Post by Ander Carvetti on Nov 26, 2010 6:52:34 GMT -6
”What have I become?
my sweetest friend
Everyone I know
goes away in the end
You could have it all
my empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt” – Trent Reznor, NIN
+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+
A man obsessed with a goal in mind is a very dangerous adversary to have in your life.
Obsessed with victory.
Obsessed with glory.
Obsessed with respect.
Obsessed with revenge.
There's a lot of things that have been on my mind since this feud began, and I really can't help but be amazed at how it's grown from something so simple, to something so much more in just a matter of a month.
When Johnny and I came here, we came hyped and we came touted as being very god-damned good. Over the years, we had earned that hype, but with it comes the constant need to prove it to others... or at least that's how I feel. Let me rephrase. I feel the need to prove it, and so I will. I'll take whatever challenge is thrown my way, or fight whoever I have to in an effort to prove that I belong here.
Anyway, we wanted tag gold. That was our goal. We have individual successes over the course of our careers, and this was something that eluded the both of us. Let's get the tag gold and see if we can beat the house, so to speak.
So we went after Blood Ties, the best nCw had to offer. We felt that if we could win, and we knew that we were entirely capable of doing so, our last goal would be complete. We could call ourselves the best in the world at what we do. Just one minor problem came up that we didn't initially see coming.
We lost.
To the nCw viewing public, this was hardly a surprise. Blood Ties were a legitimately good tag team and quite a number of people thought we were way in over our heads. While the match was definitely as far from a blowout as it could be, the fact remained that Johnny and I had lost. We had been beaten and it was going to be back to the drawing board.
We weren't going to give up, though. Quite honestly, both of us are too dumb and too prideful to understand the concept of “give up” and really, we had a feeling it was going to be work to get what we wanted. That was fine. Being the best means working for it. If it came too easy, we were clearly in the wrong place. We're not above earning our place and getting our hands dirty, even if we weren't exactly patient. And because we were willing to fight to take our place, and we were willing to get our hands dirty...
It became personal.
You all know the story by now. Alex Jones blind-sided my partner. Angel and Alex claimed the attack was meant to send a message and to prove a point. It was to show us, and everyone thinking like us, to learn our place in the company and lie down and die, otherwise the trash would be taken out, much like how they put Johnny in a dumpster.
So it became war.
If Blood Ties were going to call themselves the standard bearers of the nCw army and were going to stand up for all the vets who had built this company, then we would meet them on our end as well. We, The Rat Pack, drew our battle lines and we declared war as well. We declared war on a couple of cowards who knew that for the first time, two guys weren't just going to lie down for them because they had “earned their place.” We weren't going to be held down by another gerontocracy that didn't like us because we hadn't been here long enough. We were going to make this a meritocracy. We wanted those belts, and we were going to get them, and we were prepared to take whatever lumps necessary to get ourselves to the top. We were going to get those belts, and in doing so, take our revenge against Blood Ties. They wanted to take the battlefield to the backstage area and that was fine.
We would take the war to the ring.
And over the past couple of weeks, my mind has become more and more focused on nothing more than winning this war. I can't get it out of my head because it really is all I think about. I eat, drink, train, and sleep at the thought of getting Angel and Alex in the ring and taking those belts from them. I actually salivate right now at the thought of ripping those titles from their waists.
Having someone else in that ring with me? It doesn't even compare. I actually feel let down when there's someone else standing across from me. I don't even want to try because it almost doesn't feel worth the effort. It feels like such a step down. And that kills me because I love fighting, I love competition, and I love giving the best fight that I can to anyone who wants to stand across from me...
And right now I can't do it.
I can't do it because all I want in that ring are those two cowards. Those two running cowards who had the gall to tell us “You want our spots? Come get them.” And then we chased them, and they ran, and they tried to Pearl Harbor us. So we kept chasing, and only now do we get them in the way that we want. I want them and I won't feel good about this until the pay-per-view rolls around, and I get them in the ring.
Let me go ahead and tell you all this so you all know exactly how badly I want this.
I pride myself on my single's abilities. I LOVE one-on-one competition. I really do. I love standing nose to nose with someone and having the chance to fight them. I actually relish that. When I got to fight Joe Everyman one-on-one, part of me felt a little bit of joy at that because it's something that means a lot to me.
And then Johnny got jumped.
Suddenly, I don't care about one-on-one anymore.
Zip.
Zilch.
Nada.
Getting my hands and feet on Angel two weeks later, even if it means I have to deal with DDK and Adam Knite? Gladly. I'll take it in a heartbeat because it's a beautiful measure of revenge, and if I could win that match, I would get to stick in to that son of a bitch. If it meant that I would get to put him out and do it in the middle of the ring, then that whole cluster**** of a match would be well worth it.
Andrew Jacobsen?
Nothing against him, but he wasn't Angel. He wasn't Alex Jones. Any other time, of any other day and week, of any month, of any year, and I would have given him the fight of his life. I would have made him bleed. I would have made him hurt. I would have left him broken, his career in shambles, and I would have moved on. Done.
But not this time.
Instead, I lose. I get pinned. A vicious wake up call that reminds me that all I care about right now really is Blood Ties. I didn't care about the Jacobsen match, and it was a damn shame. All I want...
...is Blood Ties.
I don't care if Johnny's still injured and they both show up. I want them both in the ring. I'll fight them by myself. I'll stare them both down, take every beating they have to offer me, find a way to stand up on whatever broken legs I might have, look them in the eyes, and tell them quite plainly..
Is that the best you've got?
I have truly taken the best that those two could possibly throw at me, and I want more. I want the best that this company has to throw at me. I'll take more with a ****-eating smile on my face if it means I get another chance to take a swing at both of them. If it means I can crack one of them across the skull, get that pin, and walk out of there with those belts, then it's worth it. If I have to lose every singles match from this point forward to get those tag belts, it was a worthwhile sacrifice. If I have to carry my injured partner to victory, consider it done.
If I have to enter that ring alone, by myself, No Shelter blasting over the arena speakers, fully knowing that I'm going to get my ass kicked in for a slim chance to maybe get one back for us...
I'm Game.
I want that VICTORY that I should have had in the four-way and at the last pay-per-view.
I want the GLORY of pinning those cowards and getting those tag belts.
I want the RESPECT of this company when I step up and make good on my words, or die trying.
Most of all though?
I want my Revenge.
I want it for what they did to my friend and for slapping us in the face like cowards and running away. I want that more than anything.
Even if it costs me everything.
+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+
(I had lost, that much was certain. Every minute that I spent in there with Andrew Jacobsen, all I could think about was getting my hands around Angel and Alex. Fighting those two for those belts and getting one back for Johnny was the only thing that truly mattered to me. I knew it....)
Ander, we need to talk.
(...And so did she. I looked Ayako in her face and I could see that she was a bit worried and very stressed to the bone. Rightfully so, too. She had arranged a press conference for me right before this pay-per-view, hopefully to get us some support going into this match. God knows with the past couple of matches, I had pissed it away by getting pinned by Adam Knite and then Andrew Jacobsen.)
What's on your mind?
(She took a heavy sigh. I could see it coming. This feud with Blood Ties that had been exacerbated by Johnny was starting to take it's toll. The war we declared, well... we were finding out that war is indeed hell, especially when you're fighting the man.)
The Rat Pack. We need to talk about it. Right now, before this presser, and before this match happens. We need to talk about your future in it.
Okay. Let's talk then. Your success is directly linked to mine and you're the one who signs off on my career decisions. Tell me what you're thinking.
(She turned her head and looked out into the crowd. We were standing in a hallway and she could see them in the seats. She sighed again.)
Alright... if you lose this match and Johnny leaves you out to dry, I want you out of the Rat Pack. You've been drug into this war with Blood Ties, and by proxy, nCw and it's taking its toll on you. You look unfocused in your other matches, and quite honestly, you're carrying the team. This should be a joint effort between you and Johnny, and quite honestly, he's been proving to be all talk while you've been the workhorse.
(I sighed. I sighed because I knew my loyalties to Johnny as a friend. I wanted revenge for this. I wanted those belts and I wanted to embarrass Blood Ties in the worst way... but I'd be lying if I didn't think that Ayako might also be right.)
It was just bad couple of matches. It happens. We'll deliver this time around. Hell, I'll deliver.
(She shook her head at me and closed her eyes...)
Have you spoken to Johnny at all? Do you even know if he's cleared to go? For that matter, can you handle this if he can't wrestle or just doesn't show up, physically or otherwise?
(I was stunned by her questions. I had to let it soak in. The concerns were legitimate. I hadn't spoken to Johnny nor was I clear on his current condition. For that matter, if I went into that match alone, as much as I was prepared to die on my feet and be carried out on my shield than live on my knees, I had no certainty to victory.)
...I don't know. I haven't spoken to him and the truth is, I really don't know. I probably won't know until the day of the event. I'm prepared to go alone, but I honestly couldn't tell you if I could win that match.
(She nodded slowly at me and grimaced. This was her worry. This was what had her stressed to all hell.)
That's what I'm afraid of. If this were your singles career, I'd have no worries. That's on you and you alone. You can handle yourself. This is a tag career and you need a reliable partner, especially if he's going to drag you into war. And right now, I'm afraid that you're in a war that you can't win on your own. I'm afraid that he's going to leave you high and dry and you're going to have to pick up the pieces that he's left in his wake, and truthfully, you don't deserve that. You deserve better than this and you are capable of better than this.
(I looked down at my feet. My feet had carried me to victory so many times. My legs had delivered me to the promised land on more than one occasion. Sometimes, great people have to carry great burdens to achieve greatness... but was this really all my burden to carry?)
Ander, as your manager, and as someone who legitimately cares about you... if he doesn't show up, promise me you will leave this group. He wants to sink his career, he can do that. Don't let him be the albatross that sinks yours. If he's a good friend to you, he'll be there, but if he isn't... please walk away. Promise me you'll do that.
(I'll never forget what I'm about to do. I'll never forget it for a long time. I lifted my head and I looked her into the eyes...)
Okay...
I promise.
+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+
Alex Jones...
You know, every single time that I have to say your name to myself, I feel this wretched aftertaste just fester inside.
It's almost like someone tried to shove a rotten egg into my mouth, and the only reaction I have is to spit it out before the putrid taste starts manifesting itself.
I have to spit it out, onto the ground, and for good measure, just so I don't have to deal with stench... I have to kick it away. I have to get it as far away from me as I humanly can because the notion of that infuriating stench being anywhere near me drives me into fits of sheer rage.
Congrats, that's exactly how I feel with you.
You see, I've been having trouble deciding which one of you I would rather pin more. Every minute that I think about that match, I seem to go back and forth and whether or not I'd more content to leave you or Angel lying in the middle of that ring while we lift those belts. It's a constant debate that I can't seem to find an end to.
You see with Angel, he's got such a legacy. World champion? Check. Tag champ? Double check. Future hall of famer in this company? Practically guaranteed with his resume. A name that carries a mark of excellence with it and the notion that if you can beat him, hell, if you can even survive him, then you're going to be fine. You're going to last in this company.
And then I look at you.
You have a tag title reign to your name, but I think that has a lot more to do with the company that you're keeping than your own efforts, but still. Former Two Time X-Division champion? Okay, nothing worth bragging about, but it's something. And you won a tournament on your own about two years ago. Not much else that I know about you other than you're pedigree is nowhere near that of your partner and based on that alone, I shouldn't even be wasting my time giving you the time of day because beating you specifically wouldn't do anything for me. You don't deserve my attention. You're nothing.
Except one thing...
You took out my partner.
You, PERSONALLY, threw Johnny off of a balcony and into a dumpster. You left him injured and you left him with the message that we needed to see ourselves out the door before we get thrown out of it in a very vicious fashion.
….Okay, now you have my attention Alex. Now you have me finally paying attention to you. You did something very gutless, very cowardly, and very stupid, and now I'm going to start hunting you down for a change.
By the way, some advice from one guy who likes putting people down the barrel with the cross-hairs aimed, to another who looks like he needs the help.
Number One, I would suggest to start doing some serious research on your targets before you decide to start coming after them, trying to take them out. Our legacies elsewhere notwithstanding, Johnny and I don't quit. We don't get the meaning of the word. Once we get a taste for blood, we ARE the sharks and we become relentless until we get what we came for. With that little attack, all you did was take a swim in the middle of the ocean with a nice gaping wound leading us to the destination. If you think we were hungry before, believe me when I say that we are STARVING now.
And Number Two, if you're going to try and send a message at our expense, you probably should have made sure to take us BOTH out so that we wouldn't be in this position to retaliate. You should have taken us both out, beaten our heads in, executed us in front of everyone for good measure, and made it clear that we wouldn't be coming back...
Instead, all you did was leave one of us for dead on the hopes that he wouldn't be angry, that he would get the message, and that he would leave on his own and take his partner with him, back into retirement or into a place where the competition isn't nearly as much of a threat.
All you did was leave a pair of wounded animals alive with a reminder of who did it to them and the thoughts of how they were going to shred you limb from limb when this was over.
You have backed us into a corner when we have nothing to lose, and suddenly, you've made us that much more dangerous. Better yet...
You've made ME more dangerous.
See, I don't even know if I'm going to have my partner with me. There's a good chance that when that pay-per-view rolls around, I'll be coming out to that ring alone. If I'm fortunate, I'll be marching down that ramp by myself and someone like Roxxxie MIGHT be at my side. I will have to enter that match by myself, without a partner, and I'm going to be fighting the two of you on my own.
And my mouth is practically watering at the thought of that.
Alex, I don't know who quite left you laying, but I'm going to make you wish that they finished the job that you proved inept at doing yourself. If I have to do it all by myself, I'm going to leave you a bloody mess in that ring, right in front of the world at large, and I'll do it while looking your partner in the eyes.
Since Angel has been so instrumental in your success in getting you where you are today, I want to show him personally what happens when he's taken out of the equation. I'm going to kick your skull in, over and over again and there's nothing that he's going to be able to do about it. I want him to know the full extent of my rage and anger. I want YOU to know just how far my fury can go when it's been tapped into. I want you both to know exactly what happens when I'm in a destructive mood like this.
And I want you to know that there's nothing you can do about it.
For your act of cowardice, I'm going to punish you. I'm not going to let you run from us anymore like a pair of scavengers who tried to get a quick snack off of us. Every time that you try to escape my wrath, I'm going to blast your legs out from under you. When soldiers cry and beg for their mothers when they have their legs taken away from an explosion or a gunshot, I want you to be able to sympathize. I want you to understand the full extent of their suffering and misery because while we're in that ring, you're going to understand it first hand. So please Alex, when I've taken your legs from you..
Cry for me. Beg for your family. Scream for your wife and kid.
Better yet, please...
Pray to your Savior.
Beg to Angel, the man who's carried you this entire time to greatness. The man who's allowed you to be a champion thus far. Beg him to come into the ring and stop what I'm going to do to you. In fact, tag him in. I'll even let you crawl your way to the corner just to get him in the ring. Please let him in, I'm begging you.
Let me show you how to make an example of someone.
And let me show you how to finish the job.
+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+
(I walked into the press conference amid camera flashes and a small applause by the people there. I was hardly dressed for the occasion, wearing a t-shirt and hat sent to me by Bad Boy MMA and a pair of cargo shorts. At the least, Ayako was keeping my sponsors happy somehow. I went to the podium and tapped on the mic, getting a small bit of laughter from the people in the room. I was here to give a statement, and if I intended to prove to some people that I might still have a chance, this was going to be it...)
I've been told by my manager that people have questions about the pay-per-view regarding myself, Johnny, and whether or not we stand a chance in hell at beating Blood Ties. I'll go ahead and starting taking those questions if anyone has them.
(Immediately, hands went up. Some young looking guy in a shirt and tie drew my attention first. I pointed to him.)
Yeah, first off, your performance against Andrew Jacobsen definitely looked rough. What exactly happened? Do you have any comments on that?
(I sighed, smiled, and shook my head. I knew that one was coming almost immediately.)
Truthfully, I've had a lot on my mind. With Johnny's injuries, our tag title match, and the feuds with Blood Ties that are said to be linked with nCw, my head just wasn't in the match. The triggers weren't firing, nothing was going right, and I was doomed from the start because of it. That being said, that's no excuse for my performance. I'm a professional and I know what my job dictates and I know what I should have been doing, and I wasn't doing it. The fact is, Andrew Jacobsen beat me straight-up and there's nothing else to it. He was the better man that night. If we have a re-match down the line, things will go differently, but this time around, he did what needed to be done and I didn't. Nothing else I can really say about it.
(Some people in the crowd nodded, almost with a level of approval. It didn't matter. That was the truth. Jacobsen won because he was better than me that night. Whether it was physically or mentally, he was on par where I wasn't and he deserved that win because of it.)
Next question?
(Hands shot up again and this time, a woman in red caught my eye. I pointed to her and awaited her question...)
A lot of people feel that this match is unnecessary as Blood Ties have already dispatched you and Johnny once. Predictions in fact have them as the heavy favorites. How do you feel about all of that?
(I put my tongue into my cheek and looked around for a minute. Again, some truth to that. We had been beaten once and we weren't exactly deserving of a rematch, but we got it. Now, the question is, how do I feel about it?)
With regards to the titles, do we deserve a second crack at them? Probably not. We had our first chance, and while we did much better than anyone could have expected, and probably a lot better than a lot of people had done, we still whiffed. That was on us and we should have had to work our way back to the top contender's spot. Any other time, I would agree with that...
(She nodded and looked around, almost thinking the question was answered. I put my finger up and put a stop to that...)
...But, that being said, the situation is a little different this time. This is not just about titles and respect anymore. They tried to take out my partner and they tried to run us off. When people do that, that's a sign of fear. Whether they want to admit it or not, we brought the fight to their doorstep and we haven't stopped trying to knock the door down and so they tried to do something about it. Well now we're going to get our revenge, and get those belts.
Now as for them being the favorites, yeah, they at least deserve that distinction. They're the champs for a reason. They should always be the favorites. However, that doesn't scare me. I've been the underdog for most of my career and I don't mind walking into that ring with everyone thinking I'm dead to rights. Makes my job a little easier actually. No expectations to live up to. They have to prove that us getting as close as we did was nothing more than an aberration and not a sign that there's some chinks in the armor. All we have to do is win, and to be honest, there's really no pressure there. We have nothing to our names except a loss to the champs, so I'd say that gives us a lot of freedom to do what we have to. Next?
(Hands went up again. A guy in a blue suit looked like he had something he wanted to get out into the open. I'd say let's oblige him, shall we?)
Mr. Carvetti, regarding your partner, do you know if he's fit to compete for the pay-per-view? Have you had a chance to speak to him about this? I can't say I remember him being the silent type, especially in a situation like this.
(The crowd laughed at that one, and I smiled wide. I had to lie. I didn't want to. I'm not a liar. The truth is that I haven't and I really don't know, but I can't present that impression. This is me stepping up and protecting our names.)
I did actually. He said he's feeling better and he plans on showing up unless two sucker-punching little bastards try to put him on the shelf again. He's livid about all of this and he plans on evening the score. We both plan on it actually. We aren't going to settle for taking a pound of flesh off of those two. We're going to skin them alive and show what happens when you do a hit and run on us. That's the plan.
(I heard a woo in the crowd at that one and the crowd also chuckled. I did the same. I wanted to be done with this. I wanted to be on my way so I could prepare for this match. It was time to end this...)
Listen, I'll be honest. I really hate press conferences. I'm going to head out and get prepped. I'll see some of you Saturday and...
Wait a sec, I have a question!
(I looked over and saw a woman shoot out of her seat. She had blonde hair and glasses and was actually very attractive. Not since I met Ayako had someone stuck out quite like that. She looked at me and I was taken off guard by it.)
Alright, shoot. What's up?
There's quite a few people within the company that feel you have the opportunity to be a main event draw in time. They say that you've shown the most potential and could be the best out of the entire Rat Pack. How do you feel about that?
(I looked at her and then I looked around at everyone else. I don't think anyone had really expected a question like that to pop up, and come to think of it, neither had I. Ayako lectured me about being the workhorse of the group, and it seems that she wasn't alone. I looked back at the woman...)
Miss, what's your name?
Alice.
Alice... the truth is I don't know how I feel about that. Am I flattered to know that a company thinks I'm worth keeping around? Sure. Would I say I'm the best out of the Rat Pack? To be honest, I don't know. Johnny when he's on, he's really *** damned on. Roxxxie, with the right influence from us, could prove to be a powerhouse player in the entire women's division. Myself?
(I sighed into the mic, looked around at everyone, and smiled...)
I just do what I need to do, which is win and be the best.
That's really all I can ask of myself.
+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+
Angel...
Let me go ahead and enlighten you on something, because I think you need be made very much aware of how things really are right now.
You talk about US being the ones who made this one personal? We insulted your families, careers, and livelihoods? You mean to tell me that was us? And wait one second. We're also the cowards here? That's us?
Let me make sure we have a clear understanding of each other this time around, because I think you have this one confused Angel. You see, we never insulted your family, or your careers, or your livelihoods.
Remember when that match was booked, Angel? The very first time that Blood Ties and The Rat Pack stepped into the middle of that ring, because I know I do. I remember that match very clearly. I remember all the events leading up to that match. All the words that were exchanged, all the shots traded, all the blood spilled. Trust me, I have a very clear recollection of it.
I recall being told week in and week out by everyone in this company, you included, that we didn't belong here. We weren't welcome. We didn't deserve the opportunity that we were being handed. That we had absolutely no chance of taking down Blood Ties, or for that matter, anyone in this company. We were too fresh. Too green. Didn't have enough exposure here. The only thing we deserved was to be back in our little bingo halls making chump change.
And I remember personally acknowledging that in that match, that it was going to be more than just a fight. It was going to be an all-out war and whoever walked away from that match would have been lucky to escape. We were being sent down the execution line and we were going straight to the chair.
And boy, did we go to the chair alright.
We lost that match, and we lost it clean. There were no excuses for it. Never were any then, never any now. That night, we were defeated by the better team that night and I would have been the first to admit it. Wasn't going to end my pursuit because I'm not afraid of losing, but I would gladly give the devil his due. You got us.
But we came close...
Anyone watching that match knew that they were seeing something more than two guys get lucky. They saw us hold the line against you both. They saw us throw ourselves to the wolves WILLINGLY and give everything that we had that night, just for the chance to take those belts. They saw how great we had claimed to have been and that we were for real...
...And they saw that we could very well beat YOU.
And I find that to be so beautiful because guess what? You both knew it too. You and Alex both knew that you were on borrowed time now and that it would only be a short while before we would take those belts from you. You had met your match, and so you two did the only thing that made sense at that point and that was delay the inevitable.
After you two took the television time to bitch and moan about us getting hired, and us getting attention, and us MORE THAN PROVING OUR WORTH HERE, your partner took it upon himself to throw my partner off a balcony and into a dumpster, injuring him, and making this personal.
Actually, part of that really makes me laugh in retrospect. The fact that you two felt so threatened by us and what we were really capable of, that you both had to get on the air and openly put us down by telling us how easy we were to dispatch and how much we didn't deserve the shot we asked for, and then your boy went and injured Johnny under the guise of “Sending a message to the new guys.” I honestly have to tell you, if it didn't piss me off because that's my friend, I'd almost tell you how much it cracked me up instead.
You know how I would send a statement to the locker room after beating an arrogant team that wanted to step up to the plate and then got beat down by us? You want to know how I would have done it? Just between you and me?
Good match...
...Now who's next?
You had my partner injured so that we couldn't challenge you immediately after, and you want to imply that we're the cowards now? Are you mad that I actually had the gall you call you one? Offended, even?
Good.
I'm calling it like I see it. You have no problem shooting your mouth off Angel, and you have no problem having your partner injure mine, but then as if to prove my point ever so clearly that you really are running for your DAMNED LIFE... we give you the opportunity to actually finish the job.
A busted up Johnny, myself, and Roxxxie all standing there in the ring. All three of us defacing the nCw logo. All three of us quite literally declaring war against the company... and where were you? You had no problem giving a promo earlier in the night about how proud you were of Alex for what he did and that the future had no place here, but our little incident sent you packing?
Let me clarify that for you a little better.
We stood there and pissed on everything you've ever claimed to stand for in this company, especially after how you told the world that the attack on Johnny was a warning shot to everyone in the back, and all you could do was hide. Don't give me some bull**** excuse about being with your family because everyone in the world saw where you were that night. And for that matter, don't feed me any bull**** about this being for the better of nCw, because this isn't about nCw.
This is about Blood Ties and the Rat Pack.
This is about Blood Ties trying to cling to what glory they have left and having to finally man up and face us again in the ring, and having to do it the right way.
Yes, I said it. The right way.
As in not jumping someone from behind and trying to end their careers. I know you'd love to pin Alex's attack on us, but here's a heads up for you, just so you can understand how much I really want to make the fall of Blood Ties that much sweeter for myself and Johnny.
I had nothing to do with it.
As beautifully karmic as that attack was, it wasn't by my hand that your partner got what was coming to him. If it were up to me, it would have been in the ring, in a match, in front of the whole world for all to see. You can win all the battles you want in the back, but I'm only interested in winning the war, and there is no finer battlefield to settle a score like this than in that ring!
Don't believe me? I don't really care. I know where my code of honor lies, and my track record more than speaks for it. Google THAT if you want to. Better yet, may I suggest YouTube so you can see it for yourself? I don't jump people in the back like a thief in the night.
I stand in front of them, let them stare down the barrel, and I pull the *** damned trigger.
That's what I do. I don't run from people and I don't cower out from a fight. You want to talk about Johnny being injured and that it's faked? You go ahead. That's still not going to stop me from showing up to that Pay-Per-View and trying to knock you and Alex on your asses and take those belts. I don't care if I fight that match on my own, arms broken, legs battered, my body bruised, and bleeding out of my damn skull, because I am not afraid of you.
Yeah... I'm a coward, alright. So cowardly that if I don't have a partner, I'll still fight you to get revenge and to get those belts. So deeply afraid of everything you two have done that I really am asking for more.
You hear that, Angel? Despite everything that you've done and everything that Alex has done, and everything that you two jackasses claim to stand for in this company and how much you're willing to put me through just to make a point...
Here I am. I'm still here.
If you really want to make an example out of me in the name of nCw, then you're going to get your chance to kill me off. Savior X, the so-called Messiah of nCw and his little apostle are going to get another chance to bury me, because I apparently rose from the dead for another round. The only difference this time around?
I won't be carrying the cross of defeat.
Angel, I'm going to hurt you, and then I'm really going to let you live your dreams of being the Savior. I'm going to very painfully crucify you in that ring, your own personal Golgotha, and leave you for all of nCw to see. Every verse you've read denouncing us, every sin perpetrated against us, every attack on our existence, rest assured that nCw is going to see the end result of it. I'm going to leave you for dead and the rest of the company can consider you the example of what happens when you declare a holy war against us in the name of your precious company that you've built from the ground up for the past three years...
We make you die for your religion.
my sweetest friend
Everyone I know
goes away in the end
You could have it all
my empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt” – Trent Reznor, NIN
+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+
A man obsessed with a goal in mind is a very dangerous adversary to have in your life.
Obsessed with victory.
Obsessed with glory.
Obsessed with respect.
Obsessed with revenge.
There's a lot of things that have been on my mind since this feud began, and I really can't help but be amazed at how it's grown from something so simple, to something so much more in just a matter of a month.
When Johnny and I came here, we came hyped and we came touted as being very god-damned good. Over the years, we had earned that hype, but with it comes the constant need to prove it to others... or at least that's how I feel. Let me rephrase. I feel the need to prove it, and so I will. I'll take whatever challenge is thrown my way, or fight whoever I have to in an effort to prove that I belong here.
Anyway, we wanted tag gold. That was our goal. We have individual successes over the course of our careers, and this was something that eluded the both of us. Let's get the tag gold and see if we can beat the house, so to speak.
So we went after Blood Ties, the best nCw had to offer. We felt that if we could win, and we knew that we were entirely capable of doing so, our last goal would be complete. We could call ourselves the best in the world at what we do. Just one minor problem came up that we didn't initially see coming.
We lost.
To the nCw viewing public, this was hardly a surprise. Blood Ties were a legitimately good tag team and quite a number of people thought we were way in over our heads. While the match was definitely as far from a blowout as it could be, the fact remained that Johnny and I had lost. We had been beaten and it was going to be back to the drawing board.
We weren't going to give up, though. Quite honestly, both of us are too dumb and too prideful to understand the concept of “give up” and really, we had a feeling it was going to be work to get what we wanted. That was fine. Being the best means working for it. If it came too easy, we were clearly in the wrong place. We're not above earning our place and getting our hands dirty, even if we weren't exactly patient. And because we were willing to fight to take our place, and we were willing to get our hands dirty...
It became personal.
You all know the story by now. Alex Jones blind-sided my partner. Angel and Alex claimed the attack was meant to send a message and to prove a point. It was to show us, and everyone thinking like us, to learn our place in the company and lie down and die, otherwise the trash would be taken out, much like how they put Johnny in a dumpster.
So it became war.
If Blood Ties were going to call themselves the standard bearers of the nCw army and were going to stand up for all the vets who had built this company, then we would meet them on our end as well. We, The Rat Pack, drew our battle lines and we declared war as well. We declared war on a couple of cowards who knew that for the first time, two guys weren't just going to lie down for them because they had “earned their place.” We weren't going to be held down by another gerontocracy that didn't like us because we hadn't been here long enough. We were going to make this a meritocracy. We wanted those belts, and we were going to get them, and we were prepared to take whatever lumps necessary to get ourselves to the top. We were going to get those belts, and in doing so, take our revenge against Blood Ties. They wanted to take the battlefield to the backstage area and that was fine.
We would take the war to the ring.
And over the past couple of weeks, my mind has become more and more focused on nothing more than winning this war. I can't get it out of my head because it really is all I think about. I eat, drink, train, and sleep at the thought of getting Angel and Alex in the ring and taking those belts from them. I actually salivate right now at the thought of ripping those titles from their waists.
Having someone else in that ring with me? It doesn't even compare. I actually feel let down when there's someone else standing across from me. I don't even want to try because it almost doesn't feel worth the effort. It feels like such a step down. And that kills me because I love fighting, I love competition, and I love giving the best fight that I can to anyone who wants to stand across from me...
And right now I can't do it.
I can't do it because all I want in that ring are those two cowards. Those two running cowards who had the gall to tell us “You want our spots? Come get them.” And then we chased them, and they ran, and they tried to Pearl Harbor us. So we kept chasing, and only now do we get them in the way that we want. I want them and I won't feel good about this until the pay-per-view rolls around, and I get them in the ring.
Let me go ahead and tell you all this so you all know exactly how badly I want this.
I pride myself on my single's abilities. I LOVE one-on-one competition. I really do. I love standing nose to nose with someone and having the chance to fight them. I actually relish that. When I got to fight Joe Everyman one-on-one, part of me felt a little bit of joy at that because it's something that means a lot to me.
And then Johnny got jumped.
Suddenly, I don't care about one-on-one anymore.
Zip.
Zilch.
Nada.
Getting my hands and feet on Angel two weeks later, even if it means I have to deal with DDK and Adam Knite? Gladly. I'll take it in a heartbeat because it's a beautiful measure of revenge, and if I could win that match, I would get to stick in to that son of a bitch. If it meant that I would get to put him out and do it in the middle of the ring, then that whole cluster**** of a match would be well worth it.
Andrew Jacobsen?
Nothing against him, but he wasn't Angel. He wasn't Alex Jones. Any other time, of any other day and week, of any month, of any year, and I would have given him the fight of his life. I would have made him bleed. I would have made him hurt. I would have left him broken, his career in shambles, and I would have moved on. Done.
But not this time.
Instead, I lose. I get pinned. A vicious wake up call that reminds me that all I care about right now really is Blood Ties. I didn't care about the Jacobsen match, and it was a damn shame. All I want...
...is Blood Ties.
I don't care if Johnny's still injured and they both show up. I want them both in the ring. I'll fight them by myself. I'll stare them both down, take every beating they have to offer me, find a way to stand up on whatever broken legs I might have, look them in the eyes, and tell them quite plainly..
Is that the best you've got?
I have truly taken the best that those two could possibly throw at me, and I want more. I want the best that this company has to throw at me. I'll take more with a ****-eating smile on my face if it means I get another chance to take a swing at both of them. If it means I can crack one of them across the skull, get that pin, and walk out of there with those belts, then it's worth it. If I have to lose every singles match from this point forward to get those tag belts, it was a worthwhile sacrifice. If I have to carry my injured partner to victory, consider it done.
If I have to enter that ring alone, by myself, No Shelter blasting over the arena speakers, fully knowing that I'm going to get my ass kicked in for a slim chance to maybe get one back for us...
I'm Game.
I want that VICTORY that I should have had in the four-way and at the last pay-per-view.
I want the GLORY of pinning those cowards and getting those tag belts.
I want the RESPECT of this company when I step up and make good on my words, or die trying.
Most of all though?
I want my Revenge.
I want it for what they did to my friend and for slapping us in the face like cowards and running away. I want that more than anything.
Even if it costs me everything.
+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+
(I had lost, that much was certain. Every minute that I spent in there with Andrew Jacobsen, all I could think about was getting my hands around Angel and Alex. Fighting those two for those belts and getting one back for Johnny was the only thing that truly mattered to me. I knew it....)
Ander, we need to talk.
(...And so did she. I looked Ayako in her face and I could see that she was a bit worried and very stressed to the bone. Rightfully so, too. She had arranged a press conference for me right before this pay-per-view, hopefully to get us some support going into this match. God knows with the past couple of matches, I had pissed it away by getting pinned by Adam Knite and then Andrew Jacobsen.)
What's on your mind?
(She took a heavy sigh. I could see it coming. This feud with Blood Ties that had been exacerbated by Johnny was starting to take it's toll. The war we declared, well... we were finding out that war is indeed hell, especially when you're fighting the man.)
The Rat Pack. We need to talk about it. Right now, before this presser, and before this match happens. We need to talk about your future in it.
Okay. Let's talk then. Your success is directly linked to mine and you're the one who signs off on my career decisions. Tell me what you're thinking.
(She turned her head and looked out into the crowd. We were standing in a hallway and she could see them in the seats. She sighed again.)
Alright... if you lose this match and Johnny leaves you out to dry, I want you out of the Rat Pack. You've been drug into this war with Blood Ties, and by proxy, nCw and it's taking its toll on you. You look unfocused in your other matches, and quite honestly, you're carrying the team. This should be a joint effort between you and Johnny, and quite honestly, he's been proving to be all talk while you've been the workhorse.
(I sighed. I sighed because I knew my loyalties to Johnny as a friend. I wanted revenge for this. I wanted those belts and I wanted to embarrass Blood Ties in the worst way... but I'd be lying if I didn't think that Ayako might also be right.)
It was just bad couple of matches. It happens. We'll deliver this time around. Hell, I'll deliver.
(She shook her head at me and closed her eyes...)
Have you spoken to Johnny at all? Do you even know if he's cleared to go? For that matter, can you handle this if he can't wrestle or just doesn't show up, physically or otherwise?
(I was stunned by her questions. I had to let it soak in. The concerns were legitimate. I hadn't spoken to Johnny nor was I clear on his current condition. For that matter, if I went into that match alone, as much as I was prepared to die on my feet and be carried out on my shield than live on my knees, I had no certainty to victory.)
...I don't know. I haven't spoken to him and the truth is, I really don't know. I probably won't know until the day of the event. I'm prepared to go alone, but I honestly couldn't tell you if I could win that match.
(She nodded slowly at me and grimaced. This was her worry. This was what had her stressed to all hell.)
That's what I'm afraid of. If this were your singles career, I'd have no worries. That's on you and you alone. You can handle yourself. This is a tag career and you need a reliable partner, especially if he's going to drag you into war. And right now, I'm afraid that you're in a war that you can't win on your own. I'm afraid that he's going to leave you high and dry and you're going to have to pick up the pieces that he's left in his wake, and truthfully, you don't deserve that. You deserve better than this and you are capable of better than this.
(I looked down at my feet. My feet had carried me to victory so many times. My legs had delivered me to the promised land on more than one occasion. Sometimes, great people have to carry great burdens to achieve greatness... but was this really all my burden to carry?)
Ander, as your manager, and as someone who legitimately cares about you... if he doesn't show up, promise me you will leave this group. He wants to sink his career, he can do that. Don't let him be the albatross that sinks yours. If he's a good friend to you, he'll be there, but if he isn't... please walk away. Promise me you'll do that.
(I'll never forget what I'm about to do. I'll never forget it for a long time. I lifted my head and I looked her into the eyes...)
Okay...
I promise.
+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+
Alex Jones...
You know, every single time that I have to say your name to myself, I feel this wretched aftertaste just fester inside.
It's almost like someone tried to shove a rotten egg into my mouth, and the only reaction I have is to spit it out before the putrid taste starts manifesting itself.
I have to spit it out, onto the ground, and for good measure, just so I don't have to deal with stench... I have to kick it away. I have to get it as far away from me as I humanly can because the notion of that infuriating stench being anywhere near me drives me into fits of sheer rage.
Congrats, that's exactly how I feel with you.
You see, I've been having trouble deciding which one of you I would rather pin more. Every minute that I think about that match, I seem to go back and forth and whether or not I'd more content to leave you or Angel lying in the middle of that ring while we lift those belts. It's a constant debate that I can't seem to find an end to.
You see with Angel, he's got such a legacy. World champion? Check. Tag champ? Double check. Future hall of famer in this company? Practically guaranteed with his resume. A name that carries a mark of excellence with it and the notion that if you can beat him, hell, if you can even survive him, then you're going to be fine. You're going to last in this company.
And then I look at you.
You have a tag title reign to your name, but I think that has a lot more to do with the company that you're keeping than your own efforts, but still. Former Two Time X-Division champion? Okay, nothing worth bragging about, but it's something. And you won a tournament on your own about two years ago. Not much else that I know about you other than you're pedigree is nowhere near that of your partner and based on that alone, I shouldn't even be wasting my time giving you the time of day because beating you specifically wouldn't do anything for me. You don't deserve my attention. You're nothing.
Except one thing...
You took out my partner.
You, PERSONALLY, threw Johnny off of a balcony and into a dumpster. You left him injured and you left him with the message that we needed to see ourselves out the door before we get thrown out of it in a very vicious fashion.
….Okay, now you have my attention Alex. Now you have me finally paying attention to you. You did something very gutless, very cowardly, and very stupid, and now I'm going to start hunting you down for a change.
By the way, some advice from one guy who likes putting people down the barrel with the cross-hairs aimed, to another who looks like he needs the help.
Number One, I would suggest to start doing some serious research on your targets before you decide to start coming after them, trying to take them out. Our legacies elsewhere notwithstanding, Johnny and I don't quit. We don't get the meaning of the word. Once we get a taste for blood, we ARE the sharks and we become relentless until we get what we came for. With that little attack, all you did was take a swim in the middle of the ocean with a nice gaping wound leading us to the destination. If you think we were hungry before, believe me when I say that we are STARVING now.
And Number Two, if you're going to try and send a message at our expense, you probably should have made sure to take us BOTH out so that we wouldn't be in this position to retaliate. You should have taken us both out, beaten our heads in, executed us in front of everyone for good measure, and made it clear that we wouldn't be coming back...
Instead, all you did was leave one of us for dead on the hopes that he wouldn't be angry, that he would get the message, and that he would leave on his own and take his partner with him, back into retirement or into a place where the competition isn't nearly as much of a threat.
All you did was leave a pair of wounded animals alive with a reminder of who did it to them and the thoughts of how they were going to shred you limb from limb when this was over.
You have backed us into a corner when we have nothing to lose, and suddenly, you've made us that much more dangerous. Better yet...
You've made ME more dangerous.
See, I don't even know if I'm going to have my partner with me. There's a good chance that when that pay-per-view rolls around, I'll be coming out to that ring alone. If I'm fortunate, I'll be marching down that ramp by myself and someone like Roxxxie MIGHT be at my side. I will have to enter that match by myself, without a partner, and I'm going to be fighting the two of you on my own.
And my mouth is practically watering at the thought of that.
Alex, I don't know who quite left you laying, but I'm going to make you wish that they finished the job that you proved inept at doing yourself. If I have to do it all by myself, I'm going to leave you a bloody mess in that ring, right in front of the world at large, and I'll do it while looking your partner in the eyes.
Since Angel has been so instrumental in your success in getting you where you are today, I want to show him personally what happens when he's taken out of the equation. I'm going to kick your skull in, over and over again and there's nothing that he's going to be able to do about it. I want him to know the full extent of my rage and anger. I want YOU to know just how far my fury can go when it's been tapped into. I want you both to know exactly what happens when I'm in a destructive mood like this.
And I want you to know that there's nothing you can do about it.
For your act of cowardice, I'm going to punish you. I'm not going to let you run from us anymore like a pair of scavengers who tried to get a quick snack off of us. Every time that you try to escape my wrath, I'm going to blast your legs out from under you. When soldiers cry and beg for their mothers when they have their legs taken away from an explosion or a gunshot, I want you to be able to sympathize. I want you to understand the full extent of their suffering and misery because while we're in that ring, you're going to understand it first hand. So please Alex, when I've taken your legs from you..
Cry for me. Beg for your family. Scream for your wife and kid.
Better yet, please...
Pray to your Savior.
Beg to Angel, the man who's carried you this entire time to greatness. The man who's allowed you to be a champion thus far. Beg him to come into the ring and stop what I'm going to do to you. In fact, tag him in. I'll even let you crawl your way to the corner just to get him in the ring. Please let him in, I'm begging you.
Let me show you how to make an example of someone.
And let me show you how to finish the job.
+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+
(I walked into the press conference amid camera flashes and a small applause by the people there. I was hardly dressed for the occasion, wearing a t-shirt and hat sent to me by Bad Boy MMA and a pair of cargo shorts. At the least, Ayako was keeping my sponsors happy somehow. I went to the podium and tapped on the mic, getting a small bit of laughter from the people in the room. I was here to give a statement, and if I intended to prove to some people that I might still have a chance, this was going to be it...)
I've been told by my manager that people have questions about the pay-per-view regarding myself, Johnny, and whether or not we stand a chance in hell at beating Blood Ties. I'll go ahead and starting taking those questions if anyone has them.
(Immediately, hands went up. Some young looking guy in a shirt and tie drew my attention first. I pointed to him.)
Yeah, first off, your performance against Andrew Jacobsen definitely looked rough. What exactly happened? Do you have any comments on that?
(I sighed, smiled, and shook my head. I knew that one was coming almost immediately.)
Truthfully, I've had a lot on my mind. With Johnny's injuries, our tag title match, and the feuds with Blood Ties that are said to be linked with nCw, my head just wasn't in the match. The triggers weren't firing, nothing was going right, and I was doomed from the start because of it. That being said, that's no excuse for my performance. I'm a professional and I know what my job dictates and I know what I should have been doing, and I wasn't doing it. The fact is, Andrew Jacobsen beat me straight-up and there's nothing else to it. He was the better man that night. If we have a re-match down the line, things will go differently, but this time around, he did what needed to be done and I didn't. Nothing else I can really say about it.
(Some people in the crowd nodded, almost with a level of approval. It didn't matter. That was the truth. Jacobsen won because he was better than me that night. Whether it was physically or mentally, he was on par where I wasn't and he deserved that win because of it.)
Next question?
(Hands shot up again and this time, a woman in red caught my eye. I pointed to her and awaited her question...)
A lot of people feel that this match is unnecessary as Blood Ties have already dispatched you and Johnny once. Predictions in fact have them as the heavy favorites. How do you feel about all of that?
(I put my tongue into my cheek and looked around for a minute. Again, some truth to that. We had been beaten once and we weren't exactly deserving of a rematch, but we got it. Now, the question is, how do I feel about it?)
With regards to the titles, do we deserve a second crack at them? Probably not. We had our first chance, and while we did much better than anyone could have expected, and probably a lot better than a lot of people had done, we still whiffed. That was on us and we should have had to work our way back to the top contender's spot. Any other time, I would agree with that...
(She nodded and looked around, almost thinking the question was answered. I put my finger up and put a stop to that...)
...But, that being said, the situation is a little different this time. This is not just about titles and respect anymore. They tried to take out my partner and they tried to run us off. When people do that, that's a sign of fear. Whether they want to admit it or not, we brought the fight to their doorstep and we haven't stopped trying to knock the door down and so they tried to do something about it. Well now we're going to get our revenge, and get those belts.
Now as for them being the favorites, yeah, they at least deserve that distinction. They're the champs for a reason. They should always be the favorites. However, that doesn't scare me. I've been the underdog for most of my career and I don't mind walking into that ring with everyone thinking I'm dead to rights. Makes my job a little easier actually. No expectations to live up to. They have to prove that us getting as close as we did was nothing more than an aberration and not a sign that there's some chinks in the armor. All we have to do is win, and to be honest, there's really no pressure there. We have nothing to our names except a loss to the champs, so I'd say that gives us a lot of freedom to do what we have to. Next?
(Hands went up again. A guy in a blue suit looked like he had something he wanted to get out into the open. I'd say let's oblige him, shall we?)
Mr. Carvetti, regarding your partner, do you know if he's fit to compete for the pay-per-view? Have you had a chance to speak to him about this? I can't say I remember him being the silent type, especially in a situation like this.
(The crowd laughed at that one, and I smiled wide. I had to lie. I didn't want to. I'm not a liar. The truth is that I haven't and I really don't know, but I can't present that impression. This is me stepping up and protecting our names.)
I did actually. He said he's feeling better and he plans on showing up unless two sucker-punching little bastards try to put him on the shelf again. He's livid about all of this and he plans on evening the score. We both plan on it actually. We aren't going to settle for taking a pound of flesh off of those two. We're going to skin them alive and show what happens when you do a hit and run on us. That's the plan.
(I heard a woo in the crowd at that one and the crowd also chuckled. I did the same. I wanted to be done with this. I wanted to be on my way so I could prepare for this match. It was time to end this...)
Listen, I'll be honest. I really hate press conferences. I'm going to head out and get prepped. I'll see some of you Saturday and...
Wait a sec, I have a question!
(I looked over and saw a woman shoot out of her seat. She had blonde hair and glasses and was actually very attractive. Not since I met Ayako had someone stuck out quite like that. She looked at me and I was taken off guard by it.)
Alright, shoot. What's up?
There's quite a few people within the company that feel you have the opportunity to be a main event draw in time. They say that you've shown the most potential and could be the best out of the entire Rat Pack. How do you feel about that?
(I looked at her and then I looked around at everyone else. I don't think anyone had really expected a question like that to pop up, and come to think of it, neither had I. Ayako lectured me about being the workhorse of the group, and it seems that she wasn't alone. I looked back at the woman...)
Miss, what's your name?
Alice.
Alice... the truth is I don't know how I feel about that. Am I flattered to know that a company thinks I'm worth keeping around? Sure. Would I say I'm the best out of the Rat Pack? To be honest, I don't know. Johnny when he's on, he's really *** damned on. Roxxxie, with the right influence from us, could prove to be a powerhouse player in the entire women's division. Myself?
(I sighed into the mic, looked around at everyone, and smiled...)
I just do what I need to do, which is win and be the best.
That's really all I can ask of myself.
+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+
Angel...
Let me go ahead and enlighten you on something, because I think you need be made very much aware of how things really are right now.
You talk about US being the ones who made this one personal? We insulted your families, careers, and livelihoods? You mean to tell me that was us? And wait one second. We're also the cowards here? That's us?
Let me make sure we have a clear understanding of each other this time around, because I think you have this one confused Angel. You see, we never insulted your family, or your careers, or your livelihoods.
Remember when that match was booked, Angel? The very first time that Blood Ties and The Rat Pack stepped into the middle of that ring, because I know I do. I remember that match very clearly. I remember all the events leading up to that match. All the words that were exchanged, all the shots traded, all the blood spilled. Trust me, I have a very clear recollection of it.
I recall being told week in and week out by everyone in this company, you included, that we didn't belong here. We weren't welcome. We didn't deserve the opportunity that we were being handed. That we had absolutely no chance of taking down Blood Ties, or for that matter, anyone in this company. We were too fresh. Too green. Didn't have enough exposure here. The only thing we deserved was to be back in our little bingo halls making chump change.
And I remember personally acknowledging that in that match, that it was going to be more than just a fight. It was going to be an all-out war and whoever walked away from that match would have been lucky to escape. We were being sent down the execution line and we were going straight to the chair.
And boy, did we go to the chair alright.
We lost that match, and we lost it clean. There were no excuses for it. Never were any then, never any now. That night, we were defeated by the better team that night and I would have been the first to admit it. Wasn't going to end my pursuit because I'm not afraid of losing, but I would gladly give the devil his due. You got us.
But we came close...
Anyone watching that match knew that they were seeing something more than two guys get lucky. They saw us hold the line against you both. They saw us throw ourselves to the wolves WILLINGLY and give everything that we had that night, just for the chance to take those belts. They saw how great we had claimed to have been and that we were for real...
...And they saw that we could very well beat YOU.
And I find that to be so beautiful because guess what? You both knew it too. You and Alex both knew that you were on borrowed time now and that it would only be a short while before we would take those belts from you. You had met your match, and so you two did the only thing that made sense at that point and that was delay the inevitable.
After you two took the television time to bitch and moan about us getting hired, and us getting attention, and us MORE THAN PROVING OUR WORTH HERE, your partner took it upon himself to throw my partner off a balcony and into a dumpster, injuring him, and making this personal.
Actually, part of that really makes me laugh in retrospect. The fact that you two felt so threatened by us and what we were really capable of, that you both had to get on the air and openly put us down by telling us how easy we were to dispatch and how much we didn't deserve the shot we asked for, and then your boy went and injured Johnny under the guise of “Sending a message to the new guys.” I honestly have to tell you, if it didn't piss me off because that's my friend, I'd almost tell you how much it cracked me up instead.
You know how I would send a statement to the locker room after beating an arrogant team that wanted to step up to the plate and then got beat down by us? You want to know how I would have done it? Just between you and me?
Good match...
...Now who's next?
You had my partner injured so that we couldn't challenge you immediately after, and you want to imply that we're the cowards now? Are you mad that I actually had the gall you call you one? Offended, even?
Good.
I'm calling it like I see it. You have no problem shooting your mouth off Angel, and you have no problem having your partner injure mine, but then as if to prove my point ever so clearly that you really are running for your DAMNED LIFE... we give you the opportunity to actually finish the job.
A busted up Johnny, myself, and Roxxxie all standing there in the ring. All three of us defacing the nCw logo. All three of us quite literally declaring war against the company... and where were you? You had no problem giving a promo earlier in the night about how proud you were of Alex for what he did and that the future had no place here, but our little incident sent you packing?
Let me clarify that for you a little better.
We stood there and pissed on everything you've ever claimed to stand for in this company, especially after how you told the world that the attack on Johnny was a warning shot to everyone in the back, and all you could do was hide. Don't give me some bull**** excuse about being with your family because everyone in the world saw where you were that night. And for that matter, don't feed me any bull**** about this being for the better of nCw, because this isn't about nCw.
This is about Blood Ties and the Rat Pack.
This is about Blood Ties trying to cling to what glory they have left and having to finally man up and face us again in the ring, and having to do it the right way.
Yes, I said it. The right way.
As in not jumping someone from behind and trying to end their careers. I know you'd love to pin Alex's attack on us, but here's a heads up for you, just so you can understand how much I really want to make the fall of Blood Ties that much sweeter for myself and Johnny.
I had nothing to do with it.
As beautifully karmic as that attack was, it wasn't by my hand that your partner got what was coming to him. If it were up to me, it would have been in the ring, in a match, in front of the whole world for all to see. You can win all the battles you want in the back, but I'm only interested in winning the war, and there is no finer battlefield to settle a score like this than in that ring!
Don't believe me? I don't really care. I know where my code of honor lies, and my track record more than speaks for it. Google THAT if you want to. Better yet, may I suggest YouTube so you can see it for yourself? I don't jump people in the back like a thief in the night.
I stand in front of them, let them stare down the barrel, and I pull the *** damned trigger.
That's what I do. I don't run from people and I don't cower out from a fight. You want to talk about Johnny being injured and that it's faked? You go ahead. That's still not going to stop me from showing up to that Pay-Per-View and trying to knock you and Alex on your asses and take those belts. I don't care if I fight that match on my own, arms broken, legs battered, my body bruised, and bleeding out of my damn skull, because I am not afraid of you.
Yeah... I'm a coward, alright. So cowardly that if I don't have a partner, I'll still fight you to get revenge and to get those belts. So deeply afraid of everything you two have done that I really am asking for more.
You hear that, Angel? Despite everything that you've done and everything that Alex has done, and everything that you two jackasses claim to stand for in this company and how much you're willing to put me through just to make a point...
Here I am. I'm still here.
If you really want to make an example out of me in the name of nCw, then you're going to get your chance to kill me off. Savior X, the so-called Messiah of nCw and his little apostle are going to get another chance to bury me, because I apparently rose from the dead for another round. The only difference this time around?
I won't be carrying the cross of defeat.
Angel, I'm going to hurt you, and then I'm really going to let you live your dreams of being the Savior. I'm going to very painfully crucify you in that ring, your own personal Golgotha, and leave you for all of nCw to see. Every verse you've read denouncing us, every sin perpetrated against us, every attack on our existence, rest assured that nCw is going to see the end result of it. I'm going to leave you for dead and the rest of the company can consider you the example of what happens when you declare a holy war against us in the name of your precious company that you've built from the ground up for the past three years...
We make you die for your religion.