Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2015 17:22:13 GMT -6
Right after Ignite 201:
“So let me get this straight. You won the World Title, congrats on that by the way, and now you’re standing in my offense demanding that I shell out money to make a new World Title belt? Just because the rest of this city is kissing the ass of Irish people this weekend doesn’t mean I will be. You better have a damn good business reason for this request and I swear to God if I hear you mention this New Guard shit in said reason, I’ll fire you on the spot, World Champ or no.”
Nathan stood in the office of Jesse Styles, Both men had their arms across their chests. In a duffle bag, wrapped in plastic, is the New Edge Wrestling World Title. Nathan’s face shows a hint of anger at the very slight shot at the Irish but he recovers and is silent for a moment before finally speaking. “Look.. You and I both want the same thing. For that belt down there to mean something again. Now, I aim to do what I can to help fix that in and out of the ring. I know what I need to do, but we have a serious problem. I know it’s common parlance to refer to someone pissin’ on the title as a metaphor for disrespectin’ it, or failing in their job or whatnot. But well you, me, the fans.. everyone saw what Blair did to the belt. Now, do you honestly think we can just clean all that shite off with a little polish and a wash? Jesse.. I truly believe that this physical belt is damaged beyond repair. Give me somethin’ new and I’ll rebuild the damn division. I did it with the Youngblood Title. I can do it here too.”
Jesse thought for a few moments. “I see what you’re saying, but I could say rebuild the title. Valora wouldn’t be here demanding a new belt, neither would Roger Wright, Hunter Valentyne, or Al Envy. Why do you need a new one?”
Nathan smirks. “Most of them wouldn’t do their damn jobs out of the ring either. Valora was gonna be a fightin’ champion? What she do out of the ring to help that belt? Nothin’. What did Hunter do with it? Nothin. Al… I’ll give him credit, he did do work to help it, he has done an amazing job with the TA Title. I can give respect where it’s due. Me? I’m marchin’ in both the St. Patrick’s Day Parade through Downtown Chicago. The big 3 hour one that ABC 7 is covering live for the first time ever on TV. I spoke with the Chicago Irish American Heritage Foundation, they’re prepared to let me march and give New Edge Wrestling a spot there, I can show off the belt, we’ll have some people carry a small banner and you get free advertisin’ Sunday, I’m on the South Side in their St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Again, more free publicity and after both events, I’ll be posing for pictures and doing autograph signings. Now, with all that nice free press and exposure, do you really want to put that belt on display, or unveil a new belt?”
Jesse sits there, mulling the proposal over and Nathan reaches into his pocket and removes a piece of paper, unfolding it and laying it out on the desk for Jesse to look at. “That is sort of what I was thinkin’. As you can see, it ain’t some damn personalized belt or anything like that. This isn’t ego, Jesse, this is me wantin’ to help New Edge.”
Jesse looks at the picture and nods. “The belt comes out of your paycheck. Basically, you pay for the belt, I’ll endorse it and make it the new NEW World Title belt.” Nathan smirks and laughs a bit. “That’s a win for you, but not for me since I dunnae get to keep the belt.. where’s the win for me?”
Jesse shrugs. “You convinced me to change belts like you wanted and your investment shows me you mean business about wanting what’s best for New Edge and this not being about ego. That’s your fuckin’ win.”
Nathan nods, picking up the duffel bag. “Lemme know when the belt is ready then. I got trainin’ to do and in the meantime, I gotta try and figure out how to remove the the vile essence of NEW’s Whore of Babylon from this belt.” Jesse smirks. “Good luck with that, any plans?” Nathan shrugs. “Well, I thought first of exorcism, but that’s for demons, not whores. I was then thinkin’ lye but that would destroy the belt. I believe I might have to go old church on and just purify the damn thing by fire.. I’ll figure out somethin’ and dunnae worry, I’ll make sure I have something planned for my opponent.. who am I fightin’ anyways?”
Jesse smiles. “Valora. I didn’t take too kindly to you deciding not to bury your fist into her heart. Besides, it’s only a matter of time before she starts demanding a shot against you anyways so and you two in a main event? Money for me. It’s a one on one Match, Nathan so.. you’re gonna have to beat her.. good luck with that cause you know what that belt you have means to her.”
Nathan nods. “Should tell her to be careful. I could have ended her career tonight. You’re welcome by the way. By choosing not to end her career, I saved you some money. A lot of money, actually.” He said before heading out of the office. Making it to his way to the locker room where he gathered up his gear and met up with Tera, both of them heading out. Tera glancing at him. “Well?” Nathan nods. “I’m paying for the new belt, but it’ll be made.” Tera nodded and the two left, making their way back to their hotel room…
Standing in his hotel room, Nathan took a drink from his pint of Guinness and looked at looked at Tera as he thought for a moment. Glancing at the belt, he let out a sigh. Things were in dire straights. He was the World Champion. He had claimed the belt in a match where few people, if any, had given him a chance to win. This should be the high point of his career. He should be on top of the world right now and yet…
What was there to be happy about? The World Title was a mess, figuratively and, thanks to Blair, literally. It’s prestige and credibility were severely damaged. As Nathan had mentioned in Jesse’s office, Pretty much every recent champion had failed to prove worthy of the title. Matt Slater? He had had some moments, had tried to bring credibility to the belt. He might have to, if he hadn’t lost the belt so soon. Valora, thanks to a truly superhuman effort in front of her own people in Cancun, Mexico had wrested the title from Slater’s hands. She vowed to restore the belt. To bring credibility back. To continue the work Slater had started. She vowed to be a fighting Champion, to defend the belt every time she stepped into the ring. One week later, she lost the belt to Bobby Backdoor. Since then the belt had been passed around from one person to another, some worth, most not so. Tristan Ambrose had been a worthless champion and led to the same thing. Roger Wright. A fine fighter, and a legend, but the same old crowd. The same old small group of people that have fought each other five hundred million times. That created the situation for Blair to grab the title which led, inexorably, to the current state of the World Title. A belt that was so damaged that a new belt was needed as a symbol so that the long path to rebuilding the belt. The prestige and the Credibility. But Nathan had done it before.
He had played soccer. He had played for the Shamrock Rovers in Ireland and, while they were one of the best teams in Irish football history, Irish football was not considered much in the World. It was much like what Nathan did with the Youngblood title. The Youngblood title was the amatuer title. The rookie division. Much how Irish football was viewed. Lower tier division where rookie footballers went to play and the best among them would get picked for the more prestigious leagues. Nathan could have left the Irish football league but chose not to. He made the same choice with the Youngblood division. He saw firsthand the potential of the rookies, the new talent coming in. He saw a number of future stars.
Now, Nathan had completed a comeback. Played in the British Premier League, one of the best Leagues in football. He could have played for the top teams, but he had sided with the Swansea Swans. The team that needed help building up status and prestige. He had helped them prove they truly belonged in the BPL. Much like he was now. World Champion and had to prove that he was of the same caliber as a Valora, a Al Envy, a Roger Wright. He had to build prestige and credibility for the title. Make it mean something. Elevate it once more to the top belt in the company. Nathan knew how to do it. He had a plan.
Part of that plan was already unfolding. Young talent was coming into New Edge and showing what they could do. Showing their potential. Showing that they were threats and already the people who thought themselves to be Immortals were circling the wagons. But Valora would be reminded once more that as much as she thought differently, she was not immortal. He saw the look in her eyes when he chose to spare her. So much had been learned about her in that moment when his fist stopped mere inches from her heart and his eyes locked on hers. Beneath the anger, the rage, the indignation at his perceived pity. Beneath it all was the real problem. There was no relief at having dodged the bullet, It seemed more akin to disappointment. Like she wanted to have her career or life ended.
Now of course, she would be twice as angry and enraged, At her failure to capture the Tag Team Titles, at her failure to complete her mission of self-destruction once more as despite the punishment she took, she was still going. The fact that this match would be non-title.. Valora would be out for blood and Nathan, well Nathan would have to find a way to deal with it.
“Nate…. you sure you wanna do this? This New Guard thing? Declarin’ war on on the elite of New Edge? I mean, you’re close to being among them yourself.”
Nathan listened to Tera’s voice. God there were times where she didn’t just look like Amy, but sounded like her too. It made it so hard to keep to his vows at times. A lesser man might have given in, after all, hide it as she might, it was obvious at times that Tera had feelings for him and he wondered if she truly felt something for him, or it was his imagination, some deep buried selfish notion that perhaps he could find someone that could make him feel the way his dead wife once had. Nathan slowly nodded. “They’re getting arrogant, Tera. This is what’s best for New Edge. we cannae have the same 5 or 6 bloody people fightin’ each other all the time. I’ve been around for years and have been kept away from big title shots while others seemingly get them on demand after selling their souls, or cutting deals or goading someone into fighting them. Take a look at people like Sasha Foote. Been awhile since I’ve seen as promising an American boxer as her. She had a hell of a career in the ring and while adjustments have to be made from boxing to wrestling, she’s got the skills, I think. Kaupena Yoon, The young lad from Hawaii, definite potential. Vastrix could make a go of it, Matt Haven, There are a number of potential stars out there now. Just waiting for their chance. I wanna make sure they get their chance. If Envy, Valora, and the others truly are the best, than they have nothing to fear from competition. I’m up for anyone comin’ for me because competition makes you better..”
Taking another drink from his Guinness, Nathan glanced at the clock and nodded, before draining the rest of it and standing up. “Time to shower up a bit and get ready for bed. Trainin’ starts tomorrow and I gotta start preparin’ for Valora and rebuilding the World Title. I will give New Edge a Champion they can be proud of…”
“So let me get this straight. You won the World Title, congrats on that by the way, and now you’re standing in my offense demanding that I shell out money to make a new World Title belt? Just because the rest of this city is kissing the ass of Irish people this weekend doesn’t mean I will be. You better have a damn good business reason for this request and I swear to God if I hear you mention this New Guard shit in said reason, I’ll fire you on the spot, World Champ or no.”
Nathan stood in the office of Jesse Styles, Both men had their arms across their chests. In a duffle bag, wrapped in plastic, is the New Edge Wrestling World Title. Nathan’s face shows a hint of anger at the very slight shot at the Irish but he recovers and is silent for a moment before finally speaking. “Look.. You and I both want the same thing. For that belt down there to mean something again. Now, I aim to do what I can to help fix that in and out of the ring. I know what I need to do, but we have a serious problem. I know it’s common parlance to refer to someone pissin’ on the title as a metaphor for disrespectin’ it, or failing in their job or whatnot. But well you, me, the fans.. everyone saw what Blair did to the belt. Now, do you honestly think we can just clean all that shite off with a little polish and a wash? Jesse.. I truly believe that this physical belt is damaged beyond repair. Give me somethin’ new and I’ll rebuild the damn division. I did it with the Youngblood Title. I can do it here too.”
Jesse thought for a few moments. “I see what you’re saying, but I could say rebuild the title. Valora wouldn’t be here demanding a new belt, neither would Roger Wright, Hunter Valentyne, or Al Envy. Why do you need a new one?”
Nathan smirks. “Most of them wouldn’t do their damn jobs out of the ring either. Valora was gonna be a fightin’ champion? What she do out of the ring to help that belt? Nothin’. What did Hunter do with it? Nothin. Al… I’ll give him credit, he did do work to help it, he has done an amazing job with the TA Title. I can give respect where it’s due. Me? I’m marchin’ in both the St. Patrick’s Day Parade through Downtown Chicago. The big 3 hour one that ABC 7 is covering live for the first time ever on TV. I spoke with the Chicago Irish American Heritage Foundation, they’re prepared to let me march and give New Edge Wrestling a spot there, I can show off the belt, we’ll have some people carry a small banner and you get free advertisin’ Sunday, I’m on the South Side in their St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Again, more free publicity and after both events, I’ll be posing for pictures and doing autograph signings. Now, with all that nice free press and exposure, do you really want to put that belt on display, or unveil a new belt?”
Jesse sits there, mulling the proposal over and Nathan reaches into his pocket and removes a piece of paper, unfolding it and laying it out on the desk for Jesse to look at. “That is sort of what I was thinkin’. As you can see, it ain’t some damn personalized belt or anything like that. This isn’t ego, Jesse, this is me wantin’ to help New Edge.”
Jesse looks at the picture and nods. “The belt comes out of your paycheck. Basically, you pay for the belt, I’ll endorse it and make it the new NEW World Title belt.” Nathan smirks and laughs a bit. “That’s a win for you, but not for me since I dunnae get to keep the belt.. where’s the win for me?”
Jesse shrugs. “You convinced me to change belts like you wanted and your investment shows me you mean business about wanting what’s best for New Edge and this not being about ego. That’s your fuckin’ win.”
Nathan nods, picking up the duffel bag. “Lemme know when the belt is ready then. I got trainin’ to do and in the meantime, I gotta try and figure out how to remove the the vile essence of NEW’s Whore of Babylon from this belt.” Jesse smirks. “Good luck with that, any plans?” Nathan shrugs. “Well, I thought first of exorcism, but that’s for demons, not whores. I was then thinkin’ lye but that would destroy the belt. I believe I might have to go old church on and just purify the damn thing by fire.. I’ll figure out somethin’ and dunnae worry, I’ll make sure I have something planned for my opponent.. who am I fightin’ anyways?”
Jesse smiles. “Valora. I didn’t take too kindly to you deciding not to bury your fist into her heart. Besides, it’s only a matter of time before she starts demanding a shot against you anyways so and you two in a main event? Money for me. It’s a one on one Match, Nathan so.. you’re gonna have to beat her.. good luck with that cause you know what that belt you have means to her.”
Nathan nods. “Should tell her to be careful. I could have ended her career tonight. You’re welcome by the way. By choosing not to end her career, I saved you some money. A lot of money, actually.” He said before heading out of the office. Making it to his way to the locker room where he gathered up his gear and met up with Tera, both of them heading out. Tera glancing at him. “Well?” Nathan nods. “I’m paying for the new belt, but it’ll be made.” Tera nodded and the two left, making their way back to their hotel room…
Standing in his hotel room, Nathan took a drink from his pint of Guinness and looked at looked at Tera as he thought for a moment. Glancing at the belt, he let out a sigh. Things were in dire straights. He was the World Champion. He had claimed the belt in a match where few people, if any, had given him a chance to win. This should be the high point of his career. He should be on top of the world right now and yet…
What was there to be happy about? The World Title was a mess, figuratively and, thanks to Blair, literally. It’s prestige and credibility were severely damaged. As Nathan had mentioned in Jesse’s office, Pretty much every recent champion had failed to prove worthy of the title. Matt Slater? He had had some moments, had tried to bring credibility to the belt. He might have to, if he hadn’t lost the belt so soon. Valora, thanks to a truly superhuman effort in front of her own people in Cancun, Mexico had wrested the title from Slater’s hands. She vowed to restore the belt. To bring credibility back. To continue the work Slater had started. She vowed to be a fighting Champion, to defend the belt every time she stepped into the ring. One week later, she lost the belt to Bobby Backdoor. Since then the belt had been passed around from one person to another, some worth, most not so. Tristan Ambrose had been a worthless champion and led to the same thing. Roger Wright. A fine fighter, and a legend, but the same old crowd. The same old small group of people that have fought each other five hundred million times. That created the situation for Blair to grab the title which led, inexorably, to the current state of the World Title. A belt that was so damaged that a new belt was needed as a symbol so that the long path to rebuilding the belt. The prestige and the Credibility. But Nathan had done it before.
He had played soccer. He had played for the Shamrock Rovers in Ireland and, while they were one of the best teams in Irish football history, Irish football was not considered much in the World. It was much like what Nathan did with the Youngblood title. The Youngblood title was the amatuer title. The rookie division. Much how Irish football was viewed. Lower tier division where rookie footballers went to play and the best among them would get picked for the more prestigious leagues. Nathan could have left the Irish football league but chose not to. He made the same choice with the Youngblood division. He saw firsthand the potential of the rookies, the new talent coming in. He saw a number of future stars.
Now, Nathan had completed a comeback. Played in the British Premier League, one of the best Leagues in football. He could have played for the top teams, but he had sided with the Swansea Swans. The team that needed help building up status and prestige. He had helped them prove they truly belonged in the BPL. Much like he was now. World Champion and had to prove that he was of the same caliber as a Valora, a Al Envy, a Roger Wright. He had to build prestige and credibility for the title. Make it mean something. Elevate it once more to the top belt in the company. Nathan knew how to do it. He had a plan.
Part of that plan was already unfolding. Young talent was coming into New Edge and showing what they could do. Showing their potential. Showing that they were threats and already the people who thought themselves to be Immortals were circling the wagons. But Valora would be reminded once more that as much as she thought differently, she was not immortal. He saw the look in her eyes when he chose to spare her. So much had been learned about her in that moment when his fist stopped mere inches from her heart and his eyes locked on hers. Beneath the anger, the rage, the indignation at his perceived pity. Beneath it all was the real problem. There was no relief at having dodged the bullet, It seemed more akin to disappointment. Like she wanted to have her career or life ended.
Now of course, she would be twice as angry and enraged, At her failure to capture the Tag Team Titles, at her failure to complete her mission of self-destruction once more as despite the punishment she took, she was still going. The fact that this match would be non-title.. Valora would be out for blood and Nathan, well Nathan would have to find a way to deal with it.
“Nate…. you sure you wanna do this? This New Guard thing? Declarin’ war on on the elite of New Edge? I mean, you’re close to being among them yourself.”
Nathan listened to Tera’s voice. God there were times where she didn’t just look like Amy, but sounded like her too. It made it so hard to keep to his vows at times. A lesser man might have given in, after all, hide it as she might, it was obvious at times that Tera had feelings for him and he wondered if she truly felt something for him, or it was his imagination, some deep buried selfish notion that perhaps he could find someone that could make him feel the way his dead wife once had. Nathan slowly nodded. “They’re getting arrogant, Tera. This is what’s best for New Edge. we cannae have the same 5 or 6 bloody people fightin’ each other all the time. I’ve been around for years and have been kept away from big title shots while others seemingly get them on demand after selling their souls, or cutting deals or goading someone into fighting them. Take a look at people like Sasha Foote. Been awhile since I’ve seen as promising an American boxer as her. She had a hell of a career in the ring and while adjustments have to be made from boxing to wrestling, she’s got the skills, I think. Kaupena Yoon, The young lad from Hawaii, definite potential. Vastrix could make a go of it, Matt Haven, There are a number of potential stars out there now. Just waiting for their chance. I wanna make sure they get their chance. If Envy, Valora, and the others truly are the best, than they have nothing to fear from competition. I’m up for anyone comin’ for me because competition makes you better..”
Taking another drink from his Guinness, Nathan glanced at the clock and nodded, before draining the rest of it and standing up. “Time to shower up a bit and get ready for bed. Trainin’ starts tomorrow and I gotta start preparin’ for Valora and rebuilding the World Title. I will give New Edge a Champion they can be proud of…”