Post by Mike Laszlo on Apr 20, 2013 12:51:46 GMT -6
So close.
SO DAMN CLOSE!
Lucky.
SO DAMN LUCKY!
That’s how I would describe the Coliseum match last Sunday. First off being me. I was so close to winning that match that I was already starting to prepare for Roberto Verona one more time before the Coliseum Match was even over. I could taste that final opportunity.
Then…
Just like that, it was gone.
Lucky? That describes Alex Jones to a damn tee this past Sunday. He’s lucky that the referee’s hand hit for the three before Evans slapped the mat tapping out to my Down Payment.
There I stood in the middle of the ring, watching as Alex pranced around and jumped around like a high school girl in the nineties who had just won an N’Sync backstage pass. I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t see it. I was more focused on making Seth Evans tap out.
My last chance at Verona in NCW and it all goes down the drain. So what’s next?
I’m in a tournament to have a spotlight match at A Night To Remember.
What is failed to have been recognized is that any damn match that I participate in is a spotlight match.
Last year when A Night to Remember came about, I wasn’t even on the show. I was on the pre-show Collision where I defended my duel wielding championships with pride.
This year?
You’re damn right I’m going to be on that show.
I don’t care who it is against, or what is on the line, even if it happens to be pride and pride only. I plan on ending my NCW experience at A Night To Remember in victory.
So how does this all start?
Caleb Lockwood.
I defeat him and I go on in my quest to have that final memorable moment. I go on to leave my mark on a Night To Remember, even though this happens to be the last one. It’s like the old saying goes boys and girls, save the best for last.
====================
Title: So Close
Location: Little Rock, Arkansas (Sovereign)
Time: 10:57 Local Time
I had just let go of the hold on Seth Evans who had tapped out to my Down Payment, but it was too late. Alex Jones had secured victory by pinning that no good waste of roster space, Shane Hunt. I got up and looked down at the fallen Hunt, and then looked up at Alex who was having his arm raised in victory. Victory that should have been mine. My brain was running on all cylinders trying to figure out exactly what had happened. My eyes were shifting back and forth as I could not believe that I was so close only to have victory snatched from my grasp by some undeserving pile of crap who just fluked his way into the final main event in NCW history.
Dejected, I left the ring. Alexis did her best to console me but it was no use as I stomped at the steps at ringside. She put her hand around my shoulder and ushered me toward the back. As we walked back up the isle I turned and looked over my shoulder as Alex celebrated with his Gladiator trophy. In disgust I turned away and headed to the back, slapping my hand on the aluminum set in anger before disappearing from the view of the audience.
As both Alexis and myself came through the gorilla position, we were met with applause at the effort put forth in the match as were the competitors who came through before me. Alexis gave a courtesy nod, but the cheers and the clapping ran hollow for me.
I didn’t care that I put on a good performance, I always do. I didn’t care that everybody else enjoyed the match, they always do. I wanted to win. Somberly I headed through the hall with Alexis by my side as we headed into my locker room. I sat on the bench and held my head in my hands. Alexis again tried to be the calming influence.
Alexis Caffrey: It’s okay babe. You didn’t see Alex hit his finisher. Hell I didn’t see it because I was concentrating on you and Seth Evans. You’ll get them next time.
Heh. Next time. That’s what all the losers say isn’t it? Oh, we tried hard, we’ll get’em next time. We fought long and hard, next time that’s it. In the world of professional wrestling, who the hell knows when exactly next time is? Those are the thoughts that ran through my mind, and then, I blurted them out.
Mike Laszlo: Next time? We’re running out of next times. Hell, there is no more shot at the World Title. I came here to be the best that I can possibly be, and if that’s not the World Champion, then damn it, it’s not worth it.
She had that confused look on her face. She tilted her head to the side a bit and squinted her eyes to intensify her glare.
Alexis Caffrey: So what are you saying?
I had to think a moment. I didn’t mean that I wanted to quit. That would be the easy way out. That was the adrenaline talking.
Sliding my hands over my face, I smack my knees in frustration.
Mike Laszlo: I don’t know. I’m pissed off. I’m gonna take a shower, then we can go.
Alexis Caffrey: Alright. Just relax.
Mike Laszlo: I’ll try.
As I stood there in the shower and let the water course over my body, I closed my eyes and tried to let the sound of the water hitting the floor soothe me. Then it played again in my mind, clear as day as if it were being aired in front me.
1!
2!
3!
Bell rings.
Evans taps.
That son of a bitch and his will to hold on if even for a few seconds further kept me from what I wanted. He stopped me from becoming Gladiator. He allowed Alex Jones to steal that victory behind my back.
Mike Laszlo: SON OF A BITCH!
I slammed my hand against the wall in anger. I cleaned up and got dressed in the locker room. I saw Alexis sitting on the bench with her reading glasses on, eyes planted in a book.
Mike Laszlo: Ready to go babe?
Alexis Caffrey: Yeah hold on.
Mike Laszlo: That would mean you’re not ready.
Alexis Caffrey: No, I am. Just want to finish this page.
She ran through the line with her finger, pulled down her bookmark and closed the book, looking up at me with the cutest smile in the world.
Alexis Caffrey: Done. Let’s go, what are you waiting for?
With a smile on my face, shaking my head, I grabbed my bag and hers, even though she tried to stop me at first, and we headed out the door, leaving the arena.
====================
I know it’s different.
Usually there’s some glimpse into my ever exciting life; something that the audience doesn’t get to see. Now this.
Now you can see that the loss this past Sunday is more than most losses. I not only lost out on a shot to main event A Night To Remember, I lost out on a shot at the World Title. I lost out on the LAST SHOT at the World Title here in NCW.
That said, what does this match mean in the grand scheme of things? What does this tournament mean exactly?
The winner of this thing gets to face the unknown at A Night To Remember. No build, no hype, just the winner and the unknown.
It’s not the main event.
It’s not a title on the line.
Yet, there’s still something there. There’s something inside of me Caleb that makes me want to be there. Call it pride, compassion, whatever you wish. I call it the final score.
In every human being’s life there is purpose, there are goals, and there are measures of success. NCW is no different. When I got here I had a bucket list of sorts, and I now know that I will never complete the top of that list, and I tell you now that it damn sure wasn’t for lack of trying. There are however other goals as well. Though they may be secondary on my bucket list, they are still important nonetheless.
I can cross off “Become World Champion” because that won’t happen now. I climbed that ladder about as fast as anyone in NCW but couldn’t stay at the top, constantly being knocked down by Roberto Verona.
The other goals have been met…except one.
Appear and win at A Night To Remember.
I don’t mean appear on the pre-show. I mean show up on the grand stage where the lights are their absolute brightest, and put on the best damn show anyone has ever seen, then have my hand raised in victory.
Caleb, I hate to break it to you dude, but you’re in the way. You are stopping me from completing that goal.
You won’t be another Seth Evans holding out a second too long for me to succeed. You won’t be another Alex Jones who robs me of my spot on that card. This Sunday on Collision, you will fall to me, and I will continue my ascent into the unknown.
I’m not going to trash talk you Caleb. I’m not going to bash you. I’m not going to drag you name through the mud as I have done countless others before because in all honesty, it’s not worth it. All the talk means nothing. This Sunday, I show you and everyone else that I’M DONE TALKING!
SO DAMN CLOSE!
Lucky.
SO DAMN LUCKY!
That’s how I would describe the Coliseum match last Sunday. First off being me. I was so close to winning that match that I was already starting to prepare for Roberto Verona one more time before the Coliseum Match was even over. I could taste that final opportunity.
Then…
Just like that, it was gone.
Lucky? That describes Alex Jones to a damn tee this past Sunday. He’s lucky that the referee’s hand hit for the three before Evans slapped the mat tapping out to my Down Payment.
There I stood in the middle of the ring, watching as Alex pranced around and jumped around like a high school girl in the nineties who had just won an N’Sync backstage pass. I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t see it. I was more focused on making Seth Evans tap out.
My last chance at Verona in NCW and it all goes down the drain. So what’s next?
I’m in a tournament to have a spotlight match at A Night To Remember.
What is failed to have been recognized is that any damn match that I participate in is a spotlight match.
Last year when A Night to Remember came about, I wasn’t even on the show. I was on the pre-show Collision where I defended my duel wielding championships with pride.
This year?
You’re damn right I’m going to be on that show.
I don’t care who it is against, or what is on the line, even if it happens to be pride and pride only. I plan on ending my NCW experience at A Night To Remember in victory.
So how does this all start?
Caleb Lockwood.
I defeat him and I go on in my quest to have that final memorable moment. I go on to leave my mark on a Night To Remember, even though this happens to be the last one. It’s like the old saying goes boys and girls, save the best for last.
====================
Title: So Close
Location: Little Rock, Arkansas (Sovereign)
Time: 10:57 Local Time
I had just let go of the hold on Seth Evans who had tapped out to my Down Payment, but it was too late. Alex Jones had secured victory by pinning that no good waste of roster space, Shane Hunt. I got up and looked down at the fallen Hunt, and then looked up at Alex who was having his arm raised in victory. Victory that should have been mine. My brain was running on all cylinders trying to figure out exactly what had happened. My eyes were shifting back and forth as I could not believe that I was so close only to have victory snatched from my grasp by some undeserving pile of crap who just fluked his way into the final main event in NCW history.
Dejected, I left the ring. Alexis did her best to console me but it was no use as I stomped at the steps at ringside. She put her hand around my shoulder and ushered me toward the back. As we walked back up the isle I turned and looked over my shoulder as Alex celebrated with his Gladiator trophy. In disgust I turned away and headed to the back, slapping my hand on the aluminum set in anger before disappearing from the view of the audience.
As both Alexis and myself came through the gorilla position, we were met with applause at the effort put forth in the match as were the competitors who came through before me. Alexis gave a courtesy nod, but the cheers and the clapping ran hollow for me.
I didn’t care that I put on a good performance, I always do. I didn’t care that everybody else enjoyed the match, they always do. I wanted to win. Somberly I headed through the hall with Alexis by my side as we headed into my locker room. I sat on the bench and held my head in my hands. Alexis again tried to be the calming influence.
Alexis Caffrey: It’s okay babe. You didn’t see Alex hit his finisher. Hell I didn’t see it because I was concentrating on you and Seth Evans. You’ll get them next time.
Heh. Next time. That’s what all the losers say isn’t it? Oh, we tried hard, we’ll get’em next time. We fought long and hard, next time that’s it. In the world of professional wrestling, who the hell knows when exactly next time is? Those are the thoughts that ran through my mind, and then, I blurted them out.
Mike Laszlo: Next time? We’re running out of next times. Hell, there is no more shot at the World Title. I came here to be the best that I can possibly be, and if that’s not the World Champion, then damn it, it’s not worth it.
She had that confused look on her face. She tilted her head to the side a bit and squinted her eyes to intensify her glare.
Alexis Caffrey: So what are you saying?
I had to think a moment. I didn’t mean that I wanted to quit. That would be the easy way out. That was the adrenaline talking.
Sliding my hands over my face, I smack my knees in frustration.
Mike Laszlo: I don’t know. I’m pissed off. I’m gonna take a shower, then we can go.
Alexis Caffrey: Alright. Just relax.
Mike Laszlo: I’ll try.
As I stood there in the shower and let the water course over my body, I closed my eyes and tried to let the sound of the water hitting the floor soothe me. Then it played again in my mind, clear as day as if it were being aired in front me.
1!
2!
3!
Bell rings.
Evans taps.
That son of a bitch and his will to hold on if even for a few seconds further kept me from what I wanted. He stopped me from becoming Gladiator. He allowed Alex Jones to steal that victory behind my back.
Mike Laszlo: SON OF A BITCH!
I slammed my hand against the wall in anger. I cleaned up and got dressed in the locker room. I saw Alexis sitting on the bench with her reading glasses on, eyes planted in a book.
Mike Laszlo: Ready to go babe?
Alexis Caffrey: Yeah hold on.
Mike Laszlo: That would mean you’re not ready.
Alexis Caffrey: No, I am. Just want to finish this page.
She ran through the line with her finger, pulled down her bookmark and closed the book, looking up at me with the cutest smile in the world.
Alexis Caffrey: Done. Let’s go, what are you waiting for?
With a smile on my face, shaking my head, I grabbed my bag and hers, even though she tried to stop me at first, and we headed out the door, leaving the arena.
====================
I know it’s different.
Usually there’s some glimpse into my ever exciting life; something that the audience doesn’t get to see. Now this.
Now you can see that the loss this past Sunday is more than most losses. I not only lost out on a shot to main event A Night To Remember, I lost out on a shot at the World Title. I lost out on the LAST SHOT at the World Title here in NCW.
That said, what does this match mean in the grand scheme of things? What does this tournament mean exactly?
The winner of this thing gets to face the unknown at A Night To Remember. No build, no hype, just the winner and the unknown.
It’s not the main event.
It’s not a title on the line.
Yet, there’s still something there. There’s something inside of me Caleb that makes me want to be there. Call it pride, compassion, whatever you wish. I call it the final score.
In every human being’s life there is purpose, there are goals, and there are measures of success. NCW is no different. When I got here I had a bucket list of sorts, and I now know that I will never complete the top of that list, and I tell you now that it damn sure wasn’t for lack of trying. There are however other goals as well. Though they may be secondary on my bucket list, they are still important nonetheless.
I can cross off “Become World Champion” because that won’t happen now. I climbed that ladder about as fast as anyone in NCW but couldn’t stay at the top, constantly being knocked down by Roberto Verona.
The other goals have been met…except one.
Appear and win at A Night To Remember.
I don’t mean appear on the pre-show. I mean show up on the grand stage where the lights are their absolute brightest, and put on the best damn show anyone has ever seen, then have my hand raised in victory.
Caleb, I hate to break it to you dude, but you’re in the way. You are stopping me from completing that goal.
You won’t be another Seth Evans holding out a second too long for me to succeed. You won’t be another Alex Jones who robs me of my spot on that card. This Sunday on Collision, you will fall to me, and I will continue my ascent into the unknown.
I’m not going to trash talk you Caleb. I’m not going to bash you. I’m not going to drag you name through the mud as I have done countless others before because in all honesty, it’s not worth it. All the talk means nothing. This Sunday, I show you and everyone else that I’M DONE TALKING!