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| Man Of 1,004 Holds | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jul 25 2010, 11:56 PM (206 Views) | |
| Ben M | Jul 25 2010, 11:56 PM Post #1 |
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Hypocrites and Sycophants!
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It was Wednesday afternoon; Sacrifice was four days away. In one of his biggest matches since losing to Randy Orton at Wrestlemania, Chris Jericho was booked in a Fatal Four Way with Sheamus, Drew McIntyre and Evan Bourne. The winner would go on to compete in a Money in the Bank ladder match; a match designed to ensure Wes Ikeda had a number one contender for Summerslam after the Bryan Danielson debacle. Jericho was two victories away from the rematch he’d never had... a shot at redemption. The wounds of that defeat in March had not yet healed. There was a part of Chris that wondered if they would ever heal, but another part of him felt pathetic for even thinking so melodramatically. Jericho didn’t want to lose his pay-per-view match – he hated the idea of squandering another big opportunity – but at the same time, he wasn’t sure he cared enough to ensure he walked out of Kansas a winner. Though he was at his family home in Tampa, Chris had decided against going to his local gym. He didn’t feel like working out. Instead, he was watching his match from last year’s Summerslam: a Ladder Match for the Tag Team Titles, Chris Jericho and Lance Storm versus Rated RKO, at the height of the Fed Ex storyline. It was a great match, and a victory Chris was proud of. Chris and Lance had both been upset at the manner in which they’d lost the belts a week later, but the decision had been made - it had been time for a change. After twenty years in the wrestling business, Jericho had seen a vast number of changes, not only in his own career but in the careers of others and in the business itself. But from a personal perspective, Jericho couldn’t remember a change like the one he’d seen in his career the past four months. He wasn’t sure if his career had stalled or nosedived, but he knew he wasn’t going forward, and when he’d had the chance to do something about that in the King of the Ring tournament, he’d faltered. On that occasion, he’d fallen to the ever advancing John Cena... now it was Sheamus, McIntyre and Bourne that stood in his path. The match was easily winnable; Chris’ fate was in his own hands. He just wasn’t sure he trusted those hands any more. As he heard his iPhone vibrate, Jericho reached forward and picked it up off his living room coffee table, expecting it to be an update from Jess on her shopping trip with the kids. He cocked his eyebrow in surprise as he read the name “Dean Malenko”, then slid his thumb across the screen to answer the call. Chris Jericho: Malenko, you claim to be “The Man of 1,000 Holds”, but I counted and you know about 60. But I know 1,004, and I wrote them all down. Twelve years had passed since Jericho cut that promo, but the memory still made both Chris and Dean crack up. Dean Malenko: Armbar! How are you doing Chris? It’s been too long since he talked. Chris Jericho: It really has. I’m not bad, man. How are you? Dean Malenko: Better than you, that’s for sure. Chris frowned; the tone of Malenko’s voice made it difficult to tell if he was joking or not. Dean Malenko: Listen, do you have time for a drink tonight? Can we meet at Rocky’s on 46th around 7? I’d love to catch up with you. Jericho was intrigued by the spontaneous nature of Dean’s call, and even if he hadn’t been he wouldn’t have wanted to turn down the offer of meeting an old friend. Chris Jericho: Sounds great Dean. I’ll see you there. Dean Malenko: I’ll look forward to it. Take care, Chris. ******************** It was difficult for Chris to go for a drink anywhere without being bothered constantly, especially in his home state. But the customers of Rocky’s Sports Bar seemed more interested in “the real sports”. He’d still be met with the occasional request for an autograph or photo, but overall he was left to his own devices there. As he walked into the bar a few hours later, he saw Dean and nodded at him. After getting a bottle of Budweiser from the bar, he took a seat opposite Malenko. Malenko had bought his usual – whisky on the rocks – and looked at Jericho’s drink disapprovingly. Dean Malenko: You know one day Chris, you’ll drink a real man’s drink and not something that tastes like near-frozen gnat’s piss. Jericho grinned. Chris Jericho: Do you drink gnat’s piss often, or do you save it for special occasions? Dean laughed, then picked up a card and present. He handed them over to Chris. Dean Malenko: I know it’s a couple of days late, but I got something for the girls. Did they have a good birthday? Chris Jericho: You didn’t have to... thanks Dean. Yeah, it was a great day, sorry you couldn’t make it. Dean Malenko: I’m sorry too. Chris Jericho: So is everything alright? Your phone call was a little unexpected. Dean Malenko: That was kind of the point, to be honest. I realised we haven’t talked in months, and given that we live 15 miles apart that just isn’t acceptable. Hence the drink. Are you okay? I haven’t seen much of you on television lately. Well, I haven’t seen you much on EBWF television... I think you’ve spent more time hosting crazy gameshows than you have on Warfare or Aggression. Is there something going on at home? Any niggling injuries? Chris Jericho: Well Wes reduced my appearances, but it wasn’t anything like that. I’ve just been trying to reinvent myself. Thought I’d take a step back, at least for now. Dean Malenko: Didn’t you reinvent yourself at Wrestlemania? There’s been a lot of talk about you retiring; I’m even hearing whispers of you setting up your own school. I’m hoping the second part’s true, and if it is I’d like to work with you on it. I’m not sure what to make of the retirement talk. Chris Jericho: Well I’d like to set up my own school when I retire, but I haven’t put a date on that yet. I mentioned to Wes at Wrestlemania that I might make this year my last, but I’m still deciding. Dean Malenko: Well your last retirement didn’t exactly last long. What makes you think it would be different this time? Chris Jericho: Because I don’t know what’s driving me anymore. I’ve been doing this twenty years, and there’s not much left for me to do. You know if I’d won at Wrestlemania, I probably would have hung it up there and then? A Mania victory’s about the only milestone I haven’t reached yet... well, that and a King of the Ring victory. Wouldn’t mind winning a couple more Slammies too. But other than that... Dean Malenko: That sounds like enough to keep going for me. But I’ve noticed you’ve been losing direction. If I’d been at Wrestlemania this year, I’d have given you a standing ovation. That was one of the best matches of your career. Which is what makes your coasting since then all the more difficult to watch. If you’re going to keep going through the motions, Chris, I’d hang it up now before you taint your legacy. It’d be a damn shame if the fans remembered you as an average wrestler when you’re clearly one of the greats. Silence followed. Dean didn’t really have much more to say, and Chris didn’t know what to say. An eavesdropper might have thought Dean was being hard on Chris, but Chris knew Dean was just looking out for him. He appreciated it greatly. After drinking some more of his beer, Jericho responded. Chris Jericho: When I retired in 2006, I wanted to make up for my failures as a husband and father. Jess and I had just remarried and she was pregnant with twins; what I did in the ring became irrelevant. So I went home and became a family man. Ash and I became closer, I got to watch Cheyenne and Sierra grow up, and Jess and I went from strength to strength. But after a while, I felt like something was missing. So I came back. I’ve been at home most of the last four months, and I haven’t missed wrestling as much as I did four years ago. I just don’t know if I’m ready to give it up yet. Malenko nodded. He seemed to understand where Chris was coming from. Dean Malenko: Then stick around. But make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons. Don’t stay because you’ve got a few more milestones you want to add to your list of accomplishments; stay because you still have that passion, that drive. Because without it, those milestones you’re so desperate to achieve will continue to elude you. Chris Jericho: Makes sense. I’m just having trouble finding “it” right now. Dean Malenko: The pay-per-view... it’s in Kansas, right? Think you could stop in Missouri on the way? Chris Jericho: Well I’d go and visit Wes in St. Louis, but I’m pretty sure he’s gonna be in Kansas... Dean Malenko: Very funny. There’s a World League Wrestling show in Park Hills on Saturday night, and I’m making an appearance as a favour to Harley. Would you like to join me? Most of the guys that are competing were trained at Harley’s academy; it might help you decide whether you want to keep competing, or start training. Chris considered the offer, then nodded. Chris Jericho: That sounds great... thanks Dean. I heard Reid Flair’s training with Harley, do you know if he’s on the card? Dean Malenko: I don’t think he’s ready yet. Amy Hennig will be there though, she’s got a lot of potential. Chris Jericho: Alright, I’ll be there. But I can’t wrestle – not the night before a pay-per-view. Dean Malenko: I haven’t wrestled in eight years... this is strictly a non-wrestling appearance for me. You can talk, right? Lord knows you can talk. Chris Jericho: I can sing too. Dean Malenko: Sure you can. The two men laughed. Dean finished off his drink, then looked at his watch. Dean Malenko: Listen, I don’t think I’m gonna stay for another one. Is Jess picking you up? Chris Jericho: Yeah... I’ll call her now. I assume Julie’s picking you up? Dean Malenko: You assume right. Jericho took his phone out of his pocket, but before calling his wife he spoke to Dean again. Chris Jericho: Thanks a lot for tonight, Dean. You’ve been a big help. Dean Malenko: Don’t mention it. I’d just hate to see the Man of 1,004 Holds go out with a whimper, when he should be going out with a bang. Jericho smiled at Malenko, then called his wife. Malenko did the same, and a short while later both men were back at home with their families. ******************** Being in Park Hills for Harley Race’s WLW show was a humbling experience for Chris Jericho; the Storm Wrestling Academy was the only wrestling school he’d visited in recent years, so it meant a lot to Chris to be around young men and women who were still learning how to compete in the squared circle. Race’s students were all delighted by Jericho’s surprise appearance at the show, and had a lot to ask him. As well as answering their questions, Jericho wished all the students luck; looking back on his own difficult journey to the top, he knew they would need a lot of luck to live their dreams. Every single one of these men and women would trade places with you in a second... if your heart isn’t in this anymore, you should give your spot to one of these guys. It was a voice in Jericho’s head that humbled him more than anything else. As the WLW superstars began preparing for the start of the show, Harley Race approached Chris. Harley Race: Thank you so much for being here tonight Chris. Dean’s giving a speech just before the main event, and he’s going to introduce you. If you want, you can use the time to talk about your pay-per-view match. Ticket sales have skyrocketed since word got out that you were appearing, so I guess it’s only fair that we try and help you earn some money. Harley shook Jericho’s hand and walked away. Around two hours later, Dean Malenko walked out to the ring to address the 300 or so fans in attendance. After spending a few minutes talking about himself and thanking the fans, Malenko started talking about Jericho. Dean Malenko: ...I look back on my 22 year career, and I’m proud of what I accomplished. I’m proud of my legacy as “The Man of 1,000 Holds”. But a friend of mine doesn’t think 1,000 holds is enough... he has 1,004. The crowd cheered, and a “Y2J” chant broke out. Dean Malenko: So without further ado, allow me to introduce, “The Man of 1,004 Holds”, Chris Jericho! Jericho received a hero’s welcome as he made his way to the ring. He brought a stack of paper with him, and the crowd laughed expectantly. Chris hugged Malenko as he entered the ring, then grabbed the microphone. He looked down at his paper and began to speak. Chris Jericho: Hold one: armdrag. Hold two: armbar. Hold three: the moss-covered three-handled family grudunzle. There was more laughter from the crowd. Jericho grinned, handed the papers to Dean Malenko and continued speaking. Chris Jericho: I’ve come a long way since that episode of Nitro twelve years ago where I belittled my good friend Dean Malenko’s technical wrestling ability. I’ve come a long way since I wrestled my very first match twenty years ago, in an arena smaller than this one. So standing here tonight in front of you World League Wrestling fans, I feel like my career has come full circle. You see, the only fans that come to shows like the one you’ve witnessed tonight are fans that are truly passionate about wrestling. The guys and girls backstage that pour their heart and soul into entertaining you people share that true passion. For most of the past twenty years, I’ve also shared that passion. But four months ago, I lost to Randy Orton at Wrestlemania, and since then I’ve been finding passion hard to come by. Jericho paused for a second, then continued. Chris Jericho: I put everything I had into that match with Orton... and I still lost. And in defeat I wasn’t graceful; I became ungrateful. I didn’t feel like I deserved to lose, and I didn’t feel like I could bounce back from that defeat. I forgot myself, and in doing so I lost the momentum that I’d built up so well on the road to Wrestlemania. I’ve been trying and failing since then to regain that momentum, and tomorrow night in Topeka, Kansas, I have a chance to do that. Sacrifice is a fitting name for an EBWF pay-per-view, because everyone on that card has made sacrifices to get there. It took me eleven years to get to the EBWF; it’s taken Evan Bourne ten, Drew McIntyre nine years and Sheamus eight. And whilst I may not like Evan, Drew and Sheamus, I can’t help but respect them, because I know how hard that journey to the top can be. There are times when you wake up in pain after working a brutal match for little money, and you wonder if you’d be better in an office, earning more money for less bruises. There are times when you struggle to find work, and as a result you struggle to afford food. And then there are times when people well you the sport you’re so passionate about isn’t a real sport, and that you’re wasting your time. Being told that by an ignorant SOB who thinks he knows what he’s talking can often hurt more than a chair shot to the skull. But if your passion is true, you get past all that. You persevere, and if you’re lucky a day comes when you get your big break, and all your sacrifice was worth it. I’m one of the lucky ones, and from the bottom of my heart I hope the WLW superstars you’ve seen tonight are lucky too. The crowd cheer, and a “WLW” chant breaks out. Chris Jericho: Sheamus, McIntyre and Bourne are hoping for another big break tomorrow night – the winner of our Fatal Four Way gets a spot in the Money In The Bank ladder match, and a chance to compete for the EBWF World Title. I bet Drew didn’t imagine a day like that when he was wrestling for drunks in small Scottish towns. Over the past twenty years, I’ve had more big breaks than my three opponents combined, so maybe you can say I don’t deserve another break. But I beg to differ. Because as much as it pains me to say it, my days in this ring are numbered. I may be the best in the world at what I do, but I can’t be for much longer. Next year I’ll be on the wrong side of 40, and guys like Sheamus, Drew McIntyre and Evan Bourne will be looking to take my spot. And I’ll let them take it... but not until I’m ready to give it up. And I’m not ready to; not yet. Tomorrow night marks the start of a new response to my Wrestlemania defeat. I refuse to let it affect me any longer... I’ll use it to drive me to a rematch, to a second chance. So Sheamus, Drew and Evan can have their first chance later. Because I’m first in line for that Money In The Bank spot, and I will sacrifice ANYTHING to make sure they don’t stand in my way. With that, Jericho dropped the microphone and walked away. Dean Malenko followed. When they were back stage, Dean gave Chris an encouraging pat on the back. Dean Malenko: I think you’ve found your passion... don’t lose it again. Jericho smiled confidently. Chris Jericho: I won’t. |
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| Ashlee | Jul 26 2010, 10:26 AM Post #2 |
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Live with the Name
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Nobody gonna break my stride.... nobody gonna hold me down.... oh no.... ;) Good work. |
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| Chloe | Jul 26 2010, 12:58 PM Post #3 |
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Main Eventer
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You definitely seemed to be inspired with this one, sir. =] |
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| Deleted User | Jul 26 2010, 03:20 PM Post #4 |
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Deleted User
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ARM BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR! Nice Rp :) |
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| Ben M | Jul 27 2010, 10:26 AM Post #5 |
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Hypocrites and Sycophants!
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Thanks guys :) |
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| Brian T | Jul 27 2010, 11:22 PM Post #6 |
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I know this, because Wes knows this.
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Moss-Covered Three-Handled Family Credenza! |
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