Post by Carter Shaw on Jun 24, 2021 21:30:30 GMT -5
Didn’t I do what you all wanted me to do?
The honorable thing?
That’s what is expected of me, right? Good ole white meat Carter Shaw, the taped knuckles from Boston ready to throw down with anybody on the planet. The quiet kid with nothing to lose. The empathetic youngster who lost his mother while dedicating his life to a new career.
I did the honorable thing with my All-In briefcase. Exactly what anyone would have expected of me if you turn back the clock a year. I cashed in...for a match. Specifically, to be involved in a match. Spencer Adams...Vs Ash Blake...Vs Carter Shaw.
Here I am.
I’d dare say as honorable as ever. Over the past...what, 10 months? Of me holding that All-In briefcase, of me holding that contract for an immediate on-the-spot World Championship match...All I’ve heard from my convoluted peers is how much of a pussy i’ve been not cashing in the briefcase.
“Why’d you just stand there over an unconscious Corey Black and not cash in?”
“Why don’t you grow a pair, stand up for yourself, and cash in on Ash Blake already…”
They’ve been begging for me to be that opportunist that they wish they had the ability to be. Begging me to come in like a vulture and pick at the scraps of already-killed prey. Why? So they can do what they did to Lissie Hope?
Lissie Hope cashed that shit in like a stud, March of last year, taking advantage of Frank Patrick Venable who’s mental and physical preparedness that night went as far as being ready to sign a dotted line to take on Addy Ainsworth for the gold. It was glorious. This was only a week after little quiet rookie Carter Shaw had the pleasure of teaming up with Lissie Hope for BattleBowl 2020. How times have changed, huh? The evolution of what was.
Lissie STILL FUCKING HEARS TO THIS DAY how she was some sort of pathetic for cashing in on FPV the way she did for her 2nd World Title holding.
Just like I’m a certain type of pathetic for holding on to it as long as I did, right?
Honor.
I have cashed in my All-In briefcase with honor. You can send as much spit my way as you want and cry hatred for Philidor...And yeah, maybe I shat on Spencer Adam’s Havoc Rumble moment a bit. Sound familiar, Corey Black?...but I could’ve knocked Ash Blake out clean in that fuckin’ ring and REALLY stolen the moment. I could’ve covered Corey Black’s carcass multiple times and simply walked away with that World Championship.
But the AW World Championship belt doesn’t deserve that.
Philidor doesn’t deserve that.
Ash Blake doesn’t deserve that.
Hell, Spencer Adams doesn’t even fuckin’ deserve that. Spencer deserves to be put in his place the proper way. The indisputable way. The honorable way.
And that’s on the biggest stage in the industry, under the brightest spotlight in the industry. The Main Event of AW Evolution 4.
No coward’s way out here. I live in ZERO FEAR of the potential future chastising of being the guy who cashed in his All-In briefcase and FAILED to bring home the World Championship. You can point your finger and yell “handicap match” all you want, as the Philidor insurance policy comes to fruition.
I don’t give a shit.
I’ve earned this spot, not only by winning that All-In ladder match, but each and every Clash since. Every battle in the trenches. I’m not Walter. Not Odin. I’m not FPV. I’m not Graham Baker. I’m not Bonnie Blue. I’m not Kaz Mazy. Because I’ve been here week in and week out, continuing to fuel the bloodline of AW.
I have done what you have asked. Evolution 4 will be the very last time my name will be prefaced with “MR. ALL IN”. I have done it the honorable way, ready to compete, ready to fight for it. I have set a good example that both fans and fellow AW talent can look to for guidance.
I have done this the right way.
So now go ahead, AW
Tell me how wrong I am.
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“Operation Driftwood was an outstanding success, Carter, well done.”
“Thank you, sir.”
J. Howard De Witt, Philidor Holdings Vice President, stood with his elbows on the railings of his balcony. Still dressed sharply, ready for business 24/7 despite being at his Hamptons house. Overlooking a massive pool surrounded by perfectly cut hedges, he turns, hands occupied by a lit cigar in one hand and a glass of whiskey in the other.
Carter Shaw sits comfortably in a fancy outdoor lounge chair, a matching whiskey in hand but no cigar to complete the mimic. Wearing a sharp black collared t-shirt, grey dress pants, Ray-Bans placed atop his head as a band of clouds overhead act as a temporary reprieve from the day’s strong sun.
“Do you remember what I said to you in our first conversation about this?”
The VP speaks as he sits down beside Carter, now both overlooking the beautifully landscaped yard beyond. It was the first time Shaw had spoken with him without a desk between them.
“Are you referring to your Golden Rule?”
“Yes. The Golden Rule.”
“Identify your people.” Shaw says with conviction.
“No matter the business situation, no matter the subject. Whether adversary or friend. Whether it’s a matter of numbers, of money or, simply, conversation. If you start by identifying your people? Half the job is done. The rest is easy. The rest is catering.” Mr. de Witt speaks slowly and methodically, taking a puff of his cigar and he packs the denied one back in his pocket.
“And that’s exactly what I did, it was a great bit of advice. With The Following? I identified them, I identified their needs and I identified their weaknesses. And you’re right. Once I knew the cards I was playing with, it was as simple as betting on them. Thank you for the tools, sir, it was fun.”
The Philidor VP lets out a hearty chest laugh upon Shaw’s mention of fun.
“You have a natural gift for that kind of thing, Mr. Shaw, I’ve told you this already. But I get the sense that you know it now. You’ve not only proven it to me but you’ve proven it to yourself. And all this while?” The VP slowly turns his head to make eye contact with Shaw from their slightly-reclined chairs. “You’ve proven nothing but the utmost dedication to the cause, the plan and Philidor as a whole.”
Shaw smirks, swelling with pride from the compliment.
“You know how many people I’ve invited to my home, Carter? Not many. Outside of top level execs and very important Philidor connections? No offense with this term, Mr. Shaw, but lower-level Philidor compatriots do not get this invite. In my eyes, Carter, you’re not lower-level anymore. Now, while I appreciate the help with drinking my bottle of Scotch, that’s not the reason I brought you here. I brought you here for two reasons.”
Shaw listens intently, taking another sip of the whisky as it’s mentioned, and letting his eyes roam the far horizon. The VP continues to speak charismatically, moving his cigar-holding hand as if the Ashton were a magic wand drawing spells.
“Reason one is to thank you. Not just for Driftwood, but for being so loyal to Philidor Holdings from the start. You’ve been engaged and dedicated. Untouchably loyal. That’s why you’re here with me now. That’s why we’ve gotten to know each other. Because I see every ounce of your potential, and I intend on helping you realize it.”
Silence follows for a few moments as both men bask in the comments. Shaw doesn’t answer, simply nodding his head slowly in acceptance, knowing it is true.
“You have that confidence now that you lacked early on. You stepped out of your comfort zone when you accepted a sponsorship from us. And now look at you...this brings me to reason number 2. A big one. Something that could bring about a monumental shift in this company and, more importantly, in your life.”
Shaw continues to listen quietly, the nodding stopping as he tilts his head over towards Mr. de Witt.
“Are you ready to start your new task today? Operation Spring Tide.”
With the perk of an eyebrow, Shaw assesses the words floating his way. It is only a moment, however, before Shaw ends up lifting his body a bit, sliding the Adirondack chair to a new angle to face the boss. The VP watches through squinted eyes as Shaw sits back down in the chair, leaning forward with his elbows to his knees. Eye contact was strong.
“Let’s talk.”
Spencer Adams WON HAVOC. Huge victory, especially with Lissie AND myself still in that ring when it boiled down to those potential winners. Another feather in the cap for Spencer, so many damn feathers in that cap he can’t even hold his head up anymore. But the week leading in, I guaranteed success at the Havoc Rumble for Philidor.
And how did Havoc end?
Not with a lone Spencer Adams dancing triumphantly in a shower of confetti. No.
It ended with Carter fuckin’ Shaw.
Spence’s moment got shat on, shades of Corey Black winning the World Title at Clash 100 last year. Spencer and Corey. Two legends that, in the end, despite all the successes and accolades, will still just be left holding each other in the rain as Philidor pisses on their parades. Now that’s power.
All it took to overshadow what Spencer Adams would’ve considered the greatest achievement of his career to date...was to cash in that All-In briefcase and add myself to this Evolution Main Event.
Just like all it took at Clash last week to set him over the edge was...to cut his mic time short. Don’t like it when I’m at the controls, Mr. Adams? That’s too damn bad, because I’m at the controls of alot more than when I’m playing producer out in the truck. Have you started to notice that yet?
Just like all it took to destroy the greatness of The Following was for Kyle Kemp and I to play footsie in front of Dandy DiVito. And at the snap of a fingers, the squad that could have stood united against Philidor Holdings L.L.C...now fights each other for control of their Tag Team Championship at Evolution. Seems I’m responsible for more than just our Main Event being a Triple Threat.
Would you have guessed a year ago that the upstart Carter Shaw, from that Television Title match, would have his fingerprints all over Evolution 4 like this?
It’s because I’ve got all it takes to create my own fate.
And call it a handicap match all you want. You should. But at Evolution 4? For the AW World Championship?
I’ve got all it takes to win.
While Spence’s spotlight got unplugged as soon as he struck a pose in it, let’s not forget the true star of the show here...Ash Blake. Our AW World Champion.
I know what you’re thinking...here comes the insurance policy that’s been hyped up for months. What would have ‘naturally’ been Ash Blake defending against Spencer Adams in the biggest match of the year because just another continuation of Philidor Vs The World.
And sure. We all know my role here. Made perfectly clear after that brief moment at the Havoc Rumble when you all actually thought I was gonna cash in then and there on a downed Ash Blake and take the gold for myself, running like a tried and true Looney Tune down the road to Evolution.
Is my role to have Ash’s back and insure that she leaves Evolution with the title she walked in with? Sure, maybe.
Is my role to make sure that Philidor holds the majority stock in the biggest money match of the entire fiscal year? Sure, maybe.
Is my role to beat the shit out of Spencer Adams? Yes.
We all play a role though.
Spencer’s role is that of the conqueror. The dreamer. The man for whom the world is not enough. Spencer’s role is to be the hero at Evolution and free the World Championship from the dastardly, despicable hands of the sweet and smiley Ash Blake.
And Ash Blake’s role is to not drop the company ball. I mean…
Let’s be frank here, Ash Blake has been one of, if not thee, greatest World Champions AW has ever had. You can’t go around still calling Corey Black the King if you aren’t also going to conversely call Ash Blake the Queen for the times she bent that King over her knee. She’s been in this company for about a year and she’s had gold around her waist for, what, 93% of it? This isn’t even counting her cerebral strengths or contributions via Philidor.
Legitimately, in the ring, anybody on this roster that has stepped up to this 125 pound Usurper has ended up laying in a pile of their own wasted threats and shattered promises. Downfall has built an entire career upon the single moment he could claim the W over Ms. Philidor herself in that cage match.
See. She’s even helped people outside of the Philidor walls. I owe alot to Ash Blake. I owe the evolution of Carter Shaw to Ash Blake. For the first time in my career, I’ve had purpose. True purpose. I’ve had a life. You hear the “start your new life today” slogan in the training videos and the initiations...but when Ash Blake met with me and offered me the sponsorship deal, I didn’t start a new life that day. For me? It was “start A life today”. Because before Philidor, I was nothing more than a waning existence fighting through the fog of uncertainty.
Everybody loves to say that my potential was killed that day. But they don’t even know what they’re basing that on. My talent in the ring? The fact that I could fight anybody, anytime, twice a day and keep charging forward like a hungry dog?
Nah. I woulda kept punchin’ through the endless array of AW faces, sure, but it would’ve been without substance.
I don’t have a bad word to say about Ash Blake. She is phenomenal, and will probably leave Evolution 4 continuing a reign of dominance as our World Champion on merit and ability alone; stacked deck be damned.
But.
If I were to have a bad word to say about Ash Blake, I’d probably point out the fact that if she hadn’t recruited me, Philidor Holdings within the confines of Action Wrestling would’ve been dead in the water about a month in. I mean, with an eye for talent that thinks Derrick Vayden and Noris Cranley were going to be the world-beaters that our great company deserves to be represented by…
Let’s
Be
Real
I don’t have a negative thing to say about Ash Blake, but I could say that Ash Blake saved Carter Shaw…
And Carter Shaw saved Ash Blake.
Like I’ve always said about Philidor. Mutually beneficial.
Here we stand. With Lissie Hope in our ranks. The strongest group AW has ever seen. Better than the Man Made Gods, better then whatever the fuck FightSmart was. Peter Garvey and Samson Saltair no longer feel like they need to throw fists to preserve the Philidor name. They know the hands our representation is in. But while Ash Blake was the heart behind the Lissie Hope recruitment, I was the brains.
And Lissie would not be Philidor right now simply on the persistence and financial support of Ash Blake. It’s because she trusted me. And I would not and will not steer her wrong.
I will continue to do my job as I have since day 1. That job has brought on alot of new experiences, alot of new focus, new priorities. And it’s all led me to this moment. The moment my name fit right in at the top of the biggest show card in the industry.
That’s what it’s all about.
Earning your spot.
Carter listens wide-eyed, extended index fingers resting against his bottom lip.
“Are you sure this is what’s best for Philidor?”
“Mr. Shaw, I will die doing what is best for Philidor. But just like some of the things we’ve worked on together, this is bigger than the industry you’re a part of. While Action Wrestling is a million dollar company, it is small fish in the grand scheme of our reach. Of our investment.”
Shaw goes to open his mouth and no words come out.
“As always, this is an option. Is there a right one and a wrong one? Sure. Always is in life. But that’s how we keep this symbiotic, Shaw. You do not have to agree to this Operation, no matter how much I tell you that it is in your best interest.”
“She’s done so much for me, sir, you have to underst-”
“Trust me, I do understand Mr. Shaw. I know all of it. But this is business. It has to be led by our intelligence, not our emotions, you understand?”
With a slow nod, Shaw has no rebuttal. He looks up to the sky for a brief moment.
“Alright. I’ll do it. Absolutely. I will do what Philidor asks of me, per our agreement. Just as she’s always done. We’re all on the same team.”
He pauses for an added moment.
“I will cash in my All-In contract, I’ll do it. If I don’t win the Havoc Rumble, I will still be right there in that Evolution 4 Main Event.” Goosebumps appear on his forearms at the mention. “And I’ll add myself to Ash Blake’s title defense.”
“And?”
There is no disputing that Spencer Adams earned this spot.
The last man standing after the war that was the Havoc Rumble. A huge accomplishment.
Gotta be careful. That word gets Spencer hard. Accomplishment.
The Artist Formerly known as King Of Slabs, the Man Of One Thousand Title Shots...he earned his shot to main event Evolution 4 and have the fighter’s chance to stand tall for another moment with that AW World Title held above his head under the brightest lights of the year.
The thing with Spencer is that his weaknesses are his strengths...and his strengths are his weaknesses. He’s the human embodiment of a carousel, spinning around and around on the same track. Going everywhere and going nowhere.
You can also insert your “Lissie Hope’s old ride” joke here.
Spencer bases the entire value of his existence on the titles. He wants his eventual Hall Of Fame plaque to run like a CVS receipt. It doesn’t matter when, what, who, why...Mr. AW is only Mr. AW if he holds one of those 6 Clash titles. Otherwise, he’s nothing. That’s what he paints himself as when he sits empty handed.
Kyle Kemp will be hiring a new tag team partner soon, so keep that resume you love stat-stuffing handy for when you find yourself remaining empty-handed after Evolution.
Undefeated at Evolution...not exactly worthy of a “STREAK” merchandise line, it’s only been 3, but hey...it’s another stat line that sounds so damn good. Spencer Adams wins the Havoc Rumble and the man who’s UNDEFEATED AT EVOLUTION goes on to a World Title shot. Meanwhile, he throws a temper tantrum when I cut his mic time.
I was doing you a favor, Mr. Adams. You like to think of yourself as a man of your word, right? I decided to take away any words that you would end up letting down when you fail in Detroit.
Just curious, what was the bill from the company for all the equipment you destroyed? Mr. AW, come on now. All I did was try to improve Monday Night Clash’s production value and maximize television minutes. You made the company you ‘represent’ replace an entire truck’s worth of equipment. Looks like I’m the real Mr. AW after all.
Over a year ago, you stood in that ring Spence. You stood in that ring and you called out for someone, anyone to come down and get in your face. With that steel chair, remember?
That’s a legitimate question, do you remember? Because I came down and swung that steel into your head like I was fuckin’ David Ortiz smashin’ a Home Run Derby lob. I did you the favor of literally knocking you straight and then after we did battle in that ring, you and Crow raised my defeated fist in the air. I got your praise. I got your respect, atleast the amount you’re able to give someone that’s not yourself.
You good boy’d me. Gave me the pat on the head, told me I did good playing fetch, and sent me on to go be the future of AW.
ON May 30th, 2021, the future knocked.
And on June 27th, 2021...the future kicks the fuckin’ door down.
I’m here. That future is the present, and you don’t really know how to deal with that, do you? As much as you reach out once in a while to groom and help develop the massive amount of talent that comes through AW, you do your best to make sure you groom them just enough to be second best.
No one’s really meant to come for the plastic throne of Spence Adams, right? That’s not part of the plan.
You fancy yourself the good guy in this Triple Threat match, and that’s just downright laughable. CJ Phoenix is a fucking hero for managing to get that Hardcore Championship you held hostage over the likes of fuckin’ Bam Beefer. You drop a weight class without the body accessory you need so bad. You’re not a good guy, Spencer Adams.
You’re a condescending, hypocritical, oppressive attention seeker.
Tall Poppy Syndrome.
Did you earn your Evolution shot? You bet. Did you earn that 30th spot in the Rumble? You bet.
But you’d just as soon gargle Gravedigger’s balls to be involved in anything that could give someone else that chance.
The top ain’t a ride for one, despite the financial investment in the amount of pennies you throw in the wishing well.
You’re not a good guy. You’re just as poisonous to this ordeal as any of us. Paint Philidor the devil all you want, but when you feel like the people’s choice, remember that crowds marched with Hitler too.
You wanna show respect to the new blood? Then I guess I’d be silly to expect any respect from you come Sunday, because I ain’t the new blood anymore. I’m the guy out here beating former world champion after former world champion just to show the tides turning in slow motion.
At Evolution 4? I add Spencer Adams to that list. Consider it an accolade for you.
And maybe.
Just maybe.
I add Ash Blake to that list too if she becomes a former champion to close out the show.
But Spencer is the last stubborn weed in the garden. All it takes is one good pull.
I’ll make sure I give you the rub afterwards.
Philidor Holdings has been the solution to alot of problems for me on a personal level. Now I get to return the favor by being a solution to our problem. Spencer Adams is a problem at Evolution 4, and Mr. AW will be knocked down another peg after being solved via defeat.
Leaving the world with one last burning question.
Is Ash Blake the solution? Or is she part of the problem?
The final drops of the Macallan left the glass and coated Carter Shaw’s throat.
“and...I’ll leave Evolution 4 with the AW World Championship.”
“Very good, Mr. Shaw. Operation Spring Tide. It’s time. You’ve more than proven yourself worthy.”