Post by Roxi Johnson on Sept 22, 2013 17:44:03 GMT -5
"People think it's an obsession. A compulsion. As if there were an irresistible impulse to act. It's never been like that. I chose this life. I know what I'm doing. And on any given day, I could stop doing it. Today, however, isn't that day. And tomorrow won't be either."
- Batman (Identity Crisis)
- Batman (Identity Crisis)
This is the moment. Physically, I've never felt better. I've been doing everything I can to prepare for this match. Training myself to be at my peak. I have no choice but to be ready. This is it. Standing across from my greatest challenge ever.
There is no match I've been waiting for more than this. This is what I came back for, not just to win a championship, though, I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to win. Of course I want to win, everyone has the goal of being in the main event wrestling for a championship. That's what this is all about, but it's more than that. It has become much, much more than that. It's about righting a wrong, standing up for the little guy, and dethroning what is, at this current moment, the single greatest threat to MPW in it's history. The bottom line is, if I cannot defeat Trey Baxter, if I came back just to get beaten, then maybe there isn't hope for MPW. Maybe I will be destined to simply be one of the good, but not great.
Luckily for me, I plan on winning.
This is what I've been waiting for. For me, there is no tomorrow. This is the spot where everything, everything has to be put on the line. I have come this far, I have proven myself over and over, and now, I have to do it, yet again. Against the gold standard in MPW. I couldn't have asked for a bigger stage, or a better opponent.
The resistance has been sliding and has gotten off to a rocky start. I blame myself for that, because even I struggled and came up short. But I never said it would be easy. Add to the fact that we were meant to take down Iconic Aggression and not every other small rouge group that came through the cracks as we emerged didn't help out any. Again, I should have been there, watching them, preparing them as best I could. So, to all the resistance members, I owe you.
I owe everybody.
So as the time ticks away, I have to come through. I have to be there. I cannot fail. I have never been more focused, more driven, and more ready for any fight in my life. And yes, I called it a fight, because it's going to take a fight in order to win the world title.
But I know, as I stand before you right now, that I am ready. And I know, I'm going to win. It's not about being simply "better" anymore, it's about being THE BEST now.
And to be the best, you have to beat the best.
[ Sydney stands outside a large door to a training room at Guild HQ. Roxi emerges from the room, covered in sweat. ]
Roxi - How was that?
Sydney - Better.
Roxi - I think this is working.
Sydney - I hope so, We don't have a lot of time.
Roxi - What are you talking about?
Sydney - Oh...uh...nothing. Forget it.
Roxi - You can't just say something like that, and not expect me to ask you.
Sydney - It's nothing.
Roxi - It's not nothing.
Sydney - Look, we're focused on you, not me. We have to get you back in fighting shape.
Roxi - I know.
Sydney - Good. Now, let's do it again.
Roxi - What's the record?
Sydney - 32 Seconds.
Roxi - I got this.
[ Roxi re-enters the training room. ]
So it's on to my opponent. Trey Baxter.
Trey "The Bad Guy" Baxter.
You know Trey, While I was gone from MPW, looking at it, I was content. I was at peace with my career. Proud of my accomplishments. I had done almost everything there was to do here in MPW. I was feeling pretty good.
I know, you can't win 'em all Trey. And I was okay with that. I was perfectly fine with never having beaten you. You are good. There's no shame in losing to you. I was okay with you beating me. After all, I was still Sin City champion, I was still going pretty strong, I was establishing my legacy. I was okay with not having beaten you in my career.
But you know, something happened Trey. Something I wasn't really expecting, because I didn't expect it. But I really should have seen it coming. I mean, I've been around long enough to know better.
At first, I was confused. I wondered why you would do something like that. But that, was weeks ago. Things have clearly changed. That's why I came back. Now, I am no longer content with not having beat you.
You wanna know why Trey?
Because you made the choice to be a tyrant.
You did it.
You just took the ball and ran with it. At first, it was amusing. That's Trey for you. Good fun being poked at me. Hey, I'm not around, right? why should I care that I never beat you. There's a few guys I never beat.
Kuk Killswitch.
Jackson Blaze.
Now, Trey, it's annoying. It sticks in my craw. All because it didn't need to happen. All because you don't know when enough is enough. You didn't have to do it, Trey. You could have been the good guy.
But then, that wouldn't be you, would it?
I wrestled with this for a long time, I gathered it all in. I wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt Trey. I wanted this to be no big deal.
But, It's not funny anymore.
So, After taking it all in, I could really only come to one, solid, conclusion.
You really don't think I can beat you, do you?
It's a rhetorical question Trey, but I know you obviously answered "No". You don't think I'm good enough.
"You're good, but I'm better." Right Trey?
Sunday at High Stakes, I'm not going to get the "Trey Baxter monkey" off my back. No, because you're not a monkey on my back. You're not even a loose end I need to tie up.
You are a leech, sucking my blood.
A virus, infecting me.
A dirty, disgusting, painful rash.
A PARASITE.
But Trey, I really want you to know, that...despite being a miserable human being, I don't hate you.
No, I know you. I realize how you operate now.
So, I know you understand, you brought this on yourself. You should know by now that people are done with you.
I see it, because it all makes sense. From the day you walked in here, it's been about YOU Trey. Always has been. Trey Baxter in a nutshell, a two-faced, no-good, selfish human being.
Because that's what you are. A human being. A small child with an overactive imagination.
Your walking around here claiming to be the best. And like a small child, we humored you. Well, I'm done with that, Trey. Finished. You're not the best
You are a horrible man, with a horrible haircut, horrible looking facial hair, an inferiority complex and an identity crisis.
So now, my job is clear. I must stop you. There is no other option. No recourse, no turning back.
[ Later, Roxi and Sydney sit in their apartment. ]
Roxi - Okay, now that that's over. Can we talk?
Sydney - Sure.
Roxi - So, as much fun as I had with Emi last week, why did you do that?
Sydney - Because I had to know if you were really ready to get back into the game.
Roxi - That's a nice line, but I'm not buying.
Sydney - It's the truth.
Roxi - No, it's not.
Sydney - Yes it is.
Roxi - Emi's not 100% ready and you know that. And she's my friend. Of course I was careful.
Sydney - Right, I was just making sure.
Roxi - There's something you're not telling me.
Sydney - Ugh...
Roxi - Spill it...
Sydney - *Sigh* I'm leaving.
Roxi - ...Are...are you breaking up with me?
I began to understand the importance of this match when it was made official. It will be the third time we will be in the ring at the same time. Granted, only the 2nd 1 on 1 match, but it is important. This is part of our trilogy. And if history is any teacher, this match will be the best. Think about it...
March 8th, 1971.
The "Fight of the Century" happened. Muhammad Ali, who has been stripped of his world title in 1967, returned to the ring for only the 3rd time, facing the current world champion, Joe Frazier. Both men had claims to being the champion.
Joe Frazier won.
I consider this to be like our first match against each other Trey. And yes,You got the better of me on that night. But it was a match that people wanted to see, people needed to know that you were as good as you claimed, that night, you proved it.
January 28th, 1974
Ali-Frazier two. It wasn't the best fight, it wasn't the worst fight. Both men were aging, both were not in the best shape, both men were a little sloppy. It happens to the best of us.
Ali beat Frazier by unanimous decision.
That sounds like our most recent encounter doesn't it Trey? It wasn't glorious, it wasn't pretty, it was just...there. You remember that don't you? Sure it was a tag match, but the second time you and I have been in the same ring, at the same time. You took the cheap way out. But that fits you to a "T"
October 1st, 1975
Ali-Frazier III. It was, and remains one of the greatest SPORTING EVENTS, not just boxing matches, but sporting events in history. The Thrilla in Manilla. There is nothing to compare this fight to. Ali and Frazier pounded each other for 14 rounds, and then Frazier's corner stopped the fight. Both men beat the hell out of each other, and they cemented their legacies.
THAT is what I'm expecting from you Trey. I EXPECT you to bring it. You ARE the champion right? You have been talking up a huge game about how great you are as a champion, I see. So now, you need to back it up.
The point of this trilogy reference is so you understand. You are my Joe Frazier right now. You are the guy who beat me once, but I also beat him. We have to settle this Trey. And I can't think of a better place that Las Vegas. Sight of so many great boxing, MMA, and wrestling matches. What a fitting place then Vegas to go for broke? That night, just like in Manilla all those years ago, we put everything on the line. Lay all our cards on the table. You got one, I got one. It's the rubber match, We will decide once and for all who is better.
You? Or me?
Remember what Ali said about Frazier?
"He's no champion, I'm the real champion! I'll show you what a real champion is!"
I am on the opposite end. I am Ali in this instance, And Ali won the trilogy 2-1.
The names and faces may have changed Trey, but the story is still the same. Our Manilla is Las Vegas. Our series is 1-1. Our battle is in the ring. And it's two people who claim to of the very best this sport has to offer.
I am going to beat you Trey Baxter. Because I have to.
And it's going to be fitting you're going to lose the title to me. You're going to be the man I beat. I will be the Muhammad Ali of this generation. I've said over and and over I was one of the best, and I've got the titles to prove it. I've beaten the top guys, I've scratched and clawed my way to this. Very. Moment. And I'm going all in. I will have my Manilla moment.
But in case that's a little old, let me do another...
May 18th, 2002.
Gatti vs. Ward I
See, I told you this was a little more current.
This was an amazing trillogy of fights. Ward won the first fight by majority decision. It was Ring Magazine's fight of the year for 2002. The two started a war with each other.
Much like what we're having.
November 23rd, 2003.
Gatti vs. Ward II
Gatti won a unanimous decision. It was a wild, crazy fight, that both men ended up in the hospital due to the injuries they inflicted upon each other.
June 7th, 2003.
Gatti vs. Ward III
Another brutal, amazing fight. Gatti broke his hand, and got dropped in the 6th round, but still came back and won over Ward. Another unanimous decision. And once again, both men went to the hospital after the fight, because they destroyed one another.
The point of this reference, is that those two guys were willing to give it their all to win. Gatti and Ward were willing to take a trip to the ER in order to attain victory. Which is exactly what I'm willing to do.
Are you, Trey?
Are you willing to bleed? Are you willing break bones? Are you willing to get hurt and play through the pain? Are you willing to hurt yourself, as well as me? Are you willing to end my career to retain your championship? You can come out in your next promo and tell the people that you are, but you and I know differently don't we?
But in Vegas, it's all or nothing. There is no saving you this time Trey Baxter. One time was enough. One time is all it took for this to go to your head. You're days of hiding behind your friends and the world title are over come Sunday.
Well, at least you'll still have them....I suppose that's something.
You've been talking a great deal about how great you are, and calling me a loser, or a choke artist.
Yeah, let's go there Trey.
What? it's not like you weren't going to say it. You know you were. In fact, you still may, because it's not like you've been paying attention, or listening. Do what you gotta do I guess.
Anyway, I can freely talk about the label of "choke artist" because I know the reality of the situation. I failed to complete a task. I didn't get a job done, and since then, Iconic Aggression has run the show. I didn't see one evil raise up from the ashes of another. I'm okay with that. Some of my favorite teams choke. The Knicks, the Bills, every time, at one time or another have choked. The Yankees were up 3-0 to the Boston Red Sox in the 2004 ALCS and they lost 4 straight to lose the series. It happens.
I mean, it's not like the Falcons haven't done it. They gave up the largest lead in NFC championship game HISTORY to lose that game.
See Trey, labels have never hurt me. I got stuck with the "choke artist" one because you need an edge. Nothing new, but still, you got it to stick. And..I'm okay with that. Good for you Trey.
The biggest reason I'm okay with it, is because I'm not thinking about losing. It hasn't entered my mind since the match was announced. I'm going to win. What kind of wrestler would I be if I didn't think I was going to win Trey? Come on, there is not one athlete in the history of sports, who has walked into their respective sporting event, be it a game, a match, a tournament, a series, what have you, and thought "I' don't think I can win this one." Because if you do, you don't deserve to play. Especially not a championship match. That is where you step up, it's where you give it your all. It's where you give everything... and then you give more.
I don't think about losing Trey. I don't play the hypothetical game.
But I know you do.
For all your bravado, have you thought about losing? Have you thought about what to say to friends if they all win, and you lose? What excuse you can come up with? Have you thought about life as the 2 time ex-world champion? All the laughing, all the jokes? Have you thought about you, Trey Baxter, being labeled a "choke artist"? I mean, wouldn't it just be sad if the great and mighty World Champion Trey Baxter, lost to Roxi "Choke Artist" Johnson?
Wouldn't that make you a choke artist?
Actually, no, it wouldn't. There's another word for that. I know, you're tired of me playing word games or using words you've never heard of, but actually...I think you've heard it before.
"Failure."
An epic one to be sure.
I'm just preparing you for it.
Roxi - What the heck?
Sydney - It's why we don't have time. I have to go.
Roxi - Why are you leaving?
Sydney - Because I've been chosen for a different assignment.
Roxi - Wait.. You?
Sydney - What is that supposed to mean?
Roxi - Nothing. I.... I guess I'm just a little upset.
Sydney - It wasn't personal. I loved working with you. Despite you almost getting me killed a bunch of times.
Roxi - It was only 12.
Sydney - Still, It was fun.
Roxi - So, is Emi going to be my partner after you?
Sydney - I don't know.
Roxi - Well, is this it?
Sydney - Well, I think you're ready.
Roxi - You think?
Sydney - Yup. But, you know what...One last time, let's go crack some skulls.
Roxi - ...I'm really going to miss this.
I have said my piece, I have talked about everything I needed to talk about. The time for talk is over. Now I will walk out at High Stakes II, And I will give you everything I have. I will do everything in my power to walk away with the MPW world title. If I do not win the title, it will not be from lack of trying, or lack or preparation. I know what I represent. I know who I represent. I know what I must do. I know the problem I must solve.
My problem has always been you. Or...someone like you. There's always been a you. Everywhere I've ever been, there's been a you. Maybe a different name, different face, different height, weight...but it's still the same. Someone who tries to stand in my way. Someone who tries to tell me what I can and cannot do. Someone who tries to deny me. A roadblock on my path.
But like every other roadblock, I can and will overcome it. I have worked too hard, for too long to let Trey Baxter stop me now. I will not be denied Trey. It's that simple. I have tried, and I have failed before. I have been knocked down by you.
But I will always get back up.
You have come at me with many different looks, many different styles, and I refused to back down any time you have stepped up. And now, now that I'm so close to the end of the journey, you have once again stepped into my path and tried to block it. Same story, different characters Trey.
But I will take you down. I will put you down. I will overcome you, just as I have before.
You have been all those big bad boogeymen. You have cost me a lot of time and effort, but I've had time to waste before. I don't have it now. No more time can be wasted. You are that villain who never quits, I no longer have time to waste with you. I'm just going to beat you.
No more Trey. Not now, not ever again.
I will do this, for everyone.I NEED to win. I need be at High Stakes as the beacon of light, the ray of hope for you all.
For my legacy. My career. My life.
And for you ...
I will win.
