Post by Spencer Adams on Apr 29, 2018 0:07:17 GMT -5
Part 1: Monday
(4/23/18)
With the sounds of the arena growing quieter and Max Masked leaning on me and Andre’s shoulders for support, I use my free hand to wipe the sweat from my brow with a hand towel. As we enter the backstage area, our group is greeted by silence. Workers stand off to the side and try to avoid making eye contact. The first (and only) person to approach us is Shia with a mic in hand and a “better luck next time” expression on his face. He steps up to me and I quickly give the “okay” signal to my looming security tandem.
LK takes obvious offense, immediately stepping forward to confront Hollywood’s favorite Jew.
I step back between the two, trying to ease the tension the best I can.
Shia LaBeouf: Of course not..I was just wondering how the group was feeling after the debut. While I’m sure the result wasn’t what you all may have hoped for, it definitely showed the world how capable you all are as a unit.
Spencer: You’re interviewing #FightSmart right now, aren’t you?
Shia LaBeouf: Yeah?..
Spencer: You aren’t talking to Power Word: Kill, are you?
Shia LaBeouf: No..
Spencer: I think that just about says it all. I told everyone that from here on out, this is the group to watch. This whole Action Wrestling thing, this is ours now and your eagerness to talk to us right now..well it just proves my point, Shia.
Shia LaBeouf: Things are definitely looking up with the announcement that Clash 10 will see both you and Lincoln here fighting for championship gold. Any early jitters for you guys?
Spencer: Do we look shook up to you, man? We don’t get jitters, we’re the ones who cause them. This isn’t exactly a first rodeo. I think I speak for all of us when I say that we’re feeling damn good. Soon enough, LK will be handing out weekly mushroom stamps and this company’s top prize will be sitting pretty around my own waist. It’s really just a matter of time before we have a stranglehold on anything and everything of value this place has to offer. Now, if you’d excuse us...we’ve got arrangements to make.
As we walk down the hall towards the #FightSmart locker room, I see a frantic looking intern headed past us. I snap my fingers to get his attention.
Intern: Hey, what can I do for ya!
I smack the rectangular nameplate on the outside of the door before motioning for him to run along.
With my back turned to the hall now, I push into the room and allow the rest of my team to trail in as I shout back down where we came from.
Part 2: Tuesday
(4/24/18)
Ricky: So, why’d you wanna come try on suits anyway? Don’t you got enough of them already?
Spencer: I need something fresh.
I shoot my arms out sideways while looking out the shop window at the passing mall shoppers. The tailor helping me seems a bit on edge with Danny and Ricky standing behind me.
Ricky: What about Brooke and the other guys?
Spencer: I told them we’d meet them in Nashville.
Ricky: ...Would you mind if I went and grabbed some Auntie Anne’s? My stomach is howling right now, boss.
I hear a smack behind me as Danny’s hand connects with the back of Ricky’s head, causing him to call out in pain.
Danny: Control yourself, tubby.
Ricky stutters on his words a bit as he collects himself.
Spencer: Come on, man. You think I’m trying to look this good for a room full of reporters?
Ricky: I mea-
Spencer: No, this is for the Havoc Rumble.
Ricky: Wait, you’re gonna wrestle in a suit? Won’t that be sorta tricky?
I hear another smack as Ricky cries out once more.
Spencer: No, I won’t be competing in a suit. In fact, I won’t be competing at all. As the newly crowned AW Champion, I’ll be watching the match unfold as a ringside guest of honor.
Ricky: Pretty confident there..
Spencer: Ricky, this is me we’re talking about. This is happening and of course, the two of you will be right beside me as we watch the whole thing unfold.
Ricky: Really?
Spencer: Yeah.
Ricky: Should I get a new suit too then?
Danny: I don’t think there’s enough time to special order for your fatass and besides, you aren’t the one that’s going to be winning a belt anyways.
Ricky: Whatever..
Spencer: Really though, wear whatever you want. We just need to make sure that when that time comes, that the franchise player is properly protected. After all, you know there’s gonna be a target on my head when I climb to the top of the food chain.
Ricky: We’ll do what we have to, boss.
Spencer: That’s what I like to hear.
Tailor: Alright, Mr. Adams. I’ll give you a minute to feel this one out and you tell me what you think.
Spencer: Thank you.
BZZZZZ
I hear my phone vibrate on the small stool next to me. When I check the ID, I see that it comes up as unknown.
BZZZZ
My finger slides across the screen to answer as I distance myself from Ricky and Danny, keeping in mind the events that had taken place over the last couple months.
?: Spencer, it’s Erica.
Spencer: Whose phone are you calling from?
Erica: New number, accidentally dropped it off the back balcony last week.
Spencer: Shit, I’m sorry. I would’ve paid for it myself if I’d known.
Erica: It’s fine. It’s just been awhile, you know?
Spencer: Yeah..my bad.
Erica: Your nephew’s been asking about you.
Spencer: Oh yeah?
Erica: Yeah and he still watches all your matches, even that whole villain thing you seem to be doing doesn’t really phase him, still sees his uncle as a hero.
Spencer: Really?
Erica: Yeah. Speaking of, you doing okay?
Spencer: Yeah, I guess so.
Erica: It just doesn’t seem like you to act like that.
Spencer: It’s all just part of competition, don’t worry.
Erica: For real though, you gonna make time in that busy schedule to come visit?
I hadn’t been to Chicago since my training sessions with Dan and have been even more hesitant with what went down back in Salt Lake City, but being on the road this much really does create that sort of whole. I don’t care who you are, you will start to miss home and know that sooner or later, you’ll need to reconnect with those roots. For me, it’s everything that I am.
Spencer: How does next week sound?
Erica: Wait, really?
Spencer: I’ve got a world championship to win, but after that, I can’t really think of a more appropriate way to celebrate.
Erica: Sounds great! I’ll let Robbie know! Don’t forget to call mom either by the way when you get a chance.
Spencer: Will do. You guys take care of yourselves.
Danny: You good, man?
Tucking my phone back into my pocket, I see Ricky standing next to the tailor who awaits my attention.
Spencer: I’ll take it.
Tailor: Excellent! I’ll just have to finish up a couple of things here and we’ll have you on your way.
Ricky: What’s the plan now then?
Spencer: Nashville.
Part 3: Saturday
(4/28/18)
?: At this time, we will bring Spencer Adams out to field your questions. We ask that everyone limit themselves to one and that one person at a time speak.
I’m given a thumbs up by an ADub staffer to prompt me onto stage. Wearing an official #FightSmart tee and my soon to be official World Title on my shoulder, I move to a seat in the middle of the table. Ricky rushes to pull the chair out for me and as I plop down in front of the mic, I make sure to adjust a strategically placed bottle of Diet Mountain Dew so that the logo is facing the camera. Immediately, I’m met by a sea of raised hands.
Reporter #1: Interesting hardware. Care to tell us the story on that?
Spencer: I think it tells itself, yeah? This is the Action Wrestling Championship. It’s not as you’ve known it to this point. It’s better actually. I wanted to make sure that it was crafted in my image and made to properly represent the one who’s going to be holding it after Monday night. That thing is in serious need of some refreshing and I’m giving it that. I mean, you don’t expect me to carry around the same belt that my opponents have spent the last month and a half ruining, do you?
I take a moment to adjust the belt and look over it’s plating again.
Reporter #2: Following up on the championship, what exactly does it mean to Spencer Adams?
Spencer: This belt belongs to Spencer Adams and the city of Chicago. This white strap and these four stars, this is about us. Honestly, I don’t give a fuck what the rest of the world thinks. Me and my city, we’re one in that sense. I realized a long time ago that I wasn’t the hero that the rest of you wanted. Now, I carry myself just like Chicago does. The rest of you can turn your backs and point to me, point to us...we know what’s up at the end of the day. If you want to paint this as arrogance and villainy, then so be it. I’m used to it.
Reporter #3: Over here, Spencer!
Spencer: Yep.
Reporter #3: Anything you’d like to share from the scouting report on Deruty or Speede?
Spencer: I’m not trying to reveal my entire hand just yet, but my boy Danny was telling me earlier about Speede’s “other” contractual obligation this weekend, an opener against Jayson Price over in WCF. Kinda funny to me how your inaugural champ turns to the bottom of the barrel to try to keep his own relevance afloat after choking on that rematch against D-Day, even better that he thought a match against Jay fucking Price was the way to do it. I swear, competitors are just getting softer and softer these days. It’s like one little slip up and they go trying to compensate by strutting around the edge of the small pond.
As for Deruty, I’m not any more concerned with him either. Yeah, he got one over on me in week three, but this is a very different Action Wrestling now. Spencer Adams has turned heads ever since then. While I’ve continued to adapt, the approach has been pretty much the same and has paid off just fine for me. After Deruty’s initial failure, he had to change who he was at his core to position himself above that vanilla Howard Black look alike and for what, a two week title reign? I’m going to look like a god damn prophet when I’ve kicked D-Day out of the main event and he goes crawling back to the masses, begging for their forgiveness.
Reporter #4: Quick question, Mr. Adams.
Spencer: Go ahead.
Reporter #4: Where do you see #FightSmart going moving forward and also, what sort of impact do you see them having on this week’s main event?
Spencer: Our whole group is going straight to the top. My success is theirs and their success is mine. This will be our third week in the spotlight and we’ll walk out holding a third of what this company has to offer. Nobody else can say that sort of thing, because nobody else is capable of doing what we’re about to do to this company. #FightSmart is about to turn the damn thing upside down. We are to professional wrestling as the Ball family is to basketball or Kanye West is to the music world and that eats at each and every one of you.
It has to eat at Deruty and Speede too. You know that those two semi-pros are boiling over with envy at the fact that while they’ve been occupying that “main event”, they’ve still failed to make anywhere near the same impact on the industry that me and my camp have. They see where this is going and that’s why both men will slip up harder than ever Monday night. To this point, they’ve failed their at their jobs as world champions. I will not allow a world championship to be failed like that for the third consecutive time.
Reporter #5: Spencer.
Spencer: Goofy college kid.
Reporter #5: I...uh…
Spencer: Get on with it.
Reporter #5: If you win the championship-
Spencer: WHEN I win the championship.
Reporter #5: Sorry, uh...when you win the championship, who do you hope to face in the main event of Evolution?
Spencer: You like look a Jared. I’m gonna call you Jared, okay?
The awkward, twenty something youth gives me an uncomfortable half smile and an unsure nod as I cross both feet and lay them out across the table in front of me.
Reporter #6: Any member of your group in particular you’d point to as a favorite to walk out of the Havoc Rumble with that championship opportunity?
Spencer: Does it really matter? Lincoln, Brooke, Max. That’s your final three. It just won’t be any other way, because WE won’t let it and nobody has the numbers to tell us otherwise. Everyone will try to tell you that it’s every man and woman for his and her self in matches like this. Those people are idiots with no friends. We know it doesn’t have to be that way and it won’t be that way. Clash ten is about us, Havoc Rumble is about us, Evolution is about us! Every fucking show and every facet of this world...is about us. Next question.
Reporter #7: How do you see the ongoing rivalry between Roy and Donald playing out in this one?
Spencer: For me, it’s great. I only have one focus this week and that’s a world championship. I’ll rip Speede and Day to shreds if I have to, I don’t care what it takes. That is what I care about right now. As for those two, their focus isn’t Spencer Adams and that’s an issue. While I’m winning my first world title in North America, these two morons are still going to be busy with that little Ross and Rachel dynamic they have blossoming. I love that they’ll be inevitably fixated on one another like this is some kind of grudge match. Let them go ahead and do that. They’ll end up with nothing and I’ll walk away with everything.
Reporter #8: How big of a factor do you think individual experience is going to be?
Spencer: We’ve each got our fair share of total matches under our belts. That part isn’t really what matters though. I’m the one who is the generational talent. Going off what I just told the last guy, it’s the ADub experiences that is the real story here. I’ve been here making my mark and will settle for nothing less than taking over as the biggest franchise player that this company and industry has ever seen. That’s been my mission from the beginning, to take over Action Wrestling specifically and single handedly change the landscape of this federation and make it the best promotion in wrestling history.
I reach for the Diet Mountain Dew in front of me and unscrew the cap, taking a swig and clearly showing my dislike for the shit beverage.
Reporter #9: Right here, Spence.
Spencer: You're not my friend. You don’t get to call me that.
Reporter #9: My apologies..
Spencer: What’s the question?
Reporter #9: I was just wondering if there are any final thoughts you have ahead of the big night is all.
Spencer: Just that all of you in this room need to remember this moment, because I saw the looks on your faces when I came in here. You think I’m arrogant for showing up here with this championship prior to the match happening, I can tell. That’s fine though. This isn’t just a statement to fuck with Speede or Deruty, it’s a promise. These things don’t come cheap and I’m fine with that, because I know the end result here. This is the moment I’ve been preparing for my entire career. It’s not just some title match, it’s the crowning of a new era. Deruty and Speede have both taken those spots for granted this far. Deruty is sitting in my throne and I’m coming to take it from him. End of story.
I stand up from my chair and hoist the championship in the air, allowing the press another look as I speak up away from the mic.
Part 4: Monday
(4/30/18)
Danny: Gold nameplate! That’s what I’m fucking talkin’ about!
I smirk as I look up at the new, golden #FightSmart on our locker room door.
Spencer: Getting promos in. They should be here in a bit.
I look down the hall near Gorilla where a couple of the 201 guys are talking to a member of the production team before turning my attention to a poster to my left with D-Day’s face and “Clash X” plaster across the middle of it. Both my eyes shut as a I take a deep breath, thinking once again about taking the title from him in the most important match of my career.
Ricky: So..are we going in then?..
Spencer: Could you guys give me a bit actually?
Ricky: Uh...sure.
Spencer: I’ll be out in a minute.
As Danny and Ricky turn to stand guard, I reach for the door handle and make my way inside. With my bag and championship in hand, I immediately look to my locker and pull out my phone. After a few more steps toward my spot, I drop my things off on the bench and hit dial. The result is exactly as I imagined it would be.
Hey, this is Dan. Can’t come to the phone right now. Leave your name and number and I’ll get back to you when I can.
My gaze shoots back down at the title as I listen for the beep.
Hesitation fills my fingertips and I know I can’t hang up. Not yet. Even if this is a dead man I’m talking to, I still need to do it.
A knot forms in my throat as I look back at the doorway.
I won’t hear back from him and that’s okay, but a small part of me likes to think that when I’m standing in that ring at the end of the night with my arm raised, he’s one of the people that sees it happen.