Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2013 21:08:25 GMT -6
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
3/19/2013
9:00 AM
-----------------
I'm sitting inside of a hotel room in Pittsburgh, trying to contain the nerves that are inside of me and making me worry about the fact that this is something that I should get use to from here on in. Waking up in hotel rooms and traveling from place to place on a weekly basis, not really being able to establish a connection with one particular place, which is something that tourists commonly do when they visit a place that is new to them.
Luckily though, I have the best support that I could have with me right now, outside of my own family. That being the ever-so-lovely Alisha Rose, who just so happens to be my girlfriend and manager/valet for my time in the wrestling business. I'm eternally thankful for her being here, as I know that I couldn't do something as big as moving countries for the purpose of "Following my dreams" without having her by my side.
Speaking of Alisha, I see her coming out from the bathroom out of the corner of my right eye and can't help but to simply smile at her as she makes her way over to me, wearing a black tank top, blue tight fitting denim jeans and black converse shoes, which has a contrasting effect when compared to the plain vanilla white shirt, black tracksuit pants and white Adidas athletic shoes that I'm wearing at the moment. She soon reaches the red leather sofa I'm sitting on and sits on the empty cushion on the left hand side of me, before leaning over and kissing my cheek before I return the kiss to her cheek.
Alisha: "Looking forward to today?"
I look at her, slightly smiling in an attempt to hide the fact I'm extremely damn nervous about this press conference and would rather not do it but it's something that has to be done. She notices the slight smile and puts her left hand on my right leg, in a comforting manner.
Alisha: "I know it's something you're not really comfortable doing, but it'll help you with public speaking and give you the added confidence for the future. Practicing always makes you better and lets you know that you can do it. You just have to do your best and it'll flow naturally. I'll be there to help you if you need it, Jacob. You know that."
I then slowly nod at her, knowing that she is correct. This first press conference will help me gain confidence in my public speaking abilities and will be useful for future public speaking engagements that are bound to follow in the future as my career begins to unfold.
It's just the first press conference, that scares me.
Jacob: "I know. It's just, this is the first time I've done a press conference and I don't want people to take away the wrong first impression of me. I want to make sure that everything goes as smoothly as it possibly can."
Alisha: "Don't worry about what people will think of you, because I'm sure they'll understand you're doing this for the first time ever. Just go out there and do your best. Think of it as being just like when you got up in front of the class in History and talked about World War Two."
I look at her, smiling slightly yet calmly as I nod knowing that she's right. Whilst there might be more people in attendance, this doesn't have to be treated any differently to the many talks I did in front of class at school. I then feel her run her hand up and down my leg, which causes chills to run up and down my spine but also to widen my smile.
I then begin to think "She's right. It doesn't matter what they think of me, because at least I'm going out there and giving this a shot," before taking a relaxing breath and kissing her lips softly.
Jacob: "You're right. This is no different in terms to public speaking to stepping to the front of the class. Yes, there's a bigger audience but that's not the key point here. It's what I say in the press conference, that matters most."
She then returns the kiss, as she looks at me with a look on her face which is calm, but almost as if she's keeping something hidden from me. I pick up on it straight away and look deep into her eyes.
Jacob: "What's up?"
Alisha: "I should have told you this earlier, but you're booked in a match this week."
This news causes me to look at Alisha, with an expression of both excitement yet caution clearly visible upon my face. I'm excited to find out who I will be debuting against, but also cautious as to the fact that my opponent could very well be one of the more experienced people on the roster, who will eat me alive inside of the ring.
Jacob: "Who am I booked against?"
Alisha: It's a five way match. First pinfall or submission gets the victory and your opponents will be Ms Usa, Denny Doods, Morgan and Cassidy."
My look turns more relaxed, as my opponents are new to the NEW just like myself so this will be a new experience for all of us this week. "At least I won't be eaten alive by one of the more experienced members," is the first thing that races into my head, as I take some deep yet at the same time very relaxing breaths.
Jacob: "Should be an interesting match then, seeing as we're all new here and looking to prove a point to the rest of the roster. Looking to showcase our skills and prove that we're the future of this company and as such, that the future's in good hands."
Alisha: "Yeah, but you know that it's not going to be easy, because as you said: they're also looking to prove themselves just like you're looking to prove yourself."
I simply nod at her in reply.
Jacob: "That's true."
She then looks at me, before pushing herself up off the sofa as I do the same, knowing why she stood up. It's almost time for us to get ready to go to the press conference.
It's time to show people just who I am, and what I'm all about.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
3/19/2013
10:30 AM.
---------------------
Sitting on a steel chair in front of a oak table atop a podium that has a backdrop of the Consol Energy Center with about three hundred local and regional media people scattered around it and looking at me, is an intimidating experience to say the least, but just one look over to my right eases my fears as I see Alisha sitting on the steel chair next to me.
She's the best kind of moral support for me at the moment, and is making this experience a lot easier than it otherwise would be, that's for certain.
Media Member: "Rob Cassell from the NBC here. Just wondering what it was that motivated you to apply to the NEW, especially considering you've never professionally wrestled before?"
Jacob: "The company was actually recommended to me, by my trainer Chris McIntyre who felt that it was time for me to turn professional and that here was the ideal place to start off."
The media members scribble this down on their pieces of paper, as I turn and look at Alisha who smiles in approval, before returning my focus to the media in attendance.
Media Member: "Rick Jones from the Pittsburgh times here. How long have you been training under Chris McIntyre?"
Jacob: "I've been under his tutelage for four years now, and he's taught me a lot about how the business works from not only a physical standpoint, but also from an emotional standpoint."
Media Member: "Shawn Black from Channel KSWX here. Just wondering what your thoughts are about the match that you're booked in for your debut this week? What do you think about your opponents and what will be your strategy going into this match?"
I then look at the media flock, with a look upon my face that's relaxed and calm. Even though this is my first ever match, Chris did teach me how to best prepare for differing qualities of opponents and how to make sure that I can get the best out of myself in every match.
Alisha then notices the way I'm looking at the media members and smiles at me, showing me that I should use the knowledge that Chris gave me to my advantage in this situation.
Jacob: "My opponents are new to the company, just like myself so we don't know a lot about each other but I can tell you right now, that I'm going into this match with the confidence that I can go out there and do what is needed in order to ensure I put myself into the best position to win the match. Cassidy, Ms Usa, Denny Doods and Morgan are no pushovers and I accept it won't be an easy contest, but wrestling was never meant to be easy. It's the challenges you face, that show people just how talented you are and the fight that you have inside of you that keeps you going, when your body has taken all the punishment that it can take."
I then look over to Alisha, who smiles at me to show me that she feels that what I just told them, was the perfect thing to say in this circumstance and that Chris would be happy that I'm putting his teachings into good practice here during this press conference. I smile back at her, before looking back out to the media members.
Media Member: "Daniel Johnson from the ABC Evening News here. What will Alisha's role be at ring side, and will she have any influence on the outcomes of your matches?"
I look over to Alisha and nod, showing her that I believe she's the one best equipped to answer this question.
Alisha: "My role is just to ensure that Jacob has support out there when he competes, as he's generally a very timid and shy person and to calm his nerves about making the jump to professional wrestling. He'll be the one in the ring wrestling and the only person who will be having an impact on the result of his matches. I don't intend to get psychically involved at all, unless I am provoked to by Jacob's opponents."
She looks at me and notices my approving look to her, whilst the media write all this down on their paper. We both then return our focus to the media.
Media Member: "Xavier Blake from The Score here. Just wondering how confident you are of victory this week in your match?"
I then take a few relaxing breaths, as I think to myself "Confidence in my own abilities is something that I need to have, but how to balance that without making myself seem arrogant is the challenge," before looking relaxed toward the media.
Jacob: "I'm confident enough in my abilities to know that when I go out into the ring, that I intend to put it all on the line and do what I need to, in order to walk out with the victory. Do I believe that I will win? Yes, but that doesn't mean that I'm counting out my opponents. Any of them could win too, and I know they'll be doing everything in their power to get the win. It just comes down to me showing everyone that not only do I belong here, but that when push comes to shove, I have what it takes to walk out with the win when it counts."
Alisha and I then stand up and go to walk off, as the NEW's media manager walks up onto the stage.
Media Manager: "That's all we have time for with Jacob today. Thanks for coming out and attending this press conference."
I then walk off the stage with Alisha, relieved that the first press conference is now over and done with.
Now for the match to begin.
This is my chance, to show everyone just why I belong here, and that's exactly what I intend on doing.
No matter what.
3/19/2013
9:00 AM
-----------------
I'm sitting inside of a hotel room in Pittsburgh, trying to contain the nerves that are inside of me and making me worry about the fact that this is something that I should get use to from here on in. Waking up in hotel rooms and traveling from place to place on a weekly basis, not really being able to establish a connection with one particular place, which is something that tourists commonly do when they visit a place that is new to them.
Luckily though, I have the best support that I could have with me right now, outside of my own family. That being the ever-so-lovely Alisha Rose, who just so happens to be my girlfriend and manager/valet for my time in the wrestling business. I'm eternally thankful for her being here, as I know that I couldn't do something as big as moving countries for the purpose of "Following my dreams" without having her by my side.
Speaking of Alisha, I see her coming out from the bathroom out of the corner of my right eye and can't help but to simply smile at her as she makes her way over to me, wearing a black tank top, blue tight fitting denim jeans and black converse shoes, which has a contrasting effect when compared to the plain vanilla white shirt, black tracksuit pants and white Adidas athletic shoes that I'm wearing at the moment. She soon reaches the red leather sofa I'm sitting on and sits on the empty cushion on the left hand side of me, before leaning over and kissing my cheek before I return the kiss to her cheek.
Alisha: "Looking forward to today?"
I look at her, slightly smiling in an attempt to hide the fact I'm extremely damn nervous about this press conference and would rather not do it but it's something that has to be done. She notices the slight smile and puts her left hand on my right leg, in a comforting manner.
Alisha: "I know it's something you're not really comfortable doing, but it'll help you with public speaking and give you the added confidence for the future. Practicing always makes you better and lets you know that you can do it. You just have to do your best and it'll flow naturally. I'll be there to help you if you need it, Jacob. You know that."
I then slowly nod at her, knowing that she is correct. This first press conference will help me gain confidence in my public speaking abilities and will be useful for future public speaking engagements that are bound to follow in the future as my career begins to unfold.
It's just the first press conference, that scares me.
Jacob: "I know. It's just, this is the first time I've done a press conference and I don't want people to take away the wrong first impression of me. I want to make sure that everything goes as smoothly as it possibly can."
Alisha: "Don't worry about what people will think of you, because I'm sure they'll understand you're doing this for the first time ever. Just go out there and do your best. Think of it as being just like when you got up in front of the class in History and talked about World War Two."
I look at her, smiling slightly yet calmly as I nod knowing that she's right. Whilst there might be more people in attendance, this doesn't have to be treated any differently to the many talks I did in front of class at school. I then feel her run her hand up and down my leg, which causes chills to run up and down my spine but also to widen my smile.
I then begin to think "She's right. It doesn't matter what they think of me, because at least I'm going out there and giving this a shot," before taking a relaxing breath and kissing her lips softly.
Jacob: "You're right. This is no different in terms to public speaking to stepping to the front of the class. Yes, there's a bigger audience but that's not the key point here. It's what I say in the press conference, that matters most."
She then returns the kiss, as she looks at me with a look on her face which is calm, but almost as if she's keeping something hidden from me. I pick up on it straight away and look deep into her eyes.
Jacob: "What's up?"
Alisha: "I should have told you this earlier, but you're booked in a match this week."
This news causes me to look at Alisha, with an expression of both excitement yet caution clearly visible upon my face. I'm excited to find out who I will be debuting against, but also cautious as to the fact that my opponent could very well be one of the more experienced people on the roster, who will eat me alive inside of the ring.
Jacob: "Who am I booked against?"
Alisha: It's a five way match. First pinfall or submission gets the victory and your opponents will be Ms Usa, Denny Doods, Morgan and Cassidy."
My look turns more relaxed, as my opponents are new to the NEW just like myself so this will be a new experience for all of us this week. "At least I won't be eaten alive by one of the more experienced members," is the first thing that races into my head, as I take some deep yet at the same time very relaxing breaths.
Jacob: "Should be an interesting match then, seeing as we're all new here and looking to prove a point to the rest of the roster. Looking to showcase our skills and prove that we're the future of this company and as such, that the future's in good hands."
Alisha: "Yeah, but you know that it's not going to be easy, because as you said: they're also looking to prove themselves just like you're looking to prove yourself."
I simply nod at her in reply.
Jacob: "That's true."
She then looks at me, before pushing herself up off the sofa as I do the same, knowing why she stood up. It's almost time for us to get ready to go to the press conference.
It's time to show people just who I am, and what I'm all about.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
3/19/2013
10:30 AM.
---------------------
Sitting on a steel chair in front of a oak table atop a podium that has a backdrop of the Consol Energy Center with about three hundred local and regional media people scattered around it and looking at me, is an intimidating experience to say the least, but just one look over to my right eases my fears as I see Alisha sitting on the steel chair next to me.
She's the best kind of moral support for me at the moment, and is making this experience a lot easier than it otherwise would be, that's for certain.
Media Member: "Rob Cassell from the NBC here. Just wondering what it was that motivated you to apply to the NEW, especially considering you've never professionally wrestled before?"
Jacob: "The company was actually recommended to me, by my trainer Chris McIntyre who felt that it was time for me to turn professional and that here was the ideal place to start off."
The media members scribble this down on their pieces of paper, as I turn and look at Alisha who smiles in approval, before returning my focus to the media in attendance.
Media Member: "Rick Jones from the Pittsburgh times here. How long have you been training under Chris McIntyre?"
Jacob: "I've been under his tutelage for four years now, and he's taught me a lot about how the business works from not only a physical standpoint, but also from an emotional standpoint."
Media Member: "Shawn Black from Channel KSWX here. Just wondering what your thoughts are about the match that you're booked in for your debut this week? What do you think about your opponents and what will be your strategy going into this match?"
I then look at the media flock, with a look upon my face that's relaxed and calm. Even though this is my first ever match, Chris did teach me how to best prepare for differing qualities of opponents and how to make sure that I can get the best out of myself in every match.
Alisha then notices the way I'm looking at the media members and smiles at me, showing me that I should use the knowledge that Chris gave me to my advantage in this situation.
Jacob: "My opponents are new to the company, just like myself so we don't know a lot about each other but I can tell you right now, that I'm going into this match with the confidence that I can go out there and do what is needed in order to ensure I put myself into the best position to win the match. Cassidy, Ms Usa, Denny Doods and Morgan are no pushovers and I accept it won't be an easy contest, but wrestling was never meant to be easy. It's the challenges you face, that show people just how talented you are and the fight that you have inside of you that keeps you going, when your body has taken all the punishment that it can take."
I then look over to Alisha, who smiles at me to show me that she feels that what I just told them, was the perfect thing to say in this circumstance and that Chris would be happy that I'm putting his teachings into good practice here during this press conference. I smile back at her, before looking back out to the media members.
Media Member: "Daniel Johnson from the ABC Evening News here. What will Alisha's role be at ring side, and will she have any influence on the outcomes of your matches?"
I look over to Alisha and nod, showing her that I believe she's the one best equipped to answer this question.
Alisha: "My role is just to ensure that Jacob has support out there when he competes, as he's generally a very timid and shy person and to calm his nerves about making the jump to professional wrestling. He'll be the one in the ring wrestling and the only person who will be having an impact on the result of his matches. I don't intend to get psychically involved at all, unless I am provoked to by Jacob's opponents."
She looks at me and notices my approving look to her, whilst the media write all this down on their paper. We both then return our focus to the media.
Media Member: "Xavier Blake from The Score here. Just wondering how confident you are of victory this week in your match?"
I then take a few relaxing breaths, as I think to myself "Confidence in my own abilities is something that I need to have, but how to balance that without making myself seem arrogant is the challenge," before looking relaxed toward the media.
Jacob: "I'm confident enough in my abilities to know that when I go out into the ring, that I intend to put it all on the line and do what I need to, in order to walk out with the victory. Do I believe that I will win? Yes, but that doesn't mean that I'm counting out my opponents. Any of them could win too, and I know they'll be doing everything in their power to get the win. It just comes down to me showing everyone that not only do I belong here, but that when push comes to shove, I have what it takes to walk out with the win when it counts."
Alisha and I then stand up and go to walk off, as the NEW's media manager walks up onto the stage.
Media Manager: "That's all we have time for with Jacob today. Thanks for coming out and attending this press conference."
I then walk off the stage with Alisha, relieved that the first press conference is now over and done with.
Now for the match to begin.
This is my chance, to show everyone just why I belong here, and that's exactly what I intend on doing.
No matter what.