SteelCitySon
League Member
Round Two of the World Title Tournament.
Christian Sands vs. Karl Brown
- Thread starter SteelCitySon
- Start date
JABolich
League Member
(FADEIN: A plain white backdrop. CHRISTIAN SANDS sits on a chair in front of it, garbed in a sky-blue blue FUBU velour tracksuit and a pair of Oakley shades.)
Sands: Well, here we are...
(Smirk...)
It seems I was right again. I told Jonathan Marx that he was overrated and couldn't hold a candle to me - and wouldn't you know it, I eliminated him from contention. In fact, I hear that he asked for his release because he was too humiliated to continue after I exposed him for the hack that he is. Well, that's what happens when you hide behind an illusion, only to have it torn apart before your eyes.
But you know, Karl... You should thank me.
As you no doubt recall, Marx had you right where he wanted you before I broke up his STF and eliminated him. If it weren't for me you wouldn't have advanced at all. But there's more. All the success you've had in your career has come because of me. When you first arrived in MCW, I saw something in you, Karl - I saw that ineffable quality that all great stars possess, and I knew that you would become a top-tier player one day. So I decided to give you a boost - by LETTING you beat me in the title tournament at Ballistic. It was my hope that you would take the momentum from that win and go on to make something of yourself. Thus far, you've fulfilled my expectations, but the biggest test lies before you here and now.
As I've said before, I refuse to lose this tournament - after all, there is absolutely no guarantee that I'll get a shot at the title again. Opportunities come and go in this business. It's fickle, you know. There are men out there who have no talent or drive but are given all the opportunities in the world to succeed. By that same token, there are men with unfathomable talent who never make it past the midcard because they were never given the chance to prove themselves. You said before that a man with talent will be granted opportunities, but that's youthful naivete talking. When you've been in this business for awhile, you'll understand that it's not as simple as that.
With that in mind... I have an opportunity here that may never return, and I intend to capitalize upon it. As such, I will hold nothing back - not like MCW, where I held back to help you take the next step. This time, you're facing me in a situation where I have the means to realize my dream of being recognized as the best in the world.
This is your test, Karl. You've lived up to my expectations thus far. Don't disappoint me now.
And don't worry. You can lose this match and still live up to those expectations. All I expect from you is a battle. I'm climbing to the top; I expect you to try and keep me from getting there, regardless of how successful your efforts are. So don't get too disheartened should you not win the match. As long as you give it your all, you'll have reached the next level.
And after Aggression, when I advance in the tournament to meet either Daymon or Maelstrom, I'll also have moved on to a higher level... and one step closer to attaining the highest level of them all.
Because I am the Future.
And the Future is now.
(FADEOUT)
Sands: Well, here we are...
(Smirk...)
It seems I was right again. I told Jonathan Marx that he was overrated and couldn't hold a candle to me - and wouldn't you know it, I eliminated him from contention. In fact, I hear that he asked for his release because he was too humiliated to continue after I exposed him for the hack that he is. Well, that's what happens when you hide behind an illusion, only to have it torn apart before your eyes.
But you know, Karl... You should thank me.
As you no doubt recall, Marx had you right where he wanted you before I broke up his STF and eliminated him. If it weren't for me you wouldn't have advanced at all. But there's more. All the success you've had in your career has come because of me. When you first arrived in MCW, I saw something in you, Karl - I saw that ineffable quality that all great stars possess, and I knew that you would become a top-tier player one day. So I decided to give you a boost - by LETTING you beat me in the title tournament at Ballistic. It was my hope that you would take the momentum from that win and go on to make something of yourself. Thus far, you've fulfilled my expectations, but the biggest test lies before you here and now.
As I've said before, I refuse to lose this tournament - after all, there is absolutely no guarantee that I'll get a shot at the title again. Opportunities come and go in this business. It's fickle, you know. There are men out there who have no talent or drive but are given all the opportunities in the world to succeed. By that same token, there are men with unfathomable talent who never make it past the midcard because they were never given the chance to prove themselves. You said before that a man with talent will be granted opportunities, but that's youthful naivete talking. When you've been in this business for awhile, you'll understand that it's not as simple as that.
With that in mind... I have an opportunity here that may never return, and I intend to capitalize upon it. As such, I will hold nothing back - not like MCW, where I held back to help you take the next step. This time, you're facing me in a situation where I have the means to realize my dream of being recognized as the best in the world.
This is your test, Karl. You've lived up to my expectations thus far. Don't disappoint me now.
And don't worry. You can lose this match and still live up to those expectations. All I expect from you is a battle. I'm climbing to the top; I expect you to try and keep me from getting there, regardless of how successful your efforts are. So don't get too disheartened should you not win the match. As long as you give it your all, you'll have reached the next level.
And after Aggression, when I advance in the tournament to meet either Daymon or Maelstrom, I'll also have moved on to a higher level... and one step closer to attaining the highest level of them all.
Because I am the Future.
And the Future is now.
(FADEOUT)
EpyonMarx
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Again we meet
[FADE IN. A forest clearing, familiar to us. The camera pans round, before focusing on one tree. The camera pans up, zooming in on Karl, who is sitting in the branches]
Karl: One round down, only three more matches to go. That’s what’s running through the minds of the people left in this tournament. And of the four men who were eliminated, three have a chance in the IC tournament. The victim of defeat from my first round match seems to have upped and gone. No matter. It’s the past now, and nothing will change that. Time to look to the match at hand. Myself against Christian Sands, in what is our third one on one encounter. Another chance to test myself against him. A chance to become another loose end.
That’s what you called me after our first encounter, was it not? A loose end? Well, I don’t mind. That’s the past. Our first encounter, even our second one on one encounter, mean nothing now. Someone keeping scores may be interested, but not me. Although, it seems you’re interested in those matches, Christian. And not for the same reasons I would have thought, it appears.
You say you let me win our first encounter. I’m flattered you would say that; letting a rookie in only his second match defeat you. Indeed, after the match, you reapplied your favourite submission hold, showing me you could have beaten me. Or then again, maybe I was lucky the first time you put me in that hold and I made it to the ropes on my own terms. Who knows? Who cares now? If you let me win that match, all fine and dandy. It doesn’t mean anything with regards this match upcoming.
What matters is who wants it more, and which one of us manages to squeeze that little bit more into the match to get the fall.
Like I keep saying, it only takes a small mistake to find yourself being handed a defeat. Both Christian and I have the talent to succeed. He also has the experience to succeed. And I know we both have the drive to surpass ourselves and succeed. So, which one of us is going to take this opportunity and run with it? Which one of us, the self proclaimed teacher, or myself?
Christian, I do not make any excuses. You did indeed keep me in that match, and you did keep me in this tournament. But, to say all my success thus far is down to you is false. Was it you who helped me defeat Andrew Dalton in the first round of that tournament? No. Granted, there was a refereeing blunder, but I proved subsequently when I defeated him again that my victory over him was no fluke. Was it you who wrestled in the Mayhem Mountain match? No, that was myself again. Was it you who defeated Mike Diamond here in Empire Pro the first week? No, that was me. So far, you have faced me twice in one on one competition. Whilst I would not have been in the Mayhem Mountain match had I lost to you, I would have been in the number one contenders match that same card, and thus would have had the opportunity to face either you or Adam Benjamin at the following PPV, if it weren’t for MCW closing before then.
You say that you refuse to lose this tournament. I know you, Christian, and I know you have the talent, the drive, the desire to win. But just simply by stating that you refuse to lose this tournament does not mean you’re a shoe-in to win it. You have to go past me first, and I’m not going to make it easy. Then you have to go past either Rocko Daymon or Maelstrom. I know neither of them are going to make this easy for you either.
You make the point you may not get a shot at the title again if you don’t capitalise on this opportunity. I know you, Christian, and whilst it is true that some legends haven’t had the success they’re skills deserved in terms of titles, they are nonetheless legends. Titles mean little, Christian. If titles meant something, then on the MCW open mic week, I’d have challenged Andrew for his US title
But that’s not the issue, is it? You make a valid point that this may be your last chance for a title. But that’s a big “may,” because, for a man with your talents, all you’d have to do is ask. Any champion worth their salt would give you a match quite happily if they wanted to be seen as a true champion.
All you want from me is a battle? Well, Christian, I intend to give you one. I don’t intend for this to be easy. I know you’re not going to be an easy opponent to beat, which is why I need to surpass myself again. And make no mistake; I do intend to surpass myself. Win or lose, I’ll give it my all. If I win, then I have another opportunity in this tournament to improve. If I lose, then I go away, and start climbing the mountain again. Life is full of ups and downs, and defeat is inevitable sometimes. As long as I do all I can, I’ll walk away happy.
Christian, this week at Aggression, we have another chance to show the world where we are in relation to each other in terms of skills. I look forward to this challenge. Good luck at Aggression.
[The camera zooms out, before panning round the clearing again. FADE OUT]
[FADE IN. A forest clearing, familiar to us. The camera pans round, before focusing on one tree. The camera pans up, zooming in on Karl, who is sitting in the branches]
Karl: One round down, only three more matches to go. That’s what’s running through the minds of the people left in this tournament. And of the four men who were eliminated, three have a chance in the IC tournament. The victim of defeat from my first round match seems to have upped and gone. No matter. It’s the past now, and nothing will change that. Time to look to the match at hand. Myself against Christian Sands, in what is our third one on one encounter. Another chance to test myself against him. A chance to become another loose end.
That’s what you called me after our first encounter, was it not? A loose end? Well, I don’t mind. That’s the past. Our first encounter, even our second one on one encounter, mean nothing now. Someone keeping scores may be interested, but not me. Although, it seems you’re interested in those matches, Christian. And not for the same reasons I would have thought, it appears.
You say you let me win our first encounter. I’m flattered you would say that; letting a rookie in only his second match defeat you. Indeed, after the match, you reapplied your favourite submission hold, showing me you could have beaten me. Or then again, maybe I was lucky the first time you put me in that hold and I made it to the ropes on my own terms. Who knows? Who cares now? If you let me win that match, all fine and dandy. It doesn’t mean anything with regards this match upcoming.
What matters is who wants it more, and which one of us manages to squeeze that little bit more into the match to get the fall.
Like I keep saying, it only takes a small mistake to find yourself being handed a defeat. Both Christian and I have the talent to succeed. He also has the experience to succeed. And I know we both have the drive to surpass ourselves and succeed. So, which one of us is going to take this opportunity and run with it? Which one of us, the self proclaimed teacher, or myself?
Christian, I do not make any excuses. You did indeed keep me in that match, and you did keep me in this tournament. But, to say all my success thus far is down to you is false. Was it you who helped me defeat Andrew Dalton in the first round of that tournament? No. Granted, there was a refereeing blunder, but I proved subsequently when I defeated him again that my victory over him was no fluke. Was it you who wrestled in the Mayhem Mountain match? No, that was myself again. Was it you who defeated Mike Diamond here in Empire Pro the first week? No, that was me. So far, you have faced me twice in one on one competition. Whilst I would not have been in the Mayhem Mountain match had I lost to you, I would have been in the number one contenders match that same card, and thus would have had the opportunity to face either you or Adam Benjamin at the following PPV, if it weren’t for MCW closing before then.
You say that you refuse to lose this tournament. I know you, Christian, and I know you have the talent, the drive, the desire to win. But just simply by stating that you refuse to lose this tournament does not mean you’re a shoe-in to win it. You have to go past me first, and I’m not going to make it easy. Then you have to go past either Rocko Daymon or Maelstrom. I know neither of them are going to make this easy for you either.
You make the point you may not get a shot at the title again if you don’t capitalise on this opportunity. I know you, Christian, and whilst it is true that some legends haven’t had the success they’re skills deserved in terms of titles, they are nonetheless legends. Titles mean little, Christian. If titles meant something, then on the MCW open mic week, I’d have challenged Andrew for his US title
But that’s not the issue, is it? You make a valid point that this may be your last chance for a title. But that’s a big “may,” because, for a man with your talents, all you’d have to do is ask. Any champion worth their salt would give you a match quite happily if they wanted to be seen as a true champion.
All you want from me is a battle? Well, Christian, I intend to give you one. I don’t intend for this to be easy. I know you’re not going to be an easy opponent to beat, which is why I need to surpass myself again. And make no mistake; I do intend to surpass myself. Win or lose, I’ll give it my all. If I win, then I have another opportunity in this tournament to improve. If I lose, then I go away, and start climbing the mountain again. Life is full of ups and downs, and defeat is inevitable sometimes. As long as I do all I can, I’ll walk away happy.
Christian, this week at Aggression, we have another chance to show the world where we are in relation to each other in terms of skills. I look forward to this challenge. Good luck at Aggression.
[The camera zooms out, before panning round the clearing again. FADE OUT]
JABolich
League Member
(FADEIN: An empty wrestling ring with a plain black apron. CHRISTIAN SANDS, again wearing the blue FUBU tracksuit, sits on the mat against the turnbuckles.)
Sands: And there, Karl, is your greatest weakness - your naivete.
In a way, I find your attitude refreshing, you know. The positive outlook you have on this sport... I almost envy you for being able to look at things that way. However, as you gain more experience you'll realize that you're overlooking things. You said that any champion worth being a champion would give me a title shot should I request it - but what you don't realize is that a lot of champions are cowards who aren't worthy of being champions, while other champions don't give out title shots to just anyone. You're probably right in saying that there will be more title shots in my future - but I'm no soothsayer, and as such I can't predict the distant future. Thus, I'm not prepared to plan my career around a series of maybes. I work with what I know is possible based on the evidence at hand. Obviously, it's possible for me to win this tournament. Therefore, I'm going to win it.
I think you're underestimating all that's behind my promise to win this tournament and claim the Empire World Title. If you really knew me, Karl, you'd know that I deal in fact and don't make claims that I can't back up. Ask Jon Marx - he didn't believe I could beat him, and I chased him out of the federation. Ask Rocko Daymon - he didn't believe me when I said I would beat him, and I pinned him twice.
The fact is that I have everything I need to back up my promise. I have the talent - more than enough of it, really. I have the motivation. In this particular match I have the experience. And I certainly have the momentum. My star is rising in this industry - faster than most, I think - and it will continue to rise simply because I've learned to apply the tools at my disposal in the best possible manner.
But you know... You seem to have taken me too literally when I said you owe your success to me.
No, I wasn't there to help you beat Mike Diamond, nor was I in Mayhem Mountain. However, I didn't have to be. The fact that I was willing to let you get past me and move to the next level did more for your career than some gimmicky cage match or a match against a job boy like Diamond. Your association with me gave you credibility that you otherwise would not have. Because I was willing to help you move forward people percieved you as a contender rather than just another green rookie. I may not have helped you win your matches, but I DID help you to look like a star in doing so.
You likened me to a teacher - and in many ways, that's accurate, because in a sense you ARE my student. I took it upon myself to help you get ahead in this business and set you on the road to becoming a star someday. You could learn a lot from me, you know, because I've been where you are - though in my case I didn't have anyone to help me. I rose to stardom through my own ambition.
Your promise to surpass yourself again is exactly what I like to hear from you, because that's precisely the attitude that I have. In every match I strive to outdo what I've already done, and that's the mentality that has brought me to where I am. I've developed from a green rookie on GXW's B-show to one of this circuit's fastest-rising stars because I grow stronger with every match, whether it's a win or a loss.
However... I'm tired of being the 'rising star' around here. For too long I've been the guy who's 'just ready to break out' or 'almost there'. It's time for me to be the guy who HAS broken out, who IS there, who is THE best in this business, period. The time for action is now. One way or the other I will take Empire Pro Wrestling by storm and prove that I am the best this promotion has to offer, and in the process I'll become exponentially better than I am.
Go ahead. Give me your all. Show me what you've learned. But don't be surprised when it's me moving on to face Daymon or Maelstrom... preferably the latter. By that same token, don't be discouraged, because there's no shame in losing to the best in the business - especially when you learn something in the process.
Because we're both on roads to self-betterment.
My road simply leads to a loftier destination.
(FADEOUT)
Sands: And there, Karl, is your greatest weakness - your naivete.
In a way, I find your attitude refreshing, you know. The positive outlook you have on this sport... I almost envy you for being able to look at things that way. However, as you gain more experience you'll realize that you're overlooking things. You said that any champion worth being a champion would give me a title shot should I request it - but what you don't realize is that a lot of champions are cowards who aren't worthy of being champions, while other champions don't give out title shots to just anyone. You're probably right in saying that there will be more title shots in my future - but I'm no soothsayer, and as such I can't predict the distant future. Thus, I'm not prepared to plan my career around a series of maybes. I work with what I know is possible based on the evidence at hand. Obviously, it's possible for me to win this tournament. Therefore, I'm going to win it.
I think you're underestimating all that's behind my promise to win this tournament and claim the Empire World Title. If you really knew me, Karl, you'd know that I deal in fact and don't make claims that I can't back up. Ask Jon Marx - he didn't believe I could beat him, and I chased him out of the federation. Ask Rocko Daymon - he didn't believe me when I said I would beat him, and I pinned him twice.
The fact is that I have everything I need to back up my promise. I have the talent - more than enough of it, really. I have the motivation. In this particular match I have the experience. And I certainly have the momentum. My star is rising in this industry - faster than most, I think - and it will continue to rise simply because I've learned to apply the tools at my disposal in the best possible manner.
But you know... You seem to have taken me too literally when I said you owe your success to me.
No, I wasn't there to help you beat Mike Diamond, nor was I in Mayhem Mountain. However, I didn't have to be. The fact that I was willing to let you get past me and move to the next level did more for your career than some gimmicky cage match or a match against a job boy like Diamond. Your association with me gave you credibility that you otherwise would not have. Because I was willing to help you move forward people percieved you as a contender rather than just another green rookie. I may not have helped you win your matches, but I DID help you to look like a star in doing so.
You likened me to a teacher - and in many ways, that's accurate, because in a sense you ARE my student. I took it upon myself to help you get ahead in this business and set you on the road to becoming a star someday. You could learn a lot from me, you know, because I've been where you are - though in my case I didn't have anyone to help me. I rose to stardom through my own ambition.
Your promise to surpass yourself again is exactly what I like to hear from you, because that's precisely the attitude that I have. In every match I strive to outdo what I've already done, and that's the mentality that has brought me to where I am. I've developed from a green rookie on GXW's B-show to one of this circuit's fastest-rising stars because I grow stronger with every match, whether it's a win or a loss.
However... I'm tired of being the 'rising star' around here. For too long I've been the guy who's 'just ready to break out' or 'almost there'. It's time for me to be the guy who HAS broken out, who IS there, who is THE best in this business, period. The time for action is now. One way or the other I will take Empire Pro Wrestling by storm and prove that I am the best this promotion has to offer, and in the process I'll become exponentially better than I am.
Go ahead. Give me your all. Show me what you've learned. But don't be surprised when it's me moving on to face Daymon or Maelstrom... preferably the latter. By that same token, don't be discouraged, because there's no shame in losing to the best in the business - especially when you learn something in the process.
Because we're both on roads to self-betterment.
My road simply leads to a loftier destination.
(FADEOUT)
EpyonMarx
New member
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2003
- Messages
- 1,004
- Points
- 0
- Location
- Nottingham, England
- Website
- www.karl-brown.co.uk
[FADE IN. A beach, fishing boats bobbing up and down in the water. The camera pans round, taking in a long stretch of the beach, before noticing someone leaning up against the wall. The cameraman runs up the beach, coming to a rest when level with Karl, who is standing in black shorts, white t-shirt, with a small towel across his shoulders]
Karl: Christian, I must say I am disappointed in you. You used to talk about how generic my promos were; yet you still fall into that same rut yourself. If I didn’t have the respect for you I do, I might actually start to pity you. Partly because of how hypocritical you seem to have become. Partly because you’ve become the eternal pessimist.
But mainly because of the holes you’ve left in your arguments.
I may be naïve, Christian, but I do have an understanding of this business. If you happen to be in federations where the champions are unwilling to face you, if they’re too scared to face you, that’s no-ones fault except your own. Does it mean you’re going to win this tournament? Not really. It just means you may have made bad decisions in your career. And it doesn’t have relevance on this match.
I know you don’t make arguments you can’t back up, Christian. And I know some of what you’re capable of in that ring. But, you seem to think that your drive, your determination, is somehow greater than mine. That is a fallacy on your part, Christian. You know nothing about what’s going through my head. To assume that through your drive and determination you’re going to win, then you run the risk of being proven wrong.
Your statement that there is a possibility of you winning this tournament is true; there is the possibility. That’s all it is. To say, as you did, that you are going to win this tournament, that again is a fallacy. It shows not confidence, but excess of confidence, which, as you pointed out in our last one on one encounter, is a huge risk.
I won’t argue that you have the experience edge over me. You have far more experience in this industry professionally than I do. However, that still doesn’t mean there isn’t the chance of you being pinned to the mat for the one, two, three. I may sound like a stuck record here, but it does only take one mistake, and you can lose the match. It doesn’t matter then whom the most experienced is; the more experienced combatant has as much chance of being pinned as the less experienced.
Now, let me cut across your thoughts for a minute. I’m not saying that you have no chance to beat me. I have you picked as one of the most likely wrestlers to win this tournament myself. I’ll be happy just to get past you, because I know I can wait my turn. It’ll come when it’s ready. I fully expect you to beat me, Christian, and therein is the difference. I’m not going out for the win. I’m going out there to test my skills. If I win, then I have a match against either Rocko of Maelstrom to look forward to. If I lose, I have something I can go away and look at to make sure I improve. So, no I’m not being over confident.
Do I owe my success to you? In a way, yes. My victory over you did turn a few heads. However, I’d have turned a few heads by nearly beating you too. You’d have looked impressive, and I’d have looked like a contender, if you’d won. Therein lies a flaw in your logic. Had you pinned me, and yet allowed me to look strong against you, the same heads would have turned. Who knows? Maybe a match against Theo to determine the number one contendership would have turned yet more heads, and, if MCW had kept going, a title match against you or Benjamin would have catapulted me further. Maybe by defeating you, my career was hindered? But now I’m getting into ‘what if?’s, and who knows what other paths might have held. I can’t tell where I would be now. The same as you admit you can’t predict the future.
Yet you then go ahead and make a bold prediction about how you are going to win this tournament. Doesn’t that seem just a little bit contradictory? You yourself say you can’t predict the future, and then say you ARE going to win? Somehow, I just can’t see the two things correlating.
Christian, I have every faith in your abilities in the ring. I know full well you have more experience than me, and are probably better than me in every way. I always train as if my opponents are a hundred times better than me in every way. I’m ready to set foot in the ring with you for a third one on one encounter, and test my skills. If I win, I win. If I lose, I lose. If we get another draw, we get another draw. The end result doesn’t matter to me. I only want to see where my skills are in relation to my opponents. Win or lose, it doesn’t matter. If you do beat me, I wish you all the best. Like I said, you’re one of my picks to win this thing. I don’t think I could win the whole thing at this time, with my inexperience and the skills and talent involved. So, Christian, I wish you luck in this match, and the tournament itself. You may win it, and I hope you do if you beat me. I’ll just keep plugging along, testing myself each and every week. We’ll see what happens come Aggression.
[Karl walks down to the sea, standing at the waters edge. FADE OU]T
Karl: Christian, I must say I am disappointed in you. You used to talk about how generic my promos were; yet you still fall into that same rut yourself. If I didn’t have the respect for you I do, I might actually start to pity you. Partly because of how hypocritical you seem to have become. Partly because you’ve become the eternal pessimist.
But mainly because of the holes you’ve left in your arguments.
I may be naïve, Christian, but I do have an understanding of this business. If you happen to be in federations where the champions are unwilling to face you, if they’re too scared to face you, that’s no-ones fault except your own. Does it mean you’re going to win this tournament? Not really. It just means you may have made bad decisions in your career. And it doesn’t have relevance on this match.
I know you don’t make arguments you can’t back up, Christian. And I know some of what you’re capable of in that ring. But, you seem to think that your drive, your determination, is somehow greater than mine. That is a fallacy on your part, Christian. You know nothing about what’s going through my head. To assume that through your drive and determination you’re going to win, then you run the risk of being proven wrong.
Your statement that there is a possibility of you winning this tournament is true; there is the possibility. That’s all it is. To say, as you did, that you are going to win this tournament, that again is a fallacy. It shows not confidence, but excess of confidence, which, as you pointed out in our last one on one encounter, is a huge risk.
I won’t argue that you have the experience edge over me. You have far more experience in this industry professionally than I do. However, that still doesn’t mean there isn’t the chance of you being pinned to the mat for the one, two, three. I may sound like a stuck record here, but it does only take one mistake, and you can lose the match. It doesn’t matter then whom the most experienced is; the more experienced combatant has as much chance of being pinned as the less experienced.
Now, let me cut across your thoughts for a minute. I’m not saying that you have no chance to beat me. I have you picked as one of the most likely wrestlers to win this tournament myself. I’ll be happy just to get past you, because I know I can wait my turn. It’ll come when it’s ready. I fully expect you to beat me, Christian, and therein is the difference. I’m not going out for the win. I’m going out there to test my skills. If I win, then I have a match against either Rocko of Maelstrom to look forward to. If I lose, I have something I can go away and look at to make sure I improve. So, no I’m not being over confident.
Do I owe my success to you? In a way, yes. My victory over you did turn a few heads. However, I’d have turned a few heads by nearly beating you too. You’d have looked impressive, and I’d have looked like a contender, if you’d won. Therein lies a flaw in your logic. Had you pinned me, and yet allowed me to look strong against you, the same heads would have turned. Who knows? Maybe a match against Theo to determine the number one contendership would have turned yet more heads, and, if MCW had kept going, a title match against you or Benjamin would have catapulted me further. Maybe by defeating you, my career was hindered? But now I’m getting into ‘what if?’s, and who knows what other paths might have held. I can’t tell where I would be now. The same as you admit you can’t predict the future.
Yet you then go ahead and make a bold prediction about how you are going to win this tournament. Doesn’t that seem just a little bit contradictory? You yourself say you can’t predict the future, and then say you ARE going to win? Somehow, I just can’t see the two things correlating.
Christian, I have every faith in your abilities in the ring. I know full well you have more experience than me, and are probably better than me in every way. I always train as if my opponents are a hundred times better than me in every way. I’m ready to set foot in the ring with you for a third one on one encounter, and test my skills. If I win, I win. If I lose, I lose. If we get another draw, we get another draw. The end result doesn’t matter to me. I only want to see where my skills are in relation to my opponents. Win or lose, it doesn’t matter. If you do beat me, I wish you all the best. Like I said, you’re one of my picks to win this thing. I don’t think I could win the whole thing at this time, with my inexperience and the skills and talent involved. So, Christian, I wish you luck in this match, and the tournament itself. You may win it, and I hope you do if you beat me. I’ll just keep plugging along, testing myself each and every week. We’ll see what happens come Aggression.
[Karl walks down to the sea, standing at the waters edge. FADE OU]T
JABolich
League Member
(FADEIN: The interior of a Lear jet. CHRISTIAN SANDS reclines in a burgundy chair, briefly adjusting the collar of his charcoal Armani suit before shifting one leg over the other and looking to the camera.)
Sands: It's funny, Karl... You have the audacity to call ME generic when your last promo was essentially the same as your first one.
First off, I'm going to tell you something that I believe you've already mentioned.
Just because you SAY you're driven doesn't mean you are.
I'm sorry, kid, but the evidence is just stacked against you in this case. Here you're claiming that you've got some sort of drive... yet you admit to not caring whether or not you win the tournament and admit to not caring whether or not you win the match. Wha-wha-whaaat? Has the definition of drive changed in the last little while, Karl? Because last I checked, drive in wrestling involves BEING DRIVEN TO WIN. There is no in-between. You're either driven to win, or you're not driven. And if you're not driven to win I'm going to walk all over you, because going up against me with the mentality of "it doesn't matter if I win or lose" is a good way to find yourself down and out.
I'm driven to win. I win to establish myself as the best in the world. If you think you can top that by sitting on the fence, you're going to be disappointed.
How's that for a hole in my argument, hm? To put it succintly - I don't think I'm more driven than you are. I KNOW IT FOR A FACT based on your prior words and actions.
You want to talk to me about how my experience means nothing and how one mistake will result in defeat, hm? News flash, Karl - The green and inexperienced wrestler is far more likely to make a mistake than the experienced, calculating tactician. Or did THAT equation somehow change on me, too? Has the world turned upside-down, Karl?! It's Topsy-Turvy Land, where not caring about winning means you're driven and experience is somehow a non-factor!!! Oh no!!!
I think you have a knack for misinterpreting my words - for instance, your response to my statement that I can't predict the distant future. Note that I said DISTANT. The tournament is the IMMEDIATE future. Beyond that, things are completely uncertain. Thus, I CAN predict that in the immediate future the opportunity is there for me to claim the Empire World Title. However, if I fail, I CANNOT predict if I'll ever get another shot. Understand yet? Good. Wouldn't want to go too fast for you.
In the end, it all comes back to how far we're willing to go to fulfill our goals. My goal is to be the best, and I'm willing to put my life on the line to achieve it - by winning this tournament, for starters. Yet you don't care about wins and losses, which tells me that YOU DON'T WANT IT. It's a nice attitude to have, kid, but unless you grow a backbone real quick you're going to wallow because you don't have the ruthless mentality that the best in the world need to get ahead.
The ruthless mentality that I HAVE.
I can say with confidence that I'll win this tournament - or at least beat you - because there is no question that I want it far more than you do.
You're right. Your time for success will come.
But not today.
Not on my time.
(FADEOUT)
Sands: It's funny, Karl... You have the audacity to call ME generic when your last promo was essentially the same as your first one.
First off, I'm going to tell you something that I believe you've already mentioned.
Just because you SAY you're driven doesn't mean you are.
I'm sorry, kid, but the evidence is just stacked against you in this case. Here you're claiming that you've got some sort of drive... yet you admit to not caring whether or not you win the tournament and admit to not caring whether or not you win the match. Wha-wha-whaaat? Has the definition of drive changed in the last little while, Karl? Because last I checked, drive in wrestling involves BEING DRIVEN TO WIN. There is no in-between. You're either driven to win, or you're not driven. And if you're not driven to win I'm going to walk all over you, because going up against me with the mentality of "it doesn't matter if I win or lose" is a good way to find yourself down and out.
I'm driven to win. I win to establish myself as the best in the world. If you think you can top that by sitting on the fence, you're going to be disappointed.
How's that for a hole in my argument, hm? To put it succintly - I don't think I'm more driven than you are. I KNOW IT FOR A FACT based on your prior words and actions.
You want to talk to me about how my experience means nothing and how one mistake will result in defeat, hm? News flash, Karl - The green and inexperienced wrestler is far more likely to make a mistake than the experienced, calculating tactician. Or did THAT equation somehow change on me, too? Has the world turned upside-down, Karl?! It's Topsy-Turvy Land, where not caring about winning means you're driven and experience is somehow a non-factor!!! Oh no!!!
I think you have a knack for misinterpreting my words - for instance, your response to my statement that I can't predict the distant future. Note that I said DISTANT. The tournament is the IMMEDIATE future. Beyond that, things are completely uncertain. Thus, I CAN predict that in the immediate future the opportunity is there for me to claim the Empire World Title. However, if I fail, I CANNOT predict if I'll ever get another shot. Understand yet? Good. Wouldn't want to go too fast for you.
In the end, it all comes back to how far we're willing to go to fulfill our goals. My goal is to be the best, and I'm willing to put my life on the line to achieve it - by winning this tournament, for starters. Yet you don't care about wins and losses, which tells me that YOU DON'T WANT IT. It's a nice attitude to have, kid, but unless you grow a backbone real quick you're going to wallow because you don't have the ruthless mentality that the best in the world need to get ahead.
The ruthless mentality that I HAVE.
I can say with confidence that I'll win this tournament - or at least beat you - because there is no question that I want it far more than you do.
You're right. Your time for success will come.
But not today.
Not on my time.
(FADEOUT)
EpyonMarx
New member
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- Website
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[FADE IN. A darkened room, one single lit area, where Karl sits in a simple chair]
Karl: Ah, I seem to have hit a nerve with you, Christian. A nerve that you tend to prefer hiding, I’ve noticed. Ah, well. I guess it’s time for me to once again show the flaws in your logic.
About my promo’s being generic; did I ever say that they weren’t? Did I even imply they weren’t? No? Did you make a false assumption? It seems like it. But, then again, you are so blinded by your own over-inflated opinion of yourself it seems like you maybe neglected that fact.
Are you more driven than me? I still doubt it. I’m driven not to win, but to surpass my own skills. Does that make me any less driven than you? Or is it simply that the outcome of this one match doesn’t concern me any more than the outcome of any other? My drive is to surpass myself. If I beat you, all well and good, but I’m not going to lose any sleep if I don’t. Unlike you, it seems, who, even though you “let” me win our first encounter, still called me a loose thread. As I recall, you said winning and losing didn’t mean much to you. Now, it seems all you can think about is winning a title. Meh, each to ones own I guess. Your drive is for a belt, mine’s to go beyond my own skills. So who’s to say who’s more driven?
Yet you know for a FACT that you’re more driven than me. I’ll leave you to that delusion.
I know I’m more likely to make a mistake. I’ve already made one, it seems, in thinking you had an iota of intelligence. If you had, then you’d know that I said there was as much chance of me, the inexperienced rookie, pinning you, the more seasoned vet, as there is you pinning me. Experience may mean you make fewer mistakes, but you have to capitalise on any I make. If you don’t, and don’t tell me it’s a guarantee that you will because you can’t predict the future at all, then I can pin you just as easily as you can pin me. You want me to dumb it down for you further? I may make more mistakes, but I can still pin you as easily as you can pin me. OK?
Now, as far as you predicting you are going to win this tournament. Odd, your tone seems to have changed subtly to this is an opportunity. So, which is it? Is it a certainty you’re going to win the tournament, or is it only a possibility you can win it? Come on, Christian; don’t let your faith waver now. Think of how that piece of leather and metal would look around your waist. But, then again, since you can predict the immediate future, what am I going to say next?
[Karl goes silent for a few seconds, never taking his gaze from the camera]
Karl: Nice book, Birdsong.
Did you guess that? No? Then can you predict the immediate future? No? What makes this tournament any more predictable than what I would say? After all, there are variables like Rocko, Maelstrom, Beast, Suicide, Douglas, and Sampson, all of whom could knock your careful prediction for six. Oh, and before you wonder, that’s a cricketing term. Wouldn’t want you to be all confused now, would we?
Your mentality, Christian, seems to be confused. Are you going to win this tournament? What if you lose to me, or in the next round, or the finals? What then? No great master plan? Are you going to bet your entire career on this one tournament, or are you going to face reality and lose the “I think I can” attitude and realise that you have the same chance of winning this tournament as the other seven of us? Or are you going to keep cutting the same promo, time after time, slowly but surely becoming a forgotten master of this industry, someone the fans in years to come are going to forget about with the exception of trivia quizzes?
Christian, I don’t mean to insult you. If I were to, I’d be no better than you. I don’t care about whether or not I win this match, so long as I do all I can to surpass myself. I’m what you call a realist, and I realise that I have a challenge, so I’m setting myself up for the very real possibility of me winning. I won’t attack you after the match if I lose, I won’t go around calling you a loose thread, I won’t go crying to Tony. I’ll go back to training, working out any flaws, and use the match to better myself. The title would be nice, but it’s not the most important thing in my career at this point in time. If you win, enjoy the view from the top. If you lose along the way, don’t come crying to me, but remember that you made the bold statement you WILL win this tournament.
Hang on, didn’t that become you MIGHT win? Opportunity, I think you called it. Ah, well. Have fun trying to insult me, Christian. I can’t predict the future, but I do know that you’ll fail miserably in that endeavour.
[Slowly FADE OUT]
Karl: Ah, I seem to have hit a nerve with you, Christian. A nerve that you tend to prefer hiding, I’ve noticed. Ah, well. I guess it’s time for me to once again show the flaws in your logic.
About my promo’s being generic; did I ever say that they weren’t? Did I even imply they weren’t? No? Did you make a false assumption? It seems like it. But, then again, you are so blinded by your own over-inflated opinion of yourself it seems like you maybe neglected that fact.
Are you more driven than me? I still doubt it. I’m driven not to win, but to surpass my own skills. Does that make me any less driven than you? Or is it simply that the outcome of this one match doesn’t concern me any more than the outcome of any other? My drive is to surpass myself. If I beat you, all well and good, but I’m not going to lose any sleep if I don’t. Unlike you, it seems, who, even though you “let” me win our first encounter, still called me a loose thread. As I recall, you said winning and losing didn’t mean much to you. Now, it seems all you can think about is winning a title. Meh, each to ones own I guess. Your drive is for a belt, mine’s to go beyond my own skills. So who’s to say who’s more driven?
Yet you know for a FACT that you’re more driven than me. I’ll leave you to that delusion.
I know I’m more likely to make a mistake. I’ve already made one, it seems, in thinking you had an iota of intelligence. If you had, then you’d know that I said there was as much chance of me, the inexperienced rookie, pinning you, the more seasoned vet, as there is you pinning me. Experience may mean you make fewer mistakes, but you have to capitalise on any I make. If you don’t, and don’t tell me it’s a guarantee that you will because you can’t predict the future at all, then I can pin you just as easily as you can pin me. You want me to dumb it down for you further? I may make more mistakes, but I can still pin you as easily as you can pin me. OK?
Now, as far as you predicting you are going to win this tournament. Odd, your tone seems to have changed subtly to this is an opportunity. So, which is it? Is it a certainty you’re going to win the tournament, or is it only a possibility you can win it? Come on, Christian; don’t let your faith waver now. Think of how that piece of leather and metal would look around your waist. But, then again, since you can predict the immediate future, what am I going to say next?
[Karl goes silent for a few seconds, never taking his gaze from the camera]
Karl: Nice book, Birdsong.
Did you guess that? No? Then can you predict the immediate future? No? What makes this tournament any more predictable than what I would say? After all, there are variables like Rocko, Maelstrom, Beast, Suicide, Douglas, and Sampson, all of whom could knock your careful prediction for six. Oh, and before you wonder, that’s a cricketing term. Wouldn’t want you to be all confused now, would we?
Your mentality, Christian, seems to be confused. Are you going to win this tournament? What if you lose to me, or in the next round, or the finals? What then? No great master plan? Are you going to bet your entire career on this one tournament, or are you going to face reality and lose the “I think I can” attitude and realise that you have the same chance of winning this tournament as the other seven of us? Or are you going to keep cutting the same promo, time after time, slowly but surely becoming a forgotten master of this industry, someone the fans in years to come are going to forget about with the exception of trivia quizzes?
Christian, I don’t mean to insult you. If I were to, I’d be no better than you. I don’t care about whether or not I win this match, so long as I do all I can to surpass myself. I’m what you call a realist, and I realise that I have a challenge, so I’m setting myself up for the very real possibility of me winning. I won’t attack you after the match if I lose, I won’t go around calling you a loose thread, I won’t go crying to Tony. I’ll go back to training, working out any flaws, and use the match to better myself. The title would be nice, but it’s not the most important thing in my career at this point in time. If you win, enjoy the view from the top. If you lose along the way, don’t come crying to me, but remember that you made the bold statement you WILL win this tournament.
Hang on, didn’t that become you MIGHT win? Opportunity, I think you called it. Ah, well. Have fun trying to insult me, Christian. I can’t predict the future, but I do know that you’ll fail miserably in that endeavour.
[Slowly FADE OUT]
JABolich
League Member
(FADEIN: A park bench somewhere. CHRISTIAN SANDS sits on the bench, his dark trenchcoat pulled about his body and a black toque pulled over his head to stave off the cold.)
Sands: If I weren't such a nice guy, I'd be laughing at you, Karl. But tell me. When are you going to get off that fence of yours?
I mean, come on. Pick a direction and stick with it. Are you going to sit there and patronize me as if you were somehow better than me - which, of course, you are NOT - or are you going to claim you're not going to insult me? Then again, you're assuming anything you say CAN insult me, which isn't true. I take no offense at the words of a fool - I just lose my respect for said fool.
Every time you open your mouth, you expose your lack of intelligence, your naivete, and your sheer inexperience, and quite frankly it makes me wonder what the hell I ever saw in you. At this point I'm ashamed to have helped you out in MCW because you're demonstrating now that you lack the tools to be a major contender at this point in time.
You don't even understand the nature of your opponent.
If you honestly think that I'm incapable of capitalizing on your mistakes, you're sorely mistaken. As a consummate ring tactician, I know perfectly well how to exploit even the smallest error. But here you are, trying to tell me... "Oh, I'll probably make more mistakes than you, but I'll pin you anyway!"
No. You're wrong. You'll make a mistake and I'll leave you a bloody mess.
As for ME making a mistake - pff. Not likely. The only mistake I ever made was thinking that you had the tools to be somebody in the near future and developing respect for you based on that. Meanwhile, YOU have already mistakenly concluded that I'm confused despite the fact that I'm anything but, that I'm stupid despite the fact that I've talked you into a corner, and that I'm less motivated than you despite the fact that you've admitted to not caring about winning.
And don't you EVER, EVER lecture me on cutting redundant promos, because you have no room to talk until you develop a personality beyond the cookie-cutter blue-chipper. Every one of your promos thus far has been nearly identical. It's one of many reasons why I've lost faith in you as a talent. You fail in your mentality, and you fail in your verbal acumen.
Let's talk drive.
Of course I assume I'm more driven than you. You've basically admitted that you don't care whether you win or lose this match, whereas I'm focused on victory. Therefore, you will lose, simply because you're willing to settle for second-best and I'm not. Oh, wait... I'm repeating myself again, aren't I? Too bad. If you don't want me to repeat myself, develop comprehension skills and get the drift of what I'm saying the first time. And for the recond, your self-betterment drive is nice, but I've got the same thing, so don't assume you're somehow special because of that.
Am I confused? Hardly. I know exactly where I'm going, and I'm not about to be held back by someone who's not completely focused on victory.
Give me one good reason I should change my attitude. My mentality is the mentality of a champion; yours is the mentality of a career midcarder. Unless you get aggressive, you're never going to break out. Trust me - I know, because I used to share your "wins don't matter" attitude. It got me nowhere. You simply don't realize that in this business you've got to take the bull by the horns. Wrestling is a cutthroat, dog-eat-dog industry where the strong and aggressive survive, and your passive "wins and losses don't count" mentality will leave you in the dust. I don't care how much you want to better yourself - it's meaningless if you don't apply it by winning.
I feel like I'm talking to a child here - a particularly retarded child. How's the crowd on the short bus lately, kid?
What you don't seem to realize is that when I say "future", I'm talking destiny, not "what is baby dragon gonna say next". Fortunately, you'll soon learn that I have a way with destiny. When you step into the ring with me, your destiny is MINE to do with as I please. Men all over the world have learned that the hard way - as will you, when I take your destiny between my hands and crush it, only to reshape it into an image of my choosing. Are you prepared for that, dragon boy? Can you honestly say you can contend with my willpower - my sheer animal drive?
Deep down, you know that I have all the advantages. I have the experience. I have the skill. I have the willpower. I have the drive. You know it very well, but you're hiding it behind your feeble attempts at patronizing me. How predictable - hiding your weakness behind a wall of petty insults and meaningless jabs. Pathetic.
Me... I hide nothing. I eschew facades and speak only what IS in reality. Truth is my weapon.
And it will be truth that will strike you down.
I made an error in putting faith in you.
At Aggression, I'll correct it.
(FADEOUT)
Sands: If I weren't such a nice guy, I'd be laughing at you, Karl. But tell me. When are you going to get off that fence of yours?
I mean, come on. Pick a direction and stick with it. Are you going to sit there and patronize me as if you were somehow better than me - which, of course, you are NOT - or are you going to claim you're not going to insult me? Then again, you're assuming anything you say CAN insult me, which isn't true. I take no offense at the words of a fool - I just lose my respect for said fool.
Every time you open your mouth, you expose your lack of intelligence, your naivete, and your sheer inexperience, and quite frankly it makes me wonder what the hell I ever saw in you. At this point I'm ashamed to have helped you out in MCW because you're demonstrating now that you lack the tools to be a major contender at this point in time.
You don't even understand the nature of your opponent.
If you honestly think that I'm incapable of capitalizing on your mistakes, you're sorely mistaken. As a consummate ring tactician, I know perfectly well how to exploit even the smallest error. But here you are, trying to tell me... "Oh, I'll probably make more mistakes than you, but I'll pin you anyway!"
No. You're wrong. You'll make a mistake and I'll leave you a bloody mess.
As for ME making a mistake - pff. Not likely. The only mistake I ever made was thinking that you had the tools to be somebody in the near future and developing respect for you based on that. Meanwhile, YOU have already mistakenly concluded that I'm confused despite the fact that I'm anything but, that I'm stupid despite the fact that I've talked you into a corner, and that I'm less motivated than you despite the fact that you've admitted to not caring about winning.
And don't you EVER, EVER lecture me on cutting redundant promos, because you have no room to talk until you develop a personality beyond the cookie-cutter blue-chipper. Every one of your promos thus far has been nearly identical. It's one of many reasons why I've lost faith in you as a talent. You fail in your mentality, and you fail in your verbal acumen.
Let's talk drive.
Of course I assume I'm more driven than you. You've basically admitted that you don't care whether you win or lose this match, whereas I'm focused on victory. Therefore, you will lose, simply because you're willing to settle for second-best and I'm not. Oh, wait... I'm repeating myself again, aren't I? Too bad. If you don't want me to repeat myself, develop comprehension skills and get the drift of what I'm saying the first time. And for the recond, your self-betterment drive is nice, but I've got the same thing, so don't assume you're somehow special because of that.
Am I confused? Hardly. I know exactly where I'm going, and I'm not about to be held back by someone who's not completely focused on victory.
Give me one good reason I should change my attitude. My mentality is the mentality of a champion; yours is the mentality of a career midcarder. Unless you get aggressive, you're never going to break out. Trust me - I know, because I used to share your "wins don't matter" attitude. It got me nowhere. You simply don't realize that in this business you've got to take the bull by the horns. Wrestling is a cutthroat, dog-eat-dog industry where the strong and aggressive survive, and your passive "wins and losses don't count" mentality will leave you in the dust. I don't care how much you want to better yourself - it's meaningless if you don't apply it by winning.
I feel like I'm talking to a child here - a particularly retarded child. How's the crowd on the short bus lately, kid?
What you don't seem to realize is that when I say "future", I'm talking destiny, not "what is baby dragon gonna say next". Fortunately, you'll soon learn that I have a way with destiny. When you step into the ring with me, your destiny is MINE to do with as I please. Men all over the world have learned that the hard way - as will you, when I take your destiny between my hands and crush it, only to reshape it into an image of my choosing. Are you prepared for that, dragon boy? Can you honestly say you can contend with my willpower - my sheer animal drive?
Deep down, you know that I have all the advantages. I have the experience. I have the skill. I have the willpower. I have the drive. You know it very well, but you're hiding it behind your feeble attempts at patronizing me. How predictable - hiding your weakness behind a wall of petty insults and meaningless jabs. Pathetic.
Me... I hide nothing. I eschew facades and speak only what IS in reality. Truth is my weapon.
And it will be truth that will strike you down.
I made an error in putting faith in you.
At Aggression, I'll correct it.
(FADEOUT)
EpyonMarx
New member
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2003
- Messages
- 1,004
- Points
- 0
- Location
- Nottingham, England
- Website
- www.karl-brown.co.uk
[FADE IN. Close up of Karl, a black background. He’s wearing his usual “The Dragon” training top]
Karl: And once again, another predictable response from a very predictable man. Christian, I fully anticipated you’d do that. Once again, we’re into the “Your promo’s are generic,” “No, yours are” routine again. So dull and mundane, much like your persona. But you’ll claim that that’s not important, that you have a winner’s persona. And once again, you’ve missed the points. I’ll spell them out for you.
One, where did I say I WAS going to pin you? Where do I make the bold and deluded statement that you’ve been making that I know the outcome of this match? Can you point that out to me? Or is it you’ve been hitting the thesaurus again?
Two. Christian, my mentality is realistic. I know I’m going to lose sometimes, and win sometimes. So long as I keep bettering myself, though, I’ll always win. Maybe not against my opponent, but against my own ignorance of my skills. I don’t really care if I make it out of the mid-card; I entered this industry to best myself. So, do us all a favour, and stop thinking of yourself as the be all and end all of knowledge on this matter. I’ll follow my path, and see you whenever it crosses yours, ok?
Three. You claimed to be able to predict the future. You never specified. You made a mockery of yourself, and tried to cover it up, failing miserably. So, you’ve gone from being able to predict the future to being able to predict and change destiny. Well, I don’t believe in any destiny other than death. So, I guess unless you’re going to make me immortal, you can’t change my destiny. You can speak out with all the bulls**t you want, but it’s not going to change the fact you’ve been defeating your own arguments this entire time. Speak of destiny all you want, speak of clairvoyance all you want. I’ll just be waiting to face you man to man, in the ring as always
Four. You’ve made mistakes already, Christian. You’ve thought you were an intellectual for one, you thought you could predict the future for two, and you make a bogus claim about how you ARE going to win. You MAY win. I MAY win. I don’t care either way. Just, stop deluding yourself, k? It’s pitiful to see you so desperate.
You may be more driven to win the match, but is that all? When have I doubted you want to win this match more? I’m driven not by gold or fame, but by proving to myself I can move above my skills. Are you more driven than me in that regard? Well, I’m not psychic, so I won’t do a ‘Sands’ and try and guess. I’ll leave that for the future to decide in its’ own time.
[The camera pans back, and we see Karl is sitting on a ledge of some kind]
Karl: Christian, you are better than me in every way. That’s how I train. That’s how I better myself. That’s how I live my life; the only way to overcome a challenge is to train to a higher standard than it is. I always prepare for something better than what I’m going to find. That’s the difference, Christian. Now, if you’ll excuse me. Can someone hit the lights?
[The lights flicker into life, and we see Karl is actually perched on a fence]
Karl: Christian, whoever wins tonight, still has tough roads ahead. I’ve covered a few of your points. I’d cover more, but since you’ve lost respect for me, you wouldn’t listen anyway. Your façade, which you yourself have revealed, as a tough guy refuses to let you. Well, I guess I have nothing else to say except good luck, may the best man win, and I wish you luck in your career.
[Karl hops down off the fence, walking past the camera. FADE OUT]
Karl: And once again, another predictable response from a very predictable man. Christian, I fully anticipated you’d do that. Once again, we’re into the “Your promo’s are generic,” “No, yours are” routine again. So dull and mundane, much like your persona. But you’ll claim that that’s not important, that you have a winner’s persona. And once again, you’ve missed the points. I’ll spell them out for you.
One, where did I say I WAS going to pin you? Where do I make the bold and deluded statement that you’ve been making that I know the outcome of this match? Can you point that out to me? Or is it you’ve been hitting the thesaurus again?
Two. Christian, my mentality is realistic. I know I’m going to lose sometimes, and win sometimes. So long as I keep bettering myself, though, I’ll always win. Maybe not against my opponent, but against my own ignorance of my skills. I don’t really care if I make it out of the mid-card; I entered this industry to best myself. So, do us all a favour, and stop thinking of yourself as the be all and end all of knowledge on this matter. I’ll follow my path, and see you whenever it crosses yours, ok?
Three. You claimed to be able to predict the future. You never specified. You made a mockery of yourself, and tried to cover it up, failing miserably. So, you’ve gone from being able to predict the future to being able to predict and change destiny. Well, I don’t believe in any destiny other than death. So, I guess unless you’re going to make me immortal, you can’t change my destiny. You can speak out with all the bulls**t you want, but it’s not going to change the fact you’ve been defeating your own arguments this entire time. Speak of destiny all you want, speak of clairvoyance all you want. I’ll just be waiting to face you man to man, in the ring as always
Four. You’ve made mistakes already, Christian. You’ve thought you were an intellectual for one, you thought you could predict the future for two, and you make a bogus claim about how you ARE going to win. You MAY win. I MAY win. I don’t care either way. Just, stop deluding yourself, k? It’s pitiful to see you so desperate.
You may be more driven to win the match, but is that all? When have I doubted you want to win this match more? I’m driven not by gold or fame, but by proving to myself I can move above my skills. Are you more driven than me in that regard? Well, I’m not psychic, so I won’t do a ‘Sands’ and try and guess. I’ll leave that for the future to decide in its’ own time.
[The camera pans back, and we see Karl is sitting on a ledge of some kind]
Karl: Christian, you are better than me in every way. That’s how I train. That’s how I better myself. That’s how I live my life; the only way to overcome a challenge is to train to a higher standard than it is. I always prepare for something better than what I’m going to find. That’s the difference, Christian. Now, if you’ll excuse me. Can someone hit the lights?
[The lights flicker into life, and we see Karl is actually perched on a fence]
Karl: Christian, whoever wins tonight, still has tough roads ahead. I’ve covered a few of your points. I’d cover more, but since you’ve lost respect for me, you wouldn’t listen anyway. Your façade, which you yourself have revealed, as a tough guy refuses to let you. Well, I guess I have nothing else to say except good luck, may the best man win, and I wish you luck in your career.
[Karl hops down off the fence, walking past the camera. FADE OUT]
JABolich
League Member
(FADEIN: Plain white screen. Completely white. There's no seam between the walls and the floor at all. CHRISTIAN SANDS walks onto the screen from the left, still wearing his black trenchcoat; he now sports a black turtleneck beneath it. The seamless nature of the backdrop makes it appear as if he is floating in midair.)
Sands: I don't like to respond to my opponents' promotional segments this quickly, but I think we're making some progress here.
Congratulations, dragon boy. You've taken the first step.
You've admitted that I'm better than you.
Did it really take you that long to realize it, Brown? I mean, it's no secret. I'm better than a lot of people, as I've proven very recently.
But still you don't learn the entire lesson.
If you honestly think I'm desperate, you haven't been watching. All throughout our little promotional war I've been stalwart and firm in my beliefs. The only thing that's changed is that my respect for you has waned, but that was a non-factor anyway, seeing as I have no qualms about beating those I respect. The fact is that I've stuck to my guns and placed my faith in my ability to win.
In fact... I think YOU, sir, are the desperate one. Admit it. I've been verbally jerking you up short all throughout this exchange. You tried to tell me my experience doesn't matter, and I proved you wrong. You tried to tell me you were driven, and I proved you wrong. You tried to tell me your mentality was the right one, and I proved you wrong. Thus, you retreated further and further into a shell of cheap insults and patronization, trying desperately to convince yourself that you had something on me. Hell, kid... you've got nothing on me, and you admitted it when you said I'm better than you. The worst you've done is suggest that I'm unoriginal - which is the same thing we get back to every single time, mostly because you're so dense that I'm forced to repeat myself a dozen or so times before it penetrates.
Your mentality isn't realistic. It's DEFEATIST. It's the sort of attitude adopted by people without confidence in their abilities. You KNOW that you can't beat me, so you convince yourself that winning doesn't matter, as long as you believe in yourself and try your best. But wouldn't you better yourself more if you won the match? Yet you don't care, do ya? Heh. Passive.
I love how you assume that I'm ONLY driven to win the match when I've told you at least three times that my drive to WIN coexists with my drive to better myself. Though that's not entirely accurate, because THEY'RE THE SAME DRIVE. How better to better myself than to WIN, hmm?
Compared to you, kid, I AM an intellectual because I actually bother to think and analyze things before I run my mouth. Besides, my intellect has run circles around YOUR intellect and left you with no alternative except to back into a corner and defend yourself with insults.
Future and destiny are mostly synonymous in this case. After all, if my destiny were in the present, it wouldn't be my destiny anymore. By the way - if you really think my talk of crushing destinies is bullsh**, I suggest you watch a few more tapes, because I've crushed plenty of destinies - two here in EPW alone.
As for the difference between you and I being your training for something better... the difference isn't what you're thinking, because that's been my training regimen from day one. The difference is that I train for a higher level of 'better' than you do - I'm talking world-caliber and beyond - and I get results out of it.
Because as you yourself admitted, I'm better than you in every conceivable way.
...Or are you fishing for pity now? Oh boo-hoo. Little Baby Dragon, trying to make people feel sorry for him. Trying to make himself look like the underdog and maybe make people get on his side a little against the big bad Sandyman.
So let's recap. I've proven that your philosophy is passive, your comprehension skills are minimal, your intellect is lacking, your drive is less than mine, and that you lack the attitude to succeed. Knowing that everything I said was ABSOLUTELY TRUE, you tried to play dirty by patronizing me and using insults to try and rattle me. You failed spectacularly. Left with no alternatives, you resigned yourself to your fate and conceded your inferiority.
I'm tempted to gloat.
But not now.
I'll do that AFTER the match, when it's justified - because I'm not falling for that trick in the ring. I am, after all, a man who prefers to earn his bragging rights before actually bragging.
That's about all.
In the spirit of sportsmanship, good luck, dragon boy.
You'll need it.
(FADEOUT)
Sands: I don't like to respond to my opponents' promotional segments this quickly, but I think we're making some progress here.
Congratulations, dragon boy. You've taken the first step.
You've admitted that I'm better than you.
Did it really take you that long to realize it, Brown? I mean, it's no secret. I'm better than a lot of people, as I've proven very recently.
But still you don't learn the entire lesson.
If you honestly think I'm desperate, you haven't been watching. All throughout our little promotional war I've been stalwart and firm in my beliefs. The only thing that's changed is that my respect for you has waned, but that was a non-factor anyway, seeing as I have no qualms about beating those I respect. The fact is that I've stuck to my guns and placed my faith in my ability to win.
In fact... I think YOU, sir, are the desperate one. Admit it. I've been verbally jerking you up short all throughout this exchange. You tried to tell me my experience doesn't matter, and I proved you wrong. You tried to tell me you were driven, and I proved you wrong. You tried to tell me your mentality was the right one, and I proved you wrong. Thus, you retreated further and further into a shell of cheap insults and patronization, trying desperately to convince yourself that you had something on me. Hell, kid... you've got nothing on me, and you admitted it when you said I'm better than you. The worst you've done is suggest that I'm unoriginal - which is the same thing we get back to every single time, mostly because you're so dense that I'm forced to repeat myself a dozen or so times before it penetrates.
Your mentality isn't realistic. It's DEFEATIST. It's the sort of attitude adopted by people without confidence in their abilities. You KNOW that you can't beat me, so you convince yourself that winning doesn't matter, as long as you believe in yourself and try your best. But wouldn't you better yourself more if you won the match? Yet you don't care, do ya? Heh. Passive.
I love how you assume that I'm ONLY driven to win the match when I've told you at least three times that my drive to WIN coexists with my drive to better myself. Though that's not entirely accurate, because THEY'RE THE SAME DRIVE. How better to better myself than to WIN, hmm?
Compared to you, kid, I AM an intellectual because I actually bother to think and analyze things before I run my mouth. Besides, my intellect has run circles around YOUR intellect and left you with no alternative except to back into a corner and defend yourself with insults.
Future and destiny are mostly synonymous in this case. After all, if my destiny were in the present, it wouldn't be my destiny anymore. By the way - if you really think my talk of crushing destinies is bullsh**, I suggest you watch a few more tapes, because I've crushed plenty of destinies - two here in EPW alone.
As for the difference between you and I being your training for something better... the difference isn't what you're thinking, because that's been my training regimen from day one. The difference is that I train for a higher level of 'better' than you do - I'm talking world-caliber and beyond - and I get results out of it.
Because as you yourself admitted, I'm better than you in every conceivable way.
...Or are you fishing for pity now? Oh boo-hoo. Little Baby Dragon, trying to make people feel sorry for him. Trying to make himself look like the underdog and maybe make people get on his side a little against the big bad Sandyman.
So let's recap. I've proven that your philosophy is passive, your comprehension skills are minimal, your intellect is lacking, your drive is less than mine, and that you lack the attitude to succeed. Knowing that everything I said was ABSOLUTELY TRUE, you tried to play dirty by patronizing me and using insults to try and rattle me. You failed spectacularly. Left with no alternatives, you resigned yourself to your fate and conceded your inferiority.
I'm tempted to gloat.
But not now.
I'll do that AFTER the match, when it's justified - because I'm not falling for that trick in the ring. I am, after all, a man who prefers to earn his bragging rights before actually bragging.
That's about all.
In the spirit of sportsmanship, good luck, dragon boy.
You'll need it.
(FADEOUT)