Post by Chaos Stryke on May 31, 2013 0:00:54 GMT -4
It almost felt like a replay of what happened on my last show with American Championship Wrestling… going over the top rope, falling through the air, crashing in a broken heap, blacking out… I came around to the sound of a screaming and cheering crowd, my opponent victorious. This time I was able to rise, barely, and see the end result… failure. I was beaten… broken… and abandoned. The crowd celebrated my downfall… and I was only left with the one person that I’ve been able to trust and rely on inside APW… the only one who hasn’t turned their back on me.
Aubrey was there with me at the end. I glanced at her, and she to me, taking a measure of our shared loss, but also a deep thanks for what we’d done for each other. I’d sacrificed myself for Aubrey at the supershow. I doubt anyone noticed it though, as they all revelled in the carnage that Bailey wrought in that moment, celebrating my apparent ‘destruction’ as it were. The ladder was tipping with us on it and I suddenly had a choice to make… I could’ve leapt back from the ladder, landed on the ropes, and avoided the encounter with the second ladder entirely but I’m fairly certain that Aubrey would’ve taken my place there as a result. She couldn’t have handled that in her condition. So I had to choose the second option. I braced myself on the ladder for a moment, and I pushed her off. I might’ve saved her career with that act… but I had to pay the price for doing so. In reality… it was really no choice at all. I did what anyone with a heart would have done… and I’m going to resent Bailey for putting me in that spot.
So we made our way backstage together… which was all we had left that night. I was trying to get a handle on the enormous sense of loss that I felt as we walked, what I’d given up and what had been taken from me… Aubrey had said something to me that I still cannot remember… and that was the point that I reached my limit…
I remember waking up on the floor. Again, it was like reliving what had happened in January two years ago. Lying on the ground, unable to stand… helpless…
At the hospital, I was exhausted, but I didn’t sleep that night. I couldn’t until I knew what had happened, so I spent that first night in a constant state of worry. Thankfully my condition was just temporary. I’d be on my feet within days and I’d need a couple of weeks of rest to allow the pinched nerves to recover. My ribs on the other hand would require much more time to do so. I took a similar fall seven years ago and shrugged it off. This time it was a harder landing.
The net result of my pay-per-view weekend wouldn’t be regarded as a positive one. A championship won, a championship lost, suffered a debilitating injury, and was thoroughly villainized for all of my actions and others I had no part of.
It was a long trip home afterwards…
Saturday, May 25…
The sun was shining brightly in Toronto, but it did nothing to remove the chill in the air. Riding in the backseat of a car bound for his home was Logan Alexander. The mood in the car is quiet, despite the presence of Phil Jackson and Justin Maxwell. The latter had flown out to join him in Chile after word of the supershow incident got out. The former had met them at the airport earlier. At this point they’re just coming down the street to Logan’s suburban home and a short while later, the car pulls into the driveway, coming to a stop. Logan winces in response to the sudden momentum shift. Phil looks back from the driver’s seat.
You okay there?
Peachy… I forgot how much fun broken ribs are.
Justin looks over from beside Logan in the backseat.
I’ve heard you were lucky to only have that. You going to see your own doctor now that you’re home?
First thing Monday to make sure that nothing was missed in Chile and see if he’s yet developed a miracle cure to put me back together by next Sunday.
I don’t think they have a cure for Humpty Dumpty syndrome.
Most likely. Never hurts to ask though.
Logan and company exit the vehicle. He looks towards the porch, where an attractive woman in her early thirties stands, wearing a light blue sundress, looking at him with a sad smile on her face. This is Michaelina Alexander. She and Logan lock eyes.
Guys… please take care of my things.
Logan moves away from the car, slowly limping towards the house, favouring his right side as he walks. Michaelina moves down the front steps quickly to meet him. She reaches him on the front walk, just steps from the front of the car he’d ridden in. She embraces him carefully, sliding her arms inside his jacket, resting her head against his shoulder. He puts his arms around her, holding her close. They stand together, oblivious to the rest of the world around them. She shifts back slightly and kisses him firmly. Justin and Phil stare at the display for several moments before moving past them and into the house. After what seems like too brief a time for them, Logan and Michaelina ease back and stare at one another.
I was so worried about you. I saw your match and feared the worst when you fell… I thought you were fine when you walked out afterwards…
So did I… then I got backstage. I’ve been told I’ll function reasonably well in a week… which is good since I’m supposed to compete then.
Michealina is concerned by that and it shows.
You know that isn’t a good idea.
It wasn’t my first choice… but I won’t back out.
He limps away from her.
I finally had a breakthrough last Sunday… Out of eight possible contenders on Asylum, I was the one who managed to rise above and capture the Tap Out championship. Most people didn’t figure I’d pull it off. I had to win a four-way to get into the gauntlet, and there, TJ and Lively were the favourites. I did what I said I’d do and laid to rest an issue that had been bothering me since One Night in Hell. Six months later and when it mattered, I beat Lively. People can try to diminish my success, and they will, but it doesn’t matter. I’m the Tap Out champion and I plan to be there for as long as I have fight in me.
He turns and looks back to her.
I refuse to let that smug, self-righteous punk Bailey take that away from me after the lies he’s spread. He won’t get the satisfaction of thinking he brought me down. Instead I’m going to make sure that I’m right there, a constant reminder of what he’s done, and I going to overcome this obstacle like I have so many others.
He looks away from her, wincing in pain.
I just don’t want everything I’ve done in APW to be for nothing because of one man who hates me because I’m friends with someone else he hates.
She walks over to him and place her hand on his cheek, turning his face towards hers.
I know. You can be so stubborn and single minded, sometimes too much for your own good. It would be better for you to get better and then see about correcting these mistakes.
He starts to reply, but she puts one finger to his lips. She lowers her hand, then slips one arm around behind him.
We’ll discuss this further once you get settled. Let’s get you inside.
The two of them walk towards the house and the scene fades out.
I’ve missed being home… Having unconditional support here is wonderful, so different than my time on the road. It’s no wonder why I spend most of my time between shows in Toronto. I have no trouble facing adversity, but facing it so often simply isn’t the best use of my resources. I pick battles that are in my interest and worth my time to fight. All of that’s coming together this week though. I have adversity in spades, both from without and within, and also have a fight awaiting, one which I don’t intend to walk away from.
I’m in for a brutal fight, I’m not going to try and posture and claim otherwise this week, there’s no point in doing so. I’ll be fighting at less than my best to advance in the qualifiers for the Test for the Best tournament. Ironic, isn’t it? The one point where I absolutely need to be at my peak, and I have no chance whatsoever of making that happen. I’ve already had my fill of disappointment after losing at the supershow, so I’m not interested in adding to the pile by coming up short this week on Asylum. I want a shot at the tournament on the next pay-per-view. Historically, I haven’t done so well at such events, but given the chance to face the best of three brands in one night and see where I stand and if I truly belong here is something I don’t want to miss out on.
I understand I’m treading a very fine line right now. My friends and family have asked me not to take the risk of stepping into the ring. I’ve been through this before, too. I’ve walked into a match with one serious injury and been carried out with additional ones. I know that’s a danger now, but whether it’s my pride, my ego, my determination, or something else entirely, I want to go through with this.
This week poses an interesting challenge for me. Not just because of my current condition, but also because of who I’m facing. It’s a rematch I’ve been waiting for since February, where it took the efforts of five people and two general managers to take the North American championship from me inside the ring. In the history books, Young Mannie defeated Logan Alexander that night. I have the dubious distinction of being the first person to lose a singles title to him. Despite the time I eliminated him from One Night in Hell, and the victory I scored over him through Lively a couple of weeks ago, I still have much to settle with “Mr.420â€.
You came out at Mayhem trying to be a force in the ring during the gauntlet, Mannie. Your attack on TJ was well executed. A distraction on the entryway then you attacked from behind and took down the former Knockout champion. Then you had to face Williams and he had the better of you for most of your confrontation, and in order to turn the tide, you needed outside help to regain the advantage.
As a result there are two ways to look at your showing at Mayhem. First, is that you managed to do what no one else could and beat two opponents. You made it through half the gauntlet match. The other way of looking at it is that you once again showed that you couldn’t win when it mattered and furthermore, that you lacked the skill to beat any of your opposition without help. Seems to be a running theme for you, isn’t it Mannie? You always need a crutch to lean on it your outings because you lack the in ring ability to win on your own. Once you come across a superior opponent who knows how you operate, much like Lively, you crumble before them and end up getting beaten.
You’ve always talked a good game, but your execution has always left something to be desired. It’s why you’re still just an opening act rather than the main attraction that you bill yourself as. It’s why you stand across from the Tap Out champion rather than as the Tap Out champion.
I now carry the championship and it’s a testament to my skill, determination, and work ethic. I’ll also give a nod to the fact that I finally got a break in my favour with the gauntlet order being what it was. But I was the only one other than TJ that had to work to get a spot in that gauntlet match. For you, Lively, and Williams it was a throwaway opportunity because you only had to ask for it. You didn’t need to earn it and your performance in the match showed that you really didn’t care about it since it was a freebie. Lively came out to fight at least. You just tried to take the path of least resistance and Lively ran you into the mat. So do you think you’ll try that again this week Mannie?
I can practically hear the gears clicking over in your head as you try and figure out a way for your ringside lackeys to help you win this match. But I’m going to be prepared to deal with that this week. I know what to expect from you. You’re looking for something to soothe that wound to your pride from suffering your first loss to an Asylum competitor. You’d like to say that you deserve another chance at my title by beating me this week, or use me as a stepping stone to get a shot at Terry Marvin. You may be hoping that my injury will make your chances better and your road that much easier. Don’t bet on it Mannie, because that’s a gamble you’re going to lose.
I’m hurt, but that won’t be the deciding factor you hope it will. I’ve fought through injuries, so I can handle the pain, it’ll just feed the anger and frustration I have and use to push ahead. You might figure my injury’s a target that you or your lackeys can exploit, but I’m ready for that too. I’ll have to adjust my tactics given my condition, but that doesn’t mean I can’t beat you soundly. I’m still one of the best technical wrestlers you’re going to come across. I’m going to take my time against you, Mannie. I might not be able to beat you with the impact moves I have in my arsenal, but I can still counter whatever you throw my way or wear you down through attrition. Lively thought he had me down at Mayhem, and I proved him wrong. I can do the same to you too.
How do you think it’s going to feel when you lose to an injured old timer on Sunday night Mannie? I guess we’ll find out that answer from you on Monday morning now, won’t we? Injured animals can be the most dangerous. You’ll see firsthand on Sunday night.
Aubrey was there with me at the end. I glanced at her, and she to me, taking a measure of our shared loss, but also a deep thanks for what we’d done for each other. I’d sacrificed myself for Aubrey at the supershow. I doubt anyone noticed it though, as they all revelled in the carnage that Bailey wrought in that moment, celebrating my apparent ‘destruction’ as it were. The ladder was tipping with us on it and I suddenly had a choice to make… I could’ve leapt back from the ladder, landed on the ropes, and avoided the encounter with the second ladder entirely but I’m fairly certain that Aubrey would’ve taken my place there as a result. She couldn’t have handled that in her condition. So I had to choose the second option. I braced myself on the ladder for a moment, and I pushed her off. I might’ve saved her career with that act… but I had to pay the price for doing so. In reality… it was really no choice at all. I did what anyone with a heart would have done… and I’m going to resent Bailey for putting me in that spot.
So we made our way backstage together… which was all we had left that night. I was trying to get a handle on the enormous sense of loss that I felt as we walked, what I’d given up and what had been taken from me… Aubrey had said something to me that I still cannot remember… and that was the point that I reached my limit…
I remember waking up on the floor. Again, it was like reliving what had happened in January two years ago. Lying on the ground, unable to stand… helpless…
At the hospital, I was exhausted, but I didn’t sleep that night. I couldn’t until I knew what had happened, so I spent that first night in a constant state of worry. Thankfully my condition was just temporary. I’d be on my feet within days and I’d need a couple of weeks of rest to allow the pinched nerves to recover. My ribs on the other hand would require much more time to do so. I took a similar fall seven years ago and shrugged it off. This time it was a harder landing.
The net result of my pay-per-view weekend wouldn’t be regarded as a positive one. A championship won, a championship lost, suffered a debilitating injury, and was thoroughly villainized for all of my actions and others I had no part of.
It was a long trip home afterwards…
Saturday, May 25…
The sun was shining brightly in Toronto, but it did nothing to remove the chill in the air. Riding in the backseat of a car bound for his home was Logan Alexander. The mood in the car is quiet, despite the presence of Phil Jackson and Justin Maxwell. The latter had flown out to join him in Chile after word of the supershow incident got out. The former had met them at the airport earlier. At this point they’re just coming down the street to Logan’s suburban home and a short while later, the car pulls into the driveway, coming to a stop. Logan winces in response to the sudden momentum shift. Phil looks back from the driver’s seat.
You okay there?
Peachy… I forgot how much fun broken ribs are.
Justin looks over from beside Logan in the backseat.
I’ve heard you were lucky to only have that. You going to see your own doctor now that you’re home?
First thing Monday to make sure that nothing was missed in Chile and see if he’s yet developed a miracle cure to put me back together by next Sunday.
I don’t think they have a cure for Humpty Dumpty syndrome.
Most likely. Never hurts to ask though.
Logan and company exit the vehicle. He looks towards the porch, where an attractive woman in her early thirties stands, wearing a light blue sundress, looking at him with a sad smile on her face. This is Michaelina Alexander. She and Logan lock eyes.
Guys… please take care of my things.
Logan moves away from the car, slowly limping towards the house, favouring his right side as he walks. Michaelina moves down the front steps quickly to meet him. She reaches him on the front walk, just steps from the front of the car he’d ridden in. She embraces him carefully, sliding her arms inside his jacket, resting her head against his shoulder. He puts his arms around her, holding her close. They stand together, oblivious to the rest of the world around them. She shifts back slightly and kisses him firmly. Justin and Phil stare at the display for several moments before moving past them and into the house. After what seems like too brief a time for them, Logan and Michaelina ease back and stare at one another.
I was so worried about you. I saw your match and feared the worst when you fell… I thought you were fine when you walked out afterwards…
So did I… then I got backstage. I’ve been told I’ll function reasonably well in a week… which is good since I’m supposed to compete then.
Michealina is concerned by that and it shows.
You know that isn’t a good idea.
It wasn’t my first choice… but I won’t back out.
He limps away from her.
I finally had a breakthrough last Sunday… Out of eight possible contenders on Asylum, I was the one who managed to rise above and capture the Tap Out championship. Most people didn’t figure I’d pull it off. I had to win a four-way to get into the gauntlet, and there, TJ and Lively were the favourites. I did what I said I’d do and laid to rest an issue that had been bothering me since One Night in Hell. Six months later and when it mattered, I beat Lively. People can try to diminish my success, and they will, but it doesn’t matter. I’m the Tap Out champion and I plan to be there for as long as I have fight in me.
He turns and looks back to her.
I refuse to let that smug, self-righteous punk Bailey take that away from me after the lies he’s spread. He won’t get the satisfaction of thinking he brought me down. Instead I’m going to make sure that I’m right there, a constant reminder of what he’s done, and I going to overcome this obstacle like I have so many others.
He looks away from her, wincing in pain.
I just don’t want everything I’ve done in APW to be for nothing because of one man who hates me because I’m friends with someone else he hates.
She walks over to him and place her hand on his cheek, turning his face towards hers.
I know. You can be so stubborn and single minded, sometimes too much for your own good. It would be better for you to get better and then see about correcting these mistakes.
He starts to reply, but she puts one finger to his lips. She lowers her hand, then slips one arm around behind him.
We’ll discuss this further once you get settled. Let’s get you inside.
The two of them walk towards the house and the scene fades out.
I’ve missed being home… Having unconditional support here is wonderful, so different than my time on the road. It’s no wonder why I spend most of my time between shows in Toronto. I have no trouble facing adversity, but facing it so often simply isn’t the best use of my resources. I pick battles that are in my interest and worth my time to fight. All of that’s coming together this week though. I have adversity in spades, both from without and within, and also have a fight awaiting, one which I don’t intend to walk away from.
I’m in for a brutal fight, I’m not going to try and posture and claim otherwise this week, there’s no point in doing so. I’ll be fighting at less than my best to advance in the qualifiers for the Test for the Best tournament. Ironic, isn’t it? The one point where I absolutely need to be at my peak, and I have no chance whatsoever of making that happen. I’ve already had my fill of disappointment after losing at the supershow, so I’m not interested in adding to the pile by coming up short this week on Asylum. I want a shot at the tournament on the next pay-per-view. Historically, I haven’t done so well at such events, but given the chance to face the best of three brands in one night and see where I stand and if I truly belong here is something I don’t want to miss out on.
I understand I’m treading a very fine line right now. My friends and family have asked me not to take the risk of stepping into the ring. I’ve been through this before, too. I’ve walked into a match with one serious injury and been carried out with additional ones. I know that’s a danger now, but whether it’s my pride, my ego, my determination, or something else entirely, I want to go through with this.
This week poses an interesting challenge for me. Not just because of my current condition, but also because of who I’m facing. It’s a rematch I’ve been waiting for since February, where it took the efforts of five people and two general managers to take the North American championship from me inside the ring. In the history books, Young Mannie defeated Logan Alexander that night. I have the dubious distinction of being the first person to lose a singles title to him. Despite the time I eliminated him from One Night in Hell, and the victory I scored over him through Lively a couple of weeks ago, I still have much to settle with “Mr.420â€.
You came out at Mayhem trying to be a force in the ring during the gauntlet, Mannie. Your attack on TJ was well executed. A distraction on the entryway then you attacked from behind and took down the former Knockout champion. Then you had to face Williams and he had the better of you for most of your confrontation, and in order to turn the tide, you needed outside help to regain the advantage.
As a result there are two ways to look at your showing at Mayhem. First, is that you managed to do what no one else could and beat two opponents. You made it through half the gauntlet match. The other way of looking at it is that you once again showed that you couldn’t win when it mattered and furthermore, that you lacked the skill to beat any of your opposition without help. Seems to be a running theme for you, isn’t it Mannie? You always need a crutch to lean on it your outings because you lack the in ring ability to win on your own. Once you come across a superior opponent who knows how you operate, much like Lively, you crumble before them and end up getting beaten.
You’ve always talked a good game, but your execution has always left something to be desired. It’s why you’re still just an opening act rather than the main attraction that you bill yourself as. It’s why you stand across from the Tap Out champion rather than as the Tap Out champion.
I now carry the championship and it’s a testament to my skill, determination, and work ethic. I’ll also give a nod to the fact that I finally got a break in my favour with the gauntlet order being what it was. But I was the only one other than TJ that had to work to get a spot in that gauntlet match. For you, Lively, and Williams it was a throwaway opportunity because you only had to ask for it. You didn’t need to earn it and your performance in the match showed that you really didn’t care about it since it was a freebie. Lively came out to fight at least. You just tried to take the path of least resistance and Lively ran you into the mat. So do you think you’ll try that again this week Mannie?
I can practically hear the gears clicking over in your head as you try and figure out a way for your ringside lackeys to help you win this match. But I’m going to be prepared to deal with that this week. I know what to expect from you. You’re looking for something to soothe that wound to your pride from suffering your first loss to an Asylum competitor. You’d like to say that you deserve another chance at my title by beating me this week, or use me as a stepping stone to get a shot at Terry Marvin. You may be hoping that my injury will make your chances better and your road that much easier. Don’t bet on it Mannie, because that’s a gamble you’re going to lose.
I’m hurt, but that won’t be the deciding factor you hope it will. I’ve fought through injuries, so I can handle the pain, it’ll just feed the anger and frustration I have and use to push ahead. You might figure my injury’s a target that you or your lackeys can exploit, but I’m ready for that too. I’ll have to adjust my tactics given my condition, but that doesn’t mean I can’t beat you soundly. I’m still one of the best technical wrestlers you’re going to come across. I’m going to take my time against you, Mannie. I might not be able to beat you with the impact moves I have in my arsenal, but I can still counter whatever you throw my way or wear you down through attrition. Lively thought he had me down at Mayhem, and I proved him wrong. I can do the same to you too.
How do you think it’s going to feel when you lose to an injured old timer on Sunday night Mannie? I guess we’ll find out that answer from you on Monday morning now, won’t we? Injured animals can be the most dangerous. You’ll see firsthand on Sunday night.
