Post by cyborg878 on Feb 22, 2021 18:07:41 GMT -5
Damon Warrens sits still in his frequent promo spot; the red throne room. He is leaned forward, his jaw resting on his left hand as he watches a television off screen attentively. The last few words of what is soon recognized as Zaigon Carter's return promo against Damon are head.
Damon raises his eyebrows and begins to nod as an amused smile creeps across his face. Zaigon's promo ends and Damon allows silence for a few moments before addressing the camera.
Damon: Destiny.... you know destiny is a fickle thing. It convinces us that we are guaranteed our future... success is just waiting for us on the horizon. We allow ourselves to be blinded by our own concept of what the universe owes us... what were should be promised. We essentially pull the wool over our own eyes. We pick out the most elegant pair of rose coloured glasses we can find and make sure that as we look towards our so called destiny... that every red flag warning us that said destiny is just not mean to be just blends in. It allows us to live in our own delusion..... and that's where you reside Zaigon Carter. You live in a world of reliance and delusion.
Damon's jaw leaves the support of his hand. As he sits up he places his fingers together pensively and he looks upwards off camera.
Damon: I think to an extent we all live in a world of delusion and reliance... so don't feel bad. I've convinced myself I will hold this gold forever.... but there's always a chance that someone stronger or faster or just better comes along and removes it from my grasp. That's what you have in fact Zaigon.... a chance. I must admit you're no John Blade... no Jason Ryan... certainly not a Corey Bull. You are a legitimate threat to my reign. I'm not too blinded by my own ego... my own imagined reality to ignore that fact. You however are too far gone. You've spiraled far too much down your own rabbit hole of fallacy and misconception. But I'm here to bring you back to reality Zaigon. To reel in your fantastical ideas of how Liberty or Death turns out for us both.
The Nitemare looks directly at the camera now as if it were Zaigon.
Damon: I understand wanting to hype yourself up for what may just be the fight of your life. I understand not wanting to admit your failures.... your faults..... it's hard. It takes a real maturity that well I guess you lack. Hearing your words....they are just riddled with exaggerations and fabrications Zaigon. I think one of the only points I can agree on is that... yeah fuck Action Wrestling. The greater than thou energy that exudes from that roster is nauseating. I'm not surprised that you went there with false promises and were thrown to the side almost immediately. They viewed you the same as they view all of APW..... developmental talent. You went from being a big fish in a small pond... the same thing you claim me to be.... to being a big fish in a lake of small fish that think themselves bigger than they are. But Zaigon... you must understand that your phantasm is just as irrational as theirs.
The APW World Champion rolls his eyes and lets out an exasperated sigh.
Damon: I mean... you spent so much effort outlining how America betrayed you and is bound to betray me. America is just a ... what did you call it.... star fucker? Zaigon.... I don't know what you and America got up to, but despite my attempts America hasn't tried to fuck me once.... but if he wants my offer is on the table... guy radiates big dick energy. You meanwhile ARE a big dick. To try and convince the world that YOU were the one betrayed.... it's humourous... it's kind of sad too. Zaigon... we all saw what happened. We watched you snap. Instead of picking yourself up after a loss... regrouping... improving... you took your failure out on the one man who believed in you as much as you believed in yourself. There was certainly a backstabbing... but it wasn't America holding the knife... and it wasn't you being double-crossed. Is it possible your words are right? Sure. There's a chance. I have faith though. See America and I have a team... a partnership based on mutual respect. I know that's a concept that eludes you so I'll break it down. America Jackson isn't my henchman. I am not his boss nor do I want to be. Do I think when the time comes that I can do what almost no one has... what you've failed to do... and defeat him? Absolutely. But I also know he is one of the only people in this business that puts my reign in jeopardy.
There is an earnest tone to Damon's words as he praises America.
Damon: Now in fairness the other person I think can dethrone me is you. I think however you face the problem of possibly tripping over your own inflated ego. And your drug supplying Doctor doesn't seem to be helping that matter. He's going to build you up so high... convince you that Zaigon Carter is unstoppable... but when that illusion is broken...will you blame him Zaigon? Like you blamed America? I know you certainly won't accept blame yourself so maybe you'll be blame me.
Damon chuckles and a sly grin stays on his face afterwards.
Damon: You'll blame me for not fitting your delusional view of me... of my career... of my family. You truly show that you haven't done your research on me Zaigon. See I studied tapes. I analyzed your victories... your defeats... I did whatever I could in preparation for this match to pinpoint a weakness to exploit.. that's what I do best. You however... you're above needing to do that right? You must be or otherwise you'd know just how far I've crossed the line when needed. You'd know that my husband... my boyfriend... my son... they all looked at me the same afterwards. I wasn't a demon to them... not evil... I was a man who did what needed to be done to get what I wanted... what I deserved. These are people who supported me in vicious assaults on management in PCW. People who didn't disappear when I manipulated James Baker's son to betray his own father. People who had my back when I sent my own best friend into retirement for daring to cross me. They have seen what I do... what lows I have had to stoop to... which lines I have had to cross... and we have come through the other side as a unified entity every time.
Pride swells up in the Devil Himself when he talks about his family and their support of him.
Damon: I understand that you don't get how that sort of bond works Zaigon. You've shown that you don't care for relationships... for people to care about you... Maybe you think that having people you care about makes you weak. You've made it clear that you feel that my family means I'm not completely focused on wrestling. You think having these connections distracts me... and maybe there's some point to that. It's something people have tried to exploit in my matches. People like Jason Ryan and Corey Bull have attacked Jaime as a way to gain advantage over me. You could say my care for them is my weak spot, but I refuse to look at them as a hindrance to my success. I am where I am because of my loved ones. I would have quit a long time ago were it not for my husband and son pushing me to continue through all of the bullshit. I would have stayed home and probably retired after losing to Jason Ryan if Jaime hadn't changed my mind. I am a stronger more resilient person because I have something beyond myself to fight for. I have a family to make proud, to support, to provide for. You do this because you're a vain glory hound. I do this because a love for the business and a love for my family. So which of us is truly weak Zaigon?
Damon's impassioned speech transitions into a calmer more rational based argument.
Damon: Zaigon your delusions have led you to believe so many of your own lies. You think my family weakens my resolve. You think America betrayed you. You think that I RAN from you. That when I lost my job in a match it was actually because I was afraid to fight you. When have I been afraid to fight anyone in this or any company? I did what you were too cowardly to do. I walked right up to America Jackson and challenged him to hit me. I told him to his face I wanted to fight him. I didn't surprise him with a headbutt out of no where. I didn't take advantage of his trust to launch an attack. I'm not someone who fears any wrestler. You however despite your statements otherwise HAVE been fearful. I already outlined your fear of America. That's why you've only been able to confront him or myself for that matter with surprise assaults. But more than fear of any one man or woman... you fear the reality we collectively represent. See America... myself... apparently most of the roster of Action Wrestling... we have made you afraid that you will eventually have to accept the truth that YOU AREN'T THE BEST. We have held up a mirror to show you that while you are certainly talented.... you're not the unstoppable force you believed yourself to be. That's why you ran from this company. And you ACTUALLY ran. You weren't fired. You quit. Because you couldn't handle everyone seeing you as less than. And when it all happened again you ran from AW too. You ran right to me.
The Nitemare's voice deepens with a hint of a growl in his words.
Damon: I haven't missed the fact that you waited to return until you were certain America Jackson wasn't going to be anywhere near this World Championship. You fear having to bow down to him again. You thought the Devil Himself was a safer bet and I think you'll find that too is a delusion. When you step into the ring with me at Liberty or Death you face not some gimmick of the "Devil Himself". You face a man who has lived up to the idea that he will do anything he has to to prove the world wrong.. to prove his family right.. and to cement his legacy for eternity. You step into a match with one of the most adaptable fighters in the game.... a man who specializes in surviving wicked amounts of punishment and dishing out even more. You will be contending with THE GREATEST to ever wear this championship belt. A man who beat the record for longest reign.... and then beat his own record. I know you think I am in this position out of luck... lack of competition. I know you think I'm a shtick... you have nothing to worry about.... but I think when the match ends... when the bell rings and you look up to see me raising my championship high you will learn that you should have feared me all along. But until then Zaigon live in your delusion... convince yourself. It will make your defeat all the more delicious.
Damon goes to turn off the feed, but pauses to add one last jab.
Damon: And maybe if you're lucky afterwards Action Wrestling will have a spot open for you to job in the Pure Division again. Won't miss you when you're Zai-GONE.
The promo feed cuts to black.
That is destiny. There is no other option.
Damon raises his eyebrows and begins to nod as an amused smile creeps across his face. Zaigon's promo ends and Damon allows silence for a few moments before addressing the camera.
Damon: Destiny.... you know destiny is a fickle thing. It convinces us that we are guaranteed our future... success is just waiting for us on the horizon. We allow ourselves to be blinded by our own concept of what the universe owes us... what were should be promised. We essentially pull the wool over our own eyes. We pick out the most elegant pair of rose coloured glasses we can find and make sure that as we look towards our so called destiny... that every red flag warning us that said destiny is just not mean to be just blends in. It allows us to live in our own delusion..... and that's where you reside Zaigon Carter. You live in a world of reliance and delusion.
Damon's jaw leaves the support of his hand. As he sits up he places his fingers together pensively and he looks upwards off camera.
Damon: I think to an extent we all live in a world of delusion and reliance... so don't feel bad. I've convinced myself I will hold this gold forever.... but there's always a chance that someone stronger or faster or just better comes along and removes it from my grasp. That's what you have in fact Zaigon.... a chance. I must admit you're no John Blade... no Jason Ryan... certainly not a Corey Bull. You are a legitimate threat to my reign. I'm not too blinded by my own ego... my own imagined reality to ignore that fact. You however are too far gone. You've spiraled far too much down your own rabbit hole of fallacy and misconception. But I'm here to bring you back to reality Zaigon. To reel in your fantastical ideas of how Liberty or Death turns out for us both.
The Nitemare looks directly at the camera now as if it were Zaigon.
Damon: I understand wanting to hype yourself up for what may just be the fight of your life. I understand not wanting to admit your failures.... your faults..... it's hard. It takes a real maturity that well I guess you lack. Hearing your words....they are just riddled with exaggerations and fabrications Zaigon. I think one of the only points I can agree on is that... yeah fuck Action Wrestling. The greater than thou energy that exudes from that roster is nauseating. I'm not surprised that you went there with false promises and were thrown to the side almost immediately. They viewed you the same as they view all of APW..... developmental talent. You went from being a big fish in a small pond... the same thing you claim me to be.... to being a big fish in a lake of small fish that think themselves bigger than they are. But Zaigon... you must understand that your phantasm is just as irrational as theirs.
The APW World Champion rolls his eyes and lets out an exasperated sigh.
Damon: I mean... you spent so much effort outlining how America betrayed you and is bound to betray me. America is just a ... what did you call it.... star fucker? Zaigon.... I don't know what you and America got up to, but despite my attempts America hasn't tried to fuck me once.... but if he wants my offer is on the table... guy radiates big dick energy. You meanwhile ARE a big dick. To try and convince the world that YOU were the one betrayed.... it's humourous... it's kind of sad too. Zaigon... we all saw what happened. We watched you snap. Instead of picking yourself up after a loss... regrouping... improving... you took your failure out on the one man who believed in you as much as you believed in yourself. There was certainly a backstabbing... but it wasn't America holding the knife... and it wasn't you being double-crossed. Is it possible your words are right? Sure. There's a chance. I have faith though. See America and I have a team... a partnership based on mutual respect. I know that's a concept that eludes you so I'll break it down. America Jackson isn't my henchman. I am not his boss nor do I want to be. Do I think when the time comes that I can do what almost no one has... what you've failed to do... and defeat him? Absolutely. But I also know he is one of the only people in this business that puts my reign in jeopardy.
There is an earnest tone to Damon's words as he praises America.
Damon: Now in fairness the other person I think can dethrone me is you. I think however you face the problem of possibly tripping over your own inflated ego. And your drug supplying Doctor doesn't seem to be helping that matter. He's going to build you up so high... convince you that Zaigon Carter is unstoppable... but when that illusion is broken...will you blame him Zaigon? Like you blamed America? I know you certainly won't accept blame yourself so maybe you'll be blame me.
Damon chuckles and a sly grin stays on his face afterwards.
Damon: You'll blame me for not fitting your delusional view of me... of my career... of my family. You truly show that you haven't done your research on me Zaigon. See I studied tapes. I analyzed your victories... your defeats... I did whatever I could in preparation for this match to pinpoint a weakness to exploit.. that's what I do best. You however... you're above needing to do that right? You must be or otherwise you'd know just how far I've crossed the line when needed. You'd know that my husband... my boyfriend... my son... they all looked at me the same afterwards. I wasn't a demon to them... not evil... I was a man who did what needed to be done to get what I wanted... what I deserved. These are people who supported me in vicious assaults on management in PCW. People who didn't disappear when I manipulated James Baker's son to betray his own father. People who had my back when I sent my own best friend into retirement for daring to cross me. They have seen what I do... what lows I have had to stoop to... which lines I have had to cross... and we have come through the other side as a unified entity every time.
Pride swells up in the Devil Himself when he talks about his family and their support of him.
Damon: I understand that you don't get how that sort of bond works Zaigon. You've shown that you don't care for relationships... for people to care about you... Maybe you think that having people you care about makes you weak. You've made it clear that you feel that my family means I'm not completely focused on wrestling. You think having these connections distracts me... and maybe there's some point to that. It's something people have tried to exploit in my matches. People like Jason Ryan and Corey Bull have attacked Jaime as a way to gain advantage over me. You could say my care for them is my weak spot, but I refuse to look at them as a hindrance to my success. I am where I am because of my loved ones. I would have quit a long time ago were it not for my husband and son pushing me to continue through all of the bullshit. I would have stayed home and probably retired after losing to Jason Ryan if Jaime hadn't changed my mind. I am a stronger more resilient person because I have something beyond myself to fight for. I have a family to make proud, to support, to provide for. You do this because you're a vain glory hound. I do this because a love for the business and a love for my family. So which of us is truly weak Zaigon?
Damon's impassioned speech transitions into a calmer more rational based argument.
Damon: Zaigon your delusions have led you to believe so many of your own lies. You think my family weakens my resolve. You think America betrayed you. You think that I RAN from you. That when I lost my job in a match it was actually because I was afraid to fight you. When have I been afraid to fight anyone in this or any company? I did what you were too cowardly to do. I walked right up to America Jackson and challenged him to hit me. I told him to his face I wanted to fight him. I didn't surprise him with a headbutt out of no where. I didn't take advantage of his trust to launch an attack. I'm not someone who fears any wrestler. You however despite your statements otherwise HAVE been fearful. I already outlined your fear of America. That's why you've only been able to confront him or myself for that matter with surprise assaults. But more than fear of any one man or woman... you fear the reality we collectively represent. See America... myself... apparently most of the roster of Action Wrestling... we have made you afraid that you will eventually have to accept the truth that YOU AREN'T THE BEST. We have held up a mirror to show you that while you are certainly talented.... you're not the unstoppable force you believed yourself to be. That's why you ran from this company. And you ACTUALLY ran. You weren't fired. You quit. Because you couldn't handle everyone seeing you as less than. And when it all happened again you ran from AW too. You ran right to me.
The Nitemare's voice deepens with a hint of a growl in his words.
Damon: I haven't missed the fact that you waited to return until you were certain America Jackson wasn't going to be anywhere near this World Championship. You fear having to bow down to him again. You thought the Devil Himself was a safer bet and I think you'll find that too is a delusion. When you step into the ring with me at Liberty or Death you face not some gimmick of the "Devil Himself". You face a man who has lived up to the idea that he will do anything he has to to prove the world wrong.. to prove his family right.. and to cement his legacy for eternity. You step into a match with one of the most adaptable fighters in the game.... a man who specializes in surviving wicked amounts of punishment and dishing out even more. You will be contending with THE GREATEST to ever wear this championship belt. A man who beat the record for longest reign.... and then beat his own record. I know you think I am in this position out of luck... lack of competition. I know you think I'm a shtick... you have nothing to worry about.... but I think when the match ends... when the bell rings and you look up to see me raising my championship high you will learn that you should have feared me all along. But until then Zaigon live in your delusion... convince yourself. It will make your defeat all the more delicious.
Damon goes to turn off the feed, but pauses to add one last jab.
Damon: And maybe if you're lucky afterwards Action Wrestling will have a spot open for you to job in the Pure Division again. Won't miss you when you're Zai-GONE.
The promo feed cuts to black.
