Post by Jay Stevens on Mar 11, 2022 19:19:32 GMT -5
Long Beach, California.
Crowing of a Champion minus five.
As the sun nearly finishes it's daily Westward journey, Jay Stevens concludes another day of training. He's traded his athletic gear for jeans, a tee shirt and a pair of Chuck Taylor All-Stars.
Eyeballs deep in his phone, Jay doesn't even notice the big, blue Jeep in his path until his attention is grabbed by a pair of loud barks, one of man and the other of man's best friend.
"You still wanna talk?"
Dusty Griffith and The Old Man occupy the cab of the truck. Dusty pushes his enormous canine companion into the back seat and throws the passenger door open.
Dusty: We're going to the dog beach. Hop in.
Jay chuckles to himself. Just the thought of the words "dog beach" coming from Dusty’s mouth is hilarious if you know the man. But, just him willingly traveling to such a location? Insanity. Nonetheless, Jay climbs into the vehicle to partake in the journey.
Jay: How was your walkabout?
Dusty: Good. Got some clarity.
Jay reacts with a nod and smile, he's grown to enjoy the company of a man who is so dynamic yet also very reserved. The stoic warrior standing guard to the time bomb capable of sudden, controlled explosions of cataclysmic violence… who is now at the "dog beach".
Upon their arrival, Dusty briefly struggles to take the expensive handbag that The Old Man has grown to love carrying around before relenting and just letting the dog run free.
Jay: That's quite a purse he's got there.
Dusty grumbles.
Jay: Envy of all the girls.
Dusty: Heh, tell me about it. The upside is the disgust some women show when they take notice of that damn thing in his mouth.
Jay: I can imagine.
Dusty: So what do you want to talk about?
Jay: World Championships.
Chris “Big Match” Card.
The Canadian Hero… allegedly.
Technical Perfection… arguably.
The World Champion… momentarily.
I’ve received a lot of advice about what it means to be World Champion.
A lot of advice about what it takes to be World Champion.
The underlying theme in everyone’s message has been that it is to be a leader. To be World Champion is to be at the top of the sport and lead by example while taking the sport into the future.
Chris, absenteeism is not leadership.
There are a lot of great professional wrestlers in the world, you may even be one of them. But you’ve been hiding with that belt, not carrying it proudly. You’re very likely saying your goodbyes as you’re coming to realize that you do not have what it takes. The weight of being champion is so much heavier than the belt that represents it.
The weight is something you have to carry every second of every day. It’s a task that you very rightly said that I am built for. Be it by design, hard work, perseverance, genetics, it doesn’t matter. I am the man that is ready to carry that weight.
We are very, very different, you and I. You love to talk, whether or not you have anything to say. I prefer to let violence in the ring do my talking, and in that respect I always have plenty to say.
I am working toward a bold future, you are trading on the nostalgia of your past. You have delusions that have far surpassed grandeur and that is making you blind to the facts.
You don’t have to respect me, Chris, that is something that I will earn by breaking you. But to disrespect the institution and simply ignore your challengers, especially the ones that are going to defeat you?
That’s just cowardly.
But that’s it, isn’t it? You can see the threat I represent. Not just to the championship, but to the lie you have told the world… and even more terrifying to you, the lie that you have been telling to yourself for years.
You are not a hero.
And your time is up.
Rosie’s Dog Beach is bustling with energy as more local dogs have joined the activities. The Old Man, much like his human is known to do, is leading the pack around the sand.
Griffith and Stevens sit at a picnic table, casually watching the dogs go crazy chasing after a seagull.
Dusty: So, nervous?
Jay: Fuck yeah, it’s not exactly just another day at the office.
Griffith’s brow tilts slightly at the uncommon use of profanity from Stevens.
Dusty: Isn’t it though?
The former World Champion cracks a wry smile at the would be World Champion.
Jay: That’s why I wanted to talk to you. You’ve been to the top, man, you know what it means better than anyone. I need to rise above, have the best night of my life.
Dusty takes that in and clears his throat.
Dusty: Okay, listen. I’ve got a big secret to tell you…
Griffith pauses for a tense couple of beats as he leans in, that wry smile becoming a little more genuine.
Dusty: You’re putting entirely too much pressure on yourself and, believe it or not, this is
just another match. Trust me.Crowing of a Champion minus five.
As the sun nearly finishes it's daily Westward journey, Jay Stevens concludes another day of training. He's traded his athletic gear for jeans, a tee shirt and a pair of Chuck Taylor All-Stars.
Eyeballs deep in his phone, Jay doesn't even notice the big, blue Jeep in his path until his attention is grabbed by a pair of loud barks, one of man and the other of man's best friend.
"You still wanna talk?"
Dusty Griffith and The Old Man occupy the cab of the truck. Dusty pushes his enormous canine companion into the back seat and throws the passenger door open.
Dusty: We're going to the dog beach. Hop in.
Jay chuckles to himself. Just the thought of the words "dog beach" coming from Dusty’s mouth is hilarious if you know the man. But, just him willingly traveling to such a location? Insanity. Nonetheless, Jay climbs into the vehicle to partake in the journey.
Jay: How was your walkabout?
Dusty: Good. Got some clarity.
Jay reacts with a nod and smile, he's grown to enjoy the company of a man who is so dynamic yet also very reserved. The stoic warrior standing guard to the time bomb capable of sudden, controlled explosions of cataclysmic violence… who is now at the "dog beach".
Upon their arrival, Dusty briefly struggles to take the expensive handbag that The Old Man has grown to love carrying around before relenting and just letting the dog run free.
Jay: That's quite a purse he's got there.
Dusty grumbles.
Jay: Envy of all the girls.
Dusty: Heh, tell me about it. The upside is the disgust some women show when they take notice of that damn thing in his mouth.
Jay: I can imagine.
Dusty: So what do you want to talk about?
Jay: World Championships.
=/=
Chris “Big Match” Card.
The Canadian Hero… allegedly.
Technical Perfection… arguably.
The World Champion… momentarily.
I’ve received a lot of advice about what it means to be World Champion.
A lot of advice about what it takes to be World Champion.
The underlying theme in everyone’s message has been that it is to be a leader. To be World Champion is to be at the top of the sport and lead by example while taking the sport into the future.
Chris, absenteeism is not leadership.
There are a lot of great professional wrestlers in the world, you may even be one of them. But you’ve been hiding with that belt, not carrying it proudly. You’re very likely saying your goodbyes as you’re coming to realize that you do not have what it takes. The weight of being champion is so much heavier than the belt that represents it.
The weight is something you have to carry every second of every day. It’s a task that you very rightly said that I am built for. Be it by design, hard work, perseverance, genetics, it doesn’t matter. I am the man that is ready to carry that weight.
We are very, very different, you and I. You love to talk, whether or not you have anything to say. I prefer to let violence in the ring do my talking, and in that respect I always have plenty to say.
I am working toward a bold future, you are trading on the nostalgia of your past. You have delusions that have far surpassed grandeur and that is making you blind to the facts.
You don’t have to respect me, Chris, that is something that I will earn by breaking you. But to disrespect the institution and simply ignore your challengers, especially the ones that are going to defeat you?
That’s just cowardly.
But that’s it, isn’t it? You can see the threat I represent. Not just to the championship, but to the lie you have told the world… and even more terrifying to you, the lie that you have been telling to yourself for years.
You are not a hero.
And your time is up.
=/=
Rosie’s Dog Beach is bustling with energy as more local dogs have joined the activities. The Old Man, much like his human is known to do, is leading the pack around the sand.
Griffith and Stevens sit at a picnic table, casually watching the dogs go crazy chasing after a seagull.
Dusty: So, nervous?
Jay: Fuck yeah, it’s not exactly just another day at the office.
Griffith’s brow tilts slightly at the uncommon use of profanity from Stevens.
Dusty: Isn’t it though?
The former World Champion cracks a wry smile at the would be World Champion.
Jay: That’s why I wanted to talk to you. You’ve been to the top, man, you know what it means better than anyone. I need to rise above, have the best night of my life.
Dusty takes that in and clears his throat.
Dusty: Okay, listen. I’ve got a big secret to tell you…
Griffith pauses for a tense couple of beats as he leans in, that wry smile becoming a little more genuine.
Dusty: You’re putting entirely too much pressure on yourself and, believe it or not, this is
Stevens’ eyes widen in disbelief as he tilts his head toward Dusty.
Jay: I wasn’t expecting you to say the same thing as the Trio of Terror.
Dusty: Oh yeah? What did your two dads and crazy aunt have to say?
Griffith snickers at the mention of Jay’s family that make up the infamous Team Danger: Stephen Greer, Tyrone Walker and Kelly Evans.
Jay: That it’s “not a big deal”, “just have fun”, “who raised you to be such a tightass?” You know them, they don’t take anything seriously.
Dusty: Because they've already been there, done it.
Jay: Well, I was hoping for something more inspiring, maybe some wisdom or something.
Dusty: Right. Okay. Obviously the World’s Heavyweight Championship is a big deal. It will always be important… but, here’s what I’ve learned the hard way. You’re going to lose.
Stevens looks at his partner and mentor in confused disbelief.
Dusty: Maybe you’ll beat Card, but eventually, kid, you’re going to lose. It’s a fact of life. You just can’t let it stop you from living. I mean, it’s not that they don’t take it seriously. It’s that they took it so seriously that they’re lucky to not be dead or worse in one way or another and…
Griffith pauses for a breath.
Dusty: …that’s not even mentioning what happened to your other uncle, who has burned every bridge and destroyed every relationship with his obsession.
Jay: I definitely don’t want that. I just can’t stop thinking about the “what if?” What if I lose after all this?
Griffith reaches over and puts a heavy hand on Jay’s shoulder.
Dusty: Okay, and what if you win? Have considered that?
Jay lets the words sink in and, after a moment, nods his understanding. The sun continues to set, taking his doubts away and ushering in a new beginning.
=/=
I am going to be the World’s Heavyweight Champion.
It’s almost a strange concept to wrap my head around, but there’s no escaping it.
It is happening. Because I am going to make the most of all the hard work I’ve put in.
I’m ready for it, but it’s still a mystifying thought.
The only thing that stands between me and destiny is myself.
And I’m not standing in my own way anymore.
I’m no longer afraid of failure. Afraid of success. Afraid of anything.
That’s bad for you.
Because I have no doubts.
Chris Card.
All of your planning, audibles, and improvisation… none of it will be enough to save you or your reign as champion.
I am an animal the likes of which you have never seen.
I see through you. I see you for who, and what, you are.
You should be afraid.
Because you’re great. You’re the best there is right here, and right now, but when you see me in the ring at Crowning of a Champion, I am going to be at my absolute best.
And that is something you are not going to be able to be prepared for; and when it’s all said and done?
I am going to be the World’s Heavyweight Champion.
And there’s nothing you can do about it.
You can’t stop destiny.
