Post by C.J. Gates on Dec 17, 2010 19:46:33 GMT -4
(The scene opens up in a nondescript locker room where "The Loose Cannon" Rico Casteel can be seen sitting on a bench, putting tape on his wrists. He sits up, holds his hand out and flexes his fingers, before sitting back, resting against the wall behind him.)
"So this is it, huh? This is the eve of the ladder match for the Suicidal championship. The match that will decide the first champion in this rebirth. Of course, the night is all about the main title, the Insane title, but that doesn't mean everyone has to overlook the Suicidal champion. The ladder match that will set the tone for the entire night.
"Unfortunately, people are not only overlooking this match, but the competitors in it are also overlooking each other. And no, I don't count myself in that group, because I am not overlooking them. I am doubting their abilities, but I am not overlooking them on the whole. Meanwhile, Kristina Blackwell has decided to shun Branden Harvey and Bobby Bodacious, who in turn have decided to turn a tide on their course for the match. From the outset, it looked as though Harvey was going to give up easy, but he has fought back with a vengeance, not taking kindly to what yours truly had to say. While Bodacious...well, he just seems to be a bit mixed up, now doesn't he?
"So let's move on.
"Branden, I never doubted your abilities or your accomplishments. You're the APW Xtreme champion, and the title holder of whatever other titles have come your way in past federations. I applaud that, because it shows that you have persevered in the face of defeat. While others slammed you down to the ground, you have risen and you have excelled in that doubt. However, I ask you this. How many ladder matches have you won? Because you claim them to be your forte, yet, as far as I know, you have only won that one that got you the Xtreme title. And if that is as far as it goes, then I wouldn't call it a forte. Now, Gates, yes, ladder matches are his forte because he has won a fair number. But you?
"I just can't say the same. And that is why I cast doubt on you here. Don't get me wrong, though. If you are able to fight out from that doubt and prove me wrong, then I will applaud your efforts. However, I am not going to make it easy for you to do that, and since ladder matches seem to be on even par for you and me, then the only thing you really have against me is your speed.
"Your 'Supersonic' speed. But speed can only go so far. It can only get you so far ahead before the strength crushes down upon you and stops you from doing anything you would have done with your speed. You go to the top rope and jump off, I will catch you, and I will make you pay. You try and catch me off guard with a rebound, and I will plant you on your ass. All in the name of the future, of course.
"And then there is Bobby Bodacious. The man who thinks that cold calculation is what makes a winner. The man who believes that a relentless attitude and fists of stone will get me no where in life. Well, Robert, I aim to prove you wrong. I aim to prove to you that your calculations are nothing. That they will only lead you into dead ends. And when you forget to carry to one or factor in the variables...well, then you are going to be on the receiving end of a brutal beat down. A brutal attack at my hands, the hands of a man you wrote off as a complete and utter tool.
"In summary, of course. I lack smarts? What makes you say that? Are you assuming that because I am a bigger man, because I am a stronger man, that I lack the brains? Because I worked in a factory to earn money after my MMA career was derailed? Honestly, Bobby, I don't think you realize what you are getting yourself into. Because I don't think you realize that my temper is on a short leash. And while others might lose sight of the big picture in their rage, I keep it in sight. I keep it in mind. And once I see that opportunity, I hone in on it.
"And I attack. I'm sure you will be on the receiving end of that brutality, Bobby. It's just a matter of time.
"But of course, I don't want to forget my true competition. The true combatant that I am fighting against for this title. Kristina, perhaps I spoke out of turn the first time around. Perhaps I didn't really understand what you and Trevor were all about. However, I do think that you and I think alike. We both realize what this match boils down to. That Harvey and Bodacious are just filler. Pawns, if you will, in our ultimate game of chess. And while you might say that the titles and the recognition are not what it is about, I can tell that you care. You really do. As much as you say that running alongside Trevor, cast in his shadow, doesn't bother you, I think it does.
"Of course, not to the degree that I thought at first. I admit that I initially thought it pained you. That you wanted to finally take a step toward your own path. But, I see now that being in his shadow is simply a learning tool. You watch, you aide, and you soak up all that you can about what the Paragon of Hardcore is all about, and you use it as you see fit. Which makes this weeks match a perfect opportunity. So even while I pay Bodacious a little visit, and while Harvey is grounded, I will keep my eye on you at all times to make sure that you aren't going to pull a fast one on me.
"Though I am sure you are capable of it.
"I will return your bloody smile, my eyes raging with satisfaction and anger, and the match will continue. The match will continue until one of us can no longer stand, which will be long after Bobby and Branden have packed it in. So, I wish you luck, Kristina. You're definitely going to need it to win the Suicidal title."
(The scene fades out to black.)
"So this is it, huh? This is the eve of the ladder match for the Suicidal championship. The match that will decide the first champion in this rebirth. Of course, the night is all about the main title, the Insane title, but that doesn't mean everyone has to overlook the Suicidal champion. The ladder match that will set the tone for the entire night.
"Unfortunately, people are not only overlooking this match, but the competitors in it are also overlooking each other. And no, I don't count myself in that group, because I am not overlooking them. I am doubting their abilities, but I am not overlooking them on the whole. Meanwhile, Kristina Blackwell has decided to shun Branden Harvey and Bobby Bodacious, who in turn have decided to turn a tide on their course for the match. From the outset, it looked as though Harvey was going to give up easy, but he has fought back with a vengeance, not taking kindly to what yours truly had to say. While Bodacious...well, he just seems to be a bit mixed up, now doesn't he?
"So let's move on.
"Branden, I never doubted your abilities or your accomplishments. You're the APW Xtreme champion, and the title holder of whatever other titles have come your way in past federations. I applaud that, because it shows that you have persevered in the face of defeat. While others slammed you down to the ground, you have risen and you have excelled in that doubt. However, I ask you this. How many ladder matches have you won? Because you claim them to be your forte, yet, as far as I know, you have only won that one that got you the Xtreme title. And if that is as far as it goes, then I wouldn't call it a forte. Now, Gates, yes, ladder matches are his forte because he has won a fair number. But you?
"I just can't say the same. And that is why I cast doubt on you here. Don't get me wrong, though. If you are able to fight out from that doubt and prove me wrong, then I will applaud your efforts. However, I am not going to make it easy for you to do that, and since ladder matches seem to be on even par for you and me, then the only thing you really have against me is your speed.
"Your 'Supersonic' speed. But speed can only go so far. It can only get you so far ahead before the strength crushes down upon you and stops you from doing anything you would have done with your speed. You go to the top rope and jump off, I will catch you, and I will make you pay. You try and catch me off guard with a rebound, and I will plant you on your ass. All in the name of the future, of course.
"And then there is Bobby Bodacious. The man who thinks that cold calculation is what makes a winner. The man who believes that a relentless attitude and fists of stone will get me no where in life. Well, Robert, I aim to prove you wrong. I aim to prove to you that your calculations are nothing. That they will only lead you into dead ends. And when you forget to carry to one or factor in the variables...well, then you are going to be on the receiving end of a brutal beat down. A brutal attack at my hands, the hands of a man you wrote off as a complete and utter tool.
"In summary, of course. I lack smarts? What makes you say that? Are you assuming that because I am a bigger man, because I am a stronger man, that I lack the brains? Because I worked in a factory to earn money after my MMA career was derailed? Honestly, Bobby, I don't think you realize what you are getting yourself into. Because I don't think you realize that my temper is on a short leash. And while others might lose sight of the big picture in their rage, I keep it in sight. I keep it in mind. And once I see that opportunity, I hone in on it.
"And I attack. I'm sure you will be on the receiving end of that brutality, Bobby. It's just a matter of time.
"But of course, I don't want to forget my true competition. The true combatant that I am fighting against for this title. Kristina, perhaps I spoke out of turn the first time around. Perhaps I didn't really understand what you and Trevor were all about. However, I do think that you and I think alike. We both realize what this match boils down to. That Harvey and Bodacious are just filler. Pawns, if you will, in our ultimate game of chess. And while you might say that the titles and the recognition are not what it is about, I can tell that you care. You really do. As much as you say that running alongside Trevor, cast in his shadow, doesn't bother you, I think it does.
"Of course, not to the degree that I thought at first. I admit that I initially thought it pained you. That you wanted to finally take a step toward your own path. But, I see now that being in his shadow is simply a learning tool. You watch, you aide, and you soak up all that you can about what the Paragon of Hardcore is all about, and you use it as you see fit. Which makes this weeks match a perfect opportunity. So even while I pay Bodacious a little visit, and while Harvey is grounded, I will keep my eye on you at all times to make sure that you aren't going to pull a fast one on me.
"Though I am sure you are capable of it.
"I will return your bloody smile, my eyes raging with satisfaction and anger, and the match will continue. The match will continue until one of us can no longer stand, which will be long after Bobby and Branden have packed it in. So, I wish you luck, Kristina. You're definitely going to need it to win the Suicidal title."
(The scene fades out to black.)
