Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2012 16:46:02 GMT -5
The crowd's roar filled his ears as he stepped through the curtain, the hood of his black sleeveless hooded sweatshirt pulled down over his face. This was the moment that things finally became real and thus he didn't stand on the stage go through his usual theatrics while he tried to put the crowd in a frenzy. Instead, he kept his head down and shadow boxed as he marched down the entrance ramp, blue and green lights flashing from the floor to his left and right. His old CZW theme, "Till I Collapse" by Eminem, played out loud and the fans clapped along with the song, all of them in perfect syncronism. His manager/girlfriend walked behind him in a pair of form fitting black jeans and a tight black CZW t-shirt looking both concerned and elated by his awe inspiring amount of focus.
He stared down at the ring steps that were know before him and was almost caught in amazement by his slightly contorted reflection looking back at him, his tapped fists clenched and his face dead set and nearly emotionless. It almost frightened him. It looked like an entirely different man had shown up tonight and although it scared him, he liked it. This was his time, his moment. his match.
He tore himself away from his reflection and slowly walked up the steps, time feeling slower, his footsteps on the hollow steel almost sounding like gunshots and his breath heavy in his ears. This was when the nerves began to hit, the short trip from the arena floor into the ring. He nearly froze as he placed his right hand on the rope rope, a million thoughts filling his head at once, his knees shaking and his heartbeat accelerating. Sweat was already beading on his forehead and he had to force his body between the ropes.
Once he finally got into the ring, the tension seemed to ease and he took his place on the second rope. He quickly flipped back his hood and looked out into the still clapping fans. He could see the excitement in their eyes and felt it begin to fuel his passion for the sport and his confidence. He gave them a loud roar and beat his fist against his chest before throwing them both into the air, holding them there for a few seconds and then returning them to his sides. He jumped down and stood with his back to the corner as he waited for the ring bell.
And there it was. It was time to go, the bell was rung and the match was ready to go under way. But wait. Where was his opponent? Where was the referee? Why did the crowd seem to get quieter and quieter and the voice of his girlfriend at ringside seem to grow louder and louder? He took a few steps forward and looked around in confusion before suddenly finding himself falling to the mat. His back hit with a thud and everything went dark.
"Tony wake up. Tony? It's ten in the morning and your alarm has been going off for almost ten damn minutes. Get your lazy ass out of bed!"
Anthony McNair woke up slowly from what he now realized to be a dream. This was the third time in four days he had dreamed about his upcoming Millennium Pro Wrestling debut. It was actually all that seemed to occupy his mind lately. Ever since he had left Combat Zone Wrestling a year ago, he had been lost in a sea of pay per appearance shows for other various independent promotions and was excited to be working at a set pay rate for the first time in too long. Perhaps this time he would finally push himself past up to the top tier and also now perhaps he and his girlfriend Lacey could finally move out of their studio apartment in lower section of Baltimore. Anthony hoped so. The brown carpet and flat gray wallpaper was becoming very depressing.
Sitting up in the double bed, Anthony looked across the apartment's one room to the kitchenette. There stood Lacey in a pair of gray cotton shorts and a white tank top, her long blonde and black hair hanging around her head. She clutched a steaming cup of coffee in her right hand while her left rested on the counter behind her. She looked over at Anthony with a mostly sarcastic, sideways grin as he sat on the bed and tried to shake the sleep out of himself. He finally got the motivation and pulled himself out of the bed.
Anthony looked around for his gym shorts and as he did, he looked down and saw a slightly depressing sight.
Anthony: "I'm getting fat."
As he said this, he looked over at Lacey to find her laughing.
Anthony: "What's so funny?"
Lacey: "I just think it's funny you consider what you got there as fat."
Anthony: "Well it is!"
Lacey: "Tony, you look the same as you did a year ago. You are fine. Damn. Sometimes you sound like a girl."
Anthony: (With a cheeky grin) "Does that make you a sometimes lesbian?"
Lacey: "Oh shut up!"
Now laughing himself, Anthony finally finds his black shorts. Pulling them on, he gives himself a look in a nearby mirror. His dark brown hair was getting a little shaggy and his beard could use a trim but otherwise he looked healthy and happy. Just for the sake of being goofy, he pulled a Scott Steiner pose and then peeked over at Lacey.
Anthony: (In his best Big Poppa Pump impression) "Hey! You see this guy?! He's fat! (Lacey breaks out into loud laughter at her boyfriend's stupidity as he walks over to her imitating Scott Steiner's walk) And you know what?"
Lacey: "I'm afraid to ask but what?"
Anthony: "I'm hungry!"
At this point, Anthony is unable to control his own laughter. He nearly doubles over as he walks up to Lacey and pulls her close.
Anthony: "How's it feel to be one of the Big Bad Booty Daddy's freaks?"
Lacey: "You know you do that impression a little too well."
Anthony: "Do I?"
Lacey: "Yes you do. Now, you better get yourself fully awake within the next ten minutes."
Anthony: "Oh really? And why is that?"
Lacey: "Because you have to go do that little interview thing today."
Anthony: "I had forgotten all about that!"
Lacey: "I figured you would!"
Anthony: "Where would I be without you?"
Lacey: "Unemployed."
Laughing, Anthony walks across the room and steps through the door leading to the apartment's balcony. Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out a pack of Camel cigarettes. Pulling one out and lighting it, Anthony sighs, feeling the nicotine entering his system. He had swore to himself that he would quit smoking but never could seem to keep that promise. He finishes his Camel and drops the butt into a can he keeps outside and walks back inside.
Ten minutes later and both Anthony and Lacey are walking down the sidewalk. Lacey now dressed in a pair of black jeans, black Converse All Stars and blue plaid designed button up t-shirt. Beside her Anthony is wearing a pair of medium washed, worn out blue jeans, a pair of black boots and the sleeveless hoodie he was wearing in his dream. They were heading for the nearby park, the location Anthony thought would be best for an interview with him. The apartment was out of the question because of it's size and appearance. Besides, the park gave a better feel for his hometown.
Stepping over to the middle of the park, MPW interviewer Jay Wyatt can be seen standing there dressed in a black suit with a camera crew behind him. Anthony and Lacey walk up exchanging hand shakes and hellos before standing in front of a camera and beginning the interview.
Jay Wyatt: "Hello ladies and gentlemen. This is Jay Wyatt here in beautiful Baltimore, Maryland with newly signed MPW Step UP talent Tony McNail and his manager, Lacey Laredo. Hello Tony and Lacey."
Anthony/Tony and Lacey step into frame, both with smiles.
Tony: "Hello Jay. How are you?"
Jay: "Good Tony. Now, it is known that you are not a stranger to professional wrestling. How long have you actually been in the business?"
Tony: "Well Jay, 'The Chaos Campaign' has been on the trail for about two years now professionally. Before that I spent two years in the ROH Academy learning all I could."
Jay: "I have heard you are coming to MPW from Combat Zone Wrestling yet you were trained in the ROH academy. Why not sign with them? Why CZW?"
Tony: "I guess it was the allure of that Ultraviolent style, you know? The chance to go into that dangerous environment and prove to everyone that I wasn't just a wrestler, I was a tough wrestler. I wanted to prove that I could take anything and keep going. But, that wasn't meant to be."
Jay: "What do you mean by that?"
Tony: "Well, the powers that be in CZW didn't seem to like me. Sure, I got a matches, but I was always in the opener. I never got to be in the big matches like the Cage of Death, the Tournament of Death, nothing big. I never got to be up with the guys like Sami and Danny. But you know what? I don't really care. Because after all of that, I walked away with the knowledge I learned backstage from a guy a truly respect, Mad Man Pondo."
Jay: "So is that why you are here?"
Tony: "Kind of. I sent a few CZW tapes here and next thing I know, I got an offer for Step Up."
Jay: "That brings me to the big question for today, Tony. It has been announced that your first Step Up match will be a fatal four way match against David Dreadful, Ricky Kimmel and Kuk Kilswitch..."
Tony: "Kuk Killswitch. There is a name I know."
Jay: "Really? How so?"
Tony: "CZW went on a few tours in Japan and during that time, there was this guy. He kept to himself mostly. Didn't talk to anyone. He was Kuk Killswitch. He had worked in Japan for a bit and he was good. Really good. So naturally, he was BAM (Tony slaps his hand) right there in the big matches. He was in the tournament. He was in the Cage of Death. He was quickly becoming The Guy. And you know what? I don;t think he even cared. He still walked out to the ring the same way, he still avoided the interviewers and he still talked to no one. I remember one time I had waited by the curtain for him to come through. I wanted to ask him for some advice on taking some really hard shots. You know what he did? He acted like he never even saw or heard me. He basically said 'fuck you' without even saying a damned word."
Jay: "So does that mean this match is a big moment for you?"
Tony: "Oh definitely. This match is not only my first match on television but it is me and that ass hat Kuk Killswitch in the same ring for the first time. This is the chance for me to show him that the young guy he ignored is just as much the wrestler that he is. This is my time to show those jackasses that passed me up that they made a huge mistake in keeping me down. This is my time to step the fuck up."
Jay: "Well Tony, I am for one excited to see that and am certainly excited to interview you in the near future. thank you for your time."
Tony: "No. thank you Jay. Have a good day."
The camera is cut as Tony and Lacey step away and after some goodbyes and some more handshakes, they head home.
He stared down at the ring steps that were know before him and was almost caught in amazement by his slightly contorted reflection looking back at him, his tapped fists clenched and his face dead set and nearly emotionless. It almost frightened him. It looked like an entirely different man had shown up tonight and although it scared him, he liked it. This was his time, his moment. his match.
He tore himself away from his reflection and slowly walked up the steps, time feeling slower, his footsteps on the hollow steel almost sounding like gunshots and his breath heavy in his ears. This was when the nerves began to hit, the short trip from the arena floor into the ring. He nearly froze as he placed his right hand on the rope rope, a million thoughts filling his head at once, his knees shaking and his heartbeat accelerating. Sweat was already beading on his forehead and he had to force his body between the ropes.
Once he finally got into the ring, the tension seemed to ease and he took his place on the second rope. He quickly flipped back his hood and looked out into the still clapping fans. He could see the excitement in their eyes and felt it begin to fuel his passion for the sport and his confidence. He gave them a loud roar and beat his fist against his chest before throwing them both into the air, holding them there for a few seconds and then returning them to his sides. He jumped down and stood with his back to the corner as he waited for the ring bell.
And there it was. It was time to go, the bell was rung and the match was ready to go under way. But wait. Where was his opponent? Where was the referee? Why did the crowd seem to get quieter and quieter and the voice of his girlfriend at ringside seem to grow louder and louder? He took a few steps forward and looked around in confusion before suddenly finding himself falling to the mat. His back hit with a thud and everything went dark.
"Tony wake up. Tony? It's ten in the morning and your alarm has been going off for almost ten damn minutes. Get your lazy ass out of bed!"
Anthony McNair woke up slowly from what he now realized to be a dream. This was the third time in four days he had dreamed about his upcoming Millennium Pro Wrestling debut. It was actually all that seemed to occupy his mind lately. Ever since he had left Combat Zone Wrestling a year ago, he had been lost in a sea of pay per appearance shows for other various independent promotions and was excited to be working at a set pay rate for the first time in too long. Perhaps this time he would finally push himself past up to the top tier and also now perhaps he and his girlfriend Lacey could finally move out of their studio apartment in lower section of Baltimore. Anthony hoped so. The brown carpet and flat gray wallpaper was becoming very depressing.
Sitting up in the double bed, Anthony looked across the apartment's one room to the kitchenette. There stood Lacey in a pair of gray cotton shorts and a white tank top, her long blonde and black hair hanging around her head. She clutched a steaming cup of coffee in her right hand while her left rested on the counter behind her. She looked over at Anthony with a mostly sarcastic, sideways grin as he sat on the bed and tried to shake the sleep out of himself. He finally got the motivation and pulled himself out of the bed.
Anthony looked around for his gym shorts and as he did, he looked down and saw a slightly depressing sight.
Anthony: "I'm getting fat."
As he said this, he looked over at Lacey to find her laughing.
Anthony: "What's so funny?"
Lacey: "I just think it's funny you consider what you got there as fat."
Anthony: "Well it is!"
Lacey: "Tony, you look the same as you did a year ago. You are fine. Damn. Sometimes you sound like a girl."
Anthony: (With a cheeky grin) "Does that make you a sometimes lesbian?"
Lacey: "Oh shut up!"
Now laughing himself, Anthony finally finds his black shorts. Pulling them on, he gives himself a look in a nearby mirror. His dark brown hair was getting a little shaggy and his beard could use a trim but otherwise he looked healthy and happy. Just for the sake of being goofy, he pulled a Scott Steiner pose and then peeked over at Lacey.
Anthony: (In his best Big Poppa Pump impression) "Hey! You see this guy?! He's fat! (Lacey breaks out into loud laughter at her boyfriend's stupidity as he walks over to her imitating Scott Steiner's walk) And you know what?"
Lacey: "I'm afraid to ask but what?"
Anthony: "I'm hungry!"
At this point, Anthony is unable to control his own laughter. He nearly doubles over as he walks up to Lacey and pulls her close.
Anthony: "How's it feel to be one of the Big Bad Booty Daddy's freaks?"
Lacey: "You know you do that impression a little too well."
Anthony: "Do I?"
Lacey: "Yes you do. Now, you better get yourself fully awake within the next ten minutes."
Anthony: "Oh really? And why is that?"
Lacey: "Because you have to go do that little interview thing today."
Anthony: "I had forgotten all about that!"
Lacey: "I figured you would!"
Anthony: "Where would I be without you?"
Lacey: "Unemployed."
Laughing, Anthony walks across the room and steps through the door leading to the apartment's balcony. Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out a pack of Camel cigarettes. Pulling one out and lighting it, Anthony sighs, feeling the nicotine entering his system. He had swore to himself that he would quit smoking but never could seem to keep that promise. He finishes his Camel and drops the butt into a can he keeps outside and walks back inside.
Ten minutes later and both Anthony and Lacey are walking down the sidewalk. Lacey now dressed in a pair of black jeans, black Converse All Stars and blue plaid designed button up t-shirt. Beside her Anthony is wearing a pair of medium washed, worn out blue jeans, a pair of black boots and the sleeveless hoodie he was wearing in his dream. They were heading for the nearby park, the location Anthony thought would be best for an interview with him. The apartment was out of the question because of it's size and appearance. Besides, the park gave a better feel for his hometown.
Stepping over to the middle of the park, MPW interviewer Jay Wyatt can be seen standing there dressed in a black suit with a camera crew behind him. Anthony and Lacey walk up exchanging hand shakes and hellos before standing in front of a camera and beginning the interview.
Jay Wyatt: "Hello ladies and gentlemen. This is Jay Wyatt here in beautiful Baltimore, Maryland with newly signed MPW Step UP talent Tony McNail and his manager, Lacey Laredo. Hello Tony and Lacey."
Anthony/Tony and Lacey step into frame, both with smiles.
Tony: "Hello Jay. How are you?"
Jay: "Good Tony. Now, it is known that you are not a stranger to professional wrestling. How long have you actually been in the business?"
Tony: "Well Jay, 'The Chaos Campaign' has been on the trail for about two years now professionally. Before that I spent two years in the ROH Academy learning all I could."
Jay: "I have heard you are coming to MPW from Combat Zone Wrestling yet you were trained in the ROH academy. Why not sign with them? Why CZW?"
Tony: "I guess it was the allure of that Ultraviolent style, you know? The chance to go into that dangerous environment and prove to everyone that I wasn't just a wrestler, I was a tough wrestler. I wanted to prove that I could take anything and keep going. But, that wasn't meant to be."
Jay: "What do you mean by that?"
Tony: "Well, the powers that be in CZW didn't seem to like me. Sure, I got a matches, but I was always in the opener. I never got to be in the big matches like the Cage of Death, the Tournament of Death, nothing big. I never got to be up with the guys like Sami and Danny. But you know what? I don't really care. Because after all of that, I walked away with the knowledge I learned backstage from a guy a truly respect, Mad Man Pondo."
Jay: "So is that why you are here?"
Tony: "Kind of. I sent a few CZW tapes here and next thing I know, I got an offer for Step Up."
Jay: "That brings me to the big question for today, Tony. It has been announced that your first Step Up match will be a fatal four way match against David Dreadful, Ricky Kimmel and Kuk Kilswitch..."
Tony: "Kuk Killswitch. There is a name I know."
Jay: "Really? How so?"
Tony: "CZW went on a few tours in Japan and during that time, there was this guy. He kept to himself mostly. Didn't talk to anyone. He was Kuk Killswitch. He had worked in Japan for a bit and he was good. Really good. So naturally, he was BAM (Tony slaps his hand) right there in the big matches. He was in the tournament. He was in the Cage of Death. He was quickly becoming The Guy. And you know what? I don;t think he even cared. He still walked out to the ring the same way, he still avoided the interviewers and he still talked to no one. I remember one time I had waited by the curtain for him to come through. I wanted to ask him for some advice on taking some really hard shots. You know what he did? He acted like he never even saw or heard me. He basically said 'fuck you' without even saying a damned word."
Jay: "So does that mean this match is a big moment for you?"
Tony: "Oh definitely. This match is not only my first match on television but it is me and that ass hat Kuk Killswitch in the same ring for the first time. This is the chance for me to show him that the young guy he ignored is just as much the wrestler that he is. This is my time to show those jackasses that passed me up that they made a huge mistake in keeping me down. This is my time to step the fuck up."
Jay: "Well Tony, I am for one excited to see that and am certainly excited to interview you in the near future. thank you for your time."
Tony: "No. thank you Jay. Have a good day."
The camera is cut as Tony and Lacey step away and after some goodbyes and some more handshakes, they head home.