Match: The Crowning Tournament
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Event: The Crowning: Epic Homecoming
Date: Sunday, March 23rd, 2008
Belt: All Singles Gold On The Line
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Coming Full Circle.

It seems that is the feeling held by many as we prepare for the return of Da Epic. I feel the sameway but at the same time I find it funny. For just a few months ago I sold my apartment in Toronto and moved down to Miami Florida, because I wanted a change of pace and I needed to challenge myself in new ways. Which is exactly what I’ve done and it seems since the day I moved down to Miami with Robyn, things have been going none stop. Whether it be the time Reno and I spend in UWF as the Tag Team Champions, to our most recent stint in Underground X. Where currently I am the Uncensored Champion, let me not forget to mention the hours I’ve put it helping Reno out at his wrestling school.

Then there’s most certainly the business side outside of the wrestling ring. Which of course is my newly opened Tattoo shop – fittingly named Trendsetter Ink. Then to top it all off I recently bought the mansion located next door to Reno’s. We’ve only been living here for a couple weeks now (Robyn and I that is.) and already I had started to settle into the Floridian way of life. Of course like most things just when it seems like smooth sailing you hit a rough patch.

You get word that perhaps the biggest wrestling organization in North America is opening up again, and when you hear news like that there’s only one thing you can do – sign on the dotted line and once again be a part of something that is Epic.

So once again I find myself heading to Toronto... not to live anymore but to compete. Somehow it just seems like the full circle has happend and I'm right back to where it all began.

“AJ?” I hear from behind me as Robyn comes out onto the large balcony with typical Florida design schemes, with concrete spindles that are topped by a concrete railing of sorts.

“So what do you think of these paint colors.“ She asks holding up about four different paint chips that all look relatively the same to me, but as I learned last time with totally different colors mind you … that the options she is showing me sets at a time are nothing a like.

“They look great. Should warm the room up nicely” I give the reply I’ve heard from flipping by a couple design shows on the TV. I attempted to say it convincingly as possible, and if I weren’t wearing sunglasses, I’m sure she would have seen my eyes roll. For the reality I really couldn’t care what color she picks for the bedroom, because there’s only two things I’m interested in doing in the bedroom, and neither one of those have anything to do with what color are on the walls.

“Isn’t that the same thing you said when I showed you the other options?” She says with a look of frustration on her face. "Could you at least try to be serious about this … " her hand lands on her hip, Great, that’s just what I need the hand on the hip, now you done it stare.

Taking the paint chips from her hand, I take the time to actually look them over “Alright… fine, seriously – the colors do look great. But I think that orangish-brown one would work best.” I said to her as I handed back the paint chips, I still couldn’t careless but I just figured I’d give her a real answer so maybe I could get a few days without having to talk about the possible paint colors for the bedroom anymore.

“So you mean Fall harvest…” Robyn cocks her eyebrow after asking me.

“Well, if Fall Harvest is the orangish-brown one then ya I mean Fall Harvest…” I say with a smirk as she sticks her tongue out at me prior to giving me a little playful smile… which lets me know two things, one I’m not in any kind of trouble and two she played me on that one to get a real response.,.. but I wasn’t too worried about it, perhaps on a different day I might be playful and try to one up her but on this week fun and games were the furthest thing from my mind.

I’ve taken some small steps in building up what I hope will turn into a personal empire and in doing so I’ve gotten a small taste of the Goodlife… but as great as things are going for me it’s still missing one thing.

One thing, that everyone wants… and that is the eWo Championship, and I have envisioned the picture perfect ending and I won’t let anything get in my way, to stop my dream of becoming the champion.

For holding that championship, would truly equate to having the Good life.

The crowning a perfectly named pay per view and a great way to showcase just why the Epic is the best promotion around, one night, three titles … and ten men all trying to make a huge impact. Now I’m sure most of the competitors in this tournament look at it that there are three possible belts to win, but for me I’m not interested in any of the championships accept the World’s Championship. See the other belts that are up for grabs in this tournament are similar to other belts I have held in the past sure, there somewhat important but in the grand scheme of things, they are nothing but consolation prizes. It’s something I’m not interested in, because for too long in my last stint in eWo I worried about being a good worker and pretending like holding those lower championships was good enough. It wasn’t though, and to be perfectly honest, it seemed like I was being held back before in eWo. I proved time and time again I should have been the main event guy, but for some reason I was always over looked. Maybe it was because Cody Clark figured he had to be harder on me so the boys in the back didn’t think he was playing favorites with the other members of the Clast. I’m not really sure and to be honest I don’t care, because the fact of the matter is, everyone that has seen what I bring to the table knows that I am one of the best ever and it’s time for me to take what should have been mine before and that is the eWo championship. Like it or not as great as other were before – everyone in that Thunderdome, fans and wrestlers alike know that I am pretty much the greatest competitor that hasn’t won the eWo championship. Simply put, I’m the uncrowned champion and at the crowing I’m coming to claim that which sooner then later prior to eWo closing would have became mine anyway.

See I’ve learned something thus far in my career and that is despite never winning a world championship that I am not by any means stuck below the glass ceiling. Despite not getting a world title, I have still proven that I am one of the best this business has ever seen and that I’m not some slouch. Not only that but realistically I’ve just been wrestling a little over my first year as a pro now and I’m already one of the highest sought after talents, so that alone says something. It tells me that despite all the former champions in this tournament they aren’t the only ones that stand a chance. In fact I would even go as far as saying that all those former champions aren’t as hungry as I am to be a World Champion. They have had there time in the sun and now it’s time for me to get my time in the sun as the top guy in this business, so whether I be placed against friend, foe or indifferent in this tournament I will not rest until I become the World Champion.

So first off I’ll speak about Freddy Castro, the man who I face in the first round? I mean seriously what the hell is this? Freddy Castro … I mean really man, I sorta remember you vaguely from eWo last time … you were that jobber right? I think hell I dunno, and to be honest since I’ve only heard of people with talent – and your name doesn’t seem to ring a bell, it just goes to show me that this match will be a cakewalk. I mean I tried to find out more about you, so I checked out your stats and all and to be honest I was less then impressed. It seems painfully obvious to me that you don’t have anything to bring to the match that I even have to worry about. Simply put man, I hope you set your sites on the freedom belt because with you getting the unlucky task of facing me in the first round, you’ll be lucky if you even can make it to the freedom title match. Now I’m not saying that because it sounds good … I’m saying that because it’s the absolute truth, in fact I’d even go so far as to say there would be more of a fight put up by a cardboard cut out then your going to be able to produce. See Castro, you might think you’re the shit and that you’ll do well in this tournament but everybody around here knows that you don’t stand a chance in getting anything more then a loss in the first round, and what happens to you from there, nobody will care, the only thing that will matter is who advances on, getting closer to the world title match. That being said, incase you haven’t been following I’ll tell you exactly what that means, it means that people will be paying attention to me and following what I do as I move on in the tournament. While you simply go back to jobberville, after you choke, That’s all you have to look forward to – because that’s just the way it is.

Then there’s Paul Herring a man who seems to think that he’s going to be the Epic Monarch. That’s all find and dandy Paul, I don’t think anyone really gives a damn about a guy whose biggest claim to fame is that his family name is known and therefore he figures things should be handed to him. Just like how it’s been his entire life, but the fact remains that it’s not about what your family name has done it’s about what you can do and to be honest, we’ve all seen your kind before a bunch of self hyping jackasses that think just because they’ve got a known name that it’s going to make them a someone. It doesn’t work that way though Paul, see guys like myself who have got to be the best have got here on hard work and ability not based on a name or a gimmick of being some sort of new king. I mean really if your so revolutionary then why the hell are you stuck behind a gimmick that has been re-hashed more times in the wrestling business, then people have made fun of Paris Hilton? I’d like to sit here and pretend that I’ll see you at somepoint in the tournament but I just don’t see that happening because to be totally honest I don’t think you have the skill to beat someone the likes of Anthony Booth. However if by some stroke of luck you get past Booth and we do somehow meet in a match in the second round, I’ll be sure to show you exactly what happens to some arrogant self hyped bitch that believes he’s all that. I’ll out shine you, out wrestle you and show you up so badly that even your family will be embarrassed that you carry their name. Perhaps after that, they would disown you out of shame and then what would you do? Choke on that Silver Spoon that’s been in your mouth since birth, no doubt. Come to think of it though, that silver is the closest thing you’re getting to important gold on that night. I mean aside from maybe the Freedom championship but that’s a jobber belt anyway so it would be fitting for you. Normally you Monarch types like to have pinkies up … well to you I put up a different finger. (If you guessed it’s the middle one you’re correct) What have you won you ask? – You’ve won a ass kicking courtesy of the Trendsetter – that is if you make it pass the first round. Which isn’t bloody likely.

Following with the theme of things that aren’t likely that is the possibility of the KillBilly getting past the first round, I mean I don’t know whether to kick your ass, or point you to the AA meetings I mean seriously. The fact that you somehow managed to get a contract in eWo is a joke, saying you don’t belong here is an understatement. The only thing I can imagine you’d be here for is to clean the toilets and play janitor or something… because the thought of you actually wrestling sickens me. This is where the Epic wrestlers compete – this isn’t some sideshow attraction, where just anyone should be allowed to compete, I mean we’re not about using cheap gimmicks and retarded people hitting each other with anything that’s not bolted down. Or having tobacco spitting contests, see Bob I’m not about to stand here and even pretend that some inbreed hick, is the right caliber to be here in the eWo. I think you got your directions mixed up … you might be looking for Evolution wrestling – I hear they take anyone they can get. I can’t believe I even have to talk about this … this better be a joke… because if it isn’t then it’s sad to see what eWo is becoming this time around. IF I happen to see you in that ring, you can bet your ass that I’m going to put you out of the eWo for good, because you are a disgrace to this business and you have no business stepping up to face someone of my caliber, sure I doubt you’ll make it far enough to face me in that ring but if you do, I will take you out of commission once and for all and when I break your neck with the faceplant, and people ask me why. I’ll simply tell them, I did it for Da Epic. Who am I kidding though? … Reno’s gonna kill you chump, because that’s just the way it is.

Now Reno, you know that you and I are boys, your like a brother too me, but I’m gonna say this right now, that if you and I end up in that ring against one another I’m not going to hold back. You might be my bro, but when the chance at the World Title is on the line I’m going to do anything I have to in order to advance. So Reno, I really hope that we don’t meet because as I must respectfully say I don’t want to show you up. Now don’t get angry bro, I’m just stating the facts… check our records, clearly you know who the star of this team is… I mean last time in eWo as great as you are your record was less then stellar, where as I shined. Sure it would be a classic match … but I would kinda feel bad showing you up…. No offence. Anyway I’ll see you in the tournament or maybe I won’t... na I'm just kidding bro... so you don't need to have me whacked. Seriously though goodluck and if we face off my the best man win.

Speaking of things that I might not see, I have never seen any of this Jack Darling guy but I heard he was pretty good in LWA. Though in retrospect doesn’t mean much of anything since the LWA wasn’t around very long last time, so when the roster is as thin as it must have been, people that are just mediocre might have been considered great, but to be honest I’m not at all confident that if you and I met in this tournament that anything short of me winning would happen. For you see ever since the day I started to wrestle pro I have been one of the best, and that is something that even the boys in the back will agree with whether they are friends or foes, hell even legends a like have said I’ve got that something special Jack, Which isn’t something that’s thrown around very often by the caliber of people who have said they see something in me. So Jack, you can go around and be a professional bastard all you want because as important as you think that makes you. It doesn’t mean a thing to me, and if for some reason we wind up in the ring together at the sametime I’ll show you exactly why that is. See Jack, you might be happy that you think of yourself as a big deal in LWA but what you don’t get is this is the Epic. This isn’t LWA, as good as that place was it’s no eWo and in eWo I have proven myself to be one of the best. Come to think of it I have proven to be one of the best everywhere I’ve been … can you say the same I didn’t think so. Then again why would you … you seem content being thought of as a bastard … me I’m more content calling myself champion and come The Crowning you’ll see exactly why, and it has more to do with then just my determination.

Ah yes determination, that is one quality I remember well in Anthony Booth, a man who I would like to face in the second round, only because I remember the one battle we had. IT was great, since we are both two of the best up and coming stars, and I’m more then happy to do it again, if for no other reason, then to beat you again and prove that as great as you are Booth, you are still only the caliber of the former Valor level. That is where you excel and unfortunately for you that is as far as you’ll make it – you just aren’t world title caliber man, and you and I both know that. Sure we have similar styles but me I do it better then you, I’m always the guy that has been further along then you, and sure you might be a big star like me someday but right now, I’m ahead of you and by the time this tournament is over I can guarantee you that I will make it much further then you. For I have the talent the ability and most importantly I have all the skill in the world, and when it’s a big match situation I always want the ball and the final chance with the lights on bright. I thrive under pressure and unlike you, I don’t need to rely on someone like you do. All the things you have accomplished have been done while you use James Dean as a crutch but without him you never had that same fire … sure your good when you have that crutch but without it your still just a midcarder. You were a great champion on that level, so don’t be at all upset when I force you back to that level, while I move on to the bigger and better things, as I try to claim that which is rightfully mine, the eWo championship.

The championship that one man has held for the longest time on two separate occasions – of course I’m talking about Legend… Anthony Johns. A man who I know deep down I can beat, for the one chance I had at the World Championship back in BwF was against him and while he came out on top, I stood toe to toe with him right up to the end. Now sure he won but it took his most vicious finisher to make it happen, and even then it was a close call. Now I know you’ll never admit this Legend, because the only man you respect is yourself and that’s cool, but you know that deep down, you see some of you in me. You know that given the right shot I could become nearly as great as you are. I’ve nearly done it once and god willing at the Crowning I meet you in those finals because that would bring to a head a match I’ve been waiting for since we all left BwF to jump to eWo. This is my chance to claim a prize I’ve never held before and I’m not going to let it slip away. There’s no denying your great Legend, it would be stupid for me to try and tell you that, so I’m not going to even bother. All I know is that I’m more then willing to step into the ring again with you and do whatever it is I have to in order to become the World Champion. If that means having to take down god himself then that’s exactly what I’m going to do. Now Anthony don’t get it twisted, I may respect you as a wrestler but I am not afraid to take all you’ve got and more, I’ve done that before and I’m more then willing to do it again. However Legend, what happens when I finally beat you and show you that I’m become just as good as you? You know that thought has pop into your mind a couple of times, I know you won’t admit it, but still in the back of your mind you have to be wondering what happens you another man is finally great enough to stand right up there on the same level as you. Well that time has come and I am that man… I will not be denied this time, I’ve worked to long and too hard to become one of the best and now it’s time for me to take that final step. It will be very poetic though if I beat you in the finals wouldn’t it. IT would truly show the changing of the guard from what’s been the present view of greatness to what the future of greatness is. That future of greatness Anthony is none other then me, AJ Donavon. … Now if you don’t mind me saying my future looks beyond just bright… in fact it’s looking very golden.

Hmm speaking of things that are golden, I can’t help but think of Eric Banks the guy who is all about the bling and money… wow does that somehow mean you’ll be worth while in the wrestling business? I don’t think so, I mean really first off just because you like all those kind of things and are all about the money it doesn’t mean a damn thing. Half the people all this planet are trying to be all about the money, but in the end it doesn’t matter, I mean at the heart of it most who go around flaunting an excess of money, really don’t have as much as they’d like to think they do. As far as I am concerned you are just a jobber pretending to be something your not, and don’t think for one second that you and I will even meet in this tournament because your going to be gone in the first round. I mean you’re against legend… so it was nice of you to stop by. No matter what you’re going to choke… just like another athlete that had plenty of money… of course I’m referring to Shaq… I mean he had a flashy life style and flaunted it but when it was a big time situation he’d step to that foul line and everything would go to hell. In this your Shaq, and the tournament is your free throw line, the bottom line is this as cool as you think you are and as good as you might think you’ll do since you’ve got the money it won’t matter because money doesn’t buy talent Banks and Shaq never could hit a free throw and you’ll come up just like him after not only the first round but the second lower title round in the end you’ll end up oh for two. Now that you can bank on, in fact you can put that put where your money, or better yet take that fact and your money and shove it up your ass you poser.

All this talk about money though has brought me to my final point, and that is about a match that will damn sure be Money. As they like to say, and the match I’m talking about is one between myself and the one and only Kyle Cross. Now on a regular day I might come up with some humorous way of saying that Cross is an old fart or something like that. However this isn’t the time for stupid little jokes, because I know for a fact that you aren’t the guy to take lightly Kyle, see I’ve heard some of the stories from Cody Clark about you – I know how you feel about this business and I know how dedicated you are. Now some people might be angry that I’m not attempting to rip you a new one verbally but the fact remains, I have to respect not only what you have done is this business but there’s also a certain homeland pride in facing another Torontonian in the middle of the ring in the Thunderdome smack dab in the middle of our hometown. Where no doubt we will meet and as you said totally blow the roof right off that sum bitch. In all honesty I’m looking forward to that oppourtunity but I’m not hoping for it in the second round, for as great as that would be – I think it would be even better if it happened in the finals. I’m sure you would agree on that. Now Kyle I’m not going to bullshit you and say that your respect doesn’t mean something to me, because it does, and you have mine as well… despite the fact that as you remember that the Iconoclast stomped on both you and Clark at one point last year, but that was strictly business. It was nothing personal – however this respect, that is personal so for that I thank you. Now I know as well as you do, that just because that respect is there doesn’t mean we won’t damn near kill one another to accomplish the goal we both have, to be called the eWo World Champion. You’ve been a World champion before, but me I never have been, so as badly as you want this, I think I might just want it a little bit more. Now I’m not saying that you should hang up the boots because you can still go in that ring, however I do think and I say this in the most respectful way I can, I think your time as the top dog has passed. I truly believe that it is my time to step up and become the figurehead of a promotion as the World Champion, and I will do whatever I have to in order to make that happen. If the gods cooperate then we will face off in this tournament, I’m just sorry to say that I don’t think the outcome will be like you hope for. None the less – whatever happens win lose or draw, us to Canucks will leave it all in the ring. In fact I’m even willing to say despite not having the same views on this business, and lord knows we’ll probably never be friends, but despite all that, no matter what happens in this tournament… what do you say… loser buys the winner a nice cold Canadian made beer?