Post by america on Nov 2, 2020 23:38:13 GMT -5
The ring of the bell felt perfunctory. Daniel Christopher had been a game challenger, but America was past the point where that was enough. He could feel himself coming up to a peak. Soon he’d be ready to challenge Andrew Barnes for the title he never should have lost. In the meantime though, he’d have to skip out before the match happened. He had a plane to catch in order to make it to the Action Wrestling taping where he’d be teaming with Zaigon for a shot at the tag team titles in a tables match.
America felt a concern in the back of his mind. He’d already been pushed in defense of his title and now he had to show up and fight just as hard in the effort to win another. While he appreciated the idea behind Zaigon’s divide and conquer strategy, it had primarily left him divided while Zaigon continued to call the shots and move things forward. America could feel the pressure building again. Whatever relief there had been when America won the APW Title and Zaigon left the company, he could feel it growing again as the new mountain began fighting its conquest.
America trusted in their ability to pull through. He trusted his own talent and that of the man who dragged him from the brink to greater things. Yet as he got aboard the private jet to fly him where he needed to be, he felt a gnawing apprehension in his gut. The grind of being a champion was a challenge he welcomed, but it was a grind nonetheless. The grind of trying to make his mark in one place while maintaining his standing in the other…America knew that it wasn’t sustainable in the long run. The time was coming when he’d have to pick his battles and choose which company would be his home moving forward.
He hoped that the decision wouldn’t be made for him instead.
The truly great will take on any challenge.
Brother Zeke has had a solid start in this company. He came oh so close to winning the title shot that poor, defeated Daniel Christopher won last week. Prior to that he gave the thief Andrew Barnes a fine little challenge as well. Certainly, he’s put together a solid string of victories around these close efforts. But that’s all it’s been. Close efforts.
The fact is that our Zeke is a perfectly perfunctory performer. Absolutely the kind of man you’d give a loyalty reward to and thus can my client and I understand the logic behind rewarding that consistency with a title shot. We will respect the efforts of a dedicated performer even as we serve him a much needed reminder of just how deep the gulf between him and America Jackson is.
We understand the need to bide time. After all, you’ve only just got your golden star back. The Architect, Damon Warrens. Considered by many to be the greatest World Champion this company has had. It’s a perspective my clients have an issue with but as with the status of the challenger, they understand a good hype piece. The fact is that were my client not a fighting champion, willing to defend both belts on a single night even after you swindled him with the late addition of stipulations, he would have faced Damon Warrens in that Killing Floor match and let me assure you, the result would have been much different.
Still, we march forward. Our time will come. Because America Jackson doesn’t want to face Damon Warrens in a triple threat match or a Killing Floor match or an Ultimate Showdown match or a steel cage match or any other stipulation whereby the so called greatest champion can slip out of the defeat he so rightly deserves. When America Jackson beats Damon Warrens for the APW World Title, it will be in a singles match, in the middle of that ring. And when he is champion again as he so rightfully deserves, Andrew Barnes will receive his full attention for a healthy dose of retribution.
That rests in the future though. In the present, the matter remains of continuing the greatest American Championship reign in APW history. As of Killing Floor, America Jackson has set a new defense record with the title. This is in addition to his victory over then longest reigning champion Lex Collins the month previous driving him forward as the longest reigning champion in the title’s history. Truly there has never been a man who exemplifies greatness with this title to the same degree that America Jackson has. More than four months after his initial victory, America continues to define what holding this title means.
And so I ask you to consider your role in this, Zeke. Because all you have been…all you have shown yourself capable of being…is a workhorse. Sure you have a spooky aura and when the lights go out I wouldn’t trust you with the drinks, but when the ring lights go out…you can hang with the most of them. Every chance you’ve had against one of the best, you’ve come up short. So what do you have in you…what hidden strength or desperate push can give you what you need to take this title away from the greatest man ever to hold it?
…
…
Yeah, that’s about what I thought.
The Storm had fallen.
There were asterisks. America knew all the points that Zaigon and Riley would make to try and offset the sting of it. They were never pinned or forced to submit. Faced with two of the most prestigious world champions in company history, they stood their ground and only lost to a matter of chance. It was true that America hated everything about a tables match as a concept, but he also hated excuses.
Zaigon was fuming. America could tell the anger was swelling deep within him, looking for a way to be let out. It looked as though he was half ready to blow up on his partner. Maybe it was clear how angry America was in the moment as well because nothing came of it. They looked at the following week’s card and said their goodbyes, a bitterness forming in the cracks between them.
America had to make a choice and in his mind the choice was clear. He had business left to settle in APW. He had one of the most prestigious titles in APW. He had the world forming in his own hands, not built from the scraps that Zaigon felt content to hand him. He needed to build his own legacy, be his own champion. He had been so afraid before this…that if he took this step, he’d be leaving his mother to rot. That the failures he faced in MMA would repeat themselves.
Except.
Except now he was a champion.
Except now he knew what it took to succeed.
Except now he needed to know he could do it on his own.
All his life, America Jackson had been told how things would be. He’d let other people dictate the course and fight his way through it. He was happy to be the weapon. Content to stick with what he was good at and let other folks sort out the rest. He wasn’t sure when that stopped being what he was looking for. Maybe finally he’d just grown up.
Whatever the case, he knew how it had to start.
He’d have a talk with Zaigon after their match.
It was time for a chapter to end.
I want to ask you something.
Why you?
I’ve been American Champ for a minute. Held the World Title for a bit in there too. I fended off challenges from all kinds of game contenders to date. Let myself slip enough that the World got out of my grasp but I’ve held on to this title through fire and fury both.
Why you?
What do you have that the men and women who I’ve beaten along the way don’t?
What can you bring that they couldn’t throw at me already?
Steven Osbourne.
Lilliana Rose.
Jason Ryan.
Lex Collins.
Daniel Carter.
…
Zaigon Carter.
Each and every one has tried and failed to keep a belt from my hands. Most of ‘em this very one you’re trying to take from me. That list is a fine mix of bodies who many would rank among the very best in this business as well as some of the hungriest young talent around. Competitors who have done more and gone further than you’ve shown up for to date.
So why you, Zeke?
What’s your magic bullet that can take this title from me?
What power do you have to end *the* defining reign?
What can you do against the greatest champion this title has had?
Call it an insult.
Call it ego.
Call it what you want.
But men like you and Daniel Carter beforehand…you think you got it. That it’s your hot moment. Then I bust you up and show you what’s what and all your dreams come crashing down around you. I’m tired of facing men who don’t have a right to stand across the ring from me.
So I’m asking you Zeke.
Why do you deserve to beat me?
When I see you out in that ring…
I expect a fucking answer.
America felt a concern in the back of his mind. He’d already been pushed in defense of his title and now he had to show up and fight just as hard in the effort to win another. While he appreciated the idea behind Zaigon’s divide and conquer strategy, it had primarily left him divided while Zaigon continued to call the shots and move things forward. America could feel the pressure building again. Whatever relief there had been when America won the APW Title and Zaigon left the company, he could feel it growing again as the new mountain began fighting its conquest.
America trusted in their ability to pull through. He trusted his own talent and that of the man who dragged him from the brink to greater things. Yet as he got aboard the private jet to fly him where he needed to be, he felt a gnawing apprehension in his gut. The grind of being a champion was a challenge he welcomed, but it was a grind nonetheless. The grind of trying to make his mark in one place while maintaining his standing in the other…America knew that it wasn’t sustainable in the long run. The time was coming when he’d have to pick his battles and choose which company would be his home moving forward.
He hoped that the decision wouldn’t be made for him instead.
The truly great will take on any challenge.
Brother Zeke has had a solid start in this company. He came oh so close to winning the title shot that poor, defeated Daniel Christopher won last week. Prior to that he gave the thief Andrew Barnes a fine little challenge as well. Certainly, he’s put together a solid string of victories around these close efforts. But that’s all it’s been. Close efforts.
The fact is that our Zeke is a perfectly perfunctory performer. Absolutely the kind of man you’d give a loyalty reward to and thus can my client and I understand the logic behind rewarding that consistency with a title shot. We will respect the efforts of a dedicated performer even as we serve him a much needed reminder of just how deep the gulf between him and America Jackson is.
We understand the need to bide time. After all, you’ve only just got your golden star back. The Architect, Damon Warrens. Considered by many to be the greatest World Champion this company has had. It’s a perspective my clients have an issue with but as with the status of the challenger, they understand a good hype piece. The fact is that were my client not a fighting champion, willing to defend both belts on a single night even after you swindled him with the late addition of stipulations, he would have faced Damon Warrens in that Killing Floor match and let me assure you, the result would have been much different.
Still, we march forward. Our time will come. Because America Jackson doesn’t want to face Damon Warrens in a triple threat match or a Killing Floor match or an Ultimate Showdown match or a steel cage match or any other stipulation whereby the so called greatest champion can slip out of the defeat he so rightly deserves. When America Jackson beats Damon Warrens for the APW World Title, it will be in a singles match, in the middle of that ring. And when he is champion again as he so rightfully deserves, Andrew Barnes will receive his full attention for a healthy dose of retribution.
That rests in the future though. In the present, the matter remains of continuing the greatest American Championship reign in APW history. As of Killing Floor, America Jackson has set a new defense record with the title. This is in addition to his victory over then longest reigning champion Lex Collins the month previous driving him forward as the longest reigning champion in the title’s history. Truly there has never been a man who exemplifies greatness with this title to the same degree that America Jackson has. More than four months after his initial victory, America continues to define what holding this title means.
And so I ask you to consider your role in this, Zeke. Because all you have been…all you have shown yourself capable of being…is a workhorse. Sure you have a spooky aura and when the lights go out I wouldn’t trust you with the drinks, but when the ring lights go out…you can hang with the most of them. Every chance you’ve had against one of the best, you’ve come up short. So what do you have in you…what hidden strength or desperate push can give you what you need to take this title away from the greatest man ever to hold it?
…
…
Yeah, that’s about what I thought.
The Storm had fallen.
There were asterisks. America knew all the points that Zaigon and Riley would make to try and offset the sting of it. They were never pinned or forced to submit. Faced with two of the most prestigious world champions in company history, they stood their ground and only lost to a matter of chance. It was true that America hated everything about a tables match as a concept, but he also hated excuses.
Zaigon was fuming. America could tell the anger was swelling deep within him, looking for a way to be let out. It looked as though he was half ready to blow up on his partner. Maybe it was clear how angry America was in the moment as well because nothing came of it. They looked at the following week’s card and said their goodbyes, a bitterness forming in the cracks between them.
America had to make a choice and in his mind the choice was clear. He had business left to settle in APW. He had one of the most prestigious titles in APW. He had the world forming in his own hands, not built from the scraps that Zaigon felt content to hand him. He needed to build his own legacy, be his own champion. He had been so afraid before this…that if he took this step, he’d be leaving his mother to rot. That the failures he faced in MMA would repeat themselves.
Except.
Except now he was a champion.
Except now he knew what it took to succeed.
Except now he needed to know he could do it on his own.
All his life, America Jackson had been told how things would be. He’d let other people dictate the course and fight his way through it. He was happy to be the weapon. Content to stick with what he was good at and let other folks sort out the rest. He wasn’t sure when that stopped being what he was looking for. Maybe finally he’d just grown up.
Whatever the case, he knew how it had to start.
He’d have a talk with Zaigon after their match.
It was time for a chapter to end.
I want to ask you something.
Why you?
I’ve been American Champ for a minute. Held the World Title for a bit in there too. I fended off challenges from all kinds of game contenders to date. Let myself slip enough that the World got out of my grasp but I’ve held on to this title through fire and fury both.
Why you?
What do you have that the men and women who I’ve beaten along the way don’t?
What can you bring that they couldn’t throw at me already?
Steven Osbourne.
Lilliana Rose.
Jason Ryan.
Lex Collins.
Daniel Carter.
…
Zaigon Carter.
Each and every one has tried and failed to keep a belt from my hands. Most of ‘em this very one you’re trying to take from me. That list is a fine mix of bodies who many would rank among the very best in this business as well as some of the hungriest young talent around. Competitors who have done more and gone further than you’ve shown up for to date.
So why you, Zeke?
What’s your magic bullet that can take this title from me?
What power do you have to end *the* defining reign?
What can you do against the greatest champion this title has had?
Call it an insult.
Call it ego.
Call it what you want.
But men like you and Daniel Carter beforehand…you think you got it. That it’s your hot moment. Then I bust you up and show you what’s what and all your dreams come crashing down around you. I’m tired of facing men who don’t have a right to stand across the ring from me.
So I’m asking you Zeke.
Why do you deserve to beat me?
When I see you out in that ring…
I expect a fucking answer.
