Right About Now ... Funk Soul Brother

[J-Hop]

[ :: THE GOOD VIBRATIONS :: ]
I Can’t Believe It’s … Butterflies!



“It's Showtime” – Los Angeles, California
August 24th 2012 – 12:55 pm

“Wherever you are (Shine)
Whoever you are (Shine)”

“Top Down” by Swizz Beatz played in my head as I stood front and center in the Staples Center men’s restroom. I looked at my reflection. I don’t know, every time I got a good look of myself, I couldn’t help but to laugh at it. Was it because the clothing and designs were backward and meant something different or was it just the fact that where I am in life right now is really all just a fantasy.

“How the fuck did you get here, boy?”

I asked myself as the echo was clear. I put my head down as I stared at the marble sink insert. I shook my head because that question could not be answered with one word. It took an absolute lot to get where I am right now, it called for sacrifice, it called for determination, change and some other reasons. All summed up to an answer to that question of how I even got here, the chance to be in the spotlight between three legit, top-notch stars.

I completely believed in the term “dark horse”. You have been a dominant face but to the bigger eyes, they don’t see you. They see the fancy names like Kash and Callahan. Hell, even the ‘sleeper’ in Johnny Sykes. Me, I’m just the ‘dark horse’. Dominant but silent as I stand in the back doing everything expected and when they least expect it … just like that, things will change. The pace, the style, the vibrancy of the match itself will change when that ‘dark horse’ takes the unimaginable lead.

“It’s been a hell of a journey that will continue to progress further and further ahead!”

It was rare that I would actually dwell into talking to myself. A pep talk to calm me down. Ever since this match got announced, I’ve been jumping with emotions, jumping with excitement, too fucking overjoyed and I haven’t even won anything yet.

I had my problems with Jason Kash but I realized, he’s aiming for attention, it’s his forte to get his ego stroked. That was what powered him up and to see all of these accolades and to know I have a chance to ‘block’ his shot at becoming a Grand Slam champion … it made it that bigger for me to have my game stepped up to the next level.

“Mr. Hopkins? We’re ready Sir!” The young lady opened up the restroom door just a smidge to give me the note.

They were here getting their small, miniature-sized interviews in from all who were competing at Shockwave. So fortunate for me, I would get my few minutes to voice off as they probably were yearning for something to come out of this mouth of mines that would lead to a bit of controversy or taking my words and using them to offset against the rest.

That was the only negative to things like this … but whatever, it was my first big event, first big sit-down interview. I was ready. I slammed my hands onto the marble surface as I followed with slapping both sides of my face. I was ready.

“FUCKIN’ AYE!!” I yelled as I walked out of the door as the camera crew and the young female interviewer saw my exit. I threw on a pleasant smile as the lady led me to the direction of where all was being taken.

“So how do you feel, Jair?” She asked.

To my guess, this was like a ‘feeler’ before the actual interview. I took a sigh as I let out a small chuckle.

“Nervous as hell but it’s the ‘good’ kind.” I said, walking step for step as we made our way down the hall.

“Good! This interview won’t be long, like only a good five to seven minutes. Just a few questions on you, your opponents and your general thoughts. Sounds good?” She asked, giving me the rundown.

I nodded.

“Fine with me … I’m down!”


---10 Minutes Later---

“Alright, you’re set?” She asked, after making the final adjustments before the recording.

“I’m good … Let’s go!” I said, confirming it.

She signaled to her cameraman to start as she put on her game face with the flick of her fingers as all was now being recorded.

“Hello all, I’m Renee Dockett from LA’s Hottest Morning Talk Show … You know the name. Today, I’m here interviewing all the hottest talent from the incoming Action Packed Wrestling roster as they get set to display fireworks Sunday night, only on PPV. Right here with me right now … the young, up and coming … and gorgeous Jair Hopkins or Jair Amir Hopkins.”

I smiled into the filming camera as she proceeded.

“So Jair … How does it feel so far being one of the shining stars of this company?” She asked, as she held out the microphone, holding a steady smile.

“Well it feels good so far. I wouldn’t call myself a ‘shining star’ yet. I still have miles to travel before I can be even closely compared to that shiny ‘North Star’. I’m just taking it one day at a time.”

She nods as she looks back into the camera at her cue cards. The experience level, you could never tell if watching from the television.

“You are one that since day one, likes to keep everything real, never sugar-coated. You are in what some say, the match of your young life against three big-time veterans. Any nervousness, how are you taking it?”

I had to admit, the temperature was growing warmer. The questions sounded easy but answering them was a whole different level. I didn’t want to come across as a douche with my answers to being real, so it took me a moment before I replied. I cleared my throat following the pondering thoughts on an answer.

“I’m taking it like every other rookie would take a situation like this. I’m shaking inside like a big block engine, but I’m cool with it. Win or lose, being in high-profile matches like these only lead to serious ‘experience points’ that helps my progress forward. I know the stakes of being in this. Hell, I almost didn’t make it out the hospital this week. I ignored my girlfriend’s advice to ‘cool it’ and rest. That lets you know how much I want this!”

I said as she seemed to have understood.

“… However even if I want this badly, I have to have six eyes on my head to keep on all three of these opponents of mines. Callahan is a master of playing games. He’s the champ and he’s worked hard to get that title and hold it for the longest in history. Kash, another man who albeit his attitude problems, he is talented as they come. He has a chance to become the first ‘grand slam’ champion with a win here tonight. Sykes, he’s proven everyone wrong, week in and week out. We’re in the same cup, looking to stake our claim against the true veterans of APW.”

Another nod followed with a smile.

“Very insightful stuff … Yes, I did meet with Kash although he didn’t seem in the mood, I got the label from several folks that he was sort of a ‘bad guy’ but I just went on with my thing.” She shrugged her shoulders.

“Yeah, he’s like that but deep down, he does have a pure-red heart. He does like his morning coffee and soap operas. He’s a good guy playing bad.” I said as I sort of threw a ‘jab’ in on the side as I placed on an effortless grin into the camera.

“Nice. Speaking of last week and your comments of being released from the hospital … How is your body overall, physical-wise?” She said, clearly in her game, taking and noticing everything I said.

“It’s good. It’s sore in a few spots but overall better than at first. Even if it was hurting like a son of a bitch, I’d still compete. There’s not too many of these opportunities, Renee. I got bent and folded like an origami last week by TJ but I was stretched out and flattened with a book on top of me. The creases are gone.”

Renee got word on the timer from the cameraman as she scooted out of her chair.

“Jair, this was a wonderful talk with you. I appreciate your cooperation and letting us come and ask you a few questions. Good luck in your match Sunday! From the Staples Center, I’m Renee, back to you guys!”

The camera man signaled the cutting of the recording feed as she briefly shook my hand again.

“Thanks for that, I really appreciate it!”

“No problem, glad I could be here for the interview.” I said as her camera crew got an early start on walking. She followed briefly after, telling her guys the next location. I looked all around before looking up at the ceiling and the lights … preferably the invisible clouds.

“Thanks for this opportunity, thank you for this life!”

=============={}==============

"PRESSURE"
TAPING: Recording Session #0012
DATE: August 25th, 2012
OPPONENT(S): Michael Callahan x Jason Kash x Johnny Sykes

The next day, location…Staples Center, once again, this time it was the ring. It was the home of the Lakers. 16 Championships, steady mobbing for more. Jair hated all things Lakers but it wasn’t about likes and dislikes. It was about Shockwave, one night only, one big ass opportunity to cash out with the Pro-Life title. Something he’s been after for three weeks since that three way match a couple of weeks ago. Jair still couldn’t believe how lucky he was to even be in this match as that match could’ve been easily won if it wasn’t for that debacle at the end.


[ REC • ]

J-Hop: Like the group Europe one-hit wonder song is titled, it’s the final countdown. Twenty-four hours away, I’ll be in my first ever pay per view in which will be the first of many more but I am in a match I really, honestly shouldn’t even be in. This is like murder but with every step you take, there’s a challenge waiting for your ass. Johnny Sykes pointed that out by the way … He said I shouldn’t even be in this match, which is true. If it weren’t for that crazy ending, I’d be fighting in some singles opening match against Timbuktu, but I’m here with you two and the defending champ. Luck has ways of working out for people as one should know. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. You could win or lose off of pure effort and you can also win by fifty shades of luck going in your favor. So you’re absolutely right. I’m in this on pure luck and hopefully I win this motherfucker off of pure luck as well.

J-Hop: Sykes, I feel you took my review of you the wrong way. Yeah, I called you a ‘joke’. If you look at it, sure you have a pretty impressive record thus far and you rolled up ‘Madman Kash’ for the victory last week but I call you a joke for a different reason. With my short time here, I’ve watched your matches, I’ve been in a match with you. At times you showed flashes of wanting to be great and at other times you showed flashes of not giving a fuck. I considered you a joke because to show flashes like that of not giving a fuck at points and times, I considered it a joke. You have mad talent and although you bolster a ‘jokish’ name, you really are good talent. You’re in the biggest match of your life, actually three, to be honest. The triple threat, Kash last week and this one. You can be something great if you just stick to a positive mindset. Is it in you?

I glanced around each corner of the ring, where all four of us would be.

J-Hop: Jason Kash, what is there to say that hasn’t already been said? I mean, you talked big shit on Twitter, talk shit on television and in pool halls. You’ve spent more time on me than the Champ or Sykes and he beat you last week. I get a feel that you are nervous about me. Not cause I’m black and I carry a different kind of swag with me but you see something in me that you don’t have. Even with all your accolades, there’s something that you’re envious of about me and I will never get to know from your mouth. That’s okay, actions is my first language, I’ll find out soon enough. I never knew you of a man with enough brain to calculate statitistics. Nice but it’s irrelevant, just like every word that has come out of your mouth. Yeah you get attention for it and it’s a shame. You supposed to get attention for your actions, not your mouth. Last week, you can call it luck or whatever, the fact is you of all people, the loudest of them all, failed to kick out of a roll-up pin. We all have off days, Kashman but to come into a pay per view getting pinned by Sykes when on paper it clearly sees you as the winner … It proves paper is nothing but paper.

I shake my head as it leads me right into the main man. Michael Callahan.

J-Hop: Like the usual, paper has this match belonging to the defending champ himself, Mike Callahan. The paper is never always right. It all factors off of who produces better in the ring, stamina, fatigue, injury, it all comes into a factor. I know I will be the easy target because of what TJ did with my body but I will not let that shit stop me. I’m a fuckin’ fighter and I will fight to the death, like a young ‘Troy’. Callahan, you’ve been quiet for days, Champ. Is it me or do I sense you are counting the days, hours, minutes and seconds off of your little timekeeper. I give you props for keeping your waist covered with gold that long. I hope whoever gets it, they are able to give it as much light as you have given it. The paper sees you winning it, but when it all comes down to it, the scissors come into play. To steal one from the so-called best … ‘The Season of J.A.I.R’ is about to begin. Enjoy every moment like it’s your last. Dueces!

I put my two fingers up in the air as the bright lights dim way down to a small spotlight that sits on me as all goes to a fade.



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