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Post by Wade Mason on Sept 15, 2009 1:51:24 GMT -5
[TGW World Title] AJ Donavon Vs. Cody Only
Limit: Three Each Maximum First Deadline: Saturday September 19th at 11:59pm EST Final Deadline: Sunday September 20th at 11:59pm EST
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Post by ajdonavon on Sept 18, 2009 23:34:33 GMT -5
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Post by codyonly on Sept 19, 2009 22:52:21 GMT -5
Cody Only RP I: Rise Above
The scene begins with Cody Only sitting in a hotel room. The somewhat dingy wallpaper and lack of anything resembling decent lighting are an indication that Cody tends to travel on the cheap. The sounds of Black Flag's album "Damaged" can be heard faintly in the background, although they are not so loud as to drown out anything crucial. Cody is sitting on the edge of his bed, wearing his usual getup of black jeans and band t-shirt. The Casualties this time. Not his favorite, but he did like the shirt. It didn't take long for him to look up and address the camera.
Cody: When I arrived at the TGW arena last Monday, I had no idea what to expect. All I knew was I was going to do my best to beat Alex Wilkie, and that I'd be facing either Camisado or AJ Adams for the TGW World Title. Of course, things often aren't as simple as they seem. Even though AJ Adams won fair and square, I won't be facing him at No Limits. Instead I'm going up against AJ Donovan. Now, I know that isn't fair, and I've heard some of the guys are pissed off about it. So before I talk about what I came here to talk about, I want to put something out there for AJ Adams, and if he takes it, fine. If not, it doesn't matter. It's all the same to me. If I beat Donovan at No Limits, I'm offering you my first defense. One on one, man to man. No interference, no shenanigans. Just two competitors fighting it out to see who the best in this business really is. That is what this main event should be. You got robbed, and I'm really sorry for that. So when I get in that ring, I'm going to be fighting for myself as well as you and all of the fans who aren't going to get what they were promised.
He grinned when he finished speaking. There was silence for a moment as the next song on the CD began playing. A few seconds later, Cody began again.
Cody: Now, as to the matter of AJ Donovan. I have to admit I was a little starstruck when I found out I'd be competing against you. You're a big name, and you've held a lot of gold in your day. But then I started to think about it. See, at first it didn't matter that much to me that AJ Adams got screwed out of his title shot. I just wanted to compete. But then the buzz wore off. I came down and I realized that what happened does matter. The truth is, I'm worried. And I should be worried. Not because AJ Donovan is a great competitor. Not because he can potentially outclass me. Not because he has more experience performing in the spotlight. Those things are all concerns, but they take a backseat to one thing. I am no longer in control of my own destiny. When Wade Mason allowed AJ Donovan to simply take a title shot without doing anything to earn it, it made me realize that nothing matters. See, I've been at many disadvantages in my career, but I can tell you no disadvantage is as crippling as facing an opponent favored by the company's owner. Does it even matter how hard I try? Even if I get a three count, even if I choke him out with The Cobra Clutch, Wade can just walk right on out and declare AJ Donovan the champion, simply because it's his company. And because of what happened last week, I know he isn't afraid of doing it.
He shakes his head, an agitated expression overtaking his face. It's perfectly clear in his mannerisms that he's trying to remain calm, but the frustration seems to be building up beyond his control.
Cody: I don't care. I'm still going to go out there and do my best. You know why? Integrity. That's something this place lost last week when AJ Donovan was allowed to simply come in and get a spot at the top without even working for it. You know what that tells me about this company? It tells me that talent is going to be overlooked in favor of being in the good graces of the boss. I've seen this happen a million times, and I'm sick of it. You've got a roster full of men and women who do their best on a weekly basis. They work and work to perfect their craft, and in the end they just stay where they are, never moving from where they started because of favoritism. As far as I'm concerned, Wade Mason shot himself in the head last week. Even if AJ Donovan beats me fair and square, the damage has been done. That single act let everyone backstage know that when Donovan wants something he can just have it. It let us all know that hard work, skill and determination mean nothing as long as you're pals with the boss. AJ Adams wasn't the only person who got screwed. Everyone on the roster got screwed, and it's a miracle that we all haven't walked out because of it. I don't know what's going to happen. I won't claim to be psychic or anything, but I can say this. If Donovan walks out of No Limits as champion, the locker room is going to be a lot less populated. Mark my words. Of course, it won't matter much to me if everyone walks, because we can all go somewhere where we don't have to constantly watch our backs for the next flavor of the month to come out of nowhere.
Once again the track in the background changed. Cody was about to speak again, but when the lyrics began he shut his mouth, grinning and nodding. The song was "Rise Above" and, in Cody's mind, a more appropriate song couldn't have played at that moment.
Cody: See, this song is what it's all about. I've gotta' rise above. I know the odds are stacked against me. I know that all Donovan has to do to win is ask Wade. I'm still going to put on my boots and go out to that ring. I'm still going to give the fans what they want. I earned my place in that spotlight, and nothing anybody does can take that away from me. I can say, with all certainty in my heart, that I deserve to be there, win or lose. No matter how it ends, I can take pride in knowing that I got to where I was through my own abilities. I didn't need someone to hold my hand and walk me to a title shot. You know what, Donovan. Maybe you will beat me. But it will be a hollow victory for you. I'm sure it doesn't matter to you how you win, because people like you don't care about integrity. You just want to add another belt to your collection. Well here's something to keep in mind. You can talk all you want about how you coming to TGW is going to "save" it, but the truth is you may have doomed it. That stunt you pulled has shaken the faith of the roster and the fans, and I don't think I should have to tell you why. But in case you're too self-absorbed to figure it out, and I get the feeling you are, I'll go ahead and spell it out for you. People want a champion who fights to win, not someone who uses his pull to come in and get things done for himself. If you end up with that belt, nobody is going to care, because you didn't earn it. It doesn't matter where you've been before or what you accomplished prior to coming here. If you were a real man you'd start at the bottom and work your way up, just like everyone else. In my eyes, you're not even a competitor.
He runs a hand through his hair, moving it out of his eyes and behind an ear as he takes another moment to calm down. The anger finally leaves his face, but not his voice.
Cody: At No Limits, we'll see what you've got. But the fact is, I don't think you have what it takes. I don't like to cut people down, because it's not my style, but you've got it coming. You've earned every insult and boo you're going to get. So, at least I know you can earn something. You needed special treatment to get into the main event, and it's my guess you'll need special treatment to win. But hey, whatever happens happens. I'm going to do my best to beat you, and I want you to know that I won't be pulling any punches. See, I don't usually go out of my way to hurt my opponents, but I'll make an exception for you. After all, the usual rules don't apply to you, do they? Don't worry. I'm sure you'll only be in the hospital for a few days while they try to repair your carotid artery after I squeeze it into oblivion, but I'm sure Wade will pay for it. After all, he wouldn't want to lose a big, important star like you to a fair match, would he?
Grinning again, Cody shakes his head with a tired sigh, addressing the camera one final time.
Cody: I had hope for this. I really did. This seemed like the kind of place where everyone would get a chance to prove they could shine, but it turns out that was a lapse of judgment on my part. Wade presented himself to me as an honest man. The kind of guy who would do his best to make sure everything was fair. And now I know that isn't the case. Wade, I'm not saying this to you because I'm afraid of losing. That simply isn't the case. I'm going to say this to you because the future of your promotion depends on it. You'd better make sure this one gets called down the middle, because if it's not, you're going to have a pissed off roster, and they're going to either leave or do their best to make sure this place goes up in flames. Listen to what they've been saying. It's already happening, and if you haven't noticed it, than I really don't know what to tell you. Do the right thing, Wade. TGW's future depends on it. [/color] With that Cody stands, his face full of uncertainty. What once seemed like an excellent opportunity now felt like a death trap, and he was suddenly unsure what his future held. If there was anything Cody hated, it was not having a firm grip on where his life was going, and this was one of those times. All he could do at this point was hope everything went fairly. What else was there to do?[/center]
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