Foes Ushering Corporate Killshot; Makes Our Network Get Over
Mar 3, 2024 22:18:11 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer, Spike Kane, and 4 more like this
Post by Jack Diamond on Mar 3, 2024 22:18:11 GMT -5
Thursday, February 29th, 2024
Gamblers Den
Las Vegas, Nevada
Aleister Mayfield: OH MY GOD! ANOTHER MOONSAULT DDT! And-no… ducked… kick… Caught! SIT OUT POWERBOMB!! ONE! TWO! THREE HE GOT HIM!!!
The Gambler's Den goes wild as the referee makes the three-count.
Aleister Mayfield: Here is your winner by pinfall, AND THE NEW SCCW HIGH ROLLERS CHAMPION, AUSTIN KADE!!!
In a suite, Jack Diamond is jumping up and down. A proud father, watching his son win his first championship. As his phone begins to ring, he answers it, slightly out of breath. His smile only gets bigger though as he hears Bobby on the other end.
Jack Diamond: I told you! Look, I'm not saying Jay hasn't done amazing things… but Austin is the future! Oh… C'mon buddy, no need to be upset!
Jack looks down at his phone, making sure they are still connected.
Jack Diamond: Hey look, no matter what happens in the main event tonight, we should celebrate the first chance you get back to Vegas. Jay should come too, those two kids put on a clinic tonight and I'm proud of them both!
He nods at the conversation, never taking his eyes off the ring where his boy is celebrating. As Austin climbs the turnbuckle and points towards the suite, Jack cheers and points back.
Jack Diamond: Alright Bobby, I'll catch you later. Take care buddy!
As Jack puts his phone away, he finally notices the XHF Camera Crew that has entered the door to the suite. Jack looks back to ringside where Austin is making his way up the ramp.
Jack Diamond: I knew it was only a matter of time before you found me. I'm not going to lie; this has been my home away from home lately…
Jack points over his shoulder.
Jack Diamond: I couldn't be any prouder. That kid has endured more than any human should ever have to, yet he has triumphed tonight and won his first championship. Hell, he even has a chance to win his second one later tonight and join the ranks of the all time greats as he competes for the X*Crown!
The look of elation on Jack's face slowly fades as he squints his eyes at the intruding camera.
Jack Diamond: I know why you're here. I know who sent you. You'd like to know why I haven't been around lately. You want to know why my last match was all the way back in December at Tapout Nineteen; a match that I lost to Hunter Storms right here in the Gamblers Den.
He paces a little, looking over his shoulder at the crowd as they are stirring for the next match.
Jack Diamond: You want to know why I haven't shown my face around here even with the memorial show coming up. You want to know… do I think I can win? Can Rat Bastard and I get along enough to put the other three away? Hell, for that matter, do I think that Hyperion and I can get along. There is a long history with both of my quote-unquote Partners.
He pauses, contemplating the history between he and Rat; and between he and Hyperion as he subconsciously lifts his foot slightly to stretch his ankle.
Jack Diamond: Let me go back a minute… the Why. Why did Jack Diamond agree to a match during this memorial show? It's quite simple.
Jack chokes back his emotions but the puffiness of his eyes is telling.
Jack Diamond: Steve Awesome and I always respected the hell out of each other. Some of the greatest times I've had in this ring, and an octagon for that matter, were against Steve. Watching some of the shenanigans inside the GFC House during our time there was… nothing if not hilarious. I think it's well documented that the two of us were in this race to be the next person to become a three-time X*Crown winner.
Jack has to pause again, his voice breaking. He sniffles and clears his throat.
Jack Diamond: Well, he won't be able to do that now, and that really fucking sucks.
Another pause.
Jack Diamond: And whether I ever do it before my time is up, who knows. What I do know is I want to honor Steve on this show. What better way to pay my respects than to join forces with the other half of the Awesome Bastards, despite our differences. And you know what? Why not? Rat and I may have absolutely tried to destroy each other but it's only because we are two Alphas trying to prove we can dominate a business that is too often said to belong to the "young guys".
Jack shakes his head in disgust of the all too familiar sentiment.
Jack Diamond: As for the intrusion you are so kindly bestowing on me tonight… let's talk about the big boss. He is, I presume, the reason you are here. Mongo mandates that we all make ourselves available when there is a global show. There was a brief moment that I thought he'd relax that bylaw for a memorial show… but as we've all come to expect… Mongo's gonna Mongo.
He sneers into the camera as the slightest curl of a grin forms in the corner of his mouth.
Jack Diamond: It's a damn good thing that Rat, Hype, and I have embodied the "Fuck Mongo" spirit as much as anyone and it's time we reprise that team one more time to honor a fallen brother in the squared circle that so many of us dedicate our lives to. A brother that will be sorely missed.
Jack is pacing again, the crowd noise behind him only fuels his adrenaline more. At this moment, it doesn't matter which match they are cheering for below. The cheers are for Jack, in his mind.
Jack Diamond: But then Mongo… knowing damn well the emotions we've all been through… sends you in here. You came in here, with total disregard for the great mood I was in for my son's big night, and shit all over it. Why? Because Mongo said do it? Because "Network First, Family Second?" Because Mongo thinks people will forget who Jack Diamond is if I'm not letting you guys film every second of every day?
He stops pacing and turns to the camera.
Jack Diamond: Is that it? People are forgetting who I am? Well, it's time for everyone to remember. Have I been on a bit of a break? Yes. When I closed up shop on the promotion over at the Training Facility, I decided to take time to enjoy the holidays with the family. Dakota, Ace, Austin, hell, me… we've been through a lot and it allowed me to ground myself and do what I needed to do mentally to make sure I… and my family… were in a good spot. It's worked wonders if you haven't noticed.
Jack motions out the window of the suite down to the ring, where although Austin is no longer there, the sentiment is.
Jack Diamond: Austin is having an unbelievable start to his career in SCCW, Dakota and I are doing the best we've done in a long time. Her speech therapy is coming along nicely and we are focusing on strengthening our bond. Ace… he's wide open these days. Three years old and hell bent on trying everything he sees his dad and big brother do. And his night terrors have seemingly dissipated. The resiliency of a child is a special, special thing.
The wonder and brightness in Jack's eyes begin to dull as he coldly glances back into the lens.
Jack Diamond: But I remember who I am. They remember who I am. I bet if you asked Rat, he knows who I am. Poena and the rest of the TapOut roster remember who I am. And…
Jack gets a little twitch in his eye.
Jack Diamond: I'm sure DT and Mistress Discipline remember who I am. Because … I certainly remember the last time we were all together in October.
He rubs the side of his jaw, the bitter taste still there after all these months.
Jack Diamond: It's funny. Deathtrap is yet another two-time Crown winner, yet he never seemed like a big threat as far as beating me to a third reign like Rat and Steve did. And I was right, because he had to get his b-, he had to get Mistress Discipline to help him beat me in the End of Days tournament. Then, he STILL couldn't finish the job once I was out of the equation. Not very "Top of The Class" if you ask me.
Jack looks over his shoulder at the match that is going on.
Jack Diamond: I won't let the cheap shots get me this time. I will not let ghosts from the past, who are magically resurrected, throw me off my gameplan. I will not let this chance, to pay my respects to the best B-lister this world has ever seen, slip through my fingers. And I damn sure will not let Mongo bully me into increasing viewership here at the Network.
The crowd explodes as another match inside the Gamblers Den concludes.
Jack Diamond: So, if you will excuse me, I'm going to get back to my night of watching the talent in SCCW and hopefully cheer my boy on to his second title of the night as he looks to become an X*Crown champion like his old man... Then who knows, I may take Rat up on his offer and finally allow him to show me how to truly party in Vegas.
Jack smiles.
Jack Diamond: After that, I'll hit my gym tomorrow and make sure that when the Tenth of March rolls around, I'm ready to step into that ring against Fox, DT and Mistress Discipline and do what I always do best, put another tally in the loss column of my opponents Permanent Record.
Jack winks at the camera and motions for them to leave. As the camera pans backs out of the suite, Jack turns to take his seat as the scene fades to black.
