Post by hayden on Mar 21, 2021 22:50:13 GMT -5
“Alright guys, bring it in.”
It’s a smaller class than normal, six students taking a knee inside of the ring. Michael Hayden stands in front of them, wearing a look of approval.
“I want to tell each and every one of you how proud I am. You started as a class of twelve, and you persevered and stuck with this. And tonight, I’m proud to say you have all moved up to the intermediate level.”
Silent head nods are shared, prompting Hayden to shake his own and laugh.
“You can clap and make noise, you know. You should be proud of your accomplishments. All of you.”
The moment he stops talking, the students let out a giant cheer, some choosing to slap the map while others clap their hands. All of them are cheering, excited to share in their accomplishment as Hayden looks on proudly.
“That’s what I’m talking about. Celebrate your achievements. Enjoy the moment. You’ve all earned it.
Now, take the weekend off to rest and recover. Intermediates class starts on Tuesday at 5:00. And trust me, you don’t want to be late for that.”
The class murmurs a thanks before getting to their feet, beginning to converse amongst themselves. Hayden doesn’t seem to pay it any attention until one of his students approaches him.
“Hey Coach. Uh… we were gonna head to the bar to celebrate. Did you want to come? First round’s on me.”
Ooooh. Hayden’s smile is strained, trying not to let any other emotion show as he speaks.
“Unfortunately I can’t. I have an early flight tomorrow.”
He didn’t.
“And I should be getting some rest”
He wouldn’t.
“But I’ll be there next time.”
He wouldn’t. He avoided bars. He had for well over a year, ever since a drunken argument and a severed relationship. He swore he would never go again.
To their credit, the student took it in stride, shrugging their shoulders. Whether they bought the lies or not, they didn’t mention it further.
“Alright then. We’ll catch you at the next one.”
“Yeah, next time.”
Giving his students a friendly wave, he watched as they left in a group, animatedly discussing their future plans and careers. Japan, Europe, one said Australia as their voices carried into the night.
And him? He stayed, watching as they took off and trying not to let it get to him. He didn’t feel as terrible rejecting his fellow wrestlers, but there was always a sense of guilt that accompanied him rejecting his students. Had they asked for a soda, or to grab food he would have gladly joined in. But alcohol was a different beast, one that he couldn’t tame.
He shook his head, trying to shake the thoughts from his mind as he went through the mundane chore of locking up. It was busy work to keep him occupied, to drive out those negative thoughts in his mind.
“Did you enjoy that, Tapp?”
Even as he moved through the facility, he spoke, taking the time to look into the main camera and smile to himself.
“Six students preparing to enter the world of wrestling. Six students who had enough wherewithal to push themselves and make the necessary sacrifices to chase their dream. I wanted you to see this firsthand so you could understand what a successful school looks like. Not an Onlyfans masquerading as an online school, but an actual, functioning wrestling school. Nice, huh?”
Hayden moved around the school, passing the ring and finding the camera that was set up. That grin grew wider as he waved.
“This is what a proper facility looks like. This is what seventeen years in the business gets you. Not having to peddle your business online in an attempt to gain notoriety. But by putting your blood, sweat, and tears into building a legacy. Something that will live on even after I’ve retired. The amount of work I’ve done this year to keep Limitless running is something you can’t fathom, let alone replicate this early into your career.
Come, let’s take a walk.”
Lifting the camera up from the tripod, the camera view shakes for a second before focusing on the right wall. Banners and posters are along the wall, highlighting several big shows through his career. The SEP Miami show is briefly seen, but the camera moves on quickly before we can linger on it any longer.
”Seven matches in twenty seven hours, do I have that right Tapp? Seven more matches than I had at that event, that’s for sure. You even got a whole hour dedicated to the death of Tapp Addams, a vanity show that’s capped off a year of you and your change in mentality. The Tapp Wrestling of now is a far cry from Tapp Addams, and while you hold your nine awards and claim to be a real champion, I want you to know that none of those accomplishments means anything to me.”
The camera moves down the wall, coming upon a trophy case. Several belts are displayed, including the Rocky Mountain Pro Title, the EWC United States Title, even the BUDOKAN GAIJIN DREAM FIGHT VERY SUAVE, VERY SOPHISTICATED EUROPEAN TITLE. Hayden’s reflection can be faintly seen in the glass as he scans up and down.
”These titles meant something. More importantly, these are titles I held without ever losing. Yeah, Rocky Mountain Pro closed quickly thanks to terrible management, but the fact remains I held their title. I proudly defended the VERY SUAVE, VERY SOPHISTICATED EUROPEAN TITLE in Japan as part of BUDOKAN GAIJIN DREAM FIGHT. EWC is a fucking joke, but I won this title and no one could take it from me. They commissioned a new title rather than bring me back, and despite what their lineage says, I’m the only undefeated champ in their history.
That’s a legacy Tapp. That is real, tangible, and proof of what I’m capable of in the ring. I have a wealth of experience that trumps any advantage you might have in your mind, and the proof is right in front of your eyes. So the nine awards you have are nice, but you won’t get far holding them above me. I have titles, and that’s plural, compared to your claims as the REAL NVR Champion as well. So what do you have?”
The camera travels once more, Hayden continuing to speak as a narrator as we venture through the halls of Limitless.
“You have youth, an indomitable spirit. There’s not a doubt in my mind that you’ll be champion soon, because in spite of your attitude people can see your talent. Seven matches in a short amount of time wears down the body, but you came through the other side a better man and better wrestler because of it. You’re in demand, you’re the hot commodity, and whether people want to see you succeed or see you get your ass kicked, ultimately they want to see you.
I’m not wrestling for multiple companies. I’m not involved in tournaments. I wrestle for two companies while trying to get my foot in the door for a third. I’m training students to be better than I ever was, to surpass me within ten years. Hell, one student could do it in five years if they apply themselves.”
Reaching the ring now, Hayden sets the camera on the apron. All we hear are sounds for a few moments before a hand reaches down, grabbing the camera and raising it up. Hayden seems to be struggling a bit as we get to the turnbuckle, fiddling for a moment before stepping back with a smile.
“You can go on and on about your love for wrestling, you can host a vanity event where you marry the concept of wrestling, but your words don’t hold weight. Words are just a pretty decoration; it’s actions that show what you mean, and your actions show that you don’t care. You hold others to a high standard yet absolve yourself. And all because… because you view yourself above it all. Because you think people need to follow your line of thinking. Your standard and ideals.
And as one trainer to another, you should know better than to fall into one line of thinking. You should know that you have to constantly adapt and change, that sticking rigidly to one style and one mindset is more hindrance than help. Your students, however many there are, should know that as well, and if they don’t then you’re doing them a disservice. You’re actively handicapping them, and I hope they learn better than to adapt your mentality as theirs.
So for your crimes against wrestling? For the crime of hurting the students who put their trust in you? I will put you down at Lights Out. And when I do, maybe your students will see what a proper trainer looks like.”
Without another word, Hayden grabs the camera from its resting place, abruptly ending the feed.
It’s a smaller class than normal, six students taking a knee inside of the ring. Michael Hayden stands in front of them, wearing a look of approval.
“I want to tell each and every one of you how proud I am. You started as a class of twelve, and you persevered and stuck with this. And tonight, I’m proud to say you have all moved up to the intermediate level.”
Silent head nods are shared, prompting Hayden to shake his own and laugh.
“You can clap and make noise, you know. You should be proud of your accomplishments. All of you.”
The moment he stops talking, the students let out a giant cheer, some choosing to slap the map while others clap their hands. All of them are cheering, excited to share in their accomplishment as Hayden looks on proudly.
“That’s what I’m talking about. Celebrate your achievements. Enjoy the moment. You’ve all earned it.
Now, take the weekend off to rest and recover. Intermediates class starts on Tuesday at 5:00. And trust me, you don’t want to be late for that.”
The class murmurs a thanks before getting to their feet, beginning to converse amongst themselves. Hayden doesn’t seem to pay it any attention until one of his students approaches him.
“Hey Coach. Uh… we were gonna head to the bar to celebrate. Did you want to come? First round’s on me.”
Ooooh. Hayden’s smile is strained, trying not to let any other emotion show as he speaks.
“Unfortunately I can’t. I have an early flight tomorrow.”
He didn’t.
“And I should be getting some rest”
He wouldn’t.
“But I’ll be there next time.”
He wouldn’t. He avoided bars. He had for well over a year, ever since a drunken argument and a severed relationship. He swore he would never go again.
To their credit, the student took it in stride, shrugging their shoulders. Whether they bought the lies or not, they didn’t mention it further.
“Alright then. We’ll catch you at the next one.”
“Yeah, next time.”
Giving his students a friendly wave, he watched as they left in a group, animatedly discussing their future plans and careers. Japan, Europe, one said Australia as their voices carried into the night.
And him? He stayed, watching as they took off and trying not to let it get to him. He didn’t feel as terrible rejecting his fellow wrestlers, but there was always a sense of guilt that accompanied him rejecting his students. Had they asked for a soda, or to grab food he would have gladly joined in. But alcohol was a different beast, one that he couldn’t tame.
He shook his head, trying to shake the thoughts from his mind as he went through the mundane chore of locking up. It was busy work to keep him occupied, to drive out those negative thoughts in his mind.
“Did you enjoy that, Tapp?”
Even as he moved through the facility, he spoke, taking the time to look into the main camera and smile to himself.
“Six students preparing to enter the world of wrestling. Six students who had enough wherewithal to push themselves and make the necessary sacrifices to chase their dream. I wanted you to see this firsthand so you could understand what a successful school looks like. Not an Onlyfans masquerading as an online school, but an actual, functioning wrestling school. Nice, huh?”
Hayden moved around the school, passing the ring and finding the camera that was set up. That grin grew wider as he waved.
“This is what a proper facility looks like. This is what seventeen years in the business gets you. Not having to peddle your business online in an attempt to gain notoriety. But by putting your blood, sweat, and tears into building a legacy. Something that will live on even after I’ve retired. The amount of work I’ve done this year to keep Limitless running is something you can’t fathom, let alone replicate this early into your career.
Come, let’s take a walk.”
Lifting the camera up from the tripod, the camera view shakes for a second before focusing on the right wall. Banners and posters are along the wall, highlighting several big shows through his career. The SEP Miami show is briefly seen, but the camera moves on quickly before we can linger on it any longer.
”Seven matches in twenty seven hours, do I have that right Tapp? Seven more matches than I had at that event, that’s for sure. You even got a whole hour dedicated to the death of Tapp Addams, a vanity show that’s capped off a year of you and your change in mentality. The Tapp Wrestling of now is a far cry from Tapp Addams, and while you hold your nine awards and claim to be a real champion, I want you to know that none of those accomplishments means anything to me.”
The camera moves down the wall, coming upon a trophy case. Several belts are displayed, including the Rocky Mountain Pro Title, the EWC United States Title, even the BUDOKAN GAIJIN DREAM FIGHT VERY SUAVE, VERY SOPHISTICATED EUROPEAN TITLE. Hayden’s reflection can be faintly seen in the glass as he scans up and down.
”These titles meant something. More importantly, these are titles I held without ever losing. Yeah, Rocky Mountain Pro closed quickly thanks to terrible management, but the fact remains I held their title. I proudly defended the VERY SUAVE, VERY SOPHISTICATED EUROPEAN TITLE in Japan as part of BUDOKAN GAIJIN DREAM FIGHT. EWC is a fucking joke, but I won this title and no one could take it from me. They commissioned a new title rather than bring me back, and despite what their lineage says, I’m the only undefeated champ in their history.
That’s a legacy Tapp. That is real, tangible, and proof of what I’m capable of in the ring. I have a wealth of experience that trumps any advantage you might have in your mind, and the proof is right in front of your eyes. So the nine awards you have are nice, but you won’t get far holding them above me. I have titles, and that’s plural, compared to your claims as the REAL NVR Champion as well. So what do you have?”
The camera travels once more, Hayden continuing to speak as a narrator as we venture through the halls of Limitless.
“You have youth, an indomitable spirit. There’s not a doubt in my mind that you’ll be champion soon, because in spite of your attitude people can see your talent. Seven matches in a short amount of time wears down the body, but you came through the other side a better man and better wrestler because of it. You’re in demand, you’re the hot commodity, and whether people want to see you succeed or see you get your ass kicked, ultimately they want to see you.
I’m not wrestling for multiple companies. I’m not involved in tournaments. I wrestle for two companies while trying to get my foot in the door for a third. I’m training students to be better than I ever was, to surpass me within ten years. Hell, one student could do it in five years if they apply themselves.”
Reaching the ring now, Hayden sets the camera on the apron. All we hear are sounds for a few moments before a hand reaches down, grabbing the camera and raising it up. Hayden seems to be struggling a bit as we get to the turnbuckle, fiddling for a moment before stepping back with a smile.
“You can go on and on about your love for wrestling, you can host a vanity event where you marry the concept of wrestling, but your words don’t hold weight. Words are just a pretty decoration; it’s actions that show what you mean, and your actions show that you don’t care. You hold others to a high standard yet absolve yourself. And all because… because you view yourself above it all. Because you think people need to follow your line of thinking. Your standard and ideals.
And as one trainer to another, you should know better than to fall into one line of thinking. You should know that you have to constantly adapt and change, that sticking rigidly to one style and one mindset is more hindrance than help. Your students, however many there are, should know that as well, and if they don’t then you’re doing them a disservice. You’re actively handicapping them, and I hope they learn better than to adapt your mentality as theirs.
So for your crimes against wrestling? For the crime of hurting the students who put their trust in you? I will put you down at Lights Out. And when I do, maybe your students will see what a proper trainer looks like.”
Without another word, Hayden grabs the camera from its resting place, abruptly ending the feed.