Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2013 22:33:19 GMT -6
If it were noon, Stephen Lawson wouldn't know. Midnight? Same story. Not without looking at his watch, anyway. One of FGA's newest competitors, Lawson had taken the weekend between DVD tapings to make his way to the bright lights of Las Vegas. That's where this video finds him; an indeterminate time of day, and a sleepy eyed youngster sitting on a bed. He's slightly slouched over, his hair...well, unkempt as usual. However, despite the physical signs of tiredness, he's still got a grin on his face.
Stephen Lawson: Hi there! I'm Stephen Lawson, FGA professional wrestler...though I guess you probably knew that, seeing as how most of the people watching this are FGA fans. Not like I wrestle anywhere else at the moment!
He chuckles, shaking his head.
Stephen Lawson: You'll have to excuse the way I look right now. Not a great first impression, I know, but when your friends call you up and say they've got an extra spot on their trip to Vegas? The same weekend as the biggest fighting game tournament in the world? I couldn't help but jump on that train! Rest assured, FGA fans – and X-Spot – I'll be ready come next weekend in Providence. But let's take a step back from that, shall we? I wanted to say a few things about what's going on in Frontier Grappling Arts as I start my tenure here off.
Stephen pauses, a hand coming up through his hair. Glancing at his hand, he pauses before leaning his head forward to sniff. His eyes shoot wide and his body sits straight up at the scent.
Stephen Lawson: Yeesh! Next up for me? Shower! Anyway...let's start with the big deal coming up in August! Frontier Grappling Arts welcomes England's Pro Wrestling FRONTIER for the second time. Now, I think the people here in FGA, from the girls and guys in the back, to the people in the front office that put our shows together, we all wanted this to be a bit more, ah – “diplomatic” than what I gather last year's show was. Well, more than gather--
Stephen reaches down, picking up and showing the camera the case of last year's FGA vs. FRONTIER show. After a moment, he puts it down on the bed beside him.
Stephen Lawson: –truth be told, I've probably watched that one more than almost any of the others I got for research. Obviously, a lot has changed since last year; nothing more noticeable than Chandler Scott. Scott's left us here in FGA, he's “defected” to England, and now he's trying to convince anyone that'll listen to join him.
Lawson looks down for a moment, then back at the camera, the grin on his face shrinking.
Stephen Lawson: It might not mean much to you, Mr. Scott, and it might not mean much to the FGA fans right now, but I'm not walking in the door to turn around and leave. I'm here in Frontier Grappling Arts until they won't have me anymore, and because of the opportunity given to me, I'll fight for that banner as long as I can. August 25, I plan to be in that ring, and whoever gets put across from me will get everything I've got, in the name of FGA.
He pauses, his brow furrowing in thought. After a moment, Stephen continues.
Stephen Lawson: Now, besides the exterior attacks that FGA's facing, there's obviously the matter of the people within our own walls. Whether it's Johnny Blayze, Crowe, Johnny Karma, or The Murder, there's plenty of people in FGA who are out for themselves, or simply out to hurt others. Look-- I'm not so confident in my abilities to say that I'm here to beat all of you. But I look at each of you and I see something that I could've been. I could have been cocky. I could have been out for myself. I could have cared less about the FGA fans. That's the path I was on; from day one, I was supposed to be “groomed for success.”
A small snort comes out of Lawson's nose as he waves his hand in front of him.
Stephen Lawson: Then, in one moment? Gone. All of it; the state of the art training facility, the world class trainers, the promises of fame and fortune. I was supposed to be wrestling's “next big star,” and here I am! Bumming a hotel room from friends so I can watch a bunch of people play video games!
Stephen can't help but laugh for a moment at the situation. It's a laugh that carries just a bit more than face value; the idea that while he's enjoying himself, he'd almost rather be the guy he just described.
Stephen Lawson: So here I am-- FGA's taking a chance on me, and I'm going to fight as hard as I can to climb that ladder, to try my hardest, and hopefully? Hopefully I'll see some success. It starts in Rhode Island, and it starts with you, X-Spot. For the better part of ten years, you've traveled the world. You're a hell of an athlete, and you made your FGA debut just last weekend. I should know already how good you are; I was there in person. I saw you fight Kevin Hardaway, how you used your body as a weapon.
Stephen nods, recalling the match in his head.
Stephen Lawson: Those high flying skills of yours-- they're definitely something Kevin Hardaway was caught off guard with. And it's possible you and Jonathan Valentine are right; that Hardaway won't forget your name anytime soon. But there's something else you need to be aware of; another name that you need to put inside your head. That's mine; Stephen Lawson. I might not have the experience you've got, X-Spot, but I'm ready. I'm ready to match you move for move, to take to the skies, to risk my body. While you've gone from country to country, and you've got so much name value...I don't. I don't have the luxury of being comfortable. Sunday morning, when I wake up, I'll be back in my...very questionable apartment in Philly. I'll hurt, and I won't have anyone to check up on me, to be my caretaker. If I lose, the only person to blame will be myself – and if I win? If I win, then the only person to share the glory with...well, that's me, too.
Stephen's gaze drifts away from the camera for a moment, as he looks out the hotel room window out onto the skyline of Las Vegas. Looking back at the camera, a half-hearted smile comes across his face.
Stephen Lawson: So go ahead; let Valentine talk about how you're “The Greatest Show on Earth.” You're right, at least partially; you're a talented wrestler. But only your second match in, and what's happened? You, X-Spot, for all the time you and your buddy talked about being the underdog against Kevin Hardaway? You're the favorite now! There's gonna be people out in the crowd in Providence, they don't know who I am! Hell, they probably expect you to break my jaw, just like you said you would to Hardaway.
That smile is looking a little more genuine now; Lawson's in his element – the underdog, the everyman. He knows what he's talking about here, far more than in any other situation he's spoken on, and that idea is evident in his voice.
Stephen Lawson: And what becomes of you if I win? It's a valid question, X-Spot; you posed it to Kevin Hardaway. You, who spent the last decade making yourself known as “The Greatest Show on Earth.” You, who sport a kick so brutal that it's left jaws broken from sea to shining sea. What happens if I – me, some punk kid from Nashville, Tennessee – if I beat you? Two matches, two losses, and suddenly that show's not so great anymore, is it? I hope that idea burns you up inside that mask, X-Spot. I hope it does, because I want to see you at your best, your angriest – hell, knowing just what I know about you, those are probably one in the same! In Providence, you and I go one on one, and we both know that whoever walks out the winner is going to get a big momentum boost here in FGA. For me? It's a good start. For you? It's a rebound.
Stephen simply shrugs – he's boiled down the match to a pretty simple element, in his mind.
Stephen Lawson: I guess all that's left is to see who has the heart for it. And something you'll find out, X-Spot? I'm all heart.
The smile remains as Stephen Lawson stands, walking out of the shot to the left. After a moment, the camera cuts to black, having been shut off.
Stephen Lawson: Hi there! I'm Stephen Lawson, FGA professional wrestler...though I guess you probably knew that, seeing as how most of the people watching this are FGA fans. Not like I wrestle anywhere else at the moment!
He chuckles, shaking his head.
Stephen Lawson: You'll have to excuse the way I look right now. Not a great first impression, I know, but when your friends call you up and say they've got an extra spot on their trip to Vegas? The same weekend as the biggest fighting game tournament in the world? I couldn't help but jump on that train! Rest assured, FGA fans – and X-Spot – I'll be ready come next weekend in Providence. But let's take a step back from that, shall we? I wanted to say a few things about what's going on in Frontier Grappling Arts as I start my tenure here off.
Stephen pauses, a hand coming up through his hair. Glancing at his hand, he pauses before leaning his head forward to sniff. His eyes shoot wide and his body sits straight up at the scent.
Stephen Lawson: Yeesh! Next up for me? Shower! Anyway...let's start with the big deal coming up in August! Frontier Grappling Arts welcomes England's Pro Wrestling FRONTIER for the second time. Now, I think the people here in FGA, from the girls and guys in the back, to the people in the front office that put our shows together, we all wanted this to be a bit more, ah – “diplomatic” than what I gather last year's show was. Well, more than gather--
Stephen reaches down, picking up and showing the camera the case of last year's FGA vs. FRONTIER show. After a moment, he puts it down on the bed beside him.
Stephen Lawson: –truth be told, I've probably watched that one more than almost any of the others I got for research. Obviously, a lot has changed since last year; nothing more noticeable than Chandler Scott. Scott's left us here in FGA, he's “defected” to England, and now he's trying to convince anyone that'll listen to join him.
Lawson looks down for a moment, then back at the camera, the grin on his face shrinking.
Stephen Lawson: It might not mean much to you, Mr. Scott, and it might not mean much to the FGA fans right now, but I'm not walking in the door to turn around and leave. I'm here in Frontier Grappling Arts until they won't have me anymore, and because of the opportunity given to me, I'll fight for that banner as long as I can. August 25, I plan to be in that ring, and whoever gets put across from me will get everything I've got, in the name of FGA.
He pauses, his brow furrowing in thought. After a moment, Stephen continues.
Stephen Lawson: Now, besides the exterior attacks that FGA's facing, there's obviously the matter of the people within our own walls. Whether it's Johnny Blayze, Crowe, Johnny Karma, or The Murder, there's plenty of people in FGA who are out for themselves, or simply out to hurt others. Look-- I'm not so confident in my abilities to say that I'm here to beat all of you. But I look at each of you and I see something that I could've been. I could have been cocky. I could have been out for myself. I could have cared less about the FGA fans. That's the path I was on; from day one, I was supposed to be “groomed for success.”
A small snort comes out of Lawson's nose as he waves his hand in front of him.
Stephen Lawson: Then, in one moment? Gone. All of it; the state of the art training facility, the world class trainers, the promises of fame and fortune. I was supposed to be wrestling's “next big star,” and here I am! Bumming a hotel room from friends so I can watch a bunch of people play video games!
Stephen can't help but laugh for a moment at the situation. It's a laugh that carries just a bit more than face value; the idea that while he's enjoying himself, he'd almost rather be the guy he just described.
Stephen Lawson: So here I am-- FGA's taking a chance on me, and I'm going to fight as hard as I can to climb that ladder, to try my hardest, and hopefully? Hopefully I'll see some success. It starts in Rhode Island, and it starts with you, X-Spot. For the better part of ten years, you've traveled the world. You're a hell of an athlete, and you made your FGA debut just last weekend. I should know already how good you are; I was there in person. I saw you fight Kevin Hardaway, how you used your body as a weapon.
Stephen nods, recalling the match in his head.
Stephen Lawson: Those high flying skills of yours-- they're definitely something Kevin Hardaway was caught off guard with. And it's possible you and Jonathan Valentine are right; that Hardaway won't forget your name anytime soon. But there's something else you need to be aware of; another name that you need to put inside your head. That's mine; Stephen Lawson. I might not have the experience you've got, X-Spot, but I'm ready. I'm ready to match you move for move, to take to the skies, to risk my body. While you've gone from country to country, and you've got so much name value...I don't. I don't have the luxury of being comfortable. Sunday morning, when I wake up, I'll be back in my...very questionable apartment in Philly. I'll hurt, and I won't have anyone to check up on me, to be my caretaker. If I lose, the only person to blame will be myself – and if I win? If I win, then the only person to share the glory with...well, that's me, too.
Stephen's gaze drifts away from the camera for a moment, as he looks out the hotel room window out onto the skyline of Las Vegas. Looking back at the camera, a half-hearted smile comes across his face.
Stephen Lawson: So go ahead; let Valentine talk about how you're “The Greatest Show on Earth.” You're right, at least partially; you're a talented wrestler. But only your second match in, and what's happened? You, X-Spot, for all the time you and your buddy talked about being the underdog against Kevin Hardaway? You're the favorite now! There's gonna be people out in the crowd in Providence, they don't know who I am! Hell, they probably expect you to break my jaw, just like you said you would to Hardaway.
That smile is looking a little more genuine now; Lawson's in his element – the underdog, the everyman. He knows what he's talking about here, far more than in any other situation he's spoken on, and that idea is evident in his voice.
Stephen Lawson: And what becomes of you if I win? It's a valid question, X-Spot; you posed it to Kevin Hardaway. You, who spent the last decade making yourself known as “The Greatest Show on Earth.” You, who sport a kick so brutal that it's left jaws broken from sea to shining sea. What happens if I – me, some punk kid from Nashville, Tennessee – if I beat you? Two matches, two losses, and suddenly that show's not so great anymore, is it? I hope that idea burns you up inside that mask, X-Spot. I hope it does, because I want to see you at your best, your angriest – hell, knowing just what I know about you, those are probably one in the same! In Providence, you and I go one on one, and we both know that whoever walks out the winner is going to get a big momentum boost here in FGA. For me? It's a good start. For you? It's a rebound.
Stephen simply shrugs – he's boiled down the match to a pretty simple element, in his mind.
Stephen Lawson: I guess all that's left is to see who has the heart for it. And something you'll find out, X-Spot? I'm all heart.
The smile remains as Stephen Lawson stands, walking out of the shot to the left. After a moment, the camera cuts to black, having been shut off.