#018 - Yet Another Shiny Object
May 21, 2019 4:57:42 GMT -5
silentpartner and ✘Sebastian C⍟nner✘ like this
Post by Cross Recoba on May 21, 2019 4:57:42 GMT -5
You saw it, you read it, I lived it. Right now, I am the ONLY competitor within touching distance of becoming the FIRST GRANDSLAM CHAMPION this company has ever, or is ever likely, to see. I know what you’re going to say - “But, Cross, Cosmo Cooper is the Apex Champion, how will you get past him?”. It’s cute, I grant you but, and this is still an undeniable fact, I am the ONLY person to hold a win over him in singles competition. So, with that in mind - Valor Pro, how is it that I yet again have to jump through another hoop to get the match that will complete the last piece of the puzzle?
If you’re wondering how it feels to be a Chimera Tag Champ then let me just tell you this - Dakota doesn’t like the way the belt leaves marks when it bangs against her. Other than that, let me tell you another undeniable fact - in two weeks we’ll have had more people talking about the title belts than the Zombies entire reign. It can’t be helped, you see ReKota or The Fox and The Firecracker, we’re the name on everyone’s lips right now - we’ve got the entire division running scared. Why else would Vanessa Byrne see fit to place a ridiculous stipulation on our reign?
But that’s a matter to be decided in the land of the Pharaohs. I’ve got a much nearer adversary to contend with. It has only taken the VPW matchmakers seven months to put us against each other but in Morocco I’ll be facing off against Brennan Devlin…
Cross sat with his legs atop the canaletta walnut desk as he held his latest prize possession, one half of the VPW Chimera Tag-Team belts. He ran his hand across the face plate, taking in the intricate detail that had gone into its design. ReKota had done what they had promised and in the aftermath of the match the internet had done what was expected - Twitter and message boards lit up with talk of why The Zombie Clan’s loss wasn’t what they wanted, how it was bad for business, all articles and posts always ended with the same coda, that when they lost Dakota was gone. A symphony of hate and rage majestically arranged through user generated content and op-ed pieces that no-one asked for.
He absentmindedly tabbed on his browser and saw that the scheme with Beasant was slowly paying off. The uptake on the loans for equity scheme had been unprecedented, an almost self-qualifying Shark Tank had stoked hubris within the startup market. He reached into the upper desk by his chair and pulled out a calculator. By his projections, and assuming that the scheme was still in it’s ascendency for growth, he and Ciro would be seeing returns at least four-fold above their original estimations. Should they look to double down on their investment? It was a nice headache to have, but still a headache much the same. He could hear Padovano’s protestations already in his head.
His thoughts were interrupted as he heard the sound of his phone vibrating against the golden brown heartwood. He saw the number, unsaved, and instantly knew who it was. The 708 Cicero code telegraphing who would be on the end of the line.
“Santino,” His mother’s voice came through the receiver, “You haven’t come to see your family in nearly two months!” Her voice was a mixture of disappointment, sadness, and anger mixed in a way only an Italian-American mother could.
Cross reached back into his desk drawer and tried in vain to find the stress ball that Dakota had bought for him to keep him from smoking. He could already tell this should have been left for voicemail to deal with.
“Mom, it’s not that black and white. I’ve been busy.” Cross could tell when he uttered the last syllable that he’d walked into the trap.
“Busy? Busy how? Are you keeping the streets clean like your brother, Turi? No! You’re gallivanting around the world with that redhead again! Do you know how much your niece cried when that floozy tried to split Vannah’s skull? Were you there when we had to throw away all her merchandise? No, you probably didn’t even pay it one iota of thought!”
Cross had found the Zippo that was given to him on his 21st birthday by Al Costello. He was in the process of seeing how many time he could spin it between his thumb and forefinger. If he found a half or quarter deck of Luckys he’d be lighting up right now.
“You’re being un-” His protestation was cut off.
“You’re the one being unfair. You had a future at that Casino, Santino. I used to be the envy of all my friends. My son, a vice-president of a company, but now...this wrestling thing…” Sophia’s voice trailed off in disappointment.
“Mom, look...why don’t you come out to Orangeburg? When I’m back from Morocco. You can meet Dakota, see she’s not who you think she is.” Cross made the offer more out of necessity than anything else.
“Do you think I’m made of money? We can’t all just decide on whims!”
“Jesus, Mom, I’ll cover it. You can have the best guest room, we’ll take you out, you can see New York…” Cross’ offer was interrupted by a text. He looked down at his phone and saw it was Christian.
“Look, something’s come up. Have a think about it, you’d love it.”
Cross put down the phone and finally ceased fiddling with the lighter as he proceeded to type his reply.
Do you remember that night in Portugal, Devlin? How did you feel when my music hit? Relief? You should have, Fantana had your number - just think, where would your career be without my divine intervention? There you all were - you, Fantana, the referee - all laid out on the canvas. I could have chosen any of you to make a statement, but what statement would I make by taking out the referee? Not one which would be worth talking about. What about if you’d have received the first exclamation mark of my tenure here? It’d looked like an action without a purpose. So, by default, I got Fantana and you got your entry into the Seven Pillars match. For you, I waited. You got your arm raised and then I left you and everyone in Braga with the same announcement I’m going to deliver today - I, Cross Fucking Recoba, am the greatest wrestler to grace Valor Pro Wrestling with his presence!
Go on, try and argue against that, Devlin. Let’s be honest, you’ve plateaued a bit, haven’t you? The first signee to the Valor Pro name, an out and out get so it seemed. There you were headlining show after show and then I happened. As soon as I hit that ring and settled your match and put you back down no sooner had I lifted you up - you were a busted flush. You’d been surpassed, and while you have your uses - your distraction against Cooper was a help but not a need - you’ve become a drifter in Valor.
It’s almost a question of eras - you got us from Flipping the Script to Fite TV, Cooper had his era of dominance and presided over the inglorious end to that contract and then we manage to get picked up by The Battleground Network and HOTV and what will every one of their subscriber’s first memories be of Blitz? My hand being raised above Cosmo Cooper.
Maybe that’s why they kept us apart for seven months, only crossing paths at Allegiance briefly. While you took on the fool’s errand of facing off against Cosmo Cooper I went another path. Who remains standing from the three-way battles over the VPW UnYielding Championship, me. Who is one match away, against an opponent he has already bested, from completing the Grand Slam of VPW...me! Who’s going to use this match to send a warning shot to Cosmo Cooper? You guessed it…
I’ve done my homework, Devlin. You’re a likeable guy, but when we look back at the tale of the tape what does it tell me? Does it scream that you’re on a level with Cooper? Does it call out to me that in this big race to the top we all want to enter that you’re a threat? Am I worried about what you’ve not shown you have in your locker? It’s a resounding no for a three count, something that you should be used to hearing by now.
Just look at how Valor Pro refer to you when it comes to their history, you’re a guy who gets title shots, someone who they know they can trust to get an interest in a match but every title you’ve ever tried for here you’ve managed to come away wanting. If we were to take a straw poll in Ravat on what they think about when they hear your name what do you think the number one answer would be? I’ll cut to the chase - you’re more well known for claiming to bed Cosmo’s family than you are for anything else.
You can pull out the lines about how you went to Four Corners Wrestling and took a cup by storm like you told us in Durban but what did your own advocate say? You play the long game, your motto is to fall down nine times and get up ten. That just tells me that you overreach, that you’re a legend in your own daydream. Ever heard of Chuck Wepner, you know - the real life Rocky. Did you know he was just seconds away from going the distance with Ali? He didn’t. That’s your career here in a nutshell, I mean really, just look at what people call you. The Four Course Meal of Sex Appeal, The Sultan of Schlong, The King Kong of Dong? You’re more known for banging grandma’s than what you do in the ring these days!
Going back to Allegiance; how relieved were you to be saved by Cooper? When you were in Garibaldi’s Guillotine what went through your mind? Was it relief that for once you wouldn’t be the one eating the loss when you shared a ring with Cosmo? His distraction saved you. I saw your hand thrashing as best it could in the hold, just mere millimeters away from tapping out and yet again being unsuccessful in an attempt for VPW gold. Was that why you nailed Cosmo with the Face Off? Was it accidental or was it an attempt to deflect from what many predicted, that you would be the weak link in the team? Was that why you hit that cutter again on the steel ramp?
I don’t fear what I have to face in Ravat. The only way I could be more assured were if there was something of note up for grabs in the match. After all, you are Brennan Devlin, and choking when something is on the line is what you do. Here’s all you need to know though, I’m going to make you relevant again - I’m just that kinda guy. I’m going to use you as the exclamation mark on my challenge for the Apex Championship. That works for you, right? You get to stay relevant, people will talk about you, you can claim another main event - easy.
So, when you find yourself yet again in the clutches of Garibaldi’s Guillotine, the canvas and the bottom rope your only point of reference, and you can’t take it anymore, don’t worry. We all know you’re the best at what you do - blowing it in a clutch.
If you’re wondering how it feels to be a Chimera Tag Champ then let me just tell you this - Dakota doesn’t like the way the belt leaves marks when it bangs against her. Other than that, let me tell you another undeniable fact - in two weeks we’ll have had more people talking about the title belts than the Zombies entire reign. It can’t be helped, you see ReKota or The Fox and The Firecracker, we’re the name on everyone’s lips right now - we’ve got the entire division running scared. Why else would Vanessa Byrne see fit to place a ridiculous stipulation on our reign?
But that’s a matter to be decided in the land of the Pharaohs. I’ve got a much nearer adversary to contend with. It has only taken the VPW matchmakers seven months to put us against each other but in Morocco I’ll be facing off against Brennan Devlin…
Cross sat with his legs atop the canaletta walnut desk as he held his latest prize possession, one half of the VPW Chimera Tag-Team belts. He ran his hand across the face plate, taking in the intricate detail that had gone into its design. ReKota had done what they had promised and in the aftermath of the match the internet had done what was expected - Twitter and message boards lit up with talk of why The Zombie Clan’s loss wasn’t what they wanted, how it was bad for business, all articles and posts always ended with the same coda, that when they lost Dakota was gone. A symphony of hate and rage majestically arranged through user generated content and op-ed pieces that no-one asked for.
He absentmindedly tabbed on his browser and saw that the scheme with Beasant was slowly paying off. The uptake on the loans for equity scheme had been unprecedented, an almost self-qualifying Shark Tank had stoked hubris within the startup market. He reached into the upper desk by his chair and pulled out a calculator. By his projections, and assuming that the scheme was still in it’s ascendency for growth, he and Ciro would be seeing returns at least four-fold above their original estimations. Should they look to double down on their investment? It was a nice headache to have, but still a headache much the same. He could hear Padovano’s protestations already in his head.
His thoughts were interrupted as he heard the sound of his phone vibrating against the golden brown heartwood. He saw the number, unsaved, and instantly knew who it was. The 708 Cicero code telegraphing who would be on the end of the line.
“Santino,” His mother’s voice came through the receiver, “You haven’t come to see your family in nearly two months!” Her voice was a mixture of disappointment, sadness, and anger mixed in a way only an Italian-American mother could.
Cross reached back into his desk drawer and tried in vain to find the stress ball that Dakota had bought for him to keep him from smoking. He could already tell this should have been left for voicemail to deal with.
“Mom, it’s not that black and white. I’ve been busy.” Cross could tell when he uttered the last syllable that he’d walked into the trap.
“Busy? Busy how? Are you keeping the streets clean like your brother, Turi? No! You’re gallivanting around the world with that redhead again! Do you know how much your niece cried when that floozy tried to split Vannah’s skull? Were you there when we had to throw away all her merchandise? No, you probably didn’t even pay it one iota of thought!”
Cross had found the Zippo that was given to him on his 21st birthday by Al Costello. He was in the process of seeing how many time he could spin it between his thumb and forefinger. If he found a half or quarter deck of Luckys he’d be lighting up right now.
“You’re being un-” His protestation was cut off.
“You’re the one being unfair. You had a future at that Casino, Santino. I used to be the envy of all my friends. My son, a vice-president of a company, but now...this wrestling thing…” Sophia’s voice trailed off in disappointment.
“Mom, look...why don’t you come out to Orangeburg? When I’m back from Morocco. You can meet Dakota, see she’s not who you think she is.” Cross made the offer more out of necessity than anything else.
“Do you think I’m made of money? We can’t all just decide on whims!”
“Jesus, Mom, I’ll cover it. You can have the best guest room, we’ll take you out, you can see New York…” Cross’ offer was interrupted by a text. He looked down at his phone and saw it was Christian.
Can we grab a beer and talk about this debt? I can’t let Blythe find out
“Look, something’s come up. Have a think about it, you’d love it.”
Cross put down the phone and finally ceased fiddling with the lighter as he proceeded to type his reply.
Do you remember that night in Portugal, Devlin? How did you feel when my music hit? Relief? You should have, Fantana had your number - just think, where would your career be without my divine intervention? There you all were - you, Fantana, the referee - all laid out on the canvas. I could have chosen any of you to make a statement, but what statement would I make by taking out the referee? Not one which would be worth talking about. What about if you’d have received the first exclamation mark of my tenure here? It’d looked like an action without a purpose. So, by default, I got Fantana and you got your entry into the Seven Pillars match. For you, I waited. You got your arm raised and then I left you and everyone in Braga with the same announcement I’m going to deliver today - I, Cross Fucking Recoba, am the greatest wrestler to grace Valor Pro Wrestling with his presence!
Go on, try and argue against that, Devlin. Let’s be honest, you’ve plateaued a bit, haven’t you? The first signee to the Valor Pro name, an out and out get so it seemed. There you were headlining show after show and then I happened. As soon as I hit that ring and settled your match and put you back down no sooner had I lifted you up - you were a busted flush. You’d been surpassed, and while you have your uses - your distraction against Cooper was a help but not a need - you’ve become a drifter in Valor.
It’s almost a question of eras - you got us from Flipping the Script to Fite TV, Cooper had his era of dominance and presided over the inglorious end to that contract and then we manage to get picked up by The Battleground Network and HOTV and what will every one of their subscriber’s first memories be of Blitz? My hand being raised above Cosmo Cooper.
Maybe that’s why they kept us apart for seven months, only crossing paths at Allegiance briefly. While you took on the fool’s errand of facing off against Cosmo Cooper I went another path. Who remains standing from the three-way battles over the VPW UnYielding Championship, me. Who is one match away, against an opponent he has already bested, from completing the Grand Slam of VPW...me! Who’s going to use this match to send a warning shot to Cosmo Cooper? You guessed it…
I’ve done my homework, Devlin. You’re a likeable guy, but when we look back at the tale of the tape what does it tell me? Does it scream that you’re on a level with Cooper? Does it call out to me that in this big race to the top we all want to enter that you’re a threat? Am I worried about what you’ve not shown you have in your locker? It’s a resounding no for a three count, something that you should be used to hearing by now.
Just look at how Valor Pro refer to you when it comes to their history, you’re a guy who gets title shots, someone who they know they can trust to get an interest in a match but every title you’ve ever tried for here you’ve managed to come away wanting. If we were to take a straw poll in Ravat on what they think about when they hear your name what do you think the number one answer would be? I’ll cut to the chase - you’re more well known for claiming to bed Cosmo’s family than you are for anything else.
You can pull out the lines about how you went to Four Corners Wrestling and took a cup by storm like you told us in Durban but what did your own advocate say? You play the long game, your motto is to fall down nine times and get up ten. That just tells me that you overreach, that you’re a legend in your own daydream. Ever heard of Chuck Wepner, you know - the real life Rocky. Did you know he was just seconds away from going the distance with Ali? He didn’t. That’s your career here in a nutshell, I mean really, just look at what people call you. The Four Course Meal of Sex Appeal, The Sultan of Schlong, The King Kong of Dong? You’re more known for banging grandma’s than what you do in the ring these days!
Going back to Allegiance; how relieved were you to be saved by Cooper? When you were in Garibaldi’s Guillotine what went through your mind? Was it relief that for once you wouldn’t be the one eating the loss when you shared a ring with Cosmo? His distraction saved you. I saw your hand thrashing as best it could in the hold, just mere millimeters away from tapping out and yet again being unsuccessful in an attempt for VPW gold. Was that why you nailed Cosmo with the Face Off? Was it accidental or was it an attempt to deflect from what many predicted, that you would be the weak link in the team? Was that why you hit that cutter again on the steel ramp?
I don’t fear what I have to face in Ravat. The only way I could be more assured were if there was something of note up for grabs in the match. After all, you are Brennan Devlin, and choking when something is on the line is what you do. Here’s all you need to know though, I’m going to make you relevant again - I’m just that kinda guy. I’m going to use you as the exclamation mark on my challenge for the Apex Championship. That works for you, right? You get to stay relevant, people will talk about you, you can claim another main event - easy.
So, when you find yourself yet again in the clutches of Garibaldi’s Guillotine, the canvas and the bottom rope your only point of reference, and you can’t take it anymore, don’t worry. We all know you’re the best at what you do - blowing it in a clutch.