The Cowabunga Cove Radio Show: "Eyes on the Prize"

[James Gilmore]

{ Live...from somewhere on the Texas Gulf Coast, in a non-descript villa where the waves of wonder churn like a modern-day blender, it’s time for “Cowabunga Cove” with your host, James Gilmore! }

Twenty-nineteen was the greatest year of my life.

So I figured...why can’t 2020 be even greater?!

I’ve been lookin’ forward to the Roulette for a year now, when Rob and I was just gettin’ Being Infamous off the ground.  The journey I’ve taken to get to this point has been quite the brutal one, but everyone in this company saw firsthand EXACTLY what I was capable of doin’.  I was a two-time StrongStyle Champion, but while I tried very hard to elevate that title, to make it mean somethin’ as others like Spike or Bob Pooler did before me, I had to remind myself of one very simple tenet:

I had to keep pushin’ myself.

I was dead-set on bein’ World champion.  I was a few seconds away from cementin’ my place into wrestlin’ immortality.  Then...true to the name of Danger Zone, everything crashed and burned like Hollywood and Wolfman in Top Gun.  Dreams and hopes got dashed in an instant--and one man did it all. Here’s the deal...through the course of a year, I’ve had to learn a few things about how to handle myself in this business, things I’m still learnin’ today.

I can handle watchin’ Dean Harper and Caleb Lockwood tearin’ each other to shreds.

I can handle knowin’ that Fiona can get a l’il too carried away with her promos sometimes.  Ain’t that right, Mr. Producer…?!

But what I CAN’T handle, what I WON’T handle!?!

You saw the Twitter reactions, right?!  I had that moment stolen away from me from a dude who I thought was a good guy, and quite frankly...I plan on doin’ nothin’ else except take it back, even if it meant me drawin’ my last breath out there.  This is where the Roulette comes in, where 29 other dudes are gonna try and gun for each other includin’ myself. It’s every man for himself, a livin’ hellhole that I’d love to survive--to tell my friends and family that my work ain’t finished.

The Road to Night of the Immortals ends at his feet.

And I want this journey to come at HIS expense!

Howdy Steve.

Did ya miss me, compadre?!  I’ve been keepin’ low for several days now, thinkin’ about what I wanna say to you.  Let’s face the facts...we’re joined at the hip, you and I. Ever since Being Infamous got started, I realized that  we simply couldn’t afford to ignore each other no more. I was hopin’ that you changed your ways, that you learned how to keep your feelin’s of envy and spite in check so that it wouldn’t eat away at your heart.

I thought you’d do somethin’ positive for a change.

Just as the well-meanin’ kid Tommy Richter wanted for you.

Well...I guess I was a darn fool for believin’ those things.

You laughed as Miles Reyes had his career cut short.  You condescended Fiona as she TRIED to help you clean yourself up.  The REAL reason why the world goes head-huntin’ on you is ‘cuz you made ‘em believe that you truly did change.  Perhaps...that’s the best “Franchise Face” validation you can ever have.

And then...Danger Zone had come and gone.

At that moment...I remembered exactly what brings you joy in this life.

I detest you and everything you stand for.  You’re a spineless, gutless bully with no moral standin’, who only got back into IWF on the good-natured charity of others.  You’re a Hall of Fame-caliber talent that would rather rot away in fear of losin’ everything you’ve built for yourself over the years.  You find joy in screwin’ people over ‘cuz it helps you win and feel good about yourself, and frankly...I, for one, ain’t gonna stand for it.

So guess what, pal?!

Karma is comin’ to your door to serve up some justice.

And she’s a BIGGER bitch than you’ll ever be!

I know I’m supposed to be talkin’ about the Roulette, I really do.  I understand that Rob and 28 others are gonna have just as much of a chance of winnin’ this thing as I do.  Think long and hard...you and I’ve come such a long, long way in the span of a year, it ain’t logical to overlook us no more.  Yet I know that only one of 30 dudes are gonna get that shot at you, Steve.

It might not be me.

But come hell or high water?!

My eyes are on the prize--on YOU.

I’m gonna do everything I can to see this thing through to the bitter end.  ‘Cuz on the grander scale of things, IWF is a family. There are men in this match who deserve nothin’ less than my absolute best, that deserve the chance to show the planet just how far they can go at it in spite of your words of envy and jealousy towards ‘em.  Here I stand right now, ready to ride the waves again. I will be World Champion, I will main event Night of the Immortals, and if any dude wants to come at me and prove me wrong...my door is open--I welcome the challenge.

Who’s got a good shot at knockin’ me out?!

While I don’t mean to diss my opponents...I can’t name ‘em all as a favorite given I’m on a time limit.

But...I’ve culled ‘em down to three.

We’ll be right back.

{ Who will JJ select as his top Roulette favorites?  Find out next week as “Cowabunga Cove” continues--on iHeartRadio! }

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