Post by J-Hop on Jun 12, 2015 18:41:11 GMT -4
ONE FOR THE ROAD
“Alright, Alright, Alrriiigghhhttt ... Time to wake yo’ ass up and get in gear!”
The sudden tragic feeling of ice cold tap water splashing on you in a warm setting was enough to make me roll out of the bed, swinging at the air as I, a half-second later was face-first on the carpeted floor of the hotel room in Salt Lake City, Utah.
“THE HELL WAS THAT FOR??!!!” I yelled as my body shook from the shock.
“Time to get up, youngin’ ... We gotta get to North Carolina, remember ... the 14th? Big show. APW Reunion Show. Your boy Anthony Bailey, The Dying Breed ... Don’t ya’ know?”
Like I was going to forget that important date. Really though? Making me do the crooked worm, completely ruining my sleep and the comfy bed I was in.
“I wasn’t forgetting that date anytime soon, Darron. You’ve ruined my sleep and my bed. I mean damn man, can I get a good “victory” rest?” I complained to Darron as I clearly was still asleep as I slowly picked myself up off the floor.
Last night, I was fresh off a victory over “Young” Mannie at 4CW’s Adrenaline, the 25th episode. I really wanted to bust Darron upside the damn head but I remained chilled, no pun intended. He and Boogie was my managers so he was only on his job ... Speaking of Boogie...
“Where’s Boog’?” I asked Darron as I looked around.
“I think he went downstairs for a smoke. Kinda’ weird since last night, don’t know what’s up. You ask him a question and he’s just like, staring at you for a few good minutes before asking you what you say. Weird.”
“Maybe it’s the crazy levels of Altitude up here, D?” I suggested as Darron shook his head.
“I don’t know man but shit was weird. He should be back up shortly I guess.” Darron shrugged his shoulders a bit as he leaned on the wall. “So tell me something man, what are you going to do if APW decides to return full-time again?”
I looked at Darron, pausing before answering as I looked out of the window at the high rise buildings that were in Salt Lake City. I didn’t know what to really say as I figured with this Reunion show, the possibilities of it actually coming back full-time as I had already heard some rumors of it actually doing that. I scratched my head, thinking...
“I don’t know man ... Really can’t answer that right now. I mean, I’m already in a great position in 4 Corners Wrestling. But APW is and always will be my home. It gave me the keys to the Porsche as I excelled. Tag, Singles ... All the memories of Bailey, Williams, it’s all coming back. I really don’t know.”
I slipped on the pair of sweats I had folded up to the side as I remained standing. “I’ll figure something out. Right now though, it’s just the highly-anticipated Reunion Show. Anything after will come later.” People are excited to see TDB back in business and it was against some familiar faces. Better than seeing Aubrey J. Parker’s ‘slush’ face.
“Well you want to make sure you don’t “kill” yourself. That jetlag is a bitch. That’s why it’s best we move out today. Get to Charlotte and just rest it up.”
I nodded to that gameplan of Darron’s as I had now slipped on a shirt, shirt of Biggie and Tupac with Angel wings.
“Kinda worried about Boogie now that you told me about his actions last night, this morning. Not like him to be weird. Hell, usually he always begging for food.”
“Surprised me too when he just upped and exited the room with no explanation or anything. Silent as I ever seen him.”
Going into the bathroom as I turned the light on, I grabbed my toothbrush as I placed on the paste before going into action as I stared into the mirror.
“Yo Hops, whatchu’ think about your opponents though? Tommy Knox and Chris Madison? Knox, ain’t dude a “Roadie”?”
I looked outside of the bathroom at Darron before re-inserting myself back into the bathroom as I had spat out into the sink. Filling up the cup, I took down a bit, before letting it out. Taking the wash cloth, wiping whatever excess was there, I rinsed out the sink before exiting the bathroom.
“Yeah, he is BUT he was pretty damn good wrestler at a point. Don’t know how his work in the ring is now but we’ll see come showtime. Chris Madison, I believe he is still doing independent action. Those two want payback for that “L” we gave them for those tag titles. Goes to show you, memory never fades.”
“What about Keaton, TJ?”
I took another pause as I was in the middle of packing up the couple things I had lying around.
“Keaton is coming off from break, he’s going to be trouble, pretty sure of. TJ ... If I believe, is back active competition in another company. Every team has one member who has taken time off and one who is still in action.”
Darron nodded his head as he raised up off the wall. “Hey man, I’m going to go and check on Boogie. I’ll meet you down at the lobby.”
“Aight, see you there!”
Darron walked on off as he went to open the door. There in front of the door as Darron stumbled backwards, there was Boogie with his fist in the air, as if he was just seconds from knocking on the door before Darron opened. Boogie had a lit cigarette in his hand as Darron looked down, wide-eyed.
“The hell man...You know there’s no smoking in here. Gotta get rid of that thing!”
Darron snatched it out of Boogie’s fingertips before arching and throwing it into the small kitchen sink, dishing water onto it to put it out.
“The hell is wrong with you, Boogie?”
Boogie didn’t even bother to respond, just standing there looking very unlike himself as he rubbed his nose. I looked at him as I had finished packing up my belongings, slinging on my jacket and then the bag as I was ready to take off.
“You good man?” I asked Boogie as he slowly entered the room.
“Yeah man, I’m aight. Ya’ll ready to go?” Boogie asked as he rubbed his head.
I looked around to make sure there wasn’t nothing left behind. “Yeah, I’m good to go!”
Darron picked up the cigarette, smushing into nothing with his fingers before tossing it into the trash. He followed Boogie out of the door as I came from behind and pulled the door closing it. Shaking my head a bit to the weird randomness that just occurred, I chose to continue on as I made my way down the hall.
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Are you not entertained? .... ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED???
This is an all-star lineup of a show, this match alone. Tornado Rules, Triple Threat Tag Match ... The Dying Breed, The Black Hand, and the teaming up of “The Soul Of Philly” TJ and the one himself, Keaton Saint. I mean, I’m catching some wicked feels from those names. I was sincerely expecting something else but this right here is going to be an ultimate classic that will be lived down and remembered for years. To see those hardcore APW fans jump up, bang the barricade and shout out loud to their favorite wrestlers will be a refreshing sight.
I can’t wait to get in that ring with my “brother”. That man, Anthony Bailey was there on Day One. When I had no clue where the hell I was, he was there to greet me backstage on the first day after being signed and ever since, we’ve been like actual brothers. Many compared us to “Kidd N’ Play”, Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff, just a couple of the many duos that are long-standing in mind. We were always there for each other. I never expected us to be this great. The name was something new and refreshing but never did I think it would be a forever lasting. The success we had together both as a team and individually, you could not script it out. It was a once in a lifetime pairing. The whole stable was one of a kind. Anthony Bailey, Jair Hopkins and “The Smooth One” himself, William D. Williams who I’m surprised didn’t even make onto the card.
We’re going to make the best of this show and show that even though we have been apart for a year and a half, close to two ... We still got the chemistry down on lock. Even if folks think because Bailey “bailed” off from anymore work in the ring after PURE Wrestling closed and taking off for bigger and better plans in life that he has forgotten his roots. He hasn’t forgotten it one bit. We all must take a break, travel other areas in life to better ourselves. This is probably going to be the last time anyone sees TDB again and for Bailey to drop his tasks and come back for this one-time deal, I love that man forever. He could’ve easily ignored my DM off Twitter and remained where he was, but he came not only for me but for these die-hard fans who cheered him on through his ups and his downs. APW is special to him and to me. To many, APW is our birthplace. This is giving back to all those years of nurturing us into strong competitors.
The Black Hand ... Tommy and Chris, this is, like for us all, our last time together, although for Tommy I do get to see him still in 4CW, but in competition, tag-wise, this is the last time. When we last battled, we left you speechless, left you both with a stinging loss that to this day, you still can or never will live down. It was an important moment and we took it from you two. Seething for some revenge, here is your chance. Not to sound cocky or overconfident but if I say there’s any team in this match that is able to close it down the stretch, it’s The Dying Breed, Anthony Bailey and myself. We’ve been in these kinds of battles so many damn times, it’s past counting it on our fingers. Triple Threats, Fatal-Fourways ... It’s our game, being out-numbered, with or without the titles. We’re over-qualified.
Keaton Saint, always enjoyed your work in the singles. If I remember, we had a few tie-ups. TJ, we always had a great battle when we were against each other. The two of you as a team, combination of strength and key awareness from Saint, it’s going to be a wildcard but I still stand by my original statement. Our bonding, time as a team, chemistry and synergy ... It all will play a huge role in what will be The Dying Breed’s final match. As much as you want to avenge, Black Hand, you won’t. Even with your experience and killer strength, TJ and Keaton won’t last in the end. Nothing made up. Nothing inflated or stupid assumptions. It’s just straight facts. We’ve been in these waters too many times and the advantage is clearly on our side of the fence. Love it or hate it, it is what it is. Will you truly do what it takes to knock us off, knock us off our words, ignore the facts and stake your claim? One shot. Love you all but in the end, none of you are taking this crown we’ve wore for the longest.
