Post by George Duke on Feb 1, 2007 0:32:01 GMT -6
Snow lines the cold streets of South Philadelphia. William Penn perpetually stands high above City Hall. People on the ground scurry and hurry indoors or to their cars, and not just for the cold. Philadelphia is a rough city with an even rougher reputation. New York gets the credit, but Philly is for real.
An older man, wearing a stained gray sweatshirt and black jeans walks into camera view, holding a cigar. He looks tired and worn - but sturdy and strong at the same time. The look on his face is one of conviction and anger. He speaks in a voice like crunching gravel...
"A lot of people have called me a 'hardcore wrestler'. Why? Is it because I'm a bit rough? Well, that's the game, isn't it? Just because some guys wanna do cartwheels and jump up and down doesn't mean I won't be the guy to punch your teeth out. That's what we do - the sport's lost it's way. Too many pretty boys and acrobats - not a lot of real fighters left. Is it because I use weapons? Well, sometimes I lose my temper and things like that happen. It's all up for grabs - the other guy can do the same thing if he wants. In the common usage of the term, I'm not really a 'hardcore wrestler.' I don't condone Garbage Wrestling or that Backyard sh*t. I can and do use a wide range of technical holds - I used to be a trained for Chrissakes! However, I am Hardcore because I wrestle with intensity and passion. Tom Chaaker, Stanley Staziak, Adi Berber, Curtis Peterson, Jack Rush, Dennis Clary, Ali Pasha, Mike DiBiase - these men all died in the ring. They were basically beaten to death. They took the beating until they literally couldn't anymore. They had the fighting spirit. I share that fighting spirit. Jack Lewis, Tex Wright, Mike Romano, Eddie Baker, Buck Weaver, Johnny Demchuck, Tex Riley, Doctor X. These men carried on long lasting matches - they wrestled until they pushed themselves into a heart attack! They all died fighting, because they had the fighting spirit. I share that fighting spirit. I'm prepared to go all the way - but I certainly don't plan on doing it if I don't have to. I use everything at my disposal, even if it means using weapons and breaking rules. I'll get the upper hand even if I have to belt you in the mouth with it. These men all had the fighting spirit - and it's no coincidence that they're from waaaaaay back, either. You guys are d**ned spoiled. Too many showmen, not enough wrestlers. Wrestling has gone the same way as boxing. The toughest guys are all gone. Boxing won't have another Jack Dempsey, just the same as Wrestling will never have another Ed Strangler Lewis. I'm here to remind you all - to show you all what wrestling is. It's a fight. It's a fight for your gaddamned life! A lot of sissies got mommy and daddy to support you or you got some money stashed away. Me? This is my bread and butter, literally. I fight for a living. You'll have your hands full trying to take me out, kids - I have a lot on the line. Every night I'm fighting for a paycheck - and every night I'm sending a message. A message to my next opponent, a message to spectators, a message to management. George Duke is the real f*cking deal. Aside from makiing a point and ensuring a win - I'm going to hurt you guys for other reasons. If I'm up against a talented guy - I'm going to put him down. I don't want him coming up later and threatening my spot. If I'm in a title match - the champion is going to the hospital, and hopefully retiring. I've sent my message, and he can't challenge my status. If I'm up against a no talent little girl - which I feel I will be a lot- I'll do the same. They have no reason to be here. They're not fighters, they're posers, wannabes - nothings. They have to go. Aside from that, it's a personal favor to their mothers. If I retire 'em, maybe they'll be a doctor or a lawyer and forget about ruining their bodies. I'm an old man, but I got a helluva lotta bite. Don't be fooled by the labels, don't be fooled by my age. I know every trick in the book, and how to avoid them. I know virtually every hold, how to properly apply them, how to maximize their effectiveness - and how to break out of them when they're on me. I've seen all sorts of people in my career, and I read 'em pretty good now. I have a pretty good understanding of human anatomy - I know pressure points, I know how and where to break bones. I'm a tough sunuvab*tch with a sh ort fuse - I got a nasty temper and I don't like to show mercy. I have a mission, I have a job - and soon, I'll have gold. I am George Duke - and soon, you'll all remember that."
George smiles and chews on his cigar. He turns and heads down a sidestreet. As he turns the corner, he spits on the sidewalk - it lands with a loud THWAK against the concrete. He dissapears behind a burn-out brick building as the scene fades away.
An older man, wearing a stained gray sweatshirt and black jeans walks into camera view, holding a cigar. He looks tired and worn - but sturdy and strong at the same time. The look on his face is one of conviction and anger. He speaks in a voice like crunching gravel...
"A lot of people have called me a 'hardcore wrestler'. Why? Is it because I'm a bit rough? Well, that's the game, isn't it? Just because some guys wanna do cartwheels and jump up and down doesn't mean I won't be the guy to punch your teeth out. That's what we do - the sport's lost it's way. Too many pretty boys and acrobats - not a lot of real fighters left. Is it because I use weapons? Well, sometimes I lose my temper and things like that happen. It's all up for grabs - the other guy can do the same thing if he wants. In the common usage of the term, I'm not really a 'hardcore wrestler.' I don't condone Garbage Wrestling or that Backyard sh*t. I can and do use a wide range of technical holds - I used to be a trained for Chrissakes! However, I am Hardcore because I wrestle with intensity and passion. Tom Chaaker, Stanley Staziak, Adi Berber, Curtis Peterson, Jack Rush, Dennis Clary, Ali Pasha, Mike DiBiase - these men all died in the ring. They were basically beaten to death. They took the beating until they literally couldn't anymore. They had the fighting spirit. I share that fighting spirit. Jack Lewis, Tex Wright, Mike Romano, Eddie Baker, Buck Weaver, Johnny Demchuck, Tex Riley, Doctor X. These men carried on long lasting matches - they wrestled until they pushed themselves into a heart attack! They all died fighting, because they had the fighting spirit. I share that fighting spirit. I'm prepared to go all the way - but I certainly don't plan on doing it if I don't have to. I use everything at my disposal, even if it means using weapons and breaking rules. I'll get the upper hand even if I have to belt you in the mouth with it. These men all had the fighting spirit - and it's no coincidence that they're from waaaaaay back, either. You guys are d**ned spoiled. Too many showmen, not enough wrestlers. Wrestling has gone the same way as boxing. The toughest guys are all gone. Boxing won't have another Jack Dempsey, just the same as Wrestling will never have another Ed Strangler Lewis. I'm here to remind you all - to show you all what wrestling is. It's a fight. It's a fight for your gaddamned life! A lot of sissies got mommy and daddy to support you or you got some money stashed away. Me? This is my bread and butter, literally. I fight for a living. You'll have your hands full trying to take me out, kids - I have a lot on the line. Every night I'm fighting for a paycheck - and every night I'm sending a message. A message to my next opponent, a message to spectators, a message to management. George Duke is the real f*cking deal. Aside from makiing a point and ensuring a win - I'm going to hurt you guys for other reasons. If I'm up against a talented guy - I'm going to put him down. I don't want him coming up later and threatening my spot. If I'm in a title match - the champion is going to the hospital, and hopefully retiring. I've sent my message, and he can't challenge my status. If I'm up against a no talent little girl - which I feel I will be a lot- I'll do the same. They have no reason to be here. They're not fighters, they're posers, wannabes - nothings. They have to go. Aside from that, it's a personal favor to their mothers. If I retire 'em, maybe they'll be a doctor or a lawyer and forget about ruining their bodies. I'm an old man, but I got a helluva lotta bite. Don't be fooled by the labels, don't be fooled by my age. I know every trick in the book, and how to avoid them. I know virtually every hold, how to properly apply them, how to maximize their effectiveness - and how to break out of them when they're on me. I've seen all sorts of people in my career, and I read 'em pretty good now. I have a pretty good understanding of human anatomy - I know pressure points, I know how and where to break bones. I'm a tough sunuvab*tch with a sh ort fuse - I got a nasty temper and I don't like to show mercy. I have a mission, I have a job - and soon, I'll have gold. I am George Duke - and soon, you'll all remember that."
George smiles and chews on his cigar. He turns and heads down a sidestreet. As he turns the corner, he spits on the sidewalk - it lands with a loud THWAK against the concrete. He dissapears behind a burn-out brick building as the scene fades away.
