Post by Xavier Cross on Jun 5, 2013 19:06:05 GMT
The scene opens to Xavier Cross, sitting behind a desk jotting things down on a spiral notebook, ideas to for the first official summertime kick off. During this time of year, the foundation would act more like a camp than a shelter. The kids were here most of the day; some of them stayed for those who weren’t able to go home, or didn’t have a home to go to. Despite the foundation having great funding, they had to do something for themselves. Rely on a bank account of benefactors, such as him, wasn’t going to keep the door open for long. So here Xavier Cross was, brain storming.
The pencil tapped the desk, as he learned back in easily the world’s most comfortable office chair. His eyes focused solely on the task before him, that he didn’t hear a knock, on the door, or one of the councilors standing in front of him looking a little stressed out.
“Mr. Cross! Mr. Cross! We need your help at the front gates!”
Xavier is jerked out of his brainstorm, and into reality, his feet planting on the floor, standing up. Dropping the paper and pencil onto the beautifully crafted mahogany desk, his eyes were a little unfocused, but he managed to pull his head together from his ideas back to the situation at hand.
“What’s wrong Doug?”
“There was a fight outside the front hall by the Gates, you told us to come get you if ever something happened like this.”
“Walk and talk, Doug walk and talk.”
The two men exited the office, and made their way down the hallway, at a careful pace. Doug explained to Xavier what was going on.
So, I didn’t perform as well as I thought I would against Alex Jones, or did I do exactly what I needed to? People hold wins and losses so close to the chest, that it defines their career. But I stand here, at thirty years old with plenty of wins under my belt, and just as many losses. I’ve gone from federation from federation, hoisting titles, and losing them the next month. So is being a loser for one night, really the worst thing out there?
No, it provides a sense of humility, as well as giving Alex a sense of peace for the moment being. Obviously having bigger problems to deal with now, as IWF enters its third week, I find myself placed in a tag match. The only two men in this I’m familiar with are Seth Evans, and Andrew Jacobsen. I find myself partnered with Mike Laszlo, an up and comer, I find interesting. Having used his mouth to find himself in a match last week against InFamous, a stable I find more of a headache than anything.
But more importantly than a win, this is a showcase match. Four of the Heavyweights on the roster go into battle, throwing teams together for makeshift chemistry between the two, to try and see if there is any clicking on a different level. To see where the desire to win, triumphs over the desire to prove you're the best. If this match was a few years ago, I wouldn’t care about my partner, or who I was facing, just that division I practice in, and the title I plan on winning, that I would look the greatest among the four.
I guess that’s a lot of people’s goals, especially in this business, you defeat your opponent, rise to the top, and become a champion. Then you cling to that gold and leather for as long as possible, before you’re unseated by someone more worthy, or just more hungry that night. How many of us have had nights that we were obviously the better man, but yet still fall to the three count. The fact is, our lives, our careers, and our legacy can all be defined, changed, made, and destroy in a three second count.
So to put some much importance on that, to live and die based on a result is something that I would have held so near and dear to my heart. To the point that on losing streaks I would find it depressing, I would turn to a bottle of pills, and a handle of booze to drown away the memories, and the shame. But it’s not that bad. It’s really not even that bad.
Because in this career path, there are plenty of chances, if anything, reflecting on my own career I’ve lived off second chances, another shot at the top. For my failures, I would hold as a destruction of who I truly am, but the fact remained for the longest time I never knew who I truly was. After last week, on the cruiserweight showcase, Alex Jones proved he was a better man, but obviously, as it has been for all these years, it’ll take more than one simple match on a house show to truly bury the hatchet between the two of us.
He has his business to attend to with Brad Kane, and I have my business to attend to in this showcase. I am here now, to carve a path of heavyweights. To define a division, to take my dear friend, Will Washington, the man in charge of this weight class, I want to help push this class of 230+ pounders, and prove that we are the best in the business.
Now you’re probably saying that holding the title belt as long as possible with prove that. I ask you to take a look at Robert Verona’s NCW World Title reign; he held it longer than any man in the history of everything. That might be an over exaggeration, however, my point is, it only defined his legacy. While he ran through all his opponents, did anyone ever truly surface as a viable challenger, before him there was a brief holding of the belt by Andrew Jacobsen, and before that, a run by Xander. So I find myself at a cross roads in my ideas of what the wrestling business truly define.
A man can make his legacy based solely on holding onto that gold for just long enough, to set a bar, to hold a record. But is one man, standing atop of the division truly the best for the business itself. Having a consistent heavyweight champion, for months, and months, going through one opponent to another, shows how great the top competitor is of the division, or how weak the division truly is.
My goal as a heavyweight wrestler in IWF is simply this.
To make this division the most competitive, the strongest, and the best division in this business. Whether that means putting that belt around my own waist, or shedding blood, sweat, and tears in a match for that belt, and coming up short.
Because it would be ignorant to stand here and say that it is my destiny to be champion, that without me, this division means nothing. Because it is all hot air.
So here I stand, on the eve of a tag team showcase, I will be standing beside Mike Laszlo, a man who gets things done. It took a few tweets to get under the skin of some Legends, and thus get a match, however, despite us both losing last week, I know there is a fire underneath both of us to prove that losing isn’t all we can do, that we can triumph, that we can take this Heavyweight Division to the stars.
So this is the part of the promo where I start breaking down each man, and their strengths and weaknesses, but I’d rather just do something else.
Laszlo is quite athletic, and strong, his arrogance and mouth may get him far, or it could be his unraveling, I haven’t been this excited about teaming up with someone in a long time. This will be a good chance to scout him, as well as Evans, and Jacobsen. Being on the outside of the ropes for a tag match is a very peculiar thing especially with three other men who may be your biggest opponent in a few weeks.
Jacobsen, on the other hand is a wonder. I’ve known the kid since he first came up in NCW, still holding the North Star gimmick, still running like a baby face. This kid has seen whatever this business has to offer, and the fact is I couldn’t be more excited with Andrew as my opponent. When he first appeared on the scene, I had high hopes for him, the fact is he reminded me a little of myself when I stepped into the NCW ropes. Then there was a period of time, and maybe it was my fault, but Jacobsen in my eyes was a joke. Almost a Joe Everyman clone, a good guy who refused to turn his back on the world even when the world had given up on him. But then Jacobsen did what I couldn’t ever dream to be possible, he hoisted the World Championship. After that, you give a man his dues, just long enough to see him lose it. When a man loses everything, you see the truest part of his character.
Jacobsen is all about character, and I couldn’t have more respect for a man then Andrew.
Finally, Seth Evans, one of the more completive guys in the back. Like this guy will take Rock, Paper, and Scissors over the edge, it’s a bit terrifying. But like Jacobsen, Seth Evans is a good guy. He wants to only fight on the same odds; he only wants to do things the right way. I’m only curious how long these morals will hold up between these two guys. This is a cutthroat business to get to the top, and to get to the tip of the mountain with what these two men represent, is a greatest accomplishment.
But they’ll learn soon the high road is something that not all men can walk, so lace up the kicks, and see how far you can go.
See ya on Sacrifice.
The scene reopens to Xavier Cross back in his office, two young boys are sitting in chairs opposite to his. One is about thirteen, the other fifteen. The thirteen year old has a black eye, and a busted lip, a dried bit of blood still on under his nose. The fifteen year old is untouched, looking angrier than anything.
“So…this wasn’t a fight. You wanted to beat up Tommy because he didn’t like the way you were treating kids on the playground? He stood up to you Drew, he stood up for what he believed in, and we are sitting here, and obviously you were stronger than him Drew, what kind of validation do you have now for beating him up? None? Kids, you need to understand, you can fight all you want, and never get anywhere but behind bars. But when you find a reason worth fighting for, you find strength. Tommy has a reason for fighting, for sticking up for others knowing he’s weak.”
Drew: “That’s stupid, why would you get in the way of someone who can obviously hurt you to protect others that mean nothing to you?”
“Because Drew, that is true strength. Anyone can throw a punch, but how many men are willing to put themselves between that punch, especially to protect others. Obviously you got a lot of anger, a lot of hate in those hands, and when you ball ‘em up and start throwing blows, you’re swinging with emotion. That can only get you so far Drew. So congratulations, you two have just entered yourselves in Xavier Cross Self Defense Class. And even better, Drew you will now be held responsible for Tommy’s well-being. You will watch over him like he was your little brother. If I find out Tommy is being mistreated, and you’ve done nothing to help him, you will find yourself outside these walls, back to where you came from. This is a chance to truly change. Now Drew, go on and go to your room, I have something I want to say to Tommy.”
Drew looks a bit shocked at Xavier’s words, more angry than anything, before getting up, and walking out. Xavier’s attention turns to Tommy, who looks more scared than anything.
“You did a good thing, I know it hurts, but you’ve proven to everyone that you’re willing to stand up for what you believe in. It’s the duty of the strong, to protect the weak Tommy.”
Tommy: “But he beat me up. Real easy…I wasn’t anything but fodder.”
“That’s what you think, but trust me, Drew is going to start changing, give him time. As for you, you’re gonna get training in self-defense, so what if you ever have to stand up for what you believe in again, you’ll be able to walk away without a black eye, and without any blood spilled.”
Tommy: “but isn’t fighting back just as bad as fighting?”
“Not when you’re doing it for you own reasons, there is more to fighting than just fists, kicks, and head-butts. Sometimes you got to walk away, sometimes you gotta stand, and sometimes the only ways you can speak are with your fists. Go on, go to the infirmary and get cleaned up. I’m proud of you kiddo.”
Tommy gets up, and walks out the door, as Xavier sits there shaking his head.
“Kids these days…”
Before he taps his pencil against the wooden desk, inspiration hits him.
“A summer festival, based purely around defending yourself, and standing up for what you believe in. The best way to get these kids off the streets is to give them true moral fiber! Oh my god I’m a genius!”
The pencil tapped the desk, as he learned back in easily the world’s most comfortable office chair. His eyes focused solely on the task before him, that he didn’t hear a knock, on the door, or one of the councilors standing in front of him looking a little stressed out.
“Mr. Cross! Mr. Cross! We need your help at the front gates!”
Xavier is jerked out of his brainstorm, and into reality, his feet planting on the floor, standing up. Dropping the paper and pencil onto the beautifully crafted mahogany desk, his eyes were a little unfocused, but he managed to pull his head together from his ideas back to the situation at hand.
“What’s wrong Doug?”
“There was a fight outside the front hall by the Gates, you told us to come get you if ever something happened like this.”
“Walk and talk, Doug walk and talk.”
The two men exited the office, and made their way down the hallway, at a careful pace. Doug explained to Xavier what was going on.
*****
So, I didn’t perform as well as I thought I would against Alex Jones, or did I do exactly what I needed to? People hold wins and losses so close to the chest, that it defines their career. But I stand here, at thirty years old with plenty of wins under my belt, and just as many losses. I’ve gone from federation from federation, hoisting titles, and losing them the next month. So is being a loser for one night, really the worst thing out there?
No, it provides a sense of humility, as well as giving Alex a sense of peace for the moment being. Obviously having bigger problems to deal with now, as IWF enters its third week, I find myself placed in a tag match. The only two men in this I’m familiar with are Seth Evans, and Andrew Jacobsen. I find myself partnered with Mike Laszlo, an up and comer, I find interesting. Having used his mouth to find himself in a match last week against InFamous, a stable I find more of a headache than anything.
But more importantly than a win, this is a showcase match. Four of the Heavyweights on the roster go into battle, throwing teams together for makeshift chemistry between the two, to try and see if there is any clicking on a different level. To see where the desire to win, triumphs over the desire to prove you're the best. If this match was a few years ago, I wouldn’t care about my partner, or who I was facing, just that division I practice in, and the title I plan on winning, that I would look the greatest among the four.
I guess that’s a lot of people’s goals, especially in this business, you defeat your opponent, rise to the top, and become a champion. Then you cling to that gold and leather for as long as possible, before you’re unseated by someone more worthy, or just more hungry that night. How many of us have had nights that we were obviously the better man, but yet still fall to the three count. The fact is, our lives, our careers, and our legacy can all be defined, changed, made, and destroy in a three second count.
So to put some much importance on that, to live and die based on a result is something that I would have held so near and dear to my heart. To the point that on losing streaks I would find it depressing, I would turn to a bottle of pills, and a handle of booze to drown away the memories, and the shame. But it’s not that bad. It’s really not even that bad.
Because in this career path, there are plenty of chances, if anything, reflecting on my own career I’ve lived off second chances, another shot at the top. For my failures, I would hold as a destruction of who I truly am, but the fact remained for the longest time I never knew who I truly was. After last week, on the cruiserweight showcase, Alex Jones proved he was a better man, but obviously, as it has been for all these years, it’ll take more than one simple match on a house show to truly bury the hatchet between the two of us.
He has his business to attend to with Brad Kane, and I have my business to attend to in this showcase. I am here now, to carve a path of heavyweights. To define a division, to take my dear friend, Will Washington, the man in charge of this weight class, I want to help push this class of 230+ pounders, and prove that we are the best in the business.
Now you’re probably saying that holding the title belt as long as possible with prove that. I ask you to take a look at Robert Verona’s NCW World Title reign; he held it longer than any man in the history of everything. That might be an over exaggeration, however, my point is, it only defined his legacy. While he ran through all his opponents, did anyone ever truly surface as a viable challenger, before him there was a brief holding of the belt by Andrew Jacobsen, and before that, a run by Xander. So I find myself at a cross roads in my ideas of what the wrestling business truly define.
A man can make his legacy based solely on holding onto that gold for just long enough, to set a bar, to hold a record. But is one man, standing atop of the division truly the best for the business itself. Having a consistent heavyweight champion, for months, and months, going through one opponent to another, shows how great the top competitor is of the division, or how weak the division truly is.
My goal as a heavyweight wrestler in IWF is simply this.
To make this division the most competitive, the strongest, and the best division in this business. Whether that means putting that belt around my own waist, or shedding blood, sweat, and tears in a match for that belt, and coming up short.
Because it would be ignorant to stand here and say that it is my destiny to be champion, that without me, this division means nothing. Because it is all hot air.
So here I stand, on the eve of a tag team showcase, I will be standing beside Mike Laszlo, a man who gets things done. It took a few tweets to get under the skin of some Legends, and thus get a match, however, despite us both losing last week, I know there is a fire underneath both of us to prove that losing isn’t all we can do, that we can triumph, that we can take this Heavyweight Division to the stars.
So this is the part of the promo where I start breaking down each man, and their strengths and weaknesses, but I’d rather just do something else.
Laszlo is quite athletic, and strong, his arrogance and mouth may get him far, or it could be his unraveling, I haven’t been this excited about teaming up with someone in a long time. This will be a good chance to scout him, as well as Evans, and Jacobsen. Being on the outside of the ropes for a tag match is a very peculiar thing especially with three other men who may be your biggest opponent in a few weeks.
Jacobsen, on the other hand is a wonder. I’ve known the kid since he first came up in NCW, still holding the North Star gimmick, still running like a baby face. This kid has seen whatever this business has to offer, and the fact is I couldn’t be more excited with Andrew as my opponent. When he first appeared on the scene, I had high hopes for him, the fact is he reminded me a little of myself when I stepped into the NCW ropes. Then there was a period of time, and maybe it was my fault, but Jacobsen in my eyes was a joke. Almost a Joe Everyman clone, a good guy who refused to turn his back on the world even when the world had given up on him. But then Jacobsen did what I couldn’t ever dream to be possible, he hoisted the World Championship. After that, you give a man his dues, just long enough to see him lose it. When a man loses everything, you see the truest part of his character.
Jacobsen is all about character, and I couldn’t have more respect for a man then Andrew.
Finally, Seth Evans, one of the more completive guys in the back. Like this guy will take Rock, Paper, and Scissors over the edge, it’s a bit terrifying. But like Jacobsen, Seth Evans is a good guy. He wants to only fight on the same odds; he only wants to do things the right way. I’m only curious how long these morals will hold up between these two guys. This is a cutthroat business to get to the top, and to get to the tip of the mountain with what these two men represent, is a greatest accomplishment.
But they’ll learn soon the high road is something that not all men can walk, so lace up the kicks, and see how far you can go.
See ya on Sacrifice.
*****
The scene reopens to Xavier Cross back in his office, two young boys are sitting in chairs opposite to his. One is about thirteen, the other fifteen. The thirteen year old has a black eye, and a busted lip, a dried bit of blood still on under his nose. The fifteen year old is untouched, looking angrier than anything.
“So…this wasn’t a fight. You wanted to beat up Tommy because he didn’t like the way you were treating kids on the playground? He stood up to you Drew, he stood up for what he believed in, and we are sitting here, and obviously you were stronger than him Drew, what kind of validation do you have now for beating him up? None? Kids, you need to understand, you can fight all you want, and never get anywhere but behind bars. But when you find a reason worth fighting for, you find strength. Tommy has a reason for fighting, for sticking up for others knowing he’s weak.”
Drew: “That’s stupid, why would you get in the way of someone who can obviously hurt you to protect others that mean nothing to you?”
“Because Drew, that is true strength. Anyone can throw a punch, but how many men are willing to put themselves between that punch, especially to protect others. Obviously you got a lot of anger, a lot of hate in those hands, and when you ball ‘em up and start throwing blows, you’re swinging with emotion. That can only get you so far Drew. So congratulations, you two have just entered yourselves in Xavier Cross Self Defense Class. And even better, Drew you will now be held responsible for Tommy’s well-being. You will watch over him like he was your little brother. If I find out Tommy is being mistreated, and you’ve done nothing to help him, you will find yourself outside these walls, back to where you came from. This is a chance to truly change. Now Drew, go on and go to your room, I have something I want to say to Tommy.”
Drew looks a bit shocked at Xavier’s words, more angry than anything, before getting up, and walking out. Xavier’s attention turns to Tommy, who looks more scared than anything.
“You did a good thing, I know it hurts, but you’ve proven to everyone that you’re willing to stand up for what you believe in. It’s the duty of the strong, to protect the weak Tommy.”
Tommy: “But he beat me up. Real easy…I wasn’t anything but fodder.”
“That’s what you think, but trust me, Drew is going to start changing, give him time. As for you, you’re gonna get training in self-defense, so what if you ever have to stand up for what you believe in again, you’ll be able to walk away without a black eye, and without any blood spilled.”
Tommy: “but isn’t fighting back just as bad as fighting?”
“Not when you’re doing it for you own reasons, there is more to fighting than just fists, kicks, and head-butts. Sometimes you got to walk away, sometimes you gotta stand, and sometimes the only ways you can speak are with your fists. Go on, go to the infirmary and get cleaned up. I’m proud of you kiddo.”
Tommy gets up, and walks out the door, as Xavier sits there shaking his head.
“Kids these days…”
Before he taps his pencil against the wooden desk, inspiration hits him.
“A summer festival, based purely around defending yourself, and standing up for what you believe in. The best way to get these kids off the streets is to give them true moral fiber! Oh my god I’m a genius!”
Well howdy there pardner.