Post by Markw on Dec 16, 2012 17:37:35 GMT -5
Revolution – The Blink Of An Eye
It must have only taken a few seconds, but it felt like an eternity, waiting for that ball to ripple into the back of the net. We could tell that was where it was going, we were longing for anything to stop it, a bird, a plane, anything. Finally the agonising wait we endured was over as the ball dipped past Sullivan’s outstretched arm and into the back of the net. For a few moments silence, and then three quarters of Stadium:MK erupted, most stayed behind to applaud the team. But we couldn’t do that… it was just too painful.
I should be used to it really; it’s the story of my life, so much effort, commitment, hard work. So much dedication, passion and spirit. But then, in the blink of an eye, everything is snatched away, in a match that shouldn’t have even happened. But so far, in both cases they’ve failed to take away our hope. They kicked Wimbledon Football Club when we were down, and now we’re in the football league again and you know what people kicked me when I was down, now I’m the National Champion again and I’m one step away from a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship.
Maybe it’s a bit too optimistic to say that I’m one step away, perhaps it’d be a bit more realistic to say that I’m one huge f***off leap away from a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship. But I have nothing to fear now, at Survival of the Fittest when I first got this chance, yes I failed, I failed pretty spectacularly. I was just coming back then though, I hadn’t reclaimed the belt I never even lost, I was nervous, I was… scared. But for the first time in weeks I’m now not defending my belt, I’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain. I haven’t done a bad job of handling the pressure so far, and I’m incredibly modest, but I honestly thrive in this situation, when I don’t have to worry about making a mistake, about losing everything I’ve worked for. Sure a shot at the big one is one huge f***off leap away, but it’s over one giant safety net.
Jake: “I can’t believe it.”
I’d almost forgotten the horrors of the last few minutes, I had certainly forgotten that Jake was here. Miraculously he had failed to speak to his sister all week so I got away with the trip to the football at least. I must admit I’m beginning to think that they never speak to each other. Eventually I remembered to respond.
Joe: “Typical, it’s just f***ing typical”
YESSSSS!
We weren’t hanging around any longer; we knew that roar from the stadium was the final whistle, Jake quickly picked up the pace and I wasn’t hanging around for those smug bastards to come piling out of the stands.
Jake: “We’ll have the last laugh.”
He didn’t exactly sound confident about that.
Joe: “Very convincing, almost sounded like you believed that for a second.”
I jumped into the passenger seat as he drove off back towards home, few words were shared on the journey but to be honest we were still reeling from that horrible goal. I did however use this as an opportunity, while praying that Jess didn’t ring him, to think things through. Of course the most valuable use of my time would have been to think how I was going to sort that situation out, but instead there was one thing that kept dragging my attention away.
The WFWF World Championship.
Yes I know the odds are astronomical, that there is pretty much no chance of a rookie like me stepping into the ring with guys like ZMaster and Yukio Blaze and coming out victorious. But you know what, most said the odds of me making it to the WFWF were astronomical, that the odds of me winning the National Championship were astronomical, that I wouldn’t be able to come back from two years in the wilderness and do it again.
Well you know what, I did. I did all of those things.
Now I’ve finally got a reward, I’ve been defending that belt for weeks, but now I get a chance to make history. But for me it’s not so much about the World Heavyweight Championship. Don’t get me wrong that’s what I’m fighting for. But for years I’ve dreamt of stepping into the ring with guys like ZMaster and Yukio Blaze, guys who I watched while I was toiling away as a teen, learning my trade. I mean we’re talking about the opportunity to step into the ring with a former Grand Slam Champion. That’s crazy.
But you know what makes it even more exciting, the fact that it’s not a forgone conclusion. Let’s face it, battle royals are a bit more of a lottery than other matches, I’m not saying I’d roll over for these guys in single matches, but I know that if I’m smart I can win this thing.
Of course that also adds an extra element, because just as I have a genuine chance, so does Cameron Stone, the man who I beat for my National Championship. So does Cam Nitta a guy who was playing hot potato with Stone and Sabat when I made my return. A guy who I know will almost certainly be one of the many setting their sights on me if they fail in this match. On top of that there are the unknown quantities, wrestler like Devilkiller and Scarlett Quinn, who are to me a complete unknown.
But if I can overcome those odds, then comes the real exciting bit. Phillip Schneider, the WFWF World Champion, a man who has been in some of the sickest matches I’ve ever seen, a man who doesn’t kiss the ass of the people in power. Or Mak Cross, the guy who just last week beat Schneider to get into the Title match. When those two clash it’s going to be explosive, and I crave the opportunity to put myself into the middle of that. Some may call me naïve, some may not even try to dress it up, they might come straight out and say I’m stupid. But frankly I don’t give a crap what they think. It would be an honour to step into the ring with the two greatest athletes in the WFWF and go for the greatest title in the history of professional wrestling.
Of course things are complicated for me a little by Reckless, who to his credit didn’t feel the need to involve himself in my match last week. Since I’ve just offered him a shot at the belt I’m not surprised. But who knows, his chances of winning the National Championship from me, may well depend on whether or not I get into the World Title match. Even if they don’t, you never know with a bitter, twisted guy like Reckless.
So I guess I’ll be relying on Shawn Malaki to keep Reckless busy at Revolution, which doesn’t exactly fill me with confidence. I don’t know an awful lot about the man returning to action, but I know that while I was wiping the floor with Revelation during my first sting, Malaki was associating himself with those guys. If you’re associating yourself with Revelation then I think even Reckless has a shot against you. So it looks like I’ll be dealing with Reckless on top of the other six guys in the battle royal. But I think in recent weeks I’ve shown that I’m more than capable of dealing with Reckless. Maybe I’m overthinking it all, maybe I should be going into this match and just do what comes naturally. But then that’s not who I am, that didn’t win me two National Championships.
That’s not the man, for better or worse, who is going to step into the ring at Revolution, and give every last thing he’s got for an opportunity. An opportunity to make my mark, an opportunity to right the wrongs, an opportunity to step into the ring with two of the finest wrestlers in the WFWF. If I’m going to win this match, I’m going to do it on my terms; I would rather do that and fail. Because if I fail, if I don’t walk out of Revolution the number one contender, then I’ll know for sure, that just like this AFC Wimbledon, this Joseph Bishop isn’t good enough. At least not yet.
The car screeches to a halt.
Jake: “Sorry about today.”
Joe: “Not your fault, thanks for the ride.”
Jake’s phone begins to ring.
Jake: “It’s Jess.”
Joe: “Bye.”
I wasn’t sticking around long. The door slammed shut and I was half way down the street before he’d had time to answer the call. I didn’t look back, the last thing I needed was for this day to get a whole lot worse, and a whole lot more explosive. There’ll be more than enough fireworks at Revolution.
