Post by Ryan Blade on Oct 20, 2013 13:03:06 GMT
"What did you expect?
Really, what did everyone expect to happen when I was told that Xavier Cross was going to be my mentor? Did you think I would just change my tune and become the ultimate good guy like Cross? That I'd stop worrying about being the best no matter what, and only worry about doing things 'the right way?'
If you answered 'yes' to any of those questions, I have to wonder what show you've been watching, because you damn sure don't know who I am.
I'm Ryan Blade, Man of Steel, and I'm kind of a dick.
Obviously that's what you expected though when you signed up, isn't it Xavier? You thought you had to power to influence me into being a little lapdog just like you and the rest of your kind. That I'd play by the books and start being a nice guy like Alex Jones, or suddenly start worrying about having fun instead of winning like Mike Laszlo. You thought I'd fall in line and become Xavier Cross Junior.
You ain't my daddy.
And that's exactly what you wanted to be. You wanted to be Ryan Blade's daddy.
It's no secret that I didn't grow up with a male role model... and that's what you were thinking you were going to be. You'd show me the ropes and I'd look up to you... start respecting you and getting you neckties on Father's Day.... all the stuff that I never had to do before.
But I'd say I turned out pretty damn good without a father figure before now. Wouldn't you? I mean... I went through my teenage years without a dad. I started dating girls without any fatherly advice. I struck out on my own without my a father's reassurance, and I became a wrestler without anybody patting me on the back.
And most importantly, I became a champion without that male role model that everyone seems to think I needed so bad.
Not bad, eh?
I had my first beer on my own.... I learned about the birds and the bees from school. Dammit Cross, if you'd have shown up six or seven years ago, I might have had some use for your knowledge.
But now it seems like maybe I'm the one who should be giving you advice. I mean, I'm the one with the steady girlfriend, and you're the one who's pining over an ex-girlfriend instead of... you know... your dead wife.
Okay, that's a cheap shot.
I shouldn't have reminded you about your dead wife right before a big title match.
When it comes right down to it, Cross, I don't need your help. In fact, you needed me a lot more than I ever needed you. You needed the rub from being associated with the hottest rookie in the wrestling world, and you needed a reclamation project to make you look like a saint while you're still trying to rebuild your own image. You needed somebody to save so you could play the role of the hero, just like you do with your little CrossWalks kids.
Xavier the Savior.
But do I need saving? What the hell did I do that was so wrong that I need redeeming for? Because I've got a chip on my shoulder? You're damn right I've got a chip on my shoulder! I deserve to have this chip on my shoulder. I don't think the world owes me anything, but the world shouldn't think I owe it either. I don't need to be a nice guy just because it's what the world wants me to be. I don't need to stop stealing the show just because it's not what the rookies are supposed to do.
I won't sit in the backseat and let anyone else drive my career.
Do I need your help?
No.
Did I ask for your help?
No.
Will you win on Sunday?
NO.
When the lights turn on and the cameras roll, none of this will matter. The hurt feelings on your end... the resentment... it's all meaningless. My eyes are set squarely upon that Heavyweight Championship belt you've got around your waist. Opportunities like this don't come along often, Cross. The chance to have not one, but two championships in your hands?
You think I'm going to let anything get in the way of that?
See, while you've been so focused on influencing me and sculpting me in your image, there's really only one man who I can look up to in this company right now, and that's the man who is blazing new trails. Why be Xavier Cross when I came be like Spike Kane and have two belts at the same time?
If you're going to copy somebody, you copy the best.
Like how you copied Game of Thrones for the last month.
Nerd.
October Revolution is actually a pretty fitting title when you think about it, because Sunday, live on Pay-Per-View, I rise up and take what I want: that Heavyweight Championship, and I become a double champion. I've got one shoulder that's getting pretty lonely, and my Man of Steel belt needs a friend.
You may be a good man, Xavier Cross, but it doesn't take a good man to beat Ryan Blade.
...It takes something more."
Really, what did everyone expect to happen when I was told that Xavier Cross was going to be my mentor? Did you think I would just change my tune and become the ultimate good guy like Cross? That I'd stop worrying about being the best no matter what, and only worry about doing things 'the right way?'
If you answered 'yes' to any of those questions, I have to wonder what show you've been watching, because you damn sure don't know who I am.
I'm Ryan Blade, Man of Steel, and I'm kind of a dick.
Obviously that's what you expected though when you signed up, isn't it Xavier? You thought you had to power to influence me into being a little lapdog just like you and the rest of your kind. That I'd play by the books and start being a nice guy like Alex Jones, or suddenly start worrying about having fun instead of winning like Mike Laszlo. You thought I'd fall in line and become Xavier Cross Junior.
You ain't my daddy.
And that's exactly what you wanted to be. You wanted to be Ryan Blade's daddy.
It's no secret that I didn't grow up with a male role model... and that's what you were thinking you were going to be. You'd show me the ropes and I'd look up to you... start respecting you and getting you neckties on Father's Day.... all the stuff that I never had to do before.
But I'd say I turned out pretty damn good without a father figure before now. Wouldn't you? I mean... I went through my teenage years without a dad. I started dating girls without any fatherly advice. I struck out on my own without my a father's reassurance, and I became a wrestler without anybody patting me on the back.
And most importantly, I became a champion without that male role model that everyone seems to think I needed so bad.
Not bad, eh?
I had my first beer on my own.... I learned about the birds and the bees from school. Dammit Cross, if you'd have shown up six or seven years ago, I might have had some use for your knowledge.
But now it seems like maybe I'm the one who should be giving you advice. I mean, I'm the one with the steady girlfriend, and you're the one who's pining over an ex-girlfriend instead of... you know... your dead wife.
Okay, that's a cheap shot.
I shouldn't have reminded you about your dead wife right before a big title match.
When it comes right down to it, Cross, I don't need your help. In fact, you needed me a lot more than I ever needed you. You needed the rub from being associated with the hottest rookie in the wrestling world, and you needed a reclamation project to make you look like a saint while you're still trying to rebuild your own image. You needed somebody to save so you could play the role of the hero, just like you do with your little CrossWalks kids.
Xavier the Savior.
But do I need saving? What the hell did I do that was so wrong that I need redeeming for? Because I've got a chip on my shoulder? You're damn right I've got a chip on my shoulder! I deserve to have this chip on my shoulder. I don't think the world owes me anything, but the world shouldn't think I owe it either. I don't need to be a nice guy just because it's what the world wants me to be. I don't need to stop stealing the show just because it's not what the rookies are supposed to do.
I won't sit in the backseat and let anyone else drive my career.
Do I need your help?
No.
Did I ask for your help?
No.
Will you win on Sunday?
NO.
When the lights turn on and the cameras roll, none of this will matter. The hurt feelings on your end... the resentment... it's all meaningless. My eyes are set squarely upon that Heavyweight Championship belt you've got around your waist. Opportunities like this don't come along often, Cross. The chance to have not one, but two championships in your hands?
You think I'm going to let anything get in the way of that?
See, while you've been so focused on influencing me and sculpting me in your image, there's really only one man who I can look up to in this company right now, and that's the man who is blazing new trails. Why be Xavier Cross when I came be like Spike Kane and have two belts at the same time?
If you're going to copy somebody, you copy the best.
Like how you copied Game of Thrones for the last month.
Nerd.
October Revolution is actually a pretty fitting title when you think about it, because Sunday, live on Pay-Per-View, I rise up and take what I want: that Heavyweight Championship, and I become a double champion. I've got one shoulder that's getting pretty lonely, and my Man of Steel belt needs a friend.
You may be a good man, Xavier Cross, but it doesn't take a good man to beat Ryan Blade.
...It takes something more."
Well howdy there pardner.