Post by PANTHRO on Nov 2, 2013 21:49:56 GMT -6
Prologue: Underdog: What Would Blake Do?
I’ve heard’em loud and clear, I’ve heard the critics, the skeptics. They think that Wulf, myself, and Jack Napier ain’t gonna be walkin’ out of Cali in one piece. They think that we’re not going to stand a chance that this is gonna be a squash. I mean why even try, why put up a fight if it’s nothing but a lost cause? The Big L will tell you why we fight, because no matter what the circumstance, no matter who we’ve got to beat to get to the next day, we can’t just give up. I just don’t GIVE...UP. That word is blasphemy to me, it makes me sour to the core. The Big L knows he’s in for a fight, shit, he was in a big fight two weeks ago when he had to face off against THREE promising wrestlers. People thought that this was a toss up and y’know it was. The Big L came in, fought, and left with the V and he ain’t even mad. But The Big L knows that this week is the big one. Nine competitors, one ring, all working as a team to see who’s going to be coming out of San Diego the victor.
The Big L sees his opponents, Turks, Gods and Monsters, dangerous, vicious, focused. I know about Sally and Lasie, kicked our asses in the past. They made us see what we had to do in order to take the next step and attempt to take their belts. The Big L knows they can fight, he knows they’ve got the drive to win this match, and that just make their case stronger when they throw in Chris Strike in the mix. Big L won’t lie, his heart his beating, his body’s numb from anticipation. But that don’t mean I’m gonna lay down. People think you guys are going to win, they believe that the people in this match are due to circumstance. I’ll tell you now, I’m nervous. I’m nervous because this fucking match is a mixed hat and I don’t know the outcome.
That’s why I love this sport.
The unknown is out there, it’s deep wide and wild, and I want to be in the middle of it. I want to face everything dangerous and vicious HEAD ON!! Because what the Hell does that say about me?! What does that say about Steve Lenton?! I want to be remembered for something, it don’t matter if it’s for a belt or if it’s because of accolades. What I want to be remember for the next ten years is that I didn’t QUIT!! QUITTING, means that I laid down! QUITTING means that I allowed those inner voices of doubt to rule my life!! QUITTING MEANS I WAS GUTLESS!!! The Big L...is not going to come into this match and not get his licks in. He sees you Turks and Chris Strike. Three people put together, three great performers put into this squared circle.
You three are something I really do aspire to be I really do. I look at you and people put you on this pedestal, they’ve labeled you great. Where ever you go people remember your legacy. You craved a patch into this company’s history, and to you it isn’t a big deal. It’s just another job, punch in and punch out. You’ve got a cerebral approach to this game, and I might not understand it, but in due time I believe I’ll be able to get the jist of what it means to be a wrestler. I know you’re great, Chris Strike...is great. I know your credentials, and I know what’s got to be done. The Turks and Chris Strike are like the Megapowers of this match, like an unstoppable force.
But The Big L is gonna look at force in the face, he’s going to tighten up his boots, and he’s going to FORCE his BOOT up each one of your asses!! Because The Big L respects your game, he respects the people and the competitor; But Turks...Strike...you’re gonna have to respect what the Big L brings to his team’s table. For what little experience in this game, I’ve got, I make up for with my personality. The hype meter is always in the red, IT DON’T STOP!!! That motor, it’s like a bullet train, and either you move out of the way or get flattened by this brown skin, two hundred and fifty pound locomotive, that feeds off of adversity!!
You guys are gonna do what you do best, that's cool, he expects nothing less from the three of you. Just know The Big L is going to do what he does best, go out in front of the THOUSANDS in attendance, and MILLIONS watching at home, and entertain them. I'm goin' to give these people a great match, my TEAM is willing to give these fans a great match!! But there's been something bugging me, Zack Lifer and Magnus Gunner. They've been bugging me lately. Ever since I got my bell rang by Zack I've realized that these guys aren't here to play by the rules, they don't CARE, what people want and they are willing to sacrifice everyone on this roster just to meet their own goals. The Big L gets there game, he's known Magnus Gunner for awhile, he knows the type of man he is. He's torment many people since he joined, and he won't stop, not until someone stands up to him. So The Big L and his team have the task of making a statement to Gods and Monsters, and that statement is this: The best way to beat fear is to BEAT UP fear!!
Gods and Monsters they want you to believe that they're doing this for the greater good. They want you to think that they do all of this for what's right. Because the "injustice" that they've faced demands retribution. They want revenge on something that doesn't exist. The Gods and Monsters, the men who shield themselves from the reality of the world need a rude awakening. Zack Lifer and Magnus Gunner, lemme tell you something that might be....NEW...to you. The Big L does not care what you're fighting for because it's bullshit. Your chance to speak, to let people hear you out, went out of the window when you attacked me and Wulf. And now you're going to fall flat on your HEADS!!! Lifer, I ain't forgot what you did to me, you made me vulnerable, you do something no one's done in ExPro before, and I know you feel good about yourself. GO AHEAD, give yourself a pat on the back you greasy son of a bitch. Because when I get my hands on you in this match, BELIEVE me, I'm going to be returning the favor.
I'll be damned if I let a mascara wearin', I-don't-know-what-a-comb-is lookin' son of a bitch try and scare me up a tree. And I'm not gonna let a Dollar Tree brand Hannibal Lecter in Kira Zeppeli get the best of me. The stage is set, the curtains are risin' and The Big L is itchin' to get back in that ring and prove once again that even though people might think we don't have a chance, we're still going to FIGHT! Because whether you like it or not, we're going to keep moving forward. One of the biggest matches in Exodus Pro Wrestling right now will see which team is going to get that push they need for the Tag Team Championships, and Wulf and myself along with the help of Jack...need as much as a push as we can get.
I want it, I want this match real bad. I keep asking myself, how am I gonna do it?! What do I have to do in order to secure the win for my friends? And then a question popped into my head, I asked myself what would Blake Jones do. Because people believe him to be the ultimate underdog. Many people want an underdog, and so they put Blake on that pedestal. And as I think about it, and as I’ve talked with Blake, I know what he would do. Shut the fuck up, put my trunks on and make it happen. I could say that Blake is my biggest inspiration. I wish I had his heart, because never in my career have I felt so much pressure. And I look at Blake Jones, I see his heart and desire; I can feel his energy, and I know he's someone who's going to be great in this company. I look at Blake, and I can only wish I was half the man he was, because he's faced some tough people in this career. And each time I see him, he's still looking to face the next big challenge, NEVER backing down from anyone who people consider too good. Blake Jones is someone I want to be like, and my first step of reaching that elite status of pride and toughness is rallying my people together and WINNING. Call it an upset, a fluke, anything that you can come with, but the bottom line. That referee is going to raise our arms in the air!! And the bell is gonna go ring-a-ding-ding-ding!! And the announcer is gonna come on, and scream for the THOUSANDS TO HEAR. YOUR WINNERS, TROUBLE....and JACK NAPIER!!!! It's gonna happen.
Wait And See.
North Carolina
Roughhouse School of Wrestling
October 26, 2013
It had been awhile since I had seen this old warehouse. It was three and a half years actually. The place was still rusty, and looked like it was gonna fall apart any moment now. Nostalgia is one hell of a thing. I smiled to myself with my bag in my hand as I went and opened the door. I glared around at the enormous space, exercise equipment, an old ring and a few mats for the amateur wrestlers. The guy who ran this place was an 80 year old man named Patty O'Shannon. Patty was a tough old geezer, he had done it all, he was a great amateur wrestler, a great coach, and a great pro wrestler back in his day. Patty was standing on the apron, dressed in the same outfit I last saw him in, a pair of track pants, a track jacket, running shoes, and his glasses perched on his head with his hearing aid in.
Patty was still Patty, just the way I left him. I strolled up towards the apron, placing my bag down and lean against it.
Steve Lenton: Ahem, excuse me I'm looking to join your school.
Patty O'Shannon: Go see my assistance, I'm busy.
Steve Lenton: Can you point me to her?
Patty O'Shannon: What are you hard of hearin' I said I'm--
He turned around, his old hand shook as he pulled his glasses up onto his face and looked at me. He gave a big smile and slowly came down to the floor. He looked me over and grabbed me by the head with both hands.
Steve Lenton: I'm good Pat, glad to see you're still kickin'.
Patty O'Shannon: God don't want me yet, too stubborn to go. Ticker's still goin' y' hear that...huh?
Steve Lenton: Yeah I do.
Patty O'Shannon: I--HEY....What the Hell was that?!
I turned and saw him looking at the circles.
Patty looked back at me with a warm smile and place a hand on my shoulder.
Steve Lenton: You know just...wanted to see how the place is doin’. Haven’t seen you in awhile, all I get nowadays is a birthday card from you.
Patty O’Shannon: It’s a sonofabitch to train these bums kid, you know that. Old man like me...is lucky to wake up without havin’ a heartattack.
Steve Lenton: I know Pat…
Patty O’Shannon: Listen uh, kid, we had a lot of kids come in lately. Some of’em don’t even know a snapmare from a full nelson….I was wonderin’ if you got the time….I’d like your help. Let the kids know what they could be if they’d shut their mouths and pay attention once in their young lives y’know. Youth is a scary thing, they give kids the idea they can be anything they want, but won’t tell’em to break their back for it. They ain’t like you and me Stevie, they’re too goddamn soft. That’s why I’m whippin’ them into shape! They gotta learn, they gotta….
He places a shaky hand on my shoulder.
I think about it for a moment, this was kind of a surprise. I was just gonna ask to train here for a bit to get ready for my match. But it looked like Patty needed some help. I pat him on the shoulder and nod my head.
Patty O’Shannon: Good, good, good….ALRIGHT YOU BUMS GATHER ‘ROUND THE RING! C’mon I ain’t got all goddamn day, I’m old, I shouldn’t be raisin’ me voice like this, I need it, I wanna sing on Broadway before I die! C’mon!!! Alright, good, good, good job you’re listenin’ shows character! I want you all to look at this big bronze son of a bitch! This is one of my alumni students, one of the best I’ve had in years!! This kid right here is a stud, train’em from the bottom upward. Look at’em, I’m proud of this bastard. He’s gonna help me….teach you bums….what it means to WANT to be great. You ain’t got that fire in yer bellies, all I see is smoke, none of ya want it bad. So without my yappin’ heres Stevie….go on kid talk to’em.
I glare around the ring, pacing it as I look at them all.
What makes you great….is your dedication to this sport. This sport can save lives, because it saved mine. I think God everyday that I was able to meet someone like Patty. He’ll train you right, make you into a man, and he’ll do it...because he fuckin’ loves each and every one of us. He’s 80 years old, givin’ 100%, he expects that from you all. Make this old bastard proud and lend him your ears. He won’t steer you wrong….believe me.
The gave a round of applause as Patty stood behind and winked at me with a half smirk. He came out of the corner.
Steve Lenton: What…?!
Patty O’Shannon: You turnin’ into a chicken now kid? C’mon for old time sakes make Patty happy, will ya?
I glare at him and sigh, I formed a smile.
Patty O’Shannon: You’re somethin’ else kid y’know that?
Steve Lenton: I can’t feel my legs.
Patty O’Shannon: Gehehehe…..just like ol’times huh?
Steve Lenton: Forgot how much Hell this was.
Patty O’Shannon: That was your first mistake: You never forget your roots kids….never.
Steve Lenton: Yeah.
Patty O’Shannon: How ya feelin’ kid, word around the grapevine is that you got your noggin scrambled.
Steve Lenton: Yeah, I’m good. I came here to get some trainin’ done, believe it or not...uhm...wanted to stay sharp for this match, didn’t want to end up on the shelf again.
Patty O’Shannon: I know kid. I know you might be feelin’ a lil uh….hurt, don’t know if the guts are there are not, am I right?
I nod my head lightly. He takes a slow knee down and places a hand on my shoulder.
Steve Lenton: Thanks Patty….
Patty O’Shannon: ….Remember my story about Milo...of Croton.
Steve Lenton: About a million times.
Patty O’Shannon: One of the strongest Greek wrestlers of all time. Was unbeaten….wanna know what did beat him though?
Steve Lenton: His ego.
Patty O’Shannon: Right, any man who thinks himself God, gets devoured by the wolves. Don’t let the wolves get ya kid, always stay true, pure, and serene. There are wolves everywhere you go kid….it’s up to you to fight them or not. This match kid….the wolves...they’re gonna be comin’ in hungry and ready to eat you alive!! So when those bastards do come for ya….you look those bastards in the eye….and you tell’em….”COME AND GET IT YOU SONS OF BITCHES!!!” and you fight….that’s all ya can do...that’s all I ever taught ya.
Steve Lenton: Yes sir…..
Patty O’Shannon: ….Here...take this….go on.
He took off a ring from around his neck.
Steve Lenton: ….Pat I--
Patty O’Shannon: Take it, you deserve it kid. I ain’t got much time before I go, so I should give it up to someone who I love. I love you, and I will always see you as my child. You have done me proud….and anywhere you go, know I’ll be there chewin’ your ass out...and tellin’ ya to get up and keep fightin’!!!
Steve Lenton: ….
I grab Patty into a hug and pat him on the back.
Patty O’Shannon: I love you too kid….now c’mon let’s see you off. I gotta get some sleep, I’m old, rest is valuable.
Steve Lenton: A party animal like you Coach, please.
Patty O’Shannon: Har-har, I’m dyin’ now leave….
I hug Pat again lightly as we head towards my car. What I thought I needed...I already got. I almost forgot that I just wanted to train and Pat came along and changed it all…
I really did miss this place.
“C’MON KID, MOVE A LITTLE BIT FASTER!!! C’MON SHOOT OFF THOSE ROPES!!! YOU BETTER NOT SLOW DOWN!!!”
Patty O’Shannon: Good work kiddo, alright. Look at you, like a bronze God. You’d make Theagenes of Thanos look like a stooge I tell ya. You’ll make mince meat out of your opponent. Now listen, I know you’re nervous about your debut and all….but I want you to know, I’ll be in your corner. I was young once….and I know how it feels. You gotta face those obstacles sometimes kid and *POW* smack’em right in the mouth! I’m talkin’ laying them down for the count! Because kid believe it or not, I see a little of myself in you. I see a lot of talent, commitment, and I see love. Now, when I’m long and gone from this planet, I want you to do somethin’ for me…
Steve Lenton: Pat don’t talk like that--
Patty O’Shannon: Just shut up for a minute and listen to me. I want you...to remember everything you’ve learned here...and I want you to carry it right there...in your soul. Because I trained you...not to only be a wrestler, but to be a man, a good, good man. I want you to know, I will always love you, and no matter what, you will always be somewhere...deep inside here with all the other junk layin’ around kid. Remember, you fight, you FIGHT, until your last goddamned breath you hear me…?!!?
Steve Lenton: ...Yes sir.
Patty O’Shannon: Good…
I remember he gave me a kiss on both sides of my cheeks and patted me on my right cheek with a warm smile. He put an arm around me as we headed out of the warehouse...just like now.
“You’ll do good kid, you’ll do good…”
“Thanks Coach.”
I’m seen sitting down and rolling a ring around on my finger, glaring at it. I was inside of my hotel room as I kept my gaze down.
Steve Lenton: Milo of Croton...was devoured by wolves.
I said quietly to myself and then glared back up at the lens.
Steve Lenton: You can be strong, you can win, but never...ever...get yourself pinned to a wall with full of wolves. That’s what my coach told me long ago, back when I was trying to get back on my feet. That old man knows a lot, toughest bastard I know, eats a bowl of nails for breakfast and swallows it down hard each day. He wakes up and opened up his warehouse, he gets to work, barks at people who fuck up, and hopes you learn something from his school. What I took from him was that you need HEART. That’s all we got in this world, heart. the meat and potatoes of what makes us go y’know. The Big L is a character of that, of all of the heart and dedication. Steve Lenton is the epitome of it.
Patty “Irish” O’Shannon, wrestled for over five decades….in order to pass the message of that along to me. And he believed in me so much...he gave me this ring here. And The Big L almost choked up, yeah the big man almost wanted to cry because that old man loved me as if I was his son. And for me to let a man like that down, would be a crime. To let Wulf and Jack down would be a CRIME. I know what I’m up against and to be honest The Big L don’t care. Those nerves, those feelings I had turned into nothing more but adrenaline. They FUEL ME!! They keep me going!! And The Big L LOVES it when he’s in a tight space and there’s no way of getting out of it. Chris Strike, Sally, Lasie, Gunner, Lifer, Kira. I want you to understand something because it seems as though you think I’m a big muscled meathead who’s just loud to get attention.
Let me start off with Lifer the guy who knocked me for a loop. I’M STILL STANDING!!! THE BIG L...is still here. And now you have to look at me from the other side of the ring, and you’re gonna be wondering, “Goddamn what’s gonna keep him down?!” And the answer is simple Lifer, NOTHING will keep me down. Nothing will stop me from getting to you, because The Big L is going to keep comin’, keep movin’, keep CLAWING HIS WAY TO YOU UNTIL HE GETS HIS HANDS ON YOU!!! You’re tough, vicious, vindictive, and also--this is your biggest trait--ass backwards. You and Magnus have an ass backwards logic, and it’s time my foot sets you off forward.
No one needs to be saved.
We don’t need your help.
No, what we want to do is get rid of the cancer that LEGION left behind that still lingers here. You and Magnus are that cancer, and me? I’m that scalpel ready to cut you off and cure ExPro of this BULLSHIT!!He sees you Lifer, he sees you Gunner, The Big L SEES you. And you’ve made it known you want to kill everything in your path to the tag titles. Well you better bite the pillow boys, because me and Wulf Erikksen are goin’ in DRY on your bitch asses!!! You want the belts you go through us boys. And I don’t think you can do that without ambushing us. So let me be known, you will lose, you will not win, and God as my witness, I’m gonna make you PAY for what you did weeks ago to us. And I didn’t forget about your third wheel, the cannibal. He’s got an appetite, seems to like to “eat people”. He’s gonna wanna do the same to me and my boys so let me welcome you to ExPro, KIRA. I want you to know that this B.S. this idea that you’re gonna eat someone is gonna stop.
But you’re really hungry for something, the Big L’s got a frying pan sized KNUCKLE sandwich waiting for you. And then you can wash that down with your tears, after you plead for me not to smack you around like the little biatch you are!! Here’s the game Kira, and this is how you play it. You can think you’re big and bad, put on a creepy personality and parade around like Patrick Bateman all you like. But when The Big L puts his paws on you you’ll be nothing but another looney tune with a few screws that needed to be tighten by Yours Truly!!
Then….the tag champs, Lasie...and Sally. We’ve faced, you’ve beaten us, and I respect the Hell of your reign as champions. It makes me jealous, it makes me cringe, because the competitor in me WANTS the belts. I know Wulf wants them too, I can see it in his eyes. He glares at those belts like he glares at a fuckin’ BEER! This match, it’s going to prove something. What? It’s gonna prove The Big L and Wulf are a TRUE tag team. You might of thought of us as nothing more than two single wrestlers put together to win the belts off of you. The Big L ain’t gonna lie he thought it was a lost cause too. But to be honest that’s the past, and this is now. And in this present day, you’ll be defending your belts real soon against two teams who are going to be aiming for you.
The Big L KNOWS what Lasie and Sally are, they mean business, everywhere they got they mean business. But in San Diego, California on Sunday night they will know we’re in the SAME business as them, winning titles. And I guess I could throw Chris Strike in there too, he’s ambitious and knows what he wants. He’s been impressive lately, and he’s shown that he’s ready to take the next step in winning the world championship. Strike, you’ve been thrown into this match, and you’re given a chance to shine even brighter than you already are. The Big L welcomes you into this match, because The Big L wants to face the best ExPro can offer.
I can’t wait to face you, I can’t wait to see what you do. HELL, The Big L can’t hold in his emotions as it is!! See Strike, The Big L don’t know you, so he’s a lil’ paranoid. The great unknown and they want me to face it head on. You are that unknown Strike, you are that thing I’m gonna have to conquer along the way. I’m sure you’re great, and I’m sure you’ve got a lot to show in this main event. But make NO mistakes about it Strike, The Big L’s boot ain’t prejudice against anyone, includin’ YOU!!!
So The Big L WILL come in with Wulf and Jack and he WILL give them as much as they need to pull off this win! The Big L can feel it, THOUSANDS will be cheering for the team. He can hear the chants, the boos, that rtowday San Diego crowd is gonna be HYPE!!!! And so it's my duty--my TEAM'S DUTY to give them something to cheer for. I want them to CHEER when I launch Lifer off his feet!!! I want to hear them CHEER when Wulf kicks Gunner's teeth in. And I want them to cheer for Jack Napier and hear them chant "You still got it!" to a man who's coming back to his home....pro wrestling. The Big L, Trouble, and Jack will not disappoint. I won't disappoint, the fans, and I will NOT...cannot....disappoint Patty. The Big L is ready for war, and if you don't know.....now you know.
But you’re really hungry for something, the Big L’s got a frying pan sized KNUCKLE sandwich waiting for you. And then you can wash that down with your tears, after you plead for me not to smack you around like the little biatch you are!! Here’s the game Kira, and this is how you play it. You can think you’re big and bad, put on a creepy personality and parade around like Patrick Bateman all you like. But when The Big L puts his paws on you you’ll be nothing but another looney tune with a few screws that needed to be tighten by Yours Truly!!
Then….the tag champs, Lasie...and Sally. We’ve faced, you’ve beaten us, and I respect the Hell of your reign as champions. It makes me jealous, it makes me cringe, because the competitor in me WANTS the belts. I know Wulf wants them too, I can see it in his eyes. He glares at those belts like he glares at a fuckin’ BEER! This match, it’s going to prove something. What? It’s gonna prove The Big L and Wulf are a TRUE tag team. You might of thought of us as nothing more than two single wrestlers put together to win the belts off of you. The Big L ain’t gonna lie he thought it was a lost cause too. But to be honest that’s the past, and this is now. And in this present day, you’ll be defending your belts real soon against two teams who are going to be aiming for you.
The Big L KNOWS what Lasie and Sally are, they mean business, everywhere they got they mean business. But in San Diego, California on Sunday night they will know we’re in the SAME business as them, winning titles. And I guess I could throw Chris Strike in there too, he’s ambitious and knows what he wants. He’s been impressive lately, and he’s shown that he’s ready to take the next step in winning the world championship. Strike, you’ve been thrown into this match, and you’re given a chance to shine even brighter than you already are. The Big L welcomes you into this match, because The Big L wants to face the best ExPro can offer.
I can’t wait to face you, I can’t wait to see what you do. HELL, The Big L can’t hold in his emotions as it is!! See Strike, The Big L don’t know you, so he’s a lil’ paranoid. The great unknown and they want me to face it head on. You are that unknown Strike, you are that thing I’m gonna have to conquer along the way. I’m sure you’re great, and I’m sure you’ve got a lot to show in this main event. But make NO mistakes about it Strike, The Big L’s boot ain’t prejudice against anyone, includin’ YOU!!!
So The Big L WILL come in with Wulf and Jack and he WILL give them as much as they need to pull off this win! The Big L can feel it, THOUSANDS will be cheering for the team. He can hear the chants, the boos, that rtowday San Diego crowd is gonna be HYPE!!!! And so it's my duty--my TEAM'S DUTY to give them something to cheer for. I want them to CHEER when I launch Lifer off his feet!!! I want to hear them CHEER when Wulf kicks Gunner's teeth in. And I want them to cheer for Jack Napier and hear them chant "You still got it!" to a man who's coming back to his home....pro wrestling. The Big L, Trouble, and Jack will not disappoint. I won't disappoint, the fans, and I will NOT...cannot....disappoint Patty. The Big L is ready for war, and if you don't know.....now you know.
The Big L stands up from his bed and matches away from the camera lens. The camera begins to fade away....and then.
Fade. Static. End.