Post by SIH on May 29, 2007 18:29:25 GMT -5
We find ourselves in a jewellery store. All around us are glass cabinets filled with rings, necklaces and earrings. However our attention is drawn to the centre of the store, where we see a familiar face: our hero, “Total Apocalypse” Mikael West. We see our protagonist hand over money to the jeweller, and in return he is handed a gold watch. West puts the watch onto his wrist, shakes hands with the jeweller and exits the store. We follow as West heads down the street and enters his automobile. He sits in his vehicle and adjusts his mirrors. West puts on the radio and then drives off down the street. As he drives, West begins to speak.
“You know Obo, you were right. Three years is a long time and a lot has changed since then. Back in the day, in the build up to our match, I’d have tore you apart, talked smack about you, generally behaved like an arrogant son of a bitch. But that was back when I was young, when I was naive. During my absence from WFWF I watched as the “young punk kid” I took under my wing developed and progressed, and I can honestly say you impressed the hell out of me. But Obo, what you’ve failed to do is learn from my mistakes. Now you’re running your mouth, talking about what you’re going to do, and who you’re going to destroy. Don’t you understand that you’re making the exact same mistakes as I did? Don’t you realise that every time you boast and brag you’re walking down the same path I once tread?
You see, everyone thinks that we take people under our wings, so we can be seen as some sort of veteran, a leader. That’s not why we do it. During my sabbatical from WFWF I had a long time to think and reminisce. And it was only then that I figured out why people originally helped me out. It wasn’t because I reminded them of themselves, or even because I had great potential. The reason I was helped, was so I didn’t make the same mistakes as they did. Alex Sean was my mentor, and in my book he’s one of the best. But despite his talent and despite his passion for this business, he generally won’t be appreciated. Not to the same extent as the likes of Destroyer. Why? The answer is simple, despite his greatness, Alex was flawed. He let his arrogance get in the way, and it caused problems for him, every time he was involved with this company.
That’s why he doesn’t have the same legacy as Destroyer, and that’s why he helped me out. He wanted me to learn from his mistakes, so that I would at least have the chance to establish my own legacy. But I didn’t listen, far from it. I ignored Alex and made even greater mistakes than he did. So Obo, that’s why I tried to help you. I wanted you to learn from me, avoid the errors I made in my own career, and hopefully build your own legacy.
West pauses as he pulls over into his driveway and stops the car. He turns the engine off, but doesn’t leave the vehicle; instead he sits continuing to reveal his thoughts.
So Obo, you could say that we are very alike, though at the same time, we’re so very different. Despite what you may say, deep down, you’re still the same Hobo you were back in 2004. You walk around with your clothes and even the WFWF World Title stained with blood that is days, possibly even weeks old: where as I can afford the finer things in life; such as the Rolex I recently purchased. You may think I’m being hypocritical, boasting about my wealth, after earlier proclaiming to no longer be arrogant. But the reason I flaunt my wealth, is because ultimately that’s all I have to show for my previous WFWF tenures. Sure, I have some replica championships; I even have plaques to remind me of my accomplishments. But that doesn’t mean anything – all anyone wants to do in WFWF is establish a legacy. But Obo, long ago I gave up my dream to establish my own legacy, instead I hoped you would be able to fulfil that dream for me. And then I could feel as if I had played a significant part.
But after what I have witnessed recently, I now realise that there is not one person in WFWF capable of doing that, and that’s why I have returned. I’m not on some quest to save WFWF like The Anointed were, I’m not even here to win the WFWF World Championship like Master of Destruction. I’m here to establish a legacy, whether it be my own, or someone else’s. Because Obo, as you said, when I’m around, people step their game up for one reason or another. You know Obo, it’s kind of funny. I heard you saying that this week you were going to retire me for the thirtieth time. And maybe you’re right. My career, like everyone else’s, ultimately goes around in circles. And recently I’ve experienced more lows than highs.
But like I said, our careers go round in circles, and pretty soon I’ll find myself back on top, with you finding your career on the wane. Four years ago, those were the positions we found ourselves in, you jerking the curtain, while I headlined. Now our roles are very much reversed, but Obo that can change in a blink of an eye, you should know that more than anyone. Even you must be surprised at how much you have achieved in the past four years. But regardless of that, you deserve immense praise for your accomplishments and you should feel proud.
West stops to look at his watch. He smirks and then continues to address the audience
The circular nature of our careers, and indeed life in general, is demonstrated by the face of a watch. Time never stops for anybody Obo, it didn’t stop for me, and that’s why I went from hero to zero in a matter of months, before simply disappearing from memory for years. Out of sight, out of mind I guess. Time won’t slow down for you either; while you put your body through hell night after night, with barbed wire and light bulbs all you’re doing is making it even harder for yourself to continue to stay on top of the mountain.
However, I can’t help but feel like I’m reliving this time, almost like a sense of déjà vu. A little after I won my world championship, I was well and truly put back in my place by Destroyer, who took care of my arrogance in one gruelling contest. I can’t help but feel that this week; a similar event is going to occur, although this time my role has changed. Regardless, the cocky young upstart will be put back into his place. The more things change, the more things stay the same; you could say. Because Obo, you recalled when I defeated you over four years ago, on your first pay per view appearance. Yet last week, in my first match back in years, I again defeated you. Who’s to say it can’t happen again this week?
You claimed that last week was a fluke, and that I am done. You said the Hall of Fame was for washed up has-beens like myself. But Obo that’s where our opinions differ. Currently, I don’t deserve to be in the Hall of Fame; I was done long before I should have been. What should have been the prime years of my career, instead became the years I wallowed in self pity, reminisced about old times, glory days gone by. Regardless, the facts are that I am now back in WFWF. And this time, I intend to put things right, and truly establish a legacy, justify my inclusion in the Hall of Fame. Obo, you joked that I am going to get bored, and leave again, and who knows, maybe I will. So if I am to fulfil what I set out to do, I better do it quickly. Time’s running out for all of us Obo; for me to establish a legacy, for you to prove you deserve to be world champion, and even until this week’s Felo De Se. Time’s running out Obo, I guess I’ll see you Sunday.
With that, West takes off his watch and places it down on the passenger seat. He exits the vehicle, and we are left looking at the watch, hearing the seconds tick away.
“You know Obo, you were right. Three years is a long time and a lot has changed since then. Back in the day, in the build up to our match, I’d have tore you apart, talked smack about you, generally behaved like an arrogant son of a bitch. But that was back when I was young, when I was naive. During my absence from WFWF I watched as the “young punk kid” I took under my wing developed and progressed, and I can honestly say you impressed the hell out of me. But Obo, what you’ve failed to do is learn from my mistakes. Now you’re running your mouth, talking about what you’re going to do, and who you’re going to destroy. Don’t you understand that you’re making the exact same mistakes as I did? Don’t you realise that every time you boast and brag you’re walking down the same path I once tread?
You see, everyone thinks that we take people under our wings, so we can be seen as some sort of veteran, a leader. That’s not why we do it. During my sabbatical from WFWF I had a long time to think and reminisce. And it was only then that I figured out why people originally helped me out. It wasn’t because I reminded them of themselves, or even because I had great potential. The reason I was helped, was so I didn’t make the same mistakes as they did. Alex Sean was my mentor, and in my book he’s one of the best. But despite his talent and despite his passion for this business, he generally won’t be appreciated. Not to the same extent as the likes of Destroyer. Why? The answer is simple, despite his greatness, Alex was flawed. He let his arrogance get in the way, and it caused problems for him, every time he was involved with this company.
That’s why he doesn’t have the same legacy as Destroyer, and that’s why he helped me out. He wanted me to learn from his mistakes, so that I would at least have the chance to establish my own legacy. But I didn’t listen, far from it. I ignored Alex and made even greater mistakes than he did. So Obo, that’s why I tried to help you. I wanted you to learn from me, avoid the errors I made in my own career, and hopefully build your own legacy.
West pauses as he pulls over into his driveway and stops the car. He turns the engine off, but doesn’t leave the vehicle; instead he sits continuing to reveal his thoughts.
So Obo, you could say that we are very alike, though at the same time, we’re so very different. Despite what you may say, deep down, you’re still the same Hobo you were back in 2004. You walk around with your clothes and even the WFWF World Title stained with blood that is days, possibly even weeks old: where as I can afford the finer things in life; such as the Rolex I recently purchased. You may think I’m being hypocritical, boasting about my wealth, after earlier proclaiming to no longer be arrogant. But the reason I flaunt my wealth, is because ultimately that’s all I have to show for my previous WFWF tenures. Sure, I have some replica championships; I even have plaques to remind me of my accomplishments. But that doesn’t mean anything – all anyone wants to do in WFWF is establish a legacy. But Obo, long ago I gave up my dream to establish my own legacy, instead I hoped you would be able to fulfil that dream for me. And then I could feel as if I had played a significant part.
But after what I have witnessed recently, I now realise that there is not one person in WFWF capable of doing that, and that’s why I have returned. I’m not on some quest to save WFWF like The Anointed were, I’m not even here to win the WFWF World Championship like Master of Destruction. I’m here to establish a legacy, whether it be my own, or someone else’s. Because Obo, as you said, when I’m around, people step their game up for one reason or another. You know Obo, it’s kind of funny. I heard you saying that this week you were going to retire me for the thirtieth time. And maybe you’re right. My career, like everyone else’s, ultimately goes around in circles. And recently I’ve experienced more lows than highs.
But like I said, our careers go round in circles, and pretty soon I’ll find myself back on top, with you finding your career on the wane. Four years ago, those were the positions we found ourselves in, you jerking the curtain, while I headlined. Now our roles are very much reversed, but Obo that can change in a blink of an eye, you should know that more than anyone. Even you must be surprised at how much you have achieved in the past four years. But regardless of that, you deserve immense praise for your accomplishments and you should feel proud.
West stops to look at his watch. He smirks and then continues to address the audience
The circular nature of our careers, and indeed life in general, is demonstrated by the face of a watch. Time never stops for anybody Obo, it didn’t stop for me, and that’s why I went from hero to zero in a matter of months, before simply disappearing from memory for years. Out of sight, out of mind I guess. Time won’t slow down for you either; while you put your body through hell night after night, with barbed wire and light bulbs all you’re doing is making it even harder for yourself to continue to stay on top of the mountain.
However, I can’t help but feel like I’m reliving this time, almost like a sense of déjà vu. A little after I won my world championship, I was well and truly put back in my place by Destroyer, who took care of my arrogance in one gruelling contest. I can’t help but feel that this week; a similar event is going to occur, although this time my role has changed. Regardless, the cocky young upstart will be put back into his place. The more things change, the more things stay the same; you could say. Because Obo, you recalled when I defeated you over four years ago, on your first pay per view appearance. Yet last week, in my first match back in years, I again defeated you. Who’s to say it can’t happen again this week?
You claimed that last week was a fluke, and that I am done. You said the Hall of Fame was for washed up has-beens like myself. But Obo that’s where our opinions differ. Currently, I don’t deserve to be in the Hall of Fame; I was done long before I should have been. What should have been the prime years of my career, instead became the years I wallowed in self pity, reminisced about old times, glory days gone by. Regardless, the facts are that I am now back in WFWF. And this time, I intend to put things right, and truly establish a legacy, justify my inclusion in the Hall of Fame. Obo, you joked that I am going to get bored, and leave again, and who knows, maybe I will. So if I am to fulfil what I set out to do, I better do it quickly. Time’s running out for all of us Obo; for me to establish a legacy, for you to prove you deserve to be world champion, and even until this week’s Felo De Se. Time’s running out Obo, I guess I’ll see you Sunday.
With that, West takes off his watch and places it down on the passenger seat. He exits the vehicle, and we are left looking at the watch, hearing the seconds tick away.
