Post by Mike Laszlo on Aug 27, 2013 3:41:02 GMT
So, tonight didn’t exactly go my way. I didn’t win the triple threat against Xavier and Machado, but I was able to deliver my message. I was able to announce my intent, and soon I will be able to reach the heights I wish to achieve, but first I have a nice test this weekend in the form of IWF’s resident Man of Steel…Ryan Blade.
I will admit that I have indeed caught some of the guy’s work. I may have had my issues going on at the same time, but the fact remains that if you don’t keep up on those around you, you get passed on by and I guarantee you that I’m not one to ever get passed by.
Earlier tonight I said that I’m done lying to the people and that in itself was no lie. You can like me if you want, hate me the same, but the fact remains that I’m not a five move wonder in that ring, and I sure as hell am no flash in the pan. I respect the abilities of everyone on this roster and that includes the Man of Steel.
This guy, after watching, offers one of the bright spots in this company. He offers a glimpse into the future and he proved it this past Sunday night at Legacy when he defended his Man of Steel title and defended it in a gauntlet match against the likes of Seth Evans, Deathtrain, and Davey Ortega.
That’s great and all, but Ryan, I hope you understand that the test I present to you is completely different from the challenge posed to you at Legacy. I’m not three different men, but I do combine the best qualities of all of them into one. I’m as intelligent if not more so than Ortega, athletic if not more so than Evans and as vicious if not more so than Deathtrain. It’s all rolled up into one package and that is what awaits you next week. Individually you beat these qualities and for that I have already commended you, together, it will be hard to beat.
I don’t slight you in anyway shape or form however. You hold that Man of Steel title with conviction and commitment, and to this day you have but one loss to your record. On paper, you might even be considered a favorite in this match based on record alone. I tell you now that record means nothing.
Records are only numbers…nothing more than stats. In other words, they’re useless. Stats would say that I’m an easy win. Stats would say that I shouldn’t even be in a match with the Man of Steel Champion let alone any other of the high profile matches I’ve been in since the inception of this company. Stats lie.
So Ryan, let’s ignore the stats shall we? Take that record book and throw that piece of crap right out the window. Instead of looking into the written pages of said book, look into my eyes and tell me that you don’t see differently. Tell me you don’t see a man that deserves to step into that ring, stand across from you, and has the potential and ability to beat you in the center of that ring. If you tell me that, I’ll call you not only a liar but a damn fool.
So while you sit there as the freshly picked grape from the IWF Vineyard’s grapevine, know that I am the fine wine in the cellar, aging to perfection, adapting to my environment, and getting better with each and every passing day. Know that I taste better. Know that I am better.
You are exceptionally talented and there’s no doubting that with any written word, visual picture, or audible sound. The fact that you hold that title proves those words. I’m coming for you this coming Monday with everything I have, and I hope and pray you do the same. Only then…at that moment in time…will this be fun for all of us.
====================
Title: That Nagging Feeling
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Time: 12:11 AM Local Time
After a week of recovery time, I can honestly say that I feel better than ever. I still have stitches in my head, but I consider that a battle wound. I felt like I was a renewed individual after my tirade out in the middle of the ring. The match, though important at the time, really has no meaning now. The show was over, and the flight from Columbus to Cleveland, a mere half hour, had landed. Hell, I was already home. That’s where this little scene takes place. I’m literally walking in the door as we speak.
Mike Laszlo: We’re home.
The mere sound of my voice brought the dogs running in from the other room to greet us. Walking into the family room to the right of the door I get quieted down by Raven who was watching my daughter for the night.
Raven Simpson: Shhhh. She just fell asleep a few minutes ago.
Before we could enter the family room, Alexis grabbed me by the wrist causing me to stop and turn toward her.
Alexis Caffrey: You let her watch your kid?
Mike Laszlo: It was short notice. I planned on taking Britney with me, but things came up and it was better than she stay here.
Alexis Caffrey: But her? You couldn’t get Lindsay or your sister to do it?
Mike Laszlo: I don’t trust my sister as far as I can throw her. Lindsay went back to college this weekend. No matter what I’ve been through with her, I know that Raven wouldn’t hurt a hair on my child’s head. She knows better.
Alexis Caffrey: Are you sure about that?
Mike Laszlo: Yes. I’m one hundred percent sure.
With that taken care of, we head into the room, placing our bags at the foot of the steps. Raven looked over and saw us entering. I had a seat on the couch, Alexis quick to follow, sitting on my lap. Leaning back I let out a long, drawn out, still quiet sigh.
Raven Simpson: Tough night?
Before I could answer, Alexis cut me off with an answer of her own.
Alexis Caffrey: You could say that. You?
Rather than call any attention to the situation I continued to lean my head back, and kept my eyes closed. Raven seemed a little caught off guard by Alexis’ blunt answering of her question but soon regains her composure.
Raven Simpson: Uh…um…it was fine. I gave Britney some food around seven, then we watched the show. After than I let her play around a little bit and eventually she tired herself out.
Alexis nodded in approval as I pulled my head forward and opened my eyes.
Mike Laszlo: Well, I’m glad things went well. How’s your face?
She was timid at first as she brushed the hair back from her face.
Raven Simpson: It still hurts a bit. The swelling has gone down, but there’s still some black and blueness to it.
Mike Laszlo: You never told me who did it. Care to share?
Raven Simpson: Do I have to?
Her demeanor soon changed and she was looking more toward the ground than she was either of us. Her hair drooped down over her face as Alexis looked at me with a look of concern. She who thought this was all a lie was all of a sudden feeling a little compassionate toward the “liar” she was being cautious with. She looked at me with the concern plastered on her face and slowly shook her head from side to side. Rolling my eyes in disbelief, I took in a deep breath and let it out in a little bit of frustration.
Mike Laszlo: I guess not. We do have to talk about it eventually though. I want to know who and how, and most importantly why. You can’t hide from whoever it is forever and eventually we’re going to have to face it.
Raven Simpson: I know. It’s just…just that I don’t want to put my problems on you.
Mike Laszlo: I took your problems and put them on myself the moment I decided to house you in an effort to keep you away from this person.
Raven Simpson: Speaking of housing me…what happened to the apartment?
Mike Laszlo: It’s being remodeled. It should be done later this week. It’s being made more accommodating for you.
Raven Simpson: Til then?
Mike Laszlo: Until then, you stay in the guest room.
She nods in agreement with a slight grin as she turns back to the television programmed to the local news. After a few moments of programming I see Alexis start to yawn out of exhaustion after all the traveling, not to mention the show.
Alexis Caffrey: I’m tiiiiiiiiired. I think I’m going to head up to bed.
She wriggles out of my lap and stands up turning to me with a tilt of the head and her usual cute little grin.
Alexis Caffrey: Join me?
Mike Laszlo: In a sec.
Leaning over, she kisses me on the lips before heading toward the steps and up to the bedroom. I look over at Raven who seems un-phased by the ordeal but turns as I move forward on the couch.
Mike Laszlo: Like I said, soon, we’re going to talk about that.
Raven Simpson: Promise.
Mike Laszlo: I’m gonna head to bed. Guest room is down the hall and to the left, door before the garage. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.
Raven Simpson: Okay, goodnight.
Standing from the couch I walk over to my overly comfortable recliner where my daughter lies passed out, her head slumped to the side against the arm of the chair, and I pick her up to take her to her room. I head for the same stairs that Alexis had gone up not a minute earlier and stopped, turning back to look into the family room. Raven sat on the floor staring at the television and I couldn’t help but have that nagging feeling in the back of my head on how true this whole story was. Heading upstairs I laid Britney in her bed and kissed her on the forehead before heading into my room where Alexis was just coming out of the bathroom. Turning, I slowly shut the door behind me.
Mike Laszlo: Someone got a little pushy down there.
Alexis Caffrey: I didn’t mean to. She just rubs me the wrong way. Especially after what you said she did to you before.
Mike Laszlo: Trust me, I know what I’m doing. I want to trust her, really I do, but something inside is nagging me in the back of my mind. How can I trust her? How much of this is truth, and if it was so traumatic that she can’t even talk about it, why did it take so long to contact me for “help”?
She crawled into bed and patted the mattress a few times as if to say “come to bed”. Not bothering to change, I sit in the bed up against the headboard. Alexis lies her head on my chest and lets out another yawn.
Alexis Caffrey: Ahhhhh…whatever you decide to do, you know I’ll support you.
Mike Laszlo: I do, and that’s what counts. We’ll figure this out, and in the end, hopefully it’ll just work itself out for the better.
The scene fades as Alexis’ eyes begin to do the same. She repositions a few times to get comfy and both her and the scene fade away, her to sleep, the scene to black.
====================
So what exactly do I mean by having fun?
I want to enjoy myself again. I was able to do that for the first time in a long time Sunday at Legacy in my match with Trent Helms. Now some of you may ask, how the hell did you do that? You went through hell and lost a lot of blood. Then it dawns on you that maybe that’s the blood loss talking. It’s not. I enjoyed every bit of myself Sunday night, blood and all because I knew that I had no expectations to live up to. I wasn’t out there portraying an arrogant asshole who thought despite flaws was better than everyone else…and had to brag about it. I didn’t have to portray the hero, here to save the world from the tyranny that is this new regime, or team, or stable, whatever. I went out there to the sound of Living Colour as Mike Laszlo. I did what I love to do in the center of that ring, and in the end, yeah, I won, but it wouldn’t have mattered either way.
For weeks before, anyone who watched a match with me in it, anyone who truly knew me, could see that I was plain and simply going through the motions. The performing comes so natural that I can do it in my sleep and that’s pretty much what I was doing. I was on autopilot because despite the fact that the matches were for high stakes, whether it be titles, or tournament matches, they meant nothing to me. This was just a job to me and it became a task that had to be overcome. I had to perform, not for enjoyment, but because it was my job and if I didn’t I had no reason to be here. If I didn’t I wouldn’t be able to find what I was looking for all of that time.
Some would say that I lost my competitive edge and I would tell you that you’re wrong. The entire time, despite being on autopilot, I was still going out there to compete. I was still going out there with the desire to win. The flame burned, sometimes at both ends of the candle until the point that I was both physically and mentally burned out. Then Trent Helms came into the picture. The man that back in the old company, I defeated on the very last day; a man who had a legitimate gripe with me from another company. Trent wanted revenge and it gave me that spark. The fact that I was to defend my victory over him in another match was what I needed the entire time.
Sure titles are good. To be called champion is a blessing that not everyone gets to experience and really that is a sad thing indeed, but it couldn’t bring me back. In my mind, I knew I was superior to all who I came into contact with and I had nothing to prove.
At Legacy I had something to prove when I took on Trent Helms for a second time and beat him for a second time. I proved that the first time was no fluke and now I have something else to prove.
Monday September second at Sacrifice, I have to prove not only to the world, but to myself that the young lion known as the IWF Man of Steel, the man known as Ryan Blade isn’t quite at my level yet. On the second day of the ninth month of the year two thousand and thirteen I’m walking down that ramp and stepping into the ring with one of the most gifted athletes in this company, and I prove that I am still that much better and that I deserve the shot that I clamor for more than any other. Monday night I defeat the Man of Steel and prove that when I’m having fun, there isn’t a soul alive or dead that is now, nor ever has been, nor ever will be as good as I am.
Let’s not make this business Ryan because I want it to be much more than that. Let’s have fun. Let’s show the world why we are where we are and why we are who we are. Let’s steal the show and ask for more. What do you say?
I will admit that I have indeed caught some of the guy’s work. I may have had my issues going on at the same time, but the fact remains that if you don’t keep up on those around you, you get passed on by and I guarantee you that I’m not one to ever get passed by.
Earlier tonight I said that I’m done lying to the people and that in itself was no lie. You can like me if you want, hate me the same, but the fact remains that I’m not a five move wonder in that ring, and I sure as hell am no flash in the pan. I respect the abilities of everyone on this roster and that includes the Man of Steel.
This guy, after watching, offers one of the bright spots in this company. He offers a glimpse into the future and he proved it this past Sunday night at Legacy when he defended his Man of Steel title and defended it in a gauntlet match against the likes of Seth Evans, Deathtrain, and Davey Ortega.
That’s great and all, but Ryan, I hope you understand that the test I present to you is completely different from the challenge posed to you at Legacy. I’m not three different men, but I do combine the best qualities of all of them into one. I’m as intelligent if not more so than Ortega, athletic if not more so than Evans and as vicious if not more so than Deathtrain. It’s all rolled up into one package and that is what awaits you next week. Individually you beat these qualities and for that I have already commended you, together, it will be hard to beat.
I don’t slight you in anyway shape or form however. You hold that Man of Steel title with conviction and commitment, and to this day you have but one loss to your record. On paper, you might even be considered a favorite in this match based on record alone. I tell you now that record means nothing.
Records are only numbers…nothing more than stats. In other words, they’re useless. Stats would say that I’m an easy win. Stats would say that I shouldn’t even be in a match with the Man of Steel Champion let alone any other of the high profile matches I’ve been in since the inception of this company. Stats lie.
So Ryan, let’s ignore the stats shall we? Take that record book and throw that piece of crap right out the window. Instead of looking into the written pages of said book, look into my eyes and tell me that you don’t see differently. Tell me you don’t see a man that deserves to step into that ring, stand across from you, and has the potential and ability to beat you in the center of that ring. If you tell me that, I’ll call you not only a liar but a damn fool.
So while you sit there as the freshly picked grape from the IWF Vineyard’s grapevine, know that I am the fine wine in the cellar, aging to perfection, adapting to my environment, and getting better with each and every passing day. Know that I taste better. Know that I am better.
You are exceptionally talented and there’s no doubting that with any written word, visual picture, or audible sound. The fact that you hold that title proves those words. I’m coming for you this coming Monday with everything I have, and I hope and pray you do the same. Only then…at that moment in time…will this be fun for all of us.
====================
Title: That Nagging Feeling
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Time: 12:11 AM Local Time
After a week of recovery time, I can honestly say that I feel better than ever. I still have stitches in my head, but I consider that a battle wound. I felt like I was a renewed individual after my tirade out in the middle of the ring. The match, though important at the time, really has no meaning now. The show was over, and the flight from Columbus to Cleveland, a mere half hour, had landed. Hell, I was already home. That’s where this little scene takes place. I’m literally walking in the door as we speak.
Mike Laszlo: We’re home.
The mere sound of my voice brought the dogs running in from the other room to greet us. Walking into the family room to the right of the door I get quieted down by Raven who was watching my daughter for the night.
Raven Simpson: Shhhh. She just fell asleep a few minutes ago.
Before we could enter the family room, Alexis grabbed me by the wrist causing me to stop and turn toward her.
Alexis Caffrey: You let her watch your kid?
Mike Laszlo: It was short notice. I planned on taking Britney with me, but things came up and it was better than she stay here.
Alexis Caffrey: But her? You couldn’t get Lindsay or your sister to do it?
Mike Laszlo: I don’t trust my sister as far as I can throw her. Lindsay went back to college this weekend. No matter what I’ve been through with her, I know that Raven wouldn’t hurt a hair on my child’s head. She knows better.
Alexis Caffrey: Are you sure about that?
Mike Laszlo: Yes. I’m one hundred percent sure.
With that taken care of, we head into the room, placing our bags at the foot of the steps. Raven looked over and saw us entering. I had a seat on the couch, Alexis quick to follow, sitting on my lap. Leaning back I let out a long, drawn out, still quiet sigh.
Raven Simpson: Tough night?
Before I could answer, Alexis cut me off with an answer of her own.
Alexis Caffrey: You could say that. You?
Rather than call any attention to the situation I continued to lean my head back, and kept my eyes closed. Raven seemed a little caught off guard by Alexis’ blunt answering of her question but soon regains her composure.
Raven Simpson: Uh…um…it was fine. I gave Britney some food around seven, then we watched the show. After than I let her play around a little bit and eventually she tired herself out.
Alexis nodded in approval as I pulled my head forward and opened my eyes.
Mike Laszlo: Well, I’m glad things went well. How’s your face?
She was timid at first as she brushed the hair back from her face.
Raven Simpson: It still hurts a bit. The swelling has gone down, but there’s still some black and blueness to it.
Mike Laszlo: You never told me who did it. Care to share?
Raven Simpson: Do I have to?
Her demeanor soon changed and she was looking more toward the ground than she was either of us. Her hair drooped down over her face as Alexis looked at me with a look of concern. She who thought this was all a lie was all of a sudden feeling a little compassionate toward the “liar” she was being cautious with. She looked at me with the concern plastered on her face and slowly shook her head from side to side. Rolling my eyes in disbelief, I took in a deep breath and let it out in a little bit of frustration.
Mike Laszlo: I guess not. We do have to talk about it eventually though. I want to know who and how, and most importantly why. You can’t hide from whoever it is forever and eventually we’re going to have to face it.
Raven Simpson: I know. It’s just…just that I don’t want to put my problems on you.
Mike Laszlo: I took your problems and put them on myself the moment I decided to house you in an effort to keep you away from this person.
Raven Simpson: Speaking of housing me…what happened to the apartment?
Mike Laszlo: It’s being remodeled. It should be done later this week. It’s being made more accommodating for you.
Raven Simpson: Til then?
Mike Laszlo: Until then, you stay in the guest room.
She nods in agreement with a slight grin as she turns back to the television programmed to the local news. After a few moments of programming I see Alexis start to yawn out of exhaustion after all the traveling, not to mention the show.
Alexis Caffrey: I’m tiiiiiiiiired. I think I’m going to head up to bed.
She wriggles out of my lap and stands up turning to me with a tilt of the head and her usual cute little grin.
Alexis Caffrey: Join me?
Mike Laszlo: In a sec.
Leaning over, she kisses me on the lips before heading toward the steps and up to the bedroom. I look over at Raven who seems un-phased by the ordeal but turns as I move forward on the couch.
Mike Laszlo: Like I said, soon, we’re going to talk about that.
Raven Simpson: Promise.
Mike Laszlo: I’m gonna head to bed. Guest room is down the hall and to the left, door before the garage. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.
Raven Simpson: Okay, goodnight.
Standing from the couch I walk over to my overly comfortable recliner where my daughter lies passed out, her head slumped to the side against the arm of the chair, and I pick her up to take her to her room. I head for the same stairs that Alexis had gone up not a minute earlier and stopped, turning back to look into the family room. Raven sat on the floor staring at the television and I couldn’t help but have that nagging feeling in the back of my head on how true this whole story was. Heading upstairs I laid Britney in her bed and kissed her on the forehead before heading into my room where Alexis was just coming out of the bathroom. Turning, I slowly shut the door behind me.
Mike Laszlo: Someone got a little pushy down there.
Alexis Caffrey: I didn’t mean to. She just rubs me the wrong way. Especially after what you said she did to you before.
Mike Laszlo: Trust me, I know what I’m doing. I want to trust her, really I do, but something inside is nagging me in the back of my mind. How can I trust her? How much of this is truth, and if it was so traumatic that she can’t even talk about it, why did it take so long to contact me for “help”?
She crawled into bed and patted the mattress a few times as if to say “come to bed”. Not bothering to change, I sit in the bed up against the headboard. Alexis lies her head on my chest and lets out another yawn.
Alexis Caffrey: Ahhhhh…whatever you decide to do, you know I’ll support you.
Mike Laszlo: I do, and that’s what counts. We’ll figure this out, and in the end, hopefully it’ll just work itself out for the better.
The scene fades as Alexis’ eyes begin to do the same. She repositions a few times to get comfy and both her and the scene fade away, her to sleep, the scene to black.
====================
So what exactly do I mean by having fun?
I want to enjoy myself again. I was able to do that for the first time in a long time Sunday at Legacy in my match with Trent Helms. Now some of you may ask, how the hell did you do that? You went through hell and lost a lot of blood. Then it dawns on you that maybe that’s the blood loss talking. It’s not. I enjoyed every bit of myself Sunday night, blood and all because I knew that I had no expectations to live up to. I wasn’t out there portraying an arrogant asshole who thought despite flaws was better than everyone else…and had to brag about it. I didn’t have to portray the hero, here to save the world from the tyranny that is this new regime, or team, or stable, whatever. I went out there to the sound of Living Colour as Mike Laszlo. I did what I love to do in the center of that ring, and in the end, yeah, I won, but it wouldn’t have mattered either way.
For weeks before, anyone who watched a match with me in it, anyone who truly knew me, could see that I was plain and simply going through the motions. The performing comes so natural that I can do it in my sleep and that’s pretty much what I was doing. I was on autopilot because despite the fact that the matches were for high stakes, whether it be titles, or tournament matches, they meant nothing to me. This was just a job to me and it became a task that had to be overcome. I had to perform, not for enjoyment, but because it was my job and if I didn’t I had no reason to be here. If I didn’t I wouldn’t be able to find what I was looking for all of that time.
Some would say that I lost my competitive edge and I would tell you that you’re wrong. The entire time, despite being on autopilot, I was still going out there to compete. I was still going out there with the desire to win. The flame burned, sometimes at both ends of the candle until the point that I was both physically and mentally burned out. Then Trent Helms came into the picture. The man that back in the old company, I defeated on the very last day; a man who had a legitimate gripe with me from another company. Trent wanted revenge and it gave me that spark. The fact that I was to defend my victory over him in another match was what I needed the entire time.
Sure titles are good. To be called champion is a blessing that not everyone gets to experience and really that is a sad thing indeed, but it couldn’t bring me back. In my mind, I knew I was superior to all who I came into contact with and I had nothing to prove.
At Legacy I had something to prove when I took on Trent Helms for a second time and beat him for a second time. I proved that the first time was no fluke and now I have something else to prove.
Monday September second at Sacrifice, I have to prove not only to the world, but to myself that the young lion known as the IWF Man of Steel, the man known as Ryan Blade isn’t quite at my level yet. On the second day of the ninth month of the year two thousand and thirteen I’m walking down that ramp and stepping into the ring with one of the most gifted athletes in this company, and I prove that I am still that much better and that I deserve the shot that I clamor for more than any other. Monday night I defeat the Man of Steel and prove that when I’m having fun, there isn’t a soul alive or dead that is now, nor ever has been, nor ever will be as good as I am.
Let’s not make this business Ryan because I want it to be much more than that. Let’s have fun. Let’s show the world why we are where we are and why we are who we are. Let’s steal the show and ask for more. What do you say?
Well howdy there pardner.