Post by FPV on Jan 8, 2017 16:21:09 GMT -5
FPV Promo #13 - Thank You.
Despite everything I know about Seth Lerch, I have to admit he does a good job at keeping his office at WCF HQ on the up and up. You would expect a place run by such a misanthropic alcoholic to be messy as hell. Papers all over the place, overturned furniture, the smell of Wild Turkey permeating in the air. Instead, everything is in it's right place, as it should be.
In fact every part of the HQ has always been well kept every time I had been there, I couldn't really remember a time when it wasn't. Not once has an employee seemed "out of line" in any way. Most days everyone was dressed very formally, with suits and shit, but today was "Business Casual Friday," where employees were encouraged to where the shirts of their favorite wrestlers. Surprisingly, no one wearing a Flash or Bates shirt ended up getting into a fight. That's the level of professionalism in this place. As I walked through the halls, I gave everyone in either an FPV or a Brotherhood shirt a nice big fist bump.
I had gotten this feeling, earlier in the weekend, that I needed to show my appreciation to my boss for everything I've been given since coming back for WAR. So after a quick plane ride to Reading, I stood outside of Lerch's office door and knocked.
In fact every part of the HQ has always been well kept every time I had been there, I couldn't really remember a time when it wasn't. Not once has an employee seemed "out of line" in any way. Most days everyone was dressed very formally, with suits and shit, but today was "Business Casual Friday," where employees were encouraged to where the shirts of their favorite wrestlers. Surprisingly, no one wearing a Flash or Bates shirt ended up getting into a fight. That's the level of professionalism in this place. As I walked through the halls, I gave everyone in either an FPV or a Brotherhood shirt a nice big fist bump.
I had gotten this feeling, earlier in the weekend, that I needed to show my appreciation to my boss for everything I've been given since coming back for WAR. So after a quick plane ride to Reading, I stood outside of Lerch's office door and knocked.
Seth Lerch: Who is it, I'm busy.
FPV: Your favorite pair of initials, heh.
Seth Lerch: Awww sunofabitch...come in, come in.
I opened the door and stepped inside. Just as always, the room was in tip top order. The man inhabiting the room, on the other hand, seemed to be going through a very painful hangover as he looked over some paperwork. Forehead resting right on the palm of his hand, the sleeves to his button up rolled up to his elbows, messy messy hair, and a glossed over look in his eyes as he saw me enter. I shut the door behind me.
Seth Lerch: The fuck do you want? In case you haven't noticed I'm dealing with some urgent paperwork here. I swear if you're here to negotiate for a higher contract I'll shred the contract you have now right in your face.
FPV: Relax friendo, I ain't here for any of that. I just figured I'd stop by and give thanks for the past half of the year you've given me.
Seth Lerch: Huh?
Seth's expression went from that of annoyed anger to confusion, not sure what to make of what I said.
FPV: Let's face it man, I got that TV Title shot on a whim all because of you. I never asked for it, you just put me in a contendership position. Shit the idea of even being TV Champ never crossed my mind until I was thrust into that match. Now look at me: TV Champ of the Year. I've NEVER gotten an of the year award before, for anything. And shit, of all the people who held the belt this year...Gemini Battle...Thomas Bates...Stuart Slane...all former World Champs, and to know that of those people I made the biggest impact, it really means a lot.
Seth Lerch: Umm...thanks, I guess? I mean if we're being honest here I was halfway down a bottle of Royal Crown when I made that match soooooooooo...
I chuckled.
FPV: I figured as much, but thanks anyway. And speaking of that match, there's one more thing I've gotta thank you for. I dunno why, but you've decided to put me in three Triple Threat matches for the belt, going on four times. Most people would see that and think "well shit, I'm at a disadvantage here" but not me. I've gotten used to it, even feel like this type of defense is my specialty now, as odd as it may be. I'm walking into my match against Rocco and Knight confident and ready to go. No butterflies at all.
Seth Lerch: Get to the point, I feel like you're buttering me up for something here Venable.
FPV: Nah, I don't have any ulterior motives. Just figured I say thanks is all. Maybe this time next year I'll STILL hold this belt and be named TV Champ of the Year again! Or shit...maybe even try a run for WORLD Champ of the Year? Maybe?
Seth Lerch: Whatever. Focus on the belt you have right now, don't get no fantasies about anything else.
FPV: Understood boss.
Seth Lerch: Now get out and let me finish my work.
I nodded, turn around and walked out the door. It's funny, most of the time Seth makes some (frankly) horrible decisions drunk. Case in point, giving Wade that World Title shot on Slam a year ago. But for once, the week of OCtober 16th, he actually made a damn good call.
PAUL VENABLE
1964-2015
Husband, Father, Lover of Life
It was surreal, actually seeing his headstone. I had gotten the call that my dad had died while I was off in Japan. My mind was on nothing but working as many matches as I could at the time, and I felt almost no reaction when I heard about his passing. It was absolutely the wrong call on my part, I should've been here for him. And for Vic too. I can only imagine how he must've felt when he found out. Aside from all of that, it was a gorgeous day. The breeze helped to offset the air of death all around me.
FPV: I'm sorry Dad. I should've come back when I got the call. It was selfish of me to stay over there.
Memories of my father came back to me. Everything he did, he did to ensure I grew up properly and perhaps not end up like Vic. We were never a rich family, but we were able to get by. Sometimes I imagine he gave up some of his own personal pleasures so I could enjoy my wrestling toys and my Spider-Man comics and be a happy child. No matter what, though, I'll always be thankful for what he gave me.
FPV: I've been in a very thankful mood lately. Trying to make up for lost time I guess, bein' gone for so long. And there's so much for me to be thankful for. It's a feeling you should learn to appreciate, Sebastian. Because even if I'm late to the party, I'm almost positive you've never been thankful for a goddamn thing in your life.
It's a weird conundrum, facing people like you Sebastian. I hate it and love it in equal measures. I hate having to watch you make a mockery of yourself by acting like a spoiled brat at the age of what? 25? Older? It's a real embarrassing show, man. I know you like to create the illusion that you earn everything you're given without anyone's help. But that grand entrance at One? Would never have been possible if not for your dad. Might as well have stuck a silver spoon right in your craw as you walked down that ramp. I wonder what song the Oompa Loompas will song for you when you eventually over indulge yourself. Personally? I hope it involves blood splattering out of your hand comically. Hello indeed.
I say all that...and yet I'm also excited. I LOVE getting the opportunity to face rich punks like you just so I can embarrass you and (hopefully) make you humble. Want an example? Check out the March 3rd, 2013 edition of Slam and watch me absolutely school Eric Price in front of an adoring crowd. Now look at the man today. Dude's doing charity work and overall not acting like a dick. It's awesome. Sadly I don't think you've reach a maturity level quite that high yet. Maybe I'll have to beat it into you.
I may be given a lot of shots in this company, but you wanna know the difference between me and you? I spent years paying my dues as a jobber on the indies, made my way up the card, and earned my way to where I am now. When Seth booked me in that Triple Threat where I won the belt, no one batted an eye, cause I spent years proving my worth to them. For you, earned this shot via ignoring your doctor and competing in the New Years Bash match. Good showings, all things considered, a little stupid for your long term well being perhaps, but good showings. But you haven't NEARLY proved yourself worthy of calling yourself the 100th TV Champion. Perhaps I'll exploit the knee you almost for sure reinjured fighting a grand total of SEVEN other men last week. We shall see, Sebastian.
Now I look at you Rocco, and I see the polar opposite of Knight. A young up and comer who is thankful for every opportunity he can get his hands on. I can respect every bit of that, and I see nothing but success in your future. But right here, right now? You're nowhere close to being ready to hold my belt. Not by a long shot.
You've only had one match so far here in the dub, and that was a customary newbie Fatal Four Way. A good win to get you started, but do you think for a second that in the future you'll be able to say you beat Axel Blackwood in your debut? Nope. Shit, Axel's probably already gone from the company as we speak. You're coming out of the frying pan and into the fire on this one kid, and I don't think you'll be able to take the heat.
But wrestling isn't your only life now, is there Rocco? No, looks like you've been living a double life my dude. Student by day, wrestler by night. You gotta be commended for trying to make it work, but I'm gonna tell you right now it won't. You'll just complicate everything for yourself and in turn lose opportunities. You can't show late for a Slam and tell Seth "Sorry Mr. Lerch, I was running late for a math test." The Dub is a full time job my man, shit like that ain't gonna fly. You're gonna have to choose one or the other. Personally, if you decided your studies were more important and you just stopped right here, I'd take no offense at all. But I doubt that's what you'll be doing now, am I right?
Well, the good news is you're young, and you've got room to fuck up a few times in your life before you get serious. Maybe one day we'll roll a fat one up and laugh and talk about the first time we ever faced each other. I'd enjoy that. But for right now, I'mma have to teach you the hard lesson they don't teach you in school: life ain't fair all the time, kid.
Both of you, Rocco and Knight, I want the both of you to know I'm coming into this match 100%. I've got no anxieties eating me away worrying about how I'm gonna do. I already know I'm gonna do excellent and continue to bring prestige to my Television Title. I hope for your sakes that you two can say the same. So take this week as a learning opportunity and count your lucky stars you even got this match with me in the first place.
I'll see the both of you soon.
EPILOGUE
I was working over at The People's Grounds, handling some day to day business, when I got a call. It was Corey fuckin' Black. Immediately I could tell this was probably about XIII. I had told him some time ago I wanted to defend my TV Title at the event, but didn't specify an opponent. Left that for him to surprise me. I answered the phone, and a mile long smile spread across my face when he told who I'd be facing.
FPV: Thank you.