Candlelight (FWA/J-ROK JHW)
Aug 20, 2021 23:40:46 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer, vastrix, and 3 more like this
Post by Adrien on Aug 20, 2021 23:40:46 GMT -5
Hey Fox,
I know we haven't interacted a whole lot since I'm not on the AWF roster. I think Supremacy and Fired Up were the only times we actually wrestled on the same show. But I wanted to let you know that I'm happy for you capturing the XHF Junior Heavyweight Championship. We both got some trials and tribulations ahead of us with our touring championships, but I know the work ethic and drive is there with you. Congratulations to you and may you have a long and fruitful reign. I #Believe in you.
-Adrien
The quote from AWF’s SmackTalker illuminates in the background as Adrien Cochrane reads it one last time before turning around to face the camera. Only two things were illuminating the scene: the video screen and a pair of candles on each side of the Dropkick King. The candlelight was just bright enough for Adrien’s Guardians shirt to be identifiable.
“That was a great night for us both, wasn’t it? March 20th... I was in New Orleans, wrestling at NLW Ascendency. You were in Charlotte, taking your fight at AWF Road to Victory. You were fighting for the Junior Heavyweight Championship against MYOJIN… someone who would end up being a future X*Crown Champion. I was across the ring from the greatest X*Crown Champion we’ve seen and the man who would get the belt back at the XHF Rumble, Dylan Black.
“And when the night was over, both championships changed hands. Our hands. A magical night it was, was it not? And after we celebrated with our loved ones, we both exchanged the above. I was happy and proud to see someone like you finally getting that big moment. And look at the champion you’ve become, Fox. Look at the names left in the wake of your tremendous run as the XHF Junior Heavyweight Champion.”
Cochrane takes a few more steps forward, his face more visible in the light. With Adrien able to speak to his opponent with so much respect and reverence, the smile never disappears from the face of the Cajun Sensation. While Adrien mentions the defenses Fox has gone through to get to this match, the video screen quickly flashes back to some of those moments against El Combatiente, Pequeno Dinosaurio, Rin Kubo, and Jason Long.
“The sentiment of what I told you five months ago hasn’t changed. I’m extremely proud of you. You’ve taken this belt and run with it like a madman, and you’ve done it the way it should be done. You’ve taken on all comers, you’ve fought anyone you’ve been put up against, and the thought of taking a single shortcut has not crossed your mind one bit. You’ve fought with honor. You’ve fought like a true champion. You deserve the five-month reign you’ve had. The light of your championship run burns as bright as these candles next to me. Your place in history should be cemented among the top people to hold that belt you have. And like the man who held that belt before you, I believe you to be a future X*Crown Champion if you keep putting in the work.
“But Fox… you’re across the ring from me. And as much respect I have for you, as proud as I am of you… it’s my job to try to end your great run. It would be an act of disrespect for me not to give you EVERYTHING I have when we step into that ring together! And I’m not going to disrespect you like that, Fox. You DESERVE my best! And you will GET my best! That is my promise to you.”
While Adrien’s voice rises a bit, the joy is still there. His burning passion never erases the praise and esteem he holds for his opponent… but like the candles on each side of him, that passion for combat and competition still burns.
“I don’t have to ask you to do the same. I know you will. This reign means the world to you, and I can tell by all your words and actions. You’re adding on and adding on to your legacy. Every single fan at any of these XHF shows is wondering when they will see the debut of Bloodied Fox on their roster. They see the current XHF Junior Heavyweight Champion and former AWF Grand Slam Champion and they want him in their ring to watch you do your thing. They know you’re great. And they're not wrong, Bloodied Fox. You are a fantastic wrestler.
“And that is why I know our match will be one of the best this title has ever been a part of. That’s my goal: the best XHF Junior Heavyweight Championship match in the history of the Network. I know you’re capable. I know I am. We will blow to top off the Coca-Cola Coliseum. Give me EVERYTHING you’ve got, Fox! Don’t worry about Cruiserfest. Don’t worry about the CAR or FIRESIDE challenger. Don’t even think about what’s going on for End of Days and if you’re going to try that route to shine that star of yours even brighter. Focus all that energy on this match, this one little match in Toronto at the end of the month!”
The beaming expression from the Original Guardian only grows. But he glances at both the candles for just a second and turns back to Fox.
“This match is important to me, Fox. This opportunity… it’s just what I need right now. I set myself a goal whenever the calendar flipped to the year 2021… it was to win the XHF Global Championships. I started with the big one pretty quickly, but I still have more to accomplish. But like everything in life, I have to attack that one step at a time. The next step… is the belt that you possess. Despite being this size my entire wrestling career… I’ve never held a cruiserweight or other weight-restricted championship. I’ve had people scoff at my size my entire career… hell, I’m lighter than even you! But I know you had to deal with the same misconceptions. That’s why you hold that belt, Fox.
“But nonetheless… I’m coming for this championship. With my absolute all, I am doing my DAMNEDEST to walk out of World War as the new Junior Heavyweight Champion! These are what my ambitions are, Bloodied Fox! This is my goal! I HAVE to win this championship! This isn’t an opportunity I am going to let slip past my fingers, Bloodied Fox… with all due respect to you, my friend.”
The screen behind Adrien starts to play a video of Bloodied Fox speaking about Adrien’s student, just as the Dropkick King starts to reference it.
“I know, I know… you’ve been a little critical about Adam in the past, and there’s a lot of parallels between he and I due to my influence on him as he’s started out his young career. I have that big heart that has led me to being betrayed a lot. You could even say I don’t have that killer edge that makes me want to cripple people and am simply satisfied with my arm being raised in the air. Like Adam, I fight with honor, respect, and dignity. But let me make this clear right here and right now: I am not Adam Sanders. I’ve been doing this for seventeen years. I’ve taken down Goliaths and dropkicked people off of high structures. I don’t take being slighted lightly, and I am vocal enough to tell people just how wrong they are then BACK IT UP in the ring, where it REALLY counts! I’ve been to mountain tops, and I’ve been to the top of the XHF Network. Don’t underestimate me the way so many have.
“But I doubt you will or are even thinking like that. I know your heart, Fox. It’s the heart of a warrior. It’s the heart of a great man. And you are that, Fox. You are a great man. You’re a great wrestler, and it is an honor to be across the ring from you. It is an honor to be a part of this great Junior Heavyweight run, your star still burning bright. But I’m not coming to just have a great match. I’m coming for your belt, Fox. And just as that light burns right now, every candlelight must eventually be extinguished…”
The former X*Crown Champion waves both of his hands over the candles to put them out. The video screen cuts off at the same moment, leaving Adrien in complete darkness before he makes one last remark.
“Can you keep your flame burning… or is it time for me to ignite mine? I #Believe we will find out soon enough, my friend.”