HETV#2.02 - The Dying Breed and Me

[SalTal]

Episode #2.02 - The Dying Breed and Me

Recorded the 26th - 7th of August, 2015. Happy Endings TV continues with a new episode. Watch as Sally comes off from her first APW victory, bonds with her teammates for her next match, and sets the record straight for her opponents on Deception's second showing!

"Sally Talfourd presents ..."

"In association with Action Packed Wrestling …”

"Happy Endings T.V.”

[ Act 1 - Back to Normal - Oracle Arena, Oakland, California - 26 July, 2015 ]

“Hey Sal! Great job”

“You da’ woah-man!”

“Everything’s back to normal now that Sally’s won!”

Sally’s return from action is greeted with acclaim from her fellow APW employees. Stage-hands, techies, even the odd wrestler yell out all sorts of congratulations. If Sally were someone else, she’d let it go to her head and, well, there’d be no end to it all. But, a veteran (of sorts) knows that one week’s win is another week’s loss … that what it took to win this week won’t be enough the next time Sally and Crenshaw meet inside the squared circle.

And then she finds the person that gives it to her straight. No fluff, no pumping her up, Matt stands at the door of her locker room, his hand raised in the air, “Give me some love.”

Sally, with a blushed smile, slaps hands with him, “Was I alright?”

“Alright!?” Matt follows her in, tossing her a towel before sitting along one of the benches, “My dear, you were phenomenal. Amazing, even. Dare I say show stealing? Oh, I think I just did!”

Down one arm, down the other, Sally looks up - the smile is gone, “Cut the crap and get to the point. Why are you laying it on thick?”

Everything is preceded by a managerial sigh, “Because you’re going to be up against him next time around.”

“Hmmm,” There was a slight pause to Sally’s dry down, but then she’s back into it, stepping up to the bench and running down her leg, “They’ve sorted out the card already?”

“Well, it’s only tentative at this stage. But, yeah, you and him are definitely up against each other. Maybe a tag match, but that part was unclear.”

“Well, we better not waste any time,” Sally, done with the towel, lumps it back in Matt’s lap, “Any flights back home tonight?”

[ Act 2 - Preparation - Seattle Athletic Club, Seattle, Washingon - 27 July, 2015 ]

It’s early hours, but a gym wouldn’t know that. The hustle and sweat and grunt of the pre-work workouts for the office workers. But there’s on face that isn’t about to suit-up and sit behind a computer for the day. No, she will be here when the suits come off and the post-work sessions begin.

“Start with cardio,” Sally’s inner-voice tells us, “Crenshaw was faster than you anticipated. You were right when you said you couldn’t match him for strength, but he’d definitely done work on his speed. If he’s learnt anything, it’s that he needs to go faster. And, given that week lead-up, he’s the sort of wrestler who would have learnt and is getting ready right now.”

It might be the third circuit on the bike, or the fourth … she’s lost count by now … when he phone goes off. The music in her ears (The Killers, in case you were wondering) cuts off and up flashes a very familiar face.

“Anthony!” Sally smiles, sitting up straight and slowing down the legs, “I was wondering how long it would take you.”

“I though you’d call first. I’ve never known you to give up the chance of a phone call.”

“I just wanted to see how serious you were, partner!”

“Have I ever appeared not serious to you? In all the times we’ve been in the ring?”

Sally rests her hands on her head, mulling the moment over, “No, I don’t think I can recall anything right now. But give me to the end of the week!”

There’s an awkward silence between the two, before Bailey breaks it, “Hey listen, I’ve spoken to Jair … we were hoping to get some in-ring time with each other? We hear you’ve got contacts in Washington and the next show is in Oregon. I had the idea that…”

“That you would both fly into Seattle, hit the indy’s here, and then go on down to the show?”

There’s a laugh from Bailey’s end, “Already thinking like a team. So, what do you say?”

“I say leave it to me!”

There’s some smalltalk before the call comes to an end. Then, as quick as she can, she messages the important details to her manager:

Organise a three-man team and some ring time for a few days this week please? xxx

“Now,” Sally’s inner-voice takes over again, “You just had 5 minutes easy - you’ll need to catch up. It’s going to hurt, but it’ll be worth it. Now … pump those legs!”

[ Act 3 - Making the Team - Seattle Athletic Club, Seattle, Washingon - 1 August, 2015 ]

“Well,” Sally sprawls out on the apron, drenched in sweat, breathing heavily, “That went well.”

Bailey, sitting in the corner, arms up on the bottom rope, is quick to try and get his breathing under control, “As good as it could be.”

Jair, standing outside the ring, resting his head on his arms as he leans on the apron, seems to be as tired as the rest, “Last of the week, right?”

“Yeah,” Sally sits up, “I don’t know if I could handle another day of that!”

There’s chuckles all around, and then some quite time as a wave of reflection comes over the three. For four days they’ve been working with different local talent. No, they weren’t APW calibre, yet. But they were the kind of opponents that gave Jair, Bailey and Sally a chance to focus on each other. The signals and the signs that they need to pick up on. The difference between one step away from desperation and one step away from determination. It’s been a while since any of them have been in the ring together, and this stint has served them well.

“So guys,” Sally, fixing her hair, is able to catch them both with a serious look, “How are we going to win this match?”

[ Act 4 - Showtime! - Moda Center, Portland, Oregon - 7 August, 2015 ]

Round and round the APW wheel goes. After one week of excitement, anticipation and nerves we go into another wee of excitement, anticipation and nerves.

Of course, it’s all for different reasons this time. Excitement over avenging a loss, anticipation on laying a path of success, and nerves over whether a repeat of last week is in the works.

For some of us, that’s what we want: A repeat. Indeed, for some of us we want a three-peat.

And then there are others hoping to avoid the repeat.

I think you know what I’m talking about: The main event. The Dying Breed and your’s truly versus the APW villains in CJ, Gooch, and Crenshaw.

I mean, that’s the way you guys are rolling these days, right? Especially you, CJ and Gooch. Deep down, Crenshaw is perhaps a little misunderstood. A little hesitant to destroy this world and hurt APW. But I can’t say the same about you two, Gates and Gooch, can I?

It’s funny, CJ. I think back a few years and our roles were very much reversed. I was the delusional, misdirected, ‘turned your back on APW’ person and you were the saving grace stopping me from doing … well … whatever it was that I had planned on doing.

Now you’re the dark stain on APW’s current standing. You’re the person destroying it from the inside, out. After last week, it became mighty clear that someone needs to bring your delusions of destruction to an end. I trust that there’s someone in APW that can do that, but if I can help by putting my foot down this week, then I will.

You see, I’m not so much concerned with fighting against the evils of APW or carrying the light forward for a new era of APW greatness. I’m focused on my legacy and making sure APW is a place where wrestling grows and flourishes and welcomes in a new face for this business. And, I suppose that for this week we meet for the same purpose: A future for APW. Only, my ideas, my plans, my envisioned legacy in the form of APW doesn’t include some two-bit, cowboy hat-wearing oaf destroying everything we (yes - we!) once fought for.

And Gooch, don’t think you’re getting a hall pass from all this. I’m saving the most disgust I’ve got for you. I mean … Gooch! You were the loveable father-figure of APW. The fans, the wrestlers, the whole business looked up to you as a moral compass. As the person that was unwavering in the storms that took over APW time and time again. When I saw you had put pen to paper for APW’s return, I slept easy that night: Gooch was back to give us a bearing on where we’re headed.

And, but the close of our first night, that dream was shattered. The hopes of the fans and the APW faithful alike, they were gone as you threw down your defences and let the like CJ Gates creep into your mind and feed you the words of poison that lead you to do what you did.

Then again, maybe I give too much credit. Maybe all this is your scheme and plot and plan. Maybe you’re the one who has become sick of being good for us all. Maybe, deep within you there’s been this darkness waiting to creep out. Maybe you simply saw a kindred spirit in CJ and now is your opportunity to strike out at APW.

Either way, all I know is this: I have fought against the likes of you in APW for such a long time I couldn’t even count how many threats I’ve defended this great company against. And, like I said: APW has no place for the likes of your thinking.

I’ve taken it to you before, CJ, in the ring. And, well, we’re pretty even on the score. Maybe you’re even ahead in the long-count. But not tonight. APW reset. We’re starting fresh. And while we’ve spent the week learning about Gooch, adjusting for Crenshaw, I’ve been catching Bailey and Jair up to speed on you. So rest assured, CJ: We’ve got plans for you. We’re ready for you. Jair and Bailey and me? We’re ready for you.

Gooch, the same goes for you. You’re the sort of unknown to us. The three of us, we were tearing up Asylum while you were doing your thing on OverDrive all those years ago. And while we might not have been in the ring together it didn’t take the three of us long to get into a groove that made us, well, confident that we can work on the spot and in the ring to go up against you.

You two, you’re APW originals and, well, the problem there is that we all know each other. And yet, while you two have been feeding off the royalties on the sidelines the three of us haven’t skipped a beat. We’ve been in the ring since the days APW closed up shop and we’ve only got better. Where we once had weaknesses, we’ve got strengths. That expectation you had of the three of us? Yeah, best you lose them sooner rather than later.

Now you all might be thinking I’ve forgotten someone in this match. But, no, I haven’t. I know Crusher Crenshaw will be in your flanks and, well, that has me worried.

Worried not for what he brings (that has me concerned, but not worried) but because he may fall under your depraved spell.

You see, everyone saw last week. Everyone saw that inner-struggle where you, Crusher, almost seemed to not want to even go into the match, knowing what you were going to do.

I saw that Crusher. I heard you, and it resonated with me. It hurt me to see someone in so much … agony. And now? Now you have to stand alongside these two and they will tell you you need to do the same?

You’re better than that, my friend. You’re better than the likes of CJ Gates and Buckson Gooch. You might be in their team on paper, but I know you’re not in their team in mind. You’re better than both of them. You’re talented … scarily talented. You took me to the brink and, well, people proclaim me to be one of the best APW has. If you could do that to me once … I know you could do it again.

The only problem is: I’ve got the best tag team in APW to counter you this time. You’ve got CJ and Gooch - two people who are only going to use you, then (when they’re done with you) throw you to the curb. I know it’s coming because I’ve seen the same sort of thing happen again and again.

Don’t let it happen to you, Crusher. I know you’re better than them. Don’t let them use you for their ends. Contain yourself. Control yourself. I saw that person in you last week and I know that you’re strong enough to ignore their orders. Wrestle clean, wrestle good, wrestle the way you know you need to. Because your partners are going to want you to do some depraved things.

The three of us - Dying Breed and Me - know what we need to do. We know the people we’re up against and the types of people we will have to counter. But, above all, we know the crowd is behind us. The fans believe in us and what we’re doing. We’re all fighting for a better APW. An APW that showcases talent, that showcases skill, that showcases wrestling. We’re fighting against egos and evil and badness.

The three of us go into that ring with trust and with honesty and with everything you expect from a great team. The only thing we don’t go with is our first victory together.

But check on that by the end of the night.