"Knowing others is wisdom, knowing
yourself is enlightenment."
Lao Tzu
It's a new dawn in the OWF as the company
is on it's last legs going into the new year. One man who
remains a constant ever since his debut is JC. Since his
arrival to the OWF he's put out many superstars, won the PDA
title twice and the Tears title twice. He is, in fact, the
longest reigning Tears champion in history, or at least one
of the longest. His last OWF match featured him destroying
Chase Johnson and finally ridding the OWF of him for good.
His last appearance saw him eliminate Ray Lopes and teach
Jesse Williams a lesson in respect. Now as he sits alone in
his study, he is contemplative. The camera is on record but
it's just JC thinking at the moment. He finally looks up
from his reflective stare and looks straight into his
camera, preparing yet another video of instruction for his
audience and opponents.
High Voltage was not that good of a
show. I mean you had a jobber battle royale and the weakest
main event in OWF history. Jesse Williams defending against
an unmotivated and untalented Ray Lopes. When I saw what an
abortion of a card was being provided post-CJ's departure I
had to do something. So I eliminated James Dunn, took his
spot and provided some entertaining commentary as I saw it.
You'd be amazed at how much truth comes across when the
announcers aren't having lines fed to them by the
powers-that-be. Whoever is in charge of these events since
CJ was stripped of his power, they're not doing a very good
job. Sure the OWF is on life support, but you could at least
provide something entertaining to the fans. Jesse Williams'
desperate pleas for attention and acknowledgement that he
still matters aren't going to cut it. Jesse Williams, I
interfered in your match for a plethora of reasons, but
let's get into the major one. You are the most undeserving
champion I've ever seen. Many of your defenses are tainted,
you nearly killed this company and I don't think anyone
really cares about you anymore. Maybe that's why you're
plying your "craft"...and I use that term very
loosely...over in NLW. All rats off the sinking ship? What
about the one that nibbled through the wires and caused it
to sink? If I have my way, Williams, and lately it's seeming
that everything is going my way, you will not hold that OWF
Championship through the end of this promotion and you are
going to go down with it. You may have succeeded in
destroying this company, but I'll be damned if I let you
ruin any more promotions with your spotmonkey offense and
"what about me" attitude. You never gave a damn about the
people you're supposed to entertain. Not like me. I've
always looked out for the fans best interest, the company's
best interest. Because I take pride in the place that I work
for, and strive to keep this business away from it's
carnival roots.
Secondly, I interfered to prove a point. You are a user and
a cheat. Are you telling me you had no idea that I tripped
up Ray Lopes? Do you expect me to believe that? Come on
Williams, you're smarter than that. You knew what I did and
took full advantage, just as I expected you to do. I have a
good read on people, and I haven't liked you since the day I
first set foot in this company. Even when I was a harmless
fan favorite, I knew there was something not quite right
about you. Honestly, I should have acted sooner. My
interference in this match had nothing to do with the World
title or my dislike of Ray Lopes. Honestly, if it was about
that I would have cost you the belt and beat Lopes for it
easily down the road. No this was to prove that point, which
I did. After that...
JC smiles evilly into the camera.
After that came the fun part. Trent and
DJ got to obliterate Ray Lopes and I took the unadulterated
pleasure of shoving that piece of metal on the World title
belt right into that arrogant face of yours. Just like the
night I pinned you before OWF collapsed, nothing makes me
happier than making you look foolish. You won't find anyone
else to help you anymore, Williams. There are no more Chase
Johnsons to fix things for you to have the upper hand and
get tainted victories over far more skilled professionals.
It's time for you to attempt to get by on your skill and
your wit...and you lack the necessary tools. You always
have, and you always will. Don't blame me for your problems,
it's not my fault you stupidly decided that professional
wrestling was the sport for you. But it will be my fault
when I remove you from the face of this industry just as I
have removed Johnson. It is my fault that you have reached a
time when things are no longer going to be handed to you.
That brings me to Bloodbath. The Rogues are an unstoppable
force and I seriously doubt Dude JoB is going to turn
against us in order to hold one of the tag belts. If
anything he'll throw his own "partner" over the side in
order to better help us win the match. Maybe I'm wrong.
Maybe he favors titles over the dominant group we have
going. But I doubt it. He's a smart man. He knows where the
advantages are. He also doesn't like you, Jesse Williams.
And let's take a look at who's in the match...why you are!
Yes, your first attempt at vengeance is all set up on a
silver platter for you. But this time you're going to have
to earn it. Unlike you, I know who my partner is going to
be. I have an ally, perhaps even a friend. We have become a
unit and defending these belts is the #1 priority. Hurting
people just happens to be part of the job. A fun part, but I
digress. Even if I am thrown out, or Trent is thrown
out...The Rogues, in some form are going to win this thing.
Last year when I attempted to wrestle in this "Pool of
Blood" match, I had a untalented partner and she managed to
cost me my title. You may remember her, fans, Moxie Roxie.
We all saw what happened after that. The poor girl hasn't
been seen since in a wrestling ring. This time I have a
worthy partner and that's the edge we have over everyone
else. We've teamed together before, we're the champions and
we're a cohesive assemblage of skill and talent. Not only
that, but we have an ally already in the match. If you need
another advantage in our favor...neither Trent nor I will be
wrestling previously in the night. That means that we'll be
fresh while more than half of our opponents will have
already competed in the night. It doesn't matter what
combination of people team up to challenge us. Even the
fabled team of Angel and Jesse Williams will not be able to
withstand the might of The Rogues. I don't care what either
of you say. You're not in our league. Williams, you of all
people should know what happens when you cross paths with
The Rogues. People get hurt. Should you even make it to the
elimination period of the match...and I have no doubt you'll
find a way to use someone else to get in...I plan on booting
you out just as quickly. But maybe, just maybe I'll let you
survive for five more minutes. It would be a bigger delight
to see you fall from fifteen feet instead of ten.
Besides Williams, who I've discussed ad nauseum, it seems,
who do we have? The "WOW" Champion, whoever that ends up
being. I don't know if that match is even going to happen.
Has anyone entered it? This is the only participant that is
a mystery and I think whoever it is I've got it covered.
Jeffy Pryce, the son of Chase Johnson. They say the apple
doesn't fall far from the tree. If you're really the son of
Chase Johnson, I have absolutely nothing to worry about.
Drake Munday...my former protege. Drake Munday has never
defeated any one of the Rogues. That streak will remain
unbroken. There is also Raven Talon, the current PDA
champion. Talon you may desire brawling and hardcore matches
which is why you went after that belt for so long, but this
is wrestling. You're way out of your element. Finally, EJ
Slayer and Angel. I have no doubt that these two will tear
each other apart in their match. They may not even make it
into this match. If there's one thing I can say about
Slayer, it's that he's aggressive. As far as Angel goes,
I've watched tapes. He's a former OWF Champion, and that
match is sure to be hard-hitting. So as talented as the two
of them are, they are going to be running on at least half
by the time the main event occurs, if not empty. I take no
pride in not being able to face either man at full capacity,
but I am there to retain my title and I will do that.
It's a new day for the OWF as we enter 2010. Will the
company survive another year? Probably not. There is a
reason these shows are called the "Farewell Tour". You know
who you have to blame. As much as I've tried to save this
organization I'm only one man and eventually it will fall.
But before it does, I'm going to show the fans what a real
wrestler is capable of. The Rogues, all three of us, are
going to remain the most dominate stable in this business
and Trent and myself will remain the tag team champions.
These are facts.
JC reaches forward and turns off the video
camera, then sits back in his seat and resumes his thinking.
Women still like bears, right?
It's a question he didn't think he'd be
asking that day and the cashier seems stunned that anyone is
actually in the shop. He looks over at the bear in JC's
hands.
I guess so. My girlfriend is more of a
cat person. But if you're looking for a small Christmas
gift, yours probably won't mind that.
Well she's not really my girlfriend,
we...well I wouldn't know what to call her right now.
Yeah relationships are tricky.
Especially in that stage where you haven't set up any ground
rules yet.
We haven't even defined what we are yet.
Sounds rough.
Not for me. I'd just as soon as cut all
ties and go back to being alone. I'm very solitary. But
things happen and now we're in a weird place. She also works
for me, you see.
That doesn't sound good at all, man.
I've heard that stuff ends badly.
Yeah it's a..um..long story. Anyway, I
think I'll just take this.
He places the Christmas Bear and then a
pack of gum on the counter. The cashier rings up the total.
That'll be 5.24.
That's a specific amount.
He takes out his wallet and throws a ten
up on the counter.
Keep the change.
Thanks man, and a Merry Christmas!
Maybe it's the Christmas season, but JC
feels like a unwanted conversation with the hired help isn't
that big of a concern. Maybe he's too focused on his career
to care. And yet, he looks at the bear. When's the last time
he bought someone other than his family a gift? He's not
even spending Christmas with his family. Self-reflection and
being nice are hazards that JC cannot afford right now.
You're getting soft in your middle-age.
He sits down on a bench near the gate and
stares at the bear, turning it over in his hands. It's
really a dinky little thing, about six inches long, brown
fur and a red and white Christmas hat with a mistletoe
stitched onto it. Really, really tacky. And yet, he feels as
though she'll love it. But what does he care? She's just his
manager. Whatever this new thing is, it'll pass. Why does it
matter if he buys her a gift or not? He was married once, it
didn't work out. Yet here he is, staring at a five-dollar
bear from a Christmas shop, wondering the best way to
surprise her with it.
What's the bear for?
Too late.
You're early.
I can't tell if you're excited or angry
about that. What's the bear for?
He notices her grinning as she says this.
She's already figured out what it's for, and will no doubt
mock him for resorting to buying knick-knacks for may be or
may not be girlfriends.
It's just that I expect things to happen
on time.
She stares at him, the grin still on her
face. JC thinks to himself how he'd rather be in a bloody
fight with Trent Steel right now than deal with this
relationship business.
What?
What. Is. The Bear. For?
He starts to hand it over to her, almost
dropping it but holding on. She accepts it and giggles a
little. He's not as irritated by that as he would have
before. Maybe it's just a combination of the Christmas
season and having someone in his life that he's not kicking
in the face or helping to kick other people in the face.
For you.
You shouldn't have.
She leans forward and kisses him on the
cheek. JC feels uneasy with PDAs so he just gives a slight
nod and picks up his bag. She picks up her own.
So does this make this official?
I have no idea.
We really should talk about that.
We really should. For now think of it as
your Christmas bonus.
He looks over at her, and notices that she
is staring at the bear and grinning. Really? Why? It's just
a tacky gift shop Christmas gift.
Aww, do I have to be your manager now? I
had other ideas.
She looks up at him now, grinning. For
some reason she's been doing this nonstop. He really wishes
he understood women as much as he understood wrestling.
No we don't have to do the match thing
now. I've pretty much got it covered. The Rogues are going
to retain, as we always do.
Good. Then let's go get a hotel before
the show.
She grabs his arm, whether he wants her to
or not and they leave the airport. But then that's been the
story with those two...she stands up to him and calls him
out on things even when he's at his most irritable. Most
people say they're unafraid, but she really isn't. Time will
tell if that's good or bad for JC.
It is several hours before and JC has
arrived in Asheville, North Carolina. He and his
manager/girlfriend had to get on different flights. As he's
in a patient mood, he is content to sit and wait for her in
the Asheville Regional Airport. He walks around the
terminal, checking the list of when flights are due to
arrive. It seems he has twenty minutes. He comes across the
gift shop and goes in. It has just about everything you'd
expect a gift shop to have: magazines, newspapers, snacks,
tacky gifts and lots of memorabilia about North Carolina and
what a great place to live it is. He frowns at it and comes
across a small bear with a Christmas hat.