Post by Anthony Bailey on Aug 19, 2012 18:44:21 GMT -4
“If you prick us do we not bleed? If you tickle us do we not laugh? If you poison us do we not die? And if you wrong us shall we not revenge?” – William Shakespeare
We are far removed from April 8, 2012, the date of the first encounter between Anthony Bailey and future APW Hall of Famer Sally Talfourd. The setting was the United States Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in its beautiful capital of San Juan during an episode of Sunday Night Asylum. The ambience of their initial backstage meeting inside of the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum was very casual and laid back but only a matter of a few months later, their rendezvous at Shockwave for the World Heavyweight Title would be anything but calm and lighthearted. Bailey was hurt by the apparent betrayal of his good friend Sally and it was quite evident.
“Getting a taste of your own medicine” seemed like a cop out for her actions on Asylum and it did not sit right with Bailey at all. He was so determined to get revenge on Sally that it was beginning to strain the relationships with those who were closest to him. Bailey, a man who has made it his business to vocalize how his tight knit inner circle of family and friends sustain him, has become isolated from all of them since last weekend. Winning wasn’t everything to the hopeful young man, but it carried much more weight this time around than ever before. Sally had to pay one way or another.
{{The scene opens to the inside of Anthony Bailey’s luxurious townhouse located in St. Augustine, FL. The evening is warm but cloudy and the chance of rain in the forecast seemed like a definite if you were to catch a glimpse of the Northeast Florida horizon. Anthony is spotted silently gazing out the glass door of his back patio. He’s wearing a gray and yellow Zoo York T-shirt, black cargo shorts, and a pair of all white Nike sneakers. Awakened from his daze at the sound of his front door opening, he turns around to see his girlfriend Tasha, his friend Rob, his mentor Frank “The Tank” Cavalli, and Frank’s wife Gloria all entering the townhouse smiling. The smiles were probably from the fact that they were delighted to see that Anthony was wearing something other than his bath robe. Anthony had allowed the incident with Sally to derail him from putting forth any effort to leave the house for almost an entire week.}}[/color]
Frank Cavalli: Hey there champ! Lovely day outside isn’t it?
{{Anthony doesn’t respond.}}[/color]
We don’t mean to impose because that's not our intent but grab your things; we have all decided to take you out to eat for dinner. Our treat…
{{A forced smirk comes across the face of Bailey.}}[/color]
Anthony Bailey: Thanks guys but I’m not really hungry. I ate a few hours ago.
Tasha: But babe, wasn’t that earlier this morning?
{{Anthony glances at his watch.}}[/color]
Anthony Bailey: I’m not sure about the exact time, but something around then sounds about right.
Rob: I can’t believe my ears though. You?? Not hungry? Man, I guess there really is a first time for everything huh?
{{Rob’s humor is enough to make everyone laugh except Anthony.}}[/color]
Anthony Bailey: Good one Rob but trust me bro, I’ll be fine. I’ll probably just order some pizza or something later and just relax here. Plus it looks like it’s going to rain anyway so there’s not a real point of going out.
Anthony was never one to let the forecast hinder his plans and they all knew that he was just using it as an excuse. Not wanting to relent just yet, Gloria uses Anthony’s defense mechanism against him.[/color]
Gloria Cavalli: Mmm, pizza sounds good. Tasha, would you mind calling Pizzalley’s and placing an order for them to deliver a few pies and some sodas? None of us would mind just staying here I’m sure.
Tasha: Yeah, with everyone’s busy schedules and various obligations it’s rare that we get to hang out the way we used to. Does anybody want any particular toppings?
Frank Cavalli: I’m trying to cut back on the red meat so plain cheese is fine with me…
Rob: Pepperoni is cool…
Gloria Cavalli: I’m with Rob, pepperoni was always my favorite.
Tasha: Okay, I’ll be back. I’m going to go make the call right now.
{{Tasha smiles, pulls her cell phone from out of her purse, and then walks towards the opposite direction to order the pizza. The rest of the group make their way over to the black leather couch in Anthony’s family room and get comfortable while Anthony remains in the same location.}}[/color]
Anthony Bailey: Look guys, I know exactly what’s going on.
Frank Cavalli: Yup! Some of the finest pizza in town is on the way…
{{Frank grabs the remote control.}}[/color]
And hopefully there’s something good on TV. Maybe we can catch a game if we’re lucky.
Anthony Bailey: No no no.
{{Anthony exhales out of frustration.}}[/color]
You’re all just trying to cheer me up and I appreciate that, really I do. But I think it’s best if I’m left alone for the time being…at least until after next Sunday. It’s nothing personal but I just need some time to think.
Frank Cavalli: That’s the thing champ…
{{Frank takes his attention off of the forty inch LED TV.}}[/color]
You can talk to us about anything. We’re all family and we just want to help you. It pains us to see you like this.
{{Anthony looks down, not making eye contact with anyone.}}[/color]
Anthony Bailey: And it pains me that you all still don’t get the point.
{{Anthony shakes his head and begins to head towards the front door.}}[/color]
I’ll be right back, I need some fresh air.
{{Tasha, with the cell phone up to her ear, reappears onto the screen looking puzzled.}}[/color]
Tasha: Where are you going babe?
Anthony Bailey: Just going to go for a little ride.
Tasha: But why? I’m ordering the pizz…
{{Frank intervenes.}}[/color]
Frank Cavalli: Tasha…just let him be. He needs this.
{{Frank takes up for Anthony as Anthony grabs his car keys off of the kitchen counter. He exits his townhouse leaving everyone else behind and makes his way to the driveway, where his shiny silver 2012 Acura TL is parked. He unlocks the car doors for himself and the camera man and they both get inside. The Promise fastens his seatbelt, cranks the car up, and reverses out of his driveway.}}[/color]
The reason why Anthony and Frank had such a great relationship is because Frank understood Anthony. Though Frank never entered the professional wrestling business himself, he knew the kind of pressure that The Promise was facing. He didn’t want to make that burden heavier by forcing Anthony to be inside of his own home if he didn’t want to be there. Bailey was thankful for the presence of Frank today, though he didn’t show it externally. Frank was known to take his side and support him even if no one else did.[/color]
Anthony Bailey: I apologize for that little incident inside of my home ladies and gentlemen. The meaning of unpredictable takes on a whole new embodiment when you have a whole bunch of uninvited guests trying to boss you around in your own home.
{{Anthony lets out a genuine laugh at the thought of his friends just wanting to help.}}[/color]
But I shouldn’t have reacted like that. I definitely have to apologize when I get back home…they were just trying to help.
{{Anthony drives around in silence for a short moment just surveying the beautiful scenery of St. Augustine. It had been quite a few days since he had seen any signs of civilization.}}[/color]
Sally, I knew that this day would eventually come. I was never once oblivious to the fact that our paths were destined to cross sooner or later. And even though you wronged me last Sunday night at Asylum by costing me my match, I wish that our match at Shockwave could’ve been on better terms. I wish that Callahan would’ve never moved out of the way as I aimed to take his head off with that steel chair during our tag team match and for your sake, I wish that you would have never gotten involved during my match with Rebel. I had him beat and had you decided to just stay backstage and observe from afar, I would be going into Shockwave with the momentum in my favor, not you. But most of all…I wish that I did not despise you the way that I do this very moment.
People have been telling me to just try and visualize the whole situation through your eyes and have also been trying to convince me that you were simply trying to avenge the chair shot. But at those utterances the skeptic in me rises up and poses the somewhat rhetorical question “How can you avenge an accident? Is it even just to do so?” I’m sure Sally would find a decent answer to justify her misguided actions towards me, her “friend.” But if anybody is legitimized to avenge anything, it’s me. Your escapades were anything but accidental, they were strategically intentional. They were precisely plotted and because of that, I am obligated to pour out my heart during this confession. Because The Promise most certainly has an overt confession to make…and it’s called payback…
In the past, I have been known as the well wishing guy who at times overlooked vengeance and allowed fate to deal with the plight one on one. I’m a believer of the saying “You reap what you sow” but come Shockwave, I will not take on the compliant role and simply let fate deal with you Sally Talfourd. But I will be the vehicle of repayment that deals with The Last Magician myself. Sally, I have enjoyed the conversations with you these past few months as I have sought to absorb the given words of wisdom and apply them to my career. I have even enjoyed the idea of being accused by various bloggers and even my own girlfriend of our “flirting” and “rumored affair.” The laughs, the memories backstage, and countless other things will be treasured in the vault of my memory for years to come.
And it’s kind of crazy because at one point, I could have confidently said, “Yeah, Sally feels the same way that I do” but after last week, it’s obvious that you could care less about our friendship or me. The harsh reality of this business is that even the people who claim to be your friends and to have your best interest at heart are only out for their own good. Her ill motives were masked by the illusion of friendliness and oh, how effective of a mask it was. Sally had myself and the entire world duped into thinking that she was “taking me under her wing” to show me the ropes of this sport but deep down in that deceitful heart of hers, she was waiting for the right moment to pounce on me. But each and every time I am attacked and left for dead and expected to decompose, I bounce back.
{{Anthony briefly stops at a red light and once it turns green again, he proceeds with his driving and with his speaking.}}[/color]
I have come to accept the fact that as the World Champion, I am bearing the biggest target that one could possibly bear. Many are out to get me, rookies, veterans, heck even the mailman looks at me in a suspicious manner that he has never looked at me before. He probably even wants a piece of me too so he can have a story to tell all the boys back at the post office. I’m not paranoid because I don’t want to appear as if I am but the fact of the matter is, I’m one of the most sought after competitors on the entire Asylum brand because of the piece of leather and gold that I don on my waist week in and week out. That’s the price that I must pay for the position that I am currently in. And it’s no surprise because this is exactly what I expected. I knew what I was getting myself into.
But the part that hurts most is while your adversaries are ambushing you from all sides, your own friends are anxiously waiting for you to fail and are even aiding in your failure. Sally, can’t you just let me live? Does being on top mean that much to you? These past few months of my career have been my first and only real tastes of success but you on the other hand…you have enjoyed years of it. You have celebrated win after win, championship belt after championship belt, and accolade after accolade but intuitively, your greed pursues more of it. I don’t know whether it’s envy or just an authentic dislike of who I am, but it seems as if you are trying your hardest to knock me down.
But what have I said time and time again Sally? What have you witnessed and what have I proven to the rest of the Asylum roster and fans? You would think that I was a scratched up vinyl record but The Promise cannot be broken. Feel free to poke fun at my rookie status of being “wet behind the ears” or the rookie mistakes that I might commonly make, but one thing that you cannot take lightly is my work ethic and physically what I bring to the table. People are worried about my outcome because I’m going up against one of the greatest talents that this company has ever seen but no one seems to be concerned about the outcome of the beautiful Ms. Sally Talfourd. She herself would also call me a great talent but for some reason there are people out there who think that she’s going to wipe the mat with me.
Sally knows that her task of facing me will be a great one. Time after time she has done everything she could to reveal and not withhold the level of my in-ring skills and abilities. So if she decides to get in front of that camera with Shane and dog me like she has dogged all of her other past opponents, you will see her true colors. You will see the kind of person that she is. But since she’s been very unpredictable these days and since our communication with each other has ceased, I don’t know what’s going on in that head of hers or how she’ll address me. But to wrap this up, I’m going to end it with a catchphrase that she helped me to refine herself. I am Anthony Bailey…APW’s only Promise…the only Promise that can't be broken. Until next time…
{{The scene slowly fades to black as Anthony Bailey continues to cruise the streets of St. Augustine.}}[/color]
We are far removed from April 8, 2012, the date of the first encounter between Anthony Bailey and future APW Hall of Famer Sally Talfourd. The setting was the United States Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in its beautiful capital of San Juan during an episode of Sunday Night Asylum. The ambience of their initial backstage meeting inside of the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum was very casual and laid back but only a matter of a few months later, their rendezvous at Shockwave for the World Heavyweight Title would be anything but calm and lighthearted. Bailey was hurt by the apparent betrayal of his good friend Sally and it was quite evident.
“Getting a taste of your own medicine” seemed like a cop out for her actions on Asylum and it did not sit right with Bailey at all. He was so determined to get revenge on Sally that it was beginning to strain the relationships with those who were closest to him. Bailey, a man who has made it his business to vocalize how his tight knit inner circle of family and friends sustain him, has become isolated from all of them since last weekend. Winning wasn’t everything to the hopeful young man, but it carried much more weight this time around than ever before. Sally had to pay one way or another.
{{The scene opens to the inside of Anthony Bailey’s luxurious townhouse located in St. Augustine, FL. The evening is warm but cloudy and the chance of rain in the forecast seemed like a definite if you were to catch a glimpse of the Northeast Florida horizon. Anthony is spotted silently gazing out the glass door of his back patio. He’s wearing a gray and yellow Zoo York T-shirt, black cargo shorts, and a pair of all white Nike sneakers. Awakened from his daze at the sound of his front door opening, he turns around to see his girlfriend Tasha, his friend Rob, his mentor Frank “The Tank” Cavalli, and Frank’s wife Gloria all entering the townhouse smiling. The smiles were probably from the fact that they were delighted to see that Anthony was wearing something other than his bath robe. Anthony had allowed the incident with Sally to derail him from putting forth any effort to leave the house for almost an entire week.}}[/color]
Frank Cavalli: Hey there champ! Lovely day outside isn’t it?
{{Anthony doesn’t respond.}}[/color]
We don’t mean to impose because that's not our intent but grab your things; we have all decided to take you out to eat for dinner. Our treat…
{{A forced smirk comes across the face of Bailey.}}[/color]
Anthony Bailey: Thanks guys but I’m not really hungry. I ate a few hours ago.
Tasha: But babe, wasn’t that earlier this morning?
{{Anthony glances at his watch.}}[/color]
Anthony Bailey: I’m not sure about the exact time, but something around then sounds about right.
Rob: I can’t believe my ears though. You?? Not hungry? Man, I guess there really is a first time for everything huh?
{{Rob’s humor is enough to make everyone laugh except Anthony.}}[/color]
Anthony Bailey: Good one Rob but trust me bro, I’ll be fine. I’ll probably just order some pizza or something later and just relax here. Plus it looks like it’s going to rain anyway so there’s not a real point of going out.
Anthony was never one to let the forecast hinder his plans and they all knew that he was just using it as an excuse. Not wanting to relent just yet, Gloria uses Anthony’s defense mechanism against him.[/color]
Gloria Cavalli: Mmm, pizza sounds good. Tasha, would you mind calling Pizzalley’s and placing an order for them to deliver a few pies and some sodas? None of us would mind just staying here I’m sure.
Tasha: Yeah, with everyone’s busy schedules and various obligations it’s rare that we get to hang out the way we used to. Does anybody want any particular toppings?
Frank Cavalli: I’m trying to cut back on the red meat so plain cheese is fine with me…
Rob: Pepperoni is cool…
Gloria Cavalli: I’m with Rob, pepperoni was always my favorite.
Tasha: Okay, I’ll be back. I’m going to go make the call right now.
{{Tasha smiles, pulls her cell phone from out of her purse, and then walks towards the opposite direction to order the pizza. The rest of the group make their way over to the black leather couch in Anthony’s family room and get comfortable while Anthony remains in the same location.}}[/color]
Anthony Bailey: Look guys, I know exactly what’s going on.
Frank Cavalli: Yup! Some of the finest pizza in town is on the way…
{{Frank grabs the remote control.}}[/color]
And hopefully there’s something good on TV. Maybe we can catch a game if we’re lucky.
Anthony Bailey: No no no.
{{Anthony exhales out of frustration.}}[/color]
You’re all just trying to cheer me up and I appreciate that, really I do. But I think it’s best if I’m left alone for the time being…at least until after next Sunday. It’s nothing personal but I just need some time to think.
Frank Cavalli: That’s the thing champ…
{{Frank takes his attention off of the forty inch LED TV.}}[/color]
You can talk to us about anything. We’re all family and we just want to help you. It pains us to see you like this.
{{Anthony looks down, not making eye contact with anyone.}}[/color]
Anthony Bailey: And it pains me that you all still don’t get the point.
{{Anthony shakes his head and begins to head towards the front door.}}[/color]
I’ll be right back, I need some fresh air.
{{Tasha, with the cell phone up to her ear, reappears onto the screen looking puzzled.}}[/color]
Tasha: Where are you going babe?
Anthony Bailey: Just going to go for a little ride.
Tasha: But why? I’m ordering the pizz…
{{Frank intervenes.}}[/color]
Frank Cavalli: Tasha…just let him be. He needs this.
{{Frank takes up for Anthony as Anthony grabs his car keys off of the kitchen counter. He exits his townhouse leaving everyone else behind and makes his way to the driveway, where his shiny silver 2012 Acura TL is parked. He unlocks the car doors for himself and the camera man and they both get inside. The Promise fastens his seatbelt, cranks the car up, and reverses out of his driveway.}}[/color]
The reason why Anthony and Frank had such a great relationship is because Frank understood Anthony. Though Frank never entered the professional wrestling business himself, he knew the kind of pressure that The Promise was facing. He didn’t want to make that burden heavier by forcing Anthony to be inside of his own home if he didn’t want to be there. Bailey was thankful for the presence of Frank today, though he didn’t show it externally. Frank was known to take his side and support him even if no one else did.[/color]
Anthony Bailey: I apologize for that little incident inside of my home ladies and gentlemen. The meaning of unpredictable takes on a whole new embodiment when you have a whole bunch of uninvited guests trying to boss you around in your own home.
{{Anthony lets out a genuine laugh at the thought of his friends just wanting to help.}}[/color]
But I shouldn’t have reacted like that. I definitely have to apologize when I get back home…they were just trying to help.
{{Anthony drives around in silence for a short moment just surveying the beautiful scenery of St. Augustine. It had been quite a few days since he had seen any signs of civilization.}}[/color]
Sally, I knew that this day would eventually come. I was never once oblivious to the fact that our paths were destined to cross sooner or later. And even though you wronged me last Sunday night at Asylum by costing me my match, I wish that our match at Shockwave could’ve been on better terms. I wish that Callahan would’ve never moved out of the way as I aimed to take his head off with that steel chair during our tag team match and for your sake, I wish that you would have never gotten involved during my match with Rebel. I had him beat and had you decided to just stay backstage and observe from afar, I would be going into Shockwave with the momentum in my favor, not you. But most of all…I wish that I did not despise you the way that I do this very moment.
People have been telling me to just try and visualize the whole situation through your eyes and have also been trying to convince me that you were simply trying to avenge the chair shot. But at those utterances the skeptic in me rises up and poses the somewhat rhetorical question “How can you avenge an accident? Is it even just to do so?” I’m sure Sally would find a decent answer to justify her misguided actions towards me, her “friend.” But if anybody is legitimized to avenge anything, it’s me. Your escapades were anything but accidental, they were strategically intentional. They were precisely plotted and because of that, I am obligated to pour out my heart during this confession. Because The Promise most certainly has an overt confession to make…and it’s called payback…
In the past, I have been known as the well wishing guy who at times overlooked vengeance and allowed fate to deal with the plight one on one. I’m a believer of the saying “You reap what you sow” but come Shockwave, I will not take on the compliant role and simply let fate deal with you Sally Talfourd. But I will be the vehicle of repayment that deals with The Last Magician myself. Sally, I have enjoyed the conversations with you these past few months as I have sought to absorb the given words of wisdom and apply them to my career. I have even enjoyed the idea of being accused by various bloggers and even my own girlfriend of our “flirting” and “rumored affair.” The laughs, the memories backstage, and countless other things will be treasured in the vault of my memory for years to come.
And it’s kind of crazy because at one point, I could have confidently said, “Yeah, Sally feels the same way that I do” but after last week, it’s obvious that you could care less about our friendship or me. The harsh reality of this business is that even the people who claim to be your friends and to have your best interest at heart are only out for their own good. Her ill motives were masked by the illusion of friendliness and oh, how effective of a mask it was. Sally had myself and the entire world duped into thinking that she was “taking me under her wing” to show me the ropes of this sport but deep down in that deceitful heart of hers, she was waiting for the right moment to pounce on me. But each and every time I am attacked and left for dead and expected to decompose, I bounce back.
{{Anthony briefly stops at a red light and once it turns green again, he proceeds with his driving and with his speaking.}}[/color]
I have come to accept the fact that as the World Champion, I am bearing the biggest target that one could possibly bear. Many are out to get me, rookies, veterans, heck even the mailman looks at me in a suspicious manner that he has never looked at me before. He probably even wants a piece of me too so he can have a story to tell all the boys back at the post office. I’m not paranoid because I don’t want to appear as if I am but the fact of the matter is, I’m one of the most sought after competitors on the entire Asylum brand because of the piece of leather and gold that I don on my waist week in and week out. That’s the price that I must pay for the position that I am currently in. And it’s no surprise because this is exactly what I expected. I knew what I was getting myself into.
But the part that hurts most is while your adversaries are ambushing you from all sides, your own friends are anxiously waiting for you to fail and are even aiding in your failure. Sally, can’t you just let me live? Does being on top mean that much to you? These past few months of my career have been my first and only real tastes of success but you on the other hand…you have enjoyed years of it. You have celebrated win after win, championship belt after championship belt, and accolade after accolade but intuitively, your greed pursues more of it. I don’t know whether it’s envy or just an authentic dislike of who I am, but it seems as if you are trying your hardest to knock me down.
But what have I said time and time again Sally? What have you witnessed and what have I proven to the rest of the Asylum roster and fans? You would think that I was a scratched up vinyl record but The Promise cannot be broken. Feel free to poke fun at my rookie status of being “wet behind the ears” or the rookie mistakes that I might commonly make, but one thing that you cannot take lightly is my work ethic and physically what I bring to the table. People are worried about my outcome because I’m going up against one of the greatest talents that this company has ever seen but no one seems to be concerned about the outcome of the beautiful Ms. Sally Talfourd. She herself would also call me a great talent but for some reason there are people out there who think that she’s going to wipe the mat with me.
Sally knows that her task of facing me will be a great one. Time after time she has done everything she could to reveal and not withhold the level of my in-ring skills and abilities. So if she decides to get in front of that camera with Shane and dog me like she has dogged all of her other past opponents, you will see her true colors. You will see the kind of person that she is. But since she’s been very unpredictable these days and since our communication with each other has ceased, I don’t know what’s going on in that head of hers or how she’ll address me. But to wrap this up, I’m going to end it with a catchphrase that she helped me to refine herself. I am Anthony Bailey…APW’s only Promise…the only Promise that can't be broken. Until next time…
{{The scene slowly fades to black as Anthony Bailey continues to cruise the streets of St. Augustine.}}[/color]
