to try and make something out of nothing. I’m so sorry you got put on the spot, and that people are throwing questions at you, and about you that are none of their business.
Jeremy sighs with a smile, you can see the sparkle in his eyes thinking of Matt, the weight of the matter lifted off of him, but the resignation and satisfaction of their enduring friendship giving him peace.
(Jeremy): This one goes out to everybody else. There’s a revelation coming. We’ve been pushed, and you’re slowly finding we push back. You attack, and you see we attack back. You run your mouths, we shut your mouths. We’ve upheld the principles that brought us here, but you’re finding that when push comes to shove, you’re not going to back us into corners anymore. I came to this company because it had a rich history, and a brand new direction. Yeah, I’ve made no excuses saying that it was just a job at the time, but as things went along, it’s become more to me. I’ve had some amazing matches that really forced me to have an even deeper appreciation for this sport than I’ve ever had before and one day…I don’t know when it was, but I looked in the mirror and saw a desire to thrive here that I hadn’t expected.
Jeremy reaches over and grabs a plastic bottle of what looks like a super green drink, and we see AG1 on the side of the bottle as he takes a swig.
(Jeremy): I don’t know what Art of War is going to bring for me. Like I said, Bryan Deas won’t respond and I could try to force the match with Butch or Wisdom if I ask, but I’d like this to happen organically. I want him to want this match, and to know when I beat him that without his bat as a crutch, he doesn’t have a leg to stand on against me. So, now that, that’s all out of the way…for those of you watching lets switch gears and head over to Reddit and get this AMA going shall we?
Jeremy grabs his phone and starts browsing through his Reddit account, there are a few hundred people with questions lined up already and there’s no way he’s going to answer them all.
(Jeremy): Wow…there’s a lot of you. Thanks for tuning in. Okay here goes, I’ll get through as many as I can…in no particular order…
(wtever80): Why are the good ones always gay?
Jeremy smiles with a little chuckle.
(Jeremy): Well, “wtever80” in my experience I might ask, why are the good ones always “straight?” I guess it’s just a matter of perspective.
(passionpunch): What is your favorite cheat meal?
(Jeremy): Ohhh, good question. That would have to be pizza. Pizza is really a perfect food, it has all the five food groups for me because I like it with everything on it, meats, cheeses, vegetables, fruit. So, I could devour a pizza, but its high in fats, sodium and all that stuff so gotta have it sparingly.
(VicBenjamin): What’s the worse injury you’ve had since wrestling?
(Jeremy): Oh that’s easy, its when Sean dropped me on my head a few months ago.
Jeremy laughs…
(Jeremy): Just kidding, No…I did break my leg once in high school, but as far as wrestling goes...it was probably when I first got started a few years ago I was in the ring training with umm…crap what his name…anyway, I can’t remember he’s long gone…but I was in the ring training and we got outside and I was whipped into the ringpost. I was going in 100 mph and didn’t protect myself as I should have and my shoulder went hard into it and dislocated and had a torn rotator cuff.
(JasonJones7816): A lot of athletes have fuked up feet (Shaq Foot) what do your feet look like and how do you protect them?
(Jeremy): Jason, it kinda feels like you just want a foot pic, which isn’t going to happen, but I do have nice tootsies, just so you know. I have seen Shaq’s disaster of feet and don’t intend on looking anything like that. Not ashamed to say I get regular pedicures and foot massages, and general foot work. It’s really all a part of good sports medicine practice and we’ve got some great experts on site at HQ.
(SpiceLifeSienna): You and Matt would make such a cute couple!
(Jeremy): Ummm, thanks I guess.
(MartinMartian): If you could have dinner and conversation with anyone living or dead who would it be?
Jeremy sits up a bit straighter, his interest peaked by this question.
(Jeremy): I like this one…that would have to be Stephen Hawking. He had a brilliant mind in many areas but particularly for the Science and Astronomy which is a passion of mine, and he really stood out as someone who spit in the face of adversity. It would be a blast to sit and pick his brain. Great question!
(BillyGOAT): What’s it like working for Butch Parker and do you see yourself as World Champion one day?
(Jeremy): Thanks for the question Billy…it’s great working with a legend like Butch. I’ve gotten such a great appreciation for his work and I’m super excited to see him get back in the ring soon and take on Red Dragon in his series of retirement matches, which yours truly will be a part of by the way. He’s a tough guy about the business, he pushes you hard but he’s fair and makes sure you have the tools and support to reach your goals and succeed. And do I see myself as World Champion someday? Hell Yeah Dude!
(Strickland#89765): Other than the Will Ospreay match, you actually haven’t won anything in HWA since the CBS deal. How are you going to turn things around, or was that win a one-time fluke?
(Jeremy): Ouch Strickland…fair enough question!
Jeremy takes a deep sigh, rubbing his hand through his hair.
(Jeremy): Look, it’s true…my record has been pretty shitty. I lost to Matt at the Reunion, I got a win against Ospreay, then lost to Stu-E and Draconis, and last week to Maniac and Deas in the tag match…it’s been rough. There’s a lot of adjustments to make and things that are different now that we are on a much bigger platform and overall production with CBS. Matt, Sean…they’ve had that exposure before so they haven’t struggled with it as much, but I’m getting there. I don’t think my match with Will was a fluke, I was a bit down on things at the time, but when he came out as my mystery opponent something awakened in me and I just put it all on the line and blocked out the noise. Maybe I need to continue to block out the noise and really focus like I did that night. I guarantee you that the win column as they call it, is going to get its marks soon enough.
(LadyJennifer): Have you ever dated a girl? What would your ideal date be?
(Jeremy): Ahhh, a personal one…okay then. Well, LadyJ…No, I’ve never dated a girl. My ideal date…
Jeremy shifts his position and thinks a moment.
(Jeremy): My ideal date would have to be spending the day at Disneyland. It might sound absurd, but I’m a Disney fan and I think the combination of a lot of walking…good exercise by the way…the time provided to talk about the many things we see and interact in different ways, try all the foods, it really runs the gamut of opportunities to get to know someone or to deepen an already established relationship. So yeah, a Disney date! Nice question, thanks!
(GeniusOne75): If you could wrestle anyone, dead or alive who would it be.
(Jeremy): Holy shit…that’s a big one. Gimme a second there…
Jeremy’s forehead crinkles in deep though.
(Jeremy): Man, I don’t know how to answer that. There are just too many names to limit it. Geez, that would have to be like a Fatal 4-Way match, or probably even some kind of Battle Royal so I could get a taste of a few different guys all at the same time.
Jeremy looks up at the camera and points.
(Jeremy): I just realize how that sounded, so get your heads out of the gutter. Seriously though, I can’t narrow it down to one person that’s just impossible. Sorry.
(GoblinGuurl): What do you really think about the returning HWA vets?
(Jeremy): Hmmmm, that’s a loaded one. What do I think of the returning vets. Well, Maniac is a piece of shit, so there’s that. He’s done it all in this business, but he’s still a little boy inside craving attention and throwing tantrums when it’s not given to him. Whatever mental instabilities the guy has only amplifies things. I can’t discount or discredit all of his in-ring accomplishments, but everyone knows he hasn’t always been on the up and up. I don’t think he belongs here. The HWA he knew is long gone like I said, and he wants to relive days that aren’t returning. He can go home and rewatch old Havoc on CBS because all he is now is an annoying fly at our picnic, about to get swatted and smashed.
Stu-E Price…given certain situations, I wasn’t sure about him at first, but he’s proven to be nothing but a stand-up guy. This is the kind of veteran HWA needs, just a guy doing this thing and seeing where this new road in his career leads him the same as me. It’s an interesting mix of someone with his experience and someone newer to the game such as myself and I think the next time we meet, I’ll have his number. But in all honestly, I have no problem with the guy and I’m glad he’s a part of the company again. He brings a nice balance to things.
Bryan Deas…what can I say. Another piece of shit. I said it before that I was a Deas fan growing up, but meeting the man is a whole new world. I don’t know what happened to him or if I was just young and dumb and didn’t realize who he really was but he’s so freaking desperate to be relevant its ridiculous. The guy takes me out with a bat, and hides in the shadows like a coward. No one hears from him, no knows if he’s even showing up for Havoc like last week…really we had no idea if he was even in the arena until his music hit and he came out. I don’t know what game he’s playing, he can play Hide and Seek if he wants to but I’m playing Command and Conquer and when our paths cross again that’s exactly what’s going to happen and he can go crawl back under the rock he came from back into irrelevancy.
William Draconis….
Jeremy takes a deep breath in and exhales long
(Jeremy): William Draconis…and I didn’t get off to a good start. He beat me fair and square and I take no issue with that, but his actions after the match still leave a bitter taste in my mouth.
Jeremy gets up off camera and comes back, putting the jar of unopened Moonshine he received as a gift from Draconis front and center.
(Jeremy): Maybe someday if I open this, it will wash that taste out of my mouth, I don’t know. I haven’t figured him out yet, and he hasn’t earned my trust yet either. Lately, he’s seeming pretty level headed, and the man is definitely on his game. He’s undefeated so far, which is an amazing accomplishment. I did a good amount of research leading up to our match, and he was a super huge star before in HWA, but he was notable and just getting his feet under him going solo when things went south. I think he’s laser focused now, not to make up for lost time but to prove himself because he didn’t get the opportunity to do so when the company went under. He’s older, wiser, and it shows in his ringwork. He’s brining his kids into the game now which adds a whole new dimension to things a well so we’ll have to see where that goes. I said it before, that I’d like to have that Michelle moment and be forgiving and move forward but I’m not there yet.
He pauses for a moment thinking of other names…
(Jeremy): There’s Butch and Red Dragon who aren’t exactly “returning vets” since they’ve been here but I’ll just say it’s an honor and privilege to be in their company, to have learned and continue to learn from them. But there is Hans von Richtoven who is a returning vet. If you saw that interview he did recently, you know he’s done just about everything…this guy held all the gold and look at him now. He’s in amazing shape, getting back in the ring as of this coming Havoc and I think he brings nothing but a positive push to things around here. He’s super supportive, has a great mind for the business, and honestly if I had to imagine my own career it would mirror his quite a lot. I want to be a multi-champion. He never discredited the so-called “lesser” titles, hell…they were often more competitive than the World Title that was always surrounded by drama. So yeah, its great having Hans around and I look forward to getting in the ring with him at some point. Okay that was big question and a long answer so…I’ll take one more before wrap this up….let’s see…
(SkysNotTheLimit): Are you still torn between wrestling and what you went to college for?
(Jeremy): First off, love the name. Sky’s definitely not the limit, there’s the whole universe out there. But to answer your question…I don’t know. I’m learning that right now, I don’t need to choose between the two so I’m not as torn as I once was. I’m enjoying being a professional wrestler and I’m very excited about where this is going to take me, and I have several goals I’d like to reach. At the same time, there’s nothing wrong with having a life outside the sport, a lot of people do. They do movies, or are into other business ventures etc. I’m still very active in the Science community, I attend relevant seminars and workshops when I can, and I get invited to a lot of really cool things that I can actively take a part in and contribute to. Being in HWA has awarded me the opportunity recently to go and talk to kids in schools across the country about Science from someone they see and know from tv. It’s very awkward still being seen as a star. But, one day if I decide to hang up the boots, I know I have something to fall back on easily and I’d be just as happy.
Okay guys, thanks for all of your questions, I appreciate it. Catch me on all of the social media platforms, and I promise to do another AMA soon. Don’t forget to watch Havoc, and be sure to catch Art of War. We’re all really excited for the first ppv in many years, it’s going to be great. Cheers!
Jeremy waves with a smile as the scene fades to black.
Message Thread
« Back to index