The Day That Never Comes

[Ricky Johnson]

People think it's an obsession. A compulsion. As if there were an irresistible impulse to act. It's never been like that. I chose this life. I know what I'm doing. And on any given day, I could stop doing it. Today, however, isn't that day. And tomorrow won't be either.
- Batman (Identity Crisis)

---

First, I would like to say something.

Trent, I enjoyed our match, but of course, someone had the taint the ending. Charlie, consider yourself fortunate that I am retiring. That is all.

Now, onto the main course.

Well, here you are Roberto.

No doubt, you are pumped, primed and ready for June 17th. When you and I will square off for the World title.

I am looking forward to it. I look forward to facing a man of your talents in my final NCW match. And yes, I am retiring. There is no great swerve heading your way. I'm going home, and I'm going to eat 3 buckets of Ice cream, when it's all over. But that's another story. Now, it's come down to this one final match.

I know Roberto, you expect my best, and I expect yours. You're not thinking I'm going to lay down for you. Because you're gone around christening yourself as some kind of working man. Nothing's ever been easy for you.

But is that the truth Roberto? Is it? Really?

What am I talking about you ask? Let me break it down for you. You were in contention for the world title back in March. Then, at Crossroads You were defeated by Adam Knite. This, in reality, should have seriously damaged your title contention status. But, for some reason, it did not. Then, at Sovereign, you fought to a draw with Xander Famularo. That, while impressive, isn't a win. It should not have moved you back into title contention, but, I guess it did.

Then, A Night to Remember. A number one contender's match against Xander again. And once again, you came up short. Regardless of the circumstances Roberto, you didn't win. Had you, won, I wouldn't need to bring this up. But you, champion of the people, or so you claim, ending out striking out against the Hierarchy.

Trust me, I know the feeling of getting screwed out of a world title, so yeah, I felt for you.

Obviously not as much as Kelly Knite though.

She saw fit to give you one more chance, despite your failures. And you sensed the desperation and you beat Xander, ending his year long singles match win streak. Impressive again, but once again tainted.

So, to recap, You were a whopping 1/4 against the Hierarchy, and guess what, they're still around, still making things happen. And yet, you're going to be satisfied with that, so long as you get this title. So long as YOU end up world champion, it's okay right? What then Roberto? They come after you, and, given your track record, they take the title off of you. And then you get right back on that hamster wheel. You start this whole vicious cycle all over again.

You know it's coming. You knew that the moment you took up arms against them.

But I get it, this is your big opportunity. This is the first time you get a chance at the world title, and you don't want to blow it. I stand in your way of proving the doubters wrong, right? I am keeping you from destiny.

I find it funny, simply because I freed you to do this back in November. I opened the door for you, took the National title from you, so that you would have no excuses to why you're not number one contender. No reason to stop yourself. No reason to hold back.

And yet, you stumbled over the door jamb. You had many chances, and you're just now getting to the finish line.

I took the National title from you, broke the record for longest reign, won the coliseum, and then won the world title. How did the tortoise beat the hare Roberto? How was I able to accomplish this while you were not? I know, you were "preoccupied" with the Hierarchy, right? Well, I think we went over that already, and it didn't come out in your favor.

I stumbled for a long time Roberto. I was always the bridesmaid, never the bride. Never could grab the brass ring. For 5 long years, I was "preoccupied". Then, I got it together, realized there were more important things than petty squabbles, and took what I earned.

You see, I lost to Steve Awesome. Twice. I had two chances in succession to become champion, and I failed. But unlike you, I wasn't just ...given...another chance. I had to earn it. I had to start at the bottom and work my way back. And I did, and I earned this championship.

And then, I did you, and Xander a favor.

---

Roxi - What are you thinking about?

Ricky - How weird this is going to be.

Roxi - What's weird?

Ricky - You know, I always figured that you would be with me for my last match. That you and I would go out together.

Roxi - You know I would be if I could.

Ricky - I know. I still feel bad about leaving you in the hospital for the next few days.

Roxi - Well, we're over 9 months now.

Ricky - Yeah, You'd think this day would have come by now.

Roxi - I hope theirs nothing wrong.

Ricky - Don't talk like that. Everything will be okay.

Roxi - I don't know Ricky, It's a little scary.

Ricky - You're a few days past your due date. I think it happens a lot.

Roxi - You think so? What it something happened?

Ricky - Well, that's why we're going to the hospital to find out.

Roxi - It's making me nervous.

Ricky - Stop. You're going to make yourself sick doing that.

Roxi - I can't help it. You know my emotions are out of whack right now.

Ricky - Listen. You're going to stay in the hospital, so you'll be right where you need to be when the day comes.

Roxi - What if it never comes?

Ricky - They will come, when they're ready.

Roxi - You...you think so?

Ricky - Yes, now come on. Let's get you settled in.

---

I had an opportunity Roberto. It would have been very easy for me to go through with and screw you, or Xander. How easy it could have been for me to simply win the world title, and then take the house microphone and announce my retirement right then and there? I could have done that, and then Roberto, where would you be? A contender to a title with no champion. A fighter with no big fight.

I did you a favor. I chose to stay. I chose to defend this title against you, because it was the right thing to do. I helped you out. Had I not, you would be back at square one, and I'm sure Kelly would have organized some type or tournament or battle royal or something to get a new champion.

Or, what's to say that Adam Knite, or Xander Famularo, or Falcon or Spike Kane don't have "their night" once again, and you are left out in the cold?

Which, could very likely happen anyway, should you fail at Reborn.

I know Roberto, you're supremely confident in your ability to win this title. After all, all the pressure is on you.

YOU have to prove naysayers wrong. YOU have to win to justify everything you've done. YOU have to act like your career depends on this match.

And if you don't...Roberto Verona is a flash in the pan. A big, fat failure. Another guy who just couldn't get it done when the lights were on bright.

I feel for you in that regard Roberto. So much riding on a match, where there is no real way for you to come out a winner.

You beat me, everyone will simply think that you beat a guy who was walking away from wrestling. How can you be proud of that? You have your moment, and it's just...taken from you.

Former World Heavyweight Boxing champion Larry Holmes had that same thing happen to him in 1980. He faced, and defeated over-the-hill, well past his prime Muhammad Ali. Ali was 38, slower, and rapidly falling apart, mentally and physically. Holmes stopped Ali in 11 rounds.

And Holmes is still feeling the vitriol from people to this day.


But if I beat you, what becomes of Roberto Verona then? What does he do? News flash Roberto: Losing this match will not end your career. You are talented and skilled enough to get right back into the very spot you find yourself in right now. It's just going to take a while because Kelly Knite can only give you so many chances before it just becomes pointless.

That's what you could be facing Roberto. Maybe not. Maybe people are looking at me as the bad guy, like you want them too. I know to you, I'm the guy walking away after winning the title because in your words I "got what I wanted." Am I am a selfish guy for walking away now? You make it sound as if I'm leaving because I don't want to be here anymore. Like I am afraid of someone like you, beating me.

I fear no man, Roberto. I have never backed down from a fight, and this fight will be no different. You've beaten me before Roberto, in a forgettable throw-away match on Collision. I respect your talents in the ring, and out of them. You have shown yourself to be both honorable, and honest. And I have beaten you, but I still see that vibe of pretentiousness that you exude. Like you don't respect me. And to that, I say this...

Bring. It. On.

I've lost a ton of matches Roberto. I'm not afraid to lose again. Which is why you're obsession with "spoiling my retirement" is puzzling. Because in reality, you can't.

Win or lose, I'm walking away Roberto. So, you can't really spoil or ruin or "crash" anything. My career isn't going to be defined by one loss or one win. Even if it is my final match. My entire body of work speaks for itself. I'm happy either way. I've accomplished everything I need to, and I have nothing left to prove to anyone. If I did, I wouldn't have announced retirement. So, I walk away with my head held high either way. If you beat me Roberto, I walk away. If I win, I walk away. I get my happy ending regardless.

Mainly, because my happy ending has nothing to do with wrestling.

---

Doctor DeLeon - Mr. Johnson?

Ricky - Hey Doc. How is she?

Doctor DeLeon - Roxi is fine, there's nothing to worry about.

Ricky - I just don't want her to worry.

Doctor DeLeon - It's natural when women miss their due date. But, she'll be just fine.

Ricky - And the kids?

Doctor DeLeon - Look like, Natural, healthy babies.

Ricky - Good. Very good.

Doctor DeLeon - She has her nurse, and she's set up. Hopefully she's a little calmer now.

Ricky - Can I see her?

Doctor DeLeon - Sure, come right this way.

Ricky - Thanks Doc.

Doctor DeLeon - Oh, you're welcome.

Ricky - No, I mean, for everything.

Roxi - Hey.

Ricky - How ya feeling?

Roxi - Better now.

Ricky - That's good.

Roxi - They said it was okay.

Ricky - See? I told you.

Roxi - I guess you did.

Ricky - When they're ready...

Roxi - They'll come.

Ricky - Okay, I'm going home to pack. If anything happens let me know.

Doctor DeLeon - We will.

Roxi - You're coming back tomorrow right?

Ricky - Yes. I will. Before I leave.

Roxi - Okay.

Ricky - I'll be back as soon as I can. I love you.

Roxi - Love you too.

---

My happy ending is coming because of this match Roberto. My happy ending comes when I settle down, and live comfortably with my wife and my children. And that's exactly what is going to happen Roberto.

I am walking away because, well, at this point, I'm still able to. I can walk, talk, and function as a normal human being. I can get around fine, I haven't had too many injuries.

And I've seen the other choice far too many times.

It's so sad to see a wrestler unable to move around, broken down, almost crippled, because of what this business has done to them. Too many can't walk without a cane or crutches, many can't walk at all. Too many can't turn their necks a certain way before it hurts. Many can't move their necks. Horrible back injuries, neck injuries, knee injuries, the list goes on and on.

The part I knew, was that if I continued to wrestle, that eventually, I would wind up like them. It would only be a matter of time. The injuries I have now may be healed, but the new ones I would no doubt endure, may not heal so well. I'm sure that if I continued that 10-15 years later, I would regret it.

And I cannot have that happen.

I wrestled with that idea for a long time. Doing this for as long as I have, I knew that idea, that notion was harsh reality I would face. I asked if I really wanted to continue down that path, when I have accomplished everything I need to now?

It was a hard choice, but the answer is no.

Sure, the idea of being a 2 or 3 time champion is appealing, but in the long run, not worth the risk. I'm getting out before I have to be carried out. And with my ego, I would have to be carried out.

But I'm keeping my ego in check Roberto. My professional one anyway. Because professionally, it's not going to bother me if you come out on top Sunday. My ego will be able to handle it. Because I know there are brighter days ahead. Professionally, I can take a loss, even if it is my last match.

But personally? Personally my ego cannot handle losing to you, Roberto. Because I lay claim to being the best, and if I am not the best, that I am nothing. If you're not first, your last. Personally I will be upset at losing because I worked so hard to win the title, and I feel like you are going to have it handed to you simply because I am retiring.

So yes, Sunday, I will be looking to defeat you and retain this championship and retire the champion.

Sunday isn't about me. It's not about you. It's about us, tearing the damn house down, and acting like true champions.

You, the man with everything to gain, vs. me with almost nothing to lose. Except this big gold belt on my shoulder.

I know Roberto, that one day, will be your day. One day, you will be the man. One day you will silence all the critics, shut up all the naysayers. One day you will prove everyone wrong about you being all hype. One day you will wear this very title.

Sunday, June 17th....IS NOT that day.

And that's the truth.