Post by Mark Mania on Aug 20, 2015 12:15:56 GMT -4
This isn’t right. I worked too hard for it go down this way. What am I supposed to do now?
This past week on Deception, CJ Gates stole my company out from under me. I don’t know how he did it, I don’t know why he did it. But I do know that he’s going to have to explain himself. I do know that I’m going to confront him. I don’t give a damn what Johnny Rebel says. I don’t give a damn what Buckson Gooch says. I’m going to get in a ring with CJ Gates and he’s going to answer to me. I spent my entire life working for Mania Enterprises. I’ve put my blood, sweat, and tears into the company. I’m not going to have some no good, two-timing, son of a bitch take it away from me. I don’t know how CJ Gates stole my company from me. But I’m going to find out.
“How the hell did this happen Jim!?” I scream at my lawyer Jim Thompson. He’s the one person that I put in charge of something that I wasn’t directly looking over.
“We don’t know yet Mark. We’re trying to figure this out.”
“How do we not know!? Look at who has shares, look who sold to CJ Gates it should be all public information!” I don’t know if that’s true, but it sounds like it should be.
“It’s not that easy Mark. There are parent companies and there are equity firms. I’m trying to track down the money now.”
“Well try harder Jim. We need to get to the bottom of this and we need to figure out a way to get me back working for Mania Enterprises.”
Jim has an uneasy look on his face.
“What is it?”
“Well, technically, you’re not fired from Mania Enterprises.”
I look at him with my mouth agape, “What do you mean? We got that letter, I’ve been removed as CEO.”
“Right, you just said it. You’ve been removed as CEO. But you still hold a board position and as long as you’re working at Mania Enterprises, you hold that Board position. And according to the bylaws, you can’t be fired. So you only lose the board position if you quit.”
I continue to stare at him, “So what, you want me to work for CJ Gates?”
“If you want to remain involved with this company, you’re going to have to.” Jim delivers the line as gently as he can. Jim has always been a faithful lawyer to me. I don’t think he had anything to do with this. He seemed just as surprised as I was when I found out. But at this moment, there is no separating good and bad for me. I only have one goal.
“Well great, looks like I’ll just show up 9 to 5 and put in my work. I still have some talent that I can manage. Plus, I’m the biggest draw this company has.”
Jim looks at me with that same uneasy look.
“Oh God, what is it now?” I can’t handle any more bad news.
“That’s why I wanted to come over. I’ve got a video from CJ Gates.”
“You’re just telling me this now? Put the fucking thing in.”
Jim gets up from his seat in my living room and walks over to the TV. He starts looking around for somewhere to put in a disc.
“Where the hell do you put something in anymore?”
After stumbling around trying to find something, eventually through a laptop and some cords, Jim has everything set up to play the video. He pressed play and my stomach goes up into my chest in anger.
The scene opens on CJ Gates sitting in a chair in my office in Mania Enterprises. Standing behind him in a suit, with sunglasses on, and his hands folded is Buckson Gooch.
CJ Gates: Ha! Ha! Ha! Well, Mr. Mania, what a predicament we find ourselves in. Me with all the power, and you… with none!
Buckson Gooch lightly laughs behind Gates.
CJ Gates: For years you’ve hidden behind the money and prestige of Mania Enterprises. For years you’ve been the one with unlimited resources that can jet set around without any corporate oversight. Well not anymore!
Gates claps his hands in excitement.
CJ Gates: That’s right Mr. Mania. From now on, you need to explain every single purchase you make. And don’t just think you’re going to use your own money to pay for everything, because that’s going to dry up real quick. Effective immediately you’re going to take a pay-cut. A very, VERY, heavy pay-cut. Sure, you’ll still get your APW Paycheck, but effective this morning, all talent must pay 49% to their agents. Unless that’s something you wouldn’t be pleased with? Unless you’d like to find representation elsewhere?
Gates laughs like a maniac. Gooch’s top half bounces slightly as he’s laughing too, trying to contain himself.
CJ Gates: Also, I know you’ve got a big match this week in San Diego, and here at Mania Enterprises, we want all of our talent to be at their best, so we’ve got a fully decked out bus for you to take out San Diego. It’s a shame you came all the way back to Boston from Oakland though, it would’ve been such a shorter ride for you.
The scene flashes on a half rotted school bus parked outside of Mania Enterprises.
CJ Gates: Man! You’re going to have fun on that thing! Also, I know you received my message about removing you as CEO last week. But you do have a new title, so don’t you worry. Effective immediately you are named the Chief Janitorial Officer! What a promotion!
CJ Gates claps his hands together in faux applause. He looks behind his shoulder and encourages Gooch to do the same. Gooch also offers a half-hearted clap.
CJ Gates: Well Mr. Mania, that’s all I have for now. Enjoy your new position, your salary change, and your new travel accomodations!
The TV goes black.
Jim and I stare at each other, not believing what we just saw.
“That fucking asshole.”
“Fuck this fucking bus!” I say, bumping up and down as the bus is driving down I-90 as we begin the long journey to San Diego.
“Ah Mark, it’s fine, doesn’t it bring you back to the good ole days!?” My friend Bill says. He was with me during the good ole days. We used to ride in buses worse than this, getting to small indy shows. He’s doing the best to understand how I’m feeling.
“How am I supposed to prepare for a match like this?”
“Oh come on. What’s the difference? So we’re not flying in your private jet. This is the way it should be. Being one with the people, one with the road. This is how you learn to appreciate that private jet.”
“Do you see who I’m facing this week?” I give him my most serious look. Then suddenly we both break out in laughter.
“You had me going there!” Bill laughs.
“Nah, come on, that Crusher Crenshaw seems legit.”
“Oh what’s he got? Height? Weight? Come on. How many times have you taken down someone bigger and heavier than you?”
“More times than I can count.”
“So you’ve got that, and then Branden damn Harvey.”
“Well obviously I’m not worried about Harvey.”
“He has been slightly impressive since APW has come back.”
“Bill, it’s Branden Harvey. If I’m sitting around worried about him, how on earth am I going to compete with CJ Gates?”
“You know it doesn’t work that way. As much as you want to, you’re not facing CJ Gates this week. You’re facing Branden Harvey and Crusher Crenshaw and you have to take that seriously.”
“Yeah, yeah, you’re right.”
Just then, the bus stutters and the breaks halt.
“Oh what the hell?”
Smoke is coming from the front of the bus.
“It’ll be fine!” The driver says as he gets out of the bus.
“We’re going to die in this damn thing.”
“I think that’s exactly what Gates was hoping for.”
“This will be an interesting week. It’s been a long time since I’ve fought with so much anger inside me. I remember a few years ago wrestling against Delikado. That was probably the last time. Does anyone remember what happened back then? I beat the hell out of him and put that man in a bear trap.”
“Crusher, you probably don’t remember that, so you don’t understand the type of punishment that’s about to come your way. Sure, I’m not mad at you specifically. But I have this ability, like Bobby Bouche from the Waterboy to picture my enemies face on any person. So when I’m slapping you silly up and down the ring, I’ll be seeing CJ Gates the whole time.”
“Branden, you on the other hand might remember back to when I had to put Delikado down. You know the type of match you’re about to be a part of. You understand just how dangerous I am when I’m mad. You know that if I want to, there could be a damn dismemberment in the ring this weekend. If I wanted to, I could rip both of you limb from limb and beat the hell out of you with them. Don’t think that’s out of the question.”
“Everyone saw how I beat Arkia Fisk last week and she’s a friend! I had just received the worst news I’ve ever gotten in my life, but once I got in the ring and had a competitor, I won. That’s what I do. When I get in the ring, I use everything I have to beat the person across from me. Last week I was a combination of stunned and angry and still won. This week I’m just going to be angry. So there’s no chance either of you can be feeling good about this.”
“Now Branden, I’ll start with you, because you’re old hat. You know, you’ve made a lot of strides in the APW since you first joined. I remember way back when, you showed up, and without pulling any punches, you were a joke. A lot of people backstage hated you because of your personality, but even more people didn’t even know who you were. You were the butt of the joke and there really wasn’t anything you could do to defend yourself. You had no discernible skills and frankly were just taking up space on the roster.”
“But you’ve battled hard against that reputation for years now. You even won the Xtreme title at one point. You showed that you could do something. You showed that you weren’t just a complete joke. Well frankly, this week, get ready to go back in time. This week, I’m going to bring you back to when you couldn’t stand up for yourself. I’m going to bring you back to when you were a bottom feeder week in and week out. This week at Deception, you’re going to be reminded of who you really are.”
“It’s not because I hate you, I don’t hate you, in fact, I don’t really have any strong feelings towards you. You’re just in my way. You’re in the middle of a storm and you don’t know what’s about to hit you. There is so much pent up anger and I haven’ t been able to take that out on anybody yet. No matter who Rebel put me in a match against this week it wouldn’t have mattered. You got unlucky, that’s the crust of it. Any other week, maybe there could’ve been a competitive match to be had. Any other week, maybe you could’ve shown off how much you’ve grown. Not this week, not against me. This week I’m sending a message. I’m sending it to CJ Gates, to Buckson Gooch, hell to Johnny Rebel himself. I’m going to show the whole world what happens when you cross Mark Mania. You were just unlucky enough to be in my path.”
“Do you know anything about luck, Crusher Crenshaw? It doesn’t seem that way to me. It seems to me like you don’t know much about anything. Because here’s what happened with you Crusher. You took the wrong side. Or should I say, your handler took the wrong side. He thought that partnering up with Gates and Gooch was the right thing for you last week. How did that end up working out? So far, you still haven’t won a damn thing, and now you’re in my crosshairs.”
“You teamed up with the two men that I’m putting all my power into destroying. Now, a few weeks later, you’re getting into the ring with me? That’s some pretty back luck for you. I know you’ve had a lot of tragedy in your life, and I feel for you there. But unfortunately, that’s not my problem. That was an act of God, now, you’re bringing this bad luck upon yourself.”
“The second you agreed to being on a team with Gates and Gooch, you got yourself on the wrong team. You got yourself involved in something bigger than you could’ve ever imagined. So, now, I’m going to make you pay. I was saying to Branden that I can imagine my enemies faces on anyone, this is going to be a lot easier. It won’t be hard for me to imagine you as an enemy. I mean, look at you, you’re a freak. You remind me of Bane from that shitty Batman & Robin movie.”
“Well, strap me into a bat suit with nipples, because I’m going to kick the shit out of you. I don’t care how big and bad you are. I don’t care if you’re a freak. You’re in my way. Your handler led you down the wrong path and now you’re going to be the one that pays for it. Some handler you have there.”
“Listen, both of you, what happens this week isn’t your fault. You aren’t the cause for the catastrophe that’s coming. When you’re both laying in the middle of the ring, noses bloodied, seeing stars, remember it was CJ Gates that made this possible. It was CJ Gates that made me do that to you. But don’t get too upset with him, because what’s coming for him is FAR worse that what I’m going to do to you.”
“Look alive boys, I’m coming.”
This past week on Deception, CJ Gates stole my company out from under me. I don’t know how he did it, I don’t know why he did it. But I do know that he’s going to have to explain himself. I do know that I’m going to confront him. I don’t give a damn what Johnny Rebel says. I don’t give a damn what Buckson Gooch says. I’m going to get in a ring with CJ Gates and he’s going to answer to me. I spent my entire life working for Mania Enterprises. I’ve put my blood, sweat, and tears into the company. I’m not going to have some no good, two-timing, son of a bitch take it away from me. I don’t know how CJ Gates stole my company from me. But I’m going to find out.
“How the hell did this happen Jim!?” I scream at my lawyer Jim Thompson. He’s the one person that I put in charge of something that I wasn’t directly looking over.
“We don’t know yet Mark. We’re trying to figure this out.”
“How do we not know!? Look at who has shares, look who sold to CJ Gates it should be all public information!” I don’t know if that’s true, but it sounds like it should be.
“It’s not that easy Mark. There are parent companies and there are equity firms. I’m trying to track down the money now.”
“Well try harder Jim. We need to get to the bottom of this and we need to figure out a way to get me back working for Mania Enterprises.”
Jim has an uneasy look on his face.
“What is it?”
“Well, technically, you’re not fired from Mania Enterprises.”
I look at him with my mouth agape, “What do you mean? We got that letter, I’ve been removed as CEO.”
“Right, you just said it. You’ve been removed as CEO. But you still hold a board position and as long as you’re working at Mania Enterprises, you hold that Board position. And according to the bylaws, you can’t be fired. So you only lose the board position if you quit.”
I continue to stare at him, “So what, you want me to work for CJ Gates?”
“If you want to remain involved with this company, you’re going to have to.” Jim delivers the line as gently as he can. Jim has always been a faithful lawyer to me. I don’t think he had anything to do with this. He seemed just as surprised as I was when I found out. But at this moment, there is no separating good and bad for me. I only have one goal.
“Well great, looks like I’ll just show up 9 to 5 and put in my work. I still have some talent that I can manage. Plus, I’m the biggest draw this company has.”
Jim looks at me with that same uneasy look.
“Oh God, what is it now?” I can’t handle any more bad news.
“That’s why I wanted to come over. I’ve got a video from CJ Gates.”
“You’re just telling me this now? Put the fucking thing in.”
Jim gets up from his seat in my living room and walks over to the TV. He starts looking around for somewhere to put in a disc.
“Where the hell do you put something in anymore?”
After stumbling around trying to find something, eventually through a laptop and some cords, Jim has everything set up to play the video. He pressed play and my stomach goes up into my chest in anger.
The scene opens on CJ Gates sitting in a chair in my office in Mania Enterprises. Standing behind him in a suit, with sunglasses on, and his hands folded is Buckson Gooch.
CJ Gates: Ha! Ha! Ha! Well, Mr. Mania, what a predicament we find ourselves in. Me with all the power, and you… with none!
Buckson Gooch lightly laughs behind Gates.
CJ Gates: For years you’ve hidden behind the money and prestige of Mania Enterprises. For years you’ve been the one with unlimited resources that can jet set around without any corporate oversight. Well not anymore!
Gates claps his hands in excitement.
CJ Gates: That’s right Mr. Mania. From now on, you need to explain every single purchase you make. And don’t just think you’re going to use your own money to pay for everything, because that’s going to dry up real quick. Effective immediately you’re going to take a pay-cut. A very, VERY, heavy pay-cut. Sure, you’ll still get your APW Paycheck, but effective this morning, all talent must pay 49% to their agents. Unless that’s something you wouldn’t be pleased with? Unless you’d like to find representation elsewhere?
Gates laughs like a maniac. Gooch’s top half bounces slightly as he’s laughing too, trying to contain himself.
CJ Gates: Also, I know you’ve got a big match this week in San Diego, and here at Mania Enterprises, we want all of our talent to be at their best, so we’ve got a fully decked out bus for you to take out San Diego. It’s a shame you came all the way back to Boston from Oakland though, it would’ve been such a shorter ride for you.
The scene flashes on a half rotted school bus parked outside of Mania Enterprises.
CJ Gates: Man! You’re going to have fun on that thing! Also, I know you received my message about removing you as CEO last week. But you do have a new title, so don’t you worry. Effective immediately you are named the Chief Janitorial Officer! What a promotion!
CJ Gates claps his hands together in faux applause. He looks behind his shoulder and encourages Gooch to do the same. Gooch also offers a half-hearted clap.
CJ Gates: Well Mr. Mania, that’s all I have for now. Enjoy your new position, your salary change, and your new travel accomodations!
The TV goes black.
Jim and I stare at each other, not believing what we just saw.
“That fucking asshole.”
“Fuck this fucking bus!” I say, bumping up and down as the bus is driving down I-90 as we begin the long journey to San Diego.
“Ah Mark, it’s fine, doesn’t it bring you back to the good ole days!?” My friend Bill says. He was with me during the good ole days. We used to ride in buses worse than this, getting to small indy shows. He’s doing the best to understand how I’m feeling.
“How am I supposed to prepare for a match like this?”
“Oh come on. What’s the difference? So we’re not flying in your private jet. This is the way it should be. Being one with the people, one with the road. This is how you learn to appreciate that private jet.”
“Do you see who I’m facing this week?” I give him my most serious look. Then suddenly we both break out in laughter.
“You had me going there!” Bill laughs.
“Nah, come on, that Crusher Crenshaw seems legit.”
“Oh what’s he got? Height? Weight? Come on. How many times have you taken down someone bigger and heavier than you?”
“More times than I can count.”
“So you’ve got that, and then Branden damn Harvey.”
“Well obviously I’m not worried about Harvey.”
“He has been slightly impressive since APW has come back.”
“Bill, it’s Branden Harvey. If I’m sitting around worried about him, how on earth am I going to compete with CJ Gates?”
“You know it doesn’t work that way. As much as you want to, you’re not facing CJ Gates this week. You’re facing Branden Harvey and Crusher Crenshaw and you have to take that seriously.”
“Yeah, yeah, you’re right.”
Just then, the bus stutters and the breaks halt.
“Oh what the hell?”
Smoke is coming from the front of the bus.
“It’ll be fine!” The driver says as he gets out of the bus.
“We’re going to die in this damn thing.”
“I think that’s exactly what Gates was hoping for.”
“This will be an interesting week. It’s been a long time since I’ve fought with so much anger inside me. I remember a few years ago wrestling against Delikado. That was probably the last time. Does anyone remember what happened back then? I beat the hell out of him and put that man in a bear trap.”
“Crusher, you probably don’t remember that, so you don’t understand the type of punishment that’s about to come your way. Sure, I’m not mad at you specifically. But I have this ability, like Bobby Bouche from the Waterboy to picture my enemies face on any person. So when I’m slapping you silly up and down the ring, I’ll be seeing CJ Gates the whole time.”
“Branden, you on the other hand might remember back to when I had to put Delikado down. You know the type of match you’re about to be a part of. You understand just how dangerous I am when I’m mad. You know that if I want to, there could be a damn dismemberment in the ring this weekend. If I wanted to, I could rip both of you limb from limb and beat the hell out of you with them. Don’t think that’s out of the question.”
“Everyone saw how I beat Arkia Fisk last week and she’s a friend! I had just received the worst news I’ve ever gotten in my life, but once I got in the ring and had a competitor, I won. That’s what I do. When I get in the ring, I use everything I have to beat the person across from me. Last week I was a combination of stunned and angry and still won. This week I’m just going to be angry. So there’s no chance either of you can be feeling good about this.”
“Now Branden, I’ll start with you, because you’re old hat. You know, you’ve made a lot of strides in the APW since you first joined. I remember way back when, you showed up, and without pulling any punches, you were a joke. A lot of people backstage hated you because of your personality, but even more people didn’t even know who you were. You were the butt of the joke and there really wasn’t anything you could do to defend yourself. You had no discernible skills and frankly were just taking up space on the roster.”
“But you’ve battled hard against that reputation for years now. You even won the Xtreme title at one point. You showed that you could do something. You showed that you weren’t just a complete joke. Well frankly, this week, get ready to go back in time. This week, I’m going to bring you back to when you couldn’t stand up for yourself. I’m going to bring you back to when you were a bottom feeder week in and week out. This week at Deception, you’re going to be reminded of who you really are.”
“It’s not because I hate you, I don’t hate you, in fact, I don’t really have any strong feelings towards you. You’re just in my way. You’re in the middle of a storm and you don’t know what’s about to hit you. There is so much pent up anger and I haven’ t been able to take that out on anybody yet. No matter who Rebel put me in a match against this week it wouldn’t have mattered. You got unlucky, that’s the crust of it. Any other week, maybe there could’ve been a competitive match to be had. Any other week, maybe you could’ve shown off how much you’ve grown. Not this week, not against me. This week I’m sending a message. I’m sending it to CJ Gates, to Buckson Gooch, hell to Johnny Rebel himself. I’m going to show the whole world what happens when you cross Mark Mania. You were just unlucky enough to be in my path.”
“Do you know anything about luck, Crusher Crenshaw? It doesn’t seem that way to me. It seems to me like you don’t know much about anything. Because here’s what happened with you Crusher. You took the wrong side. Or should I say, your handler took the wrong side. He thought that partnering up with Gates and Gooch was the right thing for you last week. How did that end up working out? So far, you still haven’t won a damn thing, and now you’re in my crosshairs.”
“You teamed up with the two men that I’m putting all my power into destroying. Now, a few weeks later, you’re getting into the ring with me? That’s some pretty back luck for you. I know you’ve had a lot of tragedy in your life, and I feel for you there. But unfortunately, that’s not my problem. That was an act of God, now, you’re bringing this bad luck upon yourself.”
“The second you agreed to being on a team with Gates and Gooch, you got yourself on the wrong team. You got yourself involved in something bigger than you could’ve ever imagined. So, now, I’m going to make you pay. I was saying to Branden that I can imagine my enemies faces on anyone, this is going to be a lot easier. It won’t be hard for me to imagine you as an enemy. I mean, look at you, you’re a freak. You remind me of Bane from that shitty Batman & Robin movie.”
“Well, strap me into a bat suit with nipples, because I’m going to kick the shit out of you. I don’t care how big and bad you are. I don’t care if you’re a freak. You’re in my way. Your handler led you down the wrong path and now you’re going to be the one that pays for it. Some handler you have there.”
“Listen, both of you, what happens this week isn’t your fault. You aren’t the cause for the catastrophe that’s coming. When you’re both laying in the middle of the ring, noses bloodied, seeing stars, remember it was CJ Gates that made this possible. It was CJ Gates that made me do that to you. But don’t get too upset with him, because what’s coming for him is FAR worse that what I’m going to do to you.”
“Look alive boys, I’m coming.”
