UNLEASHED 2010: TV TITLE: Karl "The Dragon" Brown (c) vs. Donovan Astros
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EpyonMarx
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Re: UNLEASHED 2010: TV TITLE: Karl "The Dragon" Brown (c) vs. Donovan Astros
[FADE IN. Freshly showered and dressed in a brown overcoat, plain scarf and black jeans against the unseasonably cold British weather, the EPW TV champion is standing outside of a primary school, hands in his pockets and collar turned up. While there’s some white on top of the old stone wall, it looks more like ice than snow, and you can imagine that if a bird were to try and land on it, they’d skid and fall off. We can hear the sound of children playing in the playground, though the sound is a little muffled because of the chill]
Karl: We never seem to winter well over here. Everything kind of grinds to a halt when the first snows hit and you’d swear if you were a tourist that we Brits have never seen snow before. Gatwick was closed for two days so I had to push back the appearance at this school a bit, but that’s life. Things happen that we don’t expect – but that’s what makes life so interesting.
And right now, my life is looking very, very interesting. Christmas is around the corner and I’ve got a Christmas special rock show to plan, but first up? Donovan Astros gets his well deserved shot at the TV title.
Yes, Donovan, I said well deserved. Not only did you pin me, you’ve been on a real tear since debuting in Empire Pro, and I can respect that. I can also respect that you would make a great addition to the history of this belt and have the potential to make the television title as important as the World Title, or more so. I certainly wouldn’t begrudge you becoming champion.
But… if you think things will go down the same way at Unleashed as they did on Aggression, you’ll sadly have me thinking I’ve overestimated you. Because while you have potential, and you have experience – until you take the title from me, you’re the one with the mountain to climb.
It’s what I’m planning on telling the kids here today. You don’t say “I’m great” and leave it at that. You don’t claim in advance you’re definitely going to do something, even if you’re one hundred per cent sure you’re going to do it, because the chances are still good that you’ll fail. If you are that sure you’re going to succeed, if you’re that blinkered – something will happen and you’ll be thrown a curveball. Something that you’ll miss and if you’re not careful – you’ll slip up.
I know. I’ve had enough curveballs thrown at me that I know at least once, you won’t be able to change track fast enough. If you’re lucky, and I’ve had more than my fair share of luck, you’ll come out on top, but it’s not something to bank on.
Why am I telling you this, Donovan? To be honest with you, why not? You’re never too old to learn, and I’m not so young as to have nothing to say. Do I expect you to pay attention? If I’m honest, no. I don’t expect anything from you. You could put up a great fight. You could beat me. You could pull a Sebastian Dodd and leave me facing someone I haven’t planned for on the night. Only time will tell.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m heading inside. Not only do we Brits not winter well, we always seem to forget how cold it can get… or cold for us, at any rate. I’m sure the Scandinavians and Canadians have anti-freeze for blood…
[Brown turns, rounding the corner as we FADE OUT]
[FADE IN. Freshly showered and dressed in a brown overcoat, plain scarf and black jeans against the unseasonably cold British weather, the EPW TV champion is standing outside of a primary school, hands in his pockets and collar turned up. While there’s some white on top of the old stone wall, it looks more like ice than snow, and you can imagine that if a bird were to try and land on it, they’d skid and fall off. We can hear the sound of children playing in the playground, though the sound is a little muffled because of the chill]
Karl: We never seem to winter well over here. Everything kind of grinds to a halt when the first snows hit and you’d swear if you were a tourist that we Brits have never seen snow before. Gatwick was closed for two days so I had to push back the appearance at this school a bit, but that’s life. Things happen that we don’t expect – but that’s what makes life so interesting.
And right now, my life is looking very, very interesting. Christmas is around the corner and I’ve got a Christmas special rock show to plan, but first up? Donovan Astros gets his well deserved shot at the TV title.
Yes, Donovan, I said well deserved. Not only did you pin me, you’ve been on a real tear since debuting in Empire Pro, and I can respect that. I can also respect that you would make a great addition to the history of this belt and have the potential to make the television title as important as the World Title, or more so. I certainly wouldn’t begrudge you becoming champion.
But… if you think things will go down the same way at Unleashed as they did on Aggression, you’ll sadly have me thinking I’ve overestimated you. Because while you have potential, and you have experience – until you take the title from me, you’re the one with the mountain to climb.
It’s what I’m planning on telling the kids here today. You don’t say “I’m great” and leave it at that. You don’t claim in advance you’re definitely going to do something, even if you’re one hundred per cent sure you’re going to do it, because the chances are still good that you’ll fail. If you are that sure you’re going to succeed, if you’re that blinkered – something will happen and you’ll be thrown a curveball. Something that you’ll miss and if you’re not careful – you’ll slip up.
I know. I’ve had enough curveballs thrown at me that I know at least once, you won’t be able to change track fast enough. If you’re lucky, and I’ve had more than my fair share of luck, you’ll come out on top, but it’s not something to bank on.
Why am I telling you this, Donovan? To be honest with you, why not? You’re never too old to learn, and I’m not so young as to have nothing to say. Do I expect you to pay attention? If I’m honest, no. I don’t expect anything from you. You could put up a great fight. You could beat me. You could pull a Sebastian Dodd and leave me facing someone I haven’t planned for on the night. Only time will tell.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m heading inside. Not only do we Brits not winter well, we always seem to forget how cold it can get… or cold for us, at any rate. I’m sure the Scandinavians and Canadians have anti-freeze for blood…
[Brown turns, rounding the corner as we FADE OUT]
Re: UNLEASHED 2010: TV TITLE: Karl "The Dragon" Brown (c) vs. Donovan Astros
Outside the Ryman Auditorium, EPW's cameras find (and isn't that awkward, how they always find wrestlers here or there? Were they lost?) Donovan Astros taking in the sights and sounds of Nashville en route to Unleashed 2010.
ASTROS: Ahh, Nashville. Music City. Unleashed 2010 and Donovan Astros is going in... not on a high note, cause Stalker decided to take a few liberties with yours truly to send a message to the EPW World Champion. And what kinda message is that, Stalker? You think hitting me with a chair, stomping me down, you think that means anything to anyone but me? And why, Stalker, cause you couldn't beat the greatest wrestler on God's green Earth? You couldn't play by Stalker's Rules and beat me around with chairs, weapons... and you found yourself wanting? It's no shame, Stalker, a lot of men have come up on the losing end of the stick to Donovan Astros over my career and some of them were big babies like you! The next time you wanna send a message, Stalker, the next time you need to get The First's attention, why don't you look somewhere else... cause just maybe, Stalker, I'm gonna send a message through you.
Astros laughs.
ASTROS: But not at Unleashed. Not in Nashville because opportunity awaits the Worldwide Astrocide! In front of a capacity crowd, I'm gonna step into the ring with Karl Brown for the third time in the past couple months, and this time it'll be for the EPW Television Championship! Karl Brown, you remember the last time we hooked up, I had a little fun at your expense for enjoying the 'finer' things in life. You might have taken me a little lightly, some brash newcomer stepping into EPW, but in the end, it wasn't some big coup de grace. It wasn't some finishing move that put you away... no, no, no, Karl, it was a simple rollup. Simple wrestling acumen. And from the sound of things, you don't necessarily think it was a fluke, either. I know it wasn't. I outwrestled you on Aggression.
A wry smile crosses Astros's face.
ASTROS: So tell me, Karl, why is it going to be different at Unleashed? You're a man of honor, you're stepping out to teach Britain's schoolchildren before they grow up to be rioters. I don't think you're going to try and walk away from this match and talke the easy way out like Stalker. So how's it going to be different? Were you only going at eighty percent against me at Aggression? Am I going to see the real Dragon at Unleashed? Actually, no, for the benefit of all of us and all your friends over there across the pond, please don't unleash your Dragon. Let's just have a wrestling match.
Astros smirks.
ASTROS: Now Karl, I know you say I still have a mountain to climb, and you're right. You're the champion. I have to beat you. But you know what, Karl? I can say I'm great. And I don't ever leave it at that. I've never left it at that, anywhere I've gone in this sport... I go out there and prove it. I tell the truth, I tell people I'm gonna do something, then I make it happen. Don't just think I could put up a great fight, Karl, I will. Don't just think I could beat you, because it isn't some distant possibility. Two shows ago, it was reality... a reality I'm more than happy to make happen again. And it won't take luck to beat you, Karl, it'll take what's in here. I didn't get lucky beating you before, and I sure as hell won't have you or anyone calling it a lucky break when I do it again and take your Television Title and strap it around my waist.
ASTROS: So Karl, I'm gonna bring my climbing boots to Unleashed, but I'm also bringing the Slingshot Effect and the Martyr's Cross. And I'll prove to you, Dragon, that some people... just are great.
Astros smiles wide as we fade out.
Outside the Ryman Auditorium, EPW's cameras find (and isn't that awkward, how they always find wrestlers here or there? Were they lost?) Donovan Astros taking in the sights and sounds of Nashville en route to Unleashed 2010.
ASTROS: Ahh, Nashville. Music City. Unleashed 2010 and Donovan Astros is going in... not on a high note, cause Stalker decided to take a few liberties with yours truly to send a message to the EPW World Champion. And what kinda message is that, Stalker? You think hitting me with a chair, stomping me down, you think that means anything to anyone but me? And why, Stalker, cause you couldn't beat the greatest wrestler on God's green Earth? You couldn't play by Stalker's Rules and beat me around with chairs, weapons... and you found yourself wanting? It's no shame, Stalker, a lot of men have come up on the losing end of the stick to Donovan Astros over my career and some of them were big babies like you! The next time you wanna send a message, Stalker, the next time you need to get The First's attention, why don't you look somewhere else... cause just maybe, Stalker, I'm gonna send a message through you.
Astros laughs.
ASTROS: But not at Unleashed. Not in Nashville because opportunity awaits the Worldwide Astrocide! In front of a capacity crowd, I'm gonna step into the ring with Karl Brown for the third time in the past couple months, and this time it'll be for the EPW Television Championship! Karl Brown, you remember the last time we hooked up, I had a little fun at your expense for enjoying the 'finer' things in life. You might have taken me a little lightly, some brash newcomer stepping into EPW, but in the end, it wasn't some big coup de grace. It wasn't some finishing move that put you away... no, no, no, Karl, it was a simple rollup. Simple wrestling acumen. And from the sound of things, you don't necessarily think it was a fluke, either. I know it wasn't. I outwrestled you on Aggression.
A wry smile crosses Astros's face.
ASTROS: So tell me, Karl, why is it going to be different at Unleashed? You're a man of honor, you're stepping out to teach Britain's schoolchildren before they grow up to be rioters. I don't think you're going to try and walk away from this match and talke the easy way out like Stalker. So how's it going to be different? Were you only going at eighty percent against me at Aggression? Am I going to see the real Dragon at Unleashed? Actually, no, for the benefit of all of us and all your friends over there across the pond, please don't unleash your Dragon. Let's just have a wrestling match.
Astros smirks.
ASTROS: Now Karl, I know you say I still have a mountain to climb, and you're right. You're the champion. I have to beat you. But you know what, Karl? I can say I'm great. And I don't ever leave it at that. I've never left it at that, anywhere I've gone in this sport... I go out there and prove it. I tell the truth, I tell people I'm gonna do something, then I make it happen. Don't just think I could put up a great fight, Karl, I will. Don't just think I could beat you, because it isn't some distant possibility. Two shows ago, it was reality... a reality I'm more than happy to make happen again. And it won't take luck to beat you, Karl, it'll take what's in here. I didn't get lucky beating you before, and I sure as hell won't have you or anyone calling it a lucky break when I do it again and take your Television Title and strap it around my waist.
ASTROS: So Karl, I'm gonna bring my climbing boots to Unleashed, but I'm also bringing the Slingshot Effect and the Martyr's Cross. And I'll prove to you, Dragon, that some people... just are great.
Astros smiles wide as we fade out.
EpyonMarx
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Re: UNLEASHED 2010: TV TITLE: Karl "The Dragon" Brown (c) vs. Donovan Astros
OoC Note: The first part of this RP is a transcript of the video below, just in case you can't see the video or don't want to watch it. I hope you enjoy it
(SCENE: Diner. SFX: Background noise.)
(SFX: Mobile phone ringing. Rock track)
(SFX: Phone being answered)
KARL: Hey! How’s it going, you don’t normally call me.
(beat)
Yeah, well, I’ve been busy.
(beat)
Yes, still doing bits of radio work. I’ve also been hitting the indie scene again. It’s been pretty fun. Anyway, what’re you calling about? How’s the teaching?
(long beat)
Well you know how kids can be.
(beat)
Rather you than me. But seriously, what’re you calling about?
(beat)
Donovan Astros? Yeah, I know I’m facing him at Unleashed for the title. It’s going to be a good match.
(beat)
Well, there is that. Honestly, though, I’m looking forward to it. I really didn’t think he’d be able to reverse the Bite into a small package.
(beat)
You’re as bad as Neely.
(beat)
Yeah? Donovan’s talking? No, I haven’t seen it yet. The tapes don’t get sent over here any more, I have to download them and I’ve been a little busy with interviews and getting the word out over here about Unleashed. The ratings may be good in the States but in the UK (interrupted)
No, of course I don’t want to know what Donovan said. I’ll watch the tape later.
(beat)
No, I’m not under-estimating him. I just don’t care to hear it from someone else. Besides, I’ve been around long enough to be able to guess the kinds of things he’s said. Mostly how he’s going to win, how it’s his time, probably something about having already beaten me. The usual kinds of things.
(beat)
Listen, whatever I say, whatever Donovan says, it’s meaningless once the bell rings. This isn’t some kind of debate or creative writing hobby. It’s real life, it’s real wrestling. Donovan could paint himself as the baddest man on the planet before hand, and his history could be the longest and greatest the sport’s ever seen but anything can happen.
(beat)
Yes, like him twisting his ankle climbing the steps. Don’t laugh, I’ve seen stranger things than twisted ankles. Someone knocked themselves out trying to get in the ring once. Yes I’m serious!
(beat)
No, no. I’m not saying he’s going to do that. But if you close yourself off to possibilities, you’re going to get shocked more often than not. The more possibilities you close yourself off to the more opportunities you’ll miss and the more times you’ll miss your goal.
(beat)
I know I sound preachy. That’s just how I am. But hey, at least I make sense.
(beat)
(laughs) Yes, unlike Erik Black.
(beat)
Hm? Of course I saw that. I live over here. Yeah, I know it looked bad. I don’t condone what happened but you know how it goes when the police decide to start hemming people in. And you can’t generalise like that. It’s like standing at a train station and seeing someone who’s… 6 feet tall coming through the turnstile, then 20 minutes later seeing someone 4 feet coming through and ignoring all the other people you may’ve seen in the meantime concluding that the human race is shrinking at such an alarming rate we’re going to be the size of a grain of sand within a week.
(beat)
No, not like Donovan’s brain.
(beat)
No, I wouldn’t say it’s smaller than a grain of sand. I made that joke once when you were around (interrupted)
OK, maybe more than once. But still, I don’t think Donovan’s going to be easy. I don’t think he’s an idiot. If he’s the same guy he was last time we stepped into the ring he’s overconfident.
(beat)
Yes, I know. I hope he thinks he’s going to win. I don’t mind that. But like I said, if that’s all he’s open to, if deep down there’s not even a sliver of a sense he might lose, then he’s going to be leaving Unleashed without the TV title and with a lot of egg on his face.
(beat)
You’ve only just noticed I’m in a restaurant? Took you long enough. No, no, I’m just having a cup of tea while I’m doing some paperwork. Got an interview in Reading later… Berkshire… no reason why you should know where it is, you’ve only been to Britain once.
(beat)
Ok, ok. Well… thanks. Of course I’ll be careful. Donovan’s a dangerous opponent, and I may lose, but if that happens you know I’ll have done everything I can in the ring. I hope Donovan can say the same when he loses though. OK, I’ll call you when I get to the States. Sounds good. Bye.
(SFX: sound of call being ended)
(sigh)
(END)
[FADE IN. We ZOOM PAST a rock face to find the TV champion is sitting in a candle-lit cave. We can hear the wind outside the cave blowing, while “The Dragon” sits with his back against the cave wall. There are several candles casting a flickering light about the cave, and while it’s not too bright you don’t have to strain too hard to make out the wrestler’s features]
Karl: You’ve heard what I was thinking yesterday, and today having downloaded and watched the tape, I can safely say that I was right about Donovan. He’s said he’s the greatest on the planet. That it’s going to go the same way as last time. He’s implied that I might not have taken him as seriously as I should. He’s closed himself off to the vast possibilities and is focusing on just the one – where he walks away with the win – and is blinkered.
Pity. I was hoping for something original, something different. I don’t know, maybe I was hoping he’d realise that what happened at Aggression happened at Aggression, and has no relevance for Unleashed. I remember a few years back, a former TV and Intercontinental champion said he and I were going to tear the house down with a match on Aggression, based on our classic matches before-hand – and the match if I’m honest was poor to watch. It was great for me since I was able to see how far I’d come from the man who lost in the first Intercontinental Title match, but as a spectacle it left a lot to be desired.
Why’m I mentioned Adam Benjamin? Because it makes the point. He crowed about how we were going to tear the house down and put on a clinic, and he was so focused on that one thing that he made a simple error, and the match was over. He saw history, and missed the present.
That’s what you’re doing, Donovan. Yes, you beat me at Aggression. Congratulations. I said straight after that you deserved it, that on the night – that one night – you were better in the ring than I was. However, don’t fall into the trap of thinking that because you’ve done it once, you’ll do it again. I beat Troy Douglas once, and couldn’t again the next two, four matches we had together. One win against me doesn’t mean you’re any closer to another one at Unleashed. You may win – but the only certainty in life is death. Wins and losses are far from certain.
So, what makes me think I’m going to win, hm? I couldn’t beat you at Aggression, why now?
Because Unleashed is another day. I know there are some people out there who probably think that since I had time for a cup of tea, I’m taking you lightly. Before you get that idea in your head, Donovan, let me talk you through something. The phone call lasted about five minutes – and I was just recording my thoughts over coffee before an interview – and the entire interview plus travel was about three hours. Take eight hours of sleep into account, and that’s thirteen hours left in which to prepare for this title defence. And that’s just in one day. I can assure you, Donovan, that I’m not taking you lightly.
And it’s because I’m not taking you lightly that I’m more confident about walking out of Unleashed with the same Television Title I walked in with. In the past I’ve trained more, worked harder, but this time… well, I don’t need to train as hard as I used to. I’m training with a lot more intelligence, and I know not to expect anything in this match.
It sounds strange, doesn’t it? Being confident of the win without expecting to win? How can I say that?
[He smirks]
Karl: How can Donovan say he’s going to beat me?
No, I guess I should probably explain. You see, for some people, success means following a very narrow path. To walk with blinkers on and avoid distractions. Being so focused on something does have benefits – you don’t get distracted from your goal. But – and here’s why I can be confident of winning without expecting to win and without expecting to lose – you miss the bigger things. And those bigger things include the unexpected.
That’s what I mean by me not expecting to win. Because I’m not expecting anything from Donovan, he’s going to find it harder to surprise me. Because I know that anything could happen, I’m more ready for anything to happen.
How can put this… that’s still sounding confusing. I know that Donovan could win. I know that I could win. I know that Donovan could fall over the ring steps. I know there’s an almost infinite number of possibilities out there. And I’m not focused on any single one of them. I’m not going into the ring with a rigid game plan but with a far more flexible one.
Donovan? Well, saying he’s going to win is all well and good, but if that’s his only option – to win – he’ll miss something. And if he misses just one thing
[“The Dragon” snaps off a backhand to the cave wall, punching a hole into the seemingly solid rock! As he takes his hand away, we see behind a white-washed wall a few centimetres behind the ‘rock face’, with a cavity between the two. The sound of the wind also cuts out]
Karl: Like the split second on the way in where you could have glimpsed a boom mic shadow… you’ll be in for a surprise.
Keep the possibilities in mind, Donovan. You may have beaten me at Aggression – and it wasn’t luck – but if winning is the only option in your mind, you’ll find that one win is the only one you’ll get over me.
[FADE OUT]
OoC Note: The first part of this RP is a transcript of the video below, just in case you can't see the video or don't want to watch it. I hope you enjoy it
(SCENE: Diner. SFX: Background noise.)
(SFX: Mobile phone ringing. Rock track)
(SFX: Phone being answered)
KARL: Hey! How’s it going, you don’t normally call me.
(beat)
Yeah, well, I’ve been busy.
(beat)
Yes, still doing bits of radio work. I’ve also been hitting the indie scene again. It’s been pretty fun. Anyway, what’re you calling about? How’s the teaching?
(long beat)
Well you know how kids can be.
(beat)
Rather you than me. But seriously, what’re you calling about?
(beat)
Donovan Astros? Yeah, I know I’m facing him at Unleashed for the title. It’s going to be a good match.
(beat)
Well, there is that. Honestly, though, I’m looking forward to it. I really didn’t think he’d be able to reverse the Bite into a small package.
(beat)
You’re as bad as Neely.
(beat)
Yeah? Donovan’s talking? No, I haven’t seen it yet. The tapes don’t get sent over here any more, I have to download them and I’ve been a little busy with interviews and getting the word out over here about Unleashed. The ratings may be good in the States but in the UK (interrupted)
No, of course I don’t want to know what Donovan said. I’ll watch the tape later.
(beat)
No, I’m not under-estimating him. I just don’t care to hear it from someone else. Besides, I’ve been around long enough to be able to guess the kinds of things he’s said. Mostly how he’s going to win, how it’s his time, probably something about having already beaten me. The usual kinds of things.
(beat)
Listen, whatever I say, whatever Donovan says, it’s meaningless once the bell rings. This isn’t some kind of debate or creative writing hobby. It’s real life, it’s real wrestling. Donovan could paint himself as the baddest man on the planet before hand, and his history could be the longest and greatest the sport’s ever seen but anything can happen.
(beat)
Yes, like him twisting his ankle climbing the steps. Don’t laugh, I’ve seen stranger things than twisted ankles. Someone knocked themselves out trying to get in the ring once. Yes I’m serious!
(beat)
No, no. I’m not saying he’s going to do that. But if you close yourself off to possibilities, you’re going to get shocked more often than not. The more possibilities you close yourself off to the more opportunities you’ll miss and the more times you’ll miss your goal.
(beat)
I know I sound preachy. That’s just how I am. But hey, at least I make sense.
(beat)
(laughs) Yes, unlike Erik Black.
(beat)
Hm? Of course I saw that. I live over here. Yeah, I know it looked bad. I don’t condone what happened but you know how it goes when the police decide to start hemming people in. And you can’t generalise like that. It’s like standing at a train station and seeing someone who’s… 6 feet tall coming through the turnstile, then 20 minutes later seeing someone 4 feet coming through and ignoring all the other people you may’ve seen in the meantime concluding that the human race is shrinking at such an alarming rate we’re going to be the size of a grain of sand within a week.
(beat)
No, not like Donovan’s brain.
(beat)
No, I wouldn’t say it’s smaller than a grain of sand. I made that joke once when you were around (interrupted)
OK, maybe more than once. But still, I don’t think Donovan’s going to be easy. I don’t think he’s an idiot. If he’s the same guy he was last time we stepped into the ring he’s overconfident.
(beat)
Yes, I know. I hope he thinks he’s going to win. I don’t mind that. But like I said, if that’s all he’s open to, if deep down there’s not even a sliver of a sense he might lose, then he’s going to be leaving Unleashed without the TV title and with a lot of egg on his face.
(beat)
You’ve only just noticed I’m in a restaurant? Took you long enough. No, no, I’m just having a cup of tea while I’m doing some paperwork. Got an interview in Reading later… Berkshire… no reason why you should know where it is, you’ve only been to Britain once.
(beat)
Ok, ok. Well… thanks. Of course I’ll be careful. Donovan’s a dangerous opponent, and I may lose, but if that happens you know I’ll have done everything I can in the ring. I hope Donovan can say the same when he loses though. OK, I’ll call you when I get to the States. Sounds good. Bye.
(SFX: sound of call being ended)
(sigh)
(END)
[FADE IN. We ZOOM PAST a rock face to find the TV champion is sitting in a candle-lit cave. We can hear the wind outside the cave blowing, while “The Dragon” sits with his back against the cave wall. There are several candles casting a flickering light about the cave, and while it’s not too bright you don’t have to strain too hard to make out the wrestler’s features]
Karl: You’ve heard what I was thinking yesterday, and today having downloaded and watched the tape, I can safely say that I was right about Donovan. He’s said he’s the greatest on the planet. That it’s going to go the same way as last time. He’s implied that I might not have taken him as seriously as I should. He’s closed himself off to the vast possibilities and is focusing on just the one – where he walks away with the win – and is blinkered.
Pity. I was hoping for something original, something different. I don’t know, maybe I was hoping he’d realise that what happened at Aggression happened at Aggression, and has no relevance for Unleashed. I remember a few years back, a former TV and Intercontinental champion said he and I were going to tear the house down with a match on Aggression, based on our classic matches before-hand – and the match if I’m honest was poor to watch. It was great for me since I was able to see how far I’d come from the man who lost in the first Intercontinental Title match, but as a spectacle it left a lot to be desired.
Why’m I mentioned Adam Benjamin? Because it makes the point. He crowed about how we were going to tear the house down and put on a clinic, and he was so focused on that one thing that he made a simple error, and the match was over. He saw history, and missed the present.
That’s what you’re doing, Donovan. Yes, you beat me at Aggression. Congratulations. I said straight after that you deserved it, that on the night – that one night – you were better in the ring than I was. However, don’t fall into the trap of thinking that because you’ve done it once, you’ll do it again. I beat Troy Douglas once, and couldn’t again the next two, four matches we had together. One win against me doesn’t mean you’re any closer to another one at Unleashed. You may win – but the only certainty in life is death. Wins and losses are far from certain.
So, what makes me think I’m going to win, hm? I couldn’t beat you at Aggression, why now?
Because Unleashed is another day. I know there are some people out there who probably think that since I had time for a cup of tea, I’m taking you lightly. Before you get that idea in your head, Donovan, let me talk you through something. The phone call lasted about five minutes – and I was just recording my thoughts over coffee before an interview – and the entire interview plus travel was about three hours. Take eight hours of sleep into account, and that’s thirteen hours left in which to prepare for this title defence. And that’s just in one day. I can assure you, Donovan, that I’m not taking you lightly.
And it’s because I’m not taking you lightly that I’m more confident about walking out of Unleashed with the same Television Title I walked in with. In the past I’ve trained more, worked harder, but this time… well, I don’t need to train as hard as I used to. I’m training with a lot more intelligence, and I know not to expect anything in this match.
It sounds strange, doesn’t it? Being confident of the win without expecting to win? How can I say that?
[He smirks]
Karl: How can Donovan say he’s going to beat me?
No, I guess I should probably explain. You see, for some people, success means following a very narrow path. To walk with blinkers on and avoid distractions. Being so focused on something does have benefits – you don’t get distracted from your goal. But – and here’s why I can be confident of winning without expecting to win and without expecting to lose – you miss the bigger things. And those bigger things include the unexpected.
That’s what I mean by me not expecting to win. Because I’m not expecting anything from Donovan, he’s going to find it harder to surprise me. Because I know that anything could happen, I’m more ready for anything to happen.
How can put this… that’s still sounding confusing. I know that Donovan could win. I know that I could win. I know that Donovan could fall over the ring steps. I know there’s an almost infinite number of possibilities out there. And I’m not focused on any single one of them. I’m not going into the ring with a rigid game plan but with a far more flexible one.
Donovan? Well, saying he’s going to win is all well and good, but if that’s his only option – to win – he’ll miss something. And if he misses just one thing
[“The Dragon” snaps off a backhand to the cave wall, punching a hole into the seemingly solid rock! As he takes his hand away, we see behind a white-washed wall a few centimetres behind the ‘rock face’, with a cavity between the two. The sound of the wind also cuts out]
Karl: Like the split second on the way in where you could have glimpsed a boom mic shadow… you’ll be in for a surprise.
Keep the possibilities in mind, Donovan. You may have beaten me at Aggression – and it wasn’t luck – but if winning is the only option in your mind, you’ll find that one win is the only one you’ll get over me.
[FADE OUT]
Re: UNLEASHED 2010: TV TITLE: Karl "The Dragon" Brown (c) vs. Donovan Astros
Sitting at a desk in what is presumably one of the more upscale hotels in Nashville, Donovan Astros is fiddling with a Rubik's Cube of all things. He's barely paying attention to the camera pointed right at him as he spins faces on the cube, looking more and more frustrated.
ASTROS: I don't get it.
Astros still hasn't looked up at the camera.
ASTROS: I don't get what you expect from me, Karl. Do you expect me to prostrate myself in front of you? All hail Karl Brown, the Dragon, the EPW Television Champion! Unbeatable! Unstoppable!
Finally, Astros sets the Rubik's Cube down on the table and looks up. The frustration has turned to disgust.
ASTROS: Unlistenable. For *BLEEP*'s sake, Karl, the last thing we need to hear on EPW's airwaves is you talking to one of your smartass friends! It's like stepping into a Sominex commercial, your voice is so soothing and tranquil! A ******* cure for insomnia you are, Dragon! And for what? To tell me that from one statement, you know everything there is to know about Donovan Astros? Maybe you should still with the radio career there, pal!
Astros picks the cube back up, fiddling with it as he looks down at the camera.
ASTROS: I've heard the stories about guys that play the game the Karl Brown way. Respect the top dogs here, don't step on any toes, and you'll do just fine. You won't make an impact, and in six months, you'll be let go for the next hot prospect through the doors, but you'll do fine! I'm not the next hot prospect, though, Karl. I've been busting my ass for over a decade to get to a place like EPW. And you better believe that while I respect the hell out of guys like Sean Stevens, The First, Anarky, Shawn Hart, if I get to step in the ring with them, I'm not gonna spend every minute of my time talking about how it's just a victory to get in the ring with them and how I won't be disappointed if I lose, cause that's a giant load of bull*BLEEP*. I came here to succeed! I came here to be a champion, not settle for second best! And for you to think for one minute that I'd settle? That I'd be OK with failure. It's a shame, Karl, because I do respect your talent... but the person? A little bit less and less every day.
The cube is becoming more and more solved as Astros talks.
ASTROS: This is how it is. I go to the gym. I work out. I train. I watch tape of you, Karl. I've run through our last match a dozen times, looking for weak points in both our games. But you know what? No one out there in TV Land wants to hear about that. They don't wanna see me doing squats, or running ropes, or running back and forth through where I slipped out of the Dragon's Bite and rolled you up. Even if that part is awesome. You know what they want to hear, Karl? They wanna hear about how I'm gonna beat you and how you're gonna beat me. And the fact that you haven't been able to string three sentences together without talkin' about how I should just once consider the possibility of losing to you without talking about why anyone should believe a *BLEEP*ing word you say about how you're gonna be me... you know what that tells me, Karl?
Astros makes one last turn on the cube and throws it down on the table, completed. The face that's facing the camera has "KARL BROWN" written on it.
ASTROS: That tells me you haven't cracked the puzzle yet. You haven't figured out how to beat me. No one has in EPW yet. I haven't been pinned. Haven't been made to submit. And at Unleashed, it won't be any different. Might I lose to Karl Brown? Sure, stranger things have happened. We've had the DEA arrest two people on live television. I just might knock myself out coming out to the ring. But unlike you, unlike someone who dwells on the past and dwells on names like Adam Benjamin, Troy Douglas, and every other fossil you can dig up... unlike you, Karl, this is the present and Donovan Astros is the future! So you dwell on the corner cases, the what ifs, the maybes of the world, and I'll look at doing everything I need to do to become the EPW Television Champion.
Astros turns to get up from the desk.
ASTROS: Solve the puzzle, Karl, or fall like everyone else.
The camera zooms in on Karl Brown's name as we fade out.
Sitting at a desk in what is presumably one of the more upscale hotels in Nashville, Donovan Astros is fiddling with a Rubik's Cube of all things. He's barely paying attention to the camera pointed right at him as he spins faces on the cube, looking more and more frustrated.
ASTROS: I don't get it.
Astros still hasn't looked up at the camera.
ASTROS: I don't get what you expect from me, Karl. Do you expect me to prostrate myself in front of you? All hail Karl Brown, the Dragon, the EPW Television Champion! Unbeatable! Unstoppable!
Finally, Astros sets the Rubik's Cube down on the table and looks up. The frustration has turned to disgust.
ASTROS: Unlistenable. For *BLEEP*'s sake, Karl, the last thing we need to hear on EPW's airwaves is you talking to one of your smartass friends! It's like stepping into a Sominex commercial, your voice is so soothing and tranquil! A ******* cure for insomnia you are, Dragon! And for what? To tell me that from one statement, you know everything there is to know about Donovan Astros? Maybe you should still with the radio career there, pal!
Astros picks the cube back up, fiddling with it as he looks down at the camera.
ASTROS: I've heard the stories about guys that play the game the Karl Brown way. Respect the top dogs here, don't step on any toes, and you'll do just fine. You won't make an impact, and in six months, you'll be let go for the next hot prospect through the doors, but you'll do fine! I'm not the next hot prospect, though, Karl. I've been busting my ass for over a decade to get to a place like EPW. And you better believe that while I respect the hell out of guys like Sean Stevens, The First, Anarky, Shawn Hart, if I get to step in the ring with them, I'm not gonna spend every minute of my time talking about how it's just a victory to get in the ring with them and how I won't be disappointed if I lose, cause that's a giant load of bull*BLEEP*. I came here to succeed! I came here to be a champion, not settle for second best! And for you to think for one minute that I'd settle? That I'd be OK with failure. It's a shame, Karl, because I do respect your talent... but the person? A little bit less and less every day.
The cube is becoming more and more solved as Astros talks.
ASTROS: This is how it is. I go to the gym. I work out. I train. I watch tape of you, Karl. I've run through our last match a dozen times, looking for weak points in both our games. But you know what? No one out there in TV Land wants to hear about that. They don't wanna see me doing squats, or running ropes, or running back and forth through where I slipped out of the Dragon's Bite and rolled you up. Even if that part is awesome. You know what they want to hear, Karl? They wanna hear about how I'm gonna beat you and how you're gonna beat me. And the fact that you haven't been able to string three sentences together without talkin' about how I should just once consider the possibility of losing to you without talking about why anyone should believe a *BLEEP*ing word you say about how you're gonna be me... you know what that tells me, Karl?
Astros makes one last turn on the cube and throws it down on the table, completed. The face that's facing the camera has "KARL BROWN" written on it.
ASTROS: That tells me you haven't cracked the puzzle yet. You haven't figured out how to beat me. No one has in EPW yet. I haven't been pinned. Haven't been made to submit. And at Unleashed, it won't be any different. Might I lose to Karl Brown? Sure, stranger things have happened. We've had the DEA arrest two people on live television. I just might knock myself out coming out to the ring. But unlike you, unlike someone who dwells on the past and dwells on names like Adam Benjamin, Troy Douglas, and every other fossil you can dig up... unlike you, Karl, this is the present and Donovan Astros is the future! So you dwell on the corner cases, the what ifs, the maybes of the world, and I'll look at doing everything I need to do to become the EPW Television Champion.
Astros turns to get up from the desk.
ASTROS: Solve the puzzle, Karl, or fall like everyone else.
The camera zooms in on Karl Brown's name as we fade out.