Post by Kyle Kemp on Mar 28, 2021 21:08:22 GMT -5
Present Day
Kemp can slowly feel the beads of sweat roll down his face as he stands in the locker room. He is staring straight ahead at the wall as he stretches. The other members of The Following are speaking but they only sound like white noise to Kemp. He closes his eyes and continues to stare straight ahead, focusing on the task at hand. He is trying to stay loose but the pressure is there. The pressure to succeed.
This is the opportunity that I’ve asked for almost a decade. A shot at being World Champion. A shot that many have kept me from.
How many times have I been this close? This close to getting this shot but then being told it wasn’t my turn? Countless. Countless times I’ve thought it was going to be my chance only to have the rug yanked out from under me. Yanked out from under me by my peers, management and my friends. That’s right. My friends.
At least that’s what I called them. The truth is they were never my friends. I was just used to help them get to the top. Thrown aside after like a used whore. What makes it worse is the praise that these men get. It makes you wonder. Is that what I need to do to get to the top?
6 Days Earlier
Kemp has been on edge for a week. Snapping at random members during training sessions, bringing members into his office to nitpick little things, doing everything he can to make sure The Following is ready headed into Timebomb. Making sure that he is ready.
Somehow keeping everyone else on edge and thinking that they are ready to fight at a moment's notice makes him think he is ready to fight. And a fight is what he needs to be ready for. That’s what happens when you’re taking on five other people for the World Title.
Kemp cracks his neck before grabbing a remote off his desk and turning on a TV on a side wall of his office. Instantly pops up is security feed from the rest of the compound. Kemp stands and walks around his desk. He stands in front of the security feed and rubs his chin with his hand, staring at the different movements of his men.
CJ Phoenix is quickly moving around a training ring, working on some new moves. He also has an important match at Timebomb. A chance to get a shot at the Crusierweight Title. Kemp watches each movement intently. He knows that CJ is ready but who is more important?
Kemp sighs. He wants to go down to the ring and tell CJ that he is going to help him with the chamber. That he needs to be ready to help Kemp but if he shifts CJ’s focus then what will happen to his own important match? Will that shift hurt CJ’s chances? Is it selfish for him to do that?
He continues to look around the feed and sees Dandy talking with some of the younger guys and Chase having a conversation with Wesley. Each of these guys are working on things that are important to The Following as a whole but Kemp has finally been forced to make an important decision. Putting the group first or himself first.
Many probably expect me to come out here and be critical of the mentality of my opponents. They expect me to go to the same well and talk about how Spencer Adams owes me. That he owes me for making him become World Champion a couple years back. That he wouldn’t be a Grand Slam Champion without me. Those are all facts but one fact that I always leave out is that it is what was best for Spencer.
That’s right my oldest friend. You did what was best for you. I can’t deny that. I won’t deny that. Just like I can’t deny that I’m faced with the exact same choice this Sunday. Do I go back on my word? Do I use the other members of The Following to do my bidding? That’s question has rang through my ears all week.
But it’s not just me. So many people in this match have allies. Clearly Ash Blake can use all of the sponsored Philidor wrestlers and we know that she will. We’ve seen that she’s willing to do anything to protect herself and her investments and as much as I hate to say it, it’s worked.
It’s worked for her. It’s worked for Der Metzger. Every person in this match except for our Trey Bouchet has been aided by groups to success at one point or the other. Everyone but me. I’ve always been the one helping. I’ve always been the one getting that other person to the top. This is the first time I could do it for myself but something is holding me back.
I don’t want to win that way.
I know what it’s like to be used and I hate it. I’ve made the sacrifices to get others to the top and I’ve been the guy that realizes I made the sacrifices and got zero reward.
This exact scenario is what I promised I wouldn’t do when I formed The Following. I said I wouldn’t put myself first. I said being a better man was more important. I said all of those things but now I’m here and I can’t help but ask myself one question.
If I don’t pull the trigger will I ever get this shot again?
5 Days Earlier
The sounds of rain gently thumping on the roof can be heard throughout the compound as Kemp sits on one of the common areas on a couch by a window. He looks out at the rain, still clearly fighting with his inner thoughts about what to do on Sunday.
His thoughts are interrupted by Wesley taking a seat on the opposite side of the couch. They sit in silence for a second before Wesley finally speaks.
I know we’ve only known each other a short time in the grand scheme of things but you aren’t yourself.
Kemp just nods for a second, knowing Wesley is right. He can feel it.
I know. I’m in a funk Wesley and I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how to get out of it.
This is the biggest week of your career. You’re getting a World Title shot! You’ve got to focus man.
Kemp pauses before his voice comes out unsure and wavering.
But I can’t man. I’ve tried everything. I just can’t clear my head.
I don’t understand man. What’s bothering you?
Kemp takes a second and doesn’t know what to say. How do you tell someone that you want to use your friends. Hell your family for your own gain. He shakes his head and forces a smile.
I’m just nervous about this match. I’ve never had a World Title match in Action Wrestling and I only had 1 in WCF and I didn’t really get a fair shot at that one. Do you know what’s crazy?
What?
I’ve been doing this for 7 years. I’ve worked my way towards the top. I’ve given it everything I have and no one has ever felt comfortable enough in me to give me a legitimate shot at the World Title.
You got….
No I didn’t! Let’s be real. Management didn’t want me in the chamber. They thought Howard Black, their golden boy Wrestler of the Year, was going to use me as a stepping stone to legitimize him being in the chamber. Nobody thought I was going to beat him like I did.
And that should tell you that you have every chance to win this.
Yeah but what if I don’t?
You can’t think that way. You’ve got to be positive heading in or you’re going to get steamrolled.
And therein lies the problem. The pressure is overwhelming.
But you need to relax your mind. Be the better man Kyle! Be the better man.
Kemp doesn’t say anything as Wesley stands up.
You have all the potential in the world Kyle. Don’t let your nerves take this from you.
Wesley walks away and Kemp dips his head but Wesley stops.
And if you need The Following, well we’ve got your back brother.
He smiles at Kemp and walks away, leaving Kemp to wonder even more now what he should do.
For the past 7 years I have watched guys pop into the World Title scene and then disappear. I’ve watched people be in the company for a matter of weeks and get title shots. I’ve watched the new flavor of the month rocket to the top and be gone a couple months later. It’s happened time and again and I’ve just watched, amazed at how stupid management can be.
Why?
Because they recycle this method over and over.
Think I’m wrong? Just look at Der Metzger. He’s the newest flavor of the month. He’s been here 5 months and he’s already getting opportunities that I’ve waited 7 years for. Now I’m not discounting his achievements. He’s taken advantage of his opportunities but that word. Opportunities. That word is what is all about.
Ever since I showed up in professional wrestling I’ve had to scratch and claw to get where I’m at today. I’ve had to fight harder than anyone else! From day one people have looked at me as the spoiled baseball player with a rich daddy that wasn’t here for the right reasons.
I’ve tried to change that opinion but deep down I know people still feel that way about me. I know they think I’m here for my own personal agenda. Now I’m accused of only being here to push The Following. It’s never that I’m here because I love to wrestle and I love this business but I do.
I love everything about it and that is why it hurts time after time that I don’t see the opportunities that some of these one hit wonders do. This match is just like when I win the United States Title. Everyone expected me to lose. At that time it was a feeder match for Walter. It was expected that he would take all of us out in a multi man match but I defied the odds. I choked out Walter. I won the United States Title and I ruined the plans management had. I forced them to recognize me and….
I’m going to do it again!
3 Days Earlier
You can always tell when something is wrong with a member of your family especially if you’re as close as Dandy and Kemp. They aren’t the longest reigning Tag Team Champions for nothing. That’s why Dandy knows he needs to talk to Kemp. Something has been haunting him all week.
That’s why he is now walking into Kemps office unannounced. Kemp looks up and surprisingly doesn’t look annoyed but instead looks relieved.
Hey man.
Jesus Christ….. you look fuckin’ terrible.
Which isn’t a lie. Kemp looks exhausted.
Just been stressing about this match.
Fuck that. You’ve waited too long to be so worried about this.
That wait is what stressed me out.
Bullshit. There’s something else.
Why do you say that?
Dandy’s eyes narrow and a sly smile covers his face.
Because I’ve worked big matches with you. You only get this way with more important shit. You haven’t been this way since the week after Wesley down.
Kemp purses his lips and stares a hole in Dandys eyes before taking a deep breath.
I’m conflicted. I want to win this match more than I’ve wanted anything in my life. To be World Champion and knowing I’d be main eventing Evolution is everything and I know that I could make it ten times easier for myself if I did one thing.
Dandy puts his hand up and stops Kemp.
I think I know where you are heading with this. You could win if you tossed me and the rest of the boys a set of bolt cutters and had us storm the chamber, make sure you came out on top.
Exactly.
Dandy shakes his head as Kemp continues.
But if I did that I’d be going against everything this place was built on. I made…
Promises? Because you fuckin’ did do that. You promised this place was about being better! You promised this group would be better.
I know that.
You can’t give that order.
Kemp points at Dandy
You’ve been World Champion! I've never gotten this legitimately close!
And The Following is more important than the World Title!
And….
No! If you do this it will shit on everything we have built!
Dandy angrily walks over to the door before turning around.
If you do this. If you give the order for us to fuckin’ do that there will be a permanent stain on your Title reign and on this group. Decide if it’s worth it and I’ll decide if this is worth it
Dandy storms out, leaving Kemp to his thoughts.
I told you I would find my way to you Ash. I said that one way or another I would find a way to get my hands on you. Now here we are, only days away from an encounter that you fear.
An encounter you thought your sponsors could keep you from. Too bad you’ve backed all the wrong horses. HR Department? Beat them. Carter Shaw? Beat him. Cranley and Vayden? Gone. I said there would be no obstacle that would keep me from you and yet you hid. Hoping that a never ending feud with Corey Black would distract you.
But we all knew the truth. We saw it last week when you hid at the top of the ramp.
You want nothing to do with me.
An eye for an eye. Remember that. Remember that when I lift you up for Justice not the first time but for the second. Remember that when I whisper “Again” in your ear just like you said to your bodyguards when they attacked Wesley. Remember the image of me standing over you.
That image is one that I will use to laugh in the rest of my opponents' faces! To all those that thought I couldn’t do it like Corey Black and Spencer Adams! To the new guys like Der Metzger and Trey Bouchet that have only heard that I’m some mid card guy that has never reached the pinnacle. To Ash Blake who thought she could cripple The Following by taking Wesley out. All of you will see what hard work and dedication gets you. You will see what happens when you underestimate someone. I say that specifically for you Corey.
We've crossed paths countless times. We have been across the ring and many would expect that a mutual respect would have been earned by now. That couldn't be farther from the truth. You don't respect me Corey. You never have and you never will. It's not because of my background either. You may blame it on that but that couldn't be farther from the truth. The truth really is that you can't stand that I'm still here. Every passing week I prove you wrong and for someone that claims to be King, they cannot stand to be wrong. I was someone that you pointed at and claimed that they didn't love this business. You claim that I have excuses and claim that I'm someone that needs to be surrounded by others. I've been hearing it from you since the #BeachKrew days and I was teaming with John Rabid. I heard it at the end of my run at WCF when I was willing to stick it out and give you everything I had.
Do you remember that Corey? Everyone else had walked out. They had gone to Action Wrestling. All of the people that you felt would be loyal to you had spit in your face and left you. I didn't. I stayed. I stayed after the mass exodus and what did you do? You refused to give me any credit. You refused to accept me. You still couldn't drop your guard and admit that I was WCF all the way. I was still that kid you said wouldn't hack it under your breath to the other "veterans."
But I can hack it. I'm still wrestling. I'm still here. I'm still fighting. And I'm still trying to prove to people like you that after 7 years I can be the guy. The Elimination Chamber might be a place to try to prove you wrong but it's also a place where I can show everyone once and for all that I belong! To prove to people like you that you don't have to be a dope like you to be someone that cares.
I guess Kings can be wrong after all.
Just like everyone can be wrong when a beast runs rampant. I'm talking about you Der Metzger. I've been watching you. I would be lying if I didn't say that. I would also be lying if I didn't say that I see some striking similarities between you and another monster that I cut down. Does the name Walter mean anything to you? Seriously? Does it? I know you are new but you may as well be a cookie cutter duplicate. I guess that's why management loves you so much. What? Does that strike a nerve?
I know you've been told that you are some kind of unique monster and I'm sure you believe it. I'm guessing that's what everyone at Devil's Gate tells you to reinforce that fragile ego but the truth is that you are no different than Walter. Your handlers are Etta. Your minions are just like the scared pack of dogs that thought he was invincible. And you live behind the mystique. You crave the mystique. What you don't realize is that I break through mystique's. Hell I don't break through. I choke mystique out. I choked out Walter for the United States Title and I'm not afraid to choke you out either. Look into my eyes Der and realize that I'm not scared. I'm not scared of you and I'm not scared of some joke that counts how many suplexes he can throw.
Take as much offense to that as you want Trey.
Your cause is noble. I'll give you that Trey. It was nice working with you a couple weeks ago but when I look at you I still feel the same way as I did before. You can win this. You have all the motivation. You have the drive. You have heart. The only problem for you is that what you have, I have more. This isn't me pulling a Corey Black and claiming to be a vet that knows better. It's me stating that I believe I have more than you do right now. I would be happy if you proved me wrong but you won't. I've waited 7 years for this and I will not let it pass me by.
Do you hear me Spencer? I will not let it pass me by.
I know what you are thinking. This is going to be just like all of the other encounters we have had. I come up just a little bit short in the end. You get to hold that weird title you carry in your head that you are slightly better than me. There's one problem with that. If I win this, if I beat you in a World Title match, all that goes away. All of the digs. All of the criticism. All of the stupid things I have to listen to you say disappear. Why? Because then I would have beaten you in the ultimate match. I would have beaten you with the most on the line. How fitting would that be for our story?
It was a month ago where you asked what would happen if I made it to the chamber.
Well it's here and we both made it. Are you ready to do it one more time? Can you shut me up once and for all? I don't think so. This is going to be the moment where I knock your head off and justice will finally prevail. Kyle Kemp will be deemed better than Spencer Adams.
This is my time. This is my moment. That is my World Title!
We've crossed paths countless times. We have been across the ring and many would expect that a mutual respect would have been earned by now. That couldn't be farther from the truth. You don't respect me Corey. You never have and you never will. It's not because of my background either. You may blame it on that but that couldn't be farther from the truth. The truth really is that you can't stand that I'm still here. Every passing week I prove you wrong and for someone that claims to be King, they cannot stand to be wrong. I was someone that you pointed at and claimed that they didn't love this business. You claim that I have excuses and claim that I'm someone that needs to be surrounded by others. I've been hearing it from you since the #BeachKrew days and I was teaming with John Rabid. I heard it at the end of my run at WCF when I was willing to stick it out and give you everything I had.
Do you remember that Corey? Everyone else had walked out. They had gone to Action Wrestling. All of the people that you felt would be loyal to you had spit in your face and left you. I didn't. I stayed. I stayed after the mass exodus and what did you do? You refused to give me any credit. You refused to accept me. You still couldn't drop your guard and admit that I was WCF all the way. I was still that kid you said wouldn't hack it under your breath to the other "veterans."
But I can hack it. I'm still wrestling. I'm still here. I'm still fighting. And I'm still trying to prove to people like you that after 7 years I can be the guy. The Elimination Chamber might be a place to try to prove you wrong but it's also a place where I can show everyone once and for all that I belong! To prove to people like you that you don't have to be a dope like you to be someone that cares.
I guess Kings can be wrong after all.
Just like everyone can be wrong when a beast runs rampant. I'm talking about you Der Metzger. I've been watching you. I would be lying if I didn't say that. I would also be lying if I didn't say that I see some striking similarities between you and another monster that I cut down. Does the name Walter mean anything to you? Seriously? Does it? I know you are new but you may as well be a cookie cutter duplicate. I guess that's why management loves you so much. What? Does that strike a nerve?
I know you've been told that you are some kind of unique monster and I'm sure you believe it. I'm guessing that's what everyone at Devil's Gate tells you to reinforce that fragile ego but the truth is that you are no different than Walter. Your handlers are Etta. Your minions are just like the scared pack of dogs that thought he was invincible. And you live behind the mystique. You crave the mystique. What you don't realize is that I break through mystique's. Hell I don't break through. I choke mystique out. I choked out Walter for the United States Title and I'm not afraid to choke you out either. Look into my eyes Der and realize that I'm not scared. I'm not scared of you and I'm not scared of some joke that counts how many suplexes he can throw.
Take as much offense to that as you want Trey.
Your cause is noble. I'll give you that Trey. It was nice working with you a couple weeks ago but when I look at you I still feel the same way as I did before. You can win this. You have all the motivation. You have the drive. You have heart. The only problem for you is that what you have, I have more. This isn't me pulling a Corey Black and claiming to be a vet that knows better. It's me stating that I believe I have more than you do right now. I would be happy if you proved me wrong but you won't. I've waited 7 years for this and I will not let it pass me by.
Do you hear me Spencer? I will not let it pass me by.
I know what you are thinking. This is going to be just like all of the other encounters we have had. I come up just a little bit short in the end. You get to hold that weird title you carry in your head that you are slightly better than me. There's one problem with that. If I win this, if I beat you in a World Title match, all that goes away. All of the digs. All of the criticism. All of the stupid things I have to listen to you say disappear. Why? Because then I would have beaten you in the ultimate match. I would have beaten you with the most on the line. How fitting would that be for our story?
It was a month ago where you asked what would happen if I made it to the chamber.
Well it's here and we both made it. Are you ready to do it one more time? Can you shut me up once and for all? I don't think so. This is going to be the moment where I knock your head off and justice will finally prevail. Kyle Kemp will be deemed better than Spencer Adams.
This is my time. This is my moment. That is my World Title!
Present Day
Kemp continues to stare at the wall, blocking out the noise when he feels a tap on his shoulder. He looks over and sees CJ Phoenix standing there.
What’s up?
The show starts in a few minutes and I just wanted to let you know that we are all behind you man. We’ve got your back.
Chase Jackson also stands up.
That’s right Kyle! We’re ready to make sure you bring the belt home!
Kemp looks at both men and then to Dandy who is leaning against the wall. They exchange a look and Kemp can feel the emotions of the night. This of the moment of truth.
He turns and places his hand on CJ’s shoulder and smiles at him.
Don’t worry about me CJ. I’m going to be ok. I want you to focus on your match and only your match. That’s what is important. Take care of your business!
CJ nods and Chase takes a step forward.
Let me help you take care of your business Kyle! Let me come down there with you. I know I can find a way into that chamber.
Kemp takes a deep breath and closes his eyes. He can picture it now. The bell rings. His hand is raised and the World Title is placed in his hands. That dream is so close. It can be made so much closer. He can hear both Dandy and Wesley's voices in his head. One telling him The Following has his back no matter what and the other telling him he can't give the order. The moment is here. Is it Me or is it Us?
Kemp opens his eyes as a smile crosses his face. He knows what he has to do. He puts his hands up and everyone focuses in on him.
Everyone listen to me.
He drops his hands and genuinely smiles for the first time all week.
I’m going to go out there and fight in that chamber and I’m going to do it by myself. I don’t want you guys to worry about me. This isn’t how we do things. I don’t want you all to feel how I feel every day when I think back on my career. I don’t want you to feel like you were used by me. I want you to feel like I made you a better you!
Kemp looks up at Dandy and they exchange a knowing smile.
Focus on your own business and support me from back here, support me with your thoughts but don’t come down to the ring. I want to try to win this on my own. We as a group need me to do that. The Following is about being a better person and now is my chance to show that being a better person can lead you to where you want to go.
Kemp throws his arm around CJ’s shoulder and walks him over to the locker room door.
I want you to go out there and take care of your match. We will all be right here supporting you. We’ve got your back.
CJ nods and takes a step out the door but turns around when Kemp yells at him.
Oh and CJ! Let’s show them why they need to FOLLOW THE FOLLOWING!