Mentors & Cups
Jul 7, 2016 19:58:46 GMT -5
Post by Danny Diamond on Jul 7, 2016 19:58:46 GMT -5
Mentors & Cups
Location: The Diamond Mansion in Los Angeles, California
ON CAMERA
"I am an ordinary man who worked hard to develop the talent I was given."
- Muhammad Ali
Danny Diamond is lying on a chair outside of his home, next to his in-ground pool, dressed comfortably. He turns his head towards the camera, his eyes being blocked by unnecessarily expensive sunglasses. Diamond sits upright on the chair.
Danny Diamond: "The return of a king. I haven't been gone long from FGA, but it feels like a century. Any time I'm not inside a ring, pounding somebody to shit, I'm here, wasting away in front of a gorgeous pool. It's boring. I just can't live a boring life. To me, living like a king is synonymous with violence. So, where do I start? Do I start this little video off by congratulating my fellow king on officially earning his crown? Maybe I start it off by talking about how I stole some girls' clothes and blamed it on Storm. Of course, the obvious starting point would be my upcoming match against Johnny Karma, where I return to the ring and attempt to qualify for the Frontier Lions Cup. I say 'attempt to' in an effort to be just a tiny bit humble, but we all know that isn't me. I'm not going to start with any of those things, though. I'm going to start with something a bit more personal."
The Englishman stands up from his out-door chair and walks towards the camera.
Danny Diamond: "When I debuted in professional wrestling, just over seven years ago, and had my very first match on that lovely Friday in May, I didn't know where I would end up. I didn't know the heights I would reach, or the lows. I didn't know how many championships I'd win, how many awards I'd receive, or that I'd ever be in a Hall of Fame. I also didn't know the demons this industry would build inside me. I've won tag team gold three times in my life, all with different partners. The very first of those partners, though … He's been a pretty big influence on my career and my life.
Any FGA fans know about Ace Acid? For those who don't, I'd make a comparison if I could. The thing is, there's no FGA equivalent to this man. His accomplishments speak for themselves. He's broken record after record. The guy has done it all and then some. He took me under his wing, so to speak. He taught me a lot - albeit, not all - of what I know. If anybody came close to molding me as much as my father did, it'd be him. But not all of his effects on me were positive ones."
Diamond looks down, taking a moment to gather his thoughts as he thinks about his great 'mentor'.
Danny Diamond: "Ace retired a few years back, now, although I have heard rumblings about a return to the ring. Why am I talking about him? It's certainly not because any of you actually care about this story. That's never really a condition I need. If I want to talk about something, I will, and you'll sit there and listen to it regardless of whether or not you care because I'm Danny Diamond. My words are more important than your time. But why am I talking about this? Ace isn't a part of FGA, nor do I ever expect him to be. I just want you all to know who is personally responsible for what I've done in the past and what I'll do in the future.
When Ace and I paired up to become the 2WWF Tag Team Champions, we formed an amazing friendship. His victories were my victories and vice versa. Of course, this also meant his losses were mine as well - his losses and his troubles. The mind is a very interesting thing. It can pick up on habits and mannerisms unrelated to yours and, if you're around those habits and mannerisms so often, they can start to become yours.
And now I remind all of you folks about my old buddy Mirage. Mirage was a result of my friendship with Ace Acid. Believe it or not, he was that sick fuck before I ever got an over-stayed turn at it. He was the original illusionist. But I spent so much time with him that I started to hear the voice, that sick, raspy voice in my head. His mannerism became my mannerism. That fucking tilt of the head every time he was about to taste his prey, it became mine. I spent years being a prisoner in my own mind because of Ace Acid passing along those horrors to me."
Unusual for Danny when he's talking about Mirage, the Cheshire-born wrestler's voice remains very calm and collected.
Danny Diamond: "I never realized it. I didn't know what was happening to me. I just knew that I'd do things I never dreamed I could possibly do and I just watched as I did them. I didn't feel like I was in control, but I was. A few months ago, after years of believing that somehow, someway, my mind was being shared with a psychopath, I finally realized the truth that I was that psychopath all along. I've been corrupted and made into a monster by association. That's when everything started looking up for me. When I realized I was in control, I knew I could go back to doing what I love to do - being the best damn wrestler alive and letting everyone know it."
He flashes a wide smile to the camera, before pausing for a moment as the smile slowly fades away.
Danny Diamond: "But now I'm coming to realize something else.
A man who can't control doing the horrible things that he doesn't want to do is dangerous, but … a man who can control doing those horrible things that he does want to do is on another level. I thought when I finally rid of myself of the false imprisonment I suffered with Mirage, I'd move away from the things he did and be perfectly damn happy about it. But, the thing is, I miss it. I miss the fear in the eyes of anyone who I set my targets on. The screams of horror, followed only by the screams of pain. The blood, oh the fucking blood. The sight of it, the feel of it, the smell of it, the taste of it. Mix that with the sound of the screams and you've got every sense being satisfied.
Ace Acid created something inside me that I thought I was rid of, but I'm not. He didn't break me. He made me better. And for that, I thank him. For my fellow Kings, I thank them as well for helping me see that this is who I truly am. For anybody who opposes us, thank you for giving me another chance to satisfy my blood lust.
That starts with you, Johnny Karma."
"The Prized Gem" grins devilishly.
Danny Diamond: "You have problems with us for understandable reasons. Everybody does. But being given the opportunity to face me in a Frontier Lions Cup qualifier is not a blessing, it's a sacrifice. I have more than enough talent to beat you, but maybe that's not all I want. I mean, Fujiko Mine beat you. Not only that, but she took your championship in the process. I'm sort of an up-the-ante type of guy. You don't have a championship I can take with victory, but I do know how much you want this win.
You want the Lions Cup. This is your fourth time in a qualifying match, but you've only won two of those, haven't you? I can assure you, this is the second year in a row where you'll be defeated before you even get a chance to participate in the Cup. I'm no Cordy Stevenson, my body is actually a result of work and not surgery, but I'll getting further than she did after she qualified against you. Look at it on the bright side. This year, the person who qualifies by beating you will actually win and not get eliminated in the quarterfinals.
Quite frankly, Johnny, I'm better than you. That's not arrogant talk, that's fact. You pride yourself on being a wrestler, I pride myself on being a better wrestler. You're not going to beat me. Don't be delusional. Don't try to do something you will never be able to do. I want you to focus on one thing and one thing only when we step into that ring together - survival.
I want to - actually, I NEED to - make an example out of you. I don't just want victory, I want blood. I know we're not competing in any hardcore stipulation. I know this is going to be a wrestling match and I'm more than fine with that. I like to wrestle and I don't need weapons to prove a point, because I am a fucking weapon. Not only can I use my body in ways no one else can, but my mind is the most dangerous part of me. So please, don't focus on doing the impossible. Focus on continuing your career outside of the Cup that you'll miss for yet another year."
Danny glares directly into the camera, as if he were looking at Johnny Karma himself.
Danny Diamond: "Assuming I let you.
After I qualify for the Cup, and proceed to move on and win the damn thing, that's when this gets interesting. I get my opportunity at the FGA World Championship against the current champion at the time, which we all know will be the current champion right now. It'll be king versus king, this time without the edition of the aptly named Zero McHannon. But … which king will sit on his throne then?"
He gives off an exaggerated quizzical look and the chuckles lightly.
Danny Diamond: "We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. For now, I focus on the Cup and finding a suitable spot for my trophy here. There's certainly enough room in that fucking house."
Diamond looks over at his big house, smiling arrogantly while he does so. He focuses back on the camera again afterwards.
Danny Diamond: "Before I finish up with this and get on with my day, I've got one final thing to say.
I've talked many times before about how I should not be underestimated. I've brought up time and time again all of my accomplishments and they've been scoffed at and laughed at. If you want to continue to doubt me, that's fine. If what I've done elsewhere means nothing to any of you, that's fine. But I'm not here to be another face in the crowd. I'm here to be something special, just like I am everywhere else I go. If any of you try to doubt me after what I do next, just remember … their blood is on your hands."
No smiles, no chuckling, no exaggerated looks. The stare that Danny gives the camera is one never before seen, for the simple fact that Mirage's mask hid it every time before. There's no telling exactly what's going on in Danny's mind, but one thing is for sure.
You ain't seen nothing yet.
Location: The Diamond Mansion in Los Angeles, California
ON CAMERA
"I am an ordinary man who worked hard to develop the talent I was given."
- Muhammad Ali
Danny Diamond is lying on a chair outside of his home, next to his in-ground pool, dressed comfortably. He turns his head towards the camera, his eyes being blocked by unnecessarily expensive sunglasses. Diamond sits upright on the chair.
Danny Diamond: "The return of a king. I haven't been gone long from FGA, but it feels like a century. Any time I'm not inside a ring, pounding somebody to shit, I'm here, wasting away in front of a gorgeous pool. It's boring. I just can't live a boring life. To me, living like a king is synonymous with violence. So, where do I start? Do I start this little video off by congratulating my fellow king on officially earning his crown? Maybe I start it off by talking about how I stole some girls' clothes and blamed it on Storm. Of course, the obvious starting point would be my upcoming match against Johnny Karma, where I return to the ring and attempt to qualify for the Frontier Lions Cup. I say 'attempt to' in an effort to be just a tiny bit humble, but we all know that isn't me. I'm not going to start with any of those things, though. I'm going to start with something a bit more personal."
The Englishman stands up from his out-door chair and walks towards the camera.
Danny Diamond: "When I debuted in professional wrestling, just over seven years ago, and had my very first match on that lovely Friday in May, I didn't know where I would end up. I didn't know the heights I would reach, or the lows. I didn't know how many championships I'd win, how many awards I'd receive, or that I'd ever be in a Hall of Fame. I also didn't know the demons this industry would build inside me. I've won tag team gold three times in my life, all with different partners. The very first of those partners, though … He's been a pretty big influence on my career and my life.
Any FGA fans know about Ace Acid? For those who don't, I'd make a comparison if I could. The thing is, there's no FGA equivalent to this man. His accomplishments speak for themselves. He's broken record after record. The guy has done it all and then some. He took me under his wing, so to speak. He taught me a lot - albeit, not all - of what I know. If anybody came close to molding me as much as my father did, it'd be him. But not all of his effects on me were positive ones."
Diamond looks down, taking a moment to gather his thoughts as he thinks about his great 'mentor'.
Danny Diamond: "Ace retired a few years back, now, although I have heard rumblings about a return to the ring. Why am I talking about him? It's certainly not because any of you actually care about this story. That's never really a condition I need. If I want to talk about something, I will, and you'll sit there and listen to it regardless of whether or not you care because I'm Danny Diamond. My words are more important than your time. But why am I talking about this? Ace isn't a part of FGA, nor do I ever expect him to be. I just want you all to know who is personally responsible for what I've done in the past and what I'll do in the future.
When Ace and I paired up to become the 2WWF Tag Team Champions, we formed an amazing friendship. His victories were my victories and vice versa. Of course, this also meant his losses were mine as well - his losses and his troubles. The mind is a very interesting thing. It can pick up on habits and mannerisms unrelated to yours and, if you're around those habits and mannerisms so often, they can start to become yours.
And now I remind all of you folks about my old buddy Mirage. Mirage was a result of my friendship with Ace Acid. Believe it or not, he was that sick fuck before I ever got an over-stayed turn at it. He was the original illusionist. But I spent so much time with him that I started to hear the voice, that sick, raspy voice in my head. His mannerism became my mannerism. That fucking tilt of the head every time he was about to taste his prey, it became mine. I spent years being a prisoner in my own mind because of Ace Acid passing along those horrors to me."
Unusual for Danny when he's talking about Mirage, the Cheshire-born wrestler's voice remains very calm and collected.
Danny Diamond: "I never realized it. I didn't know what was happening to me. I just knew that I'd do things I never dreamed I could possibly do and I just watched as I did them. I didn't feel like I was in control, but I was. A few months ago, after years of believing that somehow, someway, my mind was being shared with a psychopath, I finally realized the truth that I was that psychopath all along. I've been corrupted and made into a monster by association. That's when everything started looking up for me. When I realized I was in control, I knew I could go back to doing what I love to do - being the best damn wrestler alive and letting everyone know it."
He flashes a wide smile to the camera, before pausing for a moment as the smile slowly fades away.
Danny Diamond: "But now I'm coming to realize something else.
A man who can't control doing the horrible things that he doesn't want to do is dangerous, but … a man who can control doing those horrible things that he does want to do is on another level. I thought when I finally rid of myself of the false imprisonment I suffered with Mirage, I'd move away from the things he did and be perfectly damn happy about it. But, the thing is, I miss it. I miss the fear in the eyes of anyone who I set my targets on. The screams of horror, followed only by the screams of pain. The blood, oh the fucking blood. The sight of it, the feel of it, the smell of it, the taste of it. Mix that with the sound of the screams and you've got every sense being satisfied.
Ace Acid created something inside me that I thought I was rid of, but I'm not. He didn't break me. He made me better. And for that, I thank him. For my fellow Kings, I thank them as well for helping me see that this is who I truly am. For anybody who opposes us, thank you for giving me another chance to satisfy my blood lust.
That starts with you, Johnny Karma."
"The Prized Gem" grins devilishly.
Danny Diamond: "You have problems with us for understandable reasons. Everybody does. But being given the opportunity to face me in a Frontier Lions Cup qualifier is not a blessing, it's a sacrifice. I have more than enough talent to beat you, but maybe that's not all I want. I mean, Fujiko Mine beat you. Not only that, but she took your championship in the process. I'm sort of an up-the-ante type of guy. You don't have a championship I can take with victory, but I do know how much you want this win.
You want the Lions Cup. This is your fourth time in a qualifying match, but you've only won two of those, haven't you? I can assure you, this is the second year in a row where you'll be defeated before you even get a chance to participate in the Cup. I'm no Cordy Stevenson, my body is actually a result of work and not surgery, but I'll getting further than she did after she qualified against you. Look at it on the bright side. This year, the person who qualifies by beating you will actually win and not get eliminated in the quarterfinals.
Quite frankly, Johnny, I'm better than you. That's not arrogant talk, that's fact. You pride yourself on being a wrestler, I pride myself on being a better wrestler. You're not going to beat me. Don't be delusional. Don't try to do something you will never be able to do. I want you to focus on one thing and one thing only when we step into that ring together - survival.
I want to - actually, I NEED to - make an example out of you. I don't just want victory, I want blood. I know we're not competing in any hardcore stipulation. I know this is going to be a wrestling match and I'm more than fine with that. I like to wrestle and I don't need weapons to prove a point, because I am a fucking weapon. Not only can I use my body in ways no one else can, but my mind is the most dangerous part of me. So please, don't focus on doing the impossible. Focus on continuing your career outside of the Cup that you'll miss for yet another year."
Danny glares directly into the camera, as if he were looking at Johnny Karma himself.
Danny Diamond: "Assuming I let you.
After I qualify for the Cup, and proceed to move on and win the damn thing, that's when this gets interesting. I get my opportunity at the FGA World Championship against the current champion at the time, which we all know will be the current champion right now. It'll be king versus king, this time without the edition of the aptly named Zero McHannon. But … which king will sit on his throne then?"
He gives off an exaggerated quizzical look and the chuckles lightly.
Danny Diamond: "We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. For now, I focus on the Cup and finding a suitable spot for my trophy here. There's certainly enough room in that fucking house."
Diamond looks over at his big house, smiling arrogantly while he does so. He focuses back on the camera again afterwards.
Danny Diamond: "Before I finish up with this and get on with my day, I've got one final thing to say.
I've talked many times before about how I should not be underestimated. I've brought up time and time again all of my accomplishments and they've been scoffed at and laughed at. If you want to continue to doubt me, that's fine. If what I've done elsewhere means nothing to any of you, that's fine. But I'm not here to be another face in the crowd. I'm here to be something special, just like I am everywhere else I go. If any of you try to doubt me after what I do next, just remember … their blood is on your hands."
No smiles, no chuckling, no exaggerated looks. The stare that Danny gives the camera is one never before seen, for the simple fact that Mirage's mask hid it every time before. There's no telling exactly what's going on in Danny's mind, but one thing is for sure.
You ain't seen nothing yet.
