Post by Lance "The Icon" Ryan on Apr 5, 2008 23:32:29 GMT -6
~*~*~Static fills the television screen and we hear a voice-over as the screen fades to black.~*~*~
~*~*~It is a sad thing when one has led a life so full of truth and so full of denial that their words become like leaves blowing in the wind. Such is life for Lance Ryan. A man that has in his career pulled the “swerve” so to speak on more people than most people come into contact with. In nCw alone we have watched Lance pull the wool over many people’s eyes. Such as the heinous plot that he unleashed on his ex-wife Cassandra. Not to mention the turn to join Reckless Jack in Age of the Revolution. In recent months fans everywhere have watched on as Lance seemingly sold himself out in order to be put back on top as the figurehead of the company, the business. It is for these reasons that Lance has become more difficult to trust than a heroin addict claiming to stop drinking cold turkey. Last we saw the nCw Champion he was claiming to have a respect for Dave Holland, claiming to have shed Age of the Revolution, and claiming to be a new man, a family man as it were. Over the past few days we have had an in depth look at the past of Lance Ryan, looking at the parallels between Lance’s match with Davey Ortega at the inaugural nCw pay per view. We have had a look at the present of Lance Ryan. Looking towards retirement from the business and planning to spend a great deal of time with his family. But one thing has largely been missed in the past few days has been an emphasis on where exactly Lance does plan to go in the future. Does Lance believe that his future starts after his pay per view match with Holland? Does Lance believe that he will in fact lose and retire this coming Sunday? What comes after retirement? Does Kelly Fox stay a part of Lance’s life when he leaves nCw? Will Lance remain in nCw in some capacity after he retires from the ring? Will Jamie remain away from the ring? So many questions, but the true question is whether we will get any answers before the match that Lance has with Dave Holland in mere days.~*~*~
~*~*~Epic. It is an interesting choice by Dave Holland. When thinking of epic, I think of something that was pretty incredible. It set a mark in a time and place, and will be remembered by many for years and years to come. However, I do not believe that the things that Holland speak of will really have much of an impact upon the world in the next century, in the next millennium much less in the next lifetime. I cannot fathom people speaking of Mohammed Ali one hundred years from now. Ali was a hero, a glimmer in time…one of the greatest…epic…but not everlasting. Perhaps my understanding of an epic is different than others…I think of an epic poem, an epic movie…or an epic novel…but an epic being? I think of epic as being something spectacular that many from that particular time or place should or did enjoy…but there is something a step up…legendary. Perhaps a look at the dictionary will help me understand a little bit further. Epic is defined as very imposing or impressive; surpassing the ordinary (especially in size or scale). Legendary is described as a person or achievement worthy of inspiring such a story; anyone or anything whose fame promises to be enduring.~*~*~[/i]
~*~*~The screen stays black and silent for a moment, and were we not a part of a promo, we may in fact wonder if someone has turned off the screen. Suddenly the screen fills with a blinding white light and it fades to a dimmer gray and we hear the words Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of the match and NEW nCw Heavyweight Champion…DAVE HOLLAND!
There is then a sound that sounds similar to that of a tape deck eating a tape and then we hear something different Ladies and Gentlemen, the winner of the match and STILL nCw Heavyweight Champion…LANCE RYAN!
Again the screen goes black and we hear the voice of the present reigning and defending heavyweight champion, Lance Ryan. No visual, just verbal at this point.~*~*~
Lance Ryan: Those are the two options come this Sunday Dave. You will win, or I will win. The victory will be via pin fall or submission. There will be no DQ, there will be no count-out. As far as I can say, one of us will win fairly and one of us will walk away as the undisputed Champion and the undisputed head of this company. You have said a lot of truth over the past month or so Dave, and perhaps nothing that you have said has rang more true than when you stated that I am not secure if the best man is not the champion in nCw.
I could have retired when Spike Kane took my title, but the fact of the matter is that I knew that I was better than Spike and I knew that the best man was not at the helm. I know now that the best man is at the helm and at A Night to Remember, I will be bringing my best. If, and that is in my mind a huge question, you are able to beat me, you are right, you will be the proper man ascending to the throne.
~*~*~The scene finally opens to something discernable. Finally we have something to look at that is not bright white light or faded grey or a jet black screen. We see what appears to be an empty house out in the countryside somewhere. There are no other houses around, and this particular house is surrounded by tones of farm land. We can actually see as the camera gets closer that the house is actually not empty, but does currently look devoid of all human contact. To the right of the house we can see a barn that appears to be housing quite a few horses that are walking around and eating presently. We also can see various other animals as the camera pans out and we get a panoramic view of the land. Cows, pigs, and what may in fact be a chicken coop. It really is a beautiful view that we are taking in, something you can easily get lost in, in fact. We actually are taken in a bit too much when we are startled by a figure walking on screen from the left of the camera. The figure is dressed in blue jeans and a sleeveless black t-shirt. He is also wearing a black cowboy hat with a wide brim.~*~*~[/i]
Lance: It is beautiful isn’t it? This is where we have decided that we are going to spend our life after I retire from professional wrestling. You see, I spent a lot of time thinking things over, trying to decide what may in fact be the right place to raise a family that has for far too long been anything but a family. I decided that the country seemed like a good place to start. I have always had an intimate connection with the wilderness. I feel the most alive when riding on horseback, and I have always found it easier to connect with other people when taking in the nature around you without the disturbance and hustle and bustle of every day city life. You see, as much as I have shed the practices of Reckless Jack in recent days and decided to once again be my own man, I have not shred the doctrine. My biggest concerns in life now are Zell and Jamie. The last thing that I want to see is the two of them dragged into the deep cesspool of life that can find you when you live out in the city. The over abundance of drugs, capitalism and just genuine hatred for life is rampant there. Here, in the country, on my new farm, you can find nothing but hard work, great past-times and love.
There is definitely a side of me that cannot wait for the chance to move my family out here and get away from the wrestling ring. But with that said, there is that side of me that Dave Holland did indeed speak of in a way that perhaps nobody before him has ever understood. The nCw Title means a hell of a lot to me. It is not just the belt that represents the lead of the business that I have chosen to be in. It is the gold standard of a company that I have been a part of since the very beginning. nCw is a company that I take great pride in, I have helped it rise from the ashes like a phoenix and aided it in becoming something new. When I look to my waist or my shoulder and see that the world title is resting there I feel two things. I feel a great sense of pride and I feel a great sense of security. You see, Dave perhaps put it best when he said that I can not retire happily from this industry unless I know in my heart that the best man in the company is atop the company. That man right now is in fact me whether people choose to believe that or not. I have proven time and time again that I am the best that nCw has to offer. Every night I walk to that ring there is a damn good possibility that I am going to wind up on top of my match. You may not love me, you do not have to, you may not hate me, you don’t have to do that either. But what you do have to do is respect me. Respect the fact that for my entire career here, and elsewhere, I have done what needed to be done to be on top of this business.
~*~*~Lance walks up to the house and starts walking around his property. He walks over to the horse stable now and starts feeding one of the horses that has come over to see him.~*~*~[/i]
Lance: Now Dave, you and I need to have a short chat my friend. Respect is something that is tossed around as a word in this industry. Two other words that are tossed around are one that you used, epic, and one that I will use, legendary. Respect is something that people will use when trying to save face against an adversary often times. They will say that they respect their opponent, many times to lull that man into a false sense of security. Now, I have said that I respect you Dave, and I have said that this will be a fair fight, these are two things however that you choose to take a wait-and-see attitude with. To be perfectly honest, I cannot say that I blame you one bit. I have said and done a lot of things to you and to others in the past two months, and it would be hard to take me at my word. You will not fully understand until I walk down that aisle and send my friends to the back and offer to shake your hand…perhaps even then you will decide to wait and see. You are in an interesting position Dave, do you trust a man that has become your mortal enemy and have a fair match, or do you seek out to destroy him in fear that perhaps I am lying.
Now, you chose to center a lot of your last promo around the word epic. A word that was examined earlier on here. I believe that there is little doubt that our match will be epic tomorrow evening. There is no chance in my mind that this match will be anything less. The cameras will be aimed, some tears will be flowing and everyone will be watching in anticipation to see if I walk out of that match with everything still in tact or if I walk away with nothing. At the same time, many will be watching and anticipating the beginning of a Dave Holland era here in nCw. An era that would be ushered in by many with great joy and great emotion as well. Dave, you perhaps have sold yourself short here in deciding if this match will be epic. You spoke on how great I am and my career, but let us take a look at your now. Since coming here you have won a great deal more than lost. You have gained the respect of every peer in the locker-room and you have gained a huge fan base. To me, these are all things that make you in fact an epic superstar. No matter where you go, there are die hard Dave Holland fans that are hanging on your every word and looking up to your every action. When you speak of epic, you MUST include Dave Holland in that same breath. Now me. I am flattered when you refer to me as possibly being epic, but at the same time I must disagree.
~*~*~Lance sits down now leaning against the fence and looking out across the vast farm land that he now owns and appears deep in thought.~*~*~[/i]
Lance: However, I believe that I surpassed epic a long time ago. Epic is a man that puts on a few good matches and gets recognized for his accomplishments. Epic is the man that is recognized by his peers during a certain era as being one of the best. Epic I am not. Call me arrogant, call me brash, call me whatever you want…but I am a legend in this business Dave Holland. I have been up and down the roads of wrestling for more years than most could ever boast. I have travelled and I have been weather tested. I have fought some epic battles and I have defeated some epic men…all on the road to being legendary. Now, I do believe that my resume speaks for itself. I am not going to toot my horn and give you a history lesson, if you know, you know, and if you don’t know, you would never listen anyways.
All of this land and all of this beauty around me speaks for what I have done. I was able to afford a place that my family will enjoy when I retire…but before that retirement comes I have at least one match left in me. It may in fact be only one match less than twenty-four hours away, but I do have at least that match. As much as you question whether ours will be epic, I do not have that question Dave. I believe that the possibility of epic was surpassed when you won the match to make yourself a gladiator. This match pits a man that I clearly respect and clearly view as epic against a man that I dare say will be remembered in the annuls of wrestling for all time, a legend in this business, myself. Dave, I hold both of us on a higher plateau than you do I suppose. For if we battle this Sunday and we have an epic match…I will be disappointed. I will feel let down because that to me would mean that we did not accomplish all that we could. When we set foot in the same ring this Sunday I want a legendary match. A match that people will speak of for years and eras to come. Whether I win or you win thus Sunday something amazing is going to happen. The two greatest wrestlers of this era will be fighting one on one and let me tell you Dave…there is something to be said about beating me in a high profile match. Only one man in this company has done it before, and few over the years have. Dave, this is your chance to surpass all of those movies that you have quoted. This is your opportunity to prove everyone wrong…this is your time to make the jump from being epic to being legendary. Bring your game Dave, I want to see what you have got. You have a lot to prove to me. Prove that if I lose that belt to you I am indeed passing the torch onto a man that is the best this business to offer. Prove to me that you are the next legend Dave and I will pass the torch onto you once and for all.
~*~*~Lance rises to his feet and begins the walk off into a sunset towards the house. Lance almost disappears in what could be an ironic end to what could be his last promo ever in the business. The image of his body is lost in the orange and red rays of sunset. A metaphor for what may in fact be one of the best careers in wrestling history.~*~*~[/i]
~*~*~It is a sad thing when one has led a life so full of truth and so full of denial that their words become like leaves blowing in the wind. Such is life for Lance Ryan. A man that has in his career pulled the “swerve” so to speak on more people than most people come into contact with. In nCw alone we have watched Lance pull the wool over many people’s eyes. Such as the heinous plot that he unleashed on his ex-wife Cassandra. Not to mention the turn to join Reckless Jack in Age of the Revolution. In recent months fans everywhere have watched on as Lance seemingly sold himself out in order to be put back on top as the figurehead of the company, the business. It is for these reasons that Lance has become more difficult to trust than a heroin addict claiming to stop drinking cold turkey. Last we saw the nCw Champion he was claiming to have a respect for Dave Holland, claiming to have shed Age of the Revolution, and claiming to be a new man, a family man as it were. Over the past few days we have had an in depth look at the past of Lance Ryan, looking at the parallels between Lance’s match with Davey Ortega at the inaugural nCw pay per view. We have had a look at the present of Lance Ryan. Looking towards retirement from the business and planning to spend a great deal of time with his family. But one thing has largely been missed in the past few days has been an emphasis on where exactly Lance does plan to go in the future. Does Lance believe that his future starts after his pay per view match with Holland? Does Lance believe that he will in fact lose and retire this coming Sunday? What comes after retirement? Does Kelly Fox stay a part of Lance’s life when he leaves nCw? Will Lance remain in nCw in some capacity after he retires from the ring? Will Jamie remain away from the ring? So many questions, but the true question is whether we will get any answers before the match that Lance has with Dave Holland in mere days.~*~*~
~*~*~Epic. It is an interesting choice by Dave Holland. When thinking of epic, I think of something that was pretty incredible. It set a mark in a time and place, and will be remembered by many for years and years to come. However, I do not believe that the things that Holland speak of will really have much of an impact upon the world in the next century, in the next millennium much less in the next lifetime. I cannot fathom people speaking of Mohammed Ali one hundred years from now. Ali was a hero, a glimmer in time…one of the greatest…epic…but not everlasting. Perhaps my understanding of an epic is different than others…I think of an epic poem, an epic movie…or an epic novel…but an epic being? I think of epic as being something spectacular that many from that particular time or place should or did enjoy…but there is something a step up…legendary. Perhaps a look at the dictionary will help me understand a little bit further. Epic is defined as very imposing or impressive; surpassing the ordinary (especially in size or scale). Legendary is described as a person or achievement worthy of inspiring such a story; anyone or anything whose fame promises to be enduring.~*~*~[/i]
~*~*~The screen stays black and silent for a moment, and were we not a part of a promo, we may in fact wonder if someone has turned off the screen. Suddenly the screen fills with a blinding white light and it fades to a dimmer gray and we hear the words Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of the match and NEW nCw Heavyweight Champion…DAVE HOLLAND!
There is then a sound that sounds similar to that of a tape deck eating a tape and then we hear something different Ladies and Gentlemen, the winner of the match and STILL nCw Heavyweight Champion…LANCE RYAN!
Again the screen goes black and we hear the voice of the present reigning and defending heavyweight champion, Lance Ryan. No visual, just verbal at this point.~*~*~
Lance Ryan: Those are the two options come this Sunday Dave. You will win, or I will win. The victory will be via pin fall or submission. There will be no DQ, there will be no count-out. As far as I can say, one of us will win fairly and one of us will walk away as the undisputed Champion and the undisputed head of this company. You have said a lot of truth over the past month or so Dave, and perhaps nothing that you have said has rang more true than when you stated that I am not secure if the best man is not the champion in nCw.
I could have retired when Spike Kane took my title, but the fact of the matter is that I knew that I was better than Spike and I knew that the best man was not at the helm. I know now that the best man is at the helm and at A Night to Remember, I will be bringing my best. If, and that is in my mind a huge question, you are able to beat me, you are right, you will be the proper man ascending to the throne.
~*~*~The scene finally opens to something discernable. Finally we have something to look at that is not bright white light or faded grey or a jet black screen. We see what appears to be an empty house out in the countryside somewhere. There are no other houses around, and this particular house is surrounded by tones of farm land. We can actually see as the camera gets closer that the house is actually not empty, but does currently look devoid of all human contact. To the right of the house we can see a barn that appears to be housing quite a few horses that are walking around and eating presently. We also can see various other animals as the camera pans out and we get a panoramic view of the land. Cows, pigs, and what may in fact be a chicken coop. It really is a beautiful view that we are taking in, something you can easily get lost in, in fact. We actually are taken in a bit too much when we are startled by a figure walking on screen from the left of the camera. The figure is dressed in blue jeans and a sleeveless black t-shirt. He is also wearing a black cowboy hat with a wide brim.~*~*~[/i]
Lance: It is beautiful isn’t it? This is where we have decided that we are going to spend our life after I retire from professional wrestling. You see, I spent a lot of time thinking things over, trying to decide what may in fact be the right place to raise a family that has for far too long been anything but a family. I decided that the country seemed like a good place to start. I have always had an intimate connection with the wilderness. I feel the most alive when riding on horseback, and I have always found it easier to connect with other people when taking in the nature around you without the disturbance and hustle and bustle of every day city life. You see, as much as I have shed the practices of Reckless Jack in recent days and decided to once again be my own man, I have not shred the doctrine. My biggest concerns in life now are Zell and Jamie. The last thing that I want to see is the two of them dragged into the deep cesspool of life that can find you when you live out in the city. The over abundance of drugs, capitalism and just genuine hatred for life is rampant there. Here, in the country, on my new farm, you can find nothing but hard work, great past-times and love.
There is definitely a side of me that cannot wait for the chance to move my family out here and get away from the wrestling ring. But with that said, there is that side of me that Dave Holland did indeed speak of in a way that perhaps nobody before him has ever understood. The nCw Title means a hell of a lot to me. It is not just the belt that represents the lead of the business that I have chosen to be in. It is the gold standard of a company that I have been a part of since the very beginning. nCw is a company that I take great pride in, I have helped it rise from the ashes like a phoenix and aided it in becoming something new. When I look to my waist or my shoulder and see that the world title is resting there I feel two things. I feel a great sense of pride and I feel a great sense of security. You see, Dave perhaps put it best when he said that I can not retire happily from this industry unless I know in my heart that the best man in the company is atop the company. That man right now is in fact me whether people choose to believe that or not. I have proven time and time again that I am the best that nCw has to offer. Every night I walk to that ring there is a damn good possibility that I am going to wind up on top of my match. You may not love me, you do not have to, you may not hate me, you don’t have to do that either. But what you do have to do is respect me. Respect the fact that for my entire career here, and elsewhere, I have done what needed to be done to be on top of this business.
~*~*~Lance walks up to the house and starts walking around his property. He walks over to the horse stable now and starts feeding one of the horses that has come over to see him.~*~*~[/i]
Lance: Now Dave, you and I need to have a short chat my friend. Respect is something that is tossed around as a word in this industry. Two other words that are tossed around are one that you used, epic, and one that I will use, legendary. Respect is something that people will use when trying to save face against an adversary often times. They will say that they respect their opponent, many times to lull that man into a false sense of security. Now, I have said that I respect you Dave, and I have said that this will be a fair fight, these are two things however that you choose to take a wait-and-see attitude with. To be perfectly honest, I cannot say that I blame you one bit. I have said and done a lot of things to you and to others in the past two months, and it would be hard to take me at my word. You will not fully understand until I walk down that aisle and send my friends to the back and offer to shake your hand…perhaps even then you will decide to wait and see. You are in an interesting position Dave, do you trust a man that has become your mortal enemy and have a fair match, or do you seek out to destroy him in fear that perhaps I am lying.
Now, you chose to center a lot of your last promo around the word epic. A word that was examined earlier on here. I believe that there is little doubt that our match will be epic tomorrow evening. There is no chance in my mind that this match will be anything less. The cameras will be aimed, some tears will be flowing and everyone will be watching in anticipation to see if I walk out of that match with everything still in tact or if I walk away with nothing. At the same time, many will be watching and anticipating the beginning of a Dave Holland era here in nCw. An era that would be ushered in by many with great joy and great emotion as well. Dave, you perhaps have sold yourself short here in deciding if this match will be epic. You spoke on how great I am and my career, but let us take a look at your now. Since coming here you have won a great deal more than lost. You have gained the respect of every peer in the locker-room and you have gained a huge fan base. To me, these are all things that make you in fact an epic superstar. No matter where you go, there are die hard Dave Holland fans that are hanging on your every word and looking up to your every action. When you speak of epic, you MUST include Dave Holland in that same breath. Now me. I am flattered when you refer to me as possibly being epic, but at the same time I must disagree.
~*~*~Lance sits down now leaning against the fence and looking out across the vast farm land that he now owns and appears deep in thought.~*~*~[/i]
Lance: However, I believe that I surpassed epic a long time ago. Epic is a man that puts on a few good matches and gets recognized for his accomplishments. Epic is the man that is recognized by his peers during a certain era as being one of the best. Epic I am not. Call me arrogant, call me brash, call me whatever you want…but I am a legend in this business Dave Holland. I have been up and down the roads of wrestling for more years than most could ever boast. I have travelled and I have been weather tested. I have fought some epic battles and I have defeated some epic men…all on the road to being legendary. Now, I do believe that my resume speaks for itself. I am not going to toot my horn and give you a history lesson, if you know, you know, and if you don’t know, you would never listen anyways.
All of this land and all of this beauty around me speaks for what I have done. I was able to afford a place that my family will enjoy when I retire…but before that retirement comes I have at least one match left in me. It may in fact be only one match less than twenty-four hours away, but I do have at least that match. As much as you question whether ours will be epic, I do not have that question Dave. I believe that the possibility of epic was surpassed when you won the match to make yourself a gladiator. This match pits a man that I clearly respect and clearly view as epic against a man that I dare say will be remembered in the annuls of wrestling for all time, a legend in this business, myself. Dave, I hold both of us on a higher plateau than you do I suppose. For if we battle this Sunday and we have an epic match…I will be disappointed. I will feel let down because that to me would mean that we did not accomplish all that we could. When we set foot in the same ring this Sunday I want a legendary match. A match that people will speak of for years and eras to come. Whether I win or you win thus Sunday something amazing is going to happen. The two greatest wrestlers of this era will be fighting one on one and let me tell you Dave…there is something to be said about beating me in a high profile match. Only one man in this company has done it before, and few over the years have. Dave, this is your chance to surpass all of those movies that you have quoted. This is your opportunity to prove everyone wrong…this is your time to make the jump from being epic to being legendary. Bring your game Dave, I want to see what you have got. You have a lot to prove to me. Prove that if I lose that belt to you I am indeed passing the torch onto a man that is the best this business to offer. Prove to me that you are the next legend Dave and I will pass the torch onto you once and for all.
~*~*~Lance rises to his feet and begins the walk off into a sunset towards the house. Lance almost disappears in what could be an ironic end to what could be his last promo ever in the business. The image of his body is lost in the orange and red rays of sunset. A metaphor for what may in fact be one of the best careers in wrestling history.~*~*~[/i]