Post by Todd Williams on May 12, 2012 20:21:40 GMT -6
Well here I am once again bringing you yet another story. We are on the path to creating something great Ricky, something that you just don’t see around anymore. We are in the creation of NCW’s Lakers and Celtics rivalry that much I told you but in addition I think that if I don’t change anything I might just end up like Rocky Balboa in the first half of Rocky Three. I think you should know the story after all you seem to be the all knowing genius just about everything so I figured that American Cinema would be no different.
I am that Rocky Balboa, movie one was about the dream of reaching the top showing the world that I could indeed go the distance. if you look at the Riot I had to go through just about everything to achieve something that I wanted. I don’t know how I did it being the ring for damn near over an hour but somehow I did it and found my way to facing Xander at Metamorphosis.
The two of us fought, we gave everything we had but it just ended up being a draw. I know in Rocky one, Rocky would lose to Apollo by a split decision whereas Xander and I would be a draw. It wasn’t about who won or lost though. That didn’t matter what did matter is that when push came to shove if Todd was shown the opportunity he would go out there and deliver. I did deliver and I think I personally changed how everyone thought about me.
In a span of two months I think I proved to everyone that I belonged to fight the best of the best. Take it for what you want but I still believe in that philosophy to this day. Then of course we couldn’t leave that dream to be deferred. People wanted to see a rematch and I know I wanted to have another crack at the gold. Here comes the making of my Rocky 2 movie. The time where Todd would be focused for a rematch, with everything that went on I ended up getting just that.
I would be thrown into yet another match with Xander along with the two number one contenders at the time in Jimmy Zane and Lex Sense. I busted my ass off and I did everything I could. Somehow by the skin of my teeth I ended up making the dream of being on top become a reality. I did it Ricky, the dream came true I was on top of the world and everything seemed to be moving in the right direction.
Yet despite winning the belt do you think I would still keep that always bring everything out to the ring attitude? No I didn’t. Instead of being different I am just following the transcript of the Rocky movies and here I am standing in the third movie. Sure I won the championship and I may have a defense under my reign but it’s a defense that I just can’t take serious. How can one not take the seven foot beast in Lex serious? I should be happy right?
Wrong… Brad Kane gift wrapped that title defense for me…. In the same way that Roberto gift wrapped that X Championship to me a year ago.
Beating Lex wouldn’t inspire me but it would just serve to make me lazy. Lazy where I didn’t bring my all to the ring. I was more concerned about the things that came along with being the World Champion than actually remembering what got me to that championship in the first place.
Todd Williams was focused on the image…. Rocking the four hundred dollar suits, the expensive sun glasses, boning the wife. Never was being this fighting champion that people could look up to was on my mind. It never was and I think a testament of that was my performance in the match against Brad Kane. I was just wrestling for the paycheck and nothing else than that.
Meanwhile at the same time there was a Clubber Lang rising up. A man who was hungry to destroy a man inside a ring, a man so desperately have his crack at World Championship gold. A man who not only brought great prestige to the National Championship but he survived a Coliseum to have his chance at this gold.
So I get Ricky, you been preparing for this golden opportunity and now that you have it you plan to seize the moment. Carpe Diem indeed…
No matter how much I try to deny it… no matter how much I rather look past you I just can’t do that because you are what’s currently in front of me.
So that’s it isn’t it…. Clubber Lang will take the title from this Rocky Balboa because this man wasn’t ready for it. You didn’t even have to stir me up by saying about my wife. I knew how this was shaping to play out. I can’t afford to go down that road because I just wasn’t ready for it Ricky. So that’s why I plan to go back to the basics. I plan to regain that lost drive.
It may too little too late but at this stage I don’t even care. I have to come out giving you my best because you have given me nothing less than that. There’s no need to cue up Eye of the Tiger because I never lost it. I refuse to lose this World Championship.
I will prove to be a great champion…. And you will see that for yourself. In this third installment in the movie that is Todd Williams. I don’t need to go through a life changing moment to find my way again because in this movie. Todd never reaches a low point. I just need to focus, and remember on what got me here in the first place….
Are you ready to see that Todd Williams on Sunday? Because I know I am Ricky. It’s been far too long since he’s been here but I think it’s about time he returned… because if he doesn’t that title is as good as yours…
Our scene comes into focus and this time we find ourselves in the Todd Williams dojo. It is there where we can find Todd on a treadmill, and he seems to be jogging his life away. The sweat begins to drip down off of Todd’s body and we seem to be in somewhat darkness as there is little light coming in from the windows. Either we are in the wee hours of the night or we are in the early hours of the morning. You can take your pick. Todd doesn’t let up. And we are able to zoom in on the treadmill that shows he has been jogging for a good five miles without any sign of stopping.
Todd: Got to keep pushing… Got to keep going…. Every moment that I waste contemplating about wanting to throw the towel in is another moment that Ricky is getting stronger and faster. I must not give up, I have too many people that believe in me to fail them now…. Must persevere… must push on….
Todd presses a few buttons on the treadmill forcing the incline to go upwards, and as it does he begins to run harder than before. As he does so another figure begins to walk into the gym. That individual is none other than his protégé Jasmine Barrera. Jasmine has a look of concern on her face as she walks over to where Todd is running. She raises her eyebrows as she glances over at him.
Jasmine: Whoa let me get this straight…. Todd Williams is actually training for a match? He is actually doing something that doesn’t involve screaming his name or wearing a four hundred suit…. Who would have ever thought it?
Todd doesn’t say anything back as he is focused on one thing and one thing only, and that’s continuing to push onward. Jazz however finally takes a look at the treadmill and realizes how much Todd has been running. She sighs as she speaks out loud to herself.
Jasmine: OH DIOS MIO!!!!
She says before she jumps up and stops the treadmill. Todd doesn’t stop though he runs it out, as he continues to push onward. Despite the sweat rolling down his cheek, he continues to go on until the machine comes to a complete stop. It finally does so and Todd breathes heavily as he tries his best to regain his composure. Jasmine however keeps her eyes locked on Todd as she replies back to him.
Jasmine: Are you trying to kill yourself before your big match? Don’t be stupid Todd…Go get some water. Rest up… just don’t over do it…
Todd looks at his student and he grins.
Todd: You know… a few months ago I remember a certain student of mine asking me the question what would happen when it came time for her to face my wife. My wife is no slouch she is perhaps one of the best in the company but what do you do? You go out there to that ring and you bring it. You did that last week you defeated Crystal, and now I am in the same situation. I have to go into the ring with a very close friend of mine. One who happens to want what I have. What do I do? Do I back down… Do I give up… Do I crumble under the pressure?
Todd quickly shakes his head no as he continues to speak.
Todd: No… I go to that ring and I get prepared… I been neglecting this part about the business for so long it’s only fitting that I play catch up. So let me do what I got to do alright… I need this more than you ever know…
Jasmine looks back at Todd smirking at him.
Jasmine: Alright just be careful alright…
Todd: Don’t worry you know I am going to do me…
Jasmine: Yeah… That’s what I am afraid of…
Todd chuckles as he cracks open a bottle of water before standing on the treadmill again.
Todd: Oh it’s like that?! You know what hit play on the I-Pod on the docking station I think I need to hear some hype music…
Jasmine just nods her head as she walks over to a different part of the room. She walks over to the docking station and presses play, and as she does loud music begins to play across the room. Jasmine rolls her eyes as she glances back at Todd who just grins.
Todd: Oh **** that’s my jam… That’s what I am talking about…
Jasmine: What is this?
Todd: It’s the Guile theme… It goes with everything… Now if you would excuse me… I have some training to do….
Jasmine just rolls her eyes as Todd continues to pick up on his jog again, and it is on this image that we fade out on.
Ricky A Night To Remember. It’s you and I man, and to be honest it just doesn’t get any better than this does it?
I know A Night To Remember means a lot of different things to a lot to everyone but for me it’s all about the Dreams. It’s all about having a dream and doing everything you possibly can to make that dream come to pass. For me that dream has always been simple. Become a successful man, be an honorable husband, and be a wonderful father. That has always been the dream of mostly every man is it not?
Well that part I have achieved but in the wrestling world the dream seems to be a bit different, because every wrestlers dream should be one day reaching the top and trying everything in their power to stay there. Whether you want to believe it or not you have to at least accept that fact. I can honestly tell you that I made that dream indeed a reality. I reached the top of the mountain and now I am just living the life trying everything in my power to stay in that position.
For a man like you, this one night, this one match means everything because you would finally be able to capture that one title that eluded you for so long. With a win over me you could put everything to rest about whether or not people think you are NCW’s choke artist because you will have gotten the job done. All it takes is one simple thing Ricky…
One simple thing and that’s a win…
A win would push you in the right direction and it would be something that’s huge. However do you think that I am just going to roll over and let you win this match?
Hell No!!!
Just like you I want this win more than ever…
Besides you may be NCW’s gladiator but that doesn’t even mean a damn thing and let’s just take a stroll down memory lane and have a look at some of the history of the NCW Gladiators…
You have the first ever Gladiator in Dave Holland. He walked into a Night to Remember and tried his damn best to beat Lance Ryan but at the end he came short.
There was Will Washington who was NCW’s Gladiator and yet he fell up short and didn’t accomplish his goal of winning the strap.
Last year the 2011 Wrestler of the Year. My best friend Xander Famularo walked into a Night to Remember and tried to win the championship but it just didn’t happen.
There has only been one time in the course of this company’s history where the Gladiator actually went out and did something and that was when Adam Knite defeated The Ace to capture the World Championship.
Out of everyone it took the man who is basically the corner stone of this company to achieve legendary greatness at the biggest stage of them all.
So what does that say about you Ricky? What makes you think you can go out and do something that only one man has done?
If Xander Famularo… the man who is perhaps the best wrestler to have ever stepped foot inside a NCW ring in a very long time couldn’t get the job done what makes you think you can?
I get it Ricky this is your third chance, and you are hoping that the third time can be the charm. Not only that but it seems like the perfect story book ending for you. Hard working wrestler, with pregnant wife finally accomplishes the dream.
Normally I would agree but that **** won’t work because you are going up against NCW’s biggest dreamer. No one knows about making dreams come true like I do Ricky. I will admit my reign has been a rocky road. With Todd Williams you always get the unpredictable. Sometimes Todd will be ice cold and sometimes he will be on fire. I just happen to be NCW’s streaky superstar so it comes down to on what Todd will be showing up. If I said it once I will say it again I am indeed NCW’s Eli Manning…
Who knows what you will get…
Some believe that I shouldn’t be here. My season wasn’t really the greatest had the Cowboys taken care of business I wouldn’t even be here, but even if it was by the skin of my teeth I am in the post season.
In the post season it’s time to tap into that inner Todd and show them a Todd that they won’t ever forget and boom here I am in NCW’s super bowl… A NIGHT TO REMEMBER…
IF YOU THINK FOR ONE SECOND…
IF YOU THINK FOR ONE MINUTE…
IF YOU THINK FOR ONE HOUR…
IF YOU THINK FOR ONE DAY…
THAT IF I FOUND MYSELF IN THIS POSITION THAT I WOULD DROP THE BALL YOU GOT ANOTHER THING COMING….
You may be the big bad Ricky Johnson or should I say the New England Patriots. You may be that thing that seems unbeatable and I am the guy people have their doubts about. Hell even I have doubts about myself. However it’s game time and the ball is in my hand. I don’t know if I have it in me to win but that’s when I clinch onto the ball tightly, and I find a target down the field…
I close my eyes and I take a step forward throwing the ball at that target.
My eyes may seem like they are closed because I don’t want to see how things will play out, but to be honest they are closed because I am holding onto the thought of the dream coming to life.
The loud cheering of the crowd is enough to make me realize that the unthinkable did happen…
Dreams do come true Ricky, well mine does at least… It’s ok Ricky there’s always next time right?
I won’t let anything come in the way of this moment. I need to show everyone that dreams still do come true…
Even if I have my eyes closed while believing in them…
We find ourselves in Manhattan and to be more precise we find ourselves in some restaurant. It is there where we are able to see the two best friends Xander Famularo and Todd Williams sitting down at some BBQ joint eating some ribs. Neither man seem to be eating much. Xander just sighs and Todd glances at him as he begins to speak.
Todd: Yo what’s going on man? You know something is wrong when a guy like you won’t even touch his barbeque. What’s up?
Xander lets out a sigh as he looks back at Todd. He moves his plate away as he glances back at him.
Xander: It’s Jenny man… I proposed to her and…
Todd looks on passionately offering a grin as he replies back.
Todd: She said no? Because if she did say no I think even I would be surprised… That girl has put so much into loving you, and I know that you really love her. After all it took me a while to accept you as her boyfriend. Regardless of what she said, let me just tell you straight up that you are the perfect one. So don’t get your head down man…
Xander just shakes his head as he glances back at Todd.
Xander: It isn’t that… She didn’t say anything… She never got the chance to. Just when I was about to hear her answer my daddy kind of intervene… something about being on a terrorist watch…
Todd: Right….. Um did she give you back the ring?
Xander: No that’s the thing she kind of kept it…
Todd smirks as he glances back at Xander.
Xander: What’s so funny?
Todd: You got nothing to worry about… My sister loves you I am pretty sure her answer is yes, but she is going to make you propose to her again in a way she likes…
Xander: Oh anything bad…
Todd: Nah I wouldn’t worry about it… what I would worry about though is you beating Roberto and me beating Ricky…. We need to have a Todd and Xander 2…. We didn’t have a clear cut winner before…
Xander: Agreed… Let’s do what we do… So I can kick your ass next month…
Todd: Yeah… you wish….
The two men grin at one another as they give one another a fist bump. They begin to rip into their ribs and it is on this image that we fade out on…
Ricky make no mistake I don’t only see you as a Clubber Lang but you are also my Apollo Creed. You have been cheering me on showing me so much respect and in return I can’t help but respect the man that you are. Whether it’s as bitter rivals, close friends, this is how A Night To Remember should be. If for some reason you end up beating me it’s not really a big deal.
I will proudly stand up on my own two feet, I will extend my hand out to you and congratulate you on a hard fought match. I will leave that arena and go home to my wife and daughter, and embrace them into a huge hug.
If for some reason I do lose… I think I will take some time off to be a better father and a better husband. For all of those years of neglecting my family and not being there it’s the only thing I really can do to repay them for putting so much into me. They deserve that much.
That’s why this match to me is a win, win situation. There really is no bad outcome for this match at least for me. My only question is what will you do if things don’t go your way.
What if? You come up a bit short and don’t win this match when the spotlight is on you?
What if? The tale of Ricky Johnson finally achieving the big one comes to an end as you are denied of that yet again…
You do realize that we will be fighting our war in Las Vegas, Sin City itself… a city where dreams are in Vegas and they stay in Vegas. I think your dreams will come to Vegas and they will stay there. When push comes to shove I will be damned if I let you walk out with the one thing that I busted so hard to get. For me the dream will live on but for you it will be a dream that will be deferred, and just like Langston Hughes stated it will dry up like a raisin in the sun.
What do you when the dream doesn’t come true Ricky, and you find yourself at the bottom trying to climb back up. Will you have it in you to push again or will you finally call it quits. Leave the business and go home to be with your wife? This is a chapter that you really need to think about but I don’t need too, because no matter what my book is unfinished. There’s so much that needs to be published and I will tyr whatever to add more to that book.
Ricky whatever happens may the best man win. You are one of my best friends in the business. Despite what I said about you or your beautiful wife I truly wish you the best of luck. May the best man win…
See you Sunday Ricky…
I am that Rocky Balboa, movie one was about the dream of reaching the top showing the world that I could indeed go the distance. if you look at the Riot I had to go through just about everything to achieve something that I wanted. I don’t know how I did it being the ring for damn near over an hour but somehow I did it and found my way to facing Xander at Metamorphosis.
The two of us fought, we gave everything we had but it just ended up being a draw. I know in Rocky one, Rocky would lose to Apollo by a split decision whereas Xander and I would be a draw. It wasn’t about who won or lost though. That didn’t matter what did matter is that when push came to shove if Todd was shown the opportunity he would go out there and deliver. I did deliver and I think I personally changed how everyone thought about me.
In a span of two months I think I proved to everyone that I belonged to fight the best of the best. Take it for what you want but I still believe in that philosophy to this day. Then of course we couldn’t leave that dream to be deferred. People wanted to see a rematch and I know I wanted to have another crack at the gold. Here comes the making of my Rocky 2 movie. The time where Todd would be focused for a rematch, with everything that went on I ended up getting just that.
I would be thrown into yet another match with Xander along with the two number one contenders at the time in Jimmy Zane and Lex Sense. I busted my ass off and I did everything I could. Somehow by the skin of my teeth I ended up making the dream of being on top become a reality. I did it Ricky, the dream came true I was on top of the world and everything seemed to be moving in the right direction.
Yet despite winning the belt do you think I would still keep that always bring everything out to the ring attitude? No I didn’t. Instead of being different I am just following the transcript of the Rocky movies and here I am standing in the third movie. Sure I won the championship and I may have a defense under my reign but it’s a defense that I just can’t take serious. How can one not take the seven foot beast in Lex serious? I should be happy right?
Wrong… Brad Kane gift wrapped that title defense for me…. In the same way that Roberto gift wrapped that X Championship to me a year ago.
Beating Lex wouldn’t inspire me but it would just serve to make me lazy. Lazy where I didn’t bring my all to the ring. I was more concerned about the things that came along with being the World Champion than actually remembering what got me to that championship in the first place.
Todd Williams was focused on the image…. Rocking the four hundred dollar suits, the expensive sun glasses, boning the wife. Never was being this fighting champion that people could look up to was on my mind. It never was and I think a testament of that was my performance in the match against Brad Kane. I was just wrestling for the paycheck and nothing else than that.
Meanwhile at the same time there was a Clubber Lang rising up. A man who was hungry to destroy a man inside a ring, a man so desperately have his crack at World Championship gold. A man who not only brought great prestige to the National Championship but he survived a Coliseum to have his chance at this gold.
So I get Ricky, you been preparing for this golden opportunity and now that you have it you plan to seize the moment. Carpe Diem indeed…
No matter how much I try to deny it… no matter how much I rather look past you I just can’t do that because you are what’s currently in front of me.
So that’s it isn’t it…. Clubber Lang will take the title from this Rocky Balboa because this man wasn’t ready for it. You didn’t even have to stir me up by saying about my wife. I knew how this was shaping to play out. I can’t afford to go down that road because I just wasn’t ready for it Ricky. So that’s why I plan to go back to the basics. I plan to regain that lost drive.
It may too little too late but at this stage I don’t even care. I have to come out giving you my best because you have given me nothing less than that. There’s no need to cue up Eye of the Tiger because I never lost it. I refuse to lose this World Championship.
I will prove to be a great champion…. And you will see that for yourself. In this third installment in the movie that is Todd Williams. I don’t need to go through a life changing moment to find my way again because in this movie. Todd never reaches a low point. I just need to focus, and remember on what got me here in the first place….
Are you ready to see that Todd Williams on Sunday? Because I know I am Ricky. It’s been far too long since he’s been here but I think it’s about time he returned… because if he doesn’t that title is as good as yours…
Our scene comes into focus and this time we find ourselves in the Todd Williams dojo. It is there where we can find Todd on a treadmill, and he seems to be jogging his life away. The sweat begins to drip down off of Todd’s body and we seem to be in somewhat darkness as there is little light coming in from the windows. Either we are in the wee hours of the night or we are in the early hours of the morning. You can take your pick. Todd doesn’t let up. And we are able to zoom in on the treadmill that shows he has been jogging for a good five miles without any sign of stopping.
Todd: Got to keep pushing… Got to keep going…. Every moment that I waste contemplating about wanting to throw the towel in is another moment that Ricky is getting stronger and faster. I must not give up, I have too many people that believe in me to fail them now…. Must persevere… must push on….
Todd presses a few buttons on the treadmill forcing the incline to go upwards, and as it does he begins to run harder than before. As he does so another figure begins to walk into the gym. That individual is none other than his protégé Jasmine Barrera. Jasmine has a look of concern on her face as she walks over to where Todd is running. She raises her eyebrows as she glances over at him.
Jasmine: Whoa let me get this straight…. Todd Williams is actually training for a match? He is actually doing something that doesn’t involve screaming his name or wearing a four hundred suit…. Who would have ever thought it?
Todd doesn’t say anything back as he is focused on one thing and one thing only, and that’s continuing to push onward. Jazz however finally takes a look at the treadmill and realizes how much Todd has been running. She sighs as she speaks out loud to herself.
Jasmine: OH DIOS MIO!!!!
She says before she jumps up and stops the treadmill. Todd doesn’t stop though he runs it out, as he continues to push onward. Despite the sweat rolling down his cheek, he continues to go on until the machine comes to a complete stop. It finally does so and Todd breathes heavily as he tries his best to regain his composure. Jasmine however keeps her eyes locked on Todd as she replies back to him.
Jasmine: Are you trying to kill yourself before your big match? Don’t be stupid Todd…Go get some water. Rest up… just don’t over do it…
Todd looks at his student and he grins.
Todd: You know… a few months ago I remember a certain student of mine asking me the question what would happen when it came time for her to face my wife. My wife is no slouch she is perhaps one of the best in the company but what do you do? You go out there to that ring and you bring it. You did that last week you defeated Crystal, and now I am in the same situation. I have to go into the ring with a very close friend of mine. One who happens to want what I have. What do I do? Do I back down… Do I give up… Do I crumble under the pressure?
Todd quickly shakes his head no as he continues to speak.
Todd: No… I go to that ring and I get prepared… I been neglecting this part about the business for so long it’s only fitting that I play catch up. So let me do what I got to do alright… I need this more than you ever know…
Jasmine looks back at Todd smirking at him.
Jasmine: Alright just be careful alright…
Todd: Don’t worry you know I am going to do me…
Jasmine: Yeah… That’s what I am afraid of…
Todd chuckles as he cracks open a bottle of water before standing on the treadmill again.
Todd: Oh it’s like that?! You know what hit play on the I-Pod on the docking station I think I need to hear some hype music…
Jasmine just nods her head as she walks over to a different part of the room. She walks over to the docking station and presses play, and as she does loud music begins to play across the room. Jasmine rolls her eyes as she glances back at Todd who just grins.
Todd: Oh **** that’s my jam… That’s what I am talking about…
Jasmine: What is this?
Todd: It’s the Guile theme… It goes with everything… Now if you would excuse me… I have some training to do….
Jasmine just rolls her eyes as Todd continues to pick up on his jog again, and it is on this image that we fade out on.
Ricky A Night To Remember. It’s you and I man, and to be honest it just doesn’t get any better than this does it?
I know A Night To Remember means a lot of different things to a lot to everyone but for me it’s all about the Dreams. It’s all about having a dream and doing everything you possibly can to make that dream come to pass. For me that dream has always been simple. Become a successful man, be an honorable husband, and be a wonderful father. That has always been the dream of mostly every man is it not?
Well that part I have achieved but in the wrestling world the dream seems to be a bit different, because every wrestlers dream should be one day reaching the top and trying everything in their power to stay there. Whether you want to believe it or not you have to at least accept that fact. I can honestly tell you that I made that dream indeed a reality. I reached the top of the mountain and now I am just living the life trying everything in my power to stay in that position.
For a man like you, this one night, this one match means everything because you would finally be able to capture that one title that eluded you for so long. With a win over me you could put everything to rest about whether or not people think you are NCW’s choke artist because you will have gotten the job done. All it takes is one simple thing Ricky…
One simple thing and that’s a win…
A win would push you in the right direction and it would be something that’s huge. However do you think that I am just going to roll over and let you win this match?
Hell No!!!
Just like you I want this win more than ever…
Besides you may be NCW’s gladiator but that doesn’t even mean a damn thing and let’s just take a stroll down memory lane and have a look at some of the history of the NCW Gladiators…
You have the first ever Gladiator in Dave Holland. He walked into a Night to Remember and tried his damn best to beat Lance Ryan but at the end he came short.
There was Will Washington who was NCW’s Gladiator and yet he fell up short and didn’t accomplish his goal of winning the strap.
Last year the 2011 Wrestler of the Year. My best friend Xander Famularo walked into a Night to Remember and tried to win the championship but it just didn’t happen.
There has only been one time in the course of this company’s history where the Gladiator actually went out and did something and that was when Adam Knite defeated The Ace to capture the World Championship.
Out of everyone it took the man who is basically the corner stone of this company to achieve legendary greatness at the biggest stage of them all.
So what does that say about you Ricky? What makes you think you can go out and do something that only one man has done?
If Xander Famularo… the man who is perhaps the best wrestler to have ever stepped foot inside a NCW ring in a very long time couldn’t get the job done what makes you think you can?
I get it Ricky this is your third chance, and you are hoping that the third time can be the charm. Not only that but it seems like the perfect story book ending for you. Hard working wrestler, with pregnant wife finally accomplishes the dream.
Normally I would agree but that **** won’t work because you are going up against NCW’s biggest dreamer. No one knows about making dreams come true like I do Ricky. I will admit my reign has been a rocky road. With Todd Williams you always get the unpredictable. Sometimes Todd will be ice cold and sometimes he will be on fire. I just happen to be NCW’s streaky superstar so it comes down to on what Todd will be showing up. If I said it once I will say it again I am indeed NCW’s Eli Manning…
Who knows what you will get…
Some believe that I shouldn’t be here. My season wasn’t really the greatest had the Cowboys taken care of business I wouldn’t even be here, but even if it was by the skin of my teeth I am in the post season.
In the post season it’s time to tap into that inner Todd and show them a Todd that they won’t ever forget and boom here I am in NCW’s super bowl… A NIGHT TO REMEMBER…
IF YOU THINK FOR ONE SECOND…
IF YOU THINK FOR ONE MINUTE…
IF YOU THINK FOR ONE HOUR…
IF YOU THINK FOR ONE DAY…
THAT IF I FOUND MYSELF IN THIS POSITION THAT I WOULD DROP THE BALL YOU GOT ANOTHER THING COMING….
You may be the big bad Ricky Johnson or should I say the New England Patriots. You may be that thing that seems unbeatable and I am the guy people have their doubts about. Hell even I have doubts about myself. However it’s game time and the ball is in my hand. I don’t know if I have it in me to win but that’s when I clinch onto the ball tightly, and I find a target down the field…
I close my eyes and I take a step forward throwing the ball at that target.
My eyes may seem like they are closed because I don’t want to see how things will play out, but to be honest they are closed because I am holding onto the thought of the dream coming to life.
The loud cheering of the crowd is enough to make me realize that the unthinkable did happen…
Dreams do come true Ricky, well mine does at least… It’s ok Ricky there’s always next time right?
I won’t let anything come in the way of this moment. I need to show everyone that dreams still do come true…
Even if I have my eyes closed while believing in them…
We find ourselves in Manhattan and to be more precise we find ourselves in some restaurant. It is there where we are able to see the two best friends Xander Famularo and Todd Williams sitting down at some BBQ joint eating some ribs. Neither man seem to be eating much. Xander just sighs and Todd glances at him as he begins to speak.
Todd: Yo what’s going on man? You know something is wrong when a guy like you won’t even touch his barbeque. What’s up?
Xander lets out a sigh as he looks back at Todd. He moves his plate away as he glances back at him.
Xander: It’s Jenny man… I proposed to her and…
Todd looks on passionately offering a grin as he replies back.
Todd: She said no? Because if she did say no I think even I would be surprised… That girl has put so much into loving you, and I know that you really love her. After all it took me a while to accept you as her boyfriend. Regardless of what she said, let me just tell you straight up that you are the perfect one. So don’t get your head down man…
Xander just shakes his head as he glances back at Todd.
Xander: It isn’t that… She didn’t say anything… She never got the chance to. Just when I was about to hear her answer my daddy kind of intervene… something about being on a terrorist watch…
Todd: Right….. Um did she give you back the ring?
Xander: No that’s the thing she kind of kept it…
Todd smirks as he glances back at Xander.
Xander: What’s so funny?
Todd: You got nothing to worry about… My sister loves you I am pretty sure her answer is yes, but she is going to make you propose to her again in a way she likes…
Xander: Oh anything bad…
Todd: Nah I wouldn’t worry about it… what I would worry about though is you beating Roberto and me beating Ricky…. We need to have a Todd and Xander 2…. We didn’t have a clear cut winner before…
Xander: Agreed… Let’s do what we do… So I can kick your ass next month…
Todd: Yeah… you wish….
The two men grin at one another as they give one another a fist bump. They begin to rip into their ribs and it is on this image that we fade out on…
Ricky make no mistake I don’t only see you as a Clubber Lang but you are also my Apollo Creed. You have been cheering me on showing me so much respect and in return I can’t help but respect the man that you are. Whether it’s as bitter rivals, close friends, this is how A Night To Remember should be. If for some reason you end up beating me it’s not really a big deal.
I will proudly stand up on my own two feet, I will extend my hand out to you and congratulate you on a hard fought match. I will leave that arena and go home to my wife and daughter, and embrace them into a huge hug.
If for some reason I do lose… I think I will take some time off to be a better father and a better husband. For all of those years of neglecting my family and not being there it’s the only thing I really can do to repay them for putting so much into me. They deserve that much.
That’s why this match to me is a win, win situation. There really is no bad outcome for this match at least for me. My only question is what will you do if things don’t go your way.
What if? You come up a bit short and don’t win this match when the spotlight is on you?
What if? The tale of Ricky Johnson finally achieving the big one comes to an end as you are denied of that yet again…
You do realize that we will be fighting our war in Las Vegas, Sin City itself… a city where dreams are in Vegas and they stay in Vegas. I think your dreams will come to Vegas and they will stay there. When push comes to shove I will be damned if I let you walk out with the one thing that I busted so hard to get. For me the dream will live on but for you it will be a dream that will be deferred, and just like Langston Hughes stated it will dry up like a raisin in the sun.
What do you when the dream doesn’t come true Ricky, and you find yourself at the bottom trying to climb back up. Will you have it in you to push again or will you finally call it quits. Leave the business and go home to be with your wife? This is a chapter that you really need to think about but I don’t need too, because no matter what my book is unfinished. There’s so much that needs to be published and I will tyr whatever to add more to that book.
Ricky whatever happens may the best man win. You are one of my best friends in the business. Despite what I said about you or your beautiful wife I truly wish you the best of luck. May the best man win…
See you Sunday Ricky…
