"The Last Farewell." -- Clash of The Icons [CD]

[Mav.]

It’s been well over forty-five minutes since Clash of The Icons went off of the air on the XHF Network, the final AWF show for what might be forever, and with it comes the afterparty of everyone involved on the ‘stage area’ as the chants of AWF continue to rain through the building.

Ladies and gentlemen… it is my honor to introduce to you at this time… the former AWF State of Ohio Champion, the winner of the 2020 AWF Fired Up Tag Team Tournament, the finalist to the 2020 AWF Fired Up Tournament, the former XHF Tag Team and X*Crown Champion and the NEEEWWWEST MEMBER TO THE AWF HALL OF FAME… HE IS THE BEST! BOUT! MACHINE!... JAAAAASSSOOONNNNNN LOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNGGGGGGG!!!



The speakers begin to rip through as “Kingslayer” by Bring Me The Horizon and BABYMETAL begins to play out through the building, the fans have become electric as the lights turn to a golden hue than the common purple hue to Jason’s entrance. The large tron begins to play through the clips of Jason’s time in the Ascension Wrestling Federation, beginning with the very first match at the 2017 End of Days Tournament show.

"Hi, are you looking for the other side?
Feel like nothing ever seems quite right?
Are you circling the drain pipe, getting off on pain like
You're corrupted?”

Everyone standing on the stage begins to clap for The King as more clips of Jason’s past continue to show on the tron, showing his win at Road to Victory 2018 against Jason Justice for the AWF State of Ohio Championship before soon fading into the eventual first stare down between Jason and Seth Dillinger. A rivalry that would be one of AWF’s biggest in it’s tenure on the network.

“I need to know where your loyalties lie
Tell me, are you gonna bark or bite?
Do you really want to twist the knife
In the belly of the monster?"

The tron soon lights up with shots of The Icons in full glory, standing tall before fading into A Very AWF Christmas 2018 where Jason had defeated HYPERION for the first time, and then to A Very AWF Christmas in 2019 where he had won the XHF X*Crown Championship from his long-time friend and Commissioner of the XHF, Bobby Barratt. Soon the shot fades into the Fired Up Tournament where the feed shows Seth Dillinger and Jason Long both making it to the final singles match of the night.

“Get the fuck up, wake the fuck up
Wipe the system, and back the fuck up
You're a puppet when they cut your strings off
Don't come crawling back”

A quick jump cut brings us to the very final match of A Very AWF Christmas 2020, where Seth Dillinger and Jason Long clashed for one final time, resulting in Jason’s first win in a singles match over the AWF Legend. Soon the entrance curtain is opened behind the crowd of men and women at the top of the ramp as they begin to split into two groups, leaving a gap for the man himself to walk through as the crowd waits in anticipation.

“Kingslayer
Destroying castles in the sky
Kingslayer
Forevermore the apple of my eye”

Jason Long soon steps through the curtain, with a large smile on his face as he passes by everyone on the stage that is giving a major round of applause for The King. The many names of those cheering and applauding as Jason looks to the left and then to the right is major.

“I'd sacrifice my life to find you
Angel of the flame
Kingslayer
Come and collect us from the night”

Jason begins to make his walk to the ring, no flashiness and nothing special about this one, just heading into the ring and taking the microphone from Jessie Love that awaits his arrival. With the spotlight shining down onto Jason and the music soon fading out, the crowd begins to cheer and chant for Jason, which leaves a large smile on his face and soon begins to make him tear up in his eyes.

“YOU DES-ERVE IT! YOU DES-ERVE IT! YOU DES-ERVE IT!”
“THANK YOU, JA-SON! THANK YOU, JA-SON! THANK YOU, JA-SON!”
“MAV-ER-ICK! MAV-ER-ICK! MAV-ER-ICK!”

Jason is soon able to wipe away the tears from his eyes before bringing the microphone up close to his mouth, allowing a moment of pause before beginning to speak.

I never thought I’d end up in this situation to be quite honest with you all. After hearing and seeing my name alongside the words “2021 Hall of Fame Inductee”, it really didn’t feel real at all. It never truly felt real to me knowing that, on the final show of AWF, I’d be standing here in a fucking VFW accepting my place in the Hall of Fame. Who would have guessed I’d be still here after four years and accepting a place into the AWF Hall of Fame because… well… I sure as fuck wouldn’t have guessed anyway.

It’s been a rough couple of years since I first joined the network and since I first joined this promotion, had the ups and downs and the ins and outs, I’ve been through hell and back to support this company throughout everything I could. Even though a whole lot of people would like to say that I sold out on AWF any time I’d leave them for another promotion, I’d simply laugh at them because deep down I knew myself that they didn’t need me to hold the candlelight for them, and I knew they didn’t need me to carry them through everything because quite simply, they just didn’t need me around. I was an old name, a face of the past, and one that was very well remembered.

A gentle nod soon followed from Jason.

But I didn’t mind that at all because it made me feel like I could move on from the past, it made me feel like I’ve matured over time and become something more, I naturally progressed into something more that even AWF couldn’t cope with, and I’m not saying that like AWF couldn’t handle me, I just thought that I needed to move on and let go of my past -- which was the promotion itself -- before I can finally achieve the status I hold today. I know I can sound like a broken record when naming all of my fucking achievements in a single breath but come on, it’s what brought me to this point today. Winning the State of Ohio Championship, winning the XHF X*Crown Championship, winning the XHF Tag Team Championship, winning Fired Up 2020’s Tag Team Tournament… all in four years, and damn, I could only have wished for more.

It’s a shame really because at the start of the year, I said to myself that I was going to have one final run in AWF before I could ride off into the sunset and leave everything behind for good. I told myself that I have one final run here in this promotion before I could tell myself I’ve done it all, and it’s the AWF Prestige Championship that I wanted for so long, it’s what I would have came back for but in the end, as it’s seen, that’ll never be the case and Betsy Granger is the final AWF Prestige Champion. It would have been nice to hold that championship at any point throughout the four years that I’ve been here but I know that I wasn’t destined to win it seemingly. I guess that’s why they conned me ‘the nearly man’ instead of ‘the impossible dreamer’ because I felt like everything I’ve dreamt of between then and now was an impossible dream of mine.

I wish I gave myself more time to develop here than to jump around to other promotions of the network in the hopes of one day finally achieving the status I hold today and using it to finally become the man I dreamed of being -- and that was being the AWF Prestige Champion -- but I guess we’ll never know, will we? I've had many regrets throughout the past four years but I know that the memories I’ve made along the way have been worth it and it’s amazing really, to me, because I always said that when AWF does eventually kick the bucket, I’d probably go with it too but I’m at the prime of my career, the peak of it all if you will, and have so much more to live by. But accepting this ring, accepting this place in the Hall of Fame, accepting everything I’ve done for the past four years and knowing how much it’s improved me into the man I am today. I know I’ve fucking done well to be where I am.

A tear soon shed from Jason’s eye, falling down his face before he could wipe it away with a single swipe of his finger. The emotions are at an all-time high for Jason right now, knowing this could be the final time he’s able to step foot into an ‘AWF’ ring again.

But there’s so many people that I need to thank before I could even continue about what I want to do next. Throughout the past four years there've been many names that have come and gone and I truly want to wish them a massive thank you for everything they’ve done for me. Felix Ziko, a man that’s had high hopes for me since I first signed on the dotted line for his company in 2017, he’s always been someone who had my back through everything and when I wanted something, I always turned to him and asked if it was the right thing to do. He was a fearless leader, a true inspiring leader, and without him, who would have known where Maverick was? Moving onto the likes of HYPERION, who gave me a true test of willpower and showed me how far I could push myself to take down anyone, and it’s because of him that I slowly began to break out into the star that you see today. He might not have been the real push into stardom but he was definitely the beginning of such things.

And I can’t talk about all of these names without bringing up the man himself, Seth Dillinger. I wish I could have seen you earlier tonight, and from what I’ve heard backstage, it seemed like you weren’t in a talkative mood, which is totally fine- I doubt you’d have wanted to see me anyway. Seth, it’s no secret that our friendship has been up and down, from best friends at one point to sworn enemies stuck in a blood feud that would have -- one way or another -- ended in permanent damage to our bodies. I said that HYPERION was the beginning of the break out, but you were the one who pushed me to the complete package. Throughout our many draws and the matches you’ve won, I always had to step up one level further than before, I always had to outclass myself everytime against you. And to be frank with you, Seth, I couldn’t have asked for a better opponent to prove myself.

And I feel as if I didn’t talk about these two, I’d get some serious text messages later about it all.

A chuckle soon comes from Jason.

Bobby Barratt and Jack Diamond. Both of them are already AWF Hall of Famers and already have proven themselves to be the top act within AWF. They’ve got their moments to shine in the spotlight but also, they showed me how to believe in myself and how to keep myself on my own two feet. I met those two during my time in Icon Championship Wrestling -- ironically, where we got the name for ‘The Icons’ -- and since then, when we debuted the team, we were already destined for greatness and we did exactly that. The most dominating stable that this company, and even the network, has seen since it’s birth in 2017. Between myself and Jack, it was like an older brother and younger brother bond, him being the older brother, of course. We’d always do our best to get under one another’s skin but never more or never any less. Any disagreements we’d have were always settled right after. Truly, if there was anyone else that would stick by my side through everything, it was always going to be Jack. He was, at one point, a role model for me to look up to and at the very possible chance I could, I would look up to him and ask him for advice. I always said to myself ‘...what would Jack do?’ and I’ve lived by that mentality since then.

Of course, there was also Bobby Barratt. He, of course, was like the father figure to my career. No matter what situation it was, Bobby was always there to tell me if I was doing the right thing or going completely out of line. Nine times out of ten, of course, I was going out of line with many things but every time I did, I’d always have him there to discipline me and tell me what to do and what not to do. To the fans, I was once the prodigal son to Bobby Barratt, and people always knew that no matter how people would see me in their eyes, they’d always see a piece of Bobby Barratt within. We’ve had our ups and downs, we’d have our moments of anger and lash out against one another, but we’d always make up at the end of the day. I mean, that’s why we’re Icons after all, right? An inseparable group that never seems to die out completely. I know that Bobby is somewhere back there hearing this and Jack… well, if anyone can find him, I’m sure Bobby could but even then, Jack-



“Be Legendary” by Pop Evil begins to play out through the speakers as The Icons ‘diamond-shaped’ logo fills the tron, and once the lyrics begin to be heard, the curtain is pulled back as Bobby Barratt soon enters into the building… and followed closely behind him is Jack Diamond, dressed to the nines in the finest suit that his money could buy.

“I-CONS! I-CONS! I-CONS! I-CONS! I-CONS!”

The duo begin to make their way down to the ring as they both enter through the ropes, joining their Icon brother before greeting him with pats on the back and side hugs. For the first time since December of 2020, The Icons have shared the ring with one another. Jason Long, Jack Diamond, and Bobby Barratt. The Icons together for one final moment in the spotlight.

I told you I wouldn’t miss this moment for the world, mate.

A nod to Bobby is made before Jason could lift the microphone back up to his mouth. Jack and Bobby take their positions behind Jason and lean against the ropes, keeping The King in the singular spotlight and as the main focus of the trio.

It’s moments like these with people like these that have created me to be who I am. I am absolutely humbled, and grateful, for these moments and without them- I wouldn’t know what I’d be doing by now. I’d probably be stuck back in Ireland picking up shite on the side of the road with a fuckin’ criminal record to my name if it wasn’t for professional wrestling. So I want to thank everyone, I want to thank all of you for supporting me throughout the past four years and thank every single one of you for never fuckin’ doubting me for a second no matter who’d I’d have to face. Without every single one of you, I wouldn’t be here right now. I’m sure there’s names of those back there or on the stage that I’ve not mentioned but just know, you’ve not been forgotten for a second. You all hold a place in my heart much like AWF does.

I’d hate to see this place on it’s final closing moment, and I’d hate to see it all go, but the time is right for the final goodbye it seems and if this is how we’re going to go out then so be it. I’d rather have us all go out on top than to be a sinking burden to anyone. Again, I want to thank each and every single one of you for the past four years. To the roster members, past and present, I want to thank you all for the past four years of hellacious action night in and night out. To those who work backstage, I want to thank you all for giving me this moment in the spotlight where I could finally express my own mentions and for finally giving me the four years of greatness you’ve given me. I won’t continue any more because I’d be here all night thanking everyone but from the bottom of my heart -- and yes, I do have one despite being a somewhat heartless bastard at times -- this ring and this company means everything to me and I’ll never forget a single fuckin’ second of being in it.

So, the question now is… what’s next?

It’s always a question I’ll never escape throughout my career when it comes to moments like these and to be honest with you, it’s continuing the legacy that has been passed down by those surrounded with me. Rest assured, there’s one thing I can guarantee and that’s being back at the top of the mountain. I want to hold the XHF Tag Team Championships again, I want to hold the XHF X*Crown Championship again, and hell, maybe I might bring myself to Night of Champions and ask Tommy Kelly for a shot at the XHF European Championship. But right now, it’s time for a celebration with my place in the AWF Hall of Fame and like old times…

There ain’t no fuckin’ party like a god damn Icon party, baby.

Diamond and Barratt stand in the background smiling and grinning at the comment.

For what might be the last time, AWF, this is the goodbye and definitely not a good riddance. I’d hate saying goodbyes for good but again, this is the right thing to do and to be honest, as Jack put it when he was inducted into the AWF Hall of Fame… who knows when The Icons could be in the ring like this again. We’re all doing our own thing and it seems like I’m the only one left standing but I’ll never forget when The Icons owned AWF with our bare hands. I’m sure you won't forget it too.

Jack and Bobby soon take a few steps forward, standing at the sides of Jason, soaking in the moment as the fans continue to chant for the Icons.

“THANK YOU, I-CONS! THANK YOU, I-CONS! THANK YOU, I-CONS!”
“ONE MORE MATCH! ONE MORE MATCH! ONE MORE MATCH!”
“THANK YOU, I-CONS! THANK YOU, I-CONS! THANK YOU, I-CONS!”

Jason, once again, nods his head and soaks in the moment created by the fans in attendance. Those tears began to fall down his face as he was able to pick himself up and wipe the tears away. Jack brings himself close to the microphone and speaks.

So, to AWF, this is our thank you.

Jack then brings the microphone back to Jason and allows him to speak again.

A thank you for being able to put up with us for the past three to four fuckin’ years. A thank you for giving us this platform to stand on and a thank you for getting us to this spot that we live in right now. Without this company, The Icons wouldn’t have fuckin’ existed. I know this is supposed to be my celebration, and it is, but I can’t do it alone and I can’t walk out of here alone because as my old team used to say… You’d never walk alone. Never. I think it’s right we stand here before you all at the end of this acceptance speech for my AWF Hall of Fame spot, much like how it was for Bobby and much like how it was for Jack.

But let’s give you one final reminder as to who we are, shall we?

We are the Stable of the Year for 2017 and 2018, we are the Tag Team of the Year for 2018 as well. Three former XHF X*Crown Champions and former World Champions in different promotions, and now, a trio of AWF Hall of Famers. We are the most decorated and coveted stable that this network has ever seen and since then, nobody’s been able to recreate the success that we’ve been able to hold above our heads. We DOMINATED throughout this company and even on it’s final day, we STILL STAND STRONG! For WE are The Icons. WE are what’s kept AWF afloat. And we’ll see it go out with one final bang.

My name is Jason Long, to my left is Bobby Barratt and to my right is Jack Diamond.

We are The Icons… and for the final time, AWF…

ICONS... OUT!

Mic drop.

There’s a moment of just crowd noise as the fans are electric for what might be the final goodbye for The Icons, before “Be Legendary” by Pop Evil is heard through the speakers ready to play out The Icons- but before they could, Jack and Bobby look to Jason, all three giving one another a nod, before Jack and Bobby head into the corners and Jason bringing himself out onto the apron.

“Pull the trigger, ride the bull
And cut the cord wrapped around your neck
Hanging by threads
Hands bleeding

Edge of glory, write your story
Seize the moment, no regrets
Our name in stone, forever more
We want more
We want more
We want more”

A call back to the classics as they hit their signature poses in their respective spots. Diamond, with a smirk on his face, throws his hands up into the ‘diamond’ signal. Bobby simply soaks in the crowd reaction with his arms out and nodding his head to the beat of the music. Jason, standing in the center of the trio, brings his hand up into the air -- as a call back to how he used to before in the past -- and allows himself to soak in that crowd reaction much like Bobby is.

“It's our time to shoot the stars
We ain't gonna stop till the world is ours
It's landslide, rocks below
Ready to rise, ready to roll
Let's go
Let's go
Let's go
Down in history
Let's go
Let's go
Let's go
Be legendary”

The trio soon meet in the middle of the ring, and like before, look to one another- before embracing in a group hug from one another. The crowd cheering wildly for the moment they’re witnessing as those who still stand on the stage begin to give their round of applause for The Icons’ final moment within an AWF ring. There’s tears from all three before separating and wiping them away before anyone else could see them. Bobby and Jack both head out of the ring and leave Jason to stand in the ring, giving him his moment to himself.

For the final time… THE AWF HALL OF FAMER… JAAAAASSOONNNNN LOOOOONNNNGGGGGG!!!

Jason couldn’t help but to smile at the announcement of his name before rolling out of the ring and beginning to make his way to the back, the entire stage is completely emptied with everyone giving Jason his final goodbye to the ring. To the company. To his home. A final wave to the fans as Jason turns his back on the ring and continues to make his way to the backstage area, keeping “Be Legendary” playing over the speakers as the end to AWF finally comes to an end.

The feed soon, and for the last time, fades to black.