HWA Message Board: More Than Myself

El Sol County Beach, Malibu, CA – 5:45 a.m.

Just 30-minutes up the coast from Santa Monica Matt had taken Jeremy to their favorite spot on the beach. It had been a haven for privacy and even at times some intimate moments, but this morning it was for some endurance training. Sand drills mostly involved running and short sprints, but they also got in some swimming.

It was cold, and after an hour as the sky turned from dark to light Jeremy was exhausted. The sun was just about to rise as they made their way back to the car. He was out of breath and could barely talk.

(Jeremy): I…I thought you loved me.

Matt laughs as he grabs their bag, nudging Jeremy in the back pushing him to walk.

(Matt): Aye, so I do.

(Jeremy): Could have fooled me.

Even the walk back to the car was grueling. The long stairway down from the cliff to the beach burned his thighs.

(Jeremy): I swear to God, you’re giving me a massage later.

(Matt): Sure, but that’s all you’re gonna get.

(Jeremy): What’s that supposed to mean? Oh…wait a minute, come one babe, really?

(Matt): I you need hale and whole lad.

(Jeremy): You know that’s a load of BS? There’s no real science to back that up.

Matt shrugs…

(Matt): Maybe it is a load of BS, but it’s still the only load you’re gonna get fella.

Jeremy rolls his eyes muttering “we’ll see about that” under what little breath he has left as they continue to ascend the stairs. They changed clothes and went for breakfast at a bustling café not far from the beach. Matt ordered while Jeremy ran to the restroom. Minutes later, the waitress was bringing them a plate of strawberries, some banana and bowls of oatmeal. Jeremy cut his eyes over at Matt who had that boyish innocent grin on his face.

(Jeremy): No sausage, bacon?

(Matt): Nope!

(Jeremy): Seriously? Babe, you’re Irish.

(Matt): Aye, I’m Irish…you’re not!

Matt grins and smiles at him as if he’s really enjoying this. Jeremy gives a fake grin, clenching his teeth together.

(Jeremy): If I didn’t love you, I’d kill you right about now.

They finished up breakfast, headed back to Matt’s place, took showers…separately unfortunately, and spent some time going through old Ring Master replays, Matt pointing out some parts that stood out to him in superstars performances.

(Matt): See what he did there Jer? That’s exactly what you need to do. Round two, you put Jammer’s arse down quick like, so you do. You’ll have extra recovery time, for round 3. And the way I see it…

Matt pulls up the tournament bracket in the HWA app on his phone, his finger tracing it as he mutters to himself.

(Matt): Aye…the way I see it…you’ll have Price in Round 3. Sharkey Boy isn’t going to give him much trouble in Round two so he’ll be fighting fit so he will.

Jeremy leans over into Matt looking at his phone.

(Jeremy): Yeah, he will.

They continued watching footage for the next couple of hours, had protein shakes and some snacks in-between but hunger had creeped up quickly and it was time for a more substantial meal. They headed out to lunch, he wanted some fried calamari, but the excessively loud clearing of Matt’s throat had him change his option to the house salad.

(Matt): That’s my boy!

After lunch they had a long walk around the mall. Picked up some new shoes, a new video game (SandLand), avoided the smell of the fresh pretzels and cinnamon buns wafting in the air, and decided to go and see a movie…Furiosa. Chris Hemsworth was in, and that was enough. They had promised Michelle another visit and did so, it was good to see her in higher spirits than their last visit and she looked a lot better overall. As they exited her apartment, they realized that the hours had past and the sun was setting. They got to the car and “Lunch” by Billie Ellish was blazing on the radio. They drove off getting in the groove having their own little carpool karaoke session.

The song ended and Jeremy looked over at Matt. That feeling he got in the pit of his stomach over him punched him hard in the gut. Deep, unwavering love….followed by guilt. Matt smiled on as he drove and their phones vibrated again. They’d turned them off in the theatre and forgot to turn the volume back up. Jeremy put his phone in the little holder and they watched Maniac and Sean’s comments, Wolfy take jabs at Tobias and Erica, the Professor being a creep and listened to Stu-E’s truly great discussion on Steve Austin’s Podcast. The rest of the drive home they spent in silence. Matt knew something was weighing on Jeremy, and finally decided to poke.

(Matt): What’s up?

(Jeremy): Just thinking about the ppv, what Sean said.

(Matt): I appreciate what he said, Sean’s our mate, and he’s got every damn tool in his back pocket to win this.

Matt takes Jeremy by the face turning him towards him. They’re close, and his smell is intoxicating as usual.

(Matt): …but he’s not going to…you are!

Jeremy grins as Matt gives him a peck on the lips.

(Jeremy): I know, guess it’s time I break the news to them all then.

(Matt): Right! And you’ve been such a good lad today…I’ve got a wee treat for ya.

Jeremy smiles at him…

(Matt): Not that kind of treat ya horndog, go do your thing, I’ll be round in a minute.

Jeremy walked out onto the balcony looking at the sun sink into the landscape. He gets his phone out, fires up the app and begins a recording.

(Jeremy): I went to the movies today. When I was a kid, I’d go see movies at AMC Theatres. I vividly recall all the video little clips they showed just before the movie started. Clever marketing for you to go refill on popcorn and candy, or my favorite…some more Blue Raspberry Icee. But what stuck with me the most was the message instructing everyone in attendance to be quiet so others could enjoy the movie. It read “Silence is Golden!”

Those words stuck with me. Not only did I want to see and hear the movie uninterrupted, but as I got older, I realized a deeper meaning behind it and adopted those words into a life lesson. They gave me temperance where others had none, thoughtfulness when others spoke without thinking. Those words ring ever truer coming into Ring Master when the atmosphere in the industry is buzzing with noise and commentary.

Jeremy smiles suddenly his promo interrupted as Matt’s arms come up from behind him into an embrace and presenting a drink in one hand.

(Matt): Don’t get too excited, it’s virgin.

(Jeremy): Great!

(Matt): You can have as many real ones as you want fella, as soon as you win Ring Master, so you can.

Matt gives him a squeeze and retreats into the apartment, giving him space. Jeremy takes a sip, and for a mocktail, it wasn’t too bad.

(Jeremy): The point is…almost everybody has something to say, but for me Ring Master is about precision. It’s about speaking with intent and purpose unlike Erica whose mouth is open as much as her legs. Sean, what you said about Matt, I know he appreciates that, and I’m sure it meant a lot to him. The last eight years, Ring Master was made for him. There’s no doubt in my mind that were he able to enter, he’d walk out the winner…but he can’t, so he won’t and with all due respect…that is where I come in.

You were friends long before I came along, forging a bond in that ring as the two of you spearheaded the continuance of HWA, and he’s right…he basically said you’re an odds-on favorite to win, and you are. Even Stu-E shared the same sentiment. You have the determination, the skills, and the will to win, and with all due respect to Hans…I hope its you I face in the final round.

Jeremy takes another sip of his drink, trying to lie to his body and senses taking it slowly pretending as if it had alcohol in it.

(Jeremy): Havoc was a clear indicator that Ring Master has brought out the best and worst in this roster. Jammer Causehell, you proved to me that you’re ready for us to take on Maniac and Tobias. I saw the look on your face, and realized each of us has our own path. You may be new, there’s a lot still we don’t know about you, but you are ready for action and I think we’ll work well together while Maniac and Tobias bicker and blunder about.

Sons of Anarchy are all over the place, and other than Wolfy the rest of you have remained pretty quite, but like I said…Silence is Golden. I have no doubt the Draconis clan are deep in their own means of preparation and statistically speaking you stand a better chance at one of you winning than anybody else. Statistics, however, are not on your side here.

This time Jeremy turns the glass up and drinks the rest of it. It’s dark now, and the city lights and sounds are vibrant as the cool breeze blows.

(Jeremy): I’m generally not a boisterous kind of guy but this isn’t Havoc, and this isn’t a ppv…it’s Ring Master. On this night the future of HWA is determined by not just having a winner, but a new HWA Champion. I feel like a damn Leprechaun right now, that gold gleaming in my eyes.

I know some of you want it pretty bad, and I can’t diminish your desires. Sean, Hans, Draconis, Stu-E, Fallen, Maniac…you’ve all been to big dances before, but I know what this win would mean to each of your careers…the validation, the crown jewel of your legacies it would give.

Kratos, Shark, Tobias, Jammer, Wolfy, Wyatt, Jesse, Legion and Professor…you’re all new faces. Untested, unproven, and as of yet unremarkable as far as your careers go, and no that’s not a slight. Winning this tournament, carrying that gold would make you an instant superstar.

Jeremy looks back into the apartment and Matt is on the sofa having just installed SandLand on the PS5, and he smiles at him.

(Jeremy): Out of 16 men, we all hear “I’m going to win” and know that 15 people are lying. I could tell you how physically fit and ready I am, how much I’m training and preparing my body. I could tell you how much I’m studying Ring Master’s of old, seeing where others faltered and succeeded, adding their experience to my arsenal. I could tell you how I’m mentally preparing for pain, to deal with curveballs thrown my way, to stand unphased against friend and foe alike shutting everything else out and focusing only the goal alone. What makes my want and need, any greater than any of you? The difference is, you’re all fighting for yourselves or a small few and I’m fighting for more.

Jeremy looks back into the living room, Matt is thoroughly engaged in the game at this point.

(Jeremy): This being Memorial Day weekend, it carries a similar sentiment to my own. I’m fighting not just for myself, but for those who can’t. I’m fighting for those who have already given all of themselves and have nothing left to give. I’m fighting for the survivors like HWA itself who braved the dark knowing that somewhere ahead there was light. I’m fighting for the fans who tune into HWA programming knowing that more than any other promotion in the world, from the best of us to the scummiest worse…they’re getting the unscripted performance of a lifetime.

When that bell rings, when the announcer calls my name, when my hand is raised, when the championship is bestowed around my waist…the Branson Era begins. The goal-oriented mentality you’re all carrying now continues as you set your sights on my title, and the competition around here becomes more intense. Come at me boys, throw everything you’ve got at Ring Master. From the cheap shots to the most admirable of exchanges nothing will get om ,y way.

I’m not calling it destiny, or fate, and I’m not being modest with “If’s.” Plain and simple, this is mine. Sean, Maniac, Hans, Price, Fallen all the names with some longevity behind them is what you hear as top picks. I’m forcing the perception at Ring Master. The name Jeremy Branson isn’t your afterthought. Jeremy Branson isn’t the underdog. At the end of the night…Jeremy Branson is Ring Master and HWA Champion and the only name on the marquee.

Jeremy posts the footage and sighs. He moves across the balcony over in front of the large window on one side of Matt’s bedroom to see around the other side. This was such a great wrap-around view he had and he loved that window in Matt’s room especially in the mornings and when it rained. Not seeing him outside the doorway, Matt soon followed. He’d of course heard every word Jeremy said, but was pretending he was too preoccupied.

(Matt): Hey!

Jeremy turns looking at him.

(Jeremy): Hey!

(Matt): It’s getting late, better get your cardio in before dinner.

Matt takes him by the waist and pulls him close, he kisses his neck.

(Jeremy): Wait…what are you doing?

(Matt): What does it look like? You’re supposed to warm up before a workout.

(Jeremy): I thought you said…

(Matt): Yeah, and I thought you said it was BS, so you did!

Jeremy puts his arms around Matt’s shoulder and they kiss passionately as the scene fades to black.