Post by Hannah Reed on May 18, 2013 11:39:27 GMT -6
I’m glad, Alex.
I am glad that you realise what this weekend is all about. I am glad that you realise that holding onto the past and holding all that rage is detrimental. I am glad that you want to win this for the right reasons and not just to prove something to some faceless ciritic.
But most of all, I am glad that you’re willing to admit your mistakes.
Week after week for as long as I remember I have faced opponent after opponent and none of them have been capable of humility. For every defeat there was an excuse, some reason for their failure to mask their own role. Whenever I have put anybody away it has been because I'm a cheat, a sly coward, a purveyor or parlour tricks. You can see through that.
Honesty has been hard to find and I'm glad that as I march into the last chapter of our history you're man enough to admit that your ego has been like a ball and chain around your ankle, pulling you back as you tried in vain to resist, constantly dragging that weight behind you in pursuit of validation. Validation to yourself, perhaps, but validation nonetheless.
You see, despite my criticisms, Alex, I do like you.
I’ve never wanted to watch you fail, well unless you’ve been lined up opposite myself. There was a reason I hand-picked you to assist me in shaking up the status quo inside this company months ago in pursuit of the X-Championship. Despite my doubts, my reservations about your temperament, I knew you would do me proud in a division that was almost built for a man with you guts and high risk style.
Just because I think you have flaws, doesn’t prevent me from admiring the positives.
Do I still think that deep down you crave the acceptance of others? Sure I do, perhaps it doesn’t consume your psyche like a vulture picking away at what remains of your self-confidence, but I still see a man who craves the affection that others have been afforded. Do I still think that no matter how hard you try this week, your ego will still prove to be your Achilles’ heel? Sure.
But none of us are perfect.
We all have weaknesses, some of us simply mask them better than others. Jake Conway’s weakness is lining up to fight Zelda Knite and Jasmine Barrera this weekend. Andrew Jacobsen’s great strength, his will to do the right thing, will undoubtedly handicap him time and time again. Laszlo’s ego, Simon’s petulance, Trent’s obsession with the highlight reel…
Everyone has a flaw.
Hell, there are some who will tell you that despite possessing everything required to be a dominant technical workhorse I'm too eager to take the easy way out and win matches cheaply, although I will always maintain that it is just a part of the pantomime. All of us have our own personal list of strengths and weaknesses, so I'm happy you realise that by highlighting yours I don't mean to disrespect you.
Only to implore you to not waste this chance… this one chance to make something special to feed your insecurities.
Anybody who walks into fight me at the biggest pay per view of the year with an ulterior motive doesn’t deserve to share the same ring with me. This is a fight that should transcend such insecurities and petulant desires, a match which provides the pair of us an opportunity to show everybody what this company means to us.
Now, at least, I can be confident that you aren’t going to cheat everyone by focusing on proving something to those who do not matter.
I didn’t want Alex Jones, the man so riddled with bitterness that it seeped into every fibre of his being. I always wanted the Alex Jones who just wants to prove to himself, the only person who should matter, that he was always as good as he allowed himself to believe he was.
Now I know you’re ready. Ready to walk down that ramp, amongst all of the fanfare and reminiscing of the years of service, and to give me everything you’ve got for the right reasons.
But as much as it may pain you, as much as it may leave a permanent lingering doubt at the back of your mind, you will not be taking this belt away from me.
I will do anything it takes to beat you this Sunday. For those who do not believe me, who think this is just hollow threats designed to intimidate? Look at what I have done to men I consider my friends.
Two weeks ago I split Spike Kane’s face wide open, a man I consider one of my closest and dearest friends in the whole world, and if I had to, I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I’ve kicked Jake Conway in the crown jewels and I’ve raked Adam Knite’s eyeballs and nearly left him blind. I’ve done all of this to men I deeply respect and I didn’t even bat an eye lid.
Because every time I get inside a ring I'm consumed by the single-minded will to win at any cost to ensure that my legacy is the one I choose for myself, not the one that is forced upon me.
This Sunday, will be no different. I respect you, I admire you and I think highly of your abilities as a wrestler, but if I have to break your back to use you as a stepping stone to reach up and grasp that brass ring one last time.
I will do it in a heartbeat.
You’ve proven yourself worthy of your opportunity to fight me for this belt, there isn’t anybody who will begrudge you the victory you earned with so much sacrifice amongst a heap of broken bodies at Sovereign, least of all myself.
But I have proven to the world that I am the best, that I deserve to call myself a champion. Time and time again I have dispatched every single challenge laid in my path, no matter what the odds and this Sunday, on the biggest stage of them all I will give everyone a performance they will never, ever forget.
I will leave my mark as the only undefeated NCW World Champion in history.
Nobody will take this away from me.
So, I suppose this is the moment I have to stand in front of this camera for the final time and sell my wares to the wider world.
To convince each and every one of you that I will retain my belt this Sunday.
Let’s me flip the focus back on yourselves, however, instead of stumbling to find the words to justify my confidence this weekend. Allow me ask you this; what more can I truly do to convince you of my conviction and unrelenting will to win?
Honestly, I could stand here and tell you how I’ve been focused on this moment all week, working my ass off in the gym and preparing myself mentally for the quote unquote biggest night of my career, but that’s to be expected, isn’t it?
Every man and woman has been busting their guts all week to prepare themselves to leave one final mark on this company, why would my doing the exact same convince any of you that I have therefore earned the right to walk out of that arena on Sunday as the undefeated NCW World Champion?
The fact is, none of you should need any more convincing.
Since the moment I walked into this federation I've poured everything I have into doing the very best I could with the circumstances that have been handed to me and if I disliked them, everything to change them. I have proven time and time again that my success isn’t a fluke, every time I have achieved I haven’t rested on my laurels, I've sat down, refocused and asked myself…
How can I improve?
I’ve never sat still, never simply accepted my place as a well-respected member of the roster, in every moment I have always asked myself what can I do to make myself even greater. When people have told me that I have already exceeded their expectations, I’ve made it my mission to defy them even further.
I walked into NCW and instead of just waiting for an opportunity, I punked out Rob Diamond, wrapped the X-Championship around Todd Williams and proceeded to make his life a living hell for three consecutive months before a juggernaut in the form of Xander Famularo humbled me and forced me to regroup for the first time.
Then I was granted my next big step by my opponent this week, Alex Jones, to fight for the NCW National Championship and I did what I always have, risen from defeat and turned my failure into a success. Months later I lost my belt to Ricky Johnson and again I was forced to reassess my situation and move forward.
An exemplar performance in the Riot and a victory over Xander Famularo, severing his yearlong streak, later and I was ready to fight for the biggest prize in the game, the one I wear so proudly today. I got my ass kicked by Ricky Johnson nearly a year ago today and whilst I wallowed in self-pity for a brief spell I picked myself up and set my sights on the Road to the Gold.
I marched through a field of talent consisting of Mike Laszlo, Lex Sense and Adam Knite to earn my shot at Andrew Jacobsen and begin the path to my final journey as a NCW employee. I took his belt and shocked the world by joining forces with Kelly Fox to realise my dream of power…the power to change things for the greater good.
And now, eight months since I became NCW World Champion I'm preparing to close out the final chapter of this company after an unprecedented title reign that has surpassed everyone I have followed.
What more do I need to do to convince you all that I have everything it takes to be the only, reigning, defending NCW World Champion to have never, ever, tasted the bitter embrace of defeat?
Nothing.
There are no words I could muddle together to from a sentence that could say more than my actions over the two and a half years I have been here have done for me. Everyone is going to stand here and state their case for why you should buy what they’re selling and to pile your support behind them.
Not me.
You may love me, you may hate me, but I will neither benefit or suffer through you lack or provision of affection. The only person who I need to convince of my absolute victory this weekend is the same man who I have to convince every single week.
Myself.
And it goes without saying that I am 100% positive that I will be leaving this company as its final champion, just as much as Alex firmly believes he will vanquish the demons and achieve his dreams. So why waste my time trying to convince you that one of us is right?
Clichéd as it may be, we all know that on Sunday it will be destiny that decides, not which one of us presented the best argument in our favour. Alex may have his flaws but under all of them he is still a man with immense ability but likewise, I’ve proven myself to be every inch the best in the business.
If you had to pick a favourite, it would undoubtedly be myself based purely on my run.
But we all know that form counts for nothing as anything can happen once that bell rings this Sunday and I am sure not matter how well either of us prepares, there will be many twists and turns at A Night to Remember.
This weekend the journey comes to an end.
It is up to me to determine how my legacy will be remembered.
The last of the great champions of New Championship Wrestling or a man who took his reign one step too far.
I will do everything it takes to ensure that it is the former.
Viva La Révolution.
Viva Verona.
I am glad that you realise what this weekend is all about. I am glad that you realise that holding onto the past and holding all that rage is detrimental. I am glad that you want to win this for the right reasons and not just to prove something to some faceless ciritic.
But most of all, I am glad that you’re willing to admit your mistakes.
Week after week for as long as I remember I have faced opponent after opponent and none of them have been capable of humility. For every defeat there was an excuse, some reason for their failure to mask their own role. Whenever I have put anybody away it has been because I'm a cheat, a sly coward, a purveyor or parlour tricks. You can see through that.
Honesty has been hard to find and I'm glad that as I march into the last chapter of our history you're man enough to admit that your ego has been like a ball and chain around your ankle, pulling you back as you tried in vain to resist, constantly dragging that weight behind you in pursuit of validation. Validation to yourself, perhaps, but validation nonetheless.
You see, despite my criticisms, Alex, I do like you.
I’ve never wanted to watch you fail, well unless you’ve been lined up opposite myself. There was a reason I hand-picked you to assist me in shaking up the status quo inside this company months ago in pursuit of the X-Championship. Despite my doubts, my reservations about your temperament, I knew you would do me proud in a division that was almost built for a man with you guts and high risk style.
Just because I think you have flaws, doesn’t prevent me from admiring the positives.
Do I still think that deep down you crave the acceptance of others? Sure I do, perhaps it doesn’t consume your psyche like a vulture picking away at what remains of your self-confidence, but I still see a man who craves the affection that others have been afforded. Do I still think that no matter how hard you try this week, your ego will still prove to be your Achilles’ heel? Sure.
But none of us are perfect.
We all have weaknesses, some of us simply mask them better than others. Jake Conway’s weakness is lining up to fight Zelda Knite and Jasmine Barrera this weekend. Andrew Jacobsen’s great strength, his will to do the right thing, will undoubtedly handicap him time and time again. Laszlo’s ego, Simon’s petulance, Trent’s obsession with the highlight reel…
Everyone has a flaw.
Hell, there are some who will tell you that despite possessing everything required to be a dominant technical workhorse I'm too eager to take the easy way out and win matches cheaply, although I will always maintain that it is just a part of the pantomime. All of us have our own personal list of strengths and weaknesses, so I'm happy you realise that by highlighting yours I don't mean to disrespect you.
Only to implore you to not waste this chance… this one chance to make something special to feed your insecurities.
Anybody who walks into fight me at the biggest pay per view of the year with an ulterior motive doesn’t deserve to share the same ring with me. This is a fight that should transcend such insecurities and petulant desires, a match which provides the pair of us an opportunity to show everybody what this company means to us.
Now, at least, I can be confident that you aren’t going to cheat everyone by focusing on proving something to those who do not matter.
I didn’t want Alex Jones, the man so riddled with bitterness that it seeped into every fibre of his being. I always wanted the Alex Jones who just wants to prove to himself, the only person who should matter, that he was always as good as he allowed himself to believe he was.
Now I know you’re ready. Ready to walk down that ramp, amongst all of the fanfare and reminiscing of the years of service, and to give me everything you’ve got for the right reasons.
But as much as it may pain you, as much as it may leave a permanent lingering doubt at the back of your mind, you will not be taking this belt away from me.
I will do anything it takes to beat you this Sunday. For those who do not believe me, who think this is just hollow threats designed to intimidate? Look at what I have done to men I consider my friends.
Two weeks ago I split Spike Kane’s face wide open, a man I consider one of my closest and dearest friends in the whole world, and if I had to, I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I’ve kicked Jake Conway in the crown jewels and I’ve raked Adam Knite’s eyeballs and nearly left him blind. I’ve done all of this to men I deeply respect and I didn’t even bat an eye lid.
Because every time I get inside a ring I'm consumed by the single-minded will to win at any cost to ensure that my legacy is the one I choose for myself, not the one that is forced upon me.
This Sunday, will be no different. I respect you, I admire you and I think highly of your abilities as a wrestler, but if I have to break your back to use you as a stepping stone to reach up and grasp that brass ring one last time.
I will do it in a heartbeat.
You’ve proven yourself worthy of your opportunity to fight me for this belt, there isn’t anybody who will begrudge you the victory you earned with so much sacrifice amongst a heap of broken bodies at Sovereign, least of all myself.
But I have proven to the world that I am the best, that I deserve to call myself a champion. Time and time again I have dispatched every single challenge laid in my path, no matter what the odds and this Sunday, on the biggest stage of them all I will give everyone a performance they will never, ever forget.
I will leave my mark as the only undefeated NCW World Champion in history.
Nobody will take this away from me.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Roberto Verona sits alone at his desk, papers scattered to and fro as he places down his mobile phone, sitting in silence for a moment. As he sits in his own self-imposed solitude Hannah approaches him from the kitchen, treading carefully so as not to startle him from his state. As he realises she is approaching she picks up her pace before standing behind him as he leans back in his chair, looking over his shoulder at her.
What’s the matter?
I think I just got spared a live audio link to a Conway coitus session…
Be grateful, I had to watch them eat one another’s faces at the party last night like it was their first prom together.
Ok, perhaps you’ve trumped me…
Hannah slowly glides behind Roberto, resting her palms on his shoulder before applying some gentle pressure, massaging them affectionately.
Are you ready?
For Alex? I have been since the moment he won the Coliseum…
That’s not what I meant. Are you ready to say goodbye to all this?
This is just the culmination of one journey, Hannah. One that I have savoured since day one, but I am a professional, I have to place sentimentality aside and do my job, just like I would any other weekend.
Hannah leans down and kisses Roberto on the top of his head.
That is why I love you, always focused on the task in hand.
I hoped it was my irresistible charm, ruggedly handsome features and the fact I am a sexual dynamo.
According to who?
Remind me again why I love you?
I am willing to put up with you 365 days a year. Well, that and the fact your constant injuries lets me show off how good a nurses uniform looks on me.
Roberto grins as he reminisces.
How could I ever forget.
We’ve come a long way since we were chasing rapists and debt defaulters around Chicago all those years ago, do you have any regrets?
Not at all…well, besides the fact that perps tended to be less trained in some form of martial art than professional wrestlers, I can’t remember any burglars throwing my off cells.
No, I meant about us.
Why would I have any regrets about what we have?
Hannah shrugs.
I don’t know, you could have woman you wanted, a family….all the things people grow up desiring…
I grew up, Hannah. The only thing I desire is to grow old with you with at least 3 of my senses still intact, you really need to get beyond this feeling that you’re not good enough for me. I never settle for second best, I only pursue what I want.
I know it’s just…I don’t know, sometimes I find it hard to accept happiness for myself, it’s like around every corner there has to be some sort of trauma.
That’s just life, Hannah. All that matters is that every time you fall I will be here to catch you and pick you back up.
Really?
Yes. Really.
Hannah leans forward and wraps her arms tightly around Roberto.
Thank you. I am so lucky to be with a man who I don’t need to keep any secrets from.
Roberto suddenly opens his eyes, looking to one side nervously.
Yeah…
I love you.
I love you too.
Verona resist a hand on one of Hannah’s forearms, patting it gently.
Listen, I have a few more phone calls to make to ties up a few contracts for IWF. Why don’t you climb into a bath, wind down a little and I’ll cook us something and crack open a bottle of wine.
Oh you slave driver, well, if you insist.
I do, those are my orders.
Hannah turns her head and kisses Roberto on the cheek.
See you soon.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Roberto Verona sits alone at his desk, papers scattered to and fro as he places down his mobile phone, sitting in silence for a moment. As he sits in his own self-imposed solitude Hannah approaches him from the kitchen, treading carefully so as not to startle him from his state. As he realises she is approaching she picks up her pace before standing behind him as he leans back in his chair, looking over his shoulder at her.
What’s the matter?
I think I just got spared a live audio link to a Conway coitus session…
Be grateful, I had to watch them eat one another’s faces at the party last night like it was their first prom together.
Ok, perhaps you’ve trumped me…
Hannah slowly glides behind Roberto, resting her palms on his shoulder before applying some gentle pressure, massaging them affectionately.
Are you ready?
For Alex? I have been since the moment he won the Coliseum…
That’s not what I meant. Are you ready to say goodbye to all this?
This is just the culmination of one journey, Hannah. One that I have savoured since day one, but I am a professional, I have to place sentimentality aside and do my job, just like I would any other weekend.
Hannah leans down and kisses Roberto on the top of his head.
That is why I love you, always focused on the task in hand.
I hoped it was my irresistible charm, ruggedly handsome features and the fact I am a sexual dynamo.
According to who?
Remind me again why I love you?
I am willing to put up with you 365 days a year. Well, that and the fact your constant injuries lets me show off how good a nurses uniform looks on me.
Roberto grins as he reminisces.
How could I ever forget.
We’ve come a long way since we were chasing rapists and debt defaulters around Chicago all those years ago, do you have any regrets?
Not at all…well, besides the fact that perps tended to be less trained in some form of martial art than professional wrestlers, I can’t remember any burglars throwing my off cells.
No, I meant about us.
Why would I have any regrets about what we have?
Hannah shrugs.
I don’t know, you could have woman you wanted, a family….all the things people grow up desiring…
I grew up, Hannah. The only thing I desire is to grow old with you with at least 3 of my senses still intact, you really need to get beyond this feeling that you’re not good enough for me. I never settle for second best, I only pursue what I want.
I know it’s just…I don’t know, sometimes I find it hard to accept happiness for myself, it’s like around every corner there has to be some sort of trauma.
That’s just life, Hannah. All that matters is that every time you fall I will be here to catch you and pick you back up.
Really?
Yes. Really.
Hannah leans forward and wraps her arms tightly around Roberto.
Thank you. I am so lucky to be with a man who I don’t need to keep any secrets from.
Roberto suddenly opens his eyes, looking to one side nervously.
Yeah…
I love you.
I love you too.
Verona resist a hand on one of Hannah’s forearms, patting it gently.
Listen, I have a few more phone calls to make to ties up a few contracts for IWF. Why don’t you climb into a bath, wind down a little and I’ll cook us something and crack open a bottle of wine.
Oh you slave driver, well, if you insist.
I do, those are my orders.
Hannah turns her head and kisses Roberto on the cheek.
See you soon.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
So, I suppose this is the moment I have to stand in front of this camera for the final time and sell my wares to the wider world.
To convince each and every one of you that I will retain my belt this Sunday.
Let’s me flip the focus back on yourselves, however, instead of stumbling to find the words to justify my confidence this weekend. Allow me ask you this; what more can I truly do to convince you of my conviction and unrelenting will to win?
Honestly, I could stand here and tell you how I’ve been focused on this moment all week, working my ass off in the gym and preparing myself mentally for the quote unquote biggest night of my career, but that’s to be expected, isn’t it?
Every man and woman has been busting their guts all week to prepare themselves to leave one final mark on this company, why would my doing the exact same convince any of you that I have therefore earned the right to walk out of that arena on Sunday as the undefeated NCW World Champion?
The fact is, none of you should need any more convincing.
Since the moment I walked into this federation I've poured everything I have into doing the very best I could with the circumstances that have been handed to me and if I disliked them, everything to change them. I have proven time and time again that my success isn’t a fluke, every time I have achieved I haven’t rested on my laurels, I've sat down, refocused and asked myself…
How can I improve?
I’ve never sat still, never simply accepted my place as a well-respected member of the roster, in every moment I have always asked myself what can I do to make myself even greater. When people have told me that I have already exceeded their expectations, I’ve made it my mission to defy them even further.
I walked into NCW and instead of just waiting for an opportunity, I punked out Rob Diamond, wrapped the X-Championship around Todd Williams and proceeded to make his life a living hell for three consecutive months before a juggernaut in the form of Xander Famularo humbled me and forced me to regroup for the first time.
Then I was granted my next big step by my opponent this week, Alex Jones, to fight for the NCW National Championship and I did what I always have, risen from defeat and turned my failure into a success. Months later I lost my belt to Ricky Johnson and again I was forced to reassess my situation and move forward.
An exemplar performance in the Riot and a victory over Xander Famularo, severing his yearlong streak, later and I was ready to fight for the biggest prize in the game, the one I wear so proudly today. I got my ass kicked by Ricky Johnson nearly a year ago today and whilst I wallowed in self-pity for a brief spell I picked myself up and set my sights on the Road to the Gold.
I marched through a field of talent consisting of Mike Laszlo, Lex Sense and Adam Knite to earn my shot at Andrew Jacobsen and begin the path to my final journey as a NCW employee. I took his belt and shocked the world by joining forces with Kelly Fox to realise my dream of power…the power to change things for the greater good.
And now, eight months since I became NCW World Champion I'm preparing to close out the final chapter of this company after an unprecedented title reign that has surpassed everyone I have followed.
What more do I need to do to convince you all that I have everything it takes to be the only, reigning, defending NCW World Champion to have never, ever, tasted the bitter embrace of defeat?
Nothing.
There are no words I could muddle together to from a sentence that could say more than my actions over the two and a half years I have been here have done for me. Everyone is going to stand here and state their case for why you should buy what they’re selling and to pile your support behind them.
Not me.
You may love me, you may hate me, but I will neither benefit or suffer through you lack or provision of affection. The only person who I need to convince of my absolute victory this weekend is the same man who I have to convince every single week.
Myself.
And it goes without saying that I am 100% positive that I will be leaving this company as its final champion, just as much as Alex firmly believes he will vanquish the demons and achieve his dreams. So why waste my time trying to convince you that one of us is right?
Clichéd as it may be, we all know that on Sunday it will be destiny that decides, not which one of us presented the best argument in our favour. Alex may have his flaws but under all of them he is still a man with immense ability but likewise, I’ve proven myself to be every inch the best in the business.
If you had to pick a favourite, it would undoubtedly be myself based purely on my run.
But we all know that form counts for nothing as anything can happen once that bell rings this Sunday and I am sure not matter how well either of us prepares, there will be many twists and turns at A Night to Remember.
This weekend the journey comes to an end.
It is up to me to determine how my legacy will be remembered.
The last of the great champions of New Championship Wrestling or a man who took his reign one step too far.
I will do everything it takes to ensure that it is the former.
Viva La Révolution.
Viva Verona.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Are you coming?
Roberto turns to look at Hannah who is poised carefully on a stool in the kitchen, salivating over the large plate of pasta which has steam raising from it enticingly.
Sure, just a moment.
Roberto clutches his pen, scribbling down a few more words before lifting it up and taking a moment to look at the parchment. Letting out a sign he places the pen back in the pot amongst its brethren before pushing himself away, leaving the camera to pan down to the piece of paper as he joins his girlfriend for dinner.
“I was asked by Kelly Fox to express how I feel about being the NCW World Champion as we go into the final days of New Championship Wrestling.
Honestly?
I am not really sure what to say. I entered NCW as a cocky, loud mouth, egotistical know it all with a vendetta against anybody in a position of authority and I guess I will leave the company as a cocky, loud mouth, egotistical know it all… with a health respect for those in authority.
I can truly say that I have grown as a person during my time in this company and there are so many people I can thank for helping me become, as predictable as this may sound, a better person.
To Leonard, Kelly and Adam, your constant support has been invaluable and helped me believe in myself, to believe that I can achieve everything I wanted if I applied myself to it.
Jake Conway, your guiding hand has helped me become a better wrestler and your devotion to your wife and family has helped me realise what truly matters in life.
Andrew Jacobsen, your constant determination to do the right thing and rise above the naysayers is a true inspiration, never change.
Spike Kane, thank you for allowing me to vent off about my frustrations with absolutely no conditions attached, your sound advice has steered me through countless dilemmas.
Xander Famularo, thank you for giving me the biggest test of my whole career, for pushing me to my absolute limits and giving me so many memorable moments that I will always cherish.
Mike, Will and Alex, thank you for the challenges you have given me as the NCW World Champion, a champion is never a true champion without the right opponents. Thank you.
So, I suppose the question remains, how do I end this?
How does Roberto Verona close the final chapter in the ride of a lifetime?
By saying this.
It was all worth it.
Thank you for the memories, NCW.”
The camera re-joins Roberto and Hannah as they sit, side by side, enjoying a glass of wine, the latter resting her head on the former’s shoulder.
Thank you.
For what?
Everything.
Fin.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Are you coming?
Roberto turns to look at Hannah who is poised carefully on a stool in the kitchen, salivating over the large plate of pasta which has steam raising from it enticingly.
Sure, just a moment.
Roberto clutches his pen, scribbling down a few more words before lifting it up and taking a moment to look at the parchment. Letting out a sign he places the pen back in the pot amongst its brethren before pushing himself away, leaving the camera to pan down to the piece of paper as he joins his girlfriend for dinner.
“I was asked by Kelly Fox to express how I feel about being the NCW World Champion as we go into the final days of New Championship Wrestling.
Honestly?
I am not really sure what to say. I entered NCW as a cocky, loud mouth, egotistical know it all with a vendetta against anybody in a position of authority and I guess I will leave the company as a cocky, loud mouth, egotistical know it all… with a health respect for those in authority.
I can truly say that I have grown as a person during my time in this company and there are so many people I can thank for helping me become, as predictable as this may sound, a better person.
To Leonard, Kelly and Adam, your constant support has been invaluable and helped me believe in myself, to believe that I can achieve everything I wanted if I applied myself to it.
Jake Conway, your guiding hand has helped me become a better wrestler and your devotion to your wife and family has helped me realise what truly matters in life.
Andrew Jacobsen, your constant determination to do the right thing and rise above the naysayers is a true inspiration, never change.
Spike Kane, thank you for allowing me to vent off about my frustrations with absolutely no conditions attached, your sound advice has steered me through countless dilemmas.
Xander Famularo, thank you for giving me the biggest test of my whole career, for pushing me to my absolute limits and giving me so many memorable moments that I will always cherish.
Mike, Will and Alex, thank you for the challenges you have given me as the NCW World Champion, a champion is never a true champion without the right opponents. Thank you.
So, I suppose the question remains, how do I end this?
How does Roberto Verona close the final chapter in the ride of a lifetime?
By saying this.
It was all worth it.
Thank you for the memories, NCW.”
The camera re-joins Roberto and Hannah as they sit, side by side, enjoying a glass of wine, the latter resting her head on the former’s shoulder.
Thank you.
For what?
Everything.
Fin.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------