One for the History Books: A Champion's Legacy
Nov 7, 2021 14:02:07 GMT -5
Downfall, Max f'n Daemon, and 1 more like this
Post by Teo Blaze on Nov 7, 2021 14:02:07 GMT -5
“You know, I think you and I are destined to do this forever.”
As the scene comes into focus, the viewer is greeted by a strange sight- the area is obscured by the darkness of the night and yet subtle details force their way into focus. The ground is covered by what appears to be freshly cut grass, wetted slightly with evening dew. But without a clear light source, a light fog-like mist settles in the air. The silence of nature is haunting when undisturbed.
But silence rarely lasts, and within moments, the distinct sound of footsteps can be heard crunching in the wet grass. Deliberate footsteps, carrying with them the purpose that can only come from a man with a singular goal in mind. And as the silhouette approaches through the mist, the familiar sound of footsteps is matched by an equally familiar voice.
“You know, Kyle, I won’t mince words. You and I have history. Hell, we’ve made history. We were the very first Trios Tournament Champions in Action Wrestling. You’re welcome for the invitation, by the way.
We’ve been enemies, we’ve been friends, we’ve been rivals pretty much since we started this whole crazy game. They say there’s no certainty in this business, but you and I? We may just well prove them wrong. Because Kyle, we will be fighting until one of us stops drawing breath. Even when we’re not targeting each other, we are pulled into each other’s orbit. Kind of crazy when you think about it.”
Teo smiles, and even despite the darkness, the glint in his rose-colored glasses flashes just as brightly as ever.
“And do you know what that means, Kyle? It means that I’ve got the best shot of taking you out of this tournament. When anyone else on this roster looks at you? They see a thief, a man who drove a dagger into the heart of his own following for the sake of his own ego. A man who struck from the darkness to etch his name onto the lineage of the greatest prize in our sport. They see the gold, the accolades. But they smell your weakness. They know that you’re struggling, that Dandy has planted landmines that might launch them into contention if they can pin the world champion.
They see the belt.
I see the man.”
With that, Teo claps his hands, and all at once the darkness is vanquished as the screen is covered in blinding light! The contrast is so great as to be blinding, but as the scene adjusts, the location becomes revealed to the viewer- Teo is not standing in nature, although his feet are resting on grass, but is standing near home plate on Truist field, homefield of the World Champion Atlanta Braves. Teo looks around, his face revealing a smile as he holds out his hands, letting the viewer, and no doubt his opponent, put together the pieces in his mind.
“Have you ever heard the word homefield advantage, Kyle? I would hope so, given your sordid past. Oh, I know you’ve tried to cover it up since coming to AW, but I happen to remember that a certain minor league baseball player got himself banned from play for taking illegal bets on his team. Hell, you still name your finisher after that obsession.
This, Kyle. This is what you’ve been chasing, isn’t it? This is what you always wanted. Standing on home plate with a world series ring on your finger. You’ve always had that drive, that obsession, that fire in you.
And it is an obsession, let’s be clear. Since the day you walked in that door, not a moment has gone by that you didn’t want everyone to acknowledge you for being the best in the world. ‘I’m Kyle Kemp and I’m better than you’ was the phrase, wasn’t it?
But it was always a self-justifying phrase. You truly believe that you are better than everyone else. And that belief lets you justify everything. Do you remember, Kyle, when you were fighting Walter for the United States title? You seemed to genuinely come to terms with how many people you had hurt, how many people you had betrayed on your way to the top. I have to admit I even believed you when you expressed genuine regret for your actions, and who wouldn’t?
You did have a lot to apologize for.
But the moment things stopped going your way, the moment you were faced with any adversity, the moment you might have been forced to acknowledge there was someone better than you? That monster reared its ugly head again. That monster that has a grip on your heart stronger than you would ever admit.”
Teo shakes his head, walking towards home plate, where as the camera shifts the viewer now sees a wooden bat laying near the plate, and with that same wicked smile Teo slowly bends, retrieving the tool in his left hand. He feels the weight and balance, taking a practice swing as he continues speaking.
“Here’s the thing that you don’t want people to know, Kyle. A secret that you would sacrifice anything, anyone to protect. In fact, this is something that you might not even realize yourself.
You’re scared of the big leagues.
You need to be the best. You need people to know. You want every word out of every mouth to be a lavishing soliloquy describing how fantastic and wonderful Kyle Kemp is. It’s what motivates you, it’s what drives you. If you are not first, then you are last. And you know what? The way I’m describing it, you might even say there’s a purity to that motivation.
But here’s where we differ, Kyle. And this is why you and I will always differ.”
Teo turns into a batting stance, and as the camera turns behind him, the viewer can now identify a pitching machine placed squarely on home plate. Teo looks and speaks directly into the camera as he waits for the pitch.
“You have always been willing to sacrifice your humanity in the name of competition. You are willing to be the bad guy if it means, even for a fleeting instant, that you can be the best. That’s what you believe, it’s who you are. The ends justify the means for Kyle Kemp.
But Kyle, how much humanity can you have left? Let’s not split hairs, people have tried and failed to save your soul over and over again, you’ve been given second chance after second chance to break the cycle, there is good left in you, and every time you rediscover that humanity, it always makes you stronger than anything you’ve ever done on your own!”
Fastball over the plate! Teo turns, swinging his hips into a hard shot, but the leather of the ball just barely grazes the bottom of the bat, slamming into the foam behind him.
“Strike one. See, that’s where I made my first mistake. I saw the scared little boy trapped inside, saw the pressure put on him by everyone, and I assumed that was the real Kyle Kemp. A frightened child, a victim of circumstance. I assumed that all of the arrogance, all of the ego was a product of a misguided young man, corrupted by the likes of Beach Krew to bring out his worst tendencies.
I tried to coax out that Kyle Kemp, I tried to let him know that people did care about him, that people loved not because he was the best in the world, that they loved him for him. That Kyle Kemp is the one I won titles with, the one I could call my friend.
Swing and a miss. First chance that he got, that scared child swung a steel chair across my back. When I needed him most, he saw only a stepping stone. By planting his foot in my back he propelled himself just a little higher.”
Teo shakes his head, tapping the dirt off of his shoe with the bat as he considers the next pitch.
“Face facts, Kyle. You are nothing but a user. You use trust as a weapon and you do it with a smile on your face. But you know what? Fool me once..? I’m sure you know the rest.
But Kyle, as much as I would love to rub our past in your face, all the times that you barely stole wins from me off of the back of betrayal? How many times I delivered comeuppance? Let’s turn the clock forward. Let’s talk about Action Wrestling. Now I would have to be in complete denial to look you in the eye and tell you that I’m not impressed with your accolades. You’ve been here since Action Wrestling began and you’ve made your mark on its history.
But there’s more to a man than his accomplishments. Hell, going by belt numbers the Gents have won as many tag belts as you have singles titles. Do you know what I see when I look at Kyle Kemp in Action Wrestling? I see a man so obsessed with his own greatness that he spurned friends and allies alike in pursuit of that top prize. I see a man so incapable of operating with even the barest shred of human decency, that he ended the longest tag title reign in this company’s history by fighting his own partner for both belts.
Really stop and think about that dysfunction, Kyle. Think about how fu...think about how messed up you have to be for Dandy Goddamned Divito to not be able to put up with your crap. Dandy was actually willing to be friends with Sam Kidsgrove, arguably his greatest and most hated rival, rather than spend one more minute alongside you.
Do you start to get it yet, Kyle? Do you understand where I’m coming from yet? You are, and always be your own worst enemy. You will always sacrifice the long-term for the short-term. If you had just swallowed your damn pride, you and Divito would probably still be tag team champions right this second! But instead of your best friend, you ended up creating your own worst enemy. You thought you got the last laugh, but now look at where you are.”
Teo chuckles to himself, staring at the pitching machine as he goes back into a batter’s stance.
“Say what you want about me, Kyle. That I care too much. That I let my love for others get in the way of my own success. But you don’t win five tag titles with someone unless you genuinely understand what it means to care for someone more than you care for yourself.”
Low fastball now, and as Teo swings the bat, it comes within atoms of making a connection, and the rush of air from the strength of the swing can be seen as it stirs the blades of grass.
“Strike two, but I’m getting closer. I know on some level I’m not going to hurt you by appealing to your humanity. After all, you’ve been denying that part of yourself for what feels like years now. No, if I really want to strike at your heart, I can’t find it in the tag division. After all, you think you’re better than that.”
The smirk that comes across Teo’s face is dripping with sarcasm as he taps the bat against his shoes again.
“So, let’s ask ourselves, really. What does Kyle Kemp want? What drives you. Why do you insist that people acknowledge your greatness, what do you want out of it?
And Kyle, I think I have the answer. I think that I know what has motivated you from the moment you stepped onto the baseball field, into a wrestling ring, I know what you were thinking when you grabbed that steel chair and I know what you were thinking when you handed over that briefcase.
You were thinking about the history books. You were thinking about your legacy. You were thinking about how the name Kyle Kemp would be remembered. That, my former friend, is your obsession. It’s why you started and killed the Following, it’s why you turned on Dandy, it’s why you will always turn on and hurt everyone you think you care about.
And that, Kyle? That’s pretty damned funny. For all the words you have given me over the years, lambasting me for caring what people think about me, for changing from masks to glasses, reuniting the Gents? You Kyle Kemp, are no better than me. You care just as much about what the people think of you as I do. But the difference between us? I have never hidden from who I really am.”
Teo looks at the machine as his eyes narrow, going up into the batting stance one final time. He holds the pose, completely composed as the machine begins whirring.
“I’m not going to state any hyperbole, Kyle. I’m not going to talk about how this is the end for us, and I’m finally going to prove that I’m better than you ever were.
I have nothing to prove. The people know who I am. The people know that Teo Blaze is a fighter, a warrior, and a friend. They can trust me.
They can’t trust you. They can’t put their faith in you. They know that everything you have ever done, even your final climb to the world title, has been a shortcut. The Astros were world champions once too, Kyle. But what do you think people remember them for...the win? Or how they got it? Why do you think people were rooting for Atlanta this year?
And you know what? No one can take away your legacy as a world champion, Kyle.
A champion who lied, cheated, cost himself his partnership, and turned on his best friend for a fleeting moment in the spotlight. As one of the worst world champions in the history of this sport, and the man who traded everything that was ever given to him for a few fleeting moments of glory.
Oh yeah, nobody will ever take away that legacy.”
Fastball right down the plate! The ball flies so fast and hard that the leather is practically peeling away as Teo turns his hips and swings!
The contact is loud enough that it can be heard for miles, and as the camera whirls to keep up with the ball, it is clear within seconds that Teo has knocked it out of the park.
He smiles, holding his arms out and dropping the bat with a clunk as he turns towards the camera.
“Turmoil is about wrestler of the year, and not a single person in this company would ever call this the year of Kyle Kemp.
But when I’m done, maybe they’ll call it the year of the Gents.
I’ll leave it up to history.”
With that, Teo turns to begin rounding the bases as the camera slowly fades.
As the scene comes into focus, the viewer is greeted by a strange sight- the area is obscured by the darkness of the night and yet subtle details force their way into focus. The ground is covered by what appears to be freshly cut grass, wetted slightly with evening dew. But without a clear light source, a light fog-like mist settles in the air. The silence of nature is haunting when undisturbed.
But silence rarely lasts, and within moments, the distinct sound of footsteps can be heard crunching in the wet grass. Deliberate footsteps, carrying with them the purpose that can only come from a man with a singular goal in mind. And as the silhouette approaches through the mist, the familiar sound of footsteps is matched by an equally familiar voice.
“You know, Kyle, I won’t mince words. You and I have history. Hell, we’ve made history. We were the very first Trios Tournament Champions in Action Wrestling. You’re welcome for the invitation, by the way.
We’ve been enemies, we’ve been friends, we’ve been rivals pretty much since we started this whole crazy game. They say there’s no certainty in this business, but you and I? We may just well prove them wrong. Because Kyle, we will be fighting until one of us stops drawing breath. Even when we’re not targeting each other, we are pulled into each other’s orbit. Kind of crazy when you think about it.”
Teo smiles, and even despite the darkness, the glint in his rose-colored glasses flashes just as brightly as ever.
“And do you know what that means, Kyle? It means that I’ve got the best shot of taking you out of this tournament. When anyone else on this roster looks at you? They see a thief, a man who drove a dagger into the heart of his own following for the sake of his own ego. A man who struck from the darkness to etch his name onto the lineage of the greatest prize in our sport. They see the gold, the accolades. But they smell your weakness. They know that you’re struggling, that Dandy has planted landmines that might launch them into contention if they can pin the world champion.
They see the belt.
I see the man.”
With that, Teo claps his hands, and all at once the darkness is vanquished as the screen is covered in blinding light! The contrast is so great as to be blinding, but as the scene adjusts, the location becomes revealed to the viewer- Teo is not standing in nature, although his feet are resting on grass, but is standing near home plate on Truist field, homefield of the World Champion Atlanta Braves. Teo looks around, his face revealing a smile as he holds out his hands, letting the viewer, and no doubt his opponent, put together the pieces in his mind.
“Have you ever heard the word homefield advantage, Kyle? I would hope so, given your sordid past. Oh, I know you’ve tried to cover it up since coming to AW, but I happen to remember that a certain minor league baseball player got himself banned from play for taking illegal bets on his team. Hell, you still name your finisher after that obsession.
This, Kyle. This is what you’ve been chasing, isn’t it? This is what you always wanted. Standing on home plate with a world series ring on your finger. You’ve always had that drive, that obsession, that fire in you.
And it is an obsession, let’s be clear. Since the day you walked in that door, not a moment has gone by that you didn’t want everyone to acknowledge you for being the best in the world. ‘I’m Kyle Kemp and I’m better than you’ was the phrase, wasn’t it?
But it was always a self-justifying phrase. You truly believe that you are better than everyone else. And that belief lets you justify everything. Do you remember, Kyle, when you were fighting Walter for the United States title? You seemed to genuinely come to terms with how many people you had hurt, how many people you had betrayed on your way to the top. I have to admit I even believed you when you expressed genuine regret for your actions, and who wouldn’t?
You did have a lot to apologize for.
But the moment things stopped going your way, the moment you were faced with any adversity, the moment you might have been forced to acknowledge there was someone better than you? That monster reared its ugly head again. That monster that has a grip on your heart stronger than you would ever admit.”
Teo shakes his head, walking towards home plate, where as the camera shifts the viewer now sees a wooden bat laying near the plate, and with that same wicked smile Teo slowly bends, retrieving the tool in his left hand. He feels the weight and balance, taking a practice swing as he continues speaking.
“Here’s the thing that you don’t want people to know, Kyle. A secret that you would sacrifice anything, anyone to protect. In fact, this is something that you might not even realize yourself.
You’re scared of the big leagues.
You need to be the best. You need people to know. You want every word out of every mouth to be a lavishing soliloquy describing how fantastic and wonderful Kyle Kemp is. It’s what motivates you, it’s what drives you. If you are not first, then you are last. And you know what? The way I’m describing it, you might even say there’s a purity to that motivation.
But here’s where we differ, Kyle. And this is why you and I will always differ.”
Teo turns into a batting stance, and as the camera turns behind him, the viewer can now identify a pitching machine placed squarely on home plate. Teo looks and speaks directly into the camera as he waits for the pitch.
“You have always been willing to sacrifice your humanity in the name of competition. You are willing to be the bad guy if it means, even for a fleeting instant, that you can be the best. That’s what you believe, it’s who you are. The ends justify the means for Kyle Kemp.
But Kyle, how much humanity can you have left? Let’s not split hairs, people have tried and failed to save your soul over and over again, you’ve been given second chance after second chance to break the cycle, there is good left in you, and every time you rediscover that humanity, it always makes you stronger than anything you’ve ever done on your own!”
Fastball over the plate! Teo turns, swinging his hips into a hard shot, but the leather of the ball just barely grazes the bottom of the bat, slamming into the foam behind him.
“Strike one. See, that’s where I made my first mistake. I saw the scared little boy trapped inside, saw the pressure put on him by everyone, and I assumed that was the real Kyle Kemp. A frightened child, a victim of circumstance. I assumed that all of the arrogance, all of the ego was a product of a misguided young man, corrupted by the likes of Beach Krew to bring out his worst tendencies.
I tried to coax out that Kyle Kemp, I tried to let him know that people did care about him, that people loved not because he was the best in the world, that they loved him for him. That Kyle Kemp is the one I won titles with, the one I could call my friend.
Swing and a miss. First chance that he got, that scared child swung a steel chair across my back. When I needed him most, he saw only a stepping stone. By planting his foot in my back he propelled himself just a little higher.”
Teo shakes his head, tapping the dirt off of his shoe with the bat as he considers the next pitch.
“Face facts, Kyle. You are nothing but a user. You use trust as a weapon and you do it with a smile on your face. But you know what? Fool me once..? I’m sure you know the rest.
But Kyle, as much as I would love to rub our past in your face, all the times that you barely stole wins from me off of the back of betrayal? How many times I delivered comeuppance? Let’s turn the clock forward. Let’s talk about Action Wrestling. Now I would have to be in complete denial to look you in the eye and tell you that I’m not impressed with your accolades. You’ve been here since Action Wrestling began and you’ve made your mark on its history.
But there’s more to a man than his accomplishments. Hell, going by belt numbers the Gents have won as many tag belts as you have singles titles. Do you know what I see when I look at Kyle Kemp in Action Wrestling? I see a man so obsessed with his own greatness that he spurned friends and allies alike in pursuit of that top prize. I see a man so incapable of operating with even the barest shred of human decency, that he ended the longest tag title reign in this company’s history by fighting his own partner for both belts.
Really stop and think about that dysfunction, Kyle. Think about how fu...think about how messed up you have to be for Dandy Goddamned Divito to not be able to put up with your crap. Dandy was actually willing to be friends with Sam Kidsgrove, arguably his greatest and most hated rival, rather than spend one more minute alongside you.
Do you start to get it yet, Kyle? Do you understand where I’m coming from yet? You are, and always be your own worst enemy. You will always sacrifice the long-term for the short-term. If you had just swallowed your damn pride, you and Divito would probably still be tag team champions right this second! But instead of your best friend, you ended up creating your own worst enemy. You thought you got the last laugh, but now look at where you are.”
Teo chuckles to himself, staring at the pitching machine as he goes back into a batter’s stance.
“Say what you want about me, Kyle. That I care too much. That I let my love for others get in the way of my own success. But you don’t win five tag titles with someone unless you genuinely understand what it means to care for someone more than you care for yourself.”
Low fastball now, and as Teo swings the bat, it comes within atoms of making a connection, and the rush of air from the strength of the swing can be seen as it stirs the blades of grass.
“Strike two, but I’m getting closer. I know on some level I’m not going to hurt you by appealing to your humanity. After all, you’ve been denying that part of yourself for what feels like years now. No, if I really want to strike at your heart, I can’t find it in the tag division. After all, you think you’re better than that.”
The smirk that comes across Teo’s face is dripping with sarcasm as he taps the bat against his shoes again.
“So, let’s ask ourselves, really. What does Kyle Kemp want? What drives you. Why do you insist that people acknowledge your greatness, what do you want out of it?
And Kyle, I think I have the answer. I think that I know what has motivated you from the moment you stepped onto the baseball field, into a wrestling ring, I know what you were thinking when you grabbed that steel chair and I know what you were thinking when you handed over that briefcase.
You were thinking about the history books. You were thinking about your legacy. You were thinking about how the name Kyle Kemp would be remembered. That, my former friend, is your obsession. It’s why you started and killed the Following, it’s why you turned on Dandy, it’s why you will always turn on and hurt everyone you think you care about.
And that, Kyle? That’s pretty damned funny. For all the words you have given me over the years, lambasting me for caring what people think about me, for changing from masks to glasses, reuniting the Gents? You Kyle Kemp, are no better than me. You care just as much about what the people think of you as I do. But the difference between us? I have never hidden from who I really am.”
Teo looks at the machine as his eyes narrow, going up into the batting stance one final time. He holds the pose, completely composed as the machine begins whirring.
“I’m not going to state any hyperbole, Kyle. I’m not going to talk about how this is the end for us, and I’m finally going to prove that I’m better than you ever were.
I have nothing to prove. The people know who I am. The people know that Teo Blaze is a fighter, a warrior, and a friend. They can trust me.
They can’t trust you. They can’t put their faith in you. They know that everything you have ever done, even your final climb to the world title, has been a shortcut. The Astros were world champions once too, Kyle. But what do you think people remember them for...the win? Or how they got it? Why do you think people were rooting for Atlanta this year?
And you know what? No one can take away your legacy as a world champion, Kyle.
A champion who lied, cheated, cost himself his partnership, and turned on his best friend for a fleeting moment in the spotlight. As one of the worst world champions in the history of this sport, and the man who traded everything that was ever given to him for a few fleeting moments of glory.
Oh yeah, nobody will ever take away that legacy.”
Fastball right down the plate! The ball flies so fast and hard that the leather is practically peeling away as Teo turns his hips and swings!
KUH-RACK!!
He smiles, holding his arms out and dropping the bat with a clunk as he turns towards the camera.
“Turmoil is about wrestler of the year, and not a single person in this company would ever call this the year of Kyle Kemp.
But when I’m done, maybe they’ll call it the year of the Gents.
I’ll leave it up to history.”
With that, Teo turns to begin rounding the bases as the camera slowly fades.