Post by CJ Phoenix on Jul 31, 2022 14:00:18 GMT -5
The simulation hypothesis proposes that all of our existence is a simulated reality, such as a computer simulation which convinces its inhabitants that the simulation is "real".
One step closer
That's what I kept repeating in my head as I reached the locker room with Spencer Adams. We were exhausted from having just won the #1 contender battle royale a few minutes ago. We didn't even say anything until we got to the locker room.
Spencer: Another day, another dub.
Phoenix: Hell yeah. Way to come through in the clutch.
Spencer: Couldn't have done it without you man. You set me up pretty well.
Suddenly....it happened...
Spencer gets near and taps on CJs chest a few times with his fist. When he does, CJ and Spencer find themselves in the ring and CJ is holding the Hardcore Title.
Billy: Mad respect from one of the most decorated Champions of all time!
Spencer grabs the arm of CJ Phoenix and raises it in the air..
Chris Avery: BIG TIME PROPS FROM ONE OF THE ALL TIME GREATS!
I remember looking around with a confused look on my face. This isn't Meltdown. This is the night I faced Spencer Adams for the Hardcore Title last April. What the hell's going on? I was about to say something, but then I heard this strange, distorted voice. It was almost like the sound was drowning in static.
Voice: .....please.....help.....break....the cycle....
Phoenix: Cycle? What cycle?
I didn't get a response. Instead, I found myself back in the locker room talking to Spencer.
Spencer: Another day, another dub.
Phoenix: Hell yeah. Way to....wait what the fuck?
Spencer: .llew ytterp put em tes uoY .nam you tuohtiw ti enod evah t'ndluoC
Phoenix: Aw hell naw! I'm leaving!
I turn around to leave, but there's nowhere to go! It's just...darkness...and then that damn voice came back with friends!
Voices: .....please.....help.....break.....the cycle.....
Phoenix: What does that meeeeaaaaannnn!?
The world around me started changing. First, it was Havoc from a few months back...
Voices: .......we needed you....
Then, it was XIII...
Voices: .....we called for you....
Finally, I found myself at Hope's Peak Academy. I was at the entrance staring down a crowd of what appeared to be possessed students with the same voices.
Students: .....we looked up to you.....
I could feel my heart pounding as I stood still, unsure if it would even be worth trying to run. That's when Kyoko appeared next to me with the same possessed look in her eyes.
Kyoko: .....we believed in you.....and yet so many of us still suffer.....
The pieces started to come together. I take a step back.
Phoenix: No....
Kyoko: .....hopeless.....demoralized.....
Phoenix: No. I'm...I'm fixing it.
Kyoko: .....how much longer must we wait..... how much longer....can we wait....
The world starts to fade into darkness. I find myself letting out a shout as I'm falling....picking up speed like a meteorite. I see the ground, and I've almost made peace with the fact I'm gonna die when I finally tear away from this world.
Phoenix: AHHHHH!
Kaiyah: What's wrong!? Are you okay!?
Am I? My heart's racing and I just accidentally jump scared my wife out of her sleep. I'm not sure how to explain it to her, but I know that I have to try. If I don't, I'd be hiding things again...and I'd just end up in the same predicament I was in back in February. I'm sick of making the same mistakes...
Phoenix: Yeah....I think? I had a REALLY weird dream.
Well if it isn't Adelaide Ainsworth getting ready to speedrun through more bad sex jokes than an Amy Schumer comedy show before she ends up swallowing another L. Truthfully, I want to be proud of you, but that would be doing you a disservice. I'd just be feeding you fallacies and I'd rather feed you your teeth with a Talon Kick. Not out of animosity, but out of necessity. I have no reason to hate such a pitiful creature whose despair is the only thing on display more than their body is. You tease the crowd to hide the fact that your wrestling can't back up your words. How many times have you threatened to maim your opponents just for you to be the one limping away to lick your wounds? Lemme save you the trouble. Your threats mean NOTHING to me. I've had lesser people wish I died in my car accident. I've come back from matches that I should've DIED in and I'm still reaching new heights while you keep sinking to new lows. Our match could get straight up uglier than your attempts to speak coherent sentences and I'd still come out victorious! Monday night, you're gonna see firsthand that your bark does NOT compare to my bite!
You're not fooling anyone with the garbage that you keep spewing. "Greatest this" "Baddest that" "I'm Addy Fucking A" no bitch, you're Saddy Fucking A. A one-trick pony best described as a depressed succubus. You're too scared to admit that the only hole of yours you want filled is the one in your heart....but nothing's working. So you exaggerate to come off as better than you actually are. The 'Greatest Tag Team in Action Wrestling history', overflowing with innuendoes, can't even hit 69 days in a reign. Then you reunited for a 'feel good moment' and a second title run...that was even shorter than the first. How disappointing. Right up there with that Cruiserweight Title run that burned out after all of eight days. For someone that tries to sound like a serial killer, the only things that keep dying are your title reigns and your loved ones. Fucking Saddy, eh?
Well, it's about to get worse for you. Addy's gonna go from Saddy to Maddy after I win Monday. You won't be the only one though. NO ONE in that match will want me to be in it because in the darkest corners of every soul on the roster, yours included, you all know CJ Phoenix becoming World Champion is only a matter of time...and that time is quickly approaching.
Kaiyah: Weird dream about what?
Phoenix: It's hard to explain.
I explained the dream as best as I could. Everything from the voices to the world changing. Kaiyah looked equal parts confused and concerned.
Kaiyah: I think you should take a break today.
Phoenix: No can do. Got meetings to attend for Hope's Peak. Game planning for my All-In qualifier. Meeting up with Spencer. Gotta check in with the Shorai Foundation.
Kaiyah: That sounds like a lot of not taking care of yourself.
Phoenix: It's fine. I can do that later. I can't afford to waste time.
Kaiyah: Taking care of yourself isn't wasting time.
Phoenix: It is if I'm not using that time to reach out to others. I'm finally starting to get everything off the ground, so I have to push as hard as I can now because I may not get another chance later.
Kaiyah: But at what cost?
Phoenix: Any cost.
Kaiyah: No. It can't be at any cost.
Phoenix: It HAS to be.
Kaiyah: Not if it hurts you!
Phoenix: So what if it does!?
Kaiyah: Then it hurts me too! And it hurts everyone you've inspired! Is that what you want!?
Phoenix: Of course that's not what I want, but I can handle this!
Kaiyah: I'm not saying you can't!
Phoenix: Sure sounds like it!
Kaiyah: OH MY GOD! I'll tell you what this REALLY sounds like! You're fine with checking up on others, but you never prioritize making sure you're okay and that's not good! You have people that look up to you! That wanna be like you! If you want them to value themselves, then you have to lead by example and show them what that's like!
Damn. She has a point. It's not really something I'm used to doing, but it would be hypocritical if I didn't practice what I preach. Besides, it's gotta be better than arguing with Kaiyah. Yelling at her because she cares about me? I've gotta do better than that. I'm gonna do better than that.
Phoenix: THAT'S....that's fair, actually. It's pretty easy to lose track of self-care, but that's no excuse to yell at you. Sorry.
Kaiyah: It's fine. It just worries me when you get lost in your own head because I can't relate to what you're going through, so I could never fully understand it, you know?
Phoenix: Yeah, but you're here, and presence goes a long way in terms of support.
Kaiyah: Good.
Phoenix: I think I'll take your advice and chill today. It'll give me the chance to plan things out and then approach them with a clear mind.
Kaiyah: Works for me. I'm going back to sleep.
Phoenix: Cool. Night babe.
Kaiyah: Goodnight.
Who are you REALLY talking about when you go off on these wild, insult parades that sound like the script to a snuff film? Your opponent or your reflection? It's the latter because in your heart you don't see yourself as being worth the sperm and egg that created you. YOU'RE the one that you want to gouge the eyes out of because you don't like the woman you see in the mirror. You went from sharing slop with Atticus at Voorhees Farms to getting ragdolled in and out of the ring by Ash Blake. Now you're ping-ponging back and forth between two unstable friendships with Lissie Hope and Johnny Bacchus. Almost makes me wonder which one you're gonna run crying and complaining to first after I beat you.
I say almost because I don't really care. The only thing I'm focused on this week is clearing the hurdle named Saddy A and qualifying for All-In. Unlike you, I didn't just talk about moving Action Wrestling forward. I went out there and did it...and I'm still doing it. I'm the uncrowned king of AW on his way to his crowning while you're a lowly gutter skank trying to hitch a ride to the promised land. People cheer for you because you're someone they want to bust in. People RALLY AROUND me because I'm someone they KNOW they can BELIEVE in! Look at the last two years for each of us. Every few months you do a little something before falling by the wayside. It's almost like you have to wait to be forgotten before you actually do something interesting. Meanwhile, I've become the most likeable, viable, and undeniably reliable workhorse on the roster! I WILL beat you Monday night! I WILL win the All-In briefcase! And I WILL become World Champion! I'm not saying this just to hype myself up. I'm WILLING it into existence! I used to be the guy that was written off, but I've rewritten their perspectives! Action Wrestling has become MY story and we're about to reach the climax. The moment of ultimate triumph where the Luminary of Despair stands tall over the wrestling world! You should be happy, Adelaide. You're gonna lose the match, but at least you can say that you played a part in the climax of Action Wrestling's greatest story. See you Monday.
One step closer
That's what I kept repeating in my head as I reached the locker room with Spencer Adams. We were exhausted from having just won the #1 contender battle royale a few minutes ago. We didn't even say anything until we got to the locker room.
Spencer: Another day, another dub.
Phoenix: Hell yeah. Way to come through in the clutch.
Spencer: Couldn't have done it without you man. You set me up pretty well.
Suddenly....it happened...
Spencer gets near and taps on CJs chest a few times with his fist. When he does, CJ and Spencer find themselves in the ring and CJ is holding the Hardcore Title.
Billy: Mad respect from one of the most decorated Champions of all time!
Spencer grabs the arm of CJ Phoenix and raises it in the air..
Chris Avery: BIG TIME PROPS FROM ONE OF THE ALL TIME GREATS!
I remember looking around with a confused look on my face. This isn't Meltdown. This is the night I faced Spencer Adams for the Hardcore Title last April. What the hell's going on? I was about to say something, but then I heard this strange, distorted voice. It was almost like the sound was drowning in static.
Voice: .....please.....help.....break....the cycle....
Phoenix: Cycle? What cycle?
I didn't get a response. Instead, I found myself back in the locker room talking to Spencer.
Spencer: Another day, another dub.
Phoenix: Hell yeah. Way to....wait what the fuck?
Spencer: .llew ytterp put em tes uoY .nam you tuohtiw ti enod evah t'ndluoC
Phoenix: Aw hell naw! I'm leaving!
I turn around to leave, but there's nowhere to go! It's just...darkness...and then that damn voice came back with friends!
Voices: .....please.....help.....break.....the cycle.....
Phoenix: What does that meeeeaaaaannnn!?
The world around me started changing. First, it was Havoc from a few months back...
Voices: .......we needed you....
Then, it was XIII...
Voices: .....we called for you....
Finally, I found myself at Hope's Peak Academy. I was at the entrance staring down a crowd of what appeared to be possessed students with the same voices.
Students: .....we looked up to you.....
I could feel my heart pounding as I stood still, unsure if it would even be worth trying to run. That's when Kyoko appeared next to me with the same possessed look in her eyes.
Kyoko: .....we believed in you.....and yet so many of us still suffer.....
The pieces started to come together. I take a step back.
Phoenix: No....
Kyoko: .....hopeless.....demoralized.....
Phoenix: No. I'm...I'm fixing it.
Kyoko: .....how much longer must we wait..... how much longer....can we wait....
The world starts to fade into darkness. I find myself letting out a shout as I'm falling....picking up speed like a meteorite. I see the ground, and I've almost made peace with the fact I'm gonna die when I finally tear away from this world.
Phoenix: AHHHHH!
Kaiyah: What's wrong!? Are you okay!?
Am I? My heart's racing and I just accidentally jump scared my wife out of her sleep. I'm not sure how to explain it to her, but I know that I have to try. If I don't, I'd be hiding things again...and I'd just end up in the same predicament I was in back in February. I'm sick of making the same mistakes...
Phoenix: Yeah....I think? I had a REALLY weird dream.
Well if it isn't Adelaide Ainsworth getting ready to speedrun through more bad sex jokes than an Amy Schumer comedy show before she ends up swallowing another L. Truthfully, I want to be proud of you, but that would be doing you a disservice. I'd just be feeding you fallacies and I'd rather feed you your teeth with a Talon Kick. Not out of animosity, but out of necessity. I have no reason to hate such a pitiful creature whose despair is the only thing on display more than their body is. You tease the crowd to hide the fact that your wrestling can't back up your words. How many times have you threatened to maim your opponents just for you to be the one limping away to lick your wounds? Lemme save you the trouble. Your threats mean NOTHING to me. I've had lesser people wish I died in my car accident. I've come back from matches that I should've DIED in and I'm still reaching new heights while you keep sinking to new lows. Our match could get straight up uglier than your attempts to speak coherent sentences and I'd still come out victorious! Monday night, you're gonna see firsthand that your bark does NOT compare to my bite!
You're not fooling anyone with the garbage that you keep spewing. "Greatest this" "Baddest that" "I'm Addy Fucking A" no bitch, you're Saddy Fucking A. A one-trick pony best described as a depressed succubus. You're too scared to admit that the only hole of yours you want filled is the one in your heart....but nothing's working. So you exaggerate to come off as better than you actually are. The 'Greatest Tag Team in Action Wrestling history', overflowing with innuendoes, can't even hit 69 days in a reign. Then you reunited for a 'feel good moment' and a second title run...that was even shorter than the first. How disappointing. Right up there with that Cruiserweight Title run that burned out after all of eight days. For someone that tries to sound like a serial killer, the only things that keep dying are your title reigns and your loved ones. Fucking Saddy, eh?
Well, it's about to get worse for you. Addy's gonna go from Saddy to Maddy after I win Monday. You won't be the only one though. NO ONE in that match will want me to be in it because in the darkest corners of every soul on the roster, yours included, you all know CJ Phoenix becoming World Champion is only a matter of time...and that time is quickly approaching.
Kaiyah: Weird dream about what?
Phoenix: It's hard to explain.
I explained the dream as best as I could. Everything from the voices to the world changing. Kaiyah looked equal parts confused and concerned.
Kaiyah: I think you should take a break today.
Phoenix: No can do. Got meetings to attend for Hope's Peak. Game planning for my All-In qualifier. Meeting up with Spencer. Gotta check in with the Shorai Foundation.
Kaiyah: That sounds like a lot of not taking care of yourself.
Phoenix: It's fine. I can do that later. I can't afford to waste time.
Kaiyah: Taking care of yourself isn't wasting time.
Phoenix: It is if I'm not using that time to reach out to others. I'm finally starting to get everything off the ground, so I have to push as hard as I can now because I may not get another chance later.
Kaiyah: But at what cost?
Phoenix: Any cost.
Kaiyah: No. It can't be at any cost.
Phoenix: It HAS to be.
Kaiyah: Not if it hurts you!
Phoenix: So what if it does!?
Kaiyah: Then it hurts me too! And it hurts everyone you've inspired! Is that what you want!?
Phoenix: Of course that's not what I want, but I can handle this!
Kaiyah: I'm not saying you can't!
Phoenix: Sure sounds like it!
Kaiyah: OH MY GOD! I'll tell you what this REALLY sounds like! You're fine with checking up on others, but you never prioritize making sure you're okay and that's not good! You have people that look up to you! That wanna be like you! If you want them to value themselves, then you have to lead by example and show them what that's like!
Damn. She has a point. It's not really something I'm used to doing, but it would be hypocritical if I didn't practice what I preach. Besides, it's gotta be better than arguing with Kaiyah. Yelling at her because she cares about me? I've gotta do better than that. I'm gonna do better than that.
Phoenix: THAT'S....that's fair, actually. It's pretty easy to lose track of self-care, but that's no excuse to yell at you. Sorry.
Kaiyah: It's fine. It just worries me when you get lost in your own head because I can't relate to what you're going through, so I could never fully understand it, you know?
Phoenix: Yeah, but you're here, and presence goes a long way in terms of support.
Kaiyah: Good.
Phoenix: I think I'll take your advice and chill today. It'll give me the chance to plan things out and then approach them with a clear mind.
Kaiyah: Works for me. I'm going back to sleep.
Phoenix: Cool. Night babe.
Kaiyah: Goodnight.
===> Mental Lock #1 Unlocked! "Refresh" <===
Mental health breaks allow a person to not only relax, but also refocus. Oftentimes, we find ourselves trying to do too much without taking care of ourselves, causing high levels of stress and potential burnouts. While it may sound good to always be 'on the grind', the long-term consequences tend to heavily outweigh the potential short-term successes. Don't be afraid to take time to clear your mind if you're feeling overloaded. Your mental health matters and so do you!Who are you REALLY talking about when you go off on these wild, insult parades that sound like the script to a snuff film? Your opponent or your reflection? It's the latter because in your heart you don't see yourself as being worth the sperm and egg that created you. YOU'RE the one that you want to gouge the eyes out of because you don't like the woman you see in the mirror. You went from sharing slop with Atticus at Voorhees Farms to getting ragdolled in and out of the ring by Ash Blake. Now you're ping-ponging back and forth between two unstable friendships with Lissie Hope and Johnny Bacchus. Almost makes me wonder which one you're gonna run crying and complaining to first after I beat you.
I say almost because I don't really care. The only thing I'm focused on this week is clearing the hurdle named Saddy A and qualifying for All-In. Unlike you, I didn't just talk about moving Action Wrestling forward. I went out there and did it...and I'm still doing it. I'm the uncrowned king of AW on his way to his crowning while you're a lowly gutter skank trying to hitch a ride to the promised land. People cheer for you because you're someone they want to bust in. People RALLY AROUND me because I'm someone they KNOW they can BELIEVE in! Look at the last two years for each of us. Every few months you do a little something before falling by the wayside. It's almost like you have to wait to be forgotten before you actually do something interesting. Meanwhile, I've become the most likeable, viable, and undeniably reliable workhorse on the roster! I WILL beat you Monday night! I WILL win the All-In briefcase! And I WILL become World Champion! I'm not saying this just to hype myself up. I'm WILLING it into existence! I used to be the guy that was written off, but I've rewritten their perspectives! Action Wrestling has become MY story and we're about to reach the climax. The moment of ultimate triumph where the Luminary of Despair stands tall over the wrestling world! You should be happy, Adelaide. You're gonna lose the match, but at least you can say that you played a part in the climax of Action Wrestling's greatest story. See you Monday.
