" Bronson Daniels.
Over the past few months, I’ve suffered great loss, after loss. I was cheated out of a trip to the King of Elite Finals. I came up short in an Answers World Championship match against Chef Viz. I was betrayed by the people I love and left unconscious in the middle of the ring in front of a hostile English crowd. Everyone I’ve cared about has abandoned me. And rightfully so. I’ve either burned a bridge, or I pushed them away past the point of return because I was so consumed with the idea of power and respect. I lost my girlfriend. I lost my close friend. I lost my faction. I lost everything in the blink of an eye. Everything that I worked to amass over the course of a year, was gone in the blink of an eye. And it wasn’t until I was utterly alone that I had the chance to sit down and sift through my thoughts. I’ll save you the details, but what I will say is that I came to the conclusion that the man I was, isn’t the man that I want to be.
You were once in my shoes Bronson, but it’s as if you won the World Heavyweight Championship, and something shifted within you. You forgot what it’s like to be on the other side looking in. You gave that herculean effort in Brand Warfare that led to nothing. You gave the same effort in Grand Rampage and again— nothing. But the moment you won the World Heavyweight Championship, your tune changed. Everything was right in the world. And you prove that that notion is true every single day. You’re not on top of the mountain, but you’re still on top. You’re not starved for success, you’re filled with power— these are YOUR WORDS, not mine. But when you take the time to actually listen to the things that are coming out of your mouth, where is the disconnect? HOW CANT YOU SEE THAT WE AREN’T EVEN APPROACHING THIS AT THE SAME LEVEL? FOR ME THIS ENTIRE WEEK HAS BEEN, ATONEMENT, ATONEMENT, ATONEMENT, REDEMPTION, REDEMPTION— AND IT’S BEEN FUELED BY A DESIRE TO MAKE AMENDS WITH EVERYONE I’VE WRONGED AND I’VE CROSSED TO DATE. So no, I’ve made peace with the idea that maybe… just maybe a happy ending isn’t in the cards for me. But why would I stop fighting now? Why would I give up now, when I’ve already endured so much? I’ve given so much of myself, my time, my energy, my passion for this profession— I’VE GIVEN EVERY SINGLE PIECE OF ME TO THIS SPORT. TO THIS COMPANY. TO THESE FANS. TO MY PEERS, EVEN THE ONES WHO THINK I’M A COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME AND SPACE AND TALENT AND BELIEVE WITH THEIR WHOLE HEARTS THAT I’LL NEVER BE ANYTHING MORE THAN A FAILURE. REGARDLESS OF THEIR OPINION OF ME I STILL TRY. I wish I cared to be the best. I wish I had dreams and aspirations that took me further than just wanting to be…redeemed. I wish I wanted more. Then maybe by some miracle, I could understand you on a deeper level, Bronson. But I think— I think, I’m just past trying to reach a place that my heart isn’t open to. I don’t have it in me to argue. I don’t have it in me to give you a decent enough rebuttal. And I don’t know if that means it’s simply true or if I’m just so tired of arguing about things that don’t matter. Maybe it’s a combination of both? Regardless of what the case may be, I want you to know, that you can be the best, Bronson. You can be God’s gift to wrestling, you’ll get no pushback from me— but don’t for one second fix your mouth to say that you want this more. Don’t you for one second attempt to deny me of MY TRUTH. Fifteen years, multiple failed opportunities, I’ve done things wrong more often than I’ve done them right— IT SHOULDN’T EVEN BE A QUESTION WHAT THIS MATCH MEANS TO ME. It shouldn’t be a debate. I’m not in this shit to just simply have a moment. I’m trying to change my life. I’m trying to change my career. I’m trying to build a legacy. And as talented and skilled as you may be, Bronson… As great and accomplished as you are— you nor will anyone else, take this from me.
TLA.
This entire week, you’ve hit the nail on the head. You’ve been virtually perfect when giving your responses and sharing your reasonings. Or at least, you almost were. You made a mistake that most people would never even catch, it would go in one ear and out the other. But for me, someone who, much like you, means what he says. I caught it immediately. I don’t think it’s my time. I know it is. I’ve worked hard just as you’ve worked hard, TLA. I’ve invested just as much sweat equity into this profession as you. The difference being, that you’re a Hall of Famer and a Former World Champion, and I’m just— me. Everyone seems to forget how big of a motivation it is to see your peers doing the things you’ve always wanted to do, and having to stand around and watch. Don’t get me wrong, there’s no jealousy or envy involved now, but before I did wonder when and if I would ever make it up that ladder. And here I am still, wondering the same. I’m not waiting for you or anyone else. I’ve waited long enough. I’ve watched you win multiple world championships. I’ve watched you hold multiple championships in general. You’ve had more than your fair share of moments hermano. But this one— this one is mine. And I’m not asking, I’m letting you know straight up. I still have all the respect in the world for you and what you’ve done TLA, but you’ve got to see things from my point of view. You’ve been in my shoes. You know what it’s like to want to be at the top only to trip up and fall at nearly every stop. That’s how things have gone for me over the past four years, but for some reason, this feels different. I can’t explain it. I can’t find the right words to give it description. But what I do know is that I’ll give everything I have in me, to make sure I capitalize on this moment because I know that another isn’t guaranteed.
Jay Jerry Johnson.
I’m glad that my words have made an impact on you, Jay. But I’ll be the first to admit, that was not my intention. I wanted you to know that even though I’ve done and said some pretty terrible things to you before, I’m not the same man I once was. I’m glad we could make amends and leave the past in the past. But of course, there are always those few apples that try to spoil the bunch. But I’m not going to blame them, I understand that it was my actions and decisions that drove them there. But in acknowledging that, I’ve begun to appreciate you more, Jay. I’m not complimenting you because I want you to be my friend and see that I’ve changed. I’m simply being honest and open and giving my opinion to anyone who cares to listen to me and hear it. There’s no question that you’ve grown in this profession, you aren’t the same man I faced for the New Breed Championship nearly three years ago. And you’re a far cry from the man I faced in the first match of Season 16. You’ve impressed me beyond measure, Jay. And genuinely I hope you continue to strive forward and keep pushing for greatness. I know seeing everyone react in different manners in this match has you feeling as if you’re being pulled every which-way, and I want you to know that the same is true for me. People fear what they don’t understand and they hate what they cannot conquer. But don’t take their words and their feelings to heart. People have told you countless times that you would never be good enough to win a championship in EAW, and not only did you prove them wrong, but you did it on the biggest stage in our profession. I don’t take you and what you’ve done lightly, Jay. I won’t make the same mistakes that others do and overlook you. Because I know how that feels. But even more so than that, I know what it breeds. You’ve been adamant about what winning this match can do for you, and you’re not wrong in the slightest. You stand just as much a chance of making it to the final six, five, four, hell maybe even three, as anyone else in this match. But inevitably you’ll be eliminated too. This match is mine to win, Jay. You know my story. You know what I’ve been through, and you know how important this is to me. While I wish you luck and all the best, I know you’ll have a bitter taste in your mouth when you listen to this part. I know you’ll rewind it over and over again, asking yourself if I’m joking, but know and understand that I’m not. I’ve waited fifteen long years to atone and make a push for redemption— so with that being said, Jay, my friend, there’s always next year. "
