Post by Anthony Bailey on Apr 20, 2013 23:45:25 GMT -4
**This promo was filmed around 12:00PM Thursday, April 18th.**
"Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience." – 2 Corinthians 5:11
"All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;" – 2 Corinthians 5:18
{{The scene opens to the inside of the dainty Memorial Presbyterian Church located in St. Augustine, FL. Memorial is the state of Florida's first Presbyterian congregation, which was established in 1824, and the church that Anthony Bailey seldom attended during his days as a student at Flagler College since the church was conveniently located near campus. Not much of a church goer to begin with, especially with the newfound freedom he had acquired as a young adult by relocating to St. Augustine from Tampa, his mother Tracy insisted that her son find a solid local church to become apart of and Memorial became that church whenever his scheduled allowed. The doors of the church were always open to the public during daytime hours since it was a historical tourist attraction, so Bailey decided to pay the church a visit. Entering the doors of the orthodox edifice, which was empty to his surprise, in his less than orthodox attire of a black and gold T-shirt saying “The Promise” across the chest, black jeans, and a pair of black, white, and gold Nike sneakers, Bailey slowly strolls down one of the aisles of the local phenomenon. Admiring the gorgeous architecture that he had become less familiar with over time, considering it had been a while since he last stepped foot in the building. Bailey enters one of the pew rows and drops to his knees in a position of prayer. Clasping his hands together and shutting his eyes, Bailey begins to pray.}}[/color]
Anthony Bailey: Dear Lord…I honestly don’t even know what I’m supposed to be doing here, so hopefully this turns out right. First of all, please forgive me for the many sins that I have committed both knowingly and unknowingly. I know that I’m not the most picture perfect guy in the neighborhood, but Lord I try. I honestly do. My code of morality pales in comparison to most and I know that even on my best day that I could never give Ned Flanders a run for his money, but that isn’t even my longing. I long to be the person that you created me to be. I thank you for my life and the cards that I have been dealt, and though my life hasn’t panned out to be impeccable, I would gladly do it all over again and relive every moment of it.
I remember it like it was yesterday Lord, sitting in these very pews a few Sundays out of the month as a student and wondering what I was going to do with my life. I knew what I had wanted to do, but I knew that professional wrestling wouldn’t quite sit well with my family. I remember praying and asking you to take the desire that I had for this sport away from me and give me a “real” calling for my life. Something that would assist me in making a comfortable living while also repaying my mother for her constant financial generosity towards me throughout the years. But prayer after prayer and each time I would compete in an FAWA ring, my desire grew stronger.
While in college, Bailey spent every waking moment of his free time volunteering with the Florida Amateur Wrestling Association, a not for profit 501(c)(3) organization in Jacksonville, FL. Jacksonville is located approximately forty miles north of St. Augustine but Bailey did not mind the eighty plus mile commute both ways at all. The FAWA is where Bailey got his official start in wrestling, though he dabbled in it a bit here and there while in high school. After graduation, his experience gained with FAWA propelled him to his APW contract.[/color]
I thank you for opening that door for me and for changing my life forever for the better. So now, I come to you once again seeking direction for my future. I want my steps to be guided by the Almighty and not by my own finite perception of wisdom and intellect. You are well aware of all of the ups and downs that I have been through with Tasha over the years and especially these last three months, so I’m wondering if I should go down this road once again and bring this girl back into my life.
Within the past week or so Tasha had asked Bailey if they could take their friendship back to the level of their former committed relationship of four and a half years. Tasha and her family were amazed with how Bailey came to her aid during the whole Jason Kash fiasco, and though everything in Bailey wanted to tell her yes, sweep her off of her feet, and ride into the sunset for the conventional and often unrealistic “happily ever after” moment, Bailey didn’t give her a straight answer right then and there. He told her that he would have to think about it and get back to her. She was disappointed at the sound of this but remained hopeful for a rekindled romance with The Promise.[/color]
I don’t only mean to come to you asking for things because I know that you aren’t some kind of a magical genie, but I’m lost Lord and I am clueless as to what I should do. I remember once hearing something about reconciliation in a sermon and I genuinely want to be reconciled to her but she broke my heart…and I don’t know how to get past that.
{{Suddenly, some footsteps are heard behind Bailey. Curious to see whom it is, he hurries to wrap up his prayer.}}[/color]
I will continue to seek You on this matter, Lord. Please don’t allow my traveling schedule or being an APW megastar to hinder me from putting in the necessary time to inquire to the heavens on this situation. These things I ask in Your name…amen…
{{With the footsteps getting closer, Bailey stands up and turns around to see who it is. Pastor Weaver, an older Caucasian gentleman and the pastor of Memorial Presbyterian Church, is standing there wearing a suit as his face lights up and he greets Bailey with a smile and handshake.}}[/color]
Pastor Weaver: Well well well, look at what we got here…remind me of your name again young man. I’d remember that face anywhere but the name just isn’t coming to me right now.
Anthony Bailey: Anthony Bailey, sir.
Bailey’s whimsical church attendance was the reason for Pastor Weaver not knowing his name. Weaver had a good reputation of personally knowing the members of his congregation and knowing them well, but he had yet to be afforded this opportunity with Bailey, a man who made his living from constantly being on the road.[/color]
Pastor Weaver: Ohhh okay, now I remember. You’re the wrestler right?
Anthony Bailey: Yes, that would be me.
Pastor Weaver: What a pleasure it is to have you here at Memorial today, Anthony. I hope these loud shoes of mine didn’t interrupt your quiet time with God just then.
{{Weaver looks down at his shoes as Bailey just snickers.}}[/color]
Anthony Bailey: Oh not at all. I’m not the best at praying anyway. I like to keep them short and sweet.
Pastor Weaver: Oh really?
Anthony Bailey: Yes sir. I’m not at your level so I don’t know how to pray for hours upon hours. I would most likely run out of things to say after ten minutes or so.
{{The tables turn as Pastor Weaver is now the one snickering.}}[/color]
Pastor Weaver: My level huh? I’m just a regular guy like you Anthony. All of us are on the same playing field. I just happen to be a pastor but your profession and your field is just as needed as mine. We need men like you in that business to flaunt the glory of God.
Anthony Bailey: I haven’t done the best job of flaunting God’s glory though Pastor Weaver. Sometimes pride gets the best of me and I go in that ring for the glory of Anthony Bailey, not God.
{{Pastor Weaver nods his head in an understanding manner.}}[/color]
Pastor Weaver: And sometimes I get in that pulpit and preach for the glory of J. Dudley Weaver, Jr. But that’s where The Gospel and the ministry of reconciliation come in. Jesus has reconciled us to God the Father and by doing that, we are also able to reconcile with our internal conflicts of doing things out of selfish ambition and to reconcile with one another as well.
Did God use Pastor Weaver as a secondary means to answer Bailey’s prayer? In the back of his mind, Bailey thinks so.[/color]
Anthony Bailey: Pastor, it’s funny that you should even mention being reconciled to one another. I don’t know if you heard me when you came into the sanctuary but that was the main subject matter of my prayer. I want to be reconciled with my ex girlfriend but I don’t even know where to begin.
Pastor Weaver: Well I will pray right along with you and ask for God to do a mighty work in your life in that particular area. Thank you for being honest with me…is there any other people you’d like to be reconciled with?
The discernment of Pastor Weaver was on par and acute. Bailey felt as if he should mention Foul Play, M&M, and Ellis Graham but he hesitated.[/color]
Anthony Bailey: No, she’s the only one right at the moment…
Pastor Weaver: Very well then. Would you mind closing your eyes and bowing your head for another word of prayer?
{{Bailey has a seat in the pew and bows his head and closes his eyes as Pastor Weaver does the same. Weaver’s bold pastoral voice begins to echo throughout the sanctuary as he prays for The Promise. The scene slowly fades out and shifts to Bailey standing on the steps in front of the church. Time has elapsed as Bailey looks out over the roads of St. Augustine and over the grounds of Flagler College. He lightly exhales and then begins to speak.}}[/color]
Anthony Bailey: I’ve said it before and I will say it again…I am not the ideal embodiment of what a true Christian should be. I’m skeptical about organized religion and disappointed with how the church in the west has made the name of God an enterprise more than anything else. But neither am I the liar and slanderer that AJP claims that I am. I am also not the ratings perpetrator that Jason Kash makes me out to be either. I am who I am and if you don’t like it, there’s nothing that I am able to do to resolve that either. Tasha loves me for me therefore I am insatiable about our potential reconciliation but when it comes to people like the likes of Foul Play, the opponents of The Dying Breed this coming Sunday on Asylum, I want nothing to do with restoration…I want vengeance and will seek to attain it at all costs.
You and I can see eye to eye on one thing Kash, the addiction HAS grown. I knew that me defeating you at Test For The Best for the World Title had affected you but I was unsure to the magnitude in which it did…until now. Your addiction to “prove” your point has become a consuming fire and as much as you despise me, I am all that occupies that pea sized brain of yours. But this isn’t a refining fire Jason because that type of fire always has a satisfactory outcome that benefits the soul. This growing fire that has been escalating since last July is a destructive fire. And you are creating the path for your own destruction, not me, J-Hop, or Williams. Foul Play has been masked as an attempt to “take” back what is rightfully yours, but it isn’t that at all. It’s a group of two men deciding to join you on your pity party of “Anthony Bailey is better than me and I can’t accept such a harsh reality because I’m selfish and think that the world should revolve around my horrid toothless grin.”
And to the first individual on Kash’s party list, a party that the biggest socialite in any town across America would pay not to attend, Reaver. Kash handed me my stardom huh? Working my way through the ranks of Asylum and competing in a tournament for the vacant Tap Out Title that culminated in a defeat over Chaz Dillinger for that title on March 25th, 2012 at Rasslemania VIII in Indianapolis had absolutely nothing to do with it right? People were beginning to notice who I was far before I had even chosen to acknowledge Kash. But maybe you’re right Knuckles, maybe me becoming Asylum’s golden boy was at Kash’s expense. The megastar that was able to wow the audience with skillfully executed moves and who stood for something worthwhile became me. It was Kash at first, I give him that. Kash was synonymous with Asylum’s top talent but I had become the new sheriff in town way before my official badge, the World Title, was ever awarded to me.
But I don’t expect much intellectual engagement with you Reaver. You stole a man’s identity and have become the literal and physical personification of “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” Joining Foul Play was the right thing to do in your mind since Kash is superior to you in every single way. It pains you that I beat Kash twice, within the span of a few weeks, and you were given six years of opportunities to defeat the man and failed every single time. This is why I can’t take a guy like you seriously…
At least your guy Michael Lively has something to offer. He’s a well respected name in this business so I’m really looking forward to facing him on Asylum. But I do have a gripe with you Lively, a gripe that didn’t dawn on me until I set foot in this church here. If you were really OUR Jesus, couldn’t you perform a miracle or two and grant Kash with the acceptance that he cannot beat me one on one? Or can’t you help Reaver be more comfortable in his own skin and not have to resort to imitating others? I know Jesus hung around sinners, fishermen, and tax collectors but hanging around these clowns doesn’t help your credibility one bit. Jesus actually influenced his peers for the better but you have become influenced by the likes of Jason Kash…of all people. I’m disappointed in you. Your switch to Asylum could have been epic but yet you have chosen to settle for the brown ribbon over the gold trophy. Jesus was humble not foolish and you have done a superb job in displaying the latter. The Dying Breed will have a blast capitalizing on this…
I’m no Bible scholar but I know that The Apostle Paul was the writer who articulated what the ministry of reconciliation meant in his epistle to the church at Corinth. I respect Paul for doing what he did but I’m not him. I didn’t have a life changing encounter on my road to Damascus as he did. Maybe I will have a similar epiphany on my flight to Paraguay this weekend but if not, the truth still remains…I am none other than Anthony Bailey…APW’s only Promise…the only Promise that can't be broken. Foul Play seems to almost be synonymous with breaking the rules but there’s no way on earth that they will break The Dying Breed on Sunday. Until Paraguay…
{{The scene slowly fades to black as Bailey walks down the steps of the church and towards the parking lot.}}[/color]
"Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience." – 2 Corinthians 5:11
"All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;" – 2 Corinthians 5:18
{{The scene opens to the inside of the dainty Memorial Presbyterian Church located in St. Augustine, FL. Memorial is the state of Florida's first Presbyterian congregation, which was established in 1824, and the church that Anthony Bailey seldom attended during his days as a student at Flagler College since the church was conveniently located near campus. Not much of a church goer to begin with, especially with the newfound freedom he had acquired as a young adult by relocating to St. Augustine from Tampa, his mother Tracy insisted that her son find a solid local church to become apart of and Memorial became that church whenever his scheduled allowed. The doors of the church were always open to the public during daytime hours since it was a historical tourist attraction, so Bailey decided to pay the church a visit. Entering the doors of the orthodox edifice, which was empty to his surprise, in his less than orthodox attire of a black and gold T-shirt saying “The Promise” across the chest, black jeans, and a pair of black, white, and gold Nike sneakers, Bailey slowly strolls down one of the aisles of the local phenomenon. Admiring the gorgeous architecture that he had become less familiar with over time, considering it had been a while since he last stepped foot in the building. Bailey enters one of the pew rows and drops to his knees in a position of prayer. Clasping his hands together and shutting his eyes, Bailey begins to pray.}}[/color]
Anthony Bailey: Dear Lord…I honestly don’t even know what I’m supposed to be doing here, so hopefully this turns out right. First of all, please forgive me for the many sins that I have committed both knowingly and unknowingly. I know that I’m not the most picture perfect guy in the neighborhood, but Lord I try. I honestly do. My code of morality pales in comparison to most and I know that even on my best day that I could never give Ned Flanders a run for his money, but that isn’t even my longing. I long to be the person that you created me to be. I thank you for my life and the cards that I have been dealt, and though my life hasn’t panned out to be impeccable, I would gladly do it all over again and relive every moment of it.
I remember it like it was yesterday Lord, sitting in these very pews a few Sundays out of the month as a student and wondering what I was going to do with my life. I knew what I had wanted to do, but I knew that professional wrestling wouldn’t quite sit well with my family. I remember praying and asking you to take the desire that I had for this sport away from me and give me a “real” calling for my life. Something that would assist me in making a comfortable living while also repaying my mother for her constant financial generosity towards me throughout the years. But prayer after prayer and each time I would compete in an FAWA ring, my desire grew stronger.
While in college, Bailey spent every waking moment of his free time volunteering with the Florida Amateur Wrestling Association, a not for profit 501(c)(3) organization in Jacksonville, FL. Jacksonville is located approximately forty miles north of St. Augustine but Bailey did not mind the eighty plus mile commute both ways at all. The FAWA is where Bailey got his official start in wrestling, though he dabbled in it a bit here and there while in high school. After graduation, his experience gained with FAWA propelled him to his APW contract.[/color]
I thank you for opening that door for me and for changing my life forever for the better. So now, I come to you once again seeking direction for my future. I want my steps to be guided by the Almighty and not by my own finite perception of wisdom and intellect. You are well aware of all of the ups and downs that I have been through with Tasha over the years and especially these last three months, so I’m wondering if I should go down this road once again and bring this girl back into my life.
Within the past week or so Tasha had asked Bailey if they could take their friendship back to the level of their former committed relationship of four and a half years. Tasha and her family were amazed with how Bailey came to her aid during the whole Jason Kash fiasco, and though everything in Bailey wanted to tell her yes, sweep her off of her feet, and ride into the sunset for the conventional and often unrealistic “happily ever after” moment, Bailey didn’t give her a straight answer right then and there. He told her that he would have to think about it and get back to her. She was disappointed at the sound of this but remained hopeful for a rekindled romance with The Promise.[/color]
I don’t only mean to come to you asking for things because I know that you aren’t some kind of a magical genie, but I’m lost Lord and I am clueless as to what I should do. I remember once hearing something about reconciliation in a sermon and I genuinely want to be reconciled to her but she broke my heart…and I don’t know how to get past that.
{{Suddenly, some footsteps are heard behind Bailey. Curious to see whom it is, he hurries to wrap up his prayer.}}[/color]
I will continue to seek You on this matter, Lord. Please don’t allow my traveling schedule or being an APW megastar to hinder me from putting in the necessary time to inquire to the heavens on this situation. These things I ask in Your name…amen…
{{With the footsteps getting closer, Bailey stands up and turns around to see who it is. Pastor Weaver, an older Caucasian gentleman and the pastor of Memorial Presbyterian Church, is standing there wearing a suit as his face lights up and he greets Bailey with a smile and handshake.}}[/color]
Pastor Weaver: Well well well, look at what we got here…remind me of your name again young man. I’d remember that face anywhere but the name just isn’t coming to me right now.
Anthony Bailey: Anthony Bailey, sir.
Bailey’s whimsical church attendance was the reason for Pastor Weaver not knowing his name. Weaver had a good reputation of personally knowing the members of his congregation and knowing them well, but he had yet to be afforded this opportunity with Bailey, a man who made his living from constantly being on the road.[/color]
Pastor Weaver: Ohhh okay, now I remember. You’re the wrestler right?
Anthony Bailey: Yes, that would be me.
Pastor Weaver: What a pleasure it is to have you here at Memorial today, Anthony. I hope these loud shoes of mine didn’t interrupt your quiet time with God just then.
{{Weaver looks down at his shoes as Bailey just snickers.}}[/color]
Anthony Bailey: Oh not at all. I’m not the best at praying anyway. I like to keep them short and sweet.
Pastor Weaver: Oh really?
Anthony Bailey: Yes sir. I’m not at your level so I don’t know how to pray for hours upon hours. I would most likely run out of things to say after ten minutes or so.
{{The tables turn as Pastor Weaver is now the one snickering.}}[/color]
Pastor Weaver: My level huh? I’m just a regular guy like you Anthony. All of us are on the same playing field. I just happen to be a pastor but your profession and your field is just as needed as mine. We need men like you in that business to flaunt the glory of God.
Anthony Bailey: I haven’t done the best job of flaunting God’s glory though Pastor Weaver. Sometimes pride gets the best of me and I go in that ring for the glory of Anthony Bailey, not God.
{{Pastor Weaver nods his head in an understanding manner.}}[/color]
Pastor Weaver: And sometimes I get in that pulpit and preach for the glory of J. Dudley Weaver, Jr. But that’s where The Gospel and the ministry of reconciliation come in. Jesus has reconciled us to God the Father and by doing that, we are also able to reconcile with our internal conflicts of doing things out of selfish ambition and to reconcile with one another as well.
Did God use Pastor Weaver as a secondary means to answer Bailey’s prayer? In the back of his mind, Bailey thinks so.[/color]
Anthony Bailey: Pastor, it’s funny that you should even mention being reconciled to one another. I don’t know if you heard me when you came into the sanctuary but that was the main subject matter of my prayer. I want to be reconciled with my ex girlfriend but I don’t even know where to begin.
Pastor Weaver: Well I will pray right along with you and ask for God to do a mighty work in your life in that particular area. Thank you for being honest with me…is there any other people you’d like to be reconciled with?
The discernment of Pastor Weaver was on par and acute. Bailey felt as if he should mention Foul Play, M&M, and Ellis Graham but he hesitated.[/color]
Anthony Bailey: No, she’s the only one right at the moment…
Pastor Weaver: Very well then. Would you mind closing your eyes and bowing your head for another word of prayer?
{{Bailey has a seat in the pew and bows his head and closes his eyes as Pastor Weaver does the same. Weaver’s bold pastoral voice begins to echo throughout the sanctuary as he prays for The Promise. The scene slowly fades out and shifts to Bailey standing on the steps in front of the church. Time has elapsed as Bailey looks out over the roads of St. Augustine and over the grounds of Flagler College. He lightly exhales and then begins to speak.}}[/color]
Anthony Bailey: I’ve said it before and I will say it again…I am not the ideal embodiment of what a true Christian should be. I’m skeptical about organized religion and disappointed with how the church in the west has made the name of God an enterprise more than anything else. But neither am I the liar and slanderer that AJP claims that I am. I am also not the ratings perpetrator that Jason Kash makes me out to be either. I am who I am and if you don’t like it, there’s nothing that I am able to do to resolve that either. Tasha loves me for me therefore I am insatiable about our potential reconciliation but when it comes to people like the likes of Foul Play, the opponents of The Dying Breed this coming Sunday on Asylum, I want nothing to do with restoration…I want vengeance and will seek to attain it at all costs.
You and I can see eye to eye on one thing Kash, the addiction HAS grown. I knew that me defeating you at Test For The Best for the World Title had affected you but I was unsure to the magnitude in which it did…until now. Your addiction to “prove” your point has become a consuming fire and as much as you despise me, I am all that occupies that pea sized brain of yours. But this isn’t a refining fire Jason because that type of fire always has a satisfactory outcome that benefits the soul. This growing fire that has been escalating since last July is a destructive fire. And you are creating the path for your own destruction, not me, J-Hop, or Williams. Foul Play has been masked as an attempt to “take” back what is rightfully yours, but it isn’t that at all. It’s a group of two men deciding to join you on your pity party of “Anthony Bailey is better than me and I can’t accept such a harsh reality because I’m selfish and think that the world should revolve around my horrid toothless grin.”
And to the first individual on Kash’s party list, a party that the biggest socialite in any town across America would pay not to attend, Reaver. Kash handed me my stardom huh? Working my way through the ranks of Asylum and competing in a tournament for the vacant Tap Out Title that culminated in a defeat over Chaz Dillinger for that title on March 25th, 2012 at Rasslemania VIII in Indianapolis had absolutely nothing to do with it right? People were beginning to notice who I was far before I had even chosen to acknowledge Kash. But maybe you’re right Knuckles, maybe me becoming Asylum’s golden boy was at Kash’s expense. The megastar that was able to wow the audience with skillfully executed moves and who stood for something worthwhile became me. It was Kash at first, I give him that. Kash was synonymous with Asylum’s top talent but I had become the new sheriff in town way before my official badge, the World Title, was ever awarded to me.
But I don’t expect much intellectual engagement with you Reaver. You stole a man’s identity and have become the literal and physical personification of “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” Joining Foul Play was the right thing to do in your mind since Kash is superior to you in every single way. It pains you that I beat Kash twice, within the span of a few weeks, and you were given six years of opportunities to defeat the man and failed every single time. This is why I can’t take a guy like you seriously…
At least your guy Michael Lively has something to offer. He’s a well respected name in this business so I’m really looking forward to facing him on Asylum. But I do have a gripe with you Lively, a gripe that didn’t dawn on me until I set foot in this church here. If you were really OUR Jesus, couldn’t you perform a miracle or two and grant Kash with the acceptance that he cannot beat me one on one? Or can’t you help Reaver be more comfortable in his own skin and not have to resort to imitating others? I know Jesus hung around sinners, fishermen, and tax collectors but hanging around these clowns doesn’t help your credibility one bit. Jesus actually influenced his peers for the better but you have become influenced by the likes of Jason Kash…of all people. I’m disappointed in you. Your switch to Asylum could have been epic but yet you have chosen to settle for the brown ribbon over the gold trophy. Jesus was humble not foolish and you have done a superb job in displaying the latter. The Dying Breed will have a blast capitalizing on this…
I’m no Bible scholar but I know that The Apostle Paul was the writer who articulated what the ministry of reconciliation meant in his epistle to the church at Corinth. I respect Paul for doing what he did but I’m not him. I didn’t have a life changing encounter on my road to Damascus as he did. Maybe I will have a similar epiphany on my flight to Paraguay this weekend but if not, the truth still remains…I am none other than Anthony Bailey…APW’s only Promise…the only Promise that can't be broken. Foul Play seems to almost be synonymous with breaking the rules but there’s no way on earth that they will break The Dying Breed on Sunday. Until Paraguay…
{{The scene slowly fades to black as Bailey walks down the steps of the church and towards the parking lot.}}[/color]
