Post by Mark Mania on Jul 6, 2012 0:04:51 GMT -4
Well isn’t this an odd turn of events? Going from a top tier talent to a pre-show fucking 8-Man Tag Match. Is there anything more embarrassing? Not that I’ve had my Main Event talent show too much in the recent weeks. I’ve hit an unfortunate string of losses that are really starting to get to me. Keaton Saint, AC Smith, and Slade Craven. Three weeks, three fucking losses. I really don’t know what has gotten into me. I’ll tell you one thing though, this Extreme Tournament, it’s brought me back. Oh yes indeed the old Mark Mania is rearing his ugly head around.
After getting into the ring the past two weeks with some Experts veterans in Alex Black and MDK it has certainly put some things into perspective. I can’t be concerned with my losses, this kind of thing happens. I’m older than most of these bastards anyways, I’ve won more matches than they’ve got hairs on their heads. But one things for sure, I’m still here. It may not be pretty right now, but I’m still here folks.
Mark Mania is a name that lives. I’ve explained that in the past and I’ll explain it any time it needs to be. Over the past month that I’ve been back in the APW, I’ve been watching everyone, getting a feel for the new comers here. From Meltdown to Asylum and especially Overdrive. I know all of my fellow competitors very well now. One thing remains a constant, they already know who I am. This week will be no different. Seven other people surrounding me in the ring and every single one of them knows just how damn good Mark Mania is.
I knew that when I came back there was going to be some ring rust, there always is. When I wrote that note a few weeks ago I was angry. Truly angry. I felt like I was going nowhere and I was taking my fans with me. That’s not going to happen. The Extreme Tournament has brightened my eyes to what I need to do. I see the future ahead of me, I know what must be done. I’m Mark Mania and I’m just getting started.
Mark Mania: Ladies and gentlemen, I couldn’t be happier than to be joining you today, in front of a crowd of people that has struggled over the past 100 years far worse than I have this past month.
The sold out crowd at Wrigley Field in Chicago cheers at their own misfortune. With the team having an abysmal record again this year, they don’t expect much from their Cubs.
Mark Mania: But fret not Chicago, I’m a Red Sox fan, I know what it’s like to lose year in and year out. I know how much it hurts and how it eats away at you each day you read the box score. I’m here to tell you, it gets better. There are no such things as curses and believe me, when Theo Epstein works his magic and gets you that team you’ve always been dreaming of, you can win too.
An enormous cheer erupts from the crowd.
Mark Mania: Theo is a good friend of mine and we’ve done business in the past when he was in Boston, he let me come here tonight to tell you about a spectacular event that is happening in this very city in a few short days.
The crowd cheers again.
Mark Mania: Now, unfortunately, as I’ve had my struggles, if you buy this show on pay-per-view, you’re going to miss my match, which is why I need all of you loyal Cub’s fans and loyal APW fans to come out to the United Center this Sunday and cheer me on as I team up with three of Overdrives finest and take on a grotesque foursome from Asylum that thinks they belong in the same ring with us. So, do I have the Cubs fans support?
The crowd hoots and hollers and whistles in approval.
Mark Mania: Perfect! Now, for the words you’ve been waiting to hear all night. PLAY BALL!
A hacky jingle comes on about baseball and Mark throws the ceremonial first pitch to the bullpen catcher. The crowd cheers as the ball goes right into the glove. Mark waves to the crowd again and opens up his suit shirt to show off a giant APW t-shirt. The crowd roars in approval again as Mark is led off the field by the stadium staff.
Mark Mania: Ah shit, that was a ton of fun. I have to get out there and do that more often.
The staff member leading him off was a very cute young woman. It’s funny how it’s always a woman that gets matched up with Mark.
Mark Mania: Who’s the biggest star you’ve ever met doing this?
Staff: Am I supposed to say you?
Mark Mania: *laughing* No, you don’t have to say me. If I’m the biggest star, this must be your first night.
Staff: Biggest one that I’ve seen was Colin Ferrell, you know, actually…
Mark Mania: Moving on. What is your name?
Staff: Mindy.
Mark Mania: Ah yes, nice to meet you Mindy. Would it be possible to get a bottle of water? I have to do an interview back here real quick with some member of the radio station that is apparently a big APW fan.
Mindy: Of course sir.
Mark followed the rest of the staff as Mindy rushed off to get him a water. Mark had a hop in his step and was noticeably bubbly. As he continued his walk towards the in-stadium radio studio he waved to many fans, high-fiving those that offered and even stopped to sign a few autographs. When Mark took time off, it was this that he missed the most. The atmosphere, the excitement, the attention.
Jim “The Bean” Callahan: Ah! Mark Mania! In the flesh! Jim “The Bean” Callahan from 103.7 FM Sports Radio, I’m a big fan, have been for years, thanks so much for coming into the studio to do an interview.
Mark shakes his hand.
Mark Mania: Of course! Always glad to help, is this live or are we taping it for tomorrow?
The Bean: Well, to tell you the truth, the station doesn’t know we’re doing this little interview. The game is on our sister-station tonight, broadcast rights, that mumbo-jumbo, so I’ve told the night time guy to take a break for a little bit and we’re going to have a very special episode of Overdrive Overkill!
Mark Mania: What on earth is that?
The Bean: Oh it’s just a little fan podcast that I put out once a month. It’s got a pretty good following in the Chicago area as I plug it at all my live events.
Mark Mania: Hey, I agreed to do it, so whatever you’d like, Jim.
The Bean: Oh call me Bean, everyone does.
Mark Mania: Alright Bean, let’s get this going then.
The two walk into the studio where there is a producer with a confused look on his face.
The Bean: Don’t worry Patrick, we’re all approved, we’ve got a nice long commercial free segment coming up, we’re going to have a little fun while Mr. Mania is here.
Mark waves to the producer Patrick and he gets a halfhearted wave back from the still confused Patrick.
The Bean: Alright, we don’t have a lot of time. Throw your headphones on right there, talk directly into the mic, and wait for me to open you in.
Mark does as he’s told and The Bean settles himself into his seat and does the same. The producer hesitantly counts down from three before the opening credits are played. Mark doesn’t hear most of them as his attention is focused on Jim “The Bean” Callahan who isn’t looking away from him. Incredibly awkward. As the credits end The Bean starts to talk but in a much deeper register and with a clear smile on his face.
The Bean: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Sports Radio 103.7, Jim “The Bean” Callahan here and boy have I got a surprise for you. Tonight, we have a very special episode of Overdrive Overkill!
The Bean presses a button on the soundboard that makes the sound of a crowd cheering.
The Bean: Not only are we on terrestrial radio and not on the podcast, but we also have an Overdrive wrestler joining us live, in studio to answer any and all questions. Without further ado it is my honor to introduce to you a legend in the sport of wrestling, Mark Mania!
Bean presses the fake crowd button again and claps along with it.
Mark Mania: Wow, thanks for the introduction Bean, such a pleasure to be joining you.
The Bean: Trust me, the pleasure is all mine. So glad you could do this. For the listeners who don’t know, tell them what you’re doing here in Chicago.
Mark Mania: Well, I’m here to compete at the APW Test for the Best pay-per-view event this Sunday at the United Center, so I got here early to make sure that I was prepared, rested, and ready to win.
The Bean: Now, you’re not in the actual tournament are you? You’re in a match beforehand?
Mark Mania: Yes, that’s true. Unfortunately I lost both chances at entering the tournament, which was really a big disappointment for me. I had hoped that when I came back from my hiatus that I would be able to get into this tournament and make my way back to the top of the card quickly.
The Bean: So, who is it that you’ll be facing? I know the answer obviously, but for the listeners.
Mark Mania: Well, it’s actually an eight-man tag-team match. So I’m going to be teaming up with Slade Craven who beat me last week, Nick Watson who I don’t like very much, and Michael Harris who I don’t even know.
The Bean: Ah, he’s a heck of a competitor that Harris, I think you’ll like him.
Mark Mania: I’ll reserve my judgment until the match is over. So, with that team of Overdrive stars, we’re going to be facing a team of Asylum wrestlers including, Warren Peace, Phil Atkins, Johnny Sykes, and Gubayama Takagi.
The Bean: Try saying that one three times fast.
Mark Mania: *laughing* I’m lucky I got it out once.
The Bean: So what do you know of your competitors?
Mark Mania: Honestly Bean, not much. None of these guys were around the last time I was gracing the wonderful halls of the APW and sadly I haven’t faced any of them since I’ve been back. Warren Peace I know was a staple of the APW for a little while before his career fell off and then he couldn’t even win matches on Meltdown. Phil Atkins took some time off and is now back on Asylum trying to battle out of mediocrity, Takagi joined the APW to protect his buddy Michael Callahan for some reason and isn’t really his own man, and Johnny Sykes is the only one that could possibly provide a threat.
The Bean: Ah yes, the Prince of Hardcore Johnny Sykes, a kid who is tailor made for Asylum and could really be making a jump to the big time soon. He’s a real strong wrestler.
Mark Mania: I’ve watched him a little bit, certainly. Especially after what he said earlier this week.
The Bean: Oh yeah, I wanted to get to that. You say that he could be a threat though?
Mark Mania: Oh, I may have phrased that wrong. The real threat is that I beat the bag out of this poor little kid and he can never wrestle again.
The Bean: Oh yeah!
Mark Mania: This little twit thinks that he’s a know-it-all and that just because he hasn’t seen the best of Mark Mania so far that he’s never going to see it or that it’s gone. Oh that poor piece of shit, he can wish that was true. When I heard him say that there was nothing special about me and that I wasn’t going to contribute to my team I almost lost it. Damn kid doesn’t know what he’s getting himself into. Listen, I get that he’s only twenty-five years old and hasn’t had any real life experience yet away from his mommies tits, but he’s going to be in for a real rude awakening on Sunday. I may be working off this ring rust recently, but that’s not going to stop me from sending his face into the ground and putting the lights out.
The Bean: This is the Mark Mania I like to see! Any other competitors catch your eye?
Mark Mania: I’m going to level with you Bean, not really. I think this Overdrive team is pretty stacked and I think that we’re going to have an easy time rolling over the Asylum team. None of them really have what it takes to be the best and our team is littered with them. Slade Craven is as old as I am but the man still has a lot of fight left in him. Nick Watson, while he’s a cocky little shit, is at least being trained by an APW legend and should be able to provide some rest for us older guys when the match starts getting wild. And then Michael Harris is a budding talent who might really turn some heads.
The Bean: You’ve got me convinced.
Mark Mania: That’s all I’m trying to do Bean, convince you and your listeners to come out to the show on Sunday and watch team Overdrive kick the piss out of their competitors.
Just then the producer starts frantically waving his arms. The Bean notices and panics.
The Bean: Well ladies and gentlemen, that’s all the time we have for Overdrive Overkill tonight, join me back on my website next week for the recap of Test for the Best!
Bean presses the button to mute the mics and starts trying to usher Mark out the door.
Mark Mania: What the hell? What’s going on?
Just then a man storms into the studio with a suit half way on, looking as though he’d just run a marathon while trying to get dressed.
Suited Man: Damn it Callahan what the hell do you think you’re doing here!? You don’t just have free range to do whatever you want! We have sponsors, we have corporate partnerships, you can’t be doing this crap! Do you know that he said “shit” on the air live, twice!
Mark Mania: Oh shit, sorry about that.
The Bean: Oh fuck off Lepley, who cares, I was having some fun. Everyone is listening to the game anyways.
Lepley: No they’re not, the Cub’s suck! Everyone is listening to this damn radio station and you just went completely rogue.
Mark Mania:Yeah, I’m going to just slink out of here.
Mark sneaks past the two men who are continuing to argue and he exits the studio and Mindy is waiting there with a water bottle.
Mindy: How’d it go sir?
Mark Mania: Pretty much how I expected it.
After getting into the ring the past two weeks with some Experts veterans in Alex Black and MDK it has certainly put some things into perspective. I can’t be concerned with my losses, this kind of thing happens. I’m older than most of these bastards anyways, I’ve won more matches than they’ve got hairs on their heads. But one things for sure, I’m still here. It may not be pretty right now, but I’m still here folks.
Mark Mania is a name that lives. I’ve explained that in the past and I’ll explain it any time it needs to be. Over the past month that I’ve been back in the APW, I’ve been watching everyone, getting a feel for the new comers here. From Meltdown to Asylum and especially Overdrive. I know all of my fellow competitors very well now. One thing remains a constant, they already know who I am. This week will be no different. Seven other people surrounding me in the ring and every single one of them knows just how damn good Mark Mania is.
I knew that when I came back there was going to be some ring rust, there always is. When I wrote that note a few weeks ago I was angry. Truly angry. I felt like I was going nowhere and I was taking my fans with me. That’s not going to happen. The Extreme Tournament has brightened my eyes to what I need to do. I see the future ahead of me, I know what must be done. I’m Mark Mania and I’m just getting started.
Mark Mania: Ladies and gentlemen, I couldn’t be happier than to be joining you today, in front of a crowd of people that has struggled over the past 100 years far worse than I have this past month.
The sold out crowd at Wrigley Field in Chicago cheers at their own misfortune. With the team having an abysmal record again this year, they don’t expect much from their Cubs.
Mark Mania: But fret not Chicago, I’m a Red Sox fan, I know what it’s like to lose year in and year out. I know how much it hurts and how it eats away at you each day you read the box score. I’m here to tell you, it gets better. There are no such things as curses and believe me, when Theo Epstein works his magic and gets you that team you’ve always been dreaming of, you can win too.
An enormous cheer erupts from the crowd.
Mark Mania: Theo is a good friend of mine and we’ve done business in the past when he was in Boston, he let me come here tonight to tell you about a spectacular event that is happening in this very city in a few short days.
The crowd cheers again.
Mark Mania: Now, unfortunately, as I’ve had my struggles, if you buy this show on pay-per-view, you’re going to miss my match, which is why I need all of you loyal Cub’s fans and loyal APW fans to come out to the United Center this Sunday and cheer me on as I team up with three of Overdrives finest and take on a grotesque foursome from Asylum that thinks they belong in the same ring with us. So, do I have the Cubs fans support?
The crowd hoots and hollers and whistles in approval.
Mark Mania: Perfect! Now, for the words you’ve been waiting to hear all night. PLAY BALL!
A hacky jingle comes on about baseball and Mark throws the ceremonial first pitch to the bullpen catcher. The crowd cheers as the ball goes right into the glove. Mark waves to the crowd again and opens up his suit shirt to show off a giant APW t-shirt. The crowd roars in approval again as Mark is led off the field by the stadium staff.
Mark Mania: Ah shit, that was a ton of fun. I have to get out there and do that more often.
The staff member leading him off was a very cute young woman. It’s funny how it’s always a woman that gets matched up with Mark.
Mark Mania: Who’s the biggest star you’ve ever met doing this?
Staff: Am I supposed to say you?
Mark Mania: *laughing* No, you don’t have to say me. If I’m the biggest star, this must be your first night.
Staff: Biggest one that I’ve seen was Colin Ferrell, you know, actually…
Mark Mania: Moving on. What is your name?
Staff: Mindy.
Mark Mania: Ah yes, nice to meet you Mindy. Would it be possible to get a bottle of water? I have to do an interview back here real quick with some member of the radio station that is apparently a big APW fan.
Mindy: Of course sir.
Mark followed the rest of the staff as Mindy rushed off to get him a water. Mark had a hop in his step and was noticeably bubbly. As he continued his walk towards the in-stadium radio studio he waved to many fans, high-fiving those that offered and even stopped to sign a few autographs. When Mark took time off, it was this that he missed the most. The atmosphere, the excitement, the attention.
Jim “The Bean” Callahan: Ah! Mark Mania! In the flesh! Jim “The Bean” Callahan from 103.7 FM Sports Radio, I’m a big fan, have been for years, thanks so much for coming into the studio to do an interview.
Mark shakes his hand.
Mark Mania: Of course! Always glad to help, is this live or are we taping it for tomorrow?
The Bean: Well, to tell you the truth, the station doesn’t know we’re doing this little interview. The game is on our sister-station tonight, broadcast rights, that mumbo-jumbo, so I’ve told the night time guy to take a break for a little bit and we’re going to have a very special episode of Overdrive Overkill!
Mark Mania: What on earth is that?
The Bean: Oh it’s just a little fan podcast that I put out once a month. It’s got a pretty good following in the Chicago area as I plug it at all my live events.
Mark Mania: Hey, I agreed to do it, so whatever you’d like, Jim.
The Bean: Oh call me Bean, everyone does.
Mark Mania: Alright Bean, let’s get this going then.
The two walk into the studio where there is a producer with a confused look on his face.
The Bean: Don’t worry Patrick, we’re all approved, we’ve got a nice long commercial free segment coming up, we’re going to have a little fun while Mr. Mania is here.
Mark waves to the producer Patrick and he gets a halfhearted wave back from the still confused Patrick.
The Bean: Alright, we don’t have a lot of time. Throw your headphones on right there, talk directly into the mic, and wait for me to open you in.
Mark does as he’s told and The Bean settles himself into his seat and does the same. The producer hesitantly counts down from three before the opening credits are played. Mark doesn’t hear most of them as his attention is focused on Jim “The Bean” Callahan who isn’t looking away from him. Incredibly awkward. As the credits end The Bean starts to talk but in a much deeper register and with a clear smile on his face.
The Bean: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Sports Radio 103.7, Jim “The Bean” Callahan here and boy have I got a surprise for you. Tonight, we have a very special episode of Overdrive Overkill!
The Bean presses a button on the soundboard that makes the sound of a crowd cheering.
The Bean: Not only are we on terrestrial radio and not on the podcast, but we also have an Overdrive wrestler joining us live, in studio to answer any and all questions. Without further ado it is my honor to introduce to you a legend in the sport of wrestling, Mark Mania!
Bean presses the fake crowd button again and claps along with it.
Mark Mania: Wow, thanks for the introduction Bean, such a pleasure to be joining you.
The Bean: Trust me, the pleasure is all mine. So glad you could do this. For the listeners who don’t know, tell them what you’re doing here in Chicago.
Mark Mania: Well, I’m here to compete at the APW Test for the Best pay-per-view event this Sunday at the United Center, so I got here early to make sure that I was prepared, rested, and ready to win.
The Bean: Now, you’re not in the actual tournament are you? You’re in a match beforehand?
Mark Mania: Yes, that’s true. Unfortunately I lost both chances at entering the tournament, which was really a big disappointment for me. I had hoped that when I came back from my hiatus that I would be able to get into this tournament and make my way back to the top of the card quickly.
The Bean: So, who is it that you’ll be facing? I know the answer obviously, but for the listeners.
Mark Mania: Well, it’s actually an eight-man tag-team match. So I’m going to be teaming up with Slade Craven who beat me last week, Nick Watson who I don’t like very much, and Michael Harris who I don’t even know.
The Bean: Ah, he’s a heck of a competitor that Harris, I think you’ll like him.
Mark Mania: I’ll reserve my judgment until the match is over. So, with that team of Overdrive stars, we’re going to be facing a team of Asylum wrestlers including, Warren Peace, Phil Atkins, Johnny Sykes, and Gubayama Takagi.
The Bean: Try saying that one three times fast.
Mark Mania: *laughing* I’m lucky I got it out once.
The Bean: So what do you know of your competitors?
Mark Mania: Honestly Bean, not much. None of these guys were around the last time I was gracing the wonderful halls of the APW and sadly I haven’t faced any of them since I’ve been back. Warren Peace I know was a staple of the APW for a little while before his career fell off and then he couldn’t even win matches on Meltdown. Phil Atkins took some time off and is now back on Asylum trying to battle out of mediocrity, Takagi joined the APW to protect his buddy Michael Callahan for some reason and isn’t really his own man, and Johnny Sykes is the only one that could possibly provide a threat.
The Bean: Ah yes, the Prince of Hardcore Johnny Sykes, a kid who is tailor made for Asylum and could really be making a jump to the big time soon. He’s a real strong wrestler.
Mark Mania: I’ve watched him a little bit, certainly. Especially after what he said earlier this week.
The Bean: Oh yeah, I wanted to get to that. You say that he could be a threat though?
Mark Mania: Oh, I may have phrased that wrong. The real threat is that I beat the bag out of this poor little kid and he can never wrestle again.
The Bean: Oh yeah!
Mark Mania: This little twit thinks that he’s a know-it-all and that just because he hasn’t seen the best of Mark Mania so far that he’s never going to see it or that it’s gone. Oh that poor piece of shit, he can wish that was true. When I heard him say that there was nothing special about me and that I wasn’t going to contribute to my team I almost lost it. Damn kid doesn’t know what he’s getting himself into. Listen, I get that he’s only twenty-five years old and hasn’t had any real life experience yet away from his mommies tits, but he’s going to be in for a real rude awakening on Sunday. I may be working off this ring rust recently, but that’s not going to stop me from sending his face into the ground and putting the lights out.
The Bean: This is the Mark Mania I like to see! Any other competitors catch your eye?
Mark Mania: I’m going to level with you Bean, not really. I think this Overdrive team is pretty stacked and I think that we’re going to have an easy time rolling over the Asylum team. None of them really have what it takes to be the best and our team is littered with them. Slade Craven is as old as I am but the man still has a lot of fight left in him. Nick Watson, while he’s a cocky little shit, is at least being trained by an APW legend and should be able to provide some rest for us older guys when the match starts getting wild. And then Michael Harris is a budding talent who might really turn some heads.
The Bean: You’ve got me convinced.
Mark Mania: That’s all I’m trying to do Bean, convince you and your listeners to come out to the show on Sunday and watch team Overdrive kick the piss out of their competitors.
Just then the producer starts frantically waving his arms. The Bean notices and panics.
The Bean: Well ladies and gentlemen, that’s all the time we have for Overdrive Overkill tonight, join me back on my website next week for the recap of Test for the Best!
Bean presses the button to mute the mics and starts trying to usher Mark out the door.
Mark Mania: What the hell? What’s going on?
Just then a man storms into the studio with a suit half way on, looking as though he’d just run a marathon while trying to get dressed.
Suited Man: Damn it Callahan what the hell do you think you’re doing here!? You don’t just have free range to do whatever you want! We have sponsors, we have corporate partnerships, you can’t be doing this crap! Do you know that he said “shit” on the air live, twice!
Mark Mania: Oh shit, sorry about that.
The Bean: Oh fuck off Lepley, who cares, I was having some fun. Everyone is listening to the game anyways.
Lepley: No they’re not, the Cub’s suck! Everyone is listening to this damn radio station and you just went completely rogue.
Mark Mania:Yeah, I’m going to just slink out of here.
Mark sneaks past the two men who are continuing to argue and he exits the studio and Mindy is waiting there with a water bottle.
Mindy: How’d it go sir?
Mark Mania: Pretty much how I expected it.
