Post by C.J. Gates on Sept 25, 2013 15:17:52 GMT -4
The scene opens up inside of the darkened Hartwall Arena, site of this weeks Overdrive show. The ring is set up and the finishing touches are being put onto things. Standing on one of the upper levels, leaning against the railing and looking down at the ring, is none other then C.J. Gates. His usual hat is pushed up slightly on his head.
"A lot has been happening lately, and I don't think that's sitting well with certain people. The certain people in particular that I think are having the worst time with everything, is the Black Hand.
"And really, that's not because they're failing in achieving their goal or doing whatever it is they want to do. It's not because they aren't able to put their best foot forward against Biggs and myself. I mean, just last week Niobe Martin walked in a nobody and walked out a nobody with a little help from Chris Madison. That's got to mean something, right?"
Gates smirks and shakes his head.
"No, the reason why things probably aren't sitting well with them, is that no one seems to really be taking notice. Unless you're Biggs or myself, it seems like everyone else is worried with things that are more important to them. Since there isn't a Black Hand member in the World title picture, Level One and Johnny Rebel don't care.
"Since the Black Hand failed to win that tag team title shot, the Dying Breed and New Gen Rising don't really care. I'm sure Kurt Styles would care, if he ever really cared about what was going on within APW. The point I'm trying to make though, is that the Black Hand, even with all of their attacks, their mouthing off, and what have you, aren't exactly in the driver's seat when it comes to Overdrive.
"And maybe that's because Michael Jennings hasn't been as vocal as he used to be. Maybe that's because Biggs and I are proving to be more of a challenge then the Black Hand realized, and that's setting them back a few paces.
"Though maybe I'm wrong."
Gates turns around and sits on the barrier, shrugging as he does.
"Maybe the Black Hand doesn't want what I think they want. Maybe they don't want to be known as the best faction to come to APW. As the most dangerous group of people to ever join forces. They want to be better then many people before them, or at least, that's what I assumed. And maybe all of this that's happening, all of these attacks and matches cost, maybe all of that is part of their master plan.
"Maybe.
"I just can't help but feel like nothing is going to plan. Maybe Biggs' resiliency is pissing them off too much. Maybe they've failed themselves because only one of them is actually worthy of holding a title. Only one of them has been able to make a name for themselves, outside of constantly attacking people around every corner.
"Needless to say, I figure this week will be much of the same that we have seen so far. Even in a match that doesn't involve the Black Hand, I am sure that one of them will find their way around the ring. I'm sure that one of them will stick their noses into our business, if for no other reason then to make them feel safe and powerful.
"Of course, this week isn't supposed to be about them, but they will make it so. They will do what they can to keep them in the minds of anyone who actually cares. Namely, they will do what they can to make sure Biggs and I don't forget about them. So that we don't get comfortable.
"As if we could. Maybe if they were in their infancy, we might be able to. But given all that they have done to Biggs leading up to Shockwave, given all the hell that Jennings put him through, given what they did to Biggs' friends the Studmuffins and given what they have said they will do to me in these few short weeks? Well, that's not something we can just forget.
"That's not something I can just forget."
Gates smirks and shakes his head, standing up straight.
"While I'm sure I will eventually get my chance at revenge against them, this week, I try and focus myself elsewhere. While the desire to beat the Black Hand rages, Biggs and I must first deal with one of the teams in line for a shot at the APW Tag Team titles, when we take on Jace Savage and Brian Hollywood.
"Brian Hollywood is a name I've heard of before. He's a name I've had a bit of a run in with. After all, I believe it was him that forced me to choose between teaming up with Team APW at the CWC Supremacy tournament, or to take my CWC World Heavyweight title shot. He's the one that used his true being to corrupt everything he touched when he had things in the palm of his hands.
"And now I'm supposed to buy that he's changed. That he's not as corrupt, not as manipulating as he was the last time I saw him. Of course, I can't argue with the enemies he's made, but you know me. I'm always a bit skeptical about things like this, about quick changes, especially with people who weren't really showing those signs when I crossed their path. It's the same reason why Biggs and I didn't jump start out friendship the moment he began to see the light.
"I had to make sure I could trust him.
"Of course, I don't have to trust Hollywood, nor do I have to trust Savage. I don't even have to care which enemies they have and what sort of people they are. But I do. I do because I know that when the shit begins to hit the fan, when the Black Hand comes charging out from the back, I want to know what's going to happen.
"Will New Gen turn their backs on Biggs and I and saunter out of the ring, taking a possible victory in the process? Or will they fight against the Black Hand, maybe in an effort to save us? Will they allow the Black Hand to taint this match, or will they try and keep them out?
"Knowing what I know about Hollywood, I wouldn't be surprised if he took the win and moved on, going into One Night in Hell with some momentum on his side. Knowing what I know of Savage...
"Well, that changes everything. All I know about Savage points to him being a warrior. A true competitor. A man that wants to prove his worth through his actions and hard fought battles. He showed a lot of his worth during the Test for the Best tournament. He might not have won, but he turned heads and now look at where he is. He's sitting with a title shot in his pocket, waiting for the moment to come when he can cash it in.
"So with Savage I know what I'm getting. I know what sort of fighter he is, and I know that if I am in the ring with him, I am going to have to give it tooth and nail to come out with a win. To survive, even.
"But Hollywood..."
Gates simply shakes his head and lets out a long breath.
"I'm probably worried too much about the difference between the Hollywood I know and the Hollywood I see before me. I'm probably worried too much about what he might do. What I should be doing, is worrying about the match itself. Preparing myself for whatever is going to come my way.
"Who knows, maybe I won't be the only one worrying or stressing over mundane facts. Maybe Savage and Hollywood will be much like every other team Biggs and I have fought. Maybe they will be wondering if we can work together or not. Maybe they will be thinking that because Biggs and I don't wrestle as a team every time we're in the ring, we're going to be missing some steps, unsure or what to expect from the other.
"But we won't. I can assure you of that.
"We've been in the ring together enough to know what to expect from the other. We've fought with and against each other so many times, that it's almost natural when we step into the ring together. Some people see us as two singles wrestlers changing pace, and we very well might be just that. Thing is, it works well for us, because we are in sync so often. We don't miss a beat. There isn't a moment when I turn around and Biggs isn't there.
"And above all else, I trust him. Really, that's all that matters. With all the wars he and I have been in, I know that he has my back. I know that when the shit starts to hit the fan, I will have someone there behind me.
"Can you two say the same?"
Gates turns and sits in one of the empty chairs, looking back down at the progress going on in the ring.
"I mean, yeah, the two of you have been fighting alongside one another for a few months now, but how do you know that the other will have your back when the shit really hits the fan. I hope you do, because I hope that if the shit hits the fan this week, the two of you are there.
"However, I won't lie when I say it's hard to say for sure. I've seen many teams who people thought were stuck together with glue fall apart. Maybe that will be you guys. Maybe you won't be as rock solid as you thought you would be.
"I hope I'm wrong.
"Because even though that possibility remains there, I'd hate for it all to come crashing down for you two. I'd hate to have to say to myself 'well, I knew it was coming'. I want to be wrong about that. So prove me wrong. Show me this week that I am wrong. Show me that New Gen Rising is in it for the long haul.
"Show me how well the two of you can work together."
Gates sighs.
"Show me that teamwork is not lost. Show me that people can still be good and work together with others, not using them for their own nefarious purposes. Show me that I don't have to fight the battle of good and evil every time I step into the ring.
"You might have screwed me over before, Brian, but show me that you've changed.
"You might not have liked what happened at Test for the Best, Jace, but show me that you're not going to become a headhunter because you want to take me out.
"Act as you preach. Rise above those problems to become what I hope, no, what I know you guys could actually be.
"Show me that the two of you can go big."
Gates remains seated as the scene fades out to black.
"A lot has been happening lately, and I don't think that's sitting well with certain people. The certain people in particular that I think are having the worst time with everything, is the Black Hand.
"And really, that's not because they're failing in achieving their goal or doing whatever it is they want to do. It's not because they aren't able to put their best foot forward against Biggs and myself. I mean, just last week Niobe Martin walked in a nobody and walked out a nobody with a little help from Chris Madison. That's got to mean something, right?"
Gates smirks and shakes his head.
"No, the reason why things probably aren't sitting well with them, is that no one seems to really be taking notice. Unless you're Biggs or myself, it seems like everyone else is worried with things that are more important to them. Since there isn't a Black Hand member in the World title picture, Level One and Johnny Rebel don't care.
"Since the Black Hand failed to win that tag team title shot, the Dying Breed and New Gen Rising don't really care. I'm sure Kurt Styles would care, if he ever really cared about what was going on within APW. The point I'm trying to make though, is that the Black Hand, even with all of their attacks, their mouthing off, and what have you, aren't exactly in the driver's seat when it comes to Overdrive.
"And maybe that's because Michael Jennings hasn't been as vocal as he used to be. Maybe that's because Biggs and I are proving to be more of a challenge then the Black Hand realized, and that's setting them back a few paces.
"Though maybe I'm wrong."
Gates turns around and sits on the barrier, shrugging as he does.
"Maybe the Black Hand doesn't want what I think they want. Maybe they don't want to be known as the best faction to come to APW. As the most dangerous group of people to ever join forces. They want to be better then many people before them, or at least, that's what I assumed. And maybe all of this that's happening, all of these attacks and matches cost, maybe all of that is part of their master plan.
"Maybe.
"I just can't help but feel like nothing is going to plan. Maybe Biggs' resiliency is pissing them off too much. Maybe they've failed themselves because only one of them is actually worthy of holding a title. Only one of them has been able to make a name for themselves, outside of constantly attacking people around every corner.
"Needless to say, I figure this week will be much of the same that we have seen so far. Even in a match that doesn't involve the Black Hand, I am sure that one of them will find their way around the ring. I'm sure that one of them will stick their noses into our business, if for no other reason then to make them feel safe and powerful.
"Of course, this week isn't supposed to be about them, but they will make it so. They will do what they can to keep them in the minds of anyone who actually cares. Namely, they will do what they can to make sure Biggs and I don't forget about them. So that we don't get comfortable.
"As if we could. Maybe if they were in their infancy, we might be able to. But given all that they have done to Biggs leading up to Shockwave, given all the hell that Jennings put him through, given what they did to Biggs' friends the Studmuffins and given what they have said they will do to me in these few short weeks? Well, that's not something we can just forget.
"That's not something I can just forget."
Gates smirks and shakes his head, standing up straight.
"While I'm sure I will eventually get my chance at revenge against them, this week, I try and focus myself elsewhere. While the desire to beat the Black Hand rages, Biggs and I must first deal with one of the teams in line for a shot at the APW Tag Team titles, when we take on Jace Savage and Brian Hollywood.
"Brian Hollywood is a name I've heard of before. He's a name I've had a bit of a run in with. After all, I believe it was him that forced me to choose between teaming up with Team APW at the CWC Supremacy tournament, or to take my CWC World Heavyweight title shot. He's the one that used his true being to corrupt everything he touched when he had things in the palm of his hands.
"And now I'm supposed to buy that he's changed. That he's not as corrupt, not as manipulating as he was the last time I saw him. Of course, I can't argue with the enemies he's made, but you know me. I'm always a bit skeptical about things like this, about quick changes, especially with people who weren't really showing those signs when I crossed their path. It's the same reason why Biggs and I didn't jump start out friendship the moment he began to see the light.
"I had to make sure I could trust him.
"Of course, I don't have to trust Hollywood, nor do I have to trust Savage. I don't even have to care which enemies they have and what sort of people they are. But I do. I do because I know that when the shit begins to hit the fan, when the Black Hand comes charging out from the back, I want to know what's going to happen.
"Will New Gen turn their backs on Biggs and I and saunter out of the ring, taking a possible victory in the process? Or will they fight against the Black Hand, maybe in an effort to save us? Will they allow the Black Hand to taint this match, or will they try and keep them out?
"Knowing what I know about Hollywood, I wouldn't be surprised if he took the win and moved on, going into One Night in Hell with some momentum on his side. Knowing what I know of Savage...
"Well, that changes everything. All I know about Savage points to him being a warrior. A true competitor. A man that wants to prove his worth through his actions and hard fought battles. He showed a lot of his worth during the Test for the Best tournament. He might not have won, but he turned heads and now look at where he is. He's sitting with a title shot in his pocket, waiting for the moment to come when he can cash it in.
"So with Savage I know what I'm getting. I know what sort of fighter he is, and I know that if I am in the ring with him, I am going to have to give it tooth and nail to come out with a win. To survive, even.
"But Hollywood..."
Gates simply shakes his head and lets out a long breath.
"I'm probably worried too much about the difference between the Hollywood I know and the Hollywood I see before me. I'm probably worried too much about what he might do. What I should be doing, is worrying about the match itself. Preparing myself for whatever is going to come my way.
"Who knows, maybe I won't be the only one worrying or stressing over mundane facts. Maybe Savage and Hollywood will be much like every other team Biggs and I have fought. Maybe they will be wondering if we can work together or not. Maybe they will be thinking that because Biggs and I don't wrestle as a team every time we're in the ring, we're going to be missing some steps, unsure or what to expect from the other.
"But we won't. I can assure you of that.
"We've been in the ring together enough to know what to expect from the other. We've fought with and against each other so many times, that it's almost natural when we step into the ring together. Some people see us as two singles wrestlers changing pace, and we very well might be just that. Thing is, it works well for us, because we are in sync so often. We don't miss a beat. There isn't a moment when I turn around and Biggs isn't there.
"And above all else, I trust him. Really, that's all that matters. With all the wars he and I have been in, I know that he has my back. I know that when the shit starts to hit the fan, I will have someone there behind me.
"Can you two say the same?"
Gates turns and sits in one of the empty chairs, looking back down at the progress going on in the ring.
"I mean, yeah, the two of you have been fighting alongside one another for a few months now, but how do you know that the other will have your back when the shit really hits the fan. I hope you do, because I hope that if the shit hits the fan this week, the two of you are there.
"However, I won't lie when I say it's hard to say for sure. I've seen many teams who people thought were stuck together with glue fall apart. Maybe that will be you guys. Maybe you won't be as rock solid as you thought you would be.
"I hope I'm wrong.
"Because even though that possibility remains there, I'd hate for it all to come crashing down for you two. I'd hate to have to say to myself 'well, I knew it was coming'. I want to be wrong about that. So prove me wrong. Show me this week that I am wrong. Show me that New Gen Rising is in it for the long haul.
"Show me how well the two of you can work together."
Gates sighs.
"Show me that teamwork is not lost. Show me that people can still be good and work together with others, not using them for their own nefarious purposes. Show me that I don't have to fight the battle of good and evil every time I step into the ring.
"You might have screwed me over before, Brian, but show me that you've changed.
"You might not have liked what happened at Test for the Best, Jace, but show me that you're not going to become a headhunter because you want to take me out.
"Act as you preach. Rise above those problems to become what I hope, no, what I know you guys could actually be.
"Show me that the two of you can go big."
Gates remains seated as the scene fades out to black.
