“I don’t care who stands in my way.”
“The Grand Rampage is right there and I’m not willing to let it slip. So many different names in this match. Men and women who have a legendary career at their disposal with or without this win. Guys who haven’t won the big one yet — but they have the capabilities to find themselves in a future championship with or without this match. And you have plenty of others. Those who ain’t meant to win regardless of what happens. That’s their trajectory. The perennial losers. And as much as many of my opposition would love to lump me in with them, sooner or later, that is going to change. The fact of the matter is this. If I’m the only person in the world who knows how good I truly am, that’s fine with me.”
“If no one even wants to acknowledge my slight chance of winning, that’s fine. No one is obligated to do anything, however it’s up to me to make that impact for myself. There’s some people who’ll be chanting my name when I get out there, I know that. But by the end of the night, I want everyone to do it. Saturday is recovery. Making sure I’m in the best mind state both mentally and physically. I can’t guarantee victory at all. However, the thrill of just trying to do it is one that I live for. Imagine if I did that? A minuscule chance of me winning the Grand Rampage and I find a way to do it. I have unfavorable odds but it’s not the numbers I should be focusing on. Simply showing up and getting the job done is much more important.”
“Everyone wants to win this thing. Hell, they’ve got a damn good reason. But I don’t know what it’ll do for each and every single one of them. I understand a couple. The former world champions, the top names on their brand, regardless of if they’ve been world champ or not. They have been staples of EAW way before this match. So when you see them main eventing Grand Rampage, it makes sense, right? It adds up, yeah? They belong there. And look at me. You think someone would see a Pain For Pride card, see Cody Maverick competing for it and raise an eyebrow? Of course they would. It doesn’t add up, yet.”
“Keyword, yet. I’ve focused on the first chunk of this video to myself because I feel like I haven’t had time to sit down and think. Everything I’ve done or said has been in relation to the words of another person. And right now, I’m closed in solely on winning. It’s hard to exactly pinpoint what I’m looking for here. I started this one confident and while I still am confident, I’m realistic. Nothing hurts me if I lose. Preferably, if I do? I would like a strong standing in the match. So many people are shitting on my chances that it almost feels like a sign of future things to come if I walk into this Grand Rampage and prove a lot of names wrong. Of course many are saying that I don’t gain much from an elimination or lasting that long, but it just sounds like coping to me. I think there’s a lot of people who don’t know what to expect from me and are trying their hardest to mistake it with statements that would discourage me. Sure. Have I had the greatest month going into this? Not quite, but I think a fair majority of this match hasn’t.”
“If there was one thing Ryan Wilson got right, it’s that wins and losses don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. As far as big matches go? Yeah. It gets harder for me to keep speaking with two New Breed Championship losses, even though I know I’m fresh in my career. What happens on a weekly basis, you can move past it. But I didn’t come for a 50/50 record. I don’t like losing one week, and winning the next. But if I can somehow win the Grand Rampage, that changes everything. That shifts the culture. A complete new rookie shows up and finally figures it out against 29 other men.”
“No one can take that from me, honestly.”
“My name will be up there with legends. And really, that’s all I need in this business. I know that I’m destined to be up there one day. And I don’t understand why everyone indies you wait your turn. Why should I do that? Why should I dictate my career based on another person’s reluctance to give up their spot? And that’s a given. Of course they don’t want to give it up. But here’s the thing. I’ll keep fighting for that shit until I get it.”
“Maybe Ryan was right. Maybe I just ain’t ready to jump to the heights that Machina has as a rookie.”
“Unless?”
“I win the Grand Rampage and ascend to heights greater than any New Breed has been at so far.”
“I suppose you’re right, Michael. I’d expect that those names you listed are looking at me. I never denied the reasonability behind going for the bigger names first, but brushing me aside has been my problem from the beginning. It is true though. Doubting guys like us is a huge mistake because anything can happen in EAW right? Upsets can happen, and I have the chance to pull off the biggest upset of all time. I’ve treated everyone with as much focus as possible. There are some names that I believe have no business winning this match and they’ve supported that with subpar at best videos going into this. Perspective is everything. You don’t have your head up your ass like many of the top names in this company, admittedly, even me. But the more I look around and I see how unreasonable the top names in this company are. Maybe that’s what would do you better, what would be better? That blissful ignorance, acknowledging people just so they can attempt to put them in their place. I learn a lot in positions like this, and hell, I’m learning from you.”
“It’s every man for themselves out there, which makes this so interesting. Someone can walk from behind you and throw you over the top rope. What are you going to do about that? But that’s where my talk about underestimation comes in. I can do that to anyone as well. Hell. All of these people are saying they don’t know me, acting like I provide nothing to this match when i’m putting in the work like everyone else. I see some of my peers that I’ve been compared to. They would’ve quit on the second day— in fact, some have. Others haven’t even made it to this match because they lack the consistency to even be trusted competing in a match of this magnitude. That’s the reality of the situation I’m in right now. Everything is about proving myself for the future. They may know I’m here, but do they know what they’re in store for?”
“Not a chance. I feel like a couple of ducking me. Not in a pretentious way, but because they don’t think I’m worth their time. I don’t believe in that idea, though. I think if someone is asking for the smoke, asking for that energy, they deserve it. How are you going to exemplify your capabilities of winning this match if you’re not even willing to address a chunk of this match? I appreciate that you’ve been willing to do that. You have no problem standing in the fire even if you get burned and perhaps it could be you that everyone is underestimating, and prove us all wrong. I sure know that you’re capable of moving up in your career. It’s just a matter of when and where.”
“We’re all Elitists and have earned our place here one way or another. But it’s not about being just an Elitist anymore. It’s about being the most elite of, well, the elite. I’m preparing for you to be a threat just like you are for me. You were hardly a threat last year but let’s see if that changes now. I’m not going to let you come by and take this from me, because quite frankly, no one can take this from me. This is my chance to shine and no matter what you’ve done in your career… I can’t allow anyone to go to the heights that I’m headed besides myself.”
“Video 30, ARIA. You have expended so much energy in this match that it’s honestly impressive. I can sense your hunger just like everyone else, but you and I both know that no matter how hungry you are; someone can come and take your food off your plate. I’m tired of that happening to me. It’s my turn to eat and no longer am I looking to allow someone to eat off of me. I’m out for a full platter and there’s no better time to wine and dine like kings and queens than at Grand Rampage. You believe that what you need is the people behind you? Considering this is your first time competing in front of your hometown crowd, you better be right. You better be able to own up to that, having the thrill of the crowd cheering for you on, in your hometown— or else you’ll fall behind like everyone else. You seem awfully intent on everything going your way. Have you considered what happens if it doesn’t? If you’re wrong about all of this. If they’re there, until they ain’t. I touched up on this before, but I feel like you really just are at the point of grasping for straws just like anyone else.”
“I get it. You have that fire deep inside of you. But you’re used to it being extinguished. It’s perfectly reasonable to put yourself up on this pedestal where you think you can’t fail but what happens when you do? What happens when you absolutely give it your all and it STILL isn’t enough? I understand that you’re trying to draw from any and everything for inspiration but it’s not going to work out how you want it to. I get the story about your uncle. But is this what you want to do? Overwork yourself like him for a match where it’s not likely for EITHER of us to win? We aren’t being looked at as the favorites, and I feel like it’s getting to the point that these names pity you from how much extra work you are putting in with no guarantee you’ll get anything in return. Wouldn’t it hurt to do all of this just to crumble under the pressure? And if you do? I understand where you’re coming from, and I can understand what’s bound to happen. That’s where I come in to take advantage.”
“Because no matter how good you think you’ll be in the moment due to your determination.. I’m not chasing highs that you have.”
“That championship reign in 2022 has stuck to your hip for all the wrong reasons. I know you desire that and what better way than to simply level up and become world champion?”
“Your knee can shatter gods? Please. Point me to who these gods are.”
“In my element, no one can withstand my power.”
“Not even you. And you’re going to understand that. With all due respect. Don’t fool yourself. Don’t set yourself up for failure because I know what that’s like. It’s easy to mistake all of this hunger for a guarantee that you’re going to win. Because you can get so high and you can crash straight to the ground. It’s funny because you know what that feels like. It can happen to anyone. Hell. It can even happen again, which is about to be your case.”
“What awaits you next week? I know what it does for me. If I win next week, I celebrate. If I lose? I want to immediately get back in the mix and compete on Dynasty, because I’m not going to build myself up and be discouraged by failure anymore. Keep talking yourself up. I encourage it. Because when it comes crashing down? I would love for it to be at my hands. But I don’t care either way, because I’m not going to completely sell my false dream anymore.”
“Dream on, ARIA. Only one of us can turn our dreams into reality, and I’m bound to take everything you’ve worked for because Grand Rampage needs to be won by someone who isn’t willing to squander everything in front of them and trust me—“
“I’m wiping away that stigma before it gets too late.”
“The Grand Rampage is right there and I’m not willing to let it slip. So many different names in this match. Men and women who have a legendary career at their disposal with or without this win. Guys who haven’t won the big one yet — but they have the capabilities to find themselves in a future championship with or without this match. And you have plenty of others. Those who ain’t meant to win regardless of what happens. That’s their trajectory. The perennial losers. And as much as many of my opposition would love to lump me in with them, sooner or later, that is going to change. The fact of the matter is this. If I’m the only person in the world who knows how good I truly am, that’s fine with me.”
“If no one even wants to acknowledge my slight chance of winning, that’s fine. No one is obligated to do anything, however it’s up to me to make that impact for myself. There’s some people who’ll be chanting my name when I get out there, I know that. But by the end of the night, I want everyone to do it. Saturday is recovery. Making sure I’m in the best mind state both mentally and physically. I can’t guarantee victory at all. However, the thrill of just trying to do it is one that I live for. Imagine if I did that? A minuscule chance of me winning the Grand Rampage and I find a way to do it. I have unfavorable odds but it’s not the numbers I should be focusing on. Simply showing up and getting the job done is much more important.”
“Everyone wants to win this thing. Hell, they’ve got a damn good reason. But I don’t know what it’ll do for each and every single one of them. I understand a couple. The former world champions, the top names on their brand, regardless of if they’ve been world champ or not. They have been staples of EAW way before this match. So when you see them main eventing Grand Rampage, it makes sense, right? It adds up, yeah? They belong there. And look at me. You think someone would see a Pain For Pride card, see Cody Maverick competing for it and raise an eyebrow? Of course they would. It doesn’t add up, yet.”
“Keyword, yet. I’ve focused on the first chunk of this video to myself because I feel like I haven’t had time to sit down and think. Everything I’ve done or said has been in relation to the words of another person. And right now, I’m closed in solely on winning. It’s hard to exactly pinpoint what I’m looking for here. I started this one confident and while I still am confident, I’m realistic. Nothing hurts me if I lose. Preferably, if I do? I would like a strong standing in the match. So many people are shitting on my chances that it almost feels like a sign of future things to come if I walk into this Grand Rampage and prove a lot of names wrong. Of course many are saying that I don’t gain much from an elimination or lasting that long, but it just sounds like coping to me. I think there’s a lot of people who don’t know what to expect from me and are trying their hardest to mistake it with statements that would discourage me. Sure. Have I had the greatest month going into this? Not quite, but I think a fair majority of this match hasn’t.”
“If there was one thing Ryan Wilson got right, it’s that wins and losses don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. As far as big matches go? Yeah. It gets harder for me to keep speaking with two New Breed Championship losses, even though I know I’m fresh in my career. What happens on a weekly basis, you can move past it. But I didn’t come for a 50/50 record. I don’t like losing one week, and winning the next. But if I can somehow win the Grand Rampage, that changes everything. That shifts the culture. A complete new rookie shows up and finally figures it out against 29 other men.”
“No one can take that from me, honestly.”
“My name will be up there with legends. And really, that’s all I need in this business. I know that I’m destined to be up there one day. And I don’t understand why everyone indies you wait your turn. Why should I do that? Why should I dictate my career based on another person’s reluctance to give up their spot? And that’s a given. Of course they don’t want to give it up. But here’s the thing. I’ll keep fighting for that shit until I get it.”
“Maybe Ryan was right. Maybe I just ain’t ready to jump to the heights that Machina has as a rookie.”
“Unless?”
“I win the Grand Rampage and ascend to heights greater than any New Breed has been at so far.”
“I suppose you’re right, Michael. I’d expect that those names you listed are looking at me. I never denied the reasonability behind going for the bigger names first, but brushing me aside has been my problem from the beginning. It is true though. Doubting guys like us is a huge mistake because anything can happen in EAW right? Upsets can happen, and I have the chance to pull off the biggest upset of all time. I’ve treated everyone with as much focus as possible. There are some names that I believe have no business winning this match and they’ve supported that with subpar at best videos going into this. Perspective is everything. You don’t have your head up your ass like many of the top names in this company, admittedly, even me. But the more I look around and I see how unreasonable the top names in this company are. Maybe that’s what would do you better, what would be better? That blissful ignorance, acknowledging people just so they can attempt to put them in their place. I learn a lot in positions like this, and hell, I’m learning from you.”
“It’s every man for themselves out there, which makes this so interesting. Someone can walk from behind you and throw you over the top rope. What are you going to do about that? But that’s where my talk about underestimation comes in. I can do that to anyone as well. Hell. All of these people are saying they don’t know me, acting like I provide nothing to this match when i’m putting in the work like everyone else. I see some of my peers that I’ve been compared to. They would’ve quit on the second day— in fact, some have. Others haven’t even made it to this match because they lack the consistency to even be trusted competing in a match of this magnitude. That’s the reality of the situation I’m in right now. Everything is about proving myself for the future. They may know I’m here, but do they know what they’re in store for?”
“Not a chance. I feel like a couple of ducking me. Not in a pretentious way, but because they don’t think I’m worth their time. I don’t believe in that idea, though. I think if someone is asking for the smoke, asking for that energy, they deserve it. How are you going to exemplify your capabilities of winning this match if you’re not even willing to address a chunk of this match? I appreciate that you’ve been willing to do that. You have no problem standing in the fire even if you get burned and perhaps it could be you that everyone is underestimating, and prove us all wrong. I sure know that you’re capable of moving up in your career. It’s just a matter of when and where.”
“We’re all Elitists and have earned our place here one way or another. But it’s not about being just an Elitist anymore. It’s about being the most elite of, well, the elite. I’m preparing for you to be a threat just like you are for me. You were hardly a threat last year but let’s see if that changes now. I’m not going to let you come by and take this from me, because quite frankly, no one can take this from me. This is my chance to shine and no matter what you’ve done in your career… I can’t allow anyone to go to the heights that I’m headed besides myself.”
“Video 30, ARIA. You have expended so much energy in this match that it’s honestly impressive. I can sense your hunger just like everyone else, but you and I both know that no matter how hungry you are; someone can come and take your food off your plate. I’m tired of that happening to me. It’s my turn to eat and no longer am I looking to allow someone to eat off of me. I’m out for a full platter and there’s no better time to wine and dine like kings and queens than at Grand Rampage. You believe that what you need is the people behind you? Considering this is your first time competing in front of your hometown crowd, you better be right. You better be able to own up to that, having the thrill of the crowd cheering for you on, in your hometown— or else you’ll fall behind like everyone else. You seem awfully intent on everything going your way. Have you considered what happens if it doesn’t? If you’re wrong about all of this. If they’re there, until they ain’t. I touched up on this before, but I feel like you really just are at the point of grasping for straws just like anyone else.”
“I get it. You have that fire deep inside of you. But you’re used to it being extinguished. It’s perfectly reasonable to put yourself up on this pedestal where you think you can’t fail but what happens when you do? What happens when you absolutely give it your all and it STILL isn’t enough? I understand that you’re trying to draw from any and everything for inspiration but it’s not going to work out how you want it to. I get the story about your uncle. But is this what you want to do? Overwork yourself like him for a match where it’s not likely for EITHER of us to win? We aren’t being looked at as the favorites, and I feel like it’s getting to the point that these names pity you from how much extra work you are putting in with no guarantee you’ll get anything in return. Wouldn’t it hurt to do all of this just to crumble under the pressure? And if you do? I understand where you’re coming from, and I can understand what’s bound to happen. That’s where I come in to take advantage.”
“Because no matter how good you think you’ll be in the moment due to your determination.. I’m not chasing highs that you have.”
“That championship reign in 2022 has stuck to your hip for all the wrong reasons. I know you desire that and what better way than to simply level up and become world champion?”
“Your knee can shatter gods? Please. Point me to who these gods are.”
“In my element, no one can withstand my power.”
“Not even you. And you’re going to understand that. With all due respect. Don’t fool yourself. Don’t set yourself up for failure because I know what that’s like. It’s easy to mistake all of this hunger for a guarantee that you’re going to win. Because you can get so high and you can crash straight to the ground. It’s funny because you know what that feels like. It can happen to anyone. Hell. It can even happen again, which is about to be your case.”
“What awaits you next week? I know what it does for me. If I win next week, I celebrate. If I lose? I want to immediately get back in the mix and compete on Dynasty, because I’m not going to build myself up and be discouraged by failure anymore. Keep talking yourself up. I encourage it. Because when it comes crashing down? I would love for it to be at my hands. But I don’t care either way, because I’m not going to completely sell my false dream anymore.”
“Dream on, ARIA. Only one of us can turn our dreams into reality, and I’m bound to take everything you’ve worked for because Grand Rampage needs to be won by someone who isn’t willing to squander everything in front of them and trust me—“
“I’m wiping away that stigma before it gets too late.”
