Post by Primetime Phoenix Winterborn on Oct 23, 2024 11:52:32 GMT -6
"This could very well be my last Rumble, and it's in about as enemy territory as a Chicagoan can get."
The words of Phoenix Winterborn echoed throughout the walls of the Freelance Wrestling Academy in Chicago, Illinois. Marissa Davidson was with him, as were a few students from the Chicago indy scene he had taken under his wing as a guest coach.
"What are you talking about? You're damn near immortal."
"I was, yeah. But..." His voice trailed off. "I'm going to be forty four at the end of the year, y'all. I've been wrestling for twenty four of those years. Father Time is telling me to slow it down a bit. I don't know how to do that, but the wheels are starting to get a bit shaky, as it were. They haven' fallen off yet, but...they're getting there. If I'm going to get another singles title by the time I'm done? Now has got to the time to do it. This may very well be my last shot to go for the Undisputed championship."
Marissa and his friends looked over at him, a hint of a somber tone encapsulating the room.
"I can't let the thought of my own mortality stop me, though. A shot at the Undisputed title is on the line, and i'll be damned if I don't go out there, and at least go show these young thundercats that the dog may be old, but I still got quite a few tricks up my sleeve. Aye Sky, where's the promo camera at? Bring it over here, iffin you dont mind."
Xavier Sky hustled over, and retrieved the camera. After Phoenix showed him where to set it, everyone else except Marissa exited the frame. Phoenix was on the ring apron, and Marissa was leaning over him through the ropes. A pensive look adorned Phoenix's face, as the red light came to life.
"Today is a sad day for EWC, friends. For today I must announce that effective immediately, I am announcing my retirement..." He paused for a quick moment to let it sink in. "My retirement from...losing constantly. Not only on PRIME, but at almost every event out there. I'll be the first to admit. I'm complacent. I figure I'll just skirt on by, and let the chips fall where they may. You all can see it, I'm in the twilight of my career. I came to PRIME with every intention of capturing the Indy championship, but I was just going to coast along. In the process, i disrespected every Indy champion that came before me, as well as the current champion, Candy. So for that, I apologize. Everyone that saw a rebirth when I came to PRIME, I let down. But..and this is the good thing, I promise. I realized where I screwed up. PRIME is where some of the best talent in EWC come to play, and I should've realized that sooner. I have now, and now? It's gametime. Welcome to the EWC Rumble, y'all. Winner is getting a first class ticket to the main event of WrestleFest at the end of the year to face either Lad Morales, or JoJo Rush. I do hope JoJo is alright. Last I checked on him, he had gibberish all over my Fighter Talk page. Eh, I'll reach out to him later, and see where his head is. But I digress, back to the Rumble."
Phoenix cracked his neck a couple times in each direction. Marissa tapped him on the head. "You're gonna break your neck doing that."
"I'm old, it feels worse if I DON'T do it. Anyways, Rumble. It seems the more things change, the more they stay the same. We're down to only twenty people in the Rumble this year, but the story remains the same. Well, at least for this year. Undisputed title ISN'T on the line, but a shot at it is. Former champions current champions...old foes. At least half the people in this math I have some sort of history with. Whether it was a one-off, or a whole gimmick with them...there are a LOT of familiar faces to Ol' P-Dubs in here. Which means...I know what I'm getting into more than ever with this match. Now, with that being said, I'm not going to take the tired approach of rattling off everyone in here like some people do because a, we'd be here all day and b, I got other things I'd like to do today. Like teach the next generation of professional wrestlers here at Freelance in Chicago. Some of them are here watching me now actually. But let's at least look at a few of the major players."
"I would be remiss if I didn't shout out O' Champion, My Champion off the rip. Candy. If there was ever a wrestler that was everything that EWC stood for, it's you. You and I have known each other for many years, through many different incarnations, and it's only fitting that we find ourselves here once again. Your reign over PRIME with a sweet fist once again has been awhile coming, and if I can't be the champion, I'm glad that you are. That being said, don't think for an iota of a second that I won't toss your butt over that rope if given the chance for me to go to WrestleFest. I do wonder however...what kind of shape are you going to be in after the Monster's Ball match for your Indy title. I hate to bring down the mood, but let's be honest. I've been in the ring with all three of you in that match, and I know what the prerequisites are for that amount of hell. I don't like your chances. You know I wish you nothing but the best, but I'm gonna keep it a buck with you. Just don't blame me or anyone else if you get tossed early in the Rumble, just because of the shape you'll be in after the title match."
"Speaking of taking forever to get hands on someone. The word on the dirt sheets is that Jack Severn has wanted to tussle with me. Excellent. I've wanted the same. I mean, it's not under as much malice as it was when you were part of The House, but still. You're a cat that's always interested me. I want to see what you can do first hand. Maybe if the opportunity presents itself, I can square up with you once I deal with Miss Voight on one thirty. Have your people call my people. Hell, let's go talk to Jordan and get this signed. I want the match, and I'm pretty sure you want the match. A friendly exhibition, if you will."
"Onihime. Kon'nichiwa, mata ne. (Hello again, friend.) I know you remember our last encounter. We brought the house down in Seoul. I want to run it back with you as well. I know time may not be on my side, as it were. But I must admit. Our match was one of my favorites that I have had in recent memory, and I would love to have the return match, even if you do still align yourself with Shinijoshi. I can look past that in the spirit of competition, however. Kontesuto ganbattekudasai with Vin Havoc, Narumi."
"Truthfully, just about everyone in this Rumble I would love to match up against one on one. From the Onihime, to Mercenary, to everyone in between. Except one man..." Phoenix buried his face in his hands. he knew he had to speak on him. It would be his first comments on him since leaving Friday Night Rampage. "Ace." A tinge of venom escaped his tone, as the word seeped through his lips.
"The last man I faced on Rampage. I had quite the fall from grace there, didn't I? Granted, I put myself in the situation, but you made it your mission to make sure I was gone from Rampage, and now look at you. Paramount. I'm not entirely sure if you just wanted a fresh start, or you couldn't deal with Rampage anymore. That part doesn't really matter to me. What matters to me is that you're probably the biggest obstacle standing between me, and my shot at the Undisputed championship at WrestleFest. Unlike everyone else in this match, I do harbor ill will towards you. I need my measure of redemption against you. You ran me off of Rampage, and now I want to MAKE SURE! That you don't get your shot at the Undisputed title. Even if I don't get it either, I will take solace in knowing that Ace King's name will NOT be headlining the biggest show on the calendar year." As Phoenix hopped up to his feet on the apron, he started to walk around the ring slowly. "I have dedicated my life to professional wrestling. The last twenty yeas have been me on the road. Whether it was starting out in WGEF going up against some of the greats there. Whether it was dominating BUD becoming a grand lam champion there, holding every belt that was possible and eventually becoming owner of the promotion. Or whether it has been here. Training the next stars of wrestling at Freelance, or even now. In EWC putting on some of the best quality matches, or some of the bloodiest fights in recent memory. I have committed myself to being that guy, and I will continue to be that guy until I can't anymore. Which means that I really want to win this Rumble. No. I don't want to win the Rumble. I NEED to win the Rumble. I know realistically that my body is on borrowed time, and that Undisputed championship would look REALLY good around my waist. But I need to get there first. I need to show everyone that Phoenix Winterborn is never, and has NEVER BEEN a one trick pony."
"I have always said...when the lights are dim and the spotlight shines? How will you be remembered? Well, as far as EWC is concerned? Not much, aside from my run as the HBO Broadcast champion. That changes with this Rumble. I will be doing everything in my power to make sure that I am THE ONE!" He slammed his fist down on the top turnbuckle pad, causing the ropes around the ring to shake for a moment. "The one that will go to WrestleFest to compete for the Undisputed Championship. Now, as a Chicagoan, I know I am walking into enemy territory in the Bronx, especially in Yankee Stadium of all places. But, I come from the city of broad shoulders. The city where you stand up and fight, no matter how the odds may be stacked against you. The words of the great American poet Kendrick Lamar come to mind in this situation, albeit slightly paraphrased for obvious reasons. This ain't nineteen v one, this is one v nineteen if i gotta smack fools that fight with you all. I'm ready for this fight. I'm staying ready for this fight. Every day, I'm right here. These halls where so many of the greats have come through en route to becoming legends. Both on the independent scene, and worldwide. Freelance is my home, and will continue to be my home. This is where I become the best version of myself, and here is will I will find myself ready to take on the world. One person a a time. One elimination at a time. Until there is one left. One firebird left. One...Phoenix. Alex. Winterborn. Left. And then? WrestleFest and the Undisputed championship."
"And that...is change you can believe in."
Clapping is heard from the students, as the scene fades to black slowly.
The words of Phoenix Winterborn echoed throughout the walls of the Freelance Wrestling Academy in Chicago, Illinois. Marissa Davidson was with him, as were a few students from the Chicago indy scene he had taken under his wing as a guest coach.
"What are you talking about? You're damn near immortal."
"I was, yeah. But..." His voice trailed off. "I'm going to be forty four at the end of the year, y'all. I've been wrestling for twenty four of those years. Father Time is telling me to slow it down a bit. I don't know how to do that, but the wheels are starting to get a bit shaky, as it were. They haven' fallen off yet, but...they're getting there. If I'm going to get another singles title by the time I'm done? Now has got to the time to do it. This may very well be my last shot to go for the Undisputed championship."
Marissa and his friends looked over at him, a hint of a somber tone encapsulating the room.
"I can't let the thought of my own mortality stop me, though. A shot at the Undisputed title is on the line, and i'll be damned if I don't go out there, and at least go show these young thundercats that the dog may be old, but I still got quite a few tricks up my sleeve. Aye Sky, where's the promo camera at? Bring it over here, iffin you dont mind."
Xavier Sky hustled over, and retrieved the camera. After Phoenix showed him where to set it, everyone else except Marissa exited the frame. Phoenix was on the ring apron, and Marissa was leaning over him through the ropes. A pensive look adorned Phoenix's face, as the red light came to life.
-----ON CAMERA-----
"Today is a sad day for EWC, friends. For today I must announce that effective immediately, I am announcing my retirement..." He paused for a quick moment to let it sink in. "My retirement from...losing constantly. Not only on PRIME, but at almost every event out there. I'll be the first to admit. I'm complacent. I figure I'll just skirt on by, and let the chips fall where they may. You all can see it, I'm in the twilight of my career. I came to PRIME with every intention of capturing the Indy championship, but I was just going to coast along. In the process, i disrespected every Indy champion that came before me, as well as the current champion, Candy. So for that, I apologize. Everyone that saw a rebirth when I came to PRIME, I let down. But..and this is the good thing, I promise. I realized where I screwed up. PRIME is where some of the best talent in EWC come to play, and I should've realized that sooner. I have now, and now? It's gametime. Welcome to the EWC Rumble, y'all. Winner is getting a first class ticket to the main event of WrestleFest at the end of the year to face either Lad Morales, or JoJo Rush. I do hope JoJo is alright. Last I checked on him, he had gibberish all over my Fighter Talk page. Eh, I'll reach out to him later, and see where his head is. But I digress, back to the Rumble."
Phoenix cracked his neck a couple times in each direction. Marissa tapped him on the head. "You're gonna break your neck doing that."
"I'm old, it feels worse if I DON'T do it. Anyways, Rumble. It seems the more things change, the more they stay the same. We're down to only twenty people in the Rumble this year, but the story remains the same. Well, at least for this year. Undisputed title ISN'T on the line, but a shot at it is. Former champions current champions...old foes. At least half the people in this math I have some sort of history with. Whether it was a one-off, or a whole gimmick with them...there are a LOT of familiar faces to Ol' P-Dubs in here. Which means...I know what I'm getting into more than ever with this match. Now, with that being said, I'm not going to take the tired approach of rattling off everyone in here like some people do because a, we'd be here all day and b, I got other things I'd like to do today. Like teach the next generation of professional wrestlers here at Freelance in Chicago. Some of them are here watching me now actually. But let's at least look at a few of the major players."
"I would be remiss if I didn't shout out O' Champion, My Champion off the rip. Candy. If there was ever a wrestler that was everything that EWC stood for, it's you. You and I have known each other for many years, through many different incarnations, and it's only fitting that we find ourselves here once again. Your reign over PRIME with a sweet fist once again has been awhile coming, and if I can't be the champion, I'm glad that you are. That being said, don't think for an iota of a second that I won't toss your butt over that rope if given the chance for me to go to WrestleFest. I do wonder however...what kind of shape are you going to be in after the Monster's Ball match for your Indy title. I hate to bring down the mood, but let's be honest. I've been in the ring with all three of you in that match, and I know what the prerequisites are for that amount of hell. I don't like your chances. You know I wish you nothing but the best, but I'm gonna keep it a buck with you. Just don't blame me or anyone else if you get tossed early in the Rumble, just because of the shape you'll be in after the title match."
"Speaking of taking forever to get hands on someone. The word on the dirt sheets is that Jack Severn has wanted to tussle with me. Excellent. I've wanted the same. I mean, it's not under as much malice as it was when you were part of The House, but still. You're a cat that's always interested me. I want to see what you can do first hand. Maybe if the opportunity presents itself, I can square up with you once I deal with Miss Voight on one thirty. Have your people call my people. Hell, let's go talk to Jordan and get this signed. I want the match, and I'm pretty sure you want the match. A friendly exhibition, if you will."
"Onihime. Kon'nichiwa, mata ne. (Hello again, friend.) I know you remember our last encounter. We brought the house down in Seoul. I want to run it back with you as well. I know time may not be on my side, as it were. But I must admit. Our match was one of my favorites that I have had in recent memory, and I would love to have the return match, even if you do still align yourself with Shinijoshi. I can look past that in the spirit of competition, however. Kontesuto ganbattekudasai with Vin Havoc, Narumi."
"Truthfully, just about everyone in this Rumble I would love to match up against one on one. From the Onihime, to Mercenary, to everyone in between. Except one man..." Phoenix buried his face in his hands. he knew he had to speak on him. It would be his first comments on him since leaving Friday Night Rampage. "Ace." A tinge of venom escaped his tone, as the word seeped through his lips.
"The last man I faced on Rampage. I had quite the fall from grace there, didn't I? Granted, I put myself in the situation, but you made it your mission to make sure I was gone from Rampage, and now look at you. Paramount. I'm not entirely sure if you just wanted a fresh start, or you couldn't deal with Rampage anymore. That part doesn't really matter to me. What matters to me is that you're probably the biggest obstacle standing between me, and my shot at the Undisputed championship at WrestleFest. Unlike everyone else in this match, I do harbor ill will towards you. I need my measure of redemption against you. You ran me off of Rampage, and now I want to MAKE SURE! That you don't get your shot at the Undisputed title. Even if I don't get it either, I will take solace in knowing that Ace King's name will NOT be headlining the biggest show on the calendar year." As Phoenix hopped up to his feet on the apron, he started to walk around the ring slowly. "I have dedicated my life to professional wrestling. The last twenty yeas have been me on the road. Whether it was starting out in WGEF going up against some of the greats there. Whether it was dominating BUD becoming a grand lam champion there, holding every belt that was possible and eventually becoming owner of the promotion. Or whether it has been here. Training the next stars of wrestling at Freelance, or even now. In EWC putting on some of the best quality matches, or some of the bloodiest fights in recent memory. I have committed myself to being that guy, and I will continue to be that guy until I can't anymore. Which means that I really want to win this Rumble. No. I don't want to win the Rumble. I NEED to win the Rumble. I know realistically that my body is on borrowed time, and that Undisputed championship would look REALLY good around my waist. But I need to get there first. I need to show everyone that Phoenix Winterborn is never, and has NEVER BEEN a one trick pony."
"I have always said...when the lights are dim and the spotlight shines? How will you be remembered? Well, as far as EWC is concerned? Not much, aside from my run as the HBO Broadcast champion. That changes with this Rumble. I will be doing everything in my power to make sure that I am THE ONE!" He slammed his fist down on the top turnbuckle pad, causing the ropes around the ring to shake for a moment. "The one that will go to WrestleFest to compete for the Undisputed Championship. Now, as a Chicagoan, I know I am walking into enemy territory in the Bronx, especially in Yankee Stadium of all places. But, I come from the city of broad shoulders. The city where you stand up and fight, no matter how the odds may be stacked against you. The words of the great American poet Kendrick Lamar come to mind in this situation, albeit slightly paraphrased for obvious reasons. This ain't nineteen v one, this is one v nineteen if i gotta smack fools that fight with you all. I'm ready for this fight. I'm staying ready for this fight. Every day, I'm right here. These halls where so many of the greats have come through en route to becoming legends. Both on the independent scene, and worldwide. Freelance is my home, and will continue to be my home. This is where I become the best version of myself, and here is will I will find myself ready to take on the world. One person a a time. One elimination at a time. Until there is one left. One firebird left. One...Phoenix. Alex. Winterborn. Left. And then? WrestleFest and the Undisputed championship."
"And that...is change you can believe in."
Clapping is heard from the students, as the scene fades to black slowly.