Post by Alex Jones on Nov 1, 2008 5:37:38 GMT -6
The scene opens inside the gym AJ Phoenix has been training at, this time there’s only one man sitting alone in the musty smell of sweat, AJ sits on a bench next to the beaten up old training ring, he seems to be in great shape, he seems to have been able to tone up a little since we last saw him, his eyes stay downward, locked on the object in his hands, the X-Division title.
“You know, it’s a funny thing this business. See around six months ago I was contacted by NCW management, they wanted to know if I’d be interested in returning to wrestling, they found out my injuries had been healed and they were interested in me because of my prior fame in other companies. And I have to admit it was quite a shock, going from being a world title contender, going from being a man who was always the favourite, to being on the bottom of the ladder, I had to start again and at first my ego wouldn’t allow me to accept it, I lashed out, backstabbing friends and teammates, I joined the empire because I believed that I’d be the star I was meant to be, the star I was in that other company.....but that just isn’t that case...”
AJ’s fingers trace the X in the center, and across his name badge, a smile of pride comes across his face, he pulls the title up over his shoulder and gets to his feet holding the title close.
“I had to wake up and realise that starting from the bottom is something I needed to do. I started off as a guy who many knew but few understood, the men who knew me from the past knew what I was capable of and if I still had “it” and the ones who had just heard of me wondered if it was all just hype or if I was the real deal. But right now I stand on the cusp of something great, I stand ready to show that I do indeed still have “it” and that it was never just “hype, I’m facing Fate, a man who has shown he’s not afraid of anyone and that even with his demons he is still one of the most talented NCW newcomers to emerge in the last few months, and I face Jack Hammond, a man who many see as the most under-rated man in NCW, and with fair cause....”
“If I can beat both of these men, if I can retain the X-Division title and go into a third month with it over my shoulder, I will have shown everyone that I am indeed a champion and that someday I will be the world champion of NCW.I look around at men like Lance Ryan, Adam Knite, Trent Helms, Angel,. Steve Awesome, Ace and even Spike Kane and I want to compete on their level, I want to step up and face men of that calibre and standing every week. And that’s not being disrespectful to anyone I’ve faced lately, it’s just my burning desire, my passion to become the best, it’s a competitive streak I’ve always had, and let’s face it, if you’re not competitive in this business, then why the hell are you here?....”
“See I’m tired of people like Angel looking down on me telling the world I’m not a real threat, he likes to parade his two wins over me like trophies, so I have to ask, if I’m not a man worth beating, then why is the supposed number one contender bragging about beating me?. I’ll tell you what Angel, after Mind Games, no matter what happens, win or lose for me, how about you step in the ring with me again, and we’ll see who walks away a winner, in fact, we’ll see who just plain walks away, that’s how it is, from now on, you want to talk crap about me and say that I’m not anything, that my accomplishments mean nothing you better back it up, cause I’m on the ascension, I’m on a mission to show that I am everything I said I am, and it starts on Sunday, with Fate and Hammond....”
AJ turns his head and looks at the shining title belt, he sets it down and folds his arms
“But then again, all of what I’ve done and said over the last few weeks, the changes I’ve been going through obviously mean nothing to Mr Hammond, either that or he hasn’t been paying attention. I told him it was no disappointment to lose to a man of his calibre, that he should be proud of the wins he’s had over me, that he is a future star, and what do I get in return?. I get a man who ignores it all, doesn’t LISTEN and instead chooses to believe I’m still the same cocky egomaniacal bastard I was a few weeks ago. Newsflash Hammond. I realised long ago that although I’m friends with those in the empire, I’m not exactly like them....”
“....And I’m proud of that...”
“See Jack, if I win on Sunday and keep the X-Division belt I’ll be treading unwalked territory, I’ll be the longest reigning X-Division champion ever, I will have beaten both of Angel and Xavier Williams two title reigns in one, it’s the fact I’m proud of, and why shouldn’t I be proud of it Jack?. I fought hard for that belt, but if you do win, then you have won the right to call yourself the X-division champion, and I’ll shake your hand, stare into your eyes and tell you that you have my respect, and if I win I’d ask you to do the same, if you don’t then you don’t, if you do then that change you crave in the NCW will start, see Jack the change you crave, is about respect and honor....”
“..Honor....something every man should have”
“But then again I can already see you changing Jack. I went down that path, you used to be about honor and respect, yet now with your comments about my life, about how it should best be viewed on “livejournal” and such, I can see that you’re slowly becoming like a mini Angel, portraying the good guy while still throwing in little jabs to try and sound smart. Well I’m sorry Jack, but I’m not laughing. That is my life you’re attempting to tear down, yes it’s been put up on NCW for the world to see, but that is the price we pay, and besides, if you’re going to be the “promo” police then maybe you should also go ask Angel if it’s necessary that we saw things about loved one’s funerals and his wife talking all those times, so see, you’re starting to become a hypocrite to by following him...”
“And maybe instead of focusing on my personal life maybe you should focus on my demeanour, cause it’s obvious that I’ve moved past my “cocky” and “arrogant” stage, now what I want to do....is be the best and that means winning..but then again...what would YOU know about being the best?, you’ve tried hard and made baby steps and now you’ve changed a little and you’re expecting to make giant leaps....then again maybe I expect the same thing...but my change is a little less drastic, while you’re playing the “bad-ass” I’m simply showing another side of me...a side some people know well...a side you’ll get very...very..close to Jack...”
AJ pauses for a moment and smiles, then his smile fades a little, he looks away obviously uneasy
“And, I would be remiss if I didn’t comment on Fate, see we saw another glimpse into the life of this deranged but talented man. I can’t begin to understand the pain he’s had in his life. I don’t even want to know...”
“That thing inside you is poison, and it wants my title. Well my friend I believe the best thing I can do for you is to deprive ADM of what it wants, make it fail.....but see, ADM may scare some people, but he doesn’t scare me. He can go on about death and destruction all he wants, cause in the end, to take my title Fate....you’ll have to pry it from my cold...dead....hands.....”
“This Sunday two men will try and take something that means the world to me, one of them is fighting to show he’s not a joke, the other is fighting for his very sanity, me, i’m fighting for something so much more......I’m fighting for my pride....”
AJ smirks and picks up the X-division title as the scene fades
“You know, it’s a funny thing this business. See around six months ago I was contacted by NCW management, they wanted to know if I’d be interested in returning to wrestling, they found out my injuries had been healed and they were interested in me because of my prior fame in other companies. And I have to admit it was quite a shock, going from being a world title contender, going from being a man who was always the favourite, to being on the bottom of the ladder, I had to start again and at first my ego wouldn’t allow me to accept it, I lashed out, backstabbing friends and teammates, I joined the empire because I believed that I’d be the star I was meant to be, the star I was in that other company.....but that just isn’t that case...”
AJ’s fingers trace the X in the center, and across his name badge, a smile of pride comes across his face, he pulls the title up over his shoulder and gets to his feet holding the title close.
“I had to wake up and realise that starting from the bottom is something I needed to do. I started off as a guy who many knew but few understood, the men who knew me from the past knew what I was capable of and if I still had “it” and the ones who had just heard of me wondered if it was all just hype or if I was the real deal. But right now I stand on the cusp of something great, I stand ready to show that I do indeed still have “it” and that it was never just “hype, I’m facing Fate, a man who has shown he’s not afraid of anyone and that even with his demons he is still one of the most talented NCW newcomers to emerge in the last few months, and I face Jack Hammond, a man who many see as the most under-rated man in NCW, and with fair cause....”
“If I can beat both of these men, if I can retain the X-Division title and go into a third month with it over my shoulder, I will have shown everyone that I am indeed a champion and that someday I will be the world champion of NCW.I look around at men like Lance Ryan, Adam Knite, Trent Helms, Angel,. Steve Awesome, Ace and even Spike Kane and I want to compete on their level, I want to step up and face men of that calibre and standing every week. And that’s not being disrespectful to anyone I’ve faced lately, it’s just my burning desire, my passion to become the best, it’s a competitive streak I’ve always had, and let’s face it, if you’re not competitive in this business, then why the hell are you here?....”
“See I’m tired of people like Angel looking down on me telling the world I’m not a real threat, he likes to parade his two wins over me like trophies, so I have to ask, if I’m not a man worth beating, then why is the supposed number one contender bragging about beating me?. I’ll tell you what Angel, after Mind Games, no matter what happens, win or lose for me, how about you step in the ring with me again, and we’ll see who walks away a winner, in fact, we’ll see who just plain walks away, that’s how it is, from now on, you want to talk crap about me and say that I’m not anything, that my accomplishments mean nothing you better back it up, cause I’m on the ascension, I’m on a mission to show that I am everything I said I am, and it starts on Sunday, with Fate and Hammond....”
AJ turns his head and looks at the shining title belt, he sets it down and folds his arms
“But then again, all of what I’ve done and said over the last few weeks, the changes I’ve been going through obviously mean nothing to Mr Hammond, either that or he hasn’t been paying attention. I told him it was no disappointment to lose to a man of his calibre, that he should be proud of the wins he’s had over me, that he is a future star, and what do I get in return?. I get a man who ignores it all, doesn’t LISTEN and instead chooses to believe I’m still the same cocky egomaniacal bastard I was a few weeks ago. Newsflash Hammond. I realised long ago that although I’m friends with those in the empire, I’m not exactly like them....”
“....And I’m proud of that...”
“See Jack, if I win on Sunday and keep the X-Division belt I’ll be treading unwalked territory, I’ll be the longest reigning X-Division champion ever, I will have beaten both of Angel and Xavier Williams two title reigns in one, it’s the fact I’m proud of, and why shouldn’t I be proud of it Jack?. I fought hard for that belt, but if you do win, then you have won the right to call yourself the X-division champion, and I’ll shake your hand, stare into your eyes and tell you that you have my respect, and if I win I’d ask you to do the same, if you don’t then you don’t, if you do then that change you crave in the NCW will start, see Jack the change you crave, is about respect and honor....”
“..Honor....something every man should have”
“But then again I can already see you changing Jack. I went down that path, you used to be about honor and respect, yet now with your comments about my life, about how it should best be viewed on “livejournal” and such, I can see that you’re slowly becoming like a mini Angel, portraying the good guy while still throwing in little jabs to try and sound smart. Well I’m sorry Jack, but I’m not laughing. That is my life you’re attempting to tear down, yes it’s been put up on NCW for the world to see, but that is the price we pay, and besides, if you’re going to be the “promo” police then maybe you should also go ask Angel if it’s necessary that we saw things about loved one’s funerals and his wife talking all those times, so see, you’re starting to become a hypocrite to by following him...”
“And maybe instead of focusing on my personal life maybe you should focus on my demeanour, cause it’s obvious that I’ve moved past my “cocky” and “arrogant” stage, now what I want to do....is be the best and that means winning..but then again...what would YOU know about being the best?, you’ve tried hard and made baby steps and now you’ve changed a little and you’re expecting to make giant leaps....then again maybe I expect the same thing...but my change is a little less drastic, while you’re playing the “bad-ass” I’m simply showing another side of me...a side some people know well...a side you’ll get very...very..close to Jack...”
AJ pauses for a moment and smiles, then his smile fades a little, he looks away obviously uneasy
“And, I would be remiss if I didn’t comment on Fate, see we saw another glimpse into the life of this deranged but talented man. I can’t begin to understand the pain he’s had in his life. I don’t even want to know...”
“That thing inside you is poison, and it wants my title. Well my friend I believe the best thing I can do for you is to deprive ADM of what it wants, make it fail.....but see, ADM may scare some people, but he doesn’t scare me. He can go on about death and destruction all he wants, cause in the end, to take my title Fate....you’ll have to pry it from my cold...dead....hands.....”
“This Sunday two men will try and take something that means the world to me, one of them is fighting to show he’s not a joke, the other is fighting for his very sanity, me, i’m fighting for something so much more......I’m fighting for my pride....”
AJ smirks and picks up the X-division title as the scene fades