Post by Jake Keeton on Jun 14, 2013 16:51:35 GMT
Three weeks ago I felt like an outsider. I felt like more than anyone else on the IWF roster that I had to prove that I belonged because my short time in its predecessor was a complete and utter failure. I’ve been a professional wrestler for half my life and would consider my career as a whole very successful. Failure is something that I’m not used to, so while a lot of people would have just chalked it up as a lesson learned, it literally haunted me. Every time I heard those three letters it made me sick to my stomach. I swore one day I would go back there and have the success I craved but it closed before I got a chance.
Then IWF was born, and while it’s not that other I place I saw it as my chance for redemption. My redemption has come in the form of an undefeated record inside an IWF ring, with 2 of my 3 victories coming against men that held that promotions World Championship. Being able to say I have a victory over a guy like Spike Kane in a place as loaded with talent as IWF is all the validation I need that I am as good as I say I am. Sunday night on Pay Per View I get even more validation in the form of the IWF Cruiserweight Championship.
Normally I’m not a fan of titles with weight restrictions even though I’ve held a lot of them. The reason I say normally is because IWF does things a lil different and the Cruiserweight title is equal to the Heavyweight Title and the Man of Steel. In all honestly though, I expect myself and the rest of the Cruiserweights to prove that we’re anything but equal, we’re superior. We’re the ones that’ll have the fans on the edge of their seats chanting words I can’t say while flash bulbs go off. Don’t blink.
I’m fairly certain that I’ll go into this 5 Man Reverse Ladder Match for the Cruiserweight title as the odds on favorite to win, and rightfully so because of my success the first few weeks. I’m not the only guy in this thing that’s had success though. My opponents ain’t too shabby either. Bushido has won both of his matches, Caleb Lockwood won his lone appearance for IWF, and Mike Machado has won both of his matches since the first show when I beat him, even Freakke while having lost all his matches inside an IWF ring has got people talking and held his own against my old buddy Brad Kane. With that said, it would appear I’ve got my work cut out for me.
Don’t worry, I like to build you up just to break you down, it’s coming.
It seems like just yesterday that Mike Machado and I were falling off the side of a steel cage. I’ve been singin’ your praises ever since that night as have lots of other guys around here and all over the internet. The fact that a happy go lucky guy like you is all bitter and says he doesn’t want the respect of his peers just blows my mind. We fell off a cage, the ref called it in my favor, it’s as simple as that. I could say all the things I did week one about how I’m better than you, which I still believe and no ones gonna tell me different, but the fact is that I just got lucky the first week. I can’t believe you’re still butt hurt about that and hell bent on revenge, Mike.
This week there won’t be any luck involved, I mean I’ve never been in a Reverse Ladder Match before but I’m guessing it probably requires the winner to climb a ladder and hang a belt above the ring. Now correct me if I’m wrong but a pinfall won’t do me a damn bit of good so you’re right there Machado, I won’t keep you down for a three-count. What I will do is climb the ladder and hang that title before I take it back down and place it securely around my waist where it will remain until someone better comes along and right now that person doesn’t exist. You said it best yourself, I am unstoppable.
While you’re working with Gib you might wanna learn a little locker room etiquette too, because your lack of it is gonna get your teeth slapped down your throat. No one is “on their knees” for me, they just recognize the combination of hard work, determination and God given skill I possess. One of these days though Mike you and I are gonna have to face off in a good old fashion one on one wrestling match, with no ladders, or cages, or other wrestlers crowding things up. Then, when that happens I’ll beat some respect into you. I liked you much better when you didn’t think you had a chance, that fluke win and the DQ last week have given you a false sense of confidence that I intend on crushing.
There’s also the matter of you not even paying enough attention to what’s going on around here to realize as I already mentioned that a pinfall is as worthless as a sixth toe but also that there’s another man involved in the match who was a last minute addition in Bushido. I can’t speak for Bushido but I’d feel really slighted if I were overlooked by someone as insignificant as Mike Machado. I think you should kick his ass for it Bushy, and while you’re doing that I’ll be climbing a ladder and snatching away that victory you both crave so dearly.
In all seriousness though, I like your style Bushido. You remind me a lot of an old friend of mine, he too was proud of his Japanese heritage, he just didn’t posses that subtle sense of humor that you do. He also lacked you arrogance, which honestly I see nothing wrong with. If you don’t believe you’re gonna win why should you expect anyone else to think you’re going to? The thing is… you can believe it, and you can tell as many people who’ll listen in as many different languages you want that you’re gonna win this match but you’re not going to because I am.
All I know about Caleb Lockwood is what he had to say about his only match in IWF a few weeks ago and I knew right then it’d only be a matter of time before we shared the ring. You bring a lot of excitement to this match with your high octane offense and even though no one is really talking about you much you gotta be the dark horse. You had a good victory in a match very similar to the one we’ll be competing in this week. You epitomize everything being a Cruiserweight is about and I think you’ve got a bright future.
You and I are very different though Caleb, I’m not your typical high flying flippity flopping Cruiserweight. Granted I do implement some moves that might be considered high risk and have no objections to coming off the top rope, but I’m not reckless. I take the risk out of high risk because I’m calculated and methodical in my approach and won’t even attempt it if I’m not almost certain that I’m gonna hit my target and I usually do. Unfortunately for you Caleb you’re one of those targets. I plan to ground the Master of Gravity. If I take away one of your legs you won’t be defying gravity, your ability to walk, run, jump, and climb will defy you. Then Mr. Darkhorse you know what happens to a horse with a bum leg right? They shoot it.
The final piece to the puzzle could be the most complex of all. It’s hard to figure out what goes inside that noggin of yours Freakke. You have skill, that’s apparent or you wouldn’t have fared as well as you did against Brad. The skill you have is wasted on being, well… a clown. You know how to wrestle, you’ve shown that both here and elsewhere, yet all that potential is wasted on a clown suit. I would love for once to see you wash that crap off your face, lose the suit, the red nose, and the big shoes and be yourself. The guy under all that’s a good wrestler and if he’d take himself and life a little more serious he’d probably be one of the top guys around here.
I know that’s not gonna happen though. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks, unless his name is Jake Keeton and I’m ever evolving. You’re going to do what you always do and either half ass this match or try something so off the wall that it fails just like most of your childish pranks. Even Mike Machado who is very similar to you without the makeup and suit has taken a more serious turn as of late and it’s turned him into a threat in the match, but you’re not a threat, you’re the punch line to a bad joke. Look me up when you decide you want to take your career serious and I might take you under my wing and mold you into the champion you could be, but this week? That title is mine and you’re just another body in my way.
I hope the four of you are as ready as you seem to be because I am. Please for the love of God bring everything you’ve got because when this stops being a challenge is when it stops being fun.
A dingy office building between Broadway and the French Quarter in downtown Lexington, KY sets our scene. It’s 8pm on a very warm Wednesday evening as Jake Keeton stand on the side walk looking up at the building on front of him, dressed in khaki colored cargo shorts and an orange polo with his stringy dark hair flowing through the back of a worn out baseball cap and his ever present Aviator shades shielding his previously injured eyes from the sun. Jake goes in the building and takes an elevator to the 5th floor where he exits the elevator and approaches a door. Outside the door is a very flashing looking custom made sign which reads “Julius King: Agent to the Stars”. Jake knocks a few times and a voice from inside yells.
Voice: Come In!
Jake opens the door and sees Julius in a purple suit, sipping Cristal, and smoking a Cuban cigar as he looks out at the city around him through the office window.
Jake: Good grief Jules you look like a pimp.
Julius: And it ain’t easy either. It’s good to see you Jake, I’m happy you came on your own and I didn’t have to call or come to you. You warming up to old Jules, Jake?
Jake: You’re becoming tolerable and I greatly appreciate you holding it together and really saving the day at the cookout that could have been a fiasco. You’re the best liar I’ve ever met in my life, the stories your were telling my wife about us growing up together were so good I almost believed them.
Julius: I just got it like that dawg, it’s a gift.
Jake: I wouldn’t go that far but you’re good. I just hate lying to my family.
Julius: I think you should tell them the truth, I’m starting to like you a lot Jake and I almost, and I stress almost feel bad about holding you too this contract but I gots to make money.
Jake: I’ll never tell them that I signed away 3 years of their lives to a con man.
Julius: Suit yourself but I really think that they’d be cool with it.
Jake: No way.
Jake looks around the office and notices his match from the first episode of Sacrifice paused on the 47” flat screen that’s above Julius’ desk.
Jake: What were you watching that for?
Julius turns his attention to the television as well.
Julius: Of that? I was trying to come up with a gameplan for us going into the Pay Per View. You know work on the things you didn’t do so well then.
Jake shakes his head and lets out a little chuckle.
Jake: You’re kidding me right? What are you going help me work on?
Julius: Stuff like this, just watch.
Julius unpauses the match and it’s the end where Jake leaps off the side of the cage with the Jumping Leg Lariat and wins the match. Julius hits pause again as Jake is announced the winner.
Julius: See, like that right there.
Jake: Yeah, I won,
Julius: You got lucky! If y’all had landed different the outcome would have been totally different. Don’t take chances like that.
Jake looks deep in thought before looking over at Julius.
Jake: You’re right, there’s other ways I could have went about that match and my win would have been much more decisive. Don’t’ worry though, it will be this week.
Julius: Damn straight that’s what I wanna hear. Now let’s work on some strategy for how to use that ladder to your advantage this week.
Jake: You know you might just be more of an asset to me than I thought cause I’m only seeing things from my point of view, this could help a lot.
Julius: See, I told ya to trust me, I ain’t a bad guy. Take a seat I drew up some diagrams.
Jake sits down and Julius clicks the TV off and pulls down a screen and turns on a projector that displays a Power Point diagram.
Jake: Damn, a Power Point? You went all out…..
Suddenly Jake’s phone begins to ring and he pulls the iPhone 5 out of his pocket and swipes his finger across the screen to answer it.
Jake: Hello… Yes office that’s my son…. Certainly, I’m only a few blocks away, I’ll be there as soon as I can.
Julius looks concerned as Jake ends the call.
Julius: What’s going on?
Jake: We gotta cut this short Jules, my kids been arrested.
Julius: Well I’ll go with you, I’m pretty good at reasoning with cops.
Jake: No thanks, I’d like to handle matters that concern my son myself but thanks for the offer. I’ll give you a call when this is all straightened out.
Julius: Be sure to do that, I hope he ain’t in too much trouble.
Jake: Me too. Later Jules.
Julius: See ya Jake.
Jake heads for the door as the scene fades.
TO BE CONTINUED.
Then IWF was born, and while it’s not that other I place I saw it as my chance for redemption. My redemption has come in the form of an undefeated record inside an IWF ring, with 2 of my 3 victories coming against men that held that promotions World Championship. Being able to say I have a victory over a guy like Spike Kane in a place as loaded with talent as IWF is all the validation I need that I am as good as I say I am. Sunday night on Pay Per View I get even more validation in the form of the IWF Cruiserweight Championship.
Normally I’m not a fan of titles with weight restrictions even though I’ve held a lot of them. The reason I say normally is because IWF does things a lil different and the Cruiserweight title is equal to the Heavyweight Title and the Man of Steel. In all honestly though, I expect myself and the rest of the Cruiserweights to prove that we’re anything but equal, we’re superior. We’re the ones that’ll have the fans on the edge of their seats chanting words I can’t say while flash bulbs go off. Don’t blink.
I’m fairly certain that I’ll go into this 5 Man Reverse Ladder Match for the Cruiserweight title as the odds on favorite to win, and rightfully so because of my success the first few weeks. I’m not the only guy in this thing that’s had success though. My opponents ain’t too shabby either. Bushido has won both of his matches, Caleb Lockwood won his lone appearance for IWF, and Mike Machado has won both of his matches since the first show when I beat him, even Freakke while having lost all his matches inside an IWF ring has got people talking and held his own against my old buddy Brad Kane. With that said, it would appear I’ve got my work cut out for me.
Don’t worry, I like to build you up just to break you down, it’s coming.
It seems like just yesterday that Mike Machado and I were falling off the side of a steel cage. I’ve been singin’ your praises ever since that night as have lots of other guys around here and all over the internet. The fact that a happy go lucky guy like you is all bitter and says he doesn’t want the respect of his peers just blows my mind. We fell off a cage, the ref called it in my favor, it’s as simple as that. I could say all the things I did week one about how I’m better than you, which I still believe and no ones gonna tell me different, but the fact is that I just got lucky the first week. I can’t believe you’re still butt hurt about that and hell bent on revenge, Mike.
This week there won’t be any luck involved, I mean I’ve never been in a Reverse Ladder Match before but I’m guessing it probably requires the winner to climb a ladder and hang a belt above the ring. Now correct me if I’m wrong but a pinfall won’t do me a damn bit of good so you’re right there Machado, I won’t keep you down for a three-count. What I will do is climb the ladder and hang that title before I take it back down and place it securely around my waist where it will remain until someone better comes along and right now that person doesn’t exist. You said it best yourself, I am unstoppable.
While you’re working with Gib you might wanna learn a little locker room etiquette too, because your lack of it is gonna get your teeth slapped down your throat. No one is “on their knees” for me, they just recognize the combination of hard work, determination and God given skill I possess. One of these days though Mike you and I are gonna have to face off in a good old fashion one on one wrestling match, with no ladders, or cages, or other wrestlers crowding things up. Then, when that happens I’ll beat some respect into you. I liked you much better when you didn’t think you had a chance, that fluke win and the DQ last week have given you a false sense of confidence that I intend on crushing.
There’s also the matter of you not even paying enough attention to what’s going on around here to realize as I already mentioned that a pinfall is as worthless as a sixth toe but also that there’s another man involved in the match who was a last minute addition in Bushido. I can’t speak for Bushido but I’d feel really slighted if I were overlooked by someone as insignificant as Mike Machado. I think you should kick his ass for it Bushy, and while you’re doing that I’ll be climbing a ladder and snatching away that victory you both crave so dearly.
In all seriousness though, I like your style Bushido. You remind me a lot of an old friend of mine, he too was proud of his Japanese heritage, he just didn’t posses that subtle sense of humor that you do. He also lacked you arrogance, which honestly I see nothing wrong with. If you don’t believe you’re gonna win why should you expect anyone else to think you’re going to? The thing is… you can believe it, and you can tell as many people who’ll listen in as many different languages you want that you’re gonna win this match but you’re not going to because I am.
All I know about Caleb Lockwood is what he had to say about his only match in IWF a few weeks ago and I knew right then it’d only be a matter of time before we shared the ring. You bring a lot of excitement to this match with your high octane offense and even though no one is really talking about you much you gotta be the dark horse. You had a good victory in a match very similar to the one we’ll be competing in this week. You epitomize everything being a Cruiserweight is about and I think you’ve got a bright future.
You and I are very different though Caleb, I’m not your typical high flying flippity flopping Cruiserweight. Granted I do implement some moves that might be considered high risk and have no objections to coming off the top rope, but I’m not reckless. I take the risk out of high risk because I’m calculated and methodical in my approach and won’t even attempt it if I’m not almost certain that I’m gonna hit my target and I usually do. Unfortunately for you Caleb you’re one of those targets. I plan to ground the Master of Gravity. If I take away one of your legs you won’t be defying gravity, your ability to walk, run, jump, and climb will defy you. Then Mr. Darkhorse you know what happens to a horse with a bum leg right? They shoot it.
The final piece to the puzzle could be the most complex of all. It’s hard to figure out what goes inside that noggin of yours Freakke. You have skill, that’s apparent or you wouldn’t have fared as well as you did against Brad. The skill you have is wasted on being, well… a clown. You know how to wrestle, you’ve shown that both here and elsewhere, yet all that potential is wasted on a clown suit. I would love for once to see you wash that crap off your face, lose the suit, the red nose, and the big shoes and be yourself. The guy under all that’s a good wrestler and if he’d take himself and life a little more serious he’d probably be one of the top guys around here.
I know that’s not gonna happen though. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks, unless his name is Jake Keeton and I’m ever evolving. You’re going to do what you always do and either half ass this match or try something so off the wall that it fails just like most of your childish pranks. Even Mike Machado who is very similar to you without the makeup and suit has taken a more serious turn as of late and it’s turned him into a threat in the match, but you’re not a threat, you’re the punch line to a bad joke. Look me up when you decide you want to take your career serious and I might take you under my wing and mold you into the champion you could be, but this week? That title is mine and you’re just another body in my way.
I hope the four of you are as ready as you seem to be because I am. Please for the love of God bring everything you’ve got because when this stops being a challenge is when it stops being fun.
A dingy office building between Broadway and the French Quarter in downtown Lexington, KY sets our scene. It’s 8pm on a very warm Wednesday evening as Jake Keeton stand on the side walk looking up at the building on front of him, dressed in khaki colored cargo shorts and an orange polo with his stringy dark hair flowing through the back of a worn out baseball cap and his ever present Aviator shades shielding his previously injured eyes from the sun. Jake goes in the building and takes an elevator to the 5th floor where he exits the elevator and approaches a door. Outside the door is a very flashing looking custom made sign which reads “Julius King: Agent to the Stars”. Jake knocks a few times and a voice from inside yells.
Voice: Come In!
Jake opens the door and sees Julius in a purple suit, sipping Cristal, and smoking a Cuban cigar as he looks out at the city around him through the office window.
Jake: Good grief Jules you look like a pimp.
Julius: And it ain’t easy either. It’s good to see you Jake, I’m happy you came on your own and I didn’t have to call or come to you. You warming up to old Jules, Jake?
Jake: You’re becoming tolerable and I greatly appreciate you holding it together and really saving the day at the cookout that could have been a fiasco. You’re the best liar I’ve ever met in my life, the stories your were telling my wife about us growing up together were so good I almost believed them.
Julius: I just got it like that dawg, it’s a gift.
Jake: I wouldn’t go that far but you’re good. I just hate lying to my family.
Julius: I think you should tell them the truth, I’m starting to like you a lot Jake and I almost, and I stress almost feel bad about holding you too this contract but I gots to make money.
Jake: I’ll never tell them that I signed away 3 years of their lives to a con man.
Julius: Suit yourself but I really think that they’d be cool with it.
Jake: No way.
Jake looks around the office and notices his match from the first episode of Sacrifice paused on the 47” flat screen that’s above Julius’ desk.
Jake: What were you watching that for?
Julius turns his attention to the television as well.
Julius: Of that? I was trying to come up with a gameplan for us going into the Pay Per View. You know work on the things you didn’t do so well then.
Jake shakes his head and lets out a little chuckle.
Jake: You’re kidding me right? What are you going help me work on?
Julius: Stuff like this, just watch.
Julius unpauses the match and it’s the end where Jake leaps off the side of the cage with the Jumping Leg Lariat and wins the match. Julius hits pause again as Jake is announced the winner.
Julius: See, like that right there.
Jake: Yeah, I won,
Julius: You got lucky! If y’all had landed different the outcome would have been totally different. Don’t take chances like that.
Jake looks deep in thought before looking over at Julius.
Jake: You’re right, there’s other ways I could have went about that match and my win would have been much more decisive. Don’t’ worry though, it will be this week.
Julius: Damn straight that’s what I wanna hear. Now let’s work on some strategy for how to use that ladder to your advantage this week.
Jake: You know you might just be more of an asset to me than I thought cause I’m only seeing things from my point of view, this could help a lot.
Julius: See, I told ya to trust me, I ain’t a bad guy. Take a seat I drew up some diagrams.
Jake sits down and Julius clicks the TV off and pulls down a screen and turns on a projector that displays a Power Point diagram.
Jake: Damn, a Power Point? You went all out…..
Suddenly Jake’s phone begins to ring and he pulls the iPhone 5 out of his pocket and swipes his finger across the screen to answer it.
Jake: Hello… Yes office that’s my son…. Certainly, I’m only a few blocks away, I’ll be there as soon as I can.
Julius looks concerned as Jake ends the call.
Julius: What’s going on?
Jake: We gotta cut this short Jules, my kids been arrested.
Julius: Well I’ll go with you, I’m pretty good at reasoning with cops.
Jake: No thanks, I’d like to handle matters that concern my son myself but thanks for the offer. I’ll give you a call when this is all straightened out.
Julius: Be sure to do that, I hope he ain’t in too much trouble.
Jake: Me too. Later Jules.
Julius: See ya Jake.
Jake heads for the door as the scene fades.
TO BE CONTINUED.
Well howdy there pardner.