Post by Jack Diamond on Apr 24, 2018 19:29:11 GMT -5
Tuesday, July 18th – 6:16AM
What is a champion to do after a tough loss? The prima-donnas of the world would complain and say they were really the victor and that they got screwed. In the wrestling business, they are plenty. Some are easily spotted with their flashy attire, head held to the heavens like they are the “be-all, end-all” in the sport. Others however, wear cheap shirts, line their pockets with the riches of others and claim to be words like icons, or prodigies. Not our champion though. Not the Ace of Spades, Jack Diamond. Last night’s Spectacle had many things that could easily leave a sour taste in his mouth, but unlike recent weeks where he let it get the best of him, Diamond went to the back, packed his gear and met Dakota Paige out back where they immediately drove to Louisiana. After little sleep, the perennial number one ranked wrestler in ICW arose early for his morning jog. The morning dew dampens the grass along the wooded trail that Diamond follows. The 64 degree morning here in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana is already sporting the type of humidity that makes you want to stay indoors and enjoy air conditioning. The cameras, while initially focusing on the green grass and tall trees along this dusty trail, finally focus in on Jack Diamond just as he comes to a split in the road.
Diamond stops, dripping sweat all over, and places his hands on his hips as he stares off to the path at the left, and then the right. He uncaps his water bottle and takes a big sip as visions of last night pop into his head: ICW Owner, Shawn Rossdale, getting involved in yet another of Diamonds matches; Diamond almost overcoming the odds once again; Missing the Diamond Splash; Feeling the jabbing knees of Bobby Barratt as he hits the Iconbreaker; Hearing the ref count the 1-2-3. Diamond, visibly shaken, notices the camera.
Diamond: Every major difficulty you face in life is a fork in the road. You choose which track you will head down, toward breakdown or breakthrough. There is no way of knowing what trials and tribulations will await you down one path, or what triumphs reward you down another path. I’ve faced quite a few of these decisions in my life. Where to go? What makes the most sense for me and those I hold near and dear to my heart? I’ve traveled my own path in life, making those decisions and never once looking back to regret a damn thing. Yet, here I stand once again, literally and metaphorically at a fork in the road. I stand atop the mountain of Icon Championship Wrestling. There are forces pulling me every which way good and evil. Some seem honest enough, others it’s hard to read between the lines. What’s obvious is that my problems are not going away soon. I have the dynamic duo in Rossdale and Barratt trying to make my life a living hell. Shawn is upset I didn’t bend a knee to him, Barratt is just upset he isn’t as good as I am. One fluke win over the Ace does not make you an icon any more than running around telling everyone you are one makes it true. I could have easily gone down that path, given in to Shawn, done all his dirty work for him. That’s not Jack Diamond though. I don’t “fall-in-line” for anyone but myself. No, that path of evil would never have worked.
Diamond motions to the path on his right and just shakes his head. He turns back to his left now, staring down that dirt road. He takes another swig of his water and smiles.
Diamond: Then there is the path of “good” or so people would have you believe. The Brett Stetsons of the world who claim to be upstanding competitors but deep in their eyes you see they’d just as soon take that fork in the road and stab you in the back with it. People like Lucas Rieter who aligns himself with chaotic monsters to combat the shortcomings of his former best friend. Again, it would be easy for me to follow that trail. Join this Fireborn Connection, take down Rossdale and his lackey, and finally have peace of mind… it’s tempting.
Diamond takes a step towards the path on the left, stops and looks back to the right. Then he side eyes the camera.
Diamond: Easy is not my style. I never have, nor will I ever, taken the easy path in life. I’ve worked for everything that I have ever achieved and that includes being on top of Icon Championship Wrestling as the undisputed World Champion. These other men may want a free pass, a quick handout of success, but I plan on earning every cheer I get from that crowd and every W that goes in that win column. I stand for hard work and dedication and doing the right thing no matter how hard that choice is. I respect Lucas for wanting to put an end to the shenanigans but I will not be a pawn for anyone. Our paths may cross and we may aim for the same results, but Jack Diamond will do it his way. Travelling the path I set for myself and never looking back with regret.
Diamond turns around and jogs back in the direction he came from. Through a winding trail, up and down the hilly Cajun forest until the road flattens to an area where cabins line both sides of the path.
Diamond trots up to one of the cabins in the Cajun Country Cottages and Bed and Breakfast, where he intends to spend the week leading up to Monday’s Spectacle. As he walks in, a voice calls out.
Dakota: Jack, is that you? You should come take a look at this.
Jack heads into the kitchen where Dakota Paige sits with her laptop out. Jack can’t see what she’s looking at initially.
Diamond: I know we are trying to get into the spirit of this Sleepaway Camp or Midsummer Night slasher film theme, but did we really need to stay in these shacks? I could have gotten us five-star accommodations anywhere.
Dakota: I think they are cute, kind of reminds me of back home in Oregon. There is a charm here that I think works great for our first trip together.
Diamond: If you say so, but so would king size beds and hot tubs.
Dakota: Oh hush, come over here and look at this. Monday’s show has been booked and true to his word, Rieter hasn’t put you in a World Title Match.
Diamond: Shocking. Maybe he really has had enough of Shawn and will try to do what is right. Who do I have? Stetson? Steele? Please tell me it’s Bobby again…
Dakota: None of the above. You are facing Mad Dog Smith.
Diamond: Mad Dog Smith? So instead of giving me the shot I never really lost at the Ironman title or the rematch I never got for my shooting star title, I get Mad Dog Smith?
Dakota: Yep, and Rieter says there will be no interference in this match.
Diamond: No interference huh? I guess we will see about that. Mad Dog? He was letting two dudes parade him around a bar the other night after trying to shove a fruity drink in my face. Now he goes one on one with the Ace? I guess he is looking for the rub from Jack Diamond…
Dakota: No one better be getting the rub from Jack Diamond unless it’s m-
Diamond: Easy now, I didn’t mean it like that. I have no beef with Mad Dog Smith. He is crazy as hell, like literally off in his head somewhere but he seems like a pretty decent competitor. He almost had Stetson beat for the ironman title, something I myself was close to doing, so I have to respect that.
Dakota: But?
Diamond: But… he is a one trick pony, in that all he can utilize is roll ups, small packages, and school boy pins. Sure he makes puns about them and it’s all funny-funny-ha-ha or he is actually serious but it doesn’t matter. He is stepping into the ring with the number one wrestler in ICW. The World Champion. The VIP of the Diamond Club!
Dakota: A little high on ourselves are we?
Diamond: Shouldn’t I be?
Dakota: Should you be? I mean, you lost last night when you lost your focus… those pinning maneuvers come out of nowhere Jack.
Diamond: So does a Stacked Deck. The fact is this, you put me in the ring with anyone and I will take them to the limit. Will someone get the best of me from time to time? Yes. Does that make them better than me? No. This Monday will be no different. Mad Dog can bring all the drama and theatrics he wants, all the styled hair and makeup, all the Zima and appletinis and leather clad men, but when the bell rings he is in my world. When the bell rings, the parties, the karaoke and teen beat magazines go out the window. Somehow the lights won’t shine as bright as they did on his mama’s TV screen. Not only will his job seem harder and days seem longer than he ever thought they’d be, but when it’s all said and done, I will stand over Mad Dog’s fallen body, arm raised high.
Dakota: Fair enough, and what about this Fireborn Connection stuff? Rieter is now running around with Duke and Chaos who have already had run-ins with Mad Dog. Do you think they are going to play a factor in this match?
Diamond: Well, he did say no interference. I would only hope that he includes his new hired muscle as well. I have said it before, and I will say it again… I do not need help in that squared circle. It was what I told Shawn when he offered and Lucas needs to understand the same thing. I have no qualms with Rieter. The moment he gets involved in my matches though, whether it be himself, Duke or Chaos, there will be problems. I know Mad Dog has pissed those guys off, hell he pissed me off the other night but I will handle him though, myself and in my own way. The Dog will be put down Monday like the bitch he truly is, by my hands and my hands only. I will focus on that first, then afterwards I’ll worry about Midsummer Night’s Massacre and what stipulations Bobby has chosen. For now, all this talk of Mad Dog has me feeling really dirty…I think I’m going to jump in the shower if this cabin has any water pressure at all…
Dakota: Oh goodness sake, this is a nice cabin!
Diamond: Whatever you say.
Diamond laughs a bit at the teasing as he walks by Dakota towards the bathroom of the cabin. He stops as he gets to the door and looks back at her.
Diamond: Why don’t you come show me the cabins charm…
Dakota looks back at him and actually blushes a bit. She laughs with him, closes her laptop and trots off after him. In the end there is plenty of uncertainty in the air surrounding our champ. Will Shawn and Bobby continue being problematic leading up to the Midsummer Night’s showdown? Will Jack align himself with Rieter and the Fireborn Connection to prevent Rossdale from just handing the world title over to Barratt? How does Mad Dog play into all of this? He seemed friendly to Jack at Wonderlust last week (almost too friendly) although he vaguely knew who he was. This week he finds out what the true champion is all about. As the shower can be heard turning on in the cabin, the scene comes to an end.
What is a champion to do after a tough loss? The prima-donnas of the world would complain and say they were really the victor and that they got screwed. In the wrestling business, they are plenty. Some are easily spotted with their flashy attire, head held to the heavens like they are the “be-all, end-all” in the sport. Others however, wear cheap shirts, line their pockets with the riches of others and claim to be words like icons, or prodigies. Not our champion though. Not the Ace of Spades, Jack Diamond. Last night’s Spectacle had many things that could easily leave a sour taste in his mouth, but unlike recent weeks where he let it get the best of him, Diamond went to the back, packed his gear and met Dakota Paige out back where they immediately drove to Louisiana. After little sleep, the perennial number one ranked wrestler in ICW arose early for his morning jog. The morning dew dampens the grass along the wooded trail that Diamond follows. The 64 degree morning here in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana is already sporting the type of humidity that makes you want to stay indoors and enjoy air conditioning. The cameras, while initially focusing on the green grass and tall trees along this dusty trail, finally focus in on Jack Diamond just as he comes to a split in the road.
Diamond stops, dripping sweat all over, and places his hands on his hips as he stares off to the path at the left, and then the right. He uncaps his water bottle and takes a big sip as visions of last night pop into his head: ICW Owner, Shawn Rossdale, getting involved in yet another of Diamonds matches; Diamond almost overcoming the odds once again; Missing the Diamond Splash; Feeling the jabbing knees of Bobby Barratt as he hits the Iconbreaker; Hearing the ref count the 1-2-3. Diamond, visibly shaken, notices the camera.
Diamond: Every major difficulty you face in life is a fork in the road. You choose which track you will head down, toward breakdown or breakthrough. There is no way of knowing what trials and tribulations will await you down one path, or what triumphs reward you down another path. I’ve faced quite a few of these decisions in my life. Where to go? What makes the most sense for me and those I hold near and dear to my heart? I’ve traveled my own path in life, making those decisions and never once looking back to regret a damn thing. Yet, here I stand once again, literally and metaphorically at a fork in the road. I stand atop the mountain of Icon Championship Wrestling. There are forces pulling me every which way good and evil. Some seem honest enough, others it’s hard to read between the lines. What’s obvious is that my problems are not going away soon. I have the dynamic duo in Rossdale and Barratt trying to make my life a living hell. Shawn is upset I didn’t bend a knee to him, Barratt is just upset he isn’t as good as I am. One fluke win over the Ace does not make you an icon any more than running around telling everyone you are one makes it true. I could have easily gone down that path, given in to Shawn, done all his dirty work for him. That’s not Jack Diamond though. I don’t “fall-in-line” for anyone but myself. No, that path of evil would never have worked.
Diamond motions to the path on his right and just shakes his head. He turns back to his left now, staring down that dirt road. He takes another swig of his water and smiles.
Diamond: Then there is the path of “good” or so people would have you believe. The Brett Stetsons of the world who claim to be upstanding competitors but deep in their eyes you see they’d just as soon take that fork in the road and stab you in the back with it. People like Lucas Rieter who aligns himself with chaotic monsters to combat the shortcomings of his former best friend. Again, it would be easy for me to follow that trail. Join this Fireborn Connection, take down Rossdale and his lackey, and finally have peace of mind… it’s tempting.
Diamond takes a step towards the path on the left, stops and looks back to the right. Then he side eyes the camera.
Diamond: Easy is not my style. I never have, nor will I ever, taken the easy path in life. I’ve worked for everything that I have ever achieved and that includes being on top of Icon Championship Wrestling as the undisputed World Champion. These other men may want a free pass, a quick handout of success, but I plan on earning every cheer I get from that crowd and every W that goes in that win column. I stand for hard work and dedication and doing the right thing no matter how hard that choice is. I respect Lucas for wanting to put an end to the shenanigans but I will not be a pawn for anyone. Our paths may cross and we may aim for the same results, but Jack Diamond will do it his way. Travelling the path I set for myself and never looking back with regret.
Diamond turns around and jogs back in the direction he came from. Through a winding trail, up and down the hilly Cajun forest until the road flattens to an area where cabins line both sides of the path.
Diamond trots up to one of the cabins in the Cajun Country Cottages and Bed and Breakfast, where he intends to spend the week leading up to Monday’s Spectacle. As he walks in, a voice calls out.
Dakota: Jack, is that you? You should come take a look at this.
Jack heads into the kitchen where Dakota Paige sits with her laptop out. Jack can’t see what she’s looking at initially.
Diamond: I know we are trying to get into the spirit of this Sleepaway Camp or Midsummer Night slasher film theme, but did we really need to stay in these shacks? I could have gotten us five-star accommodations anywhere.
Dakota: I think they are cute, kind of reminds me of back home in Oregon. There is a charm here that I think works great for our first trip together.
Diamond: If you say so, but so would king size beds and hot tubs.
Dakota: Oh hush, come over here and look at this. Monday’s show has been booked and true to his word, Rieter hasn’t put you in a World Title Match.
Diamond: Shocking. Maybe he really has had enough of Shawn and will try to do what is right. Who do I have? Stetson? Steele? Please tell me it’s Bobby again…
Dakota: None of the above. You are facing Mad Dog Smith.
Diamond: Mad Dog Smith? So instead of giving me the shot I never really lost at the Ironman title or the rematch I never got for my shooting star title, I get Mad Dog Smith?
Dakota: Yep, and Rieter says there will be no interference in this match.
Diamond: No interference huh? I guess we will see about that. Mad Dog? He was letting two dudes parade him around a bar the other night after trying to shove a fruity drink in my face. Now he goes one on one with the Ace? I guess he is looking for the rub from Jack Diamond…
Dakota: No one better be getting the rub from Jack Diamond unless it’s m-
Diamond: Easy now, I didn’t mean it like that. I have no beef with Mad Dog Smith. He is crazy as hell, like literally off in his head somewhere but he seems like a pretty decent competitor. He almost had Stetson beat for the ironman title, something I myself was close to doing, so I have to respect that.
Dakota: But?
Diamond: But… he is a one trick pony, in that all he can utilize is roll ups, small packages, and school boy pins. Sure he makes puns about them and it’s all funny-funny-ha-ha or he is actually serious but it doesn’t matter. He is stepping into the ring with the number one wrestler in ICW. The World Champion. The VIP of the Diamond Club!
Dakota: A little high on ourselves are we?
Diamond: Shouldn’t I be?
Dakota: Should you be? I mean, you lost last night when you lost your focus… those pinning maneuvers come out of nowhere Jack.
Diamond: So does a Stacked Deck. The fact is this, you put me in the ring with anyone and I will take them to the limit. Will someone get the best of me from time to time? Yes. Does that make them better than me? No. This Monday will be no different. Mad Dog can bring all the drama and theatrics he wants, all the styled hair and makeup, all the Zima and appletinis and leather clad men, but when the bell rings he is in my world. When the bell rings, the parties, the karaoke and teen beat magazines go out the window. Somehow the lights won’t shine as bright as they did on his mama’s TV screen. Not only will his job seem harder and days seem longer than he ever thought they’d be, but when it’s all said and done, I will stand over Mad Dog’s fallen body, arm raised high.
Dakota: Fair enough, and what about this Fireborn Connection stuff? Rieter is now running around with Duke and Chaos who have already had run-ins with Mad Dog. Do you think they are going to play a factor in this match?
Diamond: Well, he did say no interference. I would only hope that he includes his new hired muscle as well. I have said it before, and I will say it again… I do not need help in that squared circle. It was what I told Shawn when he offered and Lucas needs to understand the same thing. I have no qualms with Rieter. The moment he gets involved in my matches though, whether it be himself, Duke or Chaos, there will be problems. I know Mad Dog has pissed those guys off, hell he pissed me off the other night but I will handle him though, myself and in my own way. The Dog will be put down Monday like the bitch he truly is, by my hands and my hands only. I will focus on that first, then afterwards I’ll worry about Midsummer Night’s Massacre and what stipulations Bobby has chosen. For now, all this talk of Mad Dog has me feeling really dirty…I think I’m going to jump in the shower if this cabin has any water pressure at all…
Dakota: Oh goodness sake, this is a nice cabin!
Diamond: Whatever you say.
Diamond laughs a bit at the teasing as he walks by Dakota towards the bathroom of the cabin. He stops as he gets to the door and looks back at her.
Diamond: Why don’t you come show me the cabins charm…
Dakota looks back at him and actually blushes a bit. She laughs with him, closes her laptop and trots off after him. In the end there is plenty of uncertainty in the air surrounding our champ. Will Shawn and Bobby continue being problematic leading up to the Midsummer Night’s showdown? Will Jack align himself with Rieter and the Fireborn Connection to prevent Rossdale from just handing the world title over to Barratt? How does Mad Dog play into all of this? He seemed friendly to Jack at Wonderlust last week (almost too friendly) although he vaguely knew who he was. This week he finds out what the true champion is all about. As the shower can be heard turning on in the cabin, the scene comes to an end.