When thinking about how I would tackle this entire week, when I elaborated the plan on how to proceed in terms of promotional material the objective was to be able to cover every Elitists scheduled to take part in Grand Rampage and give them a video each in which I address them directly. Unfortunately, life being what it is, I am not able to do so BUT there is a way to make sure I make good on my plan in a different way. Thus, I'm going to speak to the remaining 9 in packs of three. So let us begin!
Jay Jerry Johnson
2 Grand Rampage Participation
Best Result: 20th ( 2022 )
1x Interwire Championship
From underdog to Champion for a time with potential for much more, I'm going to wish the man good luck ahead of the match on Sunday. I won't talk about his chances of victory at Chase Field, but I will say I look forward to the possibility of crossing paths with him. I had good matches against him and alongside him and I have no issues with the man,
While he is right that this isn't NASCAR, he has to admit there's a Daytona feel to this event. Just like the race that starts off the season, everybody wants to win and they all go hard for it. And just like on the track, everyone can expect the big one to happen, and Grand Rampage will have several massive car wrecks within it. Bodies everywhere and just like in NASCAR, the fans can't wait to see it happen, and they'll love it. Who will win it? Is it someone who's been trying for years like Dale Earnhardt Sr? Will someone win it on their first participation like rookie Austin Cindric back in 2022? Will we have a repeat winner? The spirit of Drake King could do it through Gary Daniels. We'll find out on Sunday. Where will Jay end up in all of this? Will he wreck? Or will he pull a Cole Trickle during Days of Thunder and pull off an emotional win?
Jay Jerry Johnson has what it takes to make something good out of his career. There are more Championships in store for him in due time I'm certain of it, until then Grand Rampage for him is an opportunity much like everyone else to elevate himself and reach the next step in his career. Winning the event would be a massive leap forward, and while many doubt if he'd be able to deal with all that being World Champion would involve there are many cases through history of Elitists who grew through holding a title thought they couldn't handle. Could this be the case with Jay? Or would he crumble on the first defense? Those are questions we can ask ourselves once he holds one of EAW's top Championships. Until then this is but speculation, but something tells me he'll do alright.
Lieutenant Michael Scott Connor
1 Grand Rampage Participation
Best Result: 24th
No Career Championship
Here is another case of an Elitist I have yet to meet for a formal introduction, we'll make it happen inside the ring. I've been following his career from a distance, and the competitor in me is looking forward to the possibility of engaging with him inside an EAW ring for the first time. Grand Rampage is not ideal, but considering we aren't on the same brand I'll take it with no complaint. Lieutenant Connor is a fascinating character, I may be wrong, but while many Elitists once served in the military I think he is the first who is still on active duty as a Marine and acts as representative for the Corp within EAW. That makes it very interesting, maybe because I am a military aficionado who played Call of Duty and America's Army a bit during my free time.
This won't be the first time he'll hear it, but I thank him for his sacrifice in the name of freedom, I say this despite being Canadian but I recognize the dangers he and his brothers/sisters in arms put themselves through regularly during their time on tour and that is simply admirable. Wrestling isn't the same as battling against enemies you often don't see and want nothing but to kill you, but there are wars taking place between the ropes that in some cases can leave as much an impact on the mind as a veteran can live through during their time in the army.
While you disagreed with Chris Elite over his belief that being a Marine wouldn't make a difference here in EAW, I have to disagree with you when it comes to learning and improving. In this industry, much like in on the field, you need to learn to improve the chances of success of your given mission. Learning the terrain, and learning the language of your target sometimes can also be the difference between life and death for you or your fellow Marines and the same applies here. You didn't become a Marine simply by sticking to what you learned through the Army basic training now, did you? No. You learned through experience and you kept on learning, you're still learning today. No Elitist here became anything of worth without growth and learning, even those who rose through the ranks rapidly such as Hikari Kanno or Drake Armstrong for a more recent experience.
You do not see the benefits of constant improvement, Lieutenant, and perhaps that is what keeps you from having a career that you feel is satisfactory. The Corps didn't teach you how to wrestle, granted, but there is a great deal of experience and expertise you acquired through two decades in the Corps that can be used inside the ring. Your skills with an assault rifle, a knife, or your ability to perform combat manoeuvers while driving a Humvee won't be of any use here but your ability to quickly adapt in any given situation will. Your capacity to handle the pressure while being under fire, to strategize and adapt to a situation to accomplish your mission now those are things you can use in the ring.
You have a good understanding of this business, and I hear the love you have for it through your words as well. You are a fan as well as an Elitist and a student of the game. My opinion, Lieutenant? If you aren't doing so already: Consider your time here in EAW not as a dream realized but as a mission to accomplish. Train with the same intensity, fight with the same determination for you are and forever will be a United States Marine!
Do not shackle yourself with limitations to your potential by thinking about the time you have left as an efficient operator. This is not the right way to go about this. There is nothing wrong with being self-aware regarding the time you have left to operate at peak efficiency. But do not let that knowledge limit your potential to achieve what you've set yourself to do here. You must make the most of the time you have, but you will end up wasting it if you restrain your mind in such a way. You have the right frame of mind to think about Here and Now considering time is against you, that is why rather than put the pressure of needing to win at all cost you need to look at every match as a mission.
Akari Kiyoko
0 Grand Rampage Participation
Best Result: N/A
No Career Championship
Here we have another Elitist who I will be introducing myself to and fight for the first time on Sunday. Newly signed as of January this season he is another member of this season's class of New Breeds that oughta make all of them look to see who is the best amongst them on Sunday that much more interesting. A decent start to his career here with some victories and thus it makes all the sense in the world to hear him sound off as a hopeful who will do his best to impress on a platform such as Grand Rampage.
This is a feeling I have from what I hear from him, but Akari seems to be the type of Elitist who thrives on making the EAW Universe happy. A great way to do so, and gain their support at the same time, is offering them bangers everytime he makes it inside the ring and maintain a positive attitude no matter if he comes up short when it happens. I won't count him out when it comes to his chances of conquering Chase Field considering the event's history, and he seems to be aware that his chances are small and equal to everybody else despite what others are telling him. I look forward to see if, as a daisy fresh rookie of a few months, if he will utilize the opportunity this match presents to make his presence known and cause a few surprises.
By the feel I get from listening to his material, I think he has it in him to surprise us all this weekend. And considering he is new around here, the fans won't shun him should he end up not winning. So long as he throws in a good strong effort and it shows through the event? Then the EAW Universe will appreciate it, they are generous to those of us who put in the work.
That's all for now.
