Where is my Mind #1 - Blake Archer CD

This should be a day put aside to celebrate your other half, the love of your life, your soulmate. We tend to do that everyday though so how do we make this day bigger? Perhaps wrestling for twenty-five years is starting to weigh on the thirty-eight year old? Trying to maintain a marriage where our first one failed. Pull it together Blake. The new GWP Executive Jeremy Peters has been doing his own wheeling and dealing away from his champion, he requested a meeting today since he new I for sure wouldn't have any match bookings. To get her to be happy about tagging along we tell Mary-Jane that we will go out afterwards. I feel nervous about this meeting. Rumors have circulated that Blake and his friends from the DOA (Disciples of the Apocalypse) are the reason GWP lost their contract with Netflix. Many diehard fans of the GWP reportedly hate the guy, tho a few get through the cracks that Charles Kennedy didn't know what to do with the guy. Now days though his name is getting out there always seems to be some type of negativity related towards it. People want to fight over rather to like him or not and it was nothing any of us set out with the intention to do. Blake is wrestling right, so Jeremy Peters has no reason to be mad. First the appearance for was for General Manager Zach Zmiz and the IWS holiday special went well. Blake retained. The mid-west USA crowd has been the niche of the King of Canines, but he wants more. The rednecks that chant just to hear themselves, the guys screaming for MJ to show them her tits. It gets ridiculous, heck I've been hit with a beer can before. Yet our desires for more than we already have can't be fought off. The more he sees the more I want to keep going. Right. the meeting. We get to the office building and wait. It feels so long, but when I hear my name called I grab my wife's hand and follow the personal assistant to another waiting room. Welcome to corporate America, I bet we could end up waiting even more! Although within ten minuets the assistant at her desk tells us we can go into the office. Jeremy Peters has a lot of GWP Memorabilia all over his office. He also has prototypes of future projects with sheets blanketed over them to keep them a secret. I think I seen an American flag design? He stands up and greets us kissing MJ's hand and shaking mine.

^{Mr. Peters:} "There is the champ, and his lovely wife. Come on in grab a seat."

We both do and I look over at Mary-Jane I can tell she doesn't trust this guy by how she won't take her eyes off him. However she isn't squeezing my hand like she normally has to in order not to attack when she dislikes, or really likes someone. The corporate boss continues to speak.

^{Mr. Peters:} "I personally love you big guy. I think that the future of GWP is strong with you ushering in this era. You have the look, you got the history, and I have seen your high school wrestling tapes, you could have coasted right into college. Damn shame. I like you though, you were thirteen and you just did what you wanted ran away to join the circus. I seen the flyers, you wore a mask and fought the strongmen every night? What about plants in the audience? I contacted the family that travels with the same carnigroup...Interesting stories. They were stories that convinced me you are the perfect prototype of old and new that I need! The old GWP was stupid, worthless. Fans today don't want that back and forth mumbojumbo, they want action, they want depth, they need thrills. However without any publicity I am just sat here dreaming, unable to generate enough partners for the new start. This is the things I am told."



^{Mr. Peters:} "It is not that I am disappointed Archer, because the hits and adds I got after your match against Emery Layton was fantastic. Than I scroll over and I see other things. So I feel a dilemma, one hand as I said, my perfect prototype, but you see what the people are saying that is not how we draw in interest. I want to do things better than before. This little tour I have been putting you on is suppose to raise the brand's exposure and therefore raise popularity. I read that instead it is becoming a joke just like Charles Kennedy's fancy idea was. Do I look like that idiot?"

He is angry, but naturally. I feel angry at myself most of the time, this isn't what I envision for Blake Archer either. That doesn't mean I am going to let people piss on my name or the title I carry. Before I am able to find words my wife speaks up.

^Mary-Jane: "You have my husband for five more bookings Mr. Peters? I am sure that I could talk to Mr. Graves to work something out to profit both of you. I know how hard my husband works and how proud he is of holding your championship. I think he might like to book him for the Crown of the King Cobra pay per view. He was impressed with how his darkmatch went."

She catches his interest with that last statement, the hair on my arm stands up as my skin rises with goosebumps. Who would challenge me though? Putting my baby on the line when I haven't found my rhythm what is she thinking?

^{Mr. Peters:} "Yes, but who seen it? Mrs. Archer and I am sure that to downtown Canton, or mid-west America. There that is all it takes true grit and never say die attitude, but out here it takes a lot more. How long did it take Blake to win over people in Michigan, or Illinois,"

I can tell she is going to start getting defensive of me, but I have to stop her. This isn't a world she knows, not the way I do. I spent years traveling around America and going to the UK for special spots. New York and India were added at the end of last year along with a few scattered states in the USA. Mr. Peters is right, I need to think of this seriously.

^Blake: "Babe he is right. Lots of people deserve to be enriched in my hometown, but they never do. They devote their entire lives to a sport they love often times sacrificing simple pleasures to achieve their dreams. Lots of them play great, they are amazing, but their dreams are never fully fulfilled. Parents tell you that if you work hard you'll accomplish anything, but that is a lie to motivate everyone to keep trying even when they have hit their plague."

^Mary-Jane: "You don't believe that."

^Blake: "Maybe I need to start, people can't get into my mind if I am already there. I am the master. I started off going around different states in the US with the Xtreme Wrestling Federation, I remained undefeated for 10 singles contest. Than I signed up for the Global Wrestling Promotion, i liked the ideas Charles Kennedy had but he needed a change and I did change that company Mr. Peters. Now you own it, all the work Brody Johnson put into it, all the work that Billy Danielson put into it, Rick E. Love, anyone of those men lost in denile. All that is yours. I am so focused on this title that I am dropping the ball other places. That is making you look weak I apologize that is all my fault. Since the loss of the World Tour the fans have really let me have it, and I understand. They want some ugly bloke like Billy Danielson to be the champion. He is too busy living the life he wants in Seattle Pro. I respect Billy, but it makes me SICK Sir. I bust my balls for these people for what? He left for greener pastures. They chant Brody's name, but he told them straight to their faces he was only here for the money not respect, not honor and not the GWP World Heavyweight championship, but HERE I AM ... Here I am trying to tend this rebirth of the company they loved. I am not letting your dream die Sir like Charles Kennedy did."

It seems serious for a moment in the silence, I can tell something I said must have hit with him. As much as I want to focus on my deep desire to "Dethrone Emery" and cross it off my bucket list, I realize I must save that for another time. The seed will still always be there in the back of my mind. Watching, waiting, taking notes. As for Mr. Peters, he is calling for action right now. So I guess it is time for "Save a Brand from Dying" instead. Mary Jane breaks the silence.

^Mary-Jane: "I love watching you bust balls."

Blake smirks, he is a simple guy so it might not take very much you know. She rubs her hand up and down his arm the fact that he is smiling like a little boy makes her smile. Mr. Peters takes them out of that little day dream real fast.

^{Mr. Peters:} "I am losing partnerships left and right. People are quick to back out when the champ can't preform. The World Tour I was running with Charles, there you had Josie Pleasure, she owned the women's division, could have owned more. You also had Shane Trudex, now that guy he knew how to brawl. He could jab, he could take a hit, he just kept on coming."

^Mary-Jane: "Plus Shane really knew how to use his Woody."

^{Mr. Peters:} "She has a point, the kendo stick was more over boy. You got the tools, but I'm just not sure you can preform at this level."

^Mary-Jane: "My husband has no problem preforming, at any level, in any department.

He lets out a sigh, I can tell her 'Lolli' appeal is working on him. Damn shame she doesn't realize what a powerful weapon she can be.

^{Mr. Peters:} "So where do you intend for my title to be featured than? Where is this magic going to take place you speak of?

^Blake: "Union Battleground?"

At first Mr. Peters explodes with laughter, but than stops and wipes away a tear from how funny he found the suggestion.

^{Mr. Peters:} "You really think so? I suppose the crowds are decent. Alright we'll forget the fact that you can't defeat anyone on the roster. Joe Stanton and than Alex Kincaid both defeated you and it seemed such a sure thing you'd do good. Must I also mention in-between that Emery Layton defeated you on another promotion where you challenged for her title. As well as not coming through for my partners winning back the title belt they lost. I'm honestly surprised Brody Johnson didn't defeat you at the IWS special this past weekend. What would you have done picked the title out of the trash and took it to Union Battleground to defend it?"

^Blake: "Yes! If y'all would have let me than... Yes, I would have because Brody Johnson never deserved the title shot in the first place. He is trash. All he does is flap his gums and people like that so they tune in. He can hit hard, but he can't grapple. I've said Alex was a dick, well he is tame compared to Brody and at least he was able to back it up. Turned out be a fine guy... if he wants to be. I'm like that. As for Joe that was all on me, I should have walked in there like a champion ready to fight a champion. Just like I walked into last L!ights Out as a King ready to fight another King. Holding your championship doesn't make me better Mr. Peters, I could hold any championship and I would still be me. It is my job to raise the title, you want people talking about it they are. Maybe not a lot, but they are Sir. It was personal between Brody and myself, but no more shenanigans. The reason I am proud of this championship is the best wrestlers want it. They didn't like Brody when he was champion and why should they have? I'm not Brody... I am better and if you keep watching Union Battleground you'll see that."

^Mary-Jane: "You really will."

Between the fact this is the most he'd ever heard Blake talk or the fact that Jeremy Peters might actually be desperate enough to go along with this idea.

^{Mr. Peters:} "Fine. I sure hope so. You think I want just anyone carrying that championship? I was pure athletes, I was rabid dogs, I want people that are going to make me money each time they step into the ring. I don't want people mistaking this for some rejuvenation of that failure. My wrestling empire is better than any of those old school radicals can dream up. It is all resting right now on you. Do not disappoint me. Enjoy the rest of your Valentine's Day you two."


We exit his office, I feel like I can't get out the door fast enough. I am not sure what she has planned, but Mary-Jane told us not to make plans because she already has for all of us. She claims it will get my mind completely off my massive losing streak, yet I still feel nervous. Scene Fades.


Our wife and I have never had a good Valentine's Day, the first one we got in a car crash, the second one a man with a gun showed up at our door step, the third one I was abducted by a crazy woman and held prison for the next three. Let's see that is one, two three, plus three, six. Seven is the charm right? All I could think about was how I want meat, I'm thirsty for something near rare. My matches so far are nothing to be ashamed of, but you don't hear the voices in my head.

^Mary-Jane: "So now that we went to Japan what is next?"

^Blake: "Shanghai, China."

I reply with little emotion. The people distracting all of us with looks, or couchs, slight movements all over. I have so many voices to shut up that want to scream back at them, STOP! I can't though, that is unbecoming, so I focus on my own reflection in my spoon.

^Mary-Jane: "OHhhh!"

Her squeal scares the crap out of me at first! She fights back a big grin, I realize how her thoughts go right from the Geisha cosplay she got to do to Chinese New Year. I guess I could make time to go there early. It makes her happy, we like to see her happy.

^Blake: "You know we could actually bring in the Year of the Dog with everyone else if you like?"

^Mary-Jane: "That sounds like a lot of fun."

^Blake: "I'm sorry I been walking around acting like a mixture of the Smiths and The Cure. I'm not sure what is wrong with me."

^Mary-Jane: "It is ok my love. You know I love you no matter what."

She says this and at one time I doubted it, but the things I have made her put up with or go through has convinced a lot of me to see she isn't going anywhere. I always wanted a groupie like that, but the problem with getting some of them is that they get in deadly matches. Men hardly put that much effort into an image... most men. I stir the straw of my sweet tea as we sit here waiting on steaks to arrive. People all looked at us as we were lead to this private party room. The more I watched the more I realized this was because the waitress only had this last section left while everyone else was closing. Funny the small things people miss but we pick up and talk about.

^Mary-Jane: "Are you worried about the match in China?"

^Blake: "Do what?"

I missed most of what she said drifting off into the big talk of Daytona 500 and how pissed off it makes me that I am probably going to be in China missing it. Do they even broadcast that over there? I could find a stream. I laugh about if I had went with Sparkplug Archer for a moniker. This triggers me into thinking I need to package myself better for things to even make sense. This has been a very long time plotting, planning, mapping everything out and second guessing. Fate has lead us here to Union Battleground for a reason, why? I thought I knew, but I guess I was wrong...
Mary-Jane's soft hand grabs mine from across the table and I pull back at first feeling shame that people could see her affection for me.

^Blake: "Sorry..."

^Mary-Jane: "It is ok. You get distracted, I know. You also require a lot of attention, but I knew that getting into things."

^Blake: "I am trying to help out with things more, it feels... weird."

^Mary-Jane: "I know how important getting back on track is. Wins matter eventually and while promoting an attitude to keep going and keep striving forward is good... I know how exhausting it can be."

^Blake: "I get to be myself... it is weird. First I start off so mad, I think I am going to use that in my matches and instead my opponents earn my respect. I don't want Temperance to grow up with the man I used to be... I don't want to hide anymore either..."

I whisper so low I felt I was choking myself from air. Blake's fingers instinctually go to his temple and start to rub out the stress.

^Blake: "This face, this is the face of a madman. Maybe I am that guy?!"

^Mary-Jane: "Shh, no. You were with me during that match remember? Listen to yourself, do you even know any of Finn Whelan's moves? The mysterious attacker used his moveset before."

^Blake: "I could, have you seen his moveset? Easy..."

She smiles and shakes her head because he would never be mentally competent enough to stand trial between his bad memory from the concussions and his ego over how good he knows he is has been his downfall.

^Mary-Jane: "Well I wouldn't focus on that love. I think that you need to focus on just not getting pinned. So far you've been looking out for submissions from what I seen. How many holds does Johnny Vachon use?"

^Blake: "None."

^Mary-Jane: "Right, this one is going to be what I love watching the most. Just some smashmouth offense."

Blake laughs.

^Blake: "You want some of that, but in that ring I have to do more than attack. The guy will be focused I been in those shoes before. It is like stepping out of the way to let someone hit a pole. I don't want to be in his affairs, I just want to win babe."

^Mary-Jane: "I know you do love."

Am I doing things I can't remember again? Is someone messing with me? What did she get me? ... yes that is more important! Did I talk about it yet? Ugh! I can't Remember ****. Well the title defense resulted in refunds left and right. The people are laughing, they are angry, they can't understand where I am coming from. What type of present would I not be aloud to open until after the Crown of the King Cobra. Next stop China...That was where I helped my friend Josie win her third Universe Title for the IWS, that was where we hijacked the show and made everyone talk. We go back Josie and I, and it is because of her that Shane and I became a tag team. Age. Glory Days. Our Legacy ... kids today like to call it simple. Legends built the foundation of what is left today. We are what our past as built us to be. It is like asking which came first the chicken or the egg, does it matter? At the end of the day you have dinner. Each person wants to stand out on their own, they want a legend left behind about them. That is the legacy I am trying to mold, well I have not won a match on L!ights out that the fans can really say got them hyped I did preform. I won't go anywhere, striving forward inspite of the hole I feel. They want it fast and they don't care how long it last because they will just move right on to the next big thing. In today's world things are replaceable... I am not one of these things. I am something that can never die.