Post by DRAUGR on Mar 31, 2024 13:34:43 GMT -5
“I'm the big buck of this lick. If you want to try it, come and whet your horns.” Wise words by National Wrestling Hall of Famer Abraham Lincoln. Those words hold true for anyone with a position of power. I am one of those powerful beings, and there is no denying the way. Behold, your future Action Wrestling United States Champion. That honor has always been in my future. It was only a matter of time before the opportunity would manifest. When I landed here and saw The Sitcom carrying that championship, I was impressed with what he had accomplished. Then it traveled to Odin Balfore and Doc Holiday, before ending up with Jonny Cedrone. Each of then a worthy champion in their own right. What right did I have to end their reign? None. When I landed here, I was an experiment. I was a nobody. There was no hope for me beyond the programming at Devil's Gate, and that relationship was doomed from the start. To truly understand my time at Devil's Gate, we must go back in time. As a young man, I was recruited by their organization and brought to America to be studied. I always intended on experiencing the same freedom as Americans. That did not happen. Even today, I am not truly free. Back then, I was so full of hope. The American Dream was so appealing. Keep in mind that I was born in Germany in 1938. While my family was not involved in the atrocities of the Nazi party, they witnessed it all unfold. I was too young to really grasp the harsh realities of that era. Years later, I found out we hid a family of eight Jewish neighbors in our attic, but that's a story for another time. Growing up, I idolized the American Dream and hoped to experience it one day. Devil's Gate gave me the opportunity of a lifetime. At least that’s how it was presented. The warning signs were there but I was too engulfed in the journey to notice them. They brought me to Castle Rock, Maine and set me up in what seemed like a nice apartment. Little did I know that there was round-the-clock surveillance on me at all times. An entire team of faceless labcoats was documenting my every move. I only found out recently the extent of the studies done on me all those decades ago. There were chemicals being added to my food that changed my chromosomal integrity. I am beyond humanity. I am something… more. By extension, so was my son, and so is my granddaughter. We are genetically different from most of the planet. Lexi does not know how different she truly is. But she will when the time is right. She doesn't need to know all of what they did to me either. She has her whole life ahead of her. There's no need to worry about the dangers of what Devil's Gate used to be. It was more than just the surface level evil corporation that fans of Action Wrestling have come to know. The silver lining of all I've endured is that I now get to spend all of my time with my granddaughter, and share in the work we both love. Back in the day, in my free time, Devil's Gate allowed me to be a professional wrestler. They handled my bookings and financials. All I had to do was fight. That's very similar to my current situation. Sara takes care of all of my travel accommodations. All I have to do is fight. It's a relatively easy life, aside from the health problems. The heart attack I suffered during my bout with Jody Madrox could have ended my career, had Sara not provided me with world-class medical care. The doctor who now travels with me to every event is strongly against my upcoming bout. His recommendation is that I only have tag team matches, but how could I turn down a United States Championship match? Yes, Jonny Cedrone is at his very best right now, but that only makes the challenge more exhilarating. I wouldn't have it any other way. I want the kind of battle that could shorten my time on this mortal plane… again. Claiming that championship that he holds dear is the epitome of the dream I first encountered over half a century ago. Jonny Cedrone is no slouch. He is as resilient as they come. No matter how many obstacles were in his way, his hope of becoming champion never faded. He never gave up. He never surrendered. At Match Madness, he took the fight directly to Doc Holiday and reclaimed the championship he held for only one month last year. It will be a crippling blow to his ego when his reign ends after only a week this time. I watched his match with Doc Holiday, and I was impressed with both of them. While I am certainly a fan of Jonny Cedrone, I simply cannot allow him to step over me on his journey as United States Champion. I must achieve my American Dream. By any means necessary. Our adventure begins at Cold Bruise, the coffee shop owned by Sara Pettis. Seated at a table are Backbreaker Fight Club co-founder Jason Christopher and Sara Pettis, while the mighty DRAUGR sits at the bar with a chalice straight, black coffee. Jason watches him drink from the chalice and he chuckles. “Does he always use a chalice?” “Yeah, he does. I think he uses it ironically. I'm never sure of his intentions. He does talk more often now but usually only to Lexi.” “You're sure he's… safe to be around?” “Absolutely. Outside of the ring, he's harmless.” "There's just something about the guy that… I don't like.” The mighty DRAUGR turns on the stool and he stares daggers at Jason. "Hes selectively mute, Jason. Not deaf.” DRAUGR steps down and he approaches the table. Jason stands up and goes face-to-face with him. They are the same height, so Jason does not back down. DRAUGR grunts at him and then passes by, shoulder checking him. He heads to the door leading to his studio apartment and Jason sits back down. "He's intense.” “You really shouldn't poke the bear. You're not going to like when he pokes back.” “I get that he's Nate’s dad and all. It just creeps me out a bit how close you and Lexi are to him. You barely know the guy. But you do know how messed up he is. You know more about him than even he does. You say he's harmless outside of the ring, but that's a lie. What about what he did in San Francisco?” "That memory was scrubbed from his mind, and I would like it to stay that way. You swore you'd never tell.” "I know. Don't worry, Sara. His secret is safe with me.” Fade… Jonny Cedrone is a man of the people. He'll tell you that. Ad nauseam. What he doesn't tell you is his need to be loved by the people is directly tied to his love for himself. If they don't chant his name, the light inside of him fades. Without their approval, he would cease to exist. What a dreadful way to live. To carry on, day after day, relying on applause to survive. That's no way for a champion at that level to carry himself. For better or worse, Jonny Cedrone is Action Wrestling United States Champion, and I respect the platform he preaches from. He earned the right to carry himself any way he pleases. He put in the work and got the job done. The only thing wrong with his reign is that his first defense has to be against a man who holds victories over life and death. What I have become in Action Wrestling is an undeniably strong fighter who is nearly unbeatable. Jonny Cedrone can look back to my matches with Jessie Lee and Jody Madrox as examples of how to defeat me. He will fail. All of the trials and tribulations that brought him to this moment have not truly prepared him for the excruciatingly violent encounter he's walking into at April Fools Gold. His mind, body, and soul cannot possibly survive what the mighty DRAUGR is capable of. All those who stood their ground paid the price of defeat, and Jonny Cedrone will be no different. Over five thousand people will cheer him on in a feeble attempt to fuel his confidence. It will all be for nought. The People's Champion will fail the people, and their disappointment in him may be his downfall. Every bit of triumph he had experienced in recent times will be put to the ultimate test at April Fools Gold. It's a grueling test he cannot possibly pass… without cheating. He doesn't strike me as a man who would take the low road to gain advantage in a fight. Being backed into a corner by a dangerous animal can change a person. He may not be aware of the lengths he’d go to in order to remain United States Champion. “Any means necessary” isn't a phrase I take lightly. While I carry a friendlier demeanor than when I first landed here, nefarious tactics are not banned from my arsenal. There is still a great darkness beneath this scarred flesh. The wind could blow these sails south in a moment's notice. Some might say that it could be a… Strong… Gust. Okay, comedy is not my thing and I sincerely apologize for the attempt. What I don't apologize for is the treachery I will unleash on Jonny Cedrone on Monday. He holds something I desire, and I cannot allow him to love past me unscathed. The people will mourn when their champion falls at the feet of the strongest of the strong. No matter how much pain they feel when the dust settles, they will respect the necessary evil I enact at April Fools Gold. I may not be their favorite but they will damn sure accept me as their champion after I conquer their hero. I came to this country in 1958 with a desire for the American Dream and what I got was a lifetime of experimentation at the hands of Devil's Gate. Through the thick of it, I stepped out on the other side harder, better, faster, stronger. I cannot afford to fail but Cedrone can. When he fails, the people coddle him and tell him he's a good boy. They hold his hand and say it's all going to be okay. I hate to say it… but it's not going to be okay. There are dark days ahead for Jonny Cedrone. There will be no Build Back Better with the pieces left behind after the demolition that takes place when we meet in the ring on Monday at April Fools Gold. That United States Championship that he holds dear will soon be in my possession of the mighty DRAUGR. The American Dream has tried to kill me but I always make it out alive. I cannot promise the same outcome for Jonny Cedrone. I have no choice but to abide by my dark urges from bell to bell. There is something… beyond me… that just… takes over. We are all victims of our personal demons. Mine identifies as the American Dream. It has been after me since 1958. The American Dream is killing me. … and Jonny Cedrone isn't safe either. Not one amongst you is safe. Our adventure continues in the studio apartment of the mighty DRAUGR. He stares out the window at the CoolWear Complex, where a United States flag waves proudly in the breeze. “Ich gelobe der flagge der Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika die treue! Und den menschen, für die es steht, gelobe ich, diesen kampf für jeden einzelnen von Ihnen zu gewinnen und die US-Meisterschaft nach hause zu holen…” “… mit allen notwendigen mitteln!” Das ende. |