Post by Ryan Rhodes on Sept 23, 2013 18:52:40 GMT -5
The morning air is fresh and cool. The kind of crisp air that chills your core when you take a deep breath. The sun is barely peeking over the eastern horizon and illuminates the sky in a dark blue early morning hue. The dull hum and rumble of urban life can be heard in the background as two men complete a brutal workout to start the day. In the parking lot of an abandoned warehouse, two very muscular men are flipping large tractor tires in a race towards a finish line. The ground shakes with each flip of the tire. The men are neck and neck but one seems to be pulling ahead.
With one last grunt, Ryan Rhodes, squats down and flips the tire over the line seconds before his much larger opponent slams his to the ground.
“DAMNIT Ryan! You quick son of a bitch!” The man bellows cracking a forced smile at the end.
The man Ryan Rhodes has just beaten is, Ndamukong Suh, All Pro defensive lineman for the Detroit Lions and quite possibly the meanest player in the National Football League.
“Sorry Suh, Maybe you’ll catch me next time!” Ryan gloats as he grabs a water bottle from a nearby bench. He tosses it in Suh’s Direction.
“Want a rematch?”
The two men slowly walk towards the warehouse, dripping in sweat. They approach a large open door that reveals the inside of the building. In the near right corner, rows of weights and exercise equipment are organized neatly. In the left front corner sits two pristine vehicles. One an Audi R8, all black with lime green rims. The license plate reads Venom. Next to it is a blue Escalade that belongs to Ndamukong Suh. In the direct center of the building is an old worn out wrestling ring that has seen its fair share of use. In the back of the room, a lounge of some sort with large leather recliners and a wall of tv’s is set up. A set of doors leads to a locker room thats sparsely furnished with just the essentials. The two men are now there grabbing towels out of old lockers that are dented and layers of paint have peeled off over time, exposing the various colors that lay beneath.
“Hell no. I gotta go to practice. I don’t have time for out of work wrestlers.” Suh Retorts.
“Oh so you didn't hear the news? I’m back brother!” A sly grin crosses Rhodes face.
“Holy shit! When’s your first match? They got you wrestling some midgets to break you in?”
“End of the Month. I make my debut in their biggest match of the year, War.”
“Ha yeah right Bro! I’m playing running back next week too!” Suh towels off his face trying to wipe off the sweat and bewildered look of hearing Rhodes has returned to wrestling.
Ryan Rhodes stops dead in his tracks and shoots Suh a dead serious look.
“For real, I got that itch, I’m ready to get back in the ring. I know you know the feelings. The ones you can only get before a match or game. When you get ready, you’ve prepared all week and you're sitting at your locker, taping up getting ready for battle. Rethinking every detail, making sure you haven't forgotten anything. You know your opponents weaknesses and flaws and you’ve figured out how to stop them. How to beat them, wear them down into submission by outplaying and out thinking them on every move. Giving it just a little more effort, and then you reach that tipping point.”
Suh laughs and nods his head. “I hear you Ryan. We’re two similar beasts. You work hard and execute your game plan to a T. You know when that moment comes and you can see it in their eyes. Every futile attempt to fight back and turn the tide is bested and then it happens. Its over.”
“And then you exert your will over them. Make them play directly into your hands. You bait them into mistakes. You prey on them. Make them languish and beg for the end to come quick, but the end is nowhere near in sight. We’re predators. We don't know how to do anything but to beat the guy across from us at all costs.” Rhodes takes a second to pause as the conversation takes a more serious tone.
“After my last match against the Widowmaker, I just needed a break from it all. Not because I was worn out or the match took too much out of me, but to realize who and what I truly am. It took some soul searching to figure that out and even a little more time to embrace the truth.”
“And that is?” Suh asks as he throws on a Lions t-shirt.
“I’m a fucking Gladiator bro. I solely exist to inflict pain on others, and I like it. That feeling of anticipation when you wait for your music to hit, when you run through that tunnel and down the stage, the audience is alive and it just feeds me. It fuels the fire and awakens the beast inside of me. When I step in that squared circle, I’m alive.”
“I hear ya Ryan. When I’m between the lines, there’s no better feeling.”
“Its not that life is boring without competing, its just pointless. I don't do it for the money or the fame. Sure its nice but at the end of the day, I do it because I want to. I don’t have to get paid or even wrestle in front of people. Fuck, I’d wrestle in an empty building as long as I have an opponent. I don’t like to deal with what ifs so thats why I’m back in the ring. I’m too good to walk away from it all now. It was just a lot to process, that I’m a monster and I hurt people for a living.”
“Hey, I resemble that remark!” Suh chimes in.
“I know what its like to be at the bottom and I certainly know what its like to be at the top. Once I reached the top last time, coming to grips with the reality of the hell I put myself through just to prove I was the better man, I thought I’d feel better. But when I looked down and saw Widow all bloody and broken, it was tough to come to grips with that carnage.” Rhodes has a far off stare as he finishes his sentence.
“Dude, fuck Widow, you had a table stuck in your side!”
“Yeah thats the other part of it. Once I finally felt the full consequences of the battle, that too took a toll on me.” Rhodes fumbles in his locker finding a dry shirt to pull over his head.
“Are you ready to go through all that again?” Suh asks and looks truly interested in the answer.
“You bet your ass I’m more than ready. I’ve taken the time to figure out the big picture and now that I’ve fully realized what and who I am, I’ve never been better. All the effort I put into my preparation for my return when I step in that ring Sunday at War, the Gladiator will return to his arena with one sole purpose in mind.”
“To win?”
“Not just win, but to destroy each and every being they put in front of me. For once I’ll be fighting with no reservations, no hesitation, a free fucking beast ready to disembowel anyone that steps towards me. I’m Fucking READY!” Rhodes yells as he slams his locker, the door coming free from its hinges and tumbling to the floor.
“Shit brother, it looks like it. I’d hate to be the guy standing across from you!” Suh jumps back to dodge the door that clatters on the tile floor.
“Ha, thats the funny thing. Its not just one man, Its a Battle Royale, royal rumble style baby! The best part is, you don't have to throw anyone over the top rope, its elimination by pin or submission only.”
Suh’s mouth is wide open as he hears Rhodes explain the match,”What the fuck did you get yourself into Ryan?!”
“The perfect scenario. I hope I’m the first one out there. I want to have a shot at every single wrestler in that company to show them what they’re in store for. I’m fresh, I’m driven, and I’m fucking ready. These jobbers have been fighting and bitching and moaning at each other the last few weeks, talking about revolutions and all that other bullshit. I’ll show them a real revolution. No, something more like an evolution. The evolution of what greatness is. The evolution of professional wrestling. I’ll be at the forefront of the change and it will go through me. Thats why I hope I start in that ring, so every wrestler can see that change first hand, at my hands.”
Suh is shaking his head as he stares at his friend, “Ryan if you’re the first in, what are your chances of being the last man standing?”
“As good as any. I have nothing to lose. These guys have everything to fight for. They have titles and reputations to uphold. I’m fighting for me and only me. When the bell rings, I know that I hold my own destiny in my hands. When it comes down to it, its just a test of wills and I dare any man to try and last as long as me. All I need is a heartbeat to win. If I’m still alive, If I’m still breathing, I’ll be fighting to the last bell. They’ll be wishing I have ring rust when they see the condition and shape I’m in come sunday. Training with you and a few others has pushed me to a new level. I’ve never had the endurance that I do now or the strength. If I would of been in this shape my whole career, who knows how many titles I would’ve held. I got by on pure ability before but as I’ve grown older, I’ve come to embrace the mental side of this game. I’ve come to embrace the parts people never see. The blood, sweat, and tears. The late nights pushing my body to the limits then going some more in the gym. I used to hate that part but now I revel every second in the gym. Knowing that the work I’m putting in now will pay off when the guy across from me is drained. I’ll be just breaking a sweat. I don't expect the road to the top to be easy. Sure there will be setbacks but I know, the things I can control, I WILL take care of!”
“Do you want to give the pregame speech this week? You’re getting me fired up over here!”Suh asks as the two men have made their way out of the locker rooms and towards their cars. Suh opens the door of his Escalade and throws his gym bag inside.
“Haha, just letting some steam off. Sunday can't come soon enough!” Rhodes opens the door to his car and grabs a fresh pair of shoes off the passenger seat.
Suh has climbed into his vehicle and started the engine. It roars to life as white smoke pours out the exhaust. He rolls down the window and offers a few last words of advice.
“Until Next time Ryan! Stomp some Mothafuckas and crack some skulls for me bro!” Suh extends his gigantic hand out the window as he and Rhodes shake hands.
“How about one more race?” Rhodes has finished lacing up the new shoes and smirks at Suh.
“You versus me in the car? You are fuckin Crazy! You're on! Lets race to the door” Suh Screams.
As Suh backs up the car Rhodes takes a few seconds to stretch his legs. The car is now in drive as its positioned for the open door of the warehouse. Rhodes takes up a position next to the car and looks over at Suh.
“3..2…-” Before Rhodes yells 1 he takes off and sprints for the door.
Suh mashes the accelerator and his tires squeal and spin on the slick concrete floor of the warehouse. By the time he’s moving forward, Rhodes is halfway to the door. The vehicle gains speed at a rapid pace but as it catches the runner, Rhodes is out the door and laughing hard as he continues to run. Suh gives him the finger as he speeds off into the now blazing morning sunrise. The old warehouse is filled with smoke and burnt rubber as the two men take off towards their next conquest.
With one last grunt, Ryan Rhodes, squats down and flips the tire over the line seconds before his much larger opponent slams his to the ground.
“DAMNIT Ryan! You quick son of a bitch!” The man bellows cracking a forced smile at the end.
The man Ryan Rhodes has just beaten is, Ndamukong Suh, All Pro defensive lineman for the Detroit Lions and quite possibly the meanest player in the National Football League.
“Sorry Suh, Maybe you’ll catch me next time!” Ryan gloats as he grabs a water bottle from a nearby bench. He tosses it in Suh’s Direction.
“Want a rematch?”
The two men slowly walk towards the warehouse, dripping in sweat. They approach a large open door that reveals the inside of the building. In the near right corner, rows of weights and exercise equipment are organized neatly. In the left front corner sits two pristine vehicles. One an Audi R8, all black with lime green rims. The license plate reads Venom. Next to it is a blue Escalade that belongs to Ndamukong Suh. In the direct center of the building is an old worn out wrestling ring that has seen its fair share of use. In the back of the room, a lounge of some sort with large leather recliners and a wall of tv’s is set up. A set of doors leads to a locker room thats sparsely furnished with just the essentials. The two men are now there grabbing towels out of old lockers that are dented and layers of paint have peeled off over time, exposing the various colors that lay beneath.
“Hell no. I gotta go to practice. I don’t have time for out of work wrestlers.” Suh Retorts.
“Oh so you didn't hear the news? I’m back brother!” A sly grin crosses Rhodes face.
“Holy shit! When’s your first match? They got you wrestling some midgets to break you in?”
“End of the Month. I make my debut in their biggest match of the year, War.”
“Ha yeah right Bro! I’m playing running back next week too!” Suh towels off his face trying to wipe off the sweat and bewildered look of hearing Rhodes has returned to wrestling.
Ryan Rhodes stops dead in his tracks and shoots Suh a dead serious look.
“For real, I got that itch, I’m ready to get back in the ring. I know you know the feelings. The ones you can only get before a match or game. When you get ready, you’ve prepared all week and you're sitting at your locker, taping up getting ready for battle. Rethinking every detail, making sure you haven't forgotten anything. You know your opponents weaknesses and flaws and you’ve figured out how to stop them. How to beat them, wear them down into submission by outplaying and out thinking them on every move. Giving it just a little more effort, and then you reach that tipping point.”
Suh laughs and nods his head. “I hear you Ryan. We’re two similar beasts. You work hard and execute your game plan to a T. You know when that moment comes and you can see it in their eyes. Every futile attempt to fight back and turn the tide is bested and then it happens. Its over.”
“And then you exert your will over them. Make them play directly into your hands. You bait them into mistakes. You prey on them. Make them languish and beg for the end to come quick, but the end is nowhere near in sight. We’re predators. We don't know how to do anything but to beat the guy across from us at all costs.” Rhodes takes a second to pause as the conversation takes a more serious tone.
“After my last match against the Widowmaker, I just needed a break from it all. Not because I was worn out or the match took too much out of me, but to realize who and what I truly am. It took some soul searching to figure that out and even a little more time to embrace the truth.”
“And that is?” Suh asks as he throws on a Lions t-shirt.
“I’m a fucking Gladiator bro. I solely exist to inflict pain on others, and I like it. That feeling of anticipation when you wait for your music to hit, when you run through that tunnel and down the stage, the audience is alive and it just feeds me. It fuels the fire and awakens the beast inside of me. When I step in that squared circle, I’m alive.”
“I hear ya Ryan. When I’m between the lines, there’s no better feeling.”
“Its not that life is boring without competing, its just pointless. I don't do it for the money or the fame. Sure its nice but at the end of the day, I do it because I want to. I don’t have to get paid or even wrestle in front of people. Fuck, I’d wrestle in an empty building as long as I have an opponent. I don’t like to deal with what ifs so thats why I’m back in the ring. I’m too good to walk away from it all now. It was just a lot to process, that I’m a monster and I hurt people for a living.”
“Hey, I resemble that remark!” Suh chimes in.
“I know what its like to be at the bottom and I certainly know what its like to be at the top. Once I reached the top last time, coming to grips with the reality of the hell I put myself through just to prove I was the better man, I thought I’d feel better. But when I looked down and saw Widow all bloody and broken, it was tough to come to grips with that carnage.” Rhodes has a far off stare as he finishes his sentence.
“Dude, fuck Widow, you had a table stuck in your side!”
“Yeah thats the other part of it. Once I finally felt the full consequences of the battle, that too took a toll on me.” Rhodes fumbles in his locker finding a dry shirt to pull over his head.
“Are you ready to go through all that again?” Suh asks and looks truly interested in the answer.
“You bet your ass I’m more than ready. I’ve taken the time to figure out the big picture and now that I’ve fully realized what and who I am, I’ve never been better. All the effort I put into my preparation for my return when I step in that ring Sunday at War, the Gladiator will return to his arena with one sole purpose in mind.”
“To win?”
“Not just win, but to destroy each and every being they put in front of me. For once I’ll be fighting with no reservations, no hesitation, a free fucking beast ready to disembowel anyone that steps towards me. I’m Fucking READY!” Rhodes yells as he slams his locker, the door coming free from its hinges and tumbling to the floor.
“Shit brother, it looks like it. I’d hate to be the guy standing across from you!” Suh jumps back to dodge the door that clatters on the tile floor.
“Ha, thats the funny thing. Its not just one man, Its a Battle Royale, royal rumble style baby! The best part is, you don't have to throw anyone over the top rope, its elimination by pin or submission only.”
Suh’s mouth is wide open as he hears Rhodes explain the match,”What the fuck did you get yourself into Ryan?!”
“The perfect scenario. I hope I’m the first one out there. I want to have a shot at every single wrestler in that company to show them what they’re in store for. I’m fresh, I’m driven, and I’m fucking ready. These jobbers have been fighting and bitching and moaning at each other the last few weeks, talking about revolutions and all that other bullshit. I’ll show them a real revolution. No, something more like an evolution. The evolution of what greatness is. The evolution of professional wrestling. I’ll be at the forefront of the change and it will go through me. Thats why I hope I start in that ring, so every wrestler can see that change first hand, at my hands.”
Suh is shaking his head as he stares at his friend, “Ryan if you’re the first in, what are your chances of being the last man standing?”
“As good as any. I have nothing to lose. These guys have everything to fight for. They have titles and reputations to uphold. I’m fighting for me and only me. When the bell rings, I know that I hold my own destiny in my hands. When it comes down to it, its just a test of wills and I dare any man to try and last as long as me. All I need is a heartbeat to win. If I’m still alive, If I’m still breathing, I’ll be fighting to the last bell. They’ll be wishing I have ring rust when they see the condition and shape I’m in come sunday. Training with you and a few others has pushed me to a new level. I’ve never had the endurance that I do now or the strength. If I would of been in this shape my whole career, who knows how many titles I would’ve held. I got by on pure ability before but as I’ve grown older, I’ve come to embrace the mental side of this game. I’ve come to embrace the parts people never see. The blood, sweat, and tears. The late nights pushing my body to the limits then going some more in the gym. I used to hate that part but now I revel every second in the gym. Knowing that the work I’m putting in now will pay off when the guy across from me is drained. I’ll be just breaking a sweat. I don't expect the road to the top to be easy. Sure there will be setbacks but I know, the things I can control, I WILL take care of!”
“Do you want to give the pregame speech this week? You’re getting me fired up over here!”Suh asks as the two men have made their way out of the locker rooms and towards their cars. Suh opens the door of his Escalade and throws his gym bag inside.
“Haha, just letting some steam off. Sunday can't come soon enough!” Rhodes opens the door to his car and grabs a fresh pair of shoes off the passenger seat.
Suh has climbed into his vehicle and started the engine. It roars to life as white smoke pours out the exhaust. He rolls down the window and offers a few last words of advice.
“Until Next time Ryan! Stomp some Mothafuckas and crack some skulls for me bro!” Suh extends his gigantic hand out the window as he and Rhodes shake hands.
“How about one more race?” Rhodes has finished lacing up the new shoes and smirks at Suh.
“You versus me in the car? You are fuckin Crazy! You're on! Lets race to the door” Suh Screams.
As Suh backs up the car Rhodes takes a few seconds to stretch his legs. The car is now in drive as its positioned for the open door of the warehouse. Rhodes takes up a position next to the car and looks over at Suh.
“3..2…-” Before Rhodes yells 1 he takes off and sprints for the door.
Suh mashes the accelerator and his tires squeal and spin on the slick concrete floor of the warehouse. By the time he’s moving forward, Rhodes is halfway to the door. The vehicle gains speed at a rapid pace but as it catches the runner, Rhodes is out the door and laughing hard as he continues to run. Suh gives him the finger as he speeds off into the now blazing morning sunrise. The old warehouse is filled with smoke and burnt rubber as the two men take off towards their next conquest.
