Post by Jack Hammond on Jul 4, 2009 6:02:31 GMT -6
Our scene opens on the nCw's littlest champ, striding down the streets of St. Louis, a confident little smile on his face, cheerfully greeting a few people who seem to recognize him in his 'How Hard Can It Be?' t-shirt. It's coming on to late evening in the sweltering state of Missouri, heat shimmering off the ground as the sun sinks over the horizon, bleeding a deep orange into the sky behind the buildings that line the streets Hammond walks down, his eyes drawn to a few patriotic flags and decorations that hang from windowsills in preparation of the 4th of July Celebrations tomorrow.
Hammond turns his attention back to the camera, his grin still firmly in place as he finally begins to speak.
"So it seems I've left myself at a slight disadvantage this time around. Yet again, I've left things a little late when throwing my hat into the ring as it were and respond to what I'm going to go through this Sunday; an Xtreme Assault Match against not simply the number one contender, Shaddix, but also a man whom I have had quite the history with, Xavier Williams, as well as the wildcard that is Rob Diamond."
Jack's confident grin that seemed to be plastered on his face, begins to falter, a more worried expression settling there instead as he slows his pace.
"It also seems that a couple of people now are picking up on how I tend to cut a promo. What with my opening cheeriness being brought into stark contrast with the challenge I have ahead, followed by me voicing my worries only to come back with some 'hilarious' insults and a final speech that apparently makes my fan's hearts swell with pride. In particular, one man has gotten my attention, during one of his particular promos this week."
Jack sighs, shaking his head, scratching his head as he seems to be processing his thoughts.
"Admittedly, to have this pointed out in such stark detail is rather...depressing. To have the entire formula of my success laid bare like this, to have my 'secret' revealed. To have each and every crack I've ever made parodied by a single man who delivered what has to be a scathing review of each of his opponents. Each and every line and action delivered with an overarching intelligence and sophistication on a level of parody I couldn't even dream of achieving."
The X-Division Champ's expression is falling a little further, sighing once again as he throws his hands up disarmingly as he searches for more words before he seems to catch himself, and lets out an exasperated grumble.
"See? It's gotten to me now. However, I feel that Mr. Diamond here, despite his scathing and robust review, missed out a few tricks. For example, whilst I think that suicide is the only way out, you could have elaborated a bit further. A few more cracks at my sexuality and chronic alcoholism would have helped out methinks and further cemented the little lump of depression that he's placed in my gut."
Jack's little 'sad' facade begins to crumble a little as he suppresses a grin that threatens to spread across his face.
"I mean of course we all know that by tossing insults that seem as vicious as a rabid bulldog hurt when they have only a small chance of landing, Rob. I could offer you a few more things to say that would probably round out your little hate-filled rant, and I'll grant you, whilst you seemed to have the character just about down, the content was a little too self-deprecating. I mean, I like to put myself down every now and again but man, you really went what Robert Downey Jr. would call 'full retard'."
He shrugs to himself as he continues walking down the street, his eyes rising to the flags and decorations once again that line the buildings.
"However, whilst I'm not a petty man and I shan't try and take on some persona of Rob Diamond whilst I'm here, seeing as I'd probably get strung up or thrown into jail after about five seconds of speech, I would like to thank Mr. Diamond for taking the time to spend about ten minutes aping me and my opponents and prove once and for all that it seems that the people I face these days are more concerned about my persona, about what I say rather than what I do."
He arches an eyebrow, a grin creeping onto his little face.
"Rob, it's all well and good you had your little laugh, but your little game didn't exactly take into account that I happen to be the X-Division Champion. I didn't get it by talking, I didn't get it thanks to cracking the best jokes, driving around in my car, putting on costumes or masks...I got it by beating someone else. I got it when I defeated Xavier Williams in a fight that saw us battle it out and tear the roof off that arena. Whilst you like to jaw of about being a patriot and you're going to win because I've got horrid teeth. Admittedly, I feel that I could actually gain an advantage thanks to my hereditary halitosis and knock everyone else out with my horrid breath from my gum disease."
Jack shrugs and chuckles to himself but coughs, trying to compose himself for a more serious segment.
"Rob, you tell me what you've achieved and how you got there. You tell us how we whine to get where we are, that everything is handed to us on a silver platter..."
His expression seems to turn slightly nasty, looking he'd been offended beyond belief.
"I don't exactly appreciate that Rob. Your whining about that got my attention way more than your little 'lets-play-dressup', and the fact you think that the men you're facing, two of whom are ex-World Champions, are going to be pushovers against a man who has fallen down at every chance he's ever had the fortune to be a part of. You bemoan the fact that you've got to face all of us in order to get what 'is yours', but you really should open your eyes to the possibility that this Sunday, yet again, you will see yourself fall down. Yet again, we will see you disappointed and bitter. Yet again will you have to whine and moan and bitch and lash out at anyone who hasn't sent you a Christmas card in the last decade."
A cocky grin cracks across Hammond's face, his eyes burning into the camera's viewfinder.
"You wanted some attention, Rob Diamond, you have most certainly got mine. And I like to think I will be able to give a more eloquent response to your accusations this Sunday at Picture Perfect by showing you why exactly I am who I am and retain this title."
Jack's smile grows even more before he blinks and sighs.
"But I'm getting a little ahead of myself now, aren't I? I must apologize to X and Shaddix, it's just that Rob seemed to get my goat. Perhaps it's what he wanted, to get me emotional and lose focus, but I'm not going to be that generous and admit that he could be that smart. Lord knows if he'll even be paying attention to me and Shaddix at all considering the amount of bile he had to spew out about our previous X-Division Champ, Xavier Williams."
He smirks and shrugs once more, shaking his head ruefully.
"I don't know the exact details as to why he seems to have it in for you, X. As long as we've known each other, I've always known you to be a standup kind of guy...well, there was that time when we worked together in that stable for a while and then Angel and Falcon went nuts and we had our own falling out in the process, but still. We've been over many things, X. The World Championship, when I beat you for it and then the X-Division Title, which I also beat you for. It has been a couple of months since we last met and who knows if things will turn out the same? You've been going strong and I know how much you want this title back."
Jack nods and grins confidently at the camera.
"But what I do know is that we won't end up disappointing one another and it's sure to be something that neither of us will forget...wait, I think that came out wrong. Uh, no matter what happens, I'm sure we'll both leave extremely satisfied. Wait...um...well, you know what I mean. But good luck, X. I'm looking forwards to it."
He scratches his head looking a little embarrassed before chuckling.
"And finally, the man who has been gunning for me and who has gotten right up my chuff these past couple of weeks, Mr. Shadow Master himself, Shaddix. I'll admit, he too has gotten my attention and what with his antics in the ring, he has earned a shot. Whether or not he'll be able to capitalize is another thing entirely, what with his inexperience compared to the three other men in the ring he'll have to deal with."
Jack arches an eyebrow quizzically as he pauses to search for the appropriate words.
"I'll admit, he has got talent, his hatred of me has gone to the extent where he was more focussed on me than he was on Night Blade during the number one contender's match last week and a week before he was trying to one-up me in our tag match to the extent we bickered in a corner and I got pinned. He also shoved my head down a toilet a few months back when we had a falls-count-anywhere match, and, much to my chagrin, he seems to have dropped his little emo-facade, meaning I can't take any cheap shots at him for that."
He frowns, looking slightly annoyed if anything else as he continues.
"Annoyingly, he seems to have the right idea going into this match, keeping a level head and seemingly focussed on getting his hands on the title, whilst X and Diamond are perfectly happy to berate each other mercilessly. I've no doubt he will be a right little handful and I'll have to take back what I said about him being a whiner and having no right at having a shot considering where he's come from and what he's still got to prove. Who knows, maybe he'll shock us all and prove that he's got what it takes to prize the championship from that rope above us. So good luck, Shaddix. Don't disappoint me for giving you this opportunity and bring what you say you've got."
A sly grin plays across his lips as he speaks.
"That said, I'm not really looking to roll over, and I can promise each and every one of you that I will put my all into this match to retain this title. Don't ever forget who I am and what I'm capable of, and don't be disappointed if you leave Sunday night, your promises crushed under a Mustang or your dreams shattered by a Viper Vise. If I grab that title off the ropes, it'll be just as sweet to know that I once again gave my all and triumphed against three of the most talented stars in nCw as it was the first time..."
Jack pauses in his confident stride, the X-Division Title glittering around his waist, the lights lining the street reflecting off the golden surface as he pats it.
"I am the nCw X-Division Champion and at Picture Perfect, you'll all see exactly what I mean when I say that."
His grin only grows wider before he chuckles and walks out of shot, the bustling street behind him fading out to black as he finishes his promo.
Hammond turns his attention back to the camera, his grin still firmly in place as he finally begins to speak.
"So it seems I've left myself at a slight disadvantage this time around. Yet again, I've left things a little late when throwing my hat into the ring as it were and respond to what I'm going to go through this Sunday; an Xtreme Assault Match against not simply the number one contender, Shaddix, but also a man whom I have had quite the history with, Xavier Williams, as well as the wildcard that is Rob Diamond."
Jack's confident grin that seemed to be plastered on his face, begins to falter, a more worried expression settling there instead as he slows his pace.
"It also seems that a couple of people now are picking up on how I tend to cut a promo. What with my opening cheeriness being brought into stark contrast with the challenge I have ahead, followed by me voicing my worries only to come back with some 'hilarious' insults and a final speech that apparently makes my fan's hearts swell with pride. In particular, one man has gotten my attention, during one of his particular promos this week."
Jack sighs, shaking his head, scratching his head as he seems to be processing his thoughts.
"Admittedly, to have this pointed out in such stark detail is rather...depressing. To have the entire formula of my success laid bare like this, to have my 'secret' revealed. To have each and every crack I've ever made parodied by a single man who delivered what has to be a scathing review of each of his opponents. Each and every line and action delivered with an overarching intelligence and sophistication on a level of parody I couldn't even dream of achieving."
The X-Division Champ's expression is falling a little further, sighing once again as he throws his hands up disarmingly as he searches for more words before he seems to catch himself, and lets out an exasperated grumble.
"See? It's gotten to me now. However, I feel that Mr. Diamond here, despite his scathing and robust review, missed out a few tricks. For example, whilst I think that suicide is the only way out, you could have elaborated a bit further. A few more cracks at my sexuality and chronic alcoholism would have helped out methinks and further cemented the little lump of depression that he's placed in my gut."
Jack's little 'sad' facade begins to crumble a little as he suppresses a grin that threatens to spread across his face.
"I mean of course we all know that by tossing insults that seem as vicious as a rabid bulldog hurt when they have only a small chance of landing, Rob. I could offer you a few more things to say that would probably round out your little hate-filled rant, and I'll grant you, whilst you seemed to have the character just about down, the content was a little too self-deprecating. I mean, I like to put myself down every now and again but man, you really went what Robert Downey Jr. would call 'full retard'."
He shrugs to himself as he continues walking down the street, his eyes rising to the flags and decorations once again that line the buildings.
"However, whilst I'm not a petty man and I shan't try and take on some persona of Rob Diamond whilst I'm here, seeing as I'd probably get strung up or thrown into jail after about five seconds of speech, I would like to thank Mr. Diamond for taking the time to spend about ten minutes aping me and my opponents and prove once and for all that it seems that the people I face these days are more concerned about my persona, about what I say rather than what I do."
He arches an eyebrow, a grin creeping onto his little face.
"Rob, it's all well and good you had your little laugh, but your little game didn't exactly take into account that I happen to be the X-Division Champion. I didn't get it by talking, I didn't get it thanks to cracking the best jokes, driving around in my car, putting on costumes or masks...I got it by beating someone else. I got it when I defeated Xavier Williams in a fight that saw us battle it out and tear the roof off that arena. Whilst you like to jaw of about being a patriot and you're going to win because I've got horrid teeth. Admittedly, I feel that I could actually gain an advantage thanks to my hereditary halitosis and knock everyone else out with my horrid breath from my gum disease."
Jack shrugs and chuckles to himself but coughs, trying to compose himself for a more serious segment.
"Rob, you tell me what you've achieved and how you got there. You tell us how we whine to get where we are, that everything is handed to us on a silver platter..."
His expression seems to turn slightly nasty, looking he'd been offended beyond belief.
"I don't exactly appreciate that Rob. Your whining about that got my attention way more than your little 'lets-play-dressup', and the fact you think that the men you're facing, two of whom are ex-World Champions, are going to be pushovers against a man who has fallen down at every chance he's ever had the fortune to be a part of. You bemoan the fact that you've got to face all of us in order to get what 'is yours', but you really should open your eyes to the possibility that this Sunday, yet again, you will see yourself fall down. Yet again, we will see you disappointed and bitter. Yet again will you have to whine and moan and bitch and lash out at anyone who hasn't sent you a Christmas card in the last decade."
A cocky grin cracks across Hammond's face, his eyes burning into the camera's viewfinder.
"You wanted some attention, Rob Diamond, you have most certainly got mine. And I like to think I will be able to give a more eloquent response to your accusations this Sunday at Picture Perfect by showing you why exactly I am who I am and retain this title."
Jack's smile grows even more before he blinks and sighs.
"But I'm getting a little ahead of myself now, aren't I? I must apologize to X and Shaddix, it's just that Rob seemed to get my goat. Perhaps it's what he wanted, to get me emotional and lose focus, but I'm not going to be that generous and admit that he could be that smart. Lord knows if he'll even be paying attention to me and Shaddix at all considering the amount of bile he had to spew out about our previous X-Division Champ, Xavier Williams."
He smirks and shrugs once more, shaking his head ruefully.
"I don't know the exact details as to why he seems to have it in for you, X. As long as we've known each other, I've always known you to be a standup kind of guy...well, there was that time when we worked together in that stable for a while and then Angel and Falcon went nuts and we had our own falling out in the process, but still. We've been over many things, X. The World Championship, when I beat you for it and then the X-Division Title, which I also beat you for. It has been a couple of months since we last met and who knows if things will turn out the same? You've been going strong and I know how much you want this title back."
Jack nods and grins confidently at the camera.
"But what I do know is that we won't end up disappointing one another and it's sure to be something that neither of us will forget...wait, I think that came out wrong. Uh, no matter what happens, I'm sure we'll both leave extremely satisfied. Wait...um...well, you know what I mean. But good luck, X. I'm looking forwards to it."
He scratches his head looking a little embarrassed before chuckling.
"And finally, the man who has been gunning for me and who has gotten right up my chuff these past couple of weeks, Mr. Shadow Master himself, Shaddix. I'll admit, he too has gotten my attention and what with his antics in the ring, he has earned a shot. Whether or not he'll be able to capitalize is another thing entirely, what with his inexperience compared to the three other men in the ring he'll have to deal with."
Jack arches an eyebrow quizzically as he pauses to search for the appropriate words.
"I'll admit, he has got talent, his hatred of me has gone to the extent where he was more focussed on me than he was on Night Blade during the number one contender's match last week and a week before he was trying to one-up me in our tag match to the extent we bickered in a corner and I got pinned. He also shoved my head down a toilet a few months back when we had a falls-count-anywhere match, and, much to my chagrin, he seems to have dropped his little emo-facade, meaning I can't take any cheap shots at him for that."
He frowns, looking slightly annoyed if anything else as he continues.
"Annoyingly, he seems to have the right idea going into this match, keeping a level head and seemingly focussed on getting his hands on the title, whilst X and Diamond are perfectly happy to berate each other mercilessly. I've no doubt he will be a right little handful and I'll have to take back what I said about him being a whiner and having no right at having a shot considering where he's come from and what he's still got to prove. Who knows, maybe he'll shock us all and prove that he's got what it takes to prize the championship from that rope above us. So good luck, Shaddix. Don't disappoint me for giving you this opportunity and bring what you say you've got."
A sly grin plays across his lips as he speaks.
"That said, I'm not really looking to roll over, and I can promise each and every one of you that I will put my all into this match to retain this title. Don't ever forget who I am and what I'm capable of, and don't be disappointed if you leave Sunday night, your promises crushed under a Mustang or your dreams shattered by a Viper Vise. If I grab that title off the ropes, it'll be just as sweet to know that I once again gave my all and triumphed against three of the most talented stars in nCw as it was the first time..."
Jack pauses in his confident stride, the X-Division Title glittering around his waist, the lights lining the street reflecting off the golden surface as he pats it.
"I am the nCw X-Division Champion and at Picture Perfect, you'll all see exactly what I mean when I say that."
His grin only grows wider before he chuckles and walks out of shot, the bustling street behind him fading out to black as he finishes his promo.