Post by Dave Rydell on Mar 17, 2018 14:30:05 GMT -5
Part 1 - Catching Up
As Dave puts his gym bag is in his truck, he slowly gets into the driver seat. He starts the truck and looks at his phone which is sitting in the phone holder clipped to the AC vent. He opens it up and scrolls through his contacts. He pushes to make a call. After a few rings, a familiar voice answers.
Voice: I figured I would be hearing from you sooner or later.
Dave: I didn’t want to. I needed to.
Voice: Listen, Dave. I cannot tell you anything that you don’t already know.
Dave: No, I know. I’m not looking for guidance. I’m not looking for mentorship. I just wanted to let you know to watch.
Voice: Why is that?
Dave: It’s finally happening. I have finally figured out what it is I need to do.
Voice: I will be watching. I am always watching.
Dave: Old friend, I need you to hear me though.
Voice: Look, we’ve had this conversation multiple times. We have discussed it all. It is not a secret that you are confident in your abilities. You think you can do it. I just want you to know that you can do it.
Dave: It isn’t a matter of thinking and desiring it anymore.
Voice: Then what is this all about?
Dave: I AM going to do it. I have been in my own head for so long that I didn’t see the big picture. No matter what I need to do to win, I will win. That is what will prove the rest of them wrong.
Voice: That’s the only thing. You can show you are deserving of a shot just like anybody else. But what it all boils down to is that everyone can have those moments…those flashes…where they show some emergence of greatness. Then, just as you have, so many times, it submerges once more.
Dave: Not this time. You will see.
Voice: I hope I’m wrong.
Dave: You will be.
Voice: Then what is it you are going to do?
Dave pauses for a short moment.
Voice: Dave?
Dave: Win.
Fade out.
Part 2 - Why Do We Want To Be Champion?
Truth be told, I say down with a pen and paper to write my letter of intent for the Lord of Trios event.
I was at a loss for words after about a paragraph. Nothing seemed to mesh. Nothing felt natural. Nothing felt like it was worthwhile. So I tried again. And again. And again. Yet here I am.
Still here, trying to form the right words to say. But I grew tired of it all. I grew bored with the same old nonsense.
I went and heard what Fear said. I heard what Zane said.
Then it clicked.
It clicked that I am the wild card in this situation.
Fear has had a long career of grabbing the brass ring when no one is watching. Zane has had a career of having the ring and misusing it for his own selfish gain.
Fear. Living in the past is something we are all destined to do at one time or another. So sometimes you might just have a deal with a little history lesson.
I won’t be giving you that lesson, though. I will be making you relive the days of old when I stand victorious over you yet again at the event. See, what really just makes me chuckle is we are creatures of habit. We tend to badger the past for always rearing it’s ugly head and trying to stay away from it. Why? That’s the million dollar question, isn’t it?
I know why. We don’t want to relive the pain and anguish of past events. We don’t want to gloat about our successes. Some part of us wants to stay a little bit humble. Unfortunate as it is, we must always live a little in the past. Why?
Here is why. We must remember what happened. We must relive the problems and put to work viable solutions to change the outcome of the future.
So, Fear. As you and I have tangled over the course of 15 years, I know what I need to do.
And Zane. Your little speech. While touching, it is inaccurate. You do not live to serve the World Title. As I have said before, we are all creatures of habit. You just haven’t shown your true self to this current run.
Fear isn’t who you should worry about, friend. It is me you should fear. Because just as the third party stated, I will do what I need to do. I will manipulate. I will mold it. I will do whatever is necessary for me to walk out as the company’s Champion.
Do I deserve it? Do any of us really deserve it? I don’t think so. But we fight, tooth and nail week in and week out until we reach these goals we set for ourselves. The question that always comes about, is why?
Why do we want to be the Champion?
Fear wants to be the Champion so he can finally relinquish himself from the last few years of mediocrity. He wants to try and erase his less than stellar history of failure. He wants to show everyone why he should have it…and the fact is, he shouldn’t. He isn’t ready for the top anymore. He will do his best to achieve victory on Monday night.
But it won’t be enough.
Zane Scott wants to be the Champion because he feels he is a man of the people. He is a company man, if you will. He doesn’t want the belt. He doesn’t deserve it. He was just the guy who was good on a few separate nights to hold on to it and to gain it. He capitalized on opportunity when it reared its head.
Zane, you lived in the shadows of some of the most maniacal and cruel people this business has ever seen. You claim to have figured out who you are since then. I don’t think so. Pairing with the likes of Donovan Hastings, willingly I might add, doesn’t prove to anyone you’ve found your way. It just shows you sold out to a suit and have the “upper hand” against us all. Because why wouldn’t the company back a company man?
Why do I want to be the Champion?
I don’t. The Championship NEEDS me to be the Champion. It needs a fresh start. It has been infected by toxins over the years. Jet Somers, Eden Morgan, Travis Roberts, Klaus vonKnorre, Alan Wallace, and now, Zane Scott. This list of names. Every one of them. Toxic.
I am needed to be the Champion because I deliver an uncanny ability to bring fresh competition. For their own reasons or others. I could be the guy that everyone wants to dethrone because they think it’s easy. I could be the guy that will surpass the length of Travis Roberts reign. I could be the guy who wins it, and vacates it with a heartfelt retirement speech, leaving the belt open for fresh faces as I have achieved my final goal.
But this isn’t about goals, ladies and gentlemen. This is about why we want to be Champion.
And the fact of it all is, I don’t want to be the Champion. It needs me.
Part 3 - Humility
Some might say that I’m a tad hypocritical. Wanting to stay humble, yet claiming the title needs me as if I’m some brand new Jesus Christ Superstar to save it from the depths of hell.
Maybe. But we won’t know until the night comes to fruition.
Humility. Quite the fickle word, isn’t it?
Fear, one of the least humble people I have ever known. Claiming to be the savior of the company because of the infection it has.
Zane. Far from humble. Talk is cheap, Zane. But your mere existence shows you aren’t humble in any way. Lying to us all. Saying you “found yourself” before you latest comeback.
I have found myself. A long time ago. Whether I am a loose cannon or the real savior of this place. I don’t need anyones validation for anything. I just need to follow the path that guides me because the Championship needs me as its Champion.
On Monday night, we battle…nay, we war for the belt. I will no longer let the integrity of it go by the wayside. I will win the UGWC World Championship because it needs me to. The company needs me to win it. The people need me to win it. I will defend it with honor and distinction.
And once it is mine, I will stay humble.
I suggest you all start doing the same.
As Dave puts his gym bag is in his truck, he slowly gets into the driver seat. He starts the truck and looks at his phone which is sitting in the phone holder clipped to the AC vent. He opens it up and scrolls through his contacts. He pushes to make a call. After a few rings, a familiar voice answers.
Voice: I figured I would be hearing from you sooner or later.
Dave: I didn’t want to. I needed to.
Voice: Listen, Dave. I cannot tell you anything that you don’t already know.
Dave: No, I know. I’m not looking for guidance. I’m not looking for mentorship. I just wanted to let you know to watch.
Voice: Why is that?
Dave: It’s finally happening. I have finally figured out what it is I need to do.
Voice: I will be watching. I am always watching.
Dave: Old friend, I need you to hear me though.
Voice: Look, we’ve had this conversation multiple times. We have discussed it all. It is not a secret that you are confident in your abilities. You think you can do it. I just want you to know that you can do it.
Dave: It isn’t a matter of thinking and desiring it anymore.
Voice: Then what is this all about?
Dave: I AM going to do it. I have been in my own head for so long that I didn’t see the big picture. No matter what I need to do to win, I will win. That is what will prove the rest of them wrong.
Voice: That’s the only thing. You can show you are deserving of a shot just like anybody else. But what it all boils down to is that everyone can have those moments…those flashes…where they show some emergence of greatness. Then, just as you have, so many times, it submerges once more.
Dave: Not this time. You will see.
Voice: I hope I’m wrong.
Dave: You will be.
Voice: Then what is it you are going to do?
Dave pauses for a short moment.
Voice: Dave?
Dave: Win.
Fade out.
~~~~~
Part 2 - Why Do We Want To Be Champion?
Truth be told, I say down with a pen and paper to write my letter of intent for the Lord of Trios event.
I was at a loss for words after about a paragraph. Nothing seemed to mesh. Nothing felt natural. Nothing felt like it was worthwhile. So I tried again. And again. And again. Yet here I am.
Still here, trying to form the right words to say. But I grew tired of it all. I grew bored with the same old nonsense.
I went and heard what Fear said. I heard what Zane said.
Then it clicked.
It clicked that I am the wild card in this situation.
Fear has had a long career of grabbing the brass ring when no one is watching. Zane has had a career of having the ring and misusing it for his own selfish gain.
Fear. Living in the past is something we are all destined to do at one time or another. So sometimes you might just have a deal with a little history lesson.
I won’t be giving you that lesson, though. I will be making you relive the days of old when I stand victorious over you yet again at the event. See, what really just makes me chuckle is we are creatures of habit. We tend to badger the past for always rearing it’s ugly head and trying to stay away from it. Why? That’s the million dollar question, isn’t it?
I know why. We don’t want to relive the pain and anguish of past events. We don’t want to gloat about our successes. Some part of us wants to stay a little bit humble. Unfortunate as it is, we must always live a little in the past. Why?
Here is why. We must remember what happened. We must relive the problems and put to work viable solutions to change the outcome of the future.
So, Fear. As you and I have tangled over the course of 15 years, I know what I need to do.
And Zane. Your little speech. While touching, it is inaccurate. You do not live to serve the World Title. As I have said before, we are all creatures of habit. You just haven’t shown your true self to this current run.
Fear isn’t who you should worry about, friend. It is me you should fear. Because just as the third party stated, I will do what I need to do. I will manipulate. I will mold it. I will do whatever is necessary for me to walk out as the company’s Champion.
Do I deserve it? Do any of us really deserve it? I don’t think so. But we fight, tooth and nail week in and week out until we reach these goals we set for ourselves. The question that always comes about, is why?
Why do we want to be the Champion?
Fear wants to be the Champion so he can finally relinquish himself from the last few years of mediocrity. He wants to try and erase his less than stellar history of failure. He wants to show everyone why he should have it…and the fact is, he shouldn’t. He isn’t ready for the top anymore. He will do his best to achieve victory on Monday night.
But it won’t be enough.
Zane Scott wants to be the Champion because he feels he is a man of the people. He is a company man, if you will. He doesn’t want the belt. He doesn’t deserve it. He was just the guy who was good on a few separate nights to hold on to it and to gain it. He capitalized on opportunity when it reared its head.
Zane, you lived in the shadows of some of the most maniacal and cruel people this business has ever seen. You claim to have figured out who you are since then. I don’t think so. Pairing with the likes of Donovan Hastings, willingly I might add, doesn’t prove to anyone you’ve found your way. It just shows you sold out to a suit and have the “upper hand” against us all. Because why wouldn’t the company back a company man?
Why do I want to be the Champion?
I don’t. The Championship NEEDS me to be the Champion. It needs a fresh start. It has been infected by toxins over the years. Jet Somers, Eden Morgan, Travis Roberts, Klaus vonKnorre, Alan Wallace, and now, Zane Scott. This list of names. Every one of them. Toxic.
I am needed to be the Champion because I deliver an uncanny ability to bring fresh competition. For their own reasons or others. I could be the guy that everyone wants to dethrone because they think it’s easy. I could be the guy that will surpass the length of Travis Roberts reign. I could be the guy who wins it, and vacates it with a heartfelt retirement speech, leaving the belt open for fresh faces as I have achieved my final goal.
But this isn’t about goals, ladies and gentlemen. This is about why we want to be Champion.
And the fact of it all is, I don’t want to be the Champion. It needs me.
~~~~~
Part 3 - Humility
Some might say that I’m a tad hypocritical. Wanting to stay humble, yet claiming the title needs me as if I’m some brand new Jesus Christ Superstar to save it from the depths of hell.
Maybe. But we won’t know until the night comes to fruition.
Humility. Quite the fickle word, isn’t it?
Fear, one of the least humble people I have ever known. Claiming to be the savior of the company because of the infection it has.
Zane. Far from humble. Talk is cheap, Zane. But your mere existence shows you aren’t humble in any way. Lying to us all. Saying you “found yourself” before you latest comeback.
I have found myself. A long time ago. Whether I am a loose cannon or the real savior of this place. I don’t need anyones validation for anything. I just need to follow the path that guides me because the Championship needs me as its Champion.
On Monday night, we battle…nay, we war for the belt. I will no longer let the integrity of it go by the wayside. I will win the UGWC World Championship because it needs me to. The company needs me to win it. The people need me to win it. I will defend it with honor and distinction.
And once it is mine, I will stay humble.
I suggest you all start doing the same.