Post by Evan Andrews on Nov 25, 2010 22:25:10 GMT -6
"Two years ago to this month, I stepped into a ring that was situated inside the Mandalay Bay Events center and faced Brad Kane in a match that ultimately proved to be a turning point in each of our lives.
Back then, I was the World Heavyweight Champion in the federation that served as our place of employment, and had earned a reputation as one of its top stars. Brad, on the other hand, was perceived as a talented, but incredibly inconsistent competitor who sometimes would phone it in during the course of his matches. Sure, he had won that fed's Light Heavyweight Championship only a couple of weeks earlier, but if you asked any of the other members of the roster if Kane had any hope of defeating me, the answer would have been a resounding "no".
As much as it shames me to say it now, I kind of bought into that notion myself.
Don't get me wrong...I expected him to put up quite a bit of resistance. Still, I fully expected to be able to overcome it, and to able to create an opportunity that would allow me to gain the victory over him when all was said and done.
Of course, things didn't exactly happen the way I expected.
For, when we met that evening, Brad Kane gave me all that I could handle...
No, let's be honest...
He pretty much gave me more that I was prepared to deal with at that point.
I spent thirty minutes doing everything within my power to defeat Brad, but regardless of what I tried, he just kept finding ways to not only survive, but to return the favor. I connected with kicks that would have torn the head off of virtually any other competitor that I might have faced that evening- yet he accepted these blows with a smile, and would always return fire with strikes that were even harder than my own. On more than one occasion, I had him wrapped up in submission holds that almost certainly would have convinced others to call it a night. And every time that happened, Brad would find a way to escape, and then would proceed to inflict just as much punishment upon me in return.
That was the moment when I realized exactly what kind of competitor Brad Kane was, and the point when he gained my unconditional respect. That was also the point when I realized how important it was to gain Brad's respect; which more than any other reason explains how I was able to survive his onslaught and emerge from the ring with a hard-earned draw.
That was two years ago to this month, and now Brad and I marking this occasion by stepping into the ring and competing against each other one more time.
Obviously, a lot has taken place since that time.
Brad's already discussed how we've become the best of friends, and how our wives have developed a relationship that's almost as close as the ones they have with their respective spouses. He's talked about how Natalie and I have become part of the Kane household; and for all intents and purposes part of their family...
But, what Brad didn't mention were the changes that have taken place in our professional career during those past two years, and how our roles going into this particular match are essentially reversed.
You see, Brad...You're the known quantity going into this contest. You're the former NCW World Heavyweight Champion, and future member of this federation's Hall of Fame. You're the person who is still considered to be one of NCW's top competitors, and you're the person that's considered by most observers to be the prohibitive favorite going into this match.
And, as for me?
Well, I'm the one who is considered by many to be 'riding on your coat-tails'. I'm the one that has the reputation of not being able to win a match when it matters, and of being unable to live up to my potential. You and I both know that most people in this federation are inclined to view me as being the guy who can't produce a quality performance when it really counts; and pointing out all the victories that I've had in the past isn't going to do anything to change that perception of me as a competitor.
No, in order for that to change, I can't just be content to perform pretty well at a PPV...I have to win, and do so in a fashion that will make others stand up and take notice of what we both know I'm capable of doing inside that ring.
I know you want that victory over me, Brad. I know very well how much it eats at you that you haven't been able to get that yet.
But, Brad...I need the same thing that you needed when we stepped into the ring for the first time two years ago...
I need the unconditional and unqualified respect of my peers, and this may well be the best chance that I'm ever gonna have of getting it.
And rest assured, Brad, this is something that I will have by the end of our match at Breaking Away.
This means that you don't have to worry about whether or not I'll be able to hold up my end of the bargain when we meet inside the ring, my friend. Because, really, there's no way in hell that I would even consider producing an effort that would fail to honor the manner in which I our friendship was formed two years ago. There's no way in hell that I would even consider the chance that we might somehow fail to meet everyone's expectations...our expectations...by producing anything less than one of the very best matches that anyone is likely to witness.
But this also means that you do have to worry about the distinct possibility that I might inflict another loss on your record.
For, if a victory over my best friend and tag team partner is what's needed to change the way others perceive me in NCW, then so be it. I'll do what's needed to make that happen. I'll absorb as many of your kicks kicks as I have to in order to get the chance to return the abuse in kind, Brad. Every time you drop me on my head, know that I'll be getting back up and finding different ways to make sure that the favor is repaid.
Maybe you'll beat me at some point, Brad. I'm not certainly not so arrogant to rule out the possibility that this could happen in the future...
But it won't happen now, my friend. It can't allow that to happen, because I think I would be doing the two of us a great disservice if that somehow did come to pass...
So, by the end of the match, when the official is raising my hand in victory, I just hope that you'll realize why it needed to be this way...
Yeah...I just hope to God you can find it in your heart to understand...
Although, given what's been happening in the house as of late, that might be a little harder than either of us thought when we made this match..."
**************************
(OOC Note: Story continued from the first Brad Kane RP)}
"Evan! Earth to Evan!"
Evan Andrews blinks for a moment, and all the thoughts that had been flashing through his mind in the moments after he uttered what seemed like a seemingly innocent comment are erased when he regards the narrow-eyed expression of anger in his friend's eye.
Evan: Yeah...?
Brad What did you mean when you said "Your wife", Evan? What makes you say something that leads me to believe that my wife is any more of a slut than yours is...?
'Cause I seem to recall that Natalie's the one that's always begging for Megan and I to take her to bed, and provide her with the love that you seem unable to give to her!
Now Evan's eyes to go narrow, and he takes a deep breath in order to stifle the urge that he has to tell his best friend where to go and how to get there. After all, some battles aren't worth waging, and it strikes Andrews that this might be one of them.
So...
Evan: Let it go, man...Forget I said anything.
But, by this point, it's apparent that Brad isn't prepared to do that. Instead, he edges a forward, close enough so that he can jab a finger in Evan's chest.
Brad: No, I wanna know where you get off thinking my wife's any more of a ho than yours, Evan! Care to explain your reasoning to me!?
At that point, Evan lets out a soft, and slightly bitter chuckle as he stares Brad in the eye.
Evan: You want me to give you the reason, Brad?
Brad: Yeah. Matter of fact, I do.
Evan: Well, the reason could have something to do with the small army of children that have come out of her, Brad. Or, perhaps, it might have something to do with all the times she's invited Natalie and I into her bed. Or, maybe...just maybe, it has something to do with the fact that she seems to spend most of her time discussing the topic of sex, to exclusion of any other topic of conversation!
Brad, as his eyes light up with anger: You know damned well that's a lie. Megan happens to be extremely intelligent and graduated with highest honors from Syracuse University. Hell, she speaks multiple languages, in case you didn't notice...
Evan: Oh, I noticed, Brad. After all, I've learned how to say "Evan, this feels so damned good." in every one...
Brad: Oh, that's funny, Evan. Should I remind you of what Natalie says to me whenever she takes me to bed. I'll give you a hint...
It's something along the lines of how good it felt to be with a real man...A man who has package in his pocket that's actually big enough to get her attention.
And this comment, of course, causes Evan's eyes to fill with fire as he himself edges closer so that the two are standing nose-to-nose.
Evan: I knew you were going to resort to that, Kane. I knew at some point you were gonna point out the fact that the fates gave you a penis that was grossly out of proportion with the rest of your body simply to compensate for all your other shortcomings.
Brad: You wanna talk to me about shortcomings, Evan!? Why don't you take a look in the mirror and examine a few of your own!? Why don't you take face the fact that you're so damned concerned with all the thoughts that are going inside that think skull of yours to give a crap about anyone else around you.
Evan: Excuse the hell out of me for thinking about things sometimes, Brad. I know that concept is completely foreign to you, but maybe if you tried it some time, you might have the first freaking clue about who I really am!
Brad: Oh, I know who you are, Evan. You're a complete jackass who seems to be under the impression that people should bow and scrape to him just because he uses some big words in his promos, and because he once was a force to be reckoned with in the past!
Evan: Oh, I'm still a force to be reckoned with, Brad...Especially when someone starts to piss me off...
Is that what you want, Brad. You really want to piss me off?
Brad: What I want to do, Evan, is to beat some sense, into you, and remind you that there are other people that exist in the world aside from yourself. That's why I'm looking forward to beating your ass this Sunday, 'cause it gives me the chance to do just that!
Evan: Well, I wish you luck in that endeavor, Brad...But given the fact that you've failed miserably in three attempts, that might be a little more difficult than you think.
Brad: Things are gonna be different this time, Evan...
Evan: Why? Did you ask Freya for advice on how to beat me? After all, your own sister has a victory over me in singles competition, and that's something you're just not able to claim, are you Brad?
At that moment, Freya appears in the hallway where the two men have been arguing, and nods her head at the sound of these words.
Freya: Nope. Got the edge over Brad there, don't I?
Evan: Of course, the win did come as a result of an accidental low blow, and a cheap roll-up....
Freya doesn't respond verbally, but simply shrugs and then spins on her heel and leaves to complete yet another random cameo appearance.
Meanwhile, the two members of Total Eclipse continue to stand face to face, and their hands are now curled into fists as the argument continues.
Brad: You wanna know why I think I can beat you this time, Evan? It's 'cause I've gotten to know you so well, and have kicked your ass all over the ring during a lot of the times when we've sparred....
No reason why that can't happen when we compete for real this Sunday, can it?
Evan: And there's no reason why we have to wait till then to find out who the better competitor is, right?
Brad: You know something, Evan. That's the first damned thing that came out of your mouth in this conversation that made any amount of sense...
And at that moment, it looks as though we're about to get a preview of this week's match between Evan and Brad, until the sound of a young child's voice interrupts their train of thought.
"Daddy! Unky Evan! C'mere!"
The sound of Ryan Kane's voice causes Evan and Brad to forget their argument for the moment and rush over to the living room, where Ryan and B.J. Andrews are seated in front of a pile of lego blocks.
Evan feels his heart melt when he sees his son seated along side Ryan as the two boys stare at the blocks before them with quizzical expression on their faces. BJ looks up at his father and a gleeful smile appears on his face.
B.J.: Play Dada?
Ryan: Wanna build castle....Can you help?
Brad and Evan exchange glances and both of them nod their head at the same time.
Brad: Of course we can...
Evan: Yeah, we'll make something special...
And as Evan takes a seat he catches his best friend's eye while offering an additional thought to close the statement.
Evan: ...Something that we'll all remember for a long, long time.
Brad nods and smiles, understanding exactly what Evan means, and with this argument concluded, the two men begin to spend time building something special for their sons...
While never mentioning the special moment that they'll create when they step into the ring this week.
Back then, I was the World Heavyweight Champion in the federation that served as our place of employment, and had earned a reputation as one of its top stars. Brad, on the other hand, was perceived as a talented, but incredibly inconsistent competitor who sometimes would phone it in during the course of his matches. Sure, he had won that fed's Light Heavyweight Championship only a couple of weeks earlier, but if you asked any of the other members of the roster if Kane had any hope of defeating me, the answer would have been a resounding "no".
As much as it shames me to say it now, I kind of bought into that notion myself.
Don't get me wrong...I expected him to put up quite a bit of resistance. Still, I fully expected to be able to overcome it, and to able to create an opportunity that would allow me to gain the victory over him when all was said and done.
Of course, things didn't exactly happen the way I expected.
For, when we met that evening, Brad Kane gave me all that I could handle...
No, let's be honest...
He pretty much gave me more that I was prepared to deal with at that point.
I spent thirty minutes doing everything within my power to defeat Brad, but regardless of what I tried, he just kept finding ways to not only survive, but to return the favor. I connected with kicks that would have torn the head off of virtually any other competitor that I might have faced that evening- yet he accepted these blows with a smile, and would always return fire with strikes that were even harder than my own. On more than one occasion, I had him wrapped up in submission holds that almost certainly would have convinced others to call it a night. And every time that happened, Brad would find a way to escape, and then would proceed to inflict just as much punishment upon me in return.
That was the moment when I realized exactly what kind of competitor Brad Kane was, and the point when he gained my unconditional respect. That was also the point when I realized how important it was to gain Brad's respect; which more than any other reason explains how I was able to survive his onslaught and emerge from the ring with a hard-earned draw.
That was two years ago to this month, and now Brad and I marking this occasion by stepping into the ring and competing against each other one more time.
Obviously, a lot has taken place since that time.
Brad's already discussed how we've become the best of friends, and how our wives have developed a relationship that's almost as close as the ones they have with their respective spouses. He's talked about how Natalie and I have become part of the Kane household; and for all intents and purposes part of their family...
But, what Brad didn't mention were the changes that have taken place in our professional career during those past two years, and how our roles going into this particular match are essentially reversed.
You see, Brad...You're the known quantity going into this contest. You're the former NCW World Heavyweight Champion, and future member of this federation's Hall of Fame. You're the person who is still considered to be one of NCW's top competitors, and you're the person that's considered by most observers to be the prohibitive favorite going into this match.
And, as for me?
Well, I'm the one who is considered by many to be 'riding on your coat-tails'. I'm the one that has the reputation of not being able to win a match when it matters, and of being unable to live up to my potential. You and I both know that most people in this federation are inclined to view me as being the guy who can't produce a quality performance when it really counts; and pointing out all the victories that I've had in the past isn't going to do anything to change that perception of me as a competitor.
No, in order for that to change, I can't just be content to perform pretty well at a PPV...I have to win, and do so in a fashion that will make others stand up and take notice of what we both know I'm capable of doing inside that ring.
I know you want that victory over me, Brad. I know very well how much it eats at you that you haven't been able to get that yet.
But, Brad...I need the same thing that you needed when we stepped into the ring for the first time two years ago...
I need the unconditional and unqualified respect of my peers, and this may well be the best chance that I'm ever gonna have of getting it.
And rest assured, Brad, this is something that I will have by the end of our match at Breaking Away.
This means that you don't have to worry about whether or not I'll be able to hold up my end of the bargain when we meet inside the ring, my friend. Because, really, there's no way in hell that I would even consider producing an effort that would fail to honor the manner in which I our friendship was formed two years ago. There's no way in hell that I would even consider the chance that we might somehow fail to meet everyone's expectations...our expectations...by producing anything less than one of the very best matches that anyone is likely to witness.
But this also means that you do have to worry about the distinct possibility that I might inflict another loss on your record.
For, if a victory over my best friend and tag team partner is what's needed to change the way others perceive me in NCW, then so be it. I'll do what's needed to make that happen. I'll absorb as many of your kicks kicks as I have to in order to get the chance to return the abuse in kind, Brad. Every time you drop me on my head, know that I'll be getting back up and finding different ways to make sure that the favor is repaid.
Maybe you'll beat me at some point, Brad. I'm not certainly not so arrogant to rule out the possibility that this could happen in the future...
But it won't happen now, my friend. It can't allow that to happen, because I think I would be doing the two of us a great disservice if that somehow did come to pass...
So, by the end of the match, when the official is raising my hand in victory, I just hope that you'll realize why it needed to be this way...
Yeah...I just hope to God you can find it in your heart to understand...
Although, given what's been happening in the house as of late, that might be a little harder than either of us thought when we made this match..."
**************************
(OOC Note: Story continued from the first Brad Kane RP)}
"Evan! Earth to Evan!"
Evan Andrews blinks for a moment, and all the thoughts that had been flashing through his mind in the moments after he uttered what seemed like a seemingly innocent comment are erased when he regards the narrow-eyed expression of anger in his friend's eye.
Evan: Yeah...?
Brad What did you mean when you said "Your wife", Evan? What makes you say something that leads me to believe that my wife is any more of a slut than yours is...?
'Cause I seem to recall that Natalie's the one that's always begging for Megan and I to take her to bed, and provide her with the love that you seem unable to give to her!
Now Evan's eyes to go narrow, and he takes a deep breath in order to stifle the urge that he has to tell his best friend where to go and how to get there. After all, some battles aren't worth waging, and it strikes Andrews that this might be one of them.
So...
Evan: Let it go, man...Forget I said anything.
But, by this point, it's apparent that Brad isn't prepared to do that. Instead, he edges a forward, close enough so that he can jab a finger in Evan's chest.
Brad: No, I wanna know where you get off thinking my wife's any more of a ho than yours, Evan! Care to explain your reasoning to me!?
At that point, Evan lets out a soft, and slightly bitter chuckle as he stares Brad in the eye.
Evan: You want me to give you the reason, Brad?
Brad: Yeah. Matter of fact, I do.
Evan: Well, the reason could have something to do with the small army of children that have come out of her, Brad. Or, perhaps, it might have something to do with all the times she's invited Natalie and I into her bed. Or, maybe...just maybe, it has something to do with the fact that she seems to spend most of her time discussing the topic of sex, to exclusion of any other topic of conversation!
Brad, as his eyes light up with anger: You know damned well that's a lie. Megan happens to be extremely intelligent and graduated with highest honors from Syracuse University. Hell, she speaks multiple languages, in case you didn't notice...
Evan: Oh, I noticed, Brad. After all, I've learned how to say "Evan, this feels so damned good." in every one...
Brad: Oh, that's funny, Evan. Should I remind you of what Natalie says to me whenever she takes me to bed. I'll give you a hint...
It's something along the lines of how good it felt to be with a real man...A man who has package in his pocket that's actually big enough to get her attention.
And this comment, of course, causes Evan's eyes to fill with fire as he himself edges closer so that the two are standing nose-to-nose.
Evan: I knew you were going to resort to that, Kane. I knew at some point you were gonna point out the fact that the fates gave you a penis that was grossly out of proportion with the rest of your body simply to compensate for all your other shortcomings.
Brad: You wanna talk to me about shortcomings, Evan!? Why don't you take a look in the mirror and examine a few of your own!? Why don't you take face the fact that you're so damned concerned with all the thoughts that are going inside that think skull of yours to give a crap about anyone else around you.
Evan: Excuse the hell out of me for thinking about things sometimes, Brad. I know that concept is completely foreign to you, but maybe if you tried it some time, you might have the first freaking clue about who I really am!
Brad: Oh, I know who you are, Evan. You're a complete jackass who seems to be under the impression that people should bow and scrape to him just because he uses some big words in his promos, and because he once was a force to be reckoned with in the past!
Evan: Oh, I'm still a force to be reckoned with, Brad...Especially when someone starts to piss me off...
Is that what you want, Brad. You really want to piss me off?
Brad: What I want to do, Evan, is to beat some sense, into you, and remind you that there are other people that exist in the world aside from yourself. That's why I'm looking forward to beating your ass this Sunday, 'cause it gives me the chance to do just that!
Evan: Well, I wish you luck in that endeavor, Brad...But given the fact that you've failed miserably in three attempts, that might be a little more difficult than you think.
Brad: Things are gonna be different this time, Evan...
Evan: Why? Did you ask Freya for advice on how to beat me? After all, your own sister has a victory over me in singles competition, and that's something you're just not able to claim, are you Brad?
At that moment, Freya appears in the hallway where the two men have been arguing, and nods her head at the sound of these words.
Freya: Nope. Got the edge over Brad there, don't I?
Evan: Of course, the win did come as a result of an accidental low blow, and a cheap roll-up....
Freya doesn't respond verbally, but simply shrugs and then spins on her heel and leaves to complete yet another random cameo appearance.
Meanwhile, the two members of Total Eclipse continue to stand face to face, and their hands are now curled into fists as the argument continues.
Brad: You wanna know why I think I can beat you this time, Evan? It's 'cause I've gotten to know you so well, and have kicked your ass all over the ring during a lot of the times when we've sparred....
No reason why that can't happen when we compete for real this Sunday, can it?
Evan: And there's no reason why we have to wait till then to find out who the better competitor is, right?
Brad: You know something, Evan. That's the first damned thing that came out of your mouth in this conversation that made any amount of sense...
And at that moment, it looks as though we're about to get a preview of this week's match between Evan and Brad, until the sound of a young child's voice interrupts their train of thought.
"Daddy! Unky Evan! C'mere!"
The sound of Ryan Kane's voice causes Evan and Brad to forget their argument for the moment and rush over to the living room, where Ryan and B.J. Andrews are seated in front of a pile of lego blocks.
Evan feels his heart melt when he sees his son seated along side Ryan as the two boys stare at the blocks before them with quizzical expression on their faces. BJ looks up at his father and a gleeful smile appears on his face.
B.J.: Play Dada?
Ryan: Wanna build castle....Can you help?
Brad and Evan exchange glances and both of them nod their head at the same time.
Brad: Of course we can...
Evan: Yeah, we'll make something special...
And as Evan takes a seat he catches his best friend's eye while offering an additional thought to close the statement.
Evan: ...Something that we'll all remember for a long, long time.
Brad nods and smiles, understanding exactly what Evan means, and with this argument concluded, the two men begin to spend time building something special for their sons...
While never mentioning the special moment that they'll create when they step into the ring this week.