Just Like Old Times

[J-Hop]

JUST LIKE OLD TIMES
I remember the days of coming up
Hard work paying off in more ways than one
Me and AB been grindin’ since day one
One day we all will eventually fade away
But for now ain’t no one taking our spot
We appreciate your challenge, but it’s not happening
Thank you for coming. Have A Nice Day!

- FLASHBACK (APW REUNION SHOW - JUNE 14 2015)

“We did the damn thang’ out there tonight, fam!” I said to Bailey, hyped as shit coming through curtains after a monumental win. “Folks clearly thought we lost our stride since the closing. Nahh, our game still tight like you know what...”

Bailey who was twisting the top off his bottle of water, nearly spilt it all on the floor as he lowered and shook his head, chuckling.

“Indeed it is, Hops! Those who know us, the fanbase surely never gave up. They knew we’d come with our best yet and we did. Now ... the next objective?”

Me and Bailey stood backstage, as we took several sips of water out of our bottles, we proceeded to think of what was the future with APW. Was this it? Was this just a one-time deal as a true good-bye or was this show going to lead to something else down the line? So many questions, too many answers needed. Tonight though, it was all about living it up, enjoying the victory and the rest of the night.

“Hope this isn’t truly it for APW. Tonight was 10 out of 10. All those folks out there chanting both APW and our names. Hope it’s not the last.” I said as we started to walk off.

“If it is, then we definitely left with a bang!” Bailey said as we met up with high-fives as we walked off.


JULY 19TH 2015 - OAKLAND, CA :: 04:36 PM

“We gon’ be alright ... We gon’ be alright ... Do ya hear me? Do ya feel me?” Shouting lyrics out while pushing weight up and down, one could tell I was in good spirits. It was almost time, time to do battle again. Not talking about 4CW. Nahh, I’m talking about the official news of the return of APW.

The announcement and news came out a week or so after the APW Reunion show. No one knew the fate of APW and where it stood as far as a comeback. Lucky enough, new management, a different show name, all was back. Card got announced and it was refreshing. There were a few days left until the debut of APW’s “Deception” as it was in tag-team form against two newcomers. It was going to be a tough few days being that following Sunday, 4CW’s PPV was gonna be popping off in Vegas. I wasn’t going to let it phase me.

“Add me on some more, D!” I said to Darron as where I was, 175 pounds, I wanted a bit more added on. Darron added on ten more pounds, two 5 pound weights, one for each side as he once again played as my Spotter.

I hadn’t been to the gym in a long time. For my size and style, I didn’t need to really pump iron but for me, I needed to change it up. I needed to get a little muscle-toning going on. I had none. Eyes wide, arms on the bars tight, I pushed up, sucking in breath as I let back down, doing the same for about twenty times at an even pace before putting it down. Slowly sitting back upright, I looked at Darron, shaking my head.

“I don’t know how the fuck I’m gonna do it, bruh but if there’s a will, there’s a way, right? Two huge events in a matter of days?” I said, wiping the sweat from my forehead with the towel Darron threw my way.

“Tough but doable! I think you’ll do fine. I mean this is a tag match, fifty percent participation from both so it ain’t that bad.”

I nodded my head. “True that!”

“One more set and that’ll be that!” I said as I tossed the towel aside and went back under. “Leave it where it currently is!” I said to Darron as he was about to add more weight.

Pumping with more force than last, the pace was a bit more quick as well as my eyes were focused to the ceiling, hearing the counts from Darron. All went to a fade as it was cut.


A COUPLE HOURS LATER... :: 08:02 PM

Walking down the street of downtown Oakland, fresh and ripe from a nice workout in one of the many gyms in downtown Oakland, one of the top-rated ones. With a towel across my shoulder, I was ready for a cool shower and a laydown or maybe a nice night-view of Oakland with the Misses. Before I did any of that, I had to first get a little something off my chest...

“Walkin’ down the street in my KD’s ... Rockin’ some ice, blowin’ some trees!”

I paused for a moment, redoing lines to a classic.

“...Or maybe not. But hey, pretty cool bar there though off the top of the brain? But yeah, anyways, this week is a good week. We got a thing goin’ on down here in Oaktown ... Home of the NBA Champs, The Golden State Warriors. Home of Billy Beane, hell it’s the home of MC Hammer! A lot of great things in Oakland and APW is looking to add a part to the greatness. Yes, the comeback is real. I had doubts after that Reunion show. Didn’t know if it would make an official return. I love it and even though I won’t be here every show tearing it up, I’ll make the moments memorable.”

A smile emerged onto my face as I had a lot to be happy about and thankful for. Continuing my walk, I rubbed my hands on the towel that was on my shoulder as they were still a bit sweaty.

“With a new breathe of fresh air comes new life, new elements. Some things are still the same but as APW is a rebirth, it’s a new challenge to conquer. The tag division is full of new challenges. TDB, The Dying Breed? Still here, still shining and it will continue to be that way for the time being. I know “Jair, you too confident to not think there’s other doing whatever possible to get at that throne!” Yeah, I know, trust me ... We know. The time me and Anthony have been together as a team is what ex-married couples are even envious about. We’ve been a team for four years. Hell, you barely can get a year out of a marriage nowadays. Four years is a dream. Me and Anthony are Brothers since day one that I walked through those APW doors. He gave me dap, gave me a few tips and told me he’d see me on the main level in a few months. He already knew.”

“From that point on, we’ve been tight. Him, The Smooth One, William D. Williams and Myself, it’s a great relationship. Brotherhood. As Singles, you got your chance. As a Tag-Team or even Trios, it’s a tough gate to crash through. We’ve been through it all before, Jackson Reid and Jac Glyndŵr. Not even gonna attempt to say that again. I’m just gonna stick with Jackson and Jim, no disrespect fellas. Great thing you two can take out of this is you know what sweet-ass honey tastes like. You know what the creme de la creme is about. Your first match is against us. Most folks look at all the negatives. Nah, you gotta focus on the positives, what you gain from this match, win or lose. You two win, many congrats and what a launch of you two’s careers here in APW. You lose however, just take them bumps and come back harder next time. Easier said than done though, again I know. I been in those same footsteps you’re taking.”

As I was about to turn the corner, I came to a full stop, taking a deep breath.

“Jackson and Jim, you two men are about to embark on an adventure like no other. I suggest you come with everything you got. First impressions count a lot around here. You do well or show your worth, you’ll get somewhere. We are going to fight with honor and respect but do us wrong in any way and we’ll seek a way to get back. We’re called The Dying Breed because these days, it seems like we’re the only ones left who do things the right way with no shortcuts. We like getting dirty, taking the long way instead of the short way. We’re about the word “Respect”. We give it and we earn it, every night. Boys, I hope you’re ready for this monumental occasion!”

As I walked off, all faded to black.