Always On My Mind
May 12, 2016 19:35:10 GMT -5
Post by Savannah Taylor on May 12, 2016 19:35:10 GMT -5
Friday, April 15th, 2016
Hershey, Pennsylvania
OFF CAMERA
Before every major sporting event, most athletes like to take some time to themselves and stay within the comfort and confines of their hotel rooms. Most like to use the quiet time to focus on what they have been working towards the next night. Many believe that time spent by themselves, especially the night before an important contest, is a vital element for future success. Professional wrestlers are no different than baseball, football or basketball players. Most seeked out and even craved the alone time rather than lose focus going out and getting absolutely wasted the night before a show.
The Hilton Garden Inn was the hotel of choice of many of the FGA stars in town for the annual Gold Rush Rumble event. However, most of the roster wasn’t at the hotel. Hell, most of them weren’t even in Pennsylvania. They were in New York celebrating a birthday of one of their own. It was supposed to be the kind of event that those who were in attendance would remember for a while to come. In the case of one FGA wrestler in particular, she wanted next to nothing to do with the birthday girl. Not when she was set to face her tomorrow night.
Indeed, it was safe to say that Savannah Taylor was no major fan of Annie Zellor. The Las Vegas native had made her feelings known on more than one occasion, so all that was left was to back up her words. Savannah slowly paced the multicolored carpet in front of the king sized bed in her room, looking deep in thought. Wearing a pair of semi loose fitting black yoga pants with a hot pink cheetah print waistband and a plain white oversized t-shirt, she is the picture of Friday night comfort as opposed to going out and partying until dawn. The flat screen television was on, playing the eleven o’clock broadcast of SportsCenter, but to Savannah this was merely background noise. She walked over to the window and looked out at the night sky. A sigh escapes her lips as she runs a hand through her hair, shaking the loose waves over her shoulders. Her mind was a jumble of several random thoughts and feelings, most of which kept her from getting a fairly decent night’s sleep. She was obviously thinking about her in ring game and how she had personally been feeling like she was letting down those around her that believed in her and were quick to show support. Ever since she first climbed into a ring, she wanted to be the best that she could be. She wanted to do right by the people who had faith in her and felt that she could do anything. If that meant adding more time in the gym or even more film study, she was going to do it.
Perhaps even more pressing than wrestling was her family, more specifically her mother. Her once fractured relationship with her mother and her father was being mended fairly well. She got them back into her life, as well as the sister she never knew she had, almost a year ago, and she couldn’t be happier. Her mother was also approaching one year since she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was keeping up a brave front and telling people just what was going on, but Savannah could tell that the bad days were ever so slowly starting to outnumber the good. Her mother told Savannah not to worry too much and to keep her eyes on her wrestling, but deep down Savannah was having a hard time coping that she could lose her mother at any time down the road. Probably the biggest thing on her mind, second only to her mother, was the one thing always on her mind and in her heart. No matter where she was or what she was doing, Chandler Scott was always at the front of her mind. More than anyone, his opinion matter the most to her. He was the one she wanted to do right by the most. With what he was currently going through thanks to Jimmy Page, Savannah wanted to not only be there for him, but wanted to see karma dished out as well. If she could help in any way during the Gold Rush Rumble, then she was going to do it, no questions asked.
Savannah is snapped out of her reverie by the sounds of ‘The Rains of Castamere’ coming from her iPhone 6S on the nightstand. Smiling a bit, she flops onto the bed and reaches over, answering the phone and activating the speaker function as well.
Savannah Taylor: Hello little sister.
She says as her sister Harper chuckles on the other end of the line.
Harper Taylor: Someone is in a good mood despite it being…….whatever time of night it is over there.
Savannah Taylor: Just after eleven.
Harper Taylor: Exactly.
Savannah Taylor: So what’s up?
Harper Taylor: I was just calling to say hey to my sister. I know you’re going to be busy as all get up tomorrow, so I figured I’d catch you now.
Savannah Taylor: I’m glad you did.
She clears her throat as she sets the phone down on the pillow.
Savannah Taylor: Listen, I want you to know how sorry I am that I’m missing your birthday tomorrow.. I really wanted to be there for at least part of it.
Harper Taylor: I know. I’m not the least bit upset though.
Savannah Taylor: You only turn eighteen once though.
Harper Taylor: I know, but you have more important things to worry about tomorrow, like winning the Mid Atlantic Legacy title and kicking butt in the Rumble.
Savannah can’t help but smile as she hears the enthusiasm in her sister’s voice.
Savannah Taylor: Well I’ll do everything in my power to make sure that happens. So, what are the big plans for tomorrow? Doing anything special?
Harper Taylor: Well I just got back from dinner with a bunch of friends. As for tomorrow, I’m having a bunch of people over tomorrow for a pay per view party.
Savannah Taylor: A what now?
Harper Taylor: A pay per view party. A bunch of friends are coming over for food, fun and more importantly, watching the Gold Rush Rumble pay per view tomorrow.
Savannah was silent for a second as she gulped.
Savannah Taylor: Really? You could do anything you wanted for your birthday, and you are choosing to spend it watching a show I’m on?
Harper Taylor: You got it.
Savannah Taylor: Knowing a large group of high school seniors are watching? No pressure there.
Harper Taylor: You underestimate the size of the fansbase you have.
Savannah Taylor: Woah woah, let’s not be too hasty. I’m not the most popular wrestler around.
Harper Taylor: I meant here in Las Vegas.
Savannah Taylor: Well that makes more sense.
Harper Taylor: You’ll have an entire city in your corner. You need to stop putting so much pressure on yourself.
Savannah Taylor: You’re starting to sound like Mom.
She says with a smile. What her sister just told her was pretty much exactly what her mother has told her, as well as a host of other people.
Harper Taylor: I’ll take that as a compliment.
Savannah Taylor: How is she doing?
Harper Taylor: She’s doing…….okay. She had her chemo treatment today, and that just seemed to wipe out her energy more than normal. She’s actually been asleep for about an hour and a half now, which is weird and a little disconcerting.
Savannah Taylor: It’s hard on all of us, and this is another reason why I can’t wait to get back and see everyone. Will you tell her I’ll call her sometime tomorrow?
Harper Taylor: Absolutely.
The two sisters share a moment of silence before their conversation continues. Savannah had a monumental task ahead of her tomorrow night, one that she would risk everything to achieve. She had to survive what many would call a brutal triple threat match earlier in the evening, and then go on to compete in the Gold Rush Rumble. Wrestling two matches in one night? People would look at that and call her crazy. But the last time Savannah wrestled twice in one night, she won both times and walked away with a priceless championship. Maybe lighting would strike twice for her. She’d find out tomorrow night. She knew that with an event of this magnitude, one hundred percent of her focus needed to be on both matches. Some would call this a case of easier said than done, but Savannah would make it work. Either that or she’d die trying.
It’s been a few weeks and I’m still thinking about the Gold Rush Rumble. It was supposed to be a coming out party of sorts. That night was supposed to be my chance to show everyone that I did indeed belong with the big dogs here in the FGA. I put my heart and soul into that night. I pour my sweat, tears, and obviously blood in the hopes of walking away as Mid Atlantic Legacy champion. But did I win? Nope. Did Izzy Anders win? Nope.
Annie Zellor won. Whoopie freaking doo.
Instead of celebrating MY title win or congratulating Izzy on cementing her legacy here in FGA, we had to sit back and watch as Annie was hoisting the title high above her head. I have seen a lot of things in wrestling that make me mad. I have seen a lot of things that annoy me. Watching the FGA’s own Mary Sue winning her first singles title ever pretty much takes the cake. I know people have been accusing me of being jealous of Annie. I know people say that I outright hate Annie. Neither of these statements are true. Annie has absolutely nothing that I would be jealous about. I would say I am more ambivalent towards her rather than outright hating her. I am rather confident that our paths will cross again. When they do, she had better be ready because I intend on taking that precious little title she hold dearly around her waist. But until then, I am comfortable just sitting back and biding my time.
As tempting as it is to focus on Annie, I’ve got something that takes precedence this week. I am tasked with opening the show against one Asa Constant. I am tasked with trying to unravel the mystery of someone that few know anything about. Listen, I am not the least bit slighted or offended by being put in the show opener spot. I’m comfortable with just about any place on the card and with anyone they decide to throw at me. I’m actually quite thrilled that they are giving me someone who has yet to wrestle here in FGA. With the way things have been going for me as of late, I could use all the ego boosting I can get. I’m going to quite enjoy being the litmus test for the rookie. I just hope he’ll be ready. Lord knows I will be ready come Saturday night.
Let me see a show of hands. How many people, after watching the Gold Rush Rumble, would think that I would be absolutely livid at losing my chance at the Mid Atlantic Legacy championship? How many people would think I am disgusted at my performance in the Gold Rush Rumble? Do you want to know the answer to these two questions? I am neither livid nor disgusted. I hold no intense hatred or anything else towards Annie Zellor or the co Rumble winners. Instead I am merely disappointed. I am disappointed in myself because I know i am better than what I have shown. I know that I am good. I know how to get the job done inside of the ring. I do believe that it is high time that I start reminding people just who the hell I am. It’s time that these people get to know the woman looking to leaving a tarnished past out in California behind her.
Enter the rookie.
Asa, let me be the first to officially welcome you aboard. I know, I know. A positive greeting coming from me of all people. It sounds silly and borderline outrageous, doesn’t it? Maybe this is a sign that times are changing and I’m actually willing to welcome the new competition to the fold with open arms.
Or maybe I’m simply trying to lull you into a false sense of security before pouncing on you like a lion pounces on a helpless gazelle before devouring it like it will never have another meal as long as it lives. You decide.
Let me make one thing clear, Asa. This right here, this entire atmosphere surrounding the FGA as a whole, it is different than anything you have experienced in your fledgling career. Let me put it in terms that even a rookie can understand. You are Nemo and you are about to dive straight into an ocean full of Great White sharks, with your bad fin and all. You had better learn to swim and swim well, because the predators can sense when you off. They can sense weakness and won’t hesitate to tear you apart. How fortunate for you that your debut match here in FGA is against someone who, let’s face it, hasn’t exactly had the greatest of times so far. Hey, I’m woman enough to admit that. I am woman enough to admit when things haven’t always gone as planned. But I am also woman enough to realize that certain aspects of my game have to change if I am going to live up to everyone’s expectations of me. I’m going to have to become stronger. I’m going to have to become faster. I’m going to have to become more aggressive than I’ve been. In short, i am going to have to revert back, in ring wise, to the woman that I was before I came to FGA. The woman that I was before, the wrestler side, she didn’t care what she had to do in order to won. She didn’t care what she put her body through as long as she not only won but left the fans speechless and wanting more.
How very unfortunate for you, Asa. How unfortunate that you, a wet behind the ears rookie who has all the potential in the world to make a name for yourself in this industry, has to come face to face with a woman who has her back against the wall and a whole lot to prove to people. I know you have a lot to prove to people as well, what with this being your debut match and all. But let us not kid ourselves. This isn’t about you at all, Asa. This is about me. This is about me shaking off whatever it is that has been keeping me from reaching my full potential. This is about me showing off the in ring skills and abilities that brought me to this particular dance in the first place. I guess I should be thanking you though. I should be thanking you for volunteering to be my sparring dummy. I really should thank you because when you get right down to it, this isn’t going to be much of a match. This is going to be a warm up for things to come later on down the road. But if you are feeling froggy enough and decide that you want to take the ultimate leap of faith and actually want to challenge me, then please, by all means do your worst. Saturday marks the beginning of a new chapter in my career. It also marks the date where a rookie learned first hand that when you come face to face with someone who doesn’t really have a lot to professionally lose, it is sometimes best just to stay the hell home.
The more I keep thinking about this match, the more I am drawn to something. No, it isn’t the fact that most would assume I’m upset at the fact I am facing a relatively unknown wrestler. I could care less about that. But the more I keep thinking about the match on Saturday and the more I see this as a career rebirth, the more I am drawn to the words from a popular science fiction television show. It is one of my eighteen year old sister’s favorite programs, one that whenever I visit her at my parents house, she forces me to watch. Great men are forged in fire. It is the privilege of lesser men ti light the flame. Whatever the cost. Asa, I am not asking you nor am i begging you. I am giving you permission to grab a match and light the fire. Light the fire so that the old and disappointing can wither away in the flames and a new and improved Siren can emerge from the ashes and smoke. When the new Siren emerges from the flames, you can rest assured that I am bringing hell with me. Saturday Night in Johnson City, Tennessee, you and everyone else are going to sit back and watch as I begin to fight, scratch and claw my way to the place that allows me to stand among the elite of this company. Consider this match a hard lesson learned, Asa. You can prepare both mentally and physically until you reach the breaking point and want to give up. All the preparation won’t be enough, not when I am through. See you Saturday.
Auf Wiedersehen.
Hershey, Pennsylvania
OFF CAMERA
Before every major sporting event, most athletes like to take some time to themselves and stay within the comfort and confines of their hotel rooms. Most like to use the quiet time to focus on what they have been working towards the next night. Many believe that time spent by themselves, especially the night before an important contest, is a vital element for future success. Professional wrestlers are no different than baseball, football or basketball players. Most seeked out and even craved the alone time rather than lose focus going out and getting absolutely wasted the night before a show.
The Hilton Garden Inn was the hotel of choice of many of the FGA stars in town for the annual Gold Rush Rumble event. However, most of the roster wasn’t at the hotel. Hell, most of them weren’t even in Pennsylvania. They were in New York celebrating a birthday of one of their own. It was supposed to be the kind of event that those who were in attendance would remember for a while to come. In the case of one FGA wrestler in particular, she wanted next to nothing to do with the birthday girl. Not when she was set to face her tomorrow night.
Indeed, it was safe to say that Savannah Taylor was no major fan of Annie Zellor. The Las Vegas native had made her feelings known on more than one occasion, so all that was left was to back up her words. Savannah slowly paced the multicolored carpet in front of the king sized bed in her room, looking deep in thought. Wearing a pair of semi loose fitting black yoga pants with a hot pink cheetah print waistband and a plain white oversized t-shirt, she is the picture of Friday night comfort as opposed to going out and partying until dawn. The flat screen television was on, playing the eleven o’clock broadcast of SportsCenter, but to Savannah this was merely background noise. She walked over to the window and looked out at the night sky. A sigh escapes her lips as she runs a hand through her hair, shaking the loose waves over her shoulders. Her mind was a jumble of several random thoughts and feelings, most of which kept her from getting a fairly decent night’s sleep. She was obviously thinking about her in ring game and how she had personally been feeling like she was letting down those around her that believed in her and were quick to show support. Ever since she first climbed into a ring, she wanted to be the best that she could be. She wanted to do right by the people who had faith in her and felt that she could do anything. If that meant adding more time in the gym or even more film study, she was going to do it.
Perhaps even more pressing than wrestling was her family, more specifically her mother. Her once fractured relationship with her mother and her father was being mended fairly well. She got them back into her life, as well as the sister she never knew she had, almost a year ago, and she couldn’t be happier. Her mother was also approaching one year since she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was keeping up a brave front and telling people just what was going on, but Savannah could tell that the bad days were ever so slowly starting to outnumber the good. Her mother told Savannah not to worry too much and to keep her eyes on her wrestling, but deep down Savannah was having a hard time coping that she could lose her mother at any time down the road. Probably the biggest thing on her mind, second only to her mother, was the one thing always on her mind and in her heart. No matter where she was or what she was doing, Chandler Scott was always at the front of her mind. More than anyone, his opinion matter the most to her. He was the one she wanted to do right by the most. With what he was currently going through thanks to Jimmy Page, Savannah wanted to not only be there for him, but wanted to see karma dished out as well. If she could help in any way during the Gold Rush Rumble, then she was going to do it, no questions asked.
Savannah is snapped out of her reverie by the sounds of ‘The Rains of Castamere’ coming from her iPhone 6S on the nightstand. Smiling a bit, she flops onto the bed and reaches over, answering the phone and activating the speaker function as well.
Savannah Taylor: Hello little sister.
She says as her sister Harper chuckles on the other end of the line.
Harper Taylor: Someone is in a good mood despite it being…….whatever time of night it is over there.
Savannah Taylor: Just after eleven.
Harper Taylor: Exactly.
Savannah Taylor: So what’s up?
Harper Taylor: I was just calling to say hey to my sister. I know you’re going to be busy as all get up tomorrow, so I figured I’d catch you now.
Savannah Taylor: I’m glad you did.
She clears her throat as she sets the phone down on the pillow.
Savannah Taylor: Listen, I want you to know how sorry I am that I’m missing your birthday tomorrow.. I really wanted to be there for at least part of it.
Harper Taylor: I know. I’m not the least bit upset though.
Savannah Taylor: You only turn eighteen once though.
Harper Taylor: I know, but you have more important things to worry about tomorrow, like winning the Mid Atlantic Legacy title and kicking butt in the Rumble.
Savannah can’t help but smile as she hears the enthusiasm in her sister’s voice.
Savannah Taylor: Well I’ll do everything in my power to make sure that happens. So, what are the big plans for tomorrow? Doing anything special?
Harper Taylor: Well I just got back from dinner with a bunch of friends. As for tomorrow, I’m having a bunch of people over tomorrow for a pay per view party.
Savannah Taylor: A what now?
Harper Taylor: A pay per view party. A bunch of friends are coming over for food, fun and more importantly, watching the Gold Rush Rumble pay per view tomorrow.
Savannah was silent for a second as she gulped.
Savannah Taylor: Really? You could do anything you wanted for your birthday, and you are choosing to spend it watching a show I’m on?
Harper Taylor: You got it.
Savannah Taylor: Knowing a large group of high school seniors are watching? No pressure there.
Harper Taylor: You underestimate the size of the fansbase you have.
Savannah Taylor: Woah woah, let’s not be too hasty. I’m not the most popular wrestler around.
Harper Taylor: I meant here in Las Vegas.
Savannah Taylor: Well that makes more sense.
Harper Taylor: You’ll have an entire city in your corner. You need to stop putting so much pressure on yourself.
Savannah Taylor: You’re starting to sound like Mom.
She says with a smile. What her sister just told her was pretty much exactly what her mother has told her, as well as a host of other people.
Harper Taylor: I’ll take that as a compliment.
Savannah Taylor: How is she doing?
Harper Taylor: She’s doing…….okay. She had her chemo treatment today, and that just seemed to wipe out her energy more than normal. She’s actually been asleep for about an hour and a half now, which is weird and a little disconcerting.
Savannah Taylor: It’s hard on all of us, and this is another reason why I can’t wait to get back and see everyone. Will you tell her I’ll call her sometime tomorrow?
Harper Taylor: Absolutely.
The two sisters share a moment of silence before their conversation continues. Savannah had a monumental task ahead of her tomorrow night, one that she would risk everything to achieve. She had to survive what many would call a brutal triple threat match earlier in the evening, and then go on to compete in the Gold Rush Rumble. Wrestling two matches in one night? People would look at that and call her crazy. But the last time Savannah wrestled twice in one night, she won both times and walked away with a priceless championship. Maybe lighting would strike twice for her. She’d find out tomorrow night. She knew that with an event of this magnitude, one hundred percent of her focus needed to be on both matches. Some would call this a case of easier said than done, but Savannah would make it work. Either that or she’d die trying.
It’s been a few weeks and I’m still thinking about the Gold Rush Rumble. It was supposed to be a coming out party of sorts. That night was supposed to be my chance to show everyone that I did indeed belong with the big dogs here in the FGA. I put my heart and soul into that night. I pour my sweat, tears, and obviously blood in the hopes of walking away as Mid Atlantic Legacy champion. But did I win? Nope. Did Izzy Anders win? Nope.
Annie Zellor won. Whoopie freaking doo.
Instead of celebrating MY title win or congratulating Izzy on cementing her legacy here in FGA, we had to sit back and watch as Annie was hoisting the title high above her head. I have seen a lot of things in wrestling that make me mad. I have seen a lot of things that annoy me. Watching the FGA’s own Mary Sue winning her first singles title ever pretty much takes the cake. I know people have been accusing me of being jealous of Annie. I know people say that I outright hate Annie. Neither of these statements are true. Annie has absolutely nothing that I would be jealous about. I would say I am more ambivalent towards her rather than outright hating her. I am rather confident that our paths will cross again. When they do, she had better be ready because I intend on taking that precious little title she hold dearly around her waist. But until then, I am comfortable just sitting back and biding my time.
As tempting as it is to focus on Annie, I’ve got something that takes precedence this week. I am tasked with opening the show against one Asa Constant. I am tasked with trying to unravel the mystery of someone that few know anything about. Listen, I am not the least bit slighted or offended by being put in the show opener spot. I’m comfortable with just about any place on the card and with anyone they decide to throw at me. I’m actually quite thrilled that they are giving me someone who has yet to wrestle here in FGA. With the way things have been going for me as of late, I could use all the ego boosting I can get. I’m going to quite enjoy being the litmus test for the rookie. I just hope he’ll be ready. Lord knows I will be ready come Saturday night.
Let me see a show of hands. How many people, after watching the Gold Rush Rumble, would think that I would be absolutely livid at losing my chance at the Mid Atlantic Legacy championship? How many people would think I am disgusted at my performance in the Gold Rush Rumble? Do you want to know the answer to these two questions? I am neither livid nor disgusted. I hold no intense hatred or anything else towards Annie Zellor or the co Rumble winners. Instead I am merely disappointed. I am disappointed in myself because I know i am better than what I have shown. I know that I am good. I know how to get the job done inside of the ring. I do believe that it is high time that I start reminding people just who the hell I am. It’s time that these people get to know the woman looking to leaving a tarnished past out in California behind her.
Enter the rookie.
Asa, let me be the first to officially welcome you aboard. I know, I know. A positive greeting coming from me of all people. It sounds silly and borderline outrageous, doesn’t it? Maybe this is a sign that times are changing and I’m actually willing to welcome the new competition to the fold with open arms.
Or maybe I’m simply trying to lull you into a false sense of security before pouncing on you like a lion pounces on a helpless gazelle before devouring it like it will never have another meal as long as it lives. You decide.
Let me make one thing clear, Asa. This right here, this entire atmosphere surrounding the FGA as a whole, it is different than anything you have experienced in your fledgling career. Let me put it in terms that even a rookie can understand. You are Nemo and you are about to dive straight into an ocean full of Great White sharks, with your bad fin and all. You had better learn to swim and swim well, because the predators can sense when you off. They can sense weakness and won’t hesitate to tear you apart. How fortunate for you that your debut match here in FGA is against someone who, let’s face it, hasn’t exactly had the greatest of times so far. Hey, I’m woman enough to admit that. I am woman enough to admit when things haven’t always gone as planned. But I am also woman enough to realize that certain aspects of my game have to change if I am going to live up to everyone’s expectations of me. I’m going to have to become stronger. I’m going to have to become faster. I’m going to have to become more aggressive than I’ve been. In short, i am going to have to revert back, in ring wise, to the woman that I was before I came to FGA. The woman that I was before, the wrestler side, she didn’t care what she had to do in order to won. She didn’t care what she put her body through as long as she not only won but left the fans speechless and wanting more.
How very unfortunate for you, Asa. How unfortunate that you, a wet behind the ears rookie who has all the potential in the world to make a name for yourself in this industry, has to come face to face with a woman who has her back against the wall and a whole lot to prove to people. I know you have a lot to prove to people as well, what with this being your debut match and all. But let us not kid ourselves. This isn’t about you at all, Asa. This is about me. This is about me shaking off whatever it is that has been keeping me from reaching my full potential. This is about me showing off the in ring skills and abilities that brought me to this particular dance in the first place. I guess I should be thanking you though. I should be thanking you for volunteering to be my sparring dummy. I really should thank you because when you get right down to it, this isn’t going to be much of a match. This is going to be a warm up for things to come later on down the road. But if you are feeling froggy enough and decide that you want to take the ultimate leap of faith and actually want to challenge me, then please, by all means do your worst. Saturday marks the beginning of a new chapter in my career. It also marks the date where a rookie learned first hand that when you come face to face with someone who doesn’t really have a lot to professionally lose, it is sometimes best just to stay the hell home.
The more I keep thinking about this match, the more I am drawn to something. No, it isn’t the fact that most would assume I’m upset at the fact I am facing a relatively unknown wrestler. I could care less about that. But the more I keep thinking about the match on Saturday and the more I see this as a career rebirth, the more I am drawn to the words from a popular science fiction television show. It is one of my eighteen year old sister’s favorite programs, one that whenever I visit her at my parents house, she forces me to watch. Great men are forged in fire. It is the privilege of lesser men ti light the flame. Whatever the cost. Asa, I am not asking you nor am i begging you. I am giving you permission to grab a match and light the fire. Light the fire so that the old and disappointing can wither away in the flames and a new and improved Siren can emerge from the ashes and smoke. When the new Siren emerges from the flames, you can rest assured that I am bringing hell with me. Saturday Night in Johnson City, Tennessee, you and everyone else are going to sit back and watch as I begin to fight, scratch and claw my way to the place that allows me to stand among the elite of this company. Consider this match a hard lesson learned, Asa. You can prepare both mentally and physically until you reach the breaking point and want to give up. All the preparation won’t be enough, not when I am through. See you Saturday.
Auf Wiedersehen.