Post by cyborg878 on Jan 11, 2021 22:01:19 GMT -5
Trust.
It’s a tough thing to build.
I had a long run where I didn’t trust much of anyone. I had done before, sure, but it hadn’t ever really done much for me. Bit of a broken heart. Lot of a broken family. You tell yourself you’re over it. That things are going good, but inside you always know you’re waiting for the shoe to drop. It’s why it didn’t surprise me when Zaigon did what he did. When he walked out of APW and left me behind as an afterthought, it didn’t shock me. Even when he drove me into busted glass in AW I wasn’t all that shocked by it.
I’d worked for the man.
I’d fought alongside him.
But trust?
It’s a tough thing. I’m sure my partner has his concerns about me. I came in representing things that I’m not really sure reflect who I am. Certainly after seeing what this country’s become in the wake of em, I can’t in good conscience keep marching to that beat now. I played a role and it got me far enough that it only made sense to keep playing it. But now…now maybe I can put enough faith in myself to carry things the rest of the way.
I guess that’s my New Year’s Resolution. Being a different man. A better one. Someone you can show the kids and be proud of, instead of someone riling up the worst people ‘round this place and giving them more kindling for the fire. I’m sure the day will come that I’ll be held to account for all the shit I said and I won’t run from that. You got a problem you want to take out of me, I’ll be where I always am. Out in that ring, ready for a fight.
It stings a little. To think about all the time I wasted on someone else’s ideals. Being a part of someone else’s story. I keep wondering if there was a way I could’ve done it different. Some point where I could have made a better choice and been a better person for it. It’s funny. Here I am, good ol’ Christian boy, and the best I’ve ever been is with the Devil at my side.
Hell, I might even trust him.
Been sizing him up long enough. Walked in this place ready to have a fight with the Architects, only for them to up and disappear before I ever got a chance to. Ended up getting a piece of Lex and coming out on top, but for a long time I thought I’d never get that shot at the best of the best. Then suddenly, there he was again. Back in the business. Recapturing a title we’d both laid hands on. And I knew…I knew more than anything I had to fight him.
So I started to prep. I watched tape. I sized him up. I kept preparing for a fight I still haven’t got yet. All this time and I’m thinking we’re two different people out here. But the more I watch and the more we square up, the more something funny happens. I start to see the parts between the lines. The little similarities. The ways we connect. I said before that tag title match that I trusted him to turn up as a competitor and I stand by that tonight.
You can’t want the fight that bad without a little respect in there.
It makes me wonder if this is it. A change. A moment to change.
Someone I can trust.
Hale Cassidy.
Lexi Hill.
I’m putting a little trust in the two of you as well. See, I’ve been getting dragged down by manchildren and makeshift monsters all walking their way into shots they didn’t deserve. I’m sure they’d make the argument that I’m running scared trying to keep my title around my waist, but I think you’ll find my record shows that’s not a problem for me.
I’m not running scared.
I’m running mad.
We got real competitors in these ranks who keep showing up and putting in the fight. You’ve both shown a hell of a lot in your brief time here, but instead of folks like you getting the opportunities you deserve, we’ve been stuck with repeat challengers coming up short and folks walking in from other companies on the backs of reputation over work and being handed shots they inevitably show that they aren’t ready for. There’s no reason human pissbaby Derek Wellings should have walked into two title shots in this company before snatching a single win while you had to fight your way through the ranks.
I don’t believe in the express pass. I don’t believe in shortcuts. I want to fight the best wrestlers this company has to offer and the only way to do that is to see who’s cutting their teeth on the way up. And so here I am facing two of the best new talents and I could not be more excited to see what you can bring against me.
It won’t be enough.
Of course it won’t be enough.
You’re up against the two top champions in this company’s history. Beating one of us would be a career making moment. Beating both?
You’d need a miracle.
But I want to see how far you can go.
I want to see if you’ve got what it takes to give me the fight I’m looking for.
I want to know that I’m the best because I’m facing down the absolute best.
I want you to show me that you can beat me.
I want it to mean something when I beat you.
So I am placing my trust in you.
Show me something.
Show me your hunger.
Show me your rage.
Show me your greatness.
Show me your best selves.
So that for a brief moment before you fall…
I can show my best self in turn.
2021 is giving APW a new America Jackson.
The greatness though?
That’s staying the same.
Trust me.
----------------------------------------------------------------
America feels light.
The holidays at long last had given more than they’d taken, and he felt better for it. Dressed in sweats and starting in on his cardio, he felt more ready to face the new year than he had in any year prior. He was halfway to working up a sweat when Damon Warrens arrived similarly dressed and ready to go. America had hesitated in inviting the self-proclaimed Devil to work out with him, but given their newfound status as tag team partners he felt as though some bonding couldn’t hurt.
“And a happy new year to you.” Damon said, easing into his cardio. “You could have waited for me, you know. Would have been polite seeing as you were the one who sent the invite.”
“Don’t you worry partner. I got enough in the tank to go the distance.” America flashed a smile as he said it. Damon caught the extra bit of energy behind it with a quizzical look.
“I’m sure you do but it’s more the principle of the thing. Still, I suppose I can let it go this time. After all, we’ve got more important things to focus on.” Damon said.
“Sure. Big matches coming up.” America agreed.
“Thanks to yet another certain unnamed someone who showed up, disrupted everything, then left without much this will be our first real match to speak of as a team.”
“What, you think we’re not up to it?” America laughed.
“Ha. I think we’ll be just fine.” Damon replied, less a laugh than the image of one.
“So don’t worry about it.”
“You’re awfully glib this year.” Damon said. “Something good happen to you?”
“I guess.” America admitted. “Had a good Christmas.”
“And after I was so worried about you.” Damon said. “What, may I ask, did the all American American Champion America Jackson get up to for his holidays?”
“I guess I started going out with someone.” America admitted. “Haven’t really told anyone about it yet. Did me a lot of good though. Like filling a gap you didn’t know was missing.”
“I get that.” Damon admitted. “And who’s the lucky one?”
“His name’s Isaiah.” America said. A ghost of a smile touched his lips. “REALLY haven’t told anyone about that yet, but you know. I figure if anyone gets it, it’d be you.”
“Huh. I didn’t see that one coming.” Damon said.
“Me neither, but what the hell.” America said, the ghost turning full on grin. “Only way to go is forward.”
“I hear you there.” Damon said. He looked over to see America paused, holding out a hand. Reluctantly, Damon extended his to meet it.
“So let’s keep moving forward.” America said. “Partner.”
---------------------------------------------------------
Trust... It's a fickle thing isn't it? It takes an eternity to build, yet a mere moment to obliterate.
Working in an industry like professional wrestling it is even more fleeting in nature. Sure you have best friends, your tag teams, even relationships within our dear squared circle...
But how long does the trust live in those?
I mean look at me. I came into APW nearly one year ago alongside a man I had trusted for years and a man I HAD to learn to trust within weeks. That ability to rely on each other worked for a while. We all found immediate success... consistently in contention for or already holding championship gold in the first few months we stood side by side.
But then the cracks began to form in a foundation I was told to believe in... to rely on....to trust. Smith.... well he didn't like that someone dared to take the spotlight from him. What was supposed to be a contest of friends, of people who respected each other and relied on each other... he quickly turned that into an opportunity to try and plunge the knife in and twist it. Lex on the other hand tried to maintain the peace while struggling with the fact that he was the forgotten Architect. He was a dominant champion, but was never featured on shows or websites...
The Architects ...we lied to ourselves... we claimed that what made our foundation so strong... our dominance so unchallenged... was that we had a partnership forged from respect and TRUST. We were the furthest thing from our façade.
Flash forward several months and I come back. Irina is no longer reigning over APW with her iron fist....and hammer... and sickle. Management tells me Ian TRUST them. Things will be different. There is no more tyrannical boss trying to bend her competitors to her own will. In fact they try to pull the wool over my eyes with a near immediate title opportunity. They try to whisper false congratulations in my ears as I hold my championship high. But then... just as I began to give them the benefit of the doubt.. as I began to entertain the idea that management could earn my trust.... that's when they too began to let the mirage slip.
They begin to hand out opportunities to the undeserving. To the John Blades and Jason Ryans of the world. When I state my intent... to fight the one man who has proven himself... they try to spin me a web of falsities.
"We have a major opponent lined up for you."
"We can revisit this match against America sometime in the future... but THIS opponent will be even greater."
"We promise this isn't some undeserving washed up Action Wrestling reject..."
They even went as far as to distract myself and America with tag team gold dangled in front of our faces. All we had to do is TRUST them. To TRUST that what they had in store for us was bigger and better than Damon versus America could EVER be. Another foundation of "trust" wasted away to reveal lies and deceit. They showed just how little of our trust they could be given. But what they did beyond that was rather intriguing.
See through their misdirection and distraction they actually began to unite the most unlikely of alliances. What started as a partnership of honestly very shallow goals... only wanting success and the glory that followed... well it became a unity birthed from contempt for the company that refused us the greatest battle of our careers. They allowed for a seed to be planted from which maybe... just maybe some level of trust could grow.
We already respected each other.. at least from an aspect of competition. Now though... there was respect for our honour...our character. It seems however that beyond just respecting the man I find myself seeing that seed grow... and my trust for America Jackson beginning to bloom.
The America Jackson I have seen in the last few weeks is not the subservient Proud Boy to Zaigon's Trump. here's substance there. . . there's a human factor.. dare I say it there is something for me to invest in.. to care about. What I'm saying is that I just might be able to TRUST America Jackson,
But I wonder.... can our opponents this week say the same? Lexi Hill.... Hale Cassidy.... do you TRUST each other? Do either of you have any reason to believe that the other will have your back when you step into the ring with the two greatest Champions that APW has ever seen?
Can Hale Cassidy really trust someone like Lexi Hill? A self absorbed spoiled brat? A girl who has already made it quite clear she is willing to manipulate whoever she needs to. Kayby... are you going to let her manipulate you like that? Are you going to be her plaything? I don't think your escort Arden Taylor will be particularly fine with her John being used.
On the other hand though can Lexi TRUST Kayby? I mean he is just as conceited as Lexi...just as selfish... just as vain and vapid. Sure you both want your hands raised, but I question... how willing are you to protect your partner? How willing are you to work with your partner? This is some baseless throw together tag team going against the reigning Tag Team Champions... men who on their own could handily dispose of both of you.
Don't believe me Lexi? Ask Kayby. Kayby .. the man who's claim to fame in APW is a three second reign as Strong Style Champion.... a man who after failing to capitalize on a Junior Heavyweight Championship opportunity hoped he could turn his luck around by squaring up with APW's GREATEST WORLD CHAMPION. I'll give it to ya kid... you did better than I expected. Ya gave me quite the fight... and yet despite throwing every weapon in your arsenal at me ... I stood up... and I put you down with ONE KNEE. You took that loss like a champ though. For a moment we got to see a fire.. a real determination. I can respect that. I can respect the fact that you owned up to your loss and recognized that you needed to earn your way back to me. Do I think you've done that? Well the jury is still out.
After that loss you told me we were cut from the same cloth. I'm not certain that you're wrong. When I look at you I see me from a decade ago. A brash young kid who knows he's better than the world will ever give him credit for. Determined to prove himself against people who think he isn't worth their effort. Someone who stands up after defeat and demands more challenges. You hide that vulnerability behind jokes and sarcasm. I know we will once again stand across from each other one on one... but for now this match will just have to suffice for you. Going toe to toe with the best of APW is an honour that I will honestly say I feel you've earned... now that being said I don't feel the same way about your partner.
Lexi... you may have stumbled upon some success... landed yourself in an upcoming championship match against America Jackson and Felicity Ann Mason. Impressive as a start I'd say, but whereas Kayby had a real possibility to walk out with gold against Alex Scott or even in the scramble match.... well unfortunately I think you're too blinded by delusion to see the writing on the walls... you're the clear cannon fodder in the match. Felicity at least stands a chance of survival... but neither of you can compare to my fellow Tag Team Champion. Beyond that Lexi you just come across like.... you hide behind words tougher than you are. You made it known weeks ago that you planned to RIP my world championship from my hands.....and yet ... nothing. I wait here for your attempt and despite a month having gone by... no sign of your siege on my throne. Maybe you realized that your words would get you into trouble. Maybe you realized that the Devil Himself was just too unbeatable for you.
Maybe though you're feeling you can both capitalize on the fact that this is also mine and America's first real outing as a team. Last time we tried to do so our opportunity to prove our abilities as a unit was taken from us. This time though... no Bonnie Blue and her masked man.. just America Jackson and Damon Warrens... the American Devils. And while you maybe right we haven't exactly had the experience as a team that typical tag team champions would have... working alongside partners I haven't done so with before. My debut in this company nearly one year ago was a victory alongside a partner I had practically just met. I almost made it to the finals of the tag team tournament with Smith Jones.. a man I had worked with for a decade, but never tagged with in the ring.
Kayby had it right... he Nancy Drew'd his way into figuring out what makes me so different so.... individual despite your claims Lexi... what makes me a greater challenge than anyone could imagine. I can adapt to ANY situation I'm put in. I figured out how to outwrestle better wrestlers. I outwitted stronger behemoths. I out brawled violent psychopaths. That's what I do. Corey Bull... a mountain of a man that I couldn't knock out and couldn't outfight... I choked him out. So working with America for the first time... I'll adapt and I'll thrive.
I need to both to TRUST what I'm about to say. No matter what your combined egos tell you... this won't end well for your hodge-podge band of merry idiots. Regardless of how many signs and t-shirts Kayby makes... regardless of how many times Lexi tells herself she's more individual than I am..... it will end the same as it has for most of this company's history:
America Jackson... victorious.
Damon Warrens... victorious.
TRUST ME.
It’s a tough thing to build.
I had a long run where I didn’t trust much of anyone. I had done before, sure, but it hadn’t ever really done much for me. Bit of a broken heart. Lot of a broken family. You tell yourself you’re over it. That things are going good, but inside you always know you’re waiting for the shoe to drop. It’s why it didn’t surprise me when Zaigon did what he did. When he walked out of APW and left me behind as an afterthought, it didn’t shock me. Even when he drove me into busted glass in AW I wasn’t all that shocked by it.
I’d worked for the man.
I’d fought alongside him.
But trust?
It’s a tough thing. I’m sure my partner has his concerns about me. I came in representing things that I’m not really sure reflect who I am. Certainly after seeing what this country’s become in the wake of em, I can’t in good conscience keep marching to that beat now. I played a role and it got me far enough that it only made sense to keep playing it. But now…now maybe I can put enough faith in myself to carry things the rest of the way.
I guess that’s my New Year’s Resolution. Being a different man. A better one. Someone you can show the kids and be proud of, instead of someone riling up the worst people ‘round this place and giving them more kindling for the fire. I’m sure the day will come that I’ll be held to account for all the shit I said and I won’t run from that. You got a problem you want to take out of me, I’ll be where I always am. Out in that ring, ready for a fight.
It stings a little. To think about all the time I wasted on someone else’s ideals. Being a part of someone else’s story. I keep wondering if there was a way I could’ve done it different. Some point where I could have made a better choice and been a better person for it. It’s funny. Here I am, good ol’ Christian boy, and the best I’ve ever been is with the Devil at my side.
Hell, I might even trust him.
Been sizing him up long enough. Walked in this place ready to have a fight with the Architects, only for them to up and disappear before I ever got a chance to. Ended up getting a piece of Lex and coming out on top, but for a long time I thought I’d never get that shot at the best of the best. Then suddenly, there he was again. Back in the business. Recapturing a title we’d both laid hands on. And I knew…I knew more than anything I had to fight him.
So I started to prep. I watched tape. I sized him up. I kept preparing for a fight I still haven’t got yet. All this time and I’m thinking we’re two different people out here. But the more I watch and the more we square up, the more something funny happens. I start to see the parts between the lines. The little similarities. The ways we connect. I said before that tag title match that I trusted him to turn up as a competitor and I stand by that tonight.
You can’t want the fight that bad without a little respect in there.
It makes me wonder if this is it. A change. A moment to change.
Someone I can trust.
Hale Cassidy.
Lexi Hill.
I’m putting a little trust in the two of you as well. See, I’ve been getting dragged down by manchildren and makeshift monsters all walking their way into shots they didn’t deserve. I’m sure they’d make the argument that I’m running scared trying to keep my title around my waist, but I think you’ll find my record shows that’s not a problem for me.
I’m not running scared.
I’m running mad.
We got real competitors in these ranks who keep showing up and putting in the fight. You’ve both shown a hell of a lot in your brief time here, but instead of folks like you getting the opportunities you deserve, we’ve been stuck with repeat challengers coming up short and folks walking in from other companies on the backs of reputation over work and being handed shots they inevitably show that they aren’t ready for. There’s no reason human pissbaby Derek Wellings should have walked into two title shots in this company before snatching a single win while you had to fight your way through the ranks.
I don’t believe in the express pass. I don’t believe in shortcuts. I want to fight the best wrestlers this company has to offer and the only way to do that is to see who’s cutting their teeth on the way up. And so here I am facing two of the best new talents and I could not be more excited to see what you can bring against me.
It won’t be enough.
Of course it won’t be enough.
You’re up against the two top champions in this company’s history. Beating one of us would be a career making moment. Beating both?
You’d need a miracle.
But I want to see how far you can go.
I want to see if you’ve got what it takes to give me the fight I’m looking for.
I want to know that I’m the best because I’m facing down the absolute best.
I want you to show me that you can beat me.
I want it to mean something when I beat you.
So I am placing my trust in you.
Show me something.
Show me your hunger.
Show me your rage.
Show me your greatness.
Show me your best selves.
So that for a brief moment before you fall…
I can show my best self in turn.
2021 is giving APW a new America Jackson.
The greatness though?
That’s staying the same.
Trust me.
----------------------------------------------------------------
America feels light.
The holidays at long last had given more than they’d taken, and he felt better for it. Dressed in sweats and starting in on his cardio, he felt more ready to face the new year than he had in any year prior. He was halfway to working up a sweat when Damon Warrens arrived similarly dressed and ready to go. America had hesitated in inviting the self-proclaimed Devil to work out with him, but given their newfound status as tag team partners he felt as though some bonding couldn’t hurt.
“And a happy new year to you.” Damon said, easing into his cardio. “You could have waited for me, you know. Would have been polite seeing as you were the one who sent the invite.”
“Don’t you worry partner. I got enough in the tank to go the distance.” America flashed a smile as he said it. Damon caught the extra bit of energy behind it with a quizzical look.
“I’m sure you do but it’s more the principle of the thing. Still, I suppose I can let it go this time. After all, we’ve got more important things to focus on.” Damon said.
“Sure. Big matches coming up.” America agreed.
“Thanks to yet another certain unnamed someone who showed up, disrupted everything, then left without much this will be our first real match to speak of as a team.”
“What, you think we’re not up to it?” America laughed.
“Ha. I think we’ll be just fine.” Damon replied, less a laugh than the image of one.
“So don’t worry about it.”
“You’re awfully glib this year.” Damon said. “Something good happen to you?”
“I guess.” America admitted. “Had a good Christmas.”
“And after I was so worried about you.” Damon said. “What, may I ask, did the all American American Champion America Jackson get up to for his holidays?”
“I guess I started going out with someone.” America admitted. “Haven’t really told anyone about it yet. Did me a lot of good though. Like filling a gap you didn’t know was missing.”
“I get that.” Damon admitted. “And who’s the lucky one?”
“His name’s Isaiah.” America said. A ghost of a smile touched his lips. “REALLY haven’t told anyone about that yet, but you know. I figure if anyone gets it, it’d be you.”
“Huh. I didn’t see that one coming.” Damon said.
“Me neither, but what the hell.” America said, the ghost turning full on grin. “Only way to go is forward.”
“I hear you there.” Damon said. He looked over to see America paused, holding out a hand. Reluctantly, Damon extended his to meet it.
“So let’s keep moving forward.” America said. “Partner.”
---------------------------------------------------------
Trust... It's a fickle thing isn't it? It takes an eternity to build, yet a mere moment to obliterate.
Working in an industry like professional wrestling it is even more fleeting in nature. Sure you have best friends, your tag teams, even relationships within our dear squared circle...
But how long does the trust live in those?
I mean look at me. I came into APW nearly one year ago alongside a man I had trusted for years and a man I HAD to learn to trust within weeks. That ability to rely on each other worked for a while. We all found immediate success... consistently in contention for or already holding championship gold in the first few months we stood side by side.
But then the cracks began to form in a foundation I was told to believe in... to rely on....to trust. Smith.... well he didn't like that someone dared to take the spotlight from him. What was supposed to be a contest of friends, of people who respected each other and relied on each other... he quickly turned that into an opportunity to try and plunge the knife in and twist it. Lex on the other hand tried to maintain the peace while struggling with the fact that he was the forgotten Architect. He was a dominant champion, but was never featured on shows or websites...
The Architects ...we lied to ourselves... we claimed that what made our foundation so strong... our dominance so unchallenged... was that we had a partnership forged from respect and TRUST. We were the furthest thing from our façade.
Flash forward several months and I come back. Irina is no longer reigning over APW with her iron fist....and hammer... and sickle. Management tells me Ian TRUST them. Things will be different. There is no more tyrannical boss trying to bend her competitors to her own will. In fact they try to pull the wool over my eyes with a near immediate title opportunity. They try to whisper false congratulations in my ears as I hold my championship high. But then... just as I began to give them the benefit of the doubt.. as I began to entertain the idea that management could earn my trust.... that's when they too began to let the mirage slip.
They begin to hand out opportunities to the undeserving. To the John Blades and Jason Ryans of the world. When I state my intent... to fight the one man who has proven himself... they try to spin me a web of falsities.
"We have a major opponent lined up for you."
"We can revisit this match against America sometime in the future... but THIS opponent will be even greater."
"We promise this isn't some undeserving washed up Action Wrestling reject..."
They even went as far as to distract myself and America with tag team gold dangled in front of our faces. All we had to do is TRUST them. To TRUST that what they had in store for us was bigger and better than Damon versus America could EVER be. Another foundation of "trust" wasted away to reveal lies and deceit. They showed just how little of our trust they could be given. But what they did beyond that was rather intriguing.
See through their misdirection and distraction they actually began to unite the most unlikely of alliances. What started as a partnership of honestly very shallow goals... only wanting success and the glory that followed... well it became a unity birthed from contempt for the company that refused us the greatest battle of our careers. They allowed for a seed to be planted from which maybe... just maybe some level of trust could grow.
We already respected each other.. at least from an aspect of competition. Now though... there was respect for our honour...our character. It seems however that beyond just respecting the man I find myself seeing that seed grow... and my trust for America Jackson beginning to bloom.
The America Jackson I have seen in the last few weeks is not the subservient Proud Boy to Zaigon's Trump. here's substance there. . . there's a human factor.. dare I say it there is something for me to invest in.. to care about. What I'm saying is that I just might be able to TRUST America Jackson,
But I wonder.... can our opponents this week say the same? Lexi Hill.... Hale Cassidy.... do you TRUST each other? Do either of you have any reason to believe that the other will have your back when you step into the ring with the two greatest Champions that APW has ever seen?
Can Hale Cassidy really trust someone like Lexi Hill? A self absorbed spoiled brat? A girl who has already made it quite clear she is willing to manipulate whoever she needs to. Kayby... are you going to let her manipulate you like that? Are you going to be her plaything? I don't think your escort Arden Taylor will be particularly fine with her John being used.
On the other hand though can Lexi TRUST Kayby? I mean he is just as conceited as Lexi...just as selfish... just as vain and vapid. Sure you both want your hands raised, but I question... how willing are you to protect your partner? How willing are you to work with your partner? This is some baseless throw together tag team going against the reigning Tag Team Champions... men who on their own could handily dispose of both of you.
Don't believe me Lexi? Ask Kayby. Kayby .. the man who's claim to fame in APW is a three second reign as Strong Style Champion.... a man who after failing to capitalize on a Junior Heavyweight Championship opportunity hoped he could turn his luck around by squaring up with APW's GREATEST WORLD CHAMPION. I'll give it to ya kid... you did better than I expected. Ya gave me quite the fight... and yet despite throwing every weapon in your arsenal at me ... I stood up... and I put you down with ONE KNEE. You took that loss like a champ though. For a moment we got to see a fire.. a real determination. I can respect that. I can respect the fact that you owned up to your loss and recognized that you needed to earn your way back to me. Do I think you've done that? Well the jury is still out.
After that loss you told me we were cut from the same cloth. I'm not certain that you're wrong. When I look at you I see me from a decade ago. A brash young kid who knows he's better than the world will ever give him credit for. Determined to prove himself against people who think he isn't worth their effort. Someone who stands up after defeat and demands more challenges. You hide that vulnerability behind jokes and sarcasm. I know we will once again stand across from each other one on one... but for now this match will just have to suffice for you. Going toe to toe with the best of APW is an honour that I will honestly say I feel you've earned... now that being said I don't feel the same way about your partner.
Lexi... you may have stumbled upon some success... landed yourself in an upcoming championship match against America Jackson and Felicity Ann Mason. Impressive as a start I'd say, but whereas Kayby had a real possibility to walk out with gold against Alex Scott or even in the scramble match.... well unfortunately I think you're too blinded by delusion to see the writing on the walls... you're the clear cannon fodder in the match. Felicity at least stands a chance of survival... but neither of you can compare to my fellow Tag Team Champion. Beyond that Lexi you just come across like.... you hide behind words tougher than you are. You made it known weeks ago that you planned to RIP my world championship from my hands.....and yet ... nothing. I wait here for your attempt and despite a month having gone by... no sign of your siege on my throne. Maybe you realized that your words would get you into trouble. Maybe you realized that the Devil Himself was just too unbeatable for you.
Maybe though you're feeling you can both capitalize on the fact that this is also mine and America's first real outing as a team. Last time we tried to do so our opportunity to prove our abilities as a unit was taken from us. This time though... no Bonnie Blue and her masked man.. just America Jackson and Damon Warrens... the American Devils. And while you maybe right we haven't exactly had the experience as a team that typical tag team champions would have... working alongside partners I haven't done so with before. My debut in this company nearly one year ago was a victory alongside a partner I had practically just met. I almost made it to the finals of the tag team tournament with Smith Jones.. a man I had worked with for a decade, but never tagged with in the ring.
Kayby had it right... he Nancy Drew'd his way into figuring out what makes me so different so.... individual despite your claims Lexi... what makes me a greater challenge than anyone could imagine. I can adapt to ANY situation I'm put in. I figured out how to outwrestle better wrestlers. I outwitted stronger behemoths. I out brawled violent psychopaths. That's what I do. Corey Bull... a mountain of a man that I couldn't knock out and couldn't outfight... I choked him out. So working with America for the first time... I'll adapt and I'll thrive.
I need to both to TRUST what I'm about to say. No matter what your combined egos tell you... this won't end well for your hodge-podge band of merry idiots. Regardless of how many signs and t-shirts Kayby makes... regardless of how many times Lexi tells herself she's more individual than I am..... it will end the same as it has for most of this company's history:
America Jackson... victorious.
Damon Warrens... victorious.
TRUST ME.
