Post by Antoni Malietoa on Jan 22, 2020 9:50:56 GMT -6
(OOC: All permissions have been obtained for all that appear in this piece)
Sunday, December 16th, 2019
Arles, France
I’ve just walked back through the curtain to gorilla where there’s no one there. I didn’t expect any fanfare, nor should I. No one left in EWC has my back anyway. I’ve been gone too long, out of the people’s view and I made the choice to stay silent. I needed the time to reflect, time to rest, and most importantly time to heal.
I made it for ten years in this industry without a single major injury and that’s because I have dedicated myself to my training and ensured that I minimize the risks when possible. This business though, it’s unrelenting, uncaring, and absolutely unbearable at times.
"Pain heals...chicks dig scars...glory lasts forever."
That quote is from the great Shane Falco. Yes, I’m aware he’s a fictional character but the quote remains true. The Pain has healed. I’m not looking for companionship, but the war forever rages on.
When I first came to EWC, my head was full of delusions of grandeur that were put there by an idiot savant who thought he was going to take over the World. What a stupid fucking idea that turned out to be… But the truth remains that I have no family in EWC.
The scene comes to life as we see the Samoan Warrior sitting at a desk, writing in what appears to be a journal. He completes his sentence, lays his pen down and then chuckles to himself.
“The Replacements… Love that movie.”
I shut my journal, something that was given to me by my physical therapist. Said it was important to heal the mind and the body. He understands how important it is for me to be at the top of my game and I respect that. I picks up my phone and fire off a text, then set it down and walk away.
The camera zooms in to the phone as the message can now be seen:
“ I’d like to talk to you about something. Got some time to meet up face to face? - WM”
Fade out.
January 9th, 2020
Brooklyn, New York
I gave it until after the holidays. I didn’t want to push the envelope. Everyone has the right to rest and relax. Now, though, it's back to the grind. So I hopped a plane from my island paradise of Samoa and landed in New York. On the way, I decided it was time to catch up on what’s going on with Brawl and the EWC since WrestleFest. Once in the empire state, I grabbed an Uber and now find myself standing in front of a building that hopefully will bring me to the next stage of my journey. I stare at the sign on the building that reads “The War Dojo” and internally I laugh at the irony of it all. I am here to speak to two fellow warriors. Two wrestlers that have proven throughout all of last season that they will do the honorable thing. They understand the dedication that it takes to prepare for battle and they treat the ring like their battlefield just like I do. I take my phone out and dial the number again.
Antoni: I need to speak with her. Can you please tell me if she’s at the dojo or not?
Silence.
Antoni: Ok, I get it. She’s training, but I’m telling you that she will want to speak with me. Can you please let her know i’m waiting to speak with her?
More silence. I get the brush off again with a promise to call me back... Figures. I get it though, people are busy and I’m asking for precious time that stops someone from preparing for whatever match is coming up. Specifically though, Thunder is around the corner. I hang up and dial another number.
Antoni: Is she available?
More silence.
Antoni: She’s training? Is she training with…
I get cut off and get the answer i’m looking for. I wait for a callback that doesn’t come. About an hour later I finally have had enough. I go to the door of the War Dojo and am surprised to see that the door is open so I walk into the lobby, if you can call it that. It's a room that has a door to another room. I take a deep breath to calm myself before I open the door and walk through to see two women sparring in the ring with kendo sticks. They both stop and look my way as they hear the door swing open.
Stephanie “Cloud” Matsuda: ...Antoni?...Is that you?!
The other woman turns her head like it’s on a hinge so fast that i’m surprised she doesn’t get whiplash.
Samantha “Titaness” Hamilton: ...The Samoan Warrior? That Antoni?
Again I am laughing on the inside, but I have to stay calm, cool and collected. The outcome of the war depends on it. I smile at these warriors.
Antoni: The one and only… Cloud, I’m sorry to barge in like this, but i’ve been trying to get your receptionist to let me talk to you for an hour now. I have a proposition for you both though, hopefully, my text to you two earlier hinted as much.
Brief silence. Sam speaks up first.
Sam: Well.. I’m definitely all ears.
Cloud nods. I have their attention. Good… This is all good. I nod and motion them over to a table in the corner of the dojo and I gesture for them to sit and they both do, cracking open bottles of water to hydrate them as I prepare to lay out my battle plan. Good. they understand the advantage of maintaining their weapons. I take a breath and start my pitch.
Antoni: So I want to first start by saying that while I may not have been on the forefront of EWC while i’ve been out, I have been following the general ideas of what has been going on. You two, though, you have something that cannot be taught...A natural chemistry that normally takes years to form, but you two have it. It’s undeniable and sitting on the sidelines, not being able to be part of the action, you notice these things. It made me curious.
So I dug a little deeper. You two are more similar than you think. Both warriors. Both honorable. You have a flair for the extreme and are willing to do whatever it takes to win with honor.
Cloud chimes in.
Cloud: It’s the only way to do things. You get nowhere when you fight like a coward.
Sam: Damn fucking straight.
A smirk comes to my face. I’ve got them on the proverbial hook. Time to reel them in.
Antoni: Now that we have that out of the way… The reason I flew here from Samoa… It’s no secret that I am now alone here in EWC. Yeshwa and Mondo have moved on. That is their decision to make and I respect that… But I also have learned a valuable lesson these last seven months. It’s damn near impossible to survive without someone having your back. Sam, you have the maidens and I know outside of the EWC they are always there for you. Inside the EWC, there’s a few left that come around now and then, but you’ve had to move on mostly. Cloud, you have Phoenix. You both have something or someone who you can call on and at a moments notice they will be there for you. War never ends...It’s always raging and to win the war, you have to have allies. The three of us all share a commonality: We are warriors. We fight with honor and that is rare these days. So here is what I think: I think we should see if the chemistry on the battlefield is there for the three of us. We all need allies and inside the realm of the EWC I think the three of us can show the World the right way to do things. The honorable way. The warriors way. My Uso e (brothers) have moved on, but I am hoping that I can extend my family and fight alongside my tuafafine (sisters).
Silence. I expected this, somewhat. When you try to forge alliances, there is always a moment of hesitation as your perspective allies contemplate the proposal laid out before them.
Cloud: You definitely have thought this out, I give you that..
The open ended nature of her response leaves me to wonder if she is hesitant, but also I can’t argue there is a glimmer in her eyes. She wants this.
Sam: I don’t know you very well Antoni, but I know you’re reputation. Last year at StrangleMania you and your… brothers, took the fight to Psycho,Zombie and Bruiser pretty hard if I remember correctly. Even though most of the company hated you all then, but you fought nobly and after I remember Zombie telling me that they couldn't wait to do it again with you boys.
Sam stopped her thought mid sentence, contemplating for a moment before continuing.
Sam: So what are your plans for this menagerie you want you concoct?
This is it. My moment of truth. Cards on the table time.
Antoni: Right to the point, I like that. So here it is: The tag team scene in EWC has gone from feast to famine and back to feast again in the last year. When I came into the company, we wanted those belts like you wouldn't believe. By the time we would have been able to earn a chance, we were already heading in different directions. I focussed on myself and was within weeks of getting an opportunity to take on Ace King. Who knows if I would have won or not, but I have to think that 777 may not have happened had The Limit not attacked me, had Dr. Psycho not tried to soften me up for whatever match he thought he wanted with me. There’s so many what if scenarios there. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
My strength has always been working with others. You two have shown flashes of that as well. So here it is. We have each others backs. You need a partner for a show? Call me. You want someone to come to ringside so that you’re not outnumbered? Pick up the phone. I want us to build a team that can take down the tag champs and be able to fend off the current contenders. While some teams have left, new ones have taken their place and one of the most dominant teams in EWC history has come back after a few months away. The tag title scene is busy right now and I want us to jump right into the front lines of that battle and stake our claim.
I take a breath. Calm. Cool. Collected. That’s how you negotiate these things. I replay the speech in my head looking for any weaknesses in my argument. Sam nods as a smirk crosses her lips. Cloud smiles subtly.
Cloud: And what exactly are we planning to all this mishmash of personalities should we do this?
Sam: Good question, sweets.
I let a brief moment go before I respond.
Antoni: I think that one is pretty obvious. We are in the War Dojo... War is never ending, always raging on… We are on the front lines.. That makes us War Mongers.
Names are superficial. They don’t make or break you, but it has to have a reason, a purpose. I thought about this before coming here. Never leave an open place to attack.
Cloud: I can get behind that name.
Sam: Fuckn’ A right. I like it.
Antoni: And now for the other reason I wanted to come here.
Cloud and Sam look back to me a little puzzled.
Antoni: I’ve been cleared for ring work.
I point down to the bulky brace around my knee.
Antoni: You think you have room for one more in this training session? My body is my weapon and my weapon has not been used in 8 months. I need to push myself to know that I am ready to step back into the war.
All of us are smiles. Cloud points to the ring as I open my bag and start to pull out my workout gear. Time to prepare for battle again. Brawl will return to being my battlefield very soon. The War Mongers are coming and soon, we will be able to take on the best that this company has to offer. I will make sure of it. For now, though, it's time to clang and bang.
Fade out.
Sunday, December 16th, 2019
Arles, France
I’ve just walked back through the curtain to gorilla where there’s no one there. I didn’t expect any fanfare, nor should I. No one left in EWC has my back anyway. I’ve been gone too long, out of the people’s view and I made the choice to stay silent. I needed the time to reflect, time to rest, and most importantly time to heal.
I made it for ten years in this industry without a single major injury and that’s because I have dedicated myself to my training and ensured that I minimize the risks when possible. This business though, it’s unrelenting, uncaring, and absolutely unbearable at times.
"Pain heals...chicks dig scars...glory lasts forever."
That quote is from the great Shane Falco. Yes, I’m aware he’s a fictional character but the quote remains true. The Pain has healed. I’m not looking for companionship, but the war forever rages on.
When I first came to EWC, my head was full of delusions of grandeur that were put there by an idiot savant who thought he was going to take over the World. What a stupid fucking idea that turned out to be… But the truth remains that I have no family in EWC.
The scene comes to life as we see the Samoan Warrior sitting at a desk, writing in what appears to be a journal. He completes his sentence, lays his pen down and then chuckles to himself.
“The Replacements… Love that movie.”
I shut my journal, something that was given to me by my physical therapist. Said it was important to heal the mind and the body. He understands how important it is for me to be at the top of my game and I respect that. I picks up my phone and fire off a text, then set it down and walk away.
The camera zooms in to the phone as the message can now be seen:
“ I’d like to talk to you about something. Got some time to meet up face to face? - WM”
Fade out.
January 9th, 2020
Brooklyn, New York
I gave it until after the holidays. I didn’t want to push the envelope. Everyone has the right to rest and relax. Now, though, it's back to the grind. So I hopped a plane from my island paradise of Samoa and landed in New York. On the way, I decided it was time to catch up on what’s going on with Brawl and the EWC since WrestleFest. Once in the empire state, I grabbed an Uber and now find myself standing in front of a building that hopefully will bring me to the next stage of my journey. I stare at the sign on the building that reads “The War Dojo” and internally I laugh at the irony of it all. I am here to speak to two fellow warriors. Two wrestlers that have proven throughout all of last season that they will do the honorable thing. They understand the dedication that it takes to prepare for battle and they treat the ring like their battlefield just like I do. I take my phone out and dial the number again.
Antoni: I need to speak with her. Can you please tell me if she’s at the dojo or not?
Silence.
Antoni: Ok, I get it. She’s training, but I’m telling you that she will want to speak with me. Can you please let her know i’m waiting to speak with her?
More silence. I get the brush off again with a promise to call me back... Figures. I get it though, people are busy and I’m asking for precious time that stops someone from preparing for whatever match is coming up. Specifically though, Thunder is around the corner. I hang up and dial another number.
Antoni: Is she available?
More silence.
Antoni: She’s training? Is she training with…
I get cut off and get the answer i’m looking for. I wait for a callback that doesn’t come. About an hour later I finally have had enough. I go to the door of the War Dojo and am surprised to see that the door is open so I walk into the lobby, if you can call it that. It's a room that has a door to another room. I take a deep breath to calm myself before I open the door and walk through to see two women sparring in the ring with kendo sticks. They both stop and look my way as they hear the door swing open.
Stephanie “Cloud” Matsuda: ...Antoni?...Is that you?!
The other woman turns her head like it’s on a hinge so fast that i’m surprised she doesn’t get whiplash.
Samantha “Titaness” Hamilton: ...The Samoan Warrior? That Antoni?
Again I am laughing on the inside, but I have to stay calm, cool and collected. The outcome of the war depends on it. I smile at these warriors.
Antoni: The one and only… Cloud, I’m sorry to barge in like this, but i’ve been trying to get your receptionist to let me talk to you for an hour now. I have a proposition for you both though, hopefully, my text to you two earlier hinted as much.
Brief silence. Sam speaks up first.
Sam: Well.. I’m definitely all ears.
Cloud nods. I have their attention. Good… This is all good. I nod and motion them over to a table in the corner of the dojo and I gesture for them to sit and they both do, cracking open bottles of water to hydrate them as I prepare to lay out my battle plan. Good. they understand the advantage of maintaining their weapons. I take a breath and start my pitch.
Antoni: So I want to first start by saying that while I may not have been on the forefront of EWC while i’ve been out, I have been following the general ideas of what has been going on. You two, though, you have something that cannot be taught...A natural chemistry that normally takes years to form, but you two have it. It’s undeniable and sitting on the sidelines, not being able to be part of the action, you notice these things. It made me curious.
So I dug a little deeper. You two are more similar than you think. Both warriors. Both honorable. You have a flair for the extreme and are willing to do whatever it takes to win with honor.
Cloud chimes in.
Cloud: It’s the only way to do things. You get nowhere when you fight like a coward.
Sam: Damn fucking straight.
A smirk comes to my face. I’ve got them on the proverbial hook. Time to reel them in.
Antoni: Now that we have that out of the way… The reason I flew here from Samoa… It’s no secret that I am now alone here in EWC. Yeshwa and Mondo have moved on. That is their decision to make and I respect that… But I also have learned a valuable lesson these last seven months. It’s damn near impossible to survive without someone having your back. Sam, you have the maidens and I know outside of the EWC they are always there for you. Inside the EWC, there’s a few left that come around now and then, but you’ve had to move on mostly. Cloud, you have Phoenix. You both have something or someone who you can call on and at a moments notice they will be there for you. War never ends...It’s always raging and to win the war, you have to have allies. The three of us all share a commonality: We are warriors. We fight with honor and that is rare these days. So here is what I think: I think we should see if the chemistry on the battlefield is there for the three of us. We all need allies and inside the realm of the EWC I think the three of us can show the World the right way to do things. The honorable way. The warriors way. My Uso e (brothers) have moved on, but I am hoping that I can extend my family and fight alongside my tuafafine (sisters).
Silence. I expected this, somewhat. When you try to forge alliances, there is always a moment of hesitation as your perspective allies contemplate the proposal laid out before them.
Cloud: You definitely have thought this out, I give you that..
The open ended nature of her response leaves me to wonder if she is hesitant, but also I can’t argue there is a glimmer in her eyes. She wants this.
Sam: I don’t know you very well Antoni, but I know you’re reputation. Last year at StrangleMania you and your… brothers, took the fight to Psycho,Zombie and Bruiser pretty hard if I remember correctly. Even though most of the company hated you all then, but you fought nobly and after I remember Zombie telling me that they couldn't wait to do it again with you boys.
Sam stopped her thought mid sentence, contemplating for a moment before continuing.
Sam: So what are your plans for this menagerie you want you concoct?
This is it. My moment of truth. Cards on the table time.
Antoni: Right to the point, I like that. So here it is: The tag team scene in EWC has gone from feast to famine and back to feast again in the last year. When I came into the company, we wanted those belts like you wouldn't believe. By the time we would have been able to earn a chance, we were already heading in different directions. I focussed on myself and was within weeks of getting an opportunity to take on Ace King. Who knows if I would have won or not, but I have to think that 777 may not have happened had The Limit not attacked me, had Dr. Psycho not tried to soften me up for whatever match he thought he wanted with me. There’s so many what if scenarios there. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
My strength has always been working with others. You two have shown flashes of that as well. So here it is. We have each others backs. You need a partner for a show? Call me. You want someone to come to ringside so that you’re not outnumbered? Pick up the phone. I want us to build a team that can take down the tag champs and be able to fend off the current contenders. While some teams have left, new ones have taken their place and one of the most dominant teams in EWC history has come back after a few months away. The tag title scene is busy right now and I want us to jump right into the front lines of that battle and stake our claim.
I take a breath. Calm. Cool. Collected. That’s how you negotiate these things. I replay the speech in my head looking for any weaknesses in my argument. Sam nods as a smirk crosses her lips. Cloud smiles subtly.
Cloud: And what exactly are we planning to all this mishmash of personalities should we do this?
Sam: Good question, sweets.
I let a brief moment go before I respond.
Antoni: I think that one is pretty obvious. We are in the War Dojo... War is never ending, always raging on… We are on the front lines.. That makes us War Mongers.
Names are superficial. They don’t make or break you, but it has to have a reason, a purpose. I thought about this before coming here. Never leave an open place to attack.
Cloud: I can get behind that name.
Sam: Fuckn’ A right. I like it.
Antoni: And now for the other reason I wanted to come here.
Cloud and Sam look back to me a little puzzled.
Antoni: I’ve been cleared for ring work.
I point down to the bulky brace around my knee.
Antoni: You think you have room for one more in this training session? My body is my weapon and my weapon has not been used in 8 months. I need to push myself to know that I am ready to step back into the war.
All of us are smiles. Cloud points to the ring as I open my bag and start to pull out my workout gear. Time to prepare for battle again. Brawl will return to being my battlefield very soon. The War Mongers are coming and soon, we will be able to take on the best that this company has to offer. I will make sure of it. For now, though, it's time to clang and bang.
Fade out.