Post by Doc on Jul 25, 2013 14:26:55 GMT
This is my least my favourite part of the job. So many nights I've sat on benches just like this one after pay per views, getting wrapped up like a mummy after pulling a win out of nowhere. The pain during the match itself is easy bit.. it's a sudden pain.. jolting.. but fleeting as the adrenaline takes over. It's when you come backstage.. that’s when the real pain kicks in. The doctors start finding injuries that weren't obvious in the ring, or if they have orders from the boss, they lie through their teeth that nothing's wrong but prescribe you enough drugs to knock out a horse anyway. These things never worried me as young athlete, but as I get older, as I feel the pains in my back come and go daily from that broken neck.. I wonder more and more how many nights like this I have left in the tank.
"Well the good news is, nothing's broken. There's substantial bruising around the rib cage, but nothing that you should keep you out of action. I would suggest taking it easy in training for a few days and I'll recommend you're placed in the Tag Team Lottery to ease the physical strain on your body for a week or two."
"Yeah, that's great doctor. Thanks very much."
As the medic packs up his things and leaves, my sister Jennie comes in to the room with a look of concern. I give her a little smile and she runs over and hugs me out of instinct, not noticing the bandage wrapped around my ribs.
"AH!- Jennie, be careful.."
She backs away and gives me an innocent little smile.
"Oh, sorry. Got carried away. I was really worried that you were going to get hurt tonight Doc.. hurt badly. But to go out there and beat AJ and Gjenrei at the same time.. that will to get your hands on Angel is knocking everyone out of your path."
I shoot her a look of discontent.
"What do you mean, 'that will to get your hands on Angel'?"
"Just, you know.. it's lit a fire under your ass, the desire you have to get to him.. you were unstoppable tonight."
"What, you think I need Angel to have a fire lit under my ass? Give me a break Jennie, I've been beating the best wrestlers in this business since long before Angel ever came in to my life."
"Doc.. I was just giving you a compliment - I didn't mean anything by-"
"I don't know.. maybe it's because I was never world champion. Maybe people look at me as some average wrestler who never really achieved much in his career. In the past six years my win/loss ratio has been as high as Bill Gates’ credit rating, but nobody seems to remember what I've done. Nobody seems to care who I've beat. I won tonight because I'm the best wrestler on the goddamn planet Jennie, not because of fucking Angel."
She just stands there, frozen, unsure of what to say.
"Sorr-"
"Forget it. So what else is new?"
"Well.. this will probably cheer you up. I saw Simon have a word with Angel after your match.."
"Yeah?"
Suddenly I feel perked up. This could be the best news I've heard in years.
"He warned him not involve-"
"Warned him? Sorry, did you just say that Simon warned Angel? After I go out there and almost get my ribs broken because of that son of a bitch, he gives him a fucking slap on the wrist?"
"Well, yeah, I-"
"That's it. I've had enough of this disrespect."
I just get up and walk straight out of the medical room, slamming the door shut behind me.
"Wow, he's such a diva when he’s hurt."
I storm through the door of his office as he sits at his desk, fiddling away with paperwork. He looks up, a little startled, and sees the anger plastered across my face. He immediately pushes the paperwork to the side and points at the chair across from him.
"Doc, please.. take a seat."
"Fuck this take a seat bullshit Simon. I nearly cracked a goddamn rib out there because of Angel. And then I come backstage and find out that you've given him a fucking slap on the wrist?"
"Doc, I understand why you're angry, and I know you're probably in a lot of pain. So I'm going to ask you to calm down and think about this for a moment. I can't see what else you would have expected me to do. You didn't think I was going to fire him did you?"
A moment of silence fills the room. I can feel my breaths becoming heavier as my nostrils flare and collapse.
"You think I don't know what I'm worth to this company Simon? You think my agent isn't on the phone twice a week telling me how much my merchandise is filling up your pockets? But nah, I don't bother asking for a pay rise. Because I love wrestling. I'm a company man. But it's about time I got some fucking respect. Do you see what I've been doing out there in the ring? Did you see me just beat two men at one time? I think it's time I was treated like the goddamn superstar I am - or else I'm-"
"Doc, I'm going to cut you off there before you say something you regret. I'm well aware of your history of.. 'run ins' with your bosses - and I have to warn you that no such behaviour will be tolerated around here. Now listen. Angel has been dealt with. I've warned him that if he has any further problem with you, he has to settle it himself. That's what you wanted, is it not? To get your hands on Angel?"
I continue taking deep breaths, keeping myself composed, but I don't say anything. I guess he's right.
"And if Angel chooses to ignore my advice, he will be dealt with further. You have my word on that. In the meantime, yes, you have done very well since you debuted in IWF three weeks ago. I've received a note from the medical staff suggesting that you be placed in this tag team lottery and allowed to take things easy for a couple of weeks. But I don't get the impression that's what you're looking for Doc. I see you're ready for a fight, for a chance to mix it with the best we have to offer. Well we have a situation at the moment. A lot the wrestlers in the back are refusing to face Xander Famularo this week after his actions on Linage. If you want the chance to make an impact, I'm offering you it on a plate. Doc vs Xander.. for the first time in history.. live on Sacrifice. But if Xander snaps and leaves you in the hospital like he did Xavier Cross.. I don't want you coming in to this office and complaining about it, understand? The choice is yours. Now if you don't mind, I have a lot of paperwork to get through."
Suddenly, I feel calm, relaxed even. As I hear the words come out of Simon's mouth, a stupid looking grin comes over my face.
"Thanks Mr. de Montford. I always knew you were a fair man."
It's been a long time since I've seen Tara so withdrawn - maybe never. She just sits there, all day, barely talking, barely eating. Just when I thought she was getting back to normal, losing her title has hit her hard. She must feel like she’s losing everything she cares about in life. It's my job to let her know that isn't true.
She isn't losing her family.
"Tara.. I was talking to Jennie, and she told me that you planned to hand Angel back your wedding ring on Lineage. What happened?"
She turns and looks at me with half-moons under each eye, and a look that is calling out for help before she goes over the edge.
"I.. I just couldn't do it Doc."
"Tara.."
I take a seat beside her, and throw my arm around her.
"You have to give him back the ring. It's the only way your going to be able to move on from all of this, once and for all."
"I know. I will.. I will this week."
"Good girl."
I kiss her on the side of the head. I wish I could say something more to comfort her, but I decide to leave her be.
I never wanted things to turn out this way. All of this was for Tara. For her best interests.
It's him who should be paying for this. It's him who deserves to suffer.
And when he finally musters up the balls to face me in that ring by himself..
By God.. he's going to.
"Well the good news is, nothing's broken. There's substantial bruising around the rib cage, but nothing that you should keep you out of action. I would suggest taking it easy in training for a few days and I'll recommend you're placed in the Tag Team Lottery to ease the physical strain on your body for a week or two."
"Yeah, that's great doctor. Thanks very much."
As the medic packs up his things and leaves, my sister Jennie comes in to the room with a look of concern. I give her a little smile and she runs over and hugs me out of instinct, not noticing the bandage wrapped around my ribs.
"AH!- Jennie, be careful.."
She backs away and gives me an innocent little smile.
"Oh, sorry. Got carried away. I was really worried that you were going to get hurt tonight Doc.. hurt badly. But to go out there and beat AJ and Gjenrei at the same time.. that will to get your hands on Angel is knocking everyone out of your path."
I shoot her a look of discontent.
"What do you mean, 'that will to get your hands on Angel'?"
"Just, you know.. it's lit a fire under your ass, the desire you have to get to him.. you were unstoppable tonight."
"What, you think I need Angel to have a fire lit under my ass? Give me a break Jennie, I've been beating the best wrestlers in this business since long before Angel ever came in to my life."
"Doc.. I was just giving you a compliment - I didn't mean anything by-"
"I don't know.. maybe it's because I was never world champion. Maybe people look at me as some average wrestler who never really achieved much in his career. In the past six years my win/loss ratio has been as high as Bill Gates’ credit rating, but nobody seems to remember what I've done. Nobody seems to care who I've beat. I won tonight because I'm the best wrestler on the goddamn planet Jennie, not because of fucking Angel."
She just stands there, frozen, unsure of what to say.
"Sorr-"
"Forget it. So what else is new?"
"Well.. this will probably cheer you up. I saw Simon have a word with Angel after your match.."
"Yeah?"
Suddenly I feel perked up. This could be the best news I've heard in years.
"He warned him not involve-"
"Warned him? Sorry, did you just say that Simon warned Angel? After I go out there and almost get my ribs broken because of that son of a bitch, he gives him a fucking slap on the wrist?"
"Well, yeah, I-"
"That's it. I've had enough of this disrespect."
I just get up and walk straight out of the medical room, slamming the door shut behind me.
"Wow, he's such a diva when he’s hurt."
As the weeks go by.. it gets harder to distinguish between an opponent that is supposed to be punishment for me.
Or a reward for destroying everyone that's stood in my path.
There's no doubt that you're one of the very best Xander. And I've waited a long time for this. I'm from the old school, where you don't judge a wrestler on how many titles he's won or whether his name's in the Hall of Fame. You judge him by his ability, and whether he was able to beat not only the easy pickings on the roster, but the top opponents of his day.
And you’re one of the few I haven’t had the chance to beat yet.
So since this is the first time I have the honour of your attention - tell me Xander - should I be intimidated by you? Should I get down on one knee and beg you to show me mercy this week?
I mean, that's what you want, isn't it? At least, that’s what you're used to.
I know what it's like. Many moons ago I also sat on the throne of a company and watched as opponent after opponent came to me with a fear in their eyes and a tremble in their voice that let me know the match was won.. long before the night of the show had even arrived.
But I'm not cut from that cloth Xander. I don't respect odds. The odds were against me since birth, growing up in an environment where young males either took a road of drugs and permanent sedation or a road of crime and prison sentences.
I came to that fork in the road and drove straight to the pinnacle of this industry.
So don't think that I will ever fear another man who breathes the same air as me. Don't think I will ever look at your dominance, and forget that you experience doubt, just like every single person in that locker room does. I've walked through men much bigger and scarier than you’ll ever be to prove what many in this company may not realize about me yet.
That I’m the one they should be worried about.
Because once I'm finished settling things with Angel.. the only thing I have left to do is prove there isn't a man out there alive who can match me in that ring.
And that starts with you.
You see Xander.. I don't cause fear by putting my opponents in the hospital. I don't signal my intentions to champions over social networking sites. I just let the men in the suits line up the opponents for me.. one after another..
And I knock them all down.
The fear I create.. is every title holder in the back worrying about who's going to be put up against me next.. and how long they have until I decide to turn my attention to their precious little title. And sure, like you, they'll hide any doubts they may have. They'll show a front of strength and invincibility.
I would expect nothing less from a champion than to hide weakness in the face of a predator.
But in the end Xander.. no matter the prey I find in my path..
A shark doesn't have to see blood to know it's there.
And the water just got choppy around your undefeated streak.
Or a reward for destroying everyone that's stood in my path.
There's no doubt that you're one of the very best Xander. And I've waited a long time for this. I'm from the old school, where you don't judge a wrestler on how many titles he's won or whether his name's in the Hall of Fame. You judge him by his ability, and whether he was able to beat not only the easy pickings on the roster, but the top opponents of his day.
And you’re one of the few I haven’t had the chance to beat yet.
So since this is the first time I have the honour of your attention - tell me Xander - should I be intimidated by you? Should I get down on one knee and beg you to show me mercy this week?
I mean, that's what you want, isn't it? At least, that’s what you're used to.
I know what it's like. Many moons ago I also sat on the throne of a company and watched as opponent after opponent came to me with a fear in their eyes and a tremble in their voice that let me know the match was won.. long before the night of the show had even arrived.
But I'm not cut from that cloth Xander. I don't respect odds. The odds were against me since birth, growing up in an environment where young males either took a road of drugs and permanent sedation or a road of crime and prison sentences.
I came to that fork in the road and drove straight to the pinnacle of this industry.
So don't think that I will ever fear another man who breathes the same air as me. Don't think I will ever look at your dominance, and forget that you experience doubt, just like every single person in that locker room does. I've walked through men much bigger and scarier than you’ll ever be to prove what many in this company may not realize about me yet.
That I’m the one they should be worried about.
Because once I'm finished settling things with Angel.. the only thing I have left to do is prove there isn't a man out there alive who can match me in that ring.
And that starts with you.
You see Xander.. I don't cause fear by putting my opponents in the hospital. I don't signal my intentions to champions over social networking sites. I just let the men in the suits line up the opponents for me.. one after another..
And I knock them all down.
The fear I create.. is every title holder in the back worrying about who's going to be put up against me next.. and how long they have until I decide to turn my attention to their precious little title. And sure, like you, they'll hide any doubts they may have. They'll show a front of strength and invincibility.
I would expect nothing less from a champion than to hide weakness in the face of a predator.
But in the end Xander.. no matter the prey I find in my path..
A shark doesn't have to see blood to know it's there.
And the water just got choppy around your undefeated streak.
I storm through the door of his office as he sits at his desk, fiddling away with paperwork. He looks up, a little startled, and sees the anger plastered across my face. He immediately pushes the paperwork to the side and points at the chair across from him.
"Doc, please.. take a seat."
"Fuck this take a seat bullshit Simon. I nearly cracked a goddamn rib out there because of Angel. And then I come backstage and find out that you've given him a fucking slap on the wrist?"
"Doc, I understand why you're angry, and I know you're probably in a lot of pain. So I'm going to ask you to calm down and think about this for a moment. I can't see what else you would have expected me to do. You didn't think I was going to fire him did you?"
A moment of silence fills the room. I can feel my breaths becoming heavier as my nostrils flare and collapse.
"You think I don't know what I'm worth to this company Simon? You think my agent isn't on the phone twice a week telling me how much my merchandise is filling up your pockets? But nah, I don't bother asking for a pay rise. Because I love wrestling. I'm a company man. But it's about time I got some fucking respect. Do you see what I've been doing out there in the ring? Did you see me just beat two men at one time? I think it's time I was treated like the goddamn superstar I am - or else I'm-"
"Doc, I'm going to cut you off there before you say something you regret. I'm well aware of your history of.. 'run ins' with your bosses - and I have to warn you that no such behaviour will be tolerated around here. Now listen. Angel has been dealt with. I've warned him that if he has any further problem with you, he has to settle it himself. That's what you wanted, is it not? To get your hands on Angel?"
I continue taking deep breaths, keeping myself composed, but I don't say anything. I guess he's right.
"And if Angel chooses to ignore my advice, he will be dealt with further. You have my word on that. In the meantime, yes, you have done very well since you debuted in IWF three weeks ago. I've received a note from the medical staff suggesting that you be placed in this tag team lottery and allowed to take things easy for a couple of weeks. But I don't get the impression that's what you're looking for Doc. I see you're ready for a fight, for a chance to mix it with the best we have to offer. Well we have a situation at the moment. A lot the wrestlers in the back are refusing to face Xander Famularo this week after his actions on Linage. If you want the chance to make an impact, I'm offering you it on a plate. Doc vs Xander.. for the first time in history.. live on Sacrifice. But if Xander snaps and leaves you in the hospital like he did Xavier Cross.. I don't want you coming in to this office and complaining about it, understand? The choice is yours. Now if you don't mind, I have a lot of paperwork to get through."
Suddenly, I feel calm, relaxed even. As I hear the words come out of Simon's mouth, a stupid looking grin comes over my face.
"Thanks Mr. de Montford. I always knew you were a fair man."
You say on twitter that you've proved a point.
Which point is that exactly?
That you had an opportunity handed to you on a silver platter and couldn't get the job done?
That you faced off against a man you said wasn't worth the time it takes to clean the shit from your shoe and didn't win?
You said all week that winning the belt was secondary, that you wanted to hurt Xavier first and foremost. And I can understand wanting to hurt someone so bad that you will sacrifice anything.
I have my own personal vendettas to worry about.
But I'venever lost sight of what this business is about – which is winning when it matters most - no matter how much I hate someone. Even when I came back from a broken neck to face Andrew Jacobsen.. I managed to remain cool and get the job done.. even though every fibre of my being wanted to snap his neck, and make him choke in a different way than he usually does. But I thought I was supposed to be the one who was mentally unstable Xander? I thought I was supposed to fly off the handle at any little thing? But unlike you, it seems - I have enough discipline, enough self-control, that nothing gets in the way making sure I win – no matter what. And the interesting thing is.. we're not too dissimilar, not deep down. We both believe in old school values.. we both love wrestling as a contest as much as we hate everything else that comes with it.
So isn't what you did last week a contradiction of everything you stand for?
Didn't you ignore what this business is all about for a little bit of personal revenge?
And let's face it, it's hardly like you can say the pain you inflicted upon Xavier was worth sacrificing the Heavyweight Title for. You think you proved a point by throwing away title shot to put a man out of action for a week? Xander, I've seen wrestlers take a week out because of manflu. This time next week Xavier will be parading around with the gold over his shoulder acting like nothing ever happened. You really think that justifies not getting the job done?
But wait, this is the part where you come out and repeat what you said last week, right? About the title being secondary? Well answer me this one.
Why were you so fucking desperate to get another referee down to the ring to count your pinfall if all you wanted to do was punish Xavier?
You see.. I think you did want to win that belt Xander. I think you just fucked up and incapacitated the one person in the whole world who could allow you to do that.
The referee.
And now that you've managed to screw up your chance to win the Heavyweight Title, you think you deserve to take a shot at the Imperial belt?
Explain that logic to me big guy, because I don't follow it. Anyway, I thought being champion was a second priority for you?
I could stand here and say that you're picking on the worst champion in wrestling history, and easily get myself the most heat from the American public since Japan's heel turn in 1941. But let me put it another way. We both know that beating Xavier Cross or Joe Everyman certainly doesn't make you the best wrestler on the planet. You want to make a point Xander? You want to send a message?
This is your chance.
Let's see how fucking invincible you are.
Because I'll take on any wrestler in the back, any time, for any stakes. And unlike you, I can go out there and wrestle without having to make up reasons why winning wasn't important to me. All I've seen from you since you stepped foot in that door is a bunch of meaningless victories against powder-puff opponents. The only matches of any value you've been placed in were against Ryan Blade and Xavier Cross - one you didn't win, and the other you didn't even make it to the ring with.
So what exactly have you done in IWF to walk around demanding title shots left right and centre?
You see - unlike you Xander, when I go in to handicap matches and make an impact, I don't do it against Gibberg or Thunder Sid. I do it against wrestlers who are actually capable of tying their shoelace without "special assistance". So as far as I'm concerned, you don't deserve a shot at the top belt - not in this company.
And not 'till you go through me.
Because this week - it isn't going to be about anything personal. No family involved, no thoughts of revenge.
It's about finding out who the future of this company is going to be.
So the way I see it big guy.. it's put up or shut up time.
Because there's only one seat on that throne Xander.
And it's time I parked my ass where it belongs.
Which point is that exactly?
That you had an opportunity handed to you on a silver platter and couldn't get the job done?
That you faced off against a man you said wasn't worth the time it takes to clean the shit from your shoe and didn't win?
You said all week that winning the belt was secondary, that you wanted to hurt Xavier first and foremost. And I can understand wanting to hurt someone so bad that you will sacrifice anything.
I have my own personal vendettas to worry about.
But I'venever lost sight of what this business is about – which is winning when it matters most - no matter how much I hate someone. Even when I came back from a broken neck to face Andrew Jacobsen.. I managed to remain cool and get the job done.. even though every fibre of my being wanted to snap his neck, and make him choke in a different way than he usually does. But I thought I was supposed to be the one who was mentally unstable Xander? I thought I was supposed to fly off the handle at any little thing? But unlike you, it seems - I have enough discipline, enough self-control, that nothing gets in the way making sure I win – no matter what. And the interesting thing is.. we're not too dissimilar, not deep down. We both believe in old school values.. we both love wrestling as a contest as much as we hate everything else that comes with it.
So isn't what you did last week a contradiction of everything you stand for?
Didn't you ignore what this business is all about for a little bit of personal revenge?
And let's face it, it's hardly like you can say the pain you inflicted upon Xavier was worth sacrificing the Heavyweight Title for. You think you proved a point by throwing away title shot to put a man out of action for a week? Xander, I've seen wrestlers take a week out because of manflu. This time next week Xavier will be parading around with the gold over his shoulder acting like nothing ever happened. You really think that justifies not getting the job done?
But wait, this is the part where you come out and repeat what you said last week, right? About the title being secondary? Well answer me this one.
Why were you so fucking desperate to get another referee down to the ring to count your pinfall if all you wanted to do was punish Xavier?
You see.. I think you did want to win that belt Xander. I think you just fucked up and incapacitated the one person in the whole world who could allow you to do that.
The referee.
And now that you've managed to screw up your chance to win the Heavyweight Title, you think you deserve to take a shot at the Imperial belt?
Explain that logic to me big guy, because I don't follow it. Anyway, I thought being champion was a second priority for you?
I could stand here and say that you're picking on the worst champion in wrestling history, and easily get myself the most heat from the American public since Japan's heel turn in 1941. But let me put it another way. We both know that beating Xavier Cross or Joe Everyman certainly doesn't make you the best wrestler on the planet. You want to make a point Xander? You want to send a message?
This is your chance.
Let's see how fucking invincible you are.
Because I'll take on any wrestler in the back, any time, for any stakes. And unlike you, I can go out there and wrestle without having to make up reasons why winning wasn't important to me. All I've seen from you since you stepped foot in that door is a bunch of meaningless victories against powder-puff opponents. The only matches of any value you've been placed in were against Ryan Blade and Xavier Cross - one you didn't win, and the other you didn't even make it to the ring with.
So what exactly have you done in IWF to walk around demanding title shots left right and centre?
You see - unlike you Xander, when I go in to handicap matches and make an impact, I don't do it against Gibberg or Thunder Sid. I do it against wrestlers who are actually capable of tying their shoelace without "special assistance". So as far as I'm concerned, you don't deserve a shot at the top belt - not in this company.
And not 'till you go through me.
Because this week - it isn't going to be about anything personal. No family involved, no thoughts of revenge.
It's about finding out who the future of this company is going to be.
So the way I see it big guy.. it's put up or shut up time.
Because there's only one seat on that throne Xander.
And it's time I parked my ass where it belongs.
It's been a long time since I've seen Tara so withdrawn - maybe never. She just sits there, all day, barely talking, barely eating. Just when I thought she was getting back to normal, losing her title has hit her hard. She must feel like she’s losing everything she cares about in life. It's my job to let her know that isn't true.
She isn't losing her family.
"Tara.. I was talking to Jennie, and she told me that you planned to hand Angel back your wedding ring on Lineage. What happened?"
She turns and looks at me with half-moons under each eye, and a look that is calling out for help before she goes over the edge.
"I.. I just couldn't do it Doc."
"Tara.."
I take a seat beside her, and throw my arm around her.
"You have to give him back the ring. It's the only way your going to be able to move on from all of this, once and for all."
"I know. I will.. I will this week."
"Good girl."
I kiss her on the side of the head. I wish I could say something more to comfort her, but I decide to leave her be.
I never wanted things to turn out this way. All of this was for Tara. For her best interests.
It's him who should be paying for this. It's him who deserves to suffer.
And when he finally musters up the balls to face me in that ring by himself..
By God.. he's going to.
Well howdy there pardner.