Post by CJ Phoenix on Jan 28, 2016 23:19:27 GMT -5
January 24th
Richmond, Virginia
Every day that I wake up, I make sure to tell this to myself. It journeys from the brightest parts of my mind to the darkest parts of my soul. It's a reminder that once I reach the top of the mountain, I have to fight to keep myself there, because if I lean back too far in an attempt to relax, I'll fall right back down the same mountain that I fought to ascend. The WCF is no different. Many people compete to be able to call themselves "champions". Most fall along the way, but for the few that triumph, the spotlight is dim, but just bright enough to shine on them. For those people, either they can close their eyes to bask in the light, making themselves easy prey for those in the darkness, or they can use the light to their advantage to fight those hiding in the dark. By signing with the WCF, I took my first step toward the top. I WILL become champion, but I WILL NOT settle for just being a champion. Tonight, I make my debut, but for now, I find myself sitting in front of a mirror in my hotel room. There are no cameras, no fans, and no fellow wrestlers. There is only me.
Phoenix: Let the mind games begin.
When I walked into the Siegal Center, I had a game plan. I wanted to have the WCF Galaxy eating out of the palm of my hands. I wanted to make them stand on their feet and be amazed to the point that they wanted more, and that's exactly what happened. My objective was not to win the match. It was to win the minds of the people watching. Lee Roberts may have stolen the victory, and I give him credit for doing so, but it was I who stole the show. It was I who leapt over the top rope and laid everyone out, just to focus the attention of those observing on me. One day, I may once more cross paths in the ring with "Mr. Average", but that's a story for another book. Enjoy your "major", or shall I say "average", battle win. I have my eyes set on a much bigger prize. My strings are already attaching to the Galaxy, but why should I stop there? Shortly after returning to my hotel room, I roamed on twitter for a bit and thought back to when the Assistant of Talent Relations, Katherine Phoenix, welcomed me to the company in one of her tweets. I figured that she had power and influence in the business, but it also appeared that she was a few yards shy of a first down. I had to be careful, so I decided to play it safe and see if I could negotiate my way to a business partnership with her. However, I was not expecting K. L. Henson, Head of Talent Relations, to get involved. Thankfully, I was able to think on my feet and manage to set up a meeting with him.
January 25th
Richmond, Virginia
Katherine invited me to an office that Henson had set up just for our meeting. At least, that's what I could piece together in between the constant mention of cookies in one too many ways and repeatedly being called "CJ Bear". Ugh. There's apparently something about me that makes her go "grrrr", but there's something about her that makes me go "What...the hell??". As for the office I was invited to, well, I say "office", but it was set up more like an interrogation room. The room itself contained only grey walls, a single table with a chair on each side, and a single light bulb shining above the table and chairs. As I opened the door, I saw him sitting in one of the chairs, leaving the other vacant for me.
Henson: Welcome. Have a seat.
Phoenix walks over to the empty chair and sits in it.
Henson: I noticed that you attempted to bribe Kat on twitter. It's a bold move, but it's a bit too bold for it to not be ran past me first. I'm not sure what your intentions are with her. What I am sure of is the fact that she works for me, so I want to know exactly what it is you want.
Phoenix: Fair enough. All I want is access to one of your production trucks and one of your cameras. The reason is so that I can get inside the heads of my opponents and mess with them.
Henson: I see. You like playing mind games with people. How about this, I'll give you the truck and the camera to use as you see fit. In exchange, you will allow the staff members to attach a tiny camera monitor inside of the roof of the truck.
Phoenix: Works for me. Deal.
We both extended our arms out and shook hands before I got up and left the room. I'm not sure what it is, but there's something about him that seems threatening. He might be a master manipulator. If so, he's got all the firepower, so my best bet is to play nice for the time being. I can't risk trying to match wits with him since I don't know enough about him.
(After Phoenix leaves)Henson: There's something about that kid. I might have to keep a watchful eye on him in case he tries something.
January 27th
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Phoenix drives the production truck to Lincoln Financial Field. First, he exits the truck with a camera in one hand and a trash bag with another. Then, makes his way to a high point in the stadium and sits next to the trash bag. Finally, he gives himself a quick pep talk before pointing the camera at himself and turning it on.
Phoenix: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania! At Fifteen, you will see the systematic decimation of not one, but four unfortunate souls trapped in the ring with me. What's that? You don't know who they are? It's okay, nobody does. Luckily, I'm here to give you guys insight on my so called "opponents". Let's see who's first!
He reaches into the trash bag and pulls out a small oar.
Phoenix: Charon the fairy thing! Apparently, he's killed someone. That's adorable! It's also ironic because your chances of winning at Fifteen got murdered when you got booked in a match with me. Ain't karma a bitch sometimes? You know, I wonder how you committed that murder. Was it the Ferryman with the golf club behind the supermarket? Maybe it was Charon with the oar in the basement. Whatever it was, at Fifteen, it'll be Phoenix with the Talon Kick in the center of the ring. You may as well take your oar and go home while you still have the chance, because once that bell rings, you'll be up shit creek without a paddle!
He snaps the oar in half and tosses it over the top of the stadium. Afterwards, he reaches into the bag and pulls out a mirror.
Phoenix: Ahh, of course. Corey Flemming, the Dr. Phil knockoff that calls himself "Your Life Coach". Well, allow me to introduce you to my life coach, me!
He looks at the mirror and angles it so that the camera can show him and his reflection.
Phoenix: Hey Coach. What do you think about this Flemming guy?
Phoenix speaks in a slightly deeper voice.
Phoenix: You see Phoenix, Corey's what you would call a "brown noser". He doesn't actually coach people. He just kisses their asses while telling them what they want to hear. A great coach knows how to inspire his team without giving them a bunch of false hopes. A great coach follows his words with actions! This is NOT a nice world. It's not a fairy tale where you can sing and dance until you come out on top. It isn't a cartoon where Deus Ex Machina can save you because of the "good guys always win" bullshit. Until he accepts that and gets out of that fantasy world of sunshine and rainbows, he'll never be more than a doormat for the REAL competitors!
His voice returns to normal.
Phoenix: Thanks Coach.
He faces the camera once more and tosses the mirror over the edge.
Phoenix: Long story short, "Life Coach", I'm going to beat you so badly that your therapist's life coach will need therapy!
For the third time, Phoenix reaches into the bag. This time, he pulls out a firecracker.
Phoenix: Travis Tusk, or "TNT" as he's called for some reason. You know, he reminds me a lot of this firecracker. Both are cool to watch in action. Both know how to draw excitement. However, both are also nothing more than a flash in a pan that gets forgotten and replaced by another quick, cheap thrill. You build yourself up as this underdog. You try to be the living example of a David fighting and triumphing in a world of Goliaths. That's a cute little story for the parents to tell the little kiddies out there. Unfortunately, it's about as realistic as the one about Santa Claus banging Cinderella with her glass slippers before riding the stork to deliver babies. This isn't a place where everyone gets a trophy for participating. If you want to survive, you have to fight for it! You are NOT an underdog. You're not David in a ring of Goliaths. You're nothing more than a bystander that happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time! You may call yourself "TNT", but the only "boom" that you'll be involved in will be the thunderous sound of of your ribs shattering when I hit you with a spear!
He pulls out a lighter and lights the firecracker, launching it into the sky before looking back at the camera while the firecracker explodes. Afterwards, he pulls out the last item, a bowling ball with "Bad News" written on it.
Phoenix: Bad News Bowling Ball Benson Honeydew. You're a monster. You're like this bowling ball here. You charge down the lane with no remorse and attack anything in your path. However, like a bowling ball, without someone guiding you, you're just mindless dead weight. You fight dirty. You come to the ring pissed off all the time, and I'd be pissed off too if I kept losing all of my matches. Hell, you put the "bad" in "bad news". Unfortunately for you, I have worse news. That dry streak of yours will continue. You can try to do as many eye pokes, groin kicks, weapon shots, and anything else you can think of. The truth is, it won't be enough. You're simply not smart enough. You're too blinded by rage. You're the bull, and I'm the world's greatest matador. You may be good at being violent, but I'm better. Ole, bitch!
He tosses the bowling ball over the edge.
Phoenix: I don't see "good" and "bad". I don't see "face" and "heel". I see puppets and masterminds, and I am a mastermind. All of my opponents are puppets, and I am the puppet master pulling the strings! At Fifteen, I will be the fire that burns four souls to ashes, and from those ashes, I will rise victorious! The have entered MY dominion! In MY dominion, I am the light! I am the darkness! I am the reaper of the souls of my foes! I harvest the minds of my enemies! One by one, I will conquer and conquer until I am standing atop a mountain of my fallen opponents. This world isn't a mind game, it's a mind war! It's MY mind war! At Fifteen, the strings are coming out, and the reaper brings his scythe!
The camera cuts to static before shutting off.
Richmond, Virginia
To be the greatest, you must not be content with simply being the greatest.
Every day that I wake up, I make sure to tell this to myself. It journeys from the brightest parts of my mind to the darkest parts of my soul. It's a reminder that once I reach the top of the mountain, I have to fight to keep myself there, because if I lean back too far in an attempt to relax, I'll fall right back down the same mountain that I fought to ascend. The WCF is no different. Many people compete to be able to call themselves "champions". Most fall along the way, but for the few that triumph, the spotlight is dim, but just bright enough to shine on them. For those people, either they can close their eyes to bask in the light, making themselves easy prey for those in the darkness, or they can use the light to their advantage to fight those hiding in the dark. By signing with the WCF, I took my first step toward the top. I WILL become champion, but I WILL NOT settle for just being a champion. Tonight, I make my debut, but for now, I find myself sitting in front of a mirror in my hotel room. There are no cameras, no fans, and no fellow wrestlers. There is only me.
Phoenix: Let the mind games begin.
Later that night, after Slam
When I walked into the Siegal Center, I had a game plan. I wanted to have the WCF Galaxy eating out of the palm of my hands. I wanted to make them stand on their feet and be amazed to the point that they wanted more, and that's exactly what happened. My objective was not to win the match. It was to win the minds of the people watching. Lee Roberts may have stolen the victory, and I give him credit for doing so, but it was I who stole the show. It was I who leapt over the top rope and laid everyone out, just to focus the attention of those observing on me. One day, I may once more cross paths in the ring with "Mr. Average", but that's a story for another book. Enjoy your "major", or shall I say "average", battle win. I have my eyes set on a much bigger prize. My strings are already attaching to the Galaxy, but why should I stop there? Shortly after returning to my hotel room, I roamed on twitter for a bit and thought back to when the Assistant of Talent Relations, Katherine Phoenix, welcomed me to the company in one of her tweets. I figured that she had power and influence in the business, but it also appeared that she was a few yards shy of a first down. I had to be careful, so I decided to play it safe and see if I could negotiate my way to a business partnership with her. However, I was not expecting K. L. Henson, Head of Talent Relations, to get involved. Thankfully, I was able to think on my feet and manage to set up a meeting with him.
January 25th
Richmond, Virginia
Katherine invited me to an office that Henson had set up just for our meeting. At least, that's what I could piece together in between the constant mention of cookies in one too many ways and repeatedly being called "CJ Bear". Ugh. There's apparently something about me that makes her go "grrrr", but there's something about her that makes me go "What...the hell??". As for the office I was invited to, well, I say "office", but it was set up more like an interrogation room. The room itself contained only grey walls, a single table with a chair on each side, and a single light bulb shining above the table and chairs. As I opened the door, I saw him sitting in one of the chairs, leaving the other vacant for me.
Henson: Welcome. Have a seat.
Phoenix walks over to the empty chair and sits in it.
Henson: I noticed that you attempted to bribe Kat on twitter. It's a bold move, but it's a bit too bold for it to not be ran past me first. I'm not sure what your intentions are with her. What I am sure of is the fact that she works for me, so I want to know exactly what it is you want.
Phoenix: Fair enough. All I want is access to one of your production trucks and one of your cameras. The reason is so that I can get inside the heads of my opponents and mess with them.
Henson: I see. You like playing mind games with people. How about this, I'll give you the truck and the camera to use as you see fit. In exchange, you will allow the staff members to attach a tiny camera monitor inside of the roof of the truck.
Phoenix: Works for me. Deal.
We both extended our arms out and shook hands before I got up and left the room. I'm not sure what it is, but there's something about him that seems threatening. He might be a master manipulator. If so, he's got all the firepower, so my best bet is to play nice for the time being. I can't risk trying to match wits with him since I don't know enough about him.
(After Phoenix leaves)Henson: There's something about that kid. I might have to keep a watchful eye on him in case he tries something.
January 27th
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Phoenix drives the production truck to Lincoln Financial Field. First, he exits the truck with a camera in one hand and a trash bag with another. Then, makes his way to a high point in the stadium and sits next to the trash bag. Finally, he gives himself a quick pep talk before pointing the camera at himself and turning it on.
Phoenix: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania! At Fifteen, you will see the systematic decimation of not one, but four unfortunate souls trapped in the ring with me. What's that? You don't know who they are? It's okay, nobody does. Luckily, I'm here to give you guys insight on my so called "opponents". Let's see who's first!
He reaches into the trash bag and pulls out a small oar.
Phoenix: Charon the fairy thing! Apparently, he's killed someone. That's adorable! It's also ironic because your chances of winning at Fifteen got murdered when you got booked in a match with me. Ain't karma a bitch sometimes? You know, I wonder how you committed that murder. Was it the Ferryman with the golf club behind the supermarket? Maybe it was Charon with the oar in the basement. Whatever it was, at Fifteen, it'll be Phoenix with the Talon Kick in the center of the ring. You may as well take your oar and go home while you still have the chance, because once that bell rings, you'll be up shit creek without a paddle!
He snaps the oar in half and tosses it over the top of the stadium. Afterwards, he reaches into the bag and pulls out a mirror.
Phoenix: Ahh, of course. Corey Flemming, the Dr. Phil knockoff that calls himself "Your Life Coach". Well, allow me to introduce you to my life coach, me!
He looks at the mirror and angles it so that the camera can show him and his reflection.
Phoenix: Hey Coach. What do you think about this Flemming guy?
Phoenix speaks in a slightly deeper voice.
Phoenix: You see Phoenix, Corey's what you would call a "brown noser". He doesn't actually coach people. He just kisses their asses while telling them what they want to hear. A great coach knows how to inspire his team without giving them a bunch of false hopes. A great coach follows his words with actions! This is NOT a nice world. It's not a fairy tale where you can sing and dance until you come out on top. It isn't a cartoon where Deus Ex Machina can save you because of the "good guys always win" bullshit. Until he accepts that and gets out of that fantasy world of sunshine and rainbows, he'll never be more than a doormat for the REAL competitors!
His voice returns to normal.
Phoenix: Thanks Coach.
He faces the camera once more and tosses the mirror over the edge.
Phoenix: Long story short, "Life Coach", I'm going to beat you so badly that your therapist's life coach will need therapy!
For the third time, Phoenix reaches into the bag. This time, he pulls out a firecracker.
Phoenix: Travis Tusk, or "TNT" as he's called for some reason. You know, he reminds me a lot of this firecracker. Both are cool to watch in action. Both know how to draw excitement. However, both are also nothing more than a flash in a pan that gets forgotten and replaced by another quick, cheap thrill. You build yourself up as this underdog. You try to be the living example of a David fighting and triumphing in a world of Goliaths. That's a cute little story for the parents to tell the little kiddies out there. Unfortunately, it's about as realistic as the one about Santa Claus banging Cinderella with her glass slippers before riding the stork to deliver babies. This isn't a place where everyone gets a trophy for participating. If you want to survive, you have to fight for it! You are NOT an underdog. You're not David in a ring of Goliaths. You're nothing more than a bystander that happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time! You may call yourself "TNT", but the only "boom" that you'll be involved in will be the thunderous sound of of your ribs shattering when I hit you with a spear!
He pulls out a lighter and lights the firecracker, launching it into the sky before looking back at the camera while the firecracker explodes. Afterwards, he pulls out the last item, a bowling ball with "Bad News" written on it.
Phoenix: Bad News Bowling Ball Benson Honeydew. You're a monster. You're like this bowling ball here. You charge down the lane with no remorse and attack anything in your path. However, like a bowling ball, without someone guiding you, you're just mindless dead weight. You fight dirty. You come to the ring pissed off all the time, and I'd be pissed off too if I kept losing all of my matches. Hell, you put the "bad" in "bad news". Unfortunately for you, I have worse news. That dry streak of yours will continue. You can try to do as many eye pokes, groin kicks, weapon shots, and anything else you can think of. The truth is, it won't be enough. You're simply not smart enough. You're too blinded by rage. You're the bull, and I'm the world's greatest matador. You may be good at being violent, but I'm better. Ole, bitch!
He tosses the bowling ball over the edge.
Phoenix: I don't see "good" and "bad". I don't see "face" and "heel". I see puppets and masterminds, and I am a mastermind. All of my opponents are puppets, and I am the puppet master pulling the strings! At Fifteen, I will be the fire that burns four souls to ashes, and from those ashes, I will rise victorious! The have entered MY dominion! In MY dominion, I am the light! I am the darkness! I am the reaper of the souls of my foes! I harvest the minds of my enemies! One by one, I will conquer and conquer until I am standing atop a mountain of my fallen opponents. This world isn't a mind game, it's a mind war! It's MY mind war! At Fifteen, the strings are coming out, and the reaper brings his scythe!
The camera cuts to static before shutting off.
