Post by Ian Kline on Jun 6, 2010 3:38:39 GMT -6
The scene opens up a little while after Washington’s left off. Washington and Kline chain wrestling before Kline gets the advantage and breaks the hold. Will stands up and pats Ian on the back.
“I’ve wrestled a lot of guys in my career, and you very well may be the best grappler I have ever seen.”
Kline walks over and grabs a towel from his girlfriend and wipes some sweat from his brow.
“Well it didn’t come easily.”
“I believe that…..Anyway, I think we’ve trained enough for now. Rest up for the big match.”
After a handshake between the tag team, Washington leaps out of the ring and out of view. Candice Greer climbs into the ring and hugs her man.
“Oh babe! You looked so great in there! There is no way that you can lose.”
A voice from off camera can be heard.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself, it’s going to be a tough one no matter what. Our boy’s never faced competition of this level.”
A grey-haired older gentleman in a cap comes into frame and stands near the ring.
“Just wanting it more that anybody else isn’t always enough. Neither is being the most skilled. Anything can happen so there’s no use getting your hopes too far up.”
“Come on. You know Ian is the best there is. Plus he’s got a great partner in that Washington guy. You’re just a pessimist Mr. Kline.”
Ian puts an arm around her.
“No, he’s right. I need to stay focused and grounded. Never assume victory is inevitable.”
“You guys are such wrestling nerds.”
Candice says with a smile.
“Just remember no matter what happens this week or in your career as a whole, you’ve always got family.”
“And you’ll have a big, shiny title belt too.”
Ian notices the camera crew is filming once again.
“Hey Pop. Why don’t you take Candice and show her where you used to wait during the matches when you weren’t reffing?”
“Boy have I got some stories to tell you.”
Candice lowers herself down out of the ring and Ian’s father takes her arm in arm to go view some of his favorite things from his glory days. Ian slides out of the ‘squared circle’ and sits down in a folding chair.
“Wrestling. Professional wrestler….
….My passion, my life.”
He begins to unwrap his fist tape.
“Since the day I was born all I’ve wanted to do is be a wrestler. It’s the path that was chosen for me. Given that my father is a referring legend in the Mid-West, and my mother is a former valet for a regional champion, you can say wrestling is in my veins. The sport is my life. On my first birthday I went to my first wrestling show, had my first match on my fourteenth. While other children were busy making friends and building bonds, I didn’t waste my time with that. Ten hours a day in the basement ring honing my craft. I’ve never had a television, I’ve never touched a drug. Some have vices, I have wrestling.”
“Maybe I became too obsessed…I probably still am. At a point in my life there was no more Ian Kline. He ceased to exist. The individual identity of the man became so intertwined with wrestling that he became almost unrecognizable, like some sort of wrestling machine. It was a bad time for me, but I came through it. The love of a good woman can do that for you. Just ask Brad Kane. Now I’m a full fledged person I guess….Something I hoped would never happen.
“This is where I find myself today. Sitting before you as the newest member of New Championship Wrestling’s roster. Half man, half machine. My first match is for the World Tag Team Titles, and to say I’m ready would be an understatement. I’ve been waiting for this moment for many, many years. I toiled away on the independent scene for years waiting for my big break to come, and I finally made it happen. 10 years of blood, sweat, tears, and injuries have all lead to this. The day where I find out if it was all worth it. Can I make it in a national wrestling organization the size of nCw or will I fall flat on my face like many before me? Win or lose, title or no title, one thing won’t change. I’ll still be me tomorrow.”
He removes a clunky knee brace and loosens his boot.
“When I wake up in the morning, and I put another ice pack on my knee, I’ll still know that I’m the son of a working man. Having my name on a marquee in the biggest arenas doesn’t make me better than anyone else. Angel……Velez….Jones…we’re all the same deep down inside. They’ve all got big egos that they have to feed, but in their hearts they love to wrestle. Despite the way it may seem, everyone on this roster loves it. If you don’t, you don’t last a day in training, let alone make it to the big leagues. Winning a title in your first ever match might give some a big head and delusions of grandeur, but in the heart the joy of getting in that ring every night outweighs any accomplishments. No matter what front they may put up, the heart never lies. I have no front. My heart, my soul is all there for the world to see. Each move is another beat. The minute I can’t fight anymore is the death of me. How do you outwrestle a man whose entire livelihood is wrestling? He’s unbeatable, because to him, no loss is ever an actual loss. It’s another learning experience. That’s who Ian Kline is. Fall down four times, get up five.”
“So the journey intensifies this weekend with the Tag Team Titles on the line. I couldn’t ask for better opponents in my first match here. A former World Champion and a guy who has been with the company since the beginning. I feel like I am a philosopher having a debate match against Socrates and Aristotle. There’s so much I could learn from them, and they could learn a thing or two from me. Indulge me if you will Champs.”
He thinks back to what he’s seen and heard about the Tag Team Champions. With no TV and no internet, he had to venture to the world of technology through his girlfriend to find out some information.
“Falcon. Just saying the name will elicit a reaction from the crowd akin to one you’d expect from teenage girls whenever the current ‘it’ boy is seen. He sends them in to a frenzy and rarely seems to disappoint. Despite the lack of respect you showed me on Collision, I can look past that and see the good things about you. I have studied up on you a good bit since learning I may have the opportunity to face you, and let me say, I was impressed. No risk is too great and you’ll sacrifice whatever it takes to win any match. If you give it your all every single time, you can never be let down. There will never be a ‘what if?’ in your mind. The only way to truly lose is to not try, and I’ve never seen that happen with you. It’s an admirable trait possessed by a proud few.”
“You also seemed to have gained some principles as of late. Always on the side of righteousness, defending it against the likes of Rob Diamond and his cronies. You’re a shining example of how all wrestlers should be….or should I say you’re currently an example. I looked back a few months and I saw some of the things you did during your World Title reign….and despicable is a word that comes to mind. Gross and egregious acts were carried out week after week by your group just to gain the advantage over the opposition. Pathetic. A man who can not stand on his own two feet and win titles in the ring is not someone to be praised. There is no vindication for those actions, no acceptance of the motives. God will forgive you and so might the fans, but it will never be forgotten. Everything you did isn’t just for show or a deviance from normal character. There’s a slight truth to everything you did, and everything you do today. You’re day and night from then to now, but nobody can change who they are one hundred percent. Even the most miniscule amount of evil left in you can lead you down that same path once again. I’ll have to watch my back around you Falcon…..”
“Then you’ve got Philip Burns. Apparently you’re nCw’s resident comedian. Some may assume with your comedic nature and humor that they don’t have to take you as seriously as they would Falcon. I mean, he’s the former World Champion and you’re a guy with a talk show. Why would they have to worry about you? A three count later and you’re still a champion. That is how it goes down isn’t it? You lure them in with a joke about Mike Honcho or say ‘Joe Everyman’ to make them laugh….Then you put them down like the last guy before them. It’s devious. A very cunning stunt no doubt. You’ll have to come up with a different plan of attack with me though Burns. My sense of humor? Nonexistent. Things I think are funny? I laugh when the high and mighty are taken down. So unless you plan on beating Charlie Velez to a bloody pulp pre-match, there’s nothing amusing to me.”
Kline reaches into a gym bag and pulls out his aviator sunglasses. He puts them on while talking.
Somewhere David Caruso just smiled.
“There’s always a backlash when someone flies too high, too fast. When a new guy gets too much glory early on in his career, the fans will begin to turn against him simply because of an unwarranted sense of jealousy. Quite frankly I don’t care if that happens to me. Love me or hate me I’m not here to please the fans. I am here to carry out my boyhood dream, and I’m living it right now. I cherish every single minute that I am able to call myself a professional wrestler. If the people in the crowd or on the internet think that I don’t deserve the opportunities, to hell with ‘em. I’ve worked to open every single door that lead me to where I am today and I’ll continue to do so. Until the last breath escapes from my body…. I will fight.”
As Candice and Patrick make their way back into the gym area, Patrick can be heard finishing a story.
“….and that was the last time I let a midget share my Old Spice.”
Candice laughs hysterically as Ian’s dad has that signature old man satisfied story grin on his face. The new nCw superstar gets up and meets them.
“Looks like you had a good time.”
“Yeah. It was nice getting to know some of the history of your family.”
“And any time I can spend time with a pretty girl is a good time.”
Ian puts and arm around his girlfriend.
“How’d you little promoey thing go?”
“Pretty good I guess. You know I’m not really comfortable with that kind of stuff.”
“So everything is done now? All that’s left is the match itself.”
“I can’t wait to be at ringside when you win!”
“Actually…I was kind of hoping my Pop would manage me. I could really use the advice. As long as that’s okay with both of you.”
“Of course honey. I understand.”
“Being that close to the ring….it’s going to bring back some memories.”
He begins to tear up a little and Ian puts a hand on his shoulder.
“I love you Pop.”
“I love you too Ian.”
The father and son moment is ruined by Candice.
“Uh….what about me?”
Patrick chuckles as Ian gives her a kiss and hug as we fade out.
“I’ve wrestled a lot of guys in my career, and you very well may be the best grappler I have ever seen.”
Kline walks over and grabs a towel from his girlfriend and wipes some sweat from his brow.
“Well it didn’t come easily.”
“I believe that…..Anyway, I think we’ve trained enough for now. Rest up for the big match.”
After a handshake between the tag team, Washington leaps out of the ring and out of view. Candice Greer climbs into the ring and hugs her man.
“Oh babe! You looked so great in there! There is no way that you can lose.”
A voice from off camera can be heard.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself, it’s going to be a tough one no matter what. Our boy’s never faced competition of this level.”
A grey-haired older gentleman in a cap comes into frame and stands near the ring.
“Just wanting it more that anybody else isn’t always enough. Neither is being the most skilled. Anything can happen so there’s no use getting your hopes too far up.”
“Come on. You know Ian is the best there is. Plus he’s got a great partner in that Washington guy. You’re just a pessimist Mr. Kline.”
Ian puts an arm around her.
“No, he’s right. I need to stay focused and grounded. Never assume victory is inevitable.”
“You guys are such wrestling nerds.”
Candice says with a smile.
“Just remember no matter what happens this week or in your career as a whole, you’ve always got family.”
“And you’ll have a big, shiny title belt too.”
Ian notices the camera crew is filming once again.
“Hey Pop. Why don’t you take Candice and show her where you used to wait during the matches when you weren’t reffing?”
“Boy have I got some stories to tell you.”
Candice lowers herself down out of the ring and Ian’s father takes her arm in arm to go view some of his favorite things from his glory days. Ian slides out of the ‘squared circle’ and sits down in a folding chair.
“Wrestling. Professional wrestler….
….My passion, my life.”
He begins to unwrap his fist tape.
“Since the day I was born all I’ve wanted to do is be a wrestler. It’s the path that was chosen for me. Given that my father is a referring legend in the Mid-West, and my mother is a former valet for a regional champion, you can say wrestling is in my veins. The sport is my life. On my first birthday I went to my first wrestling show, had my first match on my fourteenth. While other children were busy making friends and building bonds, I didn’t waste my time with that. Ten hours a day in the basement ring honing my craft. I’ve never had a television, I’ve never touched a drug. Some have vices, I have wrestling.”
“Maybe I became too obsessed…I probably still am. At a point in my life there was no more Ian Kline. He ceased to exist. The individual identity of the man became so intertwined with wrestling that he became almost unrecognizable, like some sort of wrestling machine. It was a bad time for me, but I came through it. The love of a good woman can do that for you. Just ask Brad Kane. Now I’m a full fledged person I guess….Something I hoped would never happen.
“This is where I find myself today. Sitting before you as the newest member of New Championship Wrestling’s roster. Half man, half machine. My first match is for the World Tag Team Titles, and to say I’m ready would be an understatement. I’ve been waiting for this moment for many, many years. I toiled away on the independent scene for years waiting for my big break to come, and I finally made it happen. 10 years of blood, sweat, tears, and injuries have all lead to this. The day where I find out if it was all worth it. Can I make it in a national wrestling organization the size of nCw or will I fall flat on my face like many before me? Win or lose, title or no title, one thing won’t change. I’ll still be me tomorrow.”
He removes a clunky knee brace and loosens his boot.
“When I wake up in the morning, and I put another ice pack on my knee, I’ll still know that I’m the son of a working man. Having my name on a marquee in the biggest arenas doesn’t make me better than anyone else. Angel……Velez….Jones…we’re all the same deep down inside. They’ve all got big egos that they have to feed, but in their hearts they love to wrestle. Despite the way it may seem, everyone on this roster loves it. If you don’t, you don’t last a day in training, let alone make it to the big leagues. Winning a title in your first ever match might give some a big head and delusions of grandeur, but in the heart the joy of getting in that ring every night outweighs any accomplishments. No matter what front they may put up, the heart never lies. I have no front. My heart, my soul is all there for the world to see. Each move is another beat. The minute I can’t fight anymore is the death of me. How do you outwrestle a man whose entire livelihood is wrestling? He’s unbeatable, because to him, no loss is ever an actual loss. It’s another learning experience. That’s who Ian Kline is. Fall down four times, get up five.”
“So the journey intensifies this weekend with the Tag Team Titles on the line. I couldn’t ask for better opponents in my first match here. A former World Champion and a guy who has been with the company since the beginning. I feel like I am a philosopher having a debate match against Socrates and Aristotle. There’s so much I could learn from them, and they could learn a thing or two from me. Indulge me if you will Champs.”
He thinks back to what he’s seen and heard about the Tag Team Champions. With no TV and no internet, he had to venture to the world of technology through his girlfriend to find out some information.
“Falcon. Just saying the name will elicit a reaction from the crowd akin to one you’d expect from teenage girls whenever the current ‘it’ boy is seen. He sends them in to a frenzy and rarely seems to disappoint. Despite the lack of respect you showed me on Collision, I can look past that and see the good things about you. I have studied up on you a good bit since learning I may have the opportunity to face you, and let me say, I was impressed. No risk is too great and you’ll sacrifice whatever it takes to win any match. If you give it your all every single time, you can never be let down. There will never be a ‘what if?’ in your mind. The only way to truly lose is to not try, and I’ve never seen that happen with you. It’s an admirable trait possessed by a proud few.”
“You also seemed to have gained some principles as of late. Always on the side of righteousness, defending it against the likes of Rob Diamond and his cronies. You’re a shining example of how all wrestlers should be….or should I say you’re currently an example. I looked back a few months and I saw some of the things you did during your World Title reign….and despicable is a word that comes to mind. Gross and egregious acts were carried out week after week by your group just to gain the advantage over the opposition. Pathetic. A man who can not stand on his own two feet and win titles in the ring is not someone to be praised. There is no vindication for those actions, no acceptance of the motives. God will forgive you and so might the fans, but it will never be forgotten. Everything you did isn’t just for show or a deviance from normal character. There’s a slight truth to everything you did, and everything you do today. You’re day and night from then to now, but nobody can change who they are one hundred percent. Even the most miniscule amount of evil left in you can lead you down that same path once again. I’ll have to watch my back around you Falcon…..”
“Then you’ve got Philip Burns. Apparently you’re nCw’s resident comedian. Some may assume with your comedic nature and humor that they don’t have to take you as seriously as they would Falcon. I mean, he’s the former World Champion and you’re a guy with a talk show. Why would they have to worry about you? A three count later and you’re still a champion. That is how it goes down isn’t it? You lure them in with a joke about Mike Honcho or say ‘Joe Everyman’ to make them laugh….Then you put them down like the last guy before them. It’s devious. A very cunning stunt no doubt. You’ll have to come up with a different plan of attack with me though Burns. My sense of humor? Nonexistent. Things I think are funny? I laugh when the high and mighty are taken down. So unless you plan on beating Charlie Velez to a bloody pulp pre-match, there’s nothing amusing to me.”
Kline reaches into a gym bag and pulls out his aviator sunglasses. He puts them on while talking.
“You like jokes Burns? Try this one….Why did the Falcon cross the road?……
………Who gives a f*ck?”
………Who gives a f*ck?”
Somewhere David Caruso just smiled.
“There’s always a backlash when someone flies too high, too fast. When a new guy gets too much glory early on in his career, the fans will begin to turn against him simply because of an unwarranted sense of jealousy. Quite frankly I don’t care if that happens to me. Love me or hate me I’m not here to please the fans. I am here to carry out my boyhood dream, and I’m living it right now. I cherish every single minute that I am able to call myself a professional wrestler. If the people in the crowd or on the internet think that I don’t deserve the opportunities, to hell with ‘em. I’ve worked to open every single door that lead me to where I am today and I’ll continue to do so. Until the last breath escapes from my body…. I will fight.”
As Candice and Patrick make their way back into the gym area, Patrick can be heard finishing a story.
“….and that was the last time I let a midget share my Old Spice.”
Candice laughs hysterically as Ian’s dad has that signature old man satisfied story grin on his face. The new nCw superstar gets up and meets them.
“Looks like you had a good time.”
“Yeah. It was nice getting to know some of the history of your family.”
“And any time I can spend time with a pretty girl is a good time.”
Ian puts and arm around his girlfriend.
“How’d you little promoey thing go?”
“Pretty good I guess. You know I’m not really comfortable with that kind of stuff.”
“So everything is done now? All that’s left is the match itself.”
“I can’t wait to be at ringside when you win!”
“Actually…I was kind of hoping my Pop would manage me. I could really use the advice. As long as that’s okay with both of you.”
“Of course honey. I understand.”
“Being that close to the ring….it’s going to bring back some memories.”
He begins to tear up a little and Ian puts a hand on his shoulder.
“I love you Pop.”
“I love you too Ian.”
The father and son moment is ruined by Candice.
“Uh….what about me?”
Patrick chuckles as Ian gives her a kiss and hug as we fade out.