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| Jay Gold vs. Matt Hodges vs. Brian Kinney; SCW Championship | |
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| Topic Started: Jul 7 2008, 06:50 PM (429 Views) | |
| Mr. D | Jul 7 2008, 06:50 PM Post #1 |
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The SCW Owner and Leader of the Nation of Moderation
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Teaser to be added shortly... RP Limit: 3 RP limit Deadline: 11:59 pm EST Saturday, June 19, 2008 |
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| Jay Gold | Jul 14 2008, 01:49 AM Post #2 |
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YES! YES! YES! YES! :)
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[align=center]THE PAST[/align] [Well, I have my glass raised to those days that have passed not just me by, but everyone else as well. Every time we get to this time of year, right dead in the middle of summer I think back. So much good has happened, but along with that good, I’ve taken the bad as well.] [Case in point…October of 2006. That’s a month that I will never be able to forget. Within a few days time I went from losing a very good friend to becoming the SCW World Champion for the second time. Yes I know that Matt Hodges has no idea what happened back then. Brian Kinney’s memory of it…while it might be a tad bit better…well, he probably doesn’t remember all of the details. But I do… From time to time I seem to relapse back to that moment and remember all the words that were shared, the battles that I was going through at that time, and even the days that followed the beginning to my second World Title reign. While on the calendar it all seems like it happened so long ago, for me it’s like it happened only yesterday…] [I shake my head as once again those thoughts emerge into my brain. Currently I’m packing up my things, getting ready to leave the state of Pennsylvania behind. To my right side, waiting by the hotel room door is Kassandra, remaining silent for the time being. I’m glad that it’s her standing there though and not Emily. She’s just been an annoying nuisance ever since I first ran into her! I’m amazed how Kassandra can get along with her. The two of them seem like quite the opposites. I continue shaking my head as the young brunette just keeps her eyes on me. From time to time I glance over at her. Even though her skin is quite tanned, she kind of reminds me of a darker skinned Sparkle. Yeah, she was quite the friend. Whenever she was around, I knew everything would be okay…the same way that I feel with Martha.] [Sighing, I zip up my bags as I’m now completed and ready to go. As I stand up, Kassandra moves from the door over to me, offering silently to take one of my bags. Nice girl… She takes one from me and takes the lead by opening the hotel room door. I take one final look around the room making sure I haven’t forgotten everything. I haven’t so I shut the door, reassuming my following of Kassandra down the 3rd floor hallway. It’s nice and cool here indoors but I know there is decent heat waiting for us outside. No wonder why I find myself in a pair of navy blue shorts and a white SCW t-shirt. My current comrade, judging from being able to see a good deal of her back, is donning a light blue halter top. Her brown hair is tied back into a single ponytail. I know I shouldn’t be doing it, but I can’t stop myself from staring right at her…that is until we come to the elevator. She hits the button and a door immediately opens. She holds it for me as my two bags are loaded in. I hit the “close door” button and the two of us just wait for the doors to open again, both of us waiting silently and patiently.] [As soon as the door to the elevator opens, we’re greeted by the all-too-exuberant blonde that I’m really growing to hate. Kassandra just shrugs as she hands me over my second bag. Emily is already holding hers and keeping watch on Kassandra’s.] Emily: So Jay, are you ready to hit the open road again? [I seriously don’t know why she’s so enamored with following me.] Jay: I really do wish that you’d let me go on alone. Emily: I can’t do that. You wanted to meet our friend and so you shall…as soon as we make our way down to Atlanta. Say, do you need to make any stops along the way? Jay: I’m not wrestling until next Sunday night, but yeah, I need to make a stop off in Lexington…hence why I prefer to go alone… [Kassandra seems to take the hint as she grabs her things and hands to the hotel exit. Emily however lags behind, begging me and insisting that the two of them come with me. I’m not going to give in to her demands though, even if it means NOT meeting this friend of hers.] Emily: But I promise you…I think you’ll really like her… Jay: Perhaps you forgot that I said I’m happily married? Emily: No, I didn’t forget that. [Without clearance from me, she slips her arm around my neck and talks to me softly. Kassandra has frozen her legs by the lobby doors, turning back to see where we are.] Emily: Look Jay, I REALLY think you’ll like meeting our friend. She’s wrestled…just like you. She’s very friendly to those that she wants to befriend. And best of all… Jay: Alright enough Emily! [I say that a bit too loud and even the clerks at the front desk look at me with obscure faces. I set my luggage down and plop the 2 key cards for my room on the desk before heading back to my bags, picking them up and walking towards the door. As I meet up with Kassandra the two of us push our way through the glass doors…with Emily a few steps behind, telling us to wait up. But seriously, when have I ever listened to her? That’s right…never! That would be like me actually listening to what Matt Hodges has to say about me…or listening to the Chris Lawler fans that still brag about his victory over me two months ago. Two mother loving months ago!] [Anyways, with this hotel now as part of the past, it’s time to move on. But for whatever reason I can’t. I find my mind again meandering to thoughts of the dear friend whom I lost for unknown reasons almost two years ago. I recall her beautiful smile, how her shiny black hair used to bounce around, how the sun would make her shoulders glisten when she left them bare, how happy she was when she saw Martha and I hand in hand, and how happy she was when she was with Mr. Showtime. I remember practically every single detail. Those were the good ole days, when I was winning match after match and championship after championship, winning over the love and support of the fans. While I still have the fans, and I’m glad for every single last one, times have changed. People label me now as a complete failure. I know that everyone isn’t even counting my victory over Brian Kinney. They have every right to do that too.] [But look at me…I’m rambling and we’re only one week away from the most important night in my modern day life! Perhaps I should keep my mind on the past, because back in 2006, I told Sparkle while she was on her deathbed that I would win the SCW Championship for her…and I did! I persevered. Every single move that I made inside Tactical Warfare I made for her, knowing that I would never see her again. To be honest, ever since that point, my career has been on the downward spiral. Remembering the good times though…yeah…] [Unfortunately I’m snapped out of it and brought back to the present day entirely by that nagging voice of Emily. I just wish she’d go jump in a lake and stay there!] Emily: My you two are walking fast. What gives? [I spin around real fast and give it to her in a gruff tone.] Jay: You’re so naïve Emily! I don’t want to have anything to do with you or your friend. Can’t you see that I have places to be and things to do?! Emily: Yes, but…but you will… Jay: No, I won’t! I don’t need any of this shit! [I storm away from the two, heading right to the closest taxi cab, hoping that the driver will be able to take me right to the airport. This way I’ll be able to keep to my own thoughts and not have to worry about those two. Kassandra isn’t bad at all, but I can’t take Emily…not for another fucking second! She’s making me WISH that I was stuck frozen in time in 2006…with Martha and I together…Sparkle still alive…everything all hunky dory! But it’s not…it’s not damn it!] [With no hesitation on my part I tap gently on the passenger window of the cab. The driver rolls down the window and asks what the problem is. Easy answer here…] Jay: What’s the quickest way to get down to Kentucky? Because I want out of here BAD! Cab Driver: Hop in. I can either take you to the train station or up to Newark Airport in Jersey. Jay: Airport’s good. I need time to think and it’s doubtful that I’ll be able to get a ticket right away. Cab Driver: Newark Airport it is. That’ll be $35. Jay: $35 well spent… [Before he gets underway I slip him the money. The engine then starts and we’re off. I look back behind me to see Emily and Kassandra standing there…Emily stamping her feet on the sidewalk…pissed off.] [That’s good though. Now time to think for myself… Time to go back to the past with no interruptions… Yeah, none of those…that would be golden…] [I feel my blue eyes shut very slowly and my shoulders begin to relax. Soon I just know that images will fill inside my head, hopefully images that I’ve been longing to see once again…] [align=center]* * *[/align] [Voices. I can hear them, but they’re jumbled and not as plain as day. I focus, trying to separate them out. My eyes seem to open a touch but still my vision isn’t one-hundred percent. What I first see is a pair of feet scampering past. Then I hear the first voice that I can remember…] Cid: I’m out of Cheetos! How the hell can I be out of Cheetos?!?! :CTface:! [I look up now and see her long straight hair hanging off the back of the couch. It’s unmistakable. I find myself attracted to it and take two steps towards when Martha’s frame steps in front, shading my view.] Martha: Are you alright? You don’t look well Jay. Here, why don’t you lie down… Danielle, Showtime…Jay needs to lie down for a bit. That alright? Sparkle: Yeah. [Her voice, so angelic, so full of bliss… I love Martha and all, but from Sparkle…that’s a voice of a true friend…a voice that will never be gone from my head, no matter what happens.] [As Martha moves me to the couch, not knowing that only my mind is here, I see Cid Turner going into the refrigerator, looking for a different munchie since he’s out of his favorite. Good ole Cid…so much HAS changed within the past few years and I’ve lived through it all.] [Before I’m laid down, Martha fluffs a pair of pillows and puts them down to support my head. I feel comfortable here as a figment of the past. Comfortable amongst friends and not people whom I hate at this juncture. I speak, but only to ask a question of my bride… She hears me…] Jay: What day is today? Martha: Oh dear… You’re more out of it than I thought. It’s July 14, 2004. Rise to Greatness is in 4 days and you have to take on Dean Black! He’s made so many threats to you and… Cid: I wouldn’t be worried about Jay. He’ll expose Dean for the filthy liar that he is. All that talk about darkness. That idiot... <_< [My eyes follow Cid as he goes back to picking through the fridge. Finally he pulls out a brick of Land ‘O’ Lakes Cheese and gets out a tiny trusty knife to lop off a few pieces. I miss this Cid. I miss this couch. I miss the times that the Dynasty all shared. But alas, it’s now 2008…four years later. No longer am I able to listen to Sparkle’s sweet, almost operatic voice. And Martha, she’s no longer pregnant with Sarah Vixen, but with our second child.] [The images are fading once again as are my eyelids. The only voice I hear now is of Martha screaming for help as she can see that I’m fading…unbeknownst to her, fading back to the present day…the time period that I’m forced to live in…] [align=center]* * *[/align] [I’m completely awoken by the sound of the honking horn. I quickly try to get back into sorts as I see that we’ve hit a pretty decent tie-up on our way to Newark. The cab driver looks back at me.] Cab Driver: Hell, you may as well snooze a bit more. We’re not going anywhere quick. Jay: Don’t worry about it. I’d actually prefer to go backwards and not forwards. Cab Driver: Problems where you’re headed? Jay: Eh, not really. More like problems that were following me back at the hotel. Cab Driver: I see. You don’t want to meet up with those problems again. Jay: That’s right. To be honest with you, I wish it was any time before October of 2006 again. [He stays silent now, probably figuring that something not so good happened in my life back then. You all already know what that is. It leaves me depressed…so sad that I can’t even look forward to Rise to Greatness now with open arms, unlike what I was able to do back in 2004. Nope, the thoughts that come to my mind now are unclear ones. Why? Because something just gnaws at me about the past. Something just isn’t quite right. It seems…incomplete, which means that the present and the future are as well.] I just can’t wrap my finger around it. I feel funny. I know that something is wrong. It’s pulling me backwards into a past that was so loaded with brightness…the better days of my career if you will. The days where the Dynasty held almost every single championship belt. The days where happiness was all around. From me and Martha…over to Sparkle and Mr. Showtime…and finally over to Mono Loco and Jaden Dallas. And from those moments onto the troublesome ones…when Martha and I weren’t getting along, to the healing process, all the way to 2006 when we lost Sparkle…forever. It all happened so fast…and to think that Rise to Greatness must all happen in one evening, within a matter of a few short hours. Sure, I’ve been a part of the previous four spectacles, but never have I been included in the main event. However no one feels that I should be here. Right now I feel as if I don’t belong. I’m of the past while Brian Kinney’s of the present. Matt Hodges…he’s of the future. As far as Matt goes, he’s very hungry. I’ve sensed it more than once. I’ve even sensed it from others before him. I’ve done battle with his kind several times before this Sunday. This time however might just be the final time that I get to do it with the SCW World Championship belt on the line. I know I said that I don’t want my Trios shot to go to waste, but Matt has showed me that he’s willing to go that extra damn mile to get the job done. He showed it on Breakdown and for that, I take my hat off to him. I know…respect…at a bad time…at a time where I should be focusing on knocking his teeth down his throat. But you know what? This business is not about who can win the verbal battles. It’s not about making your opponent feel like shit. It’s about going out there and doing what you do best. And this past Wednesday, I simply didn’t do that. I held back…something that I won’t allow to happen this Sunday, no matter what state my mind is in. [The traffic is budging now a decent bit…enough for us to get off at the next exit and take the back roads to the airport. As soon as we’re there I tip the driver and thank him before making my exit. Anxious to get a move on, I hightail it for the terminal, but as soon as I step inside, I see a sight that I don’t want to see…or hear for that matter…] Emily: Gee Jay, what took you so long? [I want to just scream at the top of my lungs! Yes the past would be an awesome place to be, especially as of this moment! Oh just please someone hit me with something really hard and let me go back!] [I close my eyes, but it’s of no use. The dirty blonde still stands there before me as Kassandra is in the background. If it was her alone, her I could deal with. She’s so tranquil…just like my Martha…just like Sparkle was. But no…of course not. Oh well, it looks like I’ll just have to give in and go with them down south. I’ll just use the ear plugs and think of the thoughts that I want clouding my head…even if I do have to resort to thinking about Brian Kinney, Matt Hodges and Rise To Greatness. Any thought is better than the thought of having to hear Emily’s raspy voice and the thought of having to look at her… Nope, my focus will now lie elsewhere and only elsewhere. With that said, I retire to a bench in the terminal. I hear Emily telling Kassandra to watch me like a hawk as Emily goes up to the nearest ticket corner. For now I just stare straight ahead, blankly, as if waiting for my next piece of action which will soon come.] Matt, yeah, you won. You probably believe that that single victory will be enough to propel you to the SCW Championship, but I have news for you. A victory over me doesn’t mean much these days. I’m sure you’ve noticed that. Now I’m sure you’re wondering, why am I putting myself down within a week of the big match? Well it’s simple…I feel as if sometimes these days I just can’t hack it with the younger talent. Maybe, just maybe it’s because of the days gone by. I don’t feel whole and I don’t know why. Perhaps in the coming days I might find out, but it’s doubtful. So more than likely you might see that shell of my old former self…then again, I might be able to drag out the champion within me and shock the world one more time before I decide to retire. If I were you, I would bet on the latter and bring out your best in Atlanta. This time without the steel chair, okay? I can understand that you wanted to get a leg up on the competition Matt, but seriously, you should put that leg down before you hurt yourself. As far as I go, I’ll make sure that my ego is in check…as it always is…before I hit that ring. I have no reason to be egotistical here. I’m the big time underdog here. No one believes that I can win. No one believes that I can even hang with you and Brian, Matt. Yet here I am with that opportunity to show the two of you up and do what supposedly can’t be done. That’s right Matt…this single figment of the past will become the present and the future, everything that you yearn to be. To the outgoing champion, that being you Brian, the same message applies so there is no need for me to be redundant. All I ask of you is that you train hard like you usually do, keep your problems out of the ring like you usually do…and things will go along swimmingly. They just won’t go according to your plans or to Matt’s. This chance…this title shot Brian that I earned over ten months ago…it’s not going right down the shitter. As long as I keep my mind straight, which I do intend on doing…this shot will lead to another of those Golden Moments. One more to add to my illustrious history…one more that will show that I can improve with the times…improve against both the present and the future… [I feel that hand once again on my shoulder that’s made me shiver before. Looking up I see that it’s Kassandra.] Kassandra: Don’t mind her. She really wants you to meet our friend. Jay: May I ask what this friend of yours name is? Kassandra: She never told us. Jay: You were all friends yet she never said? Kassandra: Yes. [I’m stymied by this. Then again I’ve been just left speechless quite a bit as of late. Hopefully this Sunday, if I meet this friend of theirs or not, that I can make my opponents speechless. That will be a moment that will truly be worth remembering…a moment that will quickly sink into the past, but a moment that will forever linger in my mind.] Emily: Oh good, the two of you are still here. I got tickets for the three of us down to Kentucky! Looks like you can make that pit stop that you need to make Jay… Jay: Oh goody… [I snatch my ticket from Emily’s hand, stand up, grab my two bags and go off towards the café to find myself a snack. Maybe a bit of food would do my body good for now… The time away from Emily certainly did, but that’s now over…as is my time in the past...] |
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| Jay Gold | Jul 17 2008, 01:13 AM Post #3 |
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YES! YES! YES! YES! :)
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[align=center]THE PRESENT[/align] [The time that I don’t want to live in, yet I’m here. So where am I exactly? Rupp Arena...late Thursday morning, just three days away from Rise to Greatness. Only three days until I enter the ring to take on Brian Kinney and Matt Hodges for the big one. Yeah, I was here last night too, even though I didn’t have a match on Breakdown. A very small relief being that I’m going into the huge triple threat title match this weekend. To be honest though, I would have rather been scheduled to compete so I would have been able to worry about something else besides Emily and this friend of hers. I tried going to the gym. Seriously I’ve been there like three times since we arrived in Lexington two days ago. I’ve had more snacks the past few days…more food and drink at meal times to prolong the feeling of food and fluids flowing down my throat. Nothing has helped me to put those other thoughts aside though. And when I’ve thought about my own wife and daughter, Sparkle would always come back into my mind. Her prone body laying there on the hospital bed…her last words…seeing her eyes close for the final time. It’s just too much to take.] [Sighing, I slouch down into one of the arena seats. The wrestling ring was dismantled about an hour ago yet still I don’t feel like leaving. Because if I do I know that I’m going to run into Emily again. She has this thing for finding me. Hell, I could tell her that I was going to Germany, fly to Australia…and she would STILL be there waiting for me with bells on by the Sydney Opera House! Of course she’s alive and a dear friend of mine is gone. Figures…] [Perhaps I should whine to the heavens about it, just like a certain fellow member of the SCW roster. But no, I won’t go there. I’ll just have to learn to adapt. I’ve been forced to change with the times in my wrestling career and my personal life before. I can do it again. Still though I sit, trying to pound Emily out of my head. Maybe the only way to get that objective completed is to continue the road that the two of us are on. Maybe it’s best that I meet the friend so it can all be over with. What can go wrong? Worst outcome would be that I’d hate said friend and move on with my life…move on right to Rise to Greatness.] [I stand up out of the seat and it flips upwards making a small noise. I begin my walk out of the arena as I look down at my left wrist to see what time it is on the Rolex that Martha got me a couple of months back for my birthday. 11:40 A.M. already. I guess it’s time to get back to living life, even though I know that means that Emily will be in the picture yet again…this time over lunch. Perhaps with food in her mouth, she won’t be as annoying.] [I walk up the steps and out to the corridor. The street lies just below and it won’t take me long to get there. The first set of steps that I see, I take them downward. Once I get to the street corner, I find that Emily and Kassandra are there waiting for me, as per usual. Emily actually isn’t wearing a grungy looking outfit today. I’m impressed that she’s actually wearing a sensible white knee-high skirt along with a baby blue singlet top. Her only jewelry…her hoop earrings and a necklace. Kassandra, usually the more exquisitely dressed of the two, has once again topped her best friend in the dressing department though. She kind of reminds me of Sparkle at her very best…a dazzling one-piece light purple summer dress that goes down almost to her ankles…kind of like a ballroom dress, but a bit more casual than that. Her tanned shoulders are completely visible. To be honest, thanks to the two of them, I feel underdressed for the occasion. However I’m sure the two of them would forgive me if the subject happens to come up.] Jay: Look, I’m sorry to have kept you both waiting. Emily: It’s not a problem. But we did make the lunch reservation for noon. Luckily the restaurant’s only around the corner. [Now you see? That’s perfect. That’s all that she needed to say. I just know that it won’t continue though. I just know it…] [The three of us walk though, Emily feeling completely confident about herself. Kassandra and I are not as confident. We kind of just troop along for the ride. From time to time I find myself glimpsing over at Kassandra who is to my right side. I make sure that she doesn’t catch me, but after a few times, she notices. She doesn’t say anything though, just continues to act like her usual mouse-like self. Only now she has a tiny smile on her usually mellow face. Hey, at least I’m making her feel good about herself. That’s what I’ve always been about. Making deserving people feel good. I’ve never been one to demean a person for no reason. Emily though…well, the book has been written on her as far as I’m concerned. Today is her last shot.] [As we arrive at the restaurant, I fly ahead enough to open the door before Emily can touch the handle.] Emily: Thanks. [She passes in to the restaurant, followed by Kassandra, and then followed by me. My rule…the ladies always go first, no matter how much of nuisances they sometimes are. One of the waiters greets us.] Waiter: Three of you? Emily: Yes. [Of course she was the one to speak out, even though I was about to… However I quickly put it aside as we’re led to a rather secluded table in the back of the restaurant. Quite a big place even though Lexington, Kentucky isn’t one of the U.S.’s bigger cities. But hey, things are known to surprise, you know? Gee, maybe for once Emily won’t sound as rude. Doubtful…but we’ll see…] Waiter: Okay, what would you each like for a drink? [Kassandra, oddly enough, is seated to my immediate left. I look at her and tell her it’s okay to go first.] Kassandra: Just a water for me please. Emily: I’ll take a lemonade sir. It’s quite hot out there. Waiter: Yeah. And for you sir? Jay: A water will do. Thank you. [The waiter leaves us. I can’t really hold back any more. It’s my time to talk and see if I can get any more information out of them about this great comrade that they want me to meet.] Jay: Okay you two, I need to ask. Your friend…can you give me ANYTHING about her? Emily: We can tell you that she’s really into art. Loves to draw. She told the both of us that when she used to wrestle, she’d love being a painter in the ring. She loved to move around graciously, yet methodically…always looking to take advantage. You know? [Emily is making sense. That’s the way that my Martha would always wrestle…maybe not always methodically, but her graciousness was always there. And I can even remember when she won the Women’s Championship. The smile on her face was so wide, so unforgettable…much like the one from poor Sparkle; the last one that she made for me.] Jay: Yes. Please go on… Emily: She told us that she was a past champion. She told us that she had friends before us and that they were both amazing people. Never did give us names though…much like she hasn’t given her own. Jay: Emily, could you please…describe her to me? What she looks like? Emily: Sure… [She looks at me with a bit of a funny look, but continues. She’s probably wondering why I’m so interested in this girl that I have never seen before when I’m already married. Let her think what she wants.] Emily: Well, she’s maybe an inch shorter than I am…so like 5’2”. Her near jet black hair flows down to her back, kind of like Kassandra’s is right now. She has deep big brown eyes… Unlike me, she doesn’t wear glasses. What else do you need to know? Jay: Tell me how she walks please… Emily: Calmly…in stride…she never rushes…not for me or Kass anyway… She always seems to have time for us when we’re with her down in Atlanta. Jay: Interesting. Emily: Yeah, I’m looking forward to seeing her tomorrow. I’m seriously ready to get out of Kentucky so we can continue on our way. [I actually agree with her! It’s a miracle!] Jay: Me too. [The waiter returns with our drinks and takes our dinner orders, even though we really haven’t perused the menus at all. We take this time to do so and we choose according to our taste buds. The food this time means little to me, unlike the last few days. For the first time in a while, I look forward to the future. I look forward to tomorrow…] [align=center]* * *[/align] [And thus it has arrived. The day before has passed us by. The three of us find ourselves in a taxi cab just outside of downtown Atlanta. On the trip here, we passed by where they held the Olympics back in ’96. I can still remember some of the hoopla, some of the festivities, who won some of the gold medals, and the infamous shooting that will never be forgotten by the world. This weekend though, some more sports lore for Atlanta, Georgia…as if it doesn’t have enough already.] [But that’s Sunday night…this is the here and now…the present. Emily told me the moment we got into the taxi that we were going to go see their friend right now. I can hardly wait. I’ve heard quite a decent amount and I have to admit it…I feel as if I’m already this young lady’s friend without even having seen her face.] [I try to relax but I’m fidgeting. Kassandra, this time dressed in more casual clothing…beige pants and a red strapless tube top, places her left hand on top of my right, which is trembling with anticipation. Emily keeps to herself to the left of me as I sit in between the two.] Kassandra: It will be okay. She’s very nice. [I nod my head as Emily turns in our direction.] Emily: Yeah, she is. I see you can’t wait. [Yeah, I’m putting everything else on the back burner for this moment, including my bright past and my possible bright championship-winning future. My opponents, while they are important, as of this moment I feel like they don’t need to be addressed personally. They know their strengths and weaknesses as do I, just like they know mine. The three of us really are on even footing, despite what others might say. And while the last few months haven’t been all that great for me in the win column, I choose to toss all of that away. I’m going to head into Rise to Greatness thinking that my record is no wins and no losses…a brand new beginning…as if the past never even happened. In some cases, I wish some things in the past hadn’t occurred. But there’s no going back. Same goes for whatever happens at Rise to Greatness. The morning after and beyond…there will be no going back.] Jay: The way you described her. She reminds me so much of my wife that I feel like I just HAVE to meet her now. Emily: I see. Hold tight. We’re almost there. Just a few blocks to go. [For these last few blocks I try to turn and think about only this weekend, but the thought of meeting someone new takes over my brain completely. As far as my first chance at main eventing Rise to Greatness goes, well, it compares to meeting this girl. Everyone will be diving into the unknown, not just me. Both Brian Kinney and Matt Hodges too. Anything can happen and probably will. There’s the chance that Kinney will retain. There’s the chance that the youngling of the match will prevail. And there’s that opportunity that I could become a three time SCW World Champion. While that may only add up to half the total of reigns that Jason Wheeler has, it’s still mighty impressive…to be on top of the world three times over. Most don’t even get one opportunity. I feel blessed as it is, even if I haven’t been “up to snuff” as of late. Those are just my naysayers talking though. They don’t know the full story and they obviously don’t know me well enough. Now Kinney and Hodges? They should know better as they have both taken me on before, one on one. So for them to underestimate me, well, I would hope for their sakes that they aren’t… That would be the most stupid move ever in SCW history…and believe you me; this company has had its moments. No, this time it will have a golden one for all to enjoy or envy; whatever you choose to do. As of this moment, I know what I choose…] [The taxi cab comes to a stop in front of an apartment complex. All three of us eagerly get out. As we head for the door together as a cluster, my mind is racing, as are theirs probably. They haven’t seen her in a while, but at least they have. I have not yet had the honor. That’s all about to change.] [We enter the complex and Emily uses the call box to call up. The female on the other line…her voice…Emily was right…it sounded so sweet…so beautiful…so angelic. It tells us to come on up to her room so we obey it and head up one flight of steps to the second floor. Emily seemingly knows where to go as she knocks on a room door. For a few moments we wait out in the hallway until we can see the knob turning. She opens the door from the inside and quickly turns around. I don’t get a look at her face at all. Emily and Kassandra enter the apartment first. I follow them in and look at the beautiful shiny jet black hair. Her back seems so familiar…her hair…everything about her… If only she would turn around…] ???: It’s nice to see you again Kass and Emily. It’s been too long. [That voice…no…it can’t be. Can it?] Emily: We brought a friend along to meet you. He wrestles just like you used to. Would you happen to know a Jay Gold? [Her body freezes and her back arches as she slowly turns around. As she does, I feel my life flash before my very eyes before I feel myself fainting. As I fall to the ground and she comes to desperately help me from hitting the floor, I hear myself say…] Jay: Sparkle…? [align=center]* * *[/align] [I feel my eyes open and find myself in a chair. I look around and spot Kassandra standing near the door.] Jay: Kassandra, tell me that it’s not a dream. Is she really here? [She comes over to me as I sit up completely. Kassandra kneels down beside the chair and speaks very softly.] Kassandra: I’ll take it that you know her. I could tell from the way that your face turned white. Perhaps YOU are the one that could tell US more about her… Jay: There’s so much…and not enough time. Kassandra: I know that you’re busy on Sunday, but after Sunday, you’re free for what…over a week? Jay: Yeah. Kassandra: That will give you two the time to catch up. Jay: This is the thing though. This is all too weird. The last time I saw her… Kassandra: What is it? You’re growing pale again Jay. Jay: The last time I saw her…she died. [My dark haired companion looks at me. Her right hand goes to my left. I allow her to take it.] Kassandra: Maybe she has a good explanation… Jay: I’m sure she does. But this is all just way too odd for me. And just days before what could be my last chance at the SCW Championship… What will my opponents think? That I’m delusional? That I’m not all here? That I want this to so badly be true? [She has no reply to that. No reply to what I’m now facing here in the present. A dead friend mysteriously turning up nearly two years later… Is it at all possible? Is God trying to play tricks with me? Have I looked into the past so much that I’m seeing her when she was alive back then? It doesn’t seem like it. I’m really here. And so is Sparkle. I felt her touch again. It was more real than anything. Which leads me to safely believe that both of us are living…and that both of us are in the place where no one gives me a chance to win the SCW World Championship belt again. Both of us are here in the present…] |
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| Matt Hodges | Jul 17 2008, 07:01 PM Post #4 |
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Advanced Member
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ooc - i'm going to be editing again later probably to post this in my layout. Sorry for the delay, Jay/Brian... [align=center]Silver Lining[/align] ~~TAKING HOLD OF THE FLAME 2008~~ Post-CHBK/Hodges II His face felt swollen, sore, and on fire, as if somebody had taken the business end of a pen and repeatedly jabbed the point of it into his face, and then tossed salt into all the mini-stab wounds. It felt that way, because that’s exactly what happened. After one of the most brutal matches SCW has witnessed in recent memory, Matt Hodges had come out triumphant, standing tall over his rival CHBK. The legend had thrown everything he could at Matt Hodges, and somehow Hodges had managed to withstand it. CHBK wasn’t. That’s why it was Matt Hodges walking in the backstage area to his locker room and CHBK was probably in the trainer’s room. Yes, Matt Hodges had gotten his revenge in spades, ridding himself and the wrestling world for that matter that he wasn’t capable of hanging with CHBK. And you probably wouldn’t be able to tell he was in pain by the dry splinters of blood that remained on his face, the minor limp, or the fact that he was clutching the small of his back with one hand, if you were focusing on the smile that was plastered across his face. It told us everything we needed to know. This was the most important match of Matt Hodges‘ wrestling tenure. “That. Was. AWESOME!” The familiar voice of James Exeter caught his ear as he pushed the door to his locker room open. As soon as he was inside, first thing was first, he walked right to his gym bag, opened it up, and delved inside. James walked in behind him. Exeter: “That match was awesome dude! Good job! How do you feel?” Hodges: “Feel great, minus the whole, you know, pain thing.” Matt nonchalantly answered as he fumbled around for something. Finally, he managed to get a firm grasp on it. He pulled out a bottle of extra-strength Tylenol and unscrewed the lid, pouring a handful of pills into his hand. Exeter: “You’re…going to take ALL those?” Matt shrugged as he flung his hand towards his mouth. There were so many in his hand that a couple of them missed the target and instead found their way to the floor. He took James’ bottle of water out of his hand and gulped it down, chasing the pills down his throat. Hodges: “Hey, my head hurts. That damn monitor he hit me with gave me a splitting headache. And the last time I checked, it was perfectly legal to take Tylenol for a headache, isn’t it?” Exeter: “Uh…probably not half the bottle, but okay.” Hodges ignored the statement and walked towards the couch on the other end of the room. He sat himself down and rested his head on the back of it. James followed behind him and sat down as well. Exeter: “Man, you two put on an absolute show out there…it was great to watch. Probably one of the best matches I ever watched.” Hodges: “EHHH!!!! Try again.” James was clearly startled by Matt’s impromptu imitation of a game-show buzzer. Exeter: “…What?” Hodges: “You misspoke. I want you to correct your error.” Exeter: “Uh…lemme think…hmmm…” James started to search the recesses of his mind, searching for something that he might’ve said that was in the slightest wrong. He started mouthing words to himself, but eventually just shrugged in a clear conceding of defeat. Hodges: “Do I have to walk you through everything? Idiot. Fine, I’ll correct it for you. Listen closely, here goes. I put on a great show, and CHBK just happened to be there with me.” Exeter: “…Oh. I see…” Matt rolled his eyes. Hodges: “But more important than me putting on the best damn show that SCW’s seen in the past five years is the fact that I did so and got my revenge at the same time.” Exeter: “Damn right you did, Scooby-doo!” Hodges just blinked. He’d been waiting for James to say something stupid/nonsensical. Hodges: “It felt great to settle the score. It almost makes the last two months of torture I endured since the end of Redemption worth it. There’s something therapeutic about removing the weight of the world from my shoulders that I can’t quite put my finger on.” Exeter: “Um…yeah man. Like I said, congrats! You and-- you put on an awesome show and got your revenge. All in all a successful night for Matt Hodges. Agreed?” Hodges had to think about that for a couple seconds, but eventually nodded in concession. Exeter: “So…that said…did you figure things out?” Hodges: “Huh? What things are you talking about, James?” Exeter: “You know…the whole being double-booked thing, and which was more important to you.” Again, Matt was forced to think for a few seconds, leaving a momentary awkward pause between the two of them. Hodges: “Oh, uh, yeah. I did.” Exeter: “…AND?” Hodges: “CHBK, hands down, dude. I-” He paused. Something didn’t feel quite right about what he was about to say. James cocked his eyebrow. Matt wasn’t sure what the feeling was, but decided it would probably be best to just finish the thought he started without any hint that . Hodges: “I don’t think anything in the world could possibly compare to that feeling.” Exeter: “So then…Taking Hold of the Flame wasn’t that important to you to begin with.” Hodges looked down towards the ground, deep in thought. He was having doubts about it. But he knew how badly James wanted to win. He figured the best thing to do, regardless of whether or not he was sure of his answer, was to just go with what he was saying before. Hodges: “Let’s put it this way. Beating CHBK was the most important matter of business for tonight. It was the most important win of my career. Exeter: “I agree with that…man. I’m so anxious to get Taking Hold of the Flame out of the way. Since last year, I’ve been waiting for this night…” Hodges: “Yeah…” Exeter: “I know it sounds dumb, but I expected to win last year as a member of the Majestic roster. Now that I’m in the big leagues, I’ve had a year to improve…my expectations are a lot higher this time around.” Hodges nodded. Hodges: “Alright, James, I’m going to have to make this conversation a short-lived one. I need to rest up, get some stamina back, that whole thing.” Exeter gave a slight nod as he stood up off the couch. Exeter: “Ok, man…I’ll see ya out there?” Hodges smiled. Hodges: “Yup.” And with that, James closed the door behind him. Now that the door was closed, he was free to think about the matter that once again had him perplexed. For the last few nights the mind of Matt Hodges had been engaged in a conflict over which was more important. It was a matter of CHBK versus Taking Hold of the Flame. After the match with CHBK was initially over, he was under the impression that there wasn’t a thing in the world that was more important than setting the score. But now… Something didn’t quite feel right. Either he was sick, or settling old scores wasn’t half as satisfying as he thought it was. He’d put the issue of CHBK to bed once and for all, but something felt as if it were missing. And it wasn’t that it wasn’t satisfying, it was more that the entire night just felt… Incomplete. There was a certain emptiness that he could pinpoint now, and he had a vague idea of what it meant. Could it be that THOTF was more important than defeating CHBK? For the better part of three months he had obsessed over this re-match, and now it was over. And that was that. The more and more he thought about it, the more and more everything was starting to make sense. This wasn’t just a matter of match versus match. It was not simply Matt Hodges versus one man as opposed to Matt Hodges versus thirty-nine other guys. There were different things at stake. On one hand, there was revenge, and on the other… Something that evaded him for far too long. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~~TAKING HOLD OF THE FLAME 2008~~ Post-40 Man Battle Royale Hodges: “I did it…” He did it. His voice was still jittery with the adrenaline rush that followed his win. And somewhere in the arena, James Exeter was probably sulking, but for some reason he didn’t care about his best friend. Probably because he was a bad friend, but in all likeliness because he was still shaking over the fact that, yes, he did it. There wasn’t a single soul in the entire arena that was banking on him to do it. Aside from himself, of course. The truth was that Matt Hodges was never a doubter in matters concerning Matt Hodges’ ability, but what he had just accomplished went above and beyond just silencing his critics. Even though he had stretched a long strip of duct tape across the mouth of every speculative scorekeeper who thought Matt Hodges wasn’t good enough, there was something indefinitely more important than that. Although that was pretty damn cool. He had an answer. Hodges: “I should’ve known. How stupid of me.” About a half-hour ago, Matt Hodges walked out to the ring with the sneaking suspicion that he knew, deep down, he had the answer he was looking for, but now he’d confirmed it. The matter of Taking Hold of the Flame versus CHBK was over with. Beating CHBK failed in comparison to THOTF. Miserably. It wasn’t even a close call, which was funny considering that less than two hours ago Matt Hodges considered his match with Alex Desoubrais Sr. has the most important match of his SCW career. Funny how things change. Just a couple of hours later, CHBK was already becoming an afterthought, and though that match did contribute to what made June 15th Matt Hodges’ biggest night, that’s not what people were going to remember two years down the road. No, people were going to remember Taking Hold of the Flame because Matt Hodges had made good on his word and did what nobody imagined he could. But what he realized wasn’t that it was just THOTF that was more important, it was what came with it. A shot at the SCW World Heavyweight Title. In the end, that was the overruling factor. Xander’s hind quarters colliding with the floor left Matt Hodges as the only man in the ring, meaning that he’d won Taking Hold of the Flame. But the story wasn’t finished at that. There was much more to come. It was like Hodges was getting to open up Cherry jolly rancher candy. Taking Hold of the Flame was merely the wrapper, the sweet part was yet to come at Rise to Greatness. He felt pseudo-enlightened with his analogy as he actually popped a watermelon jolly rancher into his mouth and tossed the wrapper onto the floor. His night went from incomplete…to being complete. Matt still had the jitters. He was in the process of making his way out of the arena and towards a local bar, gym bag slung over his shoulder. Tonight would be all drinks on the house, paid for by Matt Hodges. A celebration, and a well-earned one, at that. He was nearing the exit sign when he spotted something from the corner of his eye. It was sitting at a souvenir stand, the last thing remaining on the table. It was a replica of the SCW Title Belt. Matt looked at it. He started walking towards it. It almost seemed for a minute that he was being drawn in by it, almost like a moth to the flame. He bent down and examined it closely for a few seconds and smiled. Taking Hold of the Flame was over, and in his own diluted mind, he saved the event forever. Now that his work there was done, he had something else he had to save… ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ***NOT A DRAMATIZATION*** The shot opens up…on the streets. But the picture’s a little fuzzy for some reason. People are yelling and cheering, dancing on top of cars, honking their horns, lighting barrels on fire, etc. It’s becoming apparent that this is the aftermath of some sports team winning a major sporting event. “Heh. Must’ve been one hell of a celebration. Look at them. They’re going absolutely insane. But I can’t say that I blame them. After having five straight years of mediocre Battle Royales, they finally got their money’s worth. They should have been celebrating, they had every reason to be.” It’s hard to believe that there’s any truth to what Hodges is saying, considering the riot is taking place outside of Fenway Park. The rioting continues for a couple more seconds, but then all of a sudden it pauses. Our focus is removed from the television screen and onto Matt Hodges, who stands with a wide grin on his face. Hodges: “That night was SCW’s most memorable night in the history of forever. It was June 15th when yours truly rescued SCW fans from having to suffer from having yet ANOTHER talent-less hack from winning an event that was billed as a stepping stone towards Greatness. What Grade-A B.S. it would’ve been to have SCW advertising to continue billing it as that had I not won. But luckily, I did, restoring all credibility to the event. Now…” Hodges smiles as he walks to the right side of the room. Hodges: “I could continue talking about the night I single-handedly saved Taking Hold of the Flame, but frankly, you’re already well aware of what I did, and hopefully you’re thankful. But the time has come to move on to a more important matter. A matter that, surprisingly, is even more dire than even Taking Hold of the Flame was.” Hodges stops before a marble pedestal. On top of that pedestal, a silky velvet pillow, and on top of that pillow, rests the SCW World Heavyweight Title. Or a replica of it, at least. Hodges looks at it in a troubled manner, shaking his head. Hodges: “Ladies and gentlemen…if you thought Taking Hold of the Flame was the victim of five years of lies, I’m sorry to say you haven’t seen a thing yet. Exhibit A. The SCW World Heavyweight Championship. Take a look at it…do you notice anything wrong with? Outwardly, no. It looks like a beautiful championship, ready and waiting to be worn around the waist of the best that SCW has to offer. But looks can be deceiving, unfortunately. This title belt… has been tainted. Over a span of five years, save the occasional TALENTED Champion, this thing hasn’t gained a damn iota of respectability. Not a single speck of integrity.” Hodges shakes his head dejectedly and stands up straight. Hodges: “Now I could sit here and read you off a list of people who’ve sullied the title belt, but you already know the names. It’s the usual suspects I’m afraid. Instead of making those guilty parties feel worse about themselves than they already do, I’ve decided to narrow the list down to two of SCW’s most unimpressive champions to just give you all an idea of why this belt doesn’t have so much as a droplet of integrity. Those two champions…are Jay Gold, and current SCW Champion Brian Kinney. Now Gold has held the title on two separate occasions and… Hodges actually shudders after he mentions that fact. Hodges: “…and for a cumulative total of less than three months. Congratulations Jay, must feel proud of yourself. You’ve held the title for that long, and that alone is practically enough to put it’s credibility on life support. Good job. Everybody is well aware that takes a special kind of champion to deteriorate the plausibility of the biggest prize in the industry, but damnit, you took it to new levels with your reigns. You’d think you would at least feel bad about what you did to the poor thing, but no. You came back like the cancer you are to sap the remaining life out of it. We all have the Trios Tournament to thank for that. Because of that tournament, one of the title belt’s biggest past problems has resurfaced to put the nail in the coffin. Jay, let me ask you in a way that you’ll understand… ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR CRACK-ADDLED MIND?! What were you thinking using your trios shot to Main Event Rise to Greatness? You really have lost it, haven’t you? Not only are you making a last-ditch effort to effectively throw the alleged most prestigious title in the game under the bus, but you’ve made it so the Main Event practically isn’t the Main Event anymore. What have you done that makes you worthy of being a part of this? Instead of ruining the main event by cashing in and attempting to kill the SCW Title, you could’ve done something more creative with your Trios shot. You could’ve gotten yourself an Adrenaline Title match. You could’ve gotten yourself an UNDERGROUND Title match. Hell, you could’ve used it to bring back Joel Jones for one night and one night only and give us a repeat performance of that sterling match, but no. You did this. And for the love of all things holy, I simply cannot allow you to walk out victorious in Atlanta.” Hodges chews his bottom lip thoughtfully as he places his hands behind his back and begins to pace about the room. Hodges: “Enough of the title belt’s past problems. For now, let’s focus on the present issue. Mr. Kinney. Current holder of the SCW Title belt. Disgusting, isn’t it? I know we’ve had our share of paper champions in the past, but damnit, this one takes the cake. I’d compare his reign to that of Josh Hudson’s in a sense that nobody saw it coming, but Kinney doesn’t even have HALF the talent Hudson has, which presents an interesting anomaly. How in the hell do you have the belt given that you’re about as talented a wrestler as a one-legged giraffe? The cards fell into the right place at the right time for you must be. Congratulations Kinney, up til now you’ve had an astonishing three-month title reign. Astonishing in a sense that you haven’t DEFENDED it in two months. Well, okay, so you have. But not against anyone viable past your first defense against Damian Angel. Daniel Ackart and Asher Hayes probably shouldn’t count, but I’ll allow them because I’m such a kind spirited person. For the past two months, what’ve you been doing, Brian? Absolutely nothing of note, that’s what. You’ve been trading blows with Jason Wheeler and had a really nice hair-braiding session with Katie Steward a couple months back, but that’s about it. Brian, what in the Nestle Chocolate Chip HELL? Are you aware of how much you’ve ruined in three months? Almost as much as Jay did in the past years. Not as much, but almost. You didn’t even EARN the right to defend the title at Rise to Greatness by defending at Taking Hold of the Flame, yet here you are, an embarrassment to a title that’s already wallowing in embarrassment. What a pity it is. But…as always…there’s hope… Hodges stoically nods. Hodges: “Don’t lose heart, people. Because as always, in the midst of the dark clouds, there IS a silver lining. And that silver lining is, you guessed it, yours truly. That’s right, folks. Matt Hodges is coming to Rise to Greatness as your knight in shining armor, much like I did at Taking Hold of the Flame. I’m coming to rescue you, the fans, from what without me would be a snooze-fest Heavyweight Title match, but more importantly… Hodges picks the title belt up off the velvet pillow and looks at it contently. Hodges: “I’m going to turn this title belt into what it was supposed to be to begin with within the first ten seconds that I have it. That, people, will be the most upside this belt has experienced in a long, long time. I’m going to be the savior of the most prestigious belt this company has to offer, giving you all a future you can look forward to. And the celebration…” As Hodges has his eyes firmly fixed on the replica SCW title belt, he un-pauses the video with a remote control. Hodges: “…will be even more intense than this one was.” We re-focus on the celebration as we slowly fade to black. |
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| Matt Hodges | Jul 18 2008, 10:51 PM Post #5 |
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Advanced Member
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Our shot opens up on the heart of Manhattan on a bustling sidewalk. Our focus remains fixed, however, on the number one contender for the SCW Heavyweight Title, who walks in front of us with his hands in his pockets. Hodges: “It seems that confidence was a big theme on Breakdown this week. ESPECIALLY with those parties involved in the main event picture for Rise to Greatness. I mean, let’s take a look at how Brian Kinney started the show off. He came out to the ring with a purpose, and damnit, that purpose was to tell us that he was sick of being labeled as an after-thought. He wanted to let everybody know what, well, they already knew to begin with, and that was that he’s STILL the SCW Champion. Which, for once in his life, he’s right. Technically he still IS the SCW Champion. But the point I’m making is that he’s awfully self-assured for a guy who has dropped, what, his last five straight decisions? It makes me wince to just think about the names that he’s fallen to, so I’m going to choose, in the interest of my sanity, not to mention any of those names.” Hodges grins. Hodges: “Not to be outdone of course, just when I was preparing to be the obteenth person to beat Brian Kinney in the past several months one on one in attempt to dash his false bravado, Jay Gold came to the ring and stopped me from destroying Kinney with the help of a cheap shot from behind. Jay, I’ve lost all respect for you, or any that I could have ever had anyway. I mean, what kind of self respecting guy resorts to making sneak attacks just to get the upper-hand? The lowest of the low, that’s who. And as a special guest referee, no less. I can’t say I’m surprised, but I’ll give you this, Jay, at least you still have a fraction of dignity. You must have somewhere. Otherwise you wouldn’t have admitted that I rightfully WON that match. And then…you go right on ahead and let your true colors shine once more, telling the crowd afterwards that YOU’RE going to win at Rise to Greatness.” Hodges shakes his head. Hodges: “So I learned a few things from the past few Breakdowns. One being that I’m apparently going to have to watch my back come Rise to Greatness. I wouldn’t be surprised if you rapscallions turned the main event into a 2 on 1 handicapped match in light of recent events. Wouldn’t put it past either of you worms, and frankly I guess I can’t blame you. It’s probably your best chance. Two, you two are going to take every cheap shot in the book like the backstabbing cheaters you are. Let’s review the facts, shall we? A week ago, it was Jay kicking me in the family jewels, the next night, it was Kinney with the title belt, and on Breakdown it was YOU with the title belt. Completely unprovoked, I might add. Was I close to provoking you two when I attacked you on Hostility a few weeks ago after your match was over? Meh, that was BARELY over the line, I’ll admit, but you two have stooped to new levels of depravity in recent weeks. It disgusts me. And the third and most important thing I learned…is you’re both apparently convinced in the fact that you each think you have a good a chance as anybody else to walk out with the World Heavyweight Title. And you’re both very, very wrong. I don’t understand where these sudden confidence boosters came from, but I damn sure don’t like them. We haven’t heard from Kinney since Wednesday, which may mean he’s conceded himself to defeat, but I doubt it. He’s not that smart, and I don’t want to give credit where it isn’t due. I mean we heard him on Breakdown. He’s still the champ, so I guess we can’t discount him...but I will anyways.” Hodges turns a corner and picks up his pace a bit as he glances at his watch. He indistinctly mutters something about ‘running late‘. Hodges: “Now, back to Jay…there’s so much wrong with what you said on Breakdown that I don’t even know where to start. I never knew there could be so much wrong with one sentence, but I was very, very wrong and very, very naïve. I underestimated your ability to make me cringe, but I need to put that aside for now. I have a newsflash for you, my friend, and I want you to listen hard… MATT HODGES IS GOING TO BE THE ONE TO STAND VICTORIOUS AT RISE TO GREATNESS!!!!!!!!” A couple pedestrians that were in the process of passing Matt Hodges are startled, and one of them is so surprised by the sudden outburst that the contents of her white box had become a Krispy Kreme downpour. They just stared at him as he continued on his path. Hodges: “Get it? Got it? Good. That wasn’t just for you, Jay, that goes for Kinney as well. As far as I’m concerned it’s a really simple concept to grasp. And what makes it so simple? Because I’ve got everything going for me, that’s why. Aside from merely winning Taking Hold of the Flame, I’ve been busy putting the finishing touches on World Class Avenue and am currently in the process of publishing my very own book, one that will no doubt one day surpass even the BIBLE on the sales chart. So, can you see the dots I’m connecting here? There’s only one person who should probably have any form of confidence going into this match, and that person is the only World Class wrestler in this match. So in the end, keep your confidence I guess. It matters not in the end anyway. Besides, it’ll be much more fun for me to dash it to pieces. So the question you idiots ought to be asking is…just how high should your confidence REALLY be?” Hodges slows down and comes to an altogether halt at a glass door. He grabs the silver door handle and holds onto it for a few moments before uttering his last words. Hodges: “Because I know how high mine is…come on, I‘ll show you.” He slings the door open and walks into the crisp, bright light of…a jewelry store. There are glass cases all over the place, all of them most likely abounding in pricey jewelry. As soon as he steps inside, James Exeter stands up from the bench he had been sitting on for the past several minutes. He grabs Matt by the shoulder and points him to the clock that was hanging on the wall. It was ten past twelve. Exeter: “Dude, what the hell? You’re late. What’ve you been doing?” Hodges: “I’m only ten minutes late. The wait couldn’t have possibly been that agonizing.” Matt rolls his eyes. Exeter: “Well DAMN, I have plans today. Right now, I should be out preparing for my very important match, but instead I’m sitting on a damn bench inside some jewelry store my best friend ORDERED me to meet him at.” Hodges: “Look, you being with me for the time being at least prevents you from landing your ass in jail again. And as far as I’m concerned, you should feel damn honored I’m talking to you again, you know, since the last time I posted bail for you.” Exeter doesn’t say anything. Hodges: “And trust me, it’ll be worth it when you see it.” Hodges motions James to follow him to the front desk. Once they’re there, a sales associate makes his way out from the backroom and smiles. S.A.: “Hello, welcome to St. Etienne’s Jewelry, how may I help you gentlemen?” Hodges: “I made a special order about three weeks ago. I was called this morning and told the engraving was finished. I’m here to pick it up.” S.A.: “Okay, and the name?” Hodges: “Very funny. Everybody knows who Matt Hodges is.” The sales associate just blinks, indicating he’s got no idea in hell of who that person was. But at the least, he infers that Matt Hodges is the person who made the statement. S.A.: “… Right. I’m very sorry, Mr. Hodges.” Hodges: “I forgive you. You must have just had a temporary memory lapse as a result of my overwhelming presence, that’s all. I know how it makes you little people feel when you’re in the presence of royalty.” Again, the sales associate just blinks. He grabs hold of the mouse of the nearby computer and starts typing something in. Suddenly, his eyes jerk up and he makes a ‘wow‘ motion with his mouth. S.A. “Wow, this was quite the expensive order.” Hodges grins. Hodges: “It’s worth the money, rest assured. It’s going toward a very worthy cause.” S.A.: “Alright. You wait here, and I’ll go back and bring it out. Shouldn’t be longer than a couple seconds…” Hodges nods, and the sales associate walked back into the room near the back wall. Exeter: “What the hell did you buy, Matt?” Hodges: “Patience, James. You’ll see. Good things come to those who wait.” Exeter sighs deeply, folding his arms. As it turns out, the sales associate was dead on with his prediction that it shouldn‘t be longer than a couple seconds. It was just that. Hodges smiled as he watched him coming towards him. Hodges: “Here it comes…” The sales associate places a white rectangular box on the counter in front of him and begins to print a receipt. Matt just stares at the box as he reaches for his wallet. He grabs a hold of it with two fingers and pulls it out, pulling out his card. After opening it up, he hands the associate his card. Exeter: “Can I see it?” Of course, James was already reaching for the box. Hodges reached his hand out and smacked his hand. James drew back in instant pain, widening his eyes at Matt. Hodges: “After me, you can.” The associate handed Matt the receipt. Hodges picked up the jet black pen from the desk, signed the slip, took his copy, and picked up the box. He gave the associate his thanks, and not a second sooner he was on his way out the door. James followed. And the very second he was outside, with his back turned to Exeter, he peeled the top-half of the box open and revealed… A nameplate. A 24 Karat Gold nameplate, at that. The edges of the plate were elaborately decorated with tiny diamonds that were remarkably satisfying to the eye. On each corner of the plate, there was a much bigger diamond. And right in the middle of the plate, there were words engraved in very fancy writing. It looked something like “WORLD CLASS” MATT HODGES It was an absolute sight to behold. As far as Matt was concerned, this was an investment that perfectly summed up how confident he was in his ability to pull off the win at Rise to Greatness. It was pretty. For some reason Matt couldn’t quite take his eyes off it. And James was astounded with how cool it was, too. He had been peering over the shoulder of Matt Hodges, jaw-dropped. There was a silence as both men appreciated the beauty of the fine piece of jewelry, before James interrupted it. Exeter: “Whoa…that’s…so cool. Will you buy me one when I win the World Title?” Hodges double-takes behind his shoulder, quickly clamping the top of the box back down. Hodges: “No, damnit! That belt is mine forever!” James, stunned by the outbreak, steps back a couple of feet and starts walking away, presumably towards his car. Matt puts the rectangular box in his pocket and pursues James. Hodges: “I told you it would be worth it.” Exeter: “I guess you were right. Man, that thing looks so cool!” Hodges: “I know! I didn’t even expect it to be that pristine, but damnit it is. It’ll a symbol of a new time for the SCW Championship…it’ll practically be…a whole new title.” Exeter: “So if you’re already banking on winning it, then I take it that means you’re all ready for the match?” Hodges: “Pfffft. Of course I’m ready. This match couldn’t have possibly come at a better time for me. I’ve been on an absolute tear as of late, which is great, because both of my opponents and floundering.” Exeter nods in understanding. Exeter: “Are you nervous?” Exeter: “Well, I mean…it’s the biggest match of my career. Seven damn years in the business, and this is what it all boils down to. My first shot at Heavyweight Gold. It’s so close that I can practically taste it. I might be a little excited, but I definitely wouldn’t call it nervous.” Exeter: “Yeah…just…be careful, man.” Hodges raised his eyebrows in perplexity. Hodges: “…Why?” Exeter: “I don’t know…like, don’t drop the ball. This is your big shot, and I remember what happened after Redemption. I don’t want you to see you struggle like that again. That was really bad.” Hodges gave a very fake smile and said… Hodges: “Yeah…you’re right.” Matt’s synthetic smile was not only entirely see-through to anybody not named James Exeter, but the pressure was really on now. And now he could rest assured that in the days leading up to Rise to Greatness, the pressure was only going to grow. |
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| Matt Hodges | Jul 19 2008, 03:10 PM Post #6 |
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Doubts? |
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| Jay Gold | Jul 19 2008, 09:13 PM Post #7 |
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YES! YES! YES! YES! :)
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[align=center]THE FUTURE[/align] [And now the time that is to come, the time that everyone believes they can predict…the future. Well, a few days ago was proof that I could not predict it. To see Danielle standing there was like magic. It was the most remarkable thing I had ever seen, but now that the shock has somewhat worn off, I have chosen to speak with her…alone. It’s not like I consider her a demon of my past. She’s not City Boy. She’s not any of the Mercenaries. She’s Sparkle…besides Martha, she’s my best friend in the world.] [As of this exact moment, I sit across from her. She had a purple scrunchie wrapped around her right wrist and she’s looking down at it. Her hair is loose and flowing. Her cheeks are a bit rosy. Her brown eyes are deep like always. To be honest with you all, this is a site that I’ve been dreaming of for almost two years. And I know that my Martha dreams of it as well. She’ll be pleasantly surprised, that is if Sparkle will venture north with me after Rise to Greatness, after I’ve taken home the SCW World Championship. Speaking of which, I know that my esteemed opponent Matt Hodges wonders why I did what I did this past Wednesday. I’ll explain outright to him, but not here. Not in front of a lady whom I find very beautiful and very friendly.] [I clear my throat. There’s no use holding anything back. I need to know…how is it possible for her to be here?] Jay: Danielle, I really need to know what happened after Martha and I left the hospital that day. Could you? [At first she just looks at me before lowering the straps of her tank top off of her shoulders. She leans forward resting her elbows on her side of the circular table before speaking in that voice that I never thought I would hear again.] Sparkle: I still don’t know every single detail, but here goes. I woke up to find myself sealed up in a box in the morgue. At first I didn’t know what to do, but then I started to use my feet to kick at the box panel in front of me. I couldn’t do a thing with my hands as those were tied off, so I kept kicking like no tomorrow. It seemed like forever, but finally the panel was taken off and a young woman, about my age, shrieked with horror, seeing that I was very alive. Jay: Sorry to interrupt Danielle, but I should tell you something that’s very odd. For months after you died, I was always seeing visions of you as an angel. I mean…I know that you’ll go to heaven when you do die, but… Sparkle: I have no explanation for that… Maybe it’s because you were missing me so much? Jay: Probably. I…I just can’t believe that…you’re here…and I’m here. [She looks at me, her face staying about the same as she questions me now.] Sparkle: So how is she? Jay: Martha? Oh she’s fine…she’s pregnant with our second child. I’m so glad that you didn’t forget about us. Sparkle: I never have and never will. You know that Jay. Even though I made good friends with Emily and Kass, I’ve been thinking about possibly meeting up with you two again…and now…now it’s happened. I’m so happy that you’re here… [Sparkle sits still in her chair as I glance across her apartment. In the far side rests a painter’s easel. Right now the page that is visible is completely blank. Obviously an idea is forming in her mind, yet hasn’t been thought up of as of yet.] Jay: Danielle, I’m happy too. Say though…they told me that you’re a painter now. Sparkle: Yeah, it’s kind of been my living ever since I got out of the hospital. Jay: I’d love to see some of your work. [Without a response she stands up and I do as well. She paves the way over to her art corner and begins to show me some of her old sketches. Every single one just blows me away. She meshes the colors of the rainbow together so well, in a way that just captivates me.] Jay: Have you… Sparkle: Yeah, I’ve sold some of my work. I’ve had some in display in the museums here in Atlanta and some down in northern Florida. People do appreciate art. Jay: Yeah. It doesn’t surprise me that you’ve done so well with it. You used to be so graceful in the wrestling ring, just like your artwork. [I’ve gotten her to blush, but it quickly goes away. I get a mouse-like “thank you” before she moves me away from the special corner of the main room of her apartment.] Sparkle: Well, I know that you have quite the busy weekend Jay. Emily told me that you’re in a match to win the SCW World Championship again. Jay: Yeah, the last time I held it was after… [I cut myself off, not wanting to remember that sad memory. I’d rather remember that she’s standing here before me now, in all her beauty and in the flesh, not just on my shoulder in my dreams.] Sparkle: I know. [I look down at my feet but that doesn’t last for long. With her left hand she raises my chin up so I’m face to face with her. She hugs me for a brief moment before letting me go. Now I know for sure that this moment is real. I shiver as I sit back down on the couch. She stands stationary for a few minutes before there’s a knock at the door. She goes to open it. Emily and Kassandra are on the other side. Sparkle and I…we’re no longer alone…] [align=center]* * *[/align] [The three of them are together now as I have chosen to go off by myself. I need this time to reflect before Rise To Greatness. It could very well be my last shot at everything…at winning the SCW Championship and at letting Hodges and Kinney know that I mean business, even though they should already know. If Breakdown didn’t tip either of them off, I don’t think anything would…except for maybe an atomic bomb.] [So I walk down a back alleyway, not far from Sparkle’s apartment at all. No one’s out here even though it’s during the middle of the day. Heh, I’ll bet as soon as the moonlight hits, this area will be jumping with those who take the narcotics and those who drink themselves up a storm, illegally of course…meaning under the age of 21. You know, the naïve ones that see it as fun and not as messing up their futures. Me, I choose to keep my future looking bright, even if I do happen to come up short Sunday. It’s not like I haven’t done so before. I’ll live, however I’d rather live with the SCW Championship in my possession this one final time so I can really solidify my place in the SCW Hall of Fame. Oh I’m already there and my two opponents…they know that. Yet Matt Hodges, he continues to spit on me…insulting my past two title reigns. Well, it’s time for him to hear me out since he’s chosen to be quite the vocal pest.] Jay: Matt, you know, I love how you criticize me for being on the top of the mountain. So what that I’ve only been there for a grand total of three months. Throw that fact at the window and look at the first part. Or look at the fact that Dillusion held the title for a grand total of 10 days… You should be nailing him for ruining the strap, not me. But of course you’re criticizing me for being the SCW World Champion twice, something that you want to be sooooo badly. Are you kidding me? Obviously you are…either that or the crack to the head with the title belt did some permanent damage. I’m betting on the latter. Now I would apologize, but I don’t feel obligated to do so Matt. If you look back, I’ve only retaliated to something that you did. You were the one that took it upon himself to attack me with a steel chair…once on top of my cranium and once on the side. So don’t play the innocent little angel Matt, because I sure as hell am not! I know what I did on Breakdown was a strategic move, but none of those fans blamed me for doing it. I showed them that you have to expect the unexpected. Obviously you didn’t expect it. You thought that I would just be content to stay in the back and watch you and Brian duke it out just days before Rise To Greatness. Well, you were wrong. I came out there to show everyone that I’m not just one to sit around. Hell, I even got my own hands dirty, which shows that I’m ready for this Sunday. That flip dive that I did on top of you and Kinney should show you both that I’m a man of action. I always have been Matt. Just ask around. Anyone that has faced me or even anyone that knows me will tell you the truth. [I lean up against the brick wall. It’s not very comfortable, but it’s not about comfort. Rise To Greatness is going to be a rocky road. I’m prepared for it. I’m prepared for anything.] Jay: Let’s move on though off of Breakdown now, Matt. I’m actually going to ask that big question of yours. You know, if I’m out of my mind or not. The answer is that I’m perfectly sane. I know what I’m doing. And no, I’m not out to ruin the SCW World Championship. I’ll actually defend it at least once per month, unlike a few of SCW’s current champions… But off of that matter. Matt, I would like to let you personally know that I DO belong here in the main event. So what if I haven’t had the most sparkling record since my return. It happens to the best of us. Your record in the SCW shouldn’t be held in high regard either. Yeah, you’ve turned it around the past few months, but you’re talking to the king of turn-arounds. After I won the SCW Championship for the first time back in 2004 only to lose it to Phoenix a month later, everyone thought that I would never get back to the top again. Add in the fact that all of this newer, younger, fresher and more put together talent was walking through the SCW doors…and well…even the fans thought I was toast. However I proved them wrong nearly two years later Matt…and in a match where any of eight men could walk out as the SCW Champion, but I was the one to do it despite taking much punishment. I didn’t give up that night and this Sunday I’m going to be the same way. You call me a pest to the SCW Championship belt and well…you’re right, I am. But I’m not out to kill it. I’m out to do the same thing that you want to do…revive it so it doesn’t get all caught up and intertwined with say…the tag team title belts. Nope, with me, the SCW Championship will be on its own and will be deemed prestigious again, even though it will be held by an SCW veteran and not a young gun. Something tells me though that the people would rather see it on me than on someone like you. While it’s true that you did earn this opportunity, I earned mine as well. I decided to hold my Trios Tournament shot until now and not waste it like Greg Cherry. Why? For a few reasons… One, I’ve never been in the main event at Rise To Greatness, despite this being my fifth time around. Two, I knew that Brian Kinney would get to the event with the belt and I wanted to be the one to take it from him. And three, I knew it would piss off those in the locker room that hate my guts. And well, obviously you fall into that category Matt. But you aren’t alone, so don’t despair. A lot of people tend to hate me since they know that I’m quite capable of reaching the top again, especially when my mind is fully on where it should be. [I remove myself from the wall and head back for the front of the apartment complex. I’m not going to go in yet though. It’s actually quite nice out here. Not stormy…barely a cloud in the sky. Obviously the storm is waiting until Sunday…a storm that will usher in a new championship reign.] Jay: Just so you know Matt…and you too Brian, my mind will be off of everything else and only on you two. That’s right…the TWO of you. So Matt, get off your ass and realize that I see this as a triple threat match…that being one on one on one. I have no interest in making an alliance with Kinney. If I was going to do that, then why would I have knocked him down on Breakdown with that dive over the top rope? If you can answer me that question, then I’ll consider you smart. But until then, you’re just like the rest of the roster that just wants to try to put me down. Thing is, you’ve failed Matt on that account, just like you and Brian will soon fail in the ring. [Slowly I close my eyes until I can’t see a thing. Until I can’t see the present day…and when my eyes are shut, I can only see complete blackness…not the past, the present or the future. But maybe, just maybe, it’s because I’m finally content. Everything seems to be going right for a change. If only Martha knew that Sparkle was alive… She’d be ecstatic, even if she is in pain. From what I last heard, she had not yet gone into labor, but I know that day will be coming. That day when child number two will be extracted…even more joy. So with all of this coming my way, what about Brian Kinney and Matt Hodges? What about them…?] Jay: Yet for some reason Matt, you believe that you’ll succeed in becoming the next SCW World Champion. Explain why. Don’t just tell me, Brian and the rest of the planet that you’re “going to be the one to stand victorious at Rise To Greatness”. At least come up with some valid reasons and then Sunday night back up your claim. I’ve already stated mine several times in the past month. I have said that I’m ready to forget about the past and bring what I have into the present. I have said that I’m going to do what I do in that ring every time out…only plus some this time Matt. Trust me when I say that I’m going to bring more than just the kitchen sink. I’m going to be pouring my heart, my body and my soul into this match Sunday because the SCW Championship means a whole hell of a lot to me! The main reason for why I’M going to be the one getting my arm raised? Because I’m the only one that’s willing to go to hell and back…again…to EARN the SCW World Championship. Brian…it’s quite obvious that he’s only saying the right things. With you, you’re just trying to tell yourself. With me, I’m willing to go through with it. See the difference? If you can’t, you have world class blindness Matt…and you too Brian. Neither of you have the passion that I do at this moment. And neither of you have the adrenaline to turn back my efforts to win the SCW Championship for the third time in my illustrious career. But I’m sure one or both of you will be the next to downplay my entire career…right? You’ll talk about my 56 losses and not even acknowledge a single one of my 88 victories. That’s nothing new though. I expect for you two to come at me with my shortcomings. It’s quite natural to want to dismiss my accomplishments. But you two won’t be able to after Rise To Greatness. No one will… [I open the door to the complex and call up to Sparkle. She answers and buzzes me in. I head right up the stairs, but I stop midway. Sunday night…it could very much be yet another of those life-changing nights for the Master of the Moment. I’ve heard the cheers before, but this time, I might hear them for the final time as the SCW World Champion. I do know that my time is fading in the business despite being quite young. I’m not going to be one of those old wrestling grandfathers like CHBK. When the time comes for me to go though, I will always want to look back at July 20, 2008 to remember that I was able to come back from the doldrums to win the SCW Championship. That I was able to do what supposedly could not be accomplished…] Jay: Matt, Brian… I’m ready. It’s as simple as that. For you Brian, it’s your last hurrah as the SCW Champion. For you Matt, that ball that you’re holding tightly in your hand…I’ll be the cause of you dropping it. I’ll be the cause of my third rise to greatness… [My feet finish the ascent up the staircase. I find myself again in front of Sparkle’s door. I knock gently and she’s again staring me right in the face. What I can see now is the face of the past, the face of the present, and a face of the future. I hope that she never leaves us again, but only the future will be able to dictate that. The future will tell us everything.] [I take the few steps inside before she closes the door behind me, ushering me into the future.] |
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2:33 PM Jul 11