Post by Ryan Shane on Mar 26, 2016 22:07:48 GMT
The first thing I want to say is, I never needed Jake Keeton. He is not some all powerful being that allowed me to have a wrestling career. I had been in a ring long before I even knew who Jake Keeton was. Anyone who knows me knows that I have a twenty year veteran in this business to call my own. He may not be as successful as Keeton, but he knows what he's doing. I just wanted to point that out because I am not in this business because of Jake Keeton. I would have found a path either way.
When it came to trainers Jake Keeton was my second choice.
That isn't meant to be a bad thing. All the stories you heard about me waiting outside in the bushes just to get an opportunity to work with him are all true. It's also true that his training resulted in me getting a job in my biggest promotion to that date. It was a proud moment for me. One that I was scared to ever share with Jake because I wasn't sure how he would react.
I owe a lot to him, but not everything.
I can't tell you how much pain and punishment he put me through. It was a different approach than I was used to. I got better everyday. The problem was so did he. When we had to face each other in the ring I learned first hand how good he was, everything I had heard was true. In front of the camera there was none better. Outside of the ring, well that is a different story. When you find a man lying in a gutter because he had too much to drink it isn't a good sign. He has come a long way from then. I applaud him for it.
Wrestling shouldn't be the most important thing in any of our lives.
There was a time where I'm pretty sure Jake's whole life was wrestling. Like without it, he didn't know who he was.
He beat me that night. I was young, a rookie, and I accepted it. I was lead to believe that's just how things go. I didn't know until later that I was destined to surpass him, to be better than he ever could be. At that age I was easily influenced and while Jake didn't lead me down the road, he didn't stop me from taking that walk. I looked up to the man, I thought he was my friend.
Jake Keeton was no friend of mine. I was a threat. I still am.
He would never admit that I could beat him. He has too much pride for that. I've seen men with lesser talent than myself get one over on him. The world seems to forget that. I'm seen Jake rise to the occasion against the toughest opponents but I've also seen him lose to some questionable opposition.
Will Jake be up to the task against me? Will he rise up that Easter night like some wrestling Jesus? He looks the part.
March 25th, 2016
She was crying.
As Ryan sat on her porch she cried on his shoulder. This isn't what he expected to happen when he got to her house. The young Lily Flowers had been practically harassing him for two weeks until he gave in and came to talk to her. What he thought was an interview turned into him listening to her talk.
The young college girl talked about how she had recently broken up with her boyfriend when she caught him cheating. The girl was her best friend. It was like something out of a movie. As a fan or wrestling she wanted to just get away and be anyone but herself. She wanted Ryan to help her.
The problem is, he couldn't. Ryan is looking to the end of his run. Sure he could train wannabe wrestlers, he had the skill to do so, if not the patience. The problem is...much like Jake Keeton he knows it will only make him long for the ring more. He wouldn't use kids like that. He tried to explain it to her but she broke down crying. This is where we find ourselves.
Ryan Shane: I'm sorry...I really am. You don't want to get into this business anyway. It isn't easy. You have a lot of sacrifices to make.
It's true. Where Ryan was to where he is now has changed dramatically. It's like bookends on his career.
Lily Flowers: I have nothing else to lose.
Ryan Shane: You have school...
Lily Flowers: I can do both. I just need to prove to myself I'm strong. Don't you know what it's like to want to prove yourself?
He does. Even to this day with a career that started nine years ago he has to prove himself week in and week out.
Ryan Shane: I'm not saying don't do it. I'm just saying that maybe you could find someone else other than me.
She continues to speak through her sobs.
Lily Flowers: I don't know anyone else.
Ryan Shane: I can help with that. It won't be easy, but I'm sure I can get it worked out for you.
Lily Flowers: Would you?
He nods his head and she gives him a hug. It looks like he has a call to make. As she dries her eyes and Ryan makes his way to his car he still feels like something isn't right. Why go through all the trouble of harassing him and sending him pictures? All she had to do was ask. He puts it out of his mind hoping that things will finally go back to how there were before he even met her.
Things weren't always bad. When Jake and I were a team there was no one who could touch us. You don't become the best tag team of two thousand and eight by not being a cohesive unit. We were a perfect match. I knew it wouldn't always be that way. It couldn't be. History is filled with teams that break up. I was ready to go from someday to right now. I didn't. It was Jake who rose to the top. It was Jake who won all the championships. All of that was meant for me. I got none of the rewards
Jake Keeton had used me.
It hurt. I admit that. I even tried to forgive and forget. When it came time to crown new champions for the belts we never lost and he wanted to team up and bring back some of that old magic. I was there. We didn't win. I know he was just trying to throw me a bone and that his heart wasn't in it. He had fooled me twice. My career has been almost non existent the past four years. I was told I was nothing without Jake Keeton and I believed it. My other attempts in the IWF ended because I lost confidence in myself and I walked away. I was done.
I found something more to live for.
All it took was seeing Jake Keeton on TV talking about beating Spike Kane to set me off. The feelings I had boiled over and I had to do something. For too long I had been the guy who bitched and moaned about how Keeton had done me wrong. It was time to do something about.
Jake Keeton was to supposed to fall.
He didn't. Now I am stuck here trying to make the best of a shit situation. I tried to just own up to my failure but Jake couldn't let it go. Instead of accepting I'm better than him he wanted to force the issue and now he finds himself facing now Ryan Shane once again.
I was content with putting him out to pasture, but now it's time to put the old man down.
March 26th, 2016
Tomorrow is the night. The world wasn't content with how Ryan Shane beat Jake Keeton and so he has to do it again. Why won't the wrestling world give Shane his due? All he has wanted to do was work out his aggression in the gym. He couldn't even do that with the promise he made to Amber. He is facing Jake Keeton, one of the greatest the world has to offer. How can he win if he hasn't been able to use all of the tools at his disposal.
This is what has Ryan awake at three in the morning. It isn't the nerves. He knows he belongs in that ring. If anything he shouldn't even be worrying about Jake Keeton all that much. Once it would have headlined shows, but now in the big picture Keeton is a small fish. This doesn't stop his mind from racing in the dark.
Amber must have heard him stirring because she wakes up and turns toward him. She can just make out his silhouette as the moon shines through the curtains. As she places a hand on his leg he knows she is awake.
Amber Lynn: Are you alright? It isn't like you to be up this late at night.
Ryan Shane: I'm fine. It's nothing I want to bother you with.
She knows it is wrestling related. Even though she would is counting the days until it's no longer a concern she can't stand to see him like this.
Amber Lynn: It's no bother babe. I know this match with Jake tomorrow is weighing heavy on you. You're only human. If you felt nothing about it I would be more worried about you than I already am.
Ryan Shane: You don't need to worry about me. It's Jake's family who needs to worry about him. If things go my way he is going to have to find a new way to support them.
This sort of surprises her.
Amber Lynn: That seems a little harsh doesn't it? Who cares what he does after this match. If you win you will have proved a lot to everyone. There is no one who can call you a fluke. In a couple of months it won't even matter. We will be getting our new life together. One where you don't have to think about Jake ever again.
Ryan Shane: I might be leaving the business but I still care about the impression I am leaving. When people look up Ryan Shane all they will see is a quitter. If I end the career of Jake Keeton I won't just be a part of history. I will be history.
Amber Lynn: If that is how you feel than why are you up at night? It seems like you have everything figured out.
Ryan Shane: I do. I just couldn't sleep is all. I think the pregnancy might be causing you to have a snoring problem.
She sees through this lie.
Amber Lynn: Right, on the day before your big match.
Ryan Shane: Yeah...
Amber Lynn: It's a good thing you are leaving today for Denver then. I want you to be well rested. Now why don't you try to get some more sleep.
Instead of going back to bed Ryan stands up and exits the bedroom. He heads down the stairs to the living room and takes a seat on the couch.
He knows what he has to do, what he wants to do, but no one said it would be easy. This isn't like last month where he acted on a whim. This has been building for awhile. As he sits there alone on the couch emotion comes over him.
Ryan Shane weeps.
It's like a bad dream that I wish was over. This isn't how I had things laid out in my head. It was supposed to be quick, painless. Jake Keeton was finally going to give back to me everything he had taken. I was supposed to be the heir to his legacy. When he was done with this business I was supposed to carry the torch. I guess I was young and stupid. Nothing was ever for my benefit. I was just the first in a long line of people Jake gave hope to.
I take the weight of that on my shoulders and I apologize.
I should have never allowed Jake to train anyone else. His track record speaks for itself.
Our matches should be about two men with great respect for each other having a friendly match for bragging rights. Instead I don't think I have ever wrestled a match against a man I have so much hatred for. I plan on destroying you. I know it's not a fair fight. It was never going to be. The moment I knew I was better than you I knew this day would come. You had the chance to stop all of this. All you had to do was admit what I already knew.
You fear me Jake, you always have.
I don't blame you. How could you not? I could still have a future in this business if I wanted it. You can hang on for as long as you want but your days are numbered. When I beat you I will have the world at my feet. All of your accomplishments will finally do some good for someone else.
There was once a time where I was nervous to even be in the ring with you. Those times have long passed. Everything you have coming to you, I will enjoy dishing out. I will do so with a smile on my face knowing I will be righting all the wrongs. Then when you are defeated, broken and ashamed that is when I will take my greatest retribution.
I will pull the torch from your hands and raise it into the air. It will prove that I'm the better man.
I loved you once Jake...you were like a brother.
There was a time when I would have HATED what is to come...
You have left me no choice...
At High Stakes I must leave no doubt that I'm the better man.
At High Stakes I must beat you at all costs.
At High Stake I must prove my time is Right Now!
When it came to trainers Jake Keeton was my second choice.
That isn't meant to be a bad thing. All the stories you heard about me waiting outside in the bushes just to get an opportunity to work with him are all true. It's also true that his training resulted in me getting a job in my biggest promotion to that date. It was a proud moment for me. One that I was scared to ever share with Jake because I wasn't sure how he would react.
I owe a lot to him, but not everything.
I can't tell you how much pain and punishment he put me through. It was a different approach than I was used to. I got better everyday. The problem was so did he. When we had to face each other in the ring I learned first hand how good he was, everything I had heard was true. In front of the camera there was none better. Outside of the ring, well that is a different story. When you find a man lying in a gutter because he had too much to drink it isn't a good sign. He has come a long way from then. I applaud him for it.
Wrestling shouldn't be the most important thing in any of our lives.
There was a time where I'm pretty sure Jake's whole life was wrestling. Like without it, he didn't know who he was.
He beat me that night. I was young, a rookie, and I accepted it. I was lead to believe that's just how things go. I didn't know until later that I was destined to surpass him, to be better than he ever could be. At that age I was easily influenced and while Jake didn't lead me down the road, he didn't stop me from taking that walk. I looked up to the man, I thought he was my friend.
Jake Keeton was no friend of mine. I was a threat. I still am.
He would never admit that I could beat him. He has too much pride for that. I've seen men with lesser talent than myself get one over on him. The world seems to forget that. I'm seen Jake rise to the occasion against the toughest opponents but I've also seen him lose to some questionable opposition.
Will Jake be up to the task against me? Will he rise up that Easter night like some wrestling Jesus? He looks the part.
March 25th, 2016
She was crying.
As Ryan sat on her porch she cried on his shoulder. This isn't what he expected to happen when he got to her house. The young Lily Flowers had been practically harassing him for two weeks until he gave in and came to talk to her. What he thought was an interview turned into him listening to her talk.
The young college girl talked about how she had recently broken up with her boyfriend when she caught him cheating. The girl was her best friend. It was like something out of a movie. As a fan or wrestling she wanted to just get away and be anyone but herself. She wanted Ryan to help her.
The problem is, he couldn't. Ryan is looking to the end of his run. Sure he could train wannabe wrestlers, he had the skill to do so, if not the patience. The problem is...much like Jake Keeton he knows it will only make him long for the ring more. He wouldn't use kids like that. He tried to explain it to her but she broke down crying. This is where we find ourselves.
Ryan Shane: I'm sorry...I really am. You don't want to get into this business anyway. It isn't easy. You have a lot of sacrifices to make.
It's true. Where Ryan was to where he is now has changed dramatically. It's like bookends on his career.
Lily Flowers: I have nothing else to lose.
Ryan Shane: You have school...
Lily Flowers: I can do both. I just need to prove to myself I'm strong. Don't you know what it's like to want to prove yourself?
He does. Even to this day with a career that started nine years ago he has to prove himself week in and week out.
Ryan Shane: I'm not saying don't do it. I'm just saying that maybe you could find someone else other than me.
She continues to speak through her sobs.
Lily Flowers: I don't know anyone else.
Ryan Shane: I can help with that. It won't be easy, but I'm sure I can get it worked out for you.
Lily Flowers: Would you?
He nods his head and she gives him a hug. It looks like he has a call to make. As she dries her eyes and Ryan makes his way to his car he still feels like something isn't right. Why go through all the trouble of harassing him and sending him pictures? All she had to do was ask. He puts it out of his mind hoping that things will finally go back to how there were before he even met her.
Things weren't always bad. When Jake and I were a team there was no one who could touch us. You don't become the best tag team of two thousand and eight by not being a cohesive unit. We were a perfect match. I knew it wouldn't always be that way. It couldn't be. History is filled with teams that break up. I was ready to go from someday to right now. I didn't. It was Jake who rose to the top. It was Jake who won all the championships. All of that was meant for me. I got none of the rewards
Jake Keeton had used me.
It hurt. I admit that. I even tried to forgive and forget. When it came time to crown new champions for the belts we never lost and he wanted to team up and bring back some of that old magic. I was there. We didn't win. I know he was just trying to throw me a bone and that his heart wasn't in it. He had fooled me twice. My career has been almost non existent the past four years. I was told I was nothing without Jake Keeton and I believed it. My other attempts in the IWF ended because I lost confidence in myself and I walked away. I was done.
I found something more to live for.
All it took was seeing Jake Keeton on TV talking about beating Spike Kane to set me off. The feelings I had boiled over and I had to do something. For too long I had been the guy who bitched and moaned about how Keeton had done me wrong. It was time to do something about.
Jake Keeton was to supposed to fall.
He didn't. Now I am stuck here trying to make the best of a shit situation. I tried to just own up to my failure but Jake couldn't let it go. Instead of accepting I'm better than him he wanted to force the issue and now he finds himself facing now Ryan Shane once again.
I was content with putting him out to pasture, but now it's time to put the old man down.
March 26th, 2016
Tomorrow is the night. The world wasn't content with how Ryan Shane beat Jake Keeton and so he has to do it again. Why won't the wrestling world give Shane his due? All he has wanted to do was work out his aggression in the gym. He couldn't even do that with the promise he made to Amber. He is facing Jake Keeton, one of the greatest the world has to offer. How can he win if he hasn't been able to use all of the tools at his disposal.
This is what has Ryan awake at three in the morning. It isn't the nerves. He knows he belongs in that ring. If anything he shouldn't even be worrying about Jake Keeton all that much. Once it would have headlined shows, but now in the big picture Keeton is a small fish. This doesn't stop his mind from racing in the dark.
Amber must have heard him stirring because she wakes up and turns toward him. She can just make out his silhouette as the moon shines through the curtains. As she places a hand on his leg he knows she is awake.
Amber Lynn: Are you alright? It isn't like you to be up this late at night.
Ryan Shane: I'm fine. It's nothing I want to bother you with.
She knows it is wrestling related. Even though she would is counting the days until it's no longer a concern she can't stand to see him like this.
Amber Lynn: It's no bother babe. I know this match with Jake tomorrow is weighing heavy on you. You're only human. If you felt nothing about it I would be more worried about you than I already am.
Ryan Shane: You don't need to worry about me. It's Jake's family who needs to worry about him. If things go my way he is going to have to find a new way to support them.
This sort of surprises her.
Amber Lynn: That seems a little harsh doesn't it? Who cares what he does after this match. If you win you will have proved a lot to everyone. There is no one who can call you a fluke. In a couple of months it won't even matter. We will be getting our new life together. One where you don't have to think about Jake ever again.
Ryan Shane: I might be leaving the business but I still care about the impression I am leaving. When people look up Ryan Shane all they will see is a quitter. If I end the career of Jake Keeton I won't just be a part of history. I will be history.
Amber Lynn: If that is how you feel than why are you up at night? It seems like you have everything figured out.
Ryan Shane: I do. I just couldn't sleep is all. I think the pregnancy might be causing you to have a snoring problem.
She sees through this lie.
Amber Lynn: Right, on the day before your big match.
Ryan Shane: Yeah...
Amber Lynn: It's a good thing you are leaving today for Denver then. I want you to be well rested. Now why don't you try to get some more sleep.
Instead of going back to bed Ryan stands up and exits the bedroom. He heads down the stairs to the living room and takes a seat on the couch.
He knows what he has to do, what he wants to do, but no one said it would be easy. This isn't like last month where he acted on a whim. This has been building for awhile. As he sits there alone on the couch emotion comes over him.
Ryan Shane weeps.
It's like a bad dream that I wish was over. This isn't how I had things laid out in my head. It was supposed to be quick, painless. Jake Keeton was finally going to give back to me everything he had taken. I was supposed to be the heir to his legacy. When he was done with this business I was supposed to carry the torch. I guess I was young and stupid. Nothing was ever for my benefit. I was just the first in a long line of people Jake gave hope to.
I take the weight of that on my shoulders and I apologize.
I should have never allowed Jake to train anyone else. His track record speaks for itself.
Our matches should be about two men with great respect for each other having a friendly match for bragging rights. Instead I don't think I have ever wrestled a match against a man I have so much hatred for. I plan on destroying you. I know it's not a fair fight. It was never going to be. The moment I knew I was better than you I knew this day would come. You had the chance to stop all of this. All you had to do was admit what I already knew.
You fear me Jake, you always have.
I don't blame you. How could you not? I could still have a future in this business if I wanted it. You can hang on for as long as you want but your days are numbered. When I beat you I will have the world at my feet. All of your accomplishments will finally do some good for someone else.
There was once a time where I was nervous to even be in the ring with you. Those times have long passed. Everything you have coming to you, I will enjoy dishing out. I will do so with a smile on my face knowing I will be righting all the wrongs. Then when you are defeated, broken and ashamed that is when I will take my greatest retribution.
I will pull the torch from your hands and raise it into the air. It will prove that I'm the better man.
I loved you once Jake...you were like a brother.
There was a time when I would have HATED what is to come...
You have left me no choice...
At High Stakes I must leave no doubt that I'm the better man.
At High Stakes I must beat you at all costs.
At High Stake I must prove my time is Right Now!
Well howdy there pardner.