The IIW Arena in Manchester UK was rocking and you could hear the echo of cheers bounce off the walls as the sold-out crowd reacted to not only Crush winning but just how thrilling the entire night had been for the fans but for a rookie like me it was breathtaking, almost like a moment in time for me as I got to see what it's like to be a true professional wrestler and what your performance and passion for this business can give back to the people that spend money on tickets to come to see you and spend money on your merchandise so they not only support you financially but passionately.
Sitting up there with the wrestling fans that didn't know me did nothing but motivate me. I couldn't imagine Darby or Crush just being able to blend into the crowd but of course I'm not them I haven't accomplished any of their accolades… Just yet but I will. I believe in myself so much that no matter the obstacle I will overcome and while I haven't officially signed a contract with The IIW I know that moment is coming. I just need to go out there and show Osh he's not wasting his money on this investment on me, I need to show him I can make good on my world and so he give a damn about me, so allow me to pull back the curtains and give you a glimpse into the life of Jordan Reed.
Time Frame: One Month Ago
Location: The Reed Family Farm in Gray, Ga
It had just been a few months after my father died in a car accident after rushing to try and see my National Championship match at Duke, his loss left me with an empty hole inside my heart and I couldn't fill that void with my comfort because wrestling did nothing but remind me that my father died because I was always so hard on him for not coming to see me wrestling in high school and early on in college that he he gave caution to the wind that afternoon as he raced to come see me.
So now I had to return to pick up where he left off on the farm even though I know Captain Kirk would have rather I followed after my wrestling dream but I figured the least I could do was take care of what he cared most about the farm. He got up early every morning before the sun even rose to get the work done and so now I will do the same and make sure his work lives on… Well, at least that was the plan until we got a knock at the door that morning.
KNOCK KNOCK!!!
The knocking coming from the outside of the front door wakes me from my sleep. I get up and throw on some blue jeans and a white t-shirt real quick and make my way through the house to answer the front door. At the time I had no idea who it was or what to expect but as I turned the knob to open the door my life would change. Upon opening the door I see a gentleman in an all-black suit with a briefcase in his hand. He gives me a nodded greeting and I do as well as he starts to introduce himself.
The gentleman in suit: Good evening my name is Mr.David, is the man of the house here?
That question hit me hard but I didn't let it show on my face or body language.
Jordan Reed: Unfortunately I am now, my father passed away a few months back.
Mr.David nods his head in understanding and then proceeds to open his briefcase and pull out some paperwork to hand me.
Mr.David: Well I’m sorry to hear that and I hate to be the person bringing more bad news down on you and your family but this is something your father knew was coming down the pipeline. I represent the bank that owns this property and your father has been behind on payments.
I take the paperwork from him and begin to look over it as he continues to speak.
Mr.David: Yes, as you can see there we’ve given him plenty of extended times and warnings, but the Bank is running out of patience and has sent me to give you your final warning. If you can’t make the monthly payments and pay off the total amount by a year, The bank will have to take the land as payment. Once again I’m sorry for giving you more bad news but it’s just my job.
I stand there stunned by the news as I just stare at the paperwork while Mr.David keeps talking but his words don’t resonate with me as if I’m stuck in my own bubble for a moment until I hear my mother's voice.
Jenny Reed: Jordan who is that?
My mother approaches us as she walks up behind me and looks over my shoulder at the paperwork and then her face turns ugly as she reads and then looks up at Mr.David with disgust.
Jenny Reed: How dare you bring this news on us like this, shame on you. My son just lost his father and he didn't need to know about this!
Mr. David: I'm sorry ma'am just part of the job, I'll leave you two to discuss things, please give us a call in a week to discuss things further.
Mr.David gives a nod and takes his leave as my mother slams our front door and then starts pacing in the living room for a moment and then takes a seat on the couch as she looks over the paperwork some more and I go to join her to give her comfort.
Jordan Reed: It's going to be fine mom, I'll do whatever it takes to help keep the farm in the family.
My mother looks at me and shakes her head.
Jenny Reed: No Jordan! That's not your responsibility. Your father and I are responsible for this debt and I'll be the one to take care of it.
I look at her with understanding but shake my head as well.
Jordan Reed: I can't do that mom, I promised to take care of the farm now that dad is gone. I can't just pretend this issue doesn't exist. Let me help you and make good on my promise to dad.
My mother gets up in frustration with the paperwork in her hand and starts to head back to her room but stops mid-way to look back at me.
Jenny Reed: Jordan you're my child it's my job to take care of you, not the other way around. In already upset that you didn't go after your pro wrestling dream so I'm not going to add more heartache and burden by asking you to take on this debt, now go check on the animals for me, in going to call a few people and see what I can do about this situation.
She was off and I just sat there for a moment, thinking about what else there was I could do but nothing came to mind, so I just ended up getting up and walking out the backdoor towards the farm but as I walked down the hill and make it to the ranch area I notice that one of the fences are open and I shake my head as I realize the meanest and toughest bull my father has ever had Buck was loose. Every time he escapes it's literally a fight to get him down and back into the fence.
Jordan Reed: Shit!
Frustrated already from earlier I look around in a frantic way as I grab the bull rope off the wooden fence and begin looking around the land for him as I take a few steps I can hear the big bull stomping his hoof and sure enough, as I turn my attention down a dirt road path I see him staring me down with his first eyes.
Jordan Reed: OK now boy, that's enough free time out in the fields for you, it's time to get back in that fence now you hear?
Buck doesn't listen though, he just begins to stomp his hoof and then starts kicking up dirt like he's getting ready to charge right at me.
Jordan Reed: I swear to God…
Buck takes off towards me with monstrous momentum on his side but I dig my heels into the dirt for leverage and upon impact, I meet my hands with his horns and we become the living immovable object vs unstoppable force. It's a deadlock battle at first as Buck puts up a good fight but I'm able to slam the big boy to the ground and get the rope around his neck to maintain control. I then pull him up and start walking him back to the fence as I dust myself off.
Jordan Reed: You put up a better fight than most of my opponents in college boy, Dad probably laughing at us right now from heaven.
I look towards the open blue sky as the sun's rays shine down on me, for a moment it almost seems like someone is watching me. Deep down I wanted it to be my dad watching me from heaven but as I closed the gate behind Buck and turned around I saw it was my childhood friend Brody the whole time.
Brody: Man Jordan I just been back here laughing my ass off watching you wrestle with Buck.
I laugh a little as I shake my head as I walk up to greet him with a handshake.
Jordan Reed: Well maybe instead of laughing you should've given me a helping hand with him.
Brody laughs as he playfully punches me in my arm.
Brody: You had it Jordan, you wrestled Buck down with no problem, and had me over here cheering for Ya like I was at a wrestling show. Speaking of that, why ain't you with nobody yet?
I just shrug my shoulders at Brody for a minute as I pace a little before returning back to him.
Jordan Reed: Well I thought I had come back to take care of the farm since you know my dad died but turns out it all might have been for nothing since the bank only gave us a year to come up with the money we owe and to be honest Brody I don't even know where we going to get that kind of money from.
I lean up against the fence and fold my arms while Brody seems to have a bright idea.
Brody: A year you say? Well why not follow your dream into pro wrestling now, I hear they get paid rich people money and that should help with saving the farm and you get to live out your dream as well. A win-win situation is how I see it.
I start to say something but the more I think about it I realize how right Brody is and a smile comes over my face as I give him a punch to the arm.
Jordan Reed: Brody you can be a genius sometimes, I know mom doesn't want me worrying about paying back the money but really wrestling seems like my only solution.
Brody: Well just don't tell her that you're helping, just tell her you're going off to follow your dream and that I and the boys around town will help out with the farm while you're gone.
I rub my chin as I think about Brody's idea.
Jordan Reed: I don't know Brody. I can't really lie to my mom like that, not with dads death still fresh. I can't do that to her, I'll just have to keep it honest with her and she'll just have to accept this is what I want for myself right now in life.
Brody nods his head in understanding.
Brody: Well whatever you do brother I'll be here to have your back, just let me know what you need man. Also what promotion are you going to try to get into?
Jared Reed: Well I got a lot of offers after winning the NCAA Wrestling National Tournament but there was one promotion I had in mind, The IIW.
Brody jumps up all excited as he looks at me.
Brody: That would be killer for you bro and it's owned by Osh and there in the UK, you remember how we used to stay up watching his promos?
I just laugh at Brody's excitement.
Jordan Reed: Yeah man I remember that's why I was so pumped about the offer, I think I'm going to give their scouting department a call later but first….
I turn my head towards the house where I know my mother is.
Jordan Reed: I need to go talk to her.
I give Brody a bro hug and then head back up the hill as I think to myself how I'm going to break the news to my Mom but at the same time, I can't help but feel excited about the opportunity to finally follow my dream of being a pro wrestler. It was all finally coming together.. I just needed to have one more talk.
I finally make it to the front door and push it open as I turn the knob and walk inside. Upon entry, my mother is back sitting on the couch as if she's been waiting for me to return.
Jenny: Listen Jordan, I didn't mean to get angry with you earlier, it's just been a lot and I'm just so upset with myself that we let things get this bad financially and I just didn't want to saddle you with our mistake.
I take a seat next to her.
Jordan Reed: Mom it's ok, we are going to be good and I was just coming up here to tell you I'm going to give the wrestling promotion the IIW a call, Captain Kirk once told me they be a good landing spot for me and hopefully I can get a tryout for the promotion and hopefully I can put in enough hard work to showcase myself as a star and when negotiating time comes I secure enough money to help you pay off the bank and I won't take no for an answer either.
I give her a hug with a big smile and she embraces instead of fighting me on my decision.
Jenny: I believe you baby, just make sure to give them hell.
Jordan Reed: I wouldn't know any other way.
I give her a wink as I stand up and pull out my phone to give The IIW a call as the scene fades out.
Well there you go, that's how we got to where we are now and now it's a one on one match as I take on The Blueprint Michael Hunter in a wrestling ring. It's going to be my first match in front of a live crowd and of course, I've wrestled in college in front of people but this atmosphere is going to be different and the competition is a lot tougher.
This is going to be the biggest test of my life and that's not an overreaction either. This match will either land me an official contract with The IIW or it's going to show I wasn't ready to move up to the professional level but failure is not an option for me at all, I have too much weight on my shoulders for me to break down now at the starting point.
I got a lot riding on this one match, its the must mostwin match of my wrestling careerI've ever had and I can't afford to drop the ball against Hunter, So Michael should get a good night of sleep because come June Seventeen I'm going to give you all that you can handle and then some. I know you are a veteran in this business and have face the best of the best that this sport has to offer but I promise you none of them were as hungry and focused as I am coming into a match, I am going to show you that and show Osh that he made a good investment in me and even more so make my father proud of his son as he'll be watching from the heavens to see his son start the beginning of a bright wrestling journey.
