Post by cyborg878 on Mar 22, 2021 23:43:20 GMT -5
I can't believe I'm finally doing this...
It feels like an eternity has led up to this moment...
The funny thing is that.... I've done this before and yet I'm nervous...
As if this was a first time... a brand new experience.
I think that's how I know that this ... this is the right move.
I've always believed if you aren't nervous than you must not care enough...
I can genuinely say my stomach is in knots... my heart is racing like I've just finished an iron man match...
I'm plenty nervous.... I'm plenty caring....and I think I'm plenty ready.
When you go on such a life altering journey .... it's like there's both a joy and also a fear or... disappointment when you finally make it to the final goal
It's that thought of... is this the pinnacle for me?
What lies beyond the finish line?
Is this the end?
I'm not really sure what the answers are, but I think..... I feel... that this is both an end and yet also a new beginning.
Til death do us part.
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Damon stands in what appears to be a formal looking dressing room. A large vanity mirror against one wall, comfortable leather seating by another. The blonde is dressed to the nines in a gorgeous deep purple suit with a black dress shirt underneath. As he looks into the mirror the man adjusts an eggplant coloured tie. His face portrays a mixed tapestry of excitement, fear, and concentration. This was one of those defining moments in his life... the sort of moments that would only come around a handful of times while he walked the mortal plane. Everything has to be perfect.
As he inspects to see that every hair is in place, every wrinkle of cloth has been ironed, and wrestling bruise has been accurately covered the Nitemare is shaken from his concentration by the door to the dressing room opening. In the doorway stands his husband Nathan looking dapper as ever in a black ensemble.
Nathan: Darling everyone's ready... it's time.
Without a word Damon nods. He pauses to take one last look into the mirror and takes a deep breath before turning to his husband with a nervous smile and walking out of the room. He proceeds down an elegant hallway before arriving at a set of stained wood doors. Just beyond them plays a musical procession. Damon opens the doors and as he does a room filled with seated guests turns with joy to see him with his husband. The two men begin to slow walk towards a beautiful altar by which stands Damon and Nathan's son Christian, Damon's close friends Liam Reilly, Talia Skye, Danielle Lopez, and Jane Isis. Near the front sits Damon's tag team partner and new found friend America Jackson with his partner Isaiah. Damon looks over to his soon to be opponent, the nerves clear on his face, but is reassured with a smirk from Jackson. To his left and right sit more friends, family, and acquaintances all with a loving sparkle in their eyes as he arrives to the altar, meeting a familiar face there: Pastor Katherine. She smiles warmly at Damon before she and the whole room turn their attention back to the doorway.
By now the music has changed to a very typical bridal esque march. The doors swing open once more, but this time they reveal Jaime Cortez in a white suit with black accent pieces. The Cuban-American man has a female friend walking him down the aisle. When he reaches the altar he stands opposite Damon and the love between the two men is practically radiating from their elated faces.
Pastor Katherine: Welcome to our beloved guests. Today we are here to celebrate love in just on of its many forms as Damon and Jaime make a promise of love and commitment to one another.
Katherine pauses for a moment looking at Jaime and Damon with a soft smirk.
Katherine: Love is truly a blessing. Knowing that you have found someone to spend your life with. Someone to share countless new experiences and memories with. Someone to love and support you through all of your failures and successes. Damon and Jaime have found that and more. For Jaime a loving and supporting family welcoming him as if he belonged the whole time. For Damon another human being who loves and supports him as much as his husband does. But I feel that these two men may better express what this ceremony means to them better than I ever could.
Katherine looks to Jaime with a gentle nod. Jaime grabs a small card from his jacket pocket. He clears his throat before speaking.
Jaime: Damon... when I first met you it was as a star struck fan. I was some enamored twink who only saw an angsty, but sexy star of my dreams. I was just a groupie chasing after celebrity status. But when I REALLY met you I realized you weren't the dark and brooding man I saw on TV... you were so much more. You were a man who would give his last dollar to someone he cared for. A man who fought against any injustice he saw in the world. A man with a truly loving heart. I am so blessed to have gotten to know and love you on a deeper level. I also cannot say enough how honoured I am to have been welcomed by your family to be a part of not just your life, but theirs too. I can't wait to move forward, all of us together... and see where life takes us.
When Jaime finishes an ear to ear smile has spread across Damon's face. Katherine now nods at The Devil Himself who takes a breath.
Damon: Jaime,... mi amor.. I remember seeing you for the first time at the CCP house show. There was something about you... I just couldn't keep my eyes off you. I didn't know what it was specifically, but I knew that there was something special there. In the time we have been together I have found out what it was. Your determination is... crazy. Running in beside me to battle against men who were three times your size. Cheering me on through every trial and tribulation I faced in and outside of the ring. .....putting yourself in harms way to literally save my life.... You have been not just a partner in the ring, not a partner in crime, but a partner in life. You have given so much and I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life returning the favour.
Damon finishes the speech with a tear falling from his eye. Once he is done Katherine resumes the ceremony.
Katherine: Now do you Jaime Cortez promise to spend your life with Damon Warrens meeting each new joy and sorrow together, continuing to deepen your understanding of him, treating him with kindness and compassion, and welcoming each new chapter of life together with love?
Jaime: I do.
Katherine: And do you Damon Warrens promise to spend your life with Jaime Cortez meeting each new joy and sorrow together, continuing to deepen your understanding of him, treating him with kindness and compassion, and welcoming each new chapter of life together with love?
Damon: I do.
Katherine: Now that you have both made that commitment to each other I ask that you exchange rings as a physical reminder of the promises you both have made here today.
At this point Christian walks forward and presents Damon and Jaime with their commitment rings. First Jaime places the ring on Damon's finger before the Nitemare does so for Jaime.
Katherine: By the authority vested in me by American Marriage Ministries, and with the trust of you all here today, I now declare you joined in love. You may now kiss!
The wedding attendees cheer in approval as Damon and Jaime lock lips. Once they break apart the two walk down the aisle hand in hand with Nathan and Christian following behind as the guests all stand and applaud. The four males go to their respective dressing areas to change for the reception. Once they are ready the four meet up before heading to another part of the building where the reception hall is set up. The party seems to be well under way when they walk in to a standing ovation.
The family spends most of the night doing the rounds thanking folks for coming and catching up with loved ones stopping occasionally for some dancing. When it comes time for the wedding cake to but cut a slice is given not just to Damon and Jaime, but also to Nathan. Damon very quickly realizes he is outnumbered when both Nathan and Jaime turn and smash the cake into his face.
When the celebration dies down and most of the guests leave Damon decides to collect his family at the grooms' table.
Damon: This.. this has been amazing. Thank you all for all your love. And Nathan, Christian thank you both for your support of myself and Jaime.
Nathan: Of course dear. We've always been open that this was a possibility for us. Who knows maybe I'll find someone too... I'm just glad that the person you found to share your love with is as wonderful as Jaime is.
Jaime: That means a lot to hear. Thank you.
Damon: Well... now I have the honour of probably bringing the mood down. There is something serious that I wanted to talk to you all about.
Nathan: Oh god...what? Are you two having a baby?
Jaime: Not that I know of!
Christian: Do you have another boyfriend? Oh you definitely do. Is it America Jackson?
Damon rolls his eyes as his son rattles off his theory.
Damon: No Christian.
Christian: Oh I know! It's Kayby! Kay-Mon I ship it!
The Nitemare gives his son a death stare while Christian laughs hysterically to himself. Once he quiets down Damon continues.
Damon: No... I've been thinking I think this is the end for me.
Nathan: What do you mean dear?
Damon: I have everything I could ever want. A loving family, two gorgeous partners, money, success.... I think.... I think it's time for me to retire and just enjoy what I have.
The group goes silent as those words hang over them.
Jaime: Are.... are you sure mi amor?
Christian: Yeah dad... you love wrestling... you've worked so hard..
Damon: I have... and I'm proud of everything I've gotten from it, but I think I'm at a point where there's nothing left for me to do. For so long my goal was proving the world wrong... showing everyone that I could be a world champion. I've done that. I've beaten a who's who of challengers. With APW closing... I think it's a sign that it's my time to walk away. Win or lose....Gods of Wrestling is last time in the spotlight for the foreseeable future.
As that news settles with everyone at the table the scene fades out.
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All good things must come to an end. APW we find ourselves at our final destination. Despite everything people like myself and America Jackson have done to fight for this company against tyrants like Jubei... APW is dead. But we shall go down in a blaze of glory. Gods of Wrestling: Ragnarok.... both this event... and this time of year are incredibly special to me in terms of my journey in APW.
Around this time last year I found myself facing a man I once thought was my better.. only to learn the opposite was true. At Battlecade I truly cemented myself as a main event player in APW. I dispatched the man that before my arrival had been THE MAN. I BECAME THE MAN of APW. I became the bar... the gold standard... I became the king of the mountain. At Gods of Wrestling one month later... I made it very clear I didn't intend on letting anyone unseat me. I knee'd Andre Aquarius so hard in the face that I sent him into obscurity. So March... Gods of Wrestling... these are my domains. These are where I created the foundation of my legacy.
It's fitting then that At Gods of Wrestling in the month of March I complete the final step in said legacy. Everything in APW has led up to this match. Every pathway... every major force in this company ... all culminating in this one clash of titans.
America Jackson.... Zaigon Carter... Damon Warrens.... just who is the most dominant force in APW? I think that's the question on everyone's mind. We are arguably three of the four greatest in company history.... only Smith Jones is missing from the equation. As soon as "The Storm" arrived on the scene there was already debate... Architects or The Storm? Smith, Lex, and Damon or Zaigon and America? All of us represented what true talent and dominance was within this ring. We all brought a higher standard of competition to this game that the likes of Jason Ryan and John Blade could never have fathomed to have done.
All three of us refused to settle for second place. All three of us reached the pinnacle of success in APW. When you look at this match... when you consider our individual histories .... this is by far the greatest match in APW history, but more than that this is the MOST IMPORTANT match. Not only are we going out there to be the last representation of this company, but we are going out to that ring to find out just who is THE champion of APW.
Is it Zaigon Carter? A man who made the champ his bitch and won the world title within about a month of his arrival to the company? The man who took me to my limit in a ladder match? The man who.....lost his championship to our opponent at Gods of Wrestling? The man who despite taking me to my limit...still couldn't wrench my championship from my lifeless body? Zaigon has a... rocky history in APW to say the least. His climb to the top was impressive. His fall from the peak though? It was overwhelmingly disappointing. Zaigon Carter couldn't fathom not being the best... and he gave up. Much like Jubei has done on this company.... Zaigon walked away.
See I've explained before just how much failure eats away at Zaigon. How he will do ANYTHING to try and save face. Lose your championship to a far better competitor? Quit the company.... but make sure you convince people you were going to leave anyways. Can't have you looking like a sore loser. End up blowing your chance at tag gold in the company you ran away to? That's okay use your partner as a scapegoat for the failure and take out all of your self loathing on him! End up as a jobber for the.... what third tier singles championship in the other company? That's fine... just quit that company too and try again in company numero uno. Run into a roadblock against the champ here? Well you'll get another chance to fail!
So Zaigon... what happens when you lose again at Gods of Wrestling? What do you do when once again you lose a world championship to a far better competitor? How will you react to being the THIRD greatest in APW history? Will you throw a tantrum in ring? Maybe you'll put Milgram through a table like you did to America Jackson when you failed before. I have a feeling though I know the answer. You'll fade away. You'll run away again with no dignity... with no spine. You'll find another haven to heal your broken ego. Another sacrificial lamb to blame for your downfall.
You are a man with no honour... no respect. See at the very least I can acknowledge you are a threat in that ring, especially now that you've got whatever magic medicine Milgram's giving you. So whether you're hopped up on your super soldier serum or not I know I have quite a major fight ahead of me. Hell I discovered that firsthand at Liberty or Death. You ripped my flesh to shreds. I'm still feeling the aches and pains from the war we waged in that match. And yet .... you still couldn't get the W over me Zaigon. I think that's eating you up inside.
You couldn't beat America.... you couldn't beat Damon. I think by now you must have realized that you're the third wheel here Zaigon. America versus Damon Warrens.... the match everyone has been clamoring for... and now they get it..... but also you're there too I guess. I know this pop reference is probably too hip for you, but you're the Michelle WIlliams of this wrestling destiny.... child. America and I... well we're going to find out who gets to be Beyonce.
Now speaking of America.... maybe he is THE CHAMPION of APW. I mean there's quite a case for him. He's been undefeated since his loss to Andrew Barnes. He's held the All American American Championship for like... five thousand days by now. He's the man who dethroned Zaigon Carter. He's also one half of the best tag team in APW history: The American Devils..... Fuck you Man Made Gods. When you look at his body of work... he's certainly deserving of the title.
When I returned to APW there were two men who had my attention. Jason Ryan... which I turned beating him into a regular segment for the show.... and America Jackson. I wanted to fight the biggest and baddest wolf in the forest. I wanted to face a man who had made it know he wanted to face me too. We wanted it. The fans wanted it. The whole world wanted it. Except for APW Management. Why point their two big guns at each other and watch the battle when instead we can point them at wash ups from other companies? Or distract them from fighting each other by making them team up? When that didn't work ... well let's send in challengers who although promising ... were way out of the champs' leagues. Well shit that failed too. SO how about we bring back a ghost from the past to play spoiler?
America I am truly sorry that we never got and probably will never get the match we both deserved. America Jackson versus Damon Warrens. The greatest American Champion versus the Greatest World Champion. Two men who have been kept from the one fight they desired. Now America I could sit here and go on some long rant about how you lost repeatedly in Action Wrestling... or that you lost to Andrews Barnes... the very man I beat to regain my championship.... I could give you the same treatment I did to Zaigon just moments ago. I'm not going to do that though.
See America I respect you far too much to launch into petty jabs and shade. You are one of the only people I can genuinely say I respect in this business. I think because when it comes down to it .... we're a lot alike America. We both spent far too long in our lives letting other people hold us back. I let vile manipulators like James Baker use me how he saw fit only to discard me when I dared to shine any brighter than him. That sounds familiar doesn't it? We rose above the people who told us we were to be nothing more than their seconds. People like James Baker, like Smith Jones... like Zaigon Carter. We rose above people who tried to take us down the wrong path... like your father. We became better than anyone ever expected us to.
Why? Well... I think there's a few reasons. We have both had to fight harder than everyone else to earn any success that came our way. We didn't have opportunity handed to us like the Zaigon Carters of the world. We both have a love for this business... for competition. It isn't about schemes and technicalities... we want to beat the very best handily to prove ourselves. We have a family to fight for. You want to support your mom... you want to make your new love proud. I have two partners and an amazing child to provide for. When I look at you as cliched as it sounds it's like looking at a younger version of myself. A truly top notch talent with a lot of heart and a lot of honour.
So even though Zaigon is in this match.... being as unwanted as a Trump supporter at Pride.... I will truly enjoy finally getting to lock up with you. I cannot wait to find out which of us two..... which American Devil.... which of the only two men to hold two titles simultaneously.... is the greatest APW Champion. If it isn't going to be me I'll tell you now I'll be damn proud if it's you.
Allow me to be a sap for a moment. When I came back and challenged you... when we were forced to team together.... I considered you a respected co-worker. In the past few months though you've truly become someone I care about. You're a real friend of mine America. You've given me some faith in friendships in this competitive business.
But I need you to know.... regardless of how much I care... .I don't have any plans to lose. See this is a big night for me. Like I said earlier... all these stories... our histories culminating at Ragnarok. The match we always wanted. The answer to who would have won the ladder match. The answer to who the greatest champ in APW history is. The last two former champions for me to conquer to finish my hit list. And...
My final match. I told you that all good things come to an end... and this is that end for me. I've had an amazing career in the nearly two decades I've been doing this. So many incredible moments... so many championships. It's been amazing, but it's time for me to walk off into the sunset. With that in mind though... I fully intend to walk away with MY championships over my shoulder. I want to end this all... APW... my career.. while still proudly carrying two of my proudest achievements of my whole career high. I will walk in APW Tag Team Champion and APW World Champion....and I WILL walk out the same way.
I have numerously told of my resilience. I have proven it in spades. Zaigon you have experienced how resilient I am. Even when I'm practically unconscious.... I still won't stop fighting. I have bragged about my ability to adapt to any challenge before me. I will adapt to your MMA style America. I have spoken countless times of my intelligence in the ring. My ability to outwit and outthink my opponents. I have a strategy for every situation.
There is a reason I have as many accolades as I do. Two time APW World Champion.... tied for the most reigns in history. Both of those reigns... the two longest World Championship reigns. APW Tag Team Champion.... the only man to hold a tag team championship and the World Championship in company history. I am going out as a LEGEND. And friend or foe... no one will stop me. My championships and I will be together til death do us part.
It feels like an eternity has led up to this moment...
The funny thing is that.... I've done this before and yet I'm nervous...
As if this was a first time... a brand new experience.
I think that's how I know that this ... this is the right move.
I've always believed if you aren't nervous than you must not care enough...
I can genuinely say my stomach is in knots... my heart is racing like I've just finished an iron man match...
I'm plenty nervous.... I'm plenty caring....and I think I'm plenty ready.
When you go on such a life altering journey .... it's like there's both a joy and also a fear or... disappointment when you finally make it to the final goal
It's that thought of... is this the pinnacle for me?
What lies beyond the finish line?
Is this the end?
I'm not really sure what the answers are, but I think..... I feel... that this is both an end and yet also a new beginning.
Til death do us part.
--------------------------------------------------
Damon stands in what appears to be a formal looking dressing room. A large vanity mirror against one wall, comfortable leather seating by another. The blonde is dressed to the nines in a gorgeous deep purple suit with a black dress shirt underneath. As he looks into the mirror the man adjusts an eggplant coloured tie. His face portrays a mixed tapestry of excitement, fear, and concentration. This was one of those defining moments in his life... the sort of moments that would only come around a handful of times while he walked the mortal plane. Everything has to be perfect.
As he inspects to see that every hair is in place, every wrinkle of cloth has been ironed, and wrestling bruise has been accurately covered the Nitemare is shaken from his concentration by the door to the dressing room opening. In the doorway stands his husband Nathan looking dapper as ever in a black ensemble.
Nathan: Darling everyone's ready... it's time.
Without a word Damon nods. He pauses to take one last look into the mirror and takes a deep breath before turning to his husband with a nervous smile and walking out of the room. He proceeds down an elegant hallway before arriving at a set of stained wood doors. Just beyond them plays a musical procession. Damon opens the doors and as he does a room filled with seated guests turns with joy to see him with his husband. The two men begin to slow walk towards a beautiful altar by which stands Damon and Nathan's son Christian, Damon's close friends Liam Reilly, Talia Skye, Danielle Lopez, and Jane Isis. Near the front sits Damon's tag team partner and new found friend America Jackson with his partner Isaiah. Damon looks over to his soon to be opponent, the nerves clear on his face, but is reassured with a smirk from Jackson. To his left and right sit more friends, family, and acquaintances all with a loving sparkle in their eyes as he arrives to the altar, meeting a familiar face there: Pastor Katherine. She smiles warmly at Damon before she and the whole room turn their attention back to the doorway.
By now the music has changed to a very typical bridal esque march. The doors swing open once more, but this time they reveal Jaime Cortez in a white suit with black accent pieces. The Cuban-American man has a female friend walking him down the aisle. When he reaches the altar he stands opposite Damon and the love between the two men is practically radiating from their elated faces.
Pastor Katherine: Welcome to our beloved guests. Today we are here to celebrate love in just on of its many forms as Damon and Jaime make a promise of love and commitment to one another.
Katherine pauses for a moment looking at Jaime and Damon with a soft smirk.
Katherine: Love is truly a blessing. Knowing that you have found someone to spend your life with. Someone to share countless new experiences and memories with. Someone to love and support you through all of your failures and successes. Damon and Jaime have found that and more. For Jaime a loving and supporting family welcoming him as if he belonged the whole time. For Damon another human being who loves and supports him as much as his husband does. But I feel that these two men may better express what this ceremony means to them better than I ever could.
Katherine looks to Jaime with a gentle nod. Jaime grabs a small card from his jacket pocket. He clears his throat before speaking.
Jaime: Damon... when I first met you it was as a star struck fan. I was some enamored twink who only saw an angsty, but sexy star of my dreams. I was just a groupie chasing after celebrity status. But when I REALLY met you I realized you weren't the dark and brooding man I saw on TV... you were so much more. You were a man who would give his last dollar to someone he cared for. A man who fought against any injustice he saw in the world. A man with a truly loving heart. I am so blessed to have gotten to know and love you on a deeper level. I also cannot say enough how honoured I am to have been welcomed by your family to be a part of not just your life, but theirs too. I can't wait to move forward, all of us together... and see where life takes us.
When Jaime finishes an ear to ear smile has spread across Damon's face. Katherine now nods at The Devil Himself who takes a breath.
Damon: Jaime,... mi amor.. I remember seeing you for the first time at the CCP house show. There was something about you... I just couldn't keep my eyes off you. I didn't know what it was specifically, but I knew that there was something special there. In the time we have been together I have found out what it was. Your determination is... crazy. Running in beside me to battle against men who were three times your size. Cheering me on through every trial and tribulation I faced in and outside of the ring. .....putting yourself in harms way to literally save my life.... You have been not just a partner in the ring, not a partner in crime, but a partner in life. You have given so much and I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life returning the favour.
Damon finishes the speech with a tear falling from his eye. Once he is done Katherine resumes the ceremony.
Katherine: Now do you Jaime Cortez promise to spend your life with Damon Warrens meeting each new joy and sorrow together, continuing to deepen your understanding of him, treating him with kindness and compassion, and welcoming each new chapter of life together with love?
Jaime: I do.
Katherine: And do you Damon Warrens promise to spend your life with Jaime Cortez meeting each new joy and sorrow together, continuing to deepen your understanding of him, treating him with kindness and compassion, and welcoming each new chapter of life together with love?
Damon: I do.
Katherine: Now that you have both made that commitment to each other I ask that you exchange rings as a physical reminder of the promises you both have made here today.
At this point Christian walks forward and presents Damon and Jaime with their commitment rings. First Jaime places the ring on Damon's finger before the Nitemare does so for Jaime.
Katherine: By the authority vested in me by American Marriage Ministries, and with the trust of you all here today, I now declare you joined in love. You may now kiss!
The wedding attendees cheer in approval as Damon and Jaime lock lips. Once they break apart the two walk down the aisle hand in hand with Nathan and Christian following behind as the guests all stand and applaud. The four males go to their respective dressing areas to change for the reception. Once they are ready the four meet up before heading to another part of the building where the reception hall is set up. The party seems to be well under way when they walk in to a standing ovation.
The family spends most of the night doing the rounds thanking folks for coming and catching up with loved ones stopping occasionally for some dancing. When it comes time for the wedding cake to but cut a slice is given not just to Damon and Jaime, but also to Nathan. Damon very quickly realizes he is outnumbered when both Nathan and Jaime turn and smash the cake into his face.
When the celebration dies down and most of the guests leave Damon decides to collect his family at the grooms' table.
Damon: This.. this has been amazing. Thank you all for all your love. And Nathan, Christian thank you both for your support of myself and Jaime.
Nathan: Of course dear. We've always been open that this was a possibility for us. Who knows maybe I'll find someone too... I'm just glad that the person you found to share your love with is as wonderful as Jaime is.
Jaime: That means a lot to hear. Thank you.
Damon: Well... now I have the honour of probably bringing the mood down. There is something serious that I wanted to talk to you all about.
Nathan: Oh god...what? Are you two having a baby?
Jaime: Not that I know of!
Christian: Do you have another boyfriend? Oh you definitely do. Is it America Jackson?
Damon rolls his eyes as his son rattles off his theory.
Damon: No Christian.
Christian: Oh I know! It's Kayby! Kay-Mon I ship it!
The Nitemare gives his son a death stare while Christian laughs hysterically to himself. Once he quiets down Damon continues.
Damon: No... I've been thinking I think this is the end for me.
Nathan: What do you mean dear?
Damon: I have everything I could ever want. A loving family, two gorgeous partners, money, success.... I think.... I think it's time for me to retire and just enjoy what I have.
The group goes silent as those words hang over them.
Jaime: Are.... are you sure mi amor?
Christian: Yeah dad... you love wrestling... you've worked so hard..
Damon: I have... and I'm proud of everything I've gotten from it, but I think I'm at a point where there's nothing left for me to do. For so long my goal was proving the world wrong... showing everyone that I could be a world champion. I've done that. I've beaten a who's who of challengers. With APW closing... I think it's a sign that it's my time to walk away. Win or lose....Gods of Wrestling is last time in the spotlight for the foreseeable future.
As that news settles with everyone at the table the scene fades out.
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All good things must come to an end. APW we find ourselves at our final destination. Despite everything people like myself and America Jackson have done to fight for this company against tyrants like Jubei... APW is dead. But we shall go down in a blaze of glory. Gods of Wrestling: Ragnarok.... both this event... and this time of year are incredibly special to me in terms of my journey in APW.
Around this time last year I found myself facing a man I once thought was my better.. only to learn the opposite was true. At Battlecade I truly cemented myself as a main event player in APW. I dispatched the man that before my arrival had been THE MAN. I BECAME THE MAN of APW. I became the bar... the gold standard... I became the king of the mountain. At Gods of Wrestling one month later... I made it very clear I didn't intend on letting anyone unseat me. I knee'd Andre Aquarius so hard in the face that I sent him into obscurity. So March... Gods of Wrestling... these are my domains. These are where I created the foundation of my legacy.
It's fitting then that At Gods of Wrestling in the month of March I complete the final step in said legacy. Everything in APW has led up to this match. Every pathway... every major force in this company ... all culminating in this one clash of titans.
America Jackson.... Zaigon Carter... Damon Warrens.... just who is the most dominant force in APW? I think that's the question on everyone's mind. We are arguably three of the four greatest in company history.... only Smith Jones is missing from the equation. As soon as "The Storm" arrived on the scene there was already debate... Architects or The Storm? Smith, Lex, and Damon or Zaigon and America? All of us represented what true talent and dominance was within this ring. We all brought a higher standard of competition to this game that the likes of Jason Ryan and John Blade could never have fathomed to have done.
All three of us refused to settle for second place. All three of us reached the pinnacle of success in APW. When you look at this match... when you consider our individual histories .... this is by far the greatest match in APW history, but more than that this is the MOST IMPORTANT match. Not only are we going out there to be the last representation of this company, but we are going out to that ring to find out just who is THE champion of APW.
Is it Zaigon Carter? A man who made the champ his bitch and won the world title within about a month of his arrival to the company? The man who took me to my limit in a ladder match? The man who.....lost his championship to our opponent at Gods of Wrestling? The man who despite taking me to my limit...still couldn't wrench my championship from my lifeless body? Zaigon has a... rocky history in APW to say the least. His climb to the top was impressive. His fall from the peak though? It was overwhelmingly disappointing. Zaigon Carter couldn't fathom not being the best... and he gave up. Much like Jubei has done on this company.... Zaigon walked away.
See I've explained before just how much failure eats away at Zaigon. How he will do ANYTHING to try and save face. Lose your championship to a far better competitor? Quit the company.... but make sure you convince people you were going to leave anyways. Can't have you looking like a sore loser. End up blowing your chance at tag gold in the company you ran away to? That's okay use your partner as a scapegoat for the failure and take out all of your self loathing on him! End up as a jobber for the.... what third tier singles championship in the other company? That's fine... just quit that company too and try again in company numero uno. Run into a roadblock against the champ here? Well you'll get another chance to fail!
So Zaigon... what happens when you lose again at Gods of Wrestling? What do you do when once again you lose a world championship to a far better competitor? How will you react to being the THIRD greatest in APW history? Will you throw a tantrum in ring? Maybe you'll put Milgram through a table like you did to America Jackson when you failed before. I have a feeling though I know the answer. You'll fade away. You'll run away again with no dignity... with no spine. You'll find another haven to heal your broken ego. Another sacrificial lamb to blame for your downfall.
You are a man with no honour... no respect. See at the very least I can acknowledge you are a threat in that ring, especially now that you've got whatever magic medicine Milgram's giving you. So whether you're hopped up on your super soldier serum or not I know I have quite a major fight ahead of me. Hell I discovered that firsthand at Liberty or Death. You ripped my flesh to shreds. I'm still feeling the aches and pains from the war we waged in that match. And yet .... you still couldn't get the W over me Zaigon. I think that's eating you up inside.
You couldn't beat America.... you couldn't beat Damon. I think by now you must have realized that you're the third wheel here Zaigon. America versus Damon Warrens.... the match everyone has been clamoring for... and now they get it..... but also you're there too I guess. I know this pop reference is probably too hip for you, but you're the Michelle WIlliams of this wrestling destiny.... child. America and I... well we're going to find out who gets to be Beyonce.
Now speaking of America.... maybe he is THE CHAMPION of APW. I mean there's quite a case for him. He's been undefeated since his loss to Andrew Barnes. He's held the All American American Championship for like... five thousand days by now. He's the man who dethroned Zaigon Carter. He's also one half of the best tag team in APW history: The American Devils..... Fuck you Man Made Gods. When you look at his body of work... he's certainly deserving of the title.
When I returned to APW there were two men who had my attention. Jason Ryan... which I turned beating him into a regular segment for the show.... and America Jackson. I wanted to fight the biggest and baddest wolf in the forest. I wanted to face a man who had made it know he wanted to face me too. We wanted it. The fans wanted it. The whole world wanted it. Except for APW Management. Why point their two big guns at each other and watch the battle when instead we can point them at wash ups from other companies? Or distract them from fighting each other by making them team up? When that didn't work ... well let's send in challengers who although promising ... were way out of the champs' leagues. Well shit that failed too. SO how about we bring back a ghost from the past to play spoiler?
America I am truly sorry that we never got and probably will never get the match we both deserved. America Jackson versus Damon Warrens. The greatest American Champion versus the Greatest World Champion. Two men who have been kept from the one fight they desired. Now America I could sit here and go on some long rant about how you lost repeatedly in Action Wrestling... or that you lost to Andrews Barnes... the very man I beat to regain my championship.... I could give you the same treatment I did to Zaigon just moments ago. I'm not going to do that though.
See America I respect you far too much to launch into petty jabs and shade. You are one of the only people I can genuinely say I respect in this business. I think because when it comes down to it .... we're a lot alike America. We both spent far too long in our lives letting other people hold us back. I let vile manipulators like James Baker use me how he saw fit only to discard me when I dared to shine any brighter than him. That sounds familiar doesn't it? We rose above the people who told us we were to be nothing more than their seconds. People like James Baker, like Smith Jones... like Zaigon Carter. We rose above people who tried to take us down the wrong path... like your father. We became better than anyone ever expected us to.
Why? Well... I think there's a few reasons. We have both had to fight harder than everyone else to earn any success that came our way. We didn't have opportunity handed to us like the Zaigon Carters of the world. We both have a love for this business... for competition. It isn't about schemes and technicalities... we want to beat the very best handily to prove ourselves. We have a family to fight for. You want to support your mom... you want to make your new love proud. I have two partners and an amazing child to provide for. When I look at you as cliched as it sounds it's like looking at a younger version of myself. A truly top notch talent with a lot of heart and a lot of honour.
So even though Zaigon is in this match.... being as unwanted as a Trump supporter at Pride.... I will truly enjoy finally getting to lock up with you. I cannot wait to find out which of us two..... which American Devil.... which of the only two men to hold two titles simultaneously.... is the greatest APW Champion. If it isn't going to be me I'll tell you now I'll be damn proud if it's you.
Allow me to be a sap for a moment. When I came back and challenged you... when we were forced to team together.... I considered you a respected co-worker. In the past few months though you've truly become someone I care about. You're a real friend of mine America. You've given me some faith in friendships in this competitive business.
But I need you to know.... regardless of how much I care... .I don't have any plans to lose. See this is a big night for me. Like I said earlier... all these stories... our histories culminating at Ragnarok. The match we always wanted. The answer to who would have won the ladder match. The answer to who the greatest champ in APW history is. The last two former champions for me to conquer to finish my hit list. And...
My final match. I told you that all good things come to an end... and this is that end for me. I've had an amazing career in the nearly two decades I've been doing this. So many incredible moments... so many championships. It's been amazing, but it's time for me to walk off into the sunset. With that in mind though... I fully intend to walk away with MY championships over my shoulder. I want to end this all... APW... my career.. while still proudly carrying two of my proudest achievements of my whole career high. I will walk in APW Tag Team Champion and APW World Champion....and I WILL walk out the same way.
I have numerously told of my resilience. I have proven it in spades. Zaigon you have experienced how resilient I am. Even when I'm practically unconscious.... I still won't stop fighting. I have bragged about my ability to adapt to any challenge before me. I will adapt to your MMA style America. I have spoken countless times of my intelligence in the ring. My ability to outwit and outthink my opponents. I have a strategy for every situation.
There is a reason I have as many accolades as I do. Two time APW World Champion.... tied for the most reigns in history. Both of those reigns... the two longest World Championship reigns. APW Tag Team Champion.... the only man to hold a tag team championship and the World Championship in company history. I am going out as a LEGEND. And friend or foe... no one will stop me. My championships and I will be together til death do us part.
