One More: A Contender's Lament and Inspiration
Nov 15, 2018 23:08:03 GMT -5
Post by James Edwards on Nov 15, 2018 23:08:03 GMT -5
In another life, James Edwards might have become a YouTube vlogger. His average looks and profanity-laced outbursts fit the stereotype like a glove. The irony is lost on him, though, as he sits in front of laptop somewhere in Amsterdam, site of the next stop on The Underground's worldwide tour for the Cult Classic.
"It's been a while, FGA."
Indeed it has. The last time the viewers saw James in an FGA ring, he was challenging Chandler Scott for the newly created top prize on Flashpoint, and surprisingly the usually noble champion left him hanging; not once but twice when Edwards asked him again on AfterBurn, offering a handshake to boot.
"I guess y'all saw the news that broke on Twitter early today."
Yes, the viewer most likely has. On November 11 it will be James Edwards vs. Salem for the right to challenge Chandler Scott for the International Heavyweight Championship at Final Frontier.
"I got what I asked for, sort of."
There isn't an ounce mirth in Edwards' tone but rather a hint of pessimism.
"I thought I did enough to earn a title shot. I haven't been pinned or submitted since February. I helped Flashpoint win one of the biggest matches of the year. I beat the guy who a lot of folks considered the MVP of Flashpoint in 2018 in Brian Stryker. That's enough. It's more than enough, and here I am getting blown off..."
He feels the first word of a rant almost escape his tongue. He frowns and runs a hand through his hair, causing it to stand up a bit in the back.
"It's no secret I don't care much for the way Chandler Scott does business, and that's fine. There ain't no law saying I have to like the guy, but I could've handled the situation going into All-Star Showdown a helluva lot better than I did. I can't take that back, though. All I can do is try and be better, and that's what I did on the last show. I didn't demand a title shot. I didn't run beat his ass up to get his attention. All I did was ask a question and didn't even get the courtesy of an answer. I offered a handshake outta respect and was left standin' around like an asshole. So maybe y'all will excuse me for being a little pissed about having to jump through another hoop."
A wild edge hardens James' eyes and posture. The rant is coming, and this time he won't hold back.
"If this whole fuckin' ordeal has taught me anything, it's that my name doesn't mean shit in FGA. I've had to watch so many other fighters go to the front of the just because of their name value and not because of what they've done lately. I've busted my ass this year to get in this position and to have another 'brand name' get the same chance I am even after I got an arguably more significant win at the last show; it makes me feel like I'm being trotted out just to make the inevitable feel legitimate."
James' takes a deep breath to calm down.
"Here's the thing, though, when you ain't happy with something, you can do two things: bitch about it or go out and take what you want. I want this title shot more than anything. I want to win this title to prove to everybody that's doubted me over the last year wrong, the Chandler Scotts, the Izzy Anders, the Kols, and the Molly Reids. I wanna raise that belt high in New York City and make them witness that I'm wanna the best in the world. I know it, and it's about damn time for the world to get on board. I think I proved at Above & Beyond that, I'm taker and not a bitcher. So if I have to go through Salem to take what I want, so be it."
He looks ahead at the camera, eyes flaming like a thousand suns.
"And after I'm done beating one champion, it's time to topple another one."
"It's been a while, FGA."
Indeed it has. The last time the viewers saw James in an FGA ring, he was challenging Chandler Scott for the newly created top prize on Flashpoint, and surprisingly the usually noble champion left him hanging; not once but twice when Edwards asked him again on AfterBurn, offering a handshake to boot.
"I guess y'all saw the news that broke on Twitter early today."
Yes, the viewer most likely has. On November 11 it will be James Edwards vs. Salem for the right to challenge Chandler Scott for the International Heavyweight Championship at Final Frontier.
"I got what I asked for, sort of."
There isn't an ounce mirth in Edwards' tone but rather a hint of pessimism.
"I thought I did enough to earn a title shot. I haven't been pinned or submitted since February. I helped Flashpoint win one of the biggest matches of the year. I beat the guy who a lot of folks considered the MVP of Flashpoint in 2018 in Brian Stryker. That's enough. It's more than enough, and here I am getting blown off..."
He feels the first word of a rant almost escape his tongue. He frowns and runs a hand through his hair, causing it to stand up a bit in the back.
"It's no secret I don't care much for the way Chandler Scott does business, and that's fine. There ain't no law saying I have to like the guy, but I could've handled the situation going into All-Star Showdown a helluva lot better than I did. I can't take that back, though. All I can do is try and be better, and that's what I did on the last show. I didn't demand a title shot. I didn't run beat his ass up to get his attention. All I did was ask a question and didn't even get the courtesy of an answer. I offered a handshake outta respect and was left standin' around like an asshole. So maybe y'all will excuse me for being a little pissed about having to jump through another hoop."
A wild edge hardens James' eyes and posture. The rant is coming, and this time he won't hold back.
"If this whole fuckin' ordeal has taught me anything, it's that my name doesn't mean shit in FGA. I've had to watch so many other fighters go to the front of the just because of their name value and not because of what they've done lately. I've busted my ass this year to get in this position and to have another 'brand name' get the same chance I am even after I got an arguably more significant win at the last show; it makes me feel like I'm being trotted out just to make the inevitable feel legitimate."
James' takes a deep breath to calm down.
"Here's the thing, though, when you ain't happy with something, you can do two things: bitch about it or go out and take what you want. I want this title shot more than anything. I want to win this title to prove to everybody that's doubted me over the last year wrong, the Chandler Scotts, the Izzy Anders, the Kols, and the Molly Reids. I wanna raise that belt high in New York City and make them witness that I'm wanna the best in the world. I know it, and it's about damn time for the world to get on board. I think I proved at Above & Beyond that, I'm taker and not a bitcher. So if I have to go through Salem to take what I want, so be it."
He looks ahead at the camera, eyes flaming like a thousand suns.
"And after I'm done beating one champion, it's time to topple another one."