Post by J-Hop on Jun 12, 2013 14:50:59 GMT -4
BEHIND THE SCENES -- LAST WEEK AFTER ‘SUNDAY NIGHT RAAB-A-MANIA...
All three men of the stable, The Dying Breed were in their locker room as they all sat spaced out within the room, quiet as ever. A pen could be heard when dropped onto the carpet floor. It was that kind of night in a series of matches of Dying Breed against Foul Play, Dying Breed came up on the losing end in the form of overall outcome. Bailey, Williams were out while Hopkins was still in it, barely. For Foul Play, two out of three were in. Kash and Lively.
Jair Hopkins: I’m sorry but what in the hell just happened tonight? We had a gameplan and it quickly got dismantled, just ... like ... that!
The silence continued.
William D. Williams: I’m sorry guys, I thought I had that “prick”, Lively, and he slipped underneath and rolled me up. I couldn’t recover. I started it off bad for the group.
Anthony waves William’s comment off as he remained staring in the corner.
Anthony Bailey: You did your best, I know how much you wanted to defeat Lively after all that had gone down with that attack. They just had the better night.
Jair Hopkins: Except for Reaver. Talked all that crap and got canned. I admit, he put up one hell of a fight but he couldn’t outlast the heart of Hopkins. I wasn’t letting him get away with murder like that. He gets to head back to Foul Play HQ and realize he is the weakest link of the group.
Anthony Bailey: Well it’s all on you Jair. I know this tournament is like redemption for you after last year. The world is yours this go-round. I can already predict who will be your next opponent but right now, we just need to bounce back. It’s a lot of stables out here claiming fame and trying their best to send us to the back. We have to survive this jungle. It’s not getting any easier.
Hopkins and Williams nod as Bailey preaches.
Anthony Bailey: We will take APW back and make sure they remember who we are. On the count of three. One ... Two ... Three!
All Three: The Dying Breed!!!
Fade.
.............
........
....
..
06.11.13 | NEW YORK, NY | HAZELDEN REHAB CENTER
“Doc, I don’t know if I can contend with this anymore. Losing sleep, losing sight, losing my goddamn mind.”
Hearing the ashiness of my hands as I rubbed them together, trying to solidify everything that was running at lightspeed through my head. Dr. Springfield sat comfortable, as he saw me pause with frustration, he welcomed the release. I just wasn’t sure if he was ready.
“Sure, I have two great men around me who are like my brothers. I have fans who still feel me and support me in what I’m doing but what’s getting to me is THOSE who I thought was on my side.”
Scooting up closer, the Doc raised his right eyebrow with a serious arch, intrigued.
“You’ve been betrayed?” He asked as he wanted me to dig further and come with it.
Slowly as I lowered my head, a slow nod came next as I just shook my head.
“Pretty much. What do you do when someone who you respected, looked to as an idol goes behind your back and becomes friends with the person you label as an enemy? What do you do when you see these two tweet each other like they’ve been best buds for years?”
Jealousy? Nope. What was I to be jealous of? There was nothing those two had that I didn’t have. Sure Ramirez had the money, the bitches, the homies and more connections than the average superstar. The fact that he has meshed well with Kash, surely knowing all the shit me and Jason has been through. To accept his crew’s money and train them, it sickened me. I tried not to let the thoughts grow deeper and deeper and root itself into my brain but it’s hard to sleep knowing those who you trust turn on their heels after a sighting of green dollar bills.
Ramirez can’t say that we as The Dying Breed never paid him for the use of his place. We never dished out fifty thousand but shit, we helped him keep the lights on. I knew personally how much he loved that place. Ever since it was built, it wasn’t the prettiest looking but what it had inside was astonishing. I knew how much work he put into it. I was happy that he could help the kids from being statistics to violence.
“Have you talked to him recently?” Doctor asked as he could sense there were more layers.
I shook my head.
“Nah, he’s doing his thing. I haven’t gotten in touch with him since last week or week before, I can’t even remember.”
“Hmm...” Doctor hummed to himself as he tried to find the right thing to say. “All I can say for you to do Jair is just focus on you and not the surrounding. You have to realize that business is business. If your friend is doing that, no matter who it is, if they need the training or need to use the facility, he cannot just “stop them” because of his alliance with you. He has to do what is right for him and his business.”
“Yeah, you right with that, I just can’t stomach that shit.”
Doctor raised his eyes as he looked in awe.
“...Sorry about that. I’m just not in the right mindset. I mean who knows what Ramirez could be doing. Fifty thousand is a lot and if I know Kash like I know him, he’s looking for something out of that deposit.”
The thought became clearer and clearer with each passing. I was facing Jason Kash this week. Sure he has won a few over me and I’ve seem to not been able to rebound but knowing him, I’m sure he was trying to get confidential information to scout on this week. It could be just a bad thought or insecure but I had this thing where I could feel something when things didn’t seem right.
Like a Tyrone Biggums doing the Harlem Shake. I had that shaky-ass feeling.
“Just do you, get much needed rest, do your normal preparations and things will be fine.”
I began to smile as my head lowered. That shit only last for so long before it grows tiresome and repetitive. Kash was a man who will do anything to get what he wants. You can prepare, you can jump rope, drink raw eggs, ramble like Rocky Balboa ... fact is, Jason Kash was still going to take first place, no matter what the sacrifice would be. I was the lone member standing of The Dying Breed. It was just Kash and Lively who represented the main two-thirds of Foul Play. Kash would stoop as low as gravity would allow him.
There was no such word as “prepare”. I knew that much.
“Doc, lemme’ tell you something about that word, prepare. It doesn’t work against a lot of folks. Some it works against, others, it really doesn't matter how much you attempt to practice and prepare, they will always steal bases. Quickness to cheat, veteran awareness to not get caught. It’s what I have against me.”
It’s what Jason had over me, ring awareness. He is one of APW’s Grand Slam Champions. He has the accolades, deep down I hate shit out of him but in the same light, I have to respect what he’s done in the company. He’s done what many haven’t and he’s made doubters into believers over the years. It’s just why some people look up to him.
I’m just not one of them.
“Well Sir, all I can say is that for you to just to get some rest. The more you think about it, the more you let it access and deteriorate. Think about the happy things in life, your friends, those who love you no matter what. You can’t let the outsiders interfere because either way Jair ... Haters are going to hate!”
I immediately went into a ‘freeze’ posture. “I’m sorry ... what?” I said, looking at him as he just let that quote roll off his tongue.
“Haters are going to hate, no matter what. You can’t please everyone.”
I quickly nodded.
“Yeah, I get that but I just never expected a nerdy white dude with coke bottle frames to say something like that. Just struck me off guard a little.”
The doctor took his left hand and brushed his right shoulder off.
“Don’t judge a book by it’s cover, Jair. Bad things tend to happen. Get some much-needed rest and have a nice day!”
As he made his way out of his own office, I was left sitting there in the chair, just shaking my head as a little bit of laughter out loud managed to come into play. Don’t judge a book by the cover, huh? Well I guess he had a point.
Foul Play handing out charitable contributions? Color me intrigued.
That’s not foul, that is simply amazing.
I never would’ve expected hearing the news of three of Action Packed Wrestling’s ‘Most-Hated’ to be the most giving. You’re helping a lot of people with that money and knowing Juan, it will definitely be for the people. He’s that kind of person, he’s not one to go behind one’s back and spend that money on himself.
Or would he?
You know, my head has been wandering over the past couple of weeks. Hearing on the block how Juan Ramirez got these three dudes coming in and out of his facility on almost a daily basis. I’m not really interested in what he’s training you three on but I just hope it’s beneficial enough for the three of you. Obviously we seen that it did Reaver no good as I ousted him. Did the extra-curricular training and sparring activities benefit you Jason? Sure, you snuck past Bailey. I admit, you showed your arsenal out there but yet again, it takes a tug of one’s gear to get you through to a second breath. Now it’s all on me to seal the deal.
I don’t mind it, the pressure, the cheering atmosphere, those thousands screaming my name, wanting me to see my hand raised at the end.
I don’t mind it one bit.
In the past, I was immature. I let people’s opinions bother me. I let the haters get under my skin and crawl to my head. I let them come in and damn near put me to an end. Attempted suicide, one would say. All the reason for this rehab. If I would’ve just kept my cool, let the haters wash off like rain on a window, I wouldn’t be in this predicament. I wouldn’t be looked at as an unstable ‘loose cannon’.
However, thanks to the rehab sessions, it has made a difference. I couldn’t stand too much pressure but now, I welcome it. I welcome the heavy load, you know why? It’s about time I step up to the plate and send that ball four hundred and something feet into the river overhead. It’s about time I get my team the win in extra innings. It’s time I bring my best all the time, every day, every attempt.
Jason, we’ve been through alot in my existence here in APW. I’ve been a thorn in your side and you’ve been one in my side. Ever since our last encounter in that Parking Lot Brawl, I guess you can say it was a definite ‘game changer’. My ex-girlfriend just didn’t have it in her to see me in a hospital, all tattooed up with pins and casts on my arms and legs. She couldn’t live with being the “distraction” when she tried her best to help. When you threatened to smash her face in Kash, that was the drawing point. It changed everything. Sort of like how you chose to bring a random bitch into your girl’s house and bed and try to get “foul” only to be caught by a girl who thought differently of you. A girl who gave you a chance when no one else would give you the time of day. Now look at you, you’re falling apart like a decaying brick.
You cringe and cry because of what has happened. All because of you, everything around you is falling. Who’s keeping you upright besides your people. Juan Ramirez? He caved in to that money and like rats, you look to make that place your home. You look to take down all those pictures inside and replace them with your ugly mug. It’s reasons why I at one point lived with the quote “Don’t Trust Anyone”.
But you know, it’s whatever Jason. I can’t be bothered to worry about what you or Juan do. You two are friends now, cool story. I just hope the work and money you’re putting in is beneficial for you Jason. This is thee “Test For the Best” Tournament. I’ve been in one of these last year and I remember punching the wall in the back after that tough loss. It was more of a heartbreaker than my now ex-girlfriend dumping me off. I picked up my ball and I walked on to the next challenge. You right though, out of everyone, even my own brothers, they have accomplished singles gold before me. As much as it seems like an exclamation point, I can only look at it as a comma. They have gotten theirs, but when the time is right, Jair Hopkins is going to get his soon. No better time than right now, right?
You scream about how you’re going to hurt me. Even if you hurt me, it doesn’t automatically mean you’re going to defeat me. Your wants and desires are the same as mines. I’ve worked hard to get here and even though I didn’t expect being a participant, management saw my improved work ethic.
Thing is, the loser in this contest and the other two who lose in the matches gets a ‘second chance’ to enter. You win, I get shipped to that match. I win, you get shipped. Either way we join those who suffered a heart-aching “L”, only to get one chance to redeem themselves. Thing is Jason, do you have the will to possibly go two rounds after we’re done? Are you able to carry on knowing that those dark clouds and self-wounding doubts are hanging over your head like an anvil, waiting and ready to crush you?
You wonder if I still have it in me to succeed. Do you? The over-heated emotional rollercoaster that you are right now. Do you have it in you to succeed?
Ready to rumble in the jungle?
All three men of the stable, The Dying Breed were in their locker room as they all sat spaced out within the room, quiet as ever. A pen could be heard when dropped onto the carpet floor. It was that kind of night in a series of matches of Dying Breed against Foul Play, Dying Breed came up on the losing end in the form of overall outcome. Bailey, Williams were out while Hopkins was still in it, barely. For Foul Play, two out of three were in. Kash and Lively.
Jair Hopkins: I’m sorry but what in the hell just happened tonight? We had a gameplan and it quickly got dismantled, just ... like ... that!
The silence continued.
William D. Williams: I’m sorry guys, I thought I had that “prick”, Lively, and he slipped underneath and rolled me up. I couldn’t recover. I started it off bad for the group.
Anthony waves William’s comment off as he remained staring in the corner.
Anthony Bailey: You did your best, I know how much you wanted to defeat Lively after all that had gone down with that attack. They just had the better night.
Jair Hopkins: Except for Reaver. Talked all that crap and got canned. I admit, he put up one hell of a fight but he couldn’t outlast the heart of Hopkins. I wasn’t letting him get away with murder like that. He gets to head back to Foul Play HQ and realize he is the weakest link of the group.
Anthony Bailey: Well it’s all on you Jair. I know this tournament is like redemption for you after last year. The world is yours this go-round. I can already predict who will be your next opponent but right now, we just need to bounce back. It’s a lot of stables out here claiming fame and trying their best to send us to the back. We have to survive this jungle. It’s not getting any easier.
Hopkins and Williams nod as Bailey preaches.
Anthony Bailey: We will take APW back and make sure they remember who we are. On the count of three. One ... Two ... Three!
All Three: The Dying Breed!!!
Fade.
.............
........
....
..
06.11.13 | NEW YORK, NY | HAZELDEN REHAB CENTER
“Doc, I don’t know if I can contend with this anymore. Losing sleep, losing sight, losing my goddamn mind.”
Hearing the ashiness of my hands as I rubbed them together, trying to solidify everything that was running at lightspeed through my head. Dr. Springfield sat comfortable, as he saw me pause with frustration, he welcomed the release. I just wasn’t sure if he was ready.
“Sure, I have two great men around me who are like my brothers. I have fans who still feel me and support me in what I’m doing but what’s getting to me is THOSE who I thought was on my side.”
Scooting up closer, the Doc raised his right eyebrow with a serious arch, intrigued.
“You’ve been betrayed?” He asked as he wanted me to dig further and come with it.
Slowly as I lowered my head, a slow nod came next as I just shook my head.
“Pretty much. What do you do when someone who you respected, looked to as an idol goes behind your back and becomes friends with the person you label as an enemy? What do you do when you see these two tweet each other like they’ve been best buds for years?”
Jealousy? Nope. What was I to be jealous of? There was nothing those two had that I didn’t have. Sure Ramirez had the money, the bitches, the homies and more connections than the average superstar. The fact that he has meshed well with Kash, surely knowing all the shit me and Jason has been through. To accept his crew’s money and train them, it sickened me. I tried not to let the thoughts grow deeper and deeper and root itself into my brain but it’s hard to sleep knowing those who you trust turn on their heels after a sighting of green dollar bills.
Ramirez can’t say that we as The Dying Breed never paid him for the use of his place. We never dished out fifty thousand but shit, we helped him keep the lights on. I knew personally how much he loved that place. Ever since it was built, it wasn’t the prettiest looking but what it had inside was astonishing. I knew how much work he put into it. I was happy that he could help the kids from being statistics to violence.
“Have you talked to him recently?” Doctor asked as he could sense there were more layers.
I shook my head.
“Nah, he’s doing his thing. I haven’t gotten in touch with him since last week or week before, I can’t even remember.”
“Hmm...” Doctor hummed to himself as he tried to find the right thing to say. “All I can say for you to do Jair is just focus on you and not the surrounding. You have to realize that business is business. If your friend is doing that, no matter who it is, if they need the training or need to use the facility, he cannot just “stop them” because of his alliance with you. He has to do what is right for him and his business.”
“Yeah, you right with that, I just can’t stomach that shit.”
Doctor raised his eyes as he looked in awe.
“...Sorry about that. I’m just not in the right mindset. I mean who knows what Ramirez could be doing. Fifty thousand is a lot and if I know Kash like I know him, he’s looking for something out of that deposit.”
The thought became clearer and clearer with each passing. I was facing Jason Kash this week. Sure he has won a few over me and I’ve seem to not been able to rebound but knowing him, I’m sure he was trying to get confidential information to scout on this week. It could be just a bad thought or insecure but I had this thing where I could feel something when things didn’t seem right.
Like a Tyrone Biggums doing the Harlem Shake. I had that shaky-ass feeling.
“Just do you, get much needed rest, do your normal preparations and things will be fine.”
I began to smile as my head lowered. That shit only last for so long before it grows tiresome and repetitive. Kash was a man who will do anything to get what he wants. You can prepare, you can jump rope, drink raw eggs, ramble like Rocky Balboa ... fact is, Jason Kash was still going to take first place, no matter what the sacrifice would be. I was the lone member standing of The Dying Breed. It was just Kash and Lively who represented the main two-thirds of Foul Play. Kash would stoop as low as gravity would allow him.
There was no such word as “prepare”. I knew that much.
“Doc, lemme’ tell you something about that word, prepare. It doesn’t work against a lot of folks. Some it works against, others, it really doesn't matter how much you attempt to practice and prepare, they will always steal bases. Quickness to cheat, veteran awareness to not get caught. It’s what I have against me.”
It’s what Jason had over me, ring awareness. He is one of APW’s Grand Slam Champions. He has the accolades, deep down I hate shit out of him but in the same light, I have to respect what he’s done in the company. He’s done what many haven’t and he’s made doubters into believers over the years. It’s just why some people look up to him.
I’m just not one of them.
“Well Sir, all I can say is that for you to just to get some rest. The more you think about it, the more you let it access and deteriorate. Think about the happy things in life, your friends, those who love you no matter what. You can’t let the outsiders interfere because either way Jair ... Haters are going to hate!”
I immediately went into a ‘freeze’ posture. “I’m sorry ... what?” I said, looking at him as he just let that quote roll off his tongue.
“Haters are going to hate, no matter what. You can’t please everyone.”
I quickly nodded.
“Yeah, I get that but I just never expected a nerdy white dude with coke bottle frames to say something like that. Just struck me off guard a little.”
The doctor took his left hand and brushed his right shoulder off.
“Don’t judge a book by it’s cover, Jair. Bad things tend to happen. Get some much-needed rest and have a nice day!”
As he made his way out of his own office, I was left sitting there in the chair, just shaking my head as a little bit of laughter out loud managed to come into play. Don’t judge a book by the cover, huh? Well I guess he had a point.
...............................................................
.........................................
.........................................
“Never underestimate your problem or your ability to deal with it.”
-Robert H. Schuller
-Robert H. Schuller
Foul Play handing out charitable contributions? Color me intrigued.
That’s not foul, that is simply amazing.
I never would’ve expected hearing the news of three of Action Packed Wrestling’s ‘Most-Hated’ to be the most giving. You’re helping a lot of people with that money and knowing Juan, it will definitely be for the people. He’s that kind of person, he’s not one to go behind one’s back and spend that money on himself.
Or would he?
You know, my head has been wandering over the past couple of weeks. Hearing on the block how Juan Ramirez got these three dudes coming in and out of his facility on almost a daily basis. I’m not really interested in what he’s training you three on but I just hope it’s beneficial enough for the three of you. Obviously we seen that it did Reaver no good as I ousted him. Did the extra-curricular training and sparring activities benefit you Jason? Sure, you snuck past Bailey. I admit, you showed your arsenal out there but yet again, it takes a tug of one’s gear to get you through to a second breath. Now it’s all on me to seal the deal.
I don’t mind it, the pressure, the cheering atmosphere, those thousands screaming my name, wanting me to see my hand raised at the end.
I don’t mind it one bit.
In the past, I was immature. I let people’s opinions bother me. I let the haters get under my skin and crawl to my head. I let them come in and damn near put me to an end. Attempted suicide, one would say. All the reason for this rehab. If I would’ve just kept my cool, let the haters wash off like rain on a window, I wouldn’t be in this predicament. I wouldn’t be looked at as an unstable ‘loose cannon’.
However, thanks to the rehab sessions, it has made a difference. I couldn’t stand too much pressure but now, I welcome it. I welcome the heavy load, you know why? It’s about time I step up to the plate and send that ball four hundred and something feet into the river overhead. It’s about time I get my team the win in extra innings. It’s time I bring my best all the time, every day, every attempt.
Jason, we’ve been through alot in my existence here in APW. I’ve been a thorn in your side and you’ve been one in my side. Ever since our last encounter in that Parking Lot Brawl, I guess you can say it was a definite ‘game changer’. My ex-girlfriend just didn’t have it in her to see me in a hospital, all tattooed up with pins and casts on my arms and legs. She couldn’t live with being the “distraction” when she tried her best to help. When you threatened to smash her face in Kash, that was the drawing point. It changed everything. Sort of like how you chose to bring a random bitch into your girl’s house and bed and try to get “foul” only to be caught by a girl who thought differently of you. A girl who gave you a chance when no one else would give you the time of day. Now look at you, you’re falling apart like a decaying brick.
You cringe and cry because of what has happened. All because of you, everything around you is falling. Who’s keeping you upright besides your people. Juan Ramirez? He caved in to that money and like rats, you look to make that place your home. You look to take down all those pictures inside and replace them with your ugly mug. It’s reasons why I at one point lived with the quote “Don’t Trust Anyone”.
But you know, it’s whatever Jason. I can’t be bothered to worry about what you or Juan do. You two are friends now, cool story. I just hope the work and money you’re putting in is beneficial for you Jason. This is thee “Test For the Best” Tournament. I’ve been in one of these last year and I remember punching the wall in the back after that tough loss. It was more of a heartbreaker than my now ex-girlfriend dumping me off. I picked up my ball and I walked on to the next challenge. You right though, out of everyone, even my own brothers, they have accomplished singles gold before me. As much as it seems like an exclamation point, I can only look at it as a comma. They have gotten theirs, but when the time is right, Jair Hopkins is going to get his soon. No better time than right now, right?
You scream about how you’re going to hurt me. Even if you hurt me, it doesn’t automatically mean you’re going to defeat me. Your wants and desires are the same as mines. I’ve worked hard to get here and even though I didn’t expect being a participant, management saw my improved work ethic.
Thing is, the loser in this contest and the other two who lose in the matches gets a ‘second chance’ to enter. You win, I get shipped to that match. I win, you get shipped. Either way we join those who suffered a heart-aching “L”, only to get one chance to redeem themselves. Thing is Jason, do you have the will to possibly go two rounds after we’re done? Are you able to carry on knowing that those dark clouds and self-wounding doubts are hanging over your head like an anvil, waiting and ready to crush you?
You wonder if I still have it in me to succeed. Do you? The over-heated emotional rollercoaster that you are right now. Do you have it in you to succeed?
Ready to rumble in the jungle?
