#16 Unleashing Mayhem, pt. 2

[Jules]

#16: Unleashing Mayhem

Part 2: Legacy

*

April 29th 2012
APW Thursday Night Overdrive

It was less than hour before this edition of Overdrive would go live and APW Xtreme Champion John Dionysus would return to television to confront Michael Harris and lay down the gauntlet for their match at Mayhem. At the time there was just one man Dionysus wanted to speak to and having been directed to his office, Dionysus burst in to find APW’s leader and chief, President Jeff.

“I wasn’t expecting to see you tonight,” Jeff said looking up from his desk.

“I hope you see it as a pleasant surprise.”

“Your agent, Wheeler, left, what ten minutes ago.”

“I’m not here to talk about Vern Wheeler; I’ll deal with him later. Tonight I want to talk to you about something else.”

“Let me guess, does it begin with ‘Michael’ and end in ‘Harris’.”

“I guess you’re not the boss around here for nothing.”

President Jeff ignored the sarcasm and tried to stay on track with the business at hand.

“I’ve already pencilled in your title defence for Mayhem next month. That is,” Jeff paused for a second, “if you’re medically cleared by then.”

The reference to his ‘injuries’ made Dionysus cringe. Sure, the two week absence hadn’t done his body any harm at all, and the doctors had recommended Dionysus let the concussion fully subside, but it had been Wheeler’s scheme to keep him away from Overdrive longer than was necessary.

“I’m telling you here and as of this moment I am medically good to go.”

“I’m glad to hear it, although Mr. Wheeler seemed to inform me of the opposite earlier tonight.”

“Then I guess you won’t be the only person surprised to see me here tonight.”

President Jeff smiled.

“So we’re done: you face Harris at Mayhem,” Jeff queried.

“Not quite. I want more than just a match.”

President Jeff raised his eyebrows; he had a feeling his accountant would probably like the sound of whatever Dionysus was about to propose.

“I want to beat the man up,” Dionysus said matter of factly, then added: “beat him like a dog.”

“Well it’s an Xtreme rules match, John. You pretty much have free reign to do whatever you want.”

“I’ve beaten the man in an Xtreme rules match. I’m not looking just to defend the title, I want proper retribution.”

“So?”

“I don’t want the man to be able to get up again. When I’m through with him at Montreal I want to leave him lying in a pool of his own blood, discard him like a piece of trash and leave him to rot in exactly the same way he did to me three weeks ago. I want to prove to Michael Harris that when it comes to the Xtreme Championship he simply does not have the heart nor the will to survive me.”

Jeff sat back in chair and eyed Dionysus carefully. The Xtreme Champ wasn’t a member of the roster he was more than acquainted with; he was one of the guys who just came in and went about his business quietly and professionally; he had never seen this burning intensity inside the man’s eyes. Of course Jeff knew there was no love lost between Dionysus and Michael Harris, but for the first time he was beginning to see this bout as one that could potentially raise big money.

“What do you want, then?”

“Last Man Standing.”

President Jeff smiled gleefully; it was perfect.

“You got it.”

Jeff extended his hand, Dionysus took and they shook.

“Thank you, boss.”

“I should thank you; it’s about time someone put the Xtreme Title back on the map.”

Dionysus smiled.

“Oh, I fully intent on doing that, and the map will be painted with Michael Harris blood.” Jeff nodded along and Dionysus added: “this is the beginning of a new legacy in the history of this championship. My legacy.”

They exchanged a handshake once again before Dionysus left the office and left President Jeff to conduct his affairs. Satisfied, it was now clear to Dionysus two thing had to be done: 1. Inform Michael Harris of the fate that awaited him; 2. Prepare himself to be victorious on the biggest night in the history of the APW Xtreme Championship.

*

Boston, MA
One week before Rasslemania VIII.

Weeks before he reached the point of steely determination ahead of his Xtreme Championship match with Michael Harris, John Dionysus was at a point of juncture in his career and he had to make a decision on which direction it would lead. At this pivotal moment Dionysus called upon the counsel of man with whom he shared many things in common – the CWC Hardcore Champion and fellow APW Megastar – Keaton Saint.

It wasn’t that these two men were friends, but their paths had crossed in the weeks leading up to Rasslemania, and there had come to exist and rapport between the pair.

“I’m just not seeing how it’s hindrance,” Saint said, sliding a cup of coffee Dionysus’ way.

“When I got it, I looked upon it as a great thing. It felt like everything I’d done to get back had been worth it; like the title vindicated everything I worked for.”

“Now it doesn’t?” Saint could not hide his puzzlement at the so-called predicament Dionysus thought he faced.

“I didn’t say that. I’m saying I don’t know what I’ve got invested in this match anymore.”

“I’d say you have a ton invested in it. Isn’t the chance to put the likes of Michael Harris in his place enough of an investment?”

That was the hook as far as Dionysus was concerned, but beyond that?

“Take that out of the equation, and what is there?” Saint looked quizzically at Dionysus, he simply did not follow the Xtreme Champion’s thought-process. “I don’t want to get pigeon-holed as a gimmick wrestler; I want something more legitimate than that,” Dionysus added by way of explanation.

“Would you consider me a gimmick wrestler?”

Dionysus looked oddly at Saint, but a moment later the penny dropped. Saint nodded as he seemingly read Dionysus’ thoughts.

“I get where you’re coming, John. You’re buying what a majority of the business tells us, right? Hardcore, Xtreme, whatever you want to call it, wrestling is an inferior brand fit for purpose only for drunks or overweight and dim-witted homeless guys.”

Dionysus smiled sheepishly.

“Is that what you think?” Saint probed. “When you walk to the ring with the APW Xtreme Title, do you think of yourself as fitting that description?”

“There was a time when I could’ve been described as all of those things.”

“We all have our moments in the dark,” said Saint with a hint of smile. “But you have to ask yourself the question: when you wear and you defend that title are you some kind of wrestling Frankenstein’s monster, or are you the champion of a division that demands the utmost sacrifice from the wrestler, and celebrates an unyielding will to survive and overcome an unrelenting and overwhelming onslaught?”

“I suppose when you lay down like that it’s a heck of an accomplishment.”

“It’s more than an accomplishment: it says to every wrestler on the roster you are a guy who can adapt and thrive in the most difficult and unique situations.”

“I get all that, Keaton, but still I can’t escape this feeling that it isn’t what I signed up for. It’s a great stepping stone, but where do you find the balance between using it as a stepping stone and not getting labelled as merely a hardcore wrestler. I want to make an impact as wrestler period, but it seems to me the long-term-wise it could end being an anchor on my career.”

“Why?” Keaton demanded, taking a swig of his coffee. “You’re thinking about this completely wrong-headed. You need to think of it as something that increases your stock as a wrestler; it’s an extra string to your bow. It proves you have a skill set that distinguishes you from others. I know your reservations, John, but I think of it this way: anyone in this world can fire a gun, but it takes a lot more to be a sharpshooter.” Saint takes another swig of coffee before continuing. “There are guys all over this business who are so proud of their titles and their accomplishments, but throw them into an ‘Xtreme’ situation and it’s like feeding a infant to the sharks.”

“And what about guys like Terry Marvin who run the title and this ‘brand’ of wrestling down?”

“What about them?” Saint spat out. “You should know by now that Terry Marvin is the sort of guy who is going to say whatever it takes to make himself feel more important than he is. We competing with these guys on a weekly basis, and if we show we’re on their level then the difference between the belt he is holding and the belt we’re holding is marginal. That’s why tournaments like Ascensions and the Extreme Tournament are so important: they are our way of showing that Hardcore, Xtreme, Suicidal titles can be put on the map for the right reasons – by showing they are held by wrestlers with as much calibre as anyone holding a World, an Overdrive, or even an Undisputed Title.”

“I guess I’d never thought it out like that. I guess it is all a matter of perception.”

“It’s all about self-perception, John. You’ve got to decide what legacy you want for your Xtreme Championship – do you simply want to be known as the guy who was merely there to pass the torch to Harris, or are you going to be the guy who lights the way?”

Dionysus nodded in thought, as the conversation had developed he’d formulated his view. He knew Saint was right, any fault belonged to him and not to the championship.

“I’m gonna be that guy,” Dionysus began, “that brings pride back to this championship. That will be my legacy: to be the guy who made the Xtreme Championship a mark of the great wrestlers, for making this a Championship they all have to try and win.”

*

Voice: It’s the top of the hour on KJWTYD Sports Radio, you’re listening to ‘The Slam Show’ with your ever loyal host, Josh Crowe, and alongside me my faithful companion, Chris LeBone.

Chris LeBone: Hello.

Josh Crowe: We’ve got a show that is more fully loaded than a ?. We’re talking APW Mayhem which goes live from Montreal this weekend, available only on pay-per-view, and we’re gonna be talking hardcore rasslin’, or to be more specific, XTREME rasslin’. I hope your pumped Chris?

Chris LeBone: I’m more pumped than a porn star’s chest; there’s more excitement fizzing through my veins than a teenage boy’s underpants; I’ve got more bubbles than a case of champagne...

Josh Crowe: I think we get it. Also, later in the show we look ahead to CWC’s Ascension Finale, and we discuss that all important question: would you vote for Michael Callahan...even if the human race was extinct and all that remained was rotting mounds of faecal matter?

Chris LeBone: I’d vote for him.

Josh Crowe: You would?

Chris LeBone: Yeah, he’s got that flappy-gummed, douchebag look about him, the kind of thing you look for in an elected representative. Plus, he strikes me as the kind of guy who would blow thousands of pounds of public money on huge frat parties. Politicians have no edge these days. I like to see my officials wantonly misappropriating and wasting on all manner of frivolity public funds.

Josh Crowe: You know, you should think about writing a political thesis, I hear bonehead university has vacancies.

Chris LeBone: You will be left behind, Josh, you will be left behind.

Josh Crowe: Anywhooooo....speaking of Mr. Callahan, he will be wrestling at APW’s upcoming pay-per-view, Mayhem, this weekend, and we’re talking hardcore wrestling today, but no title defence for Callahan this weekend.

Chris LeBone: He’ll probably look at that as a definite happy ending.

Josh Crowe: Ignoring that crude pun and moving on, one guy who will be defending his ‘Xtreme’ title on behalf of the Overdrive brand, John Dionysus.

Chris LeBone: Mr. Nice-Guy-Average.

Josh Crowe: Well he’s putting it on the line again against Mr.Not-so-nice-guy-in-his-own-mind-not-at-all-average, Michael Harris. Rasslemania rematch...you feeling that?

Chris LeBone: I’m getting a good vibe from Michael Harris right now; he’s got that brazen ‘kick someone senselessly in the head over and over again’ mentality that I like to see in an Xtreme Champion. On Asylum we’re seeing Callahan use the hardcore championship as an advert for palliative care, and on Overdrive we’re have a not-so-Xtreme Xtreme Champion. I feel like ever since Nathaniel Havok left and we stopped getting those long promos prefaced with the words ‘this is a shoot’ all the edge has gone out of the division.

Josh Crowe: It’s interesting that you say that, and there have been some pretty vocal critics of Dionysus and his approach as Xtreme Champion. But, this does have some edge about it. It’s become a very personal affair, and the Last Man Standing stipulation means this one should get ugly.

Chris LeBone: Well it’s about time. It’s not as if there wasn’t enough provocation. I mean how many times did Dionysus have to get kicked in the head, or how many members of Dionysus’ family did Harris have to tackle, before he realised Harris doesn’t like him and the only way to settle this thing was for one of them to put the other through a brick wall?

Josh Crowe: Unless President Jeff has somehow managed to book The Juggernaut in this match, I just don’t see that happening. But I know what you’re getting at, we all want to our bloodlust sated this weekend, and Last Man Standing should go some way to doing that.

Chris LeBone: I hope so, unless Dionysus suddenly decides he wants to change the stipulation to a petticoat match, maybe even introduce the marigolds to keep it nice and clean.

Josh Crowe: You’ve really got this bone to pick with Dionysus.

Chris LeBone: I just want some mindless, rabid aggression from my Xtreme division. I want hillbillies smashing each other up with beer bottles and breaking bones with household utensils.

Josh Crowe: It sounds to me like you’re hoping for a re-launch of the Jerry Springer Show. But listen, it’s a real possibility Dionysus retains on Sunday – is the Xtreme Title better represented by him or Harris?

Chris LeBone: Have you been listening to a word I’ve said? Mi-chael Ha-rris. Look at the facts, Josh. Harris is the God-knows-how-many-times hardcore champion and expert across God-knows-how-many companies. This is a man who thinks walking up to another human being and headbutting them is the equivalent of saying ‘how you do?’

Josh Crowe: I think you’re exaggerating again.

Chris LeBone: Maybe I am, but what I cannot exaggerate is just how dull an Xtreme Champion Dionysus is. At least with Harris we know he’s going to be walking around the arenas of America swinging chairs at folk like it’s going out of fashion. That’s hardcore, that’s what I pay my money to see.

Josh Crowe: I’ll remember never to ask you to babysit my children. But here’s a counter-argument: does not Dionysus bring more kudos to the table?

Chris LeBone: Kudos? What are you talking about?

Josh Crowe: Hear me out. He’s represented APW in both CWC and Experts competition, he’s been involved in some great matches recently with some stellar names, Kurt Noble, Level-One, Delikado to name a few.

Chris LeBone: Delikado?

Josh Crowe: He’s ‘LIKE A BAWSE!’

Josh Crowe chuckles to himself.

Chris LeBone: Don’t ever do that again.

Josh Crowe: Anyway, my point is that it could be argued Dionysus has dragged the Xtreme Title back to credibility after Nathaniel Havok tried to pass it around every week to whatever ‘yes-man’ was tossing the salad that particular week. Another fact: if Dionysus wins at Mayhem he is just a few short days from having the longest Xtreme Championship reign in APW history. I’m just saying.

Chris LeBone: And I’m just saying, none of that matters, and some of it is just plain untrue. If anyone ‘dragged’ the title back to ‘credibility’ it was Harris who respects its true traditions and looks to cave in Dionysus’ head with a chair, a boot, a house brick, or whatever takes his fancy, every week.

Josh Crowe: Okay, but what do you think at home. Call, text, tweet, email...

Chris LeBone: Do people still email?

Josh Crowe: From the third world they do. Anyway, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the Xtreme Championship match at Mayhem, or anything else that’s on your mind in the world of ‘rasslin. There’s more after these messages.

*

It’s been a long, drawn out process, but finally it all comes down to this. The match that will end the Dionysus/Harris saga is just days away, and having spent much time contemplating and deliberating on the importance of this match for Dionysus as a wrestler and a person, it all comes down to how important this match is for the Dionysus as an Xtreme Champion, and the importance of the match for the belt itself.

[/b][/i]

The great thing about hindsight is that through the right pair of eyes a person can observe the subtlety of an event unfold, you can look back at the chain reaction that emanated from a single spark, giving you a sense that what happened could not have happened any other way.

Fate.

When I look back over the history of the rivalry between Michael Harris and me I get a very strong sense that it could not have happened any other way. From that initial spark – Michael Harris’ attack on me on Overdrive in February – everything seems to have precipitated the moment that awaits us – Last Man Standing.

Why?

Since the very beginning, since that initial spark, this rivalry has been about domination. Domination of one wrestler over another; domination of one man over another; domination over the APW Xtreme Championship belt.

There is no doubt this has become a very personal affair, and there is no doubt both myself and Michael Harris will be looking to settle very personal scores at Mayhem. Nevertheless, it cannot, and should not, be forgotten that at the centre of everything has been the APW Xtreme Championship. Make no mistake, it is what we both want. I’m going to Mayhem to ensure that Michael Harris is beaten physically like he has never been beaten before, but I also know that it will be worth nothing if I do not leave Montreal with the Xtreme Championship belt still in my possession.

That is why Last Man Standing is the perfect stipulation for this occasion. One the one hand it gives both Harris and myself the platform to unleash upon each other a level of mayhem that is unprecedented in an Xtreme Championship match, and therefore settle our personal score. But also it will settle once and for all the matter of domination in the Xtreme division. Last Man Standing will once and for all settle who truly deserves that title because it will certify which man, above all others, possesses the ability to sustain a barrage of physical force that would make most purists queasy.

The man who walks out with the belt will have to find reserves of resolve, determination, and sheer belligerence they never knew they possessed – of that I am certain – and that is exactly the sort of character that deserves to stand at the champion of this fine and unique tradition; this is exactly the sort of match this championship deserves to settle its champion.

Dionysus stops, allowing the pause to show a break in the monologue, the transition to a new point.

I go into this match and I see it as the beginning of a legacy for all involved: for the Xtreme division in APW; for Michael Harris; and, of course, for myself.

As far as the Xtreme division goes I want his match that lays down a legacy of what every single wrestler who goes on to represent this division, this tradition, aims to follow. As I see it this match will be the benchmark for all future ‘Xtreme’ matches: a battle between two men, irreparably divided, who believe whole-heartedly in what they are trying to achieve, and are willing to put it all on the line to make it happen...

...to make themselves better as wrestlers and warriors...

...to make this sport better as a spectacle between true champions.

If we can achieve that on Sunday it’s a good thing; if I can achieve that and remain Xtreme Champion it will be an incredible thing.

But Mayhem represents for both me and Michael Harris an opportunity for one of us to begin a legacy of our own. Michael Harris has talked the talked since he walked through the door. I know better than anyone how great a hardcore wrestler he thinks he is; I also know better than anyone in APW that Harris certainly has substance to back-up his hardcore swagger. There is no doubting the man’s credentials, there is no doubting that if he prevails he will have the strength of will, the force of personality, and the ability to forge his own legacy as Xtreme Champion.

And myself?

I’ve been Xtreme Champion since early February, but only now do I feel I am beginning to find my stride as the champion; only now do I truly understand what it means and what it takes to represent the belt, to represent the tradition, and to take it to new heights.

Rasslemania was all about survival. I know and anyone who watched that match that on the night Harris dominated me, but somehow I got through it. Since then much has changed, not least Harris’ insistence on being the wasp in my helmet. Well now it’s time for me to swat the pest and start showing my domination over the division. Now it is time for me to elevate myself and in doing so elevate this championship.

That has to be the legacy for the Xtreme Championship; it is has to be my legacy.

Again Dionysus pauses, there isn’t much emotion from the man as he allows the intensity of his words to sink. Seemingly pausing to collect his thoughts on his next point, he continues several moments later.

You see, I want this match to showcase exactly what I believe Xtreme wrestling is all about. It’s not about two wrestlers slugging it out with steel chairs, or sledgehammers, or trashcans – it’s about the endurance of two wrestlers in an environment as brutal as anything belonging to the primitive world. That is a tradition that should be respected and should be celebrated by all.

We all aspire to be the Undisputed Champion, but it is a myth that is the only mark of a great wrestler. I know there are members of the APW roster who look upon the Xtreme Championship as some amusing sideshow, unfit for ‘pure’ wrestlers. It’s curious that none of these men have held this title, none of these men have proven they have the heart, the will, the fortitude to stand-up like a gladiator to an oppressive and overwhelming physical onslaught.

Sunday will be the day when the Xtreme Championship begins its journey to the pinnacle of this company, to the forefront of its consciousness. Not because it offers a unique gimmick, but because it’s champion offers a testimony to the true warrior spirit and sporting endurance, glorifies the never-say-die attitude, and because the wrestler who holds this belt deserves to be considered amongst the very best, deserves to compete on the same level as the very best because they are amongst the very best APW has to offer.

Finally Dionysus switches the focus from the match, to what it means as a match, onto addressing his foe, his tormentor of three months – Michael Harris.

Michael, I know you’re feeling positive going into this match; I would be surprised if it were any other way. The fact is you have been telling me for three months how much you want to beat me and how badly you want to take this title away from me. You have your reasons, and it’s obvious you don’t think too much of me, and for what it’s worth, the feeling is mutual. But let’s not skirt around the issue, because as personal a duel as this will be, as personal every blow we direct at each other will be, this is about domination over the Xtreme division – everything else is nothing but window dressing.

Michael, you’ve got your vision of what it means to be Xtreme Champion, and I know that in your eyes I do not match up to that vision. The whys and the hows of that are no longer important because when the bell rings what gets the true champion over the line, what keeps him standing, is not the vision, it’s not even the desire for the belt, it’s the sheer desire not to give up.

I know all about your records and your accomplishments. I know as a hardcore wrestler you have achieved much, I know there are matches you have never lost – Last Man Standing among them. That tells me a lot if I didn’t know it already. I’ve got no compunction about your ability or your belief, but what I do know is that in your illustrious past you have never faced an opponent like me. You know this and that is why you are so consumed with beating me.

You should be proud of your record, Michael, because there are few men in this world who can turn off that instinct to quit when the going gets tough, when the pain is too much bear. I know from your conduct in the past three months that you don’t quit, that you’re not an easy man to put away. However, in case you haven’t noticed, I’m not the quitting kind of guy either. If you think it’s gonna be a simple case of being in this match and putting me down, then you are grossly mistaken.

Something has to give in this match, Michael: the unstoppable force versus the immovable option, but this situation cannot remain unchanged. As far as this match is concerned I simply cannot quit, and no man has made you quit before...

...well before now.

Dionysus smiles in an unusually mischievous way, betraying a confidence that is unusual in the man. There is no doubt he is determined to give Harris MAYHEM on Sunday, and as focussed as he has ever been to retain the APW Xtreme Championship. The smile disappears and the tone turns quizative, rhetorical, even slightly teasing as he reels off his final comments ahead of LAST MAN STANDING.

Here is what I want you to think about Michael as the days draw closer to our fate. What next for you? You have been consumed by taking the Xtreme Championship since you arrived, and so far you have failed. You have a second chance, but if you fail again – what then?

Where do you go from there, Michael?

What else is there for you fight for?

What else is there to separate you from every other punk who has walked through the door and declared his greatness?

This is it for you Michael, this is your chance to make your mark, to avoid sinking into the obscurity of the also-rans, those other names on the roster. Sure, the same fate awaits me if I lose, except I’ve been there before, I’ve seen and felt and touched the abyss, but I climbed out again. What about you Michael? Do you have it in you to lift yourself off the mat once again, to escape the abyss, and rebuild yourself as a man again?

That is what is on the line in Montreal, Michael. Your legacy. My legacy. The legacy of the Xtreme division.

Do you really believe that spark of fate was yours, Michael?

Do you really believe you can overcome me?

Do you really believe you will the last man standing?

You’re simply better than me, Michael? Let’s see if you agree when I hold aloft the Xtreme Championship because I will be THE LAST MAN STANDING[/center]