Post by C.J. Gates on Jul 2, 2011 11:54:20 GMT -4
"Overdrive is only half of the APW equation.
"While there is a good bet that the winner of the Test for the Best tournament will come out of Overdrive, there is always the chance that the Asylum stars will put up one hell of a fight and shock everyone with a win. But that is like every time, there is always the potential for the unknown to occur.
"And I don't want that to happen. Not because I'm afraid that one of the Asylum stars will steal the win out from under me, but because, after all the hard work that I have put into getting to this point, to have it all erased in one moment would be heart wrenching. And I am not going to settle for that. As of right now, I will say that I am in this tournament to win it.
"Quite the different outlook, though, isn't it?
"If anything, I am going to not only win this tournament for myself, but for all of my fans that stood by me during the entire year. For each and everyone of them that cheered me on through the wins and losses. For the fans that drove me to push myself, even when I thought I had nothing left. That is who I will win this match for. And I'm sure I'm the only one of the eight of us that can say that.
"Of course, I don't want to take anything away from the Asylum wrestlers. They've definitely earned their spots with some tough qualifying matches, and have proven capable of putting forth a decent match when there is something on the line to work for. Though, that is still not enough to convince me that they have what it takes to walk out of Nova Scotia as the new number one contender.
"As the best.
"Like I said in January, this is my year. 2011 is when I truly make a name for myself. And while I have taken great steps toward that goal, there is still more work to be done. More goals to accomplish. And this night will help me take those steps and complete those goals. This one night will give me that drive to challenge for the APW Undisputed title. That will send me into the next stratosphere.
"Blade. Roxy Rayner. Shane Borderland. Bobby Bodacious. The four of you are getting a very good chance here to make a name for yourself, win or lose. You are getting the opportunity to show the world what you are capable of. That you can accomplish big things when you put your mind to it, and you won't be held back. You each excel in your own way, and each one of will try to use that to your advantage this week.
"You're only problem?
"You'll have to settle for second place, because this North Dakota Cowboy is walking out the winner. This Texas Tornado is going to make sure he leaves with three wins, not two.
"This is my night."
(The scene opens up outside in a park where the sun is shining and the blue sky is making for a beautiful afternoon. A few people move along the paths, enjoying the day, including C.J. Gates, who is wearing his cowboy hat, a pair of black pants and a white dress shirt. He seems to be minding his own business, lost in his thoughts, until he is brought out by the ringing of a cell phone. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his cell phone, answering it.)
C.J. Gates: Hello?
Voice: Hey, Ceej. Got your call earlier.
C.J. Gates: Excellent. Thanks for getting back to me, Rico.
Rico: So, what were you after?
(Gates takes a seat on a nearby park bench.)
C.J. Gates: I was just wondering if you'd be able to provide any insight on my opponents this weekend. Though that since you were over on Asylum you might have some insider information.
(There is a bit of silence from Rico's end before a soft laughter fills the void.)
Rico: Look at you, pulling out all the stops.
C.J. Gates: Thought I might give it a shot. Can't hurt, right?
Rico: Very good point. Though, you'll have to remind me who you're facing. I've been pretty pre-occupied as of late.
C.J. Gates: Well, I don't know for sure who I am going to be facing, since it's the winner of their side of the tournament.
Rico: Well, who's involved?
C.J. Gates: Bobby Bodacious, Roxy Rayner, Shane Borderland and Blade.
Rico: Do you really need me to tell you about Blade? Really?
C.J. Gates: Okay, we can take Blade off the list because I'm pretty sure I know him very well, but the other three I have very little knowledge about.
Rico: Wouldn't an Exchange Rate final be pretty interesting? After all that you guys have been through?
(Gates rolls his eyes.)
C.J. Gates: Can we both focus on the same topic here?
Rico: Sorry. But you have to admit, you'd be pretty pumped up for that, wouldn't you?
C.J. Gates: Of course. It would be a chance for me to finally show Blade that it wasn't me holding him back, and that it wasn't me being the poor sport in the whole thing. It was him.
Rico: Didn't you already beat him, though? Like, three months ago?
C.J. Gates: Yeah, but I doubt he remembers it. He was probably in an alcohol induced coma or something.
Rico: But he was wrestling...
C.J. Gates: Focus!
(Laughter is heard from the other end of the phone.)
Rico: Alright, alright. Who do you want to know about first?
C.J. Gates: What about Roxy?
Rico: How about Bodacious.
(Gates pauses.)
C.J. Gates: Okay, if you insist.
Rico: To be honest, he's got promise. He's got that ability to win if he really, really wanted to.
C.J. Gates: But?
Rico: But he tends to come up short. It's almost like he sees the finish line but would rather have someone else get all the glory ahead of him. And he's got that buddy of his, Gambler, so if he makes it to the finals, you're going to have to watch your back for him.
C.J. Gates: If there's one thing I've been able to do, it's take whatever two people want to throw at me and come back stronger than before.
Rico: Good point.
C.J. Gates: So do you think he's got what it takes to win this whole thing?
Rico: No. Not really. I don't even see him in the finals, but that might just be me.
C.J. Gates: Alright, just want to make sure that I'm not going to get blindsided by some sort of superstar.
(Rico laughs.)
C.J. Gates: What's so funny?
Rico: He actually calls himself "Superstar". That's his nickname.
C.J. Gates: You're kidding me.
Rico: Nope. I almost wish I was.
C.J. Gates: Alright, what about Roxy.
Rico: Ah, Shane Borderland.
(Gates shakes his head.)
Rico: He's buddy, buddy with Jason Kash, so, right there I can tell you he's a piece of shit.
C.J. Gates: Whoa, easy there buddy.
Rico: Sorry. Forgot where I was. But still, I wouldn't expect much from him. He's the sort of guy that, to me, expects to win this tournament. He expects to not only win the tournament, but to be handed the tag team titles the next night. And if he's anything like Kash in his mentality, then the only thing you can do is let him run his mouth and then prove it to him inside of the ring. He will probably put up a bit of a fight, but nothing that you can't handle.
C.J. Gates: Good to know. I didn't think that he would be too over the top, but still thought I'd check to make certain.
Rico: Why? Worried?
C.J. Gates: About the possibility that I could lose? Kind of. But not too much that it's weighing on my mind.
Rico: Good because that would only slow you down.
C.J. Gates: Not literally weighing me down.
Rico: Still.
(Gates shakes his head with a laugh.)
C.J. Gates: Okay, what about Roxy?
Rico: Don't worry about her.
C.J. Gates: This isn't one of your anti-female campaigns is it?
Rico: Not totally.
C.J. Gates: Because that's not the way I'm thinking on this. Any female I face inside of the ring, I don't treat like shes a female. I don't give her any special treatment and I don't react like they aren't threats. Just look at Sally Talfourd.
(Rico laughs again, louder this time.)
Rico: Believe me, Roxy ain't no Sally Talfourd.
C.J. Gates: I didn't think she was. But I don't want you to just brush her off like she's nothing. Obviously she's in this tournament for a reason. Didn't they have qualifying matches over there? Who did she beat?
Rico: Isamu Suzuki.
C.J. Gates: Wow, that's pretty impressive.
Rico: He hasn't really been the same since he won that title.
C.J. Gates: But still. It's not like she beat Tyler Vaughn or something.
Rico: Fair enough.
C.J. Gates: So should I be worried about her?
Rico: No more than Borderland, really. But to be honest, none of them are a real threat to winning. You'd be better off worrying about the others from Overdrive, because they're probably more of a threat to stopping you.
C.J. Gates: That's what I thought, too, but I don't want to hit a situation where I think I'm in the clear and then get caught off guard by something I'm not ready for.
Rico: The only thing I'd watch for is Jason Kash.
C.J. Gates: Why's that?
Rico: Well, he's Borderland's friend and tag partner, and he's nailing Roxy, so whichever one wins, and if one moves on to the finals, I'm sure he'll be snooping around.
C.J. Gates: Good heads up.
Rico: But I think you're pretty well set as far as winning this tournament.
C.J. Gates: You're not just saying that because you're afraid of some of the people on the Asylum side, are you?
Rico: Afraid? Of them? Forget that, none of them intimidate me in the slightest.
(Now it is Gates' turn to laugh.)
C.J. Gates: Didn't think they did. How's Blade doing over there?
Rico: Same old non-impressive self.
C.J. Gates: So, nothings changed?
Rico: Nope. He's kind of just been stuck in limbo. I think he's still trying to get his feet wet and figure himself out. But nothing that you haven't already seen from him before. Honestly though, I'd love to see a Blade, Gates final, just so you can rub it in his face. That while you are going up, he's still coming up short, just like he always was.
C.J. Gates: Well, at one point he had hope, and he cared, but that seemed so few and far between that it was almost pathetic, really. And it really angered me how he lumped all the blame on me.
Rico: Sounds kind of like Sally, no?
C.J. Gates: Except that he's much less talented.
Rico: Nice work.
C.J. Gates: A lot of people are hoping for an all female final though. That's what makes me think that Roxy has more to offer than you're leading on.
Rico: If she does, she hasn't led on to it. I mean, her APW highlight so far has been getting caught fucking Jason Kash backstage. She can't get much lower than that.
C.J. Gates: Full of venom today, eh?
Rico: It's what I do.
C.J. Gates: Fair enough. Maybe I'll see you some time before the show, get in a work out or something.
Rico: If you're planning on it, let me know and I'll meet you somewhere. Otherwise, good luck in the tournament. Not that you need it, but just in case.
C.J. Gates: Thanks man. See you in Halifax.
(Gates hangs up his phone and smiles, nodding his head as he looks around the beautiful scenery while the scene fades out to black.)
"On a night when lives could be changed forever, not only must I test myself against my own endurance and my own ability to defeat men and women that I have met before, but I must also test myself against the unknown. Normally, I don't mind, but with the stakes as high as they are, well, I'd be lying if I didn't say that I was slightly nervous.
"Though, being nervous only goes so far. With the amount riding on a night like Test for the Best, nerves will have to take a back seat because the appeal of not knowing who my final opponent could be, well, that's oddly exciting.
"Not exciting in the way that Jason Kash gets when Roxy is near, but still exciting, because it allows me to really prove that I am the best. It allows me to prove that I am the best wrestler in APW that isn't currently holding a title. Though, to go along with that, it also means that I must be ready for different styles coming my way. And when it comes down to the finals, there are three styles that will be completely new to me, and one style that I know more about than it's owner.
"But where does one begin?
"Shane Borderland has come into APW in a world of fire, attaching his wagon to Jason Kash in an effort to make a huge impact, unlike ever seen before. From what I can see, Borderland has all the tools to be successful, and he has all the ability in the world to take the world by storm, but hes following the word of Jason Kash who, if my memory serves me right, never seemed to take this business seriously. And if Borderland has been taking advice from him, then I think there might be something to worry about as far as he is concerned.
"Even still, he is in way over his head at this point. He is fighting in an environment that he really has no business fighting in, but, I guess everyone is going to be given their first chance at some point or another. And who knows, maybe you will be the one that will shock everyone and make it to the finals. Maybe it will be you that takes this tournament as his own and really makes something of the opportunity. After all, even if you don't win, you can still put yourself into favor for a title shot on Asylum, right?
"I guess that could be considered the consolation prize, though.
"And if you have been listening to Jason, then I know that you won't settle for that. Hell, you probably won't even have that as an option, because you are going to do this one up right for your boy Jason. You are going to make sure you cash in on this opportunity, if only to get a little extra cheddar to feed his habits. Or maybe you're looking ahead to what could be. Looking to the possibility of being both a tag team champion and a number one contender to the Heavyweight title.
"If you ask me? I'd stick to what you know, and what you can be assured to have more success in. And since I'm not planning to let up at all during the final match, should you get there, you should probably concentrate on beating whomever you are facing for the tag team titles. Make sure you don't go away from this entire weekend empty handed, right?
"Right.
"Oddly enough, if everything works out well for you, Shane, you'll actually get a shot at one of those opponents this weekend if you are to face Bobby Bodacious. And if I had my money on that match, which I don't, I'd say Bodacious stands a good chance at beating Blade and his lack of talent.
"Bobby, you remind me a lot of myself when I first broke into the scene a few years ago. There was a time when I thought I could get buy on what I could do with money and with that feeling of being a superstar. There was a time when I thought I could hang my cowboy hat on that and be successful just because. In fact, I even went as far as to have my colleagues run in and interfere on my behalf, much like you have done with your buddy Gambler.
"And you know what, Bobby? It never got my anywhere.
"Sure, I ended up owning a federation, but that isn't really considered a great accomplishment. I never got to the top of the pyramid, and I never had that string of wins that you would expect. Just more examples of how we were similar people.
"Though, the keyword there is were. Because I am no longer that cheating, number playing, pretty boy that thought he was going to be hand fed the weak so that he could look better. I am no longer that man that drives around in what he considers style because he feels like it's what he should do. Because he thinks that's what will get him noticed on a grand scale. No, Bobby, I am much more than that now. I am a man that fights with respect, a man that goes out each week to earn whatever it is he has coming his way. And who knows, maybe what I have coming this week is a double team beat down by the Gambling Superstars.
"At least I would have earned it.
"Can I say that you have really earned anything to get where you currently are right now? I don't think so. I can't say that because you fall into the category of those that lie, cheat, and steal to get ahead. You fall in with the likes of Johnny Rebel, Biggs, Ryan Ruckus. The ones that take the low road at every possible moment, which I'm sure Chris Cyrus can attest to.
"Maybe you can find a way to shed all of that and show us all just how good you are. Give us a glimpse at just how close to being the best Bobby Bodacious is. Bobby Bodacious. Not the Gambling Superstars. There is a big difference between the two, Bobby.
"If you ask me, you won't be able to show us all that you deserve to be called the best.
"But you can try. Your run won't take you to the top, because if you happen to get into the finals, you will definitely lose to me. You will definitely end up shaking your head in disgust while I climb the turnbuckle to celebrate the win with the fans.
"The fans that the rest of you are all ignoring.
"And speaking of ignoring, it seems as though one of the participants has decided to enter the cone of silence for the duration and forfeit her chance at success. Perhaps she has been pressed under the thumb of her new man to lie down for his good buddy in the first round.
"Or at least, that's how it seems. Because we still haven't caught word about Roxy Rayner. It would seem as though she opted for the stealth approach to the tournament as opposed to the all out confrontational style that every other participant has chosen. Why? Who knows. Maybe she's realizing that she only got into this tournament by luck. That the real person that should be featured on this Pay-Per-View should be Isamu Suzuki.
"Or maybe that's just me.
"Regardless, Roxy, it's in pretty bad taste of you to work hard to get into this tournament, and then just dive into silence when the moment finally comes. There are any number of reasons why, and we can only begin to speculate. But, for us to speculate, it would probably take more time than it will to defeat you inside of the ring.
"Of the four participants from Asylum, you are the one that no one seems to know about. You are the one that no one has been able to scout, the quiet striker that seems to hide under everyone's radar. And that is what makes me think that your win at Asylum was all luck. That you didn't really earn it and instead, happened to just have it fall into your lap.
"In other words, you are not going to be a factor in stopping my quest.
"So with that said, Roxy, I am going to politely push you off into the sunset so you can begin your long walk home. After all, there are bigger fish to fry.
"Like my old tag team partner, Blade.
"The man who seems to have a problem with me. All because he was unable to realize the truth, and because he had to try and be the bigger man. All because he failed to hold up his end of the bargain, while I pulled his dead weight through each and every match that we had together. Having to work harder to make sure the tag team worked, while he was only giving it twenty percent. And even that might be generous.
"But you know Blade, I kind of agree with everyone. I wouldn't mind an Exchange Rate reunion in the finals. Not because you deserve to be there, but because something about you doesn't sit too well with me. Something with the way you've been carrying yourself doesn't exactly agree with me. You've still got this air about you, where you think that you're the better of the two of us. Where you think you were cheated in some way.
"And to think, I thought I proved that the Exchange Rate was dead the minute we hit that ring to fight. And if not at the beginning, then at the end when I pinned your shoulders to the mat. But somehow, you didn't get that message and brought up the Exchange Rate in your 'going out' speech when you made the jump to Asylum. Fuck the Exchange Rate? Sounds about right. That's all you ever did, Blade, fuck us over one match at a time. Had you been better prepared we could have won more matches and kept our titles.
"But that is the past.
"And since that partnership ended, I have done nothing but right my ship and show that I am truly a force, that I have what it takes to succeed on my own, that it was me that carried our team. And I've also managed to score a victory over you during that time. Which brings me to the question that I'm sure is on the mind of the fans.
"What makes you think you can beat me Blade?
"What makes any one of the four of you think you can beat me? I've shown that I have the endurance and the energy to take on any match assigned to me, to endure any assault dealt to me. I have shown that I leave it all in the ring and that I know that I have the fans support. And I know that at the end of the day, those fans will know that they have my support. I have the ring awareness, the speed, the agility, the ability, the drive, the desire...
"So why do the likes of Roxy Rayner, Shane Borderland, Bobby Bodacious and Blade continue to think they can beat me? Well, that's the common bond they share, isn't it? They all think that they can beat me, but at the end of the night, no matter who it is that I have to face, they will all end up in the same place.
"On the losing end.
"Because this is my chance to shine. I know it won't be easy, but easy does not make someone the best. Easy does not take someone to the top.
"It's time to go big or go home."
"While there is a good bet that the winner of the Test for the Best tournament will come out of Overdrive, there is always the chance that the Asylum stars will put up one hell of a fight and shock everyone with a win. But that is like every time, there is always the potential for the unknown to occur.
"And I don't want that to happen. Not because I'm afraid that one of the Asylum stars will steal the win out from under me, but because, after all the hard work that I have put into getting to this point, to have it all erased in one moment would be heart wrenching. And I am not going to settle for that. As of right now, I will say that I am in this tournament to win it.
"Quite the different outlook, though, isn't it?
"If anything, I am going to not only win this tournament for myself, but for all of my fans that stood by me during the entire year. For each and everyone of them that cheered me on through the wins and losses. For the fans that drove me to push myself, even when I thought I had nothing left. That is who I will win this match for. And I'm sure I'm the only one of the eight of us that can say that.
"Of course, I don't want to take anything away from the Asylum wrestlers. They've definitely earned their spots with some tough qualifying matches, and have proven capable of putting forth a decent match when there is something on the line to work for. Though, that is still not enough to convince me that they have what it takes to walk out of Nova Scotia as the new number one contender.
"As the best.
"Like I said in January, this is my year. 2011 is when I truly make a name for myself. And while I have taken great steps toward that goal, there is still more work to be done. More goals to accomplish. And this night will help me take those steps and complete those goals. This one night will give me that drive to challenge for the APW Undisputed title. That will send me into the next stratosphere.
"Blade. Roxy Rayner. Shane Borderland. Bobby Bodacious. The four of you are getting a very good chance here to make a name for yourself, win or lose. You are getting the opportunity to show the world what you are capable of. That you can accomplish big things when you put your mind to it, and you won't be held back. You each excel in your own way, and each one of will try to use that to your advantage this week.
"You're only problem?
"You'll have to settle for second place, because this North Dakota Cowboy is walking out the winner. This Texas Tornado is going to make sure he leaves with three wins, not two.
"This is my night."
(The scene opens up outside in a park where the sun is shining and the blue sky is making for a beautiful afternoon. A few people move along the paths, enjoying the day, including C.J. Gates, who is wearing his cowboy hat, a pair of black pants and a white dress shirt. He seems to be minding his own business, lost in his thoughts, until he is brought out by the ringing of a cell phone. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his cell phone, answering it.)
C.J. Gates: Hello?
Voice: Hey, Ceej. Got your call earlier.
C.J. Gates: Excellent. Thanks for getting back to me, Rico.
Rico: So, what were you after?
(Gates takes a seat on a nearby park bench.)
C.J. Gates: I was just wondering if you'd be able to provide any insight on my opponents this weekend. Though that since you were over on Asylum you might have some insider information.
(There is a bit of silence from Rico's end before a soft laughter fills the void.)
Rico: Look at you, pulling out all the stops.
C.J. Gates: Thought I might give it a shot. Can't hurt, right?
Rico: Very good point. Though, you'll have to remind me who you're facing. I've been pretty pre-occupied as of late.
C.J. Gates: Well, I don't know for sure who I am going to be facing, since it's the winner of their side of the tournament.
Rico: Well, who's involved?
C.J. Gates: Bobby Bodacious, Roxy Rayner, Shane Borderland and Blade.
Rico: Do you really need me to tell you about Blade? Really?
C.J. Gates: Okay, we can take Blade off the list because I'm pretty sure I know him very well, but the other three I have very little knowledge about.
Rico: Wouldn't an Exchange Rate final be pretty interesting? After all that you guys have been through?
(Gates rolls his eyes.)
C.J. Gates: Can we both focus on the same topic here?
Rico: Sorry. But you have to admit, you'd be pretty pumped up for that, wouldn't you?
C.J. Gates: Of course. It would be a chance for me to finally show Blade that it wasn't me holding him back, and that it wasn't me being the poor sport in the whole thing. It was him.
Rico: Didn't you already beat him, though? Like, three months ago?
C.J. Gates: Yeah, but I doubt he remembers it. He was probably in an alcohol induced coma or something.
Rico: But he was wrestling...
C.J. Gates: Focus!
(Laughter is heard from the other end of the phone.)
Rico: Alright, alright. Who do you want to know about first?
C.J. Gates: What about Roxy?
Rico: How about Bodacious.
(Gates pauses.)
C.J. Gates: Okay, if you insist.
Rico: To be honest, he's got promise. He's got that ability to win if he really, really wanted to.
C.J. Gates: But?
Rico: But he tends to come up short. It's almost like he sees the finish line but would rather have someone else get all the glory ahead of him. And he's got that buddy of his, Gambler, so if he makes it to the finals, you're going to have to watch your back for him.
C.J. Gates: If there's one thing I've been able to do, it's take whatever two people want to throw at me and come back stronger than before.
Rico: Good point.
C.J. Gates: So do you think he's got what it takes to win this whole thing?
Rico: No. Not really. I don't even see him in the finals, but that might just be me.
C.J. Gates: Alright, just want to make sure that I'm not going to get blindsided by some sort of superstar.
(Rico laughs.)
C.J. Gates: What's so funny?
Rico: He actually calls himself "Superstar". That's his nickname.
C.J. Gates: You're kidding me.
Rico: Nope. I almost wish I was.
C.J. Gates: Alright, what about Roxy.
Rico: Ah, Shane Borderland.
(Gates shakes his head.)
Rico: He's buddy, buddy with Jason Kash, so, right there I can tell you he's a piece of shit.
C.J. Gates: Whoa, easy there buddy.
Rico: Sorry. Forgot where I was. But still, I wouldn't expect much from him. He's the sort of guy that, to me, expects to win this tournament. He expects to not only win the tournament, but to be handed the tag team titles the next night. And if he's anything like Kash in his mentality, then the only thing you can do is let him run his mouth and then prove it to him inside of the ring. He will probably put up a bit of a fight, but nothing that you can't handle.
C.J. Gates: Good to know. I didn't think that he would be too over the top, but still thought I'd check to make certain.
Rico: Why? Worried?
C.J. Gates: About the possibility that I could lose? Kind of. But not too much that it's weighing on my mind.
Rico: Good because that would only slow you down.
C.J. Gates: Not literally weighing me down.
Rico: Still.
(Gates shakes his head with a laugh.)
C.J. Gates: Okay, what about Roxy?
Rico: Don't worry about her.
C.J. Gates: This isn't one of your anti-female campaigns is it?
Rico: Not totally.
C.J. Gates: Because that's not the way I'm thinking on this. Any female I face inside of the ring, I don't treat like shes a female. I don't give her any special treatment and I don't react like they aren't threats. Just look at Sally Talfourd.
(Rico laughs again, louder this time.)
Rico: Believe me, Roxy ain't no Sally Talfourd.
C.J. Gates: I didn't think she was. But I don't want you to just brush her off like she's nothing. Obviously she's in this tournament for a reason. Didn't they have qualifying matches over there? Who did she beat?
Rico: Isamu Suzuki.
C.J. Gates: Wow, that's pretty impressive.
Rico: He hasn't really been the same since he won that title.
C.J. Gates: But still. It's not like she beat Tyler Vaughn or something.
Rico: Fair enough.
C.J. Gates: So should I be worried about her?
Rico: No more than Borderland, really. But to be honest, none of them are a real threat to winning. You'd be better off worrying about the others from Overdrive, because they're probably more of a threat to stopping you.
C.J. Gates: That's what I thought, too, but I don't want to hit a situation where I think I'm in the clear and then get caught off guard by something I'm not ready for.
Rico: The only thing I'd watch for is Jason Kash.
C.J. Gates: Why's that?
Rico: Well, he's Borderland's friend and tag partner, and he's nailing Roxy, so whichever one wins, and if one moves on to the finals, I'm sure he'll be snooping around.
C.J. Gates: Good heads up.
Rico: But I think you're pretty well set as far as winning this tournament.
C.J. Gates: You're not just saying that because you're afraid of some of the people on the Asylum side, are you?
Rico: Afraid? Of them? Forget that, none of them intimidate me in the slightest.
(Now it is Gates' turn to laugh.)
C.J. Gates: Didn't think they did. How's Blade doing over there?
Rico: Same old non-impressive self.
C.J. Gates: So, nothings changed?
Rico: Nope. He's kind of just been stuck in limbo. I think he's still trying to get his feet wet and figure himself out. But nothing that you haven't already seen from him before. Honestly though, I'd love to see a Blade, Gates final, just so you can rub it in his face. That while you are going up, he's still coming up short, just like he always was.
C.J. Gates: Well, at one point he had hope, and he cared, but that seemed so few and far between that it was almost pathetic, really. And it really angered me how he lumped all the blame on me.
Rico: Sounds kind of like Sally, no?
C.J. Gates: Except that he's much less talented.
Rico: Nice work.
C.J. Gates: A lot of people are hoping for an all female final though. That's what makes me think that Roxy has more to offer than you're leading on.
Rico: If she does, she hasn't led on to it. I mean, her APW highlight so far has been getting caught fucking Jason Kash backstage. She can't get much lower than that.
C.J. Gates: Full of venom today, eh?
Rico: It's what I do.
C.J. Gates: Fair enough. Maybe I'll see you some time before the show, get in a work out or something.
Rico: If you're planning on it, let me know and I'll meet you somewhere. Otherwise, good luck in the tournament. Not that you need it, but just in case.
C.J. Gates: Thanks man. See you in Halifax.
(Gates hangs up his phone and smiles, nodding his head as he looks around the beautiful scenery while the scene fades out to black.)
"On a night when lives could be changed forever, not only must I test myself against my own endurance and my own ability to defeat men and women that I have met before, but I must also test myself against the unknown. Normally, I don't mind, but with the stakes as high as they are, well, I'd be lying if I didn't say that I was slightly nervous.
"Though, being nervous only goes so far. With the amount riding on a night like Test for the Best, nerves will have to take a back seat because the appeal of not knowing who my final opponent could be, well, that's oddly exciting.
"Not exciting in the way that Jason Kash gets when Roxy is near, but still exciting, because it allows me to really prove that I am the best. It allows me to prove that I am the best wrestler in APW that isn't currently holding a title. Though, to go along with that, it also means that I must be ready for different styles coming my way. And when it comes down to the finals, there are three styles that will be completely new to me, and one style that I know more about than it's owner.
"But where does one begin?
"Shane Borderland has come into APW in a world of fire, attaching his wagon to Jason Kash in an effort to make a huge impact, unlike ever seen before. From what I can see, Borderland has all the tools to be successful, and he has all the ability in the world to take the world by storm, but hes following the word of Jason Kash who, if my memory serves me right, never seemed to take this business seriously. And if Borderland has been taking advice from him, then I think there might be something to worry about as far as he is concerned.
"Even still, he is in way over his head at this point. He is fighting in an environment that he really has no business fighting in, but, I guess everyone is going to be given their first chance at some point or another. And who knows, maybe you will be the one that will shock everyone and make it to the finals. Maybe it will be you that takes this tournament as his own and really makes something of the opportunity. After all, even if you don't win, you can still put yourself into favor for a title shot on Asylum, right?
"I guess that could be considered the consolation prize, though.
"And if you have been listening to Jason, then I know that you won't settle for that. Hell, you probably won't even have that as an option, because you are going to do this one up right for your boy Jason. You are going to make sure you cash in on this opportunity, if only to get a little extra cheddar to feed his habits. Or maybe you're looking ahead to what could be. Looking to the possibility of being both a tag team champion and a number one contender to the Heavyweight title.
"If you ask me? I'd stick to what you know, and what you can be assured to have more success in. And since I'm not planning to let up at all during the final match, should you get there, you should probably concentrate on beating whomever you are facing for the tag team titles. Make sure you don't go away from this entire weekend empty handed, right?
"Right.
"Oddly enough, if everything works out well for you, Shane, you'll actually get a shot at one of those opponents this weekend if you are to face Bobby Bodacious. And if I had my money on that match, which I don't, I'd say Bodacious stands a good chance at beating Blade and his lack of talent.
"Bobby, you remind me a lot of myself when I first broke into the scene a few years ago. There was a time when I thought I could get buy on what I could do with money and with that feeling of being a superstar. There was a time when I thought I could hang my cowboy hat on that and be successful just because. In fact, I even went as far as to have my colleagues run in and interfere on my behalf, much like you have done with your buddy Gambler.
"And you know what, Bobby? It never got my anywhere.
"Sure, I ended up owning a federation, but that isn't really considered a great accomplishment. I never got to the top of the pyramid, and I never had that string of wins that you would expect. Just more examples of how we were similar people.
"Though, the keyword there is were. Because I am no longer that cheating, number playing, pretty boy that thought he was going to be hand fed the weak so that he could look better. I am no longer that man that drives around in what he considers style because he feels like it's what he should do. Because he thinks that's what will get him noticed on a grand scale. No, Bobby, I am much more than that now. I am a man that fights with respect, a man that goes out each week to earn whatever it is he has coming his way. And who knows, maybe what I have coming this week is a double team beat down by the Gambling Superstars.
"At least I would have earned it.
"Can I say that you have really earned anything to get where you currently are right now? I don't think so. I can't say that because you fall into the category of those that lie, cheat, and steal to get ahead. You fall in with the likes of Johnny Rebel, Biggs, Ryan Ruckus. The ones that take the low road at every possible moment, which I'm sure Chris Cyrus can attest to.
"Maybe you can find a way to shed all of that and show us all just how good you are. Give us a glimpse at just how close to being the best Bobby Bodacious is. Bobby Bodacious. Not the Gambling Superstars. There is a big difference between the two, Bobby.
"If you ask me, you won't be able to show us all that you deserve to be called the best.
"But you can try. Your run won't take you to the top, because if you happen to get into the finals, you will definitely lose to me. You will definitely end up shaking your head in disgust while I climb the turnbuckle to celebrate the win with the fans.
"The fans that the rest of you are all ignoring.
"And speaking of ignoring, it seems as though one of the participants has decided to enter the cone of silence for the duration and forfeit her chance at success. Perhaps she has been pressed under the thumb of her new man to lie down for his good buddy in the first round.
"Or at least, that's how it seems. Because we still haven't caught word about Roxy Rayner. It would seem as though she opted for the stealth approach to the tournament as opposed to the all out confrontational style that every other participant has chosen. Why? Who knows. Maybe she's realizing that she only got into this tournament by luck. That the real person that should be featured on this Pay-Per-View should be Isamu Suzuki.
"Or maybe that's just me.
"Regardless, Roxy, it's in pretty bad taste of you to work hard to get into this tournament, and then just dive into silence when the moment finally comes. There are any number of reasons why, and we can only begin to speculate. But, for us to speculate, it would probably take more time than it will to defeat you inside of the ring.
"Of the four participants from Asylum, you are the one that no one seems to know about. You are the one that no one has been able to scout, the quiet striker that seems to hide under everyone's radar. And that is what makes me think that your win at Asylum was all luck. That you didn't really earn it and instead, happened to just have it fall into your lap.
"In other words, you are not going to be a factor in stopping my quest.
"So with that said, Roxy, I am going to politely push you off into the sunset so you can begin your long walk home. After all, there are bigger fish to fry.
"Like my old tag team partner, Blade.
"The man who seems to have a problem with me. All because he was unable to realize the truth, and because he had to try and be the bigger man. All because he failed to hold up his end of the bargain, while I pulled his dead weight through each and every match that we had together. Having to work harder to make sure the tag team worked, while he was only giving it twenty percent. And even that might be generous.
"But you know Blade, I kind of agree with everyone. I wouldn't mind an Exchange Rate reunion in the finals. Not because you deserve to be there, but because something about you doesn't sit too well with me. Something with the way you've been carrying yourself doesn't exactly agree with me. You've still got this air about you, where you think that you're the better of the two of us. Where you think you were cheated in some way.
"And to think, I thought I proved that the Exchange Rate was dead the minute we hit that ring to fight. And if not at the beginning, then at the end when I pinned your shoulders to the mat. But somehow, you didn't get that message and brought up the Exchange Rate in your 'going out' speech when you made the jump to Asylum. Fuck the Exchange Rate? Sounds about right. That's all you ever did, Blade, fuck us over one match at a time. Had you been better prepared we could have won more matches and kept our titles.
"But that is the past.
"And since that partnership ended, I have done nothing but right my ship and show that I am truly a force, that I have what it takes to succeed on my own, that it was me that carried our team. And I've also managed to score a victory over you during that time. Which brings me to the question that I'm sure is on the mind of the fans.
"What makes you think you can beat me Blade?
"What makes any one of the four of you think you can beat me? I've shown that I have the endurance and the energy to take on any match assigned to me, to endure any assault dealt to me. I have shown that I leave it all in the ring and that I know that I have the fans support. And I know that at the end of the day, those fans will know that they have my support. I have the ring awareness, the speed, the agility, the ability, the drive, the desire...
"So why do the likes of Roxy Rayner, Shane Borderland, Bobby Bodacious and Blade continue to think they can beat me? Well, that's the common bond they share, isn't it? They all think that they can beat me, but at the end of the night, no matter who it is that I have to face, they will all end up in the same place.
"On the losing end.
"Because this is my chance to shine. I know it won't be easy, but easy does not make someone the best. Easy does not take someone to the top.
"It's time to go big or go home."
