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With the final Breakdown before Taking Hold of the Flame now in the rear view mirror, everyone's focus begins to shift. The annual battle royal to decide who will be crowned the new number one contender for the SCW World Championship is the crowning moment on the road leading up to Rise to Greatness.
It's also one of the most closely contested matches in SCW history every year. With a slate of 40 superstars all vying for the chance to be called "the one," there is no doubt that this year will be any different than previous ones. Surprise entrants will arrive, someone will last longer than expected, and ultimately, one star will somehow live through the grind of facing everyone else, and emerge victorious. Two names on the docket are that of Jake Starr and Greg Cherry. Greg has tasted victory in the battle royal, and knows what it takes to win. He knows how to stand tall when everyone else is trying to pull you down. Jake, however, has not had the same luck in the battle royal. He's come within 5 to 10 superstars of winning, but never has tasted that sweet taste of victory, and it has ultimately begun to weigh on him heavily. It's to the point where Jake has decided to make this his last battle royal, should he lose. It's something that took his friends by surprise, but at the same time, they could somewhat understand. Since beginning to come to grips with his own "mortality," Jake's mind has fallen into a pretty dark place. He doesn't quite understand how it has gotten to this point, or if there is a feasible way to emerge from the doldrums even stronger. It's led him to a place where he questions his every move and every decision. It's made him feel like he's heading for the path of wondering if he should even continue on. It's a feeling he wants to fight back against as long as he can. As the days until Taking Hold of the Flame get fewer, Jake received a message from Greg Cherry to meet him at a local bar. It was a surprising request as the two have seemed to have become pretty distant outside of the professional world. When Jake saw the request, he figured it was right to talk again. He quickly headed to the bar, beating Greg there. He let him know he was there via text message, and ordered himself a drink. As he waits, he decides to try and distract his busy mind by watching one of the televisions behind the counter. After a few minutes, he hears the door open, and turns his head. He peers back to see some random person walking in. Seeing it wasn't Greg, his focus shifts back to the TV. Seeing Jake's drink dwindling in fullness, the bartender approaches. Bartender: Would you like another? Without making eye contact, Jake just nods slowly. The bartender can tell Jake's gaze at the TV is a farce, and he's truly thinking about something else. The emotionless, glassy, stare, is one that he has seen a number of times. The bartender slides another glass in Jake's direction, bumping him in the arm. Jake picks it up, and nods in appreciation.
Through this whole situation, Jake has neglected to hear the door open, and is startled when he feels someone give him a solid pat on the shoulder, and takes the seat next to him. Jake looks over to see Greg has arrived. Jake takes a sip, and sets his glass down. Jake Starr: ... Didn't hear you come in... Greg let's out a little joke.
Greg Cherry: I wasn't really trying to make it a grand entrance, or anything. Jake smirks.
Jake Starr: Yeah, well I WAS trying to keep an eye out for you, so you'd know where I was... Greg Cherry: Well you told me you were seated at the bar. It wasn't like I had to walk in and scan every table in the place to try and figure out where you were sitting. Jake smirks again.
Jake Starr: Yes... This is true... Greg orders himself a drink, and the bartender is quick to oblige with the order. After he brings it over and sets it in front of Greg, he has a sip. He sets the glass back down. Jake, too, takes a drink, and decides to try and expedite the unnecessary banter and get to the point of the discussion.
Jake Starr: So what brought on this little get together we're having? Greg Cherry: I felt like it... Jake Starr: I missed you, too... Greg smirks a little.
Greg Cherry: ... Truth is, we need to talk... Jake can't help but let out one of his typical sarcastic responses.
Jake Starr: I feel as if you're about to tell me you'd like to start seeing other people. This comment even brings a legit smile out of Greg.
Greg Cherry: No... No quite, man... The fact is, outside of these Breakdown events and such, we really haven't gotten a chance to really "talk." The last "lengthy" conversation we really had was when you had me in your little "interrogation" room, and I told you I needed some time to myself to think. Jake Starr: Yeah... And I told you after that fact that I would give you the space and time you needed to figure all of that shit out. I mean, I know I'm a complete ass, and all, but I at least own up to my word, if I give it to someone. Greg Cherry: You do... And I appreciate that... But a long story short, you were right, man... I am beginning to realize, more and more, that I am letting this business mean a little too much to me. I'm starting to get that a little more, now. I'm starting to realize that I'm like this for a reason, a little more... Jake Starr: What do you mean? Greg Cherry: Honestly, man, it's not something I really want to talk about a lot, right now. But the fact is, I'm starting to realize there is a lot more wrong with me than wrestling. I think blaming it all on the business was just my way of letting it all out. I guess I looked at pro wrestling as my "abused girlfriend" who I slap around and berate as much as I want, knowing it's not going anywhere. This analogy actually brings out a shred of laughter from Jake.
Jake Starr: Wow... That's one HELL of an analogy, there, man... I mean, I get what you're saying, but DAMN son, that's a hell of an analogy... Greg Cherry: Yeah that was probably a tad bit extreme, there... The fact of the matter is, though, I think I'm starting to figure myself out again. I have a lot of demons I need to address, and ultimately it is something I am going to have to continue to figure out on my own, and for myself. But on the positive side, I'm think I'm starting to understand things a little more every day. Greg takes another sip.
Greg Cherry: ... I won't lie, it really sucks. It's not fun finding all of these demons inside you, but ultimately I am starting to figure it all out. Jake Starr: I assume that's good? Greg Cherry: Yeah... It is... Jake takes a sip, and then a deep breath.
Jake Starr: ... I guess my question is, why are you telling me all of this? Greg Cherry: Honestly, I think I just want you, especially, to understand me a little better. Right now, you think I'm pretty one note, hell everyone does for that matter, and it's fine. I get it. But I think it's time that to start letting a few select people know that everything isn't how it always seems on the surface. And you're one of those people I call a friend, so I need you to start to understand me better. The fact is, Jake, there's more to Greg Cherry than meets the eye. Jake Starr: That makes sense. I think everyone is like that. I know I am the exact same way, especially right now... Greg Cherry: What do you mean? Jake Starr: Well let me let you in a little... You kind of opened up, so let me do so... Lately all of the confidence I've been pushing out there in public is a bona fide load of bullshit. I don't believe in myself, anymore. I'm basically a shell of who I once was, and I am starting to believe that the "next hoorah" that I am chasing isn't going to come at all. Greg sets his glass down, looking confused.
Greg Cherry: Why don't you think it'll happen again? Jake Starr: Dude, I'm no spring chicken, here... Look at recent history, I start to build momentum, get a little bit up the ladder, then POOF, I get right back on the mediocrity bandwagon. I've become forgettable, man, and I just... I don't know how to deal with it. I am DESPERATE to feel remembered again. Greg Cherry: To quote you... Aren't we all? Jake smirks.
Jake Starr: Yeah... We are... The difference is, I think I am at that point where I feel like I'm out there degrading my product and ultimately hurting my legacy. Everything I've said to you, is almost like I'm really just afraid to admit it to myself... Greg Cherry: What do you mean? Jake Starr: The losing is killing me, mentally, man. It is something that I am just not used to, and the emotions are not ones I know how to cope with. It is like I am at that point where I've seen and mocked others, and I just don't know what to do. And then top it all off with Taking Hold of the Flame around the corner, I just don't know how to even realistically feel about that either. Greg Cherry: Man... I'm starting to see how similar you and I really are because I know how that goes. You and I, you know, we seem to have a lot of the same feelings towards this business. I mean, we both ultimately want to win, right? Jake nods.
Jake Starr: Well, yeah... I want it more than anything else... Greg Cherry: I'm the same way... But I also have my issues on top of it all. Ultimately you and I have to figure out what is going to make us each happy. We can't do it FOR one another. We have to do it ourselves. Jake Starr: Is that a nice way of saying you're bailing on me? Greg Cherry: No... Not at all... I just have my stuff I need to figure out, just like you do. The fact is, I reached out to you to tell you what I felt comfortable telling you right now. You, in turn, told me what you felt comfortable telling me, and showing me a side I don't think I've ever seen. I wouldn't have bet a single DOLLAR on that ever happening. Jake Starr: Yeah... Well... I don't think I would have bet a single dollar on ever feeling like the rest of the herd does at this point in their lives. I don't want to be a damn sheep, and just walk the depressing path to "Hasbennville." Greg reaches out and puts his hand on Jake's shoulder.
Greg Cherry: I guess there's only one solution to that, then... Jake Starr: Oh really, and what is that? Greg Cherry: Go out there and be a "Social Misfit!" Go out there and say, "screw being one of the herd!" Go out there and be Jake Starr. Who CARES if you're not the same guy from a physical standpoint? You are still who you have always been as a person. That person inside you NEVER changes unless you let him change. Jake just shakes his head slightly.
Jake Starr: Yeah thanks for that pep talk, Tony Robbins... Greg Cherry: It's true, man. I mean, think about it, maybe the problem isn't with you not being a "spring chicken," as you called it, but Jake Starr forgetting who he is deep down, and trying to remember again. Jake shrugs.
Greg Cherry: We're birds of a feather, man. We both have our issues. We both want something we might not ever have again. The fact is, we can't give up on it, though. Jake Starr and Greg Cherry have to come out on top, over everyone else. Jake nods a little, trying to believe what Greg is saying. He nervously begins to spin the ice cubes in his glass around in the bottom, staring at them intently.
Jake Starr: Birds of a feather, huh... Greg Cherry: Sure as hell seems that way, man... Jake Starr: Well I sure as hell hope we can learn to fly sometime soon because I see the ground getting closer and closer... Greg Cherry: You're right. We have to, or else... Jake looks over and cocks an eyebrow.
Jake Starr: Or else what? Greg shrugs.
Greg Cherry: Splat! Jake smirks, and nods. He begins to realize that the two of them have to figure what they're going to do to get their feet under them, or the reality of being relegated to mediocrity will become more apparent. Jake also knows that Greg now knows how vulnerable of a man Jake is right now, and it is something that Jake doesn't know how to feel about. On one hand, he feels that he trusts Greg to know this about him. On the other, he worries that someday Greg may use it against him. He hopes that their friendship will continue to last, and be one that keeps him trusting in the ability to have someone more on the "inside" of the business to confide in. He also hopes that actually talking about his feelings might help him focus more on the bigger task at hand, which is somehow getting mentally prepared for battle at the second biggest SCW pay-per view of the year.
Jake Starr: I am truly beginning to see another pattern in the world of Supreme Championship Wrestling emerge. I can say this was something I never thought I would see, seeing as how SCW was so overzealous in promoting the farewell of David Helms, it seems like the world isn't ready to let go. It seems like SCW isn't ready to let go of the feeling of having that dipshit around. Why do I say this? Well, folks, let me explain! Since the "Almighty" himself has left, we have been inundated with references back to "His Holiness." Time after time, something or someone shows up to remind us that His presence is always felt. It's like The Lord is constantly watching us. It's like SCW's version of Jesus is always reminding us he is around to, one day, come down and "save us" from our own devices. And just like in the Bible, he has sent his messengers to profess his WORD OF THE LORD to all of us, to make sure that we haven't forgotten the message and His HOLY SCRIPTURE! Jake pauses.
Come to think of it... David did always act like Jesus... He was beloved, then hated, then persecuted and asking for forgiveness, ultimately dying on the cross of retirement, while everyone teared up. Then he's resurrected for the next Breakdown to give his final sermon, and flies off into David Helms Heaven. Anyway... So with Jesus-incarnate gone, SCW and many are left at a loss. We don't know what to do. HE is not here to SAVE US and RESCUE US and TEACH US his mystical ways. Nobody really wants to listen to his Mary Magdalene, Regan Street, so what do they do? Like I said, they send in the Apostles! First off we have AJ Helms. We have the offspring of His Holiness, himself. We have the, not quite, flesh and blood of Our Savior here before us. Granted they look nothing alike, they are still spitting images of one another because they are complete douchebags! When that Apostle isn't enough to satisfy the NEEDS of the people, what happens next? HELLO MATTY STONE! Yes everyone, praise Him because Jesus Helms has sent us his "John," Matty Helms! PRAISE HIM! AMEN! Jake acts like he has a foul taste in his mouth.
BLECH! Jake spits on the ground.
This is all just a fucking trainweck if you ask me. If you look at what's happening, the constant need for David Helms to have his ego stroked by throwing his coattail riders in our face is absolutely atrocious. He retired, and yet, HE'S STILL AROUND US! He is still making sure everyone STILL talks about how wonderful he is. He sends in this pretend offspring of his, and then his "Chief Ass Kisser," all so we can look around and reflect on the lovely times we had with him. I'm sick of it! I'm sick of everyone fondling Helms's balls every time they turn around, and when the jiggling begins to wane, another member of his harem comes running in. Think I'm wrong? Think about this... When it was JUST Regan, BOY did people not give a shit about David Helms anymore. The magically in comes the seed of another man, with his name, wins the Trios Tournament, and POOF, back in the limelight goes David Helms. I can just imagine the herky-jerky motion sped up when the bastard child won. As AJ has kind of become "another face," David's batching isn't really going off as well, so he realizes it's time to send in the next wave of "reminders," and now he expects Matty Stone to go out there and MAGICALLY WIN Taking Hold of the Flame, just like AJ did with the Trios. Wouldn't that just be a fun story? Wouldn't it be great of David Helms's buddies went out there and just swept all of the big opportunities? Think about how Rise to Greatness would go. Think about how much David Helms we could have interjected into that main event, with AJ throwing his contract into the mix, we would be into a David Helms fuck fest, the likes of which hadn't seen in forever! Same goes if Regan wins Taking Hold of the Flame. It would just be an SCW wet dream! They'd be able to hype that shit like NOBODY'S business. It'd be "David Helms's Penis presents Rise to Greatness!" Oh shit, could you even fathom what would happen if Jesus had the Second Coming at Taking Hold of the Flame?! Oh wait... Jake holds one finger up, as if to tell everyone to hold on. With his other hand, he lifts it up to his ear, as if hearing something. He begins to nod, and lowers both hands.
What was that? Yes I did just hear the entire board room of SCW simultaneously cream themselves at that very thought! But let me bring you folks back to REALITY for a minute, here. I don't care how much you relish the memory of David Helms. I don't care how much he NEEDS to stroke his own ego by sending in his cavalry from Calvary to try and resurrect his name from the ashes of obscuredom. I am NOT going to let those fucks make 2016 ANOTHER year where we have to all sit and relish in the times of David Helms. I am NOT going to let people make this about a guy who realized he was FINISHED, and instead of coming back and being mediocre, is wrestling by proxy. That shit just isn't OK. It's not right. And most importantly... It's not FAIR. This guy left. He left on his own accord. He has decided that he can't leave well enough alone. He has to be in the spotlight, STILL. He is being strategic with this, and honestly, I am NOT letting him succeed any longer. Seeing his surrogate win the Trios was bad enough. I am NOT letting them steal Taking Hold of the Flame. Since the day he left, I have had to live in his shadow. I have had to live with others comparing me to him, even AFTER I beat his ass. He finally retired, and I thought all was done. But then... When AJ helped take our team out of the Trios, guess what, the "shadow" of David Helms darkened my world all over again. Now I see more people trying to make me live in a shitty society still plagued by his ass, and FUCK YOU if you think I'm going to just be OK with it. So by hook, crook, legal or not, I'm taking every one of his underlings out. I am showing the world that David Helms is a FIGMENT of your imagination. I want the world to FINALLY forget David Helms. I want them to forget he exists. His induction to the Hall of Fame is an inevitability, and he'll be pandered to then, but outside of that, it's time all of his little minions, all of his followers, all of those who want NOTHING MORE than to stroke his feeble ego, realize he's not here anymore. Just because some namesake is, or some kiss ass is, it doesn't bring Jesus back. No amount of belief will do that. He's fucking finished, and I will ensure the hope of his minions is also finished as well! Jake takes a audible sniff of air through his nose, his lip quivers, and he continues on.
And for the rest of you out there, do NOT think that I am overlooking any of you. From the top of the list of names to the bottom, I know exactly what I am dealing with. I see names that would make me HAPPY AS A FUCKING CLAM to eliminate. I see people everyone always puts ahead of me, I see people who everyone fawns over, I see the whole list. And while I sit here and I realize every, single, day, that the likelihood of me winning this is basically slim to none, and after this year I won't be involved, I still want to ruin people's days. I still want everyone who THINKS they deserve to be there to realize they DO NOT! Face it, everyone... I've got nothing to lose this year, and everything to gain. There's no pressure on me anymore because, for one, nobody expects me to win. Nobody expects me in the top 5 or top 10 for that matter. Everyone expects me to blow hot air, be eliminated and disappointed, and do like 39 others and piss and moan about why I should have won. If I lose, oh well. I'm done... If I win, I can finally silence critics, and send a lot of people back to that locker room in complete disarray because their hopes and dreams were squashed by a guy who hasn't squashed but one dream in damn near two years. So it'll happen or it won't. Period. End of story! And a lot of people wonder about Greg wanting to win, too, and the fact is, we both want to win. We both are going to try and win. If it comes down to the two of us, we will beat the holy living SHIT out of one another, before we let the other win. We both know this. I know Greg wants to win, and he knows I want to win. If we cross paths, we handle it like we would if it were anyone else. Plain and simple. I don't look at one, single, soul, differently than anyone else in this match. Everyone is an equal obstacle to me being called "outdated" again, or doing like Rachel and showing everyone that there's always a chance. So why should I bother trying to say, "Oh Greg and I respect one another and yadda yadda yadda," like all of the other friends, allies, and frienemies? We both want to win! We both want a World Title shot! Why would I say that we are going to go out there and do anything but WHATEVER IT FUCKING TAKES, when everyone would know I was being dishonest? Shit, we see it every year, so why should I just contribute? We're not going to bullshit around, people. We want to fucking win! So Greg knows I'll gun for him, if I feel he's a threat, just like I know he'll do it to me. In this match, there are no friends. It's kill, or be killed. And to know I was able to kill the likes of Cruze, Regan, Helms the Second, Ass-Kisser the First, Kelcey "Let's Just Guess What My Last Name Is Today" Wallace, Period Blood, Syren, Syren's Dom, or any of the "big shockers" we're in store for, just makes me salivate. I'm not naive either, and I know they're wanting to do the same to me. I know they ALL want to contribute to putting the final nail in my rickety coffin, but those twats are going to have to kill me first. If they think that just because I am making this my final go-round, I'm not giving it my all, they're EACH dead wrong. I want my chance to "go out on top." I want my chance to be "reveled" for my "last stand." I want people to have a memory of me that can NEVER BE TARNISHED! I want my chance to main event Rise to Greatness in the way everyone says is "right," and I want to go on to accomplish my one final goal, which is to win the World Championship in the main event of Rise to Greatness. Yeah... I realize I'm one 1 out of 40 who want the same thing. I know the odds are not in my favor. I know the likelihood is bleak. I just don't fucking care. All I care about is making sure I do everything I can to be happy, and prove people wrong. I've tried my fucking DAMNEDEST and I've come up short. And it's time for me to either do it, or be carried out on my shield because I'm tired of this vicious cycle of "almosts" and "so closes." I'm tired of being the scapegoat. I'm tired of being the guy who helps bring out the best in others. Jake yells.
THIS IS GOING TO BE MY FUCKING BEST! His volume returns to a more normal tone.
... And if it's not good enough, I guess it says a lot about me, now, doesn't it? So everyone should be prepared for a night to remember. Everyone should expect good and bad. One way or another, I'm walking out of that battle royal one last time... It's either all or nothing. Fin |
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