Post by "The Punisher" Sah'ta Thor on Apr 30, 2011 8:56:18 GMT
Killing the Doubt
Dreams are what guide a person to greatness. Dreams are what hope is based on. To lose sight of a dream is to lose a part of one’s soul. Unfulfilled dreams are a cancer upon the soul of the hopeless. To combat hopelessness one must regain a dream. Once regained one must fight for their dream until it is accomplished.
-Prelude-
The need to leave an undestroyable, unforgettable legacy, the need to have the respect of the people around him, and the goal of being a World Champion were what drove him. They were the dreams that pushed him ever forward in all that he did. To be considered worthy enough of having true happiness in this life time. In his world the dream of self worth was ever elusive but equally guiding. Each night he wrestled he did the best he could to match the worth that he placed in his fiancée. She was a legend in the wrestling world and an over all good person who had for some reason agreed to marry him.
Even now with the wedding just over two weeks away he had to still wonder why she had chosen him. He had heard the whispers saying that he was only with her to feed off her accomplishments. In his mind he had to prove to the world, and to some degree himself, that he wasn’t leeching off her legacy. A legacy that he respected and was in a minor way envious of. No he pushed himself to one day gain a better list of accomplishments than she did. It was what kept him going, the silent, insidious, ever present feeling of worthlessness that seemed to be ingrained in the core of his soul.
Even though he had worked his way to the position he was now in, the insidious nature of his doubts were even now beginning to surface. His being in contention for world titles in the main event of the biggest show of the year for two separate companies was giving the insidious black hole something to feed upon. The doubt and self doubt were growing the closer he got to the first of his world title matches. A match that could potentially add to the sting of defeats when it came to his quest for the particular world title in question.
Logically he was at the top of his game with his wedding coming up and the fact that he could in less than a month be the holder of two world titles, yet doubt was illogical. It was two days until his first world title match and he had not slept in two days. The voices in the back of his mind had kept him awake feasting upon the memories of his defeats. The voices were growing louder as the doubt and worthlessness fed upon the betrayals and lost loves of his past life.
In two days and some hours until he would be one of four men who would stop at nothing to walk of the match with the FWF World Title in their grasp. Two days until, as the doubt in the back of his mind told him, until he failed once again to obtain his goal. Two days until his hopes and his dreams would be once again shattered. Two nights until his desires of walking into his wedding with the FWF World Title came crashing down around him like a pieces of broken glass. Two nights until four men entered the ring and three went home with nothing. Two nights until Thor added the first loss of his return to the company. Two nights until his doubt and worthlessness proved themselves to be true.
Or would they?
-Phone Call One: Monday April 25, 2011-
It was a simple act to lift a phone and press a series of numbers on its surface. Yet while it was such a simple act it was also difficult to accomplish. Sometimes the easiest things were the hardest to do because of the possible outcomes. Such was a moment when making a simple act could trigger a series of unwanted drama or unrest had arrived. It was with a deep nerve settling breath that he lifted the phone up and made a call that he could no longer put off.
As the phone rings he begins to wonder about the wisdom of what he was planning but by then he had no choice as time had run out on postponing this particular call. The phone rings and any last minute chance to get out of the situation was eradicated by someone picking up the other line. “Yes, Pain this is Thor.” His voice was filled with a tinge of doubt as he waited for an answer to issue forth from the other line. He waits for a moment and finally hears a guarded voice on the other end of the line.
“I know Pain but I am calling about something important.” It was something of a well known fact that there had been some sparks between the two men involved with this conversation. Sparks that had lead to violence and even now a cold relationship existed between the two. A relationship that was currently strained by the current battles Pain’s father-in-law had had with him and the upcoming FWF World Title match at Genesis VIII. “It is about my wedding.”
Another moment passes in tension waits before his hears the gruff reply. “Pain I will cut to the chase as we are both very busy men. I want you to be one of my groomsmen.” He takes a deep breath and before a reply can be made speaks one last time. “I will let you think about it Pain. Just let me know what you decide at Genesis.” With that he ends the call and sighs thoughtfully.
-Days Earlier: Sunday April 24, 2011-
Live-wire had come and gone with a win stacked solidly into his corner. Yet he had no time for rest, as he had things to like getting back to Manchester, England for Genesis VIII from Rochester, New York. He had been in for New York for the latest edition of Global Extreme Wrestling Saturday Night Chaos. The end of the match the night before had left many things unanswered but in the end he had to shift his focus from GEW back to FWF. A shift that was best done by getting away from the hassle for a few nights. He needed to get away and enjoy a few things life had to offer.
That being said he decided to check on an old fried who he hadn’t talked to in over a year. Making a speaker phoned call he gets an answer after three rings. “This is James Jefferson how can I help you?” He heard the replay and it made him grin to himself. ”Hey James this is Thor what are you up to?
“Nothing much just in Toronto on business with the wrestling company I just started for.” Hearing that James was wrestling again caused him to raise an eyebrow as he contemplated a reply. “Where are you working at now James? You do know that the FWF is back up and running right.”
A moment of silence passes between the two until James makes his reply. “I know Thor and I wish you luck in becoming the FWF World Champion at Genesis VIII. I plan on being there but I am working with a place known as XWCWF. It just started back up and has a lot off talent and is being aired out of a training school. You should come to the next show, which is Thursday night.”
“You know have to be in Manchester for Genesis on Saturday but I will be there man.” A thought was forming in the back of his mind about the dealings of this XWCWF and the Imperial Broadcast Network. Yet for him to be sure a visit was in order. “See you in a few days man.” He ends the call and lets out a sigh wondering what he could do for the next few days. It wasn’t time effective to fly to Scotland and then fly back to Canada so he decided he would just stay in Rochester until he had to head over to Toronto. Toronto was just over the boarder across the lake so it would be a quick voyage.
-Signing Books: Tuesday April 26, 2011-
The last two days have been hectic as he had visited some of the sites in the Rochester area. It had been an fun relaxing time for him, but alas it was time to get back to work. He had managed to interact with fans and fellow members of the Empire of Blood. In short the last two days had been a welcome reminder of why he kept his nose to the grindstone and put up with the politics of the wrestling ring. Yet it was time to make his words know to the world as Genesis VIII was only a few days away.
In his wisdom he had found a bookstore in the Rochester area that seemed to be having some hard times but had a good reputation in the community. He was sitting in the bookstore’s parking lot when he made a simple phone call. A call that would shape the attitude of the rest of the afternoon. “Hello there, I am Sah’ta Thor, and I am calling because I would like announcement to be made on air.” He heard the sound of a line being transferred and then a beep. The radio show’s host introduces himself and asks just what the announcement was. With a strong confident voice he begins his words.
“I am Sah’ta Thor the founder of the Empire of Blood and current GEW and FWF wrestler. I wanted people to know that I am going to be signing autographs and answering questions at Fellow’s Books for the next two and half hours. Come on down and ask me some questions and get an autograph. There will be a prize drawing at the end of the day for a set of tickets to see Genesis VIII live. Other prizes will be awarded through out the afternoon, so come on down to Fellow’s Books.” With that he ends the call and chuckles to himself in amusement.
He then gets out of the rental car he was driving and heads into the book store that would soon become the center of the so much attention. He enters the building and sees an middle aged man behind the counter looking bored with the world as he watches the small handful of patrons meander through the aisles. “Hello there, how has business been for you today?” The man looks over at him with a frown as he shrugs slightly.”
“It has been slow but not to bad all things considered.” The man answers with a hint of quiet desperation on his face and a matching weariness in his tone. “Well I am sure business will pick up. I heard there is going to be this professional wrestler signing autographs here today.” This news cause the man to blink and look around nervously as if he was being joked with. After all there was nothing on the books about this, after a moment he leans over the counter and continues to speak. “That would be me and I will be here for the next two and half hours. I already announced it on the radio.”
The man just blinks in shocked surprise before he nods slowly. It was an unexpected boon and one that he would not question. “Welcome to Fellow’s Books sir, what can I get you to make this beneficial to use both?” He smiles and offers his hand to the man as he chuckles. “I need a table, a chair, and a bucket. Will also need a pad of paper and a couple sharpies. By the end of the day you will have any expenses paid out for this well paid off.
“If your being here can pick up business then I consider cost of sharpies and paper well worth it. Now if you will keep an eye on the front for a moment let me run back to get that table and chair for you.” He watches the man hustle off with a spring in his step as he tells the patrons he passed what was going on. Once the man was out of sight, he pulled a checkbook and with a quick series of motions writes a $10,000 donation to the bookstore. He slides it into the cash register and then moves around to wait as cars begin to pull in outside.
By the time the store keeper had returned there were over twenty people in the store waiting to buy a book to be signed. He helps set up the table and chair then sits down as the man goes to get some sharpies, a pad of paper and bucket. Once all the supplies had been gathered the man went back to the register to start selling books in earnest, on the best day of business the place had seen in months.
~*~*~*~*~
It had been a fast paced hour and half with dozens of people coming and going from the bookstore. Dozens of signatures had been signed and dozens of people had been entered into the drawing for Genesis VIII tickets. Yet only a few people had bothered to ask him questions as most were just there on a lunch break. So when an athletic younger man came up to get his just purchased book autographed and asked a question it was a pleasant surprise. “Thank you Thor, but a question. What makes you think that you will walk out of Genesis VIII the new FWF World Champion? What makes you think that you won’t walk away the loser once more after a FWF World Title match?”
“Good questions but frankly I don’t know for a fact that I won’t walk out a loser at Genesis VIII. There is no guarantee I will even walk out at all but I am at the top of my game. You look to be a football player, so you understand that when things get tough and the odds seem to be against you there is no backing down. For me this is a similar situation at Genesis VIII. While I hold a win over “Captain” Joe Stall, who is the biggest man in the match, I am the smallest one there. I give up sixty pounds on the next lightest person in the match and a good five inches in height. In short I am the man least likely to walk out of the match with a win if you look just at the physical stats of the men involved. Yet, as a man who had battle hard on the grid iron you should know that size doesn’t always translate to skill.”
He takes a deep breath and then grins as he keeps talking. “You see Genesis VIII is my third match back with the FWF and I have yet to lose. Record wise I am the favorite after my win last week. Yet in the end neither records or size amount to a hill of beans in this FWF World Title match. NO what matters most is the heart and drive to walk away the winner. The mental vision to see yourself at the end of the match with your hand raised high. I am more focused now then than I have been at any other time I have been in a FWF World Title match.
I have dropped a lot of the distractions that kept me from winning the FWF World Title. As you all know I am getting married next month and I will walk into my wedding as the FWF World Champion. That is what drives me forward and that is why I will win at Genesis VIII.” His answer had taken a few minutes to give and the line had grown larger in the mean time. He signs the book and does a quick drawing for pair of tickets to a later Live-Wire. The winner is present and leaves with a grin as the signings be back under way.
~*~*~*~*~
The autograph signing and question answering was finished and he had helped clean up the mess his being there and unexpectedly caused. The store keeper was amazed and extremely grateful for the best day of business Fellow’s Books had seen in months. Yet one last thing remained and that was for the winner of the trip to Manchester to be drawn. As it was a random drawing he had the store keep mix the names up and pull out the winning name. As the name was drawn he took it and lefts the book store with a final grin on his lips as he knew his gift would be found soon enough. As he gets back in his rental car, he makes a call to make the arrangements for the drawing winner and the number of tickets he would need in his immediate family.
He would be paying for everything on the trip but souvenirs and that made him feel good. The day had reminded him that he was not some two wrestler who had gotten lucky in the passed. No the fans he had greet that day were honestly excited to meet him. The many good luck wishes and statements of support filled him with a happiness and a much needed counter to the darkness that had been growing in his soul. The darkness that had threatened to undermine his very sense of purpose going into the FWF World Title match. He finishes the arrangements and drives around town for a while once again relishing the feeling of being alive.
-In Canada: Thursday April 28, 2011-
It was early in the morning when he crossed over into Canada having taken the ferry over. He had the outfit he would wear that night prepped and sent ahead of him. He would be meeting with James Jefferson for a day of hanging out and talking business. He had been wondering why James was wrestling in a small indy style fed that was having problems but a little research on the subject and show him that he was the same company his friend Zanatos had been in. In fact, he now remembered having business dealings with one Jay Omega, a man still on the XWCWF roster.
Yet that only partially answered the question of what James was doing up here. In the end he knew that the only way to know for sure would be to meet with his friend and talk it out. So he made a phone call to let James know he was on his way over aboard the ferry. “Hey James I am on the ferry crossing the lake. I will be in Toronto in a few hours tops.” He ends the call and goes to lean against the ferry’s railing to look out over the water.
“Oh my god you are Sah’ta Thor aren’t you?” The female voice behind him causes to turn with a slight frown. He sees that the person speaking was a teenager of about seventeen, though wither mature looks that could have been an off guess and a smile crosses his lips to replace the instinct frown. “Yes I am, what can I do for you Miss?” He sees the girl blush slightly as she moves to stand next to him at the rail. “Well I want you to know that I am a huge fan of yours and just know that you will become FWF World Champion at Genesis VIII. I wish I could see it live but my family can’t afford the trip.”
He smiles a bit more hearing he assurance that he would win the FWF World Title but then starts to frown again as he hears that her family was un able to attend the show due to money issues. With out a think he pulls into his pocket and pulls out a four tickets to Genesis and a piece of paper. On the per he quickly writes a note saying that a plane would be waiting for them in Rochester to fly them to Manchester and that hotel accommodations would be paid for courtesy of the Empire of Blood. He hands her the paper and the ticket with smiles. “Then these should help so you can cheer in for me in person when I win the FWF World Title.”
“Thank you sir.” He watches her run off with the tickets and the note before tuning back to look over the water. He lets his thoughts drifts slightly towards the fact that in just a few nights time he would be fight for a belt that had long eluded him. A belt that would soon enough become his by right of conquest.
~*~*~*~*~
A couple hours later he was sitting in a diner with drinking a cup of coffee while waiting for a steak to arrived. He was sitting across from his long time friend and business partner James Jefferson, a man who was better known to the FWF public as Lexapro. James had been was a former two time FWF Cruiserweight Champion and like Thor had never been beaten for the belt. A fact that both men were aware of but didn’t know how to handle. “So James I have to ask why are you up in here wrestling for a minor league company that either one of us could buy out with ease?”
“Thor you seem to have forgotten that this business is not all about big names and major bucks. I joined the X because I see the potential of a lot of its younger talent that and I respect a company that won’t let circumstances keep it down. This is there third go at business and most of the guys who were then in the last incarnation of it have come back. It might it look like much now Thor but it will be soon enough.” He drinks his coffee and nods slightly to show that he had heard James words.
“So these guys have ambitions at being big time again? I guess I will see just how big all that is tonight when I am there. Do you think they would fit in with the Imperial Broadcast Network? He waits for a reply as the waitress brings them their plates. She leaves as James begins to talk once more. “Well I am trying to get the X to move to the Pure Wrestling Empire’s Arena in Reno. That is what the business I was taking care of the other day involved. I am supposed to train up this wrestling student from the training school the X is currently using and have him beat this other guy’s selection. He is also a wrestling trainer, though in the head I think the best solution would be to trade of weeks between both our schools.”
“I see so you think they are worth investing in. That says a lot about their potential James but like I said we will see what happens tonight.” He finishes speaking as he cuts up his steak into chunks. After he does he looks up at James with a faint smirk. “But I am glad I found a chance to talk with you man. You know my wedding is May 18th right? Well I want you to be one of my groomsmen.”
“Do you even need to ask man? Just tell me where it is and what I need to do and I will be there. Though I am guess you have tracked down others to be part of the event as well so I will need to get with them and set up something.” The pair fall into conversation about their families for a while before James asks him a question about the upcoming Genesis VIII PPV. “So who do you think will be your biggest threat in the World Title match?”
“Honestly James, I will be my own worst enemy. Already the doubt has whispered in the back on my mind and we both know that it is an insidious cancer. I have to be on guard for it until the match actually gets here. You see I understand that going into the match my mind set will affect the entire thing and as I intend to walk into my wedding with the FWF World Title over my shoulder I will stay focused.” He takes a bit of steak and looks James thoughtfully for a moment. “But if you must know my biggest out there will be Christian Lee. He is the current Champion and has already shown that he is a snake by getting out his match on the last Live-Wire. Not only that he has already beaten me once for the World Title. Twice if you count the match he won it in. Stall might be a threat with his need to avenge his loss last week but I don’t if will be in top shape. Ross it is the same thing, he has been in rough shape the last few weeks. So I guess will just have to wait and see how it goes at Genesis won’t we?
“Yes we shall but I wouldn’t underestimate any of these men Thor. They all have done something you haven’t and that is hold the FWF World Title. Not to be a kill joy but you are up against some tough competition.” The conversation shifts away from wrestling as the pair finish their meals.
-Old Trafford: Saturday April 30, 2011-
The last two nights ago he had seen him first in Canada than in the air flying to Manchester. He had already slept to take care of the jet lag. Then yesterday had ensured that the people he had given tickets too had managed to get there flights. With all of that being said and done he was ready to devote his attention to the matter that would be before him later that night. He was standing in the stadium that would later serve as the venue for Genesis VIII, the biggest show of the FWF year.
It was the main event that brought him here and he had words to speak before the match was done with, words that he would reach the ears of those meant to hear them before match came. So he stood in the center of the third tier of the North Strand with a camera wielding stage hand ready to speak his mind. “In just a few short hours this stadium will be turned into the home of FWF Eighth
Annual blockbuster Genesis. The biggest show of the year and I am part of the main event match for the FWF World Title. A match that will become something that is talked about for years to come. Wrongs will be righted as the four men enter that ring to earn the right to become the FWF Champion.
He stops to catch a breath and figure out just who he would address first. After a moment he chuckles having made a choice. “Ross you and I share something in common, we are both men who have been wronged by Christian Lee. I have seen his attacks on you after FWF came back, attacks that in no fault of your own were aimed at taking you of contention from your rightful place. A place as the number one contender to the FWF World Title that you won not only at the Jealousy VII tournament but in the Blizzard match the night of FWF‘s return.
So I am sure you want to take it at face value when I say that I am glad you are in this match. I am glad that you get to cash in your rightful number one contender spot. Tough I must also admit that I am glad in some way that Christian went after you. With him doing that I would never be in this match and my chance to get revenge on him would be postponed. So what do you say Ross, how about hold off fighting each other until we get rid of Christian. Lets us ensure that he won‘t walk out still the FWF World Champion.” He falls silent as he takes another breath.
“Next we have “Captain” Joe Stall, a man I have not only tied with but have also beaten in the ring to end up. A man intent on avenging the actions done to his grand son but Christian Lee. It is amazing that Lee would provoke a man like you by going after your family. Not that bright a move if you ask me but in the end all that means is that another man will be in the same ring as me with I go after Lee and make him pay for his theft at Jealousy VII. Now Joe I really hope you don’t take any of my actions against you the last few weeks as personal because they weren’t I was going what I needed to get my shot at the FWF World Title. But I ask you to think about it now, Let’s work together to ensure that Christian Lee doesn’t walk out of Genesis III still the FWF Champion.”
Another deep breath and a smirk on his lips greet the thought of the next opponent. “Christian Lee, a man who at one point thought himself the Emperor of the FWF. Let me ask you Champ? Where is your loyal Empire now? Where are you minions? From what I have seen they are gone like the chafe they were. You are alone this time Lee, oh maybe not alone as you have hired a new body guard, but in the ways that matter you are alone. You have you used your snake like tendencies to manipulate your out of matches long enough. You have attacked people who had no problem with you for now reason and your think yourself better than the rest of us. But later tonight that assumption will be proven wrong.
You tried to weasel your way into having no opponents tonight but instead have earned the privilege of facing three men you have wronged since coming to the FWF. Three men who would like nothing more than to see you fall from grace with nothing left to show for it. You may think that just because you have beaten me twice for the World Title that I am going to be an easy push over for you. I hate to break it you Champ I don’t think that is the case I have become better since we last met in that ring, more focused and more determined to see that I become the next FWF World Champion. So enjoy the bed your made for your self and remember what is like not to be the man at the top. Your championship reign has only hours left until it expires, use them well. Because this is the Theater of Dreams and tonight mine will come true.” He nods his thanks to the cameraman and heads back towards the locker area to make some preparations for later in the night.
Dreams are what guide a person to greatness. Dreams are what hope is based on. To lose sight of a dream is to lose a part of one’s soul. Unfulfilled dreams are a cancer upon the soul of the hopeless. To combat hopelessness one must regain a dream. Once regained one must fight for their dream until it is accomplished.
-Prelude-
The need to leave an undestroyable, unforgettable legacy, the need to have the respect of the people around him, and the goal of being a World Champion were what drove him. They were the dreams that pushed him ever forward in all that he did. To be considered worthy enough of having true happiness in this life time. In his world the dream of self worth was ever elusive but equally guiding. Each night he wrestled he did the best he could to match the worth that he placed in his fiancée. She was a legend in the wrestling world and an over all good person who had for some reason agreed to marry him.
Even now with the wedding just over two weeks away he had to still wonder why she had chosen him. He had heard the whispers saying that he was only with her to feed off her accomplishments. In his mind he had to prove to the world, and to some degree himself, that he wasn’t leeching off her legacy. A legacy that he respected and was in a minor way envious of. No he pushed himself to one day gain a better list of accomplishments than she did. It was what kept him going, the silent, insidious, ever present feeling of worthlessness that seemed to be ingrained in the core of his soul.
Even though he had worked his way to the position he was now in, the insidious nature of his doubts were even now beginning to surface. His being in contention for world titles in the main event of the biggest show of the year for two separate companies was giving the insidious black hole something to feed upon. The doubt and self doubt were growing the closer he got to the first of his world title matches. A match that could potentially add to the sting of defeats when it came to his quest for the particular world title in question.
Logically he was at the top of his game with his wedding coming up and the fact that he could in less than a month be the holder of two world titles, yet doubt was illogical. It was two days until his first world title match and he had not slept in two days. The voices in the back of his mind had kept him awake feasting upon the memories of his defeats. The voices were growing louder as the doubt and worthlessness fed upon the betrayals and lost loves of his past life.
In two days and some hours until he would be one of four men who would stop at nothing to walk of the match with the FWF World Title in their grasp. Two days until, as the doubt in the back of his mind told him, until he failed once again to obtain his goal. Two days until his hopes and his dreams would be once again shattered. Two nights until his desires of walking into his wedding with the FWF World Title came crashing down around him like a pieces of broken glass. Two nights until four men entered the ring and three went home with nothing. Two nights until Thor added the first loss of his return to the company. Two nights until his doubt and worthlessness proved themselves to be true.
Or would they?
-Phone Call One: Monday April 25, 2011-
It was a simple act to lift a phone and press a series of numbers on its surface. Yet while it was such a simple act it was also difficult to accomplish. Sometimes the easiest things were the hardest to do because of the possible outcomes. Such was a moment when making a simple act could trigger a series of unwanted drama or unrest had arrived. It was with a deep nerve settling breath that he lifted the phone up and made a call that he could no longer put off.
As the phone rings he begins to wonder about the wisdom of what he was planning but by then he had no choice as time had run out on postponing this particular call. The phone rings and any last minute chance to get out of the situation was eradicated by someone picking up the other line. “Yes, Pain this is Thor.” His voice was filled with a tinge of doubt as he waited for an answer to issue forth from the other line. He waits for a moment and finally hears a guarded voice on the other end of the line.
“I know Pain but I am calling about something important.” It was something of a well known fact that there had been some sparks between the two men involved with this conversation. Sparks that had lead to violence and even now a cold relationship existed between the two. A relationship that was currently strained by the current battles Pain’s father-in-law had had with him and the upcoming FWF World Title match at Genesis VIII. “It is about my wedding.”
Another moment passes in tension waits before his hears the gruff reply. “Pain I will cut to the chase as we are both very busy men. I want you to be one of my groomsmen.” He takes a deep breath and before a reply can be made speaks one last time. “I will let you think about it Pain. Just let me know what you decide at Genesis.” With that he ends the call and sighs thoughtfully.
-Days Earlier: Sunday April 24, 2011-
Live-wire had come and gone with a win stacked solidly into his corner. Yet he had no time for rest, as he had things to like getting back to Manchester, England for Genesis VIII from Rochester, New York. He had been in for New York for the latest edition of Global Extreme Wrestling Saturday Night Chaos. The end of the match the night before had left many things unanswered but in the end he had to shift his focus from GEW back to FWF. A shift that was best done by getting away from the hassle for a few nights. He needed to get away and enjoy a few things life had to offer.
That being said he decided to check on an old fried who he hadn’t talked to in over a year. Making a speaker phoned call he gets an answer after three rings. “This is James Jefferson how can I help you?” He heard the replay and it made him grin to himself. ”Hey James this is Thor what are you up to?
“Nothing much just in Toronto on business with the wrestling company I just started for.” Hearing that James was wrestling again caused him to raise an eyebrow as he contemplated a reply. “Where are you working at now James? You do know that the FWF is back up and running right.”
A moment of silence passes between the two until James makes his reply. “I know Thor and I wish you luck in becoming the FWF World Champion at Genesis VIII. I plan on being there but I am working with a place known as XWCWF. It just started back up and has a lot off talent and is being aired out of a training school. You should come to the next show, which is Thursday night.”
“You know have to be in Manchester for Genesis on Saturday but I will be there man.” A thought was forming in the back of his mind about the dealings of this XWCWF and the Imperial Broadcast Network. Yet for him to be sure a visit was in order. “See you in a few days man.” He ends the call and lets out a sigh wondering what he could do for the next few days. It wasn’t time effective to fly to Scotland and then fly back to Canada so he decided he would just stay in Rochester until he had to head over to Toronto. Toronto was just over the boarder across the lake so it would be a quick voyage.
-Signing Books: Tuesday April 26, 2011-
The last two days have been hectic as he had visited some of the sites in the Rochester area. It had been an fun relaxing time for him, but alas it was time to get back to work. He had managed to interact with fans and fellow members of the Empire of Blood. In short the last two days had been a welcome reminder of why he kept his nose to the grindstone and put up with the politics of the wrestling ring. Yet it was time to make his words know to the world as Genesis VIII was only a few days away.
In his wisdom he had found a bookstore in the Rochester area that seemed to be having some hard times but had a good reputation in the community. He was sitting in the bookstore’s parking lot when he made a simple phone call. A call that would shape the attitude of the rest of the afternoon. “Hello there, I am Sah’ta Thor, and I am calling because I would like announcement to be made on air.” He heard the sound of a line being transferred and then a beep. The radio show’s host introduces himself and asks just what the announcement was. With a strong confident voice he begins his words.
“I am Sah’ta Thor the founder of the Empire of Blood and current GEW and FWF wrestler. I wanted people to know that I am going to be signing autographs and answering questions at Fellow’s Books for the next two and half hours. Come on down and ask me some questions and get an autograph. There will be a prize drawing at the end of the day for a set of tickets to see Genesis VIII live. Other prizes will be awarded through out the afternoon, so come on down to Fellow’s Books.” With that he ends the call and chuckles to himself in amusement.
He then gets out of the rental car he was driving and heads into the book store that would soon become the center of the so much attention. He enters the building and sees an middle aged man behind the counter looking bored with the world as he watches the small handful of patrons meander through the aisles. “Hello there, how has business been for you today?” The man looks over at him with a frown as he shrugs slightly.”
“It has been slow but not to bad all things considered.” The man answers with a hint of quiet desperation on his face and a matching weariness in his tone. “Well I am sure business will pick up. I heard there is going to be this professional wrestler signing autographs here today.” This news cause the man to blink and look around nervously as if he was being joked with. After all there was nothing on the books about this, after a moment he leans over the counter and continues to speak. “That would be me and I will be here for the next two and half hours. I already announced it on the radio.”
The man just blinks in shocked surprise before he nods slowly. It was an unexpected boon and one that he would not question. “Welcome to Fellow’s Books sir, what can I get you to make this beneficial to use both?” He smiles and offers his hand to the man as he chuckles. “I need a table, a chair, and a bucket. Will also need a pad of paper and a couple sharpies. By the end of the day you will have any expenses paid out for this well paid off.
“If your being here can pick up business then I consider cost of sharpies and paper well worth it. Now if you will keep an eye on the front for a moment let me run back to get that table and chair for you.” He watches the man hustle off with a spring in his step as he tells the patrons he passed what was going on. Once the man was out of sight, he pulled a checkbook and with a quick series of motions writes a $10,000 donation to the bookstore. He slides it into the cash register and then moves around to wait as cars begin to pull in outside.
By the time the store keeper had returned there were over twenty people in the store waiting to buy a book to be signed. He helps set up the table and chair then sits down as the man goes to get some sharpies, a pad of paper and bucket. Once all the supplies had been gathered the man went back to the register to start selling books in earnest, on the best day of business the place had seen in months.
~*~*~*~*~
It had been a fast paced hour and half with dozens of people coming and going from the bookstore. Dozens of signatures had been signed and dozens of people had been entered into the drawing for Genesis VIII tickets. Yet only a few people had bothered to ask him questions as most were just there on a lunch break. So when an athletic younger man came up to get his just purchased book autographed and asked a question it was a pleasant surprise. “Thank you Thor, but a question. What makes you think that you will walk out of Genesis VIII the new FWF World Champion? What makes you think that you won’t walk away the loser once more after a FWF World Title match?”
“Good questions but frankly I don’t know for a fact that I won’t walk out a loser at Genesis VIII. There is no guarantee I will even walk out at all but I am at the top of my game. You look to be a football player, so you understand that when things get tough and the odds seem to be against you there is no backing down. For me this is a similar situation at Genesis VIII. While I hold a win over “Captain” Joe Stall, who is the biggest man in the match, I am the smallest one there. I give up sixty pounds on the next lightest person in the match and a good five inches in height. In short I am the man least likely to walk out of the match with a win if you look just at the physical stats of the men involved. Yet, as a man who had battle hard on the grid iron you should know that size doesn’t always translate to skill.”
He takes a deep breath and then grins as he keeps talking. “You see Genesis VIII is my third match back with the FWF and I have yet to lose. Record wise I am the favorite after my win last week. Yet in the end neither records or size amount to a hill of beans in this FWF World Title match. NO what matters most is the heart and drive to walk away the winner. The mental vision to see yourself at the end of the match with your hand raised high. I am more focused now then than I have been at any other time I have been in a FWF World Title match.
I have dropped a lot of the distractions that kept me from winning the FWF World Title. As you all know I am getting married next month and I will walk into my wedding as the FWF World Champion. That is what drives me forward and that is why I will win at Genesis VIII.” His answer had taken a few minutes to give and the line had grown larger in the mean time. He signs the book and does a quick drawing for pair of tickets to a later Live-Wire. The winner is present and leaves with a grin as the signings be back under way.
~*~*~*~*~
The autograph signing and question answering was finished and he had helped clean up the mess his being there and unexpectedly caused. The store keeper was amazed and extremely grateful for the best day of business Fellow’s Books had seen in months. Yet one last thing remained and that was for the winner of the trip to Manchester to be drawn. As it was a random drawing he had the store keep mix the names up and pull out the winning name. As the name was drawn he took it and lefts the book store with a final grin on his lips as he knew his gift would be found soon enough. As he gets back in his rental car, he makes a call to make the arrangements for the drawing winner and the number of tickets he would need in his immediate family.
He would be paying for everything on the trip but souvenirs and that made him feel good. The day had reminded him that he was not some two wrestler who had gotten lucky in the passed. No the fans he had greet that day were honestly excited to meet him. The many good luck wishes and statements of support filled him with a happiness and a much needed counter to the darkness that had been growing in his soul. The darkness that had threatened to undermine his very sense of purpose going into the FWF World Title match. He finishes the arrangements and drives around town for a while once again relishing the feeling of being alive.
-In Canada: Thursday April 28, 2011-
It was early in the morning when he crossed over into Canada having taken the ferry over. He had the outfit he would wear that night prepped and sent ahead of him. He would be meeting with James Jefferson for a day of hanging out and talking business. He had been wondering why James was wrestling in a small indy style fed that was having problems but a little research on the subject and show him that he was the same company his friend Zanatos had been in. In fact, he now remembered having business dealings with one Jay Omega, a man still on the XWCWF roster.
Yet that only partially answered the question of what James was doing up here. In the end he knew that the only way to know for sure would be to meet with his friend and talk it out. So he made a phone call to let James know he was on his way over aboard the ferry. “Hey James I am on the ferry crossing the lake. I will be in Toronto in a few hours tops.” He ends the call and goes to lean against the ferry’s railing to look out over the water.
“Oh my god you are Sah’ta Thor aren’t you?” The female voice behind him causes to turn with a slight frown. He sees that the person speaking was a teenager of about seventeen, though wither mature looks that could have been an off guess and a smile crosses his lips to replace the instinct frown. “Yes I am, what can I do for you Miss?” He sees the girl blush slightly as she moves to stand next to him at the rail. “Well I want you to know that I am a huge fan of yours and just know that you will become FWF World Champion at Genesis VIII. I wish I could see it live but my family can’t afford the trip.”
He smiles a bit more hearing he assurance that he would win the FWF World Title but then starts to frown again as he hears that her family was un able to attend the show due to money issues. With out a think he pulls into his pocket and pulls out a four tickets to Genesis and a piece of paper. On the per he quickly writes a note saying that a plane would be waiting for them in Rochester to fly them to Manchester and that hotel accommodations would be paid for courtesy of the Empire of Blood. He hands her the paper and the ticket with smiles. “Then these should help so you can cheer in for me in person when I win the FWF World Title.”
“Thank you sir.” He watches her run off with the tickets and the note before tuning back to look over the water. He lets his thoughts drifts slightly towards the fact that in just a few nights time he would be fight for a belt that had long eluded him. A belt that would soon enough become his by right of conquest.
~*~*~*~*~
A couple hours later he was sitting in a diner with drinking a cup of coffee while waiting for a steak to arrived. He was sitting across from his long time friend and business partner James Jefferson, a man who was better known to the FWF public as Lexapro. James had been was a former two time FWF Cruiserweight Champion and like Thor had never been beaten for the belt. A fact that both men were aware of but didn’t know how to handle. “So James I have to ask why are you up in here wrestling for a minor league company that either one of us could buy out with ease?”
“Thor you seem to have forgotten that this business is not all about big names and major bucks. I joined the X because I see the potential of a lot of its younger talent that and I respect a company that won’t let circumstances keep it down. This is there third go at business and most of the guys who were then in the last incarnation of it have come back. It might it look like much now Thor but it will be soon enough.” He drinks his coffee and nods slightly to show that he had heard James words.
“So these guys have ambitions at being big time again? I guess I will see just how big all that is tonight when I am there. Do you think they would fit in with the Imperial Broadcast Network? He waits for a reply as the waitress brings them their plates. She leaves as James begins to talk once more. “Well I am trying to get the X to move to the Pure Wrestling Empire’s Arena in Reno. That is what the business I was taking care of the other day involved. I am supposed to train up this wrestling student from the training school the X is currently using and have him beat this other guy’s selection. He is also a wrestling trainer, though in the head I think the best solution would be to trade of weeks between both our schools.”
“I see so you think they are worth investing in. That says a lot about their potential James but like I said we will see what happens tonight.” He finishes speaking as he cuts up his steak into chunks. After he does he looks up at James with a faint smirk. “But I am glad I found a chance to talk with you man. You know my wedding is May 18th right? Well I want you to be one of my groomsmen.”
“Do you even need to ask man? Just tell me where it is and what I need to do and I will be there. Though I am guess you have tracked down others to be part of the event as well so I will need to get with them and set up something.” The pair fall into conversation about their families for a while before James asks him a question about the upcoming Genesis VIII PPV. “So who do you think will be your biggest threat in the World Title match?”
“Honestly James, I will be my own worst enemy. Already the doubt has whispered in the back on my mind and we both know that it is an insidious cancer. I have to be on guard for it until the match actually gets here. You see I understand that going into the match my mind set will affect the entire thing and as I intend to walk into my wedding with the FWF World Title over my shoulder I will stay focused.” He takes a bit of steak and looks James thoughtfully for a moment. “But if you must know my biggest out there will be Christian Lee. He is the current Champion and has already shown that he is a snake by getting out his match on the last Live-Wire. Not only that he has already beaten me once for the World Title. Twice if you count the match he won it in. Stall might be a threat with his need to avenge his loss last week but I don’t if will be in top shape. Ross it is the same thing, he has been in rough shape the last few weeks. So I guess will just have to wait and see how it goes at Genesis won’t we?
“Yes we shall but I wouldn’t underestimate any of these men Thor. They all have done something you haven’t and that is hold the FWF World Title. Not to be a kill joy but you are up against some tough competition.” The conversation shifts away from wrestling as the pair finish their meals.
-Old Trafford: Saturday April 30, 2011-
The last two nights ago he had seen him first in Canada than in the air flying to Manchester. He had already slept to take care of the jet lag. Then yesterday had ensured that the people he had given tickets too had managed to get there flights. With all of that being said and done he was ready to devote his attention to the matter that would be before him later that night. He was standing in the stadium that would later serve as the venue for Genesis VIII, the biggest show of the FWF year.
It was the main event that brought him here and he had words to speak before the match was done with, words that he would reach the ears of those meant to hear them before match came. So he stood in the center of the third tier of the North Strand with a camera wielding stage hand ready to speak his mind. “In just a few short hours this stadium will be turned into the home of FWF Eighth
Annual blockbuster Genesis. The biggest show of the year and I am part of the main event match for the FWF World Title. A match that will become something that is talked about for years to come. Wrongs will be righted as the four men enter that ring to earn the right to become the FWF Champion.
He stops to catch a breath and figure out just who he would address first. After a moment he chuckles having made a choice. “Ross you and I share something in common, we are both men who have been wronged by Christian Lee. I have seen his attacks on you after FWF came back, attacks that in no fault of your own were aimed at taking you of contention from your rightful place. A place as the number one contender to the FWF World Title that you won not only at the Jealousy VII tournament but in the Blizzard match the night of FWF‘s return.
So I am sure you want to take it at face value when I say that I am glad you are in this match. I am glad that you get to cash in your rightful number one contender spot. Tough I must also admit that I am glad in some way that Christian went after you. With him doing that I would never be in this match and my chance to get revenge on him would be postponed. So what do you say Ross, how about hold off fighting each other until we get rid of Christian. Lets us ensure that he won‘t walk out still the FWF World Champion.” He falls silent as he takes another breath.
“Next we have “Captain” Joe Stall, a man I have not only tied with but have also beaten in the ring to end up. A man intent on avenging the actions done to his grand son but Christian Lee. It is amazing that Lee would provoke a man like you by going after your family. Not that bright a move if you ask me but in the end all that means is that another man will be in the same ring as me with I go after Lee and make him pay for his theft at Jealousy VII. Now Joe I really hope you don’t take any of my actions against you the last few weeks as personal because they weren’t I was going what I needed to get my shot at the FWF World Title. But I ask you to think about it now, Let’s work together to ensure that Christian Lee doesn’t walk out of Genesis III still the FWF Champion.”
Another deep breath and a smirk on his lips greet the thought of the next opponent. “Christian Lee, a man who at one point thought himself the Emperor of the FWF. Let me ask you Champ? Where is your loyal Empire now? Where are you minions? From what I have seen they are gone like the chafe they were. You are alone this time Lee, oh maybe not alone as you have hired a new body guard, but in the ways that matter you are alone. You have you used your snake like tendencies to manipulate your out of matches long enough. You have attacked people who had no problem with you for now reason and your think yourself better than the rest of us. But later tonight that assumption will be proven wrong.
You tried to weasel your way into having no opponents tonight but instead have earned the privilege of facing three men you have wronged since coming to the FWF. Three men who would like nothing more than to see you fall from grace with nothing left to show for it. You may think that just because you have beaten me twice for the World Title that I am going to be an easy push over for you. I hate to break it you Champ I don’t think that is the case I have become better since we last met in that ring, more focused and more determined to see that I become the next FWF World Champion. So enjoy the bed your made for your self and remember what is like not to be the man at the top. Your championship reign has only hours left until it expires, use them well. Because this is the Theater of Dreams and tonight mine will come true.” He nods his thanks to the cameraman and heads back towards the locker area to make some preparations for later in the night.