Post by Mark Mania on Feb 6, 2013 15:37:22 GMT -4
It went as well as expected. I knew that when I was put into a match with Buckson Gooch that I wouldn’t be able to win Survive & Conquer. I had to do something to make sure that I still left the arena feeling like a winner. With the Overdrive title over my shoulder, I held my head high as I walked out. I may not have done as well as I wanted in the rumble, but I held my own and at least I got to show off a little bit. Getting entered in as number nineteen was a tough draw anyways. There’s always next year. Now, as I start to make my journey towards Rasslemania I can be happy with myself that I’ve successfully defended my title the past two pay-per-views. In the APW, as with in any wrestling federation, the pay-per-view is the biggest stage. The lights are brighter, the fans cheer louder, there’s just something different happening. I know that since One Night in Hell I’ve cemented myself as a big match performer. When all the stakes are on the line and the chips are on the table, Mark Mania prevails. Now as we make our way to Rasslemania, the biggest stage of them all, I prepare to defend my title against another competitor, who has drive and desire that I haven’t seen in a long time.
“Who the hell does he think he is?” I ask, sitting against the back of my limo.
“He’s one of the best talents APW has to offer.” Rosa Ramirez, my lesbian assistant, offers up.
“Yes, but does he forget what happened the last two time we’ve been in the ring together?”
“I think that he hasn’t forgotten it ever since it happened.”
“Oh so he’s on a mission of vengeance here? Isn’t that sweet?”
“You’re not going to underestimate him though, are you?”
“Of course not, I know that he’s one of the best, and I know that he’s on a war path to prove that he’s better than me.”
“I don’t think it’s just that, I think he wants to be you.”
I look at myself up and down, “Can you blame him?”
Rosa gives me an exacerbated look.
“Oh, come on. Listen, I know he wants all the things I have, but he’s on a great path here in the APW, and he doesn’t need to try and be like me. He should be doing his own thing.”
“Well his own thing, at this moment, is your title.”
I laugh, “He should find a new ‘own thing’.”
“This isn’t exactly the way I expected this to happen. I knew I’d get another shot at Level-One, Terry Marvin, and Evan Envi each. I never expected that I’d see all three of them in one match! Obviously my history with Level-One is a storied one and goes back many moons. Many moons? What the fuck am I talking about? Anyways, I’ve been dying to get back in the ring with Level-One since we faced prior to my winning the Overdrive title. When I faced him then I talked about the fact that whenever I got in the ring with him it was a real measuring stick of where I was. A real sign of what I’ve accomplished and what I’m able to do. I feel like I’ve made a lot of strides since Lester and I last met, so when I go up next to him, I’m really looking forward to seeing what’s there.”
“My history with Terry Marvin is much different. From the outside, one would assume that we had no beef against each other. I’ve been the Overdrive champion for almost five months now and I haven’t run into Terry once. What on earth could be my issue with him? Well, you may not remember this, but when I first wanted to get my hands on this title, following Test for the Best, he was the one that kept me from winning it. I had Delikado beat. I had the title in my grasp. Then Terry Marvin, from out of nowhere, decides that he will cherry pick who wins the title. He put Delikado on me and that began the reign of Delikado as the Overdrive champion. What a disgusting time period that was! This title belongs to be exactly where it is. It belongs with me, around my shoulder. Terry Marvin kept that from happening. Terry Marvin tried to deny the inevitable. Now I will finally have a chance to get back at Terry for this.”
“I’ve wanted to get my hands on Terry Marvin for a long time now. He is undoubtedly the best in the business today. He’s the Undisputed Champion and the Survive & Conquer winner. The man is the truth. But that’s none of my concern. I don’t care how many accolades he has, I don’t even care about beating him. All I need to do is get revenge. All I need to do is to teach Terry a lesson. He needs to know that you don’t cross Mark Mania and get away with it. I don’t forget grudges. I don’t forget someone who turns on me, and I have not forgot about Terry. I can’t wait to get in the ring with you again Terry, we’re going to have some serious fun in there.”
“Now, speaking of grudges, the last man in this match has a long standing grudge. It all started with something I didn’t even realize I did at the time. My first match back in the APW after my hiatus was at the Meltdown Super Show the day after the Mayhem Pay-Per-View. I faced Blade in what would become his last APW match. After main-eventing the Super Show and bringing a lot of press to the Meltdown brand, Johnny Diamond and President Jeff realized that my talents were better utilized on Overdrive. So, I got called up to Overdrive. The first person to do so. Then shortly after Evan Envi was called up as he rightfully should’ve been and everything seemed fine. But, what I didn’t know, was that Evan was pissed! He thought he deserved to be the first ever person called up from Meltdown. He figured that he had put in his time and that he was deserving of the honor. To be honest, I didn’t even know it was an honor at the time. Because what Evan Envi seems to have forgotten is that I put in my time three years ago. I battled the whole APW roster up and down and competed in some high profile matches long before Evan even considered joining us here.”
“So I apologize to Evan, I’m sorry that you feel that you were wronged, but frankly, it was a little beneath me at the time to worry about your petty problems. The only thing that really concerns me when it comes to you Evan, is what we’ve had in our past. We’ve faced each other one on one twice. Both times you were disappointed in your efforts and made excuses for your losses. I’ve never been one for excuses. I’ve always thought that our accomplishments and our merits are what should define us. You know what your accomplishments against me are? Zero and two. Simple as pie. You have no accomplishments when it comes to facing me. Oh, wait, a tag victory? Good for you. And if you win this week, again, another tag victory. This time, on your team will be the Undisputed Champion and the best wrestler in the history of the APW. I’m not really stopping the presses bringing the news that you’re the least successful person on your team.”
“You were talking like this is some big honor for us to be in a match with these people, like this isn’t normal run of the mill things for me. I’ve been wrestling with Biggs, CJ, and Level-One for years and years. I’m on their level as much as anyone else in this federation. You’re the only one in this match that doesn’t have any true accomplishments. You’re the only one in this match that apparently doesn’t believe they belong. You’re the only one in this match who DOESN’T belong.”
“You have a bright future ahead of you, no one is denying that. But your jealousy is what’s killing you. You walk around pretending to have this arrogance yet, whenever you open your mouth it just sounds like whining and crying. You deserve this, you’ve done this, you want that. No one denies that you have a God-given gift. But just keep paying your dues and one day you’ll get there. I mean, you were the North American Champion, the Xtreme Champion, I can tell that you’re trying to make your way through all the divisions of APW, but this will be where your journey ends. You may become Overdrive champion someday. But it won’t be on my watch. This is still my title and will be until it’s time for it to move on from me. It’s not that time yet Evan.”
“So come for me, bring everything you’ve got, I’ll be here waiting for you. This title will stay on my shoulder through next week whether I’m facing Kurt Noble or Delikado and then through Rasslemania if you find some way to meet me there.”
“Who the hell does he think he is?” I ask, sitting against the back of my limo.
“He’s one of the best talents APW has to offer.” Rosa Ramirez, my lesbian assistant, offers up.
“Yes, but does he forget what happened the last two time we’ve been in the ring together?”
“I think that he hasn’t forgotten it ever since it happened.”
“Oh so he’s on a mission of vengeance here? Isn’t that sweet?”
“You’re not going to underestimate him though, are you?”
“Of course not, I know that he’s one of the best, and I know that he’s on a war path to prove that he’s better than me.”
“I don’t think it’s just that, I think he wants to be you.”
I look at myself up and down, “Can you blame him?”
Rosa gives me an exacerbated look.
“Oh, come on. Listen, I know he wants all the things I have, but he’s on a great path here in the APW, and he doesn’t need to try and be like me. He should be doing his own thing.”
“Well his own thing, at this moment, is your title.”
I laugh, “He should find a new ‘own thing’.”
“This isn’t exactly the way I expected this to happen. I knew I’d get another shot at Level-One, Terry Marvin, and Evan Envi each. I never expected that I’d see all three of them in one match! Obviously my history with Level-One is a storied one and goes back many moons. Many moons? What the fuck am I talking about? Anyways, I’ve been dying to get back in the ring with Level-One since we faced prior to my winning the Overdrive title. When I faced him then I talked about the fact that whenever I got in the ring with him it was a real measuring stick of where I was. A real sign of what I’ve accomplished and what I’m able to do. I feel like I’ve made a lot of strides since Lester and I last met, so when I go up next to him, I’m really looking forward to seeing what’s there.”
“My history with Terry Marvin is much different. From the outside, one would assume that we had no beef against each other. I’ve been the Overdrive champion for almost five months now and I haven’t run into Terry once. What on earth could be my issue with him? Well, you may not remember this, but when I first wanted to get my hands on this title, following Test for the Best, he was the one that kept me from winning it. I had Delikado beat. I had the title in my grasp. Then Terry Marvin, from out of nowhere, decides that he will cherry pick who wins the title. He put Delikado on me and that began the reign of Delikado as the Overdrive champion. What a disgusting time period that was! This title belongs to be exactly where it is. It belongs with me, around my shoulder. Terry Marvin kept that from happening. Terry Marvin tried to deny the inevitable. Now I will finally have a chance to get back at Terry for this.”
“I’ve wanted to get my hands on Terry Marvin for a long time now. He is undoubtedly the best in the business today. He’s the Undisputed Champion and the Survive & Conquer winner. The man is the truth. But that’s none of my concern. I don’t care how many accolades he has, I don’t even care about beating him. All I need to do is get revenge. All I need to do is to teach Terry a lesson. He needs to know that you don’t cross Mark Mania and get away with it. I don’t forget grudges. I don’t forget someone who turns on me, and I have not forgot about Terry. I can’t wait to get in the ring with you again Terry, we’re going to have some serious fun in there.”
“Now, speaking of grudges, the last man in this match has a long standing grudge. It all started with something I didn’t even realize I did at the time. My first match back in the APW after my hiatus was at the Meltdown Super Show the day after the Mayhem Pay-Per-View. I faced Blade in what would become his last APW match. After main-eventing the Super Show and bringing a lot of press to the Meltdown brand, Johnny Diamond and President Jeff realized that my talents were better utilized on Overdrive. So, I got called up to Overdrive. The first person to do so. Then shortly after Evan Envi was called up as he rightfully should’ve been and everything seemed fine. But, what I didn’t know, was that Evan was pissed! He thought he deserved to be the first ever person called up from Meltdown. He figured that he had put in his time and that he was deserving of the honor. To be honest, I didn’t even know it was an honor at the time. Because what Evan Envi seems to have forgotten is that I put in my time three years ago. I battled the whole APW roster up and down and competed in some high profile matches long before Evan even considered joining us here.”
“So I apologize to Evan, I’m sorry that you feel that you were wronged, but frankly, it was a little beneath me at the time to worry about your petty problems. The only thing that really concerns me when it comes to you Evan, is what we’ve had in our past. We’ve faced each other one on one twice. Both times you were disappointed in your efforts and made excuses for your losses. I’ve never been one for excuses. I’ve always thought that our accomplishments and our merits are what should define us. You know what your accomplishments against me are? Zero and two. Simple as pie. You have no accomplishments when it comes to facing me. Oh, wait, a tag victory? Good for you. And if you win this week, again, another tag victory. This time, on your team will be the Undisputed Champion and the best wrestler in the history of the APW. I’m not really stopping the presses bringing the news that you’re the least successful person on your team.”
“You were talking like this is some big honor for us to be in a match with these people, like this isn’t normal run of the mill things for me. I’ve been wrestling with Biggs, CJ, and Level-One for years and years. I’m on their level as much as anyone else in this federation. You’re the only one in this match that doesn’t have any true accomplishments. You’re the only one in this match that apparently doesn’t believe they belong. You’re the only one in this match who DOESN’T belong.”
“You have a bright future ahead of you, no one is denying that. But your jealousy is what’s killing you. You walk around pretending to have this arrogance yet, whenever you open your mouth it just sounds like whining and crying. You deserve this, you’ve done this, you want that. No one denies that you have a God-given gift. But just keep paying your dues and one day you’ll get there. I mean, you were the North American Champion, the Xtreme Champion, I can tell that you’re trying to make your way through all the divisions of APW, but this will be where your journey ends. You may become Overdrive champion someday. But it won’t be on my watch. This is still my title and will be until it’s time for it to move on from me. It’s not that time yet Evan.”
“So come for me, bring everything you’ve got, I’ll be here waiting for you. This title will stay on my shoulder through next week whether I’m facing Kurt Noble or Delikado and then through Rasslemania if you find some way to meet me there.”
