You want to come for my spot? You'll have to pry it from my cold, dead hands because I'm not going anywhere.
“You don’t have to tell me twice, Jake.”
“How many times does a man have to be forced to live with his failure until he becomes dead inside? Jake Smith lives in an echo chamber and no matter what he says to me, it doesn’t resolve the big problem regarding himself. I have a lot to work on myself, but I never said I was perfect. I just talk a lot of shit. Sorta like Jake does, except people like me. I mean, the assessment he made was an interesting one, yeah? It’s funny to claim that everyone else finds me laughable when he’s the most disrespected respected competitor in this company right now. It’s easy to group me in as a guy that everyone doesn’t take seriously or pity because you think that I suck, or whatever. However, it’s especially ironic coming from you considering how hardly anyone has anything nice to say about you!”
“Case in point, Caroline ain’t even in this match and she still took time to shit on you. It’s grating, ain’t it? Its the life you chose. It’s the reputation you’ve built. Don’t shoot the messenger, although what I say is much more sincere than anyone else. It’s funny how extra the miles you’ll go just to mock me. You’re an asshole to almost everyone, that’s well documented. But I’m aware that it’s just a tad bit different when it comes to me. It can’t be that you fear me, yeah? And no, not a chance that it’s because you see something in me. I’m utter trash to a guy like you. But whatever it may be, it doesn’t matter because you’ll lie and come up with a lame response or mask your true feelings with more insults. You don’t even have me backed in a corner. I just gain nothing from stooping down to your level anymore. I’ve said everything that I needed to say, and then some. You don’t want me to be repetitive so sure, let’s not be repetitive. Let’s focus on what’s ahead of us.”
“Grand Rampage. Either you triumph at my expense or Sunday night you realize that you were no better than me. Doesn’t matter if I get eliminated first or you get eliminated last, because these things don’t matter if you end up losing anyways, right? Or better yet. Imagine if I win? Imagine if I throw you over the top? That’s going to be a long yap session as you’re in complete disbelief. But you haven’t factored that, because you can’t even fathom the idea of me doing that to you? But to your credit, you clearly can’t fathom anyone doing it. You can say I have no skill. Or talent. Or accomplishments. Or anything else. But do not call me a wannabe. I ain’t a wannabe. I’m more authentic than you could ever be. I piss guys like you off for a living because if everyone in the world was a yes-man like you clearly desperately want them to be, you would feel hollow at your lack of competition.”
“But riddle me this. If everyone told you exactly what you wanted to hear. Where would you be? What changes? Nothing, I bet. If you want me to find you under your boot, you better get a bigger boot ‘cause I ain’t some little kid that you can walk over. I’m more than just a speed bump on your path. I’m the dead end. And the moment you turn around? That’s when I swoop in to end YOUR hopes and dreams. Because if anyone needs to be humbled for the umpteenth time? It ain’t me. It’s you.”
“I think I’m at a point where if you do get it done, ARIA? I won’t be upset. Shit, I’ll commend you and be a little happy for ‘ya. But I can’t fully be happy for anyone besides myself. I think you understand that, though. The talks that we’ve had this week have been pretty exhilarating because I’ve been able to see where you’re coming from. In a week where mostly everyone is bound to get nasty with one another due to the pressure of wanting to prove yourself to all of these top names. I don’t plan on ever letting up on my focus. So many people are praying on my downfall that it’s near exhausting. I’m aware that I’m bound to piss people off. Some people understand where I’m coming from. Bronson Daniels didn’t have a problem with it. Jon Kelton let me slide. Daryl Kinkade just saw me as a pest to shove aside.. And Jake Smith? Jake Smith is Jake Smith, to say the least. You haven’t quite done that. Not to say that you’re looking to put anyone down when you’re struggling to get back up there yourself. There’s a humility within you that I’ll admit, sometimes I lack. But just like I, you’re also stubborn. There’s a good and bad that comes with that. You’ve shown the tendency to be willing to run your head into a wall repeatedly if it means you can stick to your belief that you are the one most capable of winning this Grand Rampage. 2 or 3 years, huh? I suppose, you’ll be fine without winning this? You’re accustomed to not having hard work immediately pay off. It’s in your blood, but I never said anything about it being in mine. I think genetically, I was born to shoot for the stars and aim for the moon. Whereas for you, it seems that being overlooked has passed down to you. And that’s just an observation. Factually just based off the numbers, you have put in the most work going into this match, but it’s also lead to you being diminished and not taken seriously. Imagine that? Talking as much as yo uhave. Trying to exemplify that you are the most worthy of winning this thing– and you’re reduced to just ‘yapping?’”
“That’s what’s defined you. Something that I haven’t had to struggle with. You speak of being mocked relentlessly in Japan, bullied by your peers.. You’ve grown up and shown that you can more than handle yourself in a fight here in EAW.. But it’s the same old, same old. People don’t believe in you. What I’m getting at here is that your life, unfortunately, is an endless cycle of events. The bullying you faced in your younger career follows you to a time where you think you are your most determined. The lack of notice given to your uncle for working his ass off is the same thing happening to you right now. So when I speak of Grand Rampage last year, I don’t see why it can’t just happen again to you this year. Build yourself up to what you think is your truest form, only to be dragged right back down to the bottom to someone who was just.. Born better.”
“You know how ridiculous that sounds? To just be born better than someone? Yet that’s how it is. This is harsh. Life ain’t fair and it never will be. You don’t want to be screwed over, but there’s no more likely match to be ‘screwed over’ than the Grand Rampage. Imagine if people form alliances. Gang up on you and throw you over. That is what you have to deal with. And I get it. That shit hurts. You don’t want to fail. But you better be ready to because I won’t let you go down and take the win. And those who don’t believe in you, not even for a second? Those who laugh at you and are literally looking to make an example out of you? It’s going to be even worse. In the first two days alone you were putting up everything. Throwing literally everything at the wall. Now you see what’s stuck. And honestly, that’s extremely respectable. You’ve gone through trial and error and I think you’re starting to see less errors the more we get into this week. But just because you potentially see it now, it can all change on Sunday night. This is both our first Grand Rampage match so this is extremely interesting. These are both waters that neither of us are used to swimming in, so my perspective genuinely means something to you – as does yours to me. You can’t brush me off and say that ‘well, you’ve never been here so I don’t care’. And I don’t have any right to say ‘you haven’t done well here’ either, because you don’t know what it’s like to be in the Grand Rampage match.”
“You’re still being spun into the conflict between Kelton and British Invasion because you can’t run away from your past.”
“Some things are inescapable. Whatever y’all have going on. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s not over yet, even if you think you’re done after failing to do anything of note to them. But what’s also inescapable is the fact that you’re not winning this match. I just don’t think it’s in the cards for you – although I wouldn’t be upset if you did win it. But sometimes it boggles down to the simplest of terms.”
“Nice guys finish last. We’ve seen that you’re capable of tapping into that aggressive side when pushed further... however will you have a chance to do that? Will you be taken advantage of when you’re in there like you have numerous times this season? I agree that it’s nothing personal. If it comes to it, I’ll get as close as possible to bashing your brains out with my fists because that’s how much this means to me. I see what you’re bringing to the table and I need to bring more. You’re putting everything on your side to just BE something great for once... but I don’t think you understand that you have to run into me. There’s even bigger names that you have to run into. But the meat of this match, the true heart and soul comes from those who will do anything to win it. Those who are coming pretty damn close to desperate because we are the ones who make this match much more interesting. You can’t just leave this in the hands of five main eventers trying to finally be world champion, or win it again. A Cody Maverick. An ARIA. We are important, more than they could ever imagine. But are we going to be important for winning the thing? Or important for being just another body for someone much more reputable than us. I’m setting out to win. Perhaps I should no longer worry about the chances, and just focus on what I have in front of me. I’ve stayed realistic, but I’ve also remained confident. There’s hardly anything left to say as we’re starting to come to a close before it’s time to truly lock in. Saturday will be very interesting as I observe what’s in store there– may even see some Dynasty competitors in action. It may be a sign of what’s next for me in my career. But on Sunday? That’s the shit that motivates me. Seeing how so many Elitists push themselves to the next level. Even those who AREN’T in the Grand Rampage match. That’s the measuring stick that I not only have to put myself to, but eventually surpass. And damn, man. I’m trying to remain optimistic and remind myself that I’ll be in for a great career even if I don’t win this thing.”
“But I want to win it now. I need to win it now. It’s right fucking there, and I can’t let you or anyone else take that from me.”
“Why can’t I have high odds to win this thing? Why do I need ‘name value’ to throw some people over the top rope?”
“Do people not understand how ridiculous they sound? It’d be one thing if I was hardly winning. If I wasn’t doing well for myself. I’ve never even had a bad season, yet. You’re fresh off one. One that you even admitted was a horrible season. You’re trying to turn those misfortunes around. I’m trying to build my fortunes. I just want to shut everyone up. I want to show everyone that this loudmouth is loud for a motherfucking reason. It’s so easy to count me out because I don’t always win.. But who does? Who is the one that always gets the job done? None of us? Even hall of famers like Jack Ripley and Scott Diamond, who are barely giving a shit about this match, they don’t always get the job done. Shit, they’ve grown accustomed to it and you can tell by their lack of interest in this whole ordeal. People like you and I, we’re holding this match up. Guys like Ryan Wilson, we’re doing our damn thing. And even Jake Smith, Bronson Daniels, Daryl Kinkade, Jon Kelton, TLA, five of the guys that I think have some of the strongest chances to win – dare I forget someone like Donovan Duke or Ms. Extreme who also could pull it out of their back pocket.”
“There are so many names to go over it’s ridiculous. The pool is huge and with thirty names, it’s anyone’s game. And yet, ARIA, everyone wants to nail it down to something as silly as how many people know you. About singles championships you’ve won in singles matches or some of such. I can throw these motherfuckers over the top rope.”
“I can throw you over the top rope. Nothing will ever stop me from doing that. You may claw onto that ropes with every fiber of your being. But that feeling will burn. It’ll feel like digging your hands into the steepest, roughest mountain you’ve ever laid eyes on.. And when the rocks start to crack. Your grip lessens. And when you fall to the floor. I won’t look empathetic. Hell. I may not even look back. And that’s not an opening for you to come back in and take advantage of me not looking. No. I won’t look back because I will know you’re gone. It’s either you or me, and I hate to tell you this but at Grand Rampage?”
“The chances that it’s you are much higher than it is for me.”
“So here’s what the deal is. I’ll take Ryan’s advice in spades. Out of all New Breeds? I will be the one that outdoes the rest. I will make it in there with the best. I will hang with them. And then, I will WIN the Grand Rampage.”
“Sorry, not sorry.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice, Jake.”
“How many times does a man have to be forced to live with his failure until he becomes dead inside? Jake Smith lives in an echo chamber and no matter what he says to me, it doesn’t resolve the big problem regarding himself. I have a lot to work on myself, but I never said I was perfect. I just talk a lot of shit. Sorta like Jake does, except people like me. I mean, the assessment he made was an interesting one, yeah? It’s funny to claim that everyone else finds me laughable when he’s the most disrespected respected competitor in this company right now. It’s easy to group me in as a guy that everyone doesn’t take seriously or pity because you think that I suck, or whatever. However, it’s especially ironic coming from you considering how hardly anyone has anything nice to say about you!”
“Case in point, Caroline ain’t even in this match and she still took time to shit on you. It’s grating, ain’t it? Its the life you chose. It’s the reputation you’ve built. Don’t shoot the messenger, although what I say is much more sincere than anyone else. It’s funny how extra the miles you’ll go just to mock me. You’re an asshole to almost everyone, that’s well documented. But I’m aware that it’s just a tad bit different when it comes to me. It can’t be that you fear me, yeah? And no, not a chance that it’s because you see something in me. I’m utter trash to a guy like you. But whatever it may be, it doesn’t matter because you’ll lie and come up with a lame response or mask your true feelings with more insults. You don’t even have me backed in a corner. I just gain nothing from stooping down to your level anymore. I’ve said everything that I needed to say, and then some. You don’t want me to be repetitive so sure, let’s not be repetitive. Let’s focus on what’s ahead of us.”
“Grand Rampage. Either you triumph at my expense or Sunday night you realize that you were no better than me. Doesn’t matter if I get eliminated first or you get eliminated last, because these things don’t matter if you end up losing anyways, right? Or better yet. Imagine if I win? Imagine if I throw you over the top? That’s going to be a long yap session as you’re in complete disbelief. But you haven’t factored that, because you can’t even fathom the idea of me doing that to you? But to your credit, you clearly can’t fathom anyone doing it. You can say I have no skill. Or talent. Or accomplishments. Or anything else. But do not call me a wannabe. I ain’t a wannabe. I’m more authentic than you could ever be. I piss guys like you off for a living because if everyone in the world was a yes-man like you clearly desperately want them to be, you would feel hollow at your lack of competition.”
“But riddle me this. If everyone told you exactly what you wanted to hear. Where would you be? What changes? Nothing, I bet. If you want me to find you under your boot, you better get a bigger boot ‘cause I ain’t some little kid that you can walk over. I’m more than just a speed bump on your path. I’m the dead end. And the moment you turn around? That’s when I swoop in to end YOUR hopes and dreams. Because if anyone needs to be humbled for the umpteenth time? It ain’t me. It’s you.”
“I think I’m at a point where if you do get it done, ARIA? I won’t be upset. Shit, I’ll commend you and be a little happy for ‘ya. But I can’t fully be happy for anyone besides myself. I think you understand that, though. The talks that we’ve had this week have been pretty exhilarating because I’ve been able to see where you’re coming from. In a week where mostly everyone is bound to get nasty with one another due to the pressure of wanting to prove yourself to all of these top names. I don’t plan on ever letting up on my focus. So many people are praying on my downfall that it’s near exhausting. I’m aware that I’m bound to piss people off. Some people understand where I’m coming from. Bronson Daniels didn’t have a problem with it. Jon Kelton let me slide. Daryl Kinkade just saw me as a pest to shove aside.. And Jake Smith? Jake Smith is Jake Smith, to say the least. You haven’t quite done that. Not to say that you’re looking to put anyone down when you’re struggling to get back up there yourself. There’s a humility within you that I’ll admit, sometimes I lack. But just like I, you’re also stubborn. There’s a good and bad that comes with that. You’ve shown the tendency to be willing to run your head into a wall repeatedly if it means you can stick to your belief that you are the one most capable of winning this Grand Rampage. 2 or 3 years, huh? I suppose, you’ll be fine without winning this? You’re accustomed to not having hard work immediately pay off. It’s in your blood, but I never said anything about it being in mine. I think genetically, I was born to shoot for the stars and aim for the moon. Whereas for you, it seems that being overlooked has passed down to you. And that’s just an observation. Factually just based off the numbers, you have put in the most work going into this match, but it’s also lead to you being diminished and not taken seriously. Imagine that? Talking as much as yo uhave. Trying to exemplify that you are the most worthy of winning this thing– and you’re reduced to just ‘yapping?’”
“That’s what’s defined you. Something that I haven’t had to struggle with. You speak of being mocked relentlessly in Japan, bullied by your peers.. You’ve grown up and shown that you can more than handle yourself in a fight here in EAW.. But it’s the same old, same old. People don’t believe in you. What I’m getting at here is that your life, unfortunately, is an endless cycle of events. The bullying you faced in your younger career follows you to a time where you think you are your most determined. The lack of notice given to your uncle for working his ass off is the same thing happening to you right now. So when I speak of Grand Rampage last year, I don’t see why it can’t just happen again to you this year. Build yourself up to what you think is your truest form, only to be dragged right back down to the bottom to someone who was just.. Born better.”
“You know how ridiculous that sounds? To just be born better than someone? Yet that’s how it is. This is harsh. Life ain’t fair and it never will be. You don’t want to be screwed over, but there’s no more likely match to be ‘screwed over’ than the Grand Rampage. Imagine if people form alliances. Gang up on you and throw you over. That is what you have to deal with. And I get it. That shit hurts. You don’t want to fail. But you better be ready to because I won’t let you go down and take the win. And those who don’t believe in you, not even for a second? Those who laugh at you and are literally looking to make an example out of you? It’s going to be even worse. In the first two days alone you were putting up everything. Throwing literally everything at the wall. Now you see what’s stuck. And honestly, that’s extremely respectable. You’ve gone through trial and error and I think you’re starting to see less errors the more we get into this week. But just because you potentially see it now, it can all change on Sunday night. This is both our first Grand Rampage match so this is extremely interesting. These are both waters that neither of us are used to swimming in, so my perspective genuinely means something to you – as does yours to me. You can’t brush me off and say that ‘well, you’ve never been here so I don’t care’. And I don’t have any right to say ‘you haven’t done well here’ either, because you don’t know what it’s like to be in the Grand Rampage match.”
“You’re still being spun into the conflict between Kelton and British Invasion because you can’t run away from your past.”
“Some things are inescapable. Whatever y’all have going on. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s not over yet, even if you think you’re done after failing to do anything of note to them. But what’s also inescapable is the fact that you’re not winning this match. I just don’t think it’s in the cards for you – although I wouldn’t be upset if you did win it. But sometimes it boggles down to the simplest of terms.”
“Nice guys finish last. We’ve seen that you’re capable of tapping into that aggressive side when pushed further... however will you have a chance to do that? Will you be taken advantage of when you’re in there like you have numerous times this season? I agree that it’s nothing personal. If it comes to it, I’ll get as close as possible to bashing your brains out with my fists because that’s how much this means to me. I see what you’re bringing to the table and I need to bring more. You’re putting everything on your side to just BE something great for once... but I don’t think you understand that you have to run into me. There’s even bigger names that you have to run into. But the meat of this match, the true heart and soul comes from those who will do anything to win it. Those who are coming pretty damn close to desperate because we are the ones who make this match much more interesting. You can’t just leave this in the hands of five main eventers trying to finally be world champion, or win it again. A Cody Maverick. An ARIA. We are important, more than they could ever imagine. But are we going to be important for winning the thing? Or important for being just another body for someone much more reputable than us. I’m setting out to win. Perhaps I should no longer worry about the chances, and just focus on what I have in front of me. I’ve stayed realistic, but I’ve also remained confident. There’s hardly anything left to say as we’re starting to come to a close before it’s time to truly lock in. Saturday will be very interesting as I observe what’s in store there– may even see some Dynasty competitors in action. It may be a sign of what’s next for me in my career. But on Sunday? That’s the shit that motivates me. Seeing how so many Elitists push themselves to the next level. Even those who AREN’T in the Grand Rampage match. That’s the measuring stick that I not only have to put myself to, but eventually surpass. And damn, man. I’m trying to remain optimistic and remind myself that I’ll be in for a great career even if I don’t win this thing.”
“But I want to win it now. I need to win it now. It’s right fucking there, and I can’t let you or anyone else take that from me.”
“Why can’t I have high odds to win this thing? Why do I need ‘name value’ to throw some people over the top rope?”
“Do people not understand how ridiculous they sound? It’d be one thing if I was hardly winning. If I wasn’t doing well for myself. I’ve never even had a bad season, yet. You’re fresh off one. One that you even admitted was a horrible season. You’re trying to turn those misfortunes around. I’m trying to build my fortunes. I just want to shut everyone up. I want to show everyone that this loudmouth is loud for a motherfucking reason. It’s so easy to count me out because I don’t always win.. But who does? Who is the one that always gets the job done? None of us? Even hall of famers like Jack Ripley and Scott Diamond, who are barely giving a shit about this match, they don’t always get the job done. Shit, they’ve grown accustomed to it and you can tell by their lack of interest in this whole ordeal. People like you and I, we’re holding this match up. Guys like Ryan Wilson, we’re doing our damn thing. And even Jake Smith, Bronson Daniels, Daryl Kinkade, Jon Kelton, TLA, five of the guys that I think have some of the strongest chances to win – dare I forget someone like Donovan Duke or Ms. Extreme who also could pull it out of their back pocket.”
“There are so many names to go over it’s ridiculous. The pool is huge and with thirty names, it’s anyone’s game. And yet, ARIA, everyone wants to nail it down to something as silly as how many people know you. About singles championships you’ve won in singles matches or some of such. I can throw these motherfuckers over the top rope.”
“I can throw you over the top rope. Nothing will ever stop me from doing that. You may claw onto that ropes with every fiber of your being. But that feeling will burn. It’ll feel like digging your hands into the steepest, roughest mountain you’ve ever laid eyes on.. And when the rocks start to crack. Your grip lessens. And when you fall to the floor. I won’t look empathetic. Hell. I may not even look back. And that’s not an opening for you to come back in and take advantage of me not looking. No. I won’t look back because I will know you’re gone. It’s either you or me, and I hate to tell you this but at Grand Rampage?”
“The chances that it’s you are much higher than it is for me.”
“So here’s what the deal is. I’ll take Ryan’s advice in spades. Out of all New Breeds? I will be the one that outdoes the rest. I will make it in there with the best. I will hang with them. And then, I will WIN the Grand Rampage.”
“Sorry, not sorry.”
