Post by Mike Laszlo on Oct 20, 2013 2:59:56 GMT
Talk about a roller coaster of emotions.
A week ago I thought everything was figured out. I thought that things in my personal life and business life were separated to the point that I can finally go on the big win streak that I’ve been waiting for.
Then the plot to catch my friend’s stalker fails and it weighs on me to the point that Davey Ortega beats me in the center of the ring in a Man of Steel match. It was a great match Davey, one that I was proud to be a part of and I thank you for that. I don’t thank you for the loss though and that I’ll have to avenge another time.
Meanwhile, I have to figure out what the hell is going on with me. I have to find out how I’m going to put everything going on at home behind me the night of the show and focus on the task at hand. The task at hand being one of the new guys here in the IWF who has made quite the impact in recent weeks, Killian Creed.
Don’t think I haven’t been watching you Killian. Despite everything going on, I’m fully aware of my surroundings. That brings me to a couple weeks ago when you were in a match with Roberto Verona. You mentioned my name. You mentioned me as an unworthy piece of crap who can’t tie my shoes and sits to take a piss. If only you had a God damn clue what it is you were talking about.
You come back to the wrestling scene after fifteen years and you stepped into that ring, you let everyone know you were back. You got into that ring a few times recently and you let everyone know exactly why they forgot about you all of this time. You made them realize why they didn’t care anymore.
Despite all of that, I look forward to this week Killian. I look forward to a man who took Roberto to the limits and failed like I did. I saw the fire in you, and I want to stoke it. So when we get in the ring, you better bring every ounce of that passion, every ounce of that desire to win, because if you don’t you’ll hear but one sound…tap…tap…TAP!
You can talk down about me all you please. You can mention that my past means nothing, and you know what…when it comes to that…I agree with you. It means nothing. Do you know why I had the title shot against Ryan Blade a month ago? Apparently not because you forgot to mention the fact that I beat him one on one in the center of that ring. Now granted I didn’t do it for the Man of Steel title, but that’s the way things are done.
So here you stand and here I stand on similar roller coasters of late. You win to start, get put in a big match and fail. I win a big match, lose, win another big match, then lose some more. Neither one of us is really on track right now and I don’t know about you and your scraggily beard, but it pisses me off to no end when things just don’t feel right. I’d rather go jump off the Brooklyn Bridge then be in a slump like this. So when Sunday night comes around and its you and I in the center of that ring, for the love of all that is holy, bring your best because I really don’t want to beat a half assed returning “ring veteran” I want real competition.
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Title: Just When I Thought I Had All the Answers…
Location: Giant Center, Hershey, PA.
Time: 10:08 PM Local Time
Mike Laszlo: GOD DAMN IT!
Alexis Caffrey: Stop it. You can’t overreact like this every time you lose.
Mike Laszlo: That’s not even what it’s about.
Alexis Caffrey: Then what?
Mike Laszlo: This issue I have with letting the personal get in the way of the professional. I can’t get this Sane crap out of my head. I thought we had it figured out last week and then the plan fails.
She stands there and looks at me with a somewhat annoyed look as I turned my head to see why she had stopped talking.
Mike Laszlo: What?
Alexis Caffrey: You’re making excuses.
Mike Laszlo: Making excuses? It’s not excuse, its truth. Every time I think about what should have happened, it’s at the worst freaking time possible.
She walks over to me and puts her arms around my neck, her beautiful brown eyes peering into my own as she delicately and calmly states her case.
Alexis Caffrey: Mike, you’re using this as a crutch. Don’t worry about Raven or any of that stupid stuff. The police told you that they have everything under control. There’s nothing else you can do. You need to stop trying to help everyone else, and do what’s best for you. Do what’s best for Mike Laszlo. The rest will fall into place when it does.
She was right. There was nothing I could do but wait. I needed to focus on my work as things were getting out of hand. I had the match against Ortega in the bag and out of nowhere he pulled that submission hold out of left field and I had nowhere to go. Two of the last three weeks now I’ve had match of the year caliber matches and to this date I’ve won neither. I can’t go out and showcase every ability I have, every skill I possess, just to flush it all down the toilet because I can’t finish. I need to go for the jugular and end things when the time is right. I need to get the job done.
Mike Laszlo: You’re right.
Alexis Caffrey: I know I’m right. I’m always right.
For the first time in a few days I was able to smile. I lifted Alexis off the ground and kissed her as she wrapped her legs around my waist.
Mike Laszlo: You’re lucky you’re so damn cute.
Alexis Caffrey: You’re lucky I’m so damn smart to go with it.
The two of us smiled at one another and kissed again as the scene fades to black.
====================
I guess in all honesty it really doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter if you’re the savvy ring veteran from fifteen years ago, and it doesn’t matter if you’re a half assed version of that guy. All that matters is that Sunday night, the two of us are walking down the ramp at the Wells Fargo Center, entering the ring, and probably going to beat the hell out of each other until one of us gives up either by choice or by force.
I don’t doubt the skills you have in that ring and I don’t doubt the experience you possess. To be honest, I hope you extend that same courtesy to me because I don’t want any sort of excuse to utter from your lips. I don’t want to hear the words “I underestimated him.” Because if I do, I will make the time to not only beat you, but bite your face off as well, no bath salts required.
I told the world a couple of weeks ago when I faced Rob Diamond that I needed that win and I did everything in my power to make the Number One Contender for the Imperial Title give up, and in the end, I got my way. Do you know why that happened Killian? It happened because I was focused. It happened because I didn’t have a single care in the world other than beating that man on that very night.
Then came last week against Davey Ortega, a man who you’ve beaten in the past. Something happened that I didn’t think was going to happen. I lost it. No not the match, my focus. I shifted to the “what if” again. I went on to worry about something else altogether and in the end that cost me that match last week. I was set and ready to put the hammer down and I let those thoughts cloud my judgment. I let that shroud of “what if” descend upon me like the fog rolling in off the San Francisco Bay. It stopped all momentum that I had, and ended any thought of a winning streak.
I can sit here and tell you that the distraction is gone Killian, but would you believe me? Would you rather just twist that doubt, and that unwavering pessimism to your own rewards? Use them to conquer your own conquests? Perhaps, but honestly I don’t care because in the end, what you think has no bearing on what I do in the middle of that ring.
I won’t sit here and tell you those distractions in my life are gone Killian because Sunday night in a Man of Steel match, I would rather just show you. I’ll show you by entangling you in my submission hold and watching you grasp at straws to retain any hope of victory, only to watch the flame slowly die within you and watch you give up all hope and tap.
Twist my words for your own being, I look forward to what you have to say. Make it all about you rather than about us. Think you’re going to win and toss me to the side like a sack of potatoes. I dare you. If you do that, I should say, attempt to do that, it will be the most painful mistake of your entire life. Come prepared Sunday. Walk out of the on-deck circle and look to swing for the fences. Just keep an eye out for that curve ball that is…me.
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Title: The Fog Is Lifted
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Time: 9:54 PM Local Time
I don’t know if you remember last week all that well, but we thought we had everything figured out. By we, I mean myself and the police. We had a trap made for that low life scum bag Brian Sane and it worked to a tee except for one major hitch…we didn’t catch Sane. Instead we caught the two lackeys he had attempt to finish the job for him because he’s too much of a coward to do the deed himself.
By now, Raven had been released from the hospital and rather than put her through anymore of this bullshit, I had her stay with me at my home in the guest bedroom. We were on our way from police custody when she expressed her worry in the car.
Raven Simpson: Mike, you don’t have to do this. You don’t have to put your family at risk. Not for me.
Mike Laszlo: I’m not putting anybody at risk. I’ve already done that enough. The safest place for you to be is with me. We don’t know if Sane has any cops in his pocket, or anybody else who could possibly get to you. At least this way, I know you’re somewhere safe with someone I can trust, even when I’m gone.
Raven Simpson: What do you mean?
Mike Laszlo: When I’m gone, Ray watches the house and the kids. I feel that he would keep you safe if he could help it.
Raven Simpson: Mike, they got into the apartment and up to the floor nobody was supposed to be able to get to. You don’t think they would send enough guys to take him out?
Mike Laszlo: It’s more than him. I’ve gone to the liberty of hiring off duty cops to serve as security around the perimeter with dogs, guns, and the whole nine. Nobody is getting in or out of that house without proper protocol. I can trust these guys. I’ve done my homework and they’re all clean. You have nothing to worry about.
Raven Simpson: Are there any leads?
Mike Laszlo: I showed the cops the information I had on Sane and they’re staking out his place as we speak.
Raven Simpson: Good.
Looking down at my gas gauge I saw my tank was on empty and pulled into the next available gas station. There was a car parked in the parking lot, presumably the worker inside, and another car at the pumps. As I pulled up to the pump I walked inside to pay the guy, assuring Raven she would be okay. As I paid the man I glanced out to the lot and saw a black SUV pull up to the pump on the far side from my car. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t aware of what was going on, but as nothing was happening, I went on paying and headed outside. As I plugged the nozzle into my car and set the open flow lever down I walked to the rolled down window on the passenger side and leaned in.
Mike Laszlo: I told you that we would get this guy and I promise that nothing else is going to happen to you if I can help it.
Raven Simpson: I know Mike. (Placing her hand over mine on the window.) I’m just sorry that it was me who put you through all of this.
Mike Laszlo: It’s not your fault. You came to me for help and I’m doing everything in my power. That son of a bitch will…
Before I can finish, the car is bum rushed by two guys, one of them tackling me into the side of the car. I could hear Raven screaming as she does her best to roll the window up. I swung my elbow around and hit the one guy in the side of the head but was quickly punched right in the gut by the second assailant. I doubled over with the wind being knocked out of me as the second guy hammered me across the back, dropping me to the ground.
In the car, Raven had managed to lock both the front doors, but in her panic, forgot the back. As the second guy continued to kick me, the first opened said back door and tried to reach in after her. A third guy emerged from the SUV and it was the head of it all…Brian Sane. He walked up to me as I tried my hardest to get back up to a vertical base.
Brian Sane: Who the hell do you think you are punk?
He unleashed a furious kick to my side as he continued to yell.
Brian Sane: You think you can come up against me and win?
He kicked me once more as I rolled over onto my back. He turned to the two guys and directed them to grab Raven out of the car. As they proceeded to do so, they pulled her kicking and screaming from the car, and dragged her to their SUV on the other side. Sane though, wasn’t done.
Brian Sane: You son of a bitch. You thought you could beat the master at his own game. I RULE THE LAND OF THE HEADGAMES! NOT YOU!
He hit me with a stiff punch in the face.
Brian Sane: Let this be a warning to you asshole. You mess with me again and I’ll not only kill your friend here. I’ll kill your family right in front of you and make you watch…then when you beg me to kill you, I’ll do so…nice and slow.
He hit me one more time and watched me struggle, standing over me with a sly grin on his face. I started to slowly crawl to my open back door to pull myself up. Before he could lay in what could have been the final blow, sirens could be heard off in the distance causing him to pause and look around.
Brian Sane: You got lucky.
He turns and begins to walk back to his car. With his back turned I reached up into the floor of the backseat and grabbed a baseball bat that I had kept there in case of this very sort of situation. I used the rest of my might to stand to my feet and rush the man, clipping his left knee with the bat, crippling him to the ground. The men were still stuffing Raven in the SUV so I had a few moments alone.
Mike Laszlo: (With a look of pure rage that would have killed if it could.) You piece of shit.
With all the strength and anger I could muster I slammed my right fist into the side of his face, spinning him to the ground, the back of his jacket flipping up, revealing the gun tucked in his waistband. I pulled it free and as he turned toward me, I punched him one more time. The two guys in the car came rushing again but immediately I turned and pointed the gun in their direction halting them both in their tracks. As I pressed the bat against Sane’s throat I yelled at the two men, directing them as I saw fit.
Mike Laszlo: Open the door and let her out.
The two of them stared at me for a moment, then looked at Sane which infuriated me more.
Mike Laszlo: NOW ASSHOLE!
The man closest to the car opened the door and allowed the young women to get out.
Mike Laszlo: Raven, inside, now.
Raven ran into the store and locked the door as the sirens began to get louder.
Mike Laszlo: Toss me the keys and the two of you get in that fucking car and lock the doors.
They did as instructed and waited as the cops pulled in with sirens blaring and lights flashing. Sane, in a last ditch effort, yanked on the bat causing me to fall over him, garnering him possession of my weapon. I rolled through the momentum and got back up on my feet only to kick him directly in the head as if I were kicking a sixty yard field goal. He was out cold on the ground as the police began to get out of their cars and point their guns.
Cop 1: DROP THE GUN!
I was immediate in my response as I set the gun to the side of my feet and kicked it away. The cops surrounded the situation as I explained my case.
Mike Laszlo: Check the footage inside. The men in the SUV jumped me, and this man Brian Sane, assaulted me before I got the upper hand. He is also the man responsible for a lot of other dastardly deeds. I can explain it all.
Cop 1: You’re going to…downtown.
Mike Laszlo: I will cooperate in any way shape or form sir. If you allow me to get the young lady inside, and I will gladly come to the station and make out a report.
He waited a moment for one of the other officers to go in and ask the clerk what happened. Moments later, he came out and confirmed my story allowing the other officers to stand down.
Cop 1: Okay sir. You can head in and get the girl while we clean up this mess.
Mike Laszlo: Thank you sir.
Slowly, my hand clutching at my ribs, I walked into the convenient store. Raven was there and immediately hugged me in her attempt to show me gratitude. I winced in pain and gasped for air before she pulled away.
Raven Simpson: That was so brave. They could have killed you.
Mike Laszlo: They probably should have.
Raven Simpson: Don’t say that. If you died because of me…I-I-I wouldn’t know what I would do.
Again, in an upheaval of emotion she clung to me, now crying as I again gasped for air.
Mike Laszlo: Ow.
Raven Simpson: (Wiping the tears from her eyes.) I’m sorry. I just d-d-d-don’t know how I’m ever going to repay you.
Mike Laszlo: You don’t have to. We have to go to the station and make our statements. We’ll probably have to pick him out of a lineup and then hopefully, this crap will all be behind us.
It was then that some of the adrenaline was wearing off as I got a taste of my own blood and realized that I had been cut pretty bad. All of a sudden, things didn’t seem right and the clerk rushed out with a stool for me to sit on. The EMTs pulled in, two ambulances, one for Sane, the other I assume for me but I wouldn’t use it. The EMT came to check on me and bandaged me up where he could.
EMT: I recommend you go to the doctor as soon as possible. You could have a broken rib.
Mike Laszlo: I don’t doubt it. I’ll take that advice tomorrow, promise.
He nodded in agreement and when on his way as the officer walked into the store.
Cop 1: Sir, we need you to follow us.
Mike Laszlo: Yeah, yeah. Let’s go.
The scene fades out as Raven and I get in the car, her driving. We pull out of the parking lot and follow them to the station.
====================
The pain I’m in is second to none, but no matter. Sunday night when I walk into October Revolution, I will not be using it as an excuse. I also don’t want you to use it as a reason to “go easy” on me Killian because I don’t expect that. I don’t want that.
For weeks people have said I can’t win the big match. I can’t win the match that matters. Then I beat the current Number One Contender and they tell me that one time doesn’t kill weeks of futility and you know what Creed? They’re right. One big win doesn’t immediately erase all the losses that came before. Instead, that one win heightens the severity of those losses and do you know why?
It shows that I could have won any one of those matches.
It shows that I have the skill to not only compete with the big guys in this company; I have the skill to beat them.
To beat a major player one week and lose to another the next is inconsistent at best, and that’s not what I aim to be. That’s not what a company looks for in its face of the franchise. It isn’t what they look for in their champion. So how can I change all of that? What can I do differently?
Win?
That would be too easy.
I can’t just win Killian because that wouldn’t prove anything. I need to beat you. I need to show that although you stack up well, you don’t stack up well enough to me. I need to show that last week’s loss is not the rule anymore but the occasional exception to it.
What happened to me this week, needed to happen. I needed to get my ass kicked in a parking lot. I needed to fight back and end this all once and for good. The distractions that weighed so heavy on me, I am now free of. The weight of the world has been lifted once more as I proved that in the end I could and did come through when I promised it, when it mattered most.
Sunday, when I face you in the center of that ring, beaten, battered, and bruised, it may not look like I’m a renewed man, but I assure you that I am. With the beating, with the elimination of the distractions, the focus is back and it’s locked solely on that long beard of yours. I don’t aim to win this Sunday Killian. I aim to make you lose.
A week ago I thought everything was figured out. I thought that things in my personal life and business life were separated to the point that I can finally go on the big win streak that I’ve been waiting for.
Then the plot to catch my friend’s stalker fails and it weighs on me to the point that Davey Ortega beats me in the center of the ring in a Man of Steel match. It was a great match Davey, one that I was proud to be a part of and I thank you for that. I don’t thank you for the loss though and that I’ll have to avenge another time.
Meanwhile, I have to figure out what the hell is going on with me. I have to find out how I’m going to put everything going on at home behind me the night of the show and focus on the task at hand. The task at hand being one of the new guys here in the IWF who has made quite the impact in recent weeks, Killian Creed.
Don’t think I haven’t been watching you Killian. Despite everything going on, I’m fully aware of my surroundings. That brings me to a couple weeks ago when you were in a match with Roberto Verona. You mentioned my name. You mentioned me as an unworthy piece of crap who can’t tie my shoes and sits to take a piss. If only you had a God damn clue what it is you were talking about.
You come back to the wrestling scene after fifteen years and you stepped into that ring, you let everyone know you were back. You got into that ring a few times recently and you let everyone know exactly why they forgot about you all of this time. You made them realize why they didn’t care anymore.
Despite all of that, I look forward to this week Killian. I look forward to a man who took Roberto to the limits and failed like I did. I saw the fire in you, and I want to stoke it. So when we get in the ring, you better bring every ounce of that passion, every ounce of that desire to win, because if you don’t you’ll hear but one sound…tap…tap…TAP!
You can talk down about me all you please. You can mention that my past means nothing, and you know what…when it comes to that…I agree with you. It means nothing. Do you know why I had the title shot against Ryan Blade a month ago? Apparently not because you forgot to mention the fact that I beat him one on one in the center of that ring. Now granted I didn’t do it for the Man of Steel title, but that’s the way things are done.
So here you stand and here I stand on similar roller coasters of late. You win to start, get put in a big match and fail. I win a big match, lose, win another big match, then lose some more. Neither one of us is really on track right now and I don’t know about you and your scraggily beard, but it pisses me off to no end when things just don’t feel right. I’d rather go jump off the Brooklyn Bridge then be in a slump like this. So when Sunday night comes around and its you and I in the center of that ring, for the love of all that is holy, bring your best because I really don’t want to beat a half assed returning “ring veteran” I want real competition.
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Title: Just When I Thought I Had All the Answers…
Location: Giant Center, Hershey, PA.
Time: 10:08 PM Local Time
Mike Laszlo: GOD DAMN IT!
Alexis Caffrey: Stop it. You can’t overreact like this every time you lose.
Mike Laszlo: That’s not even what it’s about.
Alexis Caffrey: Then what?
Mike Laszlo: This issue I have with letting the personal get in the way of the professional. I can’t get this Sane crap out of my head. I thought we had it figured out last week and then the plan fails.
She stands there and looks at me with a somewhat annoyed look as I turned my head to see why she had stopped talking.
Mike Laszlo: What?
Alexis Caffrey: You’re making excuses.
Mike Laszlo: Making excuses? It’s not excuse, its truth. Every time I think about what should have happened, it’s at the worst freaking time possible.
She walks over to me and puts her arms around my neck, her beautiful brown eyes peering into my own as she delicately and calmly states her case.
Alexis Caffrey: Mike, you’re using this as a crutch. Don’t worry about Raven or any of that stupid stuff. The police told you that they have everything under control. There’s nothing else you can do. You need to stop trying to help everyone else, and do what’s best for you. Do what’s best for Mike Laszlo. The rest will fall into place when it does.
She was right. There was nothing I could do but wait. I needed to focus on my work as things were getting out of hand. I had the match against Ortega in the bag and out of nowhere he pulled that submission hold out of left field and I had nowhere to go. Two of the last three weeks now I’ve had match of the year caliber matches and to this date I’ve won neither. I can’t go out and showcase every ability I have, every skill I possess, just to flush it all down the toilet because I can’t finish. I need to go for the jugular and end things when the time is right. I need to get the job done.
Mike Laszlo: You’re right.
Alexis Caffrey: I know I’m right. I’m always right.
For the first time in a few days I was able to smile. I lifted Alexis off the ground and kissed her as she wrapped her legs around my waist.
Mike Laszlo: You’re lucky you’re so damn cute.
Alexis Caffrey: You’re lucky I’m so damn smart to go with it.
The two of us smiled at one another and kissed again as the scene fades to black.
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I guess in all honesty it really doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter if you’re the savvy ring veteran from fifteen years ago, and it doesn’t matter if you’re a half assed version of that guy. All that matters is that Sunday night, the two of us are walking down the ramp at the Wells Fargo Center, entering the ring, and probably going to beat the hell out of each other until one of us gives up either by choice or by force.
I don’t doubt the skills you have in that ring and I don’t doubt the experience you possess. To be honest, I hope you extend that same courtesy to me because I don’t want any sort of excuse to utter from your lips. I don’t want to hear the words “I underestimated him.” Because if I do, I will make the time to not only beat you, but bite your face off as well, no bath salts required.
I told the world a couple of weeks ago when I faced Rob Diamond that I needed that win and I did everything in my power to make the Number One Contender for the Imperial Title give up, and in the end, I got my way. Do you know why that happened Killian? It happened because I was focused. It happened because I didn’t have a single care in the world other than beating that man on that very night.
Then came last week against Davey Ortega, a man who you’ve beaten in the past. Something happened that I didn’t think was going to happen. I lost it. No not the match, my focus. I shifted to the “what if” again. I went on to worry about something else altogether and in the end that cost me that match last week. I was set and ready to put the hammer down and I let those thoughts cloud my judgment. I let that shroud of “what if” descend upon me like the fog rolling in off the San Francisco Bay. It stopped all momentum that I had, and ended any thought of a winning streak.
I can sit here and tell you that the distraction is gone Killian, but would you believe me? Would you rather just twist that doubt, and that unwavering pessimism to your own rewards? Use them to conquer your own conquests? Perhaps, but honestly I don’t care because in the end, what you think has no bearing on what I do in the middle of that ring.
I won’t sit here and tell you those distractions in my life are gone Killian because Sunday night in a Man of Steel match, I would rather just show you. I’ll show you by entangling you in my submission hold and watching you grasp at straws to retain any hope of victory, only to watch the flame slowly die within you and watch you give up all hope and tap.
Twist my words for your own being, I look forward to what you have to say. Make it all about you rather than about us. Think you’re going to win and toss me to the side like a sack of potatoes. I dare you. If you do that, I should say, attempt to do that, it will be the most painful mistake of your entire life. Come prepared Sunday. Walk out of the on-deck circle and look to swing for the fences. Just keep an eye out for that curve ball that is…me.
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Title: The Fog Is Lifted
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Time: 9:54 PM Local Time
I don’t know if you remember last week all that well, but we thought we had everything figured out. By we, I mean myself and the police. We had a trap made for that low life scum bag Brian Sane and it worked to a tee except for one major hitch…we didn’t catch Sane. Instead we caught the two lackeys he had attempt to finish the job for him because he’s too much of a coward to do the deed himself.
By now, Raven had been released from the hospital and rather than put her through anymore of this bullshit, I had her stay with me at my home in the guest bedroom. We were on our way from police custody when she expressed her worry in the car.
Raven Simpson: Mike, you don’t have to do this. You don’t have to put your family at risk. Not for me.
Mike Laszlo: I’m not putting anybody at risk. I’ve already done that enough. The safest place for you to be is with me. We don’t know if Sane has any cops in his pocket, or anybody else who could possibly get to you. At least this way, I know you’re somewhere safe with someone I can trust, even when I’m gone.
Raven Simpson: What do you mean?
Mike Laszlo: When I’m gone, Ray watches the house and the kids. I feel that he would keep you safe if he could help it.
Raven Simpson: Mike, they got into the apartment and up to the floor nobody was supposed to be able to get to. You don’t think they would send enough guys to take him out?
Mike Laszlo: It’s more than him. I’ve gone to the liberty of hiring off duty cops to serve as security around the perimeter with dogs, guns, and the whole nine. Nobody is getting in or out of that house without proper protocol. I can trust these guys. I’ve done my homework and they’re all clean. You have nothing to worry about.
Raven Simpson: Are there any leads?
Mike Laszlo: I showed the cops the information I had on Sane and they’re staking out his place as we speak.
Raven Simpson: Good.
Looking down at my gas gauge I saw my tank was on empty and pulled into the next available gas station. There was a car parked in the parking lot, presumably the worker inside, and another car at the pumps. As I pulled up to the pump I walked inside to pay the guy, assuring Raven she would be okay. As I paid the man I glanced out to the lot and saw a black SUV pull up to the pump on the far side from my car. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t aware of what was going on, but as nothing was happening, I went on paying and headed outside. As I plugged the nozzle into my car and set the open flow lever down I walked to the rolled down window on the passenger side and leaned in.
Mike Laszlo: I told you that we would get this guy and I promise that nothing else is going to happen to you if I can help it.
Raven Simpson: I know Mike. (Placing her hand over mine on the window.) I’m just sorry that it was me who put you through all of this.
Mike Laszlo: It’s not your fault. You came to me for help and I’m doing everything in my power. That son of a bitch will…
Before I can finish, the car is bum rushed by two guys, one of them tackling me into the side of the car. I could hear Raven screaming as she does her best to roll the window up. I swung my elbow around and hit the one guy in the side of the head but was quickly punched right in the gut by the second assailant. I doubled over with the wind being knocked out of me as the second guy hammered me across the back, dropping me to the ground.
In the car, Raven had managed to lock both the front doors, but in her panic, forgot the back. As the second guy continued to kick me, the first opened said back door and tried to reach in after her. A third guy emerged from the SUV and it was the head of it all…Brian Sane. He walked up to me as I tried my hardest to get back up to a vertical base.
Brian Sane: Who the hell do you think you are punk?
He unleashed a furious kick to my side as he continued to yell.
Brian Sane: You think you can come up against me and win?
He kicked me once more as I rolled over onto my back. He turned to the two guys and directed them to grab Raven out of the car. As they proceeded to do so, they pulled her kicking and screaming from the car, and dragged her to their SUV on the other side. Sane though, wasn’t done.
Brian Sane: You son of a bitch. You thought you could beat the master at his own game. I RULE THE LAND OF THE HEADGAMES! NOT YOU!
He hit me with a stiff punch in the face.
Brian Sane: Let this be a warning to you asshole. You mess with me again and I’ll not only kill your friend here. I’ll kill your family right in front of you and make you watch…then when you beg me to kill you, I’ll do so…nice and slow.
He hit me one more time and watched me struggle, standing over me with a sly grin on his face. I started to slowly crawl to my open back door to pull myself up. Before he could lay in what could have been the final blow, sirens could be heard off in the distance causing him to pause and look around.
Brian Sane: You got lucky.
He turns and begins to walk back to his car. With his back turned I reached up into the floor of the backseat and grabbed a baseball bat that I had kept there in case of this very sort of situation. I used the rest of my might to stand to my feet and rush the man, clipping his left knee with the bat, crippling him to the ground. The men were still stuffing Raven in the SUV so I had a few moments alone.
Mike Laszlo: (With a look of pure rage that would have killed if it could.) You piece of shit.
With all the strength and anger I could muster I slammed my right fist into the side of his face, spinning him to the ground, the back of his jacket flipping up, revealing the gun tucked in his waistband. I pulled it free and as he turned toward me, I punched him one more time. The two guys in the car came rushing again but immediately I turned and pointed the gun in their direction halting them both in their tracks. As I pressed the bat against Sane’s throat I yelled at the two men, directing them as I saw fit.
Mike Laszlo: Open the door and let her out.
The two of them stared at me for a moment, then looked at Sane which infuriated me more.
Mike Laszlo: NOW ASSHOLE!
The man closest to the car opened the door and allowed the young women to get out.
Mike Laszlo: Raven, inside, now.
Raven ran into the store and locked the door as the sirens began to get louder.
Mike Laszlo: Toss me the keys and the two of you get in that fucking car and lock the doors.
They did as instructed and waited as the cops pulled in with sirens blaring and lights flashing. Sane, in a last ditch effort, yanked on the bat causing me to fall over him, garnering him possession of my weapon. I rolled through the momentum and got back up on my feet only to kick him directly in the head as if I were kicking a sixty yard field goal. He was out cold on the ground as the police began to get out of their cars and point their guns.
Cop 1: DROP THE GUN!
I was immediate in my response as I set the gun to the side of my feet and kicked it away. The cops surrounded the situation as I explained my case.
Mike Laszlo: Check the footage inside. The men in the SUV jumped me, and this man Brian Sane, assaulted me before I got the upper hand. He is also the man responsible for a lot of other dastardly deeds. I can explain it all.
Cop 1: You’re going to…downtown.
Mike Laszlo: I will cooperate in any way shape or form sir. If you allow me to get the young lady inside, and I will gladly come to the station and make out a report.
He waited a moment for one of the other officers to go in and ask the clerk what happened. Moments later, he came out and confirmed my story allowing the other officers to stand down.
Cop 1: Okay sir. You can head in and get the girl while we clean up this mess.
Mike Laszlo: Thank you sir.
Slowly, my hand clutching at my ribs, I walked into the convenient store. Raven was there and immediately hugged me in her attempt to show me gratitude. I winced in pain and gasped for air before she pulled away.
Raven Simpson: That was so brave. They could have killed you.
Mike Laszlo: They probably should have.
Raven Simpson: Don’t say that. If you died because of me…I-I-I wouldn’t know what I would do.
Again, in an upheaval of emotion she clung to me, now crying as I again gasped for air.
Mike Laszlo: Ow.
Raven Simpson: (Wiping the tears from her eyes.) I’m sorry. I just d-d-d-don’t know how I’m ever going to repay you.
Mike Laszlo: You don’t have to. We have to go to the station and make our statements. We’ll probably have to pick him out of a lineup and then hopefully, this crap will all be behind us.
It was then that some of the adrenaline was wearing off as I got a taste of my own blood and realized that I had been cut pretty bad. All of a sudden, things didn’t seem right and the clerk rushed out with a stool for me to sit on. The EMTs pulled in, two ambulances, one for Sane, the other I assume for me but I wouldn’t use it. The EMT came to check on me and bandaged me up where he could.
EMT: I recommend you go to the doctor as soon as possible. You could have a broken rib.
Mike Laszlo: I don’t doubt it. I’ll take that advice tomorrow, promise.
He nodded in agreement and when on his way as the officer walked into the store.
Cop 1: Sir, we need you to follow us.
Mike Laszlo: Yeah, yeah. Let’s go.
The scene fades out as Raven and I get in the car, her driving. We pull out of the parking lot and follow them to the station.
====================
The pain I’m in is second to none, but no matter. Sunday night when I walk into October Revolution, I will not be using it as an excuse. I also don’t want you to use it as a reason to “go easy” on me Killian because I don’t expect that. I don’t want that.
For weeks people have said I can’t win the big match. I can’t win the match that matters. Then I beat the current Number One Contender and they tell me that one time doesn’t kill weeks of futility and you know what Creed? They’re right. One big win doesn’t immediately erase all the losses that came before. Instead, that one win heightens the severity of those losses and do you know why?
It shows that I could have won any one of those matches.
It shows that I have the skill to not only compete with the big guys in this company; I have the skill to beat them.
To beat a major player one week and lose to another the next is inconsistent at best, and that’s not what I aim to be. That’s not what a company looks for in its face of the franchise. It isn’t what they look for in their champion. So how can I change all of that? What can I do differently?
Win?
That would be too easy.
I can’t just win Killian because that wouldn’t prove anything. I need to beat you. I need to show that although you stack up well, you don’t stack up well enough to me. I need to show that last week’s loss is not the rule anymore but the occasional exception to it.
What happened to me this week, needed to happen. I needed to get my ass kicked in a parking lot. I needed to fight back and end this all once and for good. The distractions that weighed so heavy on me, I am now free of. The weight of the world has been lifted once more as I proved that in the end I could and did come through when I promised it, when it mattered most.
Sunday, when I face you in the center of that ring, beaten, battered, and bruised, it may not look like I’m a renewed man, but I assure you that I am. With the beating, with the elimination of the distractions, the focus is back and it’s locked solely on that long beard of yours. I don’t aim to win this Sunday Killian. I aim to make you lose.
Well howdy there pardner.