Post by The Ace on Feb 23, 2010 17:02:13 GMT -6
COLLISION
09/07/08
Birmingham, Alabama
09/07/08
Birmingham, Alabama
Xavier is rolling on the mat, holding his back. Ace grows that Empire grin and walks over to Xavier. He shoves at Xavier’s head with his boot, then proceeds to just step over him like he was trash.
Eric Hardy: Oh man. The arrogance of The Ace!
Ace then drops an elbow right over the heart of Cross. Then another one, and then another one. Really taking the time to drive what ever air there was, out of Cross. Ace gets to his feet and gets ready to drop another one but Xavier suddenly moves out of the way. Ace eats canvas.
Eric Hardy: Here’s Xavier’s chance!
Xavier gets some distance, signaling for a shining wizzard attempt. Ace narrowly escapes the shot and he catches Xavier in the Ace-Plant!
1.….2.……3! ~[/color][/center]
*The footage with which we open cuts to static and a few moments later, a black screen with the following verse in white text appears...
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference
The scene opens with The Ace stood in the middle of a small church graveyard, wrapped up in a long black coat and scarf to protect him from the bitter Scottish winter.The wind whips at his long blonde hair and the snow falls heavily, as the National Champion looks ahead into the camera with a sigh before he speaks...*
Now Xavier, I wouldn't presume you to be a liar, but if the production monkeys back in America have done their job properly, the way I have chosen to open this promo should at least refresh your memory to the little kernel of truth you decided to omit for whatever reason when you were so blatently making love to your own ego. Presumably then since you're so obviously suffering selective amnesia, you've also forgotten that the 'simply better than you' motto died a couple of years ago when the various incarnations of The Empire folded. That's right kid, I was telling people I was simply better than them whilst you were still the green gilled rookie trying to make a name for yourself. Now, I've probably left myself wide open to jokes about being old or passed my prime as seems to be the calling card of the so called new blood around here, but whatever - I'm proud to be one of the few originals still kicking around, and unlike my peers of the same era, I'm not about to quit just because suddenly the supposed talent has the youth advantage...
*The Ace pauses and looks out into the distance, embracing the chill of the wind of change, yet he stood firm, refusing to be swept up by it. He instead looks directly into the camera, the fire of his defiance keeping him warm from the inside...*
After all, youth is fleeting, but experience is everlasting. This Sunday wont be my first nor my last match in nCw where I go tooth and nail with some punk looking to make his name off of mine. I've seen the story far too many times in my seven years in this business, and whilst there is nothing wrong with a little confidence going into a match, the level I see in your eyes, the amount I hear in your voice will kill you. I know, because I have died by its fickle hand far too often. I don't blame you Xavier for feeling as confident as you are right now, clearly you are a man who likes to define his future by his past, even if his recollection of history is a little...incomplete. You can probably look back through my time here and notice the pattern of the fact that so far all my singles title reigns have ended upon the very first defense, and this Sunday will be another first defense for me. Add to this the rather trivial coincidence of this being CROSSroads, and its not surprising that you feel unbeatable right now...
*The Ace takes a few steps forward, flanked either side by headstones*
I know that feeling...I know it all too well infact. I felt it when I was Xtreme Champion, and then again when I was World Heavyweight Champion, and both times The Ace was trumped by the now defunct King of nCw, Adam Knite. The very man you yourself have beaten one on one - to become Xtreme Champion infact - and I haven't. Perhaps that only adds to your confidence going into a match against me, knowing you've beaten a man I never have only proves your point that you are better than me right? Maybe it would mean more if Knite was still tearing through the roster now but he isn't, he's at home babysitting a nerdy little sister and pining for Kelly to come home - whilst I am still here doing this, and by this I mean correcting your little history lesson that has suddenly made you believe you can't lose. See, only this past Saturday you were on the winning side against my team of losers and so I wont deny that at the moment it seems the confidence and momentum is on your side...
*The Ace chuckles*
So why am I so happy, since the deck is so obviously stacked against me this week? Maybe I'm just that happy grinning blonde idiot with six facial expressions, or maybe, just maybe I've matured beyond thinking I'm unbeatable like you do, and instead know that everybody has their good days, and their bad days. You've had a string of good days as of late, after all you earned this opportunity, but ultimately all that means is that sooner or later, you're due a bad day. A very bad day. Believe me X, it can happen on any given Sunday, you can beat me, infact you have and I can beat you, infact I have. So it seems we're on more equal ground than even you care to admit - this is infact our third encounter, and right now the pendulum could swing either way. This is a classic rubber band scenario, so all your talk of being better than me is wasted and as yet unproven. In short Cross, you can take your miscalculated fractal comparisons and shove them straight up your ass, because between you and I there simply is no comparison. I have held almost every title in this company at least once, however briefly, whilst your only real claim to fame is two rather measly reigns as Xtreme Champion - a goal surpassed even by Sexy Jason before the belt was retired, so tell me Cross, what exactly is it that you're supposed to be bragging about here? Your level of sheer mediocrity? Gee Cross, you're right I could never achieve that...
*The Ace laughs as the wind picks up and blows The Ace's hair across his face, he sweeps it away with a decisive black gloved hand before continuing...*
Here's the part where you're thinking, 'yeah but I don't measure my success in titles', well too bad for you sunshine because in this industry they are the most basic measures of success, and if I didn't enjoy having them as much as I do then I wouldn't have sacrificed and betrayed people like Steve Awesome and Adam Knite just to get them, I wouldn't be here - an outcast in the locker-room with only his wife and daughter for companionship - as long as I can keep gold in my sight, I don't need to be liked or befriended backstage. These social nuances are what I have sacrificed for my success, I don't need to be popular, I don't need to flog T-Shirts and I definitely don't need to be one of the boys, all I need is all I have and nothing more, and I'm not about to let all those sacrifices be for nothing, just so you can be flavour of the month...
*The Ace reaches into his coat pocket and fishes out a silver twenty pence coin and presents it on an open palm to the camera...*
I like my status as Judas in this company, I betray anyone and my price isn't even twenty pieces of silver, no its ten pounds of gold and leather around my waist, and I'll sacrifice whatever I need to to keep it that way. I framed Adam, I betrayed Steve and I will destroy you if you push me X. You see, in the past I've fallen too far too fast, my betrayals lead to my untimely death, my supreme confidence killed me each time and people like Adam and Steve, they crucified me because they knew not what they were doing. For far too long, I have struggled uphill only to be crucified at its peak, now I am finally ressurrected again, you will not crucify me. This time I will stand on solid ground and not be hung from a Cross, waiting for a God who has forsaken me to offer me salvation. That is the cross I have had to bear, but no longer. The responsibility of being a Champion will no longer be the noose my opponents use to hang me with...
*The Ace pockets the coin, before unwrapping the scarf around his neck...*
This time I will not die for nothing, nor will I be persecuted for walking the path less travelled, the path of betrayal, deceit and corruption, for that is what will make all the difference.
*The Ace stops and kneels infront of a gravestone, and removes the golden cross from around his neck, the last remaining symbol of his once unwavering Christianity and lays it on top of the grave, refusing to be burdened by unfounded beliefs any longer. He buries it under the snow with a quick sweep of his hands, unwilling to face the lies it represented.
The headstone reads:
In Memory Of William Thomas Conway
Loving Husband, Father and Grandfather
June 1st 1929 - February 23 2006
Loving Husband, Father and Grandfather
June 1st 1929 - February 23 2006
I'm sorry Grandpa, I lost my faith a long time ago, it is no longer my cross to bear, I hope you can understand. It dies with you now...
*The scene fades as The Ace bows his head and reflects on his memories...*