Post by mac on Sept 4, 2023 19:49:46 GMT
Evolution and other things
“The great fights with your strongest rivals are always the biggest motivation. When you win easily it's not the same taste.” - Valentino Rossi
There are no end of people who don’t believe that CCPE is a dominant force in this industry. They ignore the amount of gold we carry and the pile of bodies we leave in our wake. They hate us, not for who we are. No, no, they hate us because of one man, the myth, the legend, Chris Page. He works for us, as an agent, a manager at times. A tag team partner in some cases but always a peer. Fight after fight after fight. There are no end of challengers who believe themselves to be my equal. There are some who believe themselves to be superior and have the unmitigated gall to say so. Joe Mountuori, and Matthew Knox are among them and, well, everyone has seen how that went for them.
I put Knox in retirement for a while and I made JMont wish he was. The way this match even came to be…let's call it fate. The luck of the draw makes it seem random but John Cable and I were due to lock horns in a one on one scenario. John has this habit of running his mouth at people that he shouldn’t. I’m people, I’m the one that he should have left alone. This match was in the making since I knocked Spencer Adams out in a triple threat match in WGWF. John didn’t like the way I got that victory, and well, I don’t give a shit what John thinks.His opinion of me, takes up zero space in how I plan and maneuver myself in this industry.. Cable is an investor and in-ring talent in WGWF, for whatever reason, he believes he’s far more important than what he is. That level of arrogance, I will not tolerate. I’ll squash it as easily as I would a bug under the heel of my boot. Cable, you’ve been a friend in the past, but you’re on the wrong side of this fight and I will not hold back.
I’ve made an example of many people over the years. I’ve kicked the front door of people’s houses just to beat their ass. All for making the mistake of running their mouth about me or my family. I call it backing the truck up, and now we’ll be doing more than throwing hands. You simply should have left me alone, now you get to learn what many others already know. Words spoken to me have consequences. You ran your mouth and now you pay the price for your transgressions. All receipts will be paid in full.
[continued from - xwf99.com/showthread.php?tid=46734]
[Monday - Late Evening - The Oblivion Ranch - Las Vegas NV]
I sat on the back porch of our home in Vegas, the Oblivion Ranch was a source of pride for us, it was one of the things we had built together. I looked down at my hand where the fresh bandage rested. It still stung a bit, but I didn’t care, the satisfaction of punching Bert Mcelroy in the mouth softened the sting. It also made me smile, the sense of satisfaction was real. I drank from the tumbler as Amber had come out onto the back porch. I’d tell her what I did of course, whether she accepted it or not was another matter. Amber’s reactions were rarely what you expect, so I chose a long time ago to not try to predict them. She looked down at my hand and then at the grin on my face.
Amber: How did you hurt yourself, and why are you happy about it?
I set the tumbler back down on the side table with a light thud from the impact.
Mac: Defending your honor.
I said it in such a matter of fact way, it even surprised me to be honest. It wasn’t said with spite or anger, just facts.
Amber: My honor?
The amusement in her voice was hard to miss and I gave her a frown in response.
Mac: Yeah, Bert had some things to say about you on social media and I educated him on a few things.
She rolled her eyes but still smiled. That was generally a good sign, and so I smiled in response.
Amber: How, pray tell, did you do that?
I would normally have thought this out to put it in the most dignified way possible, but those days have passed me it seemed. So, I just put out there and we’d see where the cards fell.
Mac: Well, I went to his place, and beat the crap out of him.
Her eyebrows shot up in surprise, but she was still smiling.
Amber: I’m a bit surprised, what did he do exactly?
I never took my eyes away from hers as I explained it.
Mac: He had some unsavory things to say on twitter or X or whatever we’re calling it these days. He insinuated that Matthew and you had slept together. I had warned him before not to do that shit or I’d be over for a talk.
She started to protest but I held up one finger so I could finish.
Mac: I believe you when you told me that nothing happened, but I’m not going to let some annoying little fuck like him stir that shit up again. So, yes, I did in fact kick his door in and beat the hell out of him. I even took a selfie with him and sent it to Knox.
She wasn’t pleased but at the same time she was trying not to laugh. After she regained her composure she looked at me with a serious face.
Amber: Well, I’m not sure I have the honor to be defended but the thought behind it is, well, it’s so you, Mac.
I wasn’t really certain if that was a compliment or not but I was going to go with it as a good thing. My “Black Wolf'' mentality was starting to have a real foothold in my mental make up. I felt like it was a good thing, not a bad one.
Mac: I can’t and won’t allow people to think they can say whatever they want to without repercussions, love. Your honor is always worth defending. I know you don’t need me to defend you and you never have.
Amber: But…
Mac: But you’re my wife and if I stand by and do nothing, it doesn’t make me much of a husband, let alone a man.
She touched my face lightly and smiled at me again.
Amber: People can say a lot of things about you darl, but they can never question that. They will, but everyone knows it has no substance.
I grunted in agreement with that statement, taking a drink, then setting the empty tumbler back down. There will always be people who will try to question my manhood or my dedication to my wife. Mostly because of jealousy, there were a lot of people who wish they had what we have. As power couples go, you’d be hard pressed to be more of one than she and I. I winked at her and we shared a fist bump.
Mac: All true my love. I’ll probably have a lot more people to punch in the mouth in the near future.
Amber: Likely, I do wonder though what’s driving this rampage you’ve been on.
I sat in silence for a moment to collect my thoughts, finally I sighed and looked at her.
Mac: I once made a promise to you, that we would set the world on fire and watch it burn together. Remember that?
She smiled to the point it must have been hurting her jaws.
Amber: Hard to forget those wedding vows.
Mac: It’s hard to explain. I don’t feel like I’ve lived up to the expectation. That’s the reason that the way I do business has changed. It’s no longer about respect. I’ve come to the realization that I’ll never get that outside of our four walls. You’ve told me as much on more than one occasion. Maybe I was naive in believing that I had earned that from people.
She nodded somberly in agreement. It’s something she had been trying to convince me of for a long time.
Mac: So, I decided that if I couldn’t get them to respect me, their fear would have to do.
She gave me the most wicked smile, and it mirrored my own. We both knew that with the path I was on, there was no turning back, and I didn’t want to. The way I was doing things today, is the way I should have always done them. What others thought of it didn’t matter, why should I care? The opinion of sheep is of no concern to the wolf.
Fade
continued from - adambarker1981.proboards.com/thread/16287/2-out-3-aint-bad
My body slept, but my subconscious remained very active. I still couldn’t tell you for certain whether it was a dream or the actual thing but it damn sure felt real.
Dream sequence - going back to hell
Outcast was not the only resident of hell that had been a professional wrestler, there were many but the one that had summoned me to this place had a far more personal connection. Francis Bane had been my father in life and evidently drew me here to torment me some more because childhood wasn’t enough. He always enjoyed messing with me in one form or another. He’d use whatever he could if he thought it would get a reaction from me. I smelled the sulfur as I “woke” into this dream and the old man was standing at the foot of my bed. Not my bed as an adult, but from my childhood.
Francis Bane: There’s that scared little boy, always too scared to do anything of importance. Always making excuses for why he fails.
He paused for a moment as I sat up in bed. I looked down at my arms and hands because something didn’t feel right. That’s when I noticed that it was a 9 year old me and not the grown version of myself. I shrugged in indifference.
Mac: It’s been a while, Francis. What do I owe the great displeasure of your company while I sleep?
I knew the backhanded slap was coming but it was still delivered in a way that I couldn’t track. I felt my head be knocked to the side and the burning sensation on my cheek. Instincts took over and I was out of bed quickly and ready to fight. He bellowed a laugh as I did so.
Francis Bane: Always so quick to react, that was always a part of your problem.
He struck me again and again until I could taste the copper, blood running from my mouth and my nose. Then he suddenly stopped and stared daggers at me.
Francis Bane: You were always so envious of those who were bigger than you, faster than you and simply better than you. You didn’t want to work to get where you wanted to go, where you should have been.
I could still taste the blood in my mouth as I stood up and spat it out in his direction. My spittal sizzled in the air and evaporated before it ever reached him. If this was indeed a dream, then I should in theory be able to control some aspects of it. I could feel the warmth from Maria, the feelings of encouragement to fight back to gain control of this narrative. Control is what it was always about with him, he knew it but so did I. I used the image of myself as a grown man and focused on that within my mind's eye.
Francis Bane: No!
He was too late though and my body transformed into the way I know myself to look today. I stood at my full height now and glared at him. I wiped the blood away from my nose and mouth on the back of my hand. He didn’t shrink back from me as he had in life when I stood up to him.
Mac: Envy always was your game, pop. Everything you said was true, about yourself. I was never that person and never will be.
I smirked at him as he began to shrink in size.
Mac: So, the devil made you a smaller deal than you had been in life. He made you less than a barghest, he made you a minor demon of envy. How very sad for you.
I started to say more but I was caught off guard as he grew back to his original form, that of my father.
Francis Bane: My power in this place is not something you can overcome. I could kill you here in this place and you would die in your sleep in the living world. It has been amusing to me to watch you evolve into all the things you hated about me. Manipulation, first and foremost.
That’s when I struck in a similar manner to what he had done to me earlier, but my slap had more power behind it than he was ready for. It sent his body flying across the room and against the bedroom wall.
Mac Bane: That was always your problem, you like the sound of your own voice just a bit too much.
He smiled as he stood back up and laughed.
Francis Bane: Not bad, kiddo. My point must have registered with you. You are finally reaching your full potential, what I always envisioned for you.
The full impact of what he’d said hit me hard, as he knew it would. Probably not in the way that he hoped for. I felt pride swelling up in me and he could see it as well, if it shocked him, he didn’t show it. It almost took me by surprise, that I felt pride in what I had become.
Mac: Maybe this is who I was meant to be all along. Maybe you were right, pop, maybe this is what is meant for me to become.
Francis Bane: You spent your entire life, working hard every day to become the polar opposite of me. I don’t blame you really, I was a bastard my entire life, Mac. I feel no regrets about that to be clear. You shouldn’t either, embrace your evolution, son.
I knew I was already doing that, I had no regrets about what I had done to Bert. He got what he deserved. Did I put other people in harm's way? Maybe, but I could thwart anything that Knox might do.
Mac: I already have, but you know that. So why this visit?
He smiled that bane smile, flashing pearly white teeth.
Francis Bane: Just to tell you that I’m proud of who you are becoming. Your evolution is just beginning, and you already know that there's no going back. People would never trust you again if you started trying to placate people like you once did.
I knew that was true up to a point, there are some who would always condone the things I did and others who would always condemn the things I’d done.
Mac: There’s a large part of me that wishes I had listened to you when I was young but there’s another part of me that’s glad I killed you. The things you did to our family can never be forgiven.
He studied me for a long moment before he spoke.
Francis Bane: I’m glad you killed me too, I’ve never forgiven myself for the things I’ve done and this is how I will spend eternity. I also regret nothing. So I guess in the end, it all worked out the way it was supposed to.
Dream sequence fades into the waking world of the living
I woke up and began to stretch, then I rolled out of bed and went into the bathroom. I studied my face, half expecting to see something different. Just my usual ugly mug stared back at me, but there was also a sparkle in my eyes which was rare for me. I made my way to the kitchen, The coffee was already done making and that made me happy. Amber must have woken early and was probably already on the porch. I grabbed my cup of coffee and joined her.
Amber: Do you think that there will be any retaliation against the family because of that thing with Bert?
I sat down with my cup of coffee and studied her for a moment. She never asks questions like that unless she already knows and probably fears the answer. I could tell she was bracing herself for what she already knew.
Mac: I’d be more shocked if he didn’t try something.
I lit a cigarette while she chewed on that and that was when I noticed the indicator for social media activity. I thumbed it onto Twitter and saw the threat from Knox. I smiled at his post and then smirked.
Mac: The flames are closing in indeed.
My DM indicator from Kat, I read it and she was telling me not to take his bait. I chuckled at it.
Amber: Does Kat know?
Mac: Yeah, she does, she’s not worried about it.
Amber: And you’re not either?
I smiled at her, the same Bane smile that my father always used.
Mac: I am but I’m not. I hate that she’s fighting him but I know she’s ready for this match. It’s been a long time coming and he deserves everything he gets. He’s turned into almost as big a loser as John Cable.
Fade
In the past, my promos have been done in our home in Vegas but it was time for a throwback. When the scene opens, the absence of light is the thing that stands out most. Pitch black is what the viewer sees.
Narrator: Today’s message has been paid for by John Cable whether he likes it or not.
Nah, Narrator, today’s message is brought to you by the words “fuck” and “you”, courtesy of John Cable who is my focal point for this event.
Obviously.
Friendship is a fine thing, up until you can’t trust the person who’s supposedly your friend. You see we were friends once upon a time. Me, him and Tristan took on “The Kingdom” back when WGWF was first getting off the ground. It was me that saved him from getting beat down after a fatal four way. We formed an alliance and started taking them on, holding our own for the most part. Then there was a report of him being jumped by masked men, putting him on the shelf for a while. That was the report, not that I believe that, I think he realized he was in over his head. He couldn’t hang with those guys and was gone for months. While he was gone, Tristan and I took care of business. We’re the ones that ended the threat of “The Kingdom” destroying that group. Cable even had the nerve to try and claim that as his own. Like always, he’s just full of shit.
Luck of the draw, fate, happenstance? It doesn’t really matter, like that mask he wears now doesn’t matter. Hiding your face behind a leather mask? Is that supposed to intimidate people? Good luck with that shithead. You didn’t intimidate or scare anyone without it, it just painted you a clown. A once proud warrior, now playing pretend. No one will ever buy what you are trying to sell. It’s just now believable John, no, far from it. You can't accomplish what you hope to with that reputation. I don’t believe you and I damn sure don’t believe in you. How do you hope to convince fans or other talent? Facts are facts, chief, you don’t have a track record that shows success in big matches. You’re not someone that anyone looks at the name on the card, and they’re like oh shit, not that guy. Because when it’s most important and everything hangs in the balance, the one thing you’re known for is failure. You’re not a hasbeen, you're never was, John. As good as you are inside the ring, you’ll never measure up to me, not even in your wildest dreams. I could talk about the number of world titles I’ve won but that’s so passé these days isn’t it? Why bother with petty things like titles, amiright?
Of course I am, we should always start there and move forward. In WGWF, because he’s an investor he thinks he’s a big deal. The reality of the situation is that he’s a little wheel. You’ve got no power in the company which is a stark contrast to what you believe and talk about. You are what you’ve always been John. A good talker, a great athlete and the ultimate choke artist. That’s right, I said it and I didn’t stutter or hesitate. You had your big match with Vaughn and failed. That’s nothing to be ashamed of, Peter Vaughn was a great world champion. You and Spencer tagged up against me and Bam, you guys brought it and we accepted the outcome. No questions asked and no excuses offered. This match is different though, isn’t it John? Yeah, this is one on one. A big fight feel, but no gold on the line. So, you should be fine. Until the bell rings and you look across the ring and see me standing there. Then it will sink in, the herculean task that you have before you. You’ll be facing the man who everyone knows is a monster in the ring. The man who no longer lives by a code of ethics or believes in a system based on honor. There never has been and never will be honor in this sport. You’ll be looking at a guy who will win by any means necessary. You didn’t like the way I won that triple threat match as I recall. You’ll hate the way this match goes. A pair of brass knuckles will be the least of your problems. Every strike, delivered with maximum velocity. Every wrestling hold applied with all the torque I can create. I can create quite a lot, in case you hadn’t noticed. All done in an effort to end a fight.
That’s the difference between me and most competitors. They’re out there trying to win a match, while I’m out there to beat the ever living fuck out of someone. Pinfall victories are overrated, a referee having to stop a match? That’s where it’s at for me. There is nothing that brings me more joy in this world than having beaten someone to the point that they can’t defend themselves as I rain down strike after strike to their face, not caring whether it’s fists or elbows, never concerned with the consequences of those actions.Never caring about whether an opponent can walk away from the ring under their own power. Most people call it brutality but I call it a good time.
“The great fights with your strongest rivals are always the biggest motivation. When you win easily it's not the same taste.” - Valentino Rossi
The Foreword
There are no end of people who don’t believe that CCPE is a dominant force in this industry. They ignore the amount of gold we carry and the pile of bodies we leave in our wake. They hate us, not for who we are. No, no, they hate us because of one man, the myth, the legend, Chris Page. He works for us, as an agent, a manager at times. A tag team partner in some cases but always a peer. Fight after fight after fight. There are no end of challengers who believe themselves to be my equal. There are some who believe themselves to be superior and have the unmitigated gall to say so. Joe Mountuori, and Matthew Knox are among them and, well, everyone has seen how that went for them.
I put Knox in retirement for a while and I made JMont wish he was. The way this match even came to be…let's call it fate. The luck of the draw makes it seem random but John Cable and I were due to lock horns in a one on one scenario. John has this habit of running his mouth at people that he shouldn’t. I’m people, I’m the one that he should have left alone. This match was in the making since I knocked Spencer Adams out in a triple threat match in WGWF. John didn’t like the way I got that victory, and well, I don’t give a shit what John thinks.His opinion of me, takes up zero space in how I plan and maneuver myself in this industry.. Cable is an investor and in-ring talent in WGWF, for whatever reason, he believes he’s far more important than what he is. That level of arrogance, I will not tolerate. I’ll squash it as easily as I would a bug under the heel of my boot. Cable, you’ve been a friend in the past, but you’re on the wrong side of this fight and I will not hold back.
I’ve made an example of many people over the years. I’ve kicked the front door of people’s houses just to beat their ass. All for making the mistake of running their mouth about me or my family. I call it backing the truck up, and now we’ll be doing more than throwing hands. You simply should have left me alone, now you get to learn what many others already know. Words spoken to me have consequences. You ran your mouth and now you pay the price for your transgressions. All receipts will be paid in full.
Why so angry?
[continued from - xwf99.com/showthread.php?tid=46734]
[Monday - Late Evening - The Oblivion Ranch - Las Vegas NV]
I sat on the back porch of our home in Vegas, the Oblivion Ranch was a source of pride for us, it was one of the things we had built together. I looked down at my hand where the fresh bandage rested. It still stung a bit, but I didn’t care, the satisfaction of punching Bert Mcelroy in the mouth softened the sting. It also made me smile, the sense of satisfaction was real. I drank from the tumbler as Amber had come out onto the back porch. I’d tell her what I did of course, whether she accepted it or not was another matter. Amber’s reactions were rarely what you expect, so I chose a long time ago to not try to predict them. She looked down at my hand and then at the grin on my face.
Amber: How did you hurt yourself, and why are you happy about it?
I set the tumbler back down on the side table with a light thud from the impact.
Mac: Defending your honor.
I said it in such a matter of fact way, it even surprised me to be honest. It wasn’t said with spite or anger, just facts.
Amber: My honor?
The amusement in her voice was hard to miss and I gave her a frown in response.
Mac: Yeah, Bert had some things to say about you on social media and I educated him on a few things.
She rolled her eyes but still smiled. That was generally a good sign, and so I smiled in response.
Amber: How, pray tell, did you do that?
I would normally have thought this out to put it in the most dignified way possible, but those days have passed me it seemed. So, I just put out there and we’d see where the cards fell.
Mac: Well, I went to his place, and beat the crap out of him.
Her eyebrows shot up in surprise, but she was still smiling.
Amber: I’m a bit surprised, what did he do exactly?
I never took my eyes away from hers as I explained it.
Mac: He had some unsavory things to say on twitter or X or whatever we’re calling it these days. He insinuated that Matthew and you had slept together. I had warned him before not to do that shit or I’d be over for a talk.
She started to protest but I held up one finger so I could finish.
Mac: I believe you when you told me that nothing happened, but I’m not going to let some annoying little fuck like him stir that shit up again. So, yes, I did in fact kick his door in and beat the hell out of him. I even took a selfie with him and sent it to Knox.
She wasn’t pleased but at the same time she was trying not to laugh. After she regained her composure she looked at me with a serious face.
Amber: Well, I’m not sure I have the honor to be defended but the thought behind it is, well, it’s so you, Mac.
I wasn’t really certain if that was a compliment or not but I was going to go with it as a good thing. My “Black Wolf'' mentality was starting to have a real foothold in my mental make up. I felt like it was a good thing, not a bad one.
Mac: I can’t and won’t allow people to think they can say whatever they want to without repercussions, love. Your honor is always worth defending. I know you don’t need me to defend you and you never have.
Amber: But…
Mac: But you’re my wife and if I stand by and do nothing, it doesn’t make me much of a husband, let alone a man.
She touched my face lightly and smiled at me again.
Amber: People can say a lot of things about you darl, but they can never question that. They will, but everyone knows it has no substance.
I grunted in agreement with that statement, taking a drink, then setting the empty tumbler back down. There will always be people who will try to question my manhood or my dedication to my wife. Mostly because of jealousy, there were a lot of people who wish they had what we have. As power couples go, you’d be hard pressed to be more of one than she and I. I winked at her and we shared a fist bump.
Mac: All true my love. I’ll probably have a lot more people to punch in the mouth in the near future.
Amber: Likely, I do wonder though what’s driving this rampage you’ve been on.
I sat in silence for a moment to collect my thoughts, finally I sighed and looked at her.
Mac: I once made a promise to you, that we would set the world on fire and watch it burn together. Remember that?
She smiled to the point it must have been hurting her jaws.
Amber: Hard to forget those wedding vows.
Mac: It’s hard to explain. I don’t feel like I’ve lived up to the expectation. That’s the reason that the way I do business has changed. It’s no longer about respect. I’ve come to the realization that I’ll never get that outside of our four walls. You’ve told me as much on more than one occasion. Maybe I was naive in believing that I had earned that from people.
She nodded somberly in agreement. It’s something she had been trying to convince me of for a long time.
Mac: So, I decided that if I couldn’t get them to respect me, their fear would have to do.
She gave me the most wicked smile, and it mirrored my own. We both knew that with the path I was on, there was no turning back, and I didn’t want to. The way I was doing things today, is the way I should have always done them. What others thought of it didn’t matter, why should I care? The opinion of sheep is of no concern to the wolf.
Fade
One More Time
continued from - adambarker1981.proboards.com/thread/16287/2-out-3-aint-bad
My body slept, but my subconscious remained very active. I still couldn’t tell you for certain whether it was a dream or the actual thing but it damn sure felt real.
Dream sequence - going back to hell
Outcast was not the only resident of hell that had been a professional wrestler, there were many but the one that had summoned me to this place had a far more personal connection. Francis Bane had been my father in life and evidently drew me here to torment me some more because childhood wasn’t enough. He always enjoyed messing with me in one form or another. He’d use whatever he could if he thought it would get a reaction from me. I smelled the sulfur as I “woke” into this dream and the old man was standing at the foot of my bed. Not my bed as an adult, but from my childhood.
Francis Bane: There’s that scared little boy, always too scared to do anything of importance. Always making excuses for why he fails.
He paused for a moment as I sat up in bed. I looked down at my arms and hands because something didn’t feel right. That’s when I noticed that it was a 9 year old me and not the grown version of myself. I shrugged in indifference.
Mac: It’s been a while, Francis. What do I owe the great displeasure of your company while I sleep?
I knew the backhanded slap was coming but it was still delivered in a way that I couldn’t track. I felt my head be knocked to the side and the burning sensation on my cheek. Instincts took over and I was out of bed quickly and ready to fight. He bellowed a laugh as I did so.
Francis Bane: Always so quick to react, that was always a part of your problem.
He struck me again and again until I could taste the copper, blood running from my mouth and my nose. Then he suddenly stopped and stared daggers at me.
Francis Bane: You were always so envious of those who were bigger than you, faster than you and simply better than you. You didn’t want to work to get where you wanted to go, where you should have been.
I could still taste the blood in my mouth as I stood up and spat it out in his direction. My spittal sizzled in the air and evaporated before it ever reached him. If this was indeed a dream, then I should in theory be able to control some aspects of it. I could feel the warmth from Maria, the feelings of encouragement to fight back to gain control of this narrative. Control is what it was always about with him, he knew it but so did I. I used the image of myself as a grown man and focused on that within my mind's eye.
Francis Bane: No!
He was too late though and my body transformed into the way I know myself to look today. I stood at my full height now and glared at him. I wiped the blood away from my nose and mouth on the back of my hand. He didn’t shrink back from me as he had in life when I stood up to him.
Mac: Envy always was your game, pop. Everything you said was true, about yourself. I was never that person and never will be.
I smirked at him as he began to shrink in size.
Mac: So, the devil made you a smaller deal than you had been in life. He made you less than a barghest, he made you a minor demon of envy. How very sad for you.
I started to say more but I was caught off guard as he grew back to his original form, that of my father.
Francis Bane: My power in this place is not something you can overcome. I could kill you here in this place and you would die in your sleep in the living world. It has been amusing to me to watch you evolve into all the things you hated about me. Manipulation, first and foremost.
That’s when I struck in a similar manner to what he had done to me earlier, but my slap had more power behind it than he was ready for. It sent his body flying across the room and against the bedroom wall.
Mac Bane: That was always your problem, you like the sound of your own voice just a bit too much.
He smiled as he stood back up and laughed.
Francis Bane: Not bad, kiddo. My point must have registered with you. You are finally reaching your full potential, what I always envisioned for you.
The full impact of what he’d said hit me hard, as he knew it would. Probably not in the way that he hoped for. I felt pride swelling up in me and he could see it as well, if it shocked him, he didn’t show it. It almost took me by surprise, that I felt pride in what I had become.
Mac: Maybe this is who I was meant to be all along. Maybe you were right, pop, maybe this is what is meant for me to become.
Francis Bane: You spent your entire life, working hard every day to become the polar opposite of me. I don’t blame you really, I was a bastard my entire life, Mac. I feel no regrets about that to be clear. You shouldn’t either, embrace your evolution, son.
I knew I was already doing that, I had no regrets about what I had done to Bert. He got what he deserved. Did I put other people in harm's way? Maybe, but I could thwart anything that Knox might do.
Mac: I already have, but you know that. So why this visit?
He smiled that bane smile, flashing pearly white teeth.
Francis Bane: Just to tell you that I’m proud of who you are becoming. Your evolution is just beginning, and you already know that there's no going back. People would never trust you again if you started trying to placate people like you once did.
I knew that was true up to a point, there are some who would always condone the things I did and others who would always condemn the things I’d done.
Mac: There’s a large part of me that wishes I had listened to you when I was young but there’s another part of me that’s glad I killed you. The things you did to our family can never be forgiven.
He studied me for a long moment before he spoke.
Francis Bane: I’m glad you killed me too, I’ve never forgiven myself for the things I’ve done and this is how I will spend eternity. I also regret nothing. So I guess in the end, it all worked out the way it was supposed to.
Dream sequence fades into the waking world of the living
I woke up and began to stretch, then I rolled out of bed and went into the bathroom. I studied my face, half expecting to see something different. Just my usual ugly mug stared back at me, but there was also a sparkle in my eyes which was rare for me. I made my way to the kitchen, The coffee was already done making and that made me happy. Amber must have woken early and was probably already on the porch. I grabbed my cup of coffee and joined her.
Amber: Do you think that there will be any retaliation against the family because of that thing with Bert?
I sat down with my cup of coffee and studied her for a moment. She never asks questions like that unless she already knows and probably fears the answer. I could tell she was bracing herself for what she already knew.
Mac: I’d be more shocked if he didn’t try something.
I lit a cigarette while she chewed on that and that was when I noticed the indicator for social media activity. I thumbed it onto Twitter and saw the threat from Knox. I smiled at his post and then smirked.
Mac: The flames are closing in indeed.
My DM indicator from Kat, I read it and she was telling me not to take his bait. I chuckled at it.
Amber: Does Kat know?
Mac: Yeah, she does, she’s not worried about it.
Amber: And you’re not either?
I smiled at her, the same Bane smile that my father always used.
Mac: I am but I’m not. I hate that she’s fighting him but I know she’s ready for this match. It’s been a long time coming and he deserves everything he gets. He’s turned into almost as big a loser as John Cable.
Fade
The Final Word
In the past, my promos have been done in our home in Vegas but it was time for a throwback. When the scene opens, the absence of light is the thing that stands out most. Pitch black is what the viewer sees.
Narrator: Today’s message has been paid for by John Cable whether he likes it or not.
Nah, Narrator, today’s message is brought to you by the words “fuck” and “you”, courtesy of John Cable who is my focal point for this event.
Obviously.
Friendship is a fine thing, up until you can’t trust the person who’s supposedly your friend. You see we were friends once upon a time. Me, him and Tristan took on “The Kingdom” back when WGWF was first getting off the ground. It was me that saved him from getting beat down after a fatal four way. We formed an alliance and started taking them on, holding our own for the most part. Then there was a report of him being jumped by masked men, putting him on the shelf for a while. That was the report, not that I believe that, I think he realized he was in over his head. He couldn’t hang with those guys and was gone for months. While he was gone, Tristan and I took care of business. We’re the ones that ended the threat of “The Kingdom” destroying that group. Cable even had the nerve to try and claim that as his own. Like always, he’s just full of shit.
Luck of the draw, fate, happenstance? It doesn’t really matter, like that mask he wears now doesn’t matter. Hiding your face behind a leather mask? Is that supposed to intimidate people? Good luck with that shithead. You didn’t intimidate or scare anyone without it, it just painted you a clown. A once proud warrior, now playing pretend. No one will ever buy what you are trying to sell. It’s just now believable John, no, far from it. You can't accomplish what you hope to with that reputation. I don’t believe you and I damn sure don’t believe in you. How do you hope to convince fans or other talent? Facts are facts, chief, you don’t have a track record that shows success in big matches. You’re not someone that anyone looks at the name on the card, and they’re like oh shit, not that guy. Because when it’s most important and everything hangs in the balance, the one thing you’re known for is failure. You’re not a hasbeen, you're never was, John. As good as you are inside the ring, you’ll never measure up to me, not even in your wildest dreams. I could talk about the number of world titles I’ve won but that’s so passé these days isn’t it? Why bother with petty things like titles, amiright?
Of course I am, we should always start there and move forward. In WGWF, because he’s an investor he thinks he’s a big deal. The reality of the situation is that he’s a little wheel. You’ve got no power in the company which is a stark contrast to what you believe and talk about. You are what you’ve always been John. A good talker, a great athlete and the ultimate choke artist. That’s right, I said it and I didn’t stutter or hesitate. You had your big match with Vaughn and failed. That’s nothing to be ashamed of, Peter Vaughn was a great world champion. You and Spencer tagged up against me and Bam, you guys brought it and we accepted the outcome. No questions asked and no excuses offered. This match is different though, isn’t it John? Yeah, this is one on one. A big fight feel, but no gold on the line. So, you should be fine. Until the bell rings and you look across the ring and see me standing there. Then it will sink in, the herculean task that you have before you. You’ll be facing the man who everyone knows is a monster in the ring. The man who no longer lives by a code of ethics or believes in a system based on honor. There never has been and never will be honor in this sport. You’ll be looking at a guy who will win by any means necessary. You didn’t like the way I won that triple threat match as I recall. You’ll hate the way this match goes. A pair of brass knuckles will be the least of your problems. Every strike, delivered with maximum velocity. Every wrestling hold applied with all the torque I can create. I can create quite a lot, in case you hadn’t noticed. All done in an effort to end a fight.
That’s the difference between me and most competitors. They’re out there trying to win a match, while I’m out there to beat the ever living fuck out of someone. Pinfall victories are overrated, a referee having to stop a match? That’s where it’s at for me. There is nothing that brings me more joy in this world than having beaten someone to the point that they can’t defend themselves as I rain down strike after strike to their face, not caring whether it’s fists or elbows, never concerned with the consequences of those actions.Never caring about whether an opponent can walk away from the ring under their own power. Most people call it brutality but I call it a good time.