Post by Chaos Stryke on Jun 29, 2013 1:38:29 GMT -4
We open inside of a large and well-furnished study. Three walls are filled almost entirely floor to ceiling with shelving units filled with books, except for the double doors leading into the room, which are located between two bookshelves. The last wall of the room, across from the doorway, is taken up by three large vertical windows that fill most of its space. Large red curtains are pulled back on either side of each window, allowing daylight to stream into the room. A vast majority of the room’s carpeted, except for a gap around the edges of the room, allowing the base of each bookshelf to meet the bare floor. Two large tables sit on opposite sides of the room, each with several books strewn across them. Several well padded chairs sit in the middle of the room with a small table at the center. Closer to the window is a desk with a lamp one side, a small statue bust of Bret Hart sitting opposite it, and a red rotary telephone beside the bust.
The door to the study swings open and Logan Alexander steps into the room, walking with a little swagger, wearing a suit and tie. His hair’s brushed and gelled back. Under one arm, he’s carrying a pair of books. He looks to the camera and smiles slightly.
So many others are dressing up. I figured I’d give it a whirl.
He closes the door to the study and walks towards the table on the right side of the room. He takes one of the books he’s carrying and sets it on the table. The title is ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’. He moves past the table before turning back towards the camera, holding the second book before him. It’s titled ‘APW History of Test for the Best’.
Preparation.
He taps the book cover lightly.
If you sit down and think about it, that’s what success in this industry comes down to. You can have all the raw talent and ability in the world, being the strongest, fastest, toughest, most agile, or most determined, but if you aren’t ready to face the competition before you, all of those things mean nothing. It’s like having the deadliest gun in the world, but lacking the skill to aim properly.
You need to know what you’re facing, where and when you’re facing it, what other events you need to be aware of, and then you can formulate your strategies. Then you can go for success.
Perhaps it’s because I’m an old timer that I adhere to such thinking. Sometimes I like having a game plan or four for any situation. At other times, I’d rather have some quick key points to hit on, or have a general theme to work with and then just make up the rest as I go. Sometimes it’s just as dangerous to be over-prepared to where you’re slavishly devoted to your plan, as it is to not have a plan at all.
He slowly walks across the room towards the other table.
Adaptability and fluidity are keys to success in this business. Being able to change and evolve is important to survival in real life as well as in the many facets that make up life. It’s something I’ve always tried to pride myself on over the years.
Here in APW I’ve been in situations where I’ve been required to adjust to changes on the fly or find alternate ways of doing things going forward. It’s why I’ve kept the word ‘chaos’ associated with me during my career. Even when you’re the best, you need to be ready to adapt, before something better finds its way to you.
The only things I haven’t changed are my values, morals, and aspirations. I’m sure many of my current and future opponents would claim I lack the first two to any meaningful degree. They’d be wrong. It’d be a situation where they haven’t studied their opponent suitably and make assumptions to fill in their missing gaps… or make their opposition into something they aren’t. That can be dangerous.
To conquer an opponent you need to be able to understand them. As it turns out, most of my opponents don’t understand me or my motivations. Yet they want to believe that they have what it takes to best me. Perhaps they do in ability, but what did I say about ability without preparation?
Once at the table, he sets the second book down. He turns to look back at the camera, sliding his hands into pockets of his suit jacket.
I know I’m an easy person in this lot to overlook. Considering the Asylum side of the equation, the ‘go to’ favourites are Aubrey and Hopkins. Aubrey’s been the breakout star waiting to do so. Hopkins has slowing grown his reputation and turned heads the last couple of weeks. I’m sure most people barely recall that I’m the Tap Out champion, since I don’t parade around with the title or address it like a person. It might also have to do with the fact I haven’t defended the title yet, but that’s because I’ve refused to drop from the field of Test for the Best contenders.
Once you expand the brackets to look at the entirety of the competitors, three names jump to the forefront and blot out all others. C.J. Gates. Biggs. A.C. Smith. These three men are overwhelmingly viewed as the favourites. Gates and Biggs are former Undisputed champions. Smith’s been a dominant Xtreme champion and on the verge of his own breakout. No one else in this tournament commands the recognition that they do.
I’m fine with that though. Because with everyone focused on them, who’ll see me coming? It’s all too easy to forget about the ones who stay in the darkness. I use it to my advantage, while others stand in the light soaking up everything they can from their admirers. Then they turn around and they’re suddenly face-to-face with someone they’d forgotten was there.
That’s the downside of success… It can lead to overconfidence and arrogance when you believe your victory’s inevitable. You disregard the little things because you assume they’re beneath your concern. Just a cursory glance and you move on.
Logan walks over towards the window, stopping beside the desk, glancing outside for several moments.
In this flood crush of egos I find myself in, I’m the only one who hasn’t proclaimed victory. I deserve nothing and have earned nothing until I win it. Until I’m victorious, everything else is posturing. Every single one of my opponents has made the mistake of thinking this tournament is theirs to win.
We’ll see.
He turns and glances over his shoulder at the camera.
As they all clamour to be in the light, we’ll see how many of them are able to avoid falling to the shadows.
He smiles slightly.
I won’t fail because of my own hubris. Everyone here is a potential threat. There are some I’m more worried about facing, but there’s no one here I believe I cannot defeat. But words are cheap and thrown around a lot. On Sunday night, I seek to prove myself through action.
I want to win, all of us do, but I have no sense of entitlement based on what I’ve done. I plan to earn my victory and prove I deserve it. I’m going to come at everyone I face with the best I have at my disposal because I know nothing less will get the job done.
He looks at the bust of Bret Hart on the desk. He places one hand on it and tips the head backwards to reveal a hidden switch beneath. He flips the switch and looks to the left side of the room. A portion of the bookcase shifts back into the wall and then moves to the side, revealing a recess in the wall with pair of poles leading down into the dark below. Logan flips the switch again and returns the head of the bust back in place. He heads over to the secret passage, before grabbing hold of the pole, stepping out, and dropping down from sight. The bookcase slides back into position afterwards, once more hiding the secret passage.
The picture changes to show a quick spinning background, that’s splashes of colour as a result. In the center of the spinning background, a steady image of Logan’s head moves forward to dominate the view, before receding backwards. This takes a few seconds to play out.
The scene changes again, focused on a rock wall, a part of which moves forward and splits apart to either side, revealing a recess in the wall with a pair of poles leading down from above. Logan drops down into the scene on one pole, now dressed in his ring attire and jacket. Once on the floor he releases the pole and steps out from the shaft and into this new room. He dusts his hands together as the doorway closes behind him.
And this is my private redoubt.
He motions around the room. The immediate area’s well lit, but the further reaches of this cave, as it appears to be, are still dark. In the area nearby are a display case with mannequins wearing wrestling attire similar to what Logan wears, a large computer terminal and screens set into one nearby wall, a large lab bench, and a long black car pointing towards a tunnel that leads out of this chamber. Logan walks over to the computer and taps a few controls. The screens come to life displaying information about the Test competitors.
I’ve spent time here, studying my opposition for the tournament, all nine of them. Since we’re dealing with blind brackets, there’s no telling who we’re facing, so you must prepare for everybody and three potential match setups as well. Usually you know who you’ll start against and can focus there completely. You put a heavier emphasis on some people than others since you have a higher probability of facing them.
But in this circumstance… chaos reigns.
Logan smirks slightly then turns and heads to the lab bench.
The only people who’ll know who they face before their match are those in the final opening round match, and they’ll only know when the third match begins. You need to be able to adapt and adjust on the fly Sunday night because you don’t know which or how many opponents you’ll face. I’ll be ready regardless of who I face. I always am.
He reaches under the lab bench and withdraws a pack of cards, which he promptly starts to shuffle.
Savage has lofty goals. Planning to reform Meltdown, taking big steps in his own life, looking to earn respect in ‘the Test’. I commend you for your goals and pursuits Savage, but I see one problem… you’re doing that all at once. You’re spreading yourself thin. I wonder how you’ll handle the pressure of them all at once. Which ball will you drop first?
You won your qualifier against five others, but I’ve seen your other matches. Watched you fumble against assorted opponents. Talk a big game, but fail to deliver. Hood’s possibly the easiest opponent you could face here, and she’s given you plenty of trouble.
He deals out ten cards, five to himself and five for an opponent.
You’re not ready. Represent Meltdown with pride, because that’s where you’re returning to. You may have good things ahead of you Savage, but victory isn’t in the cards here.
He looks at his cards, then flips over the other five one at a time. The first is an ‘F’, then ‘A’, then ‘I’, then ‘L’, and a joker. Logan looks at the joker.
Huh… I thought the joker got put away…
He shrugs and leaves the cards and moves down the table.
Hood, I’d forgotten how much of a nuisance you were. Shows how little impact you had, much like your time on Meltdown as well. You show heart and fight well, but lack something that makes you great. The Perfect Megastar? Hardly.
He pulls out a bulky mechanical device and puts it on the bench. A name plate on it reads ‘hydraulic press facsimile – cause real ones are big’. It has a sealed chamber with a crystal of some sort between the press plates.
I set foot in the ring with you before and you couldn’t run quickly enough. I owe you for your actions against me and I’d love to crush Sienna pet. What’ll you do if we meet Sunday? Sienna won’t be there to save you.
As confident and assured as you seem, you’re way out of your comfort zone. You’ve pushed Guvnor many times on Meltdown and come close to beating him more than once, but that doesn’t change the end results. You can portray losses however you want, but they’re still losses.
He takes hold of something on the back of the ‘press’ and starts turning it like a crank. It quickly becomes difficult.
You’ll need a flawless performance to win here, but you don’t do that. You don’t beat real challenges in one attempt. That’s the flaw that’ll send you to pieces here.
He needs to use the both hands for the last few turns before the crystal breaks into a couple of pieces. Logan lets go of the crank and shakes his reddened hand.
Next time I do that, I’ll get one that’s completely cut in two instead of mostly and spare my hand… ouch…
He moves down the bench.
Havok, you must feel like you’re in the best position with Jeff behind you, a vision to aspire to, and a chance to regain glory. If only it was real.
We’ve been dance partners when you were Valo. We haven’t faced since January, but you can look at the paths we’ve travelled since then to compare. I was a champion then and I’m a champion now. I’ve beaten better competitors to earn more gold. What about you?
Your arrogant blindness cost you against Smith like it did against me. You’ve failed to learn and passed up the chance to grow. Instead you latched on to others in hopes of using them to get ahead, much like with Duvall on Meltdown. None of the people you’re with will help you advance. They won’t make you better, they’ll just give you reason to make more excuses. That’s always been your problem. It’s always someone else’s fault.
He withdraws a framed picture and sets it on the bench. It’s titled ‘The Havok Cycle’. The image is broken into four parts. The first part is ‘Havok on the rise’, which leads to ‘Havok’s big chance’, then ‘Havok’s tantrum spiral’, and finally ‘Havok finds new support’, which leads back to part one.
I’ve seen you beat plenty of competitors, but when the high stakes challenge came, you buckled beneath it. Three times I’ve beaten you Havok. You never learned from your mistakes… so you repeat them.
He steps further down the table.
Hopkins, first off, I want to congratulate you for cleaning yourself up. You’ve battled with some demons over the last six weeks and are in a better place now. But that doesn’t mean you’re ready to move up.
I’ll give you credit for your breakthrough showings lately. You brought down two thirds of Foul Play on your own. You stepped up when Bailey couldn’t. I’m left wondering though, with your hated rivals beaten, what drives you now? What’ll give you the push needed to beat the best of APW?
That’s been a problem for you. Until someone else adds the spark, you have trouble igniting the fire. Kash and Reaver were easy targets. You might have motivation to beat The New Sindicate, but what about everyone else? You have no history. What gets you going then?
From under the bench he takes out a wind up car. He moves a little further down the bench and then lays out a short checkered cloth on it. He moves away and begins winding the car.
You’ve had flashes of brilliance, and going forward you’ll be a serious contender, but you’re still coming into your own. You might have ability, but you lack the drive to sustain you through this.
He sets the car down and lets it go. It heads towards the checkered cloth, but it comes to a stop before getting there.
So close…
Logan moves to the end of the bench and stands there. From inside his jacket he withdraws three metallic stars identical to his logo and sets them on the bench.
Smith… we knew each other well once, but those days have passed. We’re not what we once were, but studying you is like reviewing subjects you’ve previously learned. It looks familiar and you quickly remember how it works.
In the last six months, I’ve seen you display a level of dominance you’ve never shown before. I’ve watched you consistently beat competitors I’d never expected you to. No matter what was you faced, you kept coming. As a result, you’re one of the best Xtreme champions ever.
The problem is that’s all you are.
You’ve hit a ceiling that you just can’t break. You’re as good as you’ve ever been… and it’s not enough. You’re the guy that marks the boundary between the top and bottom of the roster… between the stars and the pretenders. Stars, like Envi and Gates, beat you when it matters and steal your momentum.
You’re a champion aiming for the big one, but you’re holding steady, not on a rise. When you could’ve made big statements, you’ve fallen flat. That’s why you’re only the Xtreme champion and why you’ll stay there when this is all over.
He picks up one star.
One!
Behind him about twenty feet away, a board with a life-size picture of Smith pops up. Logan turns and hurls the star, hitting the picture in the chest. He turns back to the bench.
Biggs is a huge name in APW. Three-time and longest reigning Overdrive champion, former Undisputed champion, and held both titles at once. The Spaceman’s a force to be reckoned with… or was.
He’s had trouble getting the ship off the ground when it’s come to crunch time. That’s a long and painful history… two years worth actually. That’s how long it’s been since Biggs hoisted gold or won on pay-per-view. The man’s colder than a glacier. Yet suddenly we’re to believe that it’s 2011… early 2011 anyway. The end of 2011 was him losing to Gates repeatedly.
I gotta ask Biggs, what makes you think you still have it?
I know you’ve got a reputation here, but this tournament hasn’t been kind to you, and neither has the pay-per-view environment. You’ve shown great resilience in your return from injury, but it’s like the last chapter of your career we’ve already read.
People might be hoping for the feel good ending, but you’re not the one to bet on for it. You’re facing a big challenge… and you’ve got a habit of choking on them.
He picks up another star.
Two!
Beside the first, a second board with a life-size picture of Biggs pops up. Logan turns and hurls the star, hitting the picture in the chest too. He turns back to the bench again.
Gates isn’t much better. You’re the ‘Biggs bogeyman’, Gates. You built your Undisputed title reign on him. Since then, you’ve been close to the top, but never been able to get back there. Even when you aimed a lower, you couldn’t hit your target. Some of us remember your attempts at Delikado’s Overdrive title.
Given your track record though, you’re the odds on favourite to win. You’ve been to the top and won this tournament to get there, but you’re not the rising star or golden boy you once were. You’ve had sixteen months to stew in mediocrity and it’s taken its toll.
You might think you’re ready to retake the top spot… but you just had TWO shots at doing so. We’re those warm-ups? Whatever happened to ‘Go big or go home’? Not big enough for you?
Maybe you can’t read the writing on the wall. You're still an impressive competitor Gates, but you’re not the front runner you presume to be. You’ve gotten stale and choose not to notice. Until you realize you just don’t have it, you’ll never find it again.
He picks up the last star.
Three!
One more board, with a life-size picture of Gates, pops up. Logan turns and hurls the star, hitting the picture in the head. He turns and smiles sheepishly.
Not where I was aiming…
He rubs the back of his head.
Finally… my stablemates.
He lets out a breath and starts walking towards the car.
Christian… for months I’ve been waiting for you to step up again. I’ve been hoping that the spark could be rekindled. Then ‘the Test’ rolled around and you made it in. In what had to be THE unexpected turn of events, you qualified. No one gave you a chance, but you showed everybody that you had what it takes.
But when I look at you, I still see someone that’s holding back. I’m still waiting for you to go all out here. It disappoints me because I know you could be destined for greatness if you’d stand up and do all you could to take it.
Should we meet in the tournament, you should know what to expect. I fought Aubrey with everything I had two weeks ago, and I’ll do the same against you. We might be partners, but I’m not going to give you a free pass.
Show everyone how much you want this Christian. Show us whether you belong.
Logan pauses by the back of the car which has a large circular opening on the back, like a jet engine. He then slowly walks around the car.
Aubrey… What’s left for us to say? We tried to destroy each other because we both want this so badly. You had more than me last time. Should we meet, I intend on getting that one back.
I know you better than anyone else. I know your strengths and weaknesses. I’ve always watched and studied you even though we never had to face off that often. Last Asylum… I understood what I’m going to have to do against you.
I know that to beat you, I’m have to make you reach down into that dark pit you carry inside of you, and drag up whatever monster lurks there. I know that’s courting disaster, but I know that’s what has to be done if I’m to say that I beat you.
I’m not scared of the dark and I’m willing to face yours. If that’s what it takes to beat you… then I will… damn the consequences.
He stops by the driver’s side door and opens it.
I’ve taken my time to study and try to understand each of you and find weaknesses. I’m not a ‘caped crusader’ but his methodology works for me. Soon enough we’ll meet and see who has what it takes to be the best. I don’t think most of have what it takes to win, but I know there are no pushovers.
I fully expect to have the hardest path to travel of us all, so I’ll give my best right from the start. It’s for a chance to face One or Marvin, so I’ll face all of you with the same intensity I’d give them and demonstrate why I can win this.
He climbs into the car, before glancing at the camera while taking hold of the door.
I’m not the winner that APW wants… but maybe I’m the one they deserve.
He smiles and closes the door. Moments later, the car starts, shooting a small jet of flame from the back opening before driving off into the tunnel ahead. The scene fades to black.
The door to the study swings open and Logan Alexander steps into the room, walking with a little swagger, wearing a suit and tie. His hair’s brushed and gelled back. Under one arm, he’s carrying a pair of books. He looks to the camera and smiles slightly.
So many others are dressing up. I figured I’d give it a whirl.
He closes the door to the study and walks towards the table on the right side of the room. He takes one of the books he’s carrying and sets it on the table. The title is ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’. He moves past the table before turning back towards the camera, holding the second book before him. It’s titled ‘APW History of Test for the Best’.
Preparation.
He taps the book cover lightly.
If you sit down and think about it, that’s what success in this industry comes down to. You can have all the raw talent and ability in the world, being the strongest, fastest, toughest, most agile, or most determined, but if you aren’t ready to face the competition before you, all of those things mean nothing. It’s like having the deadliest gun in the world, but lacking the skill to aim properly.
You need to know what you’re facing, where and when you’re facing it, what other events you need to be aware of, and then you can formulate your strategies. Then you can go for success.
Perhaps it’s because I’m an old timer that I adhere to such thinking. Sometimes I like having a game plan or four for any situation. At other times, I’d rather have some quick key points to hit on, or have a general theme to work with and then just make up the rest as I go. Sometimes it’s just as dangerous to be over-prepared to where you’re slavishly devoted to your plan, as it is to not have a plan at all.
He slowly walks across the room towards the other table.
Adaptability and fluidity are keys to success in this business. Being able to change and evolve is important to survival in real life as well as in the many facets that make up life. It’s something I’ve always tried to pride myself on over the years.
Here in APW I’ve been in situations where I’ve been required to adjust to changes on the fly or find alternate ways of doing things going forward. It’s why I’ve kept the word ‘chaos’ associated with me during my career. Even when you’re the best, you need to be ready to adapt, before something better finds its way to you.
The only things I haven’t changed are my values, morals, and aspirations. I’m sure many of my current and future opponents would claim I lack the first two to any meaningful degree. They’d be wrong. It’d be a situation where they haven’t studied their opponent suitably and make assumptions to fill in their missing gaps… or make their opposition into something they aren’t. That can be dangerous.
To conquer an opponent you need to be able to understand them. As it turns out, most of my opponents don’t understand me or my motivations. Yet they want to believe that they have what it takes to best me. Perhaps they do in ability, but what did I say about ability without preparation?
Once at the table, he sets the second book down. He turns to look back at the camera, sliding his hands into pockets of his suit jacket.
I know I’m an easy person in this lot to overlook. Considering the Asylum side of the equation, the ‘go to’ favourites are Aubrey and Hopkins. Aubrey’s been the breakout star waiting to do so. Hopkins has slowing grown his reputation and turned heads the last couple of weeks. I’m sure most people barely recall that I’m the Tap Out champion, since I don’t parade around with the title or address it like a person. It might also have to do with the fact I haven’t defended the title yet, but that’s because I’ve refused to drop from the field of Test for the Best contenders.
Once you expand the brackets to look at the entirety of the competitors, three names jump to the forefront and blot out all others. C.J. Gates. Biggs. A.C. Smith. These three men are overwhelmingly viewed as the favourites. Gates and Biggs are former Undisputed champions. Smith’s been a dominant Xtreme champion and on the verge of his own breakout. No one else in this tournament commands the recognition that they do.
I’m fine with that though. Because with everyone focused on them, who’ll see me coming? It’s all too easy to forget about the ones who stay in the darkness. I use it to my advantage, while others stand in the light soaking up everything they can from their admirers. Then they turn around and they’re suddenly face-to-face with someone they’d forgotten was there.
That’s the downside of success… It can lead to overconfidence and arrogance when you believe your victory’s inevitable. You disregard the little things because you assume they’re beneath your concern. Just a cursory glance and you move on.
Logan walks over towards the window, stopping beside the desk, glancing outside for several moments.
In this flood crush of egos I find myself in, I’m the only one who hasn’t proclaimed victory. I deserve nothing and have earned nothing until I win it. Until I’m victorious, everything else is posturing. Every single one of my opponents has made the mistake of thinking this tournament is theirs to win.
We’ll see.
He turns and glances over his shoulder at the camera.
As they all clamour to be in the light, we’ll see how many of them are able to avoid falling to the shadows.
He smiles slightly.
I won’t fail because of my own hubris. Everyone here is a potential threat. There are some I’m more worried about facing, but there’s no one here I believe I cannot defeat. But words are cheap and thrown around a lot. On Sunday night, I seek to prove myself through action.
I want to win, all of us do, but I have no sense of entitlement based on what I’ve done. I plan to earn my victory and prove I deserve it. I’m going to come at everyone I face with the best I have at my disposal because I know nothing less will get the job done.
He looks at the bust of Bret Hart on the desk. He places one hand on it and tips the head backwards to reveal a hidden switch beneath. He flips the switch and looks to the left side of the room. A portion of the bookcase shifts back into the wall and then moves to the side, revealing a recess in the wall with pair of poles leading down into the dark below. Logan flips the switch again and returns the head of the bust back in place. He heads over to the secret passage, before grabbing hold of the pole, stepping out, and dropping down from sight. The bookcase slides back into position afterwards, once more hiding the secret passage.
The picture changes to show a quick spinning background, that’s splashes of colour as a result. In the center of the spinning background, a steady image of Logan’s head moves forward to dominate the view, before receding backwards. This takes a few seconds to play out.
The scene changes again, focused on a rock wall, a part of which moves forward and splits apart to either side, revealing a recess in the wall with a pair of poles leading down from above. Logan drops down into the scene on one pole, now dressed in his ring attire and jacket. Once on the floor he releases the pole and steps out from the shaft and into this new room. He dusts his hands together as the doorway closes behind him.
And this is my private redoubt.
He motions around the room. The immediate area’s well lit, but the further reaches of this cave, as it appears to be, are still dark. In the area nearby are a display case with mannequins wearing wrestling attire similar to what Logan wears, a large computer terminal and screens set into one nearby wall, a large lab bench, and a long black car pointing towards a tunnel that leads out of this chamber. Logan walks over to the computer and taps a few controls. The screens come to life displaying information about the Test competitors.
I’ve spent time here, studying my opposition for the tournament, all nine of them. Since we’re dealing with blind brackets, there’s no telling who we’re facing, so you must prepare for everybody and three potential match setups as well. Usually you know who you’ll start against and can focus there completely. You put a heavier emphasis on some people than others since you have a higher probability of facing them.
But in this circumstance… chaos reigns.
Logan smirks slightly then turns and heads to the lab bench.
The only people who’ll know who they face before their match are those in the final opening round match, and they’ll only know when the third match begins. You need to be able to adapt and adjust on the fly Sunday night because you don’t know which or how many opponents you’ll face. I’ll be ready regardless of who I face. I always am.
He reaches under the lab bench and withdraws a pack of cards, which he promptly starts to shuffle.
Savage has lofty goals. Planning to reform Meltdown, taking big steps in his own life, looking to earn respect in ‘the Test’. I commend you for your goals and pursuits Savage, but I see one problem… you’re doing that all at once. You’re spreading yourself thin. I wonder how you’ll handle the pressure of them all at once. Which ball will you drop first?
You won your qualifier against five others, but I’ve seen your other matches. Watched you fumble against assorted opponents. Talk a big game, but fail to deliver. Hood’s possibly the easiest opponent you could face here, and she’s given you plenty of trouble.
He deals out ten cards, five to himself and five for an opponent.
You’re not ready. Represent Meltdown with pride, because that’s where you’re returning to. You may have good things ahead of you Savage, but victory isn’t in the cards here.
He looks at his cards, then flips over the other five one at a time. The first is an ‘F’, then ‘A’, then ‘I’, then ‘L’, and a joker. Logan looks at the joker.
Huh… I thought the joker got put away…
He shrugs and leaves the cards and moves down the table.
Hood, I’d forgotten how much of a nuisance you were. Shows how little impact you had, much like your time on Meltdown as well. You show heart and fight well, but lack something that makes you great. The Perfect Megastar? Hardly.
He pulls out a bulky mechanical device and puts it on the bench. A name plate on it reads ‘hydraulic press facsimile – cause real ones are big’. It has a sealed chamber with a crystal of some sort between the press plates.
I set foot in the ring with you before and you couldn’t run quickly enough. I owe you for your actions against me and I’d love to crush Sienna pet. What’ll you do if we meet Sunday? Sienna won’t be there to save you.
As confident and assured as you seem, you’re way out of your comfort zone. You’ve pushed Guvnor many times on Meltdown and come close to beating him more than once, but that doesn’t change the end results. You can portray losses however you want, but they’re still losses.
He takes hold of something on the back of the ‘press’ and starts turning it like a crank. It quickly becomes difficult.
You’ll need a flawless performance to win here, but you don’t do that. You don’t beat real challenges in one attempt. That’s the flaw that’ll send you to pieces here.
He needs to use the both hands for the last few turns before the crystal breaks into a couple of pieces. Logan lets go of the crank and shakes his reddened hand.
Next time I do that, I’ll get one that’s completely cut in two instead of mostly and spare my hand… ouch…
He moves down the bench.
Havok, you must feel like you’re in the best position with Jeff behind you, a vision to aspire to, and a chance to regain glory. If only it was real.
We’ve been dance partners when you were Valo. We haven’t faced since January, but you can look at the paths we’ve travelled since then to compare. I was a champion then and I’m a champion now. I’ve beaten better competitors to earn more gold. What about you?
Your arrogant blindness cost you against Smith like it did against me. You’ve failed to learn and passed up the chance to grow. Instead you latched on to others in hopes of using them to get ahead, much like with Duvall on Meltdown. None of the people you’re with will help you advance. They won’t make you better, they’ll just give you reason to make more excuses. That’s always been your problem. It’s always someone else’s fault.
He withdraws a framed picture and sets it on the bench. It’s titled ‘The Havok Cycle’. The image is broken into four parts. The first part is ‘Havok on the rise’, which leads to ‘Havok’s big chance’, then ‘Havok’s tantrum spiral’, and finally ‘Havok finds new support’, which leads back to part one.
I’ve seen you beat plenty of competitors, but when the high stakes challenge came, you buckled beneath it. Three times I’ve beaten you Havok. You never learned from your mistakes… so you repeat them.
He steps further down the table.
Hopkins, first off, I want to congratulate you for cleaning yourself up. You’ve battled with some demons over the last six weeks and are in a better place now. But that doesn’t mean you’re ready to move up.
I’ll give you credit for your breakthrough showings lately. You brought down two thirds of Foul Play on your own. You stepped up when Bailey couldn’t. I’m left wondering though, with your hated rivals beaten, what drives you now? What’ll give you the push needed to beat the best of APW?
That’s been a problem for you. Until someone else adds the spark, you have trouble igniting the fire. Kash and Reaver were easy targets. You might have motivation to beat The New Sindicate, but what about everyone else? You have no history. What gets you going then?
From under the bench he takes out a wind up car. He moves a little further down the bench and then lays out a short checkered cloth on it. He moves away and begins winding the car.
You’ve had flashes of brilliance, and going forward you’ll be a serious contender, but you’re still coming into your own. You might have ability, but you lack the drive to sustain you through this.
He sets the car down and lets it go. It heads towards the checkered cloth, but it comes to a stop before getting there.
So close…
Logan moves to the end of the bench and stands there. From inside his jacket he withdraws three metallic stars identical to his logo and sets them on the bench.
Smith… we knew each other well once, but those days have passed. We’re not what we once were, but studying you is like reviewing subjects you’ve previously learned. It looks familiar and you quickly remember how it works.
In the last six months, I’ve seen you display a level of dominance you’ve never shown before. I’ve watched you consistently beat competitors I’d never expected you to. No matter what was you faced, you kept coming. As a result, you’re one of the best Xtreme champions ever.
The problem is that’s all you are.
You’ve hit a ceiling that you just can’t break. You’re as good as you’ve ever been… and it’s not enough. You’re the guy that marks the boundary between the top and bottom of the roster… between the stars and the pretenders. Stars, like Envi and Gates, beat you when it matters and steal your momentum.
You’re a champion aiming for the big one, but you’re holding steady, not on a rise. When you could’ve made big statements, you’ve fallen flat. That’s why you’re only the Xtreme champion and why you’ll stay there when this is all over.
He picks up one star.
One!
Behind him about twenty feet away, a board with a life-size picture of Smith pops up. Logan turns and hurls the star, hitting the picture in the chest. He turns back to the bench.
Biggs is a huge name in APW. Three-time and longest reigning Overdrive champion, former Undisputed champion, and held both titles at once. The Spaceman’s a force to be reckoned with… or was.
He’s had trouble getting the ship off the ground when it’s come to crunch time. That’s a long and painful history… two years worth actually. That’s how long it’s been since Biggs hoisted gold or won on pay-per-view. The man’s colder than a glacier. Yet suddenly we’re to believe that it’s 2011… early 2011 anyway. The end of 2011 was him losing to Gates repeatedly.
I gotta ask Biggs, what makes you think you still have it?
I know you’ve got a reputation here, but this tournament hasn’t been kind to you, and neither has the pay-per-view environment. You’ve shown great resilience in your return from injury, but it’s like the last chapter of your career we’ve already read.
People might be hoping for the feel good ending, but you’re not the one to bet on for it. You’re facing a big challenge… and you’ve got a habit of choking on them.
He picks up another star.
Two!
Beside the first, a second board with a life-size picture of Biggs pops up. Logan turns and hurls the star, hitting the picture in the chest too. He turns back to the bench again.
Gates isn’t much better. You’re the ‘Biggs bogeyman’, Gates. You built your Undisputed title reign on him. Since then, you’ve been close to the top, but never been able to get back there. Even when you aimed a lower, you couldn’t hit your target. Some of us remember your attempts at Delikado’s Overdrive title.
Given your track record though, you’re the odds on favourite to win. You’ve been to the top and won this tournament to get there, but you’re not the rising star or golden boy you once were. You’ve had sixteen months to stew in mediocrity and it’s taken its toll.
You might think you’re ready to retake the top spot… but you just had TWO shots at doing so. We’re those warm-ups? Whatever happened to ‘Go big or go home’? Not big enough for you?
Maybe you can’t read the writing on the wall. You're still an impressive competitor Gates, but you’re not the front runner you presume to be. You’ve gotten stale and choose not to notice. Until you realize you just don’t have it, you’ll never find it again.
He picks up the last star.
Three!
One more board, with a life-size picture of Gates, pops up. Logan turns and hurls the star, hitting the picture in the head. He turns and smiles sheepishly.
Not where I was aiming…
He rubs the back of his head.
Finally… my stablemates.
He lets out a breath and starts walking towards the car.
Christian… for months I’ve been waiting for you to step up again. I’ve been hoping that the spark could be rekindled. Then ‘the Test’ rolled around and you made it in. In what had to be THE unexpected turn of events, you qualified. No one gave you a chance, but you showed everybody that you had what it takes.
But when I look at you, I still see someone that’s holding back. I’m still waiting for you to go all out here. It disappoints me because I know you could be destined for greatness if you’d stand up and do all you could to take it.
Should we meet in the tournament, you should know what to expect. I fought Aubrey with everything I had two weeks ago, and I’ll do the same against you. We might be partners, but I’m not going to give you a free pass.
Show everyone how much you want this Christian. Show us whether you belong.
Logan pauses by the back of the car which has a large circular opening on the back, like a jet engine. He then slowly walks around the car.
Aubrey… What’s left for us to say? We tried to destroy each other because we both want this so badly. You had more than me last time. Should we meet, I intend on getting that one back.
I know you better than anyone else. I know your strengths and weaknesses. I’ve always watched and studied you even though we never had to face off that often. Last Asylum… I understood what I’m going to have to do against you.
I know that to beat you, I’m have to make you reach down into that dark pit you carry inside of you, and drag up whatever monster lurks there. I know that’s courting disaster, but I know that’s what has to be done if I’m to say that I beat you.
I’m not scared of the dark and I’m willing to face yours. If that’s what it takes to beat you… then I will… damn the consequences.
He stops by the driver’s side door and opens it.
I’ve taken my time to study and try to understand each of you and find weaknesses. I’m not a ‘caped crusader’ but his methodology works for me. Soon enough we’ll meet and see who has what it takes to be the best. I don’t think most of have what it takes to win, but I know there are no pushovers.
I fully expect to have the hardest path to travel of us all, so I’ll give my best right from the start. It’s for a chance to face One or Marvin, so I’ll face all of you with the same intensity I’d give them and demonstrate why I can win this.
He climbs into the car, before glancing at the camera while taking hold of the door.
I’m not the winner that APW wants… but maybe I’m the one they deserve.
He smiles and closes the door. Moments later, the car starts, shooting a small jet of flame from the back opening before driving off into the tunnel ahead. The scene fades to black.
