Dream [Dylan Rumble #3]
Apr 14, 2023 10:41:46 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer, Kira Izumi, and 2 more like this
Post by Dylan on Apr 14, 2023 10:41:46 GMT -5
BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING!
SMACK!
A pair of eyes open and a deep breath is taken. Dylan Black sits up in his hotel bed and brushes his hair out of his face. He pushes the blanket off of him and sits on the edge of the bed, trying to will himself out of bed. He does push off and lumber into the bathroom, stopping at the sink. Dylan leans down and turns the water on, splashing water on his face to wake himself up. His eyes shoot open wide as the water is the jumpstart he needs. With water dripping from his face, Dylan stares at his reflection in the mirror. The sunken eyes and crooked nose from several stiff shots and breaks over the years. Scars and bruises litter his body, some more faded than others. His hands grip the counter around the sink and he closes his eyes, letting his mind wander elsewhere. Getting lost in better memories than where he is now. His eyes open at a sharp rap at the door to his room and he turns off the faucet. Grabbing a towel on his way out of the bathroom, he dries his face off and hangs it around his neck before grabbing the door knob.
And no one is on the other side. A small bag sits at his doorstep. Breakfast delivered. Dylan sighs and grabs the food, slamming the door behind him. He walks back to the bed and sits down, reaching for the remote and flipping straight to the XHF Network channel. Dylan puts the remote on the bedside table and rips open the bag, pulling out a container of a breakfast of kings! Pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, and a fruit cup are pulled out as Dylan watches the Network channel, which is presently playing an advert for the Rumble in a few weeks' time. The commercial runs down some of the higher profile competitors of the Rumble, the Cross Recobas and Jack Diamonds, the Foxes and Donzigs. All of them are coming for the man with everything to lose. And a shot of Dylan standing over everyone, holding the XHF X*Crown Championship over his own head.
Dylan stuffed a pancake into his mouth as he watched the advert come to an end. It immediately flipped to some Rumble promotional bits, wrestlers talking about how they'd be the ones to end Dylan's reign. He chuckles while stuffing his face with food, knowing that for all the people in this Rumble, he and Zoran are the only two to have won the damn thing before. He likes his odds, even if they are slimmer than Wellington Dunne's chances at winning when his career counts on it. His phone buzzes and Dylan grabs it, an alarm going off. With being the X*Crown Champion, and set to defend the X*Crown in the biggest party of the spring there are certain media obligations he has to fulfill. And dammit, he doesn't want to do them. But Dylan sighs and switches off the TV, reaching beside his bed for his suitcase as we fade to black.
We open on Dylan and another person sitting on steel chairs in a wrestling ring. Dylan is much better looking than he was in the intro, possibly due to makeup and CGI effects. They hold microphones and are dressed decently. Dylan has a polo, cargo shorts, and loafers on. With sunglasses on his head and the X*Crown Championship across his waist. The other guy speaks first.
Nicholas Bean: Welcome to the Bean Dream series. I'm Nicholas Bean, and here we are interviewing a guest is of the wrestling variety. He is the XHF X*Crown Champion Dylan Black! Thanks for the invite, Dylan. It's great being here in the EVE compound. You guys have a nice setup.
Dylan Black: Keep it a little quieter, Dar and Bigby don't know you're here. But yeah, we've got some decent gym equipment here and a ring for practice, not that we need much of it.
Nicholas: And this is an official J-ROK-style ring. I don't think I've ever seen a ring in person, let stood inside one. I just want to run the ropes a little bit, or even have a match with you right now. Do you often feel this way when you see a ring and no one's around?
Dylan: No, not for a few years. When I started out, I'd absolutely jump in there and do some drills. Now? I know my way around the squared circle enough to feel, if I'm going in there it's to do my job. It's not a hobby where I want to practice and do as much as I can as often as I can. I guess I'm selective about when I'm going into that ring. Bit of a special attraction, you know?
Nicholas: I totally understand that. And speaking of special attractions, we're rolling up on one of the biggest special attractions in the XHF calendar year, that being the Rumble. Two years ago you joined the elite group of wrestlers who have won the XHF Rumble, this year you walk in with the distinct advantage of being the champion.
Dylan: Ah, I wouldn't call it an advantage. Statistically, 20% of defending X*Crown Champions retain the championship at the Rumble. From some perspectives, that's an OK number. But that's one in five. Literally. Rob did it in 2018, and no one's been able to do it since. That's a statistic lots of people are going to try and take advantage of.
Nicholas: But what's your take?
Dylan: Whatever happens, happens. If I win, cool. I become part of another elite society that sees me become the first two-time Rumble winner. If I lose, there are several people who I know will carry the burden well.
Nicholas: Care to share any of your hand-picked winners? Who has Dylan Black's blessing to become an XHF Rumble winner?
Dylan: Well as much as he, his husband, and his husband's boyfriend can't keep my name out of their fucking mouths, Bloodied Fox has hit a new level since the start of the year. He's hitting strides that Seth Dillinger was hitting back in late 2019 in AWF. Rat Bastard's kid is pretty good, too. I could see him following Daddy's footsteps and becoming the next second-generation X*Crown Champion. And the Florida Man is always a unique fellow with equal disdain for Kira Izumi and I can appreciate that much.
Nicholas: What about the newer folks who are entering their first Rumbles? Is there anyone who has piqued your interest?
Dylan: Well that new-ish TAPOUT signing Random McConalogue has been fairing well, interested to see how she handles her first global event. Thespian was someone I wanted to fight two years ago at the End of Days tournament before we were both ejected too early. And Tinto is a strapping young lad, maybe someday when he finishes elementary school I'll take him under my wing and teach him how to be a real wrestler.
Nicholas: Those are some wildcard picks man. I hope those up and comers can appreciate the high praise they've been given.
Dylan: I mean this is the Rumble we're talking about. Wildcard is in its nature and anything can happen. The Rumble is an endurance test and I've gone all the way before, in a few manners of speaking. My record still stands from the largest XHF Rumble ever in 2018. And I've won the match, albeit from a relatively late position.
Nicholas: It seems the later Dylan Black enters the Rumble, the more likely he is to succeed. Do you think you will secure that second win this year?
Dylan chuckles and then shrugs.
Dylan: Truthfully? I know that the Rumble can be one of the most brutal matches to wrestle in. Because to win is not to pin the last person standing across from you. All you need to do is just toss someone over the top rope and make sure they hit the ground on the way down. And if your hands are too sweaty, if you tweak your arm and can't quite reach it, or if your hand cramps and won't open...
He snaps.
Dylan: Your dreams of winning the Rumble are over like that. And I've been on the receiving end of several over-the-top-rope eliminations over the years so I'm well aware how quickly victory can slip from between your fingers. Do I think I'll win? Absolutely not. There are so many elements at play there's no doubt in my mind I'll make an oversight or someone will catch me off guard.
Dylan adjusts his sitting position.
Dylan: But a mentor of mine taught me one thing. Out of everybody in the world, the only person who will bet on me, the only person who can sell me as a winner, is myself. I may know the odds but I'm still betting on myself to become the first ever two-time Rumble winner.
Nicholas: That is some great advice Dylan.
Dylan: It honestly wasn't even given in relation to my wrestling career but as general life advice. Take that to the bank guys.
Nicholas: Now I have to ask, a lot of people seem to think that the J-RoK style of wrestling is going to affect how you handle the Rumble match. Care to comment on that.
Beat.
Dylan: Uh, I mean I won the Rumble two years ago when I was going full force in the deathmatch style? But... well I guess you can break a story to the dirt sheets.
Beat.
Dylan: I'm sick, man. Not in an actual COVID or common cold sense. Here, and here.
Dylan points to his chest and his head. His finger lingers pointing at his head for a moment as he continues.
Dylan: My style of wrestling really has taken a toll on my body. I've got some underlying injuries that I've ignored for years but they flare up now and again. My mind though? My mind just isn't betting on myself anymore. Plain and simple. I don't know if I'm just in need of some medications or a spiritual awakening. But it's hard for me to get out of bed and do what I do best. That "special attraction" thing? That's bullshit. There's a dread that comes to being in the ring now.
Nicholas: Oh gee man. I'm no doctor but that sounds like some sort of depression.
Dylan: I don't know man. I just don't know. I'm not at the 100% that I was at my first few reigns and I think it's evident. It's like going a mile - you can sprint it and get it done quicker but then you're gassing yourself by the 3-minute mark. You won't be doing shit afterwards. Whereas if you walk it, keep a consistent pace you're going to be able to do more later. I've spent the last 3 years in a full sprint towards being the best in the world and now I'm gassed.
Nicholas: Excellent analogy, Dylan.
Dylan: So the unfortunate truth is, I'm not going to be able to offer the XHF a champion who is going at 100% anymore. Does that mean I'm just going to, hand this title and the vault keys to Mongo personally and walk off into the sunset like I've lost my smile?
Dylan shakes his head.
Dylan: I'm stubborn. So even if I don't feel it, I'm not giving someone a handout. Everyone wants to win the X*Crown? Well I'm going to make you earn it! I could have one foot in the grave and still wrestle circles around everyone in the Rumble! And when backed against the wall, I'm going to do what I do best and give everyone a fight they deserve!
Nicholas: Wow! This has been Dylan Black, everybody!
Fin.
