Post by James Gilmore on Mar 17, 2020 13:15:42 GMT
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My wrestlin’ career got started with a dream.
A dream that grew from when I was a six-year-old in the summer of 1988. I was with my mother, sittin’ inside the historic Dallas Sportatorium as the stars of yesteryear plied their craft. It was so palpable--the sounds of the music, the smells of the food, and the sights of brave men and women tearin’ each other apart. All around me, I could just feel the energy, the sense of joy and wonder in knowin’ that this was what I was gonna do.
That I was gonna be a Superstar someday.
That “someday” is now.
I remember the journey it took to get me to this point. I learned that this business can be a livin’ hell, rife with egos and dangers all around. I had to understand--oft at times, the hard way--that this industry will kick your ass if you let it. I had to endure the laughter and snickers from those who said I wasn’t good enough. I had to sit down and think about the many sacrifices I’ve made in order to keep on livin’ the dream I once had as a little boy.
Pourin’ out the blood, sweat, and tears?!
It’s all worth the price to pay to be a Champion.
I’ll never forget the resolve, the thing in my mind that tells me to face my greatest fears head-on. I’ll keep remindin’ myself that my work ain’t finished, that it’s only just begun. I’ll make darn sure that for every Steve Awesome who comes around to act like some bully who thinks he’s bigger than you, there will be a James Gilmore who comes in and tells dudes like him to go screw themselves. I’ll keep feelin’ the excitement in the air, knowin’ that 29 others stand in my path towards that spot at Night of the Immortals.
This is what bein’ in the Roulette truly means to me.
You’re all gonna feel the energy as you bring out the best in me AND yourselves.
You’re all gonna know what “dare to dream” is all about.
Here we go, boys...the time for talkin’s done. When that bell rings, you will be measured. You will be tested. And you will be left...
#ShellShocked!
{ Tune in next week as James Gilmore rides the waves on “Cowabunga Cove”...! }
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A week before his 38th birthday.
He sat in a swiveling leather chair and took a deep breath, surrounded on all sides by soundproofing and other technical equipment. A boom microphone was placed overhead as he closed his eyes, taking a sip from a can of Orange-Vanilla Coke. Given what had happened to him at Danger Zone, this was the last place anyone would ever find him.
But deep in James Gilmore’s soul?
This was his home, his livelihood. The booth gave him a sense of solace, an aura of comfort and bliss that allowed for him to express himself creatively without feeling disctracted. He was left to be alone, deep in his thoughts as he pressed a little red button. As if on cue, an Utada tune began to play as he closed a spiral notebook that served as his journal, his “script” as it were.
For on this day?
After being away from the road for some time?!
“Breath, should I take a deep?
Faith, should I take the leap?
Taste, what a bittersweet
All my, all my life
Let me face, let me face, let me face my fears
Oh, let me face, let me face, let me face my fears
Won't be long, won't be long, I'm almost here
Watch me cry all my tears”
Win or lose, wrestling was on his mind.
He still had some skeletons left in his closet.
He watched the shows, he saw the Twitter reactions, and deep inside...JJ was seething. He was left helpless to watch as man he and Fiona thought they had known celebrated the title with a perverse sex stunt. He understood that Being Infamous was a family, but Steve’s actions made him question whether or not things were going to be okay. After all, in his mind Steve represented the very thing that made the Islander alum so vulnerable.
He heard the laughter and the snickers. He felt the cold, remorseless nature of those who routinely piled on him.
Those who’ve said he wasn’t good enough.
“Lose, soon have nothing to
Space, this is what I choose
A mile, could you walk in my shoes?
All your, all your life”
Let me face, let me face, let me face my fears
Oh, let me face, let me face, let me face my fears
Won't be long, won't be long, I'm almost here
Watch me cry all my tears”
Yet here JJ was, doing what he loved.
Defying the odds. Standing up to bullies..
Preparing himself to face his greatest fear of being rejected.
Leading an entire family into the future.
He was determined to face twenty-nine other souls in the Roulette including Rob, a man who helped resurrect his career while keeping his own ego in check. He was focused upon taking on the bullies who had capitalized on his own faults and vulnerabilities. The resolve in his heart grew as he had one thing on his mind--taking back what was stolen from him. His spirits were lifted, for he understood that this moment was his calling, his lot in life.
Deep down...his story wasn’t finished, his best days were coming.
He took a final swig from his soda before tossing the can into a recycle bin.
At long last, James Gilmore had finally become a superstar.
“Let me face, let me face, let me face my fears
Oh, let me face, let me face, let me face my fears
Won't be long, won't be long, I'm almost here...”
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WORD COUNT: 1,000
Well howdy there pardner.