Post by Anthony Jordan on Dec 20, 2023 13:35:15 GMT -5
INT. CHEZ JORDAN IN MISSISSIPPI
The once and future “Role Model” looks sharp in his maroon smoking jacket over his dress shirt and slacks. Always a good host, Jordan pours a drink for Katie Moss who sits in one of his chairs situated around the small table. Jordan retires to his chair while enjoying a glass of water.
MOSS
Nothing for you?
JORDAN
I never touch alcohol. I keep it around for guests. It is nice to be able to share it, so I do hope you enjoy it.
MOSS
(takes a sip)
It’s great! It’s like what Wesley Crane tends to have.
JORDAN
I imagine we both acquired it from the same source.
(beat)
So?
MOSS
Such an elegant transition.
Both chuckle at that.
MOSS
The reason I’m here is because of the big news: you’re back!
JORDAN
(mock celebrates) I am!
MOSS
You were to be the referee for Spike Kane against El Karas, but, due to Spike’s assault against El Karas, have been pressed into action. While I’m sure WUK is happy you stepped in to make sure there is an Iron Man match, are you ready to compete?
JORDAN
I am in an ever ready state of “prepared”! I roll out of bed and am ready to wrestle. No one needs to worry about me.
MOSS
I ask for multiple reasons. One, it’s been a while since you last wrestled, almost four years to be specific. Before that match, you last regularly wrestled back in 2011. As they say, “practice isn’t the same as the real deal”. Being “ready” isn’t the same as regularly competing.
JORDAN
I understand what you are saying, and there is some truth to it. For most wrestlers, they need some degree of regular competition to get better and stay used to hitting the ring canvas…most wrestlers. What sets me apart from most wrestlers is my mental approach. Even if I were rusty, I can diagnose what my opponent is doing. I can counter or evade and do what I need to do. I have no plans of being thrown around the ring. I have no plans of being slammed. I am too smart to let any of that happen.
MOSS
Two, you aren’t at your peak. Based on my information, you’re 20 pounds lighter than when you were regularly wrestling. That’s a lot of muscle that could either protect you or make you more effective in the ring.
JORDAN
I like to think of it as “slim and trim”. What I may be down in strength, I regain in speed. That will suit me better for an Iron Man match. I can evade Spike for most of the match and tire him out!
MOSS
But no one gets faster after 25. And you, well, you’re well past 25.
JORDAN
I will neither confirm nor deny that. Besides, those are just numbers.
MOSS
Numbers that sports science have said are important. The body slows down and can’t recover as you get older.
JORDAN
Again, most wrestlers fall into this category. There are always exceptions, and you are looking at the exception! I have been the exception for my whole life, and I have no plans of stopping in 2024! People keep saying that I need to watch out for Spike, but I think Spike needs to watch out for me! I never “retired”; I hit “Pause”. I am just going to hit “Play”, and it will be the good old days again!
MOSS
No one denies that you were great, but there are plenty of reasons to doubt that you are still great. Spike Kane isn’t some rookie you could use your veteran guile to beat. He’s a 16-time World Champion who’s still going strong. He never hit “Pause”. He might be slightly older, but he’s proven that he’s still got it.
JORDAN
If a man of such despicable nature can age well, then I have to be aging like the finest French wine! Can you even call Spike Kane a “wrestler”? The man rarely uses holds. He has no technical prowess. He fights smaller guys to look tough and cheap shots bigger guys. Spike Kane is a talentless hack who is clever enough to put himself in position to look like a threat. He is the chicken hawk of professional wrestling.
MOSS
Are you underestimating Spike Kane? He is the man who put Kalmin Watts on the shelf.
JORDAN
He is the man who attacked Kalmin Watts from behind! I would have loved for him to try that in a match or even just walk up to Kalmin and throw a punch, but we were never going to see that! Do you know why, Katie? It is because Spike Kane is the typical bully. He makes sure to have the optics of being “hardcore”. There is always blood and broken bodies, so opponents start to get scared of Spike Kane. Like all bullies, he plays mind games. But, Spike, what happens when your opponent is brave? You get punched square in the nose, crumple to the ground, and beg for mercy! Well, Spike, there will not be any mercy at New Year’s Brawl because you got me for one hour! One hour in which you will be paid back for your cheap shot on Kalmin Watts!
MOSS
And how exactly will you do that?
JORDAN
(gives his goofy grin)
Tune in and find out!
MOSS
Well, there you have it! Has time stood still for Anthony Jordan? Can he get revenge on Spike Kane? We’ll see at New Year’s Brawl.
Katie motions for the cameraman to kill the camera. She takes off her microphone from her blouse and hands it to the production staff. Jordan allows the staff to remove the microphone from his smoking jacket. Katie leans over the table.
MOSS
Good luck!
JORDAN
No need!
The WUK production team quickly gather their materials and leave. Jordan stands up and stretches as his assistant, Scorpion, enters the room.
SCORPION
They’re done? That fast.
JORDAN
They wanted to sell more tickets and get more buys, so I gave them what they wanted. It will fit in a nice window on WUK TV. It can also play on the light banter shows that WUK will send footage. I have done these a thousand times.
SCORPION
So you are really worried about Spike Kane?
JORDAN
No, I meant that. Spike Kane…who is Spike Kane?
SCORPION
Is that rhetorical…
JORDAN
(cuts off Scorpion)
Spike Kane is a pathetic coward! He must be in his 40s. Grow the heck up! Hardcore wrestling was played out in the 90s. He is an old man trying to be some outlaw darling. He is an embarrassment. The fact that someone like that could take out Kalmin Watts makes me sick! You better believe that I am going to make him pay at New Year’s Brawl!
SCORPION
So lots of blood, broken bones, and gore?
JORDAN
(disgusted) No! I am not going to have a Spike Kane tribute match! I am going to humiliate him. I am going to wear him out. I am going to expose him as the fraud he is. Once he is exhausted at the 15-minute mark, I am going to showboat and mock him for the next 45! Spike will be mocked and insulted and will not be able to do anything about it!
SCORPION
You think that will work?
JORDAN
It will work. Spike speaks violence. He understands violence. If I change to speak his language, then he wins. I am going to force him to wrestle, and I have already won! Spike will never be able to be violent or dominant. He will, for the first time, be truly helpless. That is how I will beat Spike Kane.
SCORPION
Is that a realistic goal?
JORDAN
What do you mean by that?
SCORPION
Spike Kane isn’t some tomato can. I know you hate him, but that doesn’t mean he’s a hack. He’s dangerous and not one to be dismissed.
JORDAN
Pish! I have wrestled Spike Kanes in the past, and I beat them effortlessly! The newest Spike Kane is still a Spike Kane. He is a dwarf clad in a 10-foot cape of fear. Once he realizes that fear does not work, he is just a little man. There is nothing more complex than that. There is nothing below the surface.
SCORPION
Are you going to increase your training?
JORDAN
Hardly. Maybe I could push myself and gain back 20 pounds of muscle, but would I really need it? Also, I would have to send my clothes to the tailor to let them out a little. Sounds like a hassle, and Spike Kane is not worth a hassle.
SCORPION
He didn’t knock Kalmin out to win a match. He knocked Kalmin out! He might have ended Donzig’s career. You can’t be this cavalier!
JORDAN
Yes, I can! He attacked Kalmin from behind. Lincoln was shot from behind! He would have mauled Booth in a fair fight! As for Donzig, he is self-destructive. Spike can never destroy Donzig. No one can. Only Donzig can destroy Donzig. Maybe he chose to do it in their match. If so, I will win the Iron Man match for him, too!
SCORPION
Is this delusion or what?
JORDAN
I believe in myself! I have always believed in myself! It has gotten me the USCW, USHW, USCW undisputed, BWA, CWA, and AWA, thrice, by the way, World Heavyweight Titles! I have won the World Heavyweight Title in every company I joined. I managed Kalmin Watts to the World Heavyweight Title in every company he joined! Heck, once I demolish Spike Kane, I might have to take the WUK World Heavyweight Title just to keep the streak alive!
SCORPION
Without increasing your workouts or protein intake? Without sparring or any other preparation?
JORDAN
Greatness never disappears.
SCORPION
But it can fade.
Jordan scoffs and walks away leaving Scorpion to shake his head.