Post by C.J. Gates on Feb 27, 2013 16:18:11 GMT -4
"Well this should be fun.
"Perhaps I shouldn't be surprised that Johnny Rebel has opted to make the match the way he did. After all, doesn't he want to get his feet wet again? And the only way for that to happen is to thin out the competition. What better way to do that then to force enemies to team up with one another.
"It almost would have made more sense to have Mania and I team up to take on Marvin and Envi but again, that wouldn't help his cause. Instead it would have just made for a great match.
"But that doesn't matter now. Now, I have to put up with Terry Marvin being my partner. I have to worry about a man who wants to end me, and a man who cares about nothing but himself. Even as we gear up for Rasslemania, he's doing everything in his power to push the Terry Marvin brand, and doing everything against his power to actually care about our match.
"Which is fine, because it will just serve as a lesson for him. Just like this match. I mean, it's obvious what his intentions are going to be here, and it's obvious that he's not exactly going to play nice. So I am going to have to be on my toes, alert and ready for whatever that fraud has to throw my way.
"I have to make sure that he understands no matter what he does to me, I'm going to get back up. I'm not like some men who will turn and run at the first sign of danger. I'm not like others who will whine and bitch about everything when something happens that they don't like. Maybe that's because no one will listen, or because I know that no one will do anything about it anyways.
"So if Terry thinks he can use this match to get one up on me, he can think again.
"If Evan thinks he can use this match to stake his claim at everything under the sun, he can also think again.
"No matter what, I will be prepared. I will be ready for what Terry is going to do, for what Evan is going to throw my way, and for what Mania is going to bring to the table. Who knows, maybe this match will end up being Mania and Gates after all.
"At least that is something the fans can get behind."
Sunday, February 24, 2013
The Office of C.J. Gates
"Well, this can't be good," C.J. Gates says from behind the desk in his office. He's looking at the computer screen, shaking his head softly from side to side.
"What's that?" Vincent James asks from the couch, muting the television as he does.
"I just got word of next weeks Overdrive card," Gates says with another shake of his head. "And it doesn't look good."
"Let me guess," James says, sitting taller and smiling. "You've got to run a gauntlet of Marvin, Envi, Noble and all of those guys from Code Red Wrestling. I can see what you mean about that not looking good."
"No it's not that," Gates answers. "It's nothing like that. I'm in the main event, a tag match, with Mark Mania, Evan Envi and Terry Marvin."
"So the Wall Street Warriors are getting an advanced look ahead of Clash of the Titans, huh?" James nods his head. "That's going to be a great show."
Gates scoffs. "I wish. Unfortunately, that wasn't in the cards and instead, I've got to team up with Terry Marvin to face off against Mania and Envi."
James stares over at Gates for a long moment before adjusting his seat. "I must not have heard that. Come again?"
Gates smirks. "At Overdrive, it's me and Terry Marvin taking on Mark Mania and Evan Envi."
"That's," James begins before trailing off.
"Bullshit?"
"I guess we could call it that," James says. "It just doesn't seem right."
"Oh, tell me about it." Gates leans back in his chair. "At least I'll be able to see once and for all whether or not he actually cares about Rasslemania."
"I'm sure he cares. After all he's defending his title."
"True," Gates nods. "But he hasn't exactly been doing much to show it. He's more worried about his little dealings between APW and CRW, as well as everything else that doesn't involve me an him going toe to toe for his title."
"I guess I can see that," James says. "Maybe he's just scared."
"Or cocky," Gates says quickly. "Too cocky, if you ask me. He thinks he's already got the match won, and is making plans to hold his parade. But not on my watch."
"That's in a few weeks though, right? Nothing to worry about right now."
"True. Right now I need to keep my mind on the match at hand." Gates smirks. "Of course that match at hand tends to lead right into Rasslemania."
"Okay then, focus on last week." James gets up and walks toward Gates, taking a seat in an empty chair across the desk from him. "Focus on how you got the better of that son of a bitch."
Gates chuckles. "That was pretty good."
"Pretty good? That was awesome! Just when he thought he had you, dead to rights," James slaps his hands together, "BAM! There you were to take him down another peg. And with all his new colleagues watching in attendance. Priceless if you ask me."
"It had it's moments, that's for sure."
"Which brings me to a question," James says. "Why the hell did you go down there?"
Gates stares at him. "What do you mean?"
"Marvin called you out, you had to assume you were going to be outnumbered in some capacity, yet you went down there anyways. Why?"
"I guess I just couldn't sit back and let Marvin get away with everything that he does," Gates answers with a shrug. "Chalk it up to a 'which is worse' scenario. Would you rather just sit in the back and let the villain get away with everything, or would you do what you could, even if that meant you were going to get your teeth knocked down your throat."
"But he didn't even say anything incriminating," James says bluntly.
"It wasn't what he said," Gates says. "He called me out. If I sit back, he mocks me for it. I couldn't let him get to that point."
"So you went out there."
"So I went out there. Besides, with everything that Marvin has been doing, with all of the shit he's been pulling, I've got to stand up to him. I've got to stand up for everyone in the APW against that son of a bitch."
James nods. "I guess that makes sense. Still, it takes balls to go out there like that."
"Balls is what I have."
"What don't you have?"
Gates smirks. "The APW Undisputed title."
James claps his hands. "I love it. I'm loving this fire. It's been awhile since we've seen it."
"No fire, just stating facts." James gives Gates a 'yeah right' look and Gates cracks a smile. "Okay, I'll admit it feels good. But it's not going to change the way I wrestle."
"Nor should it, but having that confidence, it's got to be enough to help you in the ring."
"That, and the fans," Gates says. "They're everything."
"You might be the only person to say that."
"Oh, it wouldn't surprise me if I was. But then again, I've been wrestling for the fans for while now. They're the ones I'm worried about. My success is more or less thanks to them."
"Not to your own skill?"
"Obviously I wouldn't have been able to get where I am without it," Gates says, rolling his eyes, "but without those fans cheering for me, I wouldn't even have had a chance to sniff that surface. They push me. They provide the boosts I need. And they will help me get through this tag team match."
James nods his head. "Any specific plans for this match?"
"With Terry Marvin literally breathing down my neck and Evan Envi wanting to kill everyone and everything in his path? There's one main thing running through my mind."
"Oh yeah? What's that?"
"Survive."
"Well, Mark, at least we can say that we aren't here to rip each others heads off.
"I mean, as far as this match goes, and as far as our careers here in APW go, we don't really have any beef. Everything between us rests in the competition itself. After all, isn't that the reason we agreed to team up at Clash of the Titans? Because we are both hungry for competition with a side of success?
"But this isn't then. This is a match that sees us teaming with our enemies. And even though you are going to be looking over your shoulder, just like I'm going to be looking over mine, I know that you are still going to bring everything you have. I know that you are going to do what you can to gain that momentum going into Rasslemania. After all, that's the main reason we're here isn't it? Momentum. To show our prospective opponents that we are not going to just roll over and die, as much as they might think we will. Or that we should.
"When it comes to you, though? I respect you. I respect what you've managed to do in your career, and I respect how you've done it...for the most part. There are always going to be moments that I just don't know about, moments when I don't know how you survived or if you cheated to win. But this most recent incarnation of Mark Mania? This is a man I can respect.
"You fight with your heart and you put everything into your matches. And hell, you've had to put up with Delikado more than any one man should ever have to. Let alone the rabies. And for that, I take my hat off to you. For that, I nod my head in approval.
"It also means that I look forward to eventually stepping into the ring with you. I look forward to any time we get to match up in this tag match, and whatever the lines hold for us beyond this moment.
Hell, maybe this is even one of those moments where we get to show each other just what we're made of going into our partnership. Going into the age of the Wall Street Warriors. Maybe, you never know. I guess it depends how you view it. I view it as another opportunity to prove myself. A chance to show you, just like I've shown others, that my word means something. That everything I say, it's not just for nothing. I don't just blow smoke.
"I warn my opponents what is going to come their way.
"I show them what they're in store for.
"Whether or not they listen, that's completely up to them. In your case? I'm sure you'll listen. I'm sure you will make sure that you take everything in, that you watch what I do. After all, I wouldn't expect anything less from a seasoned veteran like yourself.
"With that, I wish you good luck. From one competitor to another."
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Moncton, New Brunswick
"So how does it feel?" C.J. Gates asks Biggs as they sit in the locker room of the Space Cowboys.
"How does what feel?" Biggs asks.
"Being cheered for. It's been a couple of months now, was just curious if you've gotten used to it or not."
"To be honest, I don't know if I'll ever get used to it," Biggs says before pausing. "Well, I'm sure I'll get used to it, but right now, it still seems a bit surreal. Though, I know that half the reason their cheering for me is because of who I'm fighting."
"Half, possibly," Gates says. "But the other half is them cheering you for being you. For doing what you've been doing. You haven't been resorting to your cheap tactics to steal wins and ruin matches. You've been giving it your all every time you're in that ring and that is something those fans respect."
"I know," Biggs begins. "It's just something that I need to get used to."
"And when you do, you will notice it paying off," Gates says. "Look at 2011. Part of the reason I kept beating you, was because I had those fans cheering me on, willing me to take that next step, to push myself that much harder. Eventually, they will be cheering for you in the same fashion."
Biggs nods his head as he leans back against the wall. "You've got a big match this week, don't you?"
"I do," Gates says. "I get the joy of teaming with Terry Marvin against Evan Envi and Mark Mania."
"Seems unfair to stack the odds against the two of you," Biggs says. "You and Mark, that is. You're both going to be fighting upriver."
"True, though there's at least one difference. Terry doesn't necessarily want to take out Mark as badly as Evan probably wants to take me out for last week."
"I guess that's true," Biggs says. "I just forsee the whole match ending in one big brawl with no real winner being named. It's just got that feel to it. And hey, if that happens, I'll do my best to be out there to help you out."
"Thanks," Gates says. "If you can't, I'm sure Mark and I will be able to regroup and take care of business. Or at least, whatever we can do. At the very least, we will be able to survive to make it to Rasslemania."
Biggs nods. "It is getting to be quite the card, and it seems like every match has someone that makes it their business to attack us. It's madness."
"It's APW," Gates chuckles. "Which is something you'll begin to see a lot more of. Everyone seems to want our heads, especially when we're at the top of the pack. I've been putting up with it for years. It's madness, but I'm used to it. Just makes it that much sweeter when we beat them."
"Will it be sweeter if you and Marvin are able to beat Evan and Mark?"
Gates pauses before smiling. "It will be sweeter if I am able to get the pinfall at the end of it. At least then I can get a bit of bragging rights over Terry Marvin by finishing the match."
"Maybe he'll sit this one out," Biggs chuckles. "As a protest against APW."
"Don't tempt him. That's exactly what he would do, too." Gates shakes his head as Biggs' attention is drawn to the door.
"Who's that?" Biggs asks, nodding to the locker room door. Gates turns around to see a man standing in the doorway wearing a black suit and carrying a briefcase. Gates stands up and walks toward the man.
"Mr. Gates?" the man says and Gates nods. "We have to talk."
"It's always fun when you're essentially fighting four people on your own.
"That's not to imply that Terry Marvin, Evan Envi and Mark Mania are going to team up on me, but when I'm facing two men in what should be a tag match with the rat bastard of APW on my side, it doesn't exactly instill any kind of faith in things. It doesn't give me that warm and fuzzy feeling.
"Though maybe I shouldn't be worried about all of that. Maybe I shouldn't be focused on what could be, and just look on the surface at what is. I mean, as it stands, Terry Marvin has his hand in so many cookie jars, it's a wonder whether or not he's going to have his head in the game or not. Whether or not he's going to be focused on the match, or trying to think up ways to turn on all those Code Red Wrestling fighters he just befriended.
"After all, if it's not Terry Marvin's way, it's no one's way. But I'm used to that. I'm used to people thinking that everything is up to them, and should be laid out how they want it to be laid out.
"However, that's Terry Marvin. If I'm looking at the surface, I'm looking at Evan Envi and Mark Mania as my opponents. I'm looking at the two of them as the two men I have to beat. Not Terry Marvin. And definitely not myself. I have to focused on Envi and Mania if I want to survive.
"So focus I will. Just like I focused on Evan last week in our match up. Sure, it didn't go how we probably would have liked, but then again, sometimes you have to show people that what goes around comes around. You have to show them that if they want to play the role of up and coming bad ass in this company, they are going to get some sort of karma in return. And in this case, that karma was a loss the same way you beat Terry Marvin the week prior.
"It's true, normally that's not the way I operate, Evan. I normally fight to the fullest and make sure that I am giving those fans the matches they deserve. So maybe in that regard I dropped the ball. But I still entertained them, and I definitely still gave them a match to remember.
"But as Johnny Chase likes to say, I cheated you out of a win. I ruined your quest to storm to the top. Had you managed to beat both halves of the Rasslemania main event, you would have been in prime position for a shot down the line. A shot that you're going to get, I have no reason to believe other wise, but a shot you're going to have to wait for.
"Though I didn't cheat. I played by the rules. I did everything within the confines of the rules. I just made sure to give you a taste of your own medicine. I made sure that you were aware that, contrary to what you think, you are not unstoppable. You are not untouchable. You can be beaten, and you can be beaten somewhat easily.
"Not that the lead up was easy, but the finish was. Maybe you just need eyes in the back of your head. Maybe you just need to make sure that you are aware of your surroundings. Aware that there are more than one way to lose a match.
"Or maybe you should have just listened, Evan. Maybe you should have listened to what I had to say to you when I warned you that no matter how many times you knock me down, I am always going to get right back up. I am always going to find a way to make it back to my feet and it's in large part thanks to the fans.
"But I warned you. I did. And in the end, you paid for it with a count out loss. Nothing that will hurt your ego or anything, but a count out loss all the same. I know you're better than how that match ended, that much I can agree with you on. And once you realize how to make yourself a bit more level headed, once you understand that you need to be a bit more honest with things, then you'll realize that you are the future.
"The question is will you.
"On the path you're on? Probably not. You will probably end up following in the footsteps of Terry Marvin. You will end up bragging to anyone that will listen, ruining friendships, screwing people over, ruining peoples lives, turning on the company that gave you a shot and helped make you who you are. You will grab people by the heart strings and hang them by them.
"And you will take Mark Mania with you.
"Which is a shame because he has that resume and the talent to take that next step and at least he is more level headed. At least he is able to get people to respect him. He doesn't take a piss on them and rub them out with the heel of their boot. Not like you will. And not like Terry Marvin has.
"But when that day comes, Evan, I'll be ready. I always have been, and the last time it happened, I doubt that will be the last time. Even when you do it, I doubt that will be the last time. It's just one of those things, you know? Those things that just keep coming back.
"At least that keeps me going. It keeps me working to try and wipe it all clean. Even though I know that no matter how much I do, no matter how many people I fight against, it will never be clean, I know that I can at least try. Instead of sitting back and waiting, I can try to do something positive with my time. I can try and save APW, to usher them into a brighter future.
"One that isn't tainted with assholes like you, Evan.
"Or you, Terry.
"Listen, I'll warn you right now. If you think that this is going to be a moment for you to get the better of me, you can think again. If you think this will be a chance for you to get even for whatever happened last week, once again, think again. I'm going to be watching you out of the corner of my eye, Terry, and I am going to make sure that you are never out of my sight. I am going to make sure that you stay in line.
"You don't think I can do it, though, do you? You figure I'm just going to wrestle the match and end up falling victim to one of your ploys. Fine. It wouldn't be the first time you lived in your own little bubble. It wouldn't even be the last time. But I will be able to do it. I will. And I will prove that at Overdrive.
"Who knows, maybe your little hissy fits the past few weeks have been because you're fed up with APW painting you as the villain. And if that's true, perhaps you also realize that the only one truly doing that to you is yourself. That you're the one doing all of this to yourself. The fake retirements, the anti APW campaigns, without them you wouldn't be as villainous as you are.
"You'd still be a villain though, don't think otherwise on that one.
"And eventually I'll prove that. But tonight, right now, we've got a match to fight. Not against one another, but together. And I hope that you prove me wrong and show me that you can work with me for one night, long enough to score a pinfall. Long enough to realize that you aren't going to have it so easy at Rasslemania.
"But you knew that one already anyways.
"If I was a betting man, I'd wager you couldn't hold up that end of the bargain. I'd say that you wouldn't be able to work with me longer than two seconds. I'd also wager that I would be a rich man in that case.
"Regardless of whether or not we can work together, that doesn't change the fact that we have a match at Overdrive. That doesn't change the fact that the four of us are going to step into that ring for what could be one huge clusterfuck of a match.
"And I'm sure the best man will come out on top.
"It's time to go big or go home."
"Perhaps I shouldn't be surprised that Johnny Rebel has opted to make the match the way he did. After all, doesn't he want to get his feet wet again? And the only way for that to happen is to thin out the competition. What better way to do that then to force enemies to team up with one another.
"It almost would have made more sense to have Mania and I team up to take on Marvin and Envi but again, that wouldn't help his cause. Instead it would have just made for a great match.
"But that doesn't matter now. Now, I have to put up with Terry Marvin being my partner. I have to worry about a man who wants to end me, and a man who cares about nothing but himself. Even as we gear up for Rasslemania, he's doing everything in his power to push the Terry Marvin brand, and doing everything against his power to actually care about our match.
"Which is fine, because it will just serve as a lesson for him. Just like this match. I mean, it's obvious what his intentions are going to be here, and it's obvious that he's not exactly going to play nice. So I am going to have to be on my toes, alert and ready for whatever that fraud has to throw my way.
"I have to make sure that he understands no matter what he does to me, I'm going to get back up. I'm not like some men who will turn and run at the first sign of danger. I'm not like others who will whine and bitch about everything when something happens that they don't like. Maybe that's because no one will listen, or because I know that no one will do anything about it anyways.
"So if Terry thinks he can use this match to get one up on me, he can think again.
"If Evan thinks he can use this match to stake his claim at everything under the sun, he can also think again.
"No matter what, I will be prepared. I will be ready for what Terry is going to do, for what Evan is going to throw my way, and for what Mania is going to bring to the table. Who knows, maybe this match will end up being Mania and Gates after all.
"At least that is something the fans can get behind."
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Sunday, February 24, 2013
The Office of C.J. Gates
"Well, this can't be good," C.J. Gates says from behind the desk in his office. He's looking at the computer screen, shaking his head softly from side to side.
"What's that?" Vincent James asks from the couch, muting the television as he does.
"I just got word of next weeks Overdrive card," Gates says with another shake of his head. "And it doesn't look good."
"Let me guess," James says, sitting taller and smiling. "You've got to run a gauntlet of Marvin, Envi, Noble and all of those guys from Code Red Wrestling. I can see what you mean about that not looking good."
"No it's not that," Gates answers. "It's nothing like that. I'm in the main event, a tag match, with Mark Mania, Evan Envi and Terry Marvin."
"So the Wall Street Warriors are getting an advanced look ahead of Clash of the Titans, huh?" James nods his head. "That's going to be a great show."
Gates scoffs. "I wish. Unfortunately, that wasn't in the cards and instead, I've got to team up with Terry Marvin to face off against Mania and Envi."
James stares over at Gates for a long moment before adjusting his seat. "I must not have heard that. Come again?"
Gates smirks. "At Overdrive, it's me and Terry Marvin taking on Mark Mania and Evan Envi."
"That's," James begins before trailing off.
"Bullshit?"
"I guess we could call it that," James says. "It just doesn't seem right."
"Oh, tell me about it." Gates leans back in his chair. "At least I'll be able to see once and for all whether or not he actually cares about Rasslemania."
"I'm sure he cares. After all he's defending his title."
"True," Gates nods. "But he hasn't exactly been doing much to show it. He's more worried about his little dealings between APW and CRW, as well as everything else that doesn't involve me an him going toe to toe for his title."
"I guess I can see that," James says. "Maybe he's just scared."
"Or cocky," Gates says quickly. "Too cocky, if you ask me. He thinks he's already got the match won, and is making plans to hold his parade. But not on my watch."
"That's in a few weeks though, right? Nothing to worry about right now."
"True. Right now I need to keep my mind on the match at hand." Gates smirks. "Of course that match at hand tends to lead right into Rasslemania."
"Okay then, focus on last week." James gets up and walks toward Gates, taking a seat in an empty chair across the desk from him. "Focus on how you got the better of that son of a bitch."
Gates chuckles. "That was pretty good."
"Pretty good? That was awesome! Just when he thought he had you, dead to rights," James slaps his hands together, "BAM! There you were to take him down another peg. And with all his new colleagues watching in attendance. Priceless if you ask me."
"It had it's moments, that's for sure."
"Which brings me to a question," James says. "Why the hell did you go down there?"
Gates stares at him. "What do you mean?"
"Marvin called you out, you had to assume you were going to be outnumbered in some capacity, yet you went down there anyways. Why?"
"I guess I just couldn't sit back and let Marvin get away with everything that he does," Gates answers with a shrug. "Chalk it up to a 'which is worse' scenario. Would you rather just sit in the back and let the villain get away with everything, or would you do what you could, even if that meant you were going to get your teeth knocked down your throat."
"But he didn't even say anything incriminating," James says bluntly.
"It wasn't what he said," Gates says. "He called me out. If I sit back, he mocks me for it. I couldn't let him get to that point."
"So you went out there."
"So I went out there. Besides, with everything that Marvin has been doing, with all of the shit he's been pulling, I've got to stand up to him. I've got to stand up for everyone in the APW against that son of a bitch."
James nods. "I guess that makes sense. Still, it takes balls to go out there like that."
"Balls is what I have."
"What don't you have?"
Gates smirks. "The APW Undisputed title."
James claps his hands. "I love it. I'm loving this fire. It's been awhile since we've seen it."
"No fire, just stating facts." James gives Gates a 'yeah right' look and Gates cracks a smile. "Okay, I'll admit it feels good. But it's not going to change the way I wrestle."
"Nor should it, but having that confidence, it's got to be enough to help you in the ring."
"That, and the fans," Gates says. "They're everything."
"You might be the only person to say that."
"Oh, it wouldn't surprise me if I was. But then again, I've been wrestling for the fans for while now. They're the ones I'm worried about. My success is more or less thanks to them."
"Not to your own skill?"
"Obviously I wouldn't have been able to get where I am without it," Gates says, rolling his eyes, "but without those fans cheering for me, I wouldn't even have had a chance to sniff that surface. They push me. They provide the boosts I need. And they will help me get through this tag team match."
James nods his head. "Any specific plans for this match?"
"With Terry Marvin literally breathing down my neck and Evan Envi wanting to kill everyone and everything in his path? There's one main thing running through my mind."
"Oh yeah? What's that?"
"Survive."
---------------------------------------------------
"Well, Mark, at least we can say that we aren't here to rip each others heads off.
"I mean, as far as this match goes, and as far as our careers here in APW go, we don't really have any beef. Everything between us rests in the competition itself. After all, isn't that the reason we agreed to team up at Clash of the Titans? Because we are both hungry for competition with a side of success?
"But this isn't then. This is a match that sees us teaming with our enemies. And even though you are going to be looking over your shoulder, just like I'm going to be looking over mine, I know that you are still going to bring everything you have. I know that you are going to do what you can to gain that momentum going into Rasslemania. After all, that's the main reason we're here isn't it? Momentum. To show our prospective opponents that we are not going to just roll over and die, as much as they might think we will. Or that we should.
"When it comes to you, though? I respect you. I respect what you've managed to do in your career, and I respect how you've done it...for the most part. There are always going to be moments that I just don't know about, moments when I don't know how you survived or if you cheated to win. But this most recent incarnation of Mark Mania? This is a man I can respect.
"You fight with your heart and you put everything into your matches. And hell, you've had to put up with Delikado more than any one man should ever have to. Let alone the rabies. And for that, I take my hat off to you. For that, I nod my head in approval.
"It also means that I look forward to eventually stepping into the ring with you. I look forward to any time we get to match up in this tag match, and whatever the lines hold for us beyond this moment.
Hell, maybe this is even one of those moments where we get to show each other just what we're made of going into our partnership. Going into the age of the Wall Street Warriors. Maybe, you never know. I guess it depends how you view it. I view it as another opportunity to prove myself. A chance to show you, just like I've shown others, that my word means something. That everything I say, it's not just for nothing. I don't just blow smoke.
"I warn my opponents what is going to come their way.
"I show them what they're in store for.
"Whether or not they listen, that's completely up to them. In your case? I'm sure you'll listen. I'm sure you will make sure that you take everything in, that you watch what I do. After all, I wouldn't expect anything less from a seasoned veteran like yourself.
"With that, I wish you good luck. From one competitor to another."
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Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Moncton, New Brunswick
"So how does it feel?" C.J. Gates asks Biggs as they sit in the locker room of the Space Cowboys.
"How does what feel?" Biggs asks.
"Being cheered for. It's been a couple of months now, was just curious if you've gotten used to it or not."
"To be honest, I don't know if I'll ever get used to it," Biggs says before pausing. "Well, I'm sure I'll get used to it, but right now, it still seems a bit surreal. Though, I know that half the reason their cheering for me is because of who I'm fighting."
"Half, possibly," Gates says. "But the other half is them cheering you for being you. For doing what you've been doing. You haven't been resorting to your cheap tactics to steal wins and ruin matches. You've been giving it your all every time you're in that ring and that is something those fans respect."
"I know," Biggs begins. "It's just something that I need to get used to."
"And when you do, you will notice it paying off," Gates says. "Look at 2011. Part of the reason I kept beating you, was because I had those fans cheering me on, willing me to take that next step, to push myself that much harder. Eventually, they will be cheering for you in the same fashion."
Biggs nods his head as he leans back against the wall. "You've got a big match this week, don't you?"
"I do," Gates says. "I get the joy of teaming with Terry Marvin against Evan Envi and Mark Mania."
"Seems unfair to stack the odds against the two of you," Biggs says. "You and Mark, that is. You're both going to be fighting upriver."
"True, though there's at least one difference. Terry doesn't necessarily want to take out Mark as badly as Evan probably wants to take me out for last week."
"I guess that's true," Biggs says. "I just forsee the whole match ending in one big brawl with no real winner being named. It's just got that feel to it. And hey, if that happens, I'll do my best to be out there to help you out."
"Thanks," Gates says. "If you can't, I'm sure Mark and I will be able to regroup and take care of business. Or at least, whatever we can do. At the very least, we will be able to survive to make it to Rasslemania."
Biggs nods. "It is getting to be quite the card, and it seems like every match has someone that makes it their business to attack us. It's madness."
"It's APW," Gates chuckles. "Which is something you'll begin to see a lot more of. Everyone seems to want our heads, especially when we're at the top of the pack. I've been putting up with it for years. It's madness, but I'm used to it. Just makes it that much sweeter when we beat them."
"Will it be sweeter if you and Marvin are able to beat Evan and Mark?"
Gates pauses before smiling. "It will be sweeter if I am able to get the pinfall at the end of it. At least then I can get a bit of bragging rights over Terry Marvin by finishing the match."
"Maybe he'll sit this one out," Biggs chuckles. "As a protest against APW."
"Don't tempt him. That's exactly what he would do, too." Gates shakes his head as Biggs' attention is drawn to the door.
"Who's that?" Biggs asks, nodding to the locker room door. Gates turns around to see a man standing in the doorway wearing a black suit and carrying a briefcase. Gates stands up and walks toward the man.
"Mr. Gates?" the man says and Gates nods. "We have to talk."
---------------------------------------------------
"It's always fun when you're essentially fighting four people on your own.
"That's not to imply that Terry Marvin, Evan Envi and Mark Mania are going to team up on me, but when I'm facing two men in what should be a tag match with the rat bastard of APW on my side, it doesn't exactly instill any kind of faith in things. It doesn't give me that warm and fuzzy feeling.
"Though maybe I shouldn't be worried about all of that. Maybe I shouldn't be focused on what could be, and just look on the surface at what is. I mean, as it stands, Terry Marvin has his hand in so many cookie jars, it's a wonder whether or not he's going to have his head in the game or not. Whether or not he's going to be focused on the match, or trying to think up ways to turn on all those Code Red Wrestling fighters he just befriended.
"After all, if it's not Terry Marvin's way, it's no one's way. But I'm used to that. I'm used to people thinking that everything is up to them, and should be laid out how they want it to be laid out.
"However, that's Terry Marvin. If I'm looking at the surface, I'm looking at Evan Envi and Mark Mania as my opponents. I'm looking at the two of them as the two men I have to beat. Not Terry Marvin. And definitely not myself. I have to focused on Envi and Mania if I want to survive.
"So focus I will. Just like I focused on Evan last week in our match up. Sure, it didn't go how we probably would have liked, but then again, sometimes you have to show people that what goes around comes around. You have to show them that if they want to play the role of up and coming bad ass in this company, they are going to get some sort of karma in return. And in this case, that karma was a loss the same way you beat Terry Marvin the week prior.
"It's true, normally that's not the way I operate, Evan. I normally fight to the fullest and make sure that I am giving those fans the matches they deserve. So maybe in that regard I dropped the ball. But I still entertained them, and I definitely still gave them a match to remember.
"But as Johnny Chase likes to say, I cheated you out of a win. I ruined your quest to storm to the top. Had you managed to beat both halves of the Rasslemania main event, you would have been in prime position for a shot down the line. A shot that you're going to get, I have no reason to believe other wise, but a shot you're going to have to wait for.
"Though I didn't cheat. I played by the rules. I did everything within the confines of the rules. I just made sure to give you a taste of your own medicine. I made sure that you were aware that, contrary to what you think, you are not unstoppable. You are not untouchable. You can be beaten, and you can be beaten somewhat easily.
"Not that the lead up was easy, but the finish was. Maybe you just need eyes in the back of your head. Maybe you just need to make sure that you are aware of your surroundings. Aware that there are more than one way to lose a match.
"Or maybe you should have just listened, Evan. Maybe you should have listened to what I had to say to you when I warned you that no matter how many times you knock me down, I am always going to get right back up. I am always going to find a way to make it back to my feet and it's in large part thanks to the fans.
"But I warned you. I did. And in the end, you paid for it with a count out loss. Nothing that will hurt your ego or anything, but a count out loss all the same. I know you're better than how that match ended, that much I can agree with you on. And once you realize how to make yourself a bit more level headed, once you understand that you need to be a bit more honest with things, then you'll realize that you are the future.
"The question is will you.
"On the path you're on? Probably not. You will probably end up following in the footsteps of Terry Marvin. You will end up bragging to anyone that will listen, ruining friendships, screwing people over, ruining peoples lives, turning on the company that gave you a shot and helped make you who you are. You will grab people by the heart strings and hang them by them.
"And you will take Mark Mania with you.
"Which is a shame because he has that resume and the talent to take that next step and at least he is more level headed. At least he is able to get people to respect him. He doesn't take a piss on them and rub them out with the heel of their boot. Not like you will. And not like Terry Marvin has.
"But when that day comes, Evan, I'll be ready. I always have been, and the last time it happened, I doubt that will be the last time. Even when you do it, I doubt that will be the last time. It's just one of those things, you know? Those things that just keep coming back.
"At least that keeps me going. It keeps me working to try and wipe it all clean. Even though I know that no matter how much I do, no matter how many people I fight against, it will never be clean, I know that I can at least try. Instead of sitting back and waiting, I can try to do something positive with my time. I can try and save APW, to usher them into a brighter future.
"One that isn't tainted with assholes like you, Evan.
"Or you, Terry.
"Listen, I'll warn you right now. If you think that this is going to be a moment for you to get the better of me, you can think again. If you think this will be a chance for you to get even for whatever happened last week, once again, think again. I'm going to be watching you out of the corner of my eye, Terry, and I am going to make sure that you are never out of my sight. I am going to make sure that you stay in line.
"You don't think I can do it, though, do you? You figure I'm just going to wrestle the match and end up falling victim to one of your ploys. Fine. It wouldn't be the first time you lived in your own little bubble. It wouldn't even be the last time. But I will be able to do it. I will. And I will prove that at Overdrive.
"Who knows, maybe your little hissy fits the past few weeks have been because you're fed up with APW painting you as the villain. And if that's true, perhaps you also realize that the only one truly doing that to you is yourself. That you're the one doing all of this to yourself. The fake retirements, the anti APW campaigns, without them you wouldn't be as villainous as you are.
"You'd still be a villain though, don't think otherwise on that one.
"And eventually I'll prove that. But tonight, right now, we've got a match to fight. Not against one another, but together. And I hope that you prove me wrong and show me that you can work with me for one night, long enough to score a pinfall. Long enough to realize that you aren't going to have it so easy at Rasslemania.
"But you knew that one already anyways.
"If I was a betting man, I'd wager you couldn't hold up that end of the bargain. I'd say that you wouldn't be able to work with me longer than two seconds. I'd also wager that I would be a rich man in that case.
"Regardless of whether or not we can work together, that doesn't change the fact that we have a match at Overdrive. That doesn't change the fact that the four of us are going to step into that ring for what could be one huge clusterfuck of a match.
"And I'm sure the best man will come out on top.
"It's time to go big or go home."
