Post by MYŌJIN on Nov 5, 2021 22:59:32 GMT -5
“Come on, run the ropes again.”
“I’ve been wrestling in the big leagues for about almost three to four years, now. I was X*Crown Champion earlier this year. I know how to run the ro-”
“Just run the damn ropes, kid.”
MYOJIN sighed, running a hand through their blonde hair before they took a deep breath. Staring at the other side of the ring, they quickly prepared as they went into a stance before sprinting across the mat. As they made it to the other side, the blonde turned to press their back against the ropes. Their momentum caused the ropes to spring them forward with extra speed toward the man in front of them, his skin was a dark brown- his beard a salt and pepper complexion of black and grey. He quickly vaulted over the blonde, performing a perfect leapfrog that was somewhat surprising for his age. MYOJIN quickly rebounded, turning toward him again- who dropped down to the mat at the last second, catching them off guard- As they quickly hurried to jump over him, they almost slipped- which gave the man the opportunity to take their leg out from under them, sending them stomach first onto the mat with a thud and a loud grunt.
The man then stood, crossing his arms while raising a somewhat skeptical eyebrow. “Former X*Crown Champion, huh? From the look of ya right now, I would’ve thought you were a rookie still in wrestling school.”
MYOJIN sighed, sitting up and leaning against the ropes with a grimace as they looked up- a bitter frown slowly growing on their face at the man, or rather- their former manager and mentor back from the first major promotion they had ever wrestled at. His name was Austin Rex, a retired veteran of the Californian indie scene turned gym leader. During a time when MYOJIN felt lost in the big world of professional wrestling, he had been their first friend and who had guided them through their hardships. Truth be told, the Shining Star would have never- well- shined brightly without his help and his advice. Rex held at a hand for them to take as they begrudgingly took it. “Your timing was off. When I first met you and saw you in the ring, you were damn near untouchable with how fast and swift you were, always dodging and weaving and havin’ a counter for something. But right now? I just sent you on your ass from a textbook dodge. That ain’t like you, kid. What’s up?”
While MYOJIN very much appreciated Rex, they also could sometimes very much hate his… bluntness. But that was just the way he was, they supposed. “Nothing, just.. I made a mistake. That’s all, it happens sometimes.”
“A mistake?” Rex scoffed, shaking his head. “You of all people should know that one simple mistake could cost you the entire match, no matter how small you think it is, Shouta. You’re a wrestler who has always prided themself on being damn near flawless, you don’t just make mistakes- So talk to me, kid. What’s goin’ on in that head of yours?”
MYOJIN huffed, placing their hands on their hips. Another reason why Rex had been a great manager to them during the early stages of their career was that he could read them like a book. Almost annoyingly well sometimes. “I, uh… I don’t know. I just haven’t been feeling like myself recently. Like I’m missing something important that I once had, and it’s… It’s gone right now. It’s hard to describe..”
“If this about the bullshit that happened to you because of Valentine and his band of circle jerkers, you have every right to still be upset about that, but you can’t let it keep eating away at you-”
“No,” MYOJIN responded firmly, turning away from him as they leaned against the ropes. “It’s more than that, DEEPER than that. Austin, I didn’t win that qualifying match for the Kindling… I didn’t win that chance to go after the Junior Heavyweight Title, the championship that I made relevant, again- although, tearing El Rey’s leg apart felt pretty good… When I first started out in FIRESIDE, this stuff came easy to me- I made the best out of every opportunity that I was given, and yet… Now? Ever since my return, I feel like… like I’m not where I should be. Like my head isn’t in the right place… I don’t know.”
Rex pursed his lips, nodding his head with understanding. “Ah, I’m gettin’ it now… You’re so used to being picture perfect and everything just comes naturally to you- and when you end up actually struggling, suddenly you dunno what to do.”
MYOJIN gave him a side-eye. “If this is your idea of a pep talk, it’s not exactly helping.”
Their mentor simply chuckled, “Kid, this is professional wrestling. You win some, you lose some- and Shouta, you’ve won a lot and you should be proud of that. But in a competitive sport like this, you’re bound to face road bumps from time to time. Right now, you’re feeling down and that’s normal- every athlete in every sport has a crisis of confidence here and then, but kid… You cannot let yourself continue down this little spiral. You’re only gonna end up holding yourself back. You have an upcoming match, right?”
“Yep, against sort of a newer talent named Gavin Drake. It’s for earning a shot at the new championship FIRESIDE’s going to be debuting soon.”
Rex placed a hand on their shoulder, “Then this is your chance to pick yourself back up. It’s a simple one-on-one against a fresher face that’ll no doubt give you some decent competition. Give it your best like you always do, and then you’ll see that you’ve just been doubted yourself too much, yeah? Now run the ropes again, we’re gonna keep goin’ at this until I think you’ve got it down right.”
MYOJIN glared, “Are you serious? We could be doing something much more productive like grappling, or- or something like-”
“Run. The. Ropes.”
“...Fine, whatever.”
It hasn’t been that long since I’ve returned back to FIRESIDE, only participating in two multi-man matches for chances to qualify for the Kindling or to have a shot at Bloodied Fox for the Junior Heavyweight Championship. I didn’t win either of those matches and to be honest? It hasn’t been sitting that well with me. If anything, it’s been something that I haven’t been able to get off of my mind in recent memory.
I’ve done a lot here. A lot of that I owed to the fans for their support and from the people close to me that have always had my back, and the moment I lost the X*Crown- even though my body was in nowhere near the right shape? I wanted to get back into the squared circle as soon as I possibly could.
But… Now that I’m back here? After all of my excitement, all of the time I took to prepare in order to return- things hadn’t been feeling the same. I’ve felt… directionless, without the same drive and purpose that I had when I first came to FIRESIDE- and when I made my debut in this company? I started with a chip on my shoulder, a need to prove that I could be the best of the best after other places had refused to give me a chance. My ambition, my spite was initially my motivator- and that’s what had initially gotten me so far. When I had faced Constantine? At first, it was just about finally shutting him up and giving him the receipt that was owed. Though when I was X*Crown Champion, when I made it to Night of Champions- main eventing the biggest pay per view of the year… It became about sending ac positive message, using the platform I now had to hopefully inspire others to be whoever they wanted to be and chase any passion that they had in life.
...And now that I’m back at square one, I’ve been trying to figure out what my purpose is. What my drive to be the best competitor is. Wanting revenge on the bitch boy and his incel clique isn't enough to push someone forward. Like I've said plenty of times before, hatred doesn't make for long term ambition.
Which brings me to you, Gavin. How are you doing, sweetheart?
I know that you've been struggling a lot in FIRESIDE, I don't mean any disrespect by that- because I get it. I understand your frustrations right now- I can even empathize with them. But, hun, from show to show it constantly seems like the same thing comes out of your mouth. Like you're a record constantly on repeat.
It seems like your hatred for Donzig, or rather being compared to him- which for the most part, I've only seen you constantly make that comparison whenever you mention that weirdo's name- is the main thing that you're desperate to fight against. You have a chip on your shoulder- just like I did, just like I do now.
The problem is, you're starting to let that eat it away at you. Your letting your desire become an unhealthy obsession, one that constantly makes you lose your focus- one that constantly holds you back and works against you- That is what keeps defeating you.
Gavin, I need to win this match. Not just for a chance at the new championship, not for some pretentious reason like making a point- but because I need to know that I still have what it takes. That I am still the Shining Star that these fans had known before I had left: That my success earlier this year wasn't just a few moments of fame. I need to beat you- because I need to know that my passion isn't gone.
So I hope you give me the hardest fight of my life. I hope you push me to my limit- so that I know I can still hang against some of the best this Network has to offer..
But I'm sure the match won't be that hard. After all, for the most part- I won't have to do a lot. You will have already defeated yourself in your head before you even make it down the entrance ramp.
“I’ve been wrestling in the big leagues for about almost three to four years, now. I was X*Crown Champion earlier this year. I know how to run the ro-”
“Just run the damn ropes, kid.”
MYOJIN sighed, running a hand through their blonde hair before they took a deep breath. Staring at the other side of the ring, they quickly prepared as they went into a stance before sprinting across the mat. As they made it to the other side, the blonde turned to press their back against the ropes. Their momentum caused the ropes to spring them forward with extra speed toward the man in front of them, his skin was a dark brown- his beard a salt and pepper complexion of black and grey. He quickly vaulted over the blonde, performing a perfect leapfrog that was somewhat surprising for his age. MYOJIN quickly rebounded, turning toward him again- who dropped down to the mat at the last second, catching them off guard- As they quickly hurried to jump over him, they almost slipped- which gave the man the opportunity to take their leg out from under them, sending them stomach first onto the mat with a thud and a loud grunt.
The man then stood, crossing his arms while raising a somewhat skeptical eyebrow. “Former X*Crown Champion, huh? From the look of ya right now, I would’ve thought you were a rookie still in wrestling school.”
MYOJIN sighed, sitting up and leaning against the ropes with a grimace as they looked up- a bitter frown slowly growing on their face at the man, or rather- their former manager and mentor back from the first major promotion they had ever wrestled at. His name was Austin Rex, a retired veteran of the Californian indie scene turned gym leader. During a time when MYOJIN felt lost in the big world of professional wrestling, he had been their first friend and who had guided them through their hardships. Truth be told, the Shining Star would have never- well- shined brightly without his help and his advice. Rex held at a hand for them to take as they begrudgingly took it. “Your timing was off. When I first met you and saw you in the ring, you were damn near untouchable with how fast and swift you were, always dodging and weaving and havin’ a counter for something. But right now? I just sent you on your ass from a textbook dodge. That ain’t like you, kid. What’s up?”
While MYOJIN very much appreciated Rex, they also could sometimes very much hate his… bluntness. But that was just the way he was, they supposed. “Nothing, just.. I made a mistake. That’s all, it happens sometimes.”
“A mistake?” Rex scoffed, shaking his head. “You of all people should know that one simple mistake could cost you the entire match, no matter how small you think it is, Shouta. You’re a wrestler who has always prided themself on being damn near flawless, you don’t just make mistakes- So talk to me, kid. What’s goin’ on in that head of yours?”
MYOJIN huffed, placing their hands on their hips. Another reason why Rex had been a great manager to them during the early stages of their career was that he could read them like a book. Almost annoyingly well sometimes. “I, uh… I don’t know. I just haven’t been feeling like myself recently. Like I’m missing something important that I once had, and it’s… It’s gone right now. It’s hard to describe..”
“If this about the bullshit that happened to you because of Valentine and his band of circle jerkers, you have every right to still be upset about that, but you can’t let it keep eating away at you-”
“No,” MYOJIN responded firmly, turning away from him as they leaned against the ropes. “It’s more than that, DEEPER than that. Austin, I didn’t win that qualifying match for the Kindling… I didn’t win that chance to go after the Junior Heavyweight Title, the championship that I made relevant, again- although, tearing El Rey’s leg apart felt pretty good… When I first started out in FIRESIDE, this stuff came easy to me- I made the best out of every opportunity that I was given, and yet… Now? Ever since my return, I feel like… like I’m not where I should be. Like my head isn’t in the right place… I don’t know.”
Rex pursed his lips, nodding his head with understanding. “Ah, I’m gettin’ it now… You’re so used to being picture perfect and everything just comes naturally to you- and when you end up actually struggling, suddenly you dunno what to do.”
MYOJIN gave him a side-eye. “If this is your idea of a pep talk, it’s not exactly helping.”
Their mentor simply chuckled, “Kid, this is professional wrestling. You win some, you lose some- and Shouta, you’ve won a lot and you should be proud of that. But in a competitive sport like this, you’re bound to face road bumps from time to time. Right now, you’re feeling down and that’s normal- every athlete in every sport has a crisis of confidence here and then, but kid… You cannot let yourself continue down this little spiral. You’re only gonna end up holding yourself back. You have an upcoming match, right?”
“Yep, against sort of a newer talent named Gavin Drake. It’s for earning a shot at the new championship FIRESIDE’s going to be debuting soon.”
Rex placed a hand on their shoulder, “Then this is your chance to pick yourself back up. It’s a simple one-on-one against a fresher face that’ll no doubt give you some decent competition. Give it your best like you always do, and then you’ll see that you’ve just been doubted yourself too much, yeah? Now run the ropes again, we’re gonna keep goin’ at this until I think you’ve got it down right.”
MYOJIN glared, “Are you serious? We could be doing something much more productive like grappling, or- or something like-”
“Run. The. Ropes.”
“...Fine, whatever.”
It hasn’t been that long since I’ve returned back to FIRESIDE, only participating in two multi-man matches for chances to qualify for the Kindling or to have a shot at Bloodied Fox for the Junior Heavyweight Championship. I didn’t win either of those matches and to be honest? It hasn’t been sitting that well with me. If anything, it’s been something that I haven’t been able to get off of my mind in recent memory.
I’ve done a lot here. A lot of that I owed to the fans for their support and from the people close to me that have always had my back, and the moment I lost the X*Crown- even though my body was in nowhere near the right shape? I wanted to get back into the squared circle as soon as I possibly could.
But… Now that I’m back here? After all of my excitement, all of the time I took to prepare in order to return- things hadn’t been feeling the same. I’ve felt… directionless, without the same drive and purpose that I had when I first came to FIRESIDE- and when I made my debut in this company? I started with a chip on my shoulder, a need to prove that I could be the best of the best after other places had refused to give me a chance. My ambition, my spite was initially my motivator- and that’s what had initially gotten me so far. When I had faced Constantine? At first, it was just about finally shutting him up and giving him the receipt that was owed. Though when I was X*Crown Champion, when I made it to Night of Champions- main eventing the biggest pay per view of the year… It became about sending ac positive message, using the platform I now had to hopefully inspire others to be whoever they wanted to be and chase any passion that they had in life.
...And now that I’m back at square one, I’ve been trying to figure out what my purpose is. What my drive to be the best competitor is. Wanting revenge on the bitch boy and his incel clique isn't enough to push someone forward. Like I've said plenty of times before, hatred doesn't make for long term ambition.
Which brings me to you, Gavin. How are you doing, sweetheart?
I know that you've been struggling a lot in FIRESIDE, I don't mean any disrespect by that- because I get it. I understand your frustrations right now- I can even empathize with them. But, hun, from show to show it constantly seems like the same thing comes out of your mouth. Like you're a record constantly on repeat.
It seems like your hatred for Donzig, or rather being compared to him- which for the most part, I've only seen you constantly make that comparison whenever you mention that weirdo's name- is the main thing that you're desperate to fight against. You have a chip on your shoulder- just like I did, just like I do now.
The problem is, you're starting to let that eat it away at you. Your letting your desire become an unhealthy obsession, one that constantly makes you lose your focus- one that constantly holds you back and works against you- That is what keeps defeating you.
Gavin, I need to win this match. Not just for a chance at the new championship, not for some pretentious reason like making a point- but because I need to know that I still have what it takes. That I am still the Shining Star that these fans had known before I had left: That my success earlier this year wasn't just a few moments of fame. I need to beat you- because I need to know that my passion isn't gone.
So I hope you give me the hardest fight of my life. I hope you push me to my limit- so that I know I can still hang against some of the best this Network has to offer..
But I'm sure the match won't be that hard. After all, for the most part- I won't have to do a lot. You will have already defeated yourself in your head before you even make it down the entrance ramp.