Post by Teo Blaze on Feb 6, 2022 11:54:46 GMT -5
The tableaux surrounding the Gents at the press conference, the Cruiserweight title draped between them is practically bursting with questions. Every other word out of their mouth is about breakups, sabotage, barbershop windows. Teo didn’t quite understand the last one, but then he never liked reporters.
“Vultures.”
The reporters, surprised, looked at Teo, who had largely been silent up to this point, Jenson had been taking the questions well.
“You heard me. Vultures, every one of you. You’re hoping that this tears us apart, that the Gents implode. You’d throw away everything we’ve worked for in the name of a story. You’re no better than Bunga.”
Teo stands up, looking at his partner sitting across from the press conference table with a smile.
“But what none of you seem to realize is you’re talking to two of the best friends on this roster. The Gents? This isn’t a business arrangement, a marriage of convenience- this is real. The reason we’re both sitting here at this table with this belt between us is because I wouldn’t be holding it without this man.
And each of you have the stones to wonder if we’re going to let the belt tear us apart? How could it? This belt already belongs to both of us.”
Despite the distance between them, Teo holds up his hands for a signature Gent fist bump, his partner obliges him from his seat.
“But do you know what this is about? This is about reminding the world just how good we are. We have trained with each other, worked with each other, we know each other’s secrets. And you can look at any! Of the Gents promos of the last year, we have always been about self improvement. About pushing each other harder. About getting better without shying away from adversity.
Now I don’t know what Bunga’s goal here is, and maybe he’s just looking for a ratings pop, but one thing that he’s overlooked. That is the fact that when the Gents face off against each other, we push each other harder than any other opponent. Because when you know someone, you know just how much they can take. You know how hard you can push them without breaking them, and you can force them to raise that ceiling.
Andre, the Gents returning has been the best thing that’s happened to me, and I wouldn’t be holding that belt without your support. You know this, I know this, but they seem to overlook it. I’ll admit, I haven’t been the best partner since winning this belt, but that changes this week.
I owe it to you to give you a fight. To come at you with everything. To push you to your breaking point. I owe it to you to beat you if it comes to that.
I know you want to be champion, hell, you knew that I wanted to be champion. But to quote a certain Scottish classic…there can be only one.”
Andre gives him a thumbs up for the pop culture reference.
“So I’m going to give you a fight, Andre. I’m going to make you fight harder than you’ve ever had to fight in your life, against an opponent that knows you maybe better than you know yourself. As hard as management tries to sweep you under the rug, to act like you’re the “other” Gent, I’m going to make it so that noone can ever overlook you again!
Because we’re going to take each other to our limits this week. That’s not hyperbole, it’s a statement of fact. We can’t do anything else, it’s just not who we are.
Whatever happens at the end, happens. I may be the sliver stronger that it takes to pin you this week, but when it's all over we'll have another record under our belts.
The greatest Cruiserweight title match in history!
We’ll still be friends when it’s over, Andre. But I should conclude with one last detail.
When that bell rings, I’m not holding anything back. I'm in this to win.
I expect the same, buddy.”
With that, Teo swats the microphone off of the table and turns, leaving his friend to answer any further questions.
“Vultures.”
The reporters, surprised, looked at Teo, who had largely been silent up to this point, Jenson had been taking the questions well.
“You heard me. Vultures, every one of you. You’re hoping that this tears us apart, that the Gents implode. You’d throw away everything we’ve worked for in the name of a story. You’re no better than Bunga.”
Teo stands up, looking at his partner sitting across from the press conference table with a smile.
“But what none of you seem to realize is you’re talking to two of the best friends on this roster. The Gents? This isn’t a business arrangement, a marriage of convenience- this is real. The reason we’re both sitting here at this table with this belt between us is because I wouldn’t be holding it without this man.
And each of you have the stones to wonder if we’re going to let the belt tear us apart? How could it? This belt already belongs to both of us.”
Despite the distance between them, Teo holds up his hands for a signature Gent fist bump, his partner obliges him from his seat.
“But do you know what this is about? This is about reminding the world just how good we are. We have trained with each other, worked with each other, we know each other’s secrets. And you can look at any! Of the Gents promos of the last year, we have always been about self improvement. About pushing each other harder. About getting better without shying away from adversity.
Now I don’t know what Bunga’s goal here is, and maybe he’s just looking for a ratings pop, but one thing that he’s overlooked. That is the fact that when the Gents face off against each other, we push each other harder than any other opponent. Because when you know someone, you know just how much they can take. You know how hard you can push them without breaking them, and you can force them to raise that ceiling.
Andre, the Gents returning has been the best thing that’s happened to me, and I wouldn’t be holding that belt without your support. You know this, I know this, but they seem to overlook it. I’ll admit, I haven’t been the best partner since winning this belt, but that changes this week.
I owe it to you to give you a fight. To come at you with everything. To push you to your breaking point. I owe it to you to beat you if it comes to that.
I know you want to be champion, hell, you knew that I wanted to be champion. But to quote a certain Scottish classic…there can be only one.”
Andre gives him a thumbs up for the pop culture reference.
“So I’m going to give you a fight, Andre. I’m going to make you fight harder than you’ve ever had to fight in your life, against an opponent that knows you maybe better than you know yourself. As hard as management tries to sweep you under the rug, to act like you’re the “other” Gent, I’m going to make it so that noone can ever overlook you again!
Because we’re going to take each other to our limits this week. That’s not hyperbole, it’s a statement of fact. We can’t do anything else, it’s just not who we are.
Whatever happens at the end, happens. I may be the sliver stronger that it takes to pin you this week, but when it's all over we'll have another record under our belts.
The greatest Cruiserweight title match in history!
We’ll still be friends when it’s over, Andre. But I should conclude with one last detail.
When that bell rings, I’m not holding anything back. I'm in this to win.
I expect the same, buddy.”
With that, Teo swats the microphone off of the table and turns, leaving his friend to answer any further questions.
