Post by C.J. Gates on Jun 25, 2013 14:04:49 GMT -4
"It feels like only yesterday.
"It's crazy to think about what has happened to me in the past two years. Back when I won the Test for the Best tournament, I was a relative nobody, an up-and-comer looking to make my mark. The fans loved me, but outside of the ones that tuned in to APW, no one really knew me. Now I'm known worldwide. Now my name precedes me in a lot of other federations. And I owe a lot of that to my victory at the 2011 tournament.
"I'm sure there are some people who will look to who I beat and brush the victory aside. Shane Borderland might not be the sort of name to strike fear into people's hearts, but what they will probably overlook is that it wasn't an easy road to get to that point. I had to beat Sally Talfourd to get to the next round. After that, I had to beat the always dangerous Johnny Rebel in a match that would spark our rivalry.
"It wasn't easy, but then again, events like this never are. When you are forced to wrestle two, three matches in the same night, you're endurance is being put to the ultimate test. And on that night in 2011, I managed to come out on top.
"I managed to endure.
"Last year my opportunity was taken away from me, but this year, nothing is going to stop me. Nothing is going to stop me because this is my opportunity to climb back to the top of the mountain. After all it's no surprise that this event has given birth to many future Undisputed and World champions. Doctor Phate, Sally Talfourd, Terry Marvin and yours truly have all won this tournament and then gone on to win the biggest prize in APW.
"I am not going to let anyone hold me back.
"After the year that I had, this is a chance for me to redeem myself. This is a chance to erase all of that negativity and enter into a land of positivity. Of prosperity. This is my chance.
"This is my opportunity.
"This is my time.
"This is my tournament."
In a world where justice was decided through high stakes battles, ten men and women stand in a circle, sizing each other up. Each one has their hands chained together and then chained to their feet and then the floor. Some of them spit profanities at one another while others hang back and observe.
"Are these really necessary?" a man wearing a cowboy hat asks, raising his shackles.
"Have you looked around?" an officer tells him. "There are a number of people here who would love to get an early start to the fight. That's why we had to chain everyone down."
"Fight?" the cowboy asks. "What are we here for?"
"You're here to find out who the best is. To prove that, you have to go through each and every one of them."
"All of them?"
"If you wish," the officer smiles. "I'm sure a bunch of them would love to get your head on a stake."
"Me?" the cowboy asks. "Why me? What did I do to them?"
"Well, we've made it no secret that this isn't your first rodeo. A lot of them, they're fighting for their chance. Those two women, they are feisty and built to kill, but they haven't been seen as the best yet. That big bruiser of a man, he's a former cop and he's champing at the bit to get his shot."
"And they want my head?"
"They know this is your, what, tenth chance? Even those two over there haven't had that many opportunities, though I'm sure you know that. I think you and the former astronaut have had your run ins in the past." The cowboy nods as the officer smiles.
"And those guys over there?"
"The Canadians?" the officer says. "Oh yeah, you know that they aren't happy about it. None of them are. The women, the Canadians, the cop, the astronaut, the great kid, the man of sorrow over in the corner. Even that savage right there. They all think that you've had your time in the spotlight, and now, they want to be the ones to stop you dead."
"Things haven't exactly been stellar for me."
"But they've been more stellar for you then for them. And you've been at the top, or near enough to it to piss these nine off. You've got a bit of an uphill battle ahead of you, my friend."
"What else can you tell me?" the cowboy asks.
The officer smiles. "Do you think I'm just going to sit here and give you all their dirty little secrets? Forget that. You've got to learn that stuff on your own, through trial and error. How will you win if you aren't willing to learn about your opponents."
"But you were just-"
The officer steps away from the cowboy and stands in the center of the circle. The ten people who make up the circle all eye him, though most also eye the cowboy. The officer notices and smiles at the cowboy, shrugging his shoulders.
"Thank you all for coming out!" the officer yells.
"Not like we had much of a choice," the man of sorrow says. "Bureaucracy is a piece of shit."
"I'm sure all of you are aware of why we're gathered," the officer says, getting mixed response in return. "We're here to figure out just which one of you is the best. We've chained you up so that the party doesn't start too early."
People begin to pull on their chains while others shout more obscenities.
"That's the spirit," the officer says. "We've managed to gather a good group here this year, and we're sure that you will put on one hell of a show. Though I'm sure what the ten of you want to know, is how this is all going to work."
"You're all just going to give it to the golden boy," the older looking Canadian says.
"Now, now, you know that's not true. Everyone will get a chance to compete for the title of being the best. However, we're going to make things interesting." Several other officers walk forward, grab a competitors leg and attach a thick, metal ankle bracelet. "Being attached to your ankles are the devices that will decide who wins or loses."
"Are these explosives?" the savage asks.
"Fuck that," the great kid chimes in.
"Not quite," the officer smirks. "These devices are set to stun you when the red tab is pulled. They won't, or shouldn't, kill you, but they will knock you down long enough for us to come find you. We will be notified when they are tripped, so you won't be able to weasel your way back into the fight."
"This is bull!" the cop shouts. "Totally illegal."
"Regardless, this is how we've decided to run things this year. Now, past winners of our little event have included a doctor, a magician, a real egotistical son of a bitch, and this guy." The officer claps the cowboy on the shoulder as the other nine curse.
"And they give him another shot," one of the women says. "Typical."
"I'm sure all of you have your own thoughts on the matter, but we figured this would spice things up. Why not throw in a past winner to make things a bit more interesting."
"There are more deserving people that could be in his place," the younger Canadian says. "Pieces of shit like him don't belong. He's had his chance."
"We've got to beat the best, right?" the astronaut says. "Why not go up against someone like him."
"Of course you'd be for it," the other women, the one wearing a hood, says. "The two of you are friends."
The cowboy chuckles but it's the officer who speaks. "Quiet! We don't need everyone getting themselves riled up right now. We've got an event to start. In moments, the ten of you will be deposited into a remote area and that is when the fight will begin."
"No one on one battles?" the cowboy asks.
"I knew someone would ask," the officer smiles. "The free for all is what we wanted. In simulates more of an unknown environment. We can never be too sure what is coming down the pipe, so we wanted to make sure everyone was going to be surprised. It makes preparation a bit more on the go."
An uproar rises from the ten competitors and the officer raises a hand.
"You might want to save your energy.
"The battle is about to begin!"
"Two-time winner," Vincent James whistles. "That has a nice ring to it."
"Don't jinx it," C.J. Gates says. "Last time you said that, I lost."
"Yeah, but that was different. The opponents were different. This time, you stand a good chance."
"And I didn't before?" Gates smirks from behind his desk as James takes a seat on the couch near the door. "How kind of you."
"You know what I mean."
Gates nods as he spins his chair to look at the white board behind him. On the board the pictures of his potential Test for the Best opponents can be seen. A.C. Smith, Aubrey J. Parker, Logan Alexander, Biggs, Jace Savage, Robina Hood, Nathaniel Havok, Christian Kane, Jair Hopkins. Everyone is represented and beneath their pictures, information on each person is listed.
"I guess in a way I do," Gates finally says. "I mean, they might not be Level One or Terry Marvin, but they are all still talented. Each one is dangerous in their own way, and if I start looking at them like that, as if they aren't as good as they could be, then I wouldn't be doing my job."
"I was only-"
"I know, I'm just pulling your leg," Gates smirks. "Still, there is a lot of dangerous talent in this tournament. I've only had the opportunity to work against three of the other nine, so I'm already going to be going in blind. And without knowing the opponents, well, that makes everything that much tougher."
"But at least you know that if you get one of those three that you know, then you're going to be good. Right?"
"Possibly. At least with A.C. Smith, he and I have fought recently so I know what to expect, although he might be fighting like a corner animal after getting himself back into the mix. Havok could be a bit tougher, only because of his new found outlook on life. Although, he might not have any success without President Jeff in his corner."
"I don't think I follow."
"It just seems like whenever Havok is in APW, he's always got to be breathing down the neck of Jeff." Gates shakes his head. "Either he's bitching Jeff out for the booking, having tea and crumpets with him, or he's wrestling him inside of the ring to try and prove his worth. But it's the same thing I told Stefan Raab last week. What does fighting a guy who wrestles once a year going to prove?"
"Yeah, but guys like that," James begins, "they don't care about that kind of stuff. All they worry about is whether or not they can look tough inside of the ring, and the weaker the opponent looks, the better they look."
"I don't know, it just seems odd to me. Why wouldn't they want to test themselves against the best of the best."
"Because they know they'll lose?" James shrugs.
"Possibly," Gates chuckles. "I guess I can respect Aubrey J. Parker and Logan Alexander for what they did. They were forced to face off against one another, but rather then turn the match into some sort of one sided affair, or have one lie down for the other, they actually fought it out. I can respect the two of them for that."
"But not for what?"
"For siding with Terry Marvin," Gates says, shaking his head. "My feelings on the guy aren't a secret, so people can't say that this is a big surprise. On that note, though, the two of them, hell, the three of them if you count Christian Kane, they might have a bit of an edge. Having been able to pick the mind of the man who dominated 2012 will most likely work to their advantage."
"Maybe, but I'd say he's too busy with Level One." James sits forward on the couch. "Besides, they're on Asylum. You won't have to deal with all three of them."
"They've decided to randomize the brackets this year. Knowing my luck, I'll probably get two of those three in a triple threat match in the first round. So I need to be ready."
"Random brackets?" James asks. "Shit. That makes everyone an even bigger threat."
"It's true," Gates says, standing up. "But the two I'm worried about the most, are Jace Savage and Robina Hood."
"The Meltdowners?"
Gates nods. "Those two are going to be the two to really worry about, because they are going to be the ones with nothing to lose. I mean, no one is really losing much if they are defeated, but those two are still climbing up the ranks of Meltdown, so they'll want to prove themselves. But they won't be worried about losing any momentum on Overdrive or Asylum or anything like that. Basically, they're going to be tough competition for me if I have to face off against them."
"I think it's safe to say that any of those nine are going to end up being tough competition. Just think, if you and Biggs get put on opposite sides and end up making it to the finals, that will be Shockwave 2011 all over again."
"I think that's my ideal scenario," Gates says. "I'd much rather want to win or lose against someone I respect, rather then someone I loath. A.C. Smith would be a close second for that role."
"What about Jair Hopkins?" James asks. "You worried about him?"
"Of course," Gates says. "I think Hopkins will be the one that kind of falls into the backseat. People are going to overlook him because he's not on Overdrive, or he's not getting the play some of the Meltdown people are, or he's not currently tied up in a Sindication war. But he can't be overlooked. I know Parker and Alexander are probably going to take him seriously, given their history, and I plan to, as well. Last thing I want to do is lose a match that could have been avoided."
"I figured you would," James says with a smile. "I just wanted to make sure you were still paying attention to Hopkins. Much for the same reasons you said he could fall to the backseat."
"No need to worry, I've prepared for all of that." Gates sits back down in the desk chair and turns to face James. "I've prepared for a lot of possibilities. With the way the brackets are being done, you need to be prepared for everything, so I am doing just that."
"And then, boom," James says. "You'll be the first person to win the tournament twice."
"That would be true," Gates says. "Though I failed to be the first man to win the Undisputed and World titles, I'm going to try my hardest not to let this one slip away."
"It seems like..."
"It seems like a broken record?" Gates smiles. "It's true, it does seem like I'm always saying that.
"But this time it's not just a saying.
"This time it's not just an echo.
"This time I mean it.
"This time it's the truth."
"A lot has been made about my past when it comes to fighting for the World Heavyweight or Undisputed title. People are saying that I've had my moment to try and win those belts, and now it's someone else's turn. Yet, here I am, fighting in familiar surroundings with a familiar shot on the line.
"So why not me? It's not like I was gifted into this thing. I defeated both A.C. Smith and Delikado to earn my way into this tournament, just like I've earned every title match I've been given. I don't get anything gifted to me like some, and I don't take things that I want. I earn them.
"Just like each of my nine opponents have earned their way into this tournament. And if I can be totally honest, I can see any one of them winning their way to victory.
"Christian Kane could win this tournament. He's shown himself to be quite the spark plug inside the ring, and never lets anyone push him around. We've never met face to face, but from what I've heard of him and seen on tape, he's quite dangerous. With the ability to lash out as a moments notice to behead his opponents, that's not something anyone can take lightly. The interesting thing will be if he gets pitted against his friends Logan and Aubrey. It will be interesting to see how he reacts and how things flow. Will it be all about the team or will someone be putting the 'I' in it...
"Because Logan Alexander could win it all. It's in his blood and it's something he's been looking for his entire time in APW. Sure, the tag team title reigns were good and all, but they weren't exactly what he had in mind. They're not what anyone has in mind, because everyone wants to shoot for the moon. Like Christian, it will be interesting to see how things go if he has to take on his friends...
"Like Aubrey J. Parker. Because she could win the whole thing if she put her mind to it, and if early notices are key, she's put more then her mind to it. She's beginning to obsess with wanting to win this title and blaming the fans for any shortcomings she might have had. Which is all well and good, but the last women that obsessed with winning the title, and winning Test for the Best, was Sally Talfourd, and while I'm sure Aubrey enjoys that comparison, Sally did this the year that I beat her in the first round.
"But they aren't the only three in this tournament. There are six more to worry about...
"Like Robina Hood, who might fly under the radar in this tournament. She's had quite the spat with the Guv'Nor over on Meltdown, and now she gets her chance to break through to the big time. She gets a chance that many only get once, and I'm sure she's not going to let it go. She's going to fight til the end to get herself ahead in the game because she's fighting like some sort of desperate animal...
"Kind of like Jace Savage. Like Robina, he's been fighting his way out on Meltdown, though unlike her, he doesn't have the backing of the General Manager to hold him high. He's still got the chops to win, and I definitely won't overlook what he is capable of doing. The moment I do, that savage one is just going to take me out and leave me gasping for air. That much I know. And that much I'm not willing to let happen.
"Just like I won't let Nathaniel Havok get one over on me. He and I have had our run ins in the past, but never anything too troublesome. Never anything really crazy that has left one of us bleeding from the ears. Yet. I'm sure if I let him have his way, that moment would come in this tournament this week. It would come whenever we meet, if we meet, and one of us wouldn't be able to stand afterward. Because Havok wants to prove to President Jeff that he can actually win a match on his own, even if he has his League following him around...
"Similar to Jair Hopkins and the Dying Breed, although I have more respect for those guys. I have respect for Jair Hopkins. From what I've seen, he's doing what he can to make a name for himself, joining up with like minded men for a mission that they hope will end in success for everyone. He's faced adversity, just like everyone, and he's powered through it, just like most. Now he faces a tough task in this tournament, but knowing him, he definitely won't be backing down...
"Much like A.C. Smith, who said it best himself when he said he was going to run right at me, and not around me. I know I'm the precedent for everyone, and I'm what everyone wants to gun to beat, and I'm ready for it, just like I'm ready for A.C. Smith. I'm ready for whatever they are going to throw my way, and that includes the six foot eight monster ex-cop. He and I have had our battles though, and I look forward to facing him in the tournament. You know the old saying, to be the best you have to beat the best...
"Which is the same category that Biggs falls into. We've had our storied rivalry and now we see the world as friends, although that doesn't mean that we can't fight when we need to, and if for some reason we end up in the ring against one another this week, I'm sure that we will once again bring the house down with a classic match. Because that is what Biggs and I do whenever we step into the ring against one another, or even if we're in the same match.
"Though I guess I could say that for just about everyone in this tournament, because there is a lot of talent involved. Sure, maybe I don't see eye to eye with everyone, but I can at least recognize good talent and I can at least say that there are ten people in this tournament that deserve to win, regardless of how many chances they've had at success.
"Winning this tournament won't be easy though. I dare say that this field is tougher then the field I had to battle when I won it all two years ago. There is no Shane Borderland to meet up with at the night, there is only going to be one of nine talented individuals. One person who has managed to show that they are the best of the best.
"Though, that's if I get there. There's a good chance I might not and most of that lies in the mystery that they are creating. With no set first round matches as of right now, no one knows who they are going to fight, and that could spell danger to at least half the field. If they aren't ready for what is to come, or aren't ready for just about anything at any moment. Myself, well, I've been preparing for just those possibilities. I've been making sure that whether I face A.C. Smith, Biggs, Hopkins or two of the three New Sindicate riff-raff, I will be ready to battle them to their limit and come out on top with the win.
"The beauty about this tournament, is it's about the wrestling. I'm sure there will be a few people who might look to a weapon, but for the most part, it's not about a bitter hatred or a underlying tension. This tournament is built on trying to find out who is the best of the best, something that the fans are sure to enjoy. And who knows, maybe I will be able to win this tournament for the second time after all.
"I just have to outlast nine other competitors.
"I just have to outwit nine other warriors.
"I just have to out wrestle nine other hopefuls.
"I just have to go big and not go home."
"It's crazy to think about what has happened to me in the past two years. Back when I won the Test for the Best tournament, I was a relative nobody, an up-and-comer looking to make my mark. The fans loved me, but outside of the ones that tuned in to APW, no one really knew me. Now I'm known worldwide. Now my name precedes me in a lot of other federations. And I owe a lot of that to my victory at the 2011 tournament.
"I'm sure there are some people who will look to who I beat and brush the victory aside. Shane Borderland might not be the sort of name to strike fear into people's hearts, but what they will probably overlook is that it wasn't an easy road to get to that point. I had to beat Sally Talfourd to get to the next round. After that, I had to beat the always dangerous Johnny Rebel in a match that would spark our rivalry.
"It wasn't easy, but then again, events like this never are. When you are forced to wrestle two, three matches in the same night, you're endurance is being put to the ultimate test. And on that night in 2011, I managed to come out on top.
"I managed to endure.
"Last year my opportunity was taken away from me, but this year, nothing is going to stop me. Nothing is going to stop me because this is my opportunity to climb back to the top of the mountain. After all it's no surprise that this event has given birth to many future Undisputed and World champions. Doctor Phate, Sally Talfourd, Terry Marvin and yours truly have all won this tournament and then gone on to win the biggest prize in APW.
"I am not going to let anyone hold me back.
"After the year that I had, this is a chance for me to redeem myself. This is a chance to erase all of that negativity and enter into a land of positivity. Of prosperity. This is my chance.
"This is my opportunity.
"This is my time.
"This is my tournament."
----------------------------------------------------------
In a world where justice was decided through high stakes battles, ten men and women stand in a circle, sizing each other up. Each one has their hands chained together and then chained to their feet and then the floor. Some of them spit profanities at one another while others hang back and observe.
"Are these really necessary?" a man wearing a cowboy hat asks, raising his shackles.
"Have you looked around?" an officer tells him. "There are a number of people here who would love to get an early start to the fight. That's why we had to chain everyone down."
"Fight?" the cowboy asks. "What are we here for?"
"You're here to find out who the best is. To prove that, you have to go through each and every one of them."
"All of them?"
"If you wish," the officer smiles. "I'm sure a bunch of them would love to get your head on a stake."
"Me?" the cowboy asks. "Why me? What did I do to them?"
"Well, we've made it no secret that this isn't your first rodeo. A lot of them, they're fighting for their chance. Those two women, they are feisty and built to kill, but they haven't been seen as the best yet. That big bruiser of a man, he's a former cop and he's champing at the bit to get his shot."
"And they want my head?"
"They know this is your, what, tenth chance? Even those two over there haven't had that many opportunities, though I'm sure you know that. I think you and the former astronaut have had your run ins in the past." The cowboy nods as the officer smiles.
"And those guys over there?"
"The Canadians?" the officer says. "Oh yeah, you know that they aren't happy about it. None of them are. The women, the Canadians, the cop, the astronaut, the great kid, the man of sorrow over in the corner. Even that savage right there. They all think that you've had your time in the spotlight, and now, they want to be the ones to stop you dead."
"Things haven't exactly been stellar for me."
"But they've been more stellar for you then for them. And you've been at the top, or near enough to it to piss these nine off. You've got a bit of an uphill battle ahead of you, my friend."
"What else can you tell me?" the cowboy asks.
The officer smiles. "Do you think I'm just going to sit here and give you all their dirty little secrets? Forget that. You've got to learn that stuff on your own, through trial and error. How will you win if you aren't willing to learn about your opponents."
"But you were just-"
The officer steps away from the cowboy and stands in the center of the circle. The ten people who make up the circle all eye him, though most also eye the cowboy. The officer notices and smiles at the cowboy, shrugging his shoulders.
"Thank you all for coming out!" the officer yells.
"Not like we had much of a choice," the man of sorrow says. "Bureaucracy is a piece of shit."
"I'm sure all of you are aware of why we're gathered," the officer says, getting mixed response in return. "We're here to figure out just which one of you is the best. We've chained you up so that the party doesn't start too early."
People begin to pull on their chains while others shout more obscenities.
"That's the spirit," the officer says. "We've managed to gather a good group here this year, and we're sure that you will put on one hell of a show. Though I'm sure what the ten of you want to know, is how this is all going to work."
"You're all just going to give it to the golden boy," the older looking Canadian says.
"Now, now, you know that's not true. Everyone will get a chance to compete for the title of being the best. However, we're going to make things interesting." Several other officers walk forward, grab a competitors leg and attach a thick, metal ankle bracelet. "Being attached to your ankles are the devices that will decide who wins or loses."
"Are these explosives?" the savage asks.
"Fuck that," the great kid chimes in.
"Not quite," the officer smirks. "These devices are set to stun you when the red tab is pulled. They won't, or shouldn't, kill you, but they will knock you down long enough for us to come find you. We will be notified when they are tripped, so you won't be able to weasel your way back into the fight."
"This is bull!" the cop shouts. "Totally illegal."
"Regardless, this is how we've decided to run things this year. Now, past winners of our little event have included a doctor, a magician, a real egotistical son of a bitch, and this guy." The officer claps the cowboy on the shoulder as the other nine curse.
"And they give him another shot," one of the women says. "Typical."
"I'm sure all of you have your own thoughts on the matter, but we figured this would spice things up. Why not throw in a past winner to make things a bit more interesting."
"There are more deserving people that could be in his place," the younger Canadian says. "Pieces of shit like him don't belong. He's had his chance."
"We've got to beat the best, right?" the astronaut says. "Why not go up against someone like him."
"Of course you'd be for it," the other women, the one wearing a hood, says. "The two of you are friends."
The cowboy chuckles but it's the officer who speaks. "Quiet! We don't need everyone getting themselves riled up right now. We've got an event to start. In moments, the ten of you will be deposited into a remote area and that is when the fight will begin."
"No one on one battles?" the cowboy asks.
"I knew someone would ask," the officer smiles. "The free for all is what we wanted. In simulates more of an unknown environment. We can never be too sure what is coming down the pipe, so we wanted to make sure everyone was going to be surprised. It makes preparation a bit more on the go."
An uproar rises from the ten competitors and the officer raises a hand.
"You might want to save your energy.
"The battle is about to begin!"
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"Two-time winner," Vincent James whistles. "That has a nice ring to it."
"Don't jinx it," C.J. Gates says. "Last time you said that, I lost."
"Yeah, but that was different. The opponents were different. This time, you stand a good chance."
"And I didn't before?" Gates smirks from behind his desk as James takes a seat on the couch near the door. "How kind of you."
"You know what I mean."
Gates nods as he spins his chair to look at the white board behind him. On the board the pictures of his potential Test for the Best opponents can be seen. A.C. Smith, Aubrey J. Parker, Logan Alexander, Biggs, Jace Savage, Robina Hood, Nathaniel Havok, Christian Kane, Jair Hopkins. Everyone is represented and beneath their pictures, information on each person is listed.
"I guess in a way I do," Gates finally says. "I mean, they might not be Level One or Terry Marvin, but they are all still talented. Each one is dangerous in their own way, and if I start looking at them like that, as if they aren't as good as they could be, then I wouldn't be doing my job."
"I was only-"
"I know, I'm just pulling your leg," Gates smirks. "Still, there is a lot of dangerous talent in this tournament. I've only had the opportunity to work against three of the other nine, so I'm already going to be going in blind. And without knowing the opponents, well, that makes everything that much tougher."
"But at least you know that if you get one of those three that you know, then you're going to be good. Right?"
"Possibly. At least with A.C. Smith, he and I have fought recently so I know what to expect, although he might be fighting like a corner animal after getting himself back into the mix. Havok could be a bit tougher, only because of his new found outlook on life. Although, he might not have any success without President Jeff in his corner."
"I don't think I follow."
"It just seems like whenever Havok is in APW, he's always got to be breathing down the neck of Jeff." Gates shakes his head. "Either he's bitching Jeff out for the booking, having tea and crumpets with him, or he's wrestling him inside of the ring to try and prove his worth. But it's the same thing I told Stefan Raab last week. What does fighting a guy who wrestles once a year going to prove?"
"Yeah, but guys like that," James begins, "they don't care about that kind of stuff. All they worry about is whether or not they can look tough inside of the ring, and the weaker the opponent looks, the better they look."
"I don't know, it just seems odd to me. Why wouldn't they want to test themselves against the best of the best."
"Because they know they'll lose?" James shrugs.
"Possibly," Gates chuckles. "I guess I can respect Aubrey J. Parker and Logan Alexander for what they did. They were forced to face off against one another, but rather then turn the match into some sort of one sided affair, or have one lie down for the other, they actually fought it out. I can respect the two of them for that."
"But not for what?"
"For siding with Terry Marvin," Gates says, shaking his head. "My feelings on the guy aren't a secret, so people can't say that this is a big surprise. On that note, though, the two of them, hell, the three of them if you count Christian Kane, they might have a bit of an edge. Having been able to pick the mind of the man who dominated 2012 will most likely work to their advantage."
"Maybe, but I'd say he's too busy with Level One." James sits forward on the couch. "Besides, they're on Asylum. You won't have to deal with all three of them."
"They've decided to randomize the brackets this year. Knowing my luck, I'll probably get two of those three in a triple threat match in the first round. So I need to be ready."
"Random brackets?" James asks. "Shit. That makes everyone an even bigger threat."
"It's true," Gates says, standing up. "But the two I'm worried about the most, are Jace Savage and Robina Hood."
"The Meltdowners?"
Gates nods. "Those two are going to be the two to really worry about, because they are going to be the ones with nothing to lose. I mean, no one is really losing much if they are defeated, but those two are still climbing up the ranks of Meltdown, so they'll want to prove themselves. But they won't be worried about losing any momentum on Overdrive or Asylum or anything like that. Basically, they're going to be tough competition for me if I have to face off against them."
"I think it's safe to say that any of those nine are going to end up being tough competition. Just think, if you and Biggs get put on opposite sides and end up making it to the finals, that will be Shockwave 2011 all over again."
"I think that's my ideal scenario," Gates says. "I'd much rather want to win or lose against someone I respect, rather then someone I loath. A.C. Smith would be a close second for that role."
"What about Jair Hopkins?" James asks. "You worried about him?"
"Of course," Gates says. "I think Hopkins will be the one that kind of falls into the backseat. People are going to overlook him because he's not on Overdrive, or he's not getting the play some of the Meltdown people are, or he's not currently tied up in a Sindication war. But he can't be overlooked. I know Parker and Alexander are probably going to take him seriously, given their history, and I plan to, as well. Last thing I want to do is lose a match that could have been avoided."
"I figured you would," James says with a smile. "I just wanted to make sure you were still paying attention to Hopkins. Much for the same reasons you said he could fall to the backseat."
"No need to worry, I've prepared for all of that." Gates sits back down in the desk chair and turns to face James. "I've prepared for a lot of possibilities. With the way the brackets are being done, you need to be prepared for everything, so I am doing just that."
"And then, boom," James says. "You'll be the first person to win the tournament twice."
"That would be true," Gates says. "Though I failed to be the first man to win the Undisputed and World titles, I'm going to try my hardest not to let this one slip away."
"It seems like..."
"It seems like a broken record?" Gates smiles. "It's true, it does seem like I'm always saying that.
"But this time it's not just a saying.
"This time it's not just an echo.
"This time I mean it.
"This time it's the truth."
----------------------------------------------------------
"A lot has been made about my past when it comes to fighting for the World Heavyweight or Undisputed title. People are saying that I've had my moment to try and win those belts, and now it's someone else's turn. Yet, here I am, fighting in familiar surroundings with a familiar shot on the line.
"So why not me? It's not like I was gifted into this thing. I defeated both A.C. Smith and Delikado to earn my way into this tournament, just like I've earned every title match I've been given. I don't get anything gifted to me like some, and I don't take things that I want. I earn them.
"Just like each of my nine opponents have earned their way into this tournament. And if I can be totally honest, I can see any one of them winning their way to victory.
"Christian Kane could win this tournament. He's shown himself to be quite the spark plug inside the ring, and never lets anyone push him around. We've never met face to face, but from what I've heard of him and seen on tape, he's quite dangerous. With the ability to lash out as a moments notice to behead his opponents, that's not something anyone can take lightly. The interesting thing will be if he gets pitted against his friends Logan and Aubrey. It will be interesting to see how he reacts and how things flow. Will it be all about the team or will someone be putting the 'I' in it...
"Because Logan Alexander could win it all. It's in his blood and it's something he's been looking for his entire time in APW. Sure, the tag team title reigns were good and all, but they weren't exactly what he had in mind. They're not what anyone has in mind, because everyone wants to shoot for the moon. Like Christian, it will be interesting to see how things go if he has to take on his friends...
"Like Aubrey J. Parker. Because she could win the whole thing if she put her mind to it, and if early notices are key, she's put more then her mind to it. She's beginning to obsess with wanting to win this title and blaming the fans for any shortcomings she might have had. Which is all well and good, but the last women that obsessed with winning the title, and winning Test for the Best, was Sally Talfourd, and while I'm sure Aubrey enjoys that comparison, Sally did this the year that I beat her in the first round.
"But they aren't the only three in this tournament. There are six more to worry about...
"Like Robina Hood, who might fly under the radar in this tournament. She's had quite the spat with the Guv'Nor over on Meltdown, and now she gets her chance to break through to the big time. She gets a chance that many only get once, and I'm sure she's not going to let it go. She's going to fight til the end to get herself ahead in the game because she's fighting like some sort of desperate animal...
"Kind of like Jace Savage. Like Robina, he's been fighting his way out on Meltdown, though unlike her, he doesn't have the backing of the General Manager to hold him high. He's still got the chops to win, and I definitely won't overlook what he is capable of doing. The moment I do, that savage one is just going to take me out and leave me gasping for air. That much I know. And that much I'm not willing to let happen.
"Just like I won't let Nathaniel Havok get one over on me. He and I have had our run ins in the past, but never anything too troublesome. Never anything really crazy that has left one of us bleeding from the ears. Yet. I'm sure if I let him have his way, that moment would come in this tournament this week. It would come whenever we meet, if we meet, and one of us wouldn't be able to stand afterward. Because Havok wants to prove to President Jeff that he can actually win a match on his own, even if he has his League following him around...
"Similar to Jair Hopkins and the Dying Breed, although I have more respect for those guys. I have respect for Jair Hopkins. From what I've seen, he's doing what he can to make a name for himself, joining up with like minded men for a mission that they hope will end in success for everyone. He's faced adversity, just like everyone, and he's powered through it, just like most. Now he faces a tough task in this tournament, but knowing him, he definitely won't be backing down...
"Much like A.C. Smith, who said it best himself when he said he was going to run right at me, and not around me. I know I'm the precedent for everyone, and I'm what everyone wants to gun to beat, and I'm ready for it, just like I'm ready for A.C. Smith. I'm ready for whatever they are going to throw my way, and that includes the six foot eight monster ex-cop. He and I have had our battles though, and I look forward to facing him in the tournament. You know the old saying, to be the best you have to beat the best...
"Which is the same category that Biggs falls into. We've had our storied rivalry and now we see the world as friends, although that doesn't mean that we can't fight when we need to, and if for some reason we end up in the ring against one another this week, I'm sure that we will once again bring the house down with a classic match. Because that is what Biggs and I do whenever we step into the ring against one another, or even if we're in the same match.
"Though I guess I could say that for just about everyone in this tournament, because there is a lot of talent involved. Sure, maybe I don't see eye to eye with everyone, but I can at least recognize good talent and I can at least say that there are ten people in this tournament that deserve to win, regardless of how many chances they've had at success.
"Winning this tournament won't be easy though. I dare say that this field is tougher then the field I had to battle when I won it all two years ago. There is no Shane Borderland to meet up with at the night, there is only going to be one of nine talented individuals. One person who has managed to show that they are the best of the best.
"Though, that's if I get there. There's a good chance I might not and most of that lies in the mystery that they are creating. With no set first round matches as of right now, no one knows who they are going to fight, and that could spell danger to at least half the field. If they aren't ready for what is to come, or aren't ready for just about anything at any moment. Myself, well, I've been preparing for just those possibilities. I've been making sure that whether I face A.C. Smith, Biggs, Hopkins or two of the three New Sindicate riff-raff, I will be ready to battle them to their limit and come out on top with the win.
"The beauty about this tournament, is it's about the wrestling. I'm sure there will be a few people who might look to a weapon, but for the most part, it's not about a bitter hatred or a underlying tension. This tournament is built on trying to find out who is the best of the best, something that the fans are sure to enjoy. And who knows, maybe I will be able to win this tournament for the second time after all.
"I just have to outlast nine other competitors.
"I just have to outwit nine other warriors.
"I just have to out wrestle nine other hopefuls.
"I just have to go big and not go home."
