2020-21: The Year That Teo Blaze Proved CC Sucked (vs. Teo)
Nov 14, 2021 12:49:33 GMT -5
Downfall and Johnny Bacchus like this
Post by Max f'n Daemon on Nov 14, 2021 12:49:33 GMT -5
Max Daemon is seen walking into frame. He has a red Solo cup in hand as he approaches a black drop.
He takes a few moments to look around before drinking a few gulps from his Mix.
With a smirk on his face, he snaps his fingers, revealing various pictures of Teo Blaze and other Cruiserweight events around the room.
The pictures with Teo have insults painted on them, ranging from “second best”, “worst Gent”, and other Xs and circles with slashes in them.
The pictures with the pay-per-view posters stylized to showcase the Cruiserweight matches have words like “worse than me”, “B show”, “overrated talent”, and other Xs and “lols” painted on.
Max takes another sip of his Mix before starting.
“Teo Blaze is considered a great Cruiserweight talent. Torture took a look back this year and figured ‘hey, Teo is a multi-time Cruiserweight Tag Champion. He probably deserves to be in this tournament.’
But Torture seemed ta' have forgotten a few things in his infinite bouts with dementia.
Teo only had a good enough year ta' qualify…because the choices on the A show were limited.
Clash proved itself as a mixed ball of talent this year that the only reason Cruiserclash talent were picked were ta' fill the empty slots.
And none were more of an empty spot filler than Teo Blaze.
Now, I’ve never made it a secret my contempt for the Cruiserweights as a whole. And it’s not like I hate them or anythin.
I just think puttin on mediocre talent and givin it a spotlight isn’t enough ta' justify callin them the A show. Especially because Cruiserclash as a whole can’t compare ta' the adulation and sponsorships associated with Clash.
People tune in ta' Action Wrestling to watch guys like Johnny Bacchus, CJ Phoenix, Spencer Adams, Vanguard, ya' know, stalwarts of this new breed of AW. Hell, they even watch ta' see the destruction of cunts like Ash Blake or Carter Shaw.
Some people even like ta' watch the revitalization of someone like Lissie Hope.
Because that all creates stories that fans years later will think back and want ta' rewatch on the AW Network on Paramount+ because it’s the kind of drama that makes people interested in continuin ta' watch the product
They don’t watch Action Wrestling ta' see a simp get his ass beat left and right and ta' help one woman hold the Cruiserweight Title for too long that it becomes the reason she’s still champ.
They don’t watch Action Wrestling ta' see a crazed teenage yandere socio-psychopath team up with a deluded kid who thinks he’s gonna rule the world.
They don’t watch Action Wrestling ta' see Canadians or Mexicans continuously make a Cruiserclash stalwart like Karlie Nash prove each and every week that her status on this roster is only due ta' tenure and Torture utilizes pity in his decisions above most anythin.
And they sure as shit don’t watch Action Wresting ta' see its tag division hot potato what’s supposed ta' be a prestigious belt left and right, center and backwards, front and back, fuckin add your own, it doesn’t change that the only reason Teo fuckin Blaze is a five time Cruiserweight Tag Team Champion is because he and Andre are the most inconsistent tag team in the history of Action Wrestling.
One night it feels like they’re on top of the world, and the next week they’re back ta' provin why Cruiserclash and the Cruiserweights as a whole will always be second fiddle on Action Wrestling.
They will always be second fiddle to Clash.
They will always be second fiddle…to me.”
Max drinks from his Mix once again, savoring the taste and sighing in content one it is swallowed. He returns to speaking soon after.
“A year ago around this time, Teo Blaze and Two Gents began their mediocre run at the top by defeatin Karlie Nash and Nikki Vaughn—a tag team that only just places second ta' Andre and Teo so that’s already a damning declaration of the Cruiserclash tag division—at Turmoil ta' win their first taste of tag gold.
They proved themselves for the next few months, but we’re gonna take a quick pit stop ta' December of last year and take a glance at CruiserHavoc.
For those unaware, whilst I was Pure Champion, I participated in CruiserHavoc as a way ta' showcase my willingness to face anybody.
And ta' prove that I was better than the Cruiserweights and that their show was the second rate performance in Action Wrestling, I ended up placin Top 7th after enterin the match proceedin Teo himself.
Yeah, you heard me.
Compared ta' all the supposedly awesome Cruiserweights, I placed Top 7 in that match.
Teo proved he was and will always be mediocre by just missin Top 10.
And hell, he probably only missed participatin in Turmoil anyway because Andre Jensen was in that match for longer than Teo was, and, wouldn’t ya' know it, Teo’s other gent is a bit injured.
So not only is Teo lucky ta' even have gotten as far as he did in CruiserHavoc, but he’s also lucky ta' have been in this tournament at all.
So after his otherwise unremarkable performance at CruiserHavoc, Teo decided ta' enter the new year lookin better than ever.
And he proved it by pinnin the worst member of Red, White, and Bruised—and trust me, that is a very close feat when it comes ta' those two—and he pinned her himself.
So in their first defense, they retained against the most recurrin failures on Cruiserclash.
I’m so fuckin impressed Teo. Everyone is so fuckin impressed.
But hey, you won once. Congratulations. Teo Blaze just proved that he deserves ta' be the Cruiserweight Tag Champ. It must be magnificent ta' know that you’re one half of the top duos on a show that is destined ta' be the ‘catch it if I can’ show and not one these fans actively seek out.
I mean, the only way ya' could prove that ya' truly deserve that title and didn’t just beat a tag team that never deserve it in the first place is by continuin your run, right? It’s not like things couldn’t change in an instant and the whole narrative suddenly flips out ass over recedin hairline, right?
Hell, ya’d have ta' do somethin pretty fuckin dumb like do nothin while ya' lose your titles ta' the same team ya' beat ta' win them from, right? I mean, that would be pretty stupid right? Gettin your ass kicked, taggin your partner who gets immediately shitcanned, and not even bein involved in the end of your match that ya' lost your tag titles in, right?
That’s…
Yeah that's pretty stupid.”
Max empties his Mix down his gullet before tossing the cup to his left.
“Teo is a good wrestler right? He can bounce back from this loss right? I know it was only two weeks and in that timeframe the titles already changed hands once, but Teo and Andre are good ol’ boys! They can win back that tag gold if they just get a chance!
It’s not like their win is immediately invalidated by somebody attackin their opponents and themselves beforehand or somethin. That’d make the entire match a farce. Fuck man, nobody wants ta' celebrate them winnin the titles because the match only kept goin in spite of the blatant interference and beatdown beforehand.
Oh wait.
That was a pretty fuckin terrible turn of events for one of the supposed best wrestlers of Action Wrestling in 2021.
Yeah, expectin anythin better from the team that would lose it not even two weeks later in yet another multi-team match that involved fuckin mud, the wet dirt kind, not the Jim kind, though that motherfucker had his hand in hand, is an error in judgment the likes of which nobody has ever seen since.
Well, until Teo got a spot in this tournament anyway.
Teo decided that at this point the best way either himself or Andre could salvage this shitshow of a first quarter was ta' prove they’re the best tag team on the B Show.
By holdin the tag titles more than anybody on CruiserClash.
More than anybody on either show.
The first chance they had ta' regain the gold ended in failure when they made a crucial error and Andre got pinned.
Again.
Because nothin says success than gettin chumped by the fuckin ref.
But because Jim was a givin GM, somehow Teo got another shot at the Tag Titles.
And motherfucker failed that too. No bullshit either. No chicanery or shenanigans.
Finally, it has been proven that Two Gents don’t deserve another shot and that Teo is a failure and is in this tournament only as a filler and—oh for fuck’s sake.
Somehow they were a part of the Ladder Match at Evolution and won the fuckin match.
Actually, correction, not at Evolution. At the bullshit CBS primetime special that they tried ta' pawn off as part of Evolution but was no different than any other Clash or Cruiserclash.
Teo didn’t even win his third title this year at Evolution. He won it on free television because that’s how much Torture and company have realized the fuckin Tank Bowl that Teo and Andre have decided ta' play.
For those wonderin, I didn’t have ta' prove myself continuously this year, disprovin time after time that I was some kinda lower level talent (unlike the man we're character assisinatin). I was on the main show, the A show dukin it out with upper tier talent throughout the entire year with no surcease in sight. I proved it every single time I walked out there that I was still better than most of the Cruiserweights, and sure as fuck better than a guy like Teo.
I mean, shit, fuckin Tokyo Fite came around and Two Gents once again proved ta' the world that they’re fuckin losers. Teo, ya’ might wanna reevaluate what friends ya' keep around because Andre has been the main reason for your loses.
That isn’t ta' say you’re not at some fault, but at what point are ya’ gonna look around and realize that maybe, just maybe, your failure is indicative of your partner’s?
Because I can tell ya’ that this back and forth nature the two of ya’ have had isn’t what people find impressive.
Now beatin five of the best of the Cruiserweights single handedly? Now that’s fuckin impressive.
Winnin the Tokyo Cup wasn’t difficult because I knew walkin in that I was better than anybody on the Cruiserweight roster and I have proven it this entire fuckin year.
The only thing ya’ve proven, Teo, is that the best way ta' success is ta' have your partner take the fall so that you can look better in defeat. And then double that up by makin yourself look better by bein the reason you succeed.
It’s goddamn genius, and I’m startin ta' think that ya' didn’t even want in on this tournament in the first place.
Did ya’ think ya’ had finally made it when ya' won those belts for the fourth time at CruiserClash 50? A milestone event for the B show? Just ta’ prove that ya’ were a good tag team and get that success raised just a little more?
Because ya' can not try ta’ tell me that a team of your caliber—as little value as ya’ can have on Cruiserclash—didn’t fuckin drop the belts just ta' win ‘em back in a big extravaganza showcase.
That’s why it’s so hilarious that you didn’t even hold ‘em for a month before losin ‘em at Uprising.
So while I was havin match of the night against Johnny-boy later on, ya’ decided to have a shitshow match against two shitshow performers where ya’ proved ya’ were a shitshow team by losin those precious championships.
Now, at this point, people should be lookin at Teo Blaze as an inconsistent wrestler. And he is.
Beatin the World Champ of Clash should prove that he’s worth hangin around right?
Probably, but when that champ is Kyle Kemp who lucked into his gold?
Kinda like how Teo lucked into his fifth tag title?
Because ya' both are birds of a fuckin feather.
If the ref wasn’t present and Heritage didn’t get cocky, Teo woulda never won that title the way he did. Or if he did, he woulda tried ta' do it in a way that made him and Andre seem better than they are.
Because Teo bein in this tournament is an insult ta' everybody else. We should all be pissed that Teo has claimed a spot that could’ve gone ta' a Clash, A-show, main roster talent that deserved it more.
But it’s fine. I have no problem playin spoiler ta' an undeservin son of a bitch like Teo Blaze.
Your journey, your visit ta' Clash ends Monday. You’re gonna be sent packin back ta' the worst show in Action Wrestling where a paper champion like you belongs. Because all of ya' Cruiserweights deserve each other.
All of ya' are just pathetic enough ta' qualify as competent, but just shitty enough ta' never gain any fame or momentum or success ta' do anythin but throw the titles back and forth amongst each other.
So congratulations Teo.
I hope ya' enjoyed bein on the A show.
Because it’s the last fuckin time you’ll ever be on it.”
Max then walks out of frame.
--------------------------------------------------
Max Daemon lays down in the middle of the eight-sided cage he had built in his basement laboratory-turned-into-a-training-facility. He is panting hard, sweat covering his bare chest and matted hair.
Paddy Conlon approaches, handing Max a bottle of water. Max unscrews the cap and tips it over, sending it over his face and hair, opening his mouth to allow a generous amount to travel down his throat.
Once it is empty, he tosses it to his right. When it collides with the cage and hits the mat, Paddy offers a hand to Max. He takes it, reaching his feet with an audible groan.
“Quit your bitchin,” Paddy says.
“Yeah, yeah…” Max groans.
With an exhale, he stands tall, hands behind his head.
“So…?” he asks an unasked question.
“Your ground game is getting better. Focusing on your submissions and grappling was the right call. Having that be the focal point over the last week has helped you gain a base and retaliate quickly against whomever you’re up against, but…you’re facing one of the best fighters in the world. We’re going to be focusing a lot on it, so don’t expect us to go easy just because you’re getting the hang of it.”
Max nods a few more times. He takes out his mouthguard, spitting a wad of saliva to his left.
“And the striking?”
“Funny you should mention that. Your striking is still wild. You can tell you’re trying to fix it, but there’s still moments of uncontrolled bursts, like you’re just swinging to swing and not thinking about the where. There’s a friend of mine who’s coming to AW soon, right?” Paddy asks.
“I mean…maybe?”
“Holly’s going to be there on Monday. I’ll bring her in next week to try and help you get some control. If we can get that focus on your striking, and mixed with your grappling and submission, well…we’re going to be working a lot these next few months, but there is a very real chance that with a bit of luck, you can at least go the distance with him.”
Max nods his head once again. He lets out another wad of saliva before speaking.
“More money for goin the distance.”
“Exactly. And if we can make payday off this fight, than quite frankly, I’ll say that we’re the real winners.”
The two men clasp forearms before bringing it in for a quick hug.
Paddy immediately regrets it, stepping back and grimacing.
“Go shower. You’ve done well this week so I’m treating you to a nice steak dinner.”
Max hesitates for a few moments, but soon exits the cage. Once Max has left the basement, Paddy is alone inside the octagon.
Paddy reaches into his pocket, pulling out his phone. He dials a number, putting it against his ear.
After a few rings, it picks up.
“Hey Nathan. I wanted to talk to you about Max. Look…we both know this addiction is reaching a pretty bad point, but if we’re going to do this fight than he needs to be sober. Clean. An empty system. Do you get me?”
After a few moments, Paddy nods silently along.
“Excellent. Thank you for understanding. Try and get whomever you can along for the ride. If he’s going to stay clean, we both know what’s going to happen and what he's going to go through. And if Max is as stubborn as he says he is, he’s going to need all the help he can get not to fall back into old habits.”
Paddy waits a bit before responding.
“Yeah, talk to you later.”
He hangs up the phone and continues to stare at where Max left for a few more moments.
He takes a few moments to look around before drinking a few gulps from his Mix.
With a smirk on his face, he snaps his fingers, revealing various pictures of Teo Blaze and other Cruiserweight events around the room.
The pictures with Teo have insults painted on them, ranging from “second best”, “worst Gent”, and other Xs and circles with slashes in them.
The pictures with the pay-per-view posters stylized to showcase the Cruiserweight matches have words like “worse than me”, “B show”, “overrated talent”, and other Xs and “lols” painted on.
Max takes another sip of his Mix before starting.
“Teo Blaze is considered a great Cruiserweight talent. Torture took a look back this year and figured ‘hey, Teo is a multi-time Cruiserweight Tag Champion. He probably deserves to be in this tournament.’
But Torture seemed ta' have forgotten a few things in his infinite bouts with dementia.
Teo only had a good enough year ta' qualify…because the choices on the A show were limited.
Clash proved itself as a mixed ball of talent this year that the only reason Cruiserclash talent were picked were ta' fill the empty slots.
And none were more of an empty spot filler than Teo Blaze.
Now, I’ve never made it a secret my contempt for the Cruiserweights as a whole. And it’s not like I hate them or anythin.
I just think puttin on mediocre talent and givin it a spotlight isn’t enough ta' justify callin them the A show. Especially because Cruiserclash as a whole can’t compare ta' the adulation and sponsorships associated with Clash.
People tune in ta' Action Wrestling to watch guys like Johnny Bacchus, CJ Phoenix, Spencer Adams, Vanguard, ya' know, stalwarts of this new breed of AW. Hell, they even watch ta' see the destruction of cunts like Ash Blake or Carter Shaw.
Some people even like ta' watch the revitalization of someone like Lissie Hope.
Because that all creates stories that fans years later will think back and want ta' rewatch on the AW Network on Paramount+ because it’s the kind of drama that makes people interested in continuin ta' watch the product
They don’t watch Action Wrestling ta' see a simp get his ass beat left and right and ta' help one woman hold the Cruiserweight Title for too long that it becomes the reason she’s still champ.
They don’t watch Action Wrestling ta' see a crazed teenage yandere socio-psychopath team up with a deluded kid who thinks he’s gonna rule the world.
They don’t watch Action Wrestling ta' see Canadians or Mexicans continuously make a Cruiserclash stalwart like Karlie Nash prove each and every week that her status on this roster is only due ta' tenure and Torture utilizes pity in his decisions above most anythin.
And they sure as shit don’t watch Action Wresting ta' see its tag division hot potato what’s supposed ta' be a prestigious belt left and right, center and backwards, front and back, fuckin add your own, it doesn’t change that the only reason Teo fuckin Blaze is a five time Cruiserweight Tag Team Champion is because he and Andre are the most inconsistent tag team in the history of Action Wrestling.
One night it feels like they’re on top of the world, and the next week they’re back ta' provin why Cruiserclash and the Cruiserweights as a whole will always be second fiddle on Action Wrestling.
They will always be second fiddle to Clash.
They will always be second fiddle…to me.”
Max drinks from his Mix once again, savoring the taste and sighing in content one it is swallowed. He returns to speaking soon after.
“A year ago around this time, Teo Blaze and Two Gents began their mediocre run at the top by defeatin Karlie Nash and Nikki Vaughn—a tag team that only just places second ta' Andre and Teo so that’s already a damning declaration of the Cruiserclash tag division—at Turmoil ta' win their first taste of tag gold.
They proved themselves for the next few months, but we’re gonna take a quick pit stop ta' December of last year and take a glance at CruiserHavoc.
For those unaware, whilst I was Pure Champion, I participated in CruiserHavoc as a way ta' showcase my willingness to face anybody.
And ta' prove that I was better than the Cruiserweights and that their show was the second rate performance in Action Wrestling, I ended up placin Top 7th after enterin the match proceedin Teo himself.
Yeah, you heard me.
Compared ta' all the supposedly awesome Cruiserweights, I placed Top 7 in that match.
Teo proved he was and will always be mediocre by just missin Top 10.
And hell, he probably only missed participatin in Turmoil anyway because Andre Jensen was in that match for longer than Teo was, and, wouldn’t ya' know it, Teo’s other gent is a bit injured.
So not only is Teo lucky ta' even have gotten as far as he did in CruiserHavoc, but he’s also lucky ta' have been in this tournament at all.
So after his otherwise unremarkable performance at CruiserHavoc, Teo decided ta' enter the new year lookin better than ever.
And he proved it by pinnin the worst member of Red, White, and Bruised—and trust me, that is a very close feat when it comes ta' those two—and he pinned her himself.
So in their first defense, they retained against the most recurrin failures on Cruiserclash.
I’m so fuckin impressed Teo. Everyone is so fuckin impressed.
But hey, you won once. Congratulations. Teo Blaze just proved that he deserves ta' be the Cruiserweight Tag Champ. It must be magnificent ta' know that you’re one half of the top duos on a show that is destined ta' be the ‘catch it if I can’ show and not one these fans actively seek out.
I mean, the only way ya' could prove that ya' truly deserve that title and didn’t just beat a tag team that never deserve it in the first place is by continuin your run, right? It’s not like things couldn’t change in an instant and the whole narrative suddenly flips out ass over recedin hairline, right?
Hell, ya’d have ta' do somethin pretty fuckin dumb like do nothin while ya' lose your titles ta' the same team ya' beat ta' win them from, right? I mean, that would be pretty stupid right? Gettin your ass kicked, taggin your partner who gets immediately shitcanned, and not even bein involved in the end of your match that ya' lost your tag titles in, right?
That’s…
Yeah that's pretty stupid.”
Max empties his Mix down his gullet before tossing the cup to his left.
“Teo is a good wrestler right? He can bounce back from this loss right? I know it was only two weeks and in that timeframe the titles already changed hands once, but Teo and Andre are good ol’ boys! They can win back that tag gold if they just get a chance!
It’s not like their win is immediately invalidated by somebody attackin their opponents and themselves beforehand or somethin. That’d make the entire match a farce. Fuck man, nobody wants ta' celebrate them winnin the titles because the match only kept goin in spite of the blatant interference and beatdown beforehand.
Oh wait.
That was a pretty fuckin terrible turn of events for one of the supposed best wrestlers of Action Wrestling in 2021.
Yeah, expectin anythin better from the team that would lose it not even two weeks later in yet another multi-team match that involved fuckin mud, the wet dirt kind, not the Jim kind, though that motherfucker had his hand in hand, is an error in judgment the likes of which nobody has ever seen since.
Well, until Teo got a spot in this tournament anyway.
Teo decided that at this point the best way either himself or Andre could salvage this shitshow of a first quarter was ta' prove they’re the best tag team on the B Show.
By holdin the tag titles more than anybody on CruiserClash.
More than anybody on either show.
The first chance they had ta' regain the gold ended in failure when they made a crucial error and Andre got pinned.
Again.
Because nothin says success than gettin chumped by the fuckin ref.
But because Jim was a givin GM, somehow Teo got another shot at the Tag Titles.
And motherfucker failed that too. No bullshit either. No chicanery or shenanigans.
Finally, it has been proven that Two Gents don’t deserve another shot and that Teo is a failure and is in this tournament only as a filler and—oh for fuck’s sake.
Somehow they were a part of the Ladder Match at Evolution and won the fuckin match.
Actually, correction, not at Evolution. At the bullshit CBS primetime special that they tried ta' pawn off as part of Evolution but was no different than any other Clash or Cruiserclash.
Teo didn’t even win his third title this year at Evolution. He won it on free television because that’s how much Torture and company have realized the fuckin Tank Bowl that Teo and Andre have decided ta' play.
For those wonderin, I didn’t have ta' prove myself continuously this year, disprovin time after time that I was some kinda lower level talent (unlike the man we're character assisinatin). I was on the main show, the A show dukin it out with upper tier talent throughout the entire year with no surcease in sight. I proved it every single time I walked out there that I was still better than most of the Cruiserweights, and sure as fuck better than a guy like Teo.
I mean, shit, fuckin Tokyo Fite came around and Two Gents once again proved ta' the world that they’re fuckin losers. Teo, ya’ might wanna reevaluate what friends ya' keep around because Andre has been the main reason for your loses.
That isn’t ta' say you’re not at some fault, but at what point are ya’ gonna look around and realize that maybe, just maybe, your failure is indicative of your partner’s?
Because I can tell ya’ that this back and forth nature the two of ya’ have had isn’t what people find impressive.
Now beatin five of the best of the Cruiserweights single handedly? Now that’s fuckin impressive.
Winnin the Tokyo Cup wasn’t difficult because I knew walkin in that I was better than anybody on the Cruiserweight roster and I have proven it this entire fuckin year.
The only thing ya’ve proven, Teo, is that the best way ta' success is ta' have your partner take the fall so that you can look better in defeat. And then double that up by makin yourself look better by bein the reason you succeed.
It’s goddamn genius, and I’m startin ta' think that ya' didn’t even want in on this tournament in the first place.
Did ya’ think ya’ had finally made it when ya' won those belts for the fourth time at CruiserClash 50? A milestone event for the B show? Just ta’ prove that ya’ were a good tag team and get that success raised just a little more?
Because ya' can not try ta’ tell me that a team of your caliber—as little value as ya’ can have on Cruiserclash—didn’t fuckin drop the belts just ta' win ‘em back in a big extravaganza showcase.
That’s why it’s so hilarious that you didn’t even hold ‘em for a month before losin ‘em at Uprising.
So while I was havin match of the night against Johnny-boy later on, ya’ decided to have a shitshow match against two shitshow performers where ya’ proved ya’ were a shitshow team by losin those precious championships.
Now, at this point, people should be lookin at Teo Blaze as an inconsistent wrestler. And he is.
Beatin the World Champ of Clash should prove that he’s worth hangin around right?
Probably, but when that champ is Kyle Kemp who lucked into his gold?
Kinda like how Teo lucked into his fifth tag title?
Because ya' both are birds of a fuckin feather.
If the ref wasn’t present and Heritage didn’t get cocky, Teo woulda never won that title the way he did. Or if he did, he woulda tried ta' do it in a way that made him and Andre seem better than they are.
Because Teo bein in this tournament is an insult ta' everybody else. We should all be pissed that Teo has claimed a spot that could’ve gone ta' a Clash, A-show, main roster talent that deserved it more.
But it’s fine. I have no problem playin spoiler ta' an undeservin son of a bitch like Teo Blaze.
Your journey, your visit ta' Clash ends Monday. You’re gonna be sent packin back ta' the worst show in Action Wrestling where a paper champion like you belongs. Because all of ya' Cruiserweights deserve each other.
All of ya' are just pathetic enough ta' qualify as competent, but just shitty enough ta' never gain any fame or momentum or success ta' do anythin but throw the titles back and forth amongst each other.
So congratulations Teo.
I hope ya' enjoyed bein on the A show.
Because it’s the last fuckin time you’ll ever be on it.”
Max then walks out of frame.
--------------------------------------------------
Max Daemon lays down in the middle of the eight-sided cage he had built in his basement laboratory-turned-into-a-training-facility. He is panting hard, sweat covering his bare chest and matted hair.
Paddy Conlon approaches, handing Max a bottle of water. Max unscrews the cap and tips it over, sending it over his face and hair, opening his mouth to allow a generous amount to travel down his throat.
Once it is empty, he tosses it to his right. When it collides with the cage and hits the mat, Paddy offers a hand to Max. He takes it, reaching his feet with an audible groan.
“Quit your bitchin,” Paddy says.
“Yeah, yeah…” Max groans.
With an exhale, he stands tall, hands behind his head.
“So…?” he asks an unasked question.
“Your ground game is getting better. Focusing on your submissions and grappling was the right call. Having that be the focal point over the last week has helped you gain a base and retaliate quickly against whomever you’re up against, but…you’re facing one of the best fighters in the world. We’re going to be focusing a lot on it, so don’t expect us to go easy just because you’re getting the hang of it.”
Max nods a few more times. He takes out his mouthguard, spitting a wad of saliva to his left.
“And the striking?”
“Funny you should mention that. Your striking is still wild. You can tell you’re trying to fix it, but there’s still moments of uncontrolled bursts, like you’re just swinging to swing and not thinking about the where. There’s a friend of mine who’s coming to AW soon, right?” Paddy asks.
“I mean…maybe?”
“Holly’s going to be there on Monday. I’ll bring her in next week to try and help you get some control. If we can get that focus on your striking, and mixed with your grappling and submission, well…we’re going to be working a lot these next few months, but there is a very real chance that with a bit of luck, you can at least go the distance with him.”
Max nods his head once again. He lets out another wad of saliva before speaking.
“More money for goin the distance.”
“Exactly. And if we can make payday off this fight, than quite frankly, I’ll say that we’re the real winners.”
The two men clasp forearms before bringing it in for a quick hug.
Paddy immediately regrets it, stepping back and grimacing.
“Go shower. You’ve done well this week so I’m treating you to a nice steak dinner.”
Max hesitates for a few moments, but soon exits the cage. Once Max has left the basement, Paddy is alone inside the octagon.
Paddy reaches into his pocket, pulling out his phone. He dials a number, putting it against his ear.
After a few rings, it picks up.
“Hey Nathan. I wanted to talk to you about Max. Look…we both know this addiction is reaching a pretty bad point, but if we’re going to do this fight than he needs to be sober. Clean. An empty system. Do you get me?”
After a few moments, Paddy nods silently along.
“Excellent. Thank you for understanding. Try and get whomever you can along for the ride. If he’s going to stay clean, we both know what’s going to happen and what he's going to go through. And if Max is as stubborn as he says he is, he’s going to need all the help he can get not to fall back into old habits.”
Paddy waits a bit before responding.
“Yeah, talk to you later.”
He hangs up the phone and continues to stare at where Max left for a few more moments.