I will choose greatness. (LVZ)
Dec 14, 2020 23:45:37 GMT -5
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Post by leonvanzandt on Dec 14, 2020 23:45:37 GMT -5
“Leon.”
I remember that day, when my mentors decided that my basic training in the sport of professional wrestling was complete, that I was ready to begin my journey as a wrestler, both in my homeland of Belgium and the world. The most senior among them sat me down and asked me a question that would change my life.
“We have given you everything we have. Taught you everything we know. And your skill excels even our own in our primes. The time has come for you to enter the sport of wrestling and begin your legacy. But Leon.
“There will be a day when you are forced to make a choice that will set the pace for your life as a wrestler. You will have to choose between greatness… and stardom. You know the difference between the two, do you not?”
I nodded my head in affirmation.
“So you know they are both high achievements, but with completely different prices to pay for them, and different odds of success. And that stardom is fleeting… but greatness will echo through time. That your accomplishments will have a more lasting effect. And that your world will remember your name long after you are dead. It is greater work than stardom, and may not be as glamorous or lucrative… but you will know the reward of greatness when you see it.”
A moment of silence. My mentor stared at me and asked.
“So Leon. Which will you choose; greatness, or stardom? Grootheid, of sterrendom?”
I took a moment to find my nerve, to speak as firmly as I could, in my native Dutch.
“Ik zal grootheid kiezen.”
I will choose greatness.
And so I did.
My mentor then gave me his blessing to compete.
That was about a decade ago.
This week, I stand on the precipice of my first championship outside of Europe.
I have chosen greatness.
And I will grab it this week.
————————————
“I must admit; I was very skeptical when Gus Arnold offered me a chance to return to NPW this autumn.”
Cold open.
Leon Van Zandt sits on a wooden bench, in the middle of his handmade, deliberately minimalist gym in which he has honed his body into one of wrestling’s most dangerous machines. His cerulean eyes stare daggers into our hearts like blue flames, and his teeth are gritted.
“My mentors had always been a bit cold on the notion of wrestling in the United States or even Canada, because they felt that their interpretation of the sport had become more like a circus than a competition. They asked me to reconsider my decision to come back to Canada, but I came back anyway, because… well, I could not tell you why, if I am being fully honest. The reasons didn’t come until I started wrestling here again.
“But every day that passed, I find one reason, above all others, burns brighter into my brain, making me push harder and train stronger.”
The camera zooms in on the Professional’s face, as he nods and grins.
“To be NPW’s symbol of GREATNESS.
“To be its CHAMPION.
“And to fight any challenge that gets in my way of that goal. And on Thursday night, I will do just that. I will stare down the mighty X*Crown Champion, Dylan Black, and show him, and the ENTIRE XHF that the name of Leon Van Zandt is a name to be FEARED. NPW already knows who I am, but the pursuit of greatness is eternal.”
A deep breath.
“And once I have established myself? Once the XHF learns the truth about NPW’s power, and has me as its standardbearer?
“I take on all comers. I continue to learn. To grow. To evolve. The name of Leon Van Zandt will spread. They will know he is a great wrestler. That he is treats this sport with grave seriousness, and strives to represent it. That he is not afraid to compete against those who claim to be the world’s finest.”
A shake of his head and a chuckle.
“Let’s see a ‘star’ do that.”
Obvious diss is obvious.
The Professional rises to his feet.
“I made a choice long ago, to embrace the search for greatness, over stardom. And this week?
“Greatness awaits.”
Cut.
I remember that day, when my mentors decided that my basic training in the sport of professional wrestling was complete, that I was ready to begin my journey as a wrestler, both in my homeland of Belgium and the world. The most senior among them sat me down and asked me a question that would change my life.
“We have given you everything we have. Taught you everything we know. And your skill excels even our own in our primes. The time has come for you to enter the sport of wrestling and begin your legacy. But Leon.
“There will be a day when you are forced to make a choice that will set the pace for your life as a wrestler. You will have to choose between greatness… and stardom. You know the difference between the two, do you not?”
I nodded my head in affirmation.
“So you know they are both high achievements, but with completely different prices to pay for them, and different odds of success. And that stardom is fleeting… but greatness will echo through time. That your accomplishments will have a more lasting effect. And that your world will remember your name long after you are dead. It is greater work than stardom, and may not be as glamorous or lucrative… but you will know the reward of greatness when you see it.”
A moment of silence. My mentor stared at me and asked.
“So Leon. Which will you choose; greatness, or stardom? Grootheid, of sterrendom?”
I took a moment to find my nerve, to speak as firmly as I could, in my native Dutch.
“Ik zal grootheid kiezen.”
I will choose greatness.
And so I did.
My mentor then gave me his blessing to compete.
That was about a decade ago.
This week, I stand on the precipice of my first championship outside of Europe.
I have chosen greatness.
And I will grab it this week.
————————————
“I must admit; I was very skeptical when Gus Arnold offered me a chance to return to NPW this autumn.”
Cold open.
Leon Van Zandt sits on a wooden bench, in the middle of his handmade, deliberately minimalist gym in which he has honed his body into one of wrestling’s most dangerous machines. His cerulean eyes stare daggers into our hearts like blue flames, and his teeth are gritted.
“My mentors had always been a bit cold on the notion of wrestling in the United States or even Canada, because they felt that their interpretation of the sport had become more like a circus than a competition. They asked me to reconsider my decision to come back to Canada, but I came back anyway, because… well, I could not tell you why, if I am being fully honest. The reasons didn’t come until I started wrestling here again.
“But every day that passed, I find one reason, above all others, burns brighter into my brain, making me push harder and train stronger.”
The camera zooms in on the Professional’s face, as he nods and grins.
“To be NPW’s symbol of GREATNESS.
“To be its CHAMPION.
“And to fight any challenge that gets in my way of that goal. And on Thursday night, I will do just that. I will stare down the mighty X*Crown Champion, Dylan Black, and show him, and the ENTIRE XHF that the name of Leon Van Zandt is a name to be FEARED. NPW already knows who I am, but the pursuit of greatness is eternal.”
A deep breath.
“And once I have established myself? Once the XHF learns the truth about NPW’s power, and has me as its standardbearer?
“I take on all comers. I continue to learn. To grow. To evolve. The name of Leon Van Zandt will spread. They will know he is a great wrestler. That he is treats this sport with grave seriousness, and strives to represent it. That he is not afraid to compete against those who claim to be the world’s finest.”
A shake of his head and a chuckle.
“Let’s see a ‘star’ do that.”
Obvious diss is obvious.
The Professional rises to his feet.
“I made a choice long ago, to embrace the search for greatness, over stardom. And this week?
“Greatness awaits.”
Cut.