Post by André Jackson on Apr 14, 2018 21:30:32 GMT -5
MOMENTS AFTER BLAKE ARCHER V. KAI STEVENS…
Savannah: Wow, what a thrilling match between Blake Archer and-
The sight of an unseen individual approaching froze the backstage correspondent mid-sentence. Everyone watching from inside the Arena Di Verona or in the comfort of their homes all wondered who Savannah was talking to. The crowd was mumbling amongst themselves guessing on the possibilities of a familiar face returning to Union Battleground. Or maybe it was the esteemed General Manager on his way to surprise the Union Battleground faithfuls with a jaw-dropping announcement.
Savannah: Can I help you?
The precise moment the question was asked, a young fellow found his place beside the interviewer.
Even though no one had a single clue on who the new kid on the block was, several fans honored him with a small cheer and set of applause. The young man couldn’t contain his excitement which was shown all over his face. He was smiling from ear to ear, amazed by every single item that was around him. He definitely was a rookie by the way he got all giddy like after noticing the L!GHTS OUT backdrop behind him. Savannah looked over at the cameraman puzzled and bit annoyed. She wasn’t told she would be interviewing a wrestler just out of the womb. Hoping to get to the bottom of things, Savannah cleared her throat quickly getting the young man’s attention.
André Jackson: Oh! Sorry about that. First day jitters. This place is DOPE!
Some of the younger members of the audience couldn’t help but laugh and applaud the newcomer. The kid appeared right in the mind to Savannah, just a bit out of place. Shrugging her shoulders, Savannah decided to roll with what was given to her. Lifting her microphone up to the young man, Savannah kicked off the interview with the first and very important question.
Savannah: You are?
After taking in his mesmerizing current location, the young man took a deep breath and exhaled comfortably. Fixing his cuffs as he moistened his lips, the new guy stared into the microphone.
André Jackson: I know you must have all sorts of questions for me, just like the fans. But I have one too.
Caught off guard by the young man’s last statement, Savannah’s eyebrows shot up as he brought the microphone back to her mouth.
Savannah: Umm okay. Sure.
The rookie smiled sincerely as the microphone was extended back to him.
André Jackson: How does it feel to be employed to a company enriched with so much passion and intensity?
Savannah stood in silence. She knew her answer but for some reason couldn’t formulate the words correctly. Still smiling, the young man decided to take advantage and keep speaking.
André Jackson: Union Battleground, the place where legends from all across the globe and every walk of life have come to solidify their names in the history books. And where future stars of wrestling come to make a name for themselves. And that’s why I, yo boy from da three one three, has come to do. Make a name for himself.
Even though it was a small amount, the rookie was pleased to hear the fans applaud him for his powerful words. Not wanting to get caught soaking the moment, the kid straightened himself and made eye contact with his interviewer.
André Jackson: André Jackson is the name. And wrestling was what I was born to do. I could go on and on where I come from, being a first gen wrestler, having started to do this just this year. My uncle and his family being top wrestlers across the globe. And so on and so forth. But I'm not. And as much as I want to challenge the Union Battleground Champion to a non-title match in my debut it's not my call.
André stopped, allowing everyone to soak in everything he just shared with them. From the way he spoke and carried himself, it was easy to tell he was being completely sincere. Having graduated from The Jesus Freak Camp at the age of twenty, many saw hidden potential within the Detroit native. Potential Union Battleground Management didn't want to pass up on. Even though André lacked the size, strength, and even self-control of a future main eventer he possessed other qualities that made him very valuable.
André Jackson: After getting signed to Union Battleground, I reached out to our esteemed GM and introduced myself. And that's why I'm here now. To introduce myself to the fans, and the guys and gals in the back, and the rest of management. What's up? I'm Union Battleground's newest signee, Da Human Torch André Jackson. You'll see and hear more about me real soon.
With that, André thanked Savannah and walked off the screen with everyone wondering something completely new. What's André gonna bring to the table?
André:Let me get some water real quick.
Since five in the morning, Da Human Torch had been in The Jesus Freak Camp training his butt off doing all kinds of drills and conditioning. The young man had been so thrilled to finally debut in his first major wrestling promotion for days. Once he got the call to drop by the twenty-first episode of L!GHTS OUT, the kid from the Herman Gardens, Detroit, MI didn’t waste another second to head to Verona, Italy. Not only that he was itching to compete also on the show. Even though he had to wait till April twenty-second to finally get the opportunity to showcase his talent, the young man was focused on making that night memorable for him and his family. Opening a fresh cool bottle of Poland Springs, Da Human Torch started to go over everything his coaches told him about his debut opponent Alyssa Daniels. The daredevil striker had nothing but high praise from the fans, internet wrestling maniacs, and even The Jesus Freak Camp.
André:Be careful of her body strikes. Keep her grounded. Hands always gotta stay up.
Repeating every single thing his coaches drilled into his head however way they can, André couldn’t stop imagining himself making his in-ring debut in a matter of days. Da Human Torch knew he couldn’t waste this opportunity. He knew if he gathered enough victories a possible title shot could be in his near future. Just the thought of it made the kid jump for joy inside. Instead of heading back to his drill, a light bulb lit up in Jackson’s head. Instead of keeping his promise to his coaches, André snuck his way to the back to commit a very bad rookie mistake. One he knew could possibly carry with it heavy repercussions.
When he was finally in an empty room André quietly closed the door behind him. Once he put the camera to selfie mode, André inhaled a deep breath carefully putting his words together the way he intended them to come out. Before saying a word, the Detroit native listened carefully to make sure no one was outside in the hallway. Feeling the coast was clear Jackson started recording himself.
André:Alyssa Daniels. My first opponent on Union Battleground. Repping Elysium Pro. Tag Team Champ. Possessing unbelievable speed and agility. Probably more than me. SIKE! Like me Aly, you just started in the game. Technically you’re a one-year pro and I’m basically a rookie. Last week didn’t go as you planned it. Getting tossed around like a rag doll. But before that, your last match was messed with. Look, I’m not here to bash Aly. Not at all. What I am here is to inform on something. Everyone, including myself, knows how you work in the ring. How you strike, run, fly, and even act when things aren’t going how you planned it. Me? I’m not an open book. You don’t know a single thing about your boi. Your opponent. The guy who’s getting a W on you. You’re gonna walk into the Royal Albert Hall blind Aly.
Right before the kid could say another word, a text notification appeared on the top of his screen. It was from his uncle. Trying not to appear frightened on camera, the young man moistened his lips and hoped he looked cool and sexy doing it. Quickly noticing what it said, Da Human Torch read that his uncle was told his coaches didn’t know where he was. Not wanting to attract negative attention to him, André decided it was best that he wrapped things up.
André:See you Friday, Aly. I’m gonna make a name for myself in UB, and starting in London everyone will know who I am and what I’m about.
With that André ended the video and submitted it to every one of his social media sites, knowing down the line he was gonna get in major trouble with his uncle and coaches. But for the moment André felt he did well. Rushing out of the room, André felt he was ready for Friday to show what he was capable of.
Last Edit: Apr 14, 2018 21:50:54 GMT -5 by André Jackson
A young woman in her mid-to-late teens spins slowly admiring the architecture of Westminster Abbey, a historic London church. Her eyes twinkle with indescribable joy as she looks upon the pillars, giant archways, and stained glass windows among other beautiful sights within the entrance hall of the Church of England. A middle-aged man stands nearby and seems to be overcome with a similar joy, but watches the girl more than the surrounding architectural designs. By his side, a woman of similar age also watches the girl with a happy smile. The woman leans in to whisper to the man beside her.
“So wonderful to see her smiling like that.”
The man simply nods in response. As he does, a familiar head of pink hair steps around him and looks at the girl with admiration. The man turns to see Alyssa Daniels standing there and grins.
“And it’s all thanks to you.”
Alyssa’s resulting smile touches the corners of her eyes with crow’s feet, a telltale sign of genuineness.
“Anything for family, right? I’m just happy you guys come along with me on some of these trips to see me compete. I know it’s more my biological father’s thing but you’ve still been so supportive.”
“Of course we support you, sweetheart! We may not understand it, and we’ll always worry about your safety in there, but I think this has always been your dream. We’d never stand in the way of that.”
Alyssa smiles up at her adoptive parents, Kenneth and Jackie Bennett. They respond with a smile of their own. Suddenly, the young woman - Alyssa’s adoptive sister Lizzie - almost tackles Alyssa with an enthusiastic hug.
“Thank you so much, Lyssa! We get to see all the best places because of you!”
Despite the impact, Alyssa is able to steady herself and not tumble over. She embraces Lizzie in return.
“I know how much you love it!”
Kenneth and Jackie Bennett admire the familial love between their two daughters with their arms around each other. A picturesque moment.
“Hey guys,” Alyssa voices as she and Lizzie separate, “I’m going to step away for a few if you don’t mind.”
She gestures toward the cameras. The family follows her gaze and all nod in realization.
“Of course, dear. We’ll be around.”
Alyssa smiles at her mom before turning to depart from her family’s side. She rounds the candlelit altar and walks into the archway just beyond. The cameras follow her as she walks through the Quire, a walkway between parallel sets of stalls. She looks at the lit lamps that line the stalls as she walks, her pace steady and unchanging. She continues past the Quire and stops once she reaches the steps leading to the High Altar.
“Every monarch has been crowned in this spot since 1308, a grand total of thirty-eight. While they may have been crowned as members of the Royal Family, they were still crowned by kingdom. They did not crown themselves...”
Alyssa shakes her head, a look of disappointment on her face.
“Like some do.”
She ascends the five steps to the initial landing and walks toward the Altar proper.
“I remember when I first debuted. I was excited to get started but my approach was tempered by humility. I wasn’t as concerned with winning then, just the performance. My first opponent let me down. He was too disinterested to make a show of it. He didn’t have the passion, the fire, to make it in this business. After I squashed him, he just faded away.”
Alyssa, standing directly in front of the two steps leading up to the High Altar, gazes upon the intricately designed candlestick holders.
“Before André thinks to crown himself before even setting foot in a ring, I think it’s important for him to realize that I am passion incarnate! This sport? This is what I’ve been about my whole life. I didn’t just have some life event happen and think, ‘yeah, y’know what? I’m gonna do that whole wrestling thing.’ When he looks down this path he referenced on Twitter, he’s not going to see some uninspired space waster he can just waltz through. What he’ll see is someone who fights with that same unbridled passion every time. From newcomer to champion, the raging fire is always here!”
She walks up the two steps and to the Altar. The flames dance in the moving air atop the candles.
“Human Torch? Meet Firestorm.”
Alyssa closes her eye and lifts her hand slightly, a visual representation of searching her mind for a memory.
“First Corinthians... Chapter three, verse thirteen. ‘Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.’ I’ll admit, André, I don’t go to church as much as I used to. Obligations of this sport tend to keep me busy on most Wednesdays and Sundays. But I still make sure to find time to pray. When I heard about you, heard you came up a man of God yourself, I thought that you and I would find common ground, maybe compete in a respectful battle. But when you reached out to me on Twitter, you showed me the kind of man you really are: self-absorbed, inspired only by your own legacy, your own greatness. Is it because you want to stand out amidst a family that’s already achieved so much in this business? From Chori and Jose Advincola to Gloria and Alfredo Advincola, from Ramon Advincola to Carlos Cruz... That’s a heck of a lineage to follow. Or is it because of them that you think you must be destined for greatness? Or is it much simpler, that you want to use their name to make a quick buck for that bundle of joy on the way?”
She lifts her hand and wags a finger.
“Things don’t just happen because you think they should, especially not in this sport. We sweat and sometimes bleed for our victories in that ring. And me? I’m not just ‘happy to be here.’ I’m a competitor, always have been, always will be. And trust me, I get the whole ‘family legacy’ thing. With a father who gave almost two decades to this sport and an uncle that’s still out there fighting, the stress of living up to their combined collection of championships could've lead me down that same path. That doesn’t motivate me, André, not like I motivate me, not like the honor of this sport motivates me, not like the cheering fans motivate me. I'm not here to be Keith's daughter, or Seth's niece. I'm here to be the vigorous training I go through every week, pushing myself through my limits and creating new ones. I'm here to be the hours of studying I use to prepare for each of my opponents, even if that means studying their mentors. I'm here to be the dedication to the preservation of this sport and everything it should stand for. I'm here to be me.”
Alyssa turns to face the camera, conviction in her eyes.
“I am the fire, André. It’s not just some sweet lyrics they put on blast for the crowd. It’s a warning, especially for folks like you that are just looking to walk the path. You and I share strengths, similar like two blazing fires. But according to listed analyses, the Human Torch is impatient, has anger issues... The Torch is uncontrolled. And that’s why Union Battleground viewed me as the perfect welcoming party to meet you in this path of yours. For the uncontrolled blaze consuming the countryside, I am the controlled fire, set to consume your resources and fuel, to halt you on your path of unproven arrogance. I, André, am the blaze that will extinguish your torch.”
She steps down from the altar slowly, calculated. She reaches into her pocket and withdraws a lighter.
“First Corinthians. Chapter three. Verse thirteen. You’ve trained hard, graduated from the Jesus Freak Camp, and look to make an impact. Your work will be revealed by fire, my fire. The fire shall try your work, André, and if you’re just here for a quick buck, here to ride your family’s good name to greatness, then it shall find your work... Lacking. Mr. 313? No. Step away from Detroit. I’ve had enough people lately holding that city out like it’s their Tough Kids Club membership card. Chapter three, André. Verse thirteen. Mr. 3:13. The real work isn’t done on Twitter, kid. The real work is done in that ring and let me tell you, it doesn’t get much more real than war in the Battleground. Check your motivations and find your passion if you're going to walk that path. If you don't?”
Alyssa lights the lighter, the flame dancing as she approaches the camera. All that’s left is the Heart of Infinity and the flickering flame.
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