Looking Ahead and Watching Our Heads
Jul 10, 2013 16:58:56 GMT -4
Victor Hades, Speede, and 4 more like this
Post by C.J. Gates on Jul 10, 2013 16:58:56 GMT -4
"When one door closes, another one opens.
"Sure, I'm a bit disappointed that I didn't win the Test for the Best tournament, but that doesn't mean everything is over. That doesn't mean that I don't have a long road of competition ahead of me. It just means that I don't have a guaranteed title shot. It just means I will have to wait and continue to work if I want to see myself challenging for a title anytime soon.
"And that road begins this week when I take on a man that I've heard about, a man that always comes with a lot of buzz, but a man that I've never faced inside the ring. I get to fight Victor Hades. There's nothing on the line, but a match against a man like Hades, a match against a man that can get a North American title shot right out of the gate, that's a man that I am heavily invested in.
"I'm hoping to take a big step forward, and I'm hoping to do so this week. But it's not going to be easy. Victor Hades is a man that could be a man possessed. Victor Hades is a man that could make my life a living hell. Victor Hades is a man that could make this hopeful climb a long and terrifying trek.
"Could being the key word.
"I don't want to get ahead of myself, and I won't, but something has to be said for how much time Hades has spent away from APW, and whether or not he has used that time wisely. Keeping himself tuned up and ready for action is a hope, but it could very well be the opposite, and could very well see a Victor Hades unlike one we've seen. And not in a good way.
"But he has won the Survive and Conquer match and he has won the Xtreme title, so I need to keep that in mind. I need to remember how dangerous this man could be.
"To do that, I will make sure I study his match. I will make sure that I overlook nothing. That even if Hades has lost a step, I'll still be ready to take on a fully functioning Victor Hades.
"I am going to be ready for anything.
"I am going to be ready for everything."
"Mr. Gates, I presume?"
C.J. Gates looks up from his meal to see the figure of a tall, bald man wearing a black suit. He has his hands clasped together holding a bowler hat. Gates glances around the dinner and spots one other man, this one standing by the rear exit, watching the two men intently.
"Can I help you?"
The man sits down in the booth opposite Gates. "We need to talk," he says with a slight smile.
"I'm all ears," Gates says, shifting from side to side with unease.
"I know that some of my associates have visited you prior," the man says. "And I know that some of those conversations haven't exactly ended with great results. No damage, but no results either. And deep down, that hurts me."
"That hurts you?" Gates asks before taking a sip of water.
"Yes," the man says. "I'm a businessman after all, like you. So you understand how things can get when we don't have the proper funds. Especially when the funds were supposed to be paid to us long before now."
"Listen," Gates says raising his one hand. "I've already told your boys about this. Any business you have is between you and my mom. Not me. My mom might have bet money on me, but I didn't tell her to do that so if you have any issues, bring them up with her."
"Yes, we figured you would say that." The man reaches into the inside pocket of his jacket. Gates tenses, but relaxes when the man simply withdraws a slip of paper. "This was sent to us by your mothers, shall we say, friend. He told us that everything was on the up and up, and that we would have our money in due time." The man hands the piece of paper to Gates. "This was three weeks ago."
Gates unfolds the note and reads it:
If you want your money, fine. But understand that this is not the end of things between you and I. You might have won this round, but you haven't won the eventual war. My son will provide you with the money.
Sincerely,
Momma Gates
"There must be some mistake," Gates says after reading the note.
"That is your mothers signature, is it not?"
"Well, yeah, but I never agreed to this. I would never agree to this. I've said the entire time, that this is all my mothers problem and she needs to handle it herself."
"You are her son, no?"
Gates blinks. "Yes I am, but-"
"As far as I'm concerned, you owe us some money. Now, we've waited a few weeks and, because we're such nice people, we're prepared to give you until the end of this month. But be warned, it we don't have our money by then, you are going to need to find a new profession."
"This is bullshit," Gates cries. "Why do I-"
"You have until the end of the month," the man says as he stands up. "Hopefully sooner rather than later, but if you need to take the whole month, we understand. As long as you understand that your knees are ours if you don't pay up."
As quick as he arrived, the man walks down the aisle toward the door where his bodyguard is standing. The two men exit the dinner leaving Gates holding the letter in his hand and shaking his head. He glances at the letter one more time and curses.
"That fucking bitch."
"I always seem to get pulled into everyone elses problems.
"I lose the APW World Heavyweight title on Overdrive because Terry Marvin decided to involve me in his little ego war with Level One. If he doesn't stick his nose in my business, who knows what could have happened.
"Then at Test for the Best, I get brought into the business of the New Sindicate because, for all I know, they couldn't let the night go by without one of them having success. Either way, without them around, who knows what happens. And now?
"Well, as of now, I'm not involved in someone elses mess. But the week is still early.
"You never know whether or not Victor Hades is going to be an honorable fighter or a man who simply wants to get ahead. Knowing the expectations he had for himself the last time he was around, I can only assume the latter is the case with him. I can only assume that at some point, I will be brought into his business because his business is making sure everyone he faces pays dearly.
"At least that's what I perceive his business to be. That and getting to the top of this company.
"Hell, as long as he doesn't draw me into any unfinished business or as long as he doesn't make this match into some kind of sideshow, I guess I can consider that a win, right? I mean, that's what I look for in an opponent.
"Someone who can play by the rules.
"Someone who doesn't need hoards of people fighting on their behalf.
"I just don't know if I can say that about Victor Hades."
"And then when I started my car, the car across the street started up its engine and followed me for a few blocks." Vincent James flops down on the couch in the office of C.J. Gates. "Maybe everything that's happened with your mom is starting to get me paranoid, but I swear whoever was driving that car was also staking out my house."
"Probably more paranoid then anything else," C.J. Gates responds. "I mean, why would anyone stake out your house? If it's all about me and my mom betting money on me, why wouldn't they stake out my house?"
"Because they know I know you. What better way to get to you then to go through me. Or at least to follow me."
"Still seems kind of fishy," Gates says, shaking his head. "Has anything else happened? Anymore phone calls or toy horse heads?"
"A horse head is still a horse head."
"Whatever. Did anything else happen?"
James shakes his head. "Nothing yet, but I get the feeling that something is going to happen. The other shoe is going to drop, so to speak."
"What makes you think that?" Gates asks.
"You saw those guys when they came in here," James says. "They weren't exactly the Teletubbies or anything. They were tough. They were mean. They were two men that wanted nothing more than to break some kneecaps. Eventually, something is going to give and eventually, someone is going to pay for it. And I think it could be us."
"Us?" Gates asks. "I haven't had the same feelings you have."
"False security," James snaps his fingers. "They're luring you in with a false sense of security and then wham, they catch you off guard with an uzi to the midsection."
"Okay, now you're just getting carried away."
"Perhaps," James begins. He glances over his shoulder at the door and then stands up, moving to the other couch. He glances up at Gates who has a puzzled look on his face. "I can see the door better this way. No surprises."
"Wow," Gates chuckles. "If they were trying to get to me, the only thing they achieved was scaring the shit out of you."
"I'm not scared."
"Okay, you're cautious," Gates corrects himself. "It's not much of a stretch."
"I just don't want to get whacked."
"You won't," Gates says. "If they wanted to kill us, they would have done it already. They wouldn't be following us around."
"But the money-"
"If they want the money, killing one or both of us would make my mom think twice about not paying."
James nods his head absently. "Yeah, I guess I see what you're saying. Still, kind of freaks me out."
"Well, shake it off," Gates says with a smile as James shoots him a dirty look. "Okay, you can't shake it off, but you know what I mean. I mean, I can't have you panicking that you're going to be sleeping with the fishies when I'm trying to focus on my matches at hand. It's just going to make everything more stressful for me, and I don't think that will help me improve at all."
"Improve," James scoffs. "You nearly won Test for the Best for crying out loud."
"Nearly," Gates repeats. "Besides, even if I would have won, there's always room for improvement. The same can be said for everyone."
"But you almost-"
"Almost is not a win," Gates says.
"But if it wasn't for the rest of the New Sindicate underlings..."
"I might have won," Gates says with a shrug. "There's no telling for sure what would have happened. Aubrey and I could have kept going or we would have ended it around the same time, with the same person winning."
"But-"
"We don't know," Gates says. "I'm not too bent out of shape about it though. I had three fantastic matches at Test for the Best, and I showed everyone what I was capable of. Now, I need to keep that going and I need to keep performing well. I need to continue to work to do what I do every time I step into that ring - earn opportunities."
"Who do you have to go up against?"
"Victor Hades."
"Mr. oh-and-one?"
Gates nods. "To be fair, that one was against The Guv'Nor. Not many people can boast a win over him. I've seen him and what he can do, back when I first joined APW, and I know that his match with The Guv'Nor is only the beginning. Everything is up hill for him from here."
"You think so?"
"I know so."
"But what if he's past his prime? What if he's over the hill?"
"He might be," Gates shrugs. "I won't deny that possibility. I also won't say that he's not going to have a bit of ring rust, or at least that there's a chance that he might. I don't want to make any assumptions, you know? I want to make sure that I'm not overlooking Hades. This could be a big week for me."
"Every week is a big week for you," James says. "This is APW after all."
"I know," Gates says. "And it's funny. Back in 2010, I was looking forward to a possible match against Victor Hades. I had him in my sights as someone that I really wanted a good chance to prove myself against. I guess I kind of wanted to go against the top names on my way to the top. And while I did that, I didn't do it against Hades."
"But now you get that chance."
"Now I get that chance," Gates echoes. "But everything is different. Before, I thought that a match with Hades would be enough to show to fans, the people, the executives of APW what kind of fighting I am. Now that the match is here, though, the same effect can't be taken from it."
Gates leans back in his desk chair and lets out a long breath. "Don't get me wrong, there is still a lot to take away from this match. There are a lot of things that can be done in this match to change the courses that he and I are on. It's just going to be a bit different because I don't have a hole to dig out of. I've already accomplished so much, I'm just looking...well, I guess I'm looking to become relevant again. I'm looking to not get lost in the shuffle now that the rosters have expanded."
"I don't think you have to worry about that."
"No?"
"You're C.J. Gates."
"Which means I'm a human being," Gates says. "And anything can happen to anyone. It just depends how the tides turn."
"Well, I'm sure you've bought yourself a bit of time," James says. "After all, you just won the Trans-Atlantic Cup. I doubt they're going to toss you onto the scrap heap now."
"And I am going to make sure I keep it that way."
"By beating Victor Hades?"
"By pushing Victor Hades," Gates corrects. "I may not beat him, but I am going to definitely push him to his limits.
"I am going to make him earn a win.
"I am going to make him go big."
"When I first started in APW, there were names that I was told to watch out for.
"There were the obvious names like Sally Talfourd and Level One, who engrossed themselves in a bitter feud that seemed to rage on forever. Biggs and Chris Cyrus were laying back, waiting for their moment to shine. There was the masked Crazy Joe who had revealed himself to be Mark Mania. There was Pence Weatherlight, who was constantly vying for the top spot in the company.
"And then there was Victor Hades.
"Sure, he was on his way out shortly after I stepped into APW, but he was still a name that I was warned about. A man that was making great strides to putting himself at the top of the pyramid. He was going up against some of the best names that APW had to offer and he was making sure to put up a good fight against each and every one of them.
"Fast forward to now and Hades has returned to APW to continue the domination that got his name mentioned back in 2010. Fast forward to now and I find myself having my first match against Hades. I find myself going toe to toe with a man that I was warned about, a man that had so much promise, a man that was pegged as the future of APW.
"A lot has changed since the last time you saw me, Victor. Or at least, the last time you saw me for more than a show here and there. I am no longer that upstart trying to find his footing in the tag team division. I am no longer a nobody trying to make a name for myself. I've climbed to the top of the mountain and I've slain beasts and giants that some can only dream of slaying. I've won the Undisputed title and I've beaten every single name that I was warned about.
"Except for you, Hades.
"Though this week isn't about beating you, Victor. I'm not going to be hungry for a win just because I don't have one over you. I'm not going to lose sight of the match at hand at all. I'm not going to go into this match with the same mindset that you might be going in with. I mean, it's no secret that you are going to be giving it your all, because you are going to be trying to make a name for yourself. You are going to be trying to get yourself to the top by beating someone that many consider to be one of those already at the top.
"And I wouldn't ask for you to take this match any less seriously. Truthfully. I want you to come out firing. I want you to come out with hunger in your eyes and I want you to push me to my limits. After all, that's the only way that we can get better. That's the only way that I can continue to further myself and continue to prepare myself for everything else that lies before me. I need to test myself against the best.
"Are you the best? The tournament we just had would say no, but that doesn't mean you don't possess those qualities. It doesn't mean that you couldn't be the best if you wanted to be. However, at one point you were considered to be one of the best on the rise. One of the men that people needed to brace for when you made your impact.
"Or at least, that's what I was told.
"But I shouldn't bank everything off of what I was told. That wouldn't be fair to you. No, I should make an opinion of you, make a viewpoint of you, based on my own observations.
"I'm sure you're thinking the same thing. I know that you have probably been given some tips on how to take me down, maybe some insider information about me, but I'm sure you won't take it as gospel. Even if I were to tell you that in the time you were gone, the guard has changed and I've kind of assumed the role of the White Knight, you probably wouldn't care. Though it's different.
"I don't take people's words for gospel because I want to make sure I'm ready for everything. I don't want to focus on the things I've been told and then be shocked when none of that happens. In your case though, Victor, you don't want to take things you've heard about me as truth because, well, you probably don't care.
"Plain and simple. It's not that you want to figure things out for yourself, it's that you just couldn't care about me in the slightest. Who knows, maybe you don't even care about what we do, and you're just the sort of guy who wants to win, no matter the cost. The kind of wrestler who wants to use a weapon to drive home his point.
"And that is where the aforementioned White Knight role comes into play. Because stopping people like you, or at least people who think they are above the rules, that is something I do. That is what I have always done. After all, if there's one thing I don't enjoy, it's someone who takes the fun out of a match, who takes the fun away from the fans, for his own gain.
"The fans deserve not to be robbed of a great match.
"Which is what this could be. Truly. If the two of us are on top of our game Thursday night, we could definitely make this a match to remember. A match for the fans to remember.
"That is, if you can come to terms with what I've become. For nothing else then to realize that I am not going to be a push over. I am not going to just give you the win. I won't be lying down for you, and I won't be playing matador to your bull. I'm going to be giving you everything I have, and if you knock me down, all I am going to do is get right back up.
"Just like every time.
"And no matter how frustrated you get, no matter how many times you throw me down to the canvas and try and leave me beaten and broken, I will get up. Mark my words, Hades, I will continue to fight until I literally can no longer fight. And I know that's going to be your plan. You're going to want to kill me so that you can get a win. After all, my performance at Test for the Best would definitely be something that someone like you would like to show up.
"But it won't be easy. I won't say your unbeatable, but it won't be easy. Just like scaring me won't be easy. I've stepped into the ring with some bad company, and I've continued to come out on the other side with a smile. I might be busted open, but I don't get scared, let alone being scared of you this week.
"Hades, there's a lot riding on the line this week, or at least, it seems like there is. You've got the opportunity to show your true colors, to show that you're a changed man, a man that actually wants to put in the time to get what he wants. And I get a chance to show that I can hold my own with anyone that steps into my path. Whether that is Nathaniel Havok, Level One or you, I will be able to show everyone that I am what I say I am.
"I'm not a bona fide winner.
"I'm not a guaranteed champion.
"But I'm a warrior.
"I'm a man that doesn't give up.
"And you will get to see that first hand. You will get to be as frustrated as everyone else, and who knows, if you've got friends in the back, maybe you'll call them out to try and knock me down. After all, that seems to be the easiest way to get a win over me. And if you go that route, well, I don't know if we can really say you've shown your colors of being a true competitor.
"I guess this is me welcoming you back to APW. This is me looking forward to a great match against you. Looking forward to giving the fans something to cheer about. And by the end of the night, one of us will come out on top with our head held high.
"To get there, though, you have to ask yourself one question.
"Are you going to go big?
"Or at you simply going home?"
"Sure, I'm a bit disappointed that I didn't win the Test for the Best tournament, but that doesn't mean everything is over. That doesn't mean that I don't have a long road of competition ahead of me. It just means that I don't have a guaranteed title shot. It just means I will have to wait and continue to work if I want to see myself challenging for a title anytime soon.
"And that road begins this week when I take on a man that I've heard about, a man that always comes with a lot of buzz, but a man that I've never faced inside the ring. I get to fight Victor Hades. There's nothing on the line, but a match against a man like Hades, a match against a man that can get a North American title shot right out of the gate, that's a man that I am heavily invested in.
"I'm hoping to take a big step forward, and I'm hoping to do so this week. But it's not going to be easy. Victor Hades is a man that could be a man possessed. Victor Hades is a man that could make my life a living hell. Victor Hades is a man that could make this hopeful climb a long and terrifying trek.
"Could being the key word.
"I don't want to get ahead of myself, and I won't, but something has to be said for how much time Hades has spent away from APW, and whether or not he has used that time wisely. Keeping himself tuned up and ready for action is a hope, but it could very well be the opposite, and could very well see a Victor Hades unlike one we've seen. And not in a good way.
"But he has won the Survive and Conquer match and he has won the Xtreme title, so I need to keep that in mind. I need to remember how dangerous this man could be.
"To do that, I will make sure I study his match. I will make sure that I overlook nothing. That even if Hades has lost a step, I'll still be ready to take on a fully functioning Victor Hades.
"I am going to be ready for anything.
"I am going to be ready for everything."
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"Mr. Gates, I presume?"
C.J. Gates looks up from his meal to see the figure of a tall, bald man wearing a black suit. He has his hands clasped together holding a bowler hat. Gates glances around the dinner and spots one other man, this one standing by the rear exit, watching the two men intently.
"Can I help you?"
The man sits down in the booth opposite Gates. "We need to talk," he says with a slight smile.
"I'm all ears," Gates says, shifting from side to side with unease.
"I know that some of my associates have visited you prior," the man says. "And I know that some of those conversations haven't exactly ended with great results. No damage, but no results either. And deep down, that hurts me."
"That hurts you?" Gates asks before taking a sip of water.
"Yes," the man says. "I'm a businessman after all, like you. So you understand how things can get when we don't have the proper funds. Especially when the funds were supposed to be paid to us long before now."
"Listen," Gates says raising his one hand. "I've already told your boys about this. Any business you have is between you and my mom. Not me. My mom might have bet money on me, but I didn't tell her to do that so if you have any issues, bring them up with her."
"Yes, we figured you would say that." The man reaches into the inside pocket of his jacket. Gates tenses, but relaxes when the man simply withdraws a slip of paper. "This was sent to us by your mothers, shall we say, friend. He told us that everything was on the up and up, and that we would have our money in due time." The man hands the piece of paper to Gates. "This was three weeks ago."
Gates unfolds the note and reads it:
If you want your money, fine. But understand that this is not the end of things between you and I. You might have won this round, but you haven't won the eventual war. My son will provide you with the money.
Sincerely,
Momma Gates
"There must be some mistake," Gates says after reading the note.
"That is your mothers signature, is it not?"
"Well, yeah, but I never agreed to this. I would never agree to this. I've said the entire time, that this is all my mothers problem and she needs to handle it herself."
"You are her son, no?"
Gates blinks. "Yes I am, but-"
"As far as I'm concerned, you owe us some money. Now, we've waited a few weeks and, because we're such nice people, we're prepared to give you until the end of this month. But be warned, it we don't have our money by then, you are going to need to find a new profession."
"This is bullshit," Gates cries. "Why do I-"
"You have until the end of the month," the man says as he stands up. "Hopefully sooner rather than later, but if you need to take the whole month, we understand. As long as you understand that your knees are ours if you don't pay up."
As quick as he arrived, the man walks down the aisle toward the door where his bodyguard is standing. The two men exit the dinner leaving Gates holding the letter in his hand and shaking his head. He glances at the letter one more time and curses.
"That fucking bitch."
--------------------------------------
"I always seem to get pulled into everyone elses problems.
"I lose the APW World Heavyweight title on Overdrive because Terry Marvin decided to involve me in his little ego war with Level One. If he doesn't stick his nose in my business, who knows what could have happened.
"Then at Test for the Best, I get brought into the business of the New Sindicate because, for all I know, they couldn't let the night go by without one of them having success. Either way, without them around, who knows what happens. And now?
"Well, as of now, I'm not involved in someone elses mess. But the week is still early.
"You never know whether or not Victor Hades is going to be an honorable fighter or a man who simply wants to get ahead. Knowing the expectations he had for himself the last time he was around, I can only assume the latter is the case with him. I can only assume that at some point, I will be brought into his business because his business is making sure everyone he faces pays dearly.
"At least that's what I perceive his business to be. That and getting to the top of this company.
"Hell, as long as he doesn't draw me into any unfinished business or as long as he doesn't make this match into some kind of sideshow, I guess I can consider that a win, right? I mean, that's what I look for in an opponent.
"Someone who can play by the rules.
"Someone who doesn't need hoards of people fighting on their behalf.
"I just don't know if I can say that about Victor Hades."
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"And then when I started my car, the car across the street started up its engine and followed me for a few blocks." Vincent James flops down on the couch in the office of C.J. Gates. "Maybe everything that's happened with your mom is starting to get me paranoid, but I swear whoever was driving that car was also staking out my house."
"Probably more paranoid then anything else," C.J. Gates responds. "I mean, why would anyone stake out your house? If it's all about me and my mom betting money on me, why wouldn't they stake out my house?"
"Because they know I know you. What better way to get to you then to go through me. Or at least to follow me."
"Still seems kind of fishy," Gates says, shaking his head. "Has anything else happened? Anymore phone calls or toy horse heads?"
"A horse head is still a horse head."
"Whatever. Did anything else happen?"
James shakes his head. "Nothing yet, but I get the feeling that something is going to happen. The other shoe is going to drop, so to speak."
"What makes you think that?" Gates asks.
"You saw those guys when they came in here," James says. "They weren't exactly the Teletubbies or anything. They were tough. They were mean. They were two men that wanted nothing more than to break some kneecaps. Eventually, something is going to give and eventually, someone is going to pay for it. And I think it could be us."
"Us?" Gates asks. "I haven't had the same feelings you have."
"False security," James snaps his fingers. "They're luring you in with a false sense of security and then wham, they catch you off guard with an uzi to the midsection."
"Okay, now you're just getting carried away."
"Perhaps," James begins. He glances over his shoulder at the door and then stands up, moving to the other couch. He glances up at Gates who has a puzzled look on his face. "I can see the door better this way. No surprises."
"Wow," Gates chuckles. "If they were trying to get to me, the only thing they achieved was scaring the shit out of you."
"I'm not scared."
"Okay, you're cautious," Gates corrects himself. "It's not much of a stretch."
"I just don't want to get whacked."
"You won't," Gates says. "If they wanted to kill us, they would have done it already. They wouldn't be following us around."
"But the money-"
"If they want the money, killing one or both of us would make my mom think twice about not paying."
James nods his head absently. "Yeah, I guess I see what you're saying. Still, kind of freaks me out."
"Well, shake it off," Gates says with a smile as James shoots him a dirty look. "Okay, you can't shake it off, but you know what I mean. I mean, I can't have you panicking that you're going to be sleeping with the fishies when I'm trying to focus on my matches at hand. It's just going to make everything more stressful for me, and I don't think that will help me improve at all."
"Improve," James scoffs. "You nearly won Test for the Best for crying out loud."
"Nearly," Gates repeats. "Besides, even if I would have won, there's always room for improvement. The same can be said for everyone."
"But you almost-"
"Almost is not a win," Gates says.
"But if it wasn't for the rest of the New Sindicate underlings..."
"I might have won," Gates says with a shrug. "There's no telling for sure what would have happened. Aubrey and I could have kept going or we would have ended it around the same time, with the same person winning."
"But-"
"We don't know," Gates says. "I'm not too bent out of shape about it though. I had three fantastic matches at Test for the Best, and I showed everyone what I was capable of. Now, I need to keep that going and I need to keep performing well. I need to continue to work to do what I do every time I step into that ring - earn opportunities."
"Who do you have to go up against?"
"Victor Hades."
"Mr. oh-and-one?"
Gates nods. "To be fair, that one was against The Guv'Nor. Not many people can boast a win over him. I've seen him and what he can do, back when I first joined APW, and I know that his match with The Guv'Nor is only the beginning. Everything is up hill for him from here."
"You think so?"
"I know so."
"But what if he's past his prime? What if he's over the hill?"
"He might be," Gates shrugs. "I won't deny that possibility. I also won't say that he's not going to have a bit of ring rust, or at least that there's a chance that he might. I don't want to make any assumptions, you know? I want to make sure that I'm not overlooking Hades. This could be a big week for me."
"Every week is a big week for you," James says. "This is APW after all."
"I know," Gates says. "And it's funny. Back in 2010, I was looking forward to a possible match against Victor Hades. I had him in my sights as someone that I really wanted a good chance to prove myself against. I guess I kind of wanted to go against the top names on my way to the top. And while I did that, I didn't do it against Hades."
"But now you get that chance."
"Now I get that chance," Gates echoes. "But everything is different. Before, I thought that a match with Hades would be enough to show to fans, the people, the executives of APW what kind of fighting I am. Now that the match is here, though, the same effect can't be taken from it."
Gates leans back in his desk chair and lets out a long breath. "Don't get me wrong, there is still a lot to take away from this match. There are a lot of things that can be done in this match to change the courses that he and I are on. It's just going to be a bit different because I don't have a hole to dig out of. I've already accomplished so much, I'm just looking...well, I guess I'm looking to become relevant again. I'm looking to not get lost in the shuffle now that the rosters have expanded."
"I don't think you have to worry about that."
"No?"
"You're C.J. Gates."
"Which means I'm a human being," Gates says. "And anything can happen to anyone. It just depends how the tides turn."
"Well, I'm sure you've bought yourself a bit of time," James says. "After all, you just won the Trans-Atlantic Cup. I doubt they're going to toss you onto the scrap heap now."
"And I am going to make sure I keep it that way."
"By beating Victor Hades?"
"By pushing Victor Hades," Gates corrects. "I may not beat him, but I am going to definitely push him to his limits.
"I am going to make him earn a win.
"I am going to make him go big."
--------------------------------------
"When I first started in APW, there were names that I was told to watch out for.
"There were the obvious names like Sally Talfourd and Level One, who engrossed themselves in a bitter feud that seemed to rage on forever. Biggs and Chris Cyrus were laying back, waiting for their moment to shine. There was the masked Crazy Joe who had revealed himself to be Mark Mania. There was Pence Weatherlight, who was constantly vying for the top spot in the company.
"And then there was Victor Hades.
"Sure, he was on his way out shortly after I stepped into APW, but he was still a name that I was warned about. A man that was making great strides to putting himself at the top of the pyramid. He was going up against some of the best names that APW had to offer and he was making sure to put up a good fight against each and every one of them.
"Fast forward to now and Hades has returned to APW to continue the domination that got his name mentioned back in 2010. Fast forward to now and I find myself having my first match against Hades. I find myself going toe to toe with a man that I was warned about, a man that had so much promise, a man that was pegged as the future of APW.
"A lot has changed since the last time you saw me, Victor. Or at least, the last time you saw me for more than a show here and there. I am no longer that upstart trying to find his footing in the tag team division. I am no longer a nobody trying to make a name for myself. I've climbed to the top of the mountain and I've slain beasts and giants that some can only dream of slaying. I've won the Undisputed title and I've beaten every single name that I was warned about.
"Except for you, Hades.
"Though this week isn't about beating you, Victor. I'm not going to be hungry for a win just because I don't have one over you. I'm not going to lose sight of the match at hand at all. I'm not going to go into this match with the same mindset that you might be going in with. I mean, it's no secret that you are going to be giving it your all, because you are going to be trying to make a name for yourself. You are going to be trying to get yourself to the top by beating someone that many consider to be one of those already at the top.
"And I wouldn't ask for you to take this match any less seriously. Truthfully. I want you to come out firing. I want you to come out with hunger in your eyes and I want you to push me to my limits. After all, that's the only way that we can get better. That's the only way that I can continue to further myself and continue to prepare myself for everything else that lies before me. I need to test myself against the best.
"Are you the best? The tournament we just had would say no, but that doesn't mean you don't possess those qualities. It doesn't mean that you couldn't be the best if you wanted to be. However, at one point you were considered to be one of the best on the rise. One of the men that people needed to brace for when you made your impact.
"Or at least, that's what I was told.
"But I shouldn't bank everything off of what I was told. That wouldn't be fair to you. No, I should make an opinion of you, make a viewpoint of you, based on my own observations.
"I'm sure you're thinking the same thing. I know that you have probably been given some tips on how to take me down, maybe some insider information about me, but I'm sure you won't take it as gospel. Even if I were to tell you that in the time you were gone, the guard has changed and I've kind of assumed the role of the White Knight, you probably wouldn't care. Though it's different.
"I don't take people's words for gospel because I want to make sure I'm ready for everything. I don't want to focus on the things I've been told and then be shocked when none of that happens. In your case though, Victor, you don't want to take things you've heard about me as truth because, well, you probably don't care.
"Plain and simple. It's not that you want to figure things out for yourself, it's that you just couldn't care about me in the slightest. Who knows, maybe you don't even care about what we do, and you're just the sort of guy who wants to win, no matter the cost. The kind of wrestler who wants to use a weapon to drive home his point.
"And that is where the aforementioned White Knight role comes into play. Because stopping people like you, or at least people who think they are above the rules, that is something I do. That is what I have always done. After all, if there's one thing I don't enjoy, it's someone who takes the fun out of a match, who takes the fun away from the fans, for his own gain.
"The fans deserve not to be robbed of a great match.
"Which is what this could be. Truly. If the two of us are on top of our game Thursday night, we could definitely make this a match to remember. A match for the fans to remember.
"That is, if you can come to terms with what I've become. For nothing else then to realize that I am not going to be a push over. I am not going to just give you the win. I won't be lying down for you, and I won't be playing matador to your bull. I'm going to be giving you everything I have, and if you knock me down, all I am going to do is get right back up.
"Just like every time.
"And no matter how frustrated you get, no matter how many times you throw me down to the canvas and try and leave me beaten and broken, I will get up. Mark my words, Hades, I will continue to fight until I literally can no longer fight. And I know that's going to be your plan. You're going to want to kill me so that you can get a win. After all, my performance at Test for the Best would definitely be something that someone like you would like to show up.
"But it won't be easy. I won't say your unbeatable, but it won't be easy. Just like scaring me won't be easy. I've stepped into the ring with some bad company, and I've continued to come out on the other side with a smile. I might be busted open, but I don't get scared, let alone being scared of you this week.
"Hades, there's a lot riding on the line this week, or at least, it seems like there is. You've got the opportunity to show your true colors, to show that you're a changed man, a man that actually wants to put in the time to get what he wants. And I get a chance to show that I can hold my own with anyone that steps into my path. Whether that is Nathaniel Havok, Level One or you, I will be able to show everyone that I am what I say I am.
"I'm not a bona fide winner.
"I'm not a guaranteed champion.
"But I'm a warrior.
"I'm a man that doesn't give up.
"And you will get to see that first hand. You will get to be as frustrated as everyone else, and who knows, if you've got friends in the back, maybe you'll call them out to try and knock me down. After all, that seems to be the easiest way to get a win over me. And if you go that route, well, I don't know if we can really say you've shown your colors of being a true competitor.
"I guess this is me welcoming you back to APW. This is me looking forward to a great match against you. Looking forward to giving the fans something to cheer about. And by the end of the night, one of us will come out on top with our head held high.
"To get there, though, you have to ask yourself one question.
"Are you going to go big?
"Or at you simply going home?"
