<i>(From a black screen, we fade in on a shot of a darkened room. In the background, barely illuminated by the paltry amount of light in the room, is a chair, facing away from the camera. Copycat is sitting in the chair, looking away, unmoving; only the back of his head is visible. In the foreground, Aaron Jones leans against a wall, eyes on the ground)</i>
<b>Aaron Jones:</b> He is lost in thought.
<i>(He looks up at the ceiling for a second)</i>
<b>Jones:</b> In fact, save for his brief appearance at Aggression 60, he has been lost in thought since Wrestleverse IV.
<i>(Jones turns to look into the camera)</i>
<b>Jones:</b> It was easy for me to understand his disappointment at his loss to Anarky. It was equally easy for me to understand his frustration at the constant obstacles thrown in his way by Dan Ryan.
But it is difficult for me to adequately describe his feelings regarding the betrayal of Larry Tact. Though, in the absence of his guidance, I will try.
He has, on many occasions, used his experiences in Anthology to foster understanding of his current mission. He joined that group – and, in so doing, rejoined the wrestling business – because he was promised that its goals were to restore the business to its former glory. This was very specifically stated by all of its active members at the time he joined. He took them at their word.
But he gradually came to realize the members of Anthology – though they had done more for the industry than have the members of its newest generation – were unwilling to put the needs of the business over their own needs. It was only a matter of time before the group would fall apart, collapsing under the weight of its members’ egos. Shawn Hart turned against us. Jared Wells led a rebellion against Cameron Cruise. Sean Stevens came to believe he was too good for the group, and Sean Edmunds and Jared Wells just gradually lost interest.
He was lied to by those who had promised him he was fighting for a greater cause. He could not trust those men to further this important cause, and so he plunged himself fully into that cause, forsaking his legacy in this business in the process. It hurt him that he had been lied to, and it hurt him that he could not even trust Sean Edmunds and Jared Wells, the two men who – given the betrayal-rich nature of the wrestling business – were probably the closest to being people he could call “friends.”
I knew all this, of course. Even before I dedicated myself to his mission, I watched the rise and fall of Anthology, saw its members swear allegiance to the restoration of this business while quietly seeking opportunities to promote themselves over all others.
Through it all, though, I never saw him show anything but reverence for Larry Tact.
Maybe it was his no-nonsense attitude. Maybe it was his impressive in-ring ability. Maybe it was the unjust manner in which he was forced out of Anthology – Cameron Cruise was forced out too, of course, but that would never have happened had he not already begun to go into business for himself.
All I know at this point is what I have seen with my own eyes, though. And though I watched Anthology drift apart as its members began to make their individual needs a priority, I never saw Larry Tact move in that direction. I suspect that is why he respected Larry Tact so much.
For Larry Tact, the only one who never appeared to waver from the cause, to take up with Dan Ryan, who has established himself as the true enemy of the future of this business, must have been devastating to him.
But I’m just as ignorant of his true feelings as anyone else. I would interpret his actions at Aggression 60 as something of a warning shot, but that’s just a guess.
Here’s what I do know.
At Aggression 61, he has a match against Rich Mahogany, a newcomer to EPW. We know that Rich Mahogany defeated one-half of the EPW Tag Team Champions at Aggression 60. We know that Rich Mahogany considers himself no less than God’s gift to women. We know that his stereotype-laden attitude is no reason to discount his formidability as a competitor.
Under ordinary circumstances, Rich Mahogany might have nothing to fear from him but defeat. As a new addition to the business, Rich Mahogany, for all his egotism, has yet to establish himself as an enemy of it. And he is generally not inclined to bring grievous harm upon those who would do grievous harm to the industry.
But these circumstances are not ordinary. I cannot speak for his frame of mind. It is entirely possible he will save his wrath for Larry Tact and will meet Rich Mahogany in the ring with plans to do no more than win a wrestling match. But it is also possible he will seek to make an example of Rich Mahogany, to present him as a symbol of just what he is capable of when properly motivated.
Rich Mahogany, you may take comfort in this fact, and this fact alone: You are neither Larry Tact nor Dan Ryan. The pain he visits upon you will be no greater than the pain he visits upon them when the time comes.
Beyond that, I offer no promises. All I can offer is this.
Do not come to Aggression 61 looking to triumph.
Come to Aggression 61 looking to survive.
Your preparedness may be the only thing that saves you from his wrath.
<i>(Jones refocuses his eyes on the ground. After a few seconds, he glances in Copycat’s direction, looking for a response. He receives none. Jones again looks at the ground as we fade to black)</i>