(Security.
That is what was promised to me, and that's what I'll receive. I've
always had gated entrances, and a wall surrounding my land, but now I
have capable security that will risk everything to make sure that me
and my family are fine... and that I carry out their mission. Darren
can be very convincing. I'm standing in my kitchen, looking out past
the backyard to the ocean. I have a cup of coffee in my hand, and my
beautiful wife is sitting at the table reading. She's not at all
excited about these turn of events.)
(Nevertheless, I did it for her and Alexia. I take a seat at the table.)
Matthew Engel: "What's wrong?"
Mia: "What do you think is wrong?"
Matthew Engel: "Christ, we've been over this already. I did this for you and Alexia."
Mia: "You've associated yourself with something you've spent the last six years condemning. How do you think that makes me feel?"
Matthew Engel: "Not good, I suppose, but this isn't the same group from before, babe. It's really not. I'm going to prove to you it's not."
Mia: "Matt... I just don't want you to end up like the others, the past Masters who've been discarded and left for dead."
Matthew Engel: "I won't."
(She sighs.)
Mia: "I want to believe you."
Matthew Engel: "Everything will be okay. As long as I have something worth fighting for..."
(I extend my hand to hers, and massage her wrist and palm.)
Matthew Engel: "I won't be discarded. They can't put me down because they need me as much as I need them."
Mia: "Do you really need them? Matt, if you think we're in jeopardy, then quit! Step away from the business for good. Nobody is going to touch us if you do that, you don't need to become a Master."
(I remove my hand and look away for a moment.)
Matthew Engel: "I can't step away now. There's too much riding on this. I'm going to see this through, and I'm going to be here for you and Alexia."
Mia: "I know what you want, Matt, but you don't need it to prove you're one of the greats. Your career... it's something that most people dream of having."
Matthew Engel: "I've got to tie it off with the World Title. I've... I've just got to, Mia. I want to make sure that coming back in two thousand eight for my last time was worth it. I want to make sure that when it comes that time to step away for good, that I won't have a sense of regret."
Mia: "And you think the Masters can help you with that?"
Matthew Engel: "Yes."
(She sighs again. She still isn't pleased, but she's becoming more understanding.)
Mia: "I hope you're right."
(I smile. I lean in and give her a kiss on the cheek. I stand up from the table and step outside onto the patio. I take a seat in one of our outside chairs, my video camera already out there, waiting for me. I take a deep breath... and hit record. Glory.)
Matthew Engel: "I've got to hand it to you, Kyle, you certainly gave it your all. We both did, but I managed to come out on top like people figured I would. However, that's not a negative on your part. You perhaps wrestled the best match of your PWA career, but you just happened to be facing someone that's been around too long to be losing chances to capture gold."
(A quick seating adjustment to make myself a bit more comfortable.)
Matthew Engel: "And so the story begins. I win my chance to face Nightmare at the next pay-per-view for the Intercontinental Title. That's the next chapter, facing and defeating a man who seems to be quite the unstoppable force. Keyword: seems. Jon, you barely walked away with your title and pride in tact at High Stakes. If it wasn't for the stupidity of Lex Demise and Corey Lazarus, you wouldn't be Intercontinental Champion and funny enough, I'd be facing my sister at the next pay-per-view. Some might say that I should be thankful, so I don't have to go up against my own blood, but I digress.
Enika and I would put on a better match than all of you, and we'd look great doing it. I wouldn't mind going up against my sister, because it would just be a sparring match for us and whoever came out on top, we'd both be happy regardless. But, like I said earlier, due to the mental retardation that plagues Lex and Corey, that won't be the case. Instead, I have to fight you, Jon, even though we both know you shouldn't be holding that title."
(I shoot a quick smile at the camera.)
Matthew Engel: "Speaking of Corey... he actually did it. After all of the times he's come up short, he finally went the distance and captured his first PWA World Title. Congratulations. No, truly, I mean that. I just hope that if it comes time, you'll know who to put that title on the line against. I've pinned your shoulders to the mat, Corey, which is something you can't say about me.
I'm not asking for the title shot at Retribution. No, I've got Jonny to deal with for the Intercontinental Title. But imagine if I do beat him -- which... seems inevitable -- and you manage to defend your title successfully at Retribution.
July. Matthew Engel, Intercontinental Champion, against Corey Lazarus, World Champion. Double title match. Main event. You couldn't make this stuff up, Corey.
Everything seems to be falling into place. I won my chance to capture the Intercontinental Title, and you won the World Title. If all goes to plan, you and I will have our rubber match and it will be possibly the greatest match in PWA history.
That's what I'm giving to you, Corey. Not only have you earned your spot as a World Champion, but I want to give you the chance to make yourself the best champion this company has ever seen. You want to do that? You'll have to go through me. And I dare you to say otherwise."
(I turn my eyes away from the camera, for a moment.)
Matthew Engel: "Of course, I am jumping the gun, but I thought I'd share with you what was on my mind considering that everything from here on out falls into its right place and that match can take place. I've got a pretty big task ahead of me in June, so we'll see.
Speaking of big tasks... Chamelion and I are facing the number one contenders to the tag titles this week. So what's the deal here, Mark? If we win, do we get a shot a the tag titles down the line? I wouldn't mind that at all, but hey -- we've got to win first. Deacon and Bronx aren't exactly a walk in the park, but they're no Kyle Stevenson either.
Yeah, I said it. That kid fought hard.
But you know what I find interesting, is that despite Deacon's somewhat impressive record, when I'm across the ring from him he simply can't win. I don't know about Bronx, because I've never faced him. But do you recall the first time we faced off, Deacon? You walked out on the match and left Doomsday high and dry. Kyle and I disposed of him, quite easily in fact.
The next time we faced off, it was a six-man tag match, which turned into a two on three handicap match. You still lost. And correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't I the one that pinned you?
Ah... don't worry about it. There's no need to correct me, because I did in fact pin you. I'm sure you'll have some long diatribe about how you weren't the legal man and the match should have never ended that way, blah blah blah. Talk to the referees about that one, Frost, because as far as I'm concerned that match turned into a Texas Tornado match ninety nine percent of the time."
(I take my eyes off the ocean and return them to the camera.)
Matthew Engel: "I'm still not quite sure about having our former owner and President as my tag team partner, but I don't book the matches. That's what my brother does. I'll go out there and give it my best, like I always do. Nothing has changed, except the fact that my family is a bit larger than it was a week ago. I'm still going to go out there and prove my dominance. I'm still going to go out there and put on a great show, and I'm still going to win. Quite frankly, I just don't see the Deadpool coming out victorious this time.
Yeah... you beat Phoenix and Project X. Great. So have a lot of people. They're all hype, believe it or not, and if I would have had a more capable partner, then they wouldn't have stood a chance. I destroyed X on the outside, and basically took him out of the match. All Kyle had to do was worry about Phoenix, and he couldn't do it. I wish he would've wrestled Phoenix like he wrestled me... then we wouldn't be having this conversation.
But, on the bright side, I do have a shot at the Intercontinental Title."
(Smirk.)
Matthew Engel: "So I hope my partner this time around is more capable and does his job. What do you say, Mark? Can you put the fact that you lost ownership of the company behind you and concentrate on reviving your PWA career? By the way, I like the new haircut. Long hair is for hippies."
(I chuckle a bit.)
Matthew Engel: "You're looking at the future and the elite. The MoA is going to grab this company by the horns and I'm going to help them do it. We're going to be the dominate group in this business, and there's nothing you can really do to stop it. You can either drift with the current, or be drowned by it. The choice is yours.
I do not forgive.
I do no--"
(Mia comes out onto the patio. The camera is still rolling.)
Mia: "You need to see this."
(I jump up from the seat and head into the living room. Mia unmutes the television and hits play on the DVR. Corey Lazarus just released a promo, and had some very interesting things to say. I catch everything he says about me... and the MoA, but I don't bother to watch anymore at the moment. Anger takes over. The camera, still rolling, catches me coming back from the living room. I sit back down on the patio... and look into the camera with cold eyes.)
Matthew Engel:"Hmm. You still think the MoA is dead, Corey? Did it or did it not cut your celebration early last Friday? Did it or did it not throw you and your useless friends out of the ring and send a message? Well, did it?!
We did. We're alive, Corey, and we're the beginning. I don't care if I piss you off, and I could care less about how you feel about the MoA. You know, deep down, that we're going to dominate this business. We're going to be on everyone's mind, and we'll be happy to piss plenty of people off when we start winning title after title, and sending bitches like you down to the low card where you belong.
But wait... there's only one active wrestler in the MoA! How can they possibly call themselves a group if there's only one of them to worry about?
You're so naive.
Do you honestly think the entire MoA was out there Friday night? We didn't want to embarrass you and your friends that much, Corey. I really don't quite understand where you get this 'hit-and-run', 'street-thug mentality' bullshit from. What hit and run? We confronted you, and my men took you out. We sent you a message... and correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Orochi handle you just fine?
I don't need four other men to get an advantage over you, Corey. I already have an advantage over you, something I did on my own. The man you hate the most you have never pinned in the ring. God... I can't even imagine how that feels."
(I pause for a moment.)
Matthew Engel: "Where was I? Oh, that's right.
I do not forgive.
I do not forget.
There's nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come."
(fade.)
(Nevertheless, I did it for her and Alexia. I take a seat at the table.)
Matthew Engel: "What's wrong?"
Mia: "What do you think is wrong?"
Matthew Engel: "Christ, we've been over this already. I did this for you and Alexia."
Mia: "You've associated yourself with something you've spent the last six years condemning. How do you think that makes me feel?"
Matthew Engel: "Not good, I suppose, but this isn't the same group from before, babe. It's really not. I'm going to prove to you it's not."
Mia: "Matt... I just don't want you to end up like the others, the past Masters who've been discarded and left for dead."
Matthew Engel: "I won't."
(She sighs.)
Mia: "I want to believe you."
Matthew Engel: "Everything will be okay. As long as I have something worth fighting for..."
(I extend my hand to hers, and massage her wrist and palm.)
Matthew Engel: "I won't be discarded. They can't put me down because they need me as much as I need them."
Mia: "Do you really need them? Matt, if you think we're in jeopardy, then quit! Step away from the business for good. Nobody is going to touch us if you do that, you don't need to become a Master."
(I remove my hand and look away for a moment.)
Matthew Engel: "I can't step away now. There's too much riding on this. I'm going to see this through, and I'm going to be here for you and Alexia."
Mia: "I know what you want, Matt, but you don't need it to prove you're one of the greats. Your career... it's something that most people dream of having."
Matthew Engel: "I've got to tie it off with the World Title. I've... I've just got to, Mia. I want to make sure that coming back in two thousand eight for my last time was worth it. I want to make sure that when it comes that time to step away for good, that I won't have a sense of regret."
Mia: "And you think the Masters can help you with that?"
Matthew Engel: "Yes."
(She sighs again. She still isn't pleased, but she's becoming more understanding.)
Mia: "I hope you're right."
(I smile. I lean in and give her a kiss on the cheek. I stand up from the table and step outside onto the patio. I take a seat in one of our outside chairs, my video camera already out there, waiting for me. I take a deep breath... and hit record. Glory.)
Matthew Engel: "I've got to hand it to you, Kyle, you certainly gave it your all. We both did, but I managed to come out on top like people figured I would. However, that's not a negative on your part. You perhaps wrestled the best match of your PWA career, but you just happened to be facing someone that's been around too long to be losing chances to capture gold."
(A quick seating adjustment to make myself a bit more comfortable.)
Matthew Engel: "And so the story begins. I win my chance to face Nightmare at the next pay-per-view for the Intercontinental Title. That's the next chapter, facing and defeating a man who seems to be quite the unstoppable force. Keyword: seems. Jon, you barely walked away with your title and pride in tact at High Stakes. If it wasn't for the stupidity of Lex Demise and Corey Lazarus, you wouldn't be Intercontinental Champion and funny enough, I'd be facing my sister at the next pay-per-view. Some might say that I should be thankful, so I don't have to go up against my own blood, but I digress.
Enika and I would put on a better match than all of you, and we'd look great doing it. I wouldn't mind going up against my sister, because it would just be a sparring match for us and whoever came out on top, we'd both be happy regardless. But, like I said earlier, due to the mental retardation that plagues Lex and Corey, that won't be the case. Instead, I have to fight you, Jon, even though we both know you shouldn't be holding that title."
(I shoot a quick smile at the camera.)
Matthew Engel: "Speaking of Corey... he actually did it. After all of the times he's come up short, he finally went the distance and captured his first PWA World Title. Congratulations. No, truly, I mean that. I just hope that if it comes time, you'll know who to put that title on the line against. I've pinned your shoulders to the mat, Corey, which is something you can't say about me.
I'm not asking for the title shot at Retribution. No, I've got Jonny to deal with for the Intercontinental Title. But imagine if I do beat him -- which... seems inevitable -- and you manage to defend your title successfully at Retribution.
July. Matthew Engel, Intercontinental Champion, against Corey Lazarus, World Champion. Double title match. Main event. You couldn't make this stuff up, Corey.
Everything seems to be falling into place. I won my chance to capture the Intercontinental Title, and you won the World Title. If all goes to plan, you and I will have our rubber match and it will be possibly the greatest match in PWA history.
That's what I'm giving to you, Corey. Not only have you earned your spot as a World Champion, but I want to give you the chance to make yourself the best champion this company has ever seen. You want to do that? You'll have to go through me. And I dare you to say otherwise."
(I turn my eyes away from the camera, for a moment.)
Matthew Engel: "Of course, I am jumping the gun, but I thought I'd share with you what was on my mind considering that everything from here on out falls into its right place and that match can take place. I've got a pretty big task ahead of me in June, so we'll see.
Speaking of big tasks... Chamelion and I are facing the number one contenders to the tag titles this week. So what's the deal here, Mark? If we win, do we get a shot a the tag titles down the line? I wouldn't mind that at all, but hey -- we've got to win first. Deacon and Bronx aren't exactly a walk in the park, but they're no Kyle Stevenson either.
Yeah, I said it. That kid fought hard.
But you know what I find interesting, is that despite Deacon's somewhat impressive record, when I'm across the ring from him he simply can't win. I don't know about Bronx, because I've never faced him. But do you recall the first time we faced off, Deacon? You walked out on the match and left Doomsday high and dry. Kyle and I disposed of him, quite easily in fact.
The next time we faced off, it was a six-man tag match, which turned into a two on three handicap match. You still lost. And correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't I the one that pinned you?
Ah... don't worry about it. There's no need to correct me, because I did in fact pin you. I'm sure you'll have some long diatribe about how you weren't the legal man and the match should have never ended that way, blah blah blah. Talk to the referees about that one, Frost, because as far as I'm concerned that match turned into a Texas Tornado match ninety nine percent of the time."
(I take my eyes off the ocean and return them to the camera.)
Matthew Engel: "I'm still not quite sure about having our former owner and President as my tag team partner, but I don't book the matches. That's what my brother does. I'll go out there and give it my best, like I always do. Nothing has changed, except the fact that my family is a bit larger than it was a week ago. I'm still going to go out there and prove my dominance. I'm still going to go out there and put on a great show, and I'm still going to win. Quite frankly, I just don't see the Deadpool coming out victorious this time.
Yeah... you beat Phoenix and Project X. Great. So have a lot of people. They're all hype, believe it or not, and if I would have had a more capable partner, then they wouldn't have stood a chance. I destroyed X on the outside, and basically took him out of the match. All Kyle had to do was worry about Phoenix, and he couldn't do it. I wish he would've wrestled Phoenix like he wrestled me... then we wouldn't be having this conversation.
But, on the bright side, I do have a shot at the Intercontinental Title."
(Smirk.)
Matthew Engel: "So I hope my partner this time around is more capable and does his job. What do you say, Mark? Can you put the fact that you lost ownership of the company behind you and concentrate on reviving your PWA career? By the way, I like the new haircut. Long hair is for hippies."
(I chuckle a bit.)
Matthew Engel: "You're looking at the future and the elite. The MoA is going to grab this company by the horns and I'm going to help them do it. We're going to be the dominate group in this business, and there's nothing you can really do to stop it. You can either drift with the current, or be drowned by it. The choice is yours.
I do not forgive.
I do no--"
(Mia comes out onto the patio. The camera is still rolling.)
Mia: "You need to see this."
(I jump up from the seat and head into the living room. Mia unmutes the television and hits play on the DVR. Corey Lazarus just released a promo, and had some very interesting things to say. I catch everything he says about me... and the MoA, but I don't bother to watch anymore at the moment. Anger takes over. The camera, still rolling, catches me coming back from the living room. I sit back down on the patio... and look into the camera with cold eyes.)
Matthew Engel:"Hmm. You still think the MoA is dead, Corey? Did it or did it not cut your celebration early last Friday? Did it or did it not throw you and your useless friends out of the ring and send a message? Well, did it?!
We did. We're alive, Corey, and we're the beginning. I don't care if I piss you off, and I could care less about how you feel about the MoA. You know, deep down, that we're going to dominate this business. We're going to be on everyone's mind, and we'll be happy to piss plenty of people off when we start winning title after title, and sending bitches like you down to the low card where you belong.
But wait... there's only one active wrestler in the MoA! How can they possibly call themselves a group if there's only one of them to worry about?
You're so naive.
Do you honestly think the entire MoA was out there Friday night? We didn't want to embarrass you and your friends that much, Corey. I really don't quite understand where you get this 'hit-and-run', 'street-thug mentality' bullshit from. What hit and run? We confronted you, and my men took you out. We sent you a message... and correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Orochi handle you just fine?
I don't need four other men to get an advantage over you, Corey. I already have an advantage over you, something I did on my own. The man you hate the most you have never pinned in the ring. God... I can't even imagine how that feels."
(I pause for a moment.)
Matthew Engel: "Where was I? Oh, that's right.
I do not forgive.
I do not forget.
There's nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come."
(fade.)