Post by Marcus Thomas Brody, M! T! B!! on Apr 21, 2011 19:52:25 GMT
The card for Genesis VIII was finally taking shape. Christian Lee would be defending the World Championship against "The" Ross Walker, "Captain" Joe Stall and Sah'ta Thor; Oswald Brodd would be defending the Universal Championship against "Dragonfly" Danny T in a Last Man Standing match and Matthew "The Raven" Knox would be facing James Bohne. As for me, it had been announced on FWF Online that James Stall and I would be defending our Elite Tag Team Championships against "Super" Benny Starr and Wild Bild Legend, now known collectively as "Starr and Legend." Was I disappointed I wasn't in the main event? Of course I was. If you're not going to be disappointed at not being in the main event of Genesis, you shouldn't even be here. Was I annoyed at not even being given a chance by being excluded from the Elimination Chamber? Of course. But the past is the past, and it's not important right now. What's important is the future, and that future involves defending my title.
Fresh off my Live-Wire victory over WBL, and fresh off being hit in the knackers by December Green, I'd decided to follow some of Sandy Strachon's advice and just relax. With the amount of stuff I could do in what Sandy liked to call the "Chateau de Strachon," from the pool to pool, and even an amusement arcade I'd stumbled across, I chose to lie on my bed. Hey, just because it's not an activity doesn't mean it's not relaxing. I lay back on a sea of quilts and all the aching and stinging from the night before just flew away. I held the belt up and let the daylight cast a golden reflection into my face. I'd been one half of the Elite Tag Team Champions for nearly eight months, yet I'd never defended it. Of course, the blame for that does fall upon WBL's mismanagement of the company. Didn't stop me being a champion, though. And that can do nothing but bolster my chances of heading up the card. I looked up and found myself talking to the belt.
MTB: So you're what shows I'm a champion? Sure, you're not the World Championship but you're a start. You're the first thing on my path to greatness, aren't I right?
Just then, there was a knock on my door and I sat bolt upright, snapping out of whatever trance the gold had put me under.
MTB: Come in!
The door opened and in walked Sandy, looking fairly dressed down in a grey hoody and black joggers, and it appeared he was dripping with sweat from a morning jog. At least he was dressed and active, instead of lazing about in boxers admiring the title.
Sandy Strachon: MTB, nice work out there last night. Ya beat WBL. Pain's gotta take notice of ya beatin' his nemesis. But that's not why I'm here. I was just coming back from a run when I got word of your match next week.
MTB: That's nice, who am I facing? Benny Starr?
Sandy Strachon: No. Matt Knox. Benny's got the night off.
MTB: So is James facing WBL?
Sandy Strachon: No. They both have the night off as well.
MTB: So I'm the only one from the tag title match at Genesis in action this week?
Sandy Strachon: That's what it looks like. But, kid, this is good.
MTB: It is? How? I'm in a match and neither of my Genesis opponents are.
Sandy Strachon: May I?
He gestured to the bean bag by the door. I raised my eyebrows as if I was saying "yes" and he slumped himself down.
Sandy Strachon: Ah, that feels good. Can't beat a bit o' relaxin' after a workout. But why is this match a good thing? Simple answer. One word. Momentum.
MTB: Momentum?
Sandy Strachon: Precisely.
Sandy gave me one of his cheeky smiles and I began to feel reassured. How the hell did my dad hate this man? I sat up more, eager to listen to what he had to say.
Sandy Strachon: Ya see, MTB, tell me what's happened to ya on every single Live-Wire since FWF came back.
There was a weird silence as I tried to recollect everything that had happened. Sandy's eyebrows didn't help since they were all over the place. Seriously, someone should come over and wax those, it's not like he can't afford it. I umm'd and ahh'd whilst my memory tried bringing everything to the forefront.
MTB: Right, can you prompt me here, with a show-by-show?
Sandy Strachon: Okay, Live-Wire. March 16th?
MTB: Ah, Blizzard. Christian Lee cheap-shotted my partner and beat me up, which made it easier for me to be thrown out of the Blizzard match.
Sandy Strachon: Correct. Now Live-Wire, March 31st?
MTB: I beat Christian Lee by DQ 'cause WBL and Benny Starr interfered and Christian low blowed me. Then I got beaten up by my Genesis challengers.
Sandy Strachon: Right again. And Live-Wire last night?
MTB: I pinned WBL but got taken down after a low blow.
Sandy Strachon: And what does this tell ya?
MTB: I need to wear a cup.
Sandy started snickering, then chuckling, then chortling, before breaking out into a fit of laughter. Next thing I knew, I was covering my face to try and hide my laughter. That, and to shield myself from the body odour the morning breeze was blowing around the room from Sandy. The man really needed to have a shower. Finally, we both stopped laughing and took deep (in my case, reluctant) breaths.
Sandy Strachon: Very funny, kid. Possibly a safe bet too, but the real answer is that ya lack momentum, kid. Even when ya get a big win, ya still end up bein' left lyin'. The rate things are goin' ya match at Genesis is ya challengers' match to win, instead of yours to lose. That's why ya need to win this match. Ya need the psychological edge.
He's right. I've not come out on top at all since FWF came back. I really needed this win, otherwise, Starr and Legend had all the momentum, and thus the edge in our match. Now that's not going to be good at all. And this match I've got on Live-Wire wasn't going to be a piece of cake, either.
MTB: Right, Sandy. You know where I'll be.
Before he could respond, I snatched up a pair of shorts and a t-shirt and left the room. Where else does a warrior go when he's facing tough competiton? One easy answer. The gym.
Le Chateau de Strachon was so huge, it was impossible to find your way around the place. You had to wander through winding hallways lined with doors to an uncountable number of rooms (well, you could count but it would take forever.) Thankfully I'd been to the Strachons' gym so often I knew the way from my room; left, up, right, down, right, up, left, down, down, A, B, left and down and I was at the creamy white door of the gym. I opened the door and...
MTB: Shit... this isn't the gym.
I must've taken a wrong turn. Fuck my life, it was left, up, right, down, right, up, RIGHT, down, down, A, B, left and down. I'd never seen this room before. One side of it had posters from an assortment of comics (so many in fact I didn't even know what colour the walls were) and a double-monitored computer system, and the other... the other had a purple backdrop held up by cheap, rusting steel that I'd not seen in a long time. I'd seen it on many a videotape, although less worn down and dusty. It was so dusty, in fact, I was sure the maid didn't even know this room existed. But after brushing away some of the dust, I saw more of the backdrop, that backdrop was emblazened with the letters U, C and W. So this was where it all happened? This must have been where the UCW shows were edited and put together, and this must have been where interviews were filmed. And just then, a shadow loomed behind me. Who could that be? Sandy thought I was in the gym, and Sam was off to social services to provide his latest alimony cheque. I turned to see a skinny figure with curly hair in the door. I'd seen him before too. Though his voice would help me know who it was...
???: I see you found my old room.
That was it. That high pitched nerdy voice. It accompanied Sam Strachon's on all the UCW shows. The skinny figure to turned on the light to show his pale skin and a t-shirt that hung off him. I was finally in the presence of Sam's other son, Seth Strachon, and I was in his room.
MTB: Hey.
I wasn't sure what to do. I stood frozen on the spot and gazed shiftily. He approached and I started to tense up.
Seth Strachon: Don't be afraid. I'm not gonna hurt you.
I breathed a sigh of relief. How silly was I to be afraid of him? I mean, the guy's weedy, probably 5'11" and 150 lbs soaking wet and a commentator yet I was 6'1" and 230 lbs and was a skilled wrestler. I glanced around the dark room and finally at Seth.
MTB: So this is your room?
Seth nodded and walked past me and slouched in an old chair by the computer. He fiddled with a few wires and one of the screens was on the FWF home page.
Seth Strachon: Ah good, internet still works. I've seen your stuff, MTB, and I've gotta say I'm a fan. I follow FWF all the time.
MTB: Thanks.
I had no idea what to say next, thought Seth seemed to be clicking away and acting if I wasn't there. Click click click click click. And one more click and my opponent for this week was on the screen, and Seth spun round in his chair.
Seth Strachon: Seeing you just reminded me of this. It went up on Fantasywrestling.2ya.com last night.
I came over to the screen and watched intently as Seth clicked play and a Matt Knox interview was shown. He had me gripping onto every word he said. It had been a long time since he'd been around, though he'd actually been out longer than he said. His last match in FWF was a first round Jealousy tournament loss to Benny Starr for the UK Championship on July 7th 2008. So as of our match on Thursday it will have been 1018 days, almost three years, since his last match in an FWF ring. That's a hell of a lot of rust to shake off. Sure, he went to PWE for a bit, and was their champion, but who are we kidding? PWE was formed during an FWF off-season and felt like a poor man's FWF. It meant as much as my dad's UCW record in FWF, nothing. And then he came to me.
MTB: Seth, could you rewind that bit please?
Seth Strachon: Sure.
I watched it again, and saw what he's said about me, and I believe this is verbatim: "Well Linda, no offense to the Brody clan, or anyone, but I really haven’t heard of Marcus Thomas Brody. I mean, He did win his match tonight, and that’s impressive enough, and to be a part of a winning tag team, I know from experience that that also takes a whole boat load of talent . . . So for now, I suppose I’m going to have to refrain from talking any smack, and simply wish Young Mister Brody good luck, and issue and early apology- For using him to remind everyone in the FWF of who I am, and what I am capable of."
He hadn't heard of me? The first thing he should do when coming back to a company is check out the competition and get up to date with what he's missed. But before I get into that, I ought to give a bit of a history lesson on Matthew "The Raven" Knox. He debuted in November 2006 as part of a tag team called Heaven and Hell with Greg Taylor. Greg fell into obscurity and Knox rose up the ranks, and managed to hold the Television, Iron Man, UK, Tag Team and US Tag Team Championship, and even captained the New Generation Collision team against the Lost Heroes, with them only able to eliminate one Lost Hero. Of course, despite his level of success in FWF, he's never won the big one, and he was sidelined for months after Dan Taylor broke his leg in the 2007 Blizzard match, but now, he's back and hungry for the World title that has eluded him for so long.
At the moment, I caught something in the corner of my eye. I turned to see something poking from behind the UCW backdrop. It appeared to be a professional camera. It was fairly old compared to what you would see nowadays, but it gave me an idea.
MTB: Seth?
Seth Strachon: That's me.
MTB: That camera... would I be able to use it to practice promos... please?
Seth Strachon: Why's that?
MTB: Since I started in FWF, I've not done much talking in front of a camera, only wrestling. I've got the wrestling skills, and I've got an extravagant entrance, but I'm not much of a talker.
Seth Strachon: And you feel if you worked on that, you could show off your personality and catch people's attention, and be considered for better spots on the card?
MTB: Exactly. Could you please help me? You've been in journalism since you were ten.
Seth Strachon: And I put together all the production for the shows too.
Blimey! What a prodigy he was! Seth sat there to mull over my request. He twiddled his thumbs playfully and swung the chair about as he did.
Seth Strachon: Alright then, just hang on a moment. Think about what you're going to say and stand in front of the sheet.
I took a closer look at the UCW backdrop and noticed that it was just an old bed sheet with the UCW logo painted on it. It looked so good on TV, though. Maybe not in the current day of high definition, but before then, it looked great. In what seemed to be no time at all, Seth had the camera set up and geared towards me.
Seth Strachon: Okay, MTB, we're set up. You can talk in 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... action!
The red light on the camera started blinking and I stared into it like a deer in the headlights. I just stared, and no words came out. The light stopped blinking and I saw Seth shaking his head in from behind the camera.
Seth Strachon: Come on, MTB. You should just be yourself. Don't think about what you're going to say, just say it. Don't think, just do!
MTB: Yes, Seth.
Seth Strachon: Good. Let's get to it.
The camera blinked once more and away I went. I didn't take any time to think, I just went into it.
MTB: This week, on Live-Wire, I'm in singles action against Matthew "The Raven" Knox. Now, to some of you out there, you may think this is just a throwaway match to tide you over for the "real" matches at Genesis. You can think that all you want, but it doesn't stop you being wrong. Every match is important, and every win counts.
I took a deep breath. I don't remember talking that much, ever.
MTB: This match isn't just a throwaway; it's a battle between two warriors who desire one thing: the FWF World Championship. We may be on different paths towards it, with me as the upstart rookie and Knox as the returning warrior who never quite made it in his last run, but we both have big matches at Genesis and we both want gold, and not just any gold, THE gold!
I paused again, and swept my messy hair to the side. I really ought to get it cut. I squinted at the camera and took another breath.
MTB: In physics, momentum is the quantity of motion an object has... in FWF, we need that momentum to move further on our paths to the championship, and we both need it as our paths take us to Genesis, where Knox takes on James Bohne, and I team with James Stall to defend our Elite Tag Team titles against Starr and Legend. Until FWF's management issues, I had all the momentum in the world. I co-won the Jealousy Battle Royal, I was part of The Empire, I had singles victories over three former world champions, and James Stall and I outlasted everyone in the gauntlet to win our titles. But then...
I hung my head down, trying to make myself look frustrated and disappointed.
MTB: But then, FWF took a time out. I carried on my momentum on the independents, winning trophies and championships, before FWF came back. And since then... since then I've been concussed by Christian Lee, didn't last long in the Blizzard match, beat the World Champion by but got beat up and pinned WBL, main eventer of Genesis IV and a man who The Predator never beat in singles competition... but got beat up afterwards. Every time I pick up some momentum, I get knocked back a peg. I've got a major title defence at Genesis, and I need every single bit of momentum I can get. Knox needs it too. We both need it. So best of luck to Matthew Knox, may the best warrior win.
I start panting as the camera stops blinking again. Damn, I was out of breath. I was never any kind of speaker. Seth just looked up at me with indifference.
Seth Strachon: That was decent, but you need to get more fired up, and show more charisma. You need to show passion. Why not use Knox's thing about you being a stepping stone and not knowing who you are?
I nodded and took a few breaths to try and catch me some wind to speak even more. I thought about his standout comments: "Well Linda, no offense to the Brody clan, or anyone, but I really haven’t heard of Marcus Thomas Brody," and "simply wish Young Mister Brody good luck, and issue and early apology- For using him to remind everyone in the FWF of who I am, and what I am capable of." He was talking down to me. He thought he was better than me. Where's he been these past couple of years? I heard on the grapevipe he'd gone AWOL and abandoned his pretty wife, who I'd beaten on the way to winning the tag titles. But "Young Mister Brody?" How patronising was that? And he hasn't heard of me? I turned back to the camera and waited for that blinking.
MTB: Matt Knox, if you're watching this, and I hope you are, I've got a bone to pick, and I don't mean James. You wish no offence on the Brody clan but to have not heard of me? Let me fill you in, I'm Marcus Thomas Brody, MTB to you, I've been trained by a Hall of Famer, and many greats from the past, and I've shown how good I am. I've never been pinned, I've defeated numerous former world champions: The Devil, Couch Potato, James Bohne, Prozac and Camisado, and a victory over the current World Champion, Christian Lee. I've taken "The" Ross Walker to the limit, I competed in the Blizzard match despite a concussion, and at Jea7ousy, I co-won the Jealousy Battle Royal to qualify for the Lost Heroes League, pinned your Genesis opponent James Bohne and ran a gauntlet through the entire FWF tag division to win the Elite Tag Team Championships... all in the same night! As for you using me? You'd better not underestimate me as I'm not going to underestimate you. On Live-Wire, you're going to get everything I've got, and hopefully, you'll be able to know who I am. You'll be able to remember the name: M! T! B!
The camera stopped and Seth nodded. Exhausted, I slumped back into a chair. I didn't know promo work could be so tiring. I was gasping for breath.
MTB: So... how... was... that?
Seth's face screwed up a little. That couldn't be a good sign.
Seth Strachon: It was good, but you come across a bit arrogant. The image you've been going for is the nice guy one. You need to think about the message you want to send. You want the fans to cheer you, not boo you.
MTB: But you told me to just be myself.
Seth Strachon: Yeah, but...
MTB: The fans can cheer who they want. That's why they buy their tickets. As Kurt Cobain once said: “I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not.”
Seth Strachon: Maybe you need a change of image.
MTB: We'll see. But for now, my mind's on picking up the momentum for this match, and then onto Genesis.
As Seth clicked away on the computer, I found myself thinking about what he'd said. Maybe I was trying to be loved too much, maybe my weak reactions are down to me not being believable as a hero to the fans. Then suddently, I thought of a line I should've used in my promo practice. Knox was a member of a faction called Devolution, and he would say that after losing to him, his opponents would be devolved. I should've brought that up and said that after our match, I won't be devolving, I'll be using the momentum gaining from beating him to evolve from Marcus Thomas Brody: Elite Tag Team Champion, to MTB: Future World Champion!
Fresh off my Live-Wire victory over WBL, and fresh off being hit in the knackers by December Green, I'd decided to follow some of Sandy Strachon's advice and just relax. With the amount of stuff I could do in what Sandy liked to call the "Chateau de Strachon," from the pool to pool, and even an amusement arcade I'd stumbled across, I chose to lie on my bed. Hey, just because it's not an activity doesn't mean it's not relaxing. I lay back on a sea of quilts and all the aching and stinging from the night before just flew away. I held the belt up and let the daylight cast a golden reflection into my face. I'd been one half of the Elite Tag Team Champions for nearly eight months, yet I'd never defended it. Of course, the blame for that does fall upon WBL's mismanagement of the company. Didn't stop me being a champion, though. And that can do nothing but bolster my chances of heading up the card. I looked up and found myself talking to the belt.
MTB: So you're what shows I'm a champion? Sure, you're not the World Championship but you're a start. You're the first thing on my path to greatness, aren't I right?
Just then, there was a knock on my door and I sat bolt upright, snapping out of whatever trance the gold had put me under.
MTB: Come in!
The door opened and in walked Sandy, looking fairly dressed down in a grey hoody and black joggers, and it appeared he was dripping with sweat from a morning jog. At least he was dressed and active, instead of lazing about in boxers admiring the title.
Sandy Strachon: MTB, nice work out there last night. Ya beat WBL. Pain's gotta take notice of ya beatin' his nemesis. But that's not why I'm here. I was just coming back from a run when I got word of your match next week.
MTB: That's nice, who am I facing? Benny Starr?
Sandy Strachon: No. Matt Knox. Benny's got the night off.
MTB: So is James facing WBL?
Sandy Strachon: No. They both have the night off as well.
MTB: So I'm the only one from the tag title match at Genesis in action this week?
Sandy Strachon: That's what it looks like. But, kid, this is good.
MTB: It is? How? I'm in a match and neither of my Genesis opponents are.
Sandy Strachon: May I?
He gestured to the bean bag by the door. I raised my eyebrows as if I was saying "yes" and he slumped himself down.
Sandy Strachon: Ah, that feels good. Can't beat a bit o' relaxin' after a workout. But why is this match a good thing? Simple answer. One word. Momentum.
MTB: Momentum?
Sandy Strachon: Precisely.
Sandy gave me one of his cheeky smiles and I began to feel reassured. How the hell did my dad hate this man? I sat up more, eager to listen to what he had to say.
Sandy Strachon: Ya see, MTB, tell me what's happened to ya on every single Live-Wire since FWF came back.
There was a weird silence as I tried to recollect everything that had happened. Sandy's eyebrows didn't help since they were all over the place. Seriously, someone should come over and wax those, it's not like he can't afford it. I umm'd and ahh'd whilst my memory tried bringing everything to the forefront.
MTB: Right, can you prompt me here, with a show-by-show?
Sandy Strachon: Okay, Live-Wire. March 16th?
MTB: Ah, Blizzard. Christian Lee cheap-shotted my partner and beat me up, which made it easier for me to be thrown out of the Blizzard match.
Sandy Strachon: Correct. Now Live-Wire, March 31st?
MTB: I beat Christian Lee by DQ 'cause WBL and Benny Starr interfered and Christian low blowed me. Then I got beaten up by my Genesis challengers.
Sandy Strachon: Right again. And Live-Wire last night?
MTB: I pinned WBL but got taken down after a low blow.
Sandy Strachon: And what does this tell ya?
MTB: I need to wear a cup.
Sandy started snickering, then chuckling, then chortling, before breaking out into a fit of laughter. Next thing I knew, I was covering my face to try and hide my laughter. That, and to shield myself from the body odour the morning breeze was blowing around the room from Sandy. The man really needed to have a shower. Finally, we both stopped laughing and took deep (in my case, reluctant) breaths.
Sandy Strachon: Very funny, kid. Possibly a safe bet too, but the real answer is that ya lack momentum, kid. Even when ya get a big win, ya still end up bein' left lyin'. The rate things are goin' ya match at Genesis is ya challengers' match to win, instead of yours to lose. That's why ya need to win this match. Ya need the psychological edge.
He's right. I've not come out on top at all since FWF came back. I really needed this win, otherwise, Starr and Legend had all the momentum, and thus the edge in our match. Now that's not going to be good at all. And this match I've got on Live-Wire wasn't going to be a piece of cake, either.
MTB: Right, Sandy. You know where I'll be.
Before he could respond, I snatched up a pair of shorts and a t-shirt and left the room. Where else does a warrior go when he's facing tough competiton? One easy answer. The gym.
Le Chateau de Strachon was so huge, it was impossible to find your way around the place. You had to wander through winding hallways lined with doors to an uncountable number of rooms (well, you could count but it would take forever.) Thankfully I'd been to the Strachons' gym so often I knew the way from my room; left, up, right, down, right, up, left, down, down, A, B, left and down and I was at the creamy white door of the gym. I opened the door and...
MTB: Shit... this isn't the gym.
I must've taken a wrong turn. Fuck my life, it was left, up, right, down, right, up, RIGHT, down, down, A, B, left and down. I'd never seen this room before. One side of it had posters from an assortment of comics (so many in fact I didn't even know what colour the walls were) and a double-monitored computer system, and the other... the other had a purple backdrop held up by cheap, rusting steel that I'd not seen in a long time. I'd seen it on many a videotape, although less worn down and dusty. It was so dusty, in fact, I was sure the maid didn't even know this room existed. But after brushing away some of the dust, I saw more of the backdrop, that backdrop was emblazened with the letters U, C and W. So this was where it all happened? This must have been where the UCW shows were edited and put together, and this must have been where interviews were filmed. And just then, a shadow loomed behind me. Who could that be? Sandy thought I was in the gym, and Sam was off to social services to provide his latest alimony cheque. I turned to see a skinny figure with curly hair in the door. I'd seen him before too. Though his voice would help me know who it was...
???: I see you found my old room.
That was it. That high pitched nerdy voice. It accompanied Sam Strachon's on all the UCW shows. The skinny figure to turned on the light to show his pale skin and a t-shirt that hung off him. I was finally in the presence of Sam's other son, Seth Strachon, and I was in his room.
MTB: Hey.
I wasn't sure what to do. I stood frozen on the spot and gazed shiftily. He approached and I started to tense up.
Seth Strachon: Don't be afraid. I'm not gonna hurt you.
I breathed a sigh of relief. How silly was I to be afraid of him? I mean, the guy's weedy, probably 5'11" and 150 lbs soaking wet and a commentator yet I was 6'1" and 230 lbs and was a skilled wrestler. I glanced around the dark room and finally at Seth.
MTB: So this is your room?
Seth nodded and walked past me and slouched in an old chair by the computer. He fiddled with a few wires and one of the screens was on the FWF home page.
Seth Strachon: Ah good, internet still works. I've seen your stuff, MTB, and I've gotta say I'm a fan. I follow FWF all the time.
MTB: Thanks.
I had no idea what to say next, thought Seth seemed to be clicking away and acting if I wasn't there. Click click click click click. And one more click and my opponent for this week was on the screen, and Seth spun round in his chair.
Seth Strachon: Seeing you just reminded me of this. It went up on Fantasywrestling.2ya.com last night.
I came over to the screen and watched intently as Seth clicked play and a Matt Knox interview was shown. He had me gripping onto every word he said. It had been a long time since he'd been around, though he'd actually been out longer than he said. His last match in FWF was a first round Jealousy tournament loss to Benny Starr for the UK Championship on July 7th 2008. So as of our match on Thursday it will have been 1018 days, almost three years, since his last match in an FWF ring. That's a hell of a lot of rust to shake off. Sure, he went to PWE for a bit, and was their champion, but who are we kidding? PWE was formed during an FWF off-season and felt like a poor man's FWF. It meant as much as my dad's UCW record in FWF, nothing. And then he came to me.
MTB: Seth, could you rewind that bit please?
Seth Strachon: Sure.
I watched it again, and saw what he's said about me, and I believe this is verbatim: "Well Linda, no offense to the Brody clan, or anyone, but I really haven’t heard of Marcus Thomas Brody. I mean, He did win his match tonight, and that’s impressive enough, and to be a part of a winning tag team, I know from experience that that also takes a whole boat load of talent . . . So for now, I suppose I’m going to have to refrain from talking any smack, and simply wish Young Mister Brody good luck, and issue and early apology- For using him to remind everyone in the FWF of who I am, and what I am capable of."
He hadn't heard of me? The first thing he should do when coming back to a company is check out the competition and get up to date with what he's missed. But before I get into that, I ought to give a bit of a history lesson on Matthew "The Raven" Knox. He debuted in November 2006 as part of a tag team called Heaven and Hell with Greg Taylor. Greg fell into obscurity and Knox rose up the ranks, and managed to hold the Television, Iron Man, UK, Tag Team and US Tag Team Championship, and even captained the New Generation Collision team against the Lost Heroes, with them only able to eliminate one Lost Hero. Of course, despite his level of success in FWF, he's never won the big one, and he was sidelined for months after Dan Taylor broke his leg in the 2007 Blizzard match, but now, he's back and hungry for the World title that has eluded him for so long.
At the moment, I caught something in the corner of my eye. I turned to see something poking from behind the UCW backdrop. It appeared to be a professional camera. It was fairly old compared to what you would see nowadays, but it gave me an idea.
MTB: Seth?
Seth Strachon: That's me.
MTB: That camera... would I be able to use it to practice promos... please?
Seth Strachon: Why's that?
MTB: Since I started in FWF, I've not done much talking in front of a camera, only wrestling. I've got the wrestling skills, and I've got an extravagant entrance, but I'm not much of a talker.
Seth Strachon: And you feel if you worked on that, you could show off your personality and catch people's attention, and be considered for better spots on the card?
MTB: Exactly. Could you please help me? You've been in journalism since you were ten.
Seth Strachon: And I put together all the production for the shows too.
Blimey! What a prodigy he was! Seth sat there to mull over my request. He twiddled his thumbs playfully and swung the chair about as he did.
Seth Strachon: Alright then, just hang on a moment. Think about what you're going to say and stand in front of the sheet.
I took a closer look at the UCW backdrop and noticed that it was just an old bed sheet with the UCW logo painted on it. It looked so good on TV, though. Maybe not in the current day of high definition, but before then, it looked great. In what seemed to be no time at all, Seth had the camera set up and geared towards me.
Seth Strachon: Okay, MTB, we're set up. You can talk in 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... action!
The red light on the camera started blinking and I stared into it like a deer in the headlights. I just stared, and no words came out. The light stopped blinking and I saw Seth shaking his head in from behind the camera.
Seth Strachon: Come on, MTB. You should just be yourself. Don't think about what you're going to say, just say it. Don't think, just do!
MTB: Yes, Seth.
Seth Strachon: Good. Let's get to it.
The camera blinked once more and away I went. I didn't take any time to think, I just went into it.
MTB: This week, on Live-Wire, I'm in singles action against Matthew "The Raven" Knox. Now, to some of you out there, you may think this is just a throwaway match to tide you over for the "real" matches at Genesis. You can think that all you want, but it doesn't stop you being wrong. Every match is important, and every win counts.
I took a deep breath. I don't remember talking that much, ever.
MTB: This match isn't just a throwaway; it's a battle between two warriors who desire one thing: the FWF World Championship. We may be on different paths towards it, with me as the upstart rookie and Knox as the returning warrior who never quite made it in his last run, but we both have big matches at Genesis and we both want gold, and not just any gold, THE gold!
I paused again, and swept my messy hair to the side. I really ought to get it cut. I squinted at the camera and took another breath.
MTB: In physics, momentum is the quantity of motion an object has... in FWF, we need that momentum to move further on our paths to the championship, and we both need it as our paths take us to Genesis, where Knox takes on James Bohne, and I team with James Stall to defend our Elite Tag Team titles against Starr and Legend. Until FWF's management issues, I had all the momentum in the world. I co-won the Jealousy Battle Royal, I was part of The Empire, I had singles victories over three former world champions, and James Stall and I outlasted everyone in the gauntlet to win our titles. But then...
I hung my head down, trying to make myself look frustrated and disappointed.
MTB: But then, FWF took a time out. I carried on my momentum on the independents, winning trophies and championships, before FWF came back. And since then... since then I've been concussed by Christian Lee, didn't last long in the Blizzard match, beat the World Champion by but got beat up and pinned WBL, main eventer of Genesis IV and a man who The Predator never beat in singles competition... but got beat up afterwards. Every time I pick up some momentum, I get knocked back a peg. I've got a major title defence at Genesis, and I need every single bit of momentum I can get. Knox needs it too. We both need it. So best of luck to Matthew Knox, may the best warrior win.
I start panting as the camera stops blinking again. Damn, I was out of breath. I was never any kind of speaker. Seth just looked up at me with indifference.
Seth Strachon: That was decent, but you need to get more fired up, and show more charisma. You need to show passion. Why not use Knox's thing about you being a stepping stone and not knowing who you are?
I nodded and took a few breaths to try and catch me some wind to speak even more. I thought about his standout comments: "Well Linda, no offense to the Brody clan, or anyone, but I really haven’t heard of Marcus Thomas Brody," and "simply wish Young Mister Brody good luck, and issue and early apology- For using him to remind everyone in the FWF of who I am, and what I am capable of." He was talking down to me. He thought he was better than me. Where's he been these past couple of years? I heard on the grapevipe he'd gone AWOL and abandoned his pretty wife, who I'd beaten on the way to winning the tag titles. But "Young Mister Brody?" How patronising was that? And he hasn't heard of me? I turned back to the camera and waited for that blinking.
MTB: Matt Knox, if you're watching this, and I hope you are, I've got a bone to pick, and I don't mean James. You wish no offence on the Brody clan but to have not heard of me? Let me fill you in, I'm Marcus Thomas Brody, MTB to you, I've been trained by a Hall of Famer, and many greats from the past, and I've shown how good I am. I've never been pinned, I've defeated numerous former world champions: The Devil, Couch Potato, James Bohne, Prozac and Camisado, and a victory over the current World Champion, Christian Lee. I've taken "The" Ross Walker to the limit, I competed in the Blizzard match despite a concussion, and at Jea7ousy, I co-won the Jealousy Battle Royal to qualify for the Lost Heroes League, pinned your Genesis opponent James Bohne and ran a gauntlet through the entire FWF tag division to win the Elite Tag Team Championships... all in the same night! As for you using me? You'd better not underestimate me as I'm not going to underestimate you. On Live-Wire, you're going to get everything I've got, and hopefully, you'll be able to know who I am. You'll be able to remember the name: M! T! B!
The camera stopped and Seth nodded. Exhausted, I slumped back into a chair. I didn't know promo work could be so tiring. I was gasping for breath.
MTB: So... how... was... that?
Seth's face screwed up a little. That couldn't be a good sign.
Seth Strachon: It was good, but you come across a bit arrogant. The image you've been going for is the nice guy one. You need to think about the message you want to send. You want the fans to cheer you, not boo you.
MTB: But you told me to just be myself.
Seth Strachon: Yeah, but...
MTB: The fans can cheer who they want. That's why they buy their tickets. As Kurt Cobain once said: “I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not.”
Seth Strachon: Maybe you need a change of image.
MTB: We'll see. But for now, my mind's on picking up the momentum for this match, and then onto Genesis.
As Seth clicked away on the computer, I found myself thinking about what he'd said. Maybe I was trying to be loved too much, maybe my weak reactions are down to me not being believable as a hero to the fans. Then suddently, I thought of a line I should've used in my promo practice. Knox was a member of a faction called Devolution, and he would say that after losing to him, his opponents would be devolved. I should've brought that up and said that after our match, I won't be devolving, I'll be using the momentum gaining from beating him to evolve from Marcus Thomas Brody: Elite Tag Team Champion, to MTB: Future World Champion!
