Post by The Brothers Holland on Feb 29, 2008 19:37:12 GMT -6
Gladiators
Latin: 'Gladiatōrēs' - "swordsmen" or "one who uses a sword"
From: 'Gladius' - "sword"
Latin: 'Gladiatōrēs' - "swordsmen" or "one who uses a sword"
From: 'Gladius' - "sword"
"I've already shown what a Gladiator does. Now it's time to show precisely what a gladiator is. When people think of the gladiator they think of what was shown last time. They think of the men in the leather armour, if they were lucky, who attacked each other with various weapons according to their experience, their station and most importantly their training. While some of this is true the whole truth isn't there. The whole truth is that the Gladiator is anyone that used a Gladius, the standard Roman short sword. Sharp, keen and pointed it was always a precision instrument. Always used to thrust at the opportune moment and deliver the final, killing blow. Never defensive, constantly on the attack. That's what it is to be a Gladiator. To be precise, to be lethal, to always be on the offensive and most importantly always be in complete unity with your weapon."
*Thunder crackles across the darkness. A loud blast is heard as the scene opens properly. We see the ruins in Ireland where Dave Holland is known to train. It's early evening and the light is minimal yet enough to see by without artificial light. Having stormed itself out the thunder and lightning is now barely an issue. The skies however have opened with rain, a downpour that slowly soaks through everything exposed to it's wrath. A flash of metal swings past the screen suddenly before returning to the regular scene, slowly getting closer and closer to the abbey.*
"Because in an environment as turbulent and chaotic as that to which we're all charging headlong to, these are also traits to consider. Facets of the man who will go on to become the winner of this outstanding piece of history. Much as I'm sure Jason will take this as a compliment to him, he will once more only prove his own deluded sense of grandeur. He may well have a belt on his shoulder but so what? Four of the men in this match have gold on their shoulder, one of the others is John Anthony, the man who recently defeated Spike Kane, on or off form no mean feat... and the other.. is me. The man with no accolades to mention at this present time is the man who has been on a month long losing streak.. an entire month of being screwed by a low blow, by an amoral sycophantic group of self declared martyrs and by technical issues disrupting my training regime. The other man.. is me. Is Dave Holland. The man who is being dubbed by each and every man that has spoken as the key threat to their walking out the victor. The man going in with the least is the man being heralded as the one with the most. You have to ask yourself what that says about the accolades you all own."
*Another flash of metal as the camera jumps closer to the building. The sound of rain against metal and feet on wet sand can be heard as someone within is moving about rapidly. They remain out of sight as the camera continues to move closer and closer.*
"You have to ask why it is people aren't seeing you as much as a threat as this man that comes with nothing. The smarter among you will realise that it's not the accolades that are lacking. Some of them are but I'm not really in any position to judge therefore I won't. But what those smart few will realise is that the accolades are fine.. but you have to consider the man they're being compared to. Consider the one and only... consider all that you know about him and all that you don't.. all that you couldn't. Not even The Ace knows me half as well as he thinks, I never show my full abilities until I absolutely have to. The time has come for the house of Holland to gain itself an accolade... to gain a title, a championship. The time has come when I will step forward and be rewarded for my constant effort, my tireless work and my unwavering loyalty. The world title will fill that role nicely. And then people will understand just what they face, just who they face when they step into the ring with me. Always there will be the nay-sayers. The ones who will relegate me to the realms of tag greatness. The weak minded.. the simple... my singles career has been little more than a side line and yet it still lies more prestigious than many. Still I remain undefeated against almost every man I have ever faced. I know The Ace has once again done a whole lot of talking about me and it is once more to him that I must first turn my attention."
*A lightning strike in the distance, shortly followed by the thunder to accompany the slow movement of a blade on the screen. This again switches back to the approach view which now shows a figure in the shadows wielding a blade in a skillful fashion*
"Because I saw the recent words you felt the need to say. I could have gone through everything you said word by word. I could have gone through your words with a fine comb and come up with a witty and perfect retort as to why you're both a hypocrite and a moron. I could have formulated the ideal plan as to how to tackle you and put it into action. I could have analysed your frame of mind and come up with the perfect game to play with your mind. I could have.. but I haven't. Because there's only three things I want to, have to.. hell, need to say to you. The first is that, no matter your threats, no matter your insults, no matter the insane drive to beat me even if it does mean not actually beating me... despite all that you still haven't. You never have and I'll be damned if you ever will because no matter how good you get, no matter how much you improve, no matter how strong your resolve becomes you never seem to consider the fact that I have had the same time to improve just as much if not more. I'm still better than you, and if laying your ass low this week is how I have to show you that, then that's precisely what I'll do.
Secondly, if you don't want to watch my promos, fine, don't. No one's forcing you to. The tv has a little button.. it's labelled 'off'. It matter nothing to me whether you watch or not because you're right. Nothing I say will have an affect on Sunday's outcome. Just as nothing you say will either. Nothing anyone says has an affect on their actions or the actions of others. The drive, the vision, the talent, the resolve, all these things are innate and individual, that is all. It's a myth that promo's mean victories.. it makes absolutely no sense. And finally Ace.. to tie in everything else you said about me.. everything else you said about anyone and anything you said regarding your own sense of.. I want to say retardedness but let's be fair you'll just turn it round at me thinking it's big and clever just like you do with everything else anyone says... but the sad truth is Ace... I just don't care. I don't care that you don't want me to call you Jake, I don't care that you want to stop me succeeding, I don't care about your sad little pathetic view of your own life that's dictated purely by the pursuit of sex and that black cloud that only you can see looming over you. For the purposes of the match I have to acknowledge your existance but you really want to know what I think about you? Ask yourself why should I care? Put yourself in my shoes and ask yourself why you should care what a guy who just can't beat you in a million years thinks? Why should you care about a guy who's obsessed about the cloud you've cast over his career with absolutely no intention of doing so whatsoever? Why.. should I give a rat's ass? And try thinking before you answer... because I don't care about that either. I'm done with talking to you.. no.. I'm done with talking at you because you don't seem to understand anything I say and when you do it's never in the right context, so why should I bother?
*The camera has gotten close enough to the figure to see that it is Dave Holland with a sword in the rain. In one fluid motion he takes a deck of cards and tosses them into the air. He throws his sword through the deck and it sticks in the stone of the nearby wall, having pierced and stuck the Ace of Spades. The camera turns back to Dave who is now leaning against a wall, regaining his composure and taking a short break*
Dave: And that's what they call a metaphor. The Ace stuck by the gladius. Now don't get me wrong fellas, I'm well aware that this isn't an actual duel to the death with swords and tridents and that kind of thing, But the fact remains that every man in this match has to have complete control of their own choice of weapons as they face off against the other five. Be it their strength, their speed, their technical ability, whatever. Each of us wields our own gladius, it just happens for me that literally wielding one can help me hone my abilities. My poise, my motion, they all require such fine accuracy that doing so with a blade in hand gives me focus. But you know what? I shouldn't really have to explain these finer points of training now should I? I'd like to think that my opponents and, well.. to some extent, colleagues would have at least a modicom of intellect and be able to understand why I do what I do. The fact that so few people seem to get it shouldn't come as a shock but it always does. Sometimes I forget just how retarded the modern wrestler can be. Little more than 'ugh.. thump' some of them. So why should I waste my time here with original concepts and abstract thoughts when what people expect and frankly.. what people want to see is smack talk? If that's what they want, then fine.
*Dave pushes himself away from the wall*
Dave: We'll start with a guy who I'm almost certain will remain silent until late saturday night. Ricky Johnson. I'll be honest I don't know what's going on in his personal life. I don't really know much about him at all except for one thing. He took Milo's belt from him and has remained around the lower division since he lost that self same belt. Sure he's got the X-Division belt now but let's be honest, is that really main even material? Is that really a worthy enough reason to be put forward into the world title scene? I don't think so. If he can win this match then sure, fine, great, all power to him. But the fact remains that he never seems all that committed, to me. Never seems that forthright and frankly.. he has always had a sense of fear about him in my eyes. Refusing to speak out, keeping himself far too much to himself and his bit of fluff. Speaking of which.. is about all he's done except for the X-Division recently. All in a conflict with Bukkake man or someone similar who makes little to no sense at all. He's been fighting against a joke which in turn, unfortunately for him, makes him a joke. I'll be damned if I let a joke take this match from me, and Ricky, if you try any of your arrogant, word twisting, ridiculousness I only have five words for you. Blow it out your ass, because like Ace said, nothing we say makes a blind bit of difference. It all comes to the fore in the ring and you.. you weren't good enough to beat Angel last week and Angel isn't even in this match. Frankly.. he should be here. After that show last week he probably got an invite but he's got other business to deal with... lucky you. You couldn't beat him, you cannot beat me.
*Dave goes to the wall the sword is stuck in it and just looks at it.*
Dave: And the same goes for the rest of you too. From John Anthony to Joe Everyman. Mr National Title. Once again a simple case of right place right time, eh Joe? Let's face it, Manson had his mind on other things.. and the AotR twist in there... I won't take the move away from you but does it count as a real victory? I don't think so. How many titles is that that have been thrown at you now Joe? I've not heard all the stories but I hear that it's more than a simple few. Well if you want this world title you're going to have to earn it... and that's something you're just not in the habit of doing is it? Last week seemed to be a whole show of surprises. National Champion lost, X-Division Champion lost, World Champion lost... I can tell you all now, with so few titles on the line, with so little being risked by you champions in this match, you will all be lost once again. Even if I have to do it myself, even if Spike retains, even if Steve beats Jack... I give each and every one of you in this match my word, that four champions will lose their match at Sovereign. As sure as my name is Dave Holland, as sure as this here is a chunk of stone and as sure as I am that this card right here...
*Dave rips the sword from the wall and points it at the camera, showing the card*
Dave: ...Is the Ace of *** damn Spades, I will be the fall of one of you and once one falls, all fall. Like a house of cards, or a line of dominoes, all it takes is that one moment of precision... that one tactical, timed to perfection strike. That one slot of time where those that can stop me ending the game, have their backs turned, and those that can't are forced to look on in agony, forced to accept their place, forced to stare up at the lights through the very cell they were incarcerated in to begin with.. forced to the very real premise that they were bested by one of the best men in the whole of professional wrestling and certainly by the best man in our merry little posse. That's right... and especially for our dear, deluded, Xtreme Champion I'm going to be specific instead of subtle and flat out say I'm talking about me, Dave Holland.. the man stood before you all at this very moment in time. Not you Jason, ok? You understand you half wit? Do you speak english as a first language? Do you fully understand the inflexions of my sentences? Or are you going to make a fool of yourself and cut another promo saying I'm complimenting you? I mean come on, man, have some dignity. I know it's a cliché but in this battle of wits you truly are unarmed. In the cell is another matter, you have steel, you have bodies and you have your own skills to back yourself up... but you have to understand that so does everyone else. You might threaten me with everything I can do to you, you can do to me.. but that's just it.. it's not much of a threat if it's a two way street. A threat should be a promise of an act that cannot be stopped. We've seen it before, Jason.. you've been stopepd before and by lesser men than I. Out of the others, I'd rank you quite highly but still... second best still isn't best, and if you're not the best, what on earth gives you the idea that you can take this world title shot?
*Dave looks down and chuckles a little before backing away again and slightly talking to himself.*
Dave: I'm sorry, I'm rambling. I've talked for a long time now and people must be falling asleep thinking this is a lecture of some kind.
*Dave slaps the side of the camera*
Dave: Ace.. if you haven't turned this off already, wake up! Come on now stick with it. And the rest of you, don't worry I know some of you are dying to hear what I have to say about you but trust me, I severely doubt any of it'll be good. None of you seem to have a good word to say so why should I do you the courtesy of compliments when you flatly refuse to do me the same courtesy. Always saying I'm a damn good wrestler through gritted teeth, always saying that you 'have to give me my dues' as if you really don't want to. I know why you don't because you're all up against me and that's never a good place to be but come on now... I know you all well enough to know you want to say more than that. That if I was your ally, if I was your partner you would each and every one of you be saying that I am an unstoppable force to be reckoned with and few have ever truly survived my skills. That those that step against me have all fallen and that those who disrespect me have all been ended, each and every one of them. So what's changed? Nothing, that's what. So if you're going to 'give me my dues' and show 'your honest opinion' do it with a smile on your face. be secure in the knowledge that you're stepping in the ring with the best and worst case scenario you're being beaten by the best. There's no shame in it. When my hand is held high... and trust me I mean when... I will gladly shake the hands of any who come to me and show respect. I will pay you all my dues and I will show you all my gratitude in participating in what will easily be a contender for match of the year, even at this early time of year. I bear none of you ill will now save Ace alone and that's purely for his attitude towards me. I will bear none of you ill will when this thing is cut and dry and over and done with. Prove to me that you belong in that cell... prove to nCw that you deserve that world title... prove to the world that you are proud to be counted among the best wrestlers in the best federation in the entire damn world.
*Dave returns to the central stone and starts moving the sword about again, not as strongly or as focussed as before but then he is talking aswell.*
Dave: Now where was I? Oh yes, John Anthony, my compatriot in title-less entrants. I saw the way you manhandled Spike last week... that was damn impressive and I'm not going to take anything away from you for it. You showed a will to win by all and any costs. You've already showed that you deserve a shot at Spike.. we'll just have to see if Spike still has the belt after Sovereign... but what else can I say about you really? Oh yeah... I know. A few months back. There was a match on a Collision... you fought someone didn't you... it was someone going into this match once again... one on one... oh who was it... Am I overdoing it a little? My bad, I tend to do that and I don't just mean with the talking. Why risk doing something satisfactory that might fail when doing something overkill will definately bring it to an end, eh? Anyway back to our match.. do you remember the outcome John? I tokk you to ground, I took to the air and it was all over.. 1, 2 and 3. You think you've improved more than I have since then? Because as much as I understand that this match is a very different affair I still know that you don't have what it takes to lay me low. You and the rest of the guys in there. Banded together, maybe.. 2 or 3 of you at once I'll admit there' not a lot I can do but avoid one and keep taking pot shots at the other but is that really going to happen? The egos and the arrogance of some of the people going into this match will completely put a stop to that,I'll even admit, I'm included in that statement. I don't like gang warfare, I don't like resorting to a numbers game and I have never had to before.
*Dave starts speeding up his arm and sword movements. This blade is razor sharp so if he makes a mistake he's likely to do some real severe damage to himself... but he never does. He swings it around his body at such a speed that it's barely visible apart from as a constant stream of metal floating through the air.*
"But there are other factors involved here. Everyone has personal stuff going on in their lives at the moment. Ace with his women and child that may or may not even be his if this other woman's got the right thoughts... with the general atmosphere of everything that's going on in nCw I get the feeling that everyone has some kind of sob story to tell and is going through something unhappy all the *** damn time. Me though? I'm happy. My life is great and soemtimes I get the impression I'm genuinely the only person who is. Melanie's happy and healthy as is my child, Milo's enjoying the time off which is all good... business is good and if there's any more technical hitches I've already said they're not my concern.. not until after this match. I have nothing weighing me down, nothing holding me back and no one standing in my way save you five alone. I'm going to win this match by pure skill of my own... and it's skill and a clear head that makes a true gladiator."
*Dave actually lets go of the blade for but a moment. It flies in the air, spinning as it does so before landing safely caught by the hilt in Dave's other hand. Dave continues again.*
"Because like I said, a true Gladiator used a Gladius. He knew the tenets of patience and of timing. Never rushing for an imprefect strike that leaves you open to a counter from an unseen direction. A gladiator is a man that uses such a weapon with as great a skill as is humanly possible. The twists with it, he turns with it, he thrusts and he drives with it. Given the ideal circumstances and such a man could fight for eternity with such passion and grace that just isn't seen anymore. A gladiator is a man with honour and a man with courage. A man with dignity even at the last and a man who understands the will of his people with complete obedience and fealty. Like the sword that he carries he must maintain himself and travel effortlessly through his surroundings, be it clear air, the bodies of the fallen or the wall of the enemy. The blade is an extention of the man. Just as my skill is the extention of myself. The air is my realm, the mat is my playground. Inbetween is where I stand. There isn't a single place that I am uncomfortable. You will come to realise this in time, I don't expect any of you to com[rehend anything I say just yet.. but keep hold of this recording. Watch it again once the match is ended. Once I have gone on and taken the #1 contendership in my second company in a row. I failed to capitalise once.. I will not do so again."
*Dave suddenly throws the sword into the sandy ground where the deck of cards lies scattered.*
Dave: I know some of you don't like me spending my money on promo specialities. The complaints I have recieved could literally fill.. a small envelope. And so here I am.. just a man stood in the rain with his sword. No special effects... no fancy tricks of the light or the lenses... just an honest man preparing to do what he honestly does best. I hope you have a lovely evening and a pleasant saturday...
*Dave walks off past the camera*
Dave: Because I assure you all.. Sunday is going to be hell for us all, and I swear Ace if you pull a hell-satan, satan-hell twist of words I will bring a knife to the cell and cut off your nutsack, I **** you not.
*The camera turns to face down at the sword. It's landed in such a way that has skewered yet another card... but this one is also the Ace of Spades.*
"Weird... there's only meant to be one in a deck isn't there?"
*End communication. [i.e. fade to black and scene ends]*