Post by C.J. Gates on Aug 27, 2011 19:31:53 GMT -4
"Last year at Shockwave, my very first APW Pay-Per-View, I stepped into the ring against John Green, the first ever APW Heavyweight champion. And I can remember it like it was yesterday. I remember that he told me I would never amount to anything in APW. That I was a flash in the pan.
"That I would never earn an APW World title shot in my entire career.
"And only a year later, here I am, looking down the barrel of the gun that is my first World title shot. Here I am, having earned my way to this point through hard work, dedication, and true tenacity. I didn't get anything handed to me. I didn't beg and moan until I was rewarded, I earned it.
"If only John Green could see me now. Would he eat his words? No. Not at all. Just like my opponent this year, Biggs, won't eat his words if I manage to pull out a win and take his title away from him.
"If.
"Because nothing is set in stone. Nothing is one hundred percent certain. Some people can declare victory and swear that they will bring it home with a big win, but they can't be that certain. No one can be that certain. I can't be one hundred percent that I will beat Biggs, just like he shouldn't be sitting one hundred percent confident that he will beat me.
"That's the reality of the situation.
"That's the position we find ourselves in right now, with the encounter just around the corner. We find ourselves casting off the dreams that we may - or may not - have had and focusing on what really matters and what truly is important.
"Dreaming isn't a sign of weakness or a sign of living in a different world. Dreams are what drive us to succeed. Dreams are what make us strive for greatness each and every time we are inside of that ring. Not to sound like a famous King, but I had a dream at the beginning of this year. It didn't end with the Undisputed title, but it did end with becoming a force to be reckoned with. A name that people could associate with greatness. And through all that I have done, I've achieved that dream.
"But I'm still striving for greater things.
"And it comes to a head at Shockwave. Everyone who ever said that I would never reach this level will be proven wrong as I not only reach it, but compete in it at a high level.
"I know I've been ready, I'm more than ready for this match to start. Can the same be said for Biggs?
"Only time will tell."
The sound of rushing water can be heard as the scene opens up on C.J. Gates leaning over the sink in the bathroom, splashing water on his face. He lets out a deep breath as he studies himself in the mirror, realizing that in just a few days he will be competing in the biggest match of his career for the biggest prize in APW. Gates looks down once again and splashes water on his face a second time.
A win here would land him the APW Undisputed title, his first world title in his career. But even before that, the very match would be his first ever World title match. It would be the first time that he was fighting in the main event of a main Pay-Per-View for the main title of a federation. It was almost a dream within a dream, though the cool refreshing water made sure to remind Gates that this was not a dream. It was reality.
"This could change everything," Gates mutters to himself as he shakes his head with a slight smile on his face. A year ago he was battling John Green and Blade in a triple threat match that eventually led to the formation of the Exchange Rate. Gates shakes his head slightly before running a wet hand over his forehead. His contemplation is disrupted by a sudden knock on the door.
"Yo man, you alright?" a familiar voice calls from the other side of the door. "You've been in there an awfully long time."
Gates nods his head absently. "Yeah, yeah, I'm good. Just...freshening up," Gates calls back, still looking at himself in the mirror in front of him.
"Well, hurry up, you woman," the voice calls again with the hint of a chuckle. "I want to get some grub before you go into recluse before your big match."
"Alright, alright. Hold your horses, man," Gates says, shaking his head. "As long as you don't abandon me at some so-called appearance again. I don't want to be stuck hanging around Best Buy again."
A laugh is heard from the other side of the door. "I promise you I won't leave you in the middle of no where. I thought you might like it though. You said that you missed interacting with your fans, didn't you?"
Gates turns his head toward the door to answer, but before he can the voice interrupts. "Just hurry up, I'm getting hungry." Footsteps can be heard moving away.
After a few more moments, the door to the bathroom opens and C.J. Gates steps into a moderately sized hotel room. Nothing fancy, simply a double bed, a television on an oak stand, a pair of chairs and a few end tables. He turns the bathroom light off as he exits into the larger room where his brother, B.J. Gates, can be seen sitting in one of the two chairs tucked away in the corner. He is flipping through the TV Guide magazine and upon seeing C.J. exit the bathroom, he puts it down on the other chair. "About damn time, bro," B.J. says impatiently. "You'd been in there for nearly twenty minutes! I thought for a second you'd fallen in."
"Shut up, man. Are we going to grab some food or not?" Gates says as he walks over to the bed and picks up his cowboy hat off the end of it and places it on his head.
"After you, your lord ship."
"Give it a rest with that, will you? I told you that dream in confidence, so there's no need for you to mock me for it."
"Alright, alright. It's just hilarious man. You? A knight? Hilarious."
The two brothers exit the hotel room closing the door behind them. The scene reopens outside on the patio of a restaurant. The sun is shining and the patio is decently packed. B.J. and C.J. Gates are sitting across from one another at one of the tables looking over the menu.
"I'm sure you're going to get heat for this, won't you," B.J. says bluntly as he looks at the menu. "I mean, not from the fans, but from your peers."
"You mean because I'm out at a restaurant instead of training twenty-four seven and making sure I'm ready for the match?" C.J. adds. B.J. nods his head silently and C.J. shrugs. "Perhaps. I'm not too worried though. I've been ready for this match for awhile, so it doesn't really matter what my peers and my opponent thinks of it."
"I know I'd be on your case about it," B.J. says with a slight smile on his face. "Slacking off like this. How dare you eat food!"
"Exactly. We all have to eat. And besides, I've still got a day to prepare for Biggs and everything he is going to throw me way." The waiter comes by and the brothers order their drinks.
"So tell me more about this dream. What was my role in it?"
C.J. rolls his eyes in annoyance. "You were my squire. But I already told you I don't want to talk about it, alright?"
"Oh, come on, man! It sounds like a great dream!"
"Well, not everyone thought so," C.J. says as he looks around the patio.
"Well, no one really cares what Biggs thinks, right? I mean, I've been at Overdrive's, I've been there booing him with the rest. No one cares what he's saying."
C.J. nods his head in contemplation. "I won't argue with that. But he managed to, somehow, make it easy to ridicule me for it."
"Oh, forget him. He thinks ridicule is the 'in' thing right now. Besides, the only thing the fans care for, is to see the two of you finally lock up in battle." B.J. pauses and looks absently off the patio. "Seemed like last week he was always avoiding you if he could help it."
"Oh, I know. I'm waiting for that chance, too," C.J. says in response. "I have been since I won Test for the Best. Mind you, at first I wasn't really expecting to be stepping into the ring with Biggs, but hey, I can't exactly control that, right?"
"Well, you could..."
"I could have but then I would be just as bad as Biggs. And that's not how I want to be known, you know?"
"Coming from the guy that helped screw Biggs out of the Overdrive title the week after Test for the Best." B.J. laughs as the waiter returns with their drinks and places them down on the table. B.J. picks his up and takes a sip of it.
"That's much different, B.J., and you know it," C.J. says, a touch defensive. "He needed to know how it felt to be screwed over, like he screwed over Lester Only at Test for the Best."
B.J. stares at his brother for a long while, with an eyebrow raised. "Yeah, I won't deny that. Just seemed...odd. Even I didn't think you'd do it."
"Well, I did," C.J. mutters before taking a sip from his own drink. "And I managed to ruffle Biggs' feathers while doing it, which must have played into his mind knowing that he wasn't as invincible as he thought he was."
"Well, you sure shocked me, Ceej," B.J. says, taking another sip. "I don't think anyone saw it coming. So kudos to you."
"All I have to put up with now, is a little annoyance from Rebel and Biggs about the whole situation. Definitely worth it," C.J. says with a hint of sarcasm in his tone. B.J. chuckles to himself as C.J. continues. "It wouldn't be so bad if Rebel didn't constantly think that he won the title on his own, yet still condemns me for my part in it all." Gates shakes his head some more and shrugs, adjusting his position in his seat.
"Well, there's always going to be people like that in the world," B.J. says.
"Yeah, I know. Remember, I'm the oldest." C.J. smiles over at his brother. "But let's change the subject. I don't want to worry too much about Johnny Rebel when I have bigger and more important fish to fry."
"Alright. So, here's a question for you," B.J. begins as he leans back in his chair. "What are you going to do after you win the Undisputed title?"
C.J. studies his brothers face for a moment. "Well, it's not certain that I am going to win the title. So, I don't want you to get ahead of yourself."
"Well, let's be optimistic then," B.J. begins as he rocks in the chair. "Say you do win the title, what are you going to do afterward."
"Do you mean like, kissing babies and having a ticker tape parade? Stuff like that?"
"I guess. But you're not thinking too big, now are you," B.J. says with a laugh. "After all, you're C.J. Gates! The mother fucking North Dakota cowboy!"
A few people at a nearby table glance over, annoyed at the use of foul language. "I haven't really given that a lot of thought, to be honest. I've been worried more about the match itself then what I would do in the event that I won the title. I presume that I would have to be on the lookout because I'd have a huge target on my back, but other than that..."
"What do you WANT to do? Come on, think big!"
"Celebrate," C.J. says after a bit of thought. "I'd want to celebrate the win with the fans of APW. I'd want to show them that all of their support has helped me achieve the successful heights that I have managed to reach." B.J. nods his head but before he can speak, C.J. continues. "But that's only if I win, and I don't want to look beyond the match itself. I don't want to be looking past Biggs quite yet. I want to remain focused on the match."
"Oh, you're no fun, man. You've got to live a little!"
"Okay, what would you do if you won?"
B.J. opens his mouth to speak, but closes it almost right away. A look of deep thought crosses his face before he opens his mouth again, but he closes it again. "Not that easy to figure out, is it," C.J. says with a laugh.
"Shut up, man. I've got an excuse. I haven't had a little over a month to think about it," B.J. fires back.
"Sure, sure, always need to find an excuse right, B.J.?" C.J. laughs and shakes his head.
B.J. broods in his seat for a little while before changing the subject. "So I heard yesterday's appearance didn't go so well for Biggs."
"I'm sure it would have if Reginald didn't screw it up, but yeah, he was a little out of his element trying to deal with little kids who could probably care less about anything that wasn't yellow and lived under the sea."
"Maybe that's just a sign that of things to come?" B.J. adds, with a shrug. "You know, they stop caring about him, and you take the title and everyone cares again?"
"They were kids!"
"They aren't stupid though, man. They know what they want."
"Yeah, but I doubt their parents even let them watch Overdrive."
B.J. stares at C.J., a look of confusion on his face. "Then why were they there?"
"Reginald. He changed the venue. Which is why I was left standing at Best Buy wondering why they weren't getting things ready for the appearance."
B.J. laughs and shakes his head. "Wow that's....that's..." He continues to shake his head in disbelief. "Not like it matters. Now you just need to worry about beating Biggs."
"If I beat him," C.J. adds, though B.J. acts like he didn't hear him.
"I can see you being a good champion, Ceej. Maybe even one of the best," B.J. says with some hearty nods. "Can you see it, man? The things you could do with the title!"
C.J. holds up his hands. "I know, I know. Listen, let's just finish our meal and then we can worry about the match and what is to come this weekend, alright? If I win the title, we'll celebrate. If I don't, we won't. Simple as that. Alright?"
"Fine," B.J. says with a sigh. "But when you win, don't be surprised when I say 'I told you so'."
C.J. shakes his head at his brother. The waiter returns to the table and the two Gates' order their food as the scene fades out to black.
"The day is almost upon us.
"The match that everyone has been waiting for since Test for the Best is right around the corner. The match that everyone has been anticipating since the calender flipped from 2010 to 2011 is almost here, and I'm sure that everyone has been counting down the days to Shockwave.
"I know I have. And I'm sure that Biggs has as well. After all, not only is this my first World title match in APW and in my career in general, but this is also Biggs' first title defense as the Undisputed champion. This is his first chance to show that his robbery of Lester Only was built off of actual talent, or if he is just another transitional champion. Another flash in the pan that can't hack it at the top of the mountain. Sure, the same thing can be said about me, and whether or not I can compete at the level that I am currently standing, but I think that, in this case, there is more for Biggs to lose than me. There is more riding on him defending his title, then there is for me to win it.
"But that might just be my take on the situation. I might be wrong, and if I am, it wouldn't be the first time, right? After all, no one is perfect. No one is invincible. No one is unbeatable. And as much as Biggs like to think that no one can touch him, and that he won't be losing his title anytime soon, he's wrong. Because he is beatable.
"Will it happen this weekend? Perhaps. I'm not going to speculate on the final outcome of the match, all I will do is anticipate the actual match beginning. Anticipate the continuous climb of my year in APW. A year that could seem dreamlike and filled with hard work, trials and tribulations to overcome, and constant interference from those that are jealous of all that I have managed to do.
"I take nothing away from you Biggs, your year has been just as good, if not better than mine. After all, it was when you defeated the Contourage and Chris Cyrus in that Championship Scramble that I really began to take notice of you. That was when I realized that you had some true talent within you. And, dare I say it, that was when I began to respect you as an individual because at that point, you were overcoming everything that was thrown your way. You watched as three of your enemies joined forces in an effort to take you down and yet you overcame their attempt to stack the deck in their favor. It couldn't have gone any better for you, could it?
"That is until your crowning achievement when you...'beat' Lester for the title. That was when everything finally took off for you, isn't it? That is when you finally became more than just the Space Man lost in the middle of the pack, fending off anyone and everyone who thought they could personify Overdrive better than you. That was when you finally broke through and became a true force in APW. Right? Did I understand you correctly?
"But to think that I wanted to deny you your good year, that I wanted to say that mine was the only year worth looking back on was wrong. Because there have been many good years by many good people, you included. That's what makes this weeks match even more exciting. We're not fighting in a title match where one of us has been lost, marred in a slump that they just couldn't shake out of. No, we are two men that have been putting ourselves through hell and high water time after time. We've been putting ourselves on the line every time we're asked to because it's in our nature. It's in our make-up. We are both riding high on a wave of momentum, and we have both had highly successful years, no matter how you want to cut it.
"The only black mark on the match is your affinity to cheat. I know that it's a dead horse I keep hitting but it's about the only difference between us that will play a factor in this match. You've explained yourself, I've told you how much it disappoints me, and still don't really see why you do it. Maybe I'm just in the minority here, but it's true. I just don't see how winning an Undisputed title, the title that you claim is the most exhilarating and sought after prize, by cheating doesn't cheapen the victory that much. Yes, you made sure that you used your intellect to get into into that situation. You fought and you fought and you made sure that when the chips were down, you were in the right position to cheat. The right spot to use your...art to your advantage. Not something I would do, but still, to each their own right? I mean, you bring up a valid point. The fact that I stay true to the straight and narrow, and the fact that I don't cheat doesn't make me any better than you, skill wise. Just honorably and morally better.
"And while you rely on the necessity to cheat to succeed, I use my natural talent. I use my actual skills to get by in matches. I don't have this thought in the back of my head about cheating and how I am going to tarnish my next victory. I just go out there and fight. It's true, the fans have my back and it's true that I have theirs. Which is why I will never soil a match by grabbing a handful of tights, or using the ropes for leverage, or even giving a thumb to the eye. It's not my style, because my style, is to actually use my talents inside of the wrestling ring to my advantage. My style is to actually wrestle and to actually use skill. Not luck. Not hope. Nope this reliance on the underhanded. I don't feel like I have to cheat to win because I know I don't have to cheat to win. I'm confident in my own abilities.
"Can you say the same about yourself and your own abilities?
"The cheating would say otherwise. The cheating would let me know that you aren't one hundred percent sure that you could win without having to cheat. You can try and use as many different reasoning for it as you want to try and calm your nerves, but you're only lying to yourself. And if you truly believe what you're saying, well, then, there's probably no saving you now is there? I'm not saying that I am trying to bring you about to the light side of things, just that no matter what happens, nothing will change your mind now will it?
"That was why I interfered in your Overdrive title match, if I can be honest. I wanted to show you how it felt to have your title stolen from you because someone bent the rules. I wanted to show you how Lester felt when he realized that you had cheated to win his Undisputed title. But of course, you overlooked what I did and, instead, condemned me for it. Instead of seeing that I was simply trying to prove a point, you turned into some sort of hypocrite, running me up and down and tearing a strip off of me because of what I did. Because I stuck my nose into your business. Oh, no one seems to raise a stink when you interfere in someones matches, right? But the moment that I deviate from my path to prove a point, that is when the shit hits the fan, right?
"Machiavelli also asks if it's better to be loved or feared, and you're not doing yourself any favors in either of those departments. I mean, most people try and bulk up on one of the two of them but you...you just throw both of them away. The fans don't love you, and the fans sure as hell don't fear you. No one fears you. I'm annoyed at you, I'm angry at you for what you have done, but I don't fear you. If I did, then I would be sitting in my locker room crying my eyes out, tears stinging my eyes, trying to figure out how to get out of this match.
"But I'm not. I'm waiting to bring the fight to you. I've been waiting to bring the fight to you, ever since I won Test for the Best.
"I'm willing to test out reality.
"Because, as much as you seem to think otherwise, I do understand the difference between reality and a dream. Between what is real and what is fake. I know that a simple dream or story doesn't necessarily spell success of provide anyone with any sort of insight into the future. I know that. And I also know that right now I am working my way up from behind the eight ball. I know that in reality, everyone is favoring you to win, simply because you are the defending champion.
"But I'm not going to let that hold me down. I'm not going to let the fact that I have never held a World title be the reason why I fail this week. Ideally, there will be no reason for failure because I will have had success inside of the ring against you, Biggs.
"Though, if failure is the option that falls to me, I know that I would have failed this week because Biggs was better. I know that if I fail, it will be because he proved to be the better man. That he would have had the better night and worked harder inside of that ring than I did. Whether or not he will cheat is left to be seen, but I'm sure he will, since that is the only thing that sets him apart from myself. I mean, both of us have said it, Biggs, we're very similar in what we do, which is sure to make this match a great match. There will be people that don't get a chance to watch it, and those people are going to be highly disappointed that they missed what I'm sure will be a classic. We have both done quite a lot to get here, and I know that I am not going to disappoint anyone. I know that I am going to make sure that I build off of all that I have done in this match and show the fans that they don't need to look elsewhere, and that I will be able to handle the load in the main event. That's my goal, anyways, I know that I can't speak for you on that front.
"And that's why I can say that I don't need to go out there and prove them wrong. I know that the fans will be cheering me and I know that they know I can handle myself in the main event, let alone a main event such as this. Because you're right, we are two great athletes, and two great competitors and this will be one hell of a match. Perhaps even a match for the ages, one that everyone will remember for the rest of this year. Because as much as I hate your cheating ways, you're damn right when you say that this is the first time for something new. This is the first time in a long while that Lester Only wasn't in the main event at a Pay-Per-View.
"And I know I'm not going to disappoint the fans, Biggs, because that's the one thing I never do. I always give them one hundred percent. I always make sure that they go home happy and that they go home remembering the match they just saw. And that might be why so many fans out there hate you, but love me. That might be why you get nothing but hate wherever you go. Because you don't care about them, and you don't try and entertain them at every step. You don't try and do anything but fight for yourself. And if outbursts like the one you had at that cafe are any indication, well, I don't think you have to worry about getting mobbed for autographs anytime soon. And because of that I always laugh when you say that you are the best wrestler in the world because half the battle is the fans. Half of what we do is for the fans. And then there's the cheating...
"But I don't want to keep flogging a dead horse, you know?
"Kind of like what you're doing with your constant attacks. I'm not saying that I'm a dead horse or anything, but I do believe Sally Talfourd used those same tactics when she was trying to eradicate me from the planet. She tried to soften me up each and every week. I was blind sided, hit with chairs, knocked out cold, thrown from the ring to the floor, thrown into ring posts...she did everything she could think to try and wear me down. But what happened to her?
"She lost. She lost and then she ran away. And now you are trying to tell me all that you have been doing to try and weaken me up for you to get an easy path through me to a successful title defense. But what you fail to realize is how resilient I am. What you don't see is that I am not going to be stopped so easily. Sure, I might tweak something during the match but I'm not going to throw in the towel. I'm not going to chicken out like some people might. I'll power through. I'll keep pushing on and giving you the fight that you want so that you can prove your worth. No matter how many times you knock me down Biggs, I am going to get right back up and fire away on you. I am going to get up and hit you harder than you think possible after knocking me down.
"I could sit here and list the ways that I could beat you, but what's the point in that? Why give away the playbook before the match happens. Sure, there are videos you could watch of me, things you could pick up through diligent homework, but there is still the opening for a surprise. So there's no need for me to give away anything that I may or may not do once I step into that ring.
"What am I trying to get at?
"In short, Biggs, I'm not going to claim victory. I'm not going to sit here and tell the world that I am going to be the next Undisputed champion. I'm going to go out there and give it my all, though, and if I happen to walk away as the champion, well, then that's all the better. But it's not the end of the world. It's not going to kill me if I happen to lose to you. And don't worry, I have faith in what I can do. I have faith in my abilities and my talent, unlike you. I know that I can't sit back and rely on karma to punish you and make you atone for all of the tactics you have used. Then again, maybe karma is on your side, realizing that you're merely doing what you need to do to survive and let you be.
"We've spent a lot of time speculating though, Biggs. We've talked about the ifs and the what ifs, and we haven't really gotten anywhere in particular. So lets look at the certainties.
"This will be the match of the night, without question. That is something that we can both agree on. We will go all out inside of that ring, we can also agree on that. We will usher in a brand new level of competition at the top of APW, without question.
"We both know that this match ends up being about two things: your Undisputed title and honor. One of those things you won't agree with, but we can both say with certainty that we aren't just fighting for the sake of fighting, now are we? Even with the title not having been my ultimate goal last August, I know that this match centers around it. It revolves around it. But I'm not thinking about the gold strap I could win. I'm thinking more about us going toe to toe. The possibility of beating you, and the gold, well, that's just an added bonus if you ask me. Something special to make all the hard work worth it.
"That's what you thought when you won the title, wasn't it? That you could finally say that all your hard work, all your decisions were finally worth it. Finally, all the blood and sweat you have shed could be summed up in one thing. The APW Undisputed title. Now you can look down at your waist and see that you have actually been rewarded for your hard work.
"Unfortunately I can't say the same thing. Sure, I don't mind the fact that I don't have that many titles to me name while being in APW, I'm perfectly fine with the fans reminding me just how good I am and how much of an impact I make. But I don't have the pleasure of looking at my waist and seeing the gold belt of success. Will this be the moment when I finally reach that pinnacle, and finally can say the same thing you did after you won the title at Test for the Best, regardless of how? Perhaps. I'd love it if I could say that I managed to beat Biggs for the title.
"If I managed to topple the black knight in combat, in front of the entire gallery that is the APW Kingdom.
"To say that I was able to sum up all that I have done this year in that belt, well, it would be fantastic to be able to say that. If not, then maybe it's just not my time. If I can't beat you this week, maybe I just need to push myself a little harder the next time out, because believe me Biggs, regardless of how this match ends there will be another. Win or lose the fans will see a rematch somewhere in the future.
"Your history lesson was insightful, though, not exactly needed. After all, most of what you told me I could find out and have found out through homework. Though there are a few notes you overlooked. First, the black mark as you say, when I failed to regain the tag team titles, that was all on Blade, as I have said multiple times, and history backs me up. That was all his fault. And my wins over Sally, well, they might be more astounding when you realize that she had not been beaten by anyone not named Level One at an APW Pay-Per-View. And I beat her twice. No one else can say that, can they? It might even be more impressive then you beating Level One, considering he is the only other man that can claim victory over Talfourd.
"But we're not here to talk about the past, are we? We're not here to talk walks down memory lane and rehash what once was. We're here to look to the future, the future of Sunday. We're here to talk about everything that is going to go down at the Pay-Per-View, and everyone that is going to be entertained by what we are capable of doing.
"We're talking about Shockwave, Biggs.
"And in the end, one of us will walk away the winner and, if things work in my favor, the new Undisputed champion. The arena could be a hostile environment for you, though, as you realize that you're going up against not only C.J. Gates, but all of the APW fans as well.
"Once you realize that, you'll have to ask yourself a question.
"Are you going to go big or go home?"
"That I would never earn an APW World title shot in my entire career.
"And only a year later, here I am, looking down the barrel of the gun that is my first World title shot. Here I am, having earned my way to this point through hard work, dedication, and true tenacity. I didn't get anything handed to me. I didn't beg and moan until I was rewarded, I earned it.
"If only John Green could see me now. Would he eat his words? No. Not at all. Just like my opponent this year, Biggs, won't eat his words if I manage to pull out a win and take his title away from him.
"If.
"Because nothing is set in stone. Nothing is one hundred percent certain. Some people can declare victory and swear that they will bring it home with a big win, but they can't be that certain. No one can be that certain. I can't be one hundred percent that I will beat Biggs, just like he shouldn't be sitting one hundred percent confident that he will beat me.
"That's the reality of the situation.
"That's the position we find ourselves in right now, with the encounter just around the corner. We find ourselves casting off the dreams that we may - or may not - have had and focusing on what really matters and what truly is important.
"Dreaming isn't a sign of weakness or a sign of living in a different world. Dreams are what drive us to succeed. Dreams are what make us strive for greatness each and every time we are inside of that ring. Not to sound like a famous King, but I had a dream at the beginning of this year. It didn't end with the Undisputed title, but it did end with becoming a force to be reckoned with. A name that people could associate with greatness. And through all that I have done, I've achieved that dream.
"But I'm still striving for greater things.
"And it comes to a head at Shockwave. Everyone who ever said that I would never reach this level will be proven wrong as I not only reach it, but compete in it at a high level.
"I know I've been ready, I'm more than ready for this match to start. Can the same be said for Biggs?
"Only time will tell."
------------------------------------------------
The sound of rushing water can be heard as the scene opens up on C.J. Gates leaning over the sink in the bathroom, splashing water on his face. He lets out a deep breath as he studies himself in the mirror, realizing that in just a few days he will be competing in the biggest match of his career for the biggest prize in APW. Gates looks down once again and splashes water on his face a second time.
A win here would land him the APW Undisputed title, his first world title in his career. But even before that, the very match would be his first ever World title match. It would be the first time that he was fighting in the main event of a main Pay-Per-View for the main title of a federation. It was almost a dream within a dream, though the cool refreshing water made sure to remind Gates that this was not a dream. It was reality.
"This could change everything," Gates mutters to himself as he shakes his head with a slight smile on his face. A year ago he was battling John Green and Blade in a triple threat match that eventually led to the formation of the Exchange Rate. Gates shakes his head slightly before running a wet hand over his forehead. His contemplation is disrupted by a sudden knock on the door.
"Yo man, you alright?" a familiar voice calls from the other side of the door. "You've been in there an awfully long time."
Gates nods his head absently. "Yeah, yeah, I'm good. Just...freshening up," Gates calls back, still looking at himself in the mirror in front of him.
"Well, hurry up, you woman," the voice calls again with the hint of a chuckle. "I want to get some grub before you go into recluse before your big match."
"Alright, alright. Hold your horses, man," Gates says, shaking his head. "As long as you don't abandon me at some so-called appearance again. I don't want to be stuck hanging around Best Buy again."
A laugh is heard from the other side of the door. "I promise you I won't leave you in the middle of no where. I thought you might like it though. You said that you missed interacting with your fans, didn't you?"
Gates turns his head toward the door to answer, but before he can the voice interrupts. "Just hurry up, I'm getting hungry." Footsteps can be heard moving away.
After a few more moments, the door to the bathroom opens and C.J. Gates steps into a moderately sized hotel room. Nothing fancy, simply a double bed, a television on an oak stand, a pair of chairs and a few end tables. He turns the bathroom light off as he exits into the larger room where his brother, B.J. Gates, can be seen sitting in one of the two chairs tucked away in the corner. He is flipping through the TV Guide magazine and upon seeing C.J. exit the bathroom, he puts it down on the other chair. "About damn time, bro," B.J. says impatiently. "You'd been in there for nearly twenty minutes! I thought for a second you'd fallen in."
"Shut up, man. Are we going to grab some food or not?" Gates says as he walks over to the bed and picks up his cowboy hat off the end of it and places it on his head.
"After you, your lord ship."
"Give it a rest with that, will you? I told you that dream in confidence, so there's no need for you to mock me for it."
"Alright, alright. It's just hilarious man. You? A knight? Hilarious."
The two brothers exit the hotel room closing the door behind them. The scene reopens outside on the patio of a restaurant. The sun is shining and the patio is decently packed. B.J. and C.J. Gates are sitting across from one another at one of the tables looking over the menu.
"I'm sure you're going to get heat for this, won't you," B.J. says bluntly as he looks at the menu. "I mean, not from the fans, but from your peers."
"You mean because I'm out at a restaurant instead of training twenty-four seven and making sure I'm ready for the match?" C.J. adds. B.J. nods his head silently and C.J. shrugs. "Perhaps. I'm not too worried though. I've been ready for this match for awhile, so it doesn't really matter what my peers and my opponent thinks of it."
"I know I'd be on your case about it," B.J. says with a slight smile on his face. "Slacking off like this. How dare you eat food!"
"Exactly. We all have to eat. And besides, I've still got a day to prepare for Biggs and everything he is going to throw me way." The waiter comes by and the brothers order their drinks.
"So tell me more about this dream. What was my role in it?"
C.J. rolls his eyes in annoyance. "You were my squire. But I already told you I don't want to talk about it, alright?"
"Oh, come on, man! It sounds like a great dream!"
"Well, not everyone thought so," C.J. says as he looks around the patio.
"Well, no one really cares what Biggs thinks, right? I mean, I've been at Overdrive's, I've been there booing him with the rest. No one cares what he's saying."
C.J. nods his head in contemplation. "I won't argue with that. But he managed to, somehow, make it easy to ridicule me for it."
"Oh, forget him. He thinks ridicule is the 'in' thing right now. Besides, the only thing the fans care for, is to see the two of you finally lock up in battle." B.J. pauses and looks absently off the patio. "Seemed like last week he was always avoiding you if he could help it."
"Oh, I know. I'm waiting for that chance, too," C.J. says in response. "I have been since I won Test for the Best. Mind you, at first I wasn't really expecting to be stepping into the ring with Biggs, but hey, I can't exactly control that, right?"
"Well, you could..."
"I could have but then I would be just as bad as Biggs. And that's not how I want to be known, you know?"
"Coming from the guy that helped screw Biggs out of the Overdrive title the week after Test for the Best." B.J. laughs as the waiter returns with their drinks and places them down on the table. B.J. picks his up and takes a sip of it.
"That's much different, B.J., and you know it," C.J. says, a touch defensive. "He needed to know how it felt to be screwed over, like he screwed over Lester Only at Test for the Best."
B.J. stares at his brother for a long while, with an eyebrow raised. "Yeah, I won't deny that. Just seemed...odd. Even I didn't think you'd do it."
"Well, I did," C.J. mutters before taking a sip from his own drink. "And I managed to ruffle Biggs' feathers while doing it, which must have played into his mind knowing that he wasn't as invincible as he thought he was."
"Well, you sure shocked me, Ceej," B.J. says, taking another sip. "I don't think anyone saw it coming. So kudos to you."
"All I have to put up with now, is a little annoyance from Rebel and Biggs about the whole situation. Definitely worth it," C.J. says with a hint of sarcasm in his tone. B.J. chuckles to himself as C.J. continues. "It wouldn't be so bad if Rebel didn't constantly think that he won the title on his own, yet still condemns me for my part in it all." Gates shakes his head some more and shrugs, adjusting his position in his seat.
"Well, there's always going to be people like that in the world," B.J. says.
"Yeah, I know. Remember, I'm the oldest." C.J. smiles over at his brother. "But let's change the subject. I don't want to worry too much about Johnny Rebel when I have bigger and more important fish to fry."
"Alright. So, here's a question for you," B.J. begins as he leans back in his chair. "What are you going to do after you win the Undisputed title?"
C.J. studies his brothers face for a moment. "Well, it's not certain that I am going to win the title. So, I don't want you to get ahead of yourself."
"Well, let's be optimistic then," B.J. begins as he rocks in the chair. "Say you do win the title, what are you going to do afterward."
"Do you mean like, kissing babies and having a ticker tape parade? Stuff like that?"
"I guess. But you're not thinking too big, now are you," B.J. says with a laugh. "After all, you're C.J. Gates! The mother fucking North Dakota cowboy!"
A few people at a nearby table glance over, annoyed at the use of foul language. "I haven't really given that a lot of thought, to be honest. I've been worried more about the match itself then what I would do in the event that I won the title. I presume that I would have to be on the lookout because I'd have a huge target on my back, but other than that..."
"What do you WANT to do? Come on, think big!"
"Celebrate," C.J. says after a bit of thought. "I'd want to celebrate the win with the fans of APW. I'd want to show them that all of their support has helped me achieve the successful heights that I have managed to reach." B.J. nods his head but before he can speak, C.J. continues. "But that's only if I win, and I don't want to look beyond the match itself. I don't want to be looking past Biggs quite yet. I want to remain focused on the match."
"Oh, you're no fun, man. You've got to live a little!"
"Okay, what would you do if you won?"
B.J. opens his mouth to speak, but closes it almost right away. A look of deep thought crosses his face before he opens his mouth again, but he closes it again. "Not that easy to figure out, is it," C.J. says with a laugh.
"Shut up, man. I've got an excuse. I haven't had a little over a month to think about it," B.J. fires back.
"Sure, sure, always need to find an excuse right, B.J.?" C.J. laughs and shakes his head.
B.J. broods in his seat for a little while before changing the subject. "So I heard yesterday's appearance didn't go so well for Biggs."
"I'm sure it would have if Reginald didn't screw it up, but yeah, he was a little out of his element trying to deal with little kids who could probably care less about anything that wasn't yellow and lived under the sea."
"Maybe that's just a sign that of things to come?" B.J. adds, with a shrug. "You know, they stop caring about him, and you take the title and everyone cares again?"
"They were kids!"
"They aren't stupid though, man. They know what they want."
"Yeah, but I doubt their parents even let them watch Overdrive."
B.J. stares at C.J., a look of confusion on his face. "Then why were they there?"
"Reginald. He changed the venue. Which is why I was left standing at Best Buy wondering why they weren't getting things ready for the appearance."
B.J. laughs and shakes his head. "Wow that's....that's..." He continues to shake his head in disbelief. "Not like it matters. Now you just need to worry about beating Biggs."
"If I beat him," C.J. adds, though B.J. acts like he didn't hear him.
"I can see you being a good champion, Ceej. Maybe even one of the best," B.J. says with some hearty nods. "Can you see it, man? The things you could do with the title!"
C.J. holds up his hands. "I know, I know. Listen, let's just finish our meal and then we can worry about the match and what is to come this weekend, alright? If I win the title, we'll celebrate. If I don't, we won't. Simple as that. Alright?"
"Fine," B.J. says with a sigh. "But when you win, don't be surprised when I say 'I told you so'."
C.J. shakes his head at his brother. The waiter returns to the table and the two Gates' order their food as the scene fades out to black.
------------------------------------------------
"The day is almost upon us.
"The match that everyone has been waiting for since Test for the Best is right around the corner. The match that everyone has been anticipating since the calender flipped from 2010 to 2011 is almost here, and I'm sure that everyone has been counting down the days to Shockwave.
"I know I have. And I'm sure that Biggs has as well. After all, not only is this my first World title match in APW and in my career in general, but this is also Biggs' first title defense as the Undisputed champion. This is his first chance to show that his robbery of Lester Only was built off of actual talent, or if he is just another transitional champion. Another flash in the pan that can't hack it at the top of the mountain. Sure, the same thing can be said about me, and whether or not I can compete at the level that I am currently standing, but I think that, in this case, there is more for Biggs to lose than me. There is more riding on him defending his title, then there is for me to win it.
"But that might just be my take on the situation. I might be wrong, and if I am, it wouldn't be the first time, right? After all, no one is perfect. No one is invincible. No one is unbeatable. And as much as Biggs like to think that no one can touch him, and that he won't be losing his title anytime soon, he's wrong. Because he is beatable.
"Will it happen this weekend? Perhaps. I'm not going to speculate on the final outcome of the match, all I will do is anticipate the actual match beginning. Anticipate the continuous climb of my year in APW. A year that could seem dreamlike and filled with hard work, trials and tribulations to overcome, and constant interference from those that are jealous of all that I have managed to do.
"I take nothing away from you Biggs, your year has been just as good, if not better than mine. After all, it was when you defeated the Contourage and Chris Cyrus in that Championship Scramble that I really began to take notice of you. That was when I realized that you had some true talent within you. And, dare I say it, that was when I began to respect you as an individual because at that point, you were overcoming everything that was thrown your way. You watched as three of your enemies joined forces in an effort to take you down and yet you overcame their attempt to stack the deck in their favor. It couldn't have gone any better for you, could it?
"That is until your crowning achievement when you...'beat' Lester for the title. That was when everything finally took off for you, isn't it? That is when you finally became more than just the Space Man lost in the middle of the pack, fending off anyone and everyone who thought they could personify Overdrive better than you. That was when you finally broke through and became a true force in APW. Right? Did I understand you correctly?
"But to think that I wanted to deny you your good year, that I wanted to say that mine was the only year worth looking back on was wrong. Because there have been many good years by many good people, you included. That's what makes this weeks match even more exciting. We're not fighting in a title match where one of us has been lost, marred in a slump that they just couldn't shake out of. No, we are two men that have been putting ourselves through hell and high water time after time. We've been putting ourselves on the line every time we're asked to because it's in our nature. It's in our make-up. We are both riding high on a wave of momentum, and we have both had highly successful years, no matter how you want to cut it.
"The only black mark on the match is your affinity to cheat. I know that it's a dead horse I keep hitting but it's about the only difference between us that will play a factor in this match. You've explained yourself, I've told you how much it disappoints me, and still don't really see why you do it. Maybe I'm just in the minority here, but it's true. I just don't see how winning an Undisputed title, the title that you claim is the most exhilarating and sought after prize, by cheating doesn't cheapen the victory that much. Yes, you made sure that you used your intellect to get into into that situation. You fought and you fought and you made sure that when the chips were down, you were in the right position to cheat. The right spot to use your...art to your advantage. Not something I would do, but still, to each their own right? I mean, you bring up a valid point. The fact that I stay true to the straight and narrow, and the fact that I don't cheat doesn't make me any better than you, skill wise. Just honorably and morally better.
"And while you rely on the necessity to cheat to succeed, I use my natural talent. I use my actual skills to get by in matches. I don't have this thought in the back of my head about cheating and how I am going to tarnish my next victory. I just go out there and fight. It's true, the fans have my back and it's true that I have theirs. Which is why I will never soil a match by grabbing a handful of tights, or using the ropes for leverage, or even giving a thumb to the eye. It's not my style, because my style, is to actually use my talents inside of the wrestling ring to my advantage. My style is to actually wrestle and to actually use skill. Not luck. Not hope. Nope this reliance on the underhanded. I don't feel like I have to cheat to win because I know I don't have to cheat to win. I'm confident in my own abilities.
"Can you say the same about yourself and your own abilities?
"The cheating would say otherwise. The cheating would let me know that you aren't one hundred percent sure that you could win without having to cheat. You can try and use as many different reasoning for it as you want to try and calm your nerves, but you're only lying to yourself. And if you truly believe what you're saying, well, then, there's probably no saving you now is there? I'm not saying that I am trying to bring you about to the light side of things, just that no matter what happens, nothing will change your mind now will it?
"That was why I interfered in your Overdrive title match, if I can be honest. I wanted to show you how it felt to have your title stolen from you because someone bent the rules. I wanted to show you how Lester felt when he realized that you had cheated to win his Undisputed title. But of course, you overlooked what I did and, instead, condemned me for it. Instead of seeing that I was simply trying to prove a point, you turned into some sort of hypocrite, running me up and down and tearing a strip off of me because of what I did. Because I stuck my nose into your business. Oh, no one seems to raise a stink when you interfere in someones matches, right? But the moment that I deviate from my path to prove a point, that is when the shit hits the fan, right?
"Machiavelli also asks if it's better to be loved or feared, and you're not doing yourself any favors in either of those departments. I mean, most people try and bulk up on one of the two of them but you...you just throw both of them away. The fans don't love you, and the fans sure as hell don't fear you. No one fears you. I'm annoyed at you, I'm angry at you for what you have done, but I don't fear you. If I did, then I would be sitting in my locker room crying my eyes out, tears stinging my eyes, trying to figure out how to get out of this match.
"But I'm not. I'm waiting to bring the fight to you. I've been waiting to bring the fight to you, ever since I won Test for the Best.
"I'm willing to test out reality.
"Because, as much as you seem to think otherwise, I do understand the difference between reality and a dream. Between what is real and what is fake. I know that a simple dream or story doesn't necessarily spell success of provide anyone with any sort of insight into the future. I know that. And I also know that right now I am working my way up from behind the eight ball. I know that in reality, everyone is favoring you to win, simply because you are the defending champion.
"But I'm not going to let that hold me down. I'm not going to let the fact that I have never held a World title be the reason why I fail this week. Ideally, there will be no reason for failure because I will have had success inside of the ring against you, Biggs.
"Though, if failure is the option that falls to me, I know that I would have failed this week because Biggs was better. I know that if I fail, it will be because he proved to be the better man. That he would have had the better night and worked harder inside of that ring than I did. Whether or not he will cheat is left to be seen, but I'm sure he will, since that is the only thing that sets him apart from myself. I mean, both of us have said it, Biggs, we're very similar in what we do, which is sure to make this match a great match. There will be people that don't get a chance to watch it, and those people are going to be highly disappointed that they missed what I'm sure will be a classic. We have both done quite a lot to get here, and I know that I am not going to disappoint anyone. I know that I am going to make sure that I build off of all that I have done in this match and show the fans that they don't need to look elsewhere, and that I will be able to handle the load in the main event. That's my goal, anyways, I know that I can't speak for you on that front.
"And that's why I can say that I don't need to go out there and prove them wrong. I know that the fans will be cheering me and I know that they know I can handle myself in the main event, let alone a main event such as this. Because you're right, we are two great athletes, and two great competitors and this will be one hell of a match. Perhaps even a match for the ages, one that everyone will remember for the rest of this year. Because as much as I hate your cheating ways, you're damn right when you say that this is the first time for something new. This is the first time in a long while that Lester Only wasn't in the main event at a Pay-Per-View.
"And I know I'm not going to disappoint the fans, Biggs, because that's the one thing I never do. I always give them one hundred percent. I always make sure that they go home happy and that they go home remembering the match they just saw. And that might be why so many fans out there hate you, but love me. That might be why you get nothing but hate wherever you go. Because you don't care about them, and you don't try and entertain them at every step. You don't try and do anything but fight for yourself. And if outbursts like the one you had at that cafe are any indication, well, I don't think you have to worry about getting mobbed for autographs anytime soon. And because of that I always laugh when you say that you are the best wrestler in the world because half the battle is the fans. Half of what we do is for the fans. And then there's the cheating...
"But I don't want to keep flogging a dead horse, you know?
"Kind of like what you're doing with your constant attacks. I'm not saying that I'm a dead horse or anything, but I do believe Sally Talfourd used those same tactics when she was trying to eradicate me from the planet. She tried to soften me up each and every week. I was blind sided, hit with chairs, knocked out cold, thrown from the ring to the floor, thrown into ring posts...she did everything she could think to try and wear me down. But what happened to her?
"She lost. She lost and then she ran away. And now you are trying to tell me all that you have been doing to try and weaken me up for you to get an easy path through me to a successful title defense. But what you fail to realize is how resilient I am. What you don't see is that I am not going to be stopped so easily. Sure, I might tweak something during the match but I'm not going to throw in the towel. I'm not going to chicken out like some people might. I'll power through. I'll keep pushing on and giving you the fight that you want so that you can prove your worth. No matter how many times you knock me down Biggs, I am going to get right back up and fire away on you. I am going to get up and hit you harder than you think possible after knocking me down.
"I could sit here and list the ways that I could beat you, but what's the point in that? Why give away the playbook before the match happens. Sure, there are videos you could watch of me, things you could pick up through diligent homework, but there is still the opening for a surprise. So there's no need for me to give away anything that I may or may not do once I step into that ring.
"What am I trying to get at?
"In short, Biggs, I'm not going to claim victory. I'm not going to sit here and tell the world that I am going to be the next Undisputed champion. I'm going to go out there and give it my all, though, and if I happen to walk away as the champion, well, then that's all the better. But it's not the end of the world. It's not going to kill me if I happen to lose to you. And don't worry, I have faith in what I can do. I have faith in my abilities and my talent, unlike you. I know that I can't sit back and rely on karma to punish you and make you atone for all of the tactics you have used. Then again, maybe karma is on your side, realizing that you're merely doing what you need to do to survive and let you be.
"We've spent a lot of time speculating though, Biggs. We've talked about the ifs and the what ifs, and we haven't really gotten anywhere in particular. So lets look at the certainties.
"This will be the match of the night, without question. That is something that we can both agree on. We will go all out inside of that ring, we can also agree on that. We will usher in a brand new level of competition at the top of APW, without question.
"We both know that this match ends up being about two things: your Undisputed title and honor. One of those things you won't agree with, but we can both say with certainty that we aren't just fighting for the sake of fighting, now are we? Even with the title not having been my ultimate goal last August, I know that this match centers around it. It revolves around it. But I'm not thinking about the gold strap I could win. I'm thinking more about us going toe to toe. The possibility of beating you, and the gold, well, that's just an added bonus if you ask me. Something special to make all the hard work worth it.
"That's what you thought when you won the title, wasn't it? That you could finally say that all your hard work, all your decisions were finally worth it. Finally, all the blood and sweat you have shed could be summed up in one thing. The APW Undisputed title. Now you can look down at your waist and see that you have actually been rewarded for your hard work.
"Unfortunately I can't say the same thing. Sure, I don't mind the fact that I don't have that many titles to me name while being in APW, I'm perfectly fine with the fans reminding me just how good I am and how much of an impact I make. But I don't have the pleasure of looking at my waist and seeing the gold belt of success. Will this be the moment when I finally reach that pinnacle, and finally can say the same thing you did after you won the title at Test for the Best, regardless of how? Perhaps. I'd love it if I could say that I managed to beat Biggs for the title.
"If I managed to topple the black knight in combat, in front of the entire gallery that is the APW Kingdom.
"To say that I was able to sum up all that I have done this year in that belt, well, it would be fantastic to be able to say that. If not, then maybe it's just not my time. If I can't beat you this week, maybe I just need to push myself a little harder the next time out, because believe me Biggs, regardless of how this match ends there will be another. Win or lose the fans will see a rematch somewhere in the future.
"Your history lesson was insightful, though, not exactly needed. After all, most of what you told me I could find out and have found out through homework. Though there are a few notes you overlooked. First, the black mark as you say, when I failed to regain the tag team titles, that was all on Blade, as I have said multiple times, and history backs me up. That was all his fault. And my wins over Sally, well, they might be more astounding when you realize that she had not been beaten by anyone not named Level One at an APW Pay-Per-View. And I beat her twice. No one else can say that, can they? It might even be more impressive then you beating Level One, considering he is the only other man that can claim victory over Talfourd.
"But we're not here to talk about the past, are we? We're not here to talk walks down memory lane and rehash what once was. We're here to look to the future, the future of Sunday. We're here to talk about everything that is going to go down at the Pay-Per-View, and everyone that is going to be entertained by what we are capable of doing.
"We're talking about Shockwave, Biggs.
"And in the end, one of us will walk away the winner and, if things work in my favor, the new Undisputed champion. The arena could be a hostile environment for you, though, as you realize that you're going up against not only C.J. Gates, but all of the APW fans as well.
"Once you realize that, you'll have to ask yourself a question.
"Are you going to go big or go home?"
