Post by Nick Watson on Oct 21, 2011 20:52:16 GMT -4
The scene opens up on a ramen shop in Tokyo where the sound of the Japanese capital's night life is streaming in through the open doors which lead out into a back alley creating a symphony comprised of horns, chatter, and the sound of feet hitting pavement. In this shop, an assortment of individuals have taken up shelter from the night, and are calmly collecting their thoughts over a bowl of ramen. One such individual is Pence Weatherlight, who calmly shovels in another spoonful of the delicious broth from his pork flavored ramen which he had ordered not too long ago. He has been alone for the past three weeks, not because his friends did not want to come with him, quite the contrary, they had begged and pleaded with him to go, but in the end Pence declined them all. He put them at arm's length and told them straight up that he didn't want to have them around at the moment. They had tried to question him about it, but Pence could neither give them the answers or help them understand what he was going through.
Truth be told, Pence doubted any one in the business right now could understand his pain, and his fears. He was pained due to his past failures. September had been a horrible month for him, he had lost, and he had lost without reason. Constantly struggling to find rhythm or the way to win the match. His fear was that he would continue to struggle and maybe even botch his One Night in Hell match because of his September. He had little to no momentum and what was worse is that he didn't know if things were going to get better or worse before he finally dragged himself out of his slump. Then of course there was that chance that all of this was just his new normal and that he would never again climb the top of the mountain and plant his flag. He had done it two times in his life and many analysts now were laughing at the mere thought of him winning this battle royal. He had remembered a report before he had landed being broadcast all over Japan talking about how he was destined to choke again. Destined to fade into obscurity again. The Japanese held back nothing and though at times that seemed like a good quality, tonight for Pence it felt like the worst quality to have.
He took another bite solemnly as he tried to collect himself and find an answer to the problems that plagued him, but he found no relief from his troubled mind or the nagging feeling of dread which had been building in his gut for the past month.
Pence: Maybe I should just call it quits and fly back to the states before One Night in Hell even starts up...sure would save the fans the heartbreak of watching me fail again.
Another bite and a loud sigh later, Pence found himself feeling quite full from the food and stood up to look around the restaurant which was clearing out rather quickly due to it being near closing time. The sounds outside had died down and the symphony was reaching near silence, but Pence could still hear the familiar sound of feet meeting the paved roads.
Pence: I could just fade into obscurity again, sign my name on the dotted line, and disappear forever without anyone really missing me. It has gotten to the point to where people just don't even care about me anymore. They see my name on the card, they look at where I am, and then they just shrug it off. And why should they care? Why should anyone care about me? I've done nothing, but struggle, and struggle only to come up short in the worst possible way. I've had match after match taken away in a heartbeat and because of that I feel as if I have little to nothing going for me anymore. My confidence has been shaky and my resolve has become almost non-existant and I guess there is no one to blame, but myself. I did all this. I lost these matches and no one is to blame, but me and my rotten luck. And you know what? I'm fine with that, but you want to know what I'm not fine with? Letting everyone down. I've let them all down...everyone who turns on their television expecting me to come out on top and everyone that is looking for some one to root for in these dark times and you know what...I fear that it is all over for me. I mean honestly, how much do I have left in the tank?
To be quite honest, even I don't know anymore, and who can blame me...I'm over the hill and through the woods right now chilling with grandma. I mean, I was excited at first, don't get me wrong...I have a huge opportunity to make up for everything that I have come up short on in September in one night by winning this battle royal, but I have to face reality when I say that there are some strong athletes in this match. Some young guys and veterans who have a lot of talent and enthusiasm for the game and that is a good thing to see, but for me it just makes me feel worse. I guess I wouldn't feel this way if I hadn't been snubbed or if I hadn't choked or if I hadn't gotten injured, but that is of course three too many ifs' for a guy like me.
Pence shrugs and then heads out into the street, the camera follows him, making sure to catch whatever Pence is going to say next.
Pence: But that is the price we pay, right? Injuries happen and sometimes you just don't get back from them. It happens and that is exactly what has happened here. My arm...this piece of shit appendage that let me down a year ago...has never been the same and I fear that it never will be the same. I've tried every trick in my book and have tried in every single way to get myself mentally motivated to come out into a match to win it all again, but I just can't. Jeff has never given me a chance to do it and I doubt he ever will and why the fuck should he, right? I've lost so many matches that I've forgotten the total and I'm not even close to being in his top ten on the power twenty five. Hell, by now I would assume that my hall of fame spot, if I even had one, is gone, and that I shouldn't be expecting to be remembered when all of this is said and done. That's my damn fault, not the fans, and definitely not Jeffs of course. So why am I here in Tokyo at all? This wonderful city does not deserve a failure like me walking down the streets looking for answers in its' majesty or glamour. Yet, here I am. Still talking and still walking.
Pence turns to face the camera and leans again a wall in the back alley.
Pence: But for how much longer? I'm sure somebody has an answer or that one of my opponents in this battle royal has my number and is more than willing to brag about how I stand no chance in hell of coming out in anything less than a body bag when this Sunday comes around. It seems to be this generations motif to forget who got them here and who pre-dates them and on who's backs were broken to make this place what it is today. I'm sure no one knows about my big clash with Level One or what I stood for so long ago, so why bore this generation with a history lesson that they don't even want to hear in the first place? The answer is simple of course and the answer is to not talk about it at all...it matters so little about my accomplishments or what I have done in the past if all I can do now is talk and get my ass handed to me. I have lost everything...except for maybe my honor and my pride as an athlete, but beyond that...I have lost it all.
And what does the likes of Arcadia, Scripps, Ward, or Haze no about true loss? I have no parents, I had no child hood, I've had no relief, or respect since day fucking one and every fighter in this match wants to talk about how much they deserve this about how much they deserve to be top dog and yet they don't want to face the realistic factor that loss is part of a natural order of things. I've lost everything, but in that regard I have learned a great deal. You must lose to obtain...sacrafice is what I am talking about and I have sacrificed everything for this company. My body...
Pence points to his arm.
Pence: My mind.
Pence pulls out the mask that he wore when he attacked Level One before Rasslemania and then throws it on the street.
Pence: The only thing I have left is my pride and soul and quite frankly...if they asked me to sacrifice those things in order to save one more fan from a disappointing ending to a beautiful story...then I would do it. I would do it without a second thought...but that is because I am different then this generations icons. I'm not like the rest of the people in this match because of that...I'm willing to give it all and do it all to win this match. Sure, I may feel like I have nothing left in the tank, but that is no reason for me not to try and for me not to do what I do best. Sure, I could make a list of things...I could pull a Scripps and talk about just about everyone freely, but why do it when everyone is doing the same thing...why make the same bland scenario play out over and over again with the same bland ending to the same bland story. The fans don't want it and I sure as hell don't want that either. So instead...I'm going to say...I'm flawed.
Pence shrugs his shoulders and then keeps going.
Pence: I'm not perfect and no one ever can be perfect, all we can do is strive to do the right thing and give the fans a show. That's what the people want...they want entertainment, not some bland list of facts that need to be double checked in order to prove them false or true, because lets be honest there are no scrubs in this match. Not a soul in this match is a second class neanderthal that some one can just throw around and pick up an easy win over because this is APW. Everyone in APW has a chance to do something if they strive to do so...some choose not to and they are entitled to do so after all it is their career, but that doesn't mean that they are under talented or just flat out wimpy. No, it just means they have taken a different path that suits themselves and not others. I respect that and everyone in this match should as well, but it doesn't matter. To most of these athletes this match, is nothing more than a proving ground for them, but it is so much more than that. Sure, this generation has some real live wires who want to get out and prove themselves, but some of these guys are doing it too quickly. I know that you guys want to win and I know that you guys want to be a contender, but chill out. I made the same mistake and you want to know where it got me...well it got me right here at square one again. Plus this is a battle royal...singling out one individual matters absolutely nothing, winning via strategy, and cool thinking will get you the win, but I feel that the majority of you are losing your cool way too quickly.
All I'm saying is think before you guys jump. This match is big and it should be enjoyable for everyone in the arena...watching on television...and the world abroad. I just hope that whoever wins, be it me or some new blood or other veteran, shows dignity, and respect enough to pay thanks for the fans who pay your wage and make your life style a reality because without them we would be nothing.
Pence gets off the wall and begins walking out to the main road which is no rather quiet, with very few people walking the side walks at all, and Pence pauses as he looks at his watch.
Pence: It is getting rather late and I have some last minute training to do, so I guess I will wrap this up with a promise. Not a promise that I will win this match because in a battle royal it can go anyway it pleases because of the way that the match is constructed, but a promise that I will try my hardest to make this match as entertaining as I possibly can. And if I do win...I promise that I will do my best to be better for you out there, the countless millions who look for a figure to put your faith in, and to try to use the momentum of this match to the best of my ability to catapult right back up from where I left last year...chasing down another Undisputed title shot. I know it is foolish to get ahead of myself, but a man can dream, right?
Pence grins and then waves before uttering.
Pence: Well that is all for now ladies and gentlemen and I hope to see you all at One Night in Hell and to all my opponent's in the battle royal...I wish you good luck and hope that you bring your "A" game this Sunday because thought it may appear that I have nothing left to offer APW as a whole, just remember that the will of the people and the strength of the soul is a mysterious thing and that no matter how down and out a man can appear...it is still possible for amazing things to happen. Anyway...good night and God bless.
Truth be told, Pence doubted any one in the business right now could understand his pain, and his fears. He was pained due to his past failures. September had been a horrible month for him, he had lost, and he had lost without reason. Constantly struggling to find rhythm or the way to win the match. His fear was that he would continue to struggle and maybe even botch his One Night in Hell match because of his September. He had little to no momentum and what was worse is that he didn't know if things were going to get better or worse before he finally dragged himself out of his slump. Then of course there was that chance that all of this was just his new normal and that he would never again climb the top of the mountain and plant his flag. He had done it two times in his life and many analysts now were laughing at the mere thought of him winning this battle royal. He had remembered a report before he had landed being broadcast all over Japan talking about how he was destined to choke again. Destined to fade into obscurity again. The Japanese held back nothing and though at times that seemed like a good quality, tonight for Pence it felt like the worst quality to have.
He took another bite solemnly as he tried to collect himself and find an answer to the problems that plagued him, but he found no relief from his troubled mind or the nagging feeling of dread which had been building in his gut for the past month.
Pence: Maybe I should just call it quits and fly back to the states before One Night in Hell even starts up...sure would save the fans the heartbreak of watching me fail again.
Another bite and a loud sigh later, Pence found himself feeling quite full from the food and stood up to look around the restaurant which was clearing out rather quickly due to it being near closing time. The sounds outside had died down and the symphony was reaching near silence, but Pence could still hear the familiar sound of feet meeting the paved roads.
Pence: I could just fade into obscurity again, sign my name on the dotted line, and disappear forever without anyone really missing me. It has gotten to the point to where people just don't even care about me anymore. They see my name on the card, they look at where I am, and then they just shrug it off. And why should they care? Why should anyone care about me? I've done nothing, but struggle, and struggle only to come up short in the worst possible way. I've had match after match taken away in a heartbeat and because of that I feel as if I have little to nothing going for me anymore. My confidence has been shaky and my resolve has become almost non-existant and I guess there is no one to blame, but myself. I did all this. I lost these matches and no one is to blame, but me and my rotten luck. And you know what? I'm fine with that, but you want to know what I'm not fine with? Letting everyone down. I've let them all down...everyone who turns on their television expecting me to come out on top and everyone that is looking for some one to root for in these dark times and you know what...I fear that it is all over for me. I mean honestly, how much do I have left in the tank?
To be quite honest, even I don't know anymore, and who can blame me...I'm over the hill and through the woods right now chilling with grandma. I mean, I was excited at first, don't get me wrong...I have a huge opportunity to make up for everything that I have come up short on in September in one night by winning this battle royal, but I have to face reality when I say that there are some strong athletes in this match. Some young guys and veterans who have a lot of talent and enthusiasm for the game and that is a good thing to see, but for me it just makes me feel worse. I guess I wouldn't feel this way if I hadn't been snubbed or if I hadn't choked or if I hadn't gotten injured, but that is of course three too many ifs' for a guy like me.
Pence shrugs and then heads out into the street, the camera follows him, making sure to catch whatever Pence is going to say next.
Pence: But that is the price we pay, right? Injuries happen and sometimes you just don't get back from them. It happens and that is exactly what has happened here. My arm...this piece of shit appendage that let me down a year ago...has never been the same and I fear that it never will be the same. I've tried every trick in my book and have tried in every single way to get myself mentally motivated to come out into a match to win it all again, but I just can't. Jeff has never given me a chance to do it and I doubt he ever will and why the fuck should he, right? I've lost so many matches that I've forgotten the total and I'm not even close to being in his top ten on the power twenty five. Hell, by now I would assume that my hall of fame spot, if I even had one, is gone, and that I shouldn't be expecting to be remembered when all of this is said and done. That's my damn fault, not the fans, and definitely not Jeffs of course. So why am I here in Tokyo at all? This wonderful city does not deserve a failure like me walking down the streets looking for answers in its' majesty or glamour. Yet, here I am. Still talking and still walking.
Pence turns to face the camera and leans again a wall in the back alley.
Pence: But for how much longer? I'm sure somebody has an answer or that one of my opponents in this battle royal has my number and is more than willing to brag about how I stand no chance in hell of coming out in anything less than a body bag when this Sunday comes around. It seems to be this generations motif to forget who got them here and who pre-dates them and on who's backs were broken to make this place what it is today. I'm sure no one knows about my big clash with Level One or what I stood for so long ago, so why bore this generation with a history lesson that they don't even want to hear in the first place? The answer is simple of course and the answer is to not talk about it at all...it matters so little about my accomplishments or what I have done in the past if all I can do now is talk and get my ass handed to me. I have lost everything...except for maybe my honor and my pride as an athlete, but beyond that...I have lost it all.
And what does the likes of Arcadia, Scripps, Ward, or Haze no about true loss? I have no parents, I had no child hood, I've had no relief, or respect since day fucking one and every fighter in this match wants to talk about how much they deserve this about how much they deserve to be top dog and yet they don't want to face the realistic factor that loss is part of a natural order of things. I've lost everything, but in that regard I have learned a great deal. You must lose to obtain...sacrafice is what I am talking about and I have sacrificed everything for this company. My body...
Pence points to his arm.
Pence: My mind.
Pence pulls out the mask that he wore when he attacked Level One before Rasslemania and then throws it on the street.
Pence: The only thing I have left is my pride and soul and quite frankly...if they asked me to sacrifice those things in order to save one more fan from a disappointing ending to a beautiful story...then I would do it. I would do it without a second thought...but that is because I am different then this generations icons. I'm not like the rest of the people in this match because of that...I'm willing to give it all and do it all to win this match. Sure, I may feel like I have nothing left in the tank, but that is no reason for me not to try and for me not to do what I do best. Sure, I could make a list of things...I could pull a Scripps and talk about just about everyone freely, but why do it when everyone is doing the same thing...why make the same bland scenario play out over and over again with the same bland ending to the same bland story. The fans don't want it and I sure as hell don't want that either. So instead...I'm going to say...I'm flawed.
Pence shrugs his shoulders and then keeps going.
Pence: I'm not perfect and no one ever can be perfect, all we can do is strive to do the right thing and give the fans a show. That's what the people want...they want entertainment, not some bland list of facts that need to be double checked in order to prove them false or true, because lets be honest there are no scrubs in this match. Not a soul in this match is a second class neanderthal that some one can just throw around and pick up an easy win over because this is APW. Everyone in APW has a chance to do something if they strive to do so...some choose not to and they are entitled to do so after all it is their career, but that doesn't mean that they are under talented or just flat out wimpy. No, it just means they have taken a different path that suits themselves and not others. I respect that and everyone in this match should as well, but it doesn't matter. To most of these athletes this match, is nothing more than a proving ground for them, but it is so much more than that. Sure, this generation has some real live wires who want to get out and prove themselves, but some of these guys are doing it too quickly. I know that you guys want to win and I know that you guys want to be a contender, but chill out. I made the same mistake and you want to know where it got me...well it got me right here at square one again. Plus this is a battle royal...singling out one individual matters absolutely nothing, winning via strategy, and cool thinking will get you the win, but I feel that the majority of you are losing your cool way too quickly.
All I'm saying is think before you guys jump. This match is big and it should be enjoyable for everyone in the arena...watching on television...and the world abroad. I just hope that whoever wins, be it me or some new blood or other veteran, shows dignity, and respect enough to pay thanks for the fans who pay your wage and make your life style a reality because without them we would be nothing.
Pence gets off the wall and begins walking out to the main road which is no rather quiet, with very few people walking the side walks at all, and Pence pauses as he looks at his watch.
Pence: It is getting rather late and I have some last minute training to do, so I guess I will wrap this up with a promise. Not a promise that I will win this match because in a battle royal it can go anyway it pleases because of the way that the match is constructed, but a promise that I will try my hardest to make this match as entertaining as I possibly can. And if I do win...I promise that I will do my best to be better for you out there, the countless millions who look for a figure to put your faith in, and to try to use the momentum of this match to the best of my ability to catapult right back up from where I left last year...chasing down another Undisputed title shot. I know it is foolish to get ahead of myself, but a man can dream, right?
Pence grins and then waves before uttering.
Pence: Well that is all for now ladies and gentlemen and I hope to see you all at One Night in Hell and to all my opponent's in the battle royal...I wish you good luck and hope that you bring your "A" game this Sunday because thought it may appear that I have nothing left to offer APW as a whole, just remember that the will of the people and the strength of the soul is a mysterious thing and that no matter how down and out a man can appear...it is still possible for amazing things to happen. Anyway...good night and God bless.
