Post by tstory on Sept 24, 2021 21:25:46 GMT -5
(Scene opens to Devin Bishop standing at the bar inside Slamtown, the Black Hand's home away from home in NYC. He wears a a black sport coat over a great v neck tee shirt with black slacks and highly polished shoes. He takes a sip from a glass of ice water with a lime wedge clinging to the rim of the glass and looks at the camera to speak.)
Bishop: Statements have been made. I don't normally like to let others dictate the narrative, but in the case of these two individuals, I certainly feel it is necessary.
Let's start with Summer Pyke. You say that someone is trying to shift you away from your hunt for the World title. I want to make it clear that that person is not me. You may recall during your match against Rain Blackheart that I stated clearly and for the record that I would gladly defend my World Title against either one of you. I meant it. Then, after I beat your friend Ruby, I specifically called you out. You, Summer. And then, when I was tasked with deciding who my number one contender would be, who did I choose? You and Nathaniel. Don't blame me because you didn't win that match. As a matter of fact, it seems that every time you get the chance to elevate yourself to the World title picture, you find a way to lose. You lost to Rain, you lost the Dead Man's Hand match, you lost to Nathaniel. In each one of those matches, you had the chance to elevate yourself to the number one contender spot, So why do you keep losing when the pressures on, Summer? I don't think for a moment that it's because you don't have the talent. No, it seems that when the real pressure is on, you fold, or maybe it's self sabotage. Either way, I hope your new focus can yield some results, because the que is getting longer everyday.
(Bishop takes another sip from his glass, leaning into the bar nonchalantly, then continues.)
Bishop: Now the next person I'm going to address is Cliff Ragsdale. You've always shown me respect, even when you were being terribly disrespectful to my associates. I believe that I have always shown you respect as well, and if I'm wrong, please correct me. The thing is, I rarely require correction. You, however made a statement on your podcast that I believe needs correction. You said that Nathaniel would be the next Openweight Champion and there was nothing that I could do about that. Really, Cliff? Really? I would ask if you'd been paying attention, but I know you have. Nothing that I, Devin Bishop, the Apex, can do about it. I don't need to remind you that I already defeated YOUR champion, Dillian DeHaven. I don't need to remind you that I beat CJ Walker in a match that he designed to take every precieved advantage away from me. I don't need to remind you that I am the longest reigning champion in the history of UPW. Maybe I do need to remind you that I am so much tougher than anyone gives me credit for. I was trained in Blackpool, wrestling in gravel pits, and I never quit.I trained in Tokyo, having gaijin hating wrestlers trying to break me so I would tuck my tail and run away, and I earned their respect. I trained in Canada with sadists who thought they could make me quit. They were wrong. After all of that, I came through with an attitude, yes, but I earned it. I also feel like I need to remind you that I am like a chess grandmaster in the ring. I will find a way to win, and always have a plan two, three, and four. I know what I'm doing and I get the job done, every time. Prepare your man for this match, and prepare yourself and Brittany, because you are going to have to be on top of your game, because I've been at the top of my game for the last nine months, and there is nothing YOU can do about THAT.
(Scene cuts as Bishop turns his back to the camera and walks away.)
Bishop: Statements have been made. I don't normally like to let others dictate the narrative, but in the case of these two individuals, I certainly feel it is necessary.
Let's start with Summer Pyke. You say that someone is trying to shift you away from your hunt for the World title. I want to make it clear that that person is not me. You may recall during your match against Rain Blackheart that I stated clearly and for the record that I would gladly defend my World Title against either one of you. I meant it. Then, after I beat your friend Ruby, I specifically called you out. You, Summer. And then, when I was tasked with deciding who my number one contender would be, who did I choose? You and Nathaniel. Don't blame me because you didn't win that match. As a matter of fact, it seems that every time you get the chance to elevate yourself to the World title picture, you find a way to lose. You lost to Rain, you lost the Dead Man's Hand match, you lost to Nathaniel. In each one of those matches, you had the chance to elevate yourself to the number one contender spot, So why do you keep losing when the pressures on, Summer? I don't think for a moment that it's because you don't have the talent. No, it seems that when the real pressure is on, you fold, or maybe it's self sabotage. Either way, I hope your new focus can yield some results, because the que is getting longer everyday.
(Bishop takes another sip from his glass, leaning into the bar nonchalantly, then continues.)
Bishop: Now the next person I'm going to address is Cliff Ragsdale. You've always shown me respect, even when you were being terribly disrespectful to my associates. I believe that I have always shown you respect as well, and if I'm wrong, please correct me. The thing is, I rarely require correction. You, however made a statement on your podcast that I believe needs correction. You said that Nathaniel would be the next Openweight Champion and there was nothing that I could do about that. Really, Cliff? Really? I would ask if you'd been paying attention, but I know you have. Nothing that I, Devin Bishop, the Apex, can do about it. I don't need to remind you that I already defeated YOUR champion, Dillian DeHaven. I don't need to remind you that I beat CJ Walker in a match that he designed to take every precieved advantage away from me. I don't need to remind you that I am the longest reigning champion in the history of UPW. Maybe I do need to remind you that I am so much tougher than anyone gives me credit for. I was trained in Blackpool, wrestling in gravel pits, and I never quit.I trained in Tokyo, having gaijin hating wrestlers trying to break me so I would tuck my tail and run away, and I earned their respect. I trained in Canada with sadists who thought they could make me quit. They were wrong. After all of that, I came through with an attitude, yes, but I earned it. I also feel like I need to remind you that I am like a chess grandmaster in the ring. I will find a way to win, and always have a plan two, three, and four. I know what I'm doing and I get the job done, every time. Prepare your man for this match, and prepare yourself and Brittany, because you are going to have to be on top of your game, because I've been at the top of my game for the last nine months, and there is nothing YOU can do about THAT.
(Scene cuts as Bishop turns his back to the camera and walks away.)