Post by C.J. Gates on Aug 22, 2015 12:19:49 GMT -4
"0-2.
"0-2 is quite the hole to find oneself in. And lesser men then me would be spinning their wheels trying to figure out whats going on. Hell, I'm sure there are droves of people wondering why I even bothered to step back into the ring if I wasn't going to pull out a victory, ever.
"To those people I can only really shake my head because it's those people who are not using their heads. It's those people who are so clouded by the victories that they don't see the bigger picture.
"They don't see that there is more to this business then a win here and a win there.
"There's the fun of the hunt.
"The fun of the mind fuck.
"And I think that at this point, I'm playing that role to a T. I've got Mark Mania seething and frothing, I've got Arkia Fisk focusing on me for some unknown reason. I've got everyone and their mother questioning every God damn thing I do once those cameras roll. I've got everyone worrying about little old me and you know what I'm worrying about?
"Nothing. Not a thing. I go about my business - or should I say my businesses - the same way I always have. I go about my business without a care in the world. I don't worry about my record and I certainly don't worry about other people. Do you think I am worried about them? Do you think I'm afraid of Mark Mania, the man I beat at the reunion show? Do you think I'm worried about Arkia Fisk, the woman who couldn't even beat me week one? Am I worried about Jair Hopkins, the man who couldn't even pin me last week?
"Nope.
"And at this point there's nothing more to it. I'm not worried. I might be off to a poor start in the record books, but just remember this one lovely little fact.
"I have yet to be pinned, submitted or knocked out.
"And that trend will continue this week when I take on Jair Hopkins. And beat him. And make him cry. And show him that last weeks win, when they pinned Gooch, that was all because of luck. Because of Sally Talfourd.
"But Sally ain't here this week, Hopkins.
"It's just me and you."
---------------------------
"Today marks a new chapter for me," C.J. Gates says from his position behind a podium outside a set of large glass doors. An array of microphones sit at the top of the podium and a collection of reporters stand in front. "Today is the beginning of a new era not only for me, but for my new company, Mania Enterprises. We are going to reach new heights and expand our vision to a bigger and broader scope.
"This is only the beginning. In time, we will grow even larger then my predecessor grew this company. I will leave my mark as the one who made Mania Enterprises an even larger entity. And it all begins today!"
There's buzzing in the crowd as the reporters talk among themselves.
"At this time, I am opening the floor to a few questions," Gates says after a bit of a pause.
A man near the front raises his hand. "Do you have any plans to work your other companies in with Mania Enterprises?"
"Good question," Gates nods. "At one point I had thought about it, but as time went on, I realized that it might be best to keep them separate. My other investments are flourishing on their own, and I know that if I put the same effort into Mania Enterprises, I can make it flourish even more."
Gates looks around and another man on the other side of the mob raises his hand. "Do you think you will do a better job then your predecessor?"
"Well, that doesn't seem like a fair question," Gates says shaking his head. "I don't wish to speak ill of those that have run this ship before me, but yes, I do feel like I have a better business acumen and can help Mania Enterprises reach brand new heights."
Another pause and another hand flies into the air. "What's your first step to reaching those new heights?"
Gates smirks. "It's tough to say. First I want to sit down and get a feel for the company and really just understand all the bells and whistles of what is going on currently, what irons we have in the fire, that kind of thing."
Again another pause and another hand. "How is it that you came to acquire Mania Enterprises?"
Gates chuckles and shakes his head slightly. "I've heard that question a few times since everything came to a boil, and I will give you the same answer that I gave them. I'm sure in time all of that will become public since I'm sure Mr. Mania will bring it all out. Until then I will hold off answering." Gates pauses for a moment. "After all, if I reveal the answer now, what fun is that for Mr. Mania to decode?"
More hands fly into the air and Gates holds up his hands.
"At this time I won't be taking anymore questions," Gates says. "But stay tuned, because I can assure you, that it's going to be a fun ride."
A louder mumble rises from the mob but Gates steps off the podium and walks behind him through the doors of the building, letting out a long sigh. Vincent James approaches him from off screen, wearing a smart looking black suit.
"Digging the new look," Gates says when he sees James.
"Well these are new times, figured I should look the part."
"The part of my every day bodyguard?" Gates chuckles.
"I guess so," James smirks. "Have to keep pace with Gooch, you know?"
"Well, at least you're starting to come around to the idea of Gooch being a part in all of this."
"Well my real hope was that you would grow your company," James begins, "so when you ended up as the new CEO of this place, I was ecstatic to learn that you were still trying to be successful in business and not relying solely on the wrestling gig."
"I can't really tell why you're so down on the wrestling thing," Gates shakes his head. "You'd fit in perfectly with your height and mean streak."
"I just prefer to see a business succeed I guess. Call me greedy but I like money."
"So do I."
"I take it you've got a match this week?"
"I do actually," Gates says nodding his head. "Taking on Jair Hopkins."
"Who?"
"Exactly," Gates laughs. "No, really, he's a decent tag team wrestler."
"So you're in a handicap match, correct?"
"Not at all," Gates laughs again. "It's a singles match which is why I'm not too worried. He might have skills when he's tag teaming with someone, but when he's on his own, what is he capable of? That's the mystery here."
"You think he's got what it takes to beat you?"
"You know, I wouldn't rule it out," Gates pauses, "but I also wouldn't expect it. Basically, he probably could win a singles match, but not this week against me."
"Unless Mark Mania tries to fuck things up for you."
"Oh, I don't think Mania is going to be a problem," Gates smirks.
"What makes you say that?" James asks.
"Look at where we stand," Gates says, spreading his arms out. "We are in this lobby. We are in this building. We are in Mania Enterprises that I now own."
"What are you getting at?"
"He wouldn't dare try anything to try and get even. He can use all the lawyers in the world to try and weasel his way out of it, but he's not going to be successful. Basically?
"I own Mark Mania."
---------------------------
"Well Jair, I'm sure you're riding a wave of high from last weeks match. At this point you probably think you are bulletproof, that you can not be beaten. After all, you have a mark in the win column against C.J. Gates. You've got a leg up over one of the best wrestlers in this company. You're probably popping your collar everywhere you go, trying to pick up chicks by using it as a line.
"Thing is, and I'm sure you are aware of this Jair, you didn't exactly beat me last week. You see, after everything that went down at the end of our match, how exactly can you say that you beat me? You beat Gooch, sure, after all three of you had to take him down, but me? Nope. I was still standing. I had not been pinned. You might have a mark against me, but you don't have the legitimate pinfall or submission.
"But this week, you get that chance. This week you get the chance to prove whether or not last week was just circumstance or if you have the cajones to actually beat me. Trick is, this is a one on one contest. Trick is, you are out of your element, and I am in mine. Sure, maybe that doesn't make a difference to the mighty Jair Hopkins. Maybe he doesn't care if he is in a tag team match, a singles match, a eight man contest or a thirty man clusterfuck. Maybe he is capable of doing everything at anytime.
"You can't sell me on that though, because when I look back, all of the success in APW that I see for you came when you were carrying Anthony Bailey's bags. They came when you guys were teaming up, and who knows, maybe there is more to you, but when I look at you, I see a situation similar to what I had when I started out here. I was in a tag team, the Exchange Rate, and I was the more talented of the two of us. The difference though, is that my success didn't come until after that. And what I mean by that is that Anthony Bailey was successful on his own before he tied himself to you. It's kind of like he's pulling you along for pity, you know?
"No offense though, I mean you've got skill. You have to be able to hold your own in a tag team, though truly, the amount of skill you need to have isn't exactly the type of skill that translates into this domain. Into this world. Into my world.
"Who knows, maybe you are banking on Mark Mania coming down and saving your bacon. Maybe you are hoping your boy Anthony is going to be there to bail you out when you need it most just so you can get a win. Just so you can build your portfolio heading into the Pay Per View. Or maybe I'm wrong. Maybe you're happy with mediocrity, happy with coming in second, happy with failing and losing and never amounting to much on your own.
"Because that's the situation you find yourself in. I mean, look at me, even a newcomer to the APW would know that I am the superior athlete. I've got the credentials, I've got the look, I've got the God damn attitude. And you? Well, you might have the attitude, and you might even have some solo credentials from some sub-class federations that nobody has ever heard of or wants to hear of, but the one thing you will lack is the skill.
"Can you fly around the ring with me, keep up to my pace and survive? Probably not, since even the best of the best can't do that.
"Can you match me intellectually? Again, probably not but then again, I've never really interacted with you to tell that one for sure. But I'd wager not.
"I think when it comes down to it, Jair, you just can't match up with me. I've been the face of APW for years. When people think of APW, they think of me. And that's not because I forced my way into anything, that's because I'm talented. I'm skilled. I'm capable of doing everything that is needed to get ahead in this life.
"It's survival of the fittest, Jair. I've gone through my whole life surviving, and now I've learned the proper way to get ahead. To stay ahead. I've learned what it takes to survive. But I don't think you have. Like I said before, there's no Bailey to bail you out this time. You've got to live and die on your own dime. Are you capable of doing that? Hell, are you capable of even giving me a fight worth getting up for?
"These are the questions you have to ask yourself. Can you match up with the great C.J. Gates or is this going to just be a one sided affair where yours truly pulls out all the stops and buries the former tag team champion.
"Consider this your chance, Jair. Prove your worth and show your buddies that you can hang with them. Show them all that you are not just a one trick pony. Show them that you can beat someone like me, beat a former Undisputed champion.
"This is your chance. This is your opportunity. Are you going to seize the moment and go big...
"Or are you just going to go home empty handed."
"0-2 is quite the hole to find oneself in. And lesser men then me would be spinning their wheels trying to figure out whats going on. Hell, I'm sure there are droves of people wondering why I even bothered to step back into the ring if I wasn't going to pull out a victory, ever.
"To those people I can only really shake my head because it's those people who are not using their heads. It's those people who are so clouded by the victories that they don't see the bigger picture.
"They don't see that there is more to this business then a win here and a win there.
"There's the fun of the hunt.
"The fun of the mind fuck.
"And I think that at this point, I'm playing that role to a T. I've got Mark Mania seething and frothing, I've got Arkia Fisk focusing on me for some unknown reason. I've got everyone and their mother questioning every God damn thing I do once those cameras roll. I've got everyone worrying about little old me and you know what I'm worrying about?
"Nothing. Not a thing. I go about my business - or should I say my businesses - the same way I always have. I go about my business without a care in the world. I don't worry about my record and I certainly don't worry about other people. Do you think I am worried about them? Do you think I'm afraid of Mark Mania, the man I beat at the reunion show? Do you think I'm worried about Arkia Fisk, the woman who couldn't even beat me week one? Am I worried about Jair Hopkins, the man who couldn't even pin me last week?
"Nope.
"And at this point there's nothing more to it. I'm not worried. I might be off to a poor start in the record books, but just remember this one lovely little fact.
"I have yet to be pinned, submitted or knocked out.
"And that trend will continue this week when I take on Jair Hopkins. And beat him. And make him cry. And show him that last weeks win, when they pinned Gooch, that was all because of luck. Because of Sally Talfourd.
"But Sally ain't here this week, Hopkins.
"It's just me and you."
---------------------------
"Today marks a new chapter for me," C.J. Gates says from his position behind a podium outside a set of large glass doors. An array of microphones sit at the top of the podium and a collection of reporters stand in front. "Today is the beginning of a new era not only for me, but for my new company, Mania Enterprises. We are going to reach new heights and expand our vision to a bigger and broader scope.
"This is only the beginning. In time, we will grow even larger then my predecessor grew this company. I will leave my mark as the one who made Mania Enterprises an even larger entity. And it all begins today!"
There's buzzing in the crowd as the reporters talk among themselves.
"At this time, I am opening the floor to a few questions," Gates says after a bit of a pause.
A man near the front raises his hand. "Do you have any plans to work your other companies in with Mania Enterprises?"
"Good question," Gates nods. "At one point I had thought about it, but as time went on, I realized that it might be best to keep them separate. My other investments are flourishing on their own, and I know that if I put the same effort into Mania Enterprises, I can make it flourish even more."
Gates looks around and another man on the other side of the mob raises his hand. "Do you think you will do a better job then your predecessor?"
"Well, that doesn't seem like a fair question," Gates says shaking his head. "I don't wish to speak ill of those that have run this ship before me, but yes, I do feel like I have a better business acumen and can help Mania Enterprises reach brand new heights."
Another pause and another hand flies into the air. "What's your first step to reaching those new heights?"
Gates smirks. "It's tough to say. First I want to sit down and get a feel for the company and really just understand all the bells and whistles of what is going on currently, what irons we have in the fire, that kind of thing."
Again another pause and another hand. "How is it that you came to acquire Mania Enterprises?"
Gates chuckles and shakes his head slightly. "I've heard that question a few times since everything came to a boil, and I will give you the same answer that I gave them. I'm sure in time all of that will become public since I'm sure Mr. Mania will bring it all out. Until then I will hold off answering." Gates pauses for a moment. "After all, if I reveal the answer now, what fun is that for Mr. Mania to decode?"
More hands fly into the air and Gates holds up his hands.
"At this time I won't be taking anymore questions," Gates says. "But stay tuned, because I can assure you, that it's going to be a fun ride."
A louder mumble rises from the mob but Gates steps off the podium and walks behind him through the doors of the building, letting out a long sigh. Vincent James approaches him from off screen, wearing a smart looking black suit.
"Digging the new look," Gates says when he sees James.
"Well these are new times, figured I should look the part."
"The part of my every day bodyguard?" Gates chuckles.
"I guess so," James smirks. "Have to keep pace with Gooch, you know?"
"Well, at least you're starting to come around to the idea of Gooch being a part in all of this."
"Well my real hope was that you would grow your company," James begins, "so when you ended up as the new CEO of this place, I was ecstatic to learn that you were still trying to be successful in business and not relying solely on the wrestling gig."
"I can't really tell why you're so down on the wrestling thing," Gates shakes his head. "You'd fit in perfectly with your height and mean streak."
"I just prefer to see a business succeed I guess. Call me greedy but I like money."
"So do I."
"I take it you've got a match this week?"
"I do actually," Gates says nodding his head. "Taking on Jair Hopkins."
"Who?"
"Exactly," Gates laughs. "No, really, he's a decent tag team wrestler."
"So you're in a handicap match, correct?"
"Not at all," Gates laughs again. "It's a singles match which is why I'm not too worried. He might have skills when he's tag teaming with someone, but when he's on his own, what is he capable of? That's the mystery here."
"You think he's got what it takes to beat you?"
"You know, I wouldn't rule it out," Gates pauses, "but I also wouldn't expect it. Basically, he probably could win a singles match, but not this week against me."
"Unless Mark Mania tries to fuck things up for you."
"Oh, I don't think Mania is going to be a problem," Gates smirks.
"What makes you say that?" James asks.
"Look at where we stand," Gates says, spreading his arms out. "We are in this lobby. We are in this building. We are in Mania Enterprises that I now own."
"What are you getting at?"
"He wouldn't dare try anything to try and get even. He can use all the lawyers in the world to try and weasel his way out of it, but he's not going to be successful. Basically?
"I own Mark Mania."
---------------------------
"Well Jair, I'm sure you're riding a wave of high from last weeks match. At this point you probably think you are bulletproof, that you can not be beaten. After all, you have a mark in the win column against C.J. Gates. You've got a leg up over one of the best wrestlers in this company. You're probably popping your collar everywhere you go, trying to pick up chicks by using it as a line.
"Thing is, and I'm sure you are aware of this Jair, you didn't exactly beat me last week. You see, after everything that went down at the end of our match, how exactly can you say that you beat me? You beat Gooch, sure, after all three of you had to take him down, but me? Nope. I was still standing. I had not been pinned. You might have a mark against me, but you don't have the legitimate pinfall or submission.
"But this week, you get that chance. This week you get the chance to prove whether or not last week was just circumstance or if you have the cajones to actually beat me. Trick is, this is a one on one contest. Trick is, you are out of your element, and I am in mine. Sure, maybe that doesn't make a difference to the mighty Jair Hopkins. Maybe he doesn't care if he is in a tag team match, a singles match, a eight man contest or a thirty man clusterfuck. Maybe he is capable of doing everything at anytime.
"You can't sell me on that though, because when I look back, all of the success in APW that I see for you came when you were carrying Anthony Bailey's bags. They came when you guys were teaming up, and who knows, maybe there is more to you, but when I look at you, I see a situation similar to what I had when I started out here. I was in a tag team, the Exchange Rate, and I was the more talented of the two of us. The difference though, is that my success didn't come until after that. And what I mean by that is that Anthony Bailey was successful on his own before he tied himself to you. It's kind of like he's pulling you along for pity, you know?
"No offense though, I mean you've got skill. You have to be able to hold your own in a tag team, though truly, the amount of skill you need to have isn't exactly the type of skill that translates into this domain. Into this world. Into my world.
"Who knows, maybe you are banking on Mark Mania coming down and saving your bacon. Maybe you are hoping your boy Anthony is going to be there to bail you out when you need it most just so you can get a win. Just so you can build your portfolio heading into the Pay Per View. Or maybe I'm wrong. Maybe you're happy with mediocrity, happy with coming in second, happy with failing and losing and never amounting to much on your own.
"Because that's the situation you find yourself in. I mean, look at me, even a newcomer to the APW would know that I am the superior athlete. I've got the credentials, I've got the look, I've got the God damn attitude. And you? Well, you might have the attitude, and you might even have some solo credentials from some sub-class federations that nobody has ever heard of or wants to hear of, but the one thing you will lack is the skill.
"Can you fly around the ring with me, keep up to my pace and survive? Probably not, since even the best of the best can't do that.
"Can you match me intellectually? Again, probably not but then again, I've never really interacted with you to tell that one for sure. But I'd wager not.
"I think when it comes down to it, Jair, you just can't match up with me. I've been the face of APW for years. When people think of APW, they think of me. And that's not because I forced my way into anything, that's because I'm talented. I'm skilled. I'm capable of doing everything that is needed to get ahead in this life.
"It's survival of the fittest, Jair. I've gone through my whole life surviving, and now I've learned the proper way to get ahead. To stay ahead. I've learned what it takes to survive. But I don't think you have. Like I said before, there's no Bailey to bail you out this time. You've got to live and die on your own dime. Are you capable of doing that? Hell, are you capable of even giving me a fight worth getting up for?
"These are the questions you have to ask yourself. Can you match up with the great C.J. Gates or is this going to just be a one sided affair where yours truly pulls out all the stops and buries the former tag team champion.
"Consider this your chance, Jair. Prove your worth and show your buddies that you can hang with them. Show them all that you are not just a one trick pony. Show them that you can beat someone like me, beat a former Undisputed champion.
"This is your chance. This is your opportunity. Are you going to seize the moment and go big...
"Or are you just going to go home empty handed."
