Why I AM Better Than Who You WERE (2998)
Jan 25, 2020 18:41:47 GMT -5
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Post by Jaice Wilds on Jan 25, 2020 18:41:47 GMT -5
A pair of familiar faces sip Zim-Quilla on the deck of a spaceship. As they share a laugh, a familiar voice rings out from the hall.
Voice:
First Class Wilds on deck!
L Verez and Zima I'on look up, the former jumping to her feet with joy as her friend walks into the room. The two embrace, Zima nodding before she also walks over to hug Wilds. Verez motions to the seats, all three sitting down. Verez offers some Zim-Quilla, Jaice nodding happily.
L Verez:
How have you been? I haven't seen you inā¦ at least a month or two.
Wilds takes a sip of his drink, nodding.
Jaice Wilds:
My apologies, ladies. Just been busy with Alpha Pro and moving back into the Compound. None of the places I looked at felt like home, and I wasn't going to live in hotels forever.
L Verez:
No worries, dear friend. It's not as though we've had a vast amount of time to come see you. We've watched you on Netflix, but with Zima's career and zooming about space...
Wilds nods.
Jaice Wilds:
I appreciate the support, guys. Just out here still trying to make my mark; it's good to know I've got friends behind me.
Verez nods, slowly fading from joy to disappointment.
L Verez:
It's just sad that some friends turn around and stab you in the back.
Jaice Wilds:
Don't do that to yourself, L. You're better than that.
Verez sighs; shaking her head. She places her glass on a nearby end table, a shrug.
L Verez:
Are you suggesting that I simply overlook the fact that Bonnie essentially called me a failure? After I tried so hard to be the leader she wanted me to be in her stead??
Jaice scoffs, shaking his head. He places his glass on another table, leaning over a bit as he looks into L's face.
Jaice Wilds:
Let's get one thing straight, darlin. You were never going to be Bonnie. And you never had to be. The WCF cast of the Guardians were assembled specifically to raise Blue to main event status. They did their job, and she left WCF with what she wanted. She tried to do the same with the AW version, but she did so using false promises of challenging the status quo and raising the level of competition. And when that version failed to lift her personal status, she found the one with the biggest heart to take responsibility for the fall of the Guardians.
L Verez:
Which is exactly what I did. I failed.
Jaice Wilds:
That's bullshit.
Verez looks up, a puzzled look on her face. Jaice sits up, sliding forward a bit in his seat.
Jaice Wilds:
Look, we may have been a bitā¦ dysfunctional. But even when Hawkins and I were at each other's throats, you stood up and found a way to pull us all together. Even when we started ripping apart at the seams, you stayed your hand as the heart and soul of our crew; always pulling us back to see the bigger picture. You kept the Guardians together when Bonnie refused to step up.
Verez nods shyly, a slight grin starting across her face. Jaice motions to a poster on a far wall, depicting the Action Wrestling group of Guardians. He takes a breath before continuing.
Jaice Wilds:
Bonnie's only goal was to put herself in the main event. It wasn't until you took over that Damian and I were representing the Guardians in the Tag Team division. It wasn't until you recruited Claire that we had someone repping our banner in the Television and UCI Title pictures. It wasn't until you were handed the reins that the Television Championship fell into the hands of the Guardians- the de facto leader, no less- and we managed to take the World Title scene by storm.
I'on reaches over, placing a supportive hand on Verez's shoulder. L meets Zima's eyes, the two share a grin. They turn back to Wilds.
Jaice Wilds:
Bonnie wants to offset the blame my any means necessary to save her own ass. We may have failed to make Bonnie a World Champion in action; but it was Blue who failed the Guardians when she put herself before the group as a whole. You put the group before yourself for the good of the whole. As a good leader does. Do not, do. not. let some self-serving bitch tell you that you don't measure up. WCF versus Action Wrestling Guardians? A-Dub wins every time.
Verez smiles, standing. Wilds gets up, the two hug for a moment. As they seperate, Verez places a hand round the back of Wilds' neck.
L Verez:
Give her an extra dose of pain for me. Okay?
Wilds nods, the two sitting back down. Zima quickly changes the conversation, the three sharing a laugh over a joke of some sort.
-----------------------
The following is a letter addressed to Bonnie Blue; intercepted and published to the Action Wrestling website.
The Time Witch is back, ladies and germs. That's right; the former WCF World Champion herself, Bonnie fuckin' Blue. This amazing ring legend has held multiple titles over multiple federations, has defeated fellow legends of the business and brought herself to the forefront by forming the Guardians and selling ouā¦ pardon me; joiningā¦ #BeachKrew.
It's an impressive list of accomplishments you've got there, Bon. Really. I mean, it's like you said on Twitter: I've got ten plus years in the business with half of nothing to show for it. And you have all these great things you've managed to achieve in a much shorter time. I mean, how could I possibly compare??
Please. You want to come at me, basing your ever-inevitable victory on the fact that you used to be somebody. And that's all well and good, m'dear. But you've got it all twisted up. Allow me to askā¦ what's on the WCF Slam card this week? I mean, that is where you held your most treasured prize, no? So what's the card look like??
Oh, right. WCF went under early last year, and there hasn't been another Slam card. So I suppose the new question is: where is your current World Title from??
I've got time, I can wait for a response.
Oh, but I s'pose the people reading this on the Action website aren't likely as patient as I. So I'll fill in the blanks.
WCF folded.
You went on a ridiculously long honeymoon.
You come back to AW acting like you haven't lost your touch.
But you're a former World Champion!! That counts for something!!
ā¦ doesn't it?
Well, let's take a little stroll down memory lane. My memories. June 27, 2009. A young upstart named Marxx was poised to challenge for the Pioneer Wrestling World Title. The man had been on the roster for all of three months, and was in a match to determine the King of the proverbial Mountain. And by the gods, less than half a year in, the boy is a World Champion.
Now, I know what you're thinking: what the hell does this have to do with us?
Well, Bon, it's not about us. It's entirely about you. See, just like the boy Marxx, you once had the weight of the world on your shoulders. You stood on the mountain top, looking down at the peons who scraped and clawed for the chance to lick your boots. But time moves on, Bonnie. Federations crumble, names and faces change. And look: you can cling to the past all you want. It's your right. But eleven years ago, Marxx won a World Title as well, and that was enough for him. Within a year and a half, he was gone. Never to be heard from again.
A forgotten name.
On a faded line.
In a decaying column.
In an old, dusty book.
On a dirty shelf.
Somewhere in the most obscure halls of wrestling history.
And if that's what makes you happy, then so be it. Collect all the shiny trinkets you desire, then fade away into the annals of wrestling greats. You won't get any hate from me.
What you will receive, however, is a short lesson on why your argument for relevance is entirely short-sighted.
I can name off dozens of greats who made this industry what it is. Men and women who once held World Titles of their own, believing it their destiny to be enshrined forever in the hearts and minds of the people.
But you don't recall the Maxwell Conners or the Darson Grays. You don't have Jaden Zion or Eric Michaels at the tip of your tongue. The likes of Bubba J, Matthew Engel, Simon Kalisā¦ all fond memories of a bygone era.
That's the "legacy" you so desperately cling to, Bon. Put your time in, garner your achievements, go home.
My legacy is far more long-term. Ten plus years ago, I got my start. I made a name for myself by giving my all and continuously innovating aerial combat. For all that time, Bonnie, I have seen new names and faces. Competed with the new gen of the business. My overall record, admittedly, can be summed up as mediocre at best. That's just something that happens, and I accept that. And much as you and so many others want to laugh, the truth is that you are the one with everything to lose this Sunday.
Your entire realm of being is based on who you used to be. On what your name meant a year ago. For you, this match pretty much is your legacy; you either defeat me and prove that you're still a threat, or you fail and show the world that the you of today is a shell of who you were. But for me, Bon?
This isn't my defining moment. This is simply another chapter in my book. I rose to prominence a decade ago. Despite the differing names and faces; in lieu of management and company changes, I remain constant. I am a household name, not because I beat some random opponent on some arbitrary night to win a shiny trinket; but because as the years roll on, so do I. Despite the world around me constantly altering and morphing into a new product, I remain at the forefront of it all.
Ten more years up the road, Bonnie, yourself and J Rabid-y are going to be looking at your trophy cases, admiring your World Title replicas. You'll be reminiscing on the good ol' days when you both were worth the time and energy of mentioning. Hell, you might even be invited to do some meet-and-greets for diehard fans of the sport. But you're going to flip on your television. You'll cruise through the stations. You'll land on a wrestling show for some place you've never heard of. And while you've been a vague reminder of days long gone, your eyes will grow wide as you see me, still battling with the best the business has to offer. Still competing with the big-name stars of the era. Still being recognized by the masses as an aerial innovator and a main event player.
You feel free to find contentment in your short time in the business. Go ahead and flaunt your shiny trinkets, your connections, your history. Five, ten years down the road; you, too, will be nothing more than wrestling history. But I will never be content with fading into obscurity, Bonnie. I will never be okay with building a temporary following and disappearing into the night. My legacy, Bonnie, will be writing new chapters in wrestling's lineage and remaining relevant until the day I am no longer physically capable of doing this anymore. You take your Dr Seuss pamphlet legacy and run along home; I'm writing the wrestling equivalent of the Potter series. And one day, when your WCF World Title reign means as much as Dunkaroosā¦ We'll see who's laughing.
Good luck, Ms Blue. You're actually going to need it.
-----------------------
Order of Chaos Compound. Training facility.
Wilds is practicing on a wooden dummy, paying little mind as Jenna Baeur walks in. He throws a left palm, ducks, right palm, high knee, duckā¦ then pauses. He turns, a grin.
Jaice Wilds:
My apologies, Ms Bauer. I should have kept better track of the time. Please, come in.
Jenna nods, walking over to the Final General. She extends a hand, Wilds taking it and bowing his head as he shakes it. They seperate, Jaice directing Jenna to a nearby set of lawn chairs. They sit, Jenna pulling out a tape recorder. She smiles, hitting the record button.
Jenna Bauer:
Thank you, first, for allowing me to get this interview with you. Secondly, the fans need to know. How does it feel to be back in Action Wrestling?
Jaice Wilds:
Honestly, Jennaā¦ feels kinda good. I mean, I was prepared to finally get my rematch with Corey and then fade off into the sunset as far as A-Dub was concerned. But then I get word that management is letting bygones be bygones; and I decided that if they can be mature about the situation, I owe it to the fans and myself to be a bigger person.
Jenna Bauer:
That's good to know. However, you haven't had a match in Action since XIII, and some believe you're simply taking on this match with Bonnie Blue for the sake of appearances.
Jaice snickers, shaking his head.
Jaice Wilds:
Is that what the media is saying? Look; there was wrongdoing on both sides of that incident. And when I was let go, I signed another contract. I appreciate that Action is welcoming me back; but I do have other contractual obligations to attend to. But I intend on being present for any match that Action management agrees to book me in; and I will continue to put on the best goddamn performances of my career.
Jenna nods, rifling through some paperwork.
Jenna Bauer:
This one comes from a fan. You've become a laughing stock in the business after the Evolution II incident. How do you intend on regaining respect from the fans, the locker roomā¦ everyone?
Wilds sits back, a slight chuckle. He scratches his chin.
Jaice Wilds:
I'm gonna catch heat for this. But it needs to be said: I frankly don't give a damn who does and does not respect me.
Wilds brushes a few locks from his face, taking a breath.
Jaice Wilds:
March 19, 2018. Dark Spectre makes his debut in Action. Despite a valiant effort, he lost that six-man tag match when his partner was pinned.
The following week, I defeated Bonnie Blue in singles action.
Evolution, I fought not one, but two matches. And was the standout athlete in both.
Pandemic; Kaine and I defeated Bishop and Priest to challenge Power Word: Kill for the Tag Titles.
Carnage. I defeat not one, but two men to become Cruiserweight Champion.
And still, I'm looked down upon.
It wasn't until #EffinRager that people took notice. I was picked as a match filler. As a wild card to throw off Lockhart. Not even Camila honestly thought I'd last more than five minutes.
But five minutes passed. No bell.
Ten minutes. Still no bell.
Fifteen; the mood starts to shift, and management starts to wonder what their roster has been hiding.
Twenty minutes, Lockhart is almost a former champion.
And just as I was seconds away from snapping Ryan's arm in half and very likely becoming World Champion for the first time ever, #BeachKrew interfered.
For almost an entire year, I was looked upon as a side note. A filler. A joke. And in one night, I did what nobody else to date has been able to do. I struck fear into the heart of #BeachKrew. I became a threat, and a hero. The fans in the arena and watching at home, the boys in the back, management- they all realized that I was far more than they had made me out to be.
And because I wanted to guarantee a rematch against Corey, because he made things personal and I was confined to regular rules and regulationsā¦ now I'm a joke again. That's fine. That's entirely okay; because people are fickle and they will sway with the mood. But I am constant, Jenna. And whether you love me or you hate me, you're tuning in to watch me. Everyone is talking about me. Everybody wants their shot at me; and Jennaā¦ I am more than happy to oblige.
Jenna is taken by Wilds' brazen sternness, taking a moment to gather her thoughts. She shuffles through her paperwork, glancing through the print.
Jenna Bauer:
Just one more. You said on social media that you plan on making 2020 the "Wilds versus WCF Tour". We know that you've already faced Corey and Bonnie is this Sunday. Is there anyone in particular you're hoping to draw from the woodwork??
Wilds ponders for a moment, stroking his chin. He nods, leaning back.
Jaice Wilds:
I mean, Joey Flash has already offered to come out for a battle. And Joseph transcends WCF; this is a wrestling legend. I know FPV thinks he's hot shit, but he's on the line to lose two seperate World Title matches this weekend. Something, something dead horse and such. Bring on who the hell ever; y'all know where to find me. And I have never turned down a fight- certainly not going to start now.
Jenna nods, cutting off the recorder. She packs up her things, standing. Wilds does the same, they shake hands again.
Jenna Bauer:
I'll be honest, Jaice. I haven't been entirely sure what to make of you. But for whatever it's worth; I'm glad to have you back in the Action circle.
Wilds grins as Jenna starts past him, heading towards the exit. Jaice walks up to the wooden dummy, going back to training for his upcoming bout.
Voice:
First Class Wilds on deck!
L Verez and Zima I'on look up, the former jumping to her feet with joy as her friend walks into the room. The two embrace, Zima nodding before she also walks over to hug Wilds. Verez motions to the seats, all three sitting down. Verez offers some Zim-Quilla, Jaice nodding happily.
L Verez:
How have you been? I haven't seen you inā¦ at least a month or two.
Wilds takes a sip of his drink, nodding.
Jaice Wilds:
My apologies, ladies. Just been busy with Alpha Pro and moving back into the Compound. None of the places I looked at felt like home, and I wasn't going to live in hotels forever.
L Verez:
No worries, dear friend. It's not as though we've had a vast amount of time to come see you. We've watched you on Netflix, but with Zima's career and zooming about space...
Wilds nods.
Jaice Wilds:
I appreciate the support, guys. Just out here still trying to make my mark; it's good to know I've got friends behind me.
Verez nods, slowly fading from joy to disappointment.
L Verez:
It's just sad that some friends turn around and stab you in the back.
Jaice Wilds:
Don't do that to yourself, L. You're better than that.
Verez sighs; shaking her head. She places her glass on a nearby end table, a shrug.
L Verez:
Are you suggesting that I simply overlook the fact that Bonnie essentially called me a failure? After I tried so hard to be the leader she wanted me to be in her stead??
Jaice scoffs, shaking his head. He places his glass on another table, leaning over a bit as he looks into L's face.
Jaice Wilds:
Let's get one thing straight, darlin. You were never going to be Bonnie. And you never had to be. The WCF cast of the Guardians were assembled specifically to raise Blue to main event status. They did their job, and she left WCF with what she wanted. She tried to do the same with the AW version, but she did so using false promises of challenging the status quo and raising the level of competition. And when that version failed to lift her personal status, she found the one with the biggest heart to take responsibility for the fall of the Guardians.
L Verez:
Which is exactly what I did. I failed.
Jaice Wilds:
That's bullshit.
Verez looks up, a puzzled look on her face. Jaice sits up, sliding forward a bit in his seat.
Jaice Wilds:
Look, we may have been a bitā¦ dysfunctional. But even when Hawkins and I were at each other's throats, you stood up and found a way to pull us all together. Even when we started ripping apart at the seams, you stayed your hand as the heart and soul of our crew; always pulling us back to see the bigger picture. You kept the Guardians together when Bonnie refused to step up.
Verez nods shyly, a slight grin starting across her face. Jaice motions to a poster on a far wall, depicting the Action Wrestling group of Guardians. He takes a breath before continuing.
Jaice Wilds:
Bonnie's only goal was to put herself in the main event. It wasn't until you took over that Damian and I were representing the Guardians in the Tag Team division. It wasn't until you recruited Claire that we had someone repping our banner in the Television and UCI Title pictures. It wasn't until you were handed the reins that the Television Championship fell into the hands of the Guardians- the de facto leader, no less- and we managed to take the World Title scene by storm.
I'on reaches over, placing a supportive hand on Verez's shoulder. L meets Zima's eyes, the two share a grin. They turn back to Wilds.
Jaice Wilds:
Bonnie wants to offset the blame my any means necessary to save her own ass. We may have failed to make Bonnie a World Champion in action; but it was Blue who failed the Guardians when she put herself before the group as a whole. You put the group before yourself for the good of the whole. As a good leader does. Do not, do. not. let some self-serving bitch tell you that you don't measure up. WCF versus Action Wrestling Guardians? A-Dub wins every time.
Verez smiles, standing. Wilds gets up, the two hug for a moment. As they seperate, Verez places a hand round the back of Wilds' neck.
L Verez:
Give her an extra dose of pain for me. Okay?
Wilds nods, the two sitting back down. Zima quickly changes the conversation, the three sharing a laugh over a joke of some sort.
-----------------------
The following is a letter addressed to Bonnie Blue; intercepted and published to the Action Wrestling website.
The Time Witch is back, ladies and germs. That's right; the former WCF World Champion herself, Bonnie fuckin' Blue. This amazing ring legend has held multiple titles over multiple federations, has defeated fellow legends of the business and brought herself to the forefront by forming the Guardians and selling ouā¦ pardon me; joiningā¦ #BeachKrew.
It's an impressive list of accomplishments you've got there, Bon. Really. I mean, it's like you said on Twitter: I've got ten plus years in the business with half of nothing to show for it. And you have all these great things you've managed to achieve in a much shorter time. I mean, how could I possibly compare??
Please. You want to come at me, basing your ever-inevitable victory on the fact that you used to be somebody. And that's all well and good, m'dear. But you've got it all twisted up. Allow me to askā¦ what's on the WCF Slam card this week? I mean, that is where you held your most treasured prize, no? So what's the card look like??
Oh, right. WCF went under early last year, and there hasn't been another Slam card. So I suppose the new question is: where is your current World Title from??
I've got time, I can wait for a response.
Oh, but I s'pose the people reading this on the Action website aren't likely as patient as I. So I'll fill in the blanks.
WCF folded.
You went on a ridiculously long honeymoon.
You come back to AW acting like you haven't lost your touch.
But you're a former World Champion!! That counts for something!!
ā¦ doesn't it?
Well, let's take a little stroll down memory lane. My memories. June 27, 2009. A young upstart named Marxx was poised to challenge for the Pioneer Wrestling World Title. The man had been on the roster for all of three months, and was in a match to determine the King of the proverbial Mountain. And by the gods, less than half a year in, the boy is a World Champion.
Now, I know what you're thinking: what the hell does this have to do with us?
Well, Bon, it's not about us. It's entirely about you. See, just like the boy Marxx, you once had the weight of the world on your shoulders. You stood on the mountain top, looking down at the peons who scraped and clawed for the chance to lick your boots. But time moves on, Bonnie. Federations crumble, names and faces change. And look: you can cling to the past all you want. It's your right. But eleven years ago, Marxx won a World Title as well, and that was enough for him. Within a year and a half, he was gone. Never to be heard from again.
A forgotten name.
On a faded line.
In a decaying column.
In an old, dusty book.
On a dirty shelf.
Somewhere in the most obscure halls of wrestling history.
And if that's what makes you happy, then so be it. Collect all the shiny trinkets you desire, then fade away into the annals of wrestling greats. You won't get any hate from me.
What you will receive, however, is a short lesson on why your argument for relevance is entirely short-sighted.
I can name off dozens of greats who made this industry what it is. Men and women who once held World Titles of their own, believing it their destiny to be enshrined forever in the hearts and minds of the people.
But you don't recall the Maxwell Conners or the Darson Grays. You don't have Jaden Zion or Eric Michaels at the tip of your tongue. The likes of Bubba J, Matthew Engel, Simon Kalisā¦ all fond memories of a bygone era.
That's the "legacy" you so desperately cling to, Bon. Put your time in, garner your achievements, go home.
My legacy is far more long-term. Ten plus years ago, I got my start. I made a name for myself by giving my all and continuously innovating aerial combat. For all that time, Bonnie, I have seen new names and faces. Competed with the new gen of the business. My overall record, admittedly, can be summed up as mediocre at best. That's just something that happens, and I accept that. And much as you and so many others want to laugh, the truth is that you are the one with everything to lose this Sunday.
Your entire realm of being is based on who you used to be. On what your name meant a year ago. For you, this match pretty much is your legacy; you either defeat me and prove that you're still a threat, or you fail and show the world that the you of today is a shell of who you were. But for me, Bon?
This isn't my defining moment. This is simply another chapter in my book. I rose to prominence a decade ago. Despite the differing names and faces; in lieu of management and company changes, I remain constant. I am a household name, not because I beat some random opponent on some arbitrary night to win a shiny trinket; but because as the years roll on, so do I. Despite the world around me constantly altering and morphing into a new product, I remain at the forefront of it all.
Ten more years up the road, Bonnie, yourself and J Rabid-y are going to be looking at your trophy cases, admiring your World Title replicas. You'll be reminiscing on the good ol' days when you both were worth the time and energy of mentioning. Hell, you might even be invited to do some meet-and-greets for diehard fans of the sport. But you're going to flip on your television. You'll cruise through the stations. You'll land on a wrestling show for some place you've never heard of. And while you've been a vague reminder of days long gone, your eyes will grow wide as you see me, still battling with the best the business has to offer. Still competing with the big-name stars of the era. Still being recognized by the masses as an aerial innovator and a main event player.
You feel free to find contentment in your short time in the business. Go ahead and flaunt your shiny trinkets, your connections, your history. Five, ten years down the road; you, too, will be nothing more than wrestling history. But I will never be content with fading into obscurity, Bonnie. I will never be okay with building a temporary following and disappearing into the night. My legacy, Bonnie, will be writing new chapters in wrestling's lineage and remaining relevant until the day I am no longer physically capable of doing this anymore. You take your Dr Seuss pamphlet legacy and run along home; I'm writing the wrestling equivalent of the Potter series. And one day, when your WCF World Title reign means as much as Dunkaroosā¦ We'll see who's laughing.
Good luck, Ms Blue. You're actually going to need it.
-----------------------
Order of Chaos Compound. Training facility.
Wilds is practicing on a wooden dummy, paying little mind as Jenna Baeur walks in. He throws a left palm, ducks, right palm, high knee, duckā¦ then pauses. He turns, a grin.
Jaice Wilds:
My apologies, Ms Bauer. I should have kept better track of the time. Please, come in.
Jenna nods, walking over to the Final General. She extends a hand, Wilds taking it and bowing his head as he shakes it. They seperate, Jaice directing Jenna to a nearby set of lawn chairs. They sit, Jenna pulling out a tape recorder. She smiles, hitting the record button.
Jenna Bauer:
Thank you, first, for allowing me to get this interview with you. Secondly, the fans need to know. How does it feel to be back in Action Wrestling?
Jaice Wilds:
Honestly, Jennaā¦ feels kinda good. I mean, I was prepared to finally get my rematch with Corey and then fade off into the sunset as far as A-Dub was concerned. But then I get word that management is letting bygones be bygones; and I decided that if they can be mature about the situation, I owe it to the fans and myself to be a bigger person.
Jenna Bauer:
That's good to know. However, you haven't had a match in Action since XIII, and some believe you're simply taking on this match with Bonnie Blue for the sake of appearances.
Jaice snickers, shaking his head.
Jaice Wilds:
Is that what the media is saying? Look; there was wrongdoing on both sides of that incident. And when I was let go, I signed another contract. I appreciate that Action is welcoming me back; but I do have other contractual obligations to attend to. But I intend on being present for any match that Action management agrees to book me in; and I will continue to put on the best goddamn performances of my career.
Jenna nods, rifling through some paperwork.
Jenna Bauer:
This one comes from a fan. You've become a laughing stock in the business after the Evolution II incident. How do you intend on regaining respect from the fans, the locker roomā¦ everyone?
Wilds sits back, a slight chuckle. He scratches his chin.
Jaice Wilds:
I'm gonna catch heat for this. But it needs to be said: I frankly don't give a damn who does and does not respect me.
Wilds brushes a few locks from his face, taking a breath.
Jaice Wilds:
March 19, 2018. Dark Spectre makes his debut in Action. Despite a valiant effort, he lost that six-man tag match when his partner was pinned.
The following week, I defeated Bonnie Blue in singles action.
Evolution, I fought not one, but two matches. And was the standout athlete in both.
Pandemic; Kaine and I defeated Bishop and Priest to challenge Power Word: Kill for the Tag Titles.
Carnage. I defeat not one, but two men to become Cruiserweight Champion.
And still, I'm looked down upon.
It wasn't until #EffinRager that people took notice. I was picked as a match filler. As a wild card to throw off Lockhart. Not even Camila honestly thought I'd last more than five minutes.
But five minutes passed. No bell.
Ten minutes. Still no bell.
Fifteen; the mood starts to shift, and management starts to wonder what their roster has been hiding.
Twenty minutes, Lockhart is almost a former champion.
And just as I was seconds away from snapping Ryan's arm in half and very likely becoming World Champion for the first time ever, #BeachKrew interfered.
For almost an entire year, I was looked upon as a side note. A filler. A joke. And in one night, I did what nobody else to date has been able to do. I struck fear into the heart of #BeachKrew. I became a threat, and a hero. The fans in the arena and watching at home, the boys in the back, management- they all realized that I was far more than they had made me out to be.
And because I wanted to guarantee a rematch against Corey, because he made things personal and I was confined to regular rules and regulationsā¦ now I'm a joke again. That's fine. That's entirely okay; because people are fickle and they will sway with the mood. But I am constant, Jenna. And whether you love me or you hate me, you're tuning in to watch me. Everyone is talking about me. Everybody wants their shot at me; and Jennaā¦ I am more than happy to oblige.
Jenna is taken by Wilds' brazen sternness, taking a moment to gather her thoughts. She shuffles through her paperwork, glancing through the print.
Jenna Bauer:
Just one more. You said on social media that you plan on making 2020 the "Wilds versus WCF Tour". We know that you've already faced Corey and Bonnie is this Sunday. Is there anyone in particular you're hoping to draw from the woodwork??
Wilds ponders for a moment, stroking his chin. He nods, leaning back.
Jaice Wilds:
I mean, Joey Flash has already offered to come out for a battle. And Joseph transcends WCF; this is a wrestling legend. I know FPV thinks he's hot shit, but he's on the line to lose two seperate World Title matches this weekend. Something, something dead horse and such. Bring on who the hell ever; y'all know where to find me. And I have never turned down a fight- certainly not going to start now.
Jenna nods, cutting off the recorder. She packs up her things, standing. Wilds does the same, they shake hands again.
Jenna Bauer:
I'll be honest, Jaice. I haven't been entirely sure what to make of you. But for whatever it's worth; I'm glad to have you back in the Action circle.
Wilds grins as Jenna starts past him, heading towards the exit. Jaice walks up to the wooden dummy, going back to training for his upcoming bout.