You Don't Want Jair To Be Ruthless ...

[J-Hop]

[ :: I CAN TAKE YOU HIGHER :: ]
Pushing It To The Limit!



“Talking Heads” – Boise, Idaho
August 10th 2012 – 4:30 pm

“Life is a highway … I wan-na ride it all niggghtt lonnggg …”

On arrival in Boise, I found myself walking on empty roads and farmland. I felt like I was in a different country or something. I have never seen so much goddamn open space, it was like one of those classic television shows, Lassie or Little House on the Prairie. I really have no clue why I didn’t just take the rest of the ride off the in-town bus, but I needed the walk, I needed the quietness and the concentration. In a couple of days, it was going to be obviously my second biggest match to date. I had a lot of things to work on and to be in this position right now, although graceful for it, I was stressing in a way. I wanted to go my way but came to terms that even if trying to pitch a perfect ‘no-hitter’ evening, someone was eventually going to slap that ball pass the bases and walk.

I just needed to calm down.

“Take it one step at a time. This was a huge mammoth I was about to deal with. How in the hell was I going to take this one step at a time?”

Questioning myself, I began hearing car horns beeping in the background of my mind.

Come to find out, it was behind me after sensing the closeness of each beep that occurred.

“Hey, why are you walking these long roads? Name’s Sean … Jump on in!” Said a young guy who was black which was a surprise.

…It wasn’t a surprise, it was fucking unbelievable.

“Wait, black people actually live here?” I asked, it was cynical but I was not expecting that.

I wasted no motion, I acted like Will Smith of ‘Fresh Prince of Bel Air’, I hopped in the old school diesel-fueled Benz as its clunking was heard going all the way up the street. I looked over at the driver who was too young to be driving one of these ‘clunkers’ although a classic, it sounded awful.

“You know, to see your youth, I wouldn’t expect someone like you to be riding in something like this.” I said, not knowing the man, just trying to issue out some humor.

He looked back at me, laughing a bit.

“Actually, my father handed this down to me since I was going to College with no transportation.” He said as his eyes were glued on the road. “It’s not everyday I pick up a superstar as a hitch hiker.” He said, issuing another laugh afterwards.

“I would’ve taken the bus, but I needed the walk.” I responded as I sat my bag in the back. “So what is your purpose for being out this damn far?” I asked, just wondering.

He let out a sigh, throwing up one of his hands that were on the steering wheel.

“I got tired of the projects, man. Living in NYC isn’t pretty at all. They always show the great sights but fail to emphasize the rotten core of NYC. I lived there since birth. I needed peace and tranquility from all that involved a ‘dead end’ society.” He said, with a passionate and deep concern. “It’s always nice to see stories like yourself coming from those areas.” He continued.

I felt every word he said. It was what Karin kept talking about. Moving away, getting out of this polluted area and somewhere where there was less of having to wake up to gun shots in the early morning.

“Yeah …” That was all I could urge out of my mouth. “My girl has been wanting to get out too. It’s hard when you’re on a fixed budget.” I said as my pockets were growing fuller but it was still not enough to fully get by yet.

“It’s hard indeed but whatever you can do, just get away from that area of life. There are other places to live … like here.” He said as I quickly shook my head.

“Nah, this here is too damn quiet. Boring and no activity really except for what … Potato Sack races?” I said, as it wasn’t meant as a joke.

He laughed.

“Sort of … but Idaho is quiet and can be boring but It’s one hundred percent better than living in the gutter neighborhood that speaks of drugs and guns. I’m happy here. I got a job, a degree, I’m doing well … except for this ride.” He said, looking confident.

I nodded along as I wanted to be successful anyway possible. He looked at me.

“I know we’ve only met for like ten minutes, but being in your occupation. They get a hundred of your types daily. Keep pushing hard, keep being yourself and remain successful. Stay around people who give off positive light.” He said, offering a hand shake.

“Thanks for the message, definitely needed.” I said, accepting it. “If you don’t mind, could you drop me off at a nearby restaurant?” I asked.

“For sure!” He replied.

As he took me to the destination, it was just amazing who I get to run into. Complete strangers who give out useful advice. You couldn’t ask for more than that.

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

"FRIED POTATOES N’ ONIONS"
TAPING: Recording Session #0010
DATE: August 11th, 2012
OPPONENT: "The Soul Of Philly" TJ

Here I was, in the middle of no fucking where in Boise, Idaho, inside of a small country-side restaurant where in front of me was a plate full of fried Idaho-grown potatoes and onions. On the side, a side of eggs and a piece of toast. Yes, today “Starch” was the full-press menu. I did have water to wash it down but that was going to be useless. Eating like a fat man celebrating, I was hungry as hell. From home to here was a long, long travel. Living off Twizzlers and Snickers wasn’t helping me any. I needed that fulfilling meal. I also needed to focus on my match this week that was growing almost as important as my match at Shockwave in another week. I knew in my mind, I had to win this to feel confident. Losing a match before a pay per view could break one in half. I was young, but I knew it. I also knew mistakes would arise but right now, I couldn’t afford a mistake against a man that looks as tall as an Autobot.


[ REC • ]

J-Hop: You know, it’s not a lot of times you get to face someone who is almost similar to you in the personality department. I’m glad that you see me in a much clearer perspective than most cats do. They seem to think that I am just something of a spark that will dwindle out soon. You see me as much more and I respect you on that. We’ve gone through a bunch of shit to get where we are now, even to the extent of retiring people, which was never in my intentions but like any other professional sport, there’s that chance of someone getting seriously hurt. I welcome your attempt to beat me ‘senseless’ because it’s going to take much more than just your power and athleticism to knock me “senseless” and out of commission. Those are some strong fighting words but not strong enough to oust me off my game. If you beat me, fine, I’ll take the admittance of defeat. I don’t make excuses, and I hope whoever watches that is in my fan base don’t look to find some bullshit listing of excuses to post. That’s not how I get down, TJ. I look to learn a few things from you and hopefully in the end, you’ll get some new lessons as well.

J-Hop: As for me and Anthony’s relationship, it will never change. I mean sure, there will be the day that the booking will pit us against each other but no matter what, after that, win or lose, there will not be any bitterness. Some people either frown and take issue with a loss to their best friend but me, it’s whatever. I’m going to give you all I got, fight to the finish, but if I lose, or if I beat you, it can’t break that barrier of friendship. You say your whole career has been in the spotlight … Okay, fine. I’ll look to dim those lights to zero opacity, leaving you glaring around for the simplest form of light. You ask if I can beat greatness in its truest form? Can I beat my nightmares in its physical form?

I stopped picking at the potatoes on the plate as I looked up at the ceiling, thinking.

J-Hop: You know, you should be an interviewer when and if things don’t pan out later in your career. Nice questions but to answer those, anything can always be defeated and taken down to it’s simplest form. You, stating the fact that you are greatness, arrogant speak but it’s all good. You’ve been beaten before. See, what you don’t know is that I study the art of wrestling. I sit back like a football player in a dark-lit room and I scan through those tapes, the ones you were defeated in and I look for a pattern. See, I learned something from my moms’ and that’s if you want something, you fight for it. You don’t sit back and let others pass through. I didn’t quite understand it until a few months ago, when I was fighting for a spot on this roster. I understood it fully.

J-Hop: You say I’m too nice to you to be as what you call a ‘ruthless’ competitor. How do you know? I have never been under pressure like I am right now and what I will be like come Shockwave. I’ve never had to bear down for this shit until now, so to say that I ain’t ruthless because of my “easy”, “friendly” personality that you see everyday, well you are misinformed, buddy. I’m not going to show my deck of cards to you. You’ve talked all this stuff yet you really haven’t uncovered your opponent, fully through, only from what you’ve discovered on-screen is your approach. I understand you are in tune yourself to face off against Julius Faquar but if I were you TJ, I’d make sure to not overlook the small, fierce stallion in front of you that you see as the “gentle” one.

I nodded my head, looking into the screen.

J-Hop: We’ve had the unfortunate beginning of not being spoiled rich kids, we grew up in poverty, eating SPAM in cans for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Sodium intake high as a motherfucker but we survived it to where we are now, still striving. Yeah you’re big, I’m small. You’re a skyscraper, I’m the dumb ass white kid trying to climb it. Unlike that dumb, unprepared, suicidal child, I’m going to climb it. It’s going to be difficult but it’s just like anything else in this world. Things never come easy whether you’re fast-agile, or strong and durable and have loads of stamina. You will struggle, you will tire but it takes a champion-like heart to be a champion. TJ, I’m going to climb you and I will get to the top, prepared for success. I’ll be at the top looking down, hands in the air putting on my best ‘Rocky Balboa’ impersonation, screaming from the rooftops … “ADDRRRIIAAANNNNN …. I DDDIDDD ITTT!!!” I wish you luck TJ, but this isn’t going to be an easy road to victory, just saying!

As I finished, I was left with a bunch of elderly country folks staring at me as they begun laughing. Tossing my hoodie over my head, I hid myself from the unasked exposure.


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