Sacrifice [Jack Diamond EoD Week 3 RP]

[Jack Diamond]

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Friday, October 13th, 2023 - Normandy American Cemetery - Colleville-sur-Mer, France

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The scene opens to the sound of footsteps, each step making a deliberate rhythm. The camera's lens focuses on a pair of dress shoes. Their dark calfskin and matted crocodile leather create a striking contrast with the brick-red color of the meticulously maintained walkway beneath them. The footsteps stop and there is an audible sigh. The camera zooms out to show Jack Diamond standing in the middle of Normandy American Cemetery.

Jack Diamond: Sacrifice...

He continues up the walkway. The gray, overcast sky mirrored the somberness that enveloped this sacred space, where history and sacrifice were etched in stone. The breeze carried distant echoes of waves crashing on Omaha Beach, a reminder of what's to come this weekend.

Jack Diamond: I've heard plenty of people talking about sacrifice. In religion, people offer sacrifices to their gods. Today, most people use the word to simply show what they've had to give up in lieu of something. I've used the word to describe what I've given up in life to chase success in the wrestling industry. I've used the word to describe the pieces of me that I've lost along the way in this business. My sacrifices...

Jack scoffs, shaking his head in disbelief.

Jack Diamond: Like they really mean a damn thing.

He cast his gaze over the seemingly endless rows of white crosses and Stars of David, each marker a solemn tribute to the heroes who had given their lives for freedom. The names, the stories, and the unwavering spirit of these soldiers seemed to reach out to him, compelling him to reflect not just on their sacrifices but on the challenges and goals that had brought him to this moment. He sighs again.

Jack Diamond: This place, it's like stepping into history, a history forged through actual sacrifice and unwavering determination. These people gave up who they were, what they wanted to achieve in life, family and friends; They gave their lives. The spirits of these heroes, they whisper in the wind, reminding me of the immense responsibility I carry. Their battle on Omaha Beach paved the way to give me the freedom to enjoy a comfortable life doing what I love. I will never say that it's the same, but I've been through my own battles. Nothing that I have endured though, is like the battle looming on Omaha Beach this Sunday. The weight of this moment, it's not just about wrestling, it's about my journey, my legacy.

The air was somber and silent, occasionally broken by the gentle rustle of leaves and the distant cry of seagulls. Jack moved among the graves before stopping at a particular grave marker, one that seemed to beckon him. As he kneeled to read it's inscription to himself, the camera zoomed over his shoulder to the white Lasa marble cross, etched with the words "HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY A COMRADE IN ARMS KNOWN BUT TO GOD". Still kneeling, Jack softly spoke.

Jack Diamond: It's hard to imagine giving your life to an honorable cause, with no one even knowing your name. I refuse for that to be my story. No matter what I have to give up, one thing for sure is that everyone will know who I am. As you all know, I've held the X*Crown Championship twice before. Well, that third reign, it's become more than just gold and leather. It's become more than just chasing a record and trying to catch up with Dylan Black or Zoran Sainovic. It's about much much more than getting to that mark before people Like Rat Bastard, Steve Awesome, or my opponent this weekend. It's a symbol of excellence, a testament to my enduring spirit in this business. My "never-say-never", "Don't Give Up" attitude that I not only carry in myself, but try to instill in my sons. But this journey, it's been one challenge after another, a battle not just against opponents but against my own doubts.

He reached out and touched the grave marker, his fingers tracing the engraved words, feeling a connection with the soldier who lay at rest there, unknown. Jack whispers.

Jack Diamond: Your legacy, like mine, was forged in battles against the odds. They may not know your name, but I will make damn sure they forever remember mine.

Jack rises from the kneeling position. As he stands, his hands sweep down his pants, his fingers gently tracing the fabric to smooth out any imperfections. With each careful motion, he dusts away the wrinkles.

Jack Diamond: This match I have coming up, it's not just about beating Death Trap; it's about proving to myself, the world, and more importantly, my family, that I've still got what it takes. I want to show them that my legacy is far from finished.

With a final nod of respect, Jack continued his walk through the cemetery, the weight of the moment never far from his thoughts. His internal conflict, fueled by not only his match with David Carloni, but potential matches with Jason Long, Jesse Jamester, and Cross Recoba, swirled in his mind. It was a maelstrom of emotions and motivations. He paused.

Jack Diamond: DT, he's a legend, no doubt. Neither of us have ever met a spotlight or a camera that we didn't try to hog. Neither of us have ever entered a match where we didn't try to be the quote-unquote "Main Attraction". It's not just a match; it's a showcase of our respect for this business and for the fans who've supported us through thick and thin. But in this tournament, I need this match just a little more than he does. That hunger, that desire to prove myself, it's burning like a wildfire.

He looked around, taking in the surroundings, aware that the serenity of this place contrasted sharply with the chaos of the wrestling world he inhabited. It had taken him a bit more than seven minutes to walk from the last row of graves to the first row where the reflecting pool began. Seven minutes; a time that is more than some wrestling matches, yet it was filled with over nine thousand deaths. Nine thousand families mourning the loss of their sons, brothers, fathers, or husbands. As Jack looks out across the autumn reflections in the pool, his eyes tear up. His voice is soft, almost catching in his throat.

Jack Diamond: This match, it's not just about advancing; it's about what comes next. The potential of facing Mav in the finals, my friend, my brother in arms. I know the struggle he has gone through. The doubts that have crept in his mind, quite honestly thanks to me. Despite our friendship and our brotherhood, I know dropping both falls to me back in January wrecked him. I know that if we were to meet next week, with a chance to move on to fight for the X*Crown, I'm going to get everything Mav has. His best shot. More than I got at Supremacy. More than I got at Global Dominance. More than I got at Tap Out Eight.

The cemetery seemed to resonate with Jack's thoughts, the gravity of his journey and the challenges he faced. The weight of the past, the anticipation of the future, and the importance of these next few weeks created a profound sense of responsibility and determination. Jack walks towards the memorial, deep in thought.

Jack Diamond: Getting past this match may mean I have to take on the Canadian Nightmare. Look, I'll be the first person to tell you that I'm not a perfect father. Hell, I put Rat down about having a bastard son only to find out I had a son I never knew about. It's true that I have put Austin and Ace in harms way just by being in this business and making the enemies that I've made. With all that said, I'm still a better father than ole Jesse Six. If it's him in the next round, so be it. I will fight for Julius.

Jack looks up at the large statue in the middle of the memorial. The young man rising out of the waves is reminiscent of Jack's own rise out of the depths of torment he has gone through over the years, most recently the darkness that the rivalry with Poena provided. He reads the words around the base of the statue.

Jack Diamond: In proud remembrance of the achievements of her sons and in humble tribute to their sacrifices...

Jack looks up with a contemplative gleam in his eyes.

Jack Diamond: Win the finals, and then it's Cross. Our history has been rocky, to say the least. A settled contract will not be enough to keep me from that Crown. The matches against Poena, the miscommunication with security, the injuries my employer allowed to pile up, will do nothing to stop me from coming for that championship. I have to win this tournament. I have to get to a match with Cross. I have to win that X*Crown Championship. The sacrifices that I've made, the sacrifices that my sons and my wife have made, are all for naught if I don't win End of Days and beat Cross.

Jack walks to the side of the memorial and glances toward the horizon, where the waves on Omaha Beach whispered their own stories of battles fought and won. He smiles with a renewed look of determination.

Jack Diamond: This is my journey, my legacy, and it's time to prove to the world that Jack Diamond is far from finished. This match, it's not just about wrestling; it's about redemption, about showing that even in the face of adversity, I still shine bright. The path ahead is treacherous, but I carry on as I always have. The next person to fall, and for good this time, is Death Trap.

A smile curls in the corner of Jack's mouth.

Jack Diamond: Well, Davie-boy, I really hope that you know this isn't anything personal. When I eliminate you from this tournament, it's nothing personal. Pinning you two weeks ago, was nothing personal. You left yourself open. Did you not think I would take the gift? Besides, when you cut the strings, it fired me up just enough to stack the deck. Did I get all of it? No. Did I... get enough to make sure I secured the first three count. Absolutely. And you should be thanking me for it.

Jack turns around, and leans on an iron rail that surrounds the memorial and the statue. He is looking smug as the English Channel glimmers in the background from the light of the sun that is finally breaking through the dull clouds.

Jack Diamond: Yes, you should be thanking me. You should thank me for bringing you out of the funk you were in. Pulling you out of the depression. You see, I could tell the fight in your eyes were gone. You were not the same DT that won the X*Crown Championship twice. You were not the same DT that made it through End of Days in the past. You were not the same DT that ran roughshod over the global tag scene as one half of Top of The Class. You weren't Top of the Class. Hell, you weren't even IN the school. You were lost.

Jack's smile sours just a bit as he pauses. He begins to clap slowly.

Jack Diamond: But first, allow me to me give you a hand. Even in your darkest moment, you were able to score a victory over me during Gold Rush. With a victory that big, you must have went on to win it all, right?

He stops clapping and smirks again.

Jack Diamond: Oh... that's right. That was your last victory during the tournament. If my math is correct, and considering I've had less head trauma than you in our careers, I think it is... we both only finished with two victories. It happens. At least there was someone below us in rankings who only won a single match. Hmm, who was that victory against?

Jack taps his chin with his index finger as if in deep thought. Instead of answering, he lets the silence hang in the air briefly as he shakes his head.

Jack Diamond: Still though, it's not personal, DT. Even a win over Jack Diamond didn't push the dark cloud away, and after being sent to this tournament by your Vroom Vroom company, I had enough. I was done watching the pathetic man that I was seeing. Us legends? We have to stick up for each other or else these young pricks think they can move in on the foundation that WE'VE laid. I could have let you tap the big ogre out two weeks ago. Get that first fall in the match, that false sense of security before you fell back down into the depths. I could have easily disposed of an already weakened Mutt or Layla. It was always going to be Jack Diamond moving on to the second round. I had no doubts. However, had I let you get that submission, there is no way in hell you would be sitting there "on top of the world" right now.

Jack's eyes shine with a proud brightness.

Jack Diamond: Instead, I stole it from you. Pinned you to the mat. Then, I stood there at ring side and watched all of the cylinders start firing behind those dead eyes again. I'm sure in real time it didn't take long, but watching it felt like an eternity as you FINALLY came alive. You looked like the old DT again. You did what needed to be done in that match to win and you carried that momentum to round two where you were able to beat Donzig. Thank. You. Jack.

Jack dusts his shoulders off confidently, silently mouthing the words "You're Welcome".

Jack Diamond: It's now two-time champ, DT versus two-time champ, Jack Diamond. It's a submission match... A match in your wheelhouse. The Death Trap against Aces Wild. Two Legends, with the winner likely going on to win it all. This match though, DT... isn't war. The theme of the event doesn't make it a battle.

Jack motions back out to the thousands of white headstones.

Jack Diamond: That is what happens in wars and battles. Our match... Under those bright lights, we both understand sacrifice, but it's my relentless pursuit of victory that will prove I'm willing to sacrifice everything to secure my place in history as the next three-time champion. I move on and the only thing that happens to you is that you try not to hit rock bottom this time. See you Sunday, Davie.

Jack gives a wink as the camera zooms out. Jack becomes just a speck among thousands of white specks. The shores of Omaha Beach come into view just as the camera fades to black.