A Second Chance

[Joe Everyman]

Please don't cry
One tear for me
I'm not afraid of
What I have to say

I am disappointed in myself from last week. I was doing well for a long while, until Ryan Blade sneaked in and took the win for himself. And I'm also disappointed in myself for allowing myself to think it would be an easy win. I won't make that mistake again. Ryan Blade really showed me that he could have what it takes here. And Daniel Constantine did too, to an extent. They both could make it far in this little division of ours. Except... there is one small problem.

They didn't eliminate me when they had the chance.

Eirik Ragnar was proven to be the weak link in that match. He was taken out of this Man of Steel chase after it's first lap. And now we're onto lap number two. Blade is out front, but only by a nose. This will be a long race, and the best man will win. Ragnar put up a good fight, but he was far from the best man. And I believe that enough people last week realized that Constantine will not be the best man either. After all is said and done, it will come down to me versus Blade. I can feel it deep down. His skills and my skills match up rather well against each others. And to a degree, we match up mentally as well. It will be one hell of a fight if it comes down to it. But, that is in the future... something I need to focus on.

Last week, I made a mistake. I tried to bring up my past to try and strike fear into the hearts of my opponents. I'm realizing now I shouldn't have done that. nCw is in my past now. It's only a memory, and should stay that way. IWF is the future now, and will be my future as well. My past accomplishments mean nothing here. As Simon said, it is a fresh start for everybody. And I didn't take that to heart immediately like I should have. I should have come into this company, fists up and wheels turning, ready to move onto a new destiny.

But instead, I let the destiny I crafted in nCw shape me out of the gate. That will no longer be an issue for me. I crafted a persona for myself there, and I will not allow it to carry over. This is a new Joe Everyman. A stronger Everyman, a wiser Everyman and a more determined Everyman. One that will cripple my enemies in fear. One that will be thrust into the spotlight soon. One that will finally win that elusive gold. First, the Man of Steel title. Next, the Imperial...

The scene opens up slowly in the backyard of the Everyman household. Joe is watching his dog, Thor, attack a squeaky toy a few feet ahead of the lawn chair he's sitting on. The dog brings the toy back to Joe, wagging his stub of a tail as fast as he can. Joe takes the toy and flings against the backyard, which causes Thor to immediately bolt after it. Joe then turns his attention to the sliding glass door and sees Melanie walking out to see him.

Melanie Brooks: Can you believe it's only about a month away?

Joe Everyman: It's hard to believe. I'm so excited about it.

Joe stands up and lets Melanie sit down on the chair he had been sitting in. The visibly pregnant Melanie sits down and puts her feet up on the end of the chair.

Melanie Brooks: Ah... much better.

Joe kneels down next to the chair and holds Melanie's hand tightly.

Melanie Brooks: So... I have troubling news from the war front.

Joe Everyman: What is it?

Melanie Brooks: Well... Aurora wants a cat.

Joe Everyman: She does? I thought she said she was more of a fan of dogs.

Melanie Brooks: She was, but you know how children can be. They may love something one minute, and love something different the next. She has been clamoring all day about how much she wants a kitty.

Joe Everyman: We probably could. Just as long as we can make sure that it and Thor get along. And, make sure that it wouldn't be a bother for the newborns.

Melanie Brooks: I think we could be ok. We could put like a canopy over the cribs to make sure it doesn't get in!

Joe Everyman: ...I suddenly feel like I'm Jurassic Park.

Melanie Brooks: No no, it'll be great! I've had an idea all mapped out for weeks a-

Melanie quickly stops what she was saying.

Melanie Brooks: For... uh... the last couple minutes.

Joe Everyman: Weeks?

Melanie looks away from Joe shyly.

Joe Everyman: So... I'm guessing it wasn't Aurora who influenced you, but you who influenced Aurora?

Melanie Brooks: Have you ever seen the cats on the internet?! I want one like those! They are so soft and cute and fuzzy and adorable!

Joe Everyman: Ok, ok, we can get a kitty.

Melanie Brooks: Good! ...cause we're going now.

Joe Everyman: What?!

Melanie Brooks: I already told Aurora to get ready ten minutes ago. We're going now!

Melanie gets up quickly and drags Joe by the hand into the house, closely followed by their dog. Joe closes the door behind them as the scene slowly fades to black.

You know, it's the little things in life that fill it all up. You can have big moments, life defining moments, but without the little moments, there's nothing to string those big one together. Little things, like taking a date to get ice cream. Or watching a good movie. Or getting a pet. We all need those moments to bridge us to the more grand moments in life. Like, getting married. Having a child. Buying a house. Or in many of our sake's, winning a championship.

Every single one of us in the wrestling business strive for championships. They validate us. They make us better than the rest. They give us a lasting memory to prove our worth. I've won a handful of championships in the past. Some more meaningful than others. But those are in the past. I need something new.

The Man of Steel Championship would be a perfect fit for me. The only time I take time off is if I'm too hurt to continue, or dead. Thankfully, I'm rarely either of those two. My good friend Curtis once tried to kill me... but... we don't talk about that anymore. I am Mr. No Days Off. I am the true iron man of our time. I fight through whatever physical or mental pain I am going through for my sake and the sake of the fans. My fans pay money to see me. I can't just let them down, can I? They've stuck with me for all of these years because I'm always there. I never let them down. I'm always their role model. I am strong and nothing can take me down. That's why I'm perfect for that championship.

Ryan Blade and Daniel Constantine can be impressive, but it's not a lasting impressiveness. Both will faulter, both will fall and both will show brightly how they do not deserve this championship. Neither of them have the fortitude to do what I do. Neither of them have the nerves of steel to do what I do. Neither of them... are me. A religious freak and a man living in his father's shadow.

That's all you two are. And that's all you'll ever be. I've paid my dues and have survived the test of time. I have worked at this for eight years now, which is probably longer than the two of you combined. I've fought for longer and harder than either of you. I deserve this championship, because I am the man of steel.

People over the years have tried their hardest to tare me down. And they have all failed. Tries as they might, none of them could scratch the surface and truly get inside my head. They tried and they tried, and they all lost. I refused to get rattled by them, just like I refuse to be rattled by the two of you. Bring on your attacks. Come at me with your Godly strength. Come at me with your two cent jokes. Your mental strikes. Your quips about my past. Send everything you have at me, and I promise you that I will return it two fold in the ring.

The two of you are nothing compared to me. And I have a second chance this Monday evening to prove that to the both of you. I have the skills and the fortitude to shut down anybody this company throws at me. And I will for damn sure be the first IWF Man of Steel, for one simple reason. I have a body of steel, and it's powered by the most powerful heart in this company. I'll stand talk in my spotlight, while the two of you just rust.

This is my one and
Only voice
So listen close
It's only for today