Post by Chaos Stryke on Jan 26, 2013 14:33:54 GMT -4
Ladies and gentlemen… Hell froze over last week.
Yes, I’m referring to the Meltdown beat-the-clock challenge, but perhaps not the way one might expect. I found the results surprising personally. I didn’t think it would’ve been much of a stretch for Tuhoa Valo to give another strong performance, defeat someone in a record setting time, and secure another North American championship match. He won, but not fast enough. That was a surprise, but a bigger shock was that he wasn’t runner up.
Number two was Young Mannie. He’s been toiling in obscurity for ages and hasn’t done much since I’ve been in APW, but he showed up last week, won a triple threat match and was leader for a while. Surprised? Considering the difficulty of his match and the fact he lost by two seconds, an argument could be made for him to get this title match. But I won’t be making one because I wouldn’t give up the current match for anything.
The winner of this challenge stepped up from the previous week. The moment I’d finished watching Donald Deruty’s Meltdown appearance, I expected to see him with a shovel, digging a hole for himself somewhere in Edmonton, because he did so verbally. He lit a fire under Christian Kane. I knew then that Kane was the one beat. He didn’t disappoint.
I’ve expected this match for some time. Ever since he debuted with a chairshot from behind, I knew we’d eventually reach this point. Now we face off one-on-one for a championship. Who wouldn’t have seen that coming?
Before I discuss business this week, I have a few things to say. First off Christian… thank you! Thank you so much for putting Donald Deruty in his place again. You have no idea how much he drives me crazy, with his assumptions of personal greatness while being a grade-A choke artist in APW. Thank you for making sure he didn’t get another shot at the title. If you haven’t made the fans happy, at least you’ve made me happy. That counts for something, but onto the matter at hand, personal gratitude aside. We’re here for one reason, to beat the stuffing out of one another in front of a screaming British crowd for the North American championship.
You’re looking to beat me, pick the title off of whatever’s left of me, raise your standing in APW, and make mom and dad happy backstage. I know you aren’t doing it for them. You’re no one’s tool. You just associate with them… because. I could speculate why you’re with them, but it doesn’t matter. Bottom line, you’re with them and they’ll be looking to help you if they can.
On the other hand, I’m looking to maintain the current status quo. I found myself at the top of Meltdown a couple of months ago and reluctantly took that spot given to me. Despite my hesitance embracing this role, I’ve still been at the top of my game for three months. Singles or tag, it hasn’t mattered. I’ve come to fight and I’ve won a lot. You can look at the list of names I’ve faced since the end of October, I’ve beaten them all. You’re on that list too, Christian.
It wasn’t directly, but that loss was the result of a very stupid decision you made there. You put me down, and might’ve had the win in the palm of your hand, but you let your arrogance dictate your next move. You decided to not finish the job and thought it’d be more fun to humiliate me in the ring but we know how that played out. I was down, but pulled out a victory, and left you and Evans looking foolish. You plucked defeat from the jaws of victory that night.
I hope you haven’t forgotten it Christian. You might want to blame that loss on Evans, but you have to accept the responsibility that you handed over the match to her in the first place. I’ve been a great wrestler for the last several months for a couple of reasons. One, I happen to be one of the better mat wrestlers you’ll come across in the ring. Two, I can take the smallest opening from an opponent and turn create a victory. You don’t have to take my word for it. You can just look back at my matches.
So while you stand there smugly, calling me an ‘old man’ from the safety of your twitter account, remember that age brings knowledge, wisdom and experience. And those are three things that I use effectively as weapons in the ring. Prepare well for Survive and Conquer, Christian, because this week you and I aren’t done, not by a long shot.
We open with a shot inside the A.M.D.T.C., more specifically inside the office of Logan Alexander. He’s sitting behind his desk with his elbows resting on the edge of it and fingers steepled before him. The camera is positioned on the other side of the desk and watches the double champion as he idly flexes his hands. The camera decides to get things started.
You’re riding a wave of momentum.
Logan’s gaze shifts to the camera, looking past his hands.
Certainly seems that way.
Think it’s enough this week?
He shrugs slightly at the question.
I don’t know. This week isn’t like most others. I have a championship match and then the mother of wrestling challenges. You know my head’s been all over the place because of that.
When it’s come to Meltdown, Survive and Conquer hasn’t bothered you. There you’ve been on an incredible roll.
He nods slightly and glances off to the side.
Yeah. That’s true, but since Monday night… I’ve had a nagging concern in the back of my head.
What is it?
He lowers his hands, and turns his chair almost ninety degrees.
I’m on a roll, riding momentum, and I think I’ve hit a peak. Compare me to anyone on Meltdown right now. Can you honestly say that I’m not the best one there?
There’s a pause before the response comes.
That’s a hard argument to make, or at least prove.
There’s another pause and Logan glances over, waiting.
You’re the North American champion and have defended the title through some difficult matches. You and Aubrey did what you set out to and became Tag Team champions as well. Based on accomplishments, I don’t think there’s anyone better.
He nods again then looks away.
But I could be beaten. Eventually, I will be. It’s a given. Nothing lasts forever in this business and that thought’s been there for the last few days. I’m at the highest point I can reach while part of Meltdown. I can only go down now. When you consider it rationally, there’s one truth in this business… no matter how great your success, it’ll eventually end in failure.
Do you think that relates to this match? You think you’ll lose the championship?
Maybe. I can’t tell how things will play out here. I know what I’ll do. I can guess what Kane will do. As for everything beyond that, I have no idea.
He lifts one hand and rubs his chin.
I don’t assume I’m unbeatable. I’ve treated being the champion like something that’d end each upcoming Monday night. At first, I accepted that and tried to walk away because I didn’t want it. I was told no. I wasn’t allowed to. In a moment of anger, I laid out the path I walked for the last two months. I made enemies of the people in charge of Meltdown, declaring it openly with one act. At that same moment, I also decided that if I couldn’t drop the title on my own terms, then I’d make it as hard as possible to succeed for the people sent to do so.
He smirks slightly and looks over at the camera.
I knew the parade of opponents will continue until one succeeds. Kane is attempt number three. Maybe he’ll be the one. Having been in the ring against him has shown me that he’s capable. He put me down in the tag match we had. Whether his superkick would’ve been enough to keep me down is the question that lacks an actual answer. But it’s the question I’ve been asking myself… and I have to answer yes.
There’s a note of surprise in the reply.
You believe Christian Kane will beat you?
Logan lifts one hand, shaking a finger at the camera.
I said I believe he can beat me, not that he will.
He smiles at the camera then lowers his hand.
I’m not stepping into this match presuming that I can’t lose, but I’m not assuming my defeat is certain either. I’ll let him believe so if he wants but he does so at his own peril. I’ve denied four contenders that were certain that they’d be the one to emerge as champion on two separate occasions. Hopefully Kane realizes that.
You’re hoping he doesn’t make the same mistake.
Of course. I want greater challenges, not identical ones coming at me because they don’t learn from prior experiences, whether theirs or others. You only get so much better by facing similar competitors like that. I wanted to be champion on Meltdown so I’d have the privilege to face the best competitors here. I’ve had to face four opponents at once in December and I won. I had to face my fiercest rival in APW to date two weeks ago in the one-on-one match he’d been craving and I’d been expecting. It took thirty plus minutes, but I won there too. To face something less than those on pay-per-view would feel like a step backwards.
He lets out a breath.
I’m expecting Kane to show up Sunday night with his game raised to a whole other level. I’m expecting him to come out and surpass what Tuhoa Valo came with. That’s what I’ve been preparing for. I’ve had two week to prepare, right alongside my Survive and Conquer match training.
Do you think this title match is going to cause you any trouble going into the Survive and Conquer match? I mean, you were trying to decide on what you wanted a week ago coming into this show.
He turns the chair back towards the camera, raising one eyebrow.
You’re wondering if I might hold back?
Bluntly… yes.
He smirks.
Fair question. Blunt answer… no. Ask for everything, but be prepared to settle for less. I’d like to win Survive and Conquer if I can, but I have to think about it rationally. I could win from my late entry, but there’re still far too many variables to consider in that one.
He shakes his head slightly.
Now the North American championship is a simpler challenge to consider. Kane’s only one man, whereas Survive and Conquer might contain twenty or more people by the time I get there. What do I have a better chance to survive? The one man, regardless of how impressive he is. I’m going to put everything on the line if necessary to defeat Kane. I don’t have to win and trying to win may worsen my chances later on, but I won’t sacrifice this for only a chance to achieve greater glory. That’s a foolish way to lose everything. If I lose my championship Sunday night, it’ll be because I was beaten at my best. No excuses. Besides, I’ll have around one and a half hours to sleep off the effects of my match before having to get in the ring again. That might be enough time to recharge my batteries. That’s one benefit of having a late draw.
Well… you definitely sound like you have a better handle on things than you did a week ago.
He snorts softly.
I’d hope so. You don’t want to be fumbling for direction this late in the game. Instead you want to be ready to commit to your path and follow it through to the end. My path goes through Kane this weekend. We’ll see where it turns once the final bell rings.
He leans back in his chair, steepling his fingers before him again. The scene fades to black.
We shift to a small interview set. The camera is focused on a pair of nicely cushioned chairs, with a blown up picture of the North American championship serves as a backdrop. Logan sits in the left hand chair, dressed nicely in a suit and holding some cue cards before him. He looks up at the camera and smiles. He puts the cards aside and stands. He clears his throat.
Christian Kane, come on down! You’re the next contestant on ‘Who wants to be the North American champion’!
He points off to the right side of the screen… and waits. After a little while, Logan lowers his arm and smirks at the camera.
I know that Kane isn’t showing up here today. As much fun as it’d be to have him here with me, it wouldn’t work. We’re like oppositely charge particles. In close proximity, we’ll try to annihilate the other. That’s not conductive to a pay-per-view title match of course. I’d still show up for another round on Sunday though. He might say I’m a glutton for punishment. I’d say I’m not afraid of what he brings to the ring, then I’d tell him to step it up.
But, if anything were to happen to dad’s prized fighter before the big show, he’d throw a fit and slap me with some punitive punishment in retaliation, so this amusing diversion will have to suffice as is.
He shrugs slightly and sits back down. He picks up his cards and shuffles through them.
I have some questions I’d like to ask of my challenger, were he here, but I they can be answered easily enough. So easily, that I should be able to answer them.
He smirks at the camera, then looks down at his first card.
So first off, what makes Christian Kane so sure he’ll beat me?
He lowers the card and considers his answer.
I guess we’d have to start with the fact that he’s sensational. I mean it’s in his ring name… the Canadian Sensation! He’s also younger than I am by five whole years. Check his twitter account. I’m some old man by comparison. So he’s probably quicker than I am. He tagged me with his patented Super Sexy Kick. He’s a quick fire with that. He’s got a big resume of accomplishments, so he’s a talented competitor. To top it off, he’s really good looking. Now some of those aren’t relevant… but I’m trying to be true to my opponent.
Since he’s younger, he’ll have the edge in several physical categories. Speed, agility, reflexes, and he probably doesn’t have a list of old injuries. Our strength, stamina and toughness will probably stack up evenly. What does that mean for me?
He smirks confidently at the camera.
It’s just another day in the ring for me.
He chuckles softly. Afterwards, he regards the camera more seriously.
Does he have a mental edge? Does he have more knowledge and experience? Five years is a big difference in that regard. I’ve beaten plenty of people that have physical advantages on me in APW because I always have a solid gameplan that’s hard to derail. I don’t run around quickly or fly off the ropes, but neither do many of my opponents after I get my hands on them. I have one of the best mat based offences and that can level any playing field. His SSK is fast, I’ll give him credit for that, but I’m pretty fast with Stryke Force. It’s a ‘blink and you’re unconscious’ move but I can hit it anywhere. And while we could compare past resumes with one another, there’s no need. Look at my current achievements. I’m bringing both out to the ring. I wasn’t handed these titles. I’ve fought the best to earn them. I beat Kane to get a shot at one of them. I’m ready to beat him again to retain the other.
Logan glances off camera a bit distractedly.
What?
Something’s said that the camera doesn’t pick up. Logan looks mildly annoyed.
Only time for one more?
He sighs.
Fine…
Grabbing most of the cards, he tosses them behind his chair. He regards the camera coolly.
We’ll go to the important question. I want to ask about Kane’s Survive and Conquer match withdrawl. Monday night, fresh off his successful beat-the-clock run, he drops out. I’ve thought of some reasons. He’s got a title match he really wants. He’s gotten cold feet about the big match. He doesn’t feel up to two matches in one night.
Logan leans forward, resting his arms on his legs, and looking into the camera intently.
Christian… regardless of why you dropped out of Survive and Conquer, you’ve illustrated a major difference between us. I’ve had two weeks to back out of a double-booked pay-per-view, but never considered it. When I found out I’d be defending my title, I was eager to see who I’d face. I embraced it. You dropping out has shown something… you shrink from challenges. Me though, I’ll ready to fight you, then come out later and fight against some of the best in the world.
I’ll do so because I want to. I’ll get better. And if I win…
Logan smirks and sits back.
We’ll see if I get there, first I have to deal with you. You’re willing to settle for less, take the easy path. I’m never satisfied, always reaching higher. Who sounds like the one that wants this match and championship more? Soon enough, we’ll face off and answer that question. I plan to show you that you shouldn’t sacrifice one opportunity for another… because you may end up with nothing. See you soon.
He nods to the camera, and the scene fades to black.
Yes, I’m referring to the Meltdown beat-the-clock challenge, but perhaps not the way one might expect. I found the results surprising personally. I didn’t think it would’ve been much of a stretch for Tuhoa Valo to give another strong performance, defeat someone in a record setting time, and secure another North American championship match. He won, but not fast enough. That was a surprise, but a bigger shock was that he wasn’t runner up.
Number two was Young Mannie. He’s been toiling in obscurity for ages and hasn’t done much since I’ve been in APW, but he showed up last week, won a triple threat match and was leader for a while. Surprised? Considering the difficulty of his match and the fact he lost by two seconds, an argument could be made for him to get this title match. But I won’t be making one because I wouldn’t give up the current match for anything.
The winner of this challenge stepped up from the previous week. The moment I’d finished watching Donald Deruty’s Meltdown appearance, I expected to see him with a shovel, digging a hole for himself somewhere in Edmonton, because he did so verbally. He lit a fire under Christian Kane. I knew then that Kane was the one beat. He didn’t disappoint.
I’ve expected this match for some time. Ever since he debuted with a chairshot from behind, I knew we’d eventually reach this point. Now we face off one-on-one for a championship. Who wouldn’t have seen that coming?
Before I discuss business this week, I have a few things to say. First off Christian… thank you! Thank you so much for putting Donald Deruty in his place again. You have no idea how much he drives me crazy, with his assumptions of personal greatness while being a grade-A choke artist in APW. Thank you for making sure he didn’t get another shot at the title. If you haven’t made the fans happy, at least you’ve made me happy. That counts for something, but onto the matter at hand, personal gratitude aside. We’re here for one reason, to beat the stuffing out of one another in front of a screaming British crowd for the North American championship.
You’re looking to beat me, pick the title off of whatever’s left of me, raise your standing in APW, and make mom and dad happy backstage. I know you aren’t doing it for them. You’re no one’s tool. You just associate with them… because. I could speculate why you’re with them, but it doesn’t matter. Bottom line, you’re with them and they’ll be looking to help you if they can.
On the other hand, I’m looking to maintain the current status quo. I found myself at the top of Meltdown a couple of months ago and reluctantly took that spot given to me. Despite my hesitance embracing this role, I’ve still been at the top of my game for three months. Singles or tag, it hasn’t mattered. I’ve come to fight and I’ve won a lot. You can look at the list of names I’ve faced since the end of October, I’ve beaten them all. You’re on that list too, Christian.
It wasn’t directly, but that loss was the result of a very stupid decision you made there. You put me down, and might’ve had the win in the palm of your hand, but you let your arrogance dictate your next move. You decided to not finish the job and thought it’d be more fun to humiliate me in the ring but we know how that played out. I was down, but pulled out a victory, and left you and Evans looking foolish. You plucked defeat from the jaws of victory that night.
I hope you haven’t forgotten it Christian. You might want to blame that loss on Evans, but you have to accept the responsibility that you handed over the match to her in the first place. I’ve been a great wrestler for the last several months for a couple of reasons. One, I happen to be one of the better mat wrestlers you’ll come across in the ring. Two, I can take the smallest opening from an opponent and turn create a victory. You don’t have to take my word for it. You can just look back at my matches.
So while you stand there smugly, calling me an ‘old man’ from the safety of your twitter account, remember that age brings knowledge, wisdom and experience. And those are three things that I use effectively as weapons in the ring. Prepare well for Survive and Conquer, Christian, because this week you and I aren’t done, not by a long shot.
We open with a shot inside the A.M.D.T.C., more specifically inside the office of Logan Alexander. He’s sitting behind his desk with his elbows resting on the edge of it and fingers steepled before him. The camera is positioned on the other side of the desk and watches the double champion as he idly flexes his hands. The camera decides to get things started.
You’re riding a wave of momentum.
Logan’s gaze shifts to the camera, looking past his hands.
Certainly seems that way.
Think it’s enough this week?
He shrugs slightly at the question.
I don’t know. This week isn’t like most others. I have a championship match and then the mother of wrestling challenges. You know my head’s been all over the place because of that.
When it’s come to Meltdown, Survive and Conquer hasn’t bothered you. There you’ve been on an incredible roll.
He nods slightly and glances off to the side.
Yeah. That’s true, but since Monday night… I’ve had a nagging concern in the back of my head.
What is it?
He lowers his hands, and turns his chair almost ninety degrees.
I’m on a roll, riding momentum, and I think I’ve hit a peak. Compare me to anyone on Meltdown right now. Can you honestly say that I’m not the best one there?
There’s a pause before the response comes.
That’s a hard argument to make, or at least prove.
There’s another pause and Logan glances over, waiting.
You’re the North American champion and have defended the title through some difficult matches. You and Aubrey did what you set out to and became Tag Team champions as well. Based on accomplishments, I don’t think there’s anyone better.
He nods again then looks away.
But I could be beaten. Eventually, I will be. It’s a given. Nothing lasts forever in this business and that thought’s been there for the last few days. I’m at the highest point I can reach while part of Meltdown. I can only go down now. When you consider it rationally, there’s one truth in this business… no matter how great your success, it’ll eventually end in failure.
Do you think that relates to this match? You think you’ll lose the championship?
Maybe. I can’t tell how things will play out here. I know what I’ll do. I can guess what Kane will do. As for everything beyond that, I have no idea.
He lifts one hand and rubs his chin.
I don’t assume I’m unbeatable. I’ve treated being the champion like something that’d end each upcoming Monday night. At first, I accepted that and tried to walk away because I didn’t want it. I was told no. I wasn’t allowed to. In a moment of anger, I laid out the path I walked for the last two months. I made enemies of the people in charge of Meltdown, declaring it openly with one act. At that same moment, I also decided that if I couldn’t drop the title on my own terms, then I’d make it as hard as possible to succeed for the people sent to do so.
He smirks slightly and looks over at the camera.
I knew the parade of opponents will continue until one succeeds. Kane is attempt number three. Maybe he’ll be the one. Having been in the ring against him has shown me that he’s capable. He put me down in the tag match we had. Whether his superkick would’ve been enough to keep me down is the question that lacks an actual answer. But it’s the question I’ve been asking myself… and I have to answer yes.
There’s a note of surprise in the reply.
You believe Christian Kane will beat you?
Logan lifts one hand, shaking a finger at the camera.
I said I believe he can beat me, not that he will.
He smiles at the camera then lowers his hand.
I’m not stepping into this match presuming that I can’t lose, but I’m not assuming my defeat is certain either. I’ll let him believe so if he wants but he does so at his own peril. I’ve denied four contenders that were certain that they’d be the one to emerge as champion on two separate occasions. Hopefully Kane realizes that.
You’re hoping he doesn’t make the same mistake.
Of course. I want greater challenges, not identical ones coming at me because they don’t learn from prior experiences, whether theirs or others. You only get so much better by facing similar competitors like that. I wanted to be champion on Meltdown so I’d have the privilege to face the best competitors here. I’ve had to face four opponents at once in December and I won. I had to face my fiercest rival in APW to date two weeks ago in the one-on-one match he’d been craving and I’d been expecting. It took thirty plus minutes, but I won there too. To face something less than those on pay-per-view would feel like a step backwards.
He lets out a breath.
I’m expecting Kane to show up Sunday night with his game raised to a whole other level. I’m expecting him to come out and surpass what Tuhoa Valo came with. That’s what I’ve been preparing for. I’ve had two week to prepare, right alongside my Survive and Conquer match training.
Do you think this title match is going to cause you any trouble going into the Survive and Conquer match? I mean, you were trying to decide on what you wanted a week ago coming into this show.
He turns the chair back towards the camera, raising one eyebrow.
You’re wondering if I might hold back?
Bluntly… yes.
He smirks.
Fair question. Blunt answer… no. Ask for everything, but be prepared to settle for less. I’d like to win Survive and Conquer if I can, but I have to think about it rationally. I could win from my late entry, but there’re still far too many variables to consider in that one.
He shakes his head slightly.
Now the North American championship is a simpler challenge to consider. Kane’s only one man, whereas Survive and Conquer might contain twenty or more people by the time I get there. What do I have a better chance to survive? The one man, regardless of how impressive he is. I’m going to put everything on the line if necessary to defeat Kane. I don’t have to win and trying to win may worsen my chances later on, but I won’t sacrifice this for only a chance to achieve greater glory. That’s a foolish way to lose everything. If I lose my championship Sunday night, it’ll be because I was beaten at my best. No excuses. Besides, I’ll have around one and a half hours to sleep off the effects of my match before having to get in the ring again. That might be enough time to recharge my batteries. That’s one benefit of having a late draw.
Well… you definitely sound like you have a better handle on things than you did a week ago.
He snorts softly.
I’d hope so. You don’t want to be fumbling for direction this late in the game. Instead you want to be ready to commit to your path and follow it through to the end. My path goes through Kane this weekend. We’ll see where it turns once the final bell rings.
He leans back in his chair, steepling his fingers before him again. The scene fades to black.
We shift to a small interview set. The camera is focused on a pair of nicely cushioned chairs, with a blown up picture of the North American championship serves as a backdrop. Logan sits in the left hand chair, dressed nicely in a suit and holding some cue cards before him. He looks up at the camera and smiles. He puts the cards aside and stands. He clears his throat.
Christian Kane, come on down! You’re the next contestant on ‘Who wants to be the North American champion’!
He points off to the right side of the screen… and waits. After a little while, Logan lowers his arm and smirks at the camera.
I know that Kane isn’t showing up here today. As much fun as it’d be to have him here with me, it wouldn’t work. We’re like oppositely charge particles. In close proximity, we’ll try to annihilate the other. That’s not conductive to a pay-per-view title match of course. I’d still show up for another round on Sunday though. He might say I’m a glutton for punishment. I’d say I’m not afraid of what he brings to the ring, then I’d tell him to step it up.
But, if anything were to happen to dad’s prized fighter before the big show, he’d throw a fit and slap me with some punitive punishment in retaliation, so this amusing diversion will have to suffice as is.
He shrugs slightly and sits back down. He picks up his cards and shuffles through them.
I have some questions I’d like to ask of my challenger, were he here, but I they can be answered easily enough. So easily, that I should be able to answer them.
He smirks at the camera, then looks down at his first card.
So first off, what makes Christian Kane so sure he’ll beat me?
He lowers the card and considers his answer.
I guess we’d have to start with the fact that he’s sensational. I mean it’s in his ring name… the Canadian Sensation! He’s also younger than I am by five whole years. Check his twitter account. I’m some old man by comparison. So he’s probably quicker than I am. He tagged me with his patented Super Sexy Kick. He’s a quick fire with that. He’s got a big resume of accomplishments, so he’s a talented competitor. To top it off, he’s really good looking. Now some of those aren’t relevant… but I’m trying to be true to my opponent.
Since he’s younger, he’ll have the edge in several physical categories. Speed, agility, reflexes, and he probably doesn’t have a list of old injuries. Our strength, stamina and toughness will probably stack up evenly. What does that mean for me?
He smirks confidently at the camera.
It’s just another day in the ring for me.
He chuckles softly. Afterwards, he regards the camera more seriously.
Does he have a mental edge? Does he have more knowledge and experience? Five years is a big difference in that regard. I’ve beaten plenty of people that have physical advantages on me in APW because I always have a solid gameplan that’s hard to derail. I don’t run around quickly or fly off the ropes, but neither do many of my opponents after I get my hands on them. I have one of the best mat based offences and that can level any playing field. His SSK is fast, I’ll give him credit for that, but I’m pretty fast with Stryke Force. It’s a ‘blink and you’re unconscious’ move but I can hit it anywhere. And while we could compare past resumes with one another, there’s no need. Look at my current achievements. I’m bringing both out to the ring. I wasn’t handed these titles. I’ve fought the best to earn them. I beat Kane to get a shot at one of them. I’m ready to beat him again to retain the other.
Logan glances off camera a bit distractedly.
What?
Something’s said that the camera doesn’t pick up. Logan looks mildly annoyed.
Only time for one more?
He sighs.
Fine…
Grabbing most of the cards, he tosses them behind his chair. He regards the camera coolly.
We’ll go to the important question. I want to ask about Kane’s Survive and Conquer match withdrawl. Monday night, fresh off his successful beat-the-clock run, he drops out. I’ve thought of some reasons. He’s got a title match he really wants. He’s gotten cold feet about the big match. He doesn’t feel up to two matches in one night.
Logan leans forward, resting his arms on his legs, and looking into the camera intently.
Christian… regardless of why you dropped out of Survive and Conquer, you’ve illustrated a major difference between us. I’ve had two weeks to back out of a double-booked pay-per-view, but never considered it. When I found out I’d be defending my title, I was eager to see who I’d face. I embraced it. You dropping out has shown something… you shrink from challenges. Me though, I’ll ready to fight you, then come out later and fight against some of the best in the world.
I’ll do so because I want to. I’ll get better. And if I win…
Logan smirks and sits back.
We’ll see if I get there, first I have to deal with you. You’re willing to settle for less, take the easy path. I’m never satisfied, always reaching higher. Who sounds like the one that wants this match and championship more? Soon enough, we’ll face off and answer that question. I plan to show you that you shouldn’t sacrifice one opportunity for another… because you may end up with nothing. See you soon.
He nods to the camera, and the scene fades to black.
