Everybody Wants You

[J-Hop]

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[[ • ]] ATOP THE THRONE [[ • ]]
-- DOG EAT DOG --
vs. Buckson Gooch / Tommy Knoxville (“Goochville”)

“You always make it, you're on top of the scene
You sell the copy like the cover of a magazine
Puttin' on the eyes 'til there's nobody else
You never realize what you do to yourself
The things that they see make the daily reviews
You never get free - everybody wants you”

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I really gotta’ be much aware next time. Logan took his pain out on me and pretty much made me his bitch for one night only with the way I tapped out to that vicious submission. He really wanted to prove a point and it’s only right that I agree. He got his moment in the light, he got his ‘shot’ of revenge. He got his little bit of “fresh air” all while sharing a sinister laugh with his other half, Aubrey J. Parker in the back.

They don’t like the ‘lite’ version of Snoop Dogg. They don’t even like Drake. Shit, they don’t even like Kool Mo’ Dee!

The fuck is wrong with them? Seriously?

To be honest, I couldn’t worry myself to death about what ‘M&M’ had in store for TDB in the long run. I couldn’t even worry about that ‘toothless grinch’, Jason Kash and his Donkey ... “Mr. HEEHEEHAHAAHHHEEHAA!”

All I could worry about was Mr. Gooch and his partner, Mr. Knoxville. Or in short, “Goochville” as they like to call themselves. They have a lot of confidence built riding into this match. They fought hard for what they wanted and they got it at Rasslemania IX, that ‘shot’ at our tag titles. Whether it was ‘Hollywood Billboard’ quality of a match or a dark “scrub” match, we never turned down a challenge. We never look to find other options to escape the heat.

It’s why we’re most hated by some critics. We’re boring as fuck to most but guess what? We’re efficient as fuck! Everyone says it about Tim Duncan, same damn person, same damn personality, same damn post moves. THE MAN AIN’T CHANGE SINCE HIS ROOKIE YEAR!!! HE’S BORING AS SHIT. HE SHOULD BE CALLED A GODDAMN LIBRARY...

When he plays, we fall asleep, we grow bored, no dunks, no fancy spins, just the same damn footwork.

Call it boring, call it pathetic, call it non-innovative. Just look at the consistency, the efficiency and that’s where your eyes should focus most. Jason Kash can call us “boring” due to the fact we rather do shit the right way rather than find every shortcut in the book to succeed and get where we want quicker. Being fast and furious isn’t everything, you know?

Don’t look at what happened after Rasslemania, look before that and see how efficient we were. Even without the gold and with it, we were on top. You can call this second era “luck” or just being at the right place at the right time.

I guess most folks have figured we’ve all forgotten about where we came from. Before Asylum, it was Meltdown. I will never forget the place that gave me an opportunity to live right, a place that gave me a chance to showcase my raw attributes for a little cash. I will never forget the first. Just like me, my position. Looking for that ‘chance’, likes of Buckson Gooch, Tommy Knoxville, Warren Peace, many others, they were given the chance and they were able to capitalize. Some better than others. For ‘Goochville’, they got the chance of a lifetime to show that Meltdown breeds the best underdogs in the business.

No one sees Goochville winning this but I’ve seen these two men, Gooch the longest being Knoxville is still somewhat new. Both have their own style and they mesh it together well. It’s a reason they sit atop every other tag team right now, they have something not many teams have. I won’t tell because it’s considered the “secret sauce”. I know with all the surprise moves after Rasslemania, beginning the new year, many weren’t expecting what was expected. Goochville were separated in between but it wasn’t going to stop them. Gooch on Overdrive wasn’t going to stop them from getting their shot. If Knoxville plays his cards right, he could be moving on up as well.

However, with all of that positivity, there’s going to come the “n-word”, negativity.. Everyone goes through it. You two are going to go through it. Monday night is going to be the biggest night of your lives, boys. You stepped it up before at Rasslemania to snatch away that number one spot to contend. You now got it, now it’s your chance to make the move.

I forewarn you though, don’t expect what you’ve obviously seen last week on Asylum to happen this Monday on Meltdown. We’ve discussed things, we’ve noticed the ‘slippage’ on our work. Efficiency and consistency, awareness, it all comes into play. Whoever makes the mistake will be sitting on the sidelines, crying, watery eyes, wondering what happened and where it all went wrong, singing “Hey, What’s Going On?” by the 4 Non Blondes.

Don’t ask me where did that come from...

Just know, these titles aren’t leaving TDB as easily as you guys think. We respect what you two have done in your existence as a team but Monday night, while it will be your biggest night, it will in the end be your lowest. You got your tongues out, tasting the Liquid Smoke on these tag titles. We’re going to smack that Hickory barbecue taste out of your mouth and leave you as you came ... empty-handed and back at ‘square one’. Again we appreciate the challenge you bring ...

But in the end ... It won’t make much of a difference. Deuces.


lima, peru -- apr. 13 2013 >> Bar Restaurant Cordano


“...I know man, I let myself slip into his game and got my ass handed to me, partna’!” Sharing a laugh along with Anthony and William, I laughed at my own mistakes at Asylum. Sometimes it was good to make fun of yourself.

I made so much of that loss, wanting to start on a perfect note after Rasslemania IX, I never expected Logan to be on his game, knowing how he could lose sight of what was in front of him, although a natural veteran of the industry. Laughing at myself as we sat at one of the round, cherry oak wooden tables that were nearby the picture window of the restaurant, we had a platter full of food we just picked from.

The great thing about this industry was the traveling. As tiresome as it may be, it was so nice to see what was outside of Brooklyn, outside of New York. What was outside of the United States. So many colors, so many faces, so many languages, it was mind-blowing. At Restaurant Cordano, sitting in Carabaya, Lima, Peru, it seemed like the perfect outing to sit and have a bite to eat while tightening this ‘brotherly’ bond between us three.

“Man, this food smells good ... I just don’t know what the hell it is. My translator isn’t working properly today.” William spoke as his eyes rounded the trays of food that sat on our table fresh, hot, and smelling wonderfully.

“To your left, those are ‘Picarones’, right in front of you, that platter in front of you “Cau Cau” and to your right, “Lomo Saltado”. With all of that, we all got a fresh “Butiffaras”. Hell with the names, just go off what it looks like and it’ll be less on the brain. We need all the brain power we can stand this week.” I said, referring to what was on tap come Monday night, two days from now.

“You right, although it has to be refreshing to see someone new like Gooch and Knoxville. We got some valuable stuff on the duo, so hopefully things work in our favor. They are a tough, tough team.” Anthony said as he picked up his sub, taking a bite out the side of it.

“How does it taste, Ant?” William asked, asking questions before risking his tastebuds.

“Ohhh stop it, Will! I wouldn’t buy ya’ll anything that would taste like donkey shit. Haha!” Laughing on the end, it was just me as I came to a quick stop.

We all proceeded taking a bite out of the sub roll they called a “Butiffara” as it was filled with sliced onions, sliced chili peppers, lime, salt, pepper and slices of Peruvian Ham. Our facial expression showed the satisfaction of the great taste. Two bites were taken before sitting it down onto it’s plate.

“Another reason I love traveling. Some things in other countries are just like back at home, but better quality and different meat.” Commenting on the difference between other countries and what it’s like back at home. Some places took quality serious.

“Back to what’s on topic, Buckson Gooch and Knoxville. They are going to look to push every one of our buttons. We have to respond strong and keep these titles. We just got them back. People are saying it was luck that gave us our second reign.”

Anthony just shook his head.

“I can’t worry about the critics, Jair. We can’t focus on their pointless assessments. All we can do is perform dominantly and keep those ‘babies’ right where they are ... around our waists.” He said as he tapped on the gold plate of the belt.

“What if Foul Play chooses to do something? Should we keep them in the back of our minds.” I asked, seeing as they were the kind to do such thing, knowing their evil minds.

“We must be aware of all possibilities, Jair. They are slithery creatures. They got that win last week, we weren’t on point that night. They got their little showcase, never will it happen like that again.” Anthony said as he replied. He rolled his neck around slowly, signs of being the victim of Kash and Reaver’s double-team finisher.

“They’ve gotten stronger with Lively now being their leader. They are the new cockroaches in town. Spraying “Hot Shot” on them aren’t going to kill them easily.” William with references to that of Foul Play as cockroaches.

That was actually a good comparison. They were foul-smelling, rotten assholes afterall. Either way, whether Foul Play or any other team, we were the hunted. It’s always the hardest part of the game but after losing on our first trial, our second would be much smoother.

As we continued to enjoy the feast in front of us, out of nowhere, there was a hard knock on the glass window beside us. Two girls, in their mid-twenties with glasses, they held up a square piece of cardboard with what was written out as:

“WE <3 TDB!!!”

In big, bold written text via that of a permanent Sharpie marker, they were full of smiles, seemingly wanting what was an autograph. Leaving the window, they flushed to the entrance of the restaurant as they didn’t even pay attention to the waitress who greeted them with a welcome. They shot straight for us, clinging to us like a magnet. They stood in front of our table and our feast as they begged with their eyes for our signatures.

“What an honor it is to see you guys here in Lima. You guys RAWKK!!!” The girl on the left said as you could hear that lovely Spanish accent. She held that piece of cardboard in her hand. She was full of smiles.

“Thank you, we love our devoted fans!” Anthony spoke as he showed off his charming grin.

“Ya’ll related, ya’ll are cute!” I said as that simply made them turn a bit pinkish, blushing like hell.

They however nodded.

“Yeah, we’re cousins. I’m Rosa, she’s Lia. We decided to hang out today. Never expecting to cross paths with one of the greatest tag teams in APW.” Rosa said as she threw flattery in our faces like it was water. While it was refreshing to hear, we knew the rules of flattery.

The future was bright, the fans enjoys TDB to the fullest. One day, it would be an honor to be called one of the ‘greatest tag teams’ in APW. We believed it every time we went out to battle that we were the best, but in the books, we were far from it at the moment. Still, it was good to hear from other’s mouths.

“Wow, they may just be the smartest fans yet. Cute plus Smart equals awesome!” I said, throwing my two thumbs up.

The woman on the left, Lia, reached into her purse as she pulled out an eight by eleven picture of me, Anthony, and William along with Nas inside the ring at Rasslemania IX. One of my greatest moments in my life. They had it in vintage black and white.

“It would be sooo cool if we could get you guys to sign this picture. That was such an uber moment. A surreal moment in life that cannot be forgotten.” Lia said as she held the picture close to her heart.

As she handed us the image moments later, we moved the plates to one side as we had an area to sign our names on the image. Anthony went first, then William, then me. Like Terrell Owens, I stayed with a Sharpie on me. You never know!

“OH MY GOD!!! THANK YOOUUUUU!!!!” Lia screamed with excitement, jumping up and down with the same amount of energy.

“We’re going to go get “Chocolate Wasted” in celebration. Thank you guys so much. You are the best, no doubt! Good luck this week, guys!!” Rosa spoke as she and her cousin departed with smiles on their faces.

I looked at both Anthony and William as I couldn’t help but to crack a laugh.

“Wow, they pretty much got us down-packed. Catch phrase and all!”

They followed with laughs as they shook their heads.

“That is being a fan. Not many get that kind of opportunity to be interrupted by their biggest fan. We have something special and those that watch us know it. With our personalities, our work ethic, the way we do things. The fans love it, that’s all that matters.” Anthony said as he watched the two ladies skip along and across the street to the other side, happy as ever.

We couldn’t agree more, nodding to those words of what Bailey just said. Fans are our inspiration. Every person has fans, whether beloved or hated, they have fans. You can think no one pays attention to you and be shocked to see someone step to you, wanting your awesome autograph on either their body or on an image.

Fans have a say in everything, hell they can even throw petitions out if they agree or don’t agree with something or want you to have a shot at a title if you’re long-deserving of a chance. Negativity can be seen as inspiration as well in a sense.

No one expected the team of Gooch and Knoxville. Two different identities, two different lifestyles but they’ve bonded on something they have in common. That was all they needed, something to agree on and let it grow.

“Oh well, guess we can try and finish this meal up and get a full stomach!” I said as I handed Bailey and William their plates back with their sub on it.

No one predicted the level of success we have gotten. No one expected us to form into this family. Anthony was and still is the “Golden Boy” of APW. No one expected him to stop and decide to align with a rookie in Jair Hopkins. No one saw me as nothing more than the usual, typical ‘thug’ that would harass the hell out of everyone and be a fucking thorn in people’s sides. When William came through those doors, they saw him as the next big thing. They never expected that months later, he’d be the third person to join the newly created “The Dying Breed”. Everyone said it was a mix of three personalities that wouldn’t stick for a week.

Months have gone by and look, we’re still here. We’re still here as a stable, a team, better yet ... a family. We saw the potential to be great when no one else did. Still to the day, people see us as an actual dying breed, who’s on their last legs. I guess we’ll see about that too.

“A good meal, a good walk off, workout and getting our heads in the game. That’s a solid plan!” Bailey said as he tried to finish off the sub sandwich.

“Yeah, a lot of walking off after this. I have to keep this figure solid!” William chuckled as he got down on what was left of his sub roll.

“We got a lot of people doubting us this week, saying we’re going to lose these titles again. We got a lot of people wanting to kill us off the throne. We have the opportunity to shut them all up. Last week was last week. It’s forgotten about at this very second. The present and future is here, let’s take care of business, fam’.” I said as I held my fist in the middle, awaiting William and Anthony to meet me with their fists.

“Amen!” Bailey nodded as he rested his sub to meet my fist with his fist.

“Amen, brother!” William then followed up with the same deal.

As we joined fists in the middle of the round table, it was our time to officially make the statement that we weren’t going anywhere, anytime soon, no matter the size, the pressure of the challenge. They would be defeated. We admired the underdogs in “Goochville” but it’s only so much praise one can give before calling it quits. It isn't personal, it’s just business. Their time will come again.