Post by Mike Laszlo on Apr 10, 2017 4:53:11 GMT
Another bid into the history books has come and gone, and again, I’ve failed.
There’s a loud thud, the sounds of my hands smacking against the canvas. It echoes throughout the large building, carrying from wall to wall and up into the high ceilings of the former armory turned gym. I’d scream, but being alone, nobody would hear me and that would simply be a waste of breath.
I beat Steve Awesome, I was riding a high, and when I entered the Roulette at my hand picked number twenty-four, I thought I had it all in my favor. The other people who were favorites to win the match were winded, sucking air due to the time they’ve been in the match. I came in a house on fire, taking out everyone in my path, even going to lengths of eliminating the most men in the entire damn match...and yet, like me, falling to the floor, my dreams of winning the Roulette, completing the tournament/grand event circuit, and moving on to Night of the Immortals have gone up in complete and total smoke, and I can’t help but feel that my glass isn’t exactly half empty, but half full.
The scene fades in and I’m sitting in the center of the ring, a hood over my head, and my fingers tangled together, only the tape on my fists really showing. I gaze up from the mat, my face shadowed by the brim of the hood.
Why you might ask? Why after that failure would I want to hold my head high and continue marching forward?
I snicker a bit, a smirk remaining on my face.
Because I know that the book isn’t closed, the story isn’t over, and there’s still some Goddamn history to be made in this company. I don’t have the time for my eyes to look back, only to look forward into the glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. It’s there, I can see it, I can reach out and touch it.
I reach forward at the figment of my imagination until something stands in my way. An obstacle of sorts, and as I close my eyes.
I can see the light being blocked and words being thrown my way. They’re thoughts of another man, and the rambling just goes on and on and on, and I just want it to stop. It’s almost like the old days on the Internet before pop-up blockers. You’d be looking at a website and BOOM endless ads to the point where you just restart the whole computer because you don’t want to see that crap anymore.
I open my eyes.
And that’s what the match this coming Sacrifice is. It is me and Alexis going against Johnny Gillmen and Fiona McFly, two people who Tweet so much it’s like those pop-up ads of the nineties. On and on they go, thinking that they’re forming coherent, reasonable speeches on a social media platform that is known for quick one hundred and eighty character outbursts. They mean well, I know they do, but in the end, they just piss everyone off and make people want to punch them directly in their faces.
I shrug my shoulders.
And that’s the reason for Open Fight Night. That’s the reason I issued the challenge. I know Alexis wants to beat up Fiona...for...well...reasons that she’s explained, but I just want to see less Tweets about stupid shit that nobody gives a flying fuck about.
I stand up and walk to the ropes. I rest my arms over them and half-heartedly flail my arms as if to sarcastically surprise you.
I want you all to know, especially Johnny...I don’t hate the man. I don’t necessarily like him...I’m sort of...well...indifferent. He gets between the ropes I’m leaning on and for someone with very little ACTUAL training, has some skills. Perhaps some time in developmental can get his head out of his ass, teach him some actual wrestling skill, and perhaps one day...maybe...he can actually make something out of himself rather than being glorified enhancement talent to the likes of myself and Spike Kane who right now seems to want to end not just his career, but his life every time the two of them get near each other.
I take a deep breath.
I mean seriously, you poke that bear over and over again Johnny, and eventually he’s going to maul you. We all know what Spike Kane is capable of, hell, he strung Xavier Cross up to a Crucifix with a couple nails through his hands. You think you’ve pissed me off with some simple Tweets, I think just being alive pisses Spike off when it comes to you.
I run my hand over my facial hair before holding my hands out.
So let’s try this Johnny. I want you to think of Open Fight Night as a counseling session. No, not the one Steve and I were in headed by Joe Everyman, but a legit session. I want you to think of that mat as my couch, and my office. I want you to think of every move you make being a confession of one of the thoughts running around in your head, and every time I punch you back, I want you to think of that as me giving you a suggestion. Take every suggestion and soak it into that pea brain of yours, then take the knowledge I give you and apply it to your every day situations.
You’ll be a better person for it, and I’ll be a better person for helping the world hinder from scratching their eyes out everytime you state your opinion.
Trust me...we’ll all be better off...I promise.
========================================================
Title: Thank You
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Time: 11:55 AM Local Time
Alexis and I had just finished our conversation in the attic when she had asked to be driven over to her mother’s. In case you had forgotten, her mother had been struck with cancer, and I’m happy to report, she’s currently in remission. Catching this deadly disease in the earlier stages is one hell of a first step in combating the disease itself and prolonging the lives of those affected by it.
We pulled up in front of the house we had bought her a year or so ago, parking the car and heading up to the door. Now, Alexis had been keeping up with her mother’s treatments and things like that, making sure she’s been dieting and checking up on her once a week. I hadn’t seen her since she got out of the hospital a month or so ago, training for a comeback and whatnot. To see the woman who opened the door was a sight for sore eyes. The fragility of her body was no more. She was back to being the Mrs. Caffrey we all knew and loved and the smile on her face couldn’t be more evident of that.
Mrs. Caffrey: LEXY! How are you my beautiful girl!?
She opened up and hugged her little girl with all of the love a mother could give. I truly believe there isn’t a damn thing that woman wouldn’t do for her little girl.
Alexis Caffrey: I’m good Ma. Look who’s here.
Alexis stepped to the side and revealed me to her mother, and I could see her eyes light up the moment she saw me. She was always a big proponent of mine and Alexis’ relationship. She always tells me that upon first talking to me, and seeing the love in my eyes, she knew I was the right one for her daughter. I stepped out and she hugged me.
Mrs. Caffrey: Oh my goodness Michael! It’s been so long since I’ve seen you.
She kissed my on the cheek and I returned the favor as I stepped back and nodded.
Mike Laszlo: I know, and I apologize sweetheart. I’ve been working really hard and just recently got back on television. Alexis kept me up to date on everything going on and when I heard you had kicked the crap out of cancer, I can’t tell you how many backflips my heart did. You’re a strong woman and I admire you deeply for that.
She smiled from ear to ear and took the two of us by the hand, basically pulling us in the front door.
Mrs. Caffrey: Come on you two. You come in, have a seat and we’ll talk.
We followed, laughing before she finally let us go in time for us to scoot in and have a seat on her couch alongside a coffee table in the center of the room. I looked around and it was clear that she was back to her old self.
Mike Laszlo: This place looks spectacular.
Mrs. Caffrey: Thank you! Ever since the treatments to get rid of the cancer, I’ve been full of energy, full of life again. I’m back to the drawing I was doing before, in fact, that one over there just won first prize at the art show a couple weeks back.
I turned and looked at the drawing. It was a photo of her daughter, holding the Diamonds Championship, turned into a hand pencil drawing and it was indeed a spectacular piece.
Mike Laszlo: That’s amazing.
Mrs. Caffrey: I call it inspiration.
Alexis smiled and looked down at the floor slightly timid by the attention her mother had bestowed upon her.
Mrs. Caffrey: I call it, inspiration.
Alexis looked up.
Alexis Caffrey: Ma, you are my inspiration. To know that I come from you and that heart, and that courage you possess, to know that those powers are instilled within me is something special to me, more so than you’ll ever know.
Mrs. Caffrey: Oh...sweetie, those powers aren’t just instilled within you...they’re exemplified through you each and every day you breathe. I saw you win that title and hold it high over your head with that big bright smile you have on your face, it was just inspiring to me. Every single time I walked by the original photo, I knew that if you could accomplish your dreams like you did in that picture, I could beat cancer and see you do it all over again. Anytime I was down in the dumps, and just tired from all the treatments, I’d grab that picture in the frame and I’d stare at it. You’d give me courage, you’d give me a scrappy fighting spirit not to be messed with, and you encouraged me to go on. It’s why I chose to draw that picture, and apparently I did a good job.
Alexis nodded as I butted in.
Mike Laszlo: You truly did, and I don’t just mean the drawing. You see, what brought us over here was a picture in one of your old scrap albums. It was a picture of her, sitting on the steps of a Jersey Motel with the saddest look on her face a person could possess, and on the back is what was really touching. It said “I swear to God she will never feel this way again.”. Do you remember that?
She nodded, and I could see she remembers that moment quite well.
Mike Laszlo: You made a promise to a little girl in New Jersey that her life from that point on would get better. She would never sit on the steps and look that way again. Were there ups and downs? I’m sure, but in the end, I am here to sit in front of you and commend you.
She looked up, a tear rolling down her cheek.
Mrs. Caffrey: Commend me? For what?
Mike Laszlo: For keeping your promise. This girl beside me is that girl and her life has been better ever since. She was raised to be a strong, thick-headed at times young woman. She went out and she achieved her dreams of becoming a pro-wrestler, and for over the majority of three quarters of the year was known as the BEST female pro-wrestler in our company. You gave her that power, you taught her those values, and sitting here, next to her now, in front of you, and every other day of my life, I can honestly say that because of her I’m a stronger person. Because of this beautiful young woman you gave as much as you could, I am a better man, and for that, you should not only be commended, but you should be thanked.
I stand up and take her hand, kissing it on top.
Mike Laszlo: From the bottom of my heart...I thank you.
She looked at Alexis who looked on, emotionally strapped.
Mrs. Caffrey: I told you he was the one.
Alexis had one of those “choked up” smiles on her face as she tilted her head and looked over at me. There was a lot of emotion filling the room right now, and it was evident in her face. Her mother turned to me and returned my sentiment.
Mrs. Caffrey: Well, if you’re thanking me, I need to thank you.
Mike Laszlo: No you don’t.
Mrs. Caffrey: Oh yes I do. I need to thank you for taking my creation, a beautiful young girl and helping her become a simply gorgeous young woman. The strengths I put in her heart, you’ve allowed her to thrust upon you. You’re her rock in this world and I can’t thank you anymore for being that.
She put her hand on her heart.
Mrs. Caffrey: I’ve never seen her love someone or something as much as she loves you. The moment you walk into a room with her in it, her eyes light up, her heart beats a bit faster, and she’s overcome by the sight of you. It doesn’t matter if you’re in a wrestling ring, hammering a nail into a board, or simply coming home from work...I’ve seen it all. So thank you for being there for her when she needs you. Thank you for not abandoning her like that man who calls himself her father. Mike, I want you to know, I love you like you’re my own son, not just by marriage, my own. I would do anything for you, just as I would her, and I know you would too. You’re a good man, and I appreciate that.
Alexis puts her hand on my cheek and pulls me in her direction.
Alexis Caffrey: And I’m the luckiest girl in the world to have you as my husband. I don’t want any other, and I don’t need anyone else. As long as I have you...my life...is perfect.
I kissed her and she kissed me back as her mother looked on with a smile as the scene fades.
========================================================
Johnny this isn’t personal by any stretch of the word.
The scene comes back and I’m now sitting on the edge of the ring apron.
As I said before, I don’t hate you. There’s just certain times in life where you need to learn to either keep your mouth shut, or keep your damn fingers off of the keyboard. Not every situation needs your two cents just because you were involved with someone in the situation a couple of months back.
I place my hand on my chest.
I get it, I really do. You want revenge.
I smack my knee.
Do you remember when I came back to beat up Rob Diamond the second time around? The man caused me an injury that kept me off of television, and out of a ring for upwards of six months. He took away the thing I loved, though I didn’t realize it until it was taken from me.
Wrestling was getting to be a chore, but to lose something like that, something that was such a big part of your life, can really put things into perspective, and I believe that’s what Spike nearly ending your career did for you. It put things in a whole new perspective that is perhaps not the best path to follow.
I spread my hands out representing Johnny’s issues.
This “debt” you say you’re owed from Spike, it’s not a debt at all, it’s just a dish of revenge you’d like to exact upon him, but I’m sitting here to tell you right now dude, that to exact revenge properly, to hand out the dish that is best served cold, you need to wait for the best time to do it, and seeing as how Spike is pulverizing people with far more experience than you, I’d be the wise one in the room telling you that now isn’t that time.
I point to the ground.
That’s why at this moment, I’m doing all of this to help you. Yes...I said it...I’m helping you. I’m taking your mind off of Spike. I’m giving you a healthier way in which to take out your frustrations because I’m sure they’ve built up, and I’m sure they’ve manifested into a monster that you look to unleash upon the world.
I jump down from the apron, my feet firmly planted on the mat below me. I draw an imaginary line in front of me.
While here we are Johnny, the line is drawn. I’m not a man who will try and end your livelihood, just a man who will end your night quicker than a drugged drink at a bar. You want to unleash this monster within you Johnny? You want to practice collecting these supposed debts you’re owed? Practice with me. Take your best fucking shot dude, because in the end, if you cross the line in the sand, and you enter my territory, you’d better be ready to tuck your tail between your legs and run back to the beach you came from to lick your wounds.
My hands go to my chest again.
I’m not the God of Steel and I don’t want a comic book ripoff moniker like it.
I’m Mike Laszlo…
I’m the man you stand across the ring from on Sacrifice. I’m the one who is telling you now to bring your best and stand up in the face of a challenge, because if you don’t...you’d only wish Spike got his hands on you first.
So Johnny, be a man, bring your best, and maybe...you’ll earn some respect.
I walk out of picture as the scene fades.
There’s a loud thud, the sounds of my hands smacking against the canvas. It echoes throughout the large building, carrying from wall to wall and up into the high ceilings of the former armory turned gym. I’d scream, but being alone, nobody would hear me and that would simply be a waste of breath.
I beat Steve Awesome, I was riding a high, and when I entered the Roulette at my hand picked number twenty-four, I thought I had it all in my favor. The other people who were favorites to win the match were winded, sucking air due to the time they’ve been in the match. I came in a house on fire, taking out everyone in my path, even going to lengths of eliminating the most men in the entire damn match...and yet, like me, falling to the floor, my dreams of winning the Roulette, completing the tournament/grand event circuit, and moving on to Night of the Immortals have gone up in complete and total smoke, and I can’t help but feel that my glass isn’t exactly half empty, but half full.
The scene fades in and I’m sitting in the center of the ring, a hood over my head, and my fingers tangled together, only the tape on my fists really showing. I gaze up from the mat, my face shadowed by the brim of the hood.
Why you might ask? Why after that failure would I want to hold my head high and continue marching forward?
I snicker a bit, a smirk remaining on my face.
Because I know that the book isn’t closed, the story isn’t over, and there’s still some Goddamn history to be made in this company. I don’t have the time for my eyes to look back, only to look forward into the glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. It’s there, I can see it, I can reach out and touch it.
I reach forward at the figment of my imagination until something stands in my way. An obstacle of sorts, and as I close my eyes.
I can see the light being blocked and words being thrown my way. They’re thoughts of another man, and the rambling just goes on and on and on, and I just want it to stop. It’s almost like the old days on the Internet before pop-up blockers. You’d be looking at a website and BOOM endless ads to the point where you just restart the whole computer because you don’t want to see that crap anymore.
I open my eyes.
And that’s what the match this coming Sacrifice is. It is me and Alexis going against Johnny Gillmen and Fiona McFly, two people who Tweet so much it’s like those pop-up ads of the nineties. On and on they go, thinking that they’re forming coherent, reasonable speeches on a social media platform that is known for quick one hundred and eighty character outbursts. They mean well, I know they do, but in the end, they just piss everyone off and make people want to punch them directly in their faces.
I shrug my shoulders.
And that’s the reason for Open Fight Night. That’s the reason I issued the challenge. I know Alexis wants to beat up Fiona...for...well...reasons that she’s explained, but I just want to see less Tweets about stupid shit that nobody gives a flying fuck about.
I stand up and walk to the ropes. I rest my arms over them and half-heartedly flail my arms as if to sarcastically surprise you.
I want you all to know, especially Johnny...I don’t hate the man. I don’t necessarily like him...I’m sort of...well...indifferent. He gets between the ropes I’m leaning on and for someone with very little ACTUAL training, has some skills. Perhaps some time in developmental can get his head out of his ass, teach him some actual wrestling skill, and perhaps one day...maybe...he can actually make something out of himself rather than being glorified enhancement talent to the likes of myself and Spike Kane who right now seems to want to end not just his career, but his life every time the two of them get near each other.
I take a deep breath.
I mean seriously, you poke that bear over and over again Johnny, and eventually he’s going to maul you. We all know what Spike Kane is capable of, hell, he strung Xavier Cross up to a Crucifix with a couple nails through his hands. You think you’ve pissed me off with some simple Tweets, I think just being alive pisses Spike off when it comes to you.
I run my hand over my facial hair before holding my hands out.
So let’s try this Johnny. I want you to think of Open Fight Night as a counseling session. No, not the one Steve and I were in headed by Joe Everyman, but a legit session. I want you to think of that mat as my couch, and my office. I want you to think of every move you make being a confession of one of the thoughts running around in your head, and every time I punch you back, I want you to think of that as me giving you a suggestion. Take every suggestion and soak it into that pea brain of yours, then take the knowledge I give you and apply it to your every day situations.
You’ll be a better person for it, and I’ll be a better person for helping the world hinder from scratching their eyes out everytime you state your opinion.
Trust me...we’ll all be better off...I promise.
========================================================
Title: Thank You
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Time: 11:55 AM Local Time
Alexis and I had just finished our conversation in the attic when she had asked to be driven over to her mother’s. In case you had forgotten, her mother had been struck with cancer, and I’m happy to report, she’s currently in remission. Catching this deadly disease in the earlier stages is one hell of a first step in combating the disease itself and prolonging the lives of those affected by it.
We pulled up in front of the house we had bought her a year or so ago, parking the car and heading up to the door. Now, Alexis had been keeping up with her mother’s treatments and things like that, making sure she’s been dieting and checking up on her once a week. I hadn’t seen her since she got out of the hospital a month or so ago, training for a comeback and whatnot. To see the woman who opened the door was a sight for sore eyes. The fragility of her body was no more. She was back to being the Mrs. Caffrey we all knew and loved and the smile on her face couldn’t be more evident of that.
Mrs. Caffrey: LEXY! How are you my beautiful girl!?
She opened up and hugged her little girl with all of the love a mother could give. I truly believe there isn’t a damn thing that woman wouldn’t do for her little girl.
Alexis Caffrey: I’m good Ma. Look who’s here.
Alexis stepped to the side and revealed me to her mother, and I could see her eyes light up the moment she saw me. She was always a big proponent of mine and Alexis’ relationship. She always tells me that upon first talking to me, and seeing the love in my eyes, she knew I was the right one for her daughter. I stepped out and she hugged me.
Mrs. Caffrey: Oh my goodness Michael! It’s been so long since I’ve seen you.
She kissed my on the cheek and I returned the favor as I stepped back and nodded.
Mike Laszlo: I know, and I apologize sweetheart. I’ve been working really hard and just recently got back on television. Alexis kept me up to date on everything going on and when I heard you had kicked the crap out of cancer, I can’t tell you how many backflips my heart did. You’re a strong woman and I admire you deeply for that.
She smiled from ear to ear and took the two of us by the hand, basically pulling us in the front door.
Mrs. Caffrey: Come on you two. You come in, have a seat and we’ll talk.
We followed, laughing before she finally let us go in time for us to scoot in and have a seat on her couch alongside a coffee table in the center of the room. I looked around and it was clear that she was back to her old self.
Mike Laszlo: This place looks spectacular.
Mrs. Caffrey: Thank you! Ever since the treatments to get rid of the cancer, I’ve been full of energy, full of life again. I’m back to the drawing I was doing before, in fact, that one over there just won first prize at the art show a couple weeks back.
I turned and looked at the drawing. It was a photo of her daughter, holding the Diamonds Championship, turned into a hand pencil drawing and it was indeed a spectacular piece.
Mike Laszlo: That’s amazing.
Mrs. Caffrey: I call it inspiration.
Alexis smiled and looked down at the floor slightly timid by the attention her mother had bestowed upon her.
Mrs. Caffrey: I call it, inspiration.
Alexis looked up.
Alexis Caffrey: Ma, you are my inspiration. To know that I come from you and that heart, and that courage you possess, to know that those powers are instilled within me is something special to me, more so than you’ll ever know.
Mrs. Caffrey: Oh...sweetie, those powers aren’t just instilled within you...they’re exemplified through you each and every day you breathe. I saw you win that title and hold it high over your head with that big bright smile you have on your face, it was just inspiring to me. Every single time I walked by the original photo, I knew that if you could accomplish your dreams like you did in that picture, I could beat cancer and see you do it all over again. Anytime I was down in the dumps, and just tired from all the treatments, I’d grab that picture in the frame and I’d stare at it. You’d give me courage, you’d give me a scrappy fighting spirit not to be messed with, and you encouraged me to go on. It’s why I chose to draw that picture, and apparently I did a good job.
Alexis nodded as I butted in.
Mike Laszlo: You truly did, and I don’t just mean the drawing. You see, what brought us over here was a picture in one of your old scrap albums. It was a picture of her, sitting on the steps of a Jersey Motel with the saddest look on her face a person could possess, and on the back is what was really touching. It said “I swear to God she will never feel this way again.”. Do you remember that?
She nodded, and I could see she remembers that moment quite well.
Mike Laszlo: You made a promise to a little girl in New Jersey that her life from that point on would get better. She would never sit on the steps and look that way again. Were there ups and downs? I’m sure, but in the end, I am here to sit in front of you and commend you.
She looked up, a tear rolling down her cheek.
Mrs. Caffrey: Commend me? For what?
Mike Laszlo: For keeping your promise. This girl beside me is that girl and her life has been better ever since. She was raised to be a strong, thick-headed at times young woman. She went out and she achieved her dreams of becoming a pro-wrestler, and for over the majority of three quarters of the year was known as the BEST female pro-wrestler in our company. You gave her that power, you taught her those values, and sitting here, next to her now, in front of you, and every other day of my life, I can honestly say that because of her I’m a stronger person. Because of this beautiful young woman you gave as much as you could, I am a better man, and for that, you should not only be commended, but you should be thanked.
I stand up and take her hand, kissing it on top.
Mike Laszlo: From the bottom of my heart...I thank you.
She looked at Alexis who looked on, emotionally strapped.
Mrs. Caffrey: I told you he was the one.
Alexis had one of those “choked up” smiles on her face as she tilted her head and looked over at me. There was a lot of emotion filling the room right now, and it was evident in her face. Her mother turned to me and returned my sentiment.
Mrs. Caffrey: Well, if you’re thanking me, I need to thank you.
Mike Laszlo: No you don’t.
Mrs. Caffrey: Oh yes I do. I need to thank you for taking my creation, a beautiful young girl and helping her become a simply gorgeous young woman. The strengths I put in her heart, you’ve allowed her to thrust upon you. You’re her rock in this world and I can’t thank you anymore for being that.
She put her hand on her heart.
Mrs. Caffrey: I’ve never seen her love someone or something as much as she loves you. The moment you walk into a room with her in it, her eyes light up, her heart beats a bit faster, and she’s overcome by the sight of you. It doesn’t matter if you’re in a wrestling ring, hammering a nail into a board, or simply coming home from work...I’ve seen it all. So thank you for being there for her when she needs you. Thank you for not abandoning her like that man who calls himself her father. Mike, I want you to know, I love you like you’re my own son, not just by marriage, my own. I would do anything for you, just as I would her, and I know you would too. You’re a good man, and I appreciate that.
Alexis puts her hand on my cheek and pulls me in her direction.
Alexis Caffrey: And I’m the luckiest girl in the world to have you as my husband. I don’t want any other, and I don’t need anyone else. As long as I have you...my life...is perfect.
I kissed her and she kissed me back as her mother looked on with a smile as the scene fades.
========================================================
Johnny this isn’t personal by any stretch of the word.
The scene comes back and I’m now sitting on the edge of the ring apron.
As I said before, I don’t hate you. There’s just certain times in life where you need to learn to either keep your mouth shut, or keep your damn fingers off of the keyboard. Not every situation needs your two cents just because you were involved with someone in the situation a couple of months back.
I place my hand on my chest.
I get it, I really do. You want revenge.
I smack my knee.
Do you remember when I came back to beat up Rob Diamond the second time around? The man caused me an injury that kept me off of television, and out of a ring for upwards of six months. He took away the thing I loved, though I didn’t realize it until it was taken from me.
Wrestling was getting to be a chore, but to lose something like that, something that was such a big part of your life, can really put things into perspective, and I believe that’s what Spike nearly ending your career did for you. It put things in a whole new perspective that is perhaps not the best path to follow.
I spread my hands out representing Johnny’s issues.
This “debt” you say you’re owed from Spike, it’s not a debt at all, it’s just a dish of revenge you’d like to exact upon him, but I’m sitting here to tell you right now dude, that to exact revenge properly, to hand out the dish that is best served cold, you need to wait for the best time to do it, and seeing as how Spike is pulverizing people with far more experience than you, I’d be the wise one in the room telling you that now isn’t that time.
I point to the ground.
That’s why at this moment, I’m doing all of this to help you. Yes...I said it...I’m helping you. I’m taking your mind off of Spike. I’m giving you a healthier way in which to take out your frustrations because I’m sure they’ve built up, and I’m sure they’ve manifested into a monster that you look to unleash upon the world.
I jump down from the apron, my feet firmly planted on the mat below me. I draw an imaginary line in front of me.
While here we are Johnny, the line is drawn. I’m not a man who will try and end your livelihood, just a man who will end your night quicker than a drugged drink at a bar. You want to unleash this monster within you Johnny? You want to practice collecting these supposed debts you’re owed? Practice with me. Take your best fucking shot dude, because in the end, if you cross the line in the sand, and you enter my territory, you’d better be ready to tuck your tail between your legs and run back to the beach you came from to lick your wounds.
My hands go to my chest again.
I’m not the God of Steel and I don’t want a comic book ripoff moniker like it.
I’m Mike Laszlo…
I’m the man you stand across the ring from on Sacrifice. I’m the one who is telling you now to bring your best and stand up in the face of a challenge, because if you don’t...you’d only wish Spike got his hands on you first.
So Johnny, be a man, bring your best, and maybe...you’ll earn some respect.
I walk out of picture as the scene fades.
Well howdy there pardner.