Post by PANTHRO on Nov 17, 2013 11:54:26 GMT -6
Prologue: The Time's Come.
The Big L ain’t gonna try and convince ya. The Big L ain’t tryna win people over. What I’m trying to do is make you understand that through thick and thin, I WILL not CANNOT….give up. I didn’t have Wulf bring me into this team so we can go home empty handed, AW HELL NAW jack! The Big L’s going to take Wulf Erikksen. He and Wulf when we do win we’re gonna go, and we’re gonna celebrate. The Big L is gonna EAT himself into a coma, and watch Wulf power chug an entire keg without puking up at Pacific Ocean. And then we’re gonna party ALL night long across SAAAAN DIEGO, California...with the belts.
The Big L knows however that that won’t happen unless we take out the two teams that are trying to do the same thing. We’ll look at Gods and Monsters, we got Frankenberry and Boo Berry over here, makin’ a scene, hollerin’, cryin’ “Oh boo hoo, sniff, sniff, I’m not crying my mascara is running.” … “Oh boo hoo, sniff, sniff, when I was a kid my ice cream feel off of the cooone and now I want people to know my pain, boo-hoo.” BOO HOO, BOO HOO, AIN’T NOBODY GOT TIME FOR THAT, SO SCREW….YOU!!!! Believe The Big L when he says this he has had it up to HERE….with you clowns. He has had it up to HERE with your cryptic B.S. your empty threats, and your need to try and destroy everything that is good in ExPro.
The people will back The Big L on this, if you two are heroes, the people need a goddamn REFUND on their money. Don’t nobody want your pasty white asses. Better yet, The Big L is gonna do his people a favor. He’s gonna stuff your ugly asses into a FedEX box. He’s gonna stamp and sign it correctly. THEN, he’s going to tie up his black Timberland boot, because he’s about to go to WORK!!! And I’m gonna kick BOTH your sorry asses back to MONSTER ISLAND WHERE YOUR ASSES CAME FROM!!!! Zack Lifer, Magnus Gunner, they might have put a ladder in the ring for you to climb up, but The Big L is going to take that sonofabitch wind back, and WRAP it around your heads!!!
You have no idea how long The Big L’s waited to get his hands on you. And you have no idea how long me and Wulf have wanted those Tag Team Championships. The Turks are that tag team where you gotta put a lil’ more effort into what the Hell you do in the ring. They won’t quit, they won’t die, and they won’t let their gaurd down. That’s why they ARE at the top of the tag team division, and why it’s going to feel so much better when me and my boy take those belts away. You’ve been great champions, something TROUBLE aspires to be, but we can’t do that if we don’t take the next leap and take the belts away from ya. The Big L knows your game you gotta be tough, show that thick skin, can’t nothin’ get underneath. So I’ll be straight up with you like you were with me. If you think that you’re going to retain again you’re sadly mistaken. As a matter of fact, those many times, and The Big L means MANY times we’ve faced it was by a hair. Those decisions went in your favor and everyone saw you as the truth.
How do you think that makes us feel? You probably don’t care and that’s why you work so well together. Get the job done, nothin’ else, in and out and that’s it. Well this is going to be a little bit harder, a little bit more work. Because those belts are going to be dangling in the air carelessly in the ring. The only way is up, and that’s where we’re going. So you can say what you want act like our team isn’t ready for the next level. But the only thing blocking us from reaching that next level….is The Turks. I respect you Sally and Lasie, but the gloves come off. The belts are going to be going home with someone and it sure as Hell is gonna be goin’ home with Wulf Erikksen and Steve Lenton!
Sunday Night, in front of thousands in San Diego. The Big L, is going to do all he can to help win the belts. He’s going to make everything happen, for the fans in the arena, for the millions at home, this is our TIME!!! The Big L needs your support, if you feel’em he needs you to give him the strength to fight on. WIN, LOSE, OR DRAW, we’re going out swinging!! I’m not the type of cat to go down like some little punk. If I’m going to lose to the best, I’m losing while standing on my own two feet. Because deep in The Big L’s soul is a champion’s drive. I will do the necessary actions to become successful. We might stumble, we might fall, we might not make it to the finish line, but goddamn…….this road isn't going to tear us the fuck down.
Damn Straight.
November 10, 2030
Bethel High School.
My dad’s always telling me that if you don’t try your best in everything then there’s no need in trying at all. I’ve got to bust my tail in order to make sure I never fall again. It’s all apart of the learning process he says, that everything happens for a reason. My dad was right….I was staring this guy down...the Oklahomas were intense. I could hear the music playing loud from the speakers. Sweat was dripping down my face from a long hard day of practice. Coach wanted to see if we were jacked up for the Homecoming game against Pheobus coming up. Wanted us hype, intense, focused...for me I was just a little nervous. I’m starting and people had eyes on me. Schools wanted to pick me up. Penn State, Syracuse, USC, Michigan….things were starting to heat up. I had everyone rooting for me, I was the hometown guy, the people wanted to cheer for. I had to do my best if not for myself, but for the people. That rush or hearing people chant your number in the crowd, man, it’s amazin’.
TOOT!!!!
I got the ball and ran right into the defender. He tried to bring me down and I kept trucking, I jerked around trying to get free, but he got me. I laid there for a moment before I saw his hand come up.
Teammate: Good stuff L.
I stood up without hesitation, I glared at Coach. He was a big guy, tattoos on his body, bald, with a thick goatee and stacked like a house. He was wearing a Bethel Bruins T-Shirt and had a whistle around his neck while he grabbed the clipboard in his hand tightly. He took his sunshades off and looked me dead in the eye. I was about to get another lecture from my dad. Steve Lenton was his name, a tough and stubborn old man who was a beast back in college before his incident cost him his career. My dad was a hardworking guy at the school, and he wanted to make sure I did my best in everything. But shit, sometimes dads can be a little overprotective of their son if they’re the star runningback for the team. The name’s Lorenzo Lenton II...named after my great grandfather. I guess pop saw some of great granddad in me. He always said that he was a good man. That he was strong, and loved everyone he was around. That’s why I was born with the name, although it sounded pretty damn old, I didn’t tell dad that. Dad glared around for a moment as the team gathered around.
Team: Yes Coach!
Coach Lenton: Alright…now….what are the 3D’s of this team.
Team: DRIVE. DISCIPLINE. DETERMINATION!!
Coach Lenton: Who are we?!
Team: B-E-T-H-E-L!!!
Coach Lenton: Who?!
Team: BRUINS!!!!
Coach Lenton: TRUE. Now bring it in.
We gathered around dad and held our hands up.
Team: TEAM!!!
We went to the locker rooms, dad walked slow to walk beside me with a big smile.
Lorenzo Lenton: I’m scared out of my freaking mind.
Coach Lenton: Of what?
Lorenzo Lenton: Well, we got scouts knockin’ at the door, some of’em are gonna be at the game. And to put the icing on the cake, we’re playing like….the biggest game of the season against an undefeated team. Now how would you call that?
Coach Lenton: My kinda Friday night.
I sigh and dad puts an arm around me and shakes me lightly.
Lorenzo Lenton: That’s what we said last time, and we got squashed by them last year...then this season, and now we got’em again. We ain’t gonna win the ‘ship dad let’s face the facts.
Coach Lenton: That sounds like an opinion more than a fact.We got the tools, talent, and the coaching to get there son. It’s a matter of being patient and when that door swings open you jump inside of it. We’re gonna win son, so don’t you worry we’ve got this game in the books.
Lorenzo Lenton: Fine I’ll call it reality then. Besides, each time we play I always choke at the end when they need me the most. Like that time I missed that block and Frank got injured in that game? He was out for the rest of the season.
Coach Lenton: You’re going to be okay as long as you calm down, play your game, and be cool. Y’know a long time ago your old man use to say the same things. Y’know a long time ago your old man use to say the same things.
Lorenzo Lenton: You...being gloomy? That’sa first, you’re always Mr. Sunnyside Up.
He chuckles and rubs the top of my head as we enter the locker room. He went to his office and saw down, looking at me. I sat down in front of him.
March 10, 2007
NCWC: North Carolina Wrestling Championship
? ? ?: It should be fine dude, just let me know when and what you're going to do and this should be a solid one.
Steve Lenton: Alright, thanks man, I uh...appreciate it.
? ? ?: See you out there rookie.
Bach. That’s all I could hear was Bach playing through my little room. There I was pudgy, looking like I hadn’t been out of the house in years, and I wanted to be a wrestler. Who was I kiddin’ man? Who would waste their time on me? I let everyone down, my friends and family. So what the Hell was I doing? That was until I met Patty and we taught me how to let my past go and be a man. Patty was pacing back and forth as I sat there, trying to cool down, calm, cool, collected rang through my brain.
Steve Lenton: I-I don't think I can do it Pat. This is a lot of pressure I-I-I just don't know.
Patty O'Shannon: What do you mean y'don't know. You better know quick or you're gonna get eaten alive out there. This business ain't for the weak kid. It's for of animals, bloodthirsty animals who wanna pick your flesh through their teeth!! They got no heart in that ring, they ain't got a soul. All they see if you in front of a paycheck! They don't give two squats about your feelings!
Steve Lenton: What if I mess up--
He gives me a thump on the head.
I closed my eyes as the cello began to play in such a nice melody. Patty swayed side to side to the song.
Steve Lenton: ....
I took a deep breath, continuing to listen to the song.
Patty O'Shannon: Good, good, good, good....alright then. I'll stay back, you go and kick some ass kid! Go on now, make me proud!!
I opened the door and walked down the hallway. It was quiet, and lonely, a few eyes glared at me as I walked through the curtains. My music played and I played my part, giving into the crowd, letting them show their reactions. The guy I faced off against was the top star of their company. Johnny Envy was his name, the supposed "bad guy" in this match. He watched me get in the ring and talked some trash, I looked back at him and paced the ring. The crowd didn't know who I was so some boos we're heard. Johnny and I locked up and soon it began.
Steve Lenton: Okay.
I got him in the corner and then the referee started a count. I broke clean, and Johnny pie faced me. I come back and unloaded with right hands and had him slumped.
I backed up and went for a body avalanche and Envy moved out of the way. That's win he grabbed me from behind and suplexed me. I felt my neck spring off of the mat. Everything suddenly began to ring as I looked around. He went for a pin and instinctively I kicked out. I didn't know what happened but there was pain, a lot of it.
Steve Lenton: Uh yeah.
Johnny picked me up and went for a bodyslam, I stopped it, and then grabbed him for a vertical suplex. As I slammmed him I felt a sharp sting in my neck. I held onto it and tried to play it off. Suddenly, when I went to pick Johnny up he grabbed my neck and twisted it which made it worst. Johnny watched me fall and had a look of concern on his face when he saw me on the ground withering in real pain. He went for a pin...
Steve Lenton: No, keep going!!
Johnny was hesitating for a moment, not wanting to move me. I didn't know if I broke my neck or not. Johnny picked me up and tossed me into the turnbuckle. A few punches I got snapped down to the mat.
Steve Lenton: No, we gotta keep going we have five more minutes.
Johnny Envy: Sigh...
He stomped me and I reacted. Johnny climbed up for the splash, but I sprang up and got on the top rope with him. I grabbed him and hit a superplex. The force made my neck feel worse. Everything felt numb at that moment. The crowd was silent for a moment. Suddenly, I kipped up onto my feet and got the crowd back into it. Patty was watching in the crowd, he gave a small nod and thumbs up. I rubbed my neck and the adrenaline started to kick in. Soon we wrestled the rest of the match and Patty waited for me with a bottle of water and some ice backstage. Of course I didn't win, new face same rules. Patty sat beside me, icing my neck as I looked on tired.
Patty O'Shannon: Welcome to the sport son. Here's some water.
He handed me the bottle and I drank slowly.
Steve Lenton: Now what?
Patty O'Shannon: Now we get your ass in a bed and hope you don't wake up with a crooked neck!! C'mon I'll take ya home...after you get paid.
Steve Lenton: Hey Pat.
Patty stopped to look at me.
Pat waved it off lightly and went to go pull the car around. On that day I knew what Pat was trying to tell me. The pain was real, I would have to find the fortitude to push through that pain. With my pain, the nerves went away, and I focused on the task at hand. And then...I became good...REALLY good...
Coach Lenton: Things might not go your way the first time, Hell they may go against you. But at the end, it pays off...and sooner or later that hard work will show.
Lorenzo Lenton: That it?
Coach Lenton: Yep.
I sigh and stand up slowly…
Coach Lenton: Remember what I told ya.
Lorenzo Lenton: Yeah...I know dad...I'll try.
That was easier said than done. How the Hell was I going to take something like THAT and turn that into a positive. I sighed slowly and walked to the locker room, head down and eyes to the ground. Homecoming night was going to be a long one.
Coach Lenton: ALRIGHT, we came here to make a statement. These guys think they can whoop our ass and go home undefeated. Well I think that they're wrong!! I think that they don't have a chance of beating us! We got HEART, we're TOUGH, and more importantly we WILL NOT STOP...UNTIL THE LAST WHISTLE!!! This is your time to shine...make it count boys!!!!
The band was playing and the fans were rowdy. My heart was thumping hard at the drums that smashed and boomed like thunder.
Coach Lenton: ALRIGHT LET'S GO!!!!
We ran out onto the field to cheers. I looked at it all, soaking it all in and realizing how far I came. I wasn't just some freshman trying to make his dad proud. I was a grown man trying to show the world what I could do. I closed my eyes and took in the fan's support...I was relaxed...and ready to play ball. The game started and it was a tough game, they didn't give us anything. I was running good enough for the scouts to take notice at least. It was scoreless and it seemed like it was going to come down to the wire.
He handed the ball off to me. I ran as fast as I could, but when I went for the sideline I got blindsided by a hard tackle. I laid there dazed, and didn't get up. Everyone gasped, and dad ran over to check on me.
EMT: Let us check on him. Gonna need you to move Mr. Lenton, please.
Coach Lenton: ....Okay, okay, I'm moving.
I slowly began to sit up and look around. I stood up and shook my arms for a second. It was just a stinger. I looked at the doctors and my dad.
Lorenzo Lenton: Yeah, I just got the wind knocked out of me dad...it's fine.
Coach Lenton: Are you sure?! We might need you to sit--
Lorenzo Lenton: No, no sitting out. I gotta finish this game dad....
I turned out and glared at the doctors.
I get back on the field with a very relaxed expression on my face.
Lorenzo Lenton: Yeah, ayo let's run that back.
Quarterback: What...? That's pretty crazy Ren...I don't know if Co--
Lorenzo Lenton: Let's run it again.
Quarterback: ...Alright...Slash on Two ready...
Team: BREAK.
We lined up, I glared around at the field ready to make my move. Everyone didn't know if I was going to make it or not. Many people thought the doctors weren't doing my job, but they could tell I was okay. As soon as the QB made that call-out I was ready. Something inside of just wanted to come out. I was ready for it...
HIKE!!!
The ball went in my hands and I cut to the right. A small hole opened up so I cut hard into the middle. The crowd cheered. One defender went to wrap me up, but I spin around him. Another was coming on my left, so I lifted my arm up and punched him in the mask.
Coach Lenton: GO!!! GO!!!!!
Suddenly I was up the field, the other team couldn't catch me. I was in the endzone and we had scored. Everything was going for me that game and I ended up scoring three times. We shut out Pheobus and won the game. Everyone was excited....I was excited...DAD was excited. Everything made sense now, everything dad said opened my eyes to something. Dad walked over to me as I sat on the bench while everyone celebrated. I smirked lightly and turned to him.
I put a hand on his knee and pat it.
Coach Lenton: I'm glad.
Lorenzo Lenton: Me too dad....me too.
We sat there until the celebrating died down. After that...well...watch ESPN and you might see me rockin' the VT on the side of my helmet. Like father.
Like Son...
The scene fades into The Big L in an empty RIMAC Arena. The scene was in black and white. The Big L was dressed in a fitting T-Shirt, jeans, and black Polo boots. The Big L stood there with his palm out, looking at it. He points to it, showing the camera for a moment. I keep my eyes on my palm, focused on it, my eyes never budging from it.
I smack my right hand into my left, signifying something.
The Big L points at his right arm and taps the bicep.
I calm down for a moment, my eyes turning serious...
Sally wanted to go and say that jealousy, envy, and greed are what DRIVE us. That we're JEALOUS of them, I'll admit, The Big L is a hungry motherfucker. The Big L loves himself something to eat, and you're just feeding The Big L more ammo as to why he really wants to take those belts. Since you and Lass have been champs you've been disconnected from what the belts mean. Yeah they mean you're on top, but you treat things as a chore instead of ENJOYING yourself. You treat the belts as a paper weight instead of asking yourself "What the Hell is it that's missing" That hole in the middle of your stomach is from you not being hungry. Yeah determination can get you anyway, and that's why you got the belts. But you are not HUNGRY!! That connection I feel with the crowd when that music hits, when I hit a big move, I FEEL that, it makes me want MORE. If that makes me greedy, wanting to have the appreciation of the fans, then I'm a goddamned GLUTTON!!! So here's the thing Sally for you it's GREED, for me it's being HUNGRY for so long that it's finally time for us to eat. The Tag Team Championships you carry about your tiny little size 4 waist is going to be wrapped around my thick ass waist. You may have realized what the belts are and what they mean to Exodus Pro...
Steve Lenton: But The Big L knows what the belts mean to ExPro...and the fans. Because RIGHT HERE...
Steve Lenton (echo): IN RIMAC ARENA in BEAUTIFUL SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIAAAA...!!!
Steve Lenton: One side is gonna be chantin' loud and clear, "LET'S GO TURKS!!", "LET'S GO TURKS!!!", "LET'S GO TURKS!!" and the other side, loud and proud are gonna chant like a tribe of wild animals, "HERE COMES TROUBLE!!!" *clap-clap-clapclapclap*, "HERE COMES TROUBLE!!!" *clap-clap-clapclapclap* like a frenzy!!!! AND when that dust settles...WHEN EVERYTHING IS SAID AND DONE...TROUBLE...WILL BE YOUR NEW CHAMPIONS!!! AND IF YOU DON'T KNOW....NOW YOU KNOW!!!
Fade. Static. End.
I pound my chest with my right hand.
I hold my arms out.
I look back at the lens with intensity.
I make a B-line for the exit, finished with my statement and ready for a fight. They better get their camera's ready, because King Kong is comin' back for a fuckin' sequel.