Humble Beginnings
Dec 26, 2015 10:24:53 GMT -5
Post by Zero McHannon on Dec 26, 2015 10:24:53 GMT -5
Tap… Tap… Tap…
I didn’t feel Chandler’s hand hitting my thigh when the call was made. The sense of keeping ‘Closed Curtains’ locked in blocked out everything else in the arena. The fans. The grunting coming from Chandler. I even didn’t hear the bell ring until the referee started to pull me off the man.
But in the end, I respect Chandler for the fight we put on at Final Frontier. A lesser man wouldn’t have put that belt on me like he did. A lesser man would’ve rubbed that title win in his face and added salt to the wound. What people witnessed that night was exactly what FGA needed.
Change.
The hardest part is holding back your emotion, but I couldn’t as my eyes glazed over. Falling to my knees, it brought back that feeling that I’ve chased for so long… The greatest feeling in the world. Winning the “big one”. Knocking Chandler Scott off his throne. Being able to hold that title above my head to the cheering crowd. The ones that supported me the most.
Now? I know the drill.
Everyone is going to be gunning for me like there’s a hit out on my head. It has already started. The whole world can turn against me, but they’ve already been doing that. Slowly… but surely. Regardless of what the people in the back have to say, I’ve already said that I didn’t walk into that fight at Final Frontier for them. I did it for the fans of FGA that have had to watch champion after champion come through this place without having gave a single shit about them.
Chris Q.
Dom Harter.
Jimmy Page.
Chandler Scott.
All champions worthy of holding their own, but all slowly bringing FGA into a darker corner with each transition.
Now everyone will try to act like I’m not shit, even with this big victory. They will talk all the trash they want, trying to elbow their way into a match with me, or a shot at my title, with their mouths instead of doing exactly what I did to get here… just wrestle. They will try to downgrade me and what I’ve done every chance they get.
And that’s not just degrading to me, it’s degrading to the people I’ve faced along the way. Degrade me all you want, I’m a big boy and I can take the heat. But Noelle Smith? Chandler Scott? Even Dom Harter…? They deserve better than that. You can take away from me, but you’re also taking away from those very same people who have busted their ass as well.
FGA has had enough of a champion who makes their opponent look like absolute shit by repeating that they aren’t shit to begin with. There’s too many Tony Carmine’s in this world. Not enough Cindy Parkers.
I thought the same about Izzy Anders at one point… That she could be a beacon of hope, showing everyone that rookies can outclass even some of the veterans in this business.
However, I was wrong. Now Izzy must be humbled.
FGA will have a champion that stands up for himself, no matter how badly people want to make it seem like I don’t deserve what I’ve earned.
FGA will have a champion that puts the fan’s interests in front of his peers.
FGA will have a champion that won’t take for granted the opportunities passed his way. A champ that realizes how much this title means to everyone and himself. I won’t let this title be dragged in the dirt any longer. It has already suffered enough of that throughout the years.
Be careful at how many arrows you let loose at this target on my back…
Because I’m the type of guy to gather them all up and start shooting them right back at you.
[December 16th, 2015
Massachusetts General Hospital]
Zero McHannon sat in the waiting room of MGH after having to hear the news of what happened to his manager through social media of all places. Not even a phone call or text message came his way to inform him that his friend had to be ushered to the hospital in critical care after the events that took place over at Hard Knox.
He still didn’t know all the details, but he also never expected Gambino to be harmed when he was just a voice on the program. The only thing he knew for certain was that Beeno was labeled as a traitor by somebody, and they took him out for it. Went overboard. To a man who doesn’t even get into the ring to fight. It was a pathetic tactic.
And now McHannon had to enjoy the company of someone that he would’ve rather been away from, his baby mom, Amira Naybett. She started to come around more often not even an hour after he won the FGA World Championship. Locked onto his arm like they actually had a meaningful relationship and acted like she was the only thing Zero ever cared about in his entire life.
“I’m so proud of you. Have I told you that, yet? All these people didn’t believe in you, but I did. This wrestling thing you have going on is exactly what you need in your life and I couldn’t be happier for you.” Amira said as she tried to put her hand on Zero’s lap. McHannon stood up and paced the hospital waiting room floor. He wanted nothing more than to just be alone in his thoughts, but she made that impossible.
Barely over a week ago you wanted me to quit wrestling. You said it was stupid and there wasn’t anything to be proud of in this sport. Now that I’ve won, you’re whole mindset changed, Zero thought to himself.
“You should be resting, Amira. This is something I want to do on my own. Gambino has always been there for me when I’ve needed someone the most, and I’ve got to do the same for him.”
His words fell on deaf ears, though. She pretended to not have heard him, kept her smile, and waved to the reporters in the corner that were trying to cover some local news in the area. “Heyyy, you guys! You have the FGA World Champion over here, surely we’re good enough to do a little coverage on. Right? The champ and his girl. The woman who has always supported him from the beginning, and believed in him no matter what!”
“Stop….” Zero kept his voice low, but he said it loud enough in her ear to get his point across.
“Oh, my man is being too humble, don’t worry about him. We can talk about the time I’ve spent with Zero while he was going through rough times in Morocco if you like. I know the whole scoop. We can talk about how I told him to pursue his dreams, and look where he is now.” She said over the growl in her ear as she still waved the reporters forward.
“Amira. I said stop… My friend is hurt and laying in a hospital bed. I don’t want to be around cameras.” He tried to reason with her, but she still wanted no part of it.
The reporters shrugged and a few stepped forward as Zero turns his back to them. Amira turned around with him and put a hand on his shoulder.
“Just do it for me, Zero. We have this relationship to rekindle again, and this is the first step to the rehabilitation process for us.”
“We aren’t a couple. You’re going to be the mother of my child. That’s it. Nothing more, nothing less. So stop trying to pretend like we’re actually something when we’re not. I’m seeing someone else…” His voice drifted off when he spoke that last sentence. Zero did his best to not build more tension between them, but he had to nip this.
She turned her head slowly from the cameras and towards Zero. “What do you mean… ‘seeing someone else’? Who is the little cunt you’re seeing? Was she there for you? Did believe in you? Or was she just there for a fuck whenever you got lonely?” Amira was harsh with her words as she grabbed Zero’s arm in front of the cameras.
“This isn’t the time or place to talk about this. How many times do I have to tell you I’m here for Gambino? You want to mooch off the spotlight? Be my guest, but I won’t have any part of it. Whatever you have to do to make yourself feel better.” McHannon pulled his arm away and walked off in the opposite direction.
Amira could be heard by everyone as she took a few hard steps in his direction and threw out a quick, “I’ll find out who that bitch is, don’t you worry. You’re not going to cast me off to the side like some whore.”
McHannon ignored it. As she took her place in front of the cameras to tell them about the ‘unbroken relationship’ they had, he felt it was time to finally see his friend.
When he walked into the room, it was hard to tell if Gambino was even able to notice if he was there or not. Zero had the FGA World Title in one hand as he lowered himself into a chair next to his buddy with the other. He didn’t care if he had to sit there all night, he wanted to enjoy that moment with the one person in this world that he considered his friend.
“We did it, man…” He said, and laid the championship on the bed next to Beeno. “It’s going to be hard walking out on that Vertigo stage without you right beside me.”
No answer back. It was clear that Beeno wouldn’t remember this.
“But just know that we did it. You and me. We walked into FGA and fought our way right to the top. This is what we’ve always wanted from our careers, and I won’t forget about you. I hope you know that. I’ll make you proud.”
No answer back… He leaned back in the chair, prepared for a long night.
He was truly alone now.
I didn’t feel Chandler’s hand hitting my thigh when the call was made. The sense of keeping ‘Closed Curtains’ locked in blocked out everything else in the arena. The fans. The grunting coming from Chandler. I even didn’t hear the bell ring until the referee started to pull me off the man.
But in the end, I respect Chandler for the fight we put on at Final Frontier. A lesser man wouldn’t have put that belt on me like he did. A lesser man would’ve rubbed that title win in his face and added salt to the wound. What people witnessed that night was exactly what FGA needed.
Change.
The hardest part is holding back your emotion, but I couldn’t as my eyes glazed over. Falling to my knees, it brought back that feeling that I’ve chased for so long… The greatest feeling in the world. Winning the “big one”. Knocking Chandler Scott off his throne. Being able to hold that title above my head to the cheering crowd. The ones that supported me the most.
Now? I know the drill.
Everyone is going to be gunning for me like there’s a hit out on my head. It has already started. The whole world can turn against me, but they’ve already been doing that. Slowly… but surely. Regardless of what the people in the back have to say, I’ve already said that I didn’t walk into that fight at Final Frontier for them. I did it for the fans of FGA that have had to watch champion after champion come through this place without having gave a single shit about them.
Chris Q.
Dom Harter.
Jimmy Page.
Chandler Scott.
All champions worthy of holding their own, but all slowly bringing FGA into a darker corner with each transition.
Now everyone will try to act like I’m not shit, even with this big victory. They will talk all the trash they want, trying to elbow their way into a match with me, or a shot at my title, with their mouths instead of doing exactly what I did to get here… just wrestle. They will try to downgrade me and what I’ve done every chance they get.
And that’s not just degrading to me, it’s degrading to the people I’ve faced along the way. Degrade me all you want, I’m a big boy and I can take the heat. But Noelle Smith? Chandler Scott? Even Dom Harter…? They deserve better than that. You can take away from me, but you’re also taking away from those very same people who have busted their ass as well.
FGA has had enough of a champion who makes their opponent look like absolute shit by repeating that they aren’t shit to begin with. There’s too many Tony Carmine’s in this world. Not enough Cindy Parkers.
I thought the same about Izzy Anders at one point… That she could be a beacon of hope, showing everyone that rookies can outclass even some of the veterans in this business.
However, I was wrong. Now Izzy must be humbled.
FGA will have a champion that stands up for himself, no matter how badly people want to make it seem like I don’t deserve what I’ve earned.
FGA will have a champion that puts the fan’s interests in front of his peers.
FGA will have a champion that won’t take for granted the opportunities passed his way. A champ that realizes how much this title means to everyone and himself. I won’t let this title be dragged in the dirt any longer. It has already suffered enough of that throughout the years.
Be careful at how many arrows you let loose at this target on my back…
Because I’m the type of guy to gather them all up and start shooting them right back at you.
~~~~~~~~~~
[December 16th, 2015
Massachusetts General Hospital]
Zero McHannon sat in the waiting room of MGH after having to hear the news of what happened to his manager through social media of all places. Not even a phone call or text message came his way to inform him that his friend had to be ushered to the hospital in critical care after the events that took place over at Hard Knox.
He still didn’t know all the details, but he also never expected Gambino to be harmed when he was just a voice on the program. The only thing he knew for certain was that Beeno was labeled as a traitor by somebody, and they took him out for it. Went overboard. To a man who doesn’t even get into the ring to fight. It was a pathetic tactic.
And now McHannon had to enjoy the company of someone that he would’ve rather been away from, his baby mom, Amira Naybett. She started to come around more often not even an hour after he won the FGA World Championship. Locked onto his arm like they actually had a meaningful relationship and acted like she was the only thing Zero ever cared about in his entire life.
“I’m so proud of you. Have I told you that, yet? All these people didn’t believe in you, but I did. This wrestling thing you have going on is exactly what you need in your life and I couldn’t be happier for you.” Amira said as she tried to put her hand on Zero’s lap. McHannon stood up and paced the hospital waiting room floor. He wanted nothing more than to just be alone in his thoughts, but she made that impossible.
Barely over a week ago you wanted me to quit wrestling. You said it was stupid and there wasn’t anything to be proud of in this sport. Now that I’ve won, you’re whole mindset changed, Zero thought to himself.
“You should be resting, Amira. This is something I want to do on my own. Gambino has always been there for me when I’ve needed someone the most, and I’ve got to do the same for him.”
His words fell on deaf ears, though. She pretended to not have heard him, kept her smile, and waved to the reporters in the corner that were trying to cover some local news in the area. “Heyyy, you guys! You have the FGA World Champion over here, surely we’re good enough to do a little coverage on. Right? The champ and his girl. The woman who has always supported him from the beginning, and believed in him no matter what!”
“Stop….” Zero kept his voice low, but he said it loud enough in her ear to get his point across.
“Oh, my man is being too humble, don’t worry about him. We can talk about the time I’ve spent with Zero while he was going through rough times in Morocco if you like. I know the whole scoop. We can talk about how I told him to pursue his dreams, and look where he is now.” She said over the growl in her ear as she still waved the reporters forward.
“Amira. I said stop… My friend is hurt and laying in a hospital bed. I don’t want to be around cameras.” He tried to reason with her, but she still wanted no part of it.
The reporters shrugged and a few stepped forward as Zero turns his back to them. Amira turned around with him and put a hand on his shoulder.
“Just do it for me, Zero. We have this relationship to rekindle again, and this is the first step to the rehabilitation process for us.”
“We aren’t a couple. You’re going to be the mother of my child. That’s it. Nothing more, nothing less. So stop trying to pretend like we’re actually something when we’re not. I’m seeing someone else…” His voice drifted off when he spoke that last sentence. Zero did his best to not build more tension between them, but he had to nip this.
She turned her head slowly from the cameras and towards Zero. “What do you mean… ‘seeing someone else’? Who is the little cunt you’re seeing? Was she there for you? Did believe in you? Or was she just there for a fuck whenever you got lonely?” Amira was harsh with her words as she grabbed Zero’s arm in front of the cameras.
“This isn’t the time or place to talk about this. How many times do I have to tell you I’m here for Gambino? You want to mooch off the spotlight? Be my guest, but I won’t have any part of it. Whatever you have to do to make yourself feel better.” McHannon pulled his arm away and walked off in the opposite direction.
Amira could be heard by everyone as she took a few hard steps in his direction and threw out a quick, “I’ll find out who that bitch is, don’t you worry. You’re not going to cast me off to the side like some whore.”
McHannon ignored it. As she took her place in front of the cameras to tell them about the ‘unbroken relationship’ they had, he felt it was time to finally see his friend.
When he walked into the room, it was hard to tell if Gambino was even able to notice if he was there or not. Zero had the FGA World Title in one hand as he lowered himself into a chair next to his buddy with the other. He didn’t care if he had to sit there all night, he wanted to enjoy that moment with the one person in this world that he considered his friend.
“We did it, man…” He said, and laid the championship on the bed next to Beeno. “It’s going to be hard walking out on that Vertigo stage without you right beside me.”
No answer back. It was clear that Beeno wouldn’t remember this.
“But just know that we did it. You and me. We walked into FGA and fought our way right to the top. This is what we’ve always wanted from our careers, and I won’t forget about you. I hope you know that. I’ll make you proud.”
No answer back… He leaned back in the chair, prepared for a long night.
He was truly alone now.
~~~~~~~~~~
“I’ve always talked about FGA needing change around here. The one thing I didn’t want to see change was you, Izzy…
Something tells me you might be far too gone for that, though.
You walked into this company with a sweet smile on your face and a heart full of ambition to carve your path. To make your own history here in the company as a rookie. You’re not that sweet little innocent angel anymore. Are you? The bubbly Izzy Anders walked around with a little pep in her step, but now all we’re left with is the foam.
The sad part is, I don’t know where this complete turnaround came from. You won the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship by being that person I loved to see you be. Then that title changed you… I would blame it on the competition, the people, that changed you. Dom Harter didn’t do that. You were already on the spiral way before you and Dom crossed each others paths. Blame him for all your problems all you want, but you’re the one who caused this on yourself.
You see this change in yourself as a good thing. Others might encourage you on. Others will belittle you. Listen to me, because I’m going to give it to you straight. You’re letting that championship define you, rather than letting yourself define that championship. No one is going to look at you anymore and be able to say, ‘she stayed true to herself when she grabbed that title’. I know being young and reaching gold all too well, a story that I LET define me as well.
And the straight story is, you let it go to your head.
Don’t like what I have to say, Izzy? What are you going to do? End my career? Put me on the shelf with Dom Harter? I doubt that… Honestly, better men than you have said the same. Chandler said the same.
You claimed that I’m the one that grew the ego before walking in Final Frontier. Trying to keep damage control with the others when you didn’t like what I had to say about Chandler Scott before walking into that matchup. You failed to see the bigger picture. You failed to see that this is what FGA has longed so far for. You failed to see that FGA NEEDED this more than anything else. I was determined the be the man to give it to them.
But to try and end a career? Granted, I don’t care much for Dom, and I’ve let that be known. I’ve said it to him and he snapped right back at me. I thought, for once, I was going to see someone be the better person, walk out into that ring, and let their wrestling do the talking for them. What did we see at Final Frontier? You completely lose moral ground and take things overboard… something that I’ve had to deal with in my manager, Gambino, as of late.
You didn’t accomplish what you really felt you did. Sure, it might feel good to get a little revenge for yourself, but you hurt this company in the process of letting Dom get a little taste of his own medicine, because I don’t see it the way some of the others might. Dom was a pillar to this company, and regardless of his actions, this company was built off men like Dom busting their ass for the wrestling business week in and week out. You set him back. YOU set FGA back.
I hope you really got what you wanted from that, Izzy. I’m not going to stand here and try to play the role of your father. You’re not going to get the lecture from me, what’s done is done. I just expected more from you. The Izzy that I first seen had so much hope to not just become another dime in a dozen within this business. Instead of being yourself, you started to morph into some of these vultures around you.
Not only that, but you lost some of my respect in the process. Because you know what isn’t going to change me? This FGA World Championship. I made a promise to stay true to myself when I captured this gold, and I’m going to be a man of my word. I’m going to keep my promise to the fans that they WILL have a champion to be proud of. I won’t let it go to my head… unlike someone I know.
Take that how you will. You don’t lose my respect as being one of the greatest MAL Champions to hold that belt, because I do admire that about you. I don’t think you’re just a rug to wipe my shoes on like some of the other talent on this roster might think you are. You take people’s word for far too much worth. You actually care about what they have to say, because trust me, even if you were on top, they wouldn’t have anything good to say about you either. You have a bright future ahead of you, I’d hate to see it all go to waste for yourself over a few poor decisions.
I expect you to come into this match with guns drawn and blazing. Who wouldn’t? It’s against the World Champion after all. A real chance to make something of yourself and prove that you’re a step ahead of the bunch. An opportunity that you’re lucky to get after almost putting someone out for the rest of their career. Some people might be afraid to get back into the ring with you after doing that… not me. I look at it as a chance to drop you on your head, and hopefully knock a little sense back in you. Drop you hard enough that it pulls the old Izzy back out and brings back the person that I was growing so warm to.
But this has nothing to do with experience. Almost shelving someone has nothing to do with how many years you’ve spent in that ring. Anyone can do that, look at Jimmy Page for example.
You know what most people can’t do? Stay true to who they really are and the path they’ve laid out for themselves when winning something like a title belt. The FGA landscape is changing with new and bright talent walking through the doors. Then we still have the ones that love this company enough to stay here and keep fighting for what they love about this place, myself included in that. You know what this company doesn’t have enough of? Stand up people. It’s starting to become a little…. dark around here. With the exception of a handful, I can see that it’s going to be a long and tough road for some of us. I half expected you to be one of those people who walk alongside of someone like myself, Izzy. To be able to hold your head, and your title, up high and let everyone know that NOTHING will change who we are, no matter how much scum is starting to roam the hallways.
That’s not going to happen, though. Sadly, you’re becoming just like the rest with that little stunt you pulled at Final Frontier. Me? I’m made for fighting that darkness, been doing it my whole life, even in myself. I got my revenge on Jimmy Page and you didn’t have to watch me stoop to that level. I’m not out here to ruin someone’s life, even if they’re piece of shit enough to throw me down on a car hood. If I tried to do that to everyone who has tossed me around some, or downgraded me in some form, there wouldn’t be much of a roster to wrestle anymore.
Become who want. Make your own decisions. It’s got you this far on the road to being one of the best MAL champions in the industry. I don’t care what you do, just come into that ring ready for a fight, and ready to put on a show… the right way. Come in there to PROVE that you have so much more to offer this company on a wrestling standpoint and you’re not just out to hurt the talent. Show me that some harsh words and rough shots won’t turn you into the monster that I see in so many other people. Earn my respect that way and make up for what you’ve lost in another.
And for the love of God, quit listening to the peanut gallery. You’ll learn soon enough that you can’t please everyone. It’s impossible. A lesson that has been a hard slap in the face for myself. Fight for yourself. Fight for that title. Fight for the fans. I don’t care what you fight for, but find it. Don’t become just another no name thug.
You’re better than that. I know you are. I’ve seen it.
You think you’re going to hold this title one day, though? Well, don’t get too far ahead of yourself. Everyone has been saying that to me since I’ve won this belt. They all want to elbow their way in for a shot. It’s up to me to fight and not let that happen. I refuse to let this title drop into the hands of another Page, Harter, or Scott. If I’m going to lose this championship, I want it to be to someone that can hold it with some dignity. I don’t see this as a new era, but hopefully a new beginning.
And don’t be foolish enough to think I’m not going to bring everything I have against you. Mentally and physically. Like I said, I don’t take you as just another win in the column like Chandler would’ve done, those days are over with. You will get the absolute best of Zero McHannon. Your ability won’t be downgraded. You won’t be shit on for being another challenger.
But I’m not going to take it easy on you. I want to see exactly what you’re made of. To watch you walk the road I have to get to this point. Just remember, everyone can bounce back from anything. You WILL be taking a step backwards after Vertigo, because I have something to prove. To show everyone that beat Chandler for a good reason. To show that I’m a champion that can hold his own against any match or degrading words thrown my way. To show the fans exactly why I’ve fought through all the hard times.
And hopefully… to show you that it’s time to open your eyes some and see who I know you are. The type of person I know you can be.
Something tells me you might be far too gone for that, though.
You walked into this company with a sweet smile on your face and a heart full of ambition to carve your path. To make your own history here in the company as a rookie. You’re not that sweet little innocent angel anymore. Are you? The bubbly Izzy Anders walked around with a little pep in her step, but now all we’re left with is the foam.
The sad part is, I don’t know where this complete turnaround came from. You won the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship by being that person I loved to see you be. Then that title changed you… I would blame it on the competition, the people, that changed you. Dom Harter didn’t do that. You were already on the spiral way before you and Dom crossed each others paths. Blame him for all your problems all you want, but you’re the one who caused this on yourself.
You see this change in yourself as a good thing. Others might encourage you on. Others will belittle you. Listen to me, because I’m going to give it to you straight. You’re letting that championship define you, rather than letting yourself define that championship. No one is going to look at you anymore and be able to say, ‘she stayed true to herself when she grabbed that title’. I know being young and reaching gold all too well, a story that I LET define me as well.
And the straight story is, you let it go to your head.
Don’t like what I have to say, Izzy? What are you going to do? End my career? Put me on the shelf with Dom Harter? I doubt that… Honestly, better men than you have said the same. Chandler said the same.
You claimed that I’m the one that grew the ego before walking in Final Frontier. Trying to keep damage control with the others when you didn’t like what I had to say about Chandler Scott before walking into that matchup. You failed to see the bigger picture. You failed to see that this is what FGA has longed so far for. You failed to see that FGA NEEDED this more than anything else. I was determined the be the man to give it to them.
But to try and end a career? Granted, I don’t care much for Dom, and I’ve let that be known. I’ve said it to him and he snapped right back at me. I thought, for once, I was going to see someone be the better person, walk out into that ring, and let their wrestling do the talking for them. What did we see at Final Frontier? You completely lose moral ground and take things overboard… something that I’ve had to deal with in my manager, Gambino, as of late.
You didn’t accomplish what you really felt you did. Sure, it might feel good to get a little revenge for yourself, but you hurt this company in the process of letting Dom get a little taste of his own medicine, because I don’t see it the way some of the others might. Dom was a pillar to this company, and regardless of his actions, this company was built off men like Dom busting their ass for the wrestling business week in and week out. You set him back. YOU set FGA back.
I hope you really got what you wanted from that, Izzy. I’m not going to stand here and try to play the role of your father. You’re not going to get the lecture from me, what’s done is done. I just expected more from you. The Izzy that I first seen had so much hope to not just become another dime in a dozen within this business. Instead of being yourself, you started to morph into some of these vultures around you.
Not only that, but you lost some of my respect in the process. Because you know what isn’t going to change me? This FGA World Championship. I made a promise to stay true to myself when I captured this gold, and I’m going to be a man of my word. I’m going to keep my promise to the fans that they WILL have a champion to be proud of. I won’t let it go to my head… unlike someone I know.
Take that how you will. You don’t lose my respect as being one of the greatest MAL Champions to hold that belt, because I do admire that about you. I don’t think you’re just a rug to wipe my shoes on like some of the other talent on this roster might think you are. You take people’s word for far too much worth. You actually care about what they have to say, because trust me, even if you were on top, they wouldn’t have anything good to say about you either. You have a bright future ahead of you, I’d hate to see it all go to waste for yourself over a few poor decisions.
I expect you to come into this match with guns drawn and blazing. Who wouldn’t? It’s against the World Champion after all. A real chance to make something of yourself and prove that you’re a step ahead of the bunch. An opportunity that you’re lucky to get after almost putting someone out for the rest of their career. Some people might be afraid to get back into the ring with you after doing that… not me. I look at it as a chance to drop you on your head, and hopefully knock a little sense back in you. Drop you hard enough that it pulls the old Izzy back out and brings back the person that I was growing so warm to.
But this has nothing to do with experience. Almost shelving someone has nothing to do with how many years you’ve spent in that ring. Anyone can do that, look at Jimmy Page for example.
You know what most people can’t do? Stay true to who they really are and the path they’ve laid out for themselves when winning something like a title belt. The FGA landscape is changing with new and bright talent walking through the doors. Then we still have the ones that love this company enough to stay here and keep fighting for what they love about this place, myself included in that. You know what this company doesn’t have enough of? Stand up people. It’s starting to become a little…. dark around here. With the exception of a handful, I can see that it’s going to be a long and tough road for some of us. I half expected you to be one of those people who walk alongside of someone like myself, Izzy. To be able to hold your head, and your title, up high and let everyone know that NOTHING will change who we are, no matter how much scum is starting to roam the hallways.
That’s not going to happen, though. Sadly, you’re becoming just like the rest with that little stunt you pulled at Final Frontier. Me? I’m made for fighting that darkness, been doing it my whole life, even in myself. I got my revenge on Jimmy Page and you didn’t have to watch me stoop to that level. I’m not out here to ruin someone’s life, even if they’re piece of shit enough to throw me down on a car hood. If I tried to do that to everyone who has tossed me around some, or downgraded me in some form, there wouldn’t be much of a roster to wrestle anymore.
Become who want. Make your own decisions. It’s got you this far on the road to being one of the best MAL champions in the industry. I don’t care what you do, just come into that ring ready for a fight, and ready to put on a show… the right way. Come in there to PROVE that you have so much more to offer this company on a wrestling standpoint and you’re not just out to hurt the talent. Show me that some harsh words and rough shots won’t turn you into the monster that I see in so many other people. Earn my respect that way and make up for what you’ve lost in another.
And for the love of God, quit listening to the peanut gallery. You’ll learn soon enough that you can’t please everyone. It’s impossible. A lesson that has been a hard slap in the face for myself. Fight for yourself. Fight for that title. Fight for the fans. I don’t care what you fight for, but find it. Don’t become just another no name thug.
You’re better than that. I know you are. I’ve seen it.
You think you’re going to hold this title one day, though? Well, don’t get too far ahead of yourself. Everyone has been saying that to me since I’ve won this belt. They all want to elbow their way in for a shot. It’s up to me to fight and not let that happen. I refuse to let this title drop into the hands of another Page, Harter, or Scott. If I’m going to lose this championship, I want it to be to someone that can hold it with some dignity. I don’t see this as a new era, but hopefully a new beginning.
And don’t be foolish enough to think I’m not going to bring everything I have against you. Mentally and physically. Like I said, I don’t take you as just another win in the column like Chandler would’ve done, those days are over with. You will get the absolute best of Zero McHannon. Your ability won’t be downgraded. You won’t be shit on for being another challenger.
But I’m not going to take it easy on you. I want to see exactly what you’re made of. To watch you walk the road I have to get to this point. Just remember, everyone can bounce back from anything. You WILL be taking a step backwards after Vertigo, because I have something to prove. To show everyone that beat Chandler for a good reason. To show that I’m a champion that can hold his own against any match or degrading words thrown my way. To show the fans exactly why I’ve fought through all the hard times.
And hopefully… to show you that it’s time to open your eyes some and see who I know you are. The type of person I know you can be.
Zero… Fucks… Given…”
