Post by Chaos Stryke on Mar 23, 2013 19:41:26 GMT -4
It’s been a long trip for me, however I look at it.
I’ve been wrestling for almost seven full months… I marvel at the fact it’s been seven months since I returned from what I’d considered a career ending injury. I’m surprised I’m going strong. If you’d asked me in July, how long I’d last before stress and strain from competition would force me onto the sidelines… I’d probably have said I’d be sputtering out around Christmas. But I was coming into my own as North American champion and M&M were staking a claim to the Tag Team championships about then. When I first thought I’d be ready to give up, I was hitting my stride like I haven’t in years. I’ve been one of APW’s hottest unacknowledged competitors for several months, probably because I haven’t shoved achievements in everyone else’s faces. I don’t claim I’m the best, but I’m one of the consistent bright spots regardless of where I compete.
This week, I walk into APW’s biggest show of the year, in my hometown nonetheless. It’s been almost five years since I competed at an event like this. I’m fighting for championship gold and I’m looking to maintain the momentum I’ve got. But as I look where I am now… I have to look at where I’ve been and say something important. I have to thank Aubrey for everything here in APW.
Everything I have and will accomplish here is because of her. Without her, I wouldn’t be here today. Out of everyone she could’ve chosen to come into APW alongside, she picked me. Some ‘old man’ who thought his best days were behind him, whose injuries had reduced him to a ‘has-been’, and that his spark for the business had gone out leaving him a shade of his former self.
We met in 2010 when she was with Envi… and I didn’t think much of her then. Evan and I had a cordial relationship, but she and I stayed out of each other’s way. When I went down with injury a few months later… she was one of the few people that stayed in touch though. It was quite a surprise when she eventually asked for mentoring. I wasn’t in any condition to train her and she knew that, but she was interested in the knowledge and experience I could give her. I figured she wanted to take on a greater role with Evan as a manager… I never figured she’d be laying the foundation for her own career. She returned in 2012 for full training with me even though she’d already been competing for a long time. After a few months, she sprung her surprise and asked me to partner with her in APW. I thought I was done. I wasn’t sure if I had anything left to give… or if I had anything left I was willing to risk getting back in the ring.
Aubrey convinced me that there was something still worth fighting for.
This week, I still know what I’m fighting for. I’m fighting to hang onto the Tag Team championships, the symbol for what we’ve accomplished and adversity we’ve overcome together. I’m fighting because I refuse to give in or fall short in my hometown. Most importantly, I’m fighting for my partner… for all she’s done for me and for believing in me when I didn’t even believe in myself. For that reason, I’m giving everything I have for her and I’ll not fail her because doing otherwise simply isn’t an option. I’m fighting for more than a match, a championship, or a petty personal grudge. Can any of my opponents say the same?
Christian Kane. Kaylyn Evans. Anthony Bailey. Jair Hopkins. We’ve done this dance with all of you. We’ve beaten both of you to get here. Dying Breed drew first blood against us in December, but they faltered a month later and we made them pay for it. Kane and Evans drew first blood against us in a much different fashion, attacking us early and often in this ‘rivalry’, but we’ve always risen above.
Now, we fight for everything in one more high stakes match up.
The scene opens with the camera waiting just outside the front door of Logan Alexander’s home in Toronto. The Tag Team champion steps out through the door with a duffle bag slung over his shoulder. He closes the door and looks at the camera.
Gonna head to the school and get final preparations out of the way for tomorrow.
All right. I know it’s a big night for you.
He nods his head slightly before glancing away.
AWA Classic 2008.
Hmmm?
That was the last flagship PPV I was on. It’s weird. I’ll be at the biggest show of the year and making my return to Toronto as a champion. I’m anxious…
You don’t want to disappoint.
He strokes his chin for a few moments.
Not the fans or my partner. But I can think of four or five people that I’d be happy to disappoint at Rasslemania.
He smiles slightly.
You sure you’re ready for this one? It seems like a lot is coming to a head on Sunday night.
I don’t believe it’s anything we can’t handle. Both times we’ve face the Dying Breed, we’ve scored the first fall in the match. The first match was elimination rules though and Jair Hopkins outworked us. We settled the score and won the titles from them though. They can beat us. We can beat them. They’re the two we have to watch, especially Hopkins. I took my eyes off him in December and it cost us. I’m not making that mistake again. Considering team three in this match… what’s there to worry about? Kane and Evans have had plenty of shots at me, with many partners, under many different circumstances, and they’ve gotten nowhere. They might say they’ve come close… but close doesn’t cut it. This isn’t horseshoes.
This is THE big match they’ve been looking for. Dying Breed, Kane and Evans… they’re all coming for you and Aubrey. Considering the scores they’re looking to settle… I’m not sure if you can be so blindly confident.
He raises an eyebrow and looks to the camera calmly.
I’m not being blindly confident or overconfident. I’ve been studying those four people for months. Aubrey and I have faced them repeatedly in the last three months and we’ve made every opportunity count. We don’t take our opposition for granted, assuming they’ll roll over for us and let us win.
Kane and Evans have nursed a grudge since November. It started between Evans and Aubrey, and Evans has raised the stakes every chance she’s had since. Sneak attacks, group assaults, match interference. There’s no level she isn’t willing to sink to. I’m sure lots of guys would say that she’ll go down anywhere. Kane follows a similar pattern. His redeeming quality is that he’s not as bad as Evans. His problem’s that he follows her blindly. He’s a damn good competitor, but he’s so busy proving what a ‘bad guy’ he is, that he hasn’t been any good in the ring for a while. So long as he’s with Evans, he’ll never reach his potential. He’ll never be a threat.
They’ve claimed that they’ll make life for M&M a living hell. I’m still wondering when it’ll happen. I assume it’ll be this week if they suddenly stop choking, but I don’t buy the crap they’ve spread about how they ‘bring it’ for big matches and they’ll win at Rasslemania because of that. So the Meltdown Supershow and Survive and Conquer North American championship matches and our tag team contender’s match weren’t big matches? Those were three championship related matches they lost and we won. Those were big matches where they were bested by an ‘old man’ each time. I’ve been beating one or both of them in tag matches for weeks leading into this match as well. What changes this week I wonder?
I hear them bluster, but they haven’t backed up their words. They make statements by blindsiding contenders in the tag team tournament. They can’t beat the stars, so they go and pick on the ones coming up to replace them… typical. They got themselves into this match, but they don’t deserve it. I’ll demonstrate why by beating them again. I’m going to send their careers into limbo where they can continue to be nothing.
Dying Breed’s the real threat, but Aubrey’s gotten to both of them. She’s beaten Bailey in and out of the ring. They blame her for hurting Williams. Hopkins’ mad at her for everything. But look at last Asylum. Bailey got a Suicidal title match. You could see that he had bad intentions on his mind. He wanted to get even. When it came down to it though, Aubrey changed her game plan and beat him clean. With Hopkins, Aubrey baited him into doing what I warned him not to. I tried to stop him before he got going, but he forced my hand. I did something he didn’t expect. Those two events show a flaw they both possess. Dying Breed have preconceived notions of what we’ll do, because when we do something different, we catch them flatfooted. It’s an ongoing theme with our opponents. They take a couple things into account while Aubrey and I are capable of so much more. They assume they have some advantage when none exists. Aubrey has three victories against Dying Breed members since Christmas Chaos. Two of those matches were for championships. One was a battle royal where she was at a distinct disadvantage. Yet she continues to defy expectations and win.
Bailey had an excellent first year, but he needs to learn that short term success doesn’t translate to the long term. He’s let his accomplishments go to his head. He gets distracted with issues no one else should know about. Who cares he was offered a reality television series? If he’d used that time in a gym rather than on displaying his self-importance, he’d be a champion right now. Hopkins is a different matter. He understands hard work. I can see him carrying Bailey through this match again. But his fatal flaw is that he’s emotional and easily provoked. He loses focus and that makes him vulnerable. Two weeks ago, I told him to not go against me or Aubrey on Asylum and leave it be. He didn’t. As a result, I dropped him backstage to protect my partner. I didn’t enjoy doing that… but if I had to choose to or not again, I’d do the same thing. It’s not a question of doing the right or wrong thing… it’s a matter of standing with my partner or not… and I stand with her regardless.
You’ve thought a lot about this.
Logan nods slightly.
These are dangerous circumstances. I’m won’t jeopardize everything by being reckless. I’ll leave that to my opponents. They can fight for revenge, or from jealousy. Even as teams, our opponents are inherently selfish. They fight for themselves and their egos. Dying Breed’s a group of rookies that aren’t cohesive. They claim unity, but aren’t there for one another. Hopkins wasn’t there to help Williams when he was attacked last Asylum. Bailey wasn’t there when Hopkins ran after Aubrey. Kane and Evans are united by mutual animosity. A pair of egos trying to exist together… and they won’t. They couldn’t beat Hopkins and I. What hope do they have now?
Aubrey and I are a team. We don’t always see eye-to-eye, but when the chips are down, we know we can rely on one another. This week, I’m fighting for her, to protect her and preserve all we’ve accomplished. I’ll give everything I have and more for that… I’m not going to fail her. I know she’ll do the same for me. That‘s why we’ll win. We have to.
He looks at the camera, offering a look of firm determination before the scene fades to black.
We shift to find Logan and Aubrey sitting side-by-side on the ring apron in the arena at his school. They look as though they’ve both been through a strenuous workout and are now just taking a few moments to recover. Logan brushes some sweat plastered hair aside and glances over at Aubrey.
So how’d things go here last night?
Aubrey smiles a bit and rolls her eyes. She reaches up toward the rope, retrieving a white towel to wipe sweat from her nose and forehead.
I was gonna call.
He smirks slightly.
Of course. That doesn't answer the question.
I was just doing some thinking. Went alright... got more talking done than training, I guess...
I figured as much. I assume you would've had Cass here. She isn't much of a training partner.
He drops down to the floor and picks up a water bottle.
Ready to face down your creation tomorrow?
She turns to him and looks at him with a wary and timid expression for a few moments. For a period, it's unclear if Aubrey plans on answering, but after a while she smiles weakly.
Yeah. For once, I actually am. I know you didn't want it to be this way though... and I know you don't like "sorry", but for what it's worth-
She laughs breathlessly in an attempt to substitute for an undesirable emotion.
I'm sorry it's like this.
It's no problem. You're not me, so you don't do things like I do. But you get results either way. It seems like we're facing opponents out for blood though.
She nods at the words and her gaze grows distant.
They are. Aren't we?
Logan looks over at Aubrey.
I'm not. I'm here to be sure you come through in one piece and that we survive. If I have to shed someone else's blood to do so, I will. What about you?
She stares coldly at the floor. Again, it's an answer she has to think about for moments.
I'm here for you... and...
Blood.
And this team.
But not just that, I can see it.
He watches her.
You don't need to pretend otherwise. I'm here because of you. I'm here for you. You picked a path that I wouldn't, but I don't think any differently about you because of it.
He steps before of her and lowers down until he can meet her gaze with his.
And I'm not leaving your side. Whatever hell we have to go through, we'll do it together, and rise above it.
Aubrey looks right into his eyes for a moment, in wonder, but smiles warmly at his words, and their sincerity. Inexplicably, she reaches forward and places her hand over Logan's heart, listening to his heartbeat, speaking just above whisper.
We're gonna have to go through hell.
Logan smirks.
Then let's see what it has for us.
The camera focuses on the two of them like that, as the scene fades to black.
I’ve been wrestling for almost seven full months… I marvel at the fact it’s been seven months since I returned from what I’d considered a career ending injury. I’m surprised I’m going strong. If you’d asked me in July, how long I’d last before stress and strain from competition would force me onto the sidelines… I’d probably have said I’d be sputtering out around Christmas. But I was coming into my own as North American champion and M&M were staking a claim to the Tag Team championships about then. When I first thought I’d be ready to give up, I was hitting my stride like I haven’t in years. I’ve been one of APW’s hottest unacknowledged competitors for several months, probably because I haven’t shoved achievements in everyone else’s faces. I don’t claim I’m the best, but I’m one of the consistent bright spots regardless of where I compete.
This week, I walk into APW’s biggest show of the year, in my hometown nonetheless. It’s been almost five years since I competed at an event like this. I’m fighting for championship gold and I’m looking to maintain the momentum I’ve got. But as I look where I am now… I have to look at where I’ve been and say something important. I have to thank Aubrey for everything here in APW.
Everything I have and will accomplish here is because of her. Without her, I wouldn’t be here today. Out of everyone she could’ve chosen to come into APW alongside, she picked me. Some ‘old man’ who thought his best days were behind him, whose injuries had reduced him to a ‘has-been’, and that his spark for the business had gone out leaving him a shade of his former self.
We met in 2010 when she was with Envi… and I didn’t think much of her then. Evan and I had a cordial relationship, but she and I stayed out of each other’s way. When I went down with injury a few months later… she was one of the few people that stayed in touch though. It was quite a surprise when she eventually asked for mentoring. I wasn’t in any condition to train her and she knew that, but she was interested in the knowledge and experience I could give her. I figured she wanted to take on a greater role with Evan as a manager… I never figured she’d be laying the foundation for her own career. She returned in 2012 for full training with me even though she’d already been competing for a long time. After a few months, she sprung her surprise and asked me to partner with her in APW. I thought I was done. I wasn’t sure if I had anything left to give… or if I had anything left I was willing to risk getting back in the ring.
Aubrey convinced me that there was something still worth fighting for.
This week, I still know what I’m fighting for. I’m fighting to hang onto the Tag Team championships, the symbol for what we’ve accomplished and adversity we’ve overcome together. I’m fighting because I refuse to give in or fall short in my hometown. Most importantly, I’m fighting for my partner… for all she’s done for me and for believing in me when I didn’t even believe in myself. For that reason, I’m giving everything I have for her and I’ll not fail her because doing otherwise simply isn’t an option. I’m fighting for more than a match, a championship, or a petty personal grudge. Can any of my opponents say the same?
Christian Kane. Kaylyn Evans. Anthony Bailey. Jair Hopkins. We’ve done this dance with all of you. We’ve beaten both of you to get here. Dying Breed drew first blood against us in December, but they faltered a month later and we made them pay for it. Kane and Evans drew first blood against us in a much different fashion, attacking us early and often in this ‘rivalry’, but we’ve always risen above.
Now, we fight for everything in one more high stakes match up.
The scene opens with the camera waiting just outside the front door of Logan Alexander’s home in Toronto. The Tag Team champion steps out through the door with a duffle bag slung over his shoulder. He closes the door and looks at the camera.
Gonna head to the school and get final preparations out of the way for tomorrow.
All right. I know it’s a big night for you.
He nods his head slightly before glancing away.
AWA Classic 2008.
Hmmm?
That was the last flagship PPV I was on. It’s weird. I’ll be at the biggest show of the year and making my return to Toronto as a champion. I’m anxious…
You don’t want to disappoint.
He strokes his chin for a few moments.
Not the fans or my partner. But I can think of four or five people that I’d be happy to disappoint at Rasslemania.
He smiles slightly.
You sure you’re ready for this one? It seems like a lot is coming to a head on Sunday night.
I don’t believe it’s anything we can’t handle. Both times we’ve face the Dying Breed, we’ve scored the first fall in the match. The first match was elimination rules though and Jair Hopkins outworked us. We settled the score and won the titles from them though. They can beat us. We can beat them. They’re the two we have to watch, especially Hopkins. I took my eyes off him in December and it cost us. I’m not making that mistake again. Considering team three in this match… what’s there to worry about? Kane and Evans have had plenty of shots at me, with many partners, under many different circumstances, and they’ve gotten nowhere. They might say they’ve come close… but close doesn’t cut it. This isn’t horseshoes.
This is THE big match they’ve been looking for. Dying Breed, Kane and Evans… they’re all coming for you and Aubrey. Considering the scores they’re looking to settle… I’m not sure if you can be so blindly confident.
He raises an eyebrow and looks to the camera calmly.
I’m not being blindly confident or overconfident. I’ve been studying those four people for months. Aubrey and I have faced them repeatedly in the last three months and we’ve made every opportunity count. We don’t take our opposition for granted, assuming they’ll roll over for us and let us win.
Kane and Evans have nursed a grudge since November. It started between Evans and Aubrey, and Evans has raised the stakes every chance she’s had since. Sneak attacks, group assaults, match interference. There’s no level she isn’t willing to sink to. I’m sure lots of guys would say that she’ll go down anywhere. Kane follows a similar pattern. His redeeming quality is that he’s not as bad as Evans. His problem’s that he follows her blindly. He’s a damn good competitor, but he’s so busy proving what a ‘bad guy’ he is, that he hasn’t been any good in the ring for a while. So long as he’s with Evans, he’ll never reach his potential. He’ll never be a threat.
They’ve claimed that they’ll make life for M&M a living hell. I’m still wondering when it’ll happen. I assume it’ll be this week if they suddenly stop choking, but I don’t buy the crap they’ve spread about how they ‘bring it’ for big matches and they’ll win at Rasslemania because of that. So the Meltdown Supershow and Survive and Conquer North American championship matches and our tag team contender’s match weren’t big matches? Those were three championship related matches they lost and we won. Those were big matches where they were bested by an ‘old man’ each time. I’ve been beating one or both of them in tag matches for weeks leading into this match as well. What changes this week I wonder?
I hear them bluster, but they haven’t backed up their words. They make statements by blindsiding contenders in the tag team tournament. They can’t beat the stars, so they go and pick on the ones coming up to replace them… typical. They got themselves into this match, but they don’t deserve it. I’ll demonstrate why by beating them again. I’m going to send their careers into limbo where they can continue to be nothing.
Dying Breed’s the real threat, but Aubrey’s gotten to both of them. She’s beaten Bailey in and out of the ring. They blame her for hurting Williams. Hopkins’ mad at her for everything. But look at last Asylum. Bailey got a Suicidal title match. You could see that he had bad intentions on his mind. He wanted to get even. When it came down to it though, Aubrey changed her game plan and beat him clean. With Hopkins, Aubrey baited him into doing what I warned him not to. I tried to stop him before he got going, but he forced my hand. I did something he didn’t expect. Those two events show a flaw they both possess. Dying Breed have preconceived notions of what we’ll do, because when we do something different, we catch them flatfooted. It’s an ongoing theme with our opponents. They take a couple things into account while Aubrey and I are capable of so much more. They assume they have some advantage when none exists. Aubrey has three victories against Dying Breed members since Christmas Chaos. Two of those matches were for championships. One was a battle royal where she was at a distinct disadvantage. Yet she continues to defy expectations and win.
Bailey had an excellent first year, but he needs to learn that short term success doesn’t translate to the long term. He’s let his accomplishments go to his head. He gets distracted with issues no one else should know about. Who cares he was offered a reality television series? If he’d used that time in a gym rather than on displaying his self-importance, he’d be a champion right now. Hopkins is a different matter. He understands hard work. I can see him carrying Bailey through this match again. But his fatal flaw is that he’s emotional and easily provoked. He loses focus and that makes him vulnerable. Two weeks ago, I told him to not go against me or Aubrey on Asylum and leave it be. He didn’t. As a result, I dropped him backstage to protect my partner. I didn’t enjoy doing that… but if I had to choose to or not again, I’d do the same thing. It’s not a question of doing the right or wrong thing… it’s a matter of standing with my partner or not… and I stand with her regardless.
You’ve thought a lot about this.
Logan nods slightly.
These are dangerous circumstances. I’m won’t jeopardize everything by being reckless. I’ll leave that to my opponents. They can fight for revenge, or from jealousy. Even as teams, our opponents are inherently selfish. They fight for themselves and their egos. Dying Breed’s a group of rookies that aren’t cohesive. They claim unity, but aren’t there for one another. Hopkins wasn’t there to help Williams when he was attacked last Asylum. Bailey wasn’t there when Hopkins ran after Aubrey. Kane and Evans are united by mutual animosity. A pair of egos trying to exist together… and they won’t. They couldn’t beat Hopkins and I. What hope do they have now?
Aubrey and I are a team. We don’t always see eye-to-eye, but when the chips are down, we know we can rely on one another. This week, I’m fighting for her, to protect her and preserve all we’ve accomplished. I’ll give everything I have and more for that… I’m not going to fail her. I know she’ll do the same for me. That‘s why we’ll win. We have to.
He looks at the camera, offering a look of firm determination before the scene fades to black.
We shift to find Logan and Aubrey sitting side-by-side on the ring apron in the arena at his school. They look as though they’ve both been through a strenuous workout and are now just taking a few moments to recover. Logan brushes some sweat plastered hair aside and glances over at Aubrey.
So how’d things go here last night?
Aubrey smiles a bit and rolls her eyes. She reaches up toward the rope, retrieving a white towel to wipe sweat from her nose and forehead.
I was gonna call.
He smirks slightly.
Of course. That doesn't answer the question.
I was just doing some thinking. Went alright... got more talking done than training, I guess...
I figured as much. I assume you would've had Cass here. She isn't much of a training partner.
He drops down to the floor and picks up a water bottle.
Ready to face down your creation tomorrow?
She turns to him and looks at him with a wary and timid expression for a few moments. For a period, it's unclear if Aubrey plans on answering, but after a while she smiles weakly.
Yeah. For once, I actually am. I know you didn't want it to be this way though... and I know you don't like "sorry", but for what it's worth-
She laughs breathlessly in an attempt to substitute for an undesirable emotion.
I'm sorry it's like this.
It's no problem. You're not me, so you don't do things like I do. But you get results either way. It seems like we're facing opponents out for blood though.
She nods at the words and her gaze grows distant.
They are. Aren't we?
Logan looks over at Aubrey.
I'm not. I'm here to be sure you come through in one piece and that we survive. If I have to shed someone else's blood to do so, I will. What about you?
She stares coldly at the floor. Again, it's an answer she has to think about for moments.
I'm here for you... and...
Blood.
And this team.
But not just that, I can see it.
He watches her.
You don't need to pretend otherwise. I'm here because of you. I'm here for you. You picked a path that I wouldn't, but I don't think any differently about you because of it.
He steps before of her and lowers down until he can meet her gaze with his.
And I'm not leaving your side. Whatever hell we have to go through, we'll do it together, and rise above it.
Aubrey looks right into his eyes for a moment, in wonder, but smiles warmly at his words, and their sincerity. Inexplicably, she reaches forward and places her hand over Logan's heart, listening to his heartbeat, speaking just above whisper.
We're gonna have to go through hell.
Logan smirks.
Then let's see what it has for us.
The camera focuses on the two of them like that, as the scene fades to black.
