It had been a surprisingly good day. The morning had consisted of a jog, and Starbucks had released its Pumpkin Spice offerings so there was a bit of an indulgence in a Venti Iced Latte. I had talked to Michelle who called just to say “Hi” in the way that she does, she had not too long finished lunch with Sean at that restaurant around the corner from HQ that everyone liked, and she was super excited about her match for Havoc.

I’m glad for her, she deserved this happiness, she is a better competitor than she gives herself credit for and if the whole “pure wrestling” motto meant anything, she’d see that. She had struggled in the business in some of the same ways I had, the question of belonging, the uncertainty of this being what he wanted, but we had both found our groove.

My own match was coming up, and I was nowhere near as excited for it as Michelle was for hers with the new girl, but in truth I’m looking forward to it in my own way. I had some time before I went over to Matt’s for an earlier’ish dinner so I fired up the app and sat down to get my initial thoughts out. Both on last week’s show, and what was to come in Seattle. App on, record button pushed and here I go.

(Jeremy): Its funny what time can do, one day you’re on the first televised show the company’s had in 8 years in a match with the man destined to be your boyfriend, everyone cheering our names as you ushered in a new era into HWA…

There’s a smile in the corner of his mouth reminiscing of that night, and many after it. The energy of the crowd, the absolute pride in the work they had done and this overwhelming sense of achievement getting picked up by a major network after years of being blacklisted.

(Jeremy): …then fast forward a bit and you’re being booed, a joke moniker the only name being shouted, people with no respect for what we accomplished moving in like squatters, and my boyfriend going from the top star in the business to all but forgotten in all of 8 months. It gives me no pleasure to rehash the past, but you people are to soon to forget it. You’re the very definition of ADD. How soon you forget everything Maniac did, and now you cheer him. You forget all the painstaking effort and sacrifices we made to bring this company back to prominence. Michelle, Sean, Matt, Sarah, even Erica before she went bat-shit crazy…we gave you everything and more.

He shakes his head in disbelief and disappointment.

(Jeremy): I know I sound like a broken record, but I won’t let it go. I won’t let you forget. I don’t accept the old ways of this business that play on your gullibility. I’ve done a lot of research, more than most people think and there’s a pattern in wrestling where you people elect to forget everything a person has done and focus on the moment at hand.

I wasn’t even born, but I remember seeing footage of Shawn Michael who had been a virtual ass for the longest time, get powerbombed by Sid and suddenly he’s a “good guy.” It’s convenient for you people to think that way, pulling the past from your head like you’re at Dumbledor’s pensieve.

There’s frustration in his face, but not quite the rage that had taken hold of him recently.

(Jeremy): Maniac, you come with your half-assed apologies long after the fact, act like you’re a changed man, and just want everyone to stop mentioning what you’ve done and focus on who you say you are now. You’ve very old-school in that way, it’s what the fans like…the easy road where the business thinks for them.

You make me sick! Sitting there on the radio playing the victim, pretending you and your dog Erica will accept whatever punishment comes your way saying you deserve it. You’re only fooling the weak-minded. Congratulations Maniac, most wrestling fans haven’t changed since the 80’s so tomorrow you can run some old lady over in the parking lot of Walmart and by Havoc have the fans cheering you again because you stopped by the Boys and Girls Club and donated $5 dollars.

But I’m the bad guy because I want you to hurt, and suffer, and be out of the business the same way you did it to Matt. I’m the asshole when I wrapped a steel chair around your head and tried to break your damn neck. I’m “Brat-son” because I won’t let it go, and I won’t let you sweep it under the rug, or let those idiotic people in the stands who can’t think for themselves forget.

Jeremy leans forward just a little rubbing his hands together, he knew people were saying this had become an obsession of his, but it wasn’t. This was sleepless nights. This is what a mother does, constantly going to court for years, filing papers, calling for police training, and school reforms when her child is shot or kidnapped on campus and the killer is in court month after month acting like it’s just another day as the justice system takes is sweet time.

(Jeremy): Then you bring in Lunatik. I guess you boys feel pretty good about that win last week….the whole “New Age Psychos” reunited and crap. You were lucky, it was an emotional time for both Sean and myself and I dropped the ball. I saw a little too much red, and you took advantage. Big deal, it won’t happen again. At Havoc Sean is going to show Lunatik exactly what focused looks like and I hope Ace Sky comes in here and does the same with you. We aren’t done, we won’t be done until you’re in a wheelchair or worse permanently, and you Lunatik…I’m just as glad to put you down with him.

He knew he needed to change the subject, he was getting agitated and there was more to talk about. He paused for a moment to collect and shift his thoughts.

(Jeremy): Rob Sharpe! I’ve got you at Havoc. I don’t know much about you, but give me time. We’ll start with our match and take things from there. Contrary to belief I have no issue with older wrestlers, I value the wisdom and guidance of many men and women veterans in this business. So with that I say, don’t listen to the fans…make your own assessment.

People like us are reflections of one another…you have more years behind you where as I have more ahead. I think there is something each can see in each other in these circumstances. Clearly, you have a passion for the business or you wouldn’t be here. I hope to reinvigorate the very reason you first put boots on to the reason you’ll wear them at Havoc. I hope I can look at you with respect and appreciation and perhaps see myself down the line still enjoying myself and the sport.

Jeremy looks straight into the camera, a very serious look on his face and tone in his voice.

(Jeremy): But I’ll tell you this Rob, I don’t have time for another Maniac, and I don’t want another Lunatik. The days of veterans coming in here with machinations to turn back the clock to their liking is over. And it’s not just you my friend…if you or Ace Sky, or this Travis Levitt person have any inclinations other than good competition and no bullshit…you’re going to find yourself much closer to the end of your career than you’d like.

He smiles to himself, shaking his head in the irony of his own words. Somewhere inside he still believed in that “pure wrestling” vision instilled in him. It wasn’t what was going on now, but the hope of it, however small…seemed to remain and a part of him wanted to fight to get what they once had back.

(Jeremy): So Rob, I’ll be seeing you at Havoc. I’m going to show you what this place is about, and you’re going to show me what you’re all about. I hope, I really hope I can extend my hand to you after the match as I will before it.

For my devotees, the true wrestling fans know that I hear you out there. The jeers of the mindless may be louder, but I know you are there and I hear you. I feel your energy and I thank you for your support. The rest of you out there chanting Maniac’s stupid nickname “Brat-son” and calling me “Asshole,” those of you daring to boo Sean…keep it up, and I promise not to disappoint you either.

I ended the promo and publishes it immediately. The clock was creeping closer to the late afternoon and a shower was in order before I headed out to grab some Thai and bring it over to Matt for our dinner. I couldn’t wait to see him, and the fact that I had butterflies just thinking about him this long into our relationship told him everything I needed to know about love. He was my reason, my everything…just like Sean and Michelle. It’s why I understand Sean so well, in fact I should call him when I get in the car.

I should call Hans too, I hadn’t talked with him since Havoc and he had quite a week himself, Professor Hoff aside, it was the little scuffle with Sean that I was most concerned about. I can’t have the two of them at odds, but I know they talked after so hopefully all is well. I wanted to ask him how Vanessa was doing, she had to be about 5 months along now or more, it was March when she put that bitch Erica in her place announcing her pregnancy to the world. Hans still hadn’t mentioned a shower or anything yet, but Matt and I have already picked something out to gift when the time comes. Half an hour later I was showered, dressed to impress my babe, and out the door I go as the scene fades to black.