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| James Evans vs. Matt Hodges; September 17/2014 | |
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| Topic Started: Sep 6 2014, 04:33 PM (97 Views) | |
| Kassie Khane | Sep 6 2014, 04:33 PM Post #1 |
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Admin and Second in Command of the Nation of Moderation
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James Evans vs. Matt Hodges 2 RP Limit per match; 4 per team in tag match; 6 per team in six man tag Deadline: Noon EST Tuesday, September 16, 2014 ~~Good Luck Everyone!!~~ |
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| James Evans | Sep 16 2014, 07:22 AM Post #2 |
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I'll Probably Quit Soon
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I am texting from my phone. I'm without power at my house. I'm at my internship now. I can post between 4 and 5I if it'll be allowed. Sorry for the inconvenience |
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| Matt Hodges | Sep 16 2014, 10:36 AM Post #3 |
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Advanced Member
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OOC: Huddie can post his roleplay whenever he is able to in the next 12-24 hours. Whenever he can post is fine by me, really. No hard feelings. bud. ------------------------------------------- Matt Hodges wakes up at 5 a.m. on the dot. He’s ready for the day when his alarm goes off. He rolls over and kisses Rachel Hodges on the cheek. She doesn’t wake up. He smiles, gets out of bed, and puts on his work-out clothes and grabs his bag. Before he leaves the house, he stops in to peek at Hunter Hodges, who lay unconscious on his side sucking his thumb. Matt Hodges smiles because he loves his son. Matt Hodges works out in a small Wisconsin gym where a lot of the locals go. He’s focused. He has 4% body fat and a forty inch box jump. His knee seldom bothers him anymore. When it does, he treats it with ibuprofen and Tylenol and gets monthly cortisone shots. Often times, other gym members will stop and ask him for his advice and tips, sometimes the gym owner will even try to glean some physical wisdom from him. Matt Hodges is happy to help others out. Matt Hodges wants to make his wife happy. He stops at Louie’s Barber Shop to get his hair cut because his wife doesn’t like it unkempt. He gets his hair trimmed by the proprietor. Matt Hodges and Louie talk small talk. They talk about the playoff hopes of the Green Bay Packers and they engage in playful banter about whether or not Ford made a better truck than Chevrolet. Matt Hodges enjoys making small talk with people. It makes him feel warm inside. Matt Hodges is a staple of his community. On his way home he notices that Mrs. Bates, his elderly neighbor, is struggling with loading her groceries. He stops and gets out of his used truck and helps the woman gladly. She expresses her gratitude. Oh, Matthew Hodges, she says, my knight in shining armor. Matt Hodges brushes off the compliment. It isn’t a problem, Mrs. Bates, he says respectfully, I’m happy to help. She invites the Hodges family over for a nice home-cooked meal later in the night. Matt Hodges smiles and says thank you, I’ll see what Rachel has planned for dinner. Matt Hodges is romantic. Upon arriving home he is greeted by a big hug and kiss from Rachel Hodges. At 9 a.m. Matt arranged for a beautiful arrangement of flowers to be delivered to his wife. The card said, for the love of my life, my Queen. They’re beautiful, says Rachel. Matt Hodges smiles, kisses his wife again, and goes into the living room where Hunter Hodges has made a mess of toys and couch pillows. He smiles when he sees his Daddy and runs straight into his arms. Matt Hodges is happy to receive the young child. Daddy, shouts Hunter, look at this mess! I see it, smiles Matt. Good job, son. Matt Hodges gets down on his knees and helps Hunter build a tower with his blocks so he can knock it down shortly after. Matt Hodges takes a phone call from a prominent health magazine. They want to run with an article regarding Matt Hodges’ personalized work-out plan and diet and the myriad of ways in which he has changed his life outside of the ring. Matt is grateful for the opportunity but respectfully declines, citing his desire to keep his personal life as private as possible. He offers to write a brief summary of good nutritional choices as a compromise. He also points out several fellow professionals who are excelling and keeping themselves fit. Matt Hodges is happy to give praise where it’s due. Matt Hodges makes lunch for his wife and son and then leaves for a noon appointment at Buchanan First Baptist where he and his young family attend church on Sundays. Pastor David is excited to see him when he arrives and offers to pray for his family. After prayer, Matt runs through the surprise he has planned for his wife tomorrow with Pastor. Everything appears to be going according to plan. The flowers are stored in the kitchen. Men and women of the congregation will arrive early to help decorate and are happy to do so. Pastor makes it a special point to tell Matt Hodges that the men of the congregation have come to admire the way that he has changed his life and his ways to accommodate his new responsibilities, wife, and family. Pastor asks Matt Hodges if he would think about leading a small group for young men in order to teach them how to live a godly life. Matt Hodges is cautious with his response; he thanks Pastor, but says, anything good you see in me is accomplished in Jesus Christ alone, not Matt Hodges. I don’t want you to see Matt Hodges. Matt Hodges goes for daily twenty mile bike rides over an hour. This is to complete his two-a-day work-out regimen as well as to take a few moments to reflect on his day, his family, his past life. Images of his father flash in his head, the man he never was, the man he could have been. His mother and father, dead. The callous way he responded to the news. The fact that he and his sister Christina Hodges had not seen each other in eight years and haven’t talked to one another in almost five. The fact that he used to be just like his father, if not worse. The struggle he endures every day to put the Matt Hodges of old into a coffin and to let a new Matt Hodges come to life. The arrogance, the pride, the hotheadedness, the impatience that still abides in him that always has the potential to resurface. How little he wants that to happen for the sake of his beautiful wife and his young son. How desperately he wants his son to be a better man than his father. How much he loves being a father. How much he hates being away from them. How much it stings the depths of his soul he missed more than the first year of Hunter’s life. How he resents himself for poisoning his body with drugs and alcohol and toxic sex for over a decade. How he feels so unworthy of the life he lives now. How peaceful it is to live in a small town. What if feels like to live with his mistakes and not have to be entirely suffocated by them. What it feels like to see the result of perseverance in the face of the supposed impossible. How nobody will probably ever truly trust that he’s a changed man. All the people he hurt. James Exeter. James Exeter. Matt Hodges’ best friend. How ironic that they both came back at the same time. It seems to Matt Hodges that their lives are indelibly intertwined, a connection shared almost telepathically between a longing to make art in the ring and a need to be around one another. The man that Matt Hodges hurt the most. He smiles. Before Rachel, he supposes that a lot of people might have figured James to be his life partner. They probably would’ve been right in a very platonic way. Matt Hodges can’t see his life without James Exeter’s hand being involved somehow. He makes a mental note to make sure to catch up with James at some point, although it probably won’t be long before they cross either paths or swords. Comforting thoughts for Matt Hodges to end his bike ride to. Matt Hodges comes through the front door and gets showered. His wife and son are ready to go out the door. They drive a quarter mile up the road to the Bates residence. Mr. Bates greets Matthew with a warm handshake, Mrs. Bates with a big hug. The Bates’ remark on how big Hunter is getting. Hunter Hodges says, no, I just a little guy and hugs his daddy’s leg. Matt Hodges smiles and scoops him up. They go inside and have great conversation and adequate dinner. Mrs. Bates makes a very dry meatloaf that is in no way a part of Matt Hodges’ strict diet. He eats it anyway so as to not hurt any feelings and even though it is not very good, Matt Hodges makes sure to tell Mrs. Bates that it’s absolutely fantastic. Rachel rubs his leg underneath the table and smiles at him and kisses him on the cheek. Mr. Bates at 75 years old asks Hunter, what do you think? Think I could get in the ring and go a few rounds with your dad? Hunter replies, um, yeah I ‘tink so. Everybody laughs. Mr. Bates says, no thank you, sir, no thank you. He does tell Matt Hodges that he was a boxer in the Navy and would be happy to give him some pointers and proper training in boxing. Matt Hodges graciously accepts and says maybe after I get back from the road. They exchange pleasantries and the Hodges family returns home. Hunter Hodges gets a bath from his daddy. Hunter loves bath time with daddy because Daddy sits on the edge of the tub so that he can splash him. Hunter loves splashing his Daddy because every time he splashes Daddy, Daddy reacts by screaming in a very amusing manner. What Hunter Hodges does not like is getting his hair washed in the bath tub because he gets soap in his eyes and it also means it’s almost time to get out of the tub, and he wants to keep splashing daddy. Daddy shrieks a high-pitched shriek, and so does Hunter as he laughs. Daddy scoops Hunter Hodges out of the tub and dries him off and sends him to Mommy and Daddy’s room so Mommy can put him in his pajamas. Rachel Hodges smiles when her baby boy comes into the room. She hoists him up and puts a fresh diaper and his pajamas on him. Her husband comes into the room with a book and they read One Fish, Two Fish together as a family. They pray for safe dreams for Hunter and they take him off to his bedroom. Hunter whines as they put him in his bed. Matt kisses him on the forehead and says, tomorrow we have a lot of fun to have. You need your rest, buddy. Hunter pouts. Rachel and Matt leave the room and go to their own room. Matt Hodges convinces his wife to lose her clothes in the middle of Good Morning Vietnam. He loses his. Matt Hodges makes passionate love to Rachel Hodges. He isn’t focused on how he feels. He’s focused on making an intimate connection with her, focused on how to get her off first. He knows how to do this. It doesn’t take her long. After she gets off, Matt Hodges becomes a little more self-centered, but she doesn’t mind. Matt Hodges is giving in bed. Matt Hodges cuddles his wife after sex. They have pillow talk about skipping the church luncheon tomorrow and heading to Pumpkinville, a local seasonal attraction for the fall season where families can buy pumpkins for their kids as well as various games and activities. Matt Hodges says, no, we really should go. She sighs and agrees and says she just doesn’t want to. Matt nods. I understand he says. Matt Hodges holds his wife as she sleeps. He stares up at the ceiling. Leaving his family behind, tomorrow’s events, the looming road, the impending match-up with James Evans, Aiken and his games. The price he might pay for even so much as involving himself in the chaos. Matt Hodges shakes his head. Back in SCW. The more things change, the more they stay the same. James Evans, James Exeter, Aiken, poor Christy Matthews. James Evans. Matt Hodges falls asleep. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ The Hodges clan arrived at Buchanan First Baptist right on time, 3 p.m. on the dot. “Daddy, I hungry.” “I know you are buddy,” said Matt Hodges, unbuckling his own seatbelt and killing the ignition. “We’ll get you something to eat soon, okay?” “Cookies?” says Hunter. “Can Hunter have three cookies?” “Not before dinner,” Rachel laughs. “Oh, my, looks like we’re early. It doesn’t look like hardly anyone’s here. I told you we should’ve blown this off…” “Maybe you were right.” Matt opens the door and gets out. He gets Hunter out while his wife gets the diaper bag from the trunk of her minivan. The family heads inside. The foyer is completely empty. There is no sound to be heard at all. “Huh,” Matt Hodges says, “I wonder where everybody is.” “Home, because nobody likes church luncheons,” whispers Rachel. Matt laughs. “Alright, I’ll make a deal with you. I’ll go see if there’s anybody here. Seems like maybe we got our days mixed up. Maybe it isn’t until next week. Let me go see where everybody is and if there’s nobody here we’ll leave.” “Sounds good,” she says and smiles. Matt begins to walk down the corridor that leads to the various classrooms within the church. “Hunter, buddy, remember what Daddy told you to do,” he says as he walks away and disappears around the corner. Rachel curiously looks at Hunter James Hodges. “Hunter, what did Daddy tell you to do?” “Daddy loves Mommy,” says Hunter, perceptively. “Yes, yes he does,” she laughs. Hunter sits down on his knees and reaches into his pocket. Rachel looks down at him, not quite sure what is happening. Hunter looks up with his innocent big blue eyes and reaches out a closed fist to his mother. “Here you go,” he says. She holds out her hand. Hunter casually drops the contents of his hand into hers. She looks at it. Her mouth opens. A diamond ring. Hunter smiles and points to the double-doors that hide the sanctuary. “Go in there now,” he says. Rachel tears up. “Hold my hand, mommy.” He takes her finger in his hand and leads her to the doors. When she opens up the doors, the entire congregation, family, friends are in the pews, turned around and looking at her. Pedals litter the floor, on each pew, an arrangement of fall colored floral arrangements. Hanging above the altar, a trellis interspersed with various roses. Pastor David stands on the altar, smiling at her. Mrs. Bates walks up to her and hugs her, places a band of flowers over her head. “You’re a lucky, lucky woman,” she whispers in his ear. “That man loves you more than anything in this world.” As Mrs. Bates relinquishes her grip, she takes Hunter’s hand and takes him into the audience. Matt Hodges appears and sits on a stool on the altar, in his grip, a ukulele. He strums a few chords that resonate through the sanctuary. “I, won’t, he-sitate, no more, no more, it cannot wait, I’m yours.” Matt continues to strum the chords without words. Mr. Bates approaches Rachel and hands her a bouquet of flowers. “I know your father is no longer with us,” he says, “but I hope you don’t mind me walking with a beautiful bride for a minute.” In all-out tears, she shakes her head and takes his arm. When she gets to the altar, she notices Matt’s eyes welled up. He smiles at her and plays one last chord and in an out of pitch tone, sings the words, “I’m yours.” Pastor David speaks into the microphone. “Everybody, please be seated.” Rachel steps up the altar and stands before her husband. “We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Rachel Lynne and Matthew Christian Hodges. If any should object to this union…you’re a little late. They beat us to the punch.” A few laughs. “A marriage is not a contract,” he continues. “A marriage is not a piece of paper. It is not a simple ‘I do’. It cannot truly even be reduced to a celebration of love. A marriage is a holy union, a bond that cannot be torn asunder by man. A marriage is an eternal promise, a decision, an endless devotion to a partner. Signatures on paper matter only to the State of Wisconsin. In the eyes of God, the contract that matters is the intent of the heart.” Matt looks Rachel in the eyes and smiles. “These two have honored that bond. A life together that began with a chance encounter has grown into something inherently more special. A family. A plan that was in the works from the beginning. We all have had the privilege of watching that plan unfold. The mother and woman you’ve become, Rachel. The father and man of God that you’ve become, Matthew…we’re blessed. The groom now would like to share a few words for his lovely bride. Matthew?” Matthew looks his wife dead in the eyes. “In the depths of my despair, I looked into your eyes and I saw something worth becoming. This was years ago, one night in Fortaleza. And though I knew that you would make me a better man, I fled from you. The both of us, lost haplessly in a foreign nation, trying to escape our histories. A lot has changed since the night I met you and then left you by yourself. I’ve changed, you’ve changed. We made life together, although I didn’t know it. When I found you again, I was at my lowest of lows. I was drunk. On drugs. Barely a functional person. I was a mess. You, Hunter…you both gave me a reason to be complete again. You healed me. We returned to the United States. I had no job opportunities lined up, you hadn’t been back since you were a kid. We made it work, with the help of everybody in this town, through the strength we find in our faith. We got married at the J.O.P. immediately and that was it. We became a family overnight. I never got to give you the special day you deserved…I love you so much. Thank you for being my wife, my best friend, and my soul mate.” A tear streams down Rachel’s face as she smiles. “Do you, Matthew Hodges-” “I do,” he interrupts. The congregation laughs. “Without any reservations. Forever and always.” “Do you, Rachel Hodges-” “I do!” she shouts, more laughs. “And I will. Always.” “Well, that was easy enough,” says Pastor Dave. “Alright, then. I suppose you can uh…kiss your wife now?” Matt smiles, leans in, and kisses his wife. “I love you more than I’ll ever find the words to say,” he says as he pulls away. More than Matt Hodges will ever find the words to say. Seems a bit out of character, doesn’t it? I mean, Matt Hodges, the man who was never at a loss for things to say, suddenly reduced to speechlessness. I admit, I wouldn’t have ever guessed it. Of course, this was before a few years ago when a trip to Africa saw me taken into a mental state where I was controlled and jerked around by an Egyptian suit trying to stake a claim in the American sports industry, MMA, boxing, and wrestling. He put all his eggs in a hole-laden basket, I’m afraid, and the niggling injuries of old cost him his prime investment. I hate to admit that I’ve failed in my life. I was an addict. A slave to sexual desires, addictions, irresponsibility. Years ago I would’ve looked at somebody like the man I’ve become today as somebody that needed to be put to death, and I would’ve tried to do just that without a moment’s hesitation. I literally tried to break Alex Desoubrais in half because I didn’t like his moral high ground. I wanted to level it more than anything. In my estimation, the only way I could do that was to destroy his physical being. I failed on my first attempt to do that. I wasn’t so lucky on my second attempt. I powerbombed him through a chair before folding him up like an accordion. I could’ve crippled the man. Thankfully I didn’t, but the intent was still there. Not to simply defeat, but to deliberately maim another human being for the sake of my personal satisfaction. What a shameful display. Another failure I have to take note of in my professional career is my failure to beat James Evans at Rise to Greatness a few years ago. James Exeter and I had just returned to face the tandem of James Evans and Chad Evans, a man who fancied himself God. It didn’t take long for the rust to be exposed. James Evans, young and brash with a chip on his shoulder, desperately trying to best not just James and I but Chad well, walked out with an impressive pin-fall over me, handing me my first ever Rise to Greatness loss. Not too shabby. It’s said that change is inevitable. If you want to get better, your mental state has to improve. In nearly three years, I’ve undergone a complete transformation. You wouldn’t even recognize me by my behaviors anymore. James Evans…well. He currently carries the Underground Title after yet another very impressive win over Matt Auclair at Rise to Greatness. He’s a young man who always shows up to play at big events and for big matches. A former United States Champion. Kid has all the tools required to go all the way to the very top. He reminds me an awful lot of somebody else about ten years ago. Matt Hodges. He’s good. Technically gifted. He’s agile, he’s thirty, he gets his hands dirty. His offensive game is impressive. There’s nothing he can’t do or isn’t capable of. He’s absolutely out of this world. But, he’s not there yet. I could point to his extracurricular activities as a reason why. I mean, my activities held me back for a long, long time, but by this point I was already one of the biggest names of the independent before SCW signed me to a developmental deal. The next year I competed for, and won, the SCW World Heavyweight Title. Big steps to take for somebody who wasn’t ever 100% on his game. I’m left to imagine now what could have been if only I had the focus then that I have now. Do not let this be your fate, James. I’m not sure exactly what you’re doing. Drugs and alcohol and sex. The road life. Rockstar mentality, yada yada. You should’ve reached the summit at least once by now, James. What’s the matter? Are you too busy sabotaging yourself, or are you just not as good as I think you are? Maybe my assessment is off. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe your skillset isn’t there yet, and maybe it won’t ever be. You’ve beaten me once. That means you have potential. You’re the Underground Champion at the present time…what does that mean? Is that enough for you? I know it wasn’t for me. Right after I dropped that Title I went on and became World Champion. Are you really satisfied with the modicum of success that comes from holding a lower midcard Title Belt? You have an awful lot of questions to answer. Not to me, James. You don’t owe me a damn thing. You have questions to ask yourself. Where you go is up to you. You’re bound by nothing, but you’re rotting in lower midcard purgatory. The blame falls on you. Point to booking all you want, but at the end of the day, through your direct lack of focus and dedication, there you sit, and there you’ll remain until you’re ready for something more. Don’t make my mistakes. You obviously can’t afford them. I was a superstar in spite of my glaring warts. You haven’t been so lucky. And now? You’re in the same place. I’m better, stronger, fitter, and more focused. The mask is off, James. You see me, I see you. We’ve had some history, you and I. Let’s use this match as a litmus test to see how far you’ve come, how much you’ve grown, and where you stand in the ranks. I’ll use it to see just how much I’ve got left to give. |
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| James Evans | Sep 16 2014, 12:52 PM Post #4 |
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I'll Probably Quit Soon
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Thanks Hodgie. I will get it up asap but it will be up tonight. A hell of a storm hit last night and we are still without power. I'll go to the campus library if need be. |
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| James Evans | Sep 16 2014, 09:43 PM Post #5 |
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I'll Probably Quit Soon
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OOC: OK had to drive to the library to get this posted. I have power at the house, just no internet. Apparently it will be down for another day or so. Anyways, thank you Hodgie and to Olek for giving me this extension and sorry for the inconvenience once again. I am really proud of this rp. It took on a life of its own in terms of CD and I think the rest of the arc will be interesting and will take James to a place I have barely taken him which is home. If it is confusing at all towards the end of the CD, I intended it that way, because James is trying to work shit out in his head. Anyways, here you go... [align=center]_____________________________________ PROMO [/align] [align=center]_____________________________________[/align] James Evans: “I stand before you all, the newly crowned SCW Underground Champion. Go ahead and soak it all in…” James Evans stepped back from the camera, once again decked out in his black hoodie, the hood covering his face, just as it did in his last promo. But there is something different about him. It is the ten pounds of gold draped across his shoulder.” James Evans: “I did exactly what I said I was going to do at Apocalypse and that was walk out as champion. Sure, given the circumstances I am not entirely too proud of how I won this title, but I do know that both of my opponents would have done the same thing, had the shoes been on different feet. Ryan Moss got attacked towards the end of the match by masked men who resembled the masked men who attacked me during my match against Dylan Howell a few weeks ago. All I can say is that it couldn’t have happened to be a nicer guy. At least that is what a part of me wants to say. Then there is the part of me that thinks there is a bigger conspiracy going on.” James told himself that there is something much more deep rooted going on in the Auclair camp or that someone is targeting not only Moss and Auclair, but him as well. James knew that he couldn’t figure it out on his own. He wasn’t Batman or Sherlock Holmes. But something told him that answers would unveil themselves as time went on. He would just have to keep his mind sharp and stay on his toes. James Evans: “There are so many possibilities going through my mind at this time, revolving around Moss and the ending of the triple threat from Apocalypse. I thought Moss had sent those men after me but now I am not so sure. He could have sent them after me only to piss them off, resulting in them turning against the little weasel. Either way, I am going to have to grow bigger eyes in the back of my head. I am not too keen on getting attacked by faceless mercenaries. I prefer fighting man to man, face to face. So I welcome the masked men to meet me in the ring and I challenge them to remove those masks and show us all who they really are before hitting me with their best shot. And speaking of best shot, Matt Auclair…I am the new Underground Champion. I know that eats you up inside and I have a feeling that you are going to want a rematch for this title. I will go ahead and say this. I gladly accept. It can be on Breakdown. It can be on Supreme Saturday. It can be at Under Attack. I don’t care where it is. You should know that I am ready and willing to fight anytime, anyplace.” James paused and looked at the camera, as if it were Auclair. James then looked at his newly won championship and nodded his head at it, before facing the camera once more, indicating that he had no problem defending the championship. He wanted to be a fighting champion. He was always like that when he won a title. He defeated Helms for the Adrenaline title and couldn’t wait to defend it. He was the same way when he defeated Shilo for the United States Championship. Now that he was champion once again, nothing would change. His fighting spirit would continue. James Evans: “I believe we have one more round left in us, Matt for this championship. We had the first movie and the sequel. I feel that we need to at least end it on a high note and bring an end to our rivalry with a third act. I am sure you feel the exact same way. Something tells me that you are just itching to get back into the ring so you can become champion once again. I respect that about you, Matt I respect the fact that you enjoy this sport and you enjoy competing. You don’t like to talk a whole lot which is another thing that we have in common.” James Evans: “You see, my mentor was Josh Hudson. He is one of the greatest to ever grace a wrestling ring. He didn’t talk much. He let his skills in the ring do the talking for him. That is exactly what he taught me. You appear to be in the same boat. I have chosen to leave all the talking and all the drama to the likes of the Streets, CHBK, Syren and Cruze. Basically the entire main event scene. They all just talk and talk and talk. You and I, Matt…we do the talking when it really matters, which is as soon as the bell rings. So if you want your rematch, if you want one more fight then I am game, son. All you have to do is ask. You say the word and my music will hit and I will walk out, ready to defend this belt. So Matt, the ball is in your court.” James finished speaking, and he felt an excitement coursing through his body. He was ready to fight and he couldn’t wait to hear from Auclair. Through their wars, James had truly developed a small amount of respect for the man even if they had been enemies. James looked at the championship over his shoulder one last time and told himself that he would be willing to go to Hell and back to keep it exactly where it was, in his possession for as long as he possibly could. He then looked at the camera one more time before slowly walking out of the view, leaving the camera staring at complete darkness. [align=center]_____________________________________[/align] Apocalypse James Evans stepped into his locker room, slamming the door behind him. He released a sigh and closed his eyes, shaking his head from side to side. After a few moments of repeating the movement, James opened his eyes and walked over to the bench where he sat down. He then looked down at his hands. Not his hands specifically, but it was more at what was in his hands. James looked down at what he was holding, which happened to be his newly won SCW Underground Championship. It was his third major wrestling title since he had signed with the SCW in 2010. He looked at the belt and he saw his reflection in the centerpiece of the title and he smirked. He told himself that he had worked hard to capture the belt. It was a symbol that all of his hard work since his return had paid off. James smiled at his accomplishment then leaned his head back into the locker, resting it against the concrete wall, letting out another sigh, before he heard a voice that called out to him, snapping him from his state of relaxation. “I bet you sure are proud of that, aren’t you?” James blinked a few times, not really believing what he was seeing, but what he saw never vanished. He just stood there in a business suit, arms crossed over his shirt and tie, staring back at James. It was Charles Evans, or a vision of the man himself. James ran his hands over his face, hoping his “father” wouldn’t be there anymore, but as his fingertips left his eyelids, Charles remained. James Evans: “What are you talking about?” Charles threw his head back and let out a mocking laugh, before shaking his head and looking back at James. Charles Evans: “I am lying in a hospital bed somewhere, dying…and you were here, wrestling and winning a title that you’re not going to hold onto for forever. I am just curious if you’re happy about winning tonight when you know I’m dying.” James grinded his teeth before bolting from his seat on the bench and getting into the face of his “father”, glaring. James Evans: “You’re kidding right? You damn right I’m happy! I worked hard for this! I did something that you never did. I WORKED! I EARNED THIS! And I did it while you are pretending to die in a hospital bed. I know you. I know you very well. You are supposedly dying because you felt alone. Everyone else can fall for it, but I am not going to.” Charles Evans: “Oh yeah you earned it. You didn’t even pin the champion, James. In my eyes, Matt Auclair is still the champion meaning that you didn’t earn a damn thing. You stole that belt, James. You are nothing more than a thief.” James looked away from his “father” and stared back at the Underground Championship as it rested on the bench behind him. The image of Matt looking away at Moss getting attacked while Brayden Walker climbed to his feet replayed in James’ mind, followed by him lifting Walker up and planting him before getting the pin. James then returned his attention to the image of his father standing before him and responded. James Evans: “I did exactly what Matt or Brayden would have done if the shoe were on the other foot. Every single person in this world knows that. The fans know it. Matt and Brayden know it. And you…you are just an apparition, a figment of my imagination but you know it. I went out and I became champion. I do not doubt the win. I made it clear that Matt could get another shot if he wanted. I am not afraid to defend this title. The title that I fought for and won. The title that I worked my ass off. The title that I fucking earned you fucking prick!” James turned away, running his fingers through his hair and shaking his head, telling himself that he needed to get a grip…that he was arguing with nothing. He told himself that it was just his conscience just as it was in the car a few nights ago. He told himself that it was all in his head. James took in a few deep breaths then turned back and looked back at the image of his father once more. James Evans: “You always do this. You have always done this.” Charles shrugged his shoulders and smirked. Charles Evans: “What do I do? What have I always done? You’re going to have to be more specific because quite frankly, I am at a loss here son.” James Evans: “You always find a way to talk me into doubting myself as well as accomplishments I have ever gained or earned. You did it to me when I was in school and you did it when I started wrestling. You have never believed in me and you have never given me any real credit. But you know what…I have always excelled. And I will continue to excel. And would you like to know why that is?” The smirk remained on Charles’ face as he crossed his arms once again and shrugged his shoulders, before nodding his head. Charles Evans: “Sure. Why not? Go for it.” James nodded his head then turned away, walked over and grabbed the Underground title off of the bench before draping it over his shoulder. He then turned and stormed over to his “father” put the title in “his” face so “he” could see it. James Evans: “I won this…in spite of you. Anything that I have ever earned, worked hard for, or won…I have done it in spite of you. I have busted my ass off because you always told me that I didn’t do enough. I have worked hard because you said I would never amount to anything. I have won championships in this sport and I have defeated some of the biggest names it has to offer because YOU never believed in me. You were my motivation to better myself. YOU! YOU! YOU!” James felt himself wanting to punch the image of his father, but he didn’t. He stopped himself. James turned his head slightly to the right, seeing that his right fist was in the air, like a snake ready to strike unsuspecting prey. James took in a deep breath then slowly lowered his arm, slowly unclenching his fist. James Evans: “There is so much that I would love to say to you…the real you but I just never have. It has always been easier to say it when you’re not around.” Charles Evans: “And why do you think that is? I think it’s because you’re afraid that you’ll disappoint me even more. But to be honest, I am not sure if you can do that. You’ve done so much that I have never been impressed by that it would actually be impressive if you could disappoint me further.” James hung his head low, letting the words run through his skull and resonate in his brain. He nodded his head then finally looked up and stared at the smirking figment of his imagination and responded. James Evans: “You know what? I am done trying to impress you or gain your approval. I don’t need and it is becoming crystal fucking clear that I have never needed it. I have never had to impress any fucking body in my life and I have wasted so much fucking time trying to do so.” Charles laughed mockingly once again. Charles Evans: “You have any idea how many times you have said that and how many times I have heard you say that? Too many to count James. Way too many times. And you always end up back tracking and slipping into the same disappointing state. You are like me, James. A broken cycle. A walking disaster. An accident waiting to happen.” James leaned in closer to “Charles” and began laughing himself, mocking his father and the image of him, before stepping back and responding. James Evans: “Like father, like son, right? But I love the fact that you called me a broken cycle. The way I see it, it is up to me to break the cycle and not become such a failure as you. It is up to me to walk my own path and to not follow in your footsteps. You motivated me to reach levels that I never thought I could, because you made me believe that I couldn’t. Now, all I need to do is motivate myself to keep going and leave you in my rearview mirror. To let you be nothing more than a fucking memory.” Charles Evans: “James, don’t kid yourself. You and I both know that you will never be able to step out from my shadow. You will never be able to forget me. I will always be there. I will always haunt you. My ways will forever be a part of you, because you are me in so many ways. Let’s face it, you will never be able to get rid of me, even when I am long gone. I will always be there in your heart, and in your mind. You can’t forget me.” James took a step or two closer to the image, touching his forehead against that of his “father’s” and locked eyes with “Charles” and smirked, allowing the image’s words replay over and over in his mind and echo in his ears, before finally responding. James Evans: “I can do my damnedest to try. You may be a part of me, but I don’t have to give into that side. I don’t have to be a piece of shit like you. When and if I ever have the luxury of having a real family, not like the bullshit I have with Katelyn where those kids are better off without both parents…but when I have a family of my own to come home to…I will treat them like royalty. I will succeed where you didn’t. I will continue to succeed as I have always done…without you. I will do better than you ever thought I could. I will do better than you ever could.” James then looked down at and spit at the image’s feet, before returning to meet its gaze one last time. James Evans: “But I am fucking finished with you…or at least this version of you. I am going to do something I never felt I could do until now. Once again I am going to prove you wrong and then I am going to do my best to let you fade into the wind like an ash through time.” The image looked curiously at James. Charles Evans: “And what is it that you plan on doing?” James smirked once again. James Evans: “I am going to say all of this to your fucking face. I’m coming to visit you on your supposed deathbed. So please…make sure you’re wide awake so we can have a little father and son time.” James then turned and walked away. He threw the Underground title over his right shoulder and grabbed his bag. He then walked past the image which still remained and headed towards the locker room door, before stopping as the image called out after him. Charles Evans: “You know James…I will still be around…I just thought you should know that.” James scoffed and shook his head before slowly turning around and locking eyes with the image and responding. James Evans: “Well that would be a first.” James turned and grabbed the door handle, slowly opened the door and stepped halfway outside of the room, before turning back once more and looking at his “father”. James Evans: “By the way…fuck you.” James then closed the door and began to head down the hallway. He had a drive to make and some things to finally get off of his chest. As he inched closer and closer to the exit door, James had a question running through his mind. It was sort of repeat. The question kept bouncing back and forth between both sides of his skull, side to side, front to back. It was a question that only he could answer. Am I ready for this? James shook his head, trying to shake the thoughts from his brain as he reached into his pants pocket and removed his cell. He placed his championship inside of his gym bag, zipped it up and continued heading down the hallway, as the phone started to ring. Holly Evans: “Hello?” James hesitated at first because he could hear the pain in her voice. He didn’t expect her to answer the phone since he didn’t show up to the hospital in the first place. James Evans: “Holly…are you OK?” There was a pause. Holly Evans: “Why do you even care, James? You should have been here. The family needed you and you weren’t here.” James felt his heart as it sunk down into the bowels of his stomach, hitting every single knot and twist as they began to form. James Evans: “Holly, I was just calling to let you know that I am on my way. I feel that I need to talk to Dad man to man, face to face. So, tell everybody that I am on my way and that I will be there as soon as I can. Can you do that for me?” James listened and heard his sister as she began to sob. James Evans: “Holly…what is wrong? Tell me what’s going on.” Holly Evans: “Dad…he’s…he’s gone James. He died just a little while ago…I kept telling him that you were on your way. I told him to hold on so he could see you, but you never showed.” James Evans: “Holly…I…” James stopped talking, knowing that nothing he could do or say would bring any sort of comfort to the situation. He felt like the lowest form of shit. He felt guilt. He felt anger. All of it towards himself. He tried to speak again, but no words came out. He heard as his sister continued to cry and try to talk to him, but James didn’t really hear anything, except for a ringing that grew louder and louder, before he finally closed his phone and tucked it back into his pocket, before making his way outside to his car, with each step feeling as if he were wearing concrete blocks around his heels. James reached his car and felt like the world around him was close to caving in. He climbed inside of his car and just sat there, feeling sluggish, like he could barely move, as if he were being weighted down. James knew what it was. It was the guilt he was feeling, trying to crush him and at that moment, he welcomed it. James Evans: “You should have gone. You should have fucking been there James. Why didn’t you go? Huh? Can you answer that? Why didn’t you go? Your family needed you there. Your sister begged for you to come…” James rested his head against the steering wheel, feeling like he was a in state of déjà vu, like the night before Apocalypse. Most of it was real, but there was some of it that was a dream, a dream that he wished at this particular point to have been a reality. He told himself that he would have gladly drowned. “I’m sure you don’t feel too proud now do you?” James removed his head from the wheel to find his “father” sitting in the backseat of the car, smirking as he was in the locker room earlier. James Evans: “Why didn’t you tell me you were dead? You should have told me.” Charles Evans: “Would it have changed your mind at all, knowing that I truly was on my deathbed? You were very gung ho about standing your ground and not babying me, because you thought it was nothing more than a hoax to get attention.” James closed his eyes, wishing the image would go away. He wished he had gone now, forgetting about the Underground title and his match. You should have been with your family, James told himself. James Evans: “How was I supposed to know that it was the real deal? In all of my years, your cries for help have been out of loneliness. You always wanted others around you to be as miserable as you. I can’t fucking help that I was the only one who saw a pattern to your bullshit. But to answer your question, had I known you were actually fucking dying, I would have been there. The title I won would have gone to someone else and I would have been there with my family.” Charles leaned forward, placing his chin on the leather portion of the seat, looking at James, who stared back at him through the corner of his eye. Charles Evans: “But you weren’t there, James. That is what I have been trying to tell you. You are so much like me. You are definitely your father’s son.” James shook his head. James Evans: “Even though you’re apparently gone, you are still trying to make me feel like shit. I feel bad enough but leave it to you to somehow pour more salt into the wound. Even in death, you are still a fucking asshole.” Charles Evans: “Speaking of pouring salt into the wound, now you will never get to tell me face to face, man to man, how you really feel. I am sure that just eats you up doesn’t it?” James lowered his head again and shook it from side to side, trying to rid himself of the voice, but he couldn’t. Charles Evans: “It will be OK son. You were never meant to get the last word. You said it yourself. You will never be anything in my eyes. And now that I am gone, you will never know if you could somehow get into my good graces. Now you will never know if I ever truly valued you as a son.” James felt his body jerk and he found himself staring at the image in the backseat. James Evans: “You said it yourself that I always disappointed you. But then again, you are just a vision in my head. You are nothing more than my perception of my father and our relationship.” The image smirked and nodded. James Evans: “I must be going out of my fucking mind. You aren’t even real. Nothing you have said could be true.” Charles Evans: “My words are nothing more than assumptions you have made. You saw your father as a worthless human being who never loved you, or showed you love and affection, the way a father actually should. That is the only way you have ever known your father.” James Evans: “So how do I know if there has been any sort of truth to what you have said? The only way I would be able to know is if I could actually talk to my father.” Charles Evans: “I am sure this realization plays a massive role and is a huge hit to the egomaniac side you were showing earlier. You have so many questions James. So many questions that will never get answered. From now on, you will have to deal with me, the figment of your imagination, the capsule representing all of your anger and resentment towards your father, as well as your guilt for not being by his side as he died.” James Evans: “SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!” James felt his fist ball up and he found himself prepared to strike the vision once again. James told himself that it was just a dream. The vision wasn’t real. James Evans: “You aren’t fucking real. You aren’t fucking real. You are nothing more than a voice in my head. Why can’t I control that? Why can’t I just fucking turn you off and get rid of you? There has to be a fucking way. There has to be a way.” James closed his eyes again and turned away from the vision in the backseat, but its laughter began to echo in his ears, followed by its words. Charles Evans: “Oh I am sure you will get rid of me, but you will first have to forgive yourself. You will have to get over your petty bullshit where you blame your father for everything and man up. But the question is whether or not you can do that. You don’t have the chance to tell your father everything you have wanted to say, so you are going to have to rely on your actions instead.” James stared at the image through the rearview mirror, glaring as he responded. James Evans: “I guess it is as they say. Actions speak louder than words.” Charles Evans: “Precisely. So what do you intend to do, little James my boy?” James put the keys into the ignition and started the car up, before placing it in drive and pressing down on the gas. James Evans: “I am going to be with my family…” Charles Evans: “Interesting choice…already putting others before yourself. I wonder how long that will last, hehe…” James did his best to ignore the vision’s laughter as he began his journey. He wasn’t going to be like his father. He wasn’t going to allow his guilt to drive him insane. James told himself that he would rid himself of it and the voice by any means necessary, even if it nearly killed him. James felt the best way to do that was to go back to where it all began. James Evans was going home. [align=center]_____________________________________ PROMO [/align] [align=center]_____________________________________[/align] James Evans: “There appears to be a war brewing…” James Evans sat in a chair, on the hotel balcony, black hoodie on, with the Underground Championship draped over his shoulder. The camera sat on the balcony table, pointed at his face, as he stared off into the night, his mind wandering, thinking about the events that occurred at the previous edition of Breakdown, where he found himself going toe to toe with Rachel Foxx. James Evans: “This feels very familiar to be honest. Last year, I returned ready to kill Rachel Foxx because she attacked Josh Hudson and maimed him, leaving my mentor for dead. It was a war against the Coalition that was eventually won by the good guys. It was a bloody war but all wars are that way. Wars and the history behind them are violent. I have a feeling that this one won’t be any different. I have to ask myself if I am prepared for that. So…do I think I am prepared to go to war again? Do I feel that I have it in me to step up and fight against Rachel Foxx and whatever evil she brings to the front line?” James paused for a moment looking over at the SCW Underground Championship. He removed it from his shoulder and held it in his hands, his eyes locked on the belt, fixated on it. His mind wandered again, replaying the match he went through at Apocalypse and the battle he endured in order to win the title and become Underground Champion. After a few moments, he returned his gaze to the camera and continued to speak. James Evans: “I ask that question and then I look at this championship. It makes me think. I think about the hells I have gone through in my wrestling career to earn victories and to earn championships and then I think about how I have always said that I am not afraid of a fight. That I am always ready and willing to fight. I think of all of these things and I come to the conclusion that yes, I am ready to go to war if need be. I will defend anyone if I feel the need to and last week, I felt the need to defend Christy Matthews while she was being attacked by a band of cowards. I showed up and along with others, we evened the odds. I respect Christy Matthews because she did all she could to have my mentor’s back last year. She fought alongside of Josh Hudson and she even went to the hospital with him when he was attacked by band of cowards. It seems to me that history is slowly repeating itself. That may be the case, but Foxx and whoever else you bring, you need to understand that the outcome is going to be the same as it was last year.” James Evans: “The good guys will win because we have more heart than any of you pieces of shit do. Rachel I have no problem in tearing you a part. I have done it before and I can do it again. I will step up and I will fight for Christy Matthews. I will fight for James Asher-Marsh. I will fight for Liberation. Brayden and I went to war for the gold that I hold in my hands right now. We were enemies at Apocalypse and we can be enemies any time that bell rings, but something tells me that he and I will be able to overcome any of our differences in order to fight for the greater good of this company. History is something that people need to look at it. Especially you Rachel. You and Aiken, despite claiming that the Coalition is dead, need to take a trip down memory lane and realize that at the end of it all, Perfect World won. I won our feud Rachel. Blitzkrieg lost the SCW World Championship. Some of the players may have changed from last year, but the fight inside of us is still great. Anytime any of you fuckers want a fight, all you have to do is ask. I will meet you in the middle of the ring or we can meet in the street. I don’t give two shits. I do not back down from a challenge. I can handle a beating. I just hope you can because when push comes to shove and the gloves come off, I am going to send you all packing. And then…then, maybe you will learn from history.” James smirked then placed the Underground title back over his shoulder. He took in a deep breath, held it for a few seconds then released it and stared back out into the night. He told himself that he needed to focus on something else. There was a whole other subject that he needed to address and it came in the form of his upcoming Breakdown opponent. Like Rachel Foxx, James would be fighting another face from his past. The face belonged to that of Matt Hodges. James Evans: “And speaking of history, I come to my opponent this week. I am looking at you, Matt Hodges. Miami’s Most Wanted. The 2008 Taking Hold of the Flame winner. The former SCW Underground and World Heavyweight Champion. I list all of those accolades but it feels like I am talking about an entirely different person. When I look at you, Matt, I don’t see the same guy who went out and destroyed the legendary CHBK and left him for dead. I don’t see the man who went onto win the Taking Hold of the Flame. I don’t see the man who became the first Taking Hold of the Flame winner to win in the main event at Rise to Greatness. I see a man who is afraid to be himself. And to think that it is quite sad really. I mean, I used to idolize you and want to be like you whenever it came time for me to step foot into the ring and become a professional wrestler. And even though I was supposed to hate you a few years back, I couldn’t help but be a little bit excited whenever it was announced Chadwick and I would face you and Exeter on the biggest stage of them all.” James Evans: “But that excitement died down when I realized that you were doing nothing more than robbing the fans. You have been nothing more than a shell of yourself each and every time you have graced us with your presence. Ever since you lost the SCW World title in 2008, you have been in a downward spiral. You came back and defeated Rick Rohl and then you lost to Hurse before disappearing again. You came back and beat Mr. D. but that was about it. You came back in 2011 and you alongside Exeter brought the fight to Chad and myself. You and I competed once where you defeated me in the center of the ring. You pretty much made me your bitch on the microphone as well as in the squared circle. It takes a lot for me to admit something like that but I am man enough to do so. Are you man enough to admit that you may not have it in you anymore, Matt? I mean, you have to believe that. It has to be why you have been hiding behind masks the last two times you showed up here in the SCW.” James stood up from the table and he grabbed the camera, bringing it closer to his face. James Evans: “I remember back in 2011, after I defeated you and James Exeter basically on my own at Rise to Greatness, you claimed that you were going to rape me. I know you weren’t referring to the physical act itself. I know that you meant that you were going to beat me from pillar to post and then some. You constantly referred to me as Lesser Evans, because Chad was so great. Yet, I humbled him just as I humbled you at Rise to Greatness. You talked a big game, but in the end, the result was the same as it was with your previous runs.You never did a damn thing. Yeah I left the SCW, but I was gone two weeks tops. I waited but you never did anything. You did what you’ve been known to do which is leave. While you were away, I went onto beat Shilo Valiant and become SCW United States Champion. I wrestled off and on for a year before finally leaving for an extended period of time. When I came back, you decided to do the same. This time, you were wearing a bandana over your face, letting some Osama Bin Laden wannabe speak for you. You had your big moment at Rise to Greatness before robbing the fans again, doing nothing more than not giving a shit and not giving them the satisfaction of watching you wrestle. Even I wanted to lace up the boots and step into the ring against you one more time. But once again, that didn’t happen. I had to wait. But you came back, once again wearing a mask, pretending to be someone you’re not.” James Evans: “I mean, are you afraid to be Matt Hodges? Or are you afraid that you simply cannot go as you once could? I have no doubt in my mind that you want to be in the main event again. Do you know how many faces from the past want the main event spot they once had? Jason Zero. Greg Cherry. Josh Hudson. Chad Evans. They all want it but the landscape has changed. And when the realization has set in, they all disappear, Hudson being the exception. You need to check your ego Matt and realize that your time in the main event has more than likely passed. You had your moment in the sun and you had a good run. You are a hell of a wrestler and you can perform better than some of the roster today, but you may not be able to perform well enough for the main event. That doesn’t mean you need to give up a quit like you normally do. And trust me, I have been the same way, but you see, there is still a lot for me to do. You don’t have to prove anything else. If you think there is, then fucking show it. Don’t just fucking come around here when you get bored. Don’t decide to step into the ring when you grow tired of sitting on your ass doing nothing, other than talking and dreaming about the good old days. Spare the fans, spare the guys who want this more than you myself included and most of all, spare yourself the embarrassment.” James paused and turned his head away, looking down at the ground, as if he were gathering his thoughts. He took in a breath, then looked back at the camera, adjusted the Underground title on his shoulder and continued to speak. James Evans: “You can either show up and be the Matt Hodges I know you can be, the Matt Hodges the people want you to be, the Matt Hodges I idolized and have no problem losing to, or you can be the Matt Hodges that you are now and have been for quite some time. You show up that version and I am going to embarrass you. I am going to beat you from pillar to post. I am going to give you a reason to give the world a sob story, something you said I did a few years ago. It is going to be 2011 all over again, Matt. You will come out and talk a big game, talking about how you are going to do this and you are going to do that. You will look at me and you will talk about how you are still better than me and that you have what it takes to beat me. You may have what it takes, but you are still missing that one key ingredient. And what is that? Belief, Matt…belief. You truly don’t believe in your words or yourself. If you did, you wouldn’t mask your identity. You wouldn’t disappear when things don’t come to you as they once did. You would stick around and fight. But Matt, it will be 2011. You can and probably will underestimate me and that is all fine and dandy, because in the end, I will defeat you one, two, three.” James brought the camera just a little bit closer to his face, as he spoke once more before turning the camera off and leaving the world in black. James Evans: “No matter which side of yourself you choose to bring, Matt, I am going to be there bringing the fight to you. You can either show up, showing why you made it to the dance in the first place, or you can end up as my whipping boy. Its your choice. Game on…” James then set the camera down, pressing the off button. Once the camera was off, James once again lifted the Underground Championship up to eye level and he stared at it. He smirked at his accomplishment, knowing that he had worked hard for it and that he had earned it. He told himself that someone would have to nearly cripple him to take the belt from him, no matter whom it was that stepped in the ring against him. |
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2:11 PM Jul 11