Post by Mad Mumf on Jul 31, 2013 1:15:19 GMT -4
*After another eventful, but perhaps slightly less successful Overdrive, we find Mad Mumf in his locker room watching some post-show dark matches that are going on via the monitor on a nearby table. Pinched between the edges of his left thumb and forefinger is a cigar that he occasionally finds himself puffing on as he divides his attention between a flyer in his free hand and the matches on the monitor.*
*The few nicks and scrapes that he has from his match not long ago are bandaged or taped up, none of them major. His attention wanes as he takes another puff from his cigar and the flyer in his hand. As the camera pans in we see the match listings for the next installment of the show. His thoughts are interrupted by a loud knock on the door.*
Mumf – Hang on a minute!
*He gets up and throws his boots and trunks in a duffle bag next to the monitor and pulls on a t-shirt to accompany the athletic shorts and flip flops he’s sporting at the moment. He pops the cigar back into his mouth and pulls the door open, not sure who would be knocking on it in the first place and then smirks when he sees a man and a woman standing on the other side, obviously people he recognizes judging by the smirk on his face.*
Man – Cute outfit there, Mumf. You’re really going to sway the ladies with that one. The flip flops are an especially nice touch.
Mumf – Screw you, smartass.
Woman – Oh come on now, I don’t know. I’d probably still be tempted to do awful things to him.
*Mumf gets a wide-eyed expression and looks at the woman as if trying to recognize her.*
Man – You hear that? Apparently some people are blind to your complete lack of fashion sense.
*Mumf laughs and walks into the room, leaving an opening for the pair to walk in as he drops the stogie in an ashtray.*
Mumf – Look around you, little brother. Look at all the fucks I give about fashion sense, Ryan. Besides, I just finished working. You think I’m really gonna go from wrestling trunks to a pinstripe suit or something?
*The man, apparently named Ryan, laughs and then hugs Mumf, as they both share a laugh.*
Ryan – It’s good to see you, Adam. You look like you’re doing well. I heard that you were getting back in the ring, so I had to see it with my own two eyes. I happened to be working in a small indie fed with Ivy here when I found out and she refused to pass up the opportunity to see you again. Apparently at some point, you made an impression?
*Mumf looks back at the woman again and is hit with that familiar sense of realization and recognition.*
Mumf – Ivy? Ivy Summers?! Jesus, how long has it been?! Shit, I think the last time I saw you was before I ever got picked up by the RWF. I was only just starting to consider bulking up at that point and hitting the gym since I figured most companies were looking for muscle men. I’ve definitely had some war wounds since then.
Ivy – Oh, I don’t think you look much worse for the wear there, sexy.
Ryan – Sexy? You do realize his younger brother is in the room right now, right?
Ivy – Relax, Ryan. It’s not like you haven’t heard it before. You tagged along around the locker rooms back then too as soon as you were old enough to sign up. Speaking of, Mumf, check out what a fan gave me a few weeks back.
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*Mumf checks out the picture and laughs before handing it back to Ivy.*
Mumf – Even after all these years, still totally digging the Wonder Woman outfit, Ivy. Jesus we were young. Much less tattooed as well apparently.
Ryan – And less muscular. And less scarred.
Ivy – And you used to bleach your hair…
Ryan – That phase actually stuck around for a while even after he joined the RWF and became a muscle man.
Mumf – Yep. Now I just can’t be bothered.
Ryan – Case in point, the flip flops.
Mumf – Shut up, Ryan. You act like I’ve never worn flip flops and workout shorts before.
Ryan – Nah. I just like getting a rise out of you. It keeps my day new and fresh.
*Mumf rolls his eyes and walks over to his duffle bag, zipping it up and slinging dropping it onto the floor.*
Mumf – How long are you guys gonna be in town? I’ve got to head back to the hotel and put on some half decent clothes and get a long hot shower, but maybe we could catch some dinner afterwards or something.
Ivy – Actually…funny you should mention that.
Ryan – Me and Ivy were kind of wondering if you wanted some company on the road. The company we were working for just folded and we’re out of work and not ready to go looking for another gig just yet. My girlfriend, Kim might tag around a bit as well if that’s cool. The way I figure it, you’re on your own here anyway. You could use some people in your corner.
*Ivy moves up nice and close to Mumf and speaks in a voice as smooth as velvet that will send a shiver down nearly any guy’s spine.*
Ivy – Yeah. Come on, Adam. It’ll be just like old times. So much fun…
*Mumf just shakes his head with a smirk and a resigned shrug.*
Mumf – How am I supposed to say no to that? Come on, the suite I’m staying in has enough room for three. Let me go grab my shower and then we’ll eat.
*The scene fades out and then dissolves back into an upscale looking restaurant. As the camera pans around to the various well-dressed patrons, we see a uniform look of haughty disgust or annoyance on most of their faces. The reason for such disapproval is unknown until the camera finishes panning around to a table in the center of the room where Mumf, now dressed in a pair of cargo shorts, one of his Punk clothing line t-shirts (Punk’s the name of the brand or label), and a pair of sneakers. Ryan’s dressed in a loose fitting pair of jeans with assorted rips in strategic locations and a tank top. Ivy is, much to her normal taste in style dressed in a pair of holey fishnets, combat boots, a plaid skirt, and a halter top. The three seem to be in high spirits, possibly owing in part to the several empty bottles of wine on the table and the one that isn’t quite so empty. Their jovial and loud nature appears to be getting on the nerves of the patrons, none of whom dare to complain to the staff, who seem all to happy to oblige the trio for the sake of the generous tips they’re receiving.*
Mumf – And then the creeper literally gets a shot just of Ivy’s ass as she’s posing outside the ring. *He pauses and laughs.* And Ivy, spins around, scaring the holy hell out of this fifty year old dude, making him think he’s about to get slapped. And Ivy just says…
*Ivy jumps up and re-enacts the remainder of the story, flipping her skirt up and exposing her thonged ass in public, mostly towards Ryan for the sake of the story.*
Ivy – If you’re gonna to get a shot of my ass, at least get a good one. I don’t want that shit getting posted on your internet site and having it being mistaken for someone else’s or a fake!
*The three share a loud laugh as the head waiter makes his way to the table and clears his throat, apparently deciding it’s time to calm the trio down a bit.*
Head Waiter – Excuse me monsieur. I believe the other patrons would like me to ask you to…
*Mumf interrupts the waiter by sticking a generous amount of large bills into his tuxedo pocket.*
Mumf – Buy them all a round? Why certainly. Be sure that everybody at every table gets a glass of your finest wine on my tab. And while you’re at it, get another bottle of it over here. There’s more stories to be told.
*The three laugh again as the Head Waiter is obviously thoroughly thwarted and stifled with the amount of money and generosity placed before him and in his pocket while the story telling and wine drinking continues. In the midst of another story, Ryan nudges Mumf and motions his head towards the entrance to the restaurant to point out a camera man and reporter speaking to the Head Waiter and then making their way over to the table.*
Ryan – We’ll go wait for you outside…
*Mumf shakes his head and motions for Ryan and Ivy to sit back down as they start to get up.*
Mumf – Nah, dude. Sit down. You guys are gonna be around, then you should probably get introduced to the APW masses. Besides, I’m not exactly about formalities. You know that.
*The interviewer finally realizes Mumf’s ready to talk to him and stands nearby as the camera starts rolling.*
Interviewer – I’m Harry Biggles here live with an APW Web Exclusive interview with none other than APW newcomer Mad Mumf following the aftermath of his first attempt at the Overdrive Title in the seven man scramble match. Mumf what are your thoughts on the match?
Mumf – Harry Biggles? Really? Did your parents hate you or something dude?
Harry – I have no idea what you mean.
Mumf – Offff course you don’t. Anyway, what was your question? My thoughts on the match? Well, I’m going to be honest. It was fun. No matter how much of a clusterfuck it was. Edit that out if you need to. But yeah. It was a mess. It was controlled chaos just as would be expected with perhaps a slightly lower amount of control than usual. There was fighting, violence, and risk taking at every single turn and plenty of opportunity to beat the hell out of people. Good times.
Harry – Do you feel that your unfinished business, as you put it, with Joseph Johnson is now resolved?
Mumf – Yeah. I think I made my point. Johnson definitely got at least some degree of the beating he begged out of the first time we crossed paths. More importantly, though, several faces that may not be fresh to the APW but are brand new to me got to find out just what I’m about. If what I was able to do during that match does not turn some heads…if I was unable to showcase a little glimmer of what I’m capable of during that match, I don’t know what will. As for Johnson, I think our little scrum is paid in full. I respect what the guy can do and what he’s capable of even if I don’t approve of what he did in our first match. Sometimes self-preservation is at least, in part, the side of wisdom.
Harry – Are you disappointed in the fact that you were unable to walk away with the Overdrive title.
Mumf – I don’t think disappointment factors into it to be honest. This kind of match really does end up being quite the crap shoot. In this case, the clock didn’t work out in my favor and the chips didn’t fall my way. I will tell you this, though. Tonight was not, by any means, the last time I’ll ever be coming for that strap, and the next time I do, I doubt there will be a time limit or six other men or a crap shoot of a match stipulation to save the person I’ll be taking that belt from.
Harry – Does that mean you plan on pursuing Evan Envi and his Overdrive Title?
Mumf – I don’t think the two are mutually exclusive. Like I said, I’m going to be coming for that title eventually. Who happens to be holding it at that time is a matter of happenstance. I actually kind of like Evan from what I’ve seen of him at this point. He managed to give the middle finger to the people who tried to tear that belt away from him despite their best efforts. He sure as hell knows how to fight, too. I hope he managed to learn what he wanted to about me during that fight though, and I hope it helped him to understand the level of determination I possess along with the desire to win and the understanding that not a single person I face will be treated as a walk in the park. I also hope he understands that if, when the time comes, he’s the one still holding the Overdrive Title, that I WILL be taking it from him by any means necessary. Right now, however I think he’s got his hands full with the Black Hand.
Harry – By the way I notice you have two people here with you tonight. So far, you’ve been something of a loner in the APW. Are these two going to be coming into the fray with you from here on out?
Mumf – You could say that. The details haven’t been ironed out, but I would trust these two with my life, and with my safety from outside forces while I’m standing in that ring. The young man sitting in front of us is my little brother, Ryan Mumford. Ryan typically sticks to the indie circuit, but has a huge amount of talent, a fact he’s usually more than happy to tell you about. *Motions to Ivy.* And this lovely lady is “Poison” Ivy Summers. She was one of my first managers when I got into this business and a very old friend. She’s got a bit of a mean streak too if you piss her off.
Ivy – Don’t we all?
Harry – Nice to meet you, Ivy and Ryan. Have you two been following Mumf’s progress here in the APW so far? If so, what do you think of his time here as of yet?
Ryan – It’s a small sample size, to be honest, but between this last match and what you have yet to see from him, I think some heads will begin turning real soon.
Ivy – Either that or heads will roll from underestimating him. Ryan helped Mumf work on a lot of his newer techniques when he was out of the business. When you couple that with what he’s already capable of, that makes Adam Mumford a very dangerous individual.
Harry – Well, Mumf, your next opportunity to turn some heads is coming up next Thursday as you know, and it will be against a member of the very group you mentioned is keeping Evan Envi’s hands full. Of course you know I’m talking about the Mad Man Chris Madison of the Black Hand.
Mumf – Of course you are.
Harry – What are your thoughts at this point of the Black Hand and their actions tonight?
Mumf – Well, there is something to be said for winning a war by sheer numbers or by attrition sometimes. It may not necessarily be my style, though, since I sometimes simply enjoy the thrill of the fight and the battle as much as the eventual victory. But here you’re looking at a conglomeration of guys who either have daddy issues, authority issues, issues with the people holding what they want, or various other issues, and apparently they subscribe quite fully to the idea of strength in numbers. I can understand the benefits of their approach. I can even acknowledge the results that they can achieve with such an approach. That doesn’t necessarily mean I subscribe to it. Oh, don’t get me wrong. They may very well have sent a message, a loud one at that, but don’t you think that there is, just maybe, the possibility that they could be biting off more than they can chew here? This could easily turn into a sense of motivation for their adversary. If Tommy Knox wanted a fight with Envi, I’m pretty sure, he’s going to end up with one. I’m also pretty sure it’s going to be a god damned mess. My question is, will they sully the potential for an amazing fight with the involvement of a mob mentality or will It simply be a man on man knock-down drag-out beating. I’ll be curious.
Harry – Chris Madison, the member of the Black Hand that you’ll be facing this week seems to have something of a similar philosophy to your own, and yet he’s a member of this group that is, as you put it, subscribing to a mob mentality.
*Mumf grins and takes a sip of his wine, nodding in response to Harry and sharing a conspiratorial smile with Ryan and Ivy.*
Mumf – Now here’s a guy who intrigues me. And to top it all off he’s a fellow Long Island native. The Mad Man versus the Mad Mumf. Me versus a guy who may very well be cut from the exact same mold as me, though the circumstances that got him there may be significantly different. I’ll tell you the truth, I’ve been anticipating this since I started reading up on the APW roster. I figured it was only a matter of time before they decided to stick me and Chris in a ring against each other. I’m actually looking forward to this because I’m not entirely sure what to expect. It’s not every day one gets to fight somebody who lives by the same desires, the same philosophy as they do. It’s not often you get to step into the ring against somebody who may actually be a match for what you are and what you’re capable of. *Fakes a shiver.* Ooh it just gives me the tinglies all over. As these two will tell you, it’s not often that I get REALLY excited over a match anymore. It takes a lot to get me worked up to the point that I’ll have sleepless nights in anticipation. It has to be a damn special kind of match to get me riled up like a kid on Christmas Eve. Well, the tree’s all set up and Saint Nick apparently is coming early this year.
Harry – Are you concerned that the Black Hand might get involved in your match?
Mumf – Considering they’ve got a lot of fish on their plate to begin with, I’d question the wisdom of pissing off yet another member of the APW rank and file. Hell, I don’t even care about whether the outcome is a win or a loss. I care more about whether I’m robbed of a good fight. I’m going to make a promise right now. Just like the one I made to Joseph Johnson a few weeks ago after he robbed me of a fight by leaving the ring. Just like that promise that I made good on. If I get robbed of the chance to face such and intriguing and enticing challenge as someone cut from such a similar mold as me, I am going to get pissed the hell off. I don’t care how big any faction is in this business. I don’t care how dangerous any faction is. If somebody gets between me and something I consider an objective, there will be a problem.
Harry – Do you have any message that you’d like to add to Chris Madison himself?
Mumf – Absolutely. Chris, I hope you’re sitting somewhere right now as you’re watching this, thinking about the potential this fight has. Not just for the future of my career or your career. Not for the potential of whether it will move us up some sort of power ranking or pecking order for a title shot. I hope you’re thinking about this for the simple reason that you, like me, value a fight. You value the chance to hurt someone. To beat them bloody. I hope you’re thinking about the epic proportions to which too men can bring a fight when they are both striving for the same simple thing. Violence. Bloodlust. Deliverance of pain. You come from a similar background as me, you know the streets I know on Long Island. You know the nooks the crannies, the good neighborhoods and the bad. You know which high schools and colleges had better quality wrestling mats and which had ones that may as well have been made of stone. You moved from company to company in this business with the sole desire of being successful and hurting people. You don’t take crap from anyone. You are the prototypical person I embrace working with and would relish having to watch my back because he understands just what I’m about.
Which is why I’m kind of confused about what you’re doing with the Black Hand. You don’t strike me as the type of person who, despite the potential of getting to hurt people night in and night out, would want the thrill of the fight and the chance to deliver that hurt sullied by the involvement of others. Maybe I’m reading the Black Hand entirely wrong, but I see a group right now that’s more interested in a war against people with whom its members have personal agendas rather than simply watching one another’s’ backs.
Therein, perhaps, lies the problem. There, perhaps, is the difference between you and me. Maybe that will be what sets you and me apart from one another. I may be a cold and calculating person when I get into that ring. I may have the simple goal of bringing pain to my opponent much the way you do, but I have rules that I follow. I have a structure of beliefs to go along with it. I have a compass that guides the monster that I can be to what it is I want. Personally, I’d be pissed off if others tried to do the work or the fighting for me or got involved in the task I set before myself. Hopefully I’m wrong and you subscribe to that same theory, that same philosophy and we end up having the fight of a century without your boys from the Black Hand setting foot in that ring.
Maybe you’ll step into that ring and give me a real challenge. Not a crap shoot like a 7 man scramble. Not a curtain jerker who doesn’t know or understand what I’m about. Not a triple threat match where one man backs out halfway through because he has a title shot coming up. None of those things. Maybe you’ll give me a match that will be a true challenge. Something for me to rise up to and consider a hell of a statement when I battle somebody whose hunger rivals my own. Maybe you will be the victory that shows people just what Adam Mumford is capable of. Maybe fighting you until I am declared the winner will show people just why Mad Mumf is called a monster, an animal, a cold blooded beast. Maybe you will come into that ring and finally get to see for yourself what a real fight is like and understand that no matter how long you are in this business, there are a select few who have that same hunger and desire to fight and maim and hurt, and that perhaps you belong among those ranks and will have earned the respect of another member of it. Or, perhaps you will just turn out to be another face In the long line of people against whom I have unleashed an unrivaled fury and simply will not survive. I’m looking forward to finding out, and to be quite frank, next Thursday can’t get here fast enough.
Harry, if you’ll excuse us, we've got more wine to drink, people to annoy, and stories to tell.
*Mumf pours himself another glass of wine and resumes his conversation with his brother and Ivy as the scene fades to black.*
*The few nicks and scrapes that he has from his match not long ago are bandaged or taped up, none of them major. His attention wanes as he takes another puff from his cigar and the flyer in his hand. As the camera pans in we see the match listings for the next installment of the show. His thoughts are interrupted by a loud knock on the door.*
Mumf – Hang on a minute!
*He gets up and throws his boots and trunks in a duffle bag next to the monitor and pulls on a t-shirt to accompany the athletic shorts and flip flops he’s sporting at the moment. He pops the cigar back into his mouth and pulls the door open, not sure who would be knocking on it in the first place and then smirks when he sees a man and a woman standing on the other side, obviously people he recognizes judging by the smirk on his face.*
Man – Cute outfit there, Mumf. You’re really going to sway the ladies with that one. The flip flops are an especially nice touch.
Mumf – Screw you, smartass.
Woman – Oh come on now, I don’t know. I’d probably still be tempted to do awful things to him.
*Mumf gets a wide-eyed expression and looks at the woman as if trying to recognize her.*
Man – You hear that? Apparently some people are blind to your complete lack of fashion sense.
*Mumf laughs and walks into the room, leaving an opening for the pair to walk in as he drops the stogie in an ashtray.*
Mumf – Look around you, little brother. Look at all the fucks I give about fashion sense, Ryan. Besides, I just finished working. You think I’m really gonna go from wrestling trunks to a pinstripe suit or something?
*The man, apparently named Ryan, laughs and then hugs Mumf, as they both share a laugh.*
Ryan – It’s good to see you, Adam. You look like you’re doing well. I heard that you were getting back in the ring, so I had to see it with my own two eyes. I happened to be working in a small indie fed with Ivy here when I found out and she refused to pass up the opportunity to see you again. Apparently at some point, you made an impression?
*Mumf looks back at the woman again and is hit with that familiar sense of realization and recognition.*
Mumf – Ivy? Ivy Summers?! Jesus, how long has it been?! Shit, I think the last time I saw you was before I ever got picked up by the RWF. I was only just starting to consider bulking up at that point and hitting the gym since I figured most companies were looking for muscle men. I’ve definitely had some war wounds since then.
Ivy – Oh, I don’t think you look much worse for the wear there, sexy.
Ryan – Sexy? You do realize his younger brother is in the room right now, right?
Ivy – Relax, Ryan. It’s not like you haven’t heard it before. You tagged along around the locker rooms back then too as soon as you were old enough to sign up. Speaking of, Mumf, check out what a fan gave me a few weeks back.
*Mumf checks out the picture and laughs before handing it back to Ivy.*
Mumf – Even after all these years, still totally digging the Wonder Woman outfit, Ivy. Jesus we were young. Much less tattooed as well apparently.
Ryan – And less muscular. And less scarred.
Ivy – And you used to bleach your hair…
Ryan – That phase actually stuck around for a while even after he joined the RWF and became a muscle man.
Mumf – Yep. Now I just can’t be bothered.
Ryan – Case in point, the flip flops.
Mumf – Shut up, Ryan. You act like I’ve never worn flip flops and workout shorts before.
Ryan – Nah. I just like getting a rise out of you. It keeps my day new and fresh.
*Mumf rolls his eyes and walks over to his duffle bag, zipping it up and slinging dropping it onto the floor.*
Mumf – How long are you guys gonna be in town? I’ve got to head back to the hotel and put on some half decent clothes and get a long hot shower, but maybe we could catch some dinner afterwards or something.
Ivy – Actually…funny you should mention that.
Ryan – Me and Ivy were kind of wondering if you wanted some company on the road. The company we were working for just folded and we’re out of work and not ready to go looking for another gig just yet. My girlfriend, Kim might tag around a bit as well if that’s cool. The way I figure it, you’re on your own here anyway. You could use some people in your corner.
*Ivy moves up nice and close to Mumf and speaks in a voice as smooth as velvet that will send a shiver down nearly any guy’s spine.*
Ivy – Yeah. Come on, Adam. It’ll be just like old times. So much fun…
*Mumf just shakes his head with a smirk and a resigned shrug.*
Mumf – How am I supposed to say no to that? Come on, the suite I’m staying in has enough room for three. Let me go grab my shower and then we’ll eat.
*The scene fades out and then dissolves back into an upscale looking restaurant. As the camera pans around to the various well-dressed patrons, we see a uniform look of haughty disgust or annoyance on most of their faces. The reason for such disapproval is unknown until the camera finishes panning around to a table in the center of the room where Mumf, now dressed in a pair of cargo shorts, one of his Punk clothing line t-shirts (Punk’s the name of the brand or label), and a pair of sneakers. Ryan’s dressed in a loose fitting pair of jeans with assorted rips in strategic locations and a tank top. Ivy is, much to her normal taste in style dressed in a pair of holey fishnets, combat boots, a plaid skirt, and a halter top. The three seem to be in high spirits, possibly owing in part to the several empty bottles of wine on the table and the one that isn’t quite so empty. Their jovial and loud nature appears to be getting on the nerves of the patrons, none of whom dare to complain to the staff, who seem all to happy to oblige the trio for the sake of the generous tips they’re receiving.*
Mumf – And then the creeper literally gets a shot just of Ivy’s ass as she’s posing outside the ring. *He pauses and laughs.* And Ivy, spins around, scaring the holy hell out of this fifty year old dude, making him think he’s about to get slapped. And Ivy just says…
*Ivy jumps up and re-enacts the remainder of the story, flipping her skirt up and exposing her thonged ass in public, mostly towards Ryan for the sake of the story.*
Ivy – If you’re gonna to get a shot of my ass, at least get a good one. I don’t want that shit getting posted on your internet site and having it being mistaken for someone else’s or a fake!
*The three share a loud laugh as the head waiter makes his way to the table and clears his throat, apparently deciding it’s time to calm the trio down a bit.*
Head Waiter – Excuse me monsieur. I believe the other patrons would like me to ask you to…
*Mumf interrupts the waiter by sticking a generous amount of large bills into his tuxedo pocket.*
Mumf – Buy them all a round? Why certainly. Be sure that everybody at every table gets a glass of your finest wine on my tab. And while you’re at it, get another bottle of it over here. There’s more stories to be told.
*The three laugh again as the Head Waiter is obviously thoroughly thwarted and stifled with the amount of money and generosity placed before him and in his pocket while the story telling and wine drinking continues. In the midst of another story, Ryan nudges Mumf and motions his head towards the entrance to the restaurant to point out a camera man and reporter speaking to the Head Waiter and then making their way over to the table.*
Ryan – We’ll go wait for you outside…
*Mumf shakes his head and motions for Ryan and Ivy to sit back down as they start to get up.*
Mumf – Nah, dude. Sit down. You guys are gonna be around, then you should probably get introduced to the APW masses. Besides, I’m not exactly about formalities. You know that.
*The interviewer finally realizes Mumf’s ready to talk to him and stands nearby as the camera starts rolling.*
Interviewer – I’m Harry Biggles here live with an APW Web Exclusive interview with none other than APW newcomer Mad Mumf following the aftermath of his first attempt at the Overdrive Title in the seven man scramble match. Mumf what are your thoughts on the match?
Mumf – Harry Biggles? Really? Did your parents hate you or something dude?
Harry – I have no idea what you mean.
Mumf – Offff course you don’t. Anyway, what was your question? My thoughts on the match? Well, I’m going to be honest. It was fun. No matter how much of a clusterfuck it was. Edit that out if you need to. But yeah. It was a mess. It was controlled chaos just as would be expected with perhaps a slightly lower amount of control than usual. There was fighting, violence, and risk taking at every single turn and plenty of opportunity to beat the hell out of people. Good times.
Harry – Do you feel that your unfinished business, as you put it, with Joseph Johnson is now resolved?
Mumf – Yeah. I think I made my point. Johnson definitely got at least some degree of the beating he begged out of the first time we crossed paths. More importantly, though, several faces that may not be fresh to the APW but are brand new to me got to find out just what I’m about. If what I was able to do during that match does not turn some heads…if I was unable to showcase a little glimmer of what I’m capable of during that match, I don’t know what will. As for Johnson, I think our little scrum is paid in full. I respect what the guy can do and what he’s capable of even if I don’t approve of what he did in our first match. Sometimes self-preservation is at least, in part, the side of wisdom.
Harry – Are you disappointed in the fact that you were unable to walk away with the Overdrive title.
Mumf – I don’t think disappointment factors into it to be honest. This kind of match really does end up being quite the crap shoot. In this case, the clock didn’t work out in my favor and the chips didn’t fall my way. I will tell you this, though. Tonight was not, by any means, the last time I’ll ever be coming for that strap, and the next time I do, I doubt there will be a time limit or six other men or a crap shoot of a match stipulation to save the person I’ll be taking that belt from.
Harry – Does that mean you plan on pursuing Evan Envi and his Overdrive Title?
Mumf – I don’t think the two are mutually exclusive. Like I said, I’m going to be coming for that title eventually. Who happens to be holding it at that time is a matter of happenstance. I actually kind of like Evan from what I’ve seen of him at this point. He managed to give the middle finger to the people who tried to tear that belt away from him despite their best efforts. He sure as hell knows how to fight, too. I hope he managed to learn what he wanted to about me during that fight though, and I hope it helped him to understand the level of determination I possess along with the desire to win and the understanding that not a single person I face will be treated as a walk in the park. I also hope he understands that if, when the time comes, he’s the one still holding the Overdrive Title, that I WILL be taking it from him by any means necessary. Right now, however I think he’s got his hands full with the Black Hand.
Harry – By the way I notice you have two people here with you tonight. So far, you’ve been something of a loner in the APW. Are these two going to be coming into the fray with you from here on out?
Mumf – You could say that. The details haven’t been ironed out, but I would trust these two with my life, and with my safety from outside forces while I’m standing in that ring. The young man sitting in front of us is my little brother, Ryan Mumford. Ryan typically sticks to the indie circuit, but has a huge amount of talent, a fact he’s usually more than happy to tell you about. *Motions to Ivy.* And this lovely lady is “Poison” Ivy Summers. She was one of my first managers when I got into this business and a very old friend. She’s got a bit of a mean streak too if you piss her off.
Ivy – Don’t we all?
Harry – Nice to meet you, Ivy and Ryan. Have you two been following Mumf’s progress here in the APW so far? If so, what do you think of his time here as of yet?
Ryan – It’s a small sample size, to be honest, but between this last match and what you have yet to see from him, I think some heads will begin turning real soon.
Ivy – Either that or heads will roll from underestimating him. Ryan helped Mumf work on a lot of his newer techniques when he was out of the business. When you couple that with what he’s already capable of, that makes Adam Mumford a very dangerous individual.
Harry – Well, Mumf, your next opportunity to turn some heads is coming up next Thursday as you know, and it will be against a member of the very group you mentioned is keeping Evan Envi’s hands full. Of course you know I’m talking about the Mad Man Chris Madison of the Black Hand.
Mumf – Of course you are.
Harry – What are your thoughts at this point of the Black Hand and their actions tonight?
Mumf – Well, there is something to be said for winning a war by sheer numbers or by attrition sometimes. It may not necessarily be my style, though, since I sometimes simply enjoy the thrill of the fight and the battle as much as the eventual victory. But here you’re looking at a conglomeration of guys who either have daddy issues, authority issues, issues with the people holding what they want, or various other issues, and apparently they subscribe quite fully to the idea of strength in numbers. I can understand the benefits of their approach. I can even acknowledge the results that they can achieve with such an approach. That doesn’t necessarily mean I subscribe to it. Oh, don’t get me wrong. They may very well have sent a message, a loud one at that, but don’t you think that there is, just maybe, the possibility that they could be biting off more than they can chew here? This could easily turn into a sense of motivation for their adversary. If Tommy Knox wanted a fight with Envi, I’m pretty sure, he’s going to end up with one. I’m also pretty sure it’s going to be a god damned mess. My question is, will they sully the potential for an amazing fight with the involvement of a mob mentality or will It simply be a man on man knock-down drag-out beating. I’ll be curious.
Harry – Chris Madison, the member of the Black Hand that you’ll be facing this week seems to have something of a similar philosophy to your own, and yet he’s a member of this group that is, as you put it, subscribing to a mob mentality.
*Mumf grins and takes a sip of his wine, nodding in response to Harry and sharing a conspiratorial smile with Ryan and Ivy.*
Mumf – Now here’s a guy who intrigues me. And to top it all off he’s a fellow Long Island native. The Mad Man versus the Mad Mumf. Me versus a guy who may very well be cut from the exact same mold as me, though the circumstances that got him there may be significantly different. I’ll tell you the truth, I’ve been anticipating this since I started reading up on the APW roster. I figured it was only a matter of time before they decided to stick me and Chris in a ring against each other. I’m actually looking forward to this because I’m not entirely sure what to expect. It’s not every day one gets to fight somebody who lives by the same desires, the same philosophy as they do. It’s not often you get to step into the ring against somebody who may actually be a match for what you are and what you’re capable of. *Fakes a shiver.* Ooh it just gives me the tinglies all over. As these two will tell you, it’s not often that I get REALLY excited over a match anymore. It takes a lot to get me worked up to the point that I’ll have sleepless nights in anticipation. It has to be a damn special kind of match to get me riled up like a kid on Christmas Eve. Well, the tree’s all set up and Saint Nick apparently is coming early this year.
Harry – Are you concerned that the Black Hand might get involved in your match?
Mumf – Considering they’ve got a lot of fish on their plate to begin with, I’d question the wisdom of pissing off yet another member of the APW rank and file. Hell, I don’t even care about whether the outcome is a win or a loss. I care more about whether I’m robbed of a good fight. I’m going to make a promise right now. Just like the one I made to Joseph Johnson a few weeks ago after he robbed me of a fight by leaving the ring. Just like that promise that I made good on. If I get robbed of the chance to face such and intriguing and enticing challenge as someone cut from such a similar mold as me, I am going to get pissed the hell off. I don’t care how big any faction is in this business. I don’t care how dangerous any faction is. If somebody gets between me and something I consider an objective, there will be a problem.
Harry – Do you have any message that you’d like to add to Chris Madison himself?
Mumf – Absolutely. Chris, I hope you’re sitting somewhere right now as you’re watching this, thinking about the potential this fight has. Not just for the future of my career or your career. Not for the potential of whether it will move us up some sort of power ranking or pecking order for a title shot. I hope you’re thinking about this for the simple reason that you, like me, value a fight. You value the chance to hurt someone. To beat them bloody. I hope you’re thinking about the epic proportions to which too men can bring a fight when they are both striving for the same simple thing. Violence. Bloodlust. Deliverance of pain. You come from a similar background as me, you know the streets I know on Long Island. You know the nooks the crannies, the good neighborhoods and the bad. You know which high schools and colleges had better quality wrestling mats and which had ones that may as well have been made of stone. You moved from company to company in this business with the sole desire of being successful and hurting people. You don’t take crap from anyone. You are the prototypical person I embrace working with and would relish having to watch my back because he understands just what I’m about.
Which is why I’m kind of confused about what you’re doing with the Black Hand. You don’t strike me as the type of person who, despite the potential of getting to hurt people night in and night out, would want the thrill of the fight and the chance to deliver that hurt sullied by the involvement of others. Maybe I’m reading the Black Hand entirely wrong, but I see a group right now that’s more interested in a war against people with whom its members have personal agendas rather than simply watching one another’s’ backs.
Therein, perhaps, lies the problem. There, perhaps, is the difference between you and me. Maybe that will be what sets you and me apart from one another. I may be a cold and calculating person when I get into that ring. I may have the simple goal of bringing pain to my opponent much the way you do, but I have rules that I follow. I have a structure of beliefs to go along with it. I have a compass that guides the monster that I can be to what it is I want. Personally, I’d be pissed off if others tried to do the work or the fighting for me or got involved in the task I set before myself. Hopefully I’m wrong and you subscribe to that same theory, that same philosophy and we end up having the fight of a century without your boys from the Black Hand setting foot in that ring.
Maybe you’ll step into that ring and give me a real challenge. Not a crap shoot like a 7 man scramble. Not a curtain jerker who doesn’t know or understand what I’m about. Not a triple threat match where one man backs out halfway through because he has a title shot coming up. None of those things. Maybe you’ll give me a match that will be a true challenge. Something for me to rise up to and consider a hell of a statement when I battle somebody whose hunger rivals my own. Maybe you will be the victory that shows people just what Adam Mumford is capable of. Maybe fighting you until I am declared the winner will show people just why Mad Mumf is called a monster, an animal, a cold blooded beast. Maybe you will come into that ring and finally get to see for yourself what a real fight is like and understand that no matter how long you are in this business, there are a select few who have that same hunger and desire to fight and maim and hurt, and that perhaps you belong among those ranks and will have earned the respect of another member of it. Or, perhaps you will just turn out to be another face In the long line of people against whom I have unleashed an unrivaled fury and simply will not survive. I’m looking forward to finding out, and to be quite frank, next Thursday can’t get here fast enough.
Harry, if you’ll excuse us, we've got more wine to drink, people to annoy, and stories to tell.
*Mumf pours himself another glass of wine and resumes his conversation with his brother and Ivy as the scene fades to black.*
