There is nobody else

time: tuesday morning

day: july eighth

place: bailey's bay, bermuda; engel residence.

(Humid. Cloudy. I find myself inside for once, sitting at the kitchen table. There's a pile of Kleenax and a glass of water to my right. I've been sick since Saturday morning, but that hasn't deterred me from training. I hit record on the camera.)

Matthew Engel: "You're wrong, Jamie. You proposed a good theory about how you slid your way into the Intercontinental Title scene, using me and our 'grudge' as a means to propel yourself to the top of this upcoming event. Yes, that is one perspective, for the close-minded. All in all, it was my decision to let you step into the ring with me this Friday. It was my decision to put the Intercontinental Title on the line. It was my decision that you're still in one piece."

(My voice feels deeper than usual, and my sickness is apparent. Damn allergies.)

Matthew Engel:"I could have easily told you to fuck off, and you'd be no where. You'd probably be stuck in one of those tag matches at the beginning of the card, or worse...yet, because I have allowed you, you're near the top and you're fighting for an important title. You believe because you have persuaded me with your useless attacks and hollow words, and suddenly... you've got me in the palm of your hands. Please, keep thinking that.

I'll let you in on a little secret.

There is nobody else.

The fact you came back from the dead and challenged me at A Farewell to Arms was just great timing on your part. You snuck in at the appropriate time. I'm on the rise, and disputably one of the best wrestlers in the PWA right now. You used a grudge from damn near four months ago to make people believe you deserve a match against me, and because I have the Intercontinental Title, I should put it on the line. It's all a wonderful tale, Jamie, but that's not why I accepted your challenge.

There is nobody else.

Corey Lazarus? Been there, done that. He's old news. Nightmare? He's off in la-la land trying to win himself a tag title. The Phoenix? He got lucky last week, and now he'll officially be retired this week. There's nobody else, Jamie, and when you came back to the PWA, I knew that moment we would be fighting at A Farewell to Arms. I knew my Intercontinental Title would be on the line. I knew that my match would once again overshadow the main event, because I had an equal across the ring from me. A fierce competitor, one driven on ego and exceptional skill -- like me.

I never accepted your challenge because of your petty attacks and a former grudge. I used you. I believe you to be an equal of mine, and possibly one of maybe two wrestlers that could potentially be better than me. And now I'm using that to ensure my match is one to be remembered, and when I put you down for the one, two, three, it will only solidify why I am one of the greatest wrestlers today."

(I let out a cough.)

Matthew Engel:"Now that you know the actual truth, and the reasons behind why I even gave you the time of day... you'll realize that you never had me in the palms of your hands. I am not your bitch. And I am in control.

Glory. That is what I'm fighting for, Jamie. I could care less about lost causes, damaged goods, and dramatic finishes. I am fighting for one thing and one thing only: glory. You're all that's left. There isn't one person in Pioneer Wrestling that you can point to and say he would definitely beat Matthew Engel. But, when people point to you, Jamie, they aren't sure. I can't say that I like that.

People point to you and say 'Maybe, just maybe this man could take Matthew Engel off his pedestal. Maybe he could take his Intercontinental Title. Maybe he could knock him off his path of greatness.' I can't wait to prove everyone wrong this week. See, I actually have something to prove this week. I've never faced you in the ring, and nobody knows who's going to win. Everyone knows we will put on the greatest match this side of the PWA. But, besides you and me, nobody has a clue about who's going to win.

And I love these kinds of opportunities. I love to prove my dominance even further, and add more and more reasons to why I am simply the greatest spectacle to watch. There is a reason Darren chose me to lead the Masters, and it wasn't to cash in on royalties."

(Another cough. Where's the damn Dayquil?)

Matthew Engel:"Do you think it's accidental or coincidence that you haven't received proper punishment yet for your actions against us? Do you think I've simply forgotten what you've done? I know you were just playing a role, Jamie, to keep the crowd guessing. But, I knew exactly what you were all about. I knew you were trying to use me to alleviate yourself to a higher status, a status you couldn't achieve prior to your near death.

But the thing is, like I said, it was I that was using you. I'm using you to give myself the competition I need, to give myself the chance to show just how dominate the Masters really are. Who have I conquered? Where's the fear? Don't ask such stupid questions.

I have conquered everyone, Jamie. Where have you been? Oh... that's right.

The fear? Good grief. Is it fear or strategy that makes you, Corey, Nightmare, and whoever else attack us in numbers? I don't peg you intelligent enough for strategy, so I'll leave that to fear.

When we do it, it's strategy. It's to make a point. When you do it, and get a band of retarded brothers together, it's simply out of fear. You're rebelling, and you're not obeying your masters. You're doing that out of fear, the fear of assimilation. I can't blame you, I used to be in that very same boat. You fear our dominance, Jamie, so you get whoever you can together to try and stop us. But, here's the kicker: we haven't gone anywhere, and we never will. I don't need you to be my Merrix, or Twilight. I'll find one no matter what. This month, it's you. Next month, it might be someone else. It might be the World Champion.

That's domination. Sure, those men had great wars, and the history between them will live forever. But, we're not about sticking it to one person constantly, or a certain group of people. We will show everyone just how dominant we are, even if we have to do it one by one. You made yourself the victim this month, and I was happy to oblige.

All for the sake of trying to be the hero. No, wait, that's just for pretend, right? You're here for the gold and the spotlight. Just like everyone else."

(I finish off my glass of water.)

Matthew Engel:"See, what separates me from you, and the rest of you, is that I have a purpose. I'm here, doing the best that I can, to show everyone the true dominance of the Masters. Its true potential hasn't been seen yet, but I imagine it will when I hoist the World Title in the air. I may be going after the same thing you are, Jamie; gold and spotlight, but I'm doing it for more than just myself. I'm doing it for the organization. I'm bringing glory to the Masters, and it started with the Intercontinental Title. It will end with the World Title. It's already been written, Jamie. You're simply a chapter in my book. Once again, you were used to fill in space.

But you go on some rant about how I've been manipulated by everyone. Ridel, Corey. Corey got the best of me and my family? You have been out of the loop for that long, haven't you? Corey didn't get the best of anybody, except an unsuspecting Lex Demise when he finally managed to win the PWA World Title, something that had escaped his grasp many times before. He lost it a month later to Mark McNasty, who got the best of him. And yet, you forget to mention that I pinned Corey -- something he has never done to me -- in the beginning of April. So, for your whole 'tied' bit...you're absolutely wrong.

Like I said, he's old news. He had his chance in the main event, and lost it. When I get my chance, I won't be relinquishing it that easy.

And I won't be relinquishing my title that easy, either.

You can try to take it away. You can try your damnedest, but I've already proven that I deserve this title when I beat one of the more impressive wrestlers here in the PWA. And I'm going to prove to you why I deserve the World Title when I destroy you at A Farewell to Arms. Mark, or God forbid should Phoenix win, Phoenix... they're simply holding onto it for me.

You never made this match happen. I did. You'd be a fool to think differently. You think because you surprised everyone by coming back from the essentially dead, and made some petty attacks on me, that you slithered your way into this match? No. I told you, the moment you returned, the match was set. I knew you were the answer to an important question.

'Who could take me past my limits and make my first title defense one to remember?'

You were the answer. I'm using you for glory, Jamie. And I'll have every fucking bit of it."

(A cold stare.)

Matthew Engel:"I won't sit here and say I haven't felt regret all these months about what happened to you. But, I really don't believe you can blame me for everything that happened. Yes, I was quick to attack you, but you haven't felt paranoia like that, especially when you think your wife has been kidnapped. We could talk about the would-haves and the could-have-beens... but ultimately, that happened for a reason. Maybe for this moment right here.

But fuck you, Jamie. Fuck you. It wasn't my fault the MoA involved you in their plot. It wasn't my fault you got in the middle of everything. If it hadn't have been you that was my tag partner, it would've been somebody else. You were just there. And, you blame me for your misfortune.

And in a twisted turn of events, I have become the very thing that almost killed you four months ago.

Sigh.

On second thought, save your bullshit for the daytime soap operas."

(What would it have been like if I never wrestled? I always wonder what twists and turns my life would've made had I not become a professional wrestler. Boring, I'm sure.)

Matthew Engel:"I guess that's another that separates us. You're living for now, I'm living for the future. You want your quick turn to glory and spotlight, meanwhile I'm taking the long and tumultuous road. I suppose the only real question is if we'll make it. The answer is awaiting us on Friday.

I do not forgive.

I do not forget.

MoA. Supreme."

(fade.)