Post by Joey Flash on Oct 4, 2015 16:27:25 GMT -5
And who are you, the proud lord said, that I must bow so low?
Joey hit the ‘Stop’ button on the camera. He didn’t know why he was doing this at first, this video, at first he thought it would have just been a nice memento from when times are finally going good for him, when Joey was finally feeling a level of contentment in life. So his son could see him as he wanted to be remembered, so he could see Joey happy. In truth it was only now that Joseph Malignaggi realised that the purpose for the video was twofold, it was also a confessional.
He had no one he could open up to, he couldn’t show emotion in front of anyone, he certainly couldn’t cry. It wasn’t the way he was raised, it wasn’t the way he needed to be, ‘show no weakness’ was a commitment he had to hold now and forever. What Bernardo had told him last night was damning enough, ‘you will wear it magnificently’, that was as much of a blessing as a King telling his firstborn son that everything was going to be in his hands soon. It was a scary thought and not one Joey wanted to even entertain right now, he knew the ramifications of this day, he knew what it meant for the Allegri family and he knew what it meant for an outsider with no pedigree to be in this position. He wouldn’t have wished this on his worst enemy.
His worst enemy was waiting half a world away and seven days away. He felt nothing but remorse for how everything…fuck it, Joey manoeuvred back in front of the camera. This was confessional, so let’s get all your sins out. He fiddled for a moment before beginning the recording of a new file, this one was for you enemy of mine. Joey’s suit still as immaculate as ever, only the crumpled handkerchief in his breast pocket signalled the emotional outburst of five minutes ago.
Joey: Hello Dune. You’re probably never going to watch this or ever hear me speak these words so I dunno, I guess this is for myself. I’m a selfish guy after all.
He takes a deep breath.
Joey: I’m sorry. I wish I had something else to call you by, Dune is so impersonal, do you have a birth name? I guess I’m just prying now, I don’t mean anything bad if it’s a sore subject. I just want to talk to you man to man with it, I’m Joseph Malignaggi and I’m sorry. I’m sorry I’ve ever made light of your brother or your family, I understand how heavy that probably weights on your heart, I look back on this shit and shake my fucking head at the shit I say or do sometimes.
I’m sorry for what I did to John, Occulo was my biggest rival before you came along, to be honest…I’m glad he’s back. The guy is amazing talent; he’s got everything anyone could ask for as a wrestler, probably as a partner and friend too, I guess you know about that. I burnt that bridge the moment we met.
I’m sorry for what I did to Howard. I did what I did in the name of ‘sport’ and ‘wrestling’, in truth it was in nothing but fear. I identified a threat large enough to pose a massive problem for me and my future in the company and I made a rash decision that damn near cost a man his livelihood. Am I that insecure in myself that I couldn’t just let him walk away? Maybe. I didn’t need him to make you fight me, you know what I did instead? I didn’t want to have to earn my way there; I didn’t want to have the fear of failing again ruin my chances, so yeah, I took the coward’s way out. I cost a young family their income and turned a great wrestler into nothing more than a memory. I have to live with that, the thoughts don’t just wash over me like people seem to think. I’m not a monster Dune, I’m not the person you think I am.
I’m sorry for taking things out of the ring, I don’t know why I do the things I do, I guess I’m just a weak man. When I saw Freeman in the ring I saw nothing but an opportunity, a way to get inside your head and affect your mindset, I even wanted for you to hit me and to take the World Title from you like that, you know how pathetic that is? THAT is what I wanted. I saw an opportunity, then I watched the tape back and I saw an old man who was savagely beaten for no reason, his only crime? He loves you and cares for you.
Joey removes the handkerchief once more and dabs at his eyes.
Is Pinky okay? Is your…
He bites his lip to stop his voice breaking.
Joey: …child okay? I tried. I fucking tried, I tried to save them Dune, I did my best. What you had, no I’m going to be positive, what you have is an amazing woman and you have a future, I promise. Look, I’m going to say this now, you’ve got something very very dangerous on your doorstep, I don’t know what I can do to help…fuck, what I’m trying to say is…
If you want help protecting your loved ones, if you want whatever help I can give with dealing with Jack. Once this War is over, it’s over, win or lose this is the end for me, you can hate me, detest me, want to kill me with every fibre of your being and I wouldn’t at all be resentful, if I were you I’d feel the exact same.
Just know that when the dust settles and this is all done, I’m going to respect you, I’m not going to come after you ever again, but if you just ask, I’ll be there by your side and fighting for you and your family. This is a match between the two best wrestlers in the world, period. No one can come close to the level we put out in the ring, you are the best wrestler, the best man I have ever crossed swords with in a professional setting. You’re a consummate pro, a world class athlete and a great role model.
Today I get married, it’s going to be the happiest day of my personal life, next Sunday having the joy of finally facing my near equal in the ring will be the same in my professional life.
So yeah, I’m sorry, I’m sorry for everything. I don’t ask for absolution, just understanding, even if the understanding is I’m a piece of shit…that’s okay. I just wa-
His train of thought was interrupted by a loud rapping of the door and a voice booming from the outside. His best man had arrived.
Fly: Are you ready? What the fu-
Fly paused for a moment.
Fly: Heck are you doing?
Joey composed himself and hit the stop button once more. He walked toward the door and responded.
Joey: I’m ready you massive cunt, what the fuck are you saying heck for ya fuckin faggo-
As Joey opened the door he saw why, Jonny Fly stood in front of him reluctantly holding the tiny hand of Christian Malignaggi.
Fly: That’s why.
The little boy ran toward his father and was scooped up into a big hug. The little Malignaggi was the near spitting image of his father; even his suit was tailored to match Joey’s for the big day.
Christian: Daddy, Uncle Fly is so cool!
Fly: Whoa hold your horses; I am NOT your Uncle kid.
Christian: Nope, Uncle Fly.
Fly: NO! So you’re trying to tell me I not only have to be burdened with an African-American brother but now a fucking…sorry, hecking, Italian nephew?
Christian: Uncle Fly is a great wrestler he says; he says he is better than you! Beat you and Dune on same night he says. I think he’s stupid.
Fly: I asked you ‘Can you keep a secret?’ and you said yes you brat!
Joey sat Christian on his shoulder and regarded his best man. Fly answered all the questions Joey had for him.
Fly: Yes I have the rings, yes the kid is okay, yes Alessandra is on her way, yes people are actually here, and no there is no Beckman hiding in the rafters like a drunken phantom of the opera-
Joey: Are you s-
Fly: I TRIPLE checked. You needn’t be worried.
Joey: Wouldn’t you be?
Fly: Well I-
Joey: Look, I just want everything to go down safely, everything hinges on this day. I need to make sure.
Fly pulls his jacket open to reveal him strapped and vested.
Fly: My ‘mother’ always said to use protection. It’s not served me wrong yet. I got this, try to enjoy it.
Christian Malignaggi stares open mouthed in awe at seeing the pistol holstered inside Fly’s jacket, the four time champion pats him on the head.
Fly: You saw nothing.
Christian: I saw nothing.
Fly looks up at the man he is going to be serving as the best man for and smiles.
Fly: He’s a good one. Ahhh fuck…
Joey: Language!
Fly: Ahh heck.
Joey: What now?
Fly: Rings.
Joey: What about rings?
Fly: Forgot them.
Joey: You wh-
Fly: Back soon.
Only a cat of a different coat, that's all the truth I know
We open once more on the pre-taped Joey Flash promotional videos, here is the third of his three. Will it be expectedly a let down like almost every third of a great trilogy? Let’s find out!
Joey: Can you cross the line Dune? I know what type of man you are, you’re tough, you’re strong, and you’ve seen the worst that life has to offer yet still managing to come out of the struggles the other side. You’ve been scarred on the inside, you’ve been ravaged on the outside, you wear your struggles and your hardships as a trophy strapped to your face. The way you preach you should be on a late night TV slot asking for donations for God, you’re fuckin effective that’s for sure. You wear your past, and that’s cool, I never ever have once asked for anything for what I’ve been through.
You ask for support, sympathy and following for the shit you’ve endured, I stand here as Joey Flash, I wear no war wounds or scars, I tell no stories of how my life was doomed from the start, how everything I’ve ever loved or cared for has been ripped from me. I get no support, I get no sympathy, I get no following, I don’t ask for it. I fight and I work every day to make up for my mistakes, to make up for the things that were done to me in the past, I don’t wallow and I don’t use the shit that was thrown at me as a shield for my failings and my inadequacies. I accept that shit. This is why that line isn’t something you can cross Dune, I’ve been toeing that shit my entire life to make things better for those around me, you can’t do it without someone else holding your hand. This is why this match is destined to end only one way. All the talk, all the shit we’ve done the past year, it all boils down to the centre of that squared circle and for the time we share together. We’ll dance our dance and we’ll put on for the WCF fans, of that I have no doubt, I’ll show the difference between a man who has lived his life by destiny, prophecies, great sages giving him advice and people constantly protecting him and a man who has had nothing but his own body and his own wits, who had had to live, survive and eventually thrive by relying on nothing but himself.
I’ve asked for no help ever since I joined this place, everything I have ever done has been as a chess move to manouver the pair of us into this very ring at this very time. Now what do you think is going to happen when these two worlds collide and no one is left to hold you up when all the pressure and the talent in the world is dragging you deeper and deeper into the dark waters of desperation and despair, there is no light of hope creeping in down here Dune.
See what I’m doing here Dune? Don’t get where this is going yet? Is it not obvious? I’m doing what you do and doing it even better, I’m killing you with your own style. Bullshit metaphors and terrible rambling drawn out trash talking, it’s fucking pathetic, if you ever played pro ball you’d set the season record for eight second violations…you take far too long to get your fucking point across.
Joey smiles his fucking smile for the last time in this promo.
Joey: Can you see the difference? Can you sense this shit? We're entering the bottom of the ninth and Dune is rocking a ten run deficit. This is the difference between an elite professional wrestler and a muscular hyped up fucking thug who has no skill, no training, no timing. You are the antithesis of anything that is quality in this business, you are the antithesis of anything that ever drew money, made a superstar or managed to connect with global audience. What you are is a rage against the machine, Beckman was a piece of shit who added nothing to the game, you were the man to get rid of him, clap, applause. You're a fucking placeholder, I told you at the start and I tell you now, people don't remember ICE Beckman, people don't remember Dune. People remember Jonny Fly, people remember Joey Flash. There is such a big difference, such a gulf in class it's almost sickening that you don't see it.
Enough of this fucking queer show, time to get back to what the fuck I was here for.
This shit is going to be a real talk fuckin body. Ain’t no two ways about it. What’s gonna happen on Sunday night is going to be one of the biggest acts of violence and destruction in Oklahoma City, this ain’t Durant injuring his foot where a few people were upset they wouldn’t get to celebrate that year. This is that midnight vigil ‘I’m never seeing my loved one again’ shit, this is that Timothy McVeigh shit, what I do to Dune at War is a fuckin homicide in waiting.
It’s not a question of what Dune wants to happen in this match, he can fight, scratch and claw all he wants but the outcome is not going to change. You’ve built up this whole cult following this year, I see that shit, I see people at every event more and more of them coming through the gates with the mask on, with the tactical vests, men women and children it just doesn’t stop. What gives? Are people that attracted to success, to champions? I find it interesting, you say anything and they just go away believing at gospel.
‘Joey Flash will crumble among the flames’
‘I will destroy everything he has’
‘I am the best wrestler in the world, no one can touch me’
You actually seem to believe that shit. You’ve brainwashed thousands and thousands of WCF fans that this is the truth; well it’s going to come to an end quick. Sudden Flash right to your jaw and everything ends. It’s like the Jonestown Massacre cos one punch will end your whole following.
Bodybags on deck, let's hear it for Dune, the transitional World Champion no one ever gave a fuck about.
A coat of gold or a coat of red, a lion still has claws
Warm amber beams illuminated the decadent stained glass windows scattered around the grand cathedral. They created a light so pure it was as if angels themselves had cast their rays down through the setting sun, decorating the aisle with rainbow confetti. A speckle of blue reflected upon the cheek of Joseph Malignaggi as he stood at the end of the aisle, momentarily getting lost in the royalty of his own eyes. Was he lost too? Never did Joey think a place so holy would accept him and embrace him as one of the sons of this earth. Too many sins to wash clean, no amount of fragrance could mask the smell of his sordid history. How could such a place house him, and his succubus wife to be? The place seemed too clean for matrimony so unholy, but money could buy you that, even God turned a blind eye if you had the dollar to bribe him. Every man on this earth is a crook, and that starts with the big guy too. He created Joey after all, one of the Lord's living, breathing sinners about to wed the devil herself.
The guests began to arrive one by one. Shuttling in like passengers on a train destined for hell fire. Most of the faces Joey did not recognise, they may as well be passers-by. Celebrities and their offspring decorated in this week’s trends, mistresses of men muddled in right at the back staring beady eyed at the wives of their million-dollar meal tickets, overweight aunties long since forgotten. They merged together as a mass of fascinators, camera flashes and bejeweled well wishes. The first recognizable face to approach Joey was Paolo Allegri, his eyes were scanning the room as he walked towards Joey.
Joey: Don’t tell me…
Paolo: There’s a nice blonde at the back, she’ll be mine.
Joey: Confident.
Paolo: Why not, this venue? This place…perfect.
Paolo plucked a handkerchief from his breast pocket and dabbed at his brow.
Paolo: Hot in here.
Joey: Hell has that reputation.
Paolo: Second thoughts?
Joey: No. Suit’s too tight.
Joey pulls at his collar manoeuvring it into a more comfortable position.
Bernardo and Francesca approached. Joey could feel their gaze upon in, the flicker of a warning in her father's eyes, and then a smile followed by a welcoming grip of his shoulders. The tight dress hugging the curves of Francesa, Alessandra would be furious if she caught sight of her mother, taking even the smallest part of the spotlight away with the slit in that dress.
Bernardo: Come on Paolo, it’s almost time.
Paolo: I’ll be with you in a moment. I’ve just got to speak to the photographer.
Bernardo lead Francesca to her seat, kissing her delicately on the cheek before heading towards the entrance of the Cathedral and then out of sight. The sound of music began to fill the air as the last of the guests took their seats and their voices turned to a hush, a whisper and finally silence. Jonny Fly shot through the door at the speed of a bullet, taking to the aisle like an Olympian as the sound of the music cut out. His heavy breathing and apologies replaced the harmony of church music as he dashed towards the alter. He placed the rings into Joey's hands.
Fly: You’ll be needing them.
The minister shook his head as a raspy cough left his throat. He glared at Joey and Jonny, one bushy white eyebrow raised with all the fury of God sculpted into his expression.
Joey: Fuck. No going back then.
The minister motioned to the orchestra to restart their symphony. Summoning Joey's bride to be, each note a piece of a Ouija board searching for demons in the dark.
Two tiny girls dressed as angels in fluffy blush gowns tottered towards the altar, splashing pink and cream petals across the floor creating a carpet of sweet scents. They glided towards Joey like tiny ballerinas, tiptoeing to the side lines. The groomsmen and bridesmaids followed holding posies in their hands, smiles beaming as they tried to beat the sound of the chorus. Lastly, Christian pranced down the aisle, a cheeky grin plastered on his face from the moment he caught site of Joey. He let out a “Daddy!” dashing towards him, stumbling over his tiny feet but keeping himself upright as he ran towards his open arms. The gap between them, his finish line. Joey scooped him up and kissed his flushed chubby cheeks as he burst into a giggle. Joey placed him onto the ground, the smile still glued to his face exposing his gummy parts, and pointed towards the entrance way just as she appeared. Alessandra.
Every inch of her was breathtaking. Joey had heard of the splendour of seeing your bride walk down the aisle, but couldn’t have prepared himself for the vision he saw before him. She wore a mermaid gown, fitted to her hips and flaring outwards, she was both sexy and elegant. Her eyes sparkled and her smile dazzled all those who glanced at her. Those green eyes bore into his soul and took away the oxygen from his lungs. Her long black hair cascaded down her back trailing the lace arch upon her spine. The room slowed down with every step she took, striding down the aisle like a fearless gazelle.
Reaching Joey, Bernardo let go of his daughter’s hands and placed them in Joeys. He took her delicate small hands in his and stared deeply into her eyes. Hypnotized by their jade embers. She truly was a supernatural force. He wanted to fuck her on that altar for the world to see, to show them that she belongs to him. He didn’t want this moment to end. The minister said some words that they both missed. So transfixed by one another's presence each syllable danced over their heads, flew through their ears and out of the cathedral. The guest cried as the sun began to set creating a warm glow in the atmosphere. Alessandra and Joey caught the word “vows” escape from the minister’s lips and they both repeated the only words that mattered.
“Forever you
Forever me”
They scooped up Christian holding him between them
“Forever us”
The mold of fascinators and beady eyes erupted into tears of joy and laughter as Joey kissed Alessandra with renewed passion. Melting into each other, becoming one, breathing in the moment of their divine solidarity. They clung on for as long as their lips would allow, with their last breath releasing. Both Alessandra and Joey smiled and turned their heads towards Christian, sandwiching him between a kiss. Joey on his right cheek, Alessandra his left. He grinned , his face smushing into a cherubesque form. Celebration erupted and echoed around them, creating a united bubble of happiness that could never be burst. The room began to shake, the laughter turned silence and then screaming. The saints on the windows melted and turned to flame, the ministers grey eyebrows turned to ash and cinders.
And mine are long and sharp, my Lord, as long and sharp as yours.
The heat engulfed St Patricks Cathedral as Joey Flash found his world lit up by gunfire and flames. He grabbed his newlywed bride by the waist and wrenched her to the floor; their first kiss was almost one of lead as bullets began to fly among the crowd. Screams and shouts were rendered mute as more explosions went off through the building, crouched behind the front row of seating Flash saw Jonny Fly returning fire over the holy ground at the assailants.
All he could see of who was crashing his wedding in the most heinous of ways were masks, he saw five or six men in balaclavas with automatic weapons opening fire on the unsuspecting innocents of the congregation. He knew this scene, he knew it well. He remembered back to the Double X club, to Pinky and Jack, if this wasn’t his handiwork then god damn was someone a good copycat. Whatever was happening he had to get his wife and child out of here safely before being able to help. Alessandra shoved herself free and screamed in his face.
Alessandra: GET ME A GUN.
Joey dragged her down to the floor with a thud.
Joey: JUST STAY DOWN. I understand you need to uphold the Allegri name and help protect the family-
Alessandra didn’t even look flustered, amongst the carnage and chaos not even a hair was out of place on her head.
Alessandra: I’m no longer an Allegri. I’m a Malignaggi, and yes, I’m going to fucking protect you.
She kissed him on the forehead and reached inside his jacket, removing the piece that he was reticent to show even Jonny Fly earlier. She chambered a round and smiled at him.
Alessandra: Til death do us part?
She kicked her heels off and slid to join Jonny Fly behind the front row of seating. He stared for a moment at the pair, Fly was fighting for him, Alessandra was fighting for him. These weren’t people who were just using him to their own ends; these weren’t people just throwing his trust, his heart to the side of the road. It was at this scanning of what had turn from a ceremony into a battlefield that there was one person who was no longer present, Joey’s heart sank. Where was his son?
He saw Fly grab Alessandra as the pair blasted at the crowd of oncoming would be assassins as they barrelled through a door at the opposite side. Good, they would be safe at least. What happened to him was an absolute afterthought. No one he loved or cared for would die today.
He peeked round the pillar he was shielding himself from the onslaught with and finally saw what was happening, the only fire that was coming back seemed very sporadic, seemed very robotic, very controlled. The one thing his sharp gaze locked onto was outside the front of the building that had since been reduced to nothing but rubble, ash and dust. For a second he swore he could see a vision that he never expected to see in his lifetime.
Three men that he never thought as much had shared a word. There at the front of the building watching the carnage were the man he knew as Jack, his lifetime enemy John Mullins Sr and…and…it was then he knew the man who had called him on the phone so long ago, the man who had arranged everything negative, had ordered Vincenzo to infiltrate his life and sow distrust amongst the Allegri family…was an Allegri himself, stood proudly next to these two men laughing, a smile across his feminine features, the man who refused to be king? The man who looked every bit like a usurper, Paolo Allegri, the younger brother of his wife. Flash felt himself fill with an incandescent rage, there was no room for cognition left, his body simply moved. He began a sprint toward the front of the church, the bullet fire had ceased now, all that was left was the vision of the three men looking, laughing. He didn’t need a gun, he didn’t need a weapon, you wanted a massacre? This is going to be a fucking massacre.
As Joey ducked and dodged from side to side, from flimsy wooden cover to flimsy wooden cover he gradually noticed that the gunfire had all but stopped. He finally locked his eyes forward and saw what his ears had already notified him of, the gunfire had stopped. There were no more gunmen, no more assailants, and the three men he saw… that he thought he saw were no longer there. Whatever this game was, he hoped it ended soon.
Joey stood up to get a better view and began walking toward the destroyed entrance of the church, as much as he wanted to continue you on the flames from inside the church gave him a stark reminder of the situation he found himself in. Before he had gotten distracted at the front of the church…where was his son?
He wheeled himself back around and was welcomed by a sight that Satan himself would feel positively at home in. From each and every side the flames licked up the walls clawing for just another inch of real estate each time, it looked like someone had just dropped a vat pig’s blood over a high school psychic. Joey shielded his eyes from the ever clawing heat; his legs felt like they had iron weights strapped to the calves has he dragged his legs forward.
I have to get there…I have to make sure they’re safe…I have to…
The silence of the flames was broken as a familiar voice split the flames and boomed through the decimated holy ground.
Dune: Joey!
Joseph Malignaggi looked upward to the beams above the altar to see his rival, his enemy, stood in all his demonic glory, his ragged and torn face mask less and contorted in a sadistic smile, if he even could smile. The flames seemed to bathe him in a light that belied his very intentions on this day. Dune seemed to laugh as he pulled his prize that he was hiding behind one of pillars on the rafters. It was then Joey Flash finally found his son. Christian Malignaggi was dragged by the hair to Dune’s side. The boy was a crying mess, his face contorted in fear he was screaming so loud his lungs were crying blood. Dune dragged Christian up by the hair and held him skyward.
Joey watched this in almost slow motion, his stomach tightened with fright and his legs turned to jelly.
Joey: PLEASE-
Dune: For the sins of the father.
That line echoed and reverberated in Joey’s head for what seemed like an eternity as the scene unfolded in front of him. His flesh and blood, his saviour, his progeny, his child, his son was launched from the nigh on sixty feet drop. His sightline changed from the demonic chainsaw jawed Dune to the screaming crying child, he fell and Joey sprinted. His legs exploded into motion and he powered forward in a near superhuman explosion of energy, Flash ran and the child fell…but for the first time in his life, Joey Flash wasn’t fast enough.
Christian Malignaggi’s last thoughts on this earth were ‘Daddy where are you?’ and ‘Mommy please…’ then there was nothing but pain, then nothing but silence.
Joey was half a second too late, he saw his son’s fragile and delicate body crunch into the unforgiving stone floor, there was no blood, there was no gore but Joey knew. He knew right away.
Joey: Christian… CHRISTIAN?!
He dragged his son toward him, a quick check could already tell, the little boy had been absolutely broken by the fall. His ribs were split apart, a small trickle of blood leaked from between his lips.
Joey: No…it can’t…son…hey, come on champ wake up.
He tried to move the boys head up but it simply lolled from one side to the other like someone trying to fix a puppet into position. He waited and waited, he slapped, he screamed and he cried but there would be no response from Christian Malignaggi. The little boy that had been so full of life, the little boy that had been Joey Flash’s life, been his saviour, been his everything. His salvation lay lifeless in his arms as the flames began to consume them. It didn’t matter anymore.
Let the flames take me. They’ve taken everything else.
Promise me...(Fourth Tape)
Joey: So, uhh, I dunno how much more you wanna hear me rambling on, I know that I wouldn’t want to hear some chump of a guy talk about all his supposed successes and failings to me like I don’t have the capability of thought.
Joey runs his sleeve across his forehead.
Joey: At your age I didn’t know anything. I didn’t know who I was, I didn’t know what I wanted, I didn’t know anything at all. Want to know what I want now? I’m twenty six years old and all I want is for you to be happy. I realise that not everything I can do will make you happy, I realise that not everything I do will make you like me, but know that I love, know that I love you more than anything in the world. I might be a lot of things son, but at my heart I’m not an evil person, I’m not a bum I’m not a junkie, whatever words you hear to describe me I’m not that. Just remember me as…a wrestler. I step through the ropes every week for you, I fight and I win for you, I couldn’t care any less if I lose every week or not, but what I do son is I win, I have the best winning record of any wrestler in the history of this company, why?
I do it for you. I go out there every week, I win and I dominate. This is my biggest test, this is the most important match I’ve ever had in my career. I’m going to win Christian, I’m going to beat Dune, and I’m going to give you the WCF World Title as an early Christmas gift. Maybe this will be the one…maybe then after everything I’ve done…
You’ll finally be proud to call me ‘Dad’.
A Game of Thrones
The hollowed out husk of a man sits before you in the WCF locker room, it is one week since a moment that should have been the happiest day of someone’s life turned into the most horrific thing that should ever happen. Joey Flash sits with his wrestling attire on, his wrists taped, everything prepared, what was a World Title match had turned into a death march of a broken man. Flash looked at the camera, his eyes devoid of any hope and expression that was there in his prior promos.
Joey: I told you to cross the line, I told you to cross the line. I pushed and I prodded. You did well Dune. Okay.
Joey takes a deep breath.
Joey: What's going to happen at War...is I am going to kill you. I'm going to beat as much pain into your body as I physically can, then I am going to kill you. In front of whatever following you have, whatever family, whatever friends...they are going to witness the man they care for, they love get tortured and butchered in front of their very eyes. This isn't a wrestling match, this is no longer even a procession, this is a slaughterhouse for Dune.
Joey keeps his emotionless stare at the camera.
Joey: No slogans, no talk. Just death. It all ends tonight.
Joey hit the ‘Stop’ button on the camera. He didn’t know why he was doing this at first, this video, at first he thought it would have just been a nice memento from when times are finally going good for him, when Joey was finally feeling a level of contentment in life. So his son could see him as he wanted to be remembered, so he could see Joey happy. In truth it was only now that Joseph Malignaggi realised that the purpose for the video was twofold, it was also a confessional.
He had no one he could open up to, he couldn’t show emotion in front of anyone, he certainly couldn’t cry. It wasn’t the way he was raised, it wasn’t the way he needed to be, ‘show no weakness’ was a commitment he had to hold now and forever. What Bernardo had told him last night was damning enough, ‘you will wear it magnificently’, that was as much of a blessing as a King telling his firstborn son that everything was going to be in his hands soon. It was a scary thought and not one Joey wanted to even entertain right now, he knew the ramifications of this day, he knew what it meant for the Allegri family and he knew what it meant for an outsider with no pedigree to be in this position. He wouldn’t have wished this on his worst enemy.
His worst enemy was waiting half a world away and seven days away. He felt nothing but remorse for how everything…fuck it, Joey manoeuvred back in front of the camera. This was confessional, so let’s get all your sins out. He fiddled for a moment before beginning the recording of a new file, this one was for you enemy of mine. Joey’s suit still as immaculate as ever, only the crumpled handkerchief in his breast pocket signalled the emotional outburst of five minutes ago.
Joey: Hello Dune. You’re probably never going to watch this or ever hear me speak these words so I dunno, I guess this is for myself. I’m a selfish guy after all.
He takes a deep breath.
Joey: I’m sorry. I wish I had something else to call you by, Dune is so impersonal, do you have a birth name? I guess I’m just prying now, I don’t mean anything bad if it’s a sore subject. I just want to talk to you man to man with it, I’m Joseph Malignaggi and I’m sorry. I’m sorry I’ve ever made light of your brother or your family, I understand how heavy that probably weights on your heart, I look back on this shit and shake my fucking head at the shit I say or do sometimes.
I’m sorry for what I did to John, Occulo was my biggest rival before you came along, to be honest…I’m glad he’s back. The guy is amazing talent; he’s got everything anyone could ask for as a wrestler, probably as a partner and friend too, I guess you know about that. I burnt that bridge the moment we met.
I’m sorry for what I did to Howard. I did what I did in the name of ‘sport’ and ‘wrestling’, in truth it was in nothing but fear. I identified a threat large enough to pose a massive problem for me and my future in the company and I made a rash decision that damn near cost a man his livelihood. Am I that insecure in myself that I couldn’t just let him walk away? Maybe. I didn’t need him to make you fight me, you know what I did instead? I didn’t want to have to earn my way there; I didn’t want to have the fear of failing again ruin my chances, so yeah, I took the coward’s way out. I cost a young family their income and turned a great wrestler into nothing more than a memory. I have to live with that, the thoughts don’t just wash over me like people seem to think. I’m not a monster Dune, I’m not the person you think I am.
I’m sorry for taking things out of the ring, I don’t know why I do the things I do, I guess I’m just a weak man. When I saw Freeman in the ring I saw nothing but an opportunity, a way to get inside your head and affect your mindset, I even wanted for you to hit me and to take the World Title from you like that, you know how pathetic that is? THAT is what I wanted. I saw an opportunity, then I watched the tape back and I saw an old man who was savagely beaten for no reason, his only crime? He loves you and cares for you.
Joey removes the handkerchief once more and dabs at his eyes.
Is Pinky okay? Is your…
He bites his lip to stop his voice breaking.
Joey: …child okay? I tried. I fucking tried, I tried to save them Dune, I did my best. What you had, no I’m going to be positive, what you have is an amazing woman and you have a future, I promise. Look, I’m going to say this now, you’ve got something very very dangerous on your doorstep, I don’t know what I can do to help…fuck, what I’m trying to say is…
If you want help protecting your loved ones, if you want whatever help I can give with dealing with Jack. Once this War is over, it’s over, win or lose this is the end for me, you can hate me, detest me, want to kill me with every fibre of your being and I wouldn’t at all be resentful, if I were you I’d feel the exact same.
Just know that when the dust settles and this is all done, I’m going to respect you, I’m not going to come after you ever again, but if you just ask, I’ll be there by your side and fighting for you and your family. This is a match between the two best wrestlers in the world, period. No one can come close to the level we put out in the ring, you are the best wrestler, the best man I have ever crossed swords with in a professional setting. You’re a consummate pro, a world class athlete and a great role model.
Today I get married, it’s going to be the happiest day of my personal life, next Sunday having the joy of finally facing my near equal in the ring will be the same in my professional life.
So yeah, I’m sorry, I’m sorry for everything. I don’t ask for absolution, just understanding, even if the understanding is I’m a piece of shit…that’s okay. I just wa-
His train of thought was interrupted by a loud rapping of the door and a voice booming from the outside. His best man had arrived.
Fly: Are you ready? What the fu-
Fly paused for a moment.
Fly: Heck are you doing?
Joey composed himself and hit the stop button once more. He walked toward the door and responded.
Joey: I’m ready you massive cunt, what the fuck are you saying heck for ya fuckin faggo-
As Joey opened the door he saw why, Jonny Fly stood in front of him reluctantly holding the tiny hand of Christian Malignaggi.
Fly: That’s why.
The little boy ran toward his father and was scooped up into a big hug. The little Malignaggi was the near spitting image of his father; even his suit was tailored to match Joey’s for the big day.
Christian: Daddy, Uncle Fly is so cool!
Fly: Whoa hold your horses; I am NOT your Uncle kid.
Christian: Nope, Uncle Fly.
Fly: NO! So you’re trying to tell me I not only have to be burdened with an African-American brother but now a fucking…sorry, hecking, Italian nephew?
Christian: Uncle Fly is a great wrestler he says; he says he is better than you! Beat you and Dune on same night he says. I think he’s stupid.
Fly: I asked you ‘Can you keep a secret?’ and you said yes you brat!
Joey sat Christian on his shoulder and regarded his best man. Fly answered all the questions Joey had for him.
Fly: Yes I have the rings, yes the kid is okay, yes Alessandra is on her way, yes people are actually here, and no there is no Beckman hiding in the rafters like a drunken phantom of the opera-
Joey: Are you s-
Fly: I TRIPLE checked. You needn’t be worried.
Joey: Wouldn’t you be?
Fly: Well I-
Joey: Look, I just want everything to go down safely, everything hinges on this day. I need to make sure.
Fly pulls his jacket open to reveal him strapped and vested.
Fly: My ‘mother’ always said to use protection. It’s not served me wrong yet. I got this, try to enjoy it.
Christian Malignaggi stares open mouthed in awe at seeing the pistol holstered inside Fly’s jacket, the four time champion pats him on the head.
Fly: You saw nothing.
Christian: I saw nothing.
Fly looks up at the man he is going to be serving as the best man for and smiles.
Fly: He’s a good one. Ahhh fuck…
Joey: Language!
Fly: Ahh heck.
Joey: What now?
Fly: Rings.
Joey: What about rings?
Fly: Forgot them.
Joey: You wh-
Fly: Back soon.
Only a cat of a different coat, that's all the truth I know
We open once more on the pre-taped Joey Flash promotional videos, here is the third of his three. Will it be expectedly a let down like almost every third of a great trilogy? Let’s find out!
Joey: Can you cross the line Dune? I know what type of man you are, you’re tough, you’re strong, and you’ve seen the worst that life has to offer yet still managing to come out of the struggles the other side. You’ve been scarred on the inside, you’ve been ravaged on the outside, you wear your struggles and your hardships as a trophy strapped to your face. The way you preach you should be on a late night TV slot asking for donations for God, you’re fuckin effective that’s for sure. You wear your past, and that’s cool, I never ever have once asked for anything for what I’ve been through.
You ask for support, sympathy and following for the shit you’ve endured, I stand here as Joey Flash, I wear no war wounds or scars, I tell no stories of how my life was doomed from the start, how everything I’ve ever loved or cared for has been ripped from me. I get no support, I get no sympathy, I get no following, I don’t ask for it. I fight and I work every day to make up for my mistakes, to make up for the things that were done to me in the past, I don’t wallow and I don’t use the shit that was thrown at me as a shield for my failings and my inadequacies. I accept that shit. This is why that line isn’t something you can cross Dune, I’ve been toeing that shit my entire life to make things better for those around me, you can’t do it without someone else holding your hand. This is why this match is destined to end only one way. All the talk, all the shit we’ve done the past year, it all boils down to the centre of that squared circle and for the time we share together. We’ll dance our dance and we’ll put on for the WCF fans, of that I have no doubt, I’ll show the difference between a man who has lived his life by destiny, prophecies, great sages giving him advice and people constantly protecting him and a man who has had nothing but his own body and his own wits, who had had to live, survive and eventually thrive by relying on nothing but himself.
I’ve asked for no help ever since I joined this place, everything I have ever done has been as a chess move to manouver the pair of us into this very ring at this very time. Now what do you think is going to happen when these two worlds collide and no one is left to hold you up when all the pressure and the talent in the world is dragging you deeper and deeper into the dark waters of desperation and despair, there is no light of hope creeping in down here Dune.
See what I’m doing here Dune? Don’t get where this is going yet? Is it not obvious? I’m doing what you do and doing it even better, I’m killing you with your own style. Bullshit metaphors and terrible rambling drawn out trash talking, it’s fucking pathetic, if you ever played pro ball you’d set the season record for eight second violations…you take far too long to get your fucking point across.
Joey smiles his fucking smile for the last time in this promo.
Joey: Can you see the difference? Can you sense this shit? We're entering the bottom of the ninth and Dune is rocking a ten run deficit. This is the difference between an elite professional wrestler and a muscular hyped up fucking thug who has no skill, no training, no timing. You are the antithesis of anything that is quality in this business, you are the antithesis of anything that ever drew money, made a superstar or managed to connect with global audience. What you are is a rage against the machine, Beckman was a piece of shit who added nothing to the game, you were the man to get rid of him, clap, applause. You're a fucking placeholder, I told you at the start and I tell you now, people don't remember ICE Beckman, people don't remember Dune. People remember Jonny Fly, people remember Joey Flash. There is such a big difference, such a gulf in class it's almost sickening that you don't see it.
Enough of this fucking queer show, time to get back to what the fuck I was here for.
This shit is going to be a real talk fuckin body. Ain’t no two ways about it. What’s gonna happen on Sunday night is going to be one of the biggest acts of violence and destruction in Oklahoma City, this ain’t Durant injuring his foot where a few people were upset they wouldn’t get to celebrate that year. This is that midnight vigil ‘I’m never seeing my loved one again’ shit, this is that Timothy McVeigh shit, what I do to Dune at War is a fuckin homicide in waiting.
It’s not a question of what Dune wants to happen in this match, he can fight, scratch and claw all he wants but the outcome is not going to change. You’ve built up this whole cult following this year, I see that shit, I see people at every event more and more of them coming through the gates with the mask on, with the tactical vests, men women and children it just doesn’t stop. What gives? Are people that attracted to success, to champions? I find it interesting, you say anything and they just go away believing at gospel.
‘Joey Flash will crumble among the flames’
‘I will destroy everything he has’
‘I am the best wrestler in the world, no one can touch me’
You actually seem to believe that shit. You’ve brainwashed thousands and thousands of WCF fans that this is the truth; well it’s going to come to an end quick. Sudden Flash right to your jaw and everything ends. It’s like the Jonestown Massacre cos one punch will end your whole following.
Bodybags on deck, let's hear it for Dune, the transitional World Champion no one ever gave a fuck about.
A coat of gold or a coat of red, a lion still has claws
Warm amber beams illuminated the decadent stained glass windows scattered around the grand cathedral. They created a light so pure it was as if angels themselves had cast their rays down through the setting sun, decorating the aisle with rainbow confetti. A speckle of blue reflected upon the cheek of Joseph Malignaggi as he stood at the end of the aisle, momentarily getting lost in the royalty of his own eyes. Was he lost too? Never did Joey think a place so holy would accept him and embrace him as one of the sons of this earth. Too many sins to wash clean, no amount of fragrance could mask the smell of his sordid history. How could such a place house him, and his succubus wife to be? The place seemed too clean for matrimony so unholy, but money could buy you that, even God turned a blind eye if you had the dollar to bribe him. Every man on this earth is a crook, and that starts with the big guy too. He created Joey after all, one of the Lord's living, breathing sinners about to wed the devil herself.
The guests began to arrive one by one. Shuttling in like passengers on a train destined for hell fire. Most of the faces Joey did not recognise, they may as well be passers-by. Celebrities and their offspring decorated in this week’s trends, mistresses of men muddled in right at the back staring beady eyed at the wives of their million-dollar meal tickets, overweight aunties long since forgotten. They merged together as a mass of fascinators, camera flashes and bejeweled well wishes. The first recognizable face to approach Joey was Paolo Allegri, his eyes were scanning the room as he walked towards Joey.
Joey: Don’t tell me…
Paolo: There’s a nice blonde at the back, she’ll be mine.
Joey: Confident.
Paolo: Why not, this venue? This place…perfect.
Paolo plucked a handkerchief from his breast pocket and dabbed at his brow.
Paolo: Hot in here.
Joey: Hell has that reputation.
Paolo: Second thoughts?
Joey: No. Suit’s too tight.
Joey pulls at his collar manoeuvring it into a more comfortable position.
Bernardo and Francesca approached. Joey could feel their gaze upon in, the flicker of a warning in her father's eyes, and then a smile followed by a welcoming grip of his shoulders. The tight dress hugging the curves of Francesa, Alessandra would be furious if she caught sight of her mother, taking even the smallest part of the spotlight away with the slit in that dress.
Bernardo: Come on Paolo, it’s almost time.
Paolo: I’ll be with you in a moment. I’ve just got to speak to the photographer.
Bernardo lead Francesca to her seat, kissing her delicately on the cheek before heading towards the entrance of the Cathedral and then out of sight. The sound of music began to fill the air as the last of the guests took their seats and their voices turned to a hush, a whisper and finally silence. Jonny Fly shot through the door at the speed of a bullet, taking to the aisle like an Olympian as the sound of the music cut out. His heavy breathing and apologies replaced the harmony of church music as he dashed towards the alter. He placed the rings into Joey's hands.
Fly: You’ll be needing them.
The minister shook his head as a raspy cough left his throat. He glared at Joey and Jonny, one bushy white eyebrow raised with all the fury of God sculpted into his expression.
Joey: Fuck. No going back then.
The minister motioned to the orchestra to restart their symphony. Summoning Joey's bride to be, each note a piece of a Ouija board searching for demons in the dark.
Two tiny girls dressed as angels in fluffy blush gowns tottered towards the altar, splashing pink and cream petals across the floor creating a carpet of sweet scents. They glided towards Joey like tiny ballerinas, tiptoeing to the side lines. The groomsmen and bridesmaids followed holding posies in their hands, smiles beaming as they tried to beat the sound of the chorus. Lastly, Christian pranced down the aisle, a cheeky grin plastered on his face from the moment he caught site of Joey. He let out a “Daddy!” dashing towards him, stumbling over his tiny feet but keeping himself upright as he ran towards his open arms. The gap between them, his finish line. Joey scooped him up and kissed his flushed chubby cheeks as he burst into a giggle. Joey placed him onto the ground, the smile still glued to his face exposing his gummy parts, and pointed towards the entrance way just as she appeared. Alessandra.
Every inch of her was breathtaking. Joey had heard of the splendour of seeing your bride walk down the aisle, but couldn’t have prepared himself for the vision he saw before him. She wore a mermaid gown, fitted to her hips and flaring outwards, she was both sexy and elegant. Her eyes sparkled and her smile dazzled all those who glanced at her. Those green eyes bore into his soul and took away the oxygen from his lungs. Her long black hair cascaded down her back trailing the lace arch upon her spine. The room slowed down with every step she took, striding down the aisle like a fearless gazelle.
Reaching Joey, Bernardo let go of his daughter’s hands and placed them in Joeys. He took her delicate small hands in his and stared deeply into her eyes. Hypnotized by their jade embers. She truly was a supernatural force. He wanted to fuck her on that altar for the world to see, to show them that she belongs to him. He didn’t want this moment to end. The minister said some words that they both missed. So transfixed by one another's presence each syllable danced over their heads, flew through their ears and out of the cathedral. The guest cried as the sun began to set creating a warm glow in the atmosphere. Alessandra and Joey caught the word “vows” escape from the minister’s lips and they both repeated the only words that mattered.
“Forever you
Forever me”
They scooped up Christian holding him between them
“Forever us”
The mold of fascinators and beady eyes erupted into tears of joy and laughter as Joey kissed Alessandra with renewed passion. Melting into each other, becoming one, breathing in the moment of their divine solidarity. They clung on for as long as their lips would allow, with their last breath releasing. Both Alessandra and Joey smiled and turned their heads towards Christian, sandwiching him between a kiss. Joey on his right cheek, Alessandra his left. He grinned , his face smushing into a cherubesque form. Celebration erupted and echoed around them, creating a united bubble of happiness that could never be burst. The room began to shake, the laughter turned silence and then screaming. The saints on the windows melted and turned to flame, the ministers grey eyebrows turned to ash and cinders.
And mine are long and sharp, my Lord, as long and sharp as yours.
The heat engulfed St Patricks Cathedral as Joey Flash found his world lit up by gunfire and flames. He grabbed his newlywed bride by the waist and wrenched her to the floor; their first kiss was almost one of lead as bullets began to fly among the crowd. Screams and shouts were rendered mute as more explosions went off through the building, crouched behind the front row of seating Flash saw Jonny Fly returning fire over the holy ground at the assailants.
All he could see of who was crashing his wedding in the most heinous of ways were masks, he saw five or six men in balaclavas with automatic weapons opening fire on the unsuspecting innocents of the congregation. He knew this scene, he knew it well. He remembered back to the Double X club, to Pinky and Jack, if this wasn’t his handiwork then god damn was someone a good copycat. Whatever was happening he had to get his wife and child out of here safely before being able to help. Alessandra shoved herself free and screamed in his face.
Alessandra: GET ME A GUN.
Joey dragged her down to the floor with a thud.
Joey: JUST STAY DOWN. I understand you need to uphold the Allegri name and help protect the family-
Alessandra didn’t even look flustered, amongst the carnage and chaos not even a hair was out of place on her head.
Alessandra: I’m no longer an Allegri. I’m a Malignaggi, and yes, I’m going to fucking protect you.
She kissed him on the forehead and reached inside his jacket, removing the piece that he was reticent to show even Jonny Fly earlier. She chambered a round and smiled at him.
Alessandra: Til death do us part?
She kicked her heels off and slid to join Jonny Fly behind the front row of seating. He stared for a moment at the pair, Fly was fighting for him, Alessandra was fighting for him. These weren’t people who were just using him to their own ends; these weren’t people just throwing his trust, his heart to the side of the road. It was at this scanning of what had turn from a ceremony into a battlefield that there was one person who was no longer present, Joey’s heart sank. Where was his son?
He saw Fly grab Alessandra as the pair blasted at the crowd of oncoming would be assassins as they barrelled through a door at the opposite side. Good, they would be safe at least. What happened to him was an absolute afterthought. No one he loved or cared for would die today.
He peeked round the pillar he was shielding himself from the onslaught with and finally saw what was happening, the only fire that was coming back seemed very sporadic, seemed very robotic, very controlled. The one thing his sharp gaze locked onto was outside the front of the building that had since been reduced to nothing but rubble, ash and dust. For a second he swore he could see a vision that he never expected to see in his lifetime.
Three men that he never thought as much had shared a word. There at the front of the building watching the carnage were the man he knew as Jack, his lifetime enemy John Mullins Sr and…and…it was then he knew the man who had called him on the phone so long ago, the man who had arranged everything negative, had ordered Vincenzo to infiltrate his life and sow distrust amongst the Allegri family…was an Allegri himself, stood proudly next to these two men laughing, a smile across his feminine features, the man who refused to be king? The man who looked every bit like a usurper, Paolo Allegri, the younger brother of his wife. Flash felt himself fill with an incandescent rage, there was no room for cognition left, his body simply moved. He began a sprint toward the front of the church, the bullet fire had ceased now, all that was left was the vision of the three men looking, laughing. He didn’t need a gun, he didn’t need a weapon, you wanted a massacre? This is going to be a fucking massacre.
As Joey ducked and dodged from side to side, from flimsy wooden cover to flimsy wooden cover he gradually noticed that the gunfire had all but stopped. He finally locked his eyes forward and saw what his ears had already notified him of, the gunfire had stopped. There were no more gunmen, no more assailants, and the three men he saw… that he thought he saw were no longer there. Whatever this game was, he hoped it ended soon.
Joey stood up to get a better view and began walking toward the destroyed entrance of the church, as much as he wanted to continue you on the flames from inside the church gave him a stark reminder of the situation he found himself in. Before he had gotten distracted at the front of the church…where was his son?
He wheeled himself back around and was welcomed by a sight that Satan himself would feel positively at home in. From each and every side the flames licked up the walls clawing for just another inch of real estate each time, it looked like someone had just dropped a vat pig’s blood over a high school psychic. Joey shielded his eyes from the ever clawing heat; his legs felt like they had iron weights strapped to the calves has he dragged his legs forward.
I have to get there…I have to make sure they’re safe…I have to…
The silence of the flames was broken as a familiar voice split the flames and boomed through the decimated holy ground.
Dune: Joey!
Joseph Malignaggi looked upward to the beams above the altar to see his rival, his enemy, stood in all his demonic glory, his ragged and torn face mask less and contorted in a sadistic smile, if he even could smile. The flames seemed to bathe him in a light that belied his very intentions on this day. Dune seemed to laugh as he pulled his prize that he was hiding behind one of pillars on the rafters. It was then Joey Flash finally found his son. Christian Malignaggi was dragged by the hair to Dune’s side. The boy was a crying mess, his face contorted in fear he was screaming so loud his lungs were crying blood. Dune dragged Christian up by the hair and held him skyward.
Joey watched this in almost slow motion, his stomach tightened with fright and his legs turned to jelly.
Joey: PLEASE-
Dune: For the sins of the father.
That line echoed and reverberated in Joey’s head for what seemed like an eternity as the scene unfolded in front of him. His flesh and blood, his saviour, his progeny, his child, his son was launched from the nigh on sixty feet drop. His sightline changed from the demonic chainsaw jawed Dune to the screaming crying child, he fell and Joey sprinted. His legs exploded into motion and he powered forward in a near superhuman explosion of energy, Flash ran and the child fell…but for the first time in his life, Joey Flash wasn’t fast enough.
Christian Malignaggi’s last thoughts on this earth were ‘Daddy where are you?’ and ‘Mommy please…’ then there was nothing but pain, then nothing but silence.
Joey was half a second too late, he saw his son’s fragile and delicate body crunch into the unforgiving stone floor, there was no blood, there was no gore but Joey knew. He knew right away.
Joey: Christian… CHRISTIAN?!
He dragged his son toward him, a quick check could already tell, the little boy had been absolutely broken by the fall. His ribs were split apart, a small trickle of blood leaked from between his lips.
Joey: No…it can’t…son…hey, come on champ wake up.
He tried to move the boys head up but it simply lolled from one side to the other like someone trying to fix a puppet into position. He waited and waited, he slapped, he screamed and he cried but there would be no response from Christian Malignaggi. The little boy that had been so full of life, the little boy that had been Joey Flash’s life, been his saviour, been his everything. His salvation lay lifeless in his arms as the flames began to consume them. It didn’t matter anymore.
Let the flames take me. They’ve taken everything else.
Promise me...(Fourth Tape)
Joey: So, uhh, I dunno how much more you wanna hear me rambling on, I know that I wouldn’t want to hear some chump of a guy talk about all his supposed successes and failings to me like I don’t have the capability of thought.
Joey runs his sleeve across his forehead.
Joey: At your age I didn’t know anything. I didn’t know who I was, I didn’t know what I wanted, I didn’t know anything at all. Want to know what I want now? I’m twenty six years old and all I want is for you to be happy. I realise that not everything I can do will make you happy, I realise that not everything I do will make you like me, but know that I love, know that I love you more than anything in the world. I might be a lot of things son, but at my heart I’m not an evil person, I’m not a bum I’m not a junkie, whatever words you hear to describe me I’m not that. Just remember me as…a wrestler. I step through the ropes every week for you, I fight and I win for you, I couldn’t care any less if I lose every week or not, but what I do son is I win, I have the best winning record of any wrestler in the history of this company, why?
I do it for you. I go out there every week, I win and I dominate. This is my biggest test, this is the most important match I’ve ever had in my career. I’m going to win Christian, I’m going to beat Dune, and I’m going to give you the WCF World Title as an early Christmas gift. Maybe this will be the one…maybe then after everything I’ve done…
You’ll finally be proud to call me ‘Dad’.
A Game of Thrones
The hollowed out husk of a man sits before you in the WCF locker room, it is one week since a moment that should have been the happiest day of someone’s life turned into the most horrific thing that should ever happen. Joey Flash sits with his wrestling attire on, his wrists taped, everything prepared, what was a World Title match had turned into a death march of a broken man. Flash looked at the camera, his eyes devoid of any hope and expression that was there in his prior promos.
Joey: I told you to cross the line, I told you to cross the line. I pushed and I prodded. You did well Dune. Okay.
Joey takes a deep breath.
Joey: What's going to happen at War...is I am going to kill you. I'm going to beat as much pain into your body as I physically can, then I am going to kill you. In front of whatever following you have, whatever family, whatever friends...they are going to witness the man they care for, they love get tortured and butchered in front of their very eyes. This isn't a wrestling match, this is no longer even a procession, this is a slaughterhouse for Dune.
Joey keeps his emotionless stare at the camera.
Joey: No slogans, no talk. Just death. It all ends tonight.
