Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2013 20:45:33 GMT -6
Its a fairly cold day in Woodbury, NJ. The temperature is about 50 degrees and it shows with people wearing their sweaters and jeans as they walk through the historic town either on their way back to their homes or maybe to the bus stop to head off to the mall for some shopping.
In one particular part of the town we find a house that some of the citizens call “The Residence” and the reason is fairly simple
actually. You see the people that live there isn’t “technically” a family but rather a group of people that live under the same roof that were recruited by one gentleman. A gentleman that you will be meeting in a little bit actually.
The assembled group of people in this home are those that came together because they appreciated a sport that, to be frank, has fallen off the mainstream map in the past few years because sadly it relied a little too heavily on “characters” and less and less on “Athletes”. The assembled mass came to this home over the years because when it came down to it the man that was responsible for finding them helped their wrestling careers in many different ways and for one gent whom I promise you’ll meet shortly…he was the best thing that happened to him!
“When’s the boss coming home?” A fiery orange-haired young lady asked a woman with short blond hair, blue eyes and wearing a three piece black business suit.
“Hopefully soon Juri-kun. I’m kind of hungry and his sister told us that we would be getting ready to eat when he came back from what he had to do.” The blond told Juri whom sat patiently on the couch awaiting their boss’s arrival.
“Ah don’t worry about it you two” A taller gentleman began “Joshua will be home shortly. I happen to know that the decision to have us leave a company that he honestly loved was a painful one and to have to surrender the belts that we won isn’t exactly an easy thing to do.” He explained and Juri nodded. The fact that Joshua and this gentleman did just win a federation’s tag championships only to surrender them under circumstances that they rather not think about…it was a painful choice but the
professional and proper one for all parties involved.
Outside the home a red Buick LaCrosse was making its way through the streets to the house that was mentioned earlier and the driver made his way skillfully through the streets and into the driveway of the home to the side entrance where the kitchen is. When the car stopped and the engine cut off the driver headed out of the car and ready to go up the stairs to see his friends and awaiting him at the door was Juri and her friend whom they know as the “Canadian Classic” Tina Davis. This was arguably one of Joshua’s finest finds as both women ended up as champions in the singles world with Tina being a former International champion and Juri a former Women’s Champion. As the two watched the young man walk up the stairs they knew that he might not be in the best of spirits but they did their best to talk to the young man.
“Good afternoon Joshua” Tina said with a smile and Joshua turned and reciprocated in kind. It could be argued that Joshua forced the smile but at the same time he knew that what he did was the absolute right thing.
“I take it the transaction didn’t go too well Curtis-sempai?” Juri asked and Joshua shook his head “no”. The fact was that it actually went without a hitch but it was the fact that if it had been possible he would have left on better terms but the fact was some things happened that he knew were going to force him to make the rather painful choice of leaving a company he loved and forfeiting the tag team titles. Their happiness was worth more than the belts and the fans understood…at least he hoped they did!
As Joshua made his way through the kitchen and into the living room he saw one of the few things in his life that could make him
smile…outside of Juri’s attempts at humor that work some of the time. What was it? The better question is WHO was it and that answer is the gentleman that I mentioned earlier in Zack Johnson!
I’m sure you know the story by now but the short version goes that while the two were wrestling over in London Zack was a fan of
Joshua’s in ring ability…the question was could he win something a little more important later on. As the two bonded they formed a tag team overseas and became good friends but all the while during this time Joshua had been receiving roses from a “secret admirer” and as we know that this turned out to be Zack.
At first Joshua turned away rather violently and in a vulgar manner the man from Houston Texas (where Zack is originally from) but
later an event happened when some random thugs snuck into the backstage and jumped Zack. Mind you this was a day or two before the big show where Zack was to get a partner to challenge for the tag titles of this particular promotion. It was after this moment that Joshua started to wonder if what Zack did was really all that bad. Surely one shouldn’t just randomly flip their s**t about a bouquet of roses right?
As everyone knows by now the two went on to challenge and beat Chester Clarke and Brad Cummings for the tag team titles in the promotion and even though they technically don’t “date” anymore the two are still very close and Joshua would do anything for Zack including stepping aside so that he can pursue his dream of becoming a champion again in a promotion in the singles ranks.
Anyways…
“Afternoon friend!” Joshua exclaimed as he sat next to his dear friend on the couch and Zack just smiled as the man from Japan got his Ipad out and looked up some stuff on there before speaking again. Have you heard the news about our former employer?” Joshua asked and Zack had to think about it for a second before speaking
“I heard that they were having their final show towards the end of this month. It’s a shame but things happen for a reason I guess. The big question is what plans do we as a family have now?” Zack asked and Joshua thought long and hard about that before responding to his former lover.
“Well we have a few options actually my friend” Joshua began “we could sit here and sulk about it.” Joshua stated and Zack shook his head “no” which Joshua already knew was gonna happen “We could completely retire from the sport which, if we did that, I might not be against but I know there are fans that would miss us a great deal so that’s out right?” Joshua asked Zack whom nodded in agreement. This time before Joshua could get out choice three Zack spoke up himself.
“What about that place that our former promotion was affiliated with?” Zack asked and of course this got Joshua’s eyes wide
humorously big as he got out the next line. “Why would we want to go there? You heard about how they treated Marina right? I’m sure as hell not…” Joshua was stopped in midsentence by a finger on his lips from his friend before Zack began speaking again.
“I wasn’t talking about there silly” Zack began “what I was referring to is going to the new place that they were affiliated with. I think its called ‘Exodus Pro’ or something of that nature right?” Zack asked and Joshua nodded. The big question is would Joshua agree to go there and in what possible capacity?
Later that night…
After a good drive to think about what Zack had asked Joshua went home and immediately did some research on the place that True Honor had been affiliated with. The place seemed like a good enough spot and Joshua himself had been in contact with one of the higher ups about the place in the past but even he still had some reservations even if he honestly knew that his clock was just about up.
As the night wore on Joshua stayed in his office most of the night. Yes he did speak with different members of the household as the decision that was going to be made was going to be a huge one and he knew that it could mean some big things for them. The big question is going to be how happy is he going to be with the decision that is going to impact them
both!
“Zack” Joshua called from his office door “could you come in here for a second?” Joshua asked and his friend complied as he walked into the office and took his seat at the chair across from his friend before Joshua spoke again.
“Alright um…”Joshua trailed off as he looked Zack dead in the face “Zack I did some thinking about what you said and I came to a decision that I think we might like.” Joshua explained and Zack waited with great anticipation to hear what his friend was going to say “Zack…I want you to go to EXODUS and represent us to the best of your capabilities. Can you do that for me?” Joshua asked his friend whom seemed a mixture of pleased and horrified when he heard the news! Sure it was great that he Joshua wanted him to go to EXODUS but…what about Joshua? That was the first question on the young man’s mind.
“Josh” Zack began “I’m honored that you want me to go to this place but…what are you going to do? I thought your goal was to be a World Champion?” Zack asked and Joshua looked up at the ceiling before answering his friend
“I’m not gonna lie my friend but it would have been nice. I just know when its time for me to get the hell out of the way and allow other people the chance to become what I know they can and should be. You’ve been a TV champion before but I also know that you can be better than that. I don’t want you to feel held back because I’m around you know what I mean?” Joshua asked and Zack nodded but there was something else on his mind now.
“Joshua” Zack began “remember back when you had your ‘problem’ when you went mentally unstable?” Zack asked and Joshua nodded even though he did REALLY know where this was going “I made a promise to Father Maxwell and Sister Helen years ago after your mental breakdown that I would help you through those times. I helped you through your issues with Matthews when we both feared that ‘He’ was going to come out and I’m going to do it again. To do it this time however I don’t want you home but rather with me on the road if I’m to go to EXODUS.” Zack explained and Joshua didn’t know what to say in response. To say that the silence said a lot would be an understatement until Joshua made the first move and got up from his chair like a dart. Zack did in kind fearing that he was going to be fighting his best friend, companion and former lover in the office of all places!
As Joshua relaxed his stance he walked to the other side of the desk where Zack was standing and looked his friend dead in the eyes before speaking again.
“Zack…first let me say I’m sorry if I scared you just then. Sometimes when I think about things I tend to get a little antsy but nonetheless” Joshua stopped and Zack wondered where he was about to go next “I…remember the promise you made to
those dear friends of ours and you’ve done your duty well. What I wouldn’t want is to become a burden on you so you could focus on the task at hand and get to become the star that I know you can be. You’re a good person and you deserve good things to happen to you. Are you sure you want me to be there?” Joshua asked and Zack knew how to answer this question from his good friend.
“If you don’t come then I won’t go.” Zack explained and before Joshua could speak he continued “I know how I act sometimes makes people think that I’m a ‘flamer’ or ‘queer’ but we both know that not to be true. The fact is that I care a lot about you Joshua and if it wasn’t for the day when you helped me when I was getting beat up I’d have never made a great friend and an even greater boyfriend. Please come to EXODUS with me and be my manager and I’ll make sure that if someone screws with you then they WILL be dealt with!” Zack exclaimed and Joshua was on the brink of tears when he heard that. After hearing those words Joshua wrapped his arms around the waist of the man that cared about him more than anyone can understand. A few minutes later and Joshua sealed the deal the only way he knew how:
With a kiss
See you soon EXODUS Pro