No Risk, No Result [CROSS NYE GUNS #2
Dec 28, 2022 22:31:40 GMT -5
bloodiedfox, mosler, and 1 more like this
Post by Cross Recoba on Dec 28, 2022 22:31:40 GMT -5
“You should give him another look, I’ll let him know the news.” The promoter’s words were ones he’d heard countless times since Tap Out began. The desperate words coated with a viscousness that screamed vested interest, almost always financial, in their star making it out of the minors.
Cross said nothing. Rising, his extended hand was his refusal.
Recoba thought he heard one last plea as the door shut for another look but there was no negotiation. Mike Prendergast had as much chance of getting a contract with his signature on it as The Bastards.
Small mercies existed in these conversation though and Cross took advantage. Wrestling drew a curious sort of fan to its midst. The show might end but even in an Armory Hall like this one, they’d be a group that wouldn’t leave until their hero today, gas attendant tomorrow signed their shirt or took a selfie. His watch told him that even the most ardent of fan wouldn’t stay this long behind to gain clout on whatever pocket of the internet they chose to occupy.
The phone notification was welcome this time - his driver had arrived and soon he’d be back in the sweet embrace of the city he knew so well. He didn’t mind the scouting side of his life, the discoveries he made more than made up for the wasted journeys. Sometimes he’d even try and hand out tips to those who made an impression on him, file their names away to keep an eye on and see if they could adjust their game. Tonight, the only advice he’d have given was to work out if the physical toll on his body was really worth it when this was his race run.
Stepping into the cold, biting air of a Missoula night, the soon-to-be HKW Heavyweight Champion scanned the parking lot and pleasingly found it empty save for the glowing lights of his escape from mediocrity.
Cross nodded at the driver, it was a long way for both of them from The Sands but why not find the employee with roots in Montana.
“Feel free to ask away, Ed, just as soon as I finish one last thing for New Year’s Eve.”
Ed returned the nod and moved out from the lot. Cross once more set his phone in front of him.
“The funny thing is, Champ, that I’ve always noticed the nods, the digs, the niggles that you point my way and, mostly, they’ve always been welcome but let's not kid ourselves - you’re not doing this out of the kindness of your heart and I’m not going into this match with any other design than walking out with that X*Crown title.”
Let’s see you try and sell Al on why my reign is a BAD idea.
“If I’m being extremely uncharitable, I’d almost accuse you of only now calling me out because you’re never going to get a shot at avenging that loss against Dakota. How it must have shaken your entire approach and preparation for the final to see that Brad Swann wasn’t your opponent but instead it was a Firecracker from the company you loved to keep on the tip of your tongue. She did it all in that tournament once the bell rang but, to state the obvious, even she thought she was the underdog going into that fight. You’re a smart man so I won’t tell you what even Goldbear can see…”
Who taught her to ride out mind games?
“It’s as obvious as how telegraphed your denouement as X*Crown Champion is. The Zoran I called out at a SWAT show would never dwell on the loss when the next move was afoot but now? You’ve sat and thought too long and too hard, the Dakota loss? It’s in the past, you can’t change it as much as I can change the fact that you’re in my boss’ ear. THAT’S why I took exception at Tap Out Eight. You’re attacking someone who isn’t around to beat you again. But then this isn’t so much an exception but a pattern, you’re a pale shade of what made you so great.”
Give me hope, Zoran, tell me you managed to finagle a Military pension for that show for the Troops.
“This whole touring angle? Is it because you’re trying to right some wrongs or is it because if Dakota Jennings’ being the 2020 End of Days winner is the itch you can’t scratch then Dylan Black eclipsing your reigns is the monkey that won’t get OFF. YOUR. BACK!”
Don’t worry, Zoran, old friend, Garibaldi’s Guillotine will keep you off yours in Vegas.
“Be truthful - was Sniper for the military money or was it to pad out your record?”
We all know the answer, it was both.
“You’re asking too much of yourself, Champ, and I’m the guy that’s going to make you pay for it. You set the date, you set the running order for this whirlwind, magnanimous tour and yet at the same time as calling me opportunistic…you give me the last date.”
When you limp into Vegas for this belated Christmas gift you have for me, I’ll be sure to remember who to thank. Free tickets to Tap Out Ten for the Bamboo Skewers and Glass panes that turn up on the night.
“I watched as Raiden took you to a draw, saw how he targeted that leg of yours and even without your rush to work through your list of spite, I’d still be willing to make a point of going after it when that bell rang. I saw up close how fragile you seemed in the ring with Quake and it was only the chaos that Randy and I caused that kept you clinging to that title.”
Can’t have your ‘son’ idolizing people like Marty or Steve when I’ve got a promotion that can benefit from his blind devotion.
“What better chance to take what I’ve coveted since I joined the Network than to face a man who is overextending themselves in a vain hope that their legacy isn’t defined so pointedly.”
The last word hangs in the air.
“What the record books won’t show is you’re not the same wrestler who convinced SWAT it was in their best interests for him to win the X*Crown and then used it as a stick to beat their inferiority into them with, that you’re not the same Zoran who managed to outwit Jason Long in a LEGO Minefield Match and barely break a sweat….”
Mike Lio doesn’t count.
“...you’re not the same wrestler that won the Rumble. Somewhere, in the Steve Awesome mix, you broke. You might have won the battle at End of Days but at what cost? How much did you pay to get that title back? Each time you enter that ring and defend that belt you’re that little bit later with your attack, a blink slower getting back to your feet and yet on New Year’s Eve you’re going to realize I’m right that fraction too late.”
A single thought remained in his head throughout the monologue - it shouldn’t have been like this.
“When that bell rings, I know what I have to do to get that title away from you. I’ve known since you issued your challenge, put confidence behind it when you came to Hardkore World’s show in Albuquerque, and all but confirmed it when I sat ringside at GUNS Boxing Day special….”
Cross stopped short of going into detail, countless wrestlers had thrown their chance away against Zoran with overconfidence.
“I’m facing Zoran Sainovic, X*Crown holder, Scourge of Serbia, and at one time one of the greatest men inside the ring I’ve ever seen. You’re facing yourself, the past mistakes, the need to prove one more time that you can hold onto the title like you’ve done before, to retain it at the Rumble like you’ve done before and most importantly, I’m not just an opportunity to rectify one mistake, I’m the next evolution of your kind.”
Your State of the X*Crown address was just a distress call from a man who knows his time is up.
“I’ve chosen this time to strike because it suits me, not solely because it’s available. No death-matches for me, why do one and then devalue your price the next time? What I’m curious though is how much it’ll haunt you if the move that puts you down and ends your reign is Up All Night in Dakota.”
I’m sure you’ll appreciate the nod.
“You’ve become what you hated, for the AWF monopoly on the title read the Bang Bros and all that reside in their orbit. You call yourself The Final Boss? On New Year’s Eve you’re going to realize that it’s time for a change at the top of the XHF Network. The Kommisar is dead, long live the new Boss of the XHF Network!”
Cross said nothing. Rising, his extended hand was his refusal.
Recoba thought he heard one last plea as the door shut for another look but there was no negotiation. Mike Prendergast had as much chance of getting a contract with his signature on it as The Bastards.
Small mercies existed in these conversation though and Cross took advantage. Wrestling drew a curious sort of fan to its midst. The show might end but even in an Armory Hall like this one, they’d be a group that wouldn’t leave until their hero today, gas attendant tomorrow signed their shirt or took a selfie. His watch told him that even the most ardent of fan wouldn’t stay this long behind to gain clout on whatever pocket of the internet they chose to occupy.
The phone notification was welcome this time - his driver had arrived and soon he’d be back in the sweet embrace of the city he knew so well. He didn’t mind the scouting side of his life, the discoveries he made more than made up for the wasted journeys. Sometimes he’d even try and hand out tips to those who made an impression on him, file their names away to keep an eye on and see if they could adjust their game. Tonight, the only advice he’d have given was to work out if the physical toll on his body was really worth it when this was his race run.
Stepping into the cold, biting air of a Missoula night, the soon-to-be HKW Heavyweight Champion scanned the parking lot and pleasingly found it empty save for the glowing lights of his escape from mediocrity.
Cross nodded at the driver, it was a long way for both of them from The Sands but why not find the employee with roots in Montana.
“Feel free to ask away, Ed, just as soon as I finish one last thing for New Year’s Eve.”
Ed returned the nod and moved out from the lot. Cross once more set his phone in front of him.
“The funny thing is, Champ, that I’ve always noticed the nods, the digs, the niggles that you point my way and, mostly, they’ve always been welcome but let's not kid ourselves - you’re not doing this out of the kindness of your heart and I’m not going into this match with any other design than walking out with that X*Crown title.”
Let’s see you try and sell Al on why my reign is a BAD idea.
“If I’m being extremely uncharitable, I’d almost accuse you of only now calling me out because you’re never going to get a shot at avenging that loss against Dakota. How it must have shaken your entire approach and preparation for the final to see that Brad Swann wasn’t your opponent but instead it was a Firecracker from the company you loved to keep on the tip of your tongue. She did it all in that tournament once the bell rang but, to state the obvious, even she thought she was the underdog going into that fight. You’re a smart man so I won’t tell you what even Goldbear can see…”
Who taught her to ride out mind games?
“It’s as obvious as how telegraphed your denouement as X*Crown Champion is. The Zoran I called out at a SWAT show would never dwell on the loss when the next move was afoot but now? You’ve sat and thought too long and too hard, the Dakota loss? It’s in the past, you can’t change it as much as I can change the fact that you’re in my boss’ ear. THAT’S why I took exception at Tap Out Eight. You’re attacking someone who isn’t around to beat you again. But then this isn’t so much an exception but a pattern, you’re a pale shade of what made you so great.”
Give me hope, Zoran, tell me you managed to finagle a Military pension for that show for the Troops.
“This whole touring angle? Is it because you’re trying to right some wrongs or is it because if Dakota Jennings’ being the 2020 End of Days winner is the itch you can’t scratch then Dylan Black eclipsing your reigns is the monkey that won’t get OFF. YOUR. BACK!”
Don’t worry, Zoran, old friend, Garibaldi’s Guillotine will keep you off yours in Vegas.
“Be truthful - was Sniper for the military money or was it to pad out your record?”
We all know the answer, it was both.
“You’re asking too much of yourself, Champ, and I’m the guy that’s going to make you pay for it. You set the date, you set the running order for this whirlwind, magnanimous tour and yet at the same time as calling me opportunistic…you give me the last date.”
When you limp into Vegas for this belated Christmas gift you have for me, I’ll be sure to remember who to thank. Free tickets to Tap Out Ten for the Bamboo Skewers and Glass panes that turn up on the night.
“I watched as Raiden took you to a draw, saw how he targeted that leg of yours and even without your rush to work through your list of spite, I’d still be willing to make a point of going after it when that bell rang. I saw up close how fragile you seemed in the ring with Quake and it was only the chaos that Randy and I caused that kept you clinging to that title.”
Can’t have your ‘son’ idolizing people like Marty or Steve when I’ve got a promotion that can benefit from his blind devotion.
“What better chance to take what I’ve coveted since I joined the Network than to face a man who is overextending themselves in a vain hope that their legacy isn’t defined so pointedly.”
The last word hangs in the air.
“What the record books won’t show is you’re not the same wrestler who convinced SWAT it was in their best interests for him to win the X*Crown and then used it as a stick to beat their inferiority into them with, that you’re not the same Zoran who managed to outwit Jason Long in a LEGO Minefield Match and barely break a sweat….”
Mike Lio doesn’t count.
“...you’re not the same wrestler that won the Rumble. Somewhere, in the Steve Awesome mix, you broke. You might have won the battle at End of Days but at what cost? How much did you pay to get that title back? Each time you enter that ring and defend that belt you’re that little bit later with your attack, a blink slower getting back to your feet and yet on New Year’s Eve you’re going to realize I’m right that fraction too late.”
A single thought remained in his head throughout the monologue - it shouldn’t have been like this.
“When that bell rings, I know what I have to do to get that title away from you. I’ve known since you issued your challenge, put confidence behind it when you came to Hardkore World’s show in Albuquerque, and all but confirmed it when I sat ringside at GUNS Boxing Day special….”
Cross stopped short of going into detail, countless wrestlers had thrown their chance away against Zoran with overconfidence.
“I’m facing Zoran Sainovic, X*Crown holder, Scourge of Serbia, and at one time one of the greatest men inside the ring I’ve ever seen. You’re facing yourself, the past mistakes, the need to prove one more time that you can hold onto the title like you’ve done before, to retain it at the Rumble like you’ve done before and most importantly, I’m not just an opportunity to rectify one mistake, I’m the next evolution of your kind.”
Your State of the X*Crown address was just a distress call from a man who knows his time is up.
“I’ve chosen this time to strike because it suits me, not solely because it’s available. No death-matches for me, why do one and then devalue your price the next time? What I’m curious though is how much it’ll haunt you if the move that puts you down and ends your reign is Up All Night in Dakota.”
I’m sure you’ll appreciate the nod.
“You’ve become what you hated, for the AWF monopoly on the title read the Bang Bros and all that reside in their orbit. You call yourself The Final Boss? On New Year’s Eve you’re going to realize that it’s time for a change at the top of the XHF Network. The Kommisar is dead, long live the new Boss of the XHF Network!”
