A lot to figure out.

[Drew Stevenson]

With the sound of keys jingling inside of a door knob, the white colored door slowly opens as a heavier set man enters while placing his keys into his pockets.

Robertson: Drew, you still here?

Now for those who are not familiar with who this man is, his name is Mark Robertson and he is a longtime friend of Stevenson’s. Having been a manager to Stevenson before, he knows just how hard he takes losses: especially when they’re of this magnitude. From the other room, we can hear Stevenson shout out to his old friend.

Stevenson: Yeah, I’m in the living room Mark.

Walking through the luxurious Hotel room, it was obvious Stevenson has money. Upon stepping into the living room, we see Stevenson sitting on the sofa, kicked back while watching something on Television.

Robertson: Hey man, tough loss out there tonight.

Taking in a deep breath and letting out a long sigh, it’s pretty obvious that he didn't really want to discuss it again but he knows that Mark meant nothing by it.

Stevenson: Yeah, it really was.

Keeping his responses short and to the point, he's not really in the mood to discuss it but Mark knows him well and knows that it's best if Stevenson talks about it instead of letting it fester inside of him.

Robertson: Come on man, you have nothing to be ashamed of, you looked great out there: hell, you were incredibly dominant.

Picking the television remote up into his right hand, he presses the red power button which shuts the Television off. Placing it on the sofa right next to him, he looks at Mark who has now taken a seat pretty close to him.

Stevenson: You’re right, I looked great out there. However, it doesn't change the fact that I squandered away the biggest opportunity that I have had in the EWC so far. I failed to win King of the Cage, I failed to win at Wrestlefest and now I’m walking into 2017 in a state of limbo and you know me Mark, I don't like that.

Shaking his head to really get the point across, you can easily see the frustration on his face. Knowing how he feels, Robertson nods his head and continues to talk to him.

Robertson: OK, fair enough BUT… What are you going to do about it then?

Looking at his best friend, Stevenson immediately responds.

Stevenson: You know Mark, I don't know yet. I mean, this entire year — my HT3 has put EVERYONE away over in Knoxville and tonight? I hit multiple finishers on Dragasha and I couldn't put her away. She kept getting up, repeatedly, and while I respect that? It makes me think that maybe, just MAYBE, it's time that I focus on one company at a time so I’m not exhausted from all of the traveling.

Don't get me wrong, I’m not making any excuses for tonight because it's all on me but maybe my body just can't handle it anymore.

Lightly bowing his head in that “maybe” fashion, he responds to Stevenson.

Robertson: Maybe but you know what?

Stevenson: What?

Robertson: I don't think that's it at all. You have had an AMAZING year man, AMAZING and yeah — it ended poorly for you what does that mean 2017 will start off where 2016 left off?

I don't know, I can't answer that but I do know one thing: I support you in whatever decision you decide to make.

Nodding his head, he reaches out and pats Stevenson on the shoulder.

Stevenson: Thanks, I appreciate that!

Smiling humbly, he looks away from his best friend.

Robertson: So… What are you leaning towards?

Stevenson: Well, I am the top champion over in Knoxville and Jefferson has offered me a REALLY generous exclusive contract BUT I have also been offered a really nice contract to resign for the 2017 season with the EWC as well.

Shaking his head, he doesn't know what he is going to do just yet.

Stevenson: I don't know what I’m going to do just yet Mark. I HATE going into the 2017 season in limbo, it kills me but I also don't want to make any irrational decisions until I see how I’m feeling in the morning either.

Understanding how his best friend is feeling, Robertson has been in the business long enough to understand what his former client is going through. Quickly rising to his feet, he realizes that it is pretty late and it would be best for Stevenson to get some rest instead of dwelling on what happened tonight.

Robertson: That’s a great idea brother; don't jump the gun on anything. You have until the beginning of January to figure it out but hey: I’m going to head back to my Hotel room to get some sleep, you take it easy champ and we’ll talk tomorrow.

Slapping Stevenson on the shoulder, they say their goodbyes as Robertson exits the Hotel room. Reaching over on the table, he looks at both of the contracts and then places them back down onto the table while flipping the Television set back on to calm his nerves.

[Drew Stevenson]

Robertson: How are you feeling champ?

Reaching up to rub his eyes after fumbling around for his iPhone, he managed to answer it as he sits up realizing that Mark is on the other end.

Stevenson: H… Hey, what's going on?

Robertson: Are you still in bed?

With the sheets covering his lower half, he has the iPhone placed to his ear while sitting there in a tired haze.

Stevenson: Yeah, I couldn't sleep after you left. So much running through my mind and I still don't know what I want to do, you know?

Robertson nods his head but of course, Stevenson can't see it since they're talking over the phone.

Robertson: Yeah, I can understand! It's best to do what will benefit your body and career the most, you know? So are you staying in the Philippines today or are you heading home?

Stevenson: I’m going to head to my house in Japan. Things have been — interesting to say the least with my home life; too quiet and meh… I need to clear my head and hit 2017 harder than I did 2016, you know?

Robertson: Yes, I do and you know I’m always in your corner. So does that mean you’re resigning with the EWC?

Stevenson shakes his head.

Stevenson: Not sure yet honestly! I mean, I really like it there and everything but I’m also on the cusp of becoming a UWL Hall of Famer so apart of me thinks I need to continue dominating Knoxville and maybe make another appearance for the 2017 King of the Cage; you know, less traveling and better scheduling.

Chuckling, he is much light-hearted than last night.

Robertson: Well whatever you decide, just make sure that it's what you want. Because either way, I’m in your corner and know that you’ll tackle 2017 with excellence. Yeah, 2016 ended poorly in both EWC and UWL but that doesn't matter because you’ll regroup and hit it stronger: you always do!

Stevenson nods his head while listening to his best friend.

Robertson: But hey, get dressed because I’m coming over: we need to get some breakfast in you and regroup.

Stevenson: Alright brother, sounds good, see you soon!

Removing the iPhone from his ear, Stevenson presses the red hang-up button and tosses it onto the large, fluffy bed. Swinging his legs off of the edge of the bed, he walks into the bathroom to hit the showers so they can have breakfast and figure everything out.

[Drew Stevenson]

It’s not over just yet…

… That’s the first thought that entered my head as I was walking through the airport. Yes, it's true, I did need to clear my head and Japan is the perfect place for me to go since it is so quiet and the environment there is different, it's so much more respectful than what I am used to and I always seem to find solitude there, no matter what. With my large suitcase behind me, I am rolling it along as my ears tingle at the sound of my flight being announced.

Woman: Flight 302 to Japan, boarding in one hour.

Traveling is something that I have become accustomed to, especially since the life of a professional wrestler demands it. Looking up to make sure that I am at the right gate, which reads 302, I decide to take a seat while placing my suitcase next to me. Getting as comfortable as I can in one of those small little bucket seats, I reach into my pocket, pull out my iPhone and make a call to Mark to let him know that I’m doing OK.

Stevenson: Hey man, just wanted to let you know that I am at the airport waiting for my flight to Japan.

Robertson: OK man, take it easy and OH — how long until you will be in Japan?

Bringing my left hand up to look at my watch, I realize that it's going to be many hours from now but hey; that gives me some time to catch up on a few things.

Stevenson: Oh lord, it's still going to be a long time, close to thirteen hours or so but I’ll call you when I get home.

Robertson: Sounds good brother and hey, you doing any better?

Listening to my best friend, I could tell just how concerned that he was, even over the phone. Yeah, I don't take big losses very well and it's not too often that I hit a funk like this but when you lose two big matches back to back to close out 2016? Yeah, it gets to you. Anyway, expressing a lighthearted smile on my face, I nod my head and speak up so that I can answer his sincere question.

Stevenson: Yeah, I’m feeling much better brother. I just needed to clear my head, that's all and now that I am back on track? I am going to return home and begin to prepare for the 2017 year.

Sounding a little bit different, I could tell that Mark was relieved after hearing me say that.

Robertson: Good deal man, anyway, I’m going to get off of here and I will talk to you later.

Nodding my head, I know exactly where he is coming from so I nod my head as we say our goodbyes.

Stevenson: Take it easy brother!

Pulling the iPhone away from my ear, I press the red button with my thumb as the call ends. Taking another look at my watch, I realize that I still have forty five minutes left to go as I begin to look around on the Internet to see what is going on in the industry.