Some people crumble under pressure, they give up, let go of all hope. Even the strongest of people have their limits. For me it was witnessing the death of my wife and children on a cold and wet night almost five years ago. My world ended that night and my pathetic attempt at continuing with my wrestling career was a mistake, I was a shadow of my former self and got my arse handed to me when I tried to return to the MWA.
But now I’m finally back in the game; thanks to August Joyce. He’d been through hell too, found his own limits before breaking down. I can’t say I blame him, being Gabriel Gambino’s plaything for almost two years would break any man. Being kept away from his wife and the son he didn’t even know about; being forced to fight against the company he loved working for. August tried to continue his career after that, making a name for himself down in Georgia and getting some sort of redemption. But things caught up with him too and he almost threw it all away.
On our own we may have stayed at home feeling sorry for ourselves and destroying everything we touched. But together we’ve found a common bond, kindred spirits looking out for each other and spurring ourselves on to bigger and better things.
It may have taken a long time but we’ve both finally been able to bounce back.
And that’s why I have such a great respect for Kacy Knight, another person who’s been through hell and has come back fighting. Only now are we starting to learn bits and pieces about what Kacy has been through, where she’s been. And kudos to her for getting herself back to a place where she’s ready to step into the ring again.
And she’s doing it alone. She doesn’t have a partner like I do. Yes she has friends, she has family. But to step out through those curtains at Rising Sons, alone, took a lot of guts. And she instantly wiped out any fears that she wouldn’t be the same when she destroyed Josh Reed. A fear I failed to allay when I ended up on the losing team in my own return match.
So now, with the Beijing National Stadium in sight, it’s time for me to bounce back once more.
———————————-
It’s a hazy night and the temperature is just above freezing as Tim Worthington’s Emirates flight touches down at Beijing Capital International Airport. A few sleepy minutes later and Tim is in the terminal and picking up his bags before heading through customs and into the arrivals lounge. It’s all routine to Tim who’s been flying worldwide for years but this time there’s something a little different; there’s someone here to meet him.
August Joyce is stood in the arrivals lounge with a small piece of card with ‘dickwad’ written on it. He looks tired and disheveled, his Air Canada flight landed about three hours ago and he’s stayed in the airport to wait for his friend and partner. August is without his trademark long coat, instead sporting jogging bottoms and a Vancouver Whitecaps hoody.
“Cute.” Tim says as he spots the card August is holding. “Been waiting long?”
“Only forever.” August replies.
Tim laughs. “Yea, sorry, take off was delayed for some reason.”
Tim picks up his suit jacket that was laying over his suitcase on his trolley and puts it on. While he may be a slob at home any time he’s seen in public he’s nothing short of perfectly turned out. Even at 3am in a deathly quiet corner of Asia’s busiest airport.
The two men begin to walk through the terminal towards the exit, pushing their trolleys along side each other as they catch up.
“I hear you’re a wanted man.” August says with a smile. “You make one post on Twitter about looking for a second promotion and next I see you’re getting offers from VWF, Premier, Warped, ECWF, PSW… CJ even offered you a deal to become MWA exclusive.”
Tim nods. “It’s nice to be wanted. I actually signed a part-time deal with Premier just before I left, do shows for them in the off weeks between MWA shows, but I’m ignoring all of that until after we’re done here in China. BattleZone; Kacy Knight; THAT’s my only focus right now.”
“A wise move. It’s a tough proposition. You seen her win/loss record? Damn impressive.”
“Oh I’m more than aware of what Kacy is capable of in that ring, of everything she’s achieved.” Tim ponders his opponent. “But who knows, if I didn’t retire when I did maybe I’d be a four time MWA World Champion.”
August clips Tim round the ear and shakes his head. “Ifs, buts and maybes. What did I tell you? We don’t deal with ifs, buts and maybes; not any more.”
“You’re right.” Tim nods back at August.
“Glad to hear it.” August beams. “And remember, Kacy’s title history, your own title history, they count for shit now. You’re not Hall of Famers. You’re not superstars. You’re not legends. Both of you are starting again. You’re rookies. Noobs. Poozers.”
Tim arches an eyebrow. “Poozers?”
“I’ve been reading a lot of Green Lantern recently.” August shrugs. “Anyway, valid point is valid.”
Tim nods. “Ok, tomorrow we hit the nearest gym and do some prep work for Monday night. I want to be at my best.”
“Hell yea you do.”
“Just do me a favour.” Tim says with a cheeky smile. “Suit up!”
August looks down at his hoody then back to Tim. “What you saying?”
“You look like a scruffy little shit. Take some pride, we’re representing the MWA here.”
August sighs. “Dude, if it makes you work harder I’ll suit up.”
“Hell yea you will.”
Tim suddenly stops and a step or two later August does too, looking back at his friend in confusion.
“Is it just me or have we been walking for FAR too long?” Tim looks around and sees no-one.
“Did we just get lost in an airport?” August looks around at Tim who nods. “Ok, we tell no-one about this.”
———————————-
There’s a whole new generation of fans out there that don’t know who I am. There are those who don’t remember me at my best, or just see this washed up old loser who keeps coming back for special occasions and embarrassing himself, tainting his reputation.
Yes, August and I did lose our return match back in Osaka, but this coming Monday I’ll be out to remind the fans of the MWA just what I’m capable of. Together Kacy and I will put on a wrestling clinic for the great fans here in China.
You know, there are those who would have you believe that people like Kacy and I are has-beens. The so called old guard. They think that we, along with people like Steve Pinex, should be stepping aside to make way for a new generation of wrestlers. They accuse us of being part of an old boys club, restricting opportunities for them and denying them their divine right to become MWA World Champion. But they are missing one simple point.
Do you know WHY Kacy and I are able to come back into the MWA? Because we’ve both got what it takes to become legends all over again. Firstly we have the talent. Pure, unadulterated wrestling talent. We have the desire. We have the heart. We’ve both got what it takes to overcome adversity. We’ve been through the shittest things life could throw at us and here we are, still standing. Never will we break.
So the doubters, the haters, the skeptics and the cry babies… I have some words of advice for you. Shut the hell up and watch two professionals show you how things are done. We’ll be out there in the Beijing National Stadium showing you what REAL wrestlers look like. We’ll be showing you how to get your MWA Title