Post by Chet Watkins on May 10, 2010 14:09:48 GMT -4
"They call this place the pinnacle of wrestling dedication. Day in and day out, these here men will put their livelihoods on the line, whether it be for a buck, a cheer, a cure, or a thrill. Action Packed Wrestling has made its reputation very clear through its production and employee testimony. It is the place to be if you want to see how you stack up against the best."
It all starts in a gravel driveway accompanied by a large farm house, equipped with acres of well-tended land and a 2001 Ford F-350 pick-up truck. While I've lived here my whole life, the only thing I can rightly say is mine is the truck; Lord knows I worked my ass off to be able to afford her, and she's my baby. Maybe that's why I feel most comfortable laying in her bed, looking up at a night sky, when there's something weighing heavily on my mind. The stars twinkling up there, as if they know, by some cosmic miracle, that I need a sign to get me through a decision. The decision on how to rightfully conduct myself here in APW.
There have been times in the past, since my first thought of becoming a professional wrestler, when I have disregarded those people around me, and went out of my way to belittle and torment them. While everything I said was true, I realized something. Sometimes showing so much of your distaste puts yourself at a disadvantage. It's akin to someone like Doyle Brunson showing the rest of the table his cards at the beginning of every hand. If they know what to expect...you lose the initiative. Of course, if you ride along with everyone, and try and keep the peace with the world, and defend her against every violator she encounters, you are being ignorant of the fact that even you have faults, and embracing those faults is what makes a man, not hiding them. All of these revelations culminate into one succinct strategy to handle the limelight that will come with this place.
Instinct.
"But...
Does that mean I should be shaking in my boots right now?
Should my face suddenly pale at the utterance of a three-lettered acronym?
Should I be kissing my wife and saying my goodbyes to those I love?"
Does that mean I should be shaking in my boots right now?
Should my face suddenly pale at the utterance of a three-lettered acronym?
Should I be kissing my wife and saying my goodbyes to those I love?"
This is my time. This is why you're here. This is why you're listening. You better be listening.
"No.
Not even close.
You see, APW's reputation, as I said, precedes it as a place where everyone, from the young up-and-comers to the old grizzled veterans can get their hands dirty and take the fight to men of equal caliber. And that's exactly where I want to be. Of course, no one here is exactly sure of what skills, if any, I possess. They only know that by signing my name on the dotted line, I have assumed the risk that every man to be employed by APW has assumed at the exact same point in time in their career. But I can assure you, I'm not scared. Now, don't mistake this for arrogance...as you can plainly see, I'm currently lying in the bed of my pick-up looking at the stars with no one else within five miles. This is simple business management. Why assume a risk you don't understand? I wouldn't have taken this job if I didn't understand the dedication and effort it took to keep my place, and advance myself here. That's just not how a working-class boy goes on with his life."
Not even close.
You see, APW's reputation, as I said, precedes it as a place where everyone, from the young up-and-comers to the old grizzled veterans can get their hands dirty and take the fight to men of equal caliber. And that's exactly where I want to be. Of course, no one here is exactly sure of what skills, if any, I possess. They only know that by signing my name on the dotted line, I have assumed the risk that every man to be employed by APW has assumed at the exact same point in time in their career. But I can assure you, I'm not scared. Now, don't mistake this for arrogance...as you can plainly see, I'm currently lying in the bed of my pick-up looking at the stars with no one else within five miles. This is simple business management. Why assume a risk you don't understand? I wouldn't have taken this job if I didn't understand the dedication and effort it took to keep my place, and advance myself here. That's just not how a working-class boy goes on with his life."
And that was exactly what I was. Since I was ten, I've been working these fields for my family; good, hard, manual labor. The kind that builds character and trust along with your physique. Not to mention, a killer farmer's tan. I love it here. The air, the serenity, the virtual barrier between my life and the outside world. It is a simpler place for a simpler time. A time that, one day, when I accomplish all that I want to, I'll return to, if I can. And I plan on being able to.
"How he DOES go on with his life, is a mix of pressing on when the goings get tough, and not letting up when the tough gets going. The men in APW are just that; men, of all shapes and sizes, backgrounds and cultures, motives and ambitions.
But it doesn't matter to me. When people are climbing a ladder, no matter what the prize is, they do it the same across the board; one rung at a time. How well do you plan on climbing after I break an arm or a leg? Do you have that kind of grit? Because I'm not sure if I do. What I am sure of, is that I'm not going to have to find out. So whoever is watching this at home, or on the road, heading to the arena for Overdrive, take heed, and bring your best. Come on down sometime, and show me what you got. Because I take my matches...my life, one step at a time. I'm not looking past you. Whether you be the APW World Champion, or someone who hasn't even wrestled for the company yet...you can't stay off the radar anymore. When it's all said and done, the men I face will be left wishing they were still licking the drops from a forty of cheap domesticated malt liquor. And if they try to come back for more...
Boy. I don't like their chances."
But it doesn't matter to me. When people are climbing a ladder, no matter what the prize is, they do it the same across the board; one rung at a time. How well do you plan on climbing after I break an arm or a leg? Do you have that kind of grit? Because I'm not sure if I do. What I am sure of, is that I'm not going to have to find out. So whoever is watching this at home, or on the road, heading to the arena for Overdrive, take heed, and bring your best. Come on down sometime, and show me what you got. Because I take my matches...my life, one step at a time. I'm not looking past you. Whether you be the APW World Champion, or someone who hasn't even wrestled for the company yet...you can't stay off the radar anymore. When it's all said and done, the men I face will be left wishing they were still licking the drops from a forty of cheap domesticated malt liquor. And if they try to come back for more...
Boy. I don't like their chances."
