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Post by Mac Bane on Apr 4, 2023 1:59:24 GMT
“To conquer new territories you must have the courage to lose sight of the shore. Dream big, then dare to wake up and accomplish it. Motivational speaker Robert J. Kriegel has said, “The shame in life is not to fail to reach your dream, but to fail to have a dream to reach.” — Cindy Trimm Foreword With Mac Bane [on-camera] The staccato of boot heels on wood flooring echoes as the camera records. The door opens and swings open almost silently as I step into the room. I swing the door back closed and it latches with an almost audible click. I smile at how effective the sound dampening works in our home studio. I take the “Texan” bandanna off and place it on the nearby desk, pulling the sleeves of the cotton sweatshirt back down. I notice the stray red hair on the sleeve and smile because I know it came from the head of my wife. I now stand in front of the microphone and get ready to address my competition and the IIW audience. Welcome to my home and a little thing I like to call the Foreword with Mac Bane. I pause there momentarily, I pull the rubberband from my hair and allow my hair to hang loosely across my shoulders. There are many people here that know who I am and many more that have no clue. I shrug my shoulders in indifference. For those of you who don’t, you’ll figure it out all too soon. To help you out, a formal introduction is in order. I wink at the camera and smile. I am a longtime veteran of this business with more experience in the ring than probably anyone in the tournament. I have held world titles all over the world, most recently in Sin City Wrestling. I hold up my right hand with all fingers extended except for my thumb, still smiling I get to my point. That is the past and not relevant. I could tell you about how many times I’ve reigned as a world champion, the number of hall of fame memberships I hold and on and on and on. That shit’s boring though and it’s all past accolades not current. I don’t allow my brain to live there. I’ve seen it all too many times that someone does that and it distracts from the present. I rest my hands on my hips and continue. There is already a CCPE presence here in IIW. You are all very familiar with JMont, Fred Debonaire, and Bam Miller. On that last name, I smile proudly at his accomplishments and the result of our last match together. That is part of what brings me to IIW, you’ve got a problem in your locker room, luckily for you, I’m a problem solver. My smile fades and I take on a more serious demeanor and tone in my voice. In other places, I’ve been waging war against these men. The international title tournament is my focus, don't fool yourself about that. They, however, are an onsight situation and I will not stop until the receipts are paid in full. So, I’ll say this, should Osh need help in his war on Mecca, you can count on me.
Stress breaker [off camera] The party was in full swing,We all needed to blow off some steam, recent events had made life difficult, to say the least. So, we decided on a movie, booze, and whatever was on the agenda. Kat Jones, Kimberly Pain, Whisper, and I were in Barbados for a wrestling event. The Blast From the Past mixed tag tournament. The winners would receive World Title matches. This little get-together with friends was to blow off some steam. They had wanted to watch some god-awful movie, so Kim and I went and got plenty of booze to make it more fun for us. So, I went outside to get some air and a cigarette and I could hear the voice of an angel coming from inside. I looked over at Whisper who was already sitting outside. She closed her eyes and listened to the song that was being sung. I had known Kim for years but had never heard her sing before. “I’ll be damned,” I muttered to myself. Whisper laughed lightly, “Yes, she is quite the songbird, isn’t she?” I nodded my head in agreement, “That’s the first time I’ve heard her sing,” I responded. Whisper, “She has to be pretty drunk to do that, to begin with.” I chuckled softly, “I get that, I’m the same way. The problem for me is that I have such a high tolerance for booze that I rarely ever get to that place.” Whisper, “I know that problem well,” she said behind a smirk. We continued on in silence, listening to Kim finish her song. What followed was stunned silence as the other folks inside must have been as shocked as I was. Then the applause and the celebration of that voice being unleashed was the payoff. Whisper and I raised our glasses in salute to Kim and her moment. She was still blushing as she came outside to join Whisper and me. I wrapped one arm across her shoulders and pulled her in for a side hug and planted a kiss on top of her head. “That was fun, sis, you should do that more often.” She belched softly, “It’s funny, I’ve wrestled in front of huge crowds and I’m fine, but singing with friends freaks me the fuck out.” She smiled sheepishly as she looked up at me. “You’re really fucking tall, did you know that?” I chuckled a bit, “It had occurred to me, yes ma’am.” She giggled, “You’re funny….hey…wait a fuckin minute, did you call me ma’am?” I looked down at her, “Yes ma’am, it’s the way I was raised. It’s a sign of respect, not age hun.” She giggled again, her speech was starting to slur a bit, “Okay, that’s okay then.” I smiled, “Where’s the wayward sister at?” She giggled again, “Which……one?” I smiled, “You’re very drunk aren’t you?” She nodded her head enthusiastically, “Si” She seemed to think for a moment, “I think that Kat is in the kitchen to escape that horrid fucking movie.” I raised an eyebrow, “They’re still watching that?” I looked down at my watch and it was two in the morning. That’s when Kat came stumbling out the door, a bottle of whiskey in one hand and scotch in the other. She handed me the bottle of scotch and gave the bottle of whisky to Whisper. Through very slurred speech she said, “Stick a fork in me, I’m done….whooooooo,” she yelled a most excellent ric flair impersonation. She grabbed my right shoulder, “Big brother, I’m gonna need a ride home,” she managed to slur a little less but not by much. I chuckled softly, “I think you’re probably right.” She looked at me, “Don’t be trying to use that sexy voice on me, sir.” I sighed and looked up at the heavens as if to say, “Why me?” Then I looked back down at her, “Kat, that is just my natural speaking voice.” She looked at me with very glassy eyes. “Well, stop it god damnit.” I nodded, “I’ll do my best.” With my free hand, I lift my glass up and finish it off. Looking over at Whsiper, she smiled and said, “I think we’re done here for the night, or what’s left of it.” Kim seemed to sober slightly, “Sleep would be a good thing, and I better not have a hangover tomorrow brother dear.” I snorted a laugh, “Not like I poured it down your throat.” Kat started to say something, “Don’t you dare, little one.” I stuck my tongue out at her. “No one poured it down yours either.” She tried at that moment to give me the pout of doom and I laughed because it made her look ridiculous. She crossed her arms in front of herself, “Fine, I still want a ride.” At first, I started to give her a piggyback ride back to the bungalow but then it hit me. “You’re not scared of heights are you?” She shook her head indicating that she was not. I grabbed her by the waist from behind and hoisted her into the air through the screeching and shrieking, I settled her on my shoulders. She pounded me on the top of the head laughing the entire time. “You fuck! You could have warned me!” With all of us laughing, I finally was able to respond, “I know but where’s the fun in that?” We began the short trek to my bungalow, with Whisper on one arm and Kim on the other, and a highly amused Kat on my shoulders. As we came to the open breezeway, “Duck Kat.” she did but a bit too much and almost pitched us all to the floor, but I held onto her knees briefly as we went in undamaged. I laughed, “You’re a little demon sometimes, girl.” She giggled at the comment, “Of course I am, it’s why they called me the Wild Kat!” I shook my head as we made our way to the main bedroom, “Duck again please, without as much flailing.” She did better this time and thank god the ceiling fan wasn’t on. I managed to get to the foot of the bed, “Ladies would you help me get the princess off my shoulders?” No more had I asked the question than Kat decided to make this a game of trying to throw me off balance? The four of us crashed to the bed, with Kat narrowly missing the headboard. The other two jumped in afterward and we all laughed, except for Kat, she was out and snoring very lightly. Kim and Whisper snuggled up under each arm and Kat still on my shoulders we all drifted off to sweet sweet slumber. Fade.
Hot Take…sort of.
[On-Camera] Still standing in front of the microphone, continuing from where the “Foreword” Introduction happened. I begin again. Austin Ramsey and myself are known to each other, it seems like just yesterday that he and I fought in round one of the Cannabis Cup, doesn’t it Austin? I beat him then and I will again. Size difference has nothing to do with it. Experience level does have something to do with it. So does the fact that I’m not a tag team specialist. For those that don’t know this, Austin Ramsey is a member of CCPE and a close friend to many of us within the Enterprise. I like to call him the cardiac kid because he will scare the shit out of you if you’re not ready for him. He’s a high caliber professional with such a huge upside in singles if he dares to make that leap. As you might imagine, I have a fondness for him as a competitor. I also enjoy cheering for him and his wife when they tagged together. They are elite tag team competitors, holding gold in many promotions over the years. This however is not about the enterprise, at least not in that way. This is business and unfortunately, when friends or a good acquaintance are standing across the ring from me. Well… I spread my arms out wide and shrug in indifference. It’s a business of another kind. I know he understands what I’m saying, these tournaments are a rare opportunity to break in with a company and make an immediate impact. To shake the foundations if you will and cause a ruckus. Some of my predecessors were the arrive, raise hell, and leave types. I’m the “Arrive, raise hell, and make them pay” type. This isn’t just another skin to add to the wall for me. I see a lot to like in this company, and many great talents, both from the younger generation and my own. The talent level is high here, but our talent, Austin, should you choose to stick around. That’s something that could eclipse anyone they have here. You won’t make it past me but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other possibilities for you here. I won’t lie bud, I wish Toddy was here with you, that support from those you love is something that can’t be measured. For some of us, that’s the thing that drives us most. I’m really not happy with drawing you in the first round. I like ya, kid but we have to do what we have to do. As I’ve told you many times, I respect the hell out of ya, but you’re not ready for this. I draw my arms back in front of me and use my thumbs to point at myself. I get it, this is what you wanted, a shot at singles gold. I appreciate your working towards your goals. You’re hungry and you want to make this happen, at my expense. That’s where the real problem lies for you. The fans aren’t coming out for this event to see the biggest underdog in the world Austin Ramsey defy the odds and beat a multi-time world champion. No no no, my man, they are coming out to see a monster destroy a fucking mouse. They say that no one expects to be the villain in their own story but trust me when I say I am quite comfortable in that role. It fits me and suits me so well. You seriously have no idea how much I embrace what I’ve become. What I have to be.The feed abruptly turns to static.
The Problem Is Not The Problem, It’s Your Attitude About The Problem
[Off-Camera] Even though I had show’s both in the UK and Scotland, there were important things to deal with back in Vegas as well. So, as is usual for Amber and I we sat on the porch, coffee in hand and just enjoying each others company, we both knew it wouldn’t be for long since I had to jump on a plane later this afternoon. “So, you wanna tell me about Barbados,” she said with a coy smile. I almost choked on my coffee when she said it. I managed to choke it down and laughed. “Shit you mean about me going to bed with three women fully clothed and waking up that way?” She chuckled softly, obviously amused by the picture it painted. “You know how the family is, sometimes we just need to blow off some steam. Everyone got a little drunk and I put the ladies to bed.” she winked at me, “As long as steam was the only thing those three were blowing.” We laughed again. She was in good humor about it but I knew better than that. The message was friendly but hardly what it seemed. “Now darlin’ you know that I am as loyal as they come. Those three would never even consider trying to pull something like that.” She nodded, seemingly satisfied with the answer, but her eyes flashed dangerously. “Especially Kat,” she said softly. I nodded my head in response, “Especially her, but also Kim. The thought of it, as she said the thought oogs her out.” Now it was her turn to nearly have coffee coming through her nose. After she managed to catch her breath, “Touche.” I saluted her, “Fair is fair, love.” “Well, are we ready for the grand reopening,” I asked her with a smile. She almost beamed with delight when I asked the question. “Fuck yeah I am. Since my injuries will keep me on the shelf for the foreseeable future, I’m needing something to keep me busy.” My smile broadened, her happiness was paramount to me, nothing was more important to me than that. My schedule was not getting any easier and we both knew it. “Well, I’d rather have you on the road with me, but I do understand. This was our dream and it’s happening for us.” The light in her face and eyes didn’t fade one bit, she put her cup of coffee down and came over and hugged my neck tight. “We did this together, as we always do.” I scooped her up and set her in my lap. “Always, Love,” I said to her, causing her smile to grow more broad. “You’re really tense for a man who has the world by the balls,” she frowned slightly, “What gives?” I nodded, “It’s the tournament in IIW, if Kim and I both win our first round matches, she’ll be my opponent.” She nodded and then rested her forehead against my own. “You’re worried,” she said, it wasn’t a question but a statement. I didn’t move, “yeah, to say the least. It’s always hard to fight with family, but especially when it’s a woman.” She laughed lightly, “Didn’t seem so hard the last time we faced each other.” I laughed as I smacked her ass, “We were involved in a bloody war at the time.” She laughed again, “I’m just jerking your chain, Mac.” She climbed out of my lap and returned to her coffee and I returned to mine. “This has always been a problem for me. I mean, you already know that.” “I do,” she said, “It’s not really surprising, considering what you went through though.” I considered her words, “Words I can only say here, most of the world frowns on that.” She smirked in response, “That’s because they don’t understand you.” I shrugged in indifference, “I don’t think they’d care much to be honest, it’s just not the PC thing to say. Why would they care that as a child, my mother and my sisters were brutally beaten by our father? Why would they care that I almost ended the career of one of the greatest female wrestlers I’ve ever known?” She shrugged, “Darlin, it’s business as far as what happened to Maggie, you weren’t trying to hurt her. It would be different if you had.” I took that into consideration, maybe my wife is right and my attitude is way wrong for this business. Maybe I give people too much credit in hoping that they would be human about these types of things. “The wheels are turning, and I see smoke, old man.” I laughed out loud as she said, “They are and there is, I’ve decided that maybe you’re right about me and my attitude towards this particular problem.” She gave me a face that was meant to be fake shock as she laid her hand over her heart. “Be still my heart, what was it you said, can you repeat that sir?” I shook my head in amusement, “I know, I know.” She continued to laugh at my expense. “Thing is, I can’t waste my own beliefs on people in this industry, that’s one of those character flaws that I don’t like.” I sighed a heavy sigh, “I know it’s possible that Kim and I have to face each other in round two of this tournament. Would I like that? The competitor in me would love the challenge but the realist in me would hate it. She’s my sister, not in blood mind you, but in deed.” Amber smiled at me, “I know, Dark but it’s business.” I nodded my head, “Very true and I’ll do what I have to should that happen. I won’t like it, but this is something I need to do for myself.” Fade
The Hot Take, Sort Of - continued Back in the studio, I get ready to put the wraps on this first promo. This time though, I’m actually in Manchester. I pull the rubber band out of my hair and allow it to flow freely and smile as it cascades across my shoulders. Welp! I hope you’re ready Austin. You have been someone that I have respected for a long time. I know that I said this earlier, but I feel like I need to reiterate it, for the masses at home. Thing is, I remember the things you said to me before our match at the cup all those months ago.Smiling, I allow the emotions to come into me but not take over what I’m saying. I hope my voice is a little lower, in hopes of causing anyone watching to focus on my voice and hear what I’m saying. Back then, you felt like you were the one they would turn out to see. You are a very charismatic fella, I’ll give you that. Your performances are dynamic with just a touch of a flair for good measure. An excellent competitor and all around good human being. Well, except for the pranks you play on your wife, that’s all kinds of wrong, man. I keep my eyes on the camera but it’s not time yet, so I maintain my focus on the task at hand. That, however, is neither here nor there. This is the first step towards the IIW international title. The winner of our match will face either Dane Preston or Kim Pain. I know it’s looking forward a bit, but that is what I do. That’s not me disregarding your ability, that’s just the next phase in the journey. Now I allow the emotions to form on my face, the emotions fed to me by Whisper via our link. My eyes go from green to dark brown at first. Tournaments like this are for the hunters, the wolves that have an appetite that can’t be sated. Men and women who are never satisfied, no matter how much we accomplish. Do you know what it’s like to look into the eyes of a real predator, an animal so feral that it cannot be stopped?My eyes shift from brown to black and I almost snarl my last statement. I am not who or what you thought I was and I never have been. My soul is that of the ArchAngel of Violence and no force on earth can stop me. All you can expect is to survive me, if I even allow that. Fade to black
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