Post by John Anthony on Jun 25, 2007 21:12:20 GMT -6
Weekly Role Play #1
/*** In Respect to a Legend ***\
John Anthony sat in the middle of the ring within the confines of the Trenton Gymnasium. The steel chairs surrounding the slightly undersized ring were not home to cheering fans tonight. The black curtain in front of the entrance ramp lacked the luster it gained from the numerous spotlights radiating upon it. The announce stable stood lonesome without monitors, recording equipment, or announcers. All in all the arena was rather barren, but John sat there, quietly, in meditation. Tonight’s show, a house show for a local promotion that John had agreed to participate in, had been cancelled due to the tragedy of Chris Benoit’s death. John had never met the infamous superstar, but had always recognized him as a man with undeniable technical prowess far beyond anything John could ever hope to obtain. The idea that a man with such life and passion could literally be here one day and then gone the next. Chris had no idea when he was walking down the ramp to face Elijah Burke on ECW television that it would be his final match. When the referee raised his hand and announced him number one contender for the ECW Heavyweight Championship, Chris would never have guessed he would never have a chance to utilize that opportunity.
John looked around at the empty seats joined by nothing but silence. He thought about what occurred Sunday night… his victory over Macros and being named the number one contender to JR Zevon’s championship. Now this Sunday their next showing would come crashing into Maryland. Was he guaranteed to stand in the ring this Sunday and face off against the combined forces of Zevon and Meltdown? No. Nothing is a guarantee. If a man with such prowess as Chris Benoit could see his life stripped from him at the turn of a corner then it could happen to anyone. John Anthony stood up and paced through the ring, his steps echoing off the walls of the gymnasium. Acting fearful wouldn’t ease the pain. He had to do what Chris Benoit always did; treat every match as his last. Look at each match as a chance to entertain the fans and send them home with memories that would last forever, even if he didn’t.
John tested the rope nearest the entrance ramp and bounced off of it. He stood in his full ring gear having prepared to face off against local talent Jason “The Judge” Williams in a no holds barred match before a packed stadium. Now his itch to compete was overwhelmed by an emptiness that chewed away at John from the inside out. John climbed upon one of the turnbuckles and stood atop it. Placing one hand on his hip, he raised his left leg to the top turnbuckle and posed ala Captain Morgan. The world of wrestling entertainment had seen its ups and downs, its legends and failures, its crowning moments… and its tragedies. John pondered the thought of one day being a “legend,” a man remembered for his character within and outside the squared circle.
This weekend John knew he stood at a crossroads. Teaming with the current Atlantic Champion David hilt, he would fight tooth and nail to rise victorious over the team of Zevon and Meltdown. It was an interesting turn of events that brought this match to fruition. First the new arrival of replacement GM Mr. Hunter, followed by John’s successful second chance against one Macros, and then topped off by Meltdown’s assault on Macros afterwards. John had seen a spark in this athlete that left him awe struck, a spark he remembered having when he fought off competitor after competitor to gain the Gut Check Trophy. He hadn’t lost that spark, just buried it. Now, not only because of this recent tragedy in the loss of a legend, but because John knew what his goal and purpose in this business was, he would ignite that spark to an uncontrollable level and bring the fans everything they could ask for. He would stand alongside a man who deserved the belt he wore around his waist to clash with two dominant forces on the POW: NE roster. Before thousands of screaming ticket holders, beneath the lights of the stadium, and in front of all the cameras recording his every move, John would climb to the top of the proverbial mountain. He would deliver every move in his arsenal if needed to help produce a main event worthy of the POW: NE name. John would bring his game to a level equal to whatever necessary to have David’s and his own hand raised in victory at the end of the night.
And then… when all is said and done, his eyes would be set on the one thing all wrestlers dream of. The single motivation that brings them into this ring every week, into the gym every day they aren’t wrestling, and to travel away from home and family to put their lives on the line. Championship gold.
Tonight however, his own aspirations would be put on hold in respect and memory of a wrestler and his family whom would never be forgotten.
/*** In Respect to a Legend ***\
John Anthony sat in the middle of the ring within the confines of the Trenton Gymnasium. The steel chairs surrounding the slightly undersized ring were not home to cheering fans tonight. The black curtain in front of the entrance ramp lacked the luster it gained from the numerous spotlights radiating upon it. The announce stable stood lonesome without monitors, recording equipment, or announcers. All in all the arena was rather barren, but John sat there, quietly, in meditation. Tonight’s show, a house show for a local promotion that John had agreed to participate in, had been cancelled due to the tragedy of Chris Benoit’s death. John had never met the infamous superstar, but had always recognized him as a man with undeniable technical prowess far beyond anything John could ever hope to obtain. The idea that a man with such life and passion could literally be here one day and then gone the next. Chris had no idea when he was walking down the ramp to face Elijah Burke on ECW television that it would be his final match. When the referee raised his hand and announced him number one contender for the ECW Heavyweight Championship, Chris would never have guessed he would never have a chance to utilize that opportunity.
John looked around at the empty seats joined by nothing but silence. He thought about what occurred Sunday night… his victory over Macros and being named the number one contender to JR Zevon’s championship. Now this Sunday their next showing would come crashing into Maryland. Was he guaranteed to stand in the ring this Sunday and face off against the combined forces of Zevon and Meltdown? No. Nothing is a guarantee. If a man with such prowess as Chris Benoit could see his life stripped from him at the turn of a corner then it could happen to anyone. John Anthony stood up and paced through the ring, his steps echoing off the walls of the gymnasium. Acting fearful wouldn’t ease the pain. He had to do what Chris Benoit always did; treat every match as his last. Look at each match as a chance to entertain the fans and send them home with memories that would last forever, even if he didn’t.
John tested the rope nearest the entrance ramp and bounced off of it. He stood in his full ring gear having prepared to face off against local talent Jason “The Judge” Williams in a no holds barred match before a packed stadium. Now his itch to compete was overwhelmed by an emptiness that chewed away at John from the inside out. John climbed upon one of the turnbuckles and stood atop it. Placing one hand on his hip, he raised his left leg to the top turnbuckle and posed ala Captain Morgan. The world of wrestling entertainment had seen its ups and downs, its legends and failures, its crowning moments… and its tragedies. John pondered the thought of one day being a “legend,” a man remembered for his character within and outside the squared circle.
This weekend John knew he stood at a crossroads. Teaming with the current Atlantic Champion David hilt, he would fight tooth and nail to rise victorious over the team of Zevon and Meltdown. It was an interesting turn of events that brought this match to fruition. First the new arrival of replacement GM Mr. Hunter, followed by John’s successful second chance against one Macros, and then topped off by Meltdown’s assault on Macros afterwards. John had seen a spark in this athlete that left him awe struck, a spark he remembered having when he fought off competitor after competitor to gain the Gut Check Trophy. He hadn’t lost that spark, just buried it. Now, not only because of this recent tragedy in the loss of a legend, but because John knew what his goal and purpose in this business was, he would ignite that spark to an uncontrollable level and bring the fans everything they could ask for. He would stand alongside a man who deserved the belt he wore around his waist to clash with two dominant forces on the POW: NE roster. Before thousands of screaming ticket holders, beneath the lights of the stadium, and in front of all the cameras recording his every move, John would climb to the top of the proverbial mountain. He would deliver every move in his arsenal if needed to help produce a main event worthy of the POW: NE name. John would bring his game to a level equal to whatever necessary to have David’s and his own hand raised in victory at the end of the night.
And then… when all is said and done, his eyes would be set on the one thing all wrestlers dream of. The single motivation that brings them into this ring every week, into the gym every day they aren’t wrestling, and to travel away from home and family to put their lives on the line. Championship gold.
Tonight however, his own aspirations would be put on hold in respect and memory of a wrestler and his family whom would never be forgotten.
