JABolich
League Member
Normal match
Douglas vs. Waltz
- Thread starter JABolich
- Start date
CuseTroy
League Member
Back to Business
FADE IN...
The scene opens in a nondescript gymnasium in Dade County, Florida. Though sounds can be heard from the activity in the rest of the building, in this particular room, there is but one man. Troy Douglas, wrestler for Empire Pro, is alone in a room of various punching bags and boxing/wrestling equipment, and is currently pummelling the heavy bag with an array of kicks and punches. With a swift sidekick and a loud grunt, Troy sends the bag rocking back and forth with a noisy rattling. Walking over to a small bench near the far wall, Troy pulls off his Syracuse Orangemen National Champions t-shirt and throws a towel over his shoulders. After wiping his brow, he puts the towel aside, taking a sip of water before he turns to the camera, a steely gaze set in his eyes.
DOUGLAS:
It's always good to get a little of the excess anger out on something that can't actually feel pain. If you had spoken to me about 36 hours ago, you would have seen me alot different than I am right now. But I've moved on, because, regardless of the tactics that cowards like Marcus Wescott, Cameron Cruise, and Adam Benjamin might take in order to protect their spots in this company, I know that I've proved myself to the EPW brass and to all of the fans tuning into Aggression, coming to the house shows, and buying our pay-per-views. Yeah, I may not have won in the past four weeks, but I've BEATEN each man I've faced, and each of them knew it.
Let's take a look back, shall we?
Aggression in Philly. Me and Beast in the world title quarterfinals. A match without any controversy, but still a match stolen from me nonetheless. A backslide Marcus? A backslide? You didn't beat me, you pulled a desperate trick out of your ass to advance to the semis. But hey, you got your comeuppance against Sands at Black Dawn. I'm not our World Champion's biggest fan, far from it, but you deserved what you got at MSG, Marcus, for that little cheap trick of yours, and something I'll get to later.
Let's move on to the next week in Jersey. Rocko Daymon decides to back out of a triple threat with me and Karl Brown, then inserts himself into the proceedings by laying us both out with chairs. I fault neither man, I just want to point out that, had Rocko not had his little medication problem, Karl Brown was about 2 seconds away from having his face driven into the mat with the Broken Dream.
Number three, that happened in New York. I pinned Clapper, outlasted Jonathan Marx, and had Cameron Cruise beaten to the edge of defeat before my good friend Marcus decided to help his bosom buddy out by throwing me off of my game. Hmm...do I see a trend developing?
Finally, this past week in Atlanta, where Adam Benjamin KNEW the End of the Road had come for one of the shortest title reigns ever. So, he decided to "accidently" knock out the referee, then hit me with a low blow while I tried to do the right thing and revive the official and THEN hold on to the tights to escape with his belt.
Conspiracy? No. Bad luck? No. My fault I lost these matches? F*ck no.
Good. Now that all that stuff is in the past, it's time to move on to a match that I am truly anticipating.
Stephen Waltz is as fine a young competitor in this business as anyone, as promising a talent as I've seen in the more than two decades I've been following this industry. GWE Television Champion for almost a full calender year, and he's never been pinned in televised action. Hell, even Terry Anderson, a bona fide legend in this sport, has taken this kid under his wing. I've been in the same ring with this kid twice, and I've been impressed. Skill, he's got. Energy, he' got. My respect, he's definetely got. But, there is one area in which Messrs. Waltz and Anderson are most certainly WRONG.
You two are under the impression that never being pinned means you've never lost. Bullsh*t.
There is one man who can claim he's got a victory over Stephen Waltz.
Yours truly, and I don't mean you, Benji. And it's not one win, but TWO. You remember them, don't you Stephen?
March 2003 at Genesis, when I won a ten man battle royal for the GXW X-treme title. You were in that too, and you let Anderson fool you into going for the Idolizer in a battle royal, so DreamMaker knocked you out of the ring.
Then, a couple weeks later at Revolution. You had the TV Title around your waist, but you were looking for some extra gold in a four way X-treme match in which I pinned Scotty Michaels to defend my title. No, I didn't pin you, but I beat you to a pulp and then pinned Michaels because he was a slight bit closer to unconsciousness than you, and he was closer to me.
Two matches. Two wins for me. Two LOSSES for Stephen Waltz. Those count, don't they, Stephen?
Now, we meet again on a different stage, and I know for a fact that you are an opponent whom I can count on for a fair, respectable match. I know that because you've got the same respect for the business and the athletes who compete in it that I do, Stephen. I don't always agree with the way Terry Anderson conducts business, but he's taught you that point well, if nothing else.
You and I, Stephen, we strive for the exact same thing. We're both out to prove ourselves to the world, and eventually, and we both know that it is inevitable, strap a World Title around our waists as signification that we are indeed the best in the world in this profession.
We also happen to be the two most naturally gifted athletes under contract to Empire Pro Wrestling, with experience in both football and amateur wrestling. That's what has gotten us both to this point. Now, its time to rise above the ex-amateur stigma, and become the best in the world.
That World Heavyweight Title is coming into sight quicker and quicker for me, Stephen, and I'm not gonna allow you to be yet another impediment to my path to the end of the road. This time, I won't be duped by outside forces our underhanded tactics inside the squared circle. Instead, this time I'll make my own fate, and for you Stephen, that means one thing.
STREAK OVER.
You and Terry can go ahead an claim you've never been beaten, even if we all know what the real deal is, but after Aggression here in Miami, that changes in full. This time, technicalities won't need to be taken into consideration, I'll make completely sure of that. But, if you manage to beat me, and you do it the right way, not the Cruise way, the Benjamin way, the Wescott way, or the Sands way, then you'll have earned it, Stephen.
Win or lose, this one's bound to be a show, Stephen, an exhibition of athletic prowess. But, in the end, I plan to be the one pulling you off of the canvas and shaking your hand. Your time is ahead of you, Stephen, my time is on the verge of happening. This time, outside circumstances won't make the difference, I'll make the difference. I'm going to beat you, and I'm going to beat you the right way.
You've got a hell of a future ahead of you, Stephen. But the future isn't here quite yet. Let's make this one to remember.
That's all I got for now. See ya at the end of the road.
Let's go.
...FADE TO BLACK
FADE IN...
The scene opens in a nondescript gymnasium in Dade County, Florida. Though sounds can be heard from the activity in the rest of the building, in this particular room, there is but one man. Troy Douglas, wrestler for Empire Pro, is alone in a room of various punching bags and boxing/wrestling equipment, and is currently pummelling the heavy bag with an array of kicks and punches. With a swift sidekick and a loud grunt, Troy sends the bag rocking back and forth with a noisy rattling. Walking over to a small bench near the far wall, Troy pulls off his Syracuse Orangemen National Champions t-shirt and throws a towel over his shoulders. After wiping his brow, he puts the towel aside, taking a sip of water before he turns to the camera, a steely gaze set in his eyes.
DOUGLAS:
It's always good to get a little of the excess anger out on something that can't actually feel pain. If you had spoken to me about 36 hours ago, you would have seen me alot different than I am right now. But I've moved on, because, regardless of the tactics that cowards like Marcus Wescott, Cameron Cruise, and Adam Benjamin might take in order to protect their spots in this company, I know that I've proved myself to the EPW brass and to all of the fans tuning into Aggression, coming to the house shows, and buying our pay-per-views. Yeah, I may not have won in the past four weeks, but I've BEATEN each man I've faced, and each of them knew it.
Let's take a look back, shall we?
Aggression in Philly. Me and Beast in the world title quarterfinals. A match without any controversy, but still a match stolen from me nonetheless. A backslide Marcus? A backslide? You didn't beat me, you pulled a desperate trick out of your ass to advance to the semis. But hey, you got your comeuppance against Sands at Black Dawn. I'm not our World Champion's biggest fan, far from it, but you deserved what you got at MSG, Marcus, for that little cheap trick of yours, and something I'll get to later.
Let's move on to the next week in Jersey. Rocko Daymon decides to back out of a triple threat with me and Karl Brown, then inserts himself into the proceedings by laying us both out with chairs. I fault neither man, I just want to point out that, had Rocko not had his little medication problem, Karl Brown was about 2 seconds away from having his face driven into the mat with the Broken Dream.
Number three, that happened in New York. I pinned Clapper, outlasted Jonathan Marx, and had Cameron Cruise beaten to the edge of defeat before my good friend Marcus decided to help his bosom buddy out by throwing me off of my game. Hmm...do I see a trend developing?
Finally, this past week in Atlanta, where Adam Benjamin KNEW the End of the Road had come for one of the shortest title reigns ever. So, he decided to "accidently" knock out the referee, then hit me with a low blow while I tried to do the right thing and revive the official and THEN hold on to the tights to escape with his belt.
Conspiracy? No. Bad luck? No. My fault I lost these matches? F*ck no.
Good. Now that all that stuff is in the past, it's time to move on to a match that I am truly anticipating.
Stephen Waltz is as fine a young competitor in this business as anyone, as promising a talent as I've seen in the more than two decades I've been following this industry. GWE Television Champion for almost a full calender year, and he's never been pinned in televised action. Hell, even Terry Anderson, a bona fide legend in this sport, has taken this kid under his wing. I've been in the same ring with this kid twice, and I've been impressed. Skill, he's got. Energy, he' got. My respect, he's definetely got. But, there is one area in which Messrs. Waltz and Anderson are most certainly WRONG.
You two are under the impression that never being pinned means you've never lost. Bullsh*t.
There is one man who can claim he's got a victory over Stephen Waltz.
Yours truly, and I don't mean you, Benji. And it's not one win, but TWO. You remember them, don't you Stephen?
March 2003 at Genesis, when I won a ten man battle royal for the GXW X-treme title. You were in that too, and you let Anderson fool you into going for the Idolizer in a battle royal, so DreamMaker knocked you out of the ring.
Then, a couple weeks later at Revolution. You had the TV Title around your waist, but you were looking for some extra gold in a four way X-treme match in which I pinned Scotty Michaels to defend my title. No, I didn't pin you, but I beat you to a pulp and then pinned Michaels because he was a slight bit closer to unconsciousness than you, and he was closer to me.
Two matches. Two wins for me. Two LOSSES for Stephen Waltz. Those count, don't they, Stephen?
Now, we meet again on a different stage, and I know for a fact that you are an opponent whom I can count on for a fair, respectable match. I know that because you've got the same respect for the business and the athletes who compete in it that I do, Stephen. I don't always agree with the way Terry Anderson conducts business, but he's taught you that point well, if nothing else.
You and I, Stephen, we strive for the exact same thing. We're both out to prove ourselves to the world, and eventually, and we both know that it is inevitable, strap a World Title around our waists as signification that we are indeed the best in the world in this profession.
We also happen to be the two most naturally gifted athletes under contract to Empire Pro Wrestling, with experience in both football and amateur wrestling. That's what has gotten us both to this point. Now, its time to rise above the ex-amateur stigma, and become the best in the world.
That World Heavyweight Title is coming into sight quicker and quicker for me, Stephen, and I'm not gonna allow you to be yet another impediment to my path to the end of the road. This time, I won't be duped by outside forces our underhanded tactics inside the squared circle. Instead, this time I'll make my own fate, and for you Stephen, that means one thing.
STREAK OVER.
You and Terry can go ahead an claim you've never been beaten, even if we all know what the real deal is, but after Aggression here in Miami, that changes in full. This time, technicalities won't need to be taken into consideration, I'll make completely sure of that. But, if you manage to beat me, and you do it the right way, not the Cruise way, the Benjamin way, the Wescott way, or the Sands way, then you'll have earned it, Stephen.
Win or lose, this one's bound to be a show, Stephen, an exhibition of athletic prowess. But, in the end, I plan to be the one pulling you off of the canvas and shaking your hand. Your time is ahead of you, Stephen, my time is on the verge of happening. This time, outside circumstances won't make the difference, I'll make the difference. I'm going to beat you, and I'm going to beat you the right way.
You've got a hell of a future ahead of you, Stephen. But the future isn't here quite yet. Let's make this one to remember.
That's all I got for now. See ya at the end of the road.
Let's go.
...FADE TO BLACK
SW
SCENE BEGINS
(Fade into an interior shot, outside the office door of Terry "The Idol" Anderson's personal business room at his Las Vegas gymnasium. From off camera, Stephen Waltz comes in carrying a pair of cups of coffee, likely from the Starbucks down the street. We get a brief glimpse of his tight jeans and white long-sleeved shirt with the V-neck with his hair tied back into a ponytail, then he nudges the office door open and steps inside, where we see Terry Anderson at his desk, on the phone.)
Terry "The Idol" Anderson
...yeah... yeah, that's right...
......
No, Tony... no, come on Tony, you're busting my balls here...
......
...yeah, that's what I said, you knucklehead! Okay, then, everything's in order...?
(As the conversation continues, Waltz acknowledges his manager with a nod, while Terry waves back. The professional wrestling veteran listens on the other line for a second, then comes out of his seat, pacing to the other side of the room. The telephone cord stretches with him, which Waltz ducks without much hassle before taking a seat in one of the plush chairs facing the desk.)
Terry "The Idol" Anderson
Yeah, but Tony... there's just one thing about this... this new Stephen Waltz T-shirt... I mean…
(The camera pans left as he crosses over to the other side of the room, where the new black SW logo t-shirt hangs on an easle.)
Terry “The Idol” Anderson
The black and red is cool and all, but isn’t that what we had for the last shirt? Shouldn’t we go for something a little different? Shake it up a bit?
……
…oh, so blue and black don’t go well together. Okay, well, I can see that, but…
…here, why don’t we try… WHITE, with a blue glow, or something. Hear what I’m saying?
……
Yeah, I know it’s a good idea. I thought it up, didn’t I? Okay, so is that all?
……
Good… okay, Tony. We’ll see you in Miami then… bye.
(Terry hangs up the phone and turns back to the professional wrestling prodigy sitting at his desk, his hands held out in a finishing gesture while wearing a proud smile.)
Terry “The Idol” Anderson
Okay, kid. We’re set for the week. Following a four day training period, we fly down to Miami, and find our hotel. The next day, an autograph signing at the arena with some of the other guys. After that, interview with Rod Price of Power Wrestling Magazine. And then…
(He fist-pumps the air in front of him.)
Terry “The Idol” Anderson
Aggression, baby! Oh yeah!
(The camera returns to Stephen Waltz, who quietly nods.)
Stephen Waltz
I’ve got your coffee here.
Terry “The Idol” Anderson
Oh goody.
(Terry returns to his desk and picks up one of the cups, which he must sense as his own. He takes off the cap and smiles with what he sees.)
Terry “The Idol” Anderson
Heh… finally remembered my whipped cream and cinnamon, those bastards!
(He comes around the desk and falls into his chair, taking a sip.)
Terry “The Idol” Anderson
So, we’ve got a battle plan now. What next?
Stephen Waltz
…I guess we just hit the gym in a little while, and rinse and repeat for the next few days.
Terry “The Idol” Anderson
Good with me. By the way, did you get the word?
Stephen Waltz
About Douglas?
Terry “The Idol” Anderson
…ah, no, I was talking about that jackass David Allen Black in GWE, but yeah whatever, DOUGLAS! Our old buddy, eh?
Stephen Waltz
Heh… brings back old memories.
Terry “The Idol” Anderson
Yeah, I know. We’ve certainly come a long way.
(Stephen turns to the camera, smiling.)
Stephen Waltz
And so it all comes around full circle...
One year ago, a young and inexperienced Stephen Waltz got caught up into match against numerous other competitors at GXW's Genesis. One of those talented men carried the name Troy Douglas. And now, just a tad less than twelve months from that exact day, I finally get the opportunity to meet that man face to face in the ring. No other professional wrestlers involved, and no stipulations to get in the way; just the two of us, thrown into a good ol' technical match, a solid old-school pairing.
I couldn't ask for anything more from the booking staff of Empire Pro. This will probably be one of the best matches in my career to date, and having Troy Douglas for an opponent is a great honor.
(He makes a quick nod, but keeps the ball rolling.)
Stephen Waltz
I think I can pretty much skip over the rap about how alike the two of us are. Douglas covered all that in his last promo. Two men, with the same ideals and goals in this industry... roughing it through the ranks to make it to the top.
I could go on all night about my thoughts on Troy Douglas. Everything about him I admire. What he fights for... how he performs... everything he's done. You could compare him to any epical hero from classic literature... like, Beowulf or Odysseus, or somebody like that. Almost everything about Troy I appreciate and commend, and try my hardest to reflect within my own personality and performance.
(Narrows his eyes.)
Stephen Waltz
...ALMOST everything.
Because you see, like those epical heroes, Troy Douglas has that one mortal flaw. Only instead of something basic, like pride... Troy has this problem with false assumptions and jumping the gun.
When I met Troy the first time at Genesis, in a battle royale for the GXW Xtreme Title... I was young and naïve. I had only spent mere weeks in professional wrestling, having no time breaking into the industry through any indy federations. I was, essentially, thrown into a pack of hungry wolves. During that match at Genesis… I made a mistake.
And because of that mistake, Troy Douglas inadvertently became GXW’s Xtreme Champion, following a hard-fought victory against the same man who eliminated me. Not long after that, Troy and I met again at Revolution, with a few other guys-Reuben Fasco and Scotty Michaels-thrown into the mix. Once again, inexperience caused me to make a fatal mistake. Troy Douglas defended his title, and I got the big L for messing around with Fasco outside the ring while the champ made his cover. It's something I just have to live with.
Troy explained both of these matches pretty well in his last match. But there's something I just don't get...
(He holds both hands out in a shrug.)
Stephen Waltz
Troy... what EVER made you believe that either Terry or myself would DENY that these matches ever happened? What would give YOU the impression that we simply choose to ignore what really went down at Genesis and Revolution? In every situation, Troy... I have told this world that I am the man who has never been PINNED. There's a difference between pinning and beating. Being beaten means that no matter what went down in that match, the record books say you lost. Pinfall, submission, DQ... doesn't matter. A loss is a loss. But being pinned is different. Being pinned is something a little more. It means you were weaker... that in spite of all of your efforts, somebody that night had just a little more to prove to the audience.
I've been beaten a total of three times in my entire professional career--two of those occassions you pointed out yourself. But STILL, there is no man who can claim he has beaten me to the point where my body cannot keep up with my will... or to the point where I blatantly give up. Not once have I ever been beaten to that point... not even by you, Troy. I never denied that you've BEATEN me, and I won't ever. So before you go on to believe that WE--Terry and myself--are under some warped mindset that believes I'VE NEVER LOST, just remember that making false assumptions is the first clue toward recognizing the weaker willed competitor.
I honestly have to say... I expected more from you, a man whom I admire. You should have got to know me better before you came on the air and accuse the two of us of being under the "impression" that we never lost. Well, I'm sorry, Troy; I don't feel it necessary to have to announce to the entire world that you beat me in two matches that took place so long ago, half the fans in this industry hardly remember them. Who the hell cares, Troy? Just WHO the HELL cares?
I'm a man who has and always will live in the now. Things aren't quite like they were the last time we've met. I've done a lot of training, and learned a lot of new tricks in the ring. In short, at Aggression, you'll be going head to head with a different, stronger version of Stephen Waltz. Not the naive kid you knew a year ago... now an established high-card competitor, looking for fresh competition before he moves up the ladder. Suffice to say, Troy, you've got your work cut out for you this time around. Not only am I going to be more of a challenge, but now we're going one on one. No Scotty Michaels or DreamMaker to get involved this time; if you want to win this match, you have to do the one thing that NO MAN has ever done, Troy.
You have to knock me down on that mat... and you have to PIN my shoulders down. That's the only way to do it, Troy. You have to pummel me to the point where I am unable to fight back. And I gladly challenge you to perform that act. In fact, I DARE you, Troy. You hold the title as the first man to BEAT me... now take it a step further, and COVER me for the three count! Bring the best game you've got, because you're going to need it all to outlast me. Ask Gabriel Poe... ask Adam Benjamin, whom you fought last week. Don't think that just because I realize you've been on a bit of a losing streak lately that I'm going to hold back for this match. If you're going to break the cycle, Troy... you're going to EARN it...
(Pauses for a moment.)
Stephen Waltz
You see, Troy... you say it's not my time yet... that I still have to wait. But you said the exact same thing at Genesis. If I had a dime for every time I heard that statement repeated in some way, I'd be a millionaire. I've heard it from practically everybody I've encountered...
"You're good, kid... but not good enough at this point. Now's not your time; it's MY time! You'll get yours later!" My question is, if NOW is not my time... then when is? "Later?" But NOW is the future of the past. In other words, Troy... I've made it. I'm there. This IS my time, based on your perceptions a year ago. And, if you STILL don't think it is? Then I'll do my damndest to make my future the present.
It's who I am... it's what I breathe... and it's what I want. I wish you luck wherever you go following this match, Troy Douglas. But I suffered one disappointing debut match last week, and I still have a couple of matches passed long ago where you got the better of me to add to that. I've got a lot to prove in this match. I won't let my opportunity go to waste, and I won't let you stand in my way...
(With a final sigh, Stephen turns away. The camera backs out to reveal more of the scene. Terry sits proudly in his seat, either savoring his flavored coffee or pleasantly listening to his student's comments. With the speech finished, he leans forward in his chair.)
Terry "The Idol" Anderson
Well then... are you ready to hit the gym?
Stephen Waltz
As ready as ever.
Terry "The Idol" Anderson
Good. Let's get to it, then...
(The two of them come out of their seats and exit the office. The camera pans left, falling on the new SW t-shirt. It zooms in on the red SW cross logo on the chest... and from there, we fade to black.)
SCENE ENDS
SCENE BEGINS
(Fade into an interior shot, outside the office door of Terry "The Idol" Anderson's personal business room at his Las Vegas gymnasium. From off camera, Stephen Waltz comes in carrying a pair of cups of coffee, likely from the Starbucks down the street. We get a brief glimpse of his tight jeans and white long-sleeved shirt with the V-neck with his hair tied back into a ponytail, then he nudges the office door open and steps inside, where we see Terry Anderson at his desk, on the phone.)
Terry "The Idol" Anderson
...yeah... yeah, that's right...
......
No, Tony... no, come on Tony, you're busting my balls here...
......
...yeah, that's what I said, you knucklehead! Okay, then, everything's in order...?
(As the conversation continues, Waltz acknowledges his manager with a nod, while Terry waves back. The professional wrestling veteran listens on the other line for a second, then comes out of his seat, pacing to the other side of the room. The telephone cord stretches with him, which Waltz ducks without much hassle before taking a seat in one of the plush chairs facing the desk.)
Terry "The Idol" Anderson
Yeah, but Tony... there's just one thing about this... this new Stephen Waltz T-shirt... I mean…
(The camera pans left as he crosses over to the other side of the room, where the new black SW logo t-shirt hangs on an easle.)
Terry “The Idol” Anderson
The black and red is cool and all, but isn’t that what we had for the last shirt? Shouldn’t we go for something a little different? Shake it up a bit?
……
…oh, so blue and black don’t go well together. Okay, well, I can see that, but…
…here, why don’t we try… WHITE, with a blue glow, or something. Hear what I’m saying?
……
Yeah, I know it’s a good idea. I thought it up, didn’t I? Okay, so is that all?
……
Good… okay, Tony. We’ll see you in Miami then… bye.
(Terry hangs up the phone and turns back to the professional wrestling prodigy sitting at his desk, his hands held out in a finishing gesture while wearing a proud smile.)
Terry “The Idol” Anderson
Okay, kid. We’re set for the week. Following a four day training period, we fly down to Miami, and find our hotel. The next day, an autograph signing at the arena with some of the other guys. After that, interview with Rod Price of Power Wrestling Magazine. And then…
(He fist-pumps the air in front of him.)
Terry “The Idol” Anderson
Aggression, baby! Oh yeah!
(The camera returns to Stephen Waltz, who quietly nods.)
Stephen Waltz
I’ve got your coffee here.
Terry “The Idol” Anderson
Oh goody.
(Terry returns to his desk and picks up one of the cups, which he must sense as his own. He takes off the cap and smiles with what he sees.)
Terry “The Idol” Anderson
Heh… finally remembered my whipped cream and cinnamon, those bastards!
(He comes around the desk and falls into his chair, taking a sip.)
Terry “The Idol” Anderson
So, we’ve got a battle plan now. What next?
Stephen Waltz
…I guess we just hit the gym in a little while, and rinse and repeat for the next few days.
Terry “The Idol” Anderson
Good with me. By the way, did you get the word?
Stephen Waltz
About Douglas?
Terry “The Idol” Anderson
…ah, no, I was talking about that jackass David Allen Black in GWE, but yeah whatever, DOUGLAS! Our old buddy, eh?
Stephen Waltz
Heh… brings back old memories.
Terry “The Idol” Anderson
Yeah, I know. We’ve certainly come a long way.
(Stephen turns to the camera, smiling.)
Stephen Waltz
And so it all comes around full circle...
One year ago, a young and inexperienced Stephen Waltz got caught up into match against numerous other competitors at GXW's Genesis. One of those talented men carried the name Troy Douglas. And now, just a tad less than twelve months from that exact day, I finally get the opportunity to meet that man face to face in the ring. No other professional wrestlers involved, and no stipulations to get in the way; just the two of us, thrown into a good ol' technical match, a solid old-school pairing.
I couldn't ask for anything more from the booking staff of Empire Pro. This will probably be one of the best matches in my career to date, and having Troy Douglas for an opponent is a great honor.
(He makes a quick nod, but keeps the ball rolling.)
Stephen Waltz
I think I can pretty much skip over the rap about how alike the two of us are. Douglas covered all that in his last promo. Two men, with the same ideals and goals in this industry... roughing it through the ranks to make it to the top.
I could go on all night about my thoughts on Troy Douglas. Everything about him I admire. What he fights for... how he performs... everything he's done. You could compare him to any epical hero from classic literature... like, Beowulf or Odysseus, or somebody like that. Almost everything about Troy I appreciate and commend, and try my hardest to reflect within my own personality and performance.
(Narrows his eyes.)
Stephen Waltz
...ALMOST everything.
Because you see, like those epical heroes, Troy Douglas has that one mortal flaw. Only instead of something basic, like pride... Troy has this problem with false assumptions and jumping the gun.
When I met Troy the first time at Genesis, in a battle royale for the GXW Xtreme Title... I was young and naïve. I had only spent mere weeks in professional wrestling, having no time breaking into the industry through any indy federations. I was, essentially, thrown into a pack of hungry wolves. During that match at Genesis… I made a mistake.
And because of that mistake, Troy Douglas inadvertently became GXW’s Xtreme Champion, following a hard-fought victory against the same man who eliminated me. Not long after that, Troy and I met again at Revolution, with a few other guys-Reuben Fasco and Scotty Michaels-thrown into the mix. Once again, inexperience caused me to make a fatal mistake. Troy Douglas defended his title, and I got the big L for messing around with Fasco outside the ring while the champ made his cover. It's something I just have to live with.
Troy explained both of these matches pretty well in his last match. But there's something I just don't get...
(He holds both hands out in a shrug.)
Stephen Waltz
Troy... what EVER made you believe that either Terry or myself would DENY that these matches ever happened? What would give YOU the impression that we simply choose to ignore what really went down at Genesis and Revolution? In every situation, Troy... I have told this world that I am the man who has never been PINNED. There's a difference between pinning and beating. Being beaten means that no matter what went down in that match, the record books say you lost. Pinfall, submission, DQ... doesn't matter. A loss is a loss. But being pinned is different. Being pinned is something a little more. It means you were weaker... that in spite of all of your efforts, somebody that night had just a little more to prove to the audience.
I've been beaten a total of three times in my entire professional career--two of those occassions you pointed out yourself. But STILL, there is no man who can claim he has beaten me to the point where my body cannot keep up with my will... or to the point where I blatantly give up. Not once have I ever been beaten to that point... not even by you, Troy. I never denied that you've BEATEN me, and I won't ever. So before you go on to believe that WE--Terry and myself--are under some warped mindset that believes I'VE NEVER LOST, just remember that making false assumptions is the first clue toward recognizing the weaker willed competitor.
I honestly have to say... I expected more from you, a man whom I admire. You should have got to know me better before you came on the air and accuse the two of us of being under the "impression" that we never lost. Well, I'm sorry, Troy; I don't feel it necessary to have to announce to the entire world that you beat me in two matches that took place so long ago, half the fans in this industry hardly remember them. Who the hell cares, Troy? Just WHO the HELL cares?
I'm a man who has and always will live in the now. Things aren't quite like they were the last time we've met. I've done a lot of training, and learned a lot of new tricks in the ring. In short, at Aggression, you'll be going head to head with a different, stronger version of Stephen Waltz. Not the naive kid you knew a year ago... now an established high-card competitor, looking for fresh competition before he moves up the ladder. Suffice to say, Troy, you've got your work cut out for you this time around. Not only am I going to be more of a challenge, but now we're going one on one. No Scotty Michaels or DreamMaker to get involved this time; if you want to win this match, you have to do the one thing that NO MAN has ever done, Troy.
You have to knock me down on that mat... and you have to PIN my shoulders down. That's the only way to do it, Troy. You have to pummel me to the point where I am unable to fight back. And I gladly challenge you to perform that act. In fact, I DARE you, Troy. You hold the title as the first man to BEAT me... now take it a step further, and COVER me for the three count! Bring the best game you've got, because you're going to need it all to outlast me. Ask Gabriel Poe... ask Adam Benjamin, whom you fought last week. Don't think that just because I realize you've been on a bit of a losing streak lately that I'm going to hold back for this match. If you're going to break the cycle, Troy... you're going to EARN it...
(Pauses for a moment.)
Stephen Waltz
You see, Troy... you say it's not my time yet... that I still have to wait. But you said the exact same thing at Genesis. If I had a dime for every time I heard that statement repeated in some way, I'd be a millionaire. I've heard it from practically everybody I've encountered...
"You're good, kid... but not good enough at this point. Now's not your time; it's MY time! You'll get yours later!" My question is, if NOW is not my time... then when is? "Later?" But NOW is the future of the past. In other words, Troy... I've made it. I'm there. This IS my time, based on your perceptions a year ago. And, if you STILL don't think it is? Then I'll do my damndest to make my future the present.
It's who I am... it's what I breathe... and it's what I want. I wish you luck wherever you go following this match, Troy Douglas. But I suffered one disappointing debut match last week, and I still have a couple of matches passed long ago where you got the better of me to add to that. I've got a lot to prove in this match. I won't let my opportunity go to waste, and I won't let you stand in my way...
(With a final sigh, Stephen turns away. The camera backs out to reveal more of the scene. Terry sits proudly in his seat, either savoring his flavored coffee or pleasantly listening to his student's comments. With the speech finished, he leans forward in his chair.)
Terry "The Idol" Anderson
Well then... are you ready to hit the gym?
Stephen Waltz
As ready as ever.
Terry "The Idol" Anderson
Good. Let's get to it, then...
(The two of them come out of their seats and exit the office. The camera pans left, falling on the new SW t-shirt. It zooms in on the red SW cross logo on the chest... and from there, we fade to black.)
SCENE ENDS