Dynamic—
That’s the perfect word to describe this crazy Business. Unlike other industries, Wrestling is always changing. It’s always growing’ it’s always evolving. And so, if you are a wrestler, what must you do? If Wrestling is dynamic, then you must be dynamic as well. If the Business is always evolving, then you as a wrestler must also evolve and grow.
But certain wrestlers never grow; some wrestlers are forever stuck in their ways. The stand still why while wrestling quickly passes them by.
That’s what happened to you, didn’t it Anton?
Anton, I realize that you are the veteran in this match up; and honestly, that’s why you are at a disadvantage in this match up. Before our first match up, I had the chance to view a bunch of your matches. Oh, how I wish I could erase the matches from my mind; but, I can’t. But Anton, there was one thing that I remember from all those matches. The thing that I remember was all the matches were essentially the same.
You’ve essentially wrestled exactly the same for each and match haven’t’ you? You’re a veteran, and you’ve had a million matches, but you can’t adapt in the ring can you Anton? Is…is that why you lost all of those title shoots? Don’t think I forgot about that disgraceful fact sir. But, back to the point at hand; you aren’t able to adapt on the fly—you’ve proven that in your time here in 2CW.
Whenever you go up against a, shall we say, “Non-traditional” wrestler, then you struggle.
Here’s an example. Your first loss here in 2CW was against Ryan Kidd; that was during the qualifying rounds of the Heritage Classic if I recall. Regardless of how anyone feels about Ryan, you’ve got to admit that he’s good in the ring…when he wants to be. But he isn’t your traditional wrestler, not by any means. Ryan has trained with both Adam Stryker and Jason Richards; and while he doesn’t practice strong style, he does hit very hard. Ryan certainly hit you harder than most of the opponents that you’ve encountered in your sorry career. And, when Ryan got tired of hitting you, he was able to take to the air. Anton, Ryan’s style is similar to what you’d see in the UK; it’s a mixture of technical, stiff, and aerial wrestling.
Unfortunately, you probably wouldn’t know anything about the UK style; I can’t imagine many companies taking a risk to bring you over.
Oh, let’s not forget your loss to Drex at the last card; I watched that match from the monitors in the back. Not only that, I’ve had the luxury of training with the man in the past. Drex isn’t your traditional wrestler either; hell, Drex isn’t even your traditional big man. He combines power and speed in a brutal fashion. That combination was too much for you to handle, wasn’t it Anton? Once again, you weren’t able to adapt, and ended up on your back, broken and defeated.
And lastly, we can’t forget your match against ME!
Riley Owens is far from a traditional wrestler. You already know my style, but I’m going to say it anyway…you, know, for the new fans out there tuning in. I practice a “hybrid” style. All that means is that I combine wrestling with other fighting styles. Anton, you’ve the honor of stepping in the ring with me twice; and both times I proved to you, and the world, that I was the better wrestler. I dominated you with my knowledge of technical wrestling; I tied you up with my knowledge of Catch-as-Can. And lastly, I caved your chest in with kicks—years of Muay Thai training.
Anton, do you remember the way you talked before our match? Do you remember the way you talked before each of those matches? It’s actually kind of funny. You seriously thought you were going to step into that ring and out-wrestle each of us; you actually thought the same tactics that made you a laughing-stock in WARPED were going to work on three premiere athletes.
You are pitiful Anton; that’s the best word I can use to describe you.
It’s not the fact that you are a pitiful wrestler. I mean, that is horrible. But, what’s even worse it that you are a pitiful excuse for a man; I learned that when you challenged for MY title belt. You know, wrestling can really be broken two into three principles: Skill, Heart, and Fighting Spirit. I think Skill speaks for itself, so I won’t go into it very much. Heart is will-power; Heart is determination. And Fighting Spirit—that’s toughness; that’s going out to the ring and proving who the best man is.
It’s a real shame Anton; in your match, you didn’t exhibit any of the three qualities. You were not skillful enough to defeat me—period. You didn’t show any Heart in the match either. Ha, and don’t get me started on Fighting Spirit. You aren’t tough Anton; you’ve proved that. You haven’t even fought against the best in this company yet, except me. And in that match, you also proved that you weren’t a better man than me. Every time I step into the ring, whether it’s a time match or not, I wrestle with Pride and Honor; but the same can’t be said about you sir. You couldn’t beat me in the ring; didn’t have the ability to best me that night. And instead of walking away with a little bit of dignity, you decided to attack me from behind. And then, you decided to steal my belt.
The fact of the matter is you didn’t EARN that Heritage belt Anton; hell, you didn’t even really earn a shoot at the title. But hey, that’s the way 2CW operates now.
Anton, you are nothing but a coward. You are a disgrace—to this company, and honestly, to the Business as a whole.
And you have the nerve to call yourself a veteran.
…
And then there is you Mr. Drexler.
You are…or, should I say, were, a man that I consider a friend in this Business. Furthermore, you were one of the few good guys in 2CW. More and more, this company is starting to become filled with egotistical blowhards.
But, just like Anton, you decided to take the coward’s way out huh?
You are a smart man Drex—but, you mad a foolish decision.
You see Drex, I was looking forward to this match. All the sign were pointing towards Chase vs. Owens II; and the signs were pointing to me whipping Anton’s ass in the ring. I was going to drop a hammer of violence down on Anton for trying to end my career!
This was a personal battle!
And yet, you decided to involve yourself into this matter.
Very, VERY foolish sir.
You think because you’ve seen a few of my matches that you are prepared to step into the ring with me? You think because you have trained with me in the past that you can best me in the ring? That’s called arrogance sir. Do you know who else was arrogant when I faced them?
Yes…that would be Anton. Anton couldn’t best me in that tag match, and he couldn’t defeat me one on one.
And he is a so-called veteran.
You know what’s really crazy Drex? Ha, if you would have just asked for a damn title shot, I would have given you one. A few weeks ago you almost captured shot at the 2CW Championship. You’ve proven yourself to be pretty solid in the ring. If you would have issued and challenged and just asked, everything would have been cool.
But see now I’ve got to prove to your son that his father is nothing more than a coward. I’ve got to be the one to teach your son that his father no different than Anton Chase and all the other swine of this Business.
All that is going to be on your hands Drex, not mine.
All the aggression that I’m about to release upon you, all the violence I’m going to throw at you, all of the shame you will experience after this match—all of it will be on your hands bro.
I respected you man; but all that is gone. And I don’t care to hear whatever bullshit reason you are going to give me.
I’m going to whoop you; I’m going to beat you. I’m going to prove to everyone that “Superhumans” can be slayed and defeated, just like anyone else!
…
I’m getting sick and tired of some people in this Business. I’m getting sick and tired of busting my ass ever night, and leaving it all in the ring…only to be disrespected by my “peers” and various people in these promotions. I’m not saying that I’m the best wrestler in the world; that would be a bold-faced lie. But everyday I’m improving; everyday I’m getting better.
And while I’m not the best, I’m good—I’m damn good!
They say “respect is earned”, but I’m starting to think that phrase is incorrect.
In this Business, respect isn’t earned. You can be undefeated in your promotion, and people won’t give two fucks. If you want respect in wrestling, then, Hell, you’ve got to TAKE it—that much is clear.
At Battle of Bludhaven, I’m taking that respect.