Greatness

[Kurt]

APW Rasslemania
Greatness

(The following comment was forwarded to actionpackedwrestling.com hours after Rasslemania)

“I woke up this morning like it was any regular morning. I punched my alarm, crawled out of bed, took a shower, ate some breakfast, and headed off to work; and by work, I mean the gym. I got pissed at traffic. I got a few waves on the street; not many, but enough. I worked out for a while. Ate lunch, came home, and spent some time with the wife before having dinner and heading to the arena. Sounds like a regular day in the life of Kurt Noble, doesn’t it?

“Wrong.

“From the moment I woke up, I realized what today was. I remembered the significance of this date. I got a million texts reminding me about the day, like I hadn’t been thinking about it every second since I opened my eyes. I know today is.

“Today is the day that I finally know what my career is made of. Today is the day that I learn exactly what kind of wrestler I am. Win or lose, today is the most important day of my career. Today is the day that I test myself against Blade, Johnny Rebel, and CJ Gates.

“Today is March 25th, 2012.

“Today is APW Rasslemania…the ‘Day of Greatness.’”

-
-
-

March 25th, 2012
30 minutes to Rasslemania Main Event

“I can feel it Kurt…you’re going to change APW tonight.”

Amy’s fingers interlock with Noble’s, whose eyes are glued on the clock hung above his locker. His breathing his heavy as his other hand fidgets with the lining of his wrestling tights. Amy’s green eyes shift to his twitching hand, before she slaps it away.

“Don’t mess up your tights before the match starts!” she lectures with a smile. “Everything needs to be…perfect tonight. I want the world to see you at your very best.”

“If you really want Kurt to be at his best, you probably shouldn’t be smacking his ass around before the match. Then again, maybe it’ll get him going…”

Amy rolls her eyes as Chris Hart finishes his push-ups in the background, working out the soreness from his match. Hart pushes himself to his feet, and throws a towel over his shoulder.

“Funny,” responds Amy with only the slightest hint of amusement. “But really Kurt, if I can do anything, just let me know. I want to make sure that the first thing CJ, Johnny, and Blade do when they see you is swallow their tongues out of fear.”

“It’s a good thing you never wrote any of Kurt’s material, because that was awful,” Chris jokes as he sits down next to Noble, putting his arm around his former tag partner. “Hey, if you and Amy need some alone time, I’ll be sure to record it and sell it to TMZ for thousands if you’d like.”

Noble doesn’t react to the joke as his eyes remain fixated on the clock, as if every tick could be the final one.

“Thanks guys. I appreciate it, really,” responds Noble as he rubs his hand across his knee.

“I just…damn, the match is in an hour, and I feel unprepared. I mean, I’ve done everything I could to get ready. I don’t feel stiff or sore, or really even like I’m not ready…but something just feels off.”

“A good old dosage of Monkwood is exactly what you need to get you in the Main Event mood kiddo!”

All eyes turn towards the door as Monkwood and Medea walk in. The two are dressed in their finest black suits, matching Noble’s ring attire. Amy crosses her arms and Hart’s nostrils flare as they approach Noble.

“Gimme a hug big guy!” proclaims Monkwood as he embraces Noble, who almost falls back from the impact. Amy and Medea lock eyes in a cold stare.

“Hello Medea,” says Amy rather coldly.

“Hello Amy,” responds Medea in the same tone.

However, they both turn their attention to Noble, who breaks up the tension as he looks at Medea.

“Never thought I’d be here in the Main Event of Rasslemania?” asks Noble as he faces the older woman. She forms a small smile.

“Hardly. It seemed like just yesterday you were a bumbling child placed under my care. I set out to make you a wrestler…and while you may still be a fool…today, you are a true wrestler.”

“You kids are too cute,” jests Monkwood as he elbows Noble. “But really kiddo, I’m so ready to watch you kick ass tonight against Gates, Rebel, and Blade! *Especially* Gates! We’ve seen you kick enough of Rebel and Blade’s asses lately! Never thought we’d see Nobledrive showing off his big brass balls the in the Rasslemania Main Event…but Hell, I didn’t think Medea would stick around for this long either!” Medea snarls at Monkwood as Noble feigns a smile.

“Thanks guys,” says Noble as he stands up, grabbing his cane.

“I see Grandpa and Grandma are spoiling little Noble with their love today,” remarks Hart sarcastically, getting a stern glare from Medea that he promptly ignores.

“They’re just being…supportive,” responds Amy dryly. Despite the tension in the room, Noble’s eyes are glued on the door.

“I appreciate the positive attitudes guys, but something just…doesn’t feel right,” blurts Noble. “I can’t go into the Main Event feeling like I’ve left something undone. I just need a little bit of time to myself, you know?”

“We’ll get out of your hair then kiddo!” Monkwood moves towards the door, but Noble cuts him off.

“No guys, I’ll go. This room is driving me crazy anyway.”

Noble nods towards his companions, and puts his hand on the door-knob…before stopping, and facing his allies.

“Before I go…I, uh…I need to say something. I know I haven’t been the easiest person to put up with. The last seven months have been hard on all of us.” Noble focuses on Amy as he speaks, who makes no gesture in response.

“That’s why I won’t forget how I got here…because of all of you. While it’s just me facing three opponents in the Main Event, I won’t forget about all of you in my corner. I know CJ, Rebel, and Blade all have their supporters as well…but they don’t have what I have. They’re wrestling for themselves tonight; I’m wrestling for you all. So, I guess what I’m trying to say is-“

Noble isn’t allowed to finish his thought as Amy rushes up and hugs him. He wraps his arms around his wife, and two share a silent moment together. Noble finally speaks.

“Thanks.”

Amy pulls back, and smiles at her husband.

“You can win tonight…I believe in you.”

Amy leans in, and two exchange a quick kiss, causing Hart to divert his eyes, Monkwood to fist pump, and Medea to simply stare, Amy holds Noble’s hand for a moment, before breaking apart. Noble nods to everyone in the room before exiting. He stands outside, and inhales before making his way to one of the ramp entrances. Along the way, Noble nods to many of the backstage-workers.

“Knock em dead tonight Kurt,” says a bald middle aged man working on a sound system.

“Pin that bastard Rebel for me, will ya?” requests a woman moving boxes.

“Where’s that old man in the tights going?” asks one of the younger stagehands.

Noble chuckles as he walks past the final man. He finally makes it to the outside of the curtains. On the other side, a match is apparently going on, and the crowd and the impact of the wrestling ring can be heard. Noble looks upwards, before speaking.

“So what are you thinking about my chances tonight?”

Noble turns from the curtain to face the camera directly. He stands, waiting for an answer as he stares into the screen…and he receives one from behind the camera.

“Are…are you talking to me?” asks the camera-man in a surprised tone.

“Do you see anyone here but us?” asks Noble with a grin across his face. “I mean, if you think about it, there isn’t anyone better to analyze the Main Event of Rasslemania. You’ve seen my entire journey with Blade, Rebel, and Gates across the last year. You’ve seen every move, every word, and every step the four of us have had together. I’m sure you’ve recorded everything we’ve said about Rasslemania and one another. You’ve basically watched me in APW from day one…and Hell, I don’t even know your name!”

“It’s, uh, Steve. And to be honest, I just film you all. I don’t even think I’m supposed to be talking to you right now-“

“Like I said, just us here,” responds Noble. “My match is in twenty minutes…So how am I looking against my competitors tonight?”

“Honestly? Pretty shaky…and I don’t mean your chances. I mean literally.”

“I guess you saw that back there,” grins Noble as he leans against the nearby wall. “I don’t get it Steve. This is the first Rasslemania Main Event for any of us, and I’m the one shaking. Gates, Rebel, and Blade were all as vocal and confident as ever in the little I’ve seen of them since the last Overdrive. Me…I’m a wreck right now. What’s that say about me?”

“Gee, you’re sane?”

Noble chuckles. “Yeah, I guess so. Normally, I’d be leaning on CJ right now for support, but I suppose I burned that bridge, didn’t I?”

The camera-view moves slightly, as if the camera-man shrugged. Noble looks back towards the curtain, listening to the ending of the World Heavyweight Title match.

“Steve…have you ever woken up one morning and felt like you were supposed to do great things? Like…you were meant to be somebody?”

“I operate a camera for a living, so…”

Noble smiles again. “I don’t necessarily mean through your job. I mean…by just doing something incredible. By changing the world, even if it’s in the tiniest possible way. I thought I would wake up this morning, knowing that today was my chance to do just that…but I didn’t, and it’s been eating at me all day…until right now.”

“Why’s that?” asks Steve.

Noble pauses, and waits for the crowd through the curtain to cheer, a result of a successful move being pulled off by either Knuckles or Kash. Noble points outward.

“I woke up this morning next to my wife, and I didn’t feel like I was meant to change the world…but as I was driving here, I remember that changing the world isn’t just something that affects me. It’s about them. I know my opponents tonight are focused on themselves, or maybe just focused on the Undisputed Title. I don’t blame them…but you know what Steve?

“That’s bullshit.”

Noble shakes his head as soaks in the distant cheer of the crowd.

“As much as your bosses want you to keep the camera on us Steve…tonight’s not about just Rebel, Gates, Blade, or myself. It’s about APW. It’s about the fans. They are APW. When I’m by myself, I don’t feel like I’m something special, like I’m meant to do something…but when I’m in front of APW, Hell, when I just hear the roar of a crowd’s applause…I feel like I’m changing the world. I feel like I’m making history. Maybe that’s why I’m shaking my ass off before this match while my opponents aren’t. They don’t realize the magnitude of this match for APW…they’re just thinking about themselves. They should be scared right now, scared of what tonight means for them…but if not, they will be. I promise you Steve, they will be.”

Noble pauses, as if he’s waiting for a reaction. He turns back to Steve.

“What do you think about that?”

“Hm? Oh, sorry. I didn’t want to interrupt. My job doesn’t imply a whole lot of conversation…”

“I guess not,” replies Noble in an amused voice. He taps his foot for a moment as he listens to the crowd.

“Steve, you’ve follow every moment of my APW career; it’s appropriate that before the most important match of my career, you’re here. My match is in fifteen minutes, and there are still things I need to say. I won’t go into this match without saying what I have to say, or else I'll go crazy. Consider this like your own little personal Nobledrive. You may not believe you were meant for greatness…but just by standing there, with that camera in your hand, we’re both going to change APW tonight. I’ll let you listen now Steve…because tonight, on March 25th, minutes before the Rasslemania Fatal Four-way Main Event, I have something to say…

“To you…Johnny Rebel, Blade, CJ Gates…and all of APW.”

Noble leans in closer to the camera as he talks, focusing his full attention on it. His face is determined, and for the first time tonight, he isn’t shaking.

“I don’t know if anyone besides me will ever see this. I don’t know if you, my opponents, will pay attention to this after our match is over. But, there’s something the three of you should know before we face off, something I wish I could tell you all in person…but it’s something you all will learn before the night is over…

“The three of you…are greatness.

“Your accomplishments speak for themselves. Between the three of you, there are at least five APW title reigns. You have 77 wins together. You have fought for the True Experts Championship four times. You have shown the world that you are competitors that deserve to Main Event Rasslemania. You are great men.

“There’s a quote in William Shakespeare’s play Twelfth Night that defines us all tonight. A character named Malvolio, a real fool of a man, says that there are three kinds of men when it comes to greatness.

“’Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.’ Those men…are the three of you.

“Johnny Rebel…you were born great. To me, you’ve never been the hardest working wrestler…but you’ve always been the one at the top. As long as we’ve fought one another, I struggled while you seemed untouchable. That’s just who you are. You’ve beaten me twice, and you might beat me again tonight if you simply show up. You were born to be a winner. That is your greatness tonight.

“CJ Gates…you achieved greatness. I’ll never deny your accomplishments my friend. The 2011 Test for the Best winner, constant contender for both the True Experts and CWC Championships, and the Undisputed Champion. Nothing was handed to you, and in all the months I’ve known you, you’ve never backed down from a challenge…Ever. You achieve every win you get. That is your greatness tonight.

“Blade…you had greatness thrust upon you. You found yourself going from mid-card to Main Event in one night, and I don’t think anyone would say you haven’t handled it like a Champion. People have doubted you up until now, but you’ve adapted to the spotlight. You had a weight dropped on you like no other, and you’ve thrown it right back in our faces...for me, literally. You snatch wins from under your opponent’s noses. That is your greatness tonight.

“So, if the three of you are great…what does that make me tonight, competing in the Main Event against three great men?

“Playing second fiddle to greatness.

“See, my entire career, I’ve been the ‘second best’. I’ve been waiting for this one moment, this one single moment, that would make me great…and every single time, it’s slipped through my fingers. I’m sure you, my opponents, have seen them all.

“I placed second to Jack Benevolence in the 2011 Extreme Tournament.

“I was not able to defeat Azrael Goeren for the CWC Championship at CWC Destiny.

“I placed third in the 2012 Survive and Conquer.

“You can see how close I’ve come to greatness…and failed every single time.

“That brings us to tonight, to exactly ten minutes from now…to the Rasslemania Main Event, where I will face greatness once again.

“Now I know what you’re thinking: ‘Kurt, if you aren’t great like those guys, how can you win tonight?’ It’s a fair question. It’s one I thought about today when I woke up…and it’s one that I now know the answer to as I listen to that APW crowd. You know how I’ll become great in tonight’s Main Event?

“I am going to achieve greatness by defeating greatness.

“That means you…Johnny Rebel, Blade, and CJ Gates.

“I am going to become great by defeating the three of you for the world to see. I’ve been a nervous wreck all day long because it’s not up to me to decide if I’m great. The three of you are my test…and the APW fans will decide if I’ve earned that recognition. The Undisputed Title means nothing to me if they don’t acknowledge me as their Champion. If the three of you aren’t quivering from that realization…then I’ll make you realize in front of all of Action Packed Wrestling.

“But I won’t be your definition of greatness. See, to guys like you, winning is probably everything in this business. Hell, in every one of the failures I listed, it was for me too. I have no doubt that a guy like Johnny Rebel has loved watching me fail. Rebel, You’ll rip me apart verbally because that’s what you need psyche yourself up before a big match. CJ, I know you’re not the egomaniac that Blade and Rebel are, but you need that boost too. You need to be better than me before the match even starts. Me?

“I just need to hear my name from the crowd…that’s my energy. That’s what will propel me to greatness.

“Now I know the thought running through your head right now: ‘So, what’s different this time? Yeah, yeah, you learned that it’s not all about you, blah blah blah.’ If you’re thinking that…you’re right. Something has to change within me tonight to finally grasp onto that moment that will define my career. So, what is it cthat an push me to win Rasslemania tonight? Actually, it’s fairly simple. It’s a set of three words that I discovered at Survive and Conquer, and its three words that I’ve muttered to myself every night that I watched my three opponents fight in vain for a Championship. Those words?

“I.

“Am.

“Done.

“Against the three of you tonight, those three words are my shield, my sword, and my means of victory. I am done with being so self-obsessed that I don’t remember everything that’s important; everything I'm fighting for. My friends, family, President Jeff, Monkwood, Medea, Chris, and Amy…and all of APW. I’ve had my head stuck in the sand, looking for MY great moment for months…and I lost sight of it. If I go into tonight with the same mindset I had against Jack Benevolence and Azrael Goeren…I will lose. So… I won’t do that. I won’t lose to the three of you because of an unwillingness to change.

“See, to be great, you have to change. CJ Gates, Rebel, Blade…you can’t beat me tonight by shilling out the same old bullshit. You can’t wrestle me the same way you did on Overdrive, at One Night in Hell, or at Christmas Chaos. Two of you have a singles win over me…but I’m not the same fake, purposeless man I was the last time we faced. Hell, I’m not even the same man I was when I faced Blade recently. I’ve changed…for good. Tonight, my career changes for good, because…

“I am done being second best against ‘great’ men.

“So tonight…I’m going to change the definition of greatness by defeating the three of you, and becoming the APW Undisputed Champion. In fact, I have to work harder than the three of you tonight to be seen as great. The three of you have all been in APW longer than I have. You have more wins, and in CJ’s case, even less losses than I do. You’ve earned your shot to be here…and I’m going to prove to APW that I have too.

“Johnny, I know you’ve gone on and on about how I was handed my opportunities. I earned my first title shot in APW at the first PPV I wrestled at. You believe that I gained all my acclaim because of my Extreme Tournament ‘success,’ and that I skipped straight to the top of APW. Johnny…

“You’re right. That’s exactly what happened.

“I was handed the illusion of greatness and told I ‘earned’ it. Looking at it now…I didn’t deserve an Overdrive title shot. Maybe I didn’t deserve to wrestle in the same league as you…but tonight is not One Night in Hell. Times have changed, and tonight Johnny…I am going to earn the Undisputed Championship. I am going to earn my ranking in APW. Most importantly…

“I am going to earn your respect by defeating you…and finally learning who’s the better man.

“But Johnny…and Blade as well…while I am going to do my damnedest to beat you tonight, you aren’t the ones I want to pin. See, to earn my greatness, there’s one man that I need to beat to truly show APW I deserve to be a Main Eventer.

“That’s you CJ.

“CJ, you know I respect you. I know you think I sold you down the river for your Championship, and I doubt anything I say is going to change your mind. CJ…I’m sorry if you feel I betrayed you…but I didn’t. Taking your Championship is not the worst thing I could have done to you, no…the worst thing I could have done was keeping my mouth shut, and pretending to play Robin to you for the rest of my time in APW. I’ve learned so much from you, and tonight, I plan on showing you everything you’ve taught me. If you can beat me tonight CJ, you’ll have proven that you were meant to be APW’s Champion. But, regardless of that CJ…

“I am done being beneath you.

“To truly achieve my great moment, I have to beat the best…and you ARE the best. As much respect as I have for Rebel and Blade, you've proven that you have the ability to defeat them both. They’re the same dopes that faced off against you in the last two months. They’re smart, but they think tonight’s all about them, and that’ll be their narcissistic downfall.

“Just like it was mine when I last faced you.

“When we last met, I was but the student…but now I’m the master. I’m going to defeat you tonight and become the APW Undisputed Champion.”

Noble has a belated chuckle for his Star Wars joke, but stops as he can hear Tony Ferrari in the background. Noble takes a deep breath as he checks a clock on the wall, and turns back to the camera.

“In five minutes…I’ll have to prove that statement. In less than five minutes, I’m wrestling the most important match that I believe this company has ever seen. In less than five minutes…I get perhaps my last shot at greatness. A lot of guys believe there’ll always be another title shot in their future, and for guys like Johnny Rebel and Blade, there always will be…but for me? There’s always a thought in the back of my mind that the next match could be my last.”

Noble taps his black-knee brace with his cane.

“I have this. I’ve never hidden my knee injury, or the fact that I need a cane to walk. Wrestling like this is just downright painful, but this…it isn’t a curse. It’s a reason that I have to push myself to be on the same level as my opponents tonight. There have been times when I felt that maybe it held me back…but this is who I am. This is what I do. I wouldn’t change this…I can only acknowledge it. That means tonight…

“I will push myself to my limits…and then I’ll set new limits for myself after shattering the old ones. I promised APW I would defend it to the end…and if tonight’s my end, if I push myself so hard tonight that my knee finally gives out, ending my career…

“So be it. If it’ll earn me the moment I’ve fought…then I am done holding myself back.”

Noble sighs, and leans against the wall, before chcking the tightness of his gloves in preparation for the match. He listens as Tony introduces a competitor, although from where Noble is, his voice is somewhat incomprehensible.

"With four minutes left, I hope my opponents and APW are starting to understand why tonight is different for me than any other night. I mean to give everything I have tonight…and that means being honest with APW.

“I’m nervous.

“I’m anxious.

“Hell, I’m scared.

“With three minutes left... I am done doubting myself…and that’s exactly what I’m going to show tonight. I have to be strong for APW. Johnny…Pete…CJ… I hope you’re ready for me. The four of us have given everything to get here, and we’ll leave even more in the ring tonight. We’re going to see blood tonight. We’re going to see tears tonight. We’re going to see broken dreams tonight. We might even see the end of careers tonight…but more important than any of those…we will see greatness tonight.

"People have been telling me that this is the night that a new era begins in APW...that this is the night that Nobledrive takes off as an APW mainstay...but tonight's not about that. It's about finally finding that acceptance. The stakes are higher than ever because the reward is higher than ever. Maybe we will in fact see a new era...but it'll be an era of respect. That's how I'll change APW. I'll give it the respect it deserves, and always fight for it. I will defend APW."

“As I sit here and watch my time dwindle to two minutes, I can’t help but think about the great words a great man said to me once…before he defeated me. You know what those words were Steve?

“’Go big or go home.

“I have no doubt I’ll hear them again before the night’s over…but tonight’s different from then. Tonight…I *am* home. Tonight, I’m defending my home. Tonight, I am not afraid of those great words. I suppose that means my only option tonight is to go big…so I will.

“I am not afraid of men that were born great. I am not afraid of men that achieved greatness. I am not afraid of men that had greatness flung upon them. I am not afraid of Johnny Rebel, CJ Gates, or Blade. I am not afraid of being the APW Undisputed Champion.

“I am not afraid of being great.

“With one minute left…I want APW to know that I am not afraid of my failures…and I’m ready to most past them.

“When I was defeated by Jack Benevolence, I was not great.

“When I stepped into APW, and was handed love and a title shot, I was not great.

“When I defied my managers and stumbled headfirst into a conflict with Johnny Rebel, I was not great.

“When I won…and then lost the Overdrive Championship to Johnny Rebel, I was not great.

“When CJ Gates defeated me on November 3rd, I was not great.

“When I lost the chance to become CWC Champion against Azrael Goeren, I was not great.

“When I neglected my wife and my family, I was not great.

“But tonight, on March 6th, in the Lucas Oil Stadium, in front of a sold out crowd, in the Main Event of Rasslemania VIII, against Johnny Rebel, Blade, and APW Undisputed Champion CJ Gates…

“I will be great.”

Suddenly, “I Will Not Bow” begins to play over the speakers. Noble snaps his attention to the curtain, and smiles as he checks the clock.

“It’s time Steve,”declares Noble triumphantly.

“Good luck,” says Steve.

Before he goes, Noble reaches into his boots and pulls out a small note titled ‘The Day of Greatness.’ He quickly hands it to Steve.

“If you ever post this video…start with this…that way APW will know that this was true, not just some man in front of a camera…that I’m the real me tonight. Thanks Steve…and I’ll see you out there.”

“Same to you,” says Steve as he takes the note. Noble turns, and stands in front of the curtain. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath as he grips his cane. Noble mumbles one last line to himself.

“It’s time to believe.”

He steps out onto the stage for his Rasslemania match, just as the chorus of his theme music begins…

“I will not bow…”

[/i][/center]