My Name is My Name
"Best in the world? Well said, Impulse. And, you could tell that you meant every word … that you weren’t just talking for the sake of talking … that you actually believed what you were saying.
"So, before we begin … let me get this out of the way; I believe in you also.
"But, before I get into any of that … there’s a certain little nugget of shit, that won’t quite flush down the toilet with his big brothers, and he needs addressing.
"Hang tight, Randall…"
FADEIN: The scene opened up in Triple X’s hometown of Orlando, Florida, at a place that was near and dear to him. As the hometown hero sat on the old, wooden, chipped bleachers of his old high school, East River High, he felt a certain peace, and tranquility, that instantly allowed him to drop his guard, relax, and remember.
East River High was the final stop in his relocation process, thanks to his father – who was a Marine – being stationed all over the United States. Little known fact, Triple X was born in San Francisco, California … he’s lived in Germany, New Zealand, Hawaii, and Texas before his family finally settled in Orlando. …and, it was that move … this place … that shaped, molded, and taught him everything he needed to become a man. It was where he met his best friend in the world, the man he named his child after, Shannon, or Lucky, as Trip called him. It was where he learned to wrestle, performing stunts in his backyard, with his makeshift ring, for his neighbors, charging them a buck a pop to enter, in an effort to raise money for tennis shoes. It was where he learned that in order to be somebody, in order to be seen, you had to stand out. …a skill that helped his wrestling career, while earning him the ire of every wrestler on every roster he’s ever competed on.
TRIPLE X: …because Lord knows somebody needs to address you, Cameron. Somebody needs to stop sugar coating things, and holding your hand, and worrying about your feelings being hurt. Cameron, you need the truth, and if the truth makes me the big, bad, evil Emperor man again, so be it. I guess this is my cross to bear. But, it’s a risk I’m willing to take, because I can no longer sit idly by, pretending that I’m ok with how things are done around here. So, let me start by asking you a very serious question.
"Do you have nudes of Dan Ryan or something? A dirty little secret that he doesn’t want getting out to the public?
"You might think that those questions were designed to humiliate you, and that I’m resorting back to being arrogant ass Sean, but truthfully, I really just want to know, because for the life of me, I’m having the hardest time understanding how you’ve had everything gift wrapped to you in the last year. Kind of reminds me of how The First had everything handed to him when I was ch—eh, nevermind.
"Don’t want to offend anyone else with my old band camp memories. It’s funny how I’m the only champion that gets grief for talking about when I was champion, but I digress."
Stevens had a full beard, white tee, faded black jeans and a leather jacket.
TRIPLE X: For as long as I’ve known you, our relationship has been the following: You talk shit, I kick your ass. You talk more shit? I beat your ass worse, causing you to develop convenient amnesia, and forget that I’ve been a couple of steps ahead of you our entire career.
"So, pardon me for failing to understand how you justify having an opinion at this point. …or legs to stand on, for that matter.
"And, don’t bring up your matches with The First to me, because what you’ve struggled to do in the past year, I accomplished my first go ‘round. And, my second. And, my third. And, if I’m not mistaken, my fourth, too.
"I came back to Empire Pro Wrestling last year with intentions of having fun and stepping aside, but you took my kindness for a weakness, and that was a fatal mistake. This isn’t me running you down, Cameron … This is an elder statesman, who has been there, done that, laying down the law of the land.
"You had an entire year almost to make a dent in the main event scene and what happened? What was the result? A fifty second title reign, that allowed you to brag about being the first ever EPW grand slam winner? That’s fool’s gold. And, it’s bullshit. You wanted so badly to be World Champion, and you finally … FINALLY … achieved your dream, only to be outsmarted by a dumbass, that I wrote the blueprinton how to outthink, and had to settle for a moral victory.
"Moral victories are for Minor League coaches, Cameron.
"And, the result of it all? Of your foray into the big leagues, was the same exact result of everything you’ve ever attempted to achieve in your mediocre life … more Cameron Cruise jokes.
"You’re a fuck up. The laughing stock of professional wrestling. Leave it to you and that unoriginal clown to make a circus out of the title that I bled, and fought for. Leave it to you two buffoons to take a title that Lindsay and I made the most prestigious in wrestling, and turn it into the second most important EPW title behind Anarky’s strap.
"But, even with knowing all of that, I was content playing the background. I was content letting you guys have the spotlight, but every five seconds … almost every time you and The First cut a promo, it had my name in it. The First knows full well that I own him, that I made him, and that I’ve already broken him, and that theonly way he could ever make a name for himself, had to come when I wasn’t around. And, kudos to him for capitalizing and taking advantage of Anarky’s bum ass.
"But, motherfucker my name is my name. And, I’m not going to let anyone – least of all you – disrespect it, and since you all chose to speak on my name, you’ve got to deal with me.
"And, when you come at The King, you best not miss. And, guess what? Your crack shot aim led you ashtray. Now it’s my turn to shoot. And, I’m aiming for your head, execution style.
"And, as for you, Impulse…"
Stevens paused, his love, admiration, and respect for the kid he was introduced to by his then girlfriend, Poison Ivy, several years ago simply as Randy, wouldn’t allow him to simply toss insults his way, or speak without thinking his thoughts through.
He was his friend.
His tag team partner.
His family.
TRIPLE X: I can’t say that I didn’t know that this day would eventually happen. Let’s get the pleasantries out of the way …whenever we’re performing on the same event, if I’ve wrestled before you, I stick around to watch your match, and if I’m wrestling after you, I always take time out of my preparation, and find myself glued to a monitor. Randall, let’s not mince words … you’re amazing. Not only are you a great wrestler, you’re an even better person, and as much as I love you, as much as I respect you, and commend you for standing up to some of Empire Pro Wrestling’s biggest bullies, political paper pushers, and manipulators, when pretty much anyone else in your situation would’ve folded, let’s make one thing perfectly clear...
"You are the best in the world, and as much as I’m criticized for my ego … I’m okay with that. I approve that message. But, even The First beat me once, which proves that on any given day, the best can lose.
"It’s not always about being the best, Impulse. Sometimes it’s about timing. Sometimes it’s about being fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time, and sometimes it’s about the chips falling where they may.
"Evan Aho was the best wrestler I’ve ever seen, but mention the name Evan Aho in most circles, and you’ll likely be met with a collective "who?".
"You are the future of professional wrestling, and you have more charisma in your pinky toe than Evan had in his entire body, so don’t think that I’m saying that you’ll go down his path of being forgotten. I’d be a fool to not know, understand, and respect that you’ve got next.
"But, Randall … I’ve got now. And, as much as you’re going to bring it, Marathon Man? I’m going to kick your ass. From pillar to post. See? You’ve got the benefit of time … I don’t anymore. Anything that I need to accomplish needs to happen now and you’d be crazy to go into our match, especially after I’ve matched you in intensity, skill and toughness in our King of the Cage wars assuming that I’m not every bit as good as I was then.
"My name is my name, but I didn’t get this far by my name alone. I’m not undefeated in my return to professional wrestling because of my name. I put in the same amount of work as you. I’m in that gym every single day, perfecting my craft, patching holes, and clanging and banging … just like you.
"For two straight years, critics might not admit it, but nobody in professional wrestling did it quite like I did it, and now I’ve been met with the challenge of attempting to do it again … and, Randall … if you know me … and, you do …you should already know that I’m not letting anyone stop me.
"Not even family.
"And, deep down, I know that the competitor, the wrestler in you wouldn’t have it any other way.
"Neither would I.
"You will become EPW World Heavyweight Champion … but, you won’t be the next one.
"That distinction belongs to me.
"And, by the way … you’re late. We’ve got a King of the Cage promo to cut."
Triple X winked, then smiled … Randall never answered the phone, and was always late, he thought to himself, as the camera faded to black.
FTB