Sensational Show Season 2, Episode 2: Only One Option

[Nick Watson]

*Raleigh, North Carolina*
**Two Days Ago**
 
 Four hours. That's how long we had been driving in circles and needless to say tensions were beginning to be worn thin in the rental car we had rented to make the trip to Raleigh for a location shoot before Overdrive. For all of those hours, Corey had sat at the wheel, and made futile attempt after futile attempt to steer us to our destination. Alas, Corey had failed to do his job as the designated driver for this epic journey that we had been undertaking. Cass, our resident backseat driver, had mostly been quiet the whole time, but I could tell she was fuming because of the sighs and moans of displeasure that would emanate from the back every once in a while. Corey, of course, remained optimistic, sadly every one else in the car did not share his disposition toward his notion of the glass is half-full.

"I think we are almost there...."

 He said, trying to soothe our agitation on this extremely hot summer day in North Carolina. Sadly, no one was buying into his positive outlook, and as of right now I was regretting getting talked out of getting the car with GPS which would have costed not too much more.

"You think or do you know, Corey?"

 Corey didn't say a word and instead mumbled something about a 'feeling' on our current course.

"Are you sure that the AC isn't working?"

 Cass, who had been mostly quiet, finally spoke which caused a slight bit of surprise in the front part of the car. I nodded my head glumly, remembering how we had been shafted by the rental car place in terms of not only AC, but had also been ripped off by not having a working radio either. She groaned and then went back to laying down in the back seat.

"What was the exit we were suppose to get off on, Nick?"

"I don't know. You're the one with the map, bro."
 
 He then preceded to fling the map at me, which narrowly escaped going out the window, and on to the road behind me. I gave him a quick look and then opened up the map to get my bearings. For a few moments I had to do a double take, looking from the map, then back to the road, and then back to the map, but after a while I had a general idea of where we were at and what had happened during our trip to steer us off course. I kindly gave Corey the map back and then told him the exit that we needed to get off on to reach our destination. We were heading to a location filled with history known as the Capital Area Reservation. It was a place filled with old buildings and almost endless historical relevance which was used for not only education, but as a reminder for people of where they came from.

 It was exciting for us, well more like me, to be going there, and was definitely something that I hoped would relate to my fans and would garner a great deal of respect from the local crowd as well. Sadly, most of the day had been shot, which meant the shoot would have to happen another time, but our reservations for lodging had been completed beforehand, luckily, and we would definitely crash for the night for an early shoot around the location that I thought looked the most serene and calm, the Yates Mill.

"So you must be psyched?"

"About what?"

"About the big match, Nick! I mean it isn't every day you get to go into a tag match of this magnitude."

 He retorted, keeping his eyes on the road, and driving rather swiftly to our destination in the distance. I remained silent, thinking about the match that was coming up, and the power players who were going to be in it. Corey was right about it not being every day that a match like this was set into motion with such big names on the list. Biggs, by himself, was a sell on the card, and him being in the match was simply exciting.

 Biggs had a long rep sheet of why he deserved to be in a big match like this. He had won several championships, some from my mentor, and other's from living legends who had made such big marks on this business that could easily make a guy like me feel insignificant. To have him in my corner as an ally this time around brought me such a feeling of jubilation that it was very had to explain in simple terms why I was excited to be working with him. I guess, the best way to put it was that I was a fan of his work, and was definitely impressed with the man when I had been forced to dive into research about him when Pence had originally taught me the ropes. But he wasn't the only one in this match up that had me looking at this match as a once in a life-time battle. Not only would Michael Jennings, a man who had brutalized an old rival of mine in Evan Envi, be in the match, but also the man who had tried to viciously assault several individuals over the last few weeks would be there too. 

 Needless to say the team of Michael Jennings and Victor Hades was going to be a powerful team to overcome and I knew that the path to victory for this match would only become clear through the blood, sweat, and tears that were shed by the team of Biggs and I. But, I was sure that we were more than ready for the challenge, and this time I wouldn't disappoint like I did in my match with A.C. Smith last week. It still stung to remember the defeat at his hands last week, but at least I had gone out with a bang, and the fans had enjoyed the match. Sure, I didn't walk out with the one in the win column, but I could live with taking Smith to his limits and back. I couldn't say the same about this match coming up though.

 This was one of those matches where you just itched for the win, not just because it would put a one in your win column, but because of the morality behind it all. This match had a lot more moving parts and a lot more behind the scenes implications that people wouldn't notice by simply looking at a card or watching this match. This match was the proverbial and ever lasting battle of good versus evil. And it was because of this that I felt the need to win, not only for myself, but for all of the red blooded, tax paying, decent human beings in this world.

"Well to put it simply, Corey...I feel like this is a must win for a lot of reasons that are much bigger than myself or anything that I will say on the subject."

"Care to explain yourself or are we going to remain super cryptic about that?"

"You do realize I'm trying to relax back here?"

 Cass interrupted from the back seat, causing us both to turn our heads for a second to look at Cass, who gave us a quaint nod, and then lay back in the most comfortable position she could find in the back seat. Which to be honest, didn't look very comfortable to me. I decided to continue on, much quieter this time as to avoid the wrath of the sleeping dragon in the back.

"It is a battle of morality, Corey. Victor and Jennings make a living off of hurting people. I'm not about that at all...I'm about giving the fans an amazing show and blowing the roof off the arena by exhilarating the fans with death defying leaps of faith."

"You also don't look like a Marilyn Manson music video reject or a sleazy business man."

"I don't see how that has anything to do with the battle or morality I am speaking of, Corey."

"I'm sorry. I was just making an observation about the way those two dress. I mean, come on! Does Victor not know when it is time to put down the mascara?"

"I will admit he does take it a bit over-board. And Jennings does give off that sleazy vibe, but that is beside the point! The point is simply that these two guys are just brutes in the simplest definition of the word and Biggs and I are entertainers...it really is a battle of two different ideologies."

"It sure does sound like it and to be honest with you bud...I'm a little afraid for you."

 That comment caused me to raise an eyebrow and shake my head in disagreement.

"You're afraid for me? Listen, Corey...I'm not afraid of tangoing with these malevolent figures. Hell, a big portion of why I came back has to do with not being afraid to take on the strongest, and the most viscous opponents that APW has to offer. And these two fit the bill. To be afraid of them and to go into this match with any doubt would not only be me handing them the match, but it would be me giving in to the doctrine that they are trying to shove down our throats."

 Corey nods his head in approval and then adds to my statement.

"Yeah, but that doesn't stop me from pissing myself whenever Victor comes out with that mask on his face."

"Can you believe he wears that crap outside?"

"I think that is taking it too far. I mean, what is he going to do with it? Scare a cashier at McDonalds to give him food for free?"

"I don't know, Corey, the guy is a few McNuggets short of a six piece. And I guess that makes him quite the unpredictable opponent."
 
"Unpredictable and mean spirited...man do you make the coolest of friends."

 He snickered at me as I rolled my eyes.

"What can I say? It's the charisma, man."

 As I finished that statement, our hotel came into view. It was an older looking hotel, but to me it looked like a quaint place to get away from the world, and just enjoy the time away from the rest of the world. As we pulled up to hotel, my mind was abuzz with thoughts of my upcoming match. It was true this would not be an easy match up by any means, but something inside my mind told me that this match would be the deciding point of my future, and that the only option on the table for me was to go into this match with my head held high, and give it my all. After all, that was the least I could do for my fans world-wide!

===============================(((((((((((Intermission))))))))))========================
*Present Day, Yates Mill*

 It was everything that I had hoped it would be. After gaining permission to film there I had the Sensational Crew work on setting everything up in preparation for the big shoot. Meanwhile, I strolled around, enjoying the sight, and getting to look at what it may have been like in the old days. To be honest, it baffled me as to what it was like without the innovations and marvels of modern technology, but yet I found myself enjoying the smells and the constant sound of the water falling over the rocks. It was serene, peaceful, and was the perfect place to just relax only a day before what I was assuming would be one of the most difficult matches of my career. As Cass told me that everything was set up, I took my position, standing in front of the mill looking out over a pond. I took a deep breath and then turned to look at Corey holding the camera with the red flashing light, the light that told me it was time to put on my war face.

"Hello, Sensationalites and welcome to Raleigh, North Carolina the sight of another Overdrive and of course the sight of another Sensational Episode of the Sensational Show!"

 I pause as I sit down on the grass next to the pond, which in response Corey gets lower to the ground to get a better angle.

"I am here at Yates Mill, a place with a history, and of course a place that the great state of North Carolina hopes to preserve for generations to come so that people can be educated as to what the past may have been like for the people who lived here a long time ago. Which is always awesome.

 Now I know what you're thinking, sensationalites...why is Nick Watson at Yates Mill and not at the gym preparing for this deadly match up with Jennings and Hades which is coming his way? Well to be honest, I needed a break from the gym, and needed to clear my mind. And this place...well look at it!"

 I wave my arm around at the scenery behind me and take a deep breath.

"This is the perfect place to sit down and clear you head of all of those unnecessary feelings like doubt and frustration. This place is the perfect place to just shed all of that crap and get back to basics."

 I pause again as a slight breeze washes over me, causing me to let loose a sigh of contentment. After the sigh, I stare right into the camera, and begin again.

"But I know you are not here to see me Zen the hell out, no you want me to bare my teeth at my opponents like they have bared theirs at me over the last few days. And don't worry, we will get there, but first I want to get something off my chest, and I hope you will forgive me for saying this, but I am excited about this match. And no it isn't because my opponents are basically the same side of the same jacked up coin, I mean they even said basically the same thing except for some slight rewording, and personal flair. No, the reason I am excited about this match, and am all types of psyched out about it is because I get to team up with one of the best wrestlers in APW, Biggs!

 I mean what is there to say about Biggs that wouldn't make me excited for this team up? He is one of the greatest entertainers of his generation, has held multiple titles, some of which he has taken from my mentor, and of course he is by far one of the smartest wrestlers to ever step into an APW ring! This guy has the "it" factor and ever since I started learning how to be a competitor within the APW from Pence, I have always had a fondness for researching Biggs' work, and to be honest...I just can't wait for the opportunity to stand at ring-side waiting for a tag from one of the all time greats!

 But what gets me is that the people we are up against this week Biggs, have no respect for you save for Jennings, and I wouldn't even really call that respect. I mean, this is a guy who at one time ran this brand, and sure he was shady about it, but this guy did one hell of a job! He is a true blue competitor and a really smart guy, but people like Victor talk smack to him! Try to lower the accomplishments that he has achieved in his career to the ground so that he can run them through the mud. Yet, I have a question for you Hades...have you ever been a World Champion?"

 I pause and wait for an answer before finally shaking my head.

"Let me answer for you, tough guy, no you didn't ever win a world championship, in fact your biggest victory came...when was it again? Oh yeah, it was at Survive and Conquer...over three years ago! But yet you have the audacity to target my partner with these outrageous attacks to his record. A record which will one day land Biggs in the hall of fame along side the all time greats who deserved it just as much as he does. But I'm not here to defend Biggs because Biggs can defend himself, no what I am here to do is say what I have to say, and be done with it, so that is exactly what I'm going to do."

 I stand up from where I was sitting and begin to walk toward the mill at a slow pace.

"I'm gonna be one hundred percent honest with you two...I don't like either of you. Both of you men are the embodiment of what is wrong with this business in separate, but equal ways. Jennings for instance is just a pure bred shit talker...he loves to spread his filth to the winds and talk a mad game about how he is going to brutalize people and take over the locker room. But, yet all I see when I look at you is a sleazy, egotistical asshole who would love nothing more than to gain some form of attention to make up for the lack of attention he got when he was a child. 

 But you see, the difference between Jennings, and those other sleazes who talk loads of crap is that Jennings will just break you. He doesn't care about rules or wins...no, Jennings wants to beat people up, and slander them while doing it too. Its his calling card and it has been like that ever since he got the balls to start saying what he wanted to say on live television. And for the most part he has gotten away with it because no one has taken him seriously, but recently after that match with Evan Envi...I think it became harder to just brush the guy aside and move on. No, Jennings has now earned a reputation as a cold blooded assailant who will stop it nothing to injure his opponent. And going into this match I am more than aware of this. But does that make me want to flee and run from the big bad "monster", no. Does it make me want to not attempt to climb his metaphorical "Everest", no.

The only thing that has changed with this recent realization is the amount of want I have to kick his ass six ways from Sunday. And do I think I can do that? You bet your ass I think I can do it. Anything is possible with hard work and effort.
"

 I pause to catch my breath as I reach the water wheel.

"But that is just me being an egomaniac, something that oddly you both decided to harp on for some reason, and to that remark I have to ask simply...how am I an egomaniac?"

 I shake my head in confusion and then continue.

"Is it because I care about my fans and don't try to selfishly talk about how awesome I am every time I open my mouth? Is it because I respect everyone in and out of the ring, regardless of what path they choose to tread? Or maybe it is because I give money to charity. That last one seems like the most logical choice out of the lot to me."

 I roll my eyes.

"Neither of you have an explanation for why I am an egomaniac, just like neither of you truly explained how I'm 'hyped', or how I have been a 'favorite' of management. And that is because none of it is true!

I started out in this business working as hard as I could to obtain anything and to this day I believe that hard work tromps any trickery or underhanded bull shit that anyone could possibly pull. I have been selfless...sacrificing my body week in and week out to entertain the people of this show, and all the while I have not asked for anything in return. And as far as management is concerned it is almost like I don't even exist to them...that is how it started in the beginning and right now is absolutely no different. But I still come to work and work my ass off instead of going on and on about this whole 'company is falling apart and I will take it over' horse crap."

 I lean against the bricks near the water wheel and then keep going.

"It's stupid how when a man comes in and tries to do the right thing that all these assholes and low lives come out of the wood work to tell you off. Hell, Hades was foaming at the mouth the moment I decided to take his toys away, and told him to chill his shit out. Which of course leads us to Hades, doesn't it? Which is very much to my dismay because I have to talk about the man who is pissing and moaning that he can't take out his frustrations for not winning America's Next Top Freak.

 I have never seen a man...who takes pleasure in the pain of others like you two, but Hades...you take the absolute cake. You and your ominous recordings of your psych evaluation, your black attire, your knock off Jason Voorhees mask, and your pale white contact lenses really are the perfect tools to instill fear...into twelve year old kids around the world.

 I'm not intimidated by you, Hades. As much as you like to talk about being a wrecking ball of destruction and a pure bred monster or psychopath or whatever the hell you refer to yourself as I know that deep down you are just a man with a serious mental disorder. But I will give accolades where accolades are due...you are an amazing athlete, but when it comes down to making a guy like me quake in my boots...well that just isn't going to happen. I'm not going to allow fear to dictate my life ever again and I am definitely not going to back down because some one tells me how they are going to beat the hell out of me because if there is one thing that I have learned from Pence's 'Play it Safe' notebook it was to never give in to my fears because by giving into fear you are only dooming yourself to be ruled by it.

 But for a man that has lived his life by instilling fear into others...you would never understand the concept of overcoming your fears. But this Thursday night, I'm going to try and show you what that is like...I'm going to try and show you the truth in what I am saying by proving that not only am I not afraid, but that I can also stand toe to toe with you in the ring like my mentor before me.

And that is all I have to say to you guys, but before I go, I want to make one thing clear. This Thursday night, Biggs and I are going to walk into Overdrive hungry, not only for a win, but for the simple reasoning of shutting you two the hell up. And you two will walk in with the main intent of doing us harm and physically breaking us. But by the end of the night, I promise you, Biggs and I will walk out with our heads held high, regardless of the outcome.

So you two better be prepared because Thursday night, no matter what, I'm going to do what I do best, and that is light up the sky. Good night ladies and gentlemen, and God bless."