Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2017 18:49:45 GMT -5
Sitting inside a car as the sun starts to rise over the US95 from Las Vefas to Mexicali, Chris Andrew is holding his smartphone right in front of his face, in attempt to find the perfect angle to cut his promo. His girlfriend, Mandi Morrison, is on the driver seat, chuckling at the sight of him struggling that much to get a right framing. After giving us a very shaking view of the outside panorama flowing rapidly as the car speeds down the highway, he finally manages to get a clear close-up of his face. He's still carrying visible signs of the hellacious match he's been through last night, a street fight against Ron Swat in the first round of Phoenix Wrestling's showcase event known as the Iron King Tournament. Distinguishable and fresh bruises and marks define his tired face, his lips writhe in a smirk of pain as he moves his head towards the phone camera. He quickly moves his hand to the base of the neck, massaging the area that's causing him this stinging pain.
I've just been in the biggest fight of my career, I literally feel like a freight train just ran all over me... And if you have an idea about who Ron Swat is, you know that this statement isn't really that far from truth. But still, here I am, on my way to Mexicali for another big night of wrestling. It's Union Battleground christening party, and I have the privilege to compete in the first match of its history. Once again, I'm just the name at the bottom of the card, the young rookie facing a much more experienced wrestler. And things only get worse if you look at the other names in this tournament. I'm a nobody, compared to them, a David surrounded by an army of Goliath.. And I'm running short on stones.
This is my chance to make an impression on these fans, to make sure that when going home tonight, they will remember my name. It won't be easy, I'll be facing The Expert, Brandon Collins, a second generation wrestler, with a past in MMA, as tough as they come. The kind of opponent you wish you could face when you're on top shape, but, as you can tell, I'm far from being 100%. I'm battered and bruised, my neck hurts, my back hurts, but I will be in that ring tonight. An underdog, as I always am, facing what looks like an impossible challenge.
He chuckles, quickly holding his rib cage as a stab of pain makes him squeezing his eyes.
That's the thing with underdogs. People love to see them trying so hard, fighting desperately against all odds... They don't really expect them to win, but neither they want to see them lose so badly. A loss for me won't change much, I will still be another rookie with a bright future, someone whose days of glory will definitely come, just not today... But if I win, that will be a whole different story. That's the thing with dark horses, when miracles happen, they are no longer the kid nobody knows the name of. My goal is to make an impact, make a name for myself. And what better way than knock down The Expert?
His confidence seems to be growing, as he cracks a smile, giving a quick look at his girlfriend on his left.
I know you are just coming back to competition after a few months hiatus Brandon. But I'm not under any illusions, I'm not counting on your ring rust. You sure trained hard before deciding to step back inside a ring. You are very meticulous, you certainly took your time to study the few videos you could find about me, you know all about my background training, and you certainly came up with a game plan. That's what you're famous for, that's why you are The Expert.
Me?
I admit, I couldn't find much time to do my homework on you. So I'm walking into this match almost blind, knowing just that you love to control the pace with your submission holds. One more reason for me to try to end our match quickly. I don't know how much I have left in my tank after last night's match and with such a short time to recover. I know my chances to win this bout are numbered, and they'll keep dropping the longer this contest lasts. I can't let you take control, my best chance is to enter the ring all guns blazing and surprise you. Just like David versus Goliath, strike first, strike hard.
You think you have me all figured out Brandon. Don't make this mistake. There's something all the footage you saw about me can't measure. My heart. You know how strong of a drive passion can be. How it can push you to fight through pain, and overcome the odds. My body may be hurting, but my heart still works. I won't quit, I won't give up. I will beat you.
He grabs once again the phone, looking for a closer framing.
The Expert versus the rookie. Axel Graves surely knows how this business works. What a better way to kick off his show by giving the fans the classic clash between the new kid on the block against the returning icon? It wasn't long ago that you were in my shoes, and you quickly turned the tides, climbing to the top, winning titles and cementing your legacy.
Well, guess what?
Now it's my turn.
Bring your expertise Collins. I'll be bringing my "amazingness". Let's see which one works best.
He winks at the camera, gesturing a gun with his fingers and pulling the imaginary trigger, before stopping the recording
I've just been in the biggest fight of my career, I literally feel like a freight train just ran all over me... And if you have an idea about who Ron Swat is, you know that this statement isn't really that far from truth. But still, here I am, on my way to Mexicali for another big night of wrestling. It's Union Battleground christening party, and I have the privilege to compete in the first match of its history. Once again, I'm just the name at the bottom of the card, the young rookie facing a much more experienced wrestler. And things only get worse if you look at the other names in this tournament. I'm a nobody, compared to them, a David surrounded by an army of Goliath.. And I'm running short on stones.
This is my chance to make an impression on these fans, to make sure that when going home tonight, they will remember my name. It won't be easy, I'll be facing The Expert, Brandon Collins, a second generation wrestler, with a past in MMA, as tough as they come. The kind of opponent you wish you could face when you're on top shape, but, as you can tell, I'm far from being 100%. I'm battered and bruised, my neck hurts, my back hurts, but I will be in that ring tonight. An underdog, as I always am, facing what looks like an impossible challenge.
He chuckles, quickly holding his rib cage as a stab of pain makes him squeezing his eyes.
That's the thing with underdogs. People love to see them trying so hard, fighting desperately against all odds... They don't really expect them to win, but neither they want to see them lose so badly. A loss for me won't change much, I will still be another rookie with a bright future, someone whose days of glory will definitely come, just not today... But if I win, that will be a whole different story. That's the thing with dark horses, when miracles happen, they are no longer the kid nobody knows the name of. My goal is to make an impact, make a name for myself. And what better way than knock down The Expert?
His confidence seems to be growing, as he cracks a smile, giving a quick look at his girlfriend on his left.
I know you are just coming back to competition after a few months hiatus Brandon. But I'm not under any illusions, I'm not counting on your ring rust. You sure trained hard before deciding to step back inside a ring. You are very meticulous, you certainly took your time to study the few videos you could find about me, you know all about my background training, and you certainly came up with a game plan. That's what you're famous for, that's why you are The Expert.
Me?
I admit, I couldn't find much time to do my homework on you. So I'm walking into this match almost blind, knowing just that you love to control the pace with your submission holds. One more reason for me to try to end our match quickly. I don't know how much I have left in my tank after last night's match and with such a short time to recover. I know my chances to win this bout are numbered, and they'll keep dropping the longer this contest lasts. I can't let you take control, my best chance is to enter the ring all guns blazing and surprise you. Just like David versus Goliath, strike first, strike hard.
You think you have me all figured out Brandon. Don't make this mistake. There's something all the footage you saw about me can't measure. My heart. You know how strong of a drive passion can be. How it can push you to fight through pain, and overcome the odds. My body may be hurting, but my heart still works. I won't quit, I won't give up. I will beat you.
He grabs once again the phone, looking for a closer framing.
The Expert versus the rookie. Axel Graves surely knows how this business works. What a better way to kick off his show by giving the fans the classic clash between the new kid on the block against the returning icon? It wasn't long ago that you were in my shoes, and you quickly turned the tides, climbing to the top, winning titles and cementing your legacy.
Well, guess what?
Now it's my turn.
Bring your expertise Collins. I'll be bringing my "amazingness". Let's see which one works best.
He winks at the camera, gesturing a gun with his fingers and pulling the imaginary trigger, before stopping the recording