Post by Breezy on Aug 16, 2020 21:44:11 GMT -5
Wednesday 8/12/2020:
"Run the ropes. Hit each of em' once and we'll see where you're at."
APW's head trainer, Lance Walker, is standing across from Eli Beazley. Eli shakes his head and takes a deep breath in. He shoots forward to the ropes but is moving gingerly. Moving at maybe 70% of his full speed Eli hits the ropes and immediately lets out a groan. He drops to a knee clutching his side.
"That tells me everything I need to go. You can't go on Monday night."
"Bullshit."
Eli stands up and proceeds to run the remaining three ropes. Each time he hits the ropes he lets out a scream that is one part frustration and one part pain. After hitting the final rope, Eli starts to drop to a knee but instead he forces himself to stand straight up.
"Eli, you're hurt. Obviously. If you have to miss a match it's not the end of the world."
Eli shakes his head.
"I'm not missing a match. That is not happening. You said that I can't hurt it any more than I already have. Right?"
Now it's Lance's turn to shake his head.
"Yeah, but Eli you can't even run the ropes. You can't be serious."
"So I won't make it worse."
"No, you won't. But if you want to be ready for Showdown you need to sit out this week."
Lance clearly disagrees with this decision. But Eli is adamant about wrestling on Monday night.
"Alright, tough guy. Hit me with that Breezy Bomb of yours."
Eli questions Lance, but Lance eggs him on. Eli slides behind Lance and locks in a full nelson. He begins to lift Lance up to connect with the Breezy Bomb, but the pain was just too much. He breaks the hold and falls to the mat clutching his side.
"Do you want to tell management that you can't go this week? Or should I do it?"
Eli is breathing heavy and writing around in pain.
"I'm wrestling this week, Lance."
"I love ya, Eli, but you're an idiot."
Lance climbs out of the ring. The camera pans back to a shot of Eli who is still on the ground and obviously in some pain.
Sunday 8/16/2020
The lights are dimmed in the CU Events Center. The crew has been working throughout the day to get things set up Monday Night Metal. The ring is up and ready to go. The entrance ramp is set up. The video board is being assembled and there is some work to do on the lighting rig. In the middle of the ring is Eli.
Eli is dressed in gym shorts and his boots. We catch him at the tail end of a stretch. He rolls his neck a few times, takes a deep breath, and then hits the ropes hard. He groans quietly as he runs across the ring to the ropes. He bounces off the ropes and is grimacing the entire time. He stops in the middle of the ring and jumps up and dropkicks the air. He hits the mat and groans, but he pushes himself his feet. He briefly grabs his side but stands up.
Eli runs forward and launches himself into the corner. His body slams against the turnbuckle pads and he immediately stumbles forward. Clearly in pain, Eli paces around the ring with his hands on top of his head before finally turning to find the camera.
"Breeziacs, I have some bad news. I suffered an injury in the match last week. A lot of you saw them take me to the back and my social media blew up with your messages of concern. The good news is that injury is nothing serious and won't keep me out of action for any time whatsoever. The bad news is that It is still a very painful injury and I am going into this match on Monday night far from one hundred percent. I'd say I'm at 60% or so."
Sad face Eli here. He nods his head and then continues.
"Thankfully this week isn't Showdown. As you saw last week I did become the number one contender for the North American Championship. And as exciting as it was I do want to address the way that it happened. Breeziacs you know me, I like to keep things clean and avoid cheap tactics. As I was lying on the math on Monday night, I knew I was hurt. I knew that if I didn't end the match when I did, then there would be no shot at the North American Championship. Andrew Barnes is a hell of a competitor and I hate that things had to end that way. But at the end of the day, I did what I had to do. And going into the match with Alexander Hayes I know that I may need to take that same approach."
Eli slowly climbs through the ropes and sits down on the apron.
"Under normal circumstances, I pride myself on my ability to go toe to toe in the ring with anyone. When I'm 100 percent I believe that I can beat anyone. Going in at 60 percent has me concerned. I respect the hell out of Alex. He has a lot of talent. When I watch him wrestle I see a dude with a lot of heart. And I think someday he will be a fixture in APW. He'll be battling for belts. I don't think he's there yet. Don't get me wrong, Alex is good. He's a great competitor. But he's no Eli Beazley. But that brings us back to the idea that this week I'm not really Eli Beazley either. I'm a fraction of my normal self."
Eli looks incredibly uncomfortable as he slides off of the apron. We watch as he grabs a gym bag from the floor and gingerly slides it over his shoulders. The camera follows Eli as he starts making his way up the ramp.
"Tomorrow night is going to be a physical challenge. Breeziacs, our odds aren't as good as I like them to be. But... we've still go this. I know that when I walk through this curtain tomorrow night and there are 11,000 Breeziacs going wild for me that my body is going to fill a lot better. Y'all know that I feed off of you guys. You get me pumped. And we also know that adrenaline is a hell of a thing. I fully anticipate Breezy Nation to help me gain at least another 20% of my fullest potential. So I'm at 60% now. You guys will give me another 20. So I'm 80% of the way there. 80% Breezy is pretty good.I don't know if it's good enough to beat Alex. But I'm not done there. You see I am am not crazy. I know that I won't ever be 100% tomorrow night. But tomorrow night I will beat Alex because of Breezy Nation and because I've got guts. I've shown that time and time again in APW. I don't give up. I don't quit. Tomorrow night every part of my body will be begging me to stop, but my heart won't let me."
Eli stops just before the curtains and turns to look back at the ring. He then pivots to look at the camera.
"Alex, tomorrow night I am expecting an all out war. I know you're going to bring it. This is a huge match for you. If you beat the number one contender for a belt in a one on one match that might make some wonder if you actually deserve the shot. I know that winning this match tomorrow night is going to be tough. It is going to take everything I've got. But Alex, I will be walking out of this arena tomorrow night with a victory. I know that there is nothing on the line for me. I've got a huge match at the PPV coming up. I've got a chance to become North American champ and World Champ. A match with Alexander Hayes doesn't mean much. But Alex I hate losing. Since I have been in APW I have only lost one singles match and it was to current Jr Heavyweight Champ. As far as I am concerned tomorrow night is just as important as my match for the North American championship. I'm bringing that same intensity tomorrow night. And Alex, I may be hobbled. But I promise you that you haven't been in the ring with anyone quite like me."
Eli laughs.
"Now I'm not promising that I won't cut some corners tomorrow night. If I need to grab a handful of tights while going for a pin than I may have to do it. Tomorrow night I will do whatever it takes to pick up that win. Alex, I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be a war. But lets show APW what we can do. Win, lose or draw you hangin' in there with me will open some eyes. I'm a fan, brother. But tomorrow night I'm going to be responsible for another 'L' being added to your loss column. Alexander, I'll see you tomorrow night."
Eli turns and walks through the curtains as the camera slowly fades to black.
