Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2011 7:59:27 GMT -6
Falcon, July 23rd 2011
” So bring it big boy..
Hundreds of men have said they'd make their mark with my career, like I'm a stepping stone. Hundreds of men said they were gonna change the way things were because they felt slighted. Here's a tip Roberto.. You want people to listen to you?
Try working on being a wrestler instead of just a mouthpiece.”
Doubt.
All I have encountered since I walked through those front doors at Sovereign in North Carolina is doubt.
Doubt that I could present a challenge to performers the calibre of Spike Kane.
Doubt that I would ever hold a title of any significance in this company.
Doubt that I should even be in the position I hold as a Young Gun and an X-Champion.
Despite all this I have proven week after week that only three things matter in this business.
1.
2.
3.
It didn’t matter that Spike Kane was the “God of Xtreme”, I refused to kneel at his altar. It didn’t matter that Todd Williams was the Dreamer, I refused to bow to his vision. It didn’t matter that Falcon is the best this company has got, I refused to worship him out some misguided necessity of respect.
All that mattered was that I walked down to that squared circle and proved that all the doubts everybody has about me are misplaced and nothing more than a desire to live in a continual state of denial.
When I said that I would rip the X-Championship out of Todd’s hands, I proved that every single word I uttered was the truth. When I called Falcon on his willingness to suck on the corporate teat and lack of respect for my in-ring ability, I proved that I had what it takes to hang with the best this company has to offer.
Yet all I hear is more doubt.
Doubt that I have what it takes to defend this belt and build a legacy.
Doubt that I have it in me to stand up and fight alone and without the aid of others.
Doubt that I can defeat Xander Famularo.
Doubt.
In the end, there is only so long you can doubt me before you have to stand up and take note.
Spike Kane, Adam Knite, Falcon and Gib are the past.
I am Roberto Verona.
And I am the future.
The sound of “Come to Life” by Alter Bridge echoes throughout the concrete chambers of the Dunkin Donuts Center, the crowd erupting for the main event of Collision. A few technicians rush frantically between large electronic equipment ensuring that the production values are maintained, a few supervisors standing in the shadows with clipboards in hand and an eagle eye on their subordinates. Chad Lights slowly stalks the hallways, circling for his next big scoop as Roberto Verona suddenly walks out of the Young Guns locker room, a small towel in one hand pressed against the side of his head. Roberto begins to walk down the hallway but is quickly accosted by Lights who strafes in front of him, halting him in his tracks.
Chad Lights : May I have a moment?
Roberto pulls the towel away from his head and stares at Chad, a tinge of contempt in his eyes. Looking around and seeing no obvious exit Roberto turns back towards Lights.
Roberto Verona : You can have a moment when Leonard starts paying my wages again Chad, now get out of my way.
Roberto steps to one side to walk around Chad but to his dismay Lights steps with him. Roberto’s anger begins to boil as Chad’s insolence continues to irritate him.
Roberto Verona : If you know what is good for you Lights you’ll step aside.
Roberto growls, his eyebrows furrowed as his patience begins to wear thin.
Chad Lights : I am afraid that regardless of whether you are or aren’t being paid, you ‘re contractually obliged to speak to me as NCW X-Champion.
Roberto glares at Chad for a moment before his complexion returns to normal and a wry smile runs across his face as looks down to his waist and the gold wrapped around it. Laughing to himself he looks up and takes a deep breath.
Roberto Verona : What do you want Chad? Is Leonard making sure another one of his employees doesn’t run off to another company with his property?
Chad Lights : I can assure you Mr Fox has the issue under control. I am here to ask you for your thoughts on the Fatal Four-Way this evening for the number one contenders spot for your belt next weekend.
Suddenly the smiles is wiped off of Roberto’s face, replaced by another look of disdain, only this time it is directed at the aforementioned event that transpired just minutes ago.
Roberto Verona : You mean you’re fishing for an exclusive on my feelings about Xander overcoming a triumvirate of “talent” to get the shot we all know his lineage would earn him anyway?
Chad Lights : Well, that’s one way of looking at it….
Roberto Verona : Well, here’s your answer. Bite me Lights. I am done giving you and the rest of your colleagues juicy sound bites to purr over all week long. If you come near me again with that microphone I will happily earn myself another disciplinary hearing.
As Chad stumbles for words Roberto firmly shoves him to one side and strides past him, clearly unwilling to discuss the latest challenge to his title reign with the dogged reporter. Roberto soon leaves Lights and his camera crew in his dust, marching through a plethora of NCW employees, who stop and stare at him as he heads towards the directors quarters of the arena, stopping just short or a pair of security guards who shift their gaze in his general direction. Roberto raises his hand and waves at them mockingly as they grimace in his direction. A few seconds pass before Hannah sways elegantly down a corridor, a dress suit draped over her small blonde frame as she pushes past the two guards and towards Roberto.
Roberto Verona : Are they expecting somebody back there?
Hannah Reed : Lex’s shenanigans have unsettled people, they won’t even drive to the arena in their own cars anymore.
Roberto Verona : A man after my own heart. Did you learn anything new?
Hannah Reed : Oh nothing much, just that if you…how did they put it…”ever pull a stunt like that again you will live to regret it”. And that is if the PG version. Oh and FYI, Leonard wasn’t too impressed after you beat Falcon considering Zelda’s little…video.
Roberto Verona : Naturally, his corporate “champion” did a fantastic job of silencing me.
Hannah Reed : Regardless of what he is or isn’t, you did yourself some favours out there tonight by keeping your head down and letting your wrestling do the talking. With everything Lex and Zelda have been up to and Brad’s re-re-re-reappearance the whole hierarchy is going into meltdown.
Roberto Verona : Chaos breeds change Hannah, the more these guys upset Leonard’s apple cart the better I say.
Hannah Reed : It makes everything more exciting at least. You took care of business tonight, but let’s not get too distracted. You need to get ready for Picture Perfect.
Roberto pauses for a moment, an awkward silence falling over the pair as the rest of the world flows hastily around them.
Roberto Verona : Don’t worry, I am more than ready for Picture Perfect. Falcon was just a statement of my intent, Xander will be a demonstration.
Hannah Reed : Either way, you’ve made yourself heard in the board room…..
The pair continue to talk, though their conversation becomes unintelligible as the noise surrounding them grows as the main event picks up pace. Roberto spots Andrew in trouble on a nearby monitor and quickly passes Hannah his belt before sprinting down the corridor he came from to join Lex and James in their dash to ringside.
Congratulations Xander Famularo on your victory this week on Collision.
Clapping
You achieved everything you set out to do, and for that you must be commended. You said that you would take this opportunity afforded to you for a shot at myself and the Young Guns and instead of choking like your befuddled stablemate Todd you went out there and hit Jonas with your Metal Health and picked up the victory.
Clapping
You set your eyes on me weeks ago Xander and it seems that finally you’ll get your shot. You made some bold claims, you got my attention. The only problem Xander is that they were nothing but delusions of grandeur. You said that you would bring a war to the Young Guns and one right hook aside, you’ve brought absolutely nothing to the party. You said that you’d be the next X-Champion and perhaps times will tell on that, yet I doubt the validity of your potential threat.
I won’t deny that you have something going for you Famularo, let’s face it anybody who managed to walk out of that Coliseum on two feet has to have something about them. You’re the Gladiator for a reason, make no mistake about it.
Then we have your father Gib, anybody who has the experience of that man behind him has a chance in this business. Oh sure, I’m more than certain that having such an important father backstage has got you ahead where perhaps other would be left behind, but credit to you Famularo you’ve at least repaid some of the faith invested in you.
You have plenty going for you Xander, in fact some would say that this Sunday it is time for you to finally achieve your destiny without having to hide behind a mask.
Silence
The only problem I have with all of this talk of “destiny” and “potential fulfilled” is that the world seems to have forgotten that this weekend you‘ll be inside the ring with another man. The world seems to forget that this is anything but a glorified title ceremony.
Everyone seems to have forgotten that you will be stood in the opposite corner to me.
Whether people like to forget it or not, one thing is very simple. I am the X-Champion for a reason.
So many people would like to re-write history Xander, to paint me out as nothing more than a mere opportunist who struck out when Todd has his back turned. It would suit a majority to have the past manipulated to suit their agenda and remove all records of my achievements.
It would suit this company to have me removed hastily to save any further embarrassment on their part. Anybody who thinks Leonard can have a champion of any calibre behaving the way myself and your sister have been doing is naïve.
Unfortunately for you, and this is the real kicker, no matter how many people on this company’s payroll say I’m an untalented and unworthy champion it will not make it true. No matter how many people throw their weight behind you, it will not make you a credible threat to my title reign.
You see Xander, I don’t live for the approval of my co-workers and employers, and I don’t need to be lavished with praise to reassure me of my ability in some sort of desperate seeking of approval.
I don’t need anybody else to tell me that I have what it takes to make it in this business.
I know I have what it takes.
This weekend you and I will enter the ring in front of a crowd baying for my blood, willing you on and dreaming of the coronation of a new champion, a man of the people. That is precisely how I like it.
I live, breath and thrive off of that pressure. I soak up all the hatred and vitriol and I use it to my advantage. I bask in that sea of disgust because proving each and every one of you wrong motivates me every single time I enter that ring.
Nobody thought that I could not only capture this belt.
Hoists the X-Championship aloft.
Nobody thought that I would retain it either. Yet here we are. Another pay-per-view, another title defence.
I know you think you’ve got what it takes to rip this from my grasp Xander, I know that you have the belief in yourself to bring absolutely everything you have got to Picture Perfect this Sunday. I know that you will bring the weight of the people in full force behind you. I know that you’ll stop at nothing to reclaim this belt for the company you hold dear to your heart.
I know.
Let’s just hope that for your sake, Xander, that it will be enough to save you from what awaits you this weekend. Other men would have mercy on you.
I will not.
Other men would be content with simply defending their prized asset.
I won’t be.
This weekend will make or break you Xander, and unfortunately for you the odds are heavily weighted in favour of the latter. It is time to meet your maker.
Viva La Revolution.
” So bring it big boy..
Hundreds of men have said they'd make their mark with my career, like I'm a stepping stone. Hundreds of men said they were gonna change the way things were because they felt slighted. Here's a tip Roberto.. You want people to listen to you?
Try working on being a wrestler instead of just a mouthpiece.”
Doubt.
All I have encountered since I walked through those front doors at Sovereign in North Carolina is doubt.
Doubt that I could present a challenge to performers the calibre of Spike Kane.
Doubt that I would ever hold a title of any significance in this company.
Doubt that I should even be in the position I hold as a Young Gun and an X-Champion.
Despite all this I have proven week after week that only three things matter in this business.
1.
2.
3.
It didn’t matter that Spike Kane was the “God of Xtreme”, I refused to kneel at his altar. It didn’t matter that Todd Williams was the Dreamer, I refused to bow to his vision. It didn’t matter that Falcon is the best this company has got, I refused to worship him out some misguided necessity of respect.
All that mattered was that I walked down to that squared circle and proved that all the doubts everybody has about me are misplaced and nothing more than a desire to live in a continual state of denial.
When I said that I would rip the X-Championship out of Todd’s hands, I proved that every single word I uttered was the truth. When I called Falcon on his willingness to suck on the corporate teat and lack of respect for my in-ring ability, I proved that I had what it takes to hang with the best this company has to offer.
Yet all I hear is more doubt.
Doubt that I have what it takes to defend this belt and build a legacy.
Doubt that I have it in me to stand up and fight alone and without the aid of others.
Doubt that I can defeat Xander Famularo.
Doubt.
In the end, there is only so long you can doubt me before you have to stand up and take note.
Spike Kane, Adam Knite, Falcon and Gib are the past.
I am Roberto Verona.
And I am the future.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The sound of “Come to Life” by Alter Bridge echoes throughout the concrete chambers of the Dunkin Donuts Center, the crowd erupting for the main event of Collision. A few technicians rush frantically between large electronic equipment ensuring that the production values are maintained, a few supervisors standing in the shadows with clipboards in hand and an eagle eye on their subordinates. Chad Lights slowly stalks the hallways, circling for his next big scoop as Roberto Verona suddenly walks out of the Young Guns locker room, a small towel in one hand pressed against the side of his head. Roberto begins to walk down the hallway but is quickly accosted by Lights who strafes in front of him, halting him in his tracks.
Chad Lights : May I have a moment?
Roberto pulls the towel away from his head and stares at Chad, a tinge of contempt in his eyes. Looking around and seeing no obvious exit Roberto turns back towards Lights.
Roberto Verona : You can have a moment when Leonard starts paying my wages again Chad, now get out of my way.
Roberto steps to one side to walk around Chad but to his dismay Lights steps with him. Roberto’s anger begins to boil as Chad’s insolence continues to irritate him.
Roberto Verona : If you know what is good for you Lights you’ll step aside.
Roberto growls, his eyebrows furrowed as his patience begins to wear thin.
Chad Lights : I am afraid that regardless of whether you are or aren’t being paid, you ‘re contractually obliged to speak to me as NCW X-Champion.
Roberto glares at Chad for a moment before his complexion returns to normal and a wry smile runs across his face as looks down to his waist and the gold wrapped around it. Laughing to himself he looks up and takes a deep breath.
Roberto Verona : What do you want Chad? Is Leonard making sure another one of his employees doesn’t run off to another company with his property?
Chad Lights : I can assure you Mr Fox has the issue under control. I am here to ask you for your thoughts on the Fatal Four-Way this evening for the number one contenders spot for your belt next weekend.
Suddenly the smiles is wiped off of Roberto’s face, replaced by another look of disdain, only this time it is directed at the aforementioned event that transpired just minutes ago.
Roberto Verona : You mean you’re fishing for an exclusive on my feelings about Xander overcoming a triumvirate of “talent” to get the shot we all know his lineage would earn him anyway?
Chad Lights : Well, that’s one way of looking at it….
Roberto Verona : Well, here’s your answer. Bite me Lights. I am done giving you and the rest of your colleagues juicy sound bites to purr over all week long. If you come near me again with that microphone I will happily earn myself another disciplinary hearing.
As Chad stumbles for words Roberto firmly shoves him to one side and strides past him, clearly unwilling to discuss the latest challenge to his title reign with the dogged reporter. Roberto soon leaves Lights and his camera crew in his dust, marching through a plethora of NCW employees, who stop and stare at him as he heads towards the directors quarters of the arena, stopping just short or a pair of security guards who shift their gaze in his general direction. Roberto raises his hand and waves at them mockingly as they grimace in his direction. A few seconds pass before Hannah sways elegantly down a corridor, a dress suit draped over her small blonde frame as she pushes past the two guards and towards Roberto.
Roberto Verona : Are they expecting somebody back there?
Hannah Reed : Lex’s shenanigans have unsettled people, they won’t even drive to the arena in their own cars anymore.
Roberto Verona : A man after my own heart. Did you learn anything new?
Hannah Reed : Oh nothing much, just that if you…how did they put it…”ever pull a stunt like that again you will live to regret it”. And that is if the PG version. Oh and FYI, Leonard wasn’t too impressed after you beat Falcon considering Zelda’s little…video.
Roberto Verona : Naturally, his corporate “champion” did a fantastic job of silencing me.
Hannah Reed : Regardless of what he is or isn’t, you did yourself some favours out there tonight by keeping your head down and letting your wrestling do the talking. With everything Lex and Zelda have been up to and Brad’s re-re-re-reappearance the whole hierarchy is going into meltdown.
Roberto Verona : Chaos breeds change Hannah, the more these guys upset Leonard’s apple cart the better I say.
Hannah Reed : It makes everything more exciting at least. You took care of business tonight, but let’s not get too distracted. You need to get ready for Picture Perfect.
Roberto pauses for a moment, an awkward silence falling over the pair as the rest of the world flows hastily around them.
Roberto Verona : Don’t worry, I am more than ready for Picture Perfect. Falcon was just a statement of my intent, Xander will be a demonstration.
Hannah Reed : Either way, you’ve made yourself heard in the board room…..
The pair continue to talk, though their conversation becomes unintelligible as the noise surrounding them grows as the main event picks up pace. Roberto spots Andrew in trouble on a nearby monitor and quickly passes Hannah his belt before sprinting down the corridor he came from to join Lex and James in their dash to ringside.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Congratulations Xander Famularo on your victory this week on Collision.
Clapping
You achieved everything you set out to do, and for that you must be commended. You said that you would take this opportunity afforded to you for a shot at myself and the Young Guns and instead of choking like your befuddled stablemate Todd you went out there and hit Jonas with your Metal Health and picked up the victory.
Clapping
You set your eyes on me weeks ago Xander and it seems that finally you’ll get your shot. You made some bold claims, you got my attention. The only problem Xander is that they were nothing but delusions of grandeur. You said that you would bring a war to the Young Guns and one right hook aside, you’ve brought absolutely nothing to the party. You said that you’d be the next X-Champion and perhaps times will tell on that, yet I doubt the validity of your potential threat.
I won’t deny that you have something going for you Famularo, let’s face it anybody who managed to walk out of that Coliseum on two feet has to have something about them. You’re the Gladiator for a reason, make no mistake about it.
Then we have your father Gib, anybody who has the experience of that man behind him has a chance in this business. Oh sure, I’m more than certain that having such an important father backstage has got you ahead where perhaps other would be left behind, but credit to you Famularo you’ve at least repaid some of the faith invested in you.
You have plenty going for you Xander, in fact some would say that this Sunday it is time for you to finally achieve your destiny without having to hide behind a mask.
Silence
The only problem I have with all of this talk of “destiny” and “potential fulfilled” is that the world seems to have forgotten that this weekend you‘ll be inside the ring with another man. The world seems to forget that this is anything but a glorified title ceremony.
Everyone seems to have forgotten that you will be stood in the opposite corner to me.
Whether people like to forget it or not, one thing is very simple. I am the X-Champion for a reason.
So many people would like to re-write history Xander, to paint me out as nothing more than a mere opportunist who struck out when Todd has his back turned. It would suit a majority to have the past manipulated to suit their agenda and remove all records of my achievements.
It would suit this company to have me removed hastily to save any further embarrassment on their part. Anybody who thinks Leonard can have a champion of any calibre behaving the way myself and your sister have been doing is naïve.
Unfortunately for you, and this is the real kicker, no matter how many people on this company’s payroll say I’m an untalented and unworthy champion it will not make it true. No matter how many people throw their weight behind you, it will not make you a credible threat to my title reign.
You see Xander, I don’t live for the approval of my co-workers and employers, and I don’t need to be lavished with praise to reassure me of my ability in some sort of desperate seeking of approval.
I don’t need anybody else to tell me that I have what it takes to make it in this business.
I know I have what it takes.
This weekend you and I will enter the ring in front of a crowd baying for my blood, willing you on and dreaming of the coronation of a new champion, a man of the people. That is precisely how I like it.
I live, breath and thrive off of that pressure. I soak up all the hatred and vitriol and I use it to my advantage. I bask in that sea of disgust because proving each and every one of you wrong motivates me every single time I enter that ring.
Nobody thought that I could not only capture this belt.
Hoists the X-Championship aloft.
Nobody thought that I would retain it either. Yet here we are. Another pay-per-view, another title defence.
I know you think you’ve got what it takes to rip this from my grasp Xander, I know that you have the belief in yourself to bring absolutely everything you have got to Picture Perfect this Sunday. I know that you will bring the weight of the people in full force behind you. I know that you’ll stop at nothing to reclaim this belt for the company you hold dear to your heart.
I know.
Let’s just hope that for your sake, Xander, that it will be enough to save you from what awaits you this weekend. Other men would have mercy on you.
I will not.
Other men would be content with simply defending their prized asset.
I won’t be.
This weekend will make or break you Xander, and unfortunately for you the odds are heavily weighted in favour of the latter. It is time to meet your maker.
Viva La Revolution.