HWA Message Board: Turn Thy Cheek?

"But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." (Matthew 5:39)

HWA.com has an interesting bit of information regarding the reaction of one Hans von Richtoven to his upcoming match against Senester at Havoc. Senester is looking over the site, leans back in his chair taking a deep breath that he exhales before sending picking up the phone and calling Hans. He of course gets the expected voicemail and leaves a message.

(Senester): We both knew this day would come, didn’t we My Baron? What we did not know is that your own friend Logan would by-pass the roulette wheel to spite chance and destiny to predetermine his own outcome. That clicking sound is gone isn’t as the wheel turned and the ball bounced between its probabilities. No doubt you feel slighted, and rightfully so because that is what you are. It’s less the match itself than the common courtesy he might have relayed in letting you know of it before leaving you to your own devices of finding out on the world wide web. Obviously this web has a few strands of deceit thanks to Mr. Neilson, again…commendable, albeit misdirected.

There are no issues between us My Baron. You are one of few who have acquired and maintained my admiration. So as I said before, at Havoc…this is just a match. My skills vs. your skills. I have no need, reason or desire to turn this into anything more. You are not Bryan Deas, so there is no reason to humiliate you. You are not Medos or Logan Neilson, so there is no reason to demonstrate overt superiority to assign your position. You are not Buff Bridges, so I have no need to remind you of the man you used to be. You are quite a different entity altogether, and thus…this is simply a match. It will be a pleasure getting into the ring with you. Let me wash away any doubts others may be infecting your mind with. Believe me when I say that there is no agenda being devised. I have no secrets to unveil waiting to be wielded against you to secure victory. When the night is over, you will have pinned me, or I will have pinned you. You will have made me submit, or I will have made you submit. One of us will win, and one shall lose. The absurd piece of paper will be marked with checkmarks in the appropriate win or loss columns and the record books will be tucked away.

The only question you should have about this match is the one I understand you have already posed to your “friend.” Why? In yet another week it will be your turn at the helm. I wonder if you will extend the courtesy that was declined you, and inform your “friend” of your match intentions. I wonder if My Baron will give unto Logan Neilson, as Logan Neilson has given unto him, and let him find his fate on the internet as you were obliged to do. I do hope you keep in mind from now moving forward one very important thing mentioned by your “friend.” What was it he said…

Senester tilts his head back as if trying to deeply recall the precise words.

(Senester): Ah, yes….

“…I didnae ken how Hans would react tae this match but with their history I wouldnae resist. I’m not here tae dae anyone any favours…”

(Senester): How curious. He didn’t know how you would react. Was he incapable of asking? Are you not but a phone call away to your “friends?” The fact of the matter is he obviously didn’t care what your opinions or sentiments may have been towards this match. After all he is not here to do anyone any favors…..that would include you. Perhaps when he is face down on the mat at some point in time he will think of this. When the sound of the arena goes away and the only thing he can hear is the dull thud of steel on his head, perhaps he will reach out for a favor. Beg for one. Pray for one. Perhaps he will look up the ramp for a “friend’ to do him a favor and come to help him. I think he’s forgotten My Baron. I think he’s forgotten just how much of a friend you are. I think he’s forgotten that you’ve bestowed countless favors upon him and in this instance he refuses you the merest measure of decency. If it weren’t for you his name would be alongside those like Medos, like Merlyn, like Lucas Valentine. All individuals who entered with amazing flare and who have gone into darkness. Of all the new faces hasn’t it been Logan Neilson who has benefited the most?

Hasn’t it been Logan Neilson who has benefited from the experience you’ve been able to divulge….the guidance you and even Parker have provided? He was the lucky one. He could have turned out like poor Ricky Evans, brought into the fold, hoping to learn the ropes only to be abandoned. Logan Neilson is the Spotlight Champion not because of his own accord, but because he had something the others in the division didn’t have….a support system. Look not between my words Baron, there is no gray area here. I am merely stating the facts that cannot be denied. It is always those with even the best intentions that make the worst decisions. Decisions that sully and nullify those primary intentions. And while you are thinking that all mortals make mistakes…this was no such thing. This was deliberate. Again I saw…worry not of this match at Havoc you. There is no tolling bell, nor footsteps of doom at your heels. The only thing at this time you should concern with is how exactly do you define “friend” and if you can honestly call Logan Neilson yours. If you turn your cheek now, he will only slap the other side.

With those final remarks Senester hangs up the phone and the scene fades to black.