Post by Mark Mania on May 19, 2012 15:48:51 GMT -4
It’s been a long time since I’ve been in this ring. A long time since I’ve laced up the boots and saw an opponent across the ring from me. But here we are, here I am, ready to battle. The last time I came back, I wasn’t ready. Jeff knew it, I knew it, the whole APW world knew it. I came back to much fan-fare but, I just wasn’t ready. But now I feel alive again. I feel ready to step into the ring and give all I can.
Now, when I was in APW a few years ago I left while battling in the Main Event with Level-One and Sally Talfourd, now, I’m back in the Main Event, on a new program and I’m battling Blade. A man who was around in my last incarnation in APW but who wasn’t on my same level. Even now, me as someone who may have a little rust and Blade who just headlined Rasslemania and he’s still not on my level.
So now we prepare, now we get ourselves ready for the next step in the career of Mark Mania. Now we start over and fight our way back to the top. I’m ready for whatever APW has to throw at me, starting with Blade, starting with Meltdown. I’m back APW and I’m back for good.[/i]
Mania Enterprises
Boston, MA
Mark Mania: Where the hell is my jacket!?
Bill Gnarly: I don’t have the slightest idea man, don’t you need to get on a flight?
Mark Mania: Hence looking for my jacket!
Bill Gnarly: It’s Virginia! In the Summer!
Mark Mania: Oh yeah, right. Alright, alright. My bag is on the way to the plane already right?
Bill Gnarly: Yeah, sent it over already. You’re good to go man. Just relax, first match back, sure, but you’re back in the Main Event, you should feel comfortable.
Mark Mania: Oh I’m not nervous. I’m good, I’m good. Just need to get back into a rhythm. Been too long.
Bill Gnarly: You’ll be good hot shot, just relax, have a safe flight and we’ll see you back here afterwards.
Mark Mania: Thanks Bill, see you next week.
Mark Mania and Bill Gnarly, the CEO and Vice-President of Mania Enterprises were meeting in Mark’s office preparing to leave for Richmond. Mania Enterprises deals mostly in media development and talent development. However over the past four years, media development has been where all the money is. The talent part has been in the hands of CEO Mark Mania. He wrestled for APW a few years ago where he rose to the top but due to an unfortunate injury he had to take a break. When he did come back last year, he hadn’t fully recovered and felt a little too much pressure coming soon. Now, as another year passes, he’s ready to get back in the squared circle for real.
Mark walks out of his office and into the elevator of Mania Enterprises. His office is on the 13th floor, he finds it funny that people always find the 13th floor of a building to be unlucky. 13 has always been his favorite and lucky number. The elevator gets down to the bottom floor, the door opens, and Mark sees a swarm of cameras in front of his building. He breaths in, smiles, and feels some nostalgia.
Mark walks out the door to a bunch of people screaming questions at him and taking photographs. Cameras are rolling on him.
“Why did you finally decide to come back?”
“Do you think it’s strange that you went right back to Main Event status? Shouldn’t someone else who has done something lately be in the Main Event?”
“Any words for Level-One?”
“Where’s your girlfriend Emily?”
“Are you signing any new stars to Mania Enterprises?”
“Any words for Blade?”
Mark loved this, he truly did. He was surprised people remembered Emily. She was his assistant and eventual love interest, but things had broken down after his injury. This wasn’t Mark’s first girlfriend, or his last. Mark’s limo was waiting for him outside of his building. Mark got into the limo and thought for a second.
Mark Mania: Hey, you know what Phil, hold on a second.
Mark opened up his door, looked for a camera man he recognized and called to him.
Mark Mania: You! Yeah, you, get in here, come on with me.
The camera man pointed to his chest and Mark nodded his head in approval. The man grabbed his stuff and got into the limo with Mark.
Mark Mania: You’re lucky day pal, one on one interview with the Mark Mania. What’s your name?
Camera Man: It’s Patrick. Patrick O’Day.
Mark Mania: Ah, an Irish lad, eh? I remember you from my last incarnation Patty boy. What were your thoughts about me last time through?
Patrick O’Day: Some of the best stuff I’ve seen from you really. I followed you a bit in your past. I thought you really came to fight each night last time. Up until the end that is.
Mark Mania: Ah I got injured what are you going to do. At least you liked me. This could’ve gotten awkward if you hated me. Alright Patrick, strap yourself in. Time for me to talk to my buddy Blade.
Patrick O’Day got the camera set up and focused it on Mark. Mark called towards his driver to start on the way to the airport. Mark reached into the cooler and grabbed an Aquafina water out. He took a big sip and runs his hand through his hair.
Mark Mania: APW, APW, APW! I’m back baby! We knew it was only a matter of time that one of the greatest wrestlers in APW history would come back to the squared circle. I know it’s been a long time, and I know your most recent memories of me are not of someone who belongs in the Main Event, but you’ll see that times have changed. Believe you me, times have changed APW. I’ve had this last year to really think about things, really put things into perspective. I’m no young buck, I think everyone knows that, but there are still some things that I need to accomplish. It’s funny, for my long and storied history, from winning my first title over 15 years ago, to APW where I became the Extreme Champion just a few years ago, through all this time I’d say that APW is where I feel the most at home. Maybe it’s because I came in as a veteran wrestler who had a bit of a reputation and I smashed that reputation to show President Jeff and everyone else of APW just how good of a competitor I was. Luckily, due to APW’s continued success, and my current health, I’m able to do that again.
Mark Mania: As I said, I know that the last time I came back there was a lot of talk that I was washed up and I hadn’t given it my all. And I’ll tell you, they were right. Let me stress that they WERE right. Not anymore folks. Not anymore APW. Mark Mania is here, and he’s here to take care of business. A few years ago I had a chance to win the World Title a few different times and I could never capitalize. Not anymore APW. I’ve come back to take the APW World Title and I’ve come back to take my rightful spot at the top of this company. People still look back onto the days of old and talk about the matches that I was putting on with Level-One and Sally Talfourd.
Mark Mania: Now a lot of people know that I was injured and had to leave before the three of us could really throw everything we had at each other. You got to see it from Sally and Lester. Those two went at each other like no other two I’ve seen before. Imagine how much better it would’ve been if I had been there the whole time and I was getting my rightful shot at the championship. What a different few years it would’ve been.
Mark Mania: Now, before I really get going here, I have to offer my apologies to my former partner Pence Weatherlight. I know he’s not around in APW right now, but I know this will get back to him. Pence and I had some big plans to take over the tag team division as the team of Mania Light, good sounding beer, better sounding tag team. Pence, last year when I came back, I wasn’t ready and I’m sorry for that. I’m sorry for getting you ready to jump in the ring with me and take on all comers. I know you’ll get yourself back in the ring, and when you do, I owe it to you to capture those tag titles. Good luck my man.
Mark looks out the window to see what kind of progress they’ve made towards the airport. There’s still a few minutes away.
Mark Mania: Ok Blade, I have a few minutes to touch on you before I get to the airport, but trust me, I’ll have plenty to say later when I have my press conference in Richmond. Blade, you remember what I’m capable of. You remember when you saw me do to opponents before. Victor Hades, John Green, all these guys that you saw come through APW during your time here. You’ve seen me distinguish some of the best talent APW has to offer. I think you know what you’re in for. You’re just holding out hope that I’m not back to my old self when I get into that ring. I hate to tell you that you’re going to be very let down. This is the Mark Mania of old that you’re in store for. I’m in my element big guy. I’m in the Main Event of the Meltdown Super Show! I don’t know a damn thing about Meltdown and I don’t recognize another name on the card, but I recognize you. I know you’re a good talent. Never were and never will be as good as me, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not going to remember you.
Mark Mania: You’re a good wrestler Blade and you’re a pretty good guy from what I remember. We were never pals, we never saw each other outside of the locker room and I’m fine with that. I know that I was always on the outside looking in back there anyways. It’s tough when you come to a place with a reputation of being a dickhead who doesn’t care about anyone. Not that I’m looking for sympathy or anything here, I just want to make sure that you realize I don’t hate you. I need you to realize that because what I’m going to do to you on Monday is going to seem personal. It’s going to seem like I have a vendetta against you. Like I blame you for my father’s death or my past with injuries. I’m going to demolish you, there’s no two ways around. I’m going to make you feel every ounce of pain that I’ve been feeling over the past few years. I’m going to do all of that and I still won’t be done. We need to put on a show for the people right? I’m going to beat you into submission and then keep on going. I need to send a message to APW Blade, and you’re in the way right now. You’re the first rung on the ladder back to the top for me. I mean, again, starting off in the Main Event isn’t a bad thing, but a loss, how is that going to look for me, really? Which is why I can’t let that happen Blade. You’re going to be on the receiving end of a beat down like you haven’t seen before. I just hope you don’t take it too personal.
The limo stops outside of Logan Airport in Boston. Mania Enterprises got their own plane in 1999 when the company was at it’s very best and most profitable. Luckily, they’ve held onto it. It was a quick flight to Richmond so Mark didn’t mind it. Never a big fan of too much airtime while traveling, but Richmond was just over an hour which would mean by the time they got up in the air and got situated they’d be on their way back down already. Mark Mania has a press conference set up for when he arrives in Richmond. He can’t wait to answer some of the questions people have for him.
Richmond International Airport
Richmond, VA
The scene opens on the door from the airplane opening up and coming down to the ground. There is a stage and podium set up about 30 feet from the steps. Mark Mania walks out of the plane and stands at the top of the step looking out onto the people who were waiting. Mark walks down the steps with a giant smile on his face. He steps up onto the stage and behind the podium. He smiles and waves as there is a quick applause.
Mark Mania: Ok, ok, quiet down. Before I begin I wanted to say a few words. I’d like to say to APW and President Jeff that I am very happy to come back to the APW and I appreciate the opportunity I’ve been given. I plan on making the most out of this chance that I was given and I will do my best to not let down President Jeff or the APW community. My first match is on Monday and I really look forward to getting back into the ring and showing you all that there isn’t any rust to work off. Let’s up the floor to questions.
“Mark, what made you come back?”
Mark Mania: Well, if you ask others like myself, they’d call it an “itch”. I may be old, but I’m not old enough that I’m not still on the top of my game. Some people considered my last stretch in APW to be the “twilight of my career” but they all saw that I was the best I’ve ever been. I know I can still be that person, and APW is the only place I’d want to.
“Mr. Mania, what do you think about being on the Meltdown brand to start your comeback?”
Mark Mania: I look forward to the challenge that this will pose as I don’t know many of the competitors in Meltdown and it will bring some serious legitimacy to the brand having such a big name as myself.
“Are you prepared for coming back in the Main Event against Blade? A man who has been wrestling over the past year while you were out?”
Mark Mania: I know that many people think I’ll have some rust coming into this match, but I was better than Blade two years ago and I’m better than Blade now. I can’t wait to get in the ring with him and really lay a beat down. He may have Main Evented Rasslemania, but let’s not fool ourselves into thinking he was really the draw of that match. It was almost a lifetime achievement award type thing for Blade. He’s a decent wrestler who has been in the APW for a while. He’s got to get a chance to do something sometime.
“Anyone else you really want to get in the ring with Mark?”
Mark Mania: You know that’s an easy question for me. I can’t wait to get back in the ring with Level-One. While my main goal may be the APW World Title, which means I’d have to go through Kurt Noble or CJ Gates, Level-One is still the one I want to take down. The only time I came away with a victory was when we were in a match with three other people. I have yet to beat him one on one, and that’s definitely something I need to do while I’m back.
“We have to ask, what’s your prediction for Meltdown?”
Mark Mania: A full and complete victory. I can’t expect anything else. It’s what I’ve always expected of myself and now can’t be different. I’m ready to get back into the ring and get back into the swing of things. This should be a good competitive match, but when it comes down to it, I’m going to be too much for Blade. I’ve got the skill, I’ve got the drive, and I have the experience. Those are the three things you need to succeed and I have them. Set your alarms folks, send the kids to bed, Mark Mania is back.
Mark waves to the crowd and smiles. He walks away down from stage and into the limo that was there waiting for him. Mark gets into the limo and takes a big deep breath. He runs his hand through his hair and smiles. He presses the button to roll down the window to his driver.
Mark Mania: Man it feels good to be back in front of the cameras. Let’s just hope it feels as good to be back in the ring.
The limo pulls away as the flashes continue to light up the inside of the limo. Mark Mania opens the sunroof on the limo and stands up to wave back at the cameras one more time before Meltdown.
Now, when I was in APW a few years ago I left while battling in the Main Event with Level-One and Sally Talfourd, now, I’m back in the Main Event, on a new program and I’m battling Blade. A man who was around in my last incarnation in APW but who wasn’t on my same level. Even now, me as someone who may have a little rust and Blade who just headlined Rasslemania and he’s still not on my level.
So now we prepare, now we get ourselves ready for the next step in the career of Mark Mania. Now we start over and fight our way back to the top. I’m ready for whatever APW has to throw at me, starting with Blade, starting with Meltdown. I’m back APW and I’m back for good.[/i]
Mania Enterprises
Boston, MA
Mark Mania: Where the hell is my jacket!?
Bill Gnarly: I don’t have the slightest idea man, don’t you need to get on a flight?
Mark Mania: Hence looking for my jacket!
Bill Gnarly: It’s Virginia! In the Summer!
Mark Mania: Oh yeah, right. Alright, alright. My bag is on the way to the plane already right?
Bill Gnarly: Yeah, sent it over already. You’re good to go man. Just relax, first match back, sure, but you’re back in the Main Event, you should feel comfortable.
Mark Mania: Oh I’m not nervous. I’m good, I’m good. Just need to get back into a rhythm. Been too long.
Bill Gnarly: You’ll be good hot shot, just relax, have a safe flight and we’ll see you back here afterwards.
Mark Mania: Thanks Bill, see you next week.
Mark Mania and Bill Gnarly, the CEO and Vice-President of Mania Enterprises were meeting in Mark’s office preparing to leave for Richmond. Mania Enterprises deals mostly in media development and talent development. However over the past four years, media development has been where all the money is. The talent part has been in the hands of CEO Mark Mania. He wrestled for APW a few years ago where he rose to the top but due to an unfortunate injury he had to take a break. When he did come back last year, he hadn’t fully recovered and felt a little too much pressure coming soon. Now, as another year passes, he’s ready to get back in the squared circle for real.
Mark walks out of his office and into the elevator of Mania Enterprises. His office is on the 13th floor, he finds it funny that people always find the 13th floor of a building to be unlucky. 13 has always been his favorite and lucky number. The elevator gets down to the bottom floor, the door opens, and Mark sees a swarm of cameras in front of his building. He breaths in, smiles, and feels some nostalgia.
Mark walks out the door to a bunch of people screaming questions at him and taking photographs. Cameras are rolling on him.
“Why did you finally decide to come back?”
“Do you think it’s strange that you went right back to Main Event status? Shouldn’t someone else who has done something lately be in the Main Event?”
“Any words for Level-One?”
“Where’s your girlfriend Emily?”
“Are you signing any new stars to Mania Enterprises?”
“Any words for Blade?”
Mark loved this, he truly did. He was surprised people remembered Emily. She was his assistant and eventual love interest, but things had broken down after his injury. This wasn’t Mark’s first girlfriend, or his last. Mark’s limo was waiting for him outside of his building. Mark got into the limo and thought for a second.
Mark Mania: Hey, you know what Phil, hold on a second.
Mark opened up his door, looked for a camera man he recognized and called to him.
Mark Mania: You! Yeah, you, get in here, come on with me.
The camera man pointed to his chest and Mark nodded his head in approval. The man grabbed his stuff and got into the limo with Mark.
Mark Mania: You’re lucky day pal, one on one interview with the Mark Mania. What’s your name?
Camera Man: It’s Patrick. Patrick O’Day.
Mark Mania: Ah, an Irish lad, eh? I remember you from my last incarnation Patty boy. What were your thoughts about me last time through?
Patrick O’Day: Some of the best stuff I’ve seen from you really. I followed you a bit in your past. I thought you really came to fight each night last time. Up until the end that is.
Mark Mania: Ah I got injured what are you going to do. At least you liked me. This could’ve gotten awkward if you hated me. Alright Patrick, strap yourself in. Time for me to talk to my buddy Blade.
Patrick O’Day got the camera set up and focused it on Mark. Mark called towards his driver to start on the way to the airport. Mark reached into the cooler and grabbed an Aquafina water out. He took a big sip and runs his hand through his hair.
Mark Mania: APW, APW, APW! I’m back baby! We knew it was only a matter of time that one of the greatest wrestlers in APW history would come back to the squared circle. I know it’s been a long time, and I know your most recent memories of me are not of someone who belongs in the Main Event, but you’ll see that times have changed. Believe you me, times have changed APW. I’ve had this last year to really think about things, really put things into perspective. I’m no young buck, I think everyone knows that, but there are still some things that I need to accomplish. It’s funny, for my long and storied history, from winning my first title over 15 years ago, to APW where I became the Extreme Champion just a few years ago, through all this time I’d say that APW is where I feel the most at home. Maybe it’s because I came in as a veteran wrestler who had a bit of a reputation and I smashed that reputation to show President Jeff and everyone else of APW just how good of a competitor I was. Luckily, due to APW’s continued success, and my current health, I’m able to do that again.
Mark Mania: As I said, I know that the last time I came back there was a lot of talk that I was washed up and I hadn’t given it my all. And I’ll tell you, they were right. Let me stress that they WERE right. Not anymore folks. Not anymore APW. Mark Mania is here, and he’s here to take care of business. A few years ago I had a chance to win the World Title a few different times and I could never capitalize. Not anymore APW. I’ve come back to take the APW World Title and I’ve come back to take my rightful spot at the top of this company. People still look back onto the days of old and talk about the matches that I was putting on with Level-One and Sally Talfourd.
Mark Mania: Now a lot of people know that I was injured and had to leave before the three of us could really throw everything we had at each other. You got to see it from Sally and Lester. Those two went at each other like no other two I’ve seen before. Imagine how much better it would’ve been if I had been there the whole time and I was getting my rightful shot at the championship. What a different few years it would’ve been.
Mark Mania: Now, before I really get going here, I have to offer my apologies to my former partner Pence Weatherlight. I know he’s not around in APW right now, but I know this will get back to him. Pence and I had some big plans to take over the tag team division as the team of Mania Light, good sounding beer, better sounding tag team. Pence, last year when I came back, I wasn’t ready and I’m sorry for that. I’m sorry for getting you ready to jump in the ring with me and take on all comers. I know you’ll get yourself back in the ring, and when you do, I owe it to you to capture those tag titles. Good luck my man.
Mark looks out the window to see what kind of progress they’ve made towards the airport. There’s still a few minutes away.
Mark Mania: Ok Blade, I have a few minutes to touch on you before I get to the airport, but trust me, I’ll have plenty to say later when I have my press conference in Richmond. Blade, you remember what I’m capable of. You remember when you saw me do to opponents before. Victor Hades, John Green, all these guys that you saw come through APW during your time here. You’ve seen me distinguish some of the best talent APW has to offer. I think you know what you’re in for. You’re just holding out hope that I’m not back to my old self when I get into that ring. I hate to tell you that you’re going to be very let down. This is the Mark Mania of old that you’re in store for. I’m in my element big guy. I’m in the Main Event of the Meltdown Super Show! I don’t know a damn thing about Meltdown and I don’t recognize another name on the card, but I recognize you. I know you’re a good talent. Never were and never will be as good as me, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not going to remember you.
Mark Mania: You’re a good wrestler Blade and you’re a pretty good guy from what I remember. We were never pals, we never saw each other outside of the locker room and I’m fine with that. I know that I was always on the outside looking in back there anyways. It’s tough when you come to a place with a reputation of being a dickhead who doesn’t care about anyone. Not that I’m looking for sympathy or anything here, I just want to make sure that you realize I don’t hate you. I need you to realize that because what I’m going to do to you on Monday is going to seem personal. It’s going to seem like I have a vendetta against you. Like I blame you for my father’s death or my past with injuries. I’m going to demolish you, there’s no two ways around. I’m going to make you feel every ounce of pain that I’ve been feeling over the past few years. I’m going to do all of that and I still won’t be done. We need to put on a show for the people right? I’m going to beat you into submission and then keep on going. I need to send a message to APW Blade, and you’re in the way right now. You’re the first rung on the ladder back to the top for me. I mean, again, starting off in the Main Event isn’t a bad thing, but a loss, how is that going to look for me, really? Which is why I can’t let that happen Blade. You’re going to be on the receiving end of a beat down like you haven’t seen before. I just hope you don’t take it too personal.
The limo stops outside of Logan Airport in Boston. Mania Enterprises got their own plane in 1999 when the company was at it’s very best and most profitable. Luckily, they’ve held onto it. It was a quick flight to Richmond so Mark didn’t mind it. Never a big fan of too much airtime while traveling, but Richmond was just over an hour which would mean by the time they got up in the air and got situated they’d be on their way back down already. Mark Mania has a press conference set up for when he arrives in Richmond. He can’t wait to answer some of the questions people have for him.
Richmond International Airport
Richmond, VA
The scene opens on the door from the airplane opening up and coming down to the ground. There is a stage and podium set up about 30 feet from the steps. Mark Mania walks out of the plane and stands at the top of the step looking out onto the people who were waiting. Mark walks down the steps with a giant smile on his face. He steps up onto the stage and behind the podium. He smiles and waves as there is a quick applause.
Mark Mania: Ok, ok, quiet down. Before I begin I wanted to say a few words. I’d like to say to APW and President Jeff that I am very happy to come back to the APW and I appreciate the opportunity I’ve been given. I plan on making the most out of this chance that I was given and I will do my best to not let down President Jeff or the APW community. My first match is on Monday and I really look forward to getting back into the ring and showing you all that there isn’t any rust to work off. Let’s up the floor to questions.
“Mark, what made you come back?”
Mark Mania: Well, if you ask others like myself, they’d call it an “itch”. I may be old, but I’m not old enough that I’m not still on the top of my game. Some people considered my last stretch in APW to be the “twilight of my career” but they all saw that I was the best I’ve ever been. I know I can still be that person, and APW is the only place I’d want to.
“Mr. Mania, what do you think about being on the Meltdown brand to start your comeback?”
Mark Mania: I look forward to the challenge that this will pose as I don’t know many of the competitors in Meltdown and it will bring some serious legitimacy to the brand having such a big name as myself.
“Are you prepared for coming back in the Main Event against Blade? A man who has been wrestling over the past year while you were out?”
Mark Mania: I know that many people think I’ll have some rust coming into this match, but I was better than Blade two years ago and I’m better than Blade now. I can’t wait to get in the ring with him and really lay a beat down. He may have Main Evented Rasslemania, but let’s not fool ourselves into thinking he was really the draw of that match. It was almost a lifetime achievement award type thing for Blade. He’s a decent wrestler who has been in the APW for a while. He’s got to get a chance to do something sometime.
“Anyone else you really want to get in the ring with Mark?”
Mark Mania: You know that’s an easy question for me. I can’t wait to get back in the ring with Level-One. While my main goal may be the APW World Title, which means I’d have to go through Kurt Noble or CJ Gates, Level-One is still the one I want to take down. The only time I came away with a victory was when we were in a match with three other people. I have yet to beat him one on one, and that’s definitely something I need to do while I’m back.
“We have to ask, what’s your prediction for Meltdown?”
Mark Mania: A full and complete victory. I can’t expect anything else. It’s what I’ve always expected of myself and now can’t be different. I’m ready to get back into the ring and get back into the swing of things. This should be a good competitive match, but when it comes down to it, I’m going to be too much for Blade. I’ve got the skill, I’ve got the drive, and I have the experience. Those are the three things you need to succeed and I have them. Set your alarms folks, send the kids to bed, Mark Mania is back.
Mark waves to the crowd and smiles. He walks away down from stage and into the limo that was there waiting for him. Mark gets into the limo and takes a big deep breath. He runs his hand through his hair and smiles. He presses the button to roll down the window to his driver.
Mark Mania: Man it feels good to be back in front of the cameras. Let’s just hope it feels as good to be back in the ring.
The limo pulls away as the flashes continue to light up the inside of the limo. Mark Mania opens the sunroof on the limo and stands up to wave back at the cameras one more time before Meltdown.
