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A cool, late winter chill could be felt in the air. It wouldn't have been so bad if there hadn't been a brisk wind cutting through the air. Immediately, this made mid-forty degree weather feel like fifteen degrees. None of that mattered, however, to Matt Cardona. Not one single bit. As he strolled down a sidewalk outside of Little Caesers Arena in Detroit, Michigan, the only thing he could think about was the weight on his shoulders of carrying yet another wrestling organization to greatness. He knew the expectations were high. He hadn't even been in the organization for a month and he's already been fast tracked for a World Heavyweight Championship match. Of course the expectations were lofty. He was the biggest talent that WLCW had signed to this point. He was their prized possession. Who else in the industry could elevate not only the below-average wrestlers in the industry to being above average or better, but could also elevate the entire organization? "Only Matt Cardona could be capable of that." He had many other thoughts just like this one running through his head as he continued on his journey. So far his journey in WLCW had been underwhelming, he thought. Why would WLCW keep their prized possession wiping the ring up with jobbers like Adam Grace and Mikey Wild on their YouTube show, WLCW Eruption? What was the purpose in that? Not to mention matches with Brady Booker and Prince Devitt on the main shows? It was embarrassing. He knew he would have to change things on his own. He couldn't trust the inept leadership ability of Mick Foley to let him shine, so he took it on himself. Maxwell Jacob Friedman, the former X-Division Champion made the biggest mistake of his life. He allowed himself to be goaded into a premature match with Matt Cardona, exposing him for the weak, over-hyped talent that he was. "Things are going to change now." Matt Cardona was the new WLCW X-Division Champion. The respect was earned. His time was coming. Until the March 5th card was released for Saturday Night Storm. It was unbelievable. "CM fucking Punk." This was such a travesty, he thought. First he had to face a bunch of jobbers. Now? The thoughts were just spiraling out of control. "Fucking old man river. The dude has a higher probability of breaking his hip or throwing out his back than he does beating me." He shook his head in disbelief. "Wasting my talent, once again." He knew this was just a means to an end, however. He knew that he only had a couple more X-Division Championship defenses in order to cash in a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship and a shot at his best friend, Cody. It would be the pinnacle of WLCW thus far. No two bigger names than Matt Cardona and Cody Rhodes. He smirked, as he continued his stroll. "What a headline that would be. If only Mick Foley wasn't a complete dumbass..." He shook his head again. He's having to put his faith and his trust in a man who talked to a sock that he kept near his junk. This is what the world has come to. He continued to walk down the road, closing in on the Little Caesers Arena. He shivered, the wind was beginning to cut through him as he raised his hands up to his mouth and breathed into them, trying to warm them up. Matt Cardona: Fucking bitter cold Michigan.. The cold now turned him into a crazy man, talking out loud to himself rather than thinking quietly in his head. He was finally walking on the side of the arena. Matt Cardona: Where the fuck is this God damned entrance? I want to get out of this cold.. As he turned the corner, a giant thud was felt, almost as if he walked into a brick wall. He had not been paying attention to anything in the area and had just collided with couple of gentlemen who turned the corner themselves. All three men crashed to the concrete. Matt Cardona: Son of a... Man #1: Jesus Christ! Man #2: Pay the fuck attention to where you're going! The two men were average men at best. Neither one was relatively large or strong looking, but they sure had an attitude. Matt was not about to take this bullshit. Matt Cardona: Me? The fuck did you say? You need to open your damn eyes! He clearly wouldn't admit he was at fault here. All three men were dusting themselves off and trying to regain their composure. Matt was ready to throw down if it came to it. He wasn't having this. Not today. Not after the disrespect from WLCW. Man #1: My eyes were plenty open you so.... He was interrupted by his friend. Man #2: Wait... I recognize you. Finally the two men and Matt were upright and standing a mere couple of feet away from each other. Great.. star struck fans, he thought. Man #1: Oh shit.. Matt Cardona: I know. I know. I just made all your dreams... come true! Matt forced out a smile, indulging the men. Man #2: Haha.. hardly. His smile started to fade. Man #1: "Alwayz Conceited" Matt Cardona. His smile was completely gone at this point. Conceited? Him? The savior and face of WLCW and the WLCW Universe? NEVER! Matt Cardona: I'm sorry.. did you just call me conceited? You don't even know me, bro. The men laughed. Clearly they did not think too highly of Matt Cardona. He was, in fact, quite conceited and thought of that way across the entirety of the wrestling industry. But in Matt's eyes, he could do no wrong and everyone worshipped him. Man #2: Ok "bro". The man went as far as to use actual air quotes. The smirked at each other. Man #1: God I can't wait for CM Punk to kick your ass. Matt could not believe the audacity of these guys. They actually were so delusional that they believed the old washed up CM Punk stood a chance. Matt couldn't hold back his laughter. He laughed for a good minute straight before he was able to compose himself and respond. Matt Cardona: You've.. gotta be... hahaha... fucking kidding me bro. The men looked at Matt like he was crazy. Matt Cardona: I mean.. you've got to be joking, right? Man #2: Does it look like we're joking? CM Punk is going to put you to sleep! Man #1: Yeah, you're fucked, "bro"! Matt Cardona: Wowwwwwww.. He put his hands over his mouth, covering his dropped jaw. He finally shook his head. Matt Cardona: Ungrateful bastards. That's what you are. The men looked like they had been slapped in the face. Matt Cardona: You wouldn't even HAVE WLCW to watch if it weren't for "Alwayz Ready" Matt Cardona! Man #1: You're not the only talent on that roster dude.. Matt Cardona: You're right.. I'm the only one WORTH WATCHING! And I'm doing it all for you.. and you.. the WLCW UNIVERSE, bro! Man #2: No one asked you too or wants you to... Matt Cardona: You know what... fuck you. Fuck people like you. Such ungrateful pieces of shit. Matt pushed passed the men, almost knocking them back down to the concrete. He just couldn't believe how ungrateful people were. "Do they not realize that I'm providing them with entertainment?" It was unfathomable to him that people could be so dense and take everything for granted. He was just doing what he could to give back to the wrestling industry. It was time that he was given the respect that he deserved. He continued down the concrete path, finally locating the entrance to the arena. Fade. The scene faded in to a white cinderblock room. The lighting was overly bright, almost blinding. In the center of the frame was none other than "Alwayz Ready" Matt Cardona. He was wearing a muscle cut off t-shirt, barely covering his chest. He had his black and red MC Bloody logo snapback hat on, the WLCW X-Division Championship over his left shoulder, sitting across from his Internet Championship over his right shoulder. He looked like he meant business. Matt Cardona: The time is dwindling down before Saturday Night Storm. The night where YOUR X-Division Champion puts on a show. He patted the X-Division Championship. Matt Cardona: The unfortunately victim of the night: CM Punk. He shook his head. Matt Cardona: It's a desperate action for a desperate... desperate man. An evil smirk spread across his mouth. Matt Cardona: You know it's true, Punk. You can't deny that you're desperate. There are so many reason for you to be desperate at this point in your life. And we're going to uncover those reason.. He pointed with both fingers downward. Matt Cardona: Right here.. right now. But first, I'm parched. He reached over and snagged an ice cold.. you guessed it.. Pabst Blue Ribbon. He popped the tab and took a quick drink and let out a refreshing "Ahhhh". Matt Cardona: So, the question of the day: Why is CM Punk so desperate? Well, let's take a look at exhibit A.. his wrestling career is irrelevant. He quickly paused and looked a little concerned. Matt Cardona: Look, I know all of you at home are probably cussing me out at your television or computer monitor, but facts are facts, bro! He hasn't had a meaningful match in only God knows how long! He's been declining for years and the world has turned a blind eye to it all because he's their straight edge savior. And don't get me wrong, I'll give it to you, Punk. You used to put on a hell of a show. Matt nodded his approval. Matt Cardona: You've always had quick wit and could cut people down with your sharp tongue. But in your old age, in that massive leave of absence you took, you've lost a step. You're no longer "edgy". He shook his hands to emphasis the meaning of edgy. Matt Cardona: You no longer have that inner fire that everyone used to be so scared by, yet admired the hell out of you. Shoot, I was one of those guys back in the day, Punk. He shrugged his shoulders. It pained him to admit it. Matt Cardona: But something happened to you. Something changed you. Maybe it was your old age. I don't know exactly what it was, Punk.. but you're just not the same person any longer. Maybe we'll figure it out along this journey. The smirk returned. He knew exactly what he was doing, exactly what he was saying. Matt did not need to figure anything out. He had already figured it out, but like any good drama, he wanted to prolong the reveal. Matt Cardona: So why is it, Punk, that all old timers who have ever done anything in this industry, think the industry owes them everything? I mean, let's be real here. You're what, mid-forties right now? What on God's green earth makes you think that you, ONE... can compete in the ring any more with the younger generations.. .and TWO... even DESERVE this title shot? You abandoned everything. You lost all credibility when you did that. You claim you're going to beat "respect" into people. Bro... that shit isn't given, it's earned. He took another swig from his PBR. Matt Cardona: So you've beaten Matt Sydal and Prince Devitt. Big fuckin' deal, pal. What else have you done to make up for abandoning the industry that built you in to what you were? Nothing. He looked disappointed in CM Punk. You could tell that he used to look up to him quite a bit at one point in his life. What wrestler didn't, though? Matt Cardona: Now, it's no longer your time. This is the era of "Alwayz Ready" Matt Cardona! The Internet Champion. The WLCW X-Division Champion. I'm not going to let you ruin that. You've talked about wanting to go head to head with the champion, Cody Rhodes and giving him some kind of history lesson. Dude.. you're not even going to live past going one on one with The Million Dollar Broski! He pointed at himself with his right thumb. Matt Cardona: What do they put in that water in Chicago, Punk? I mean, whatever it is, I'll steer clear of it because it's making you delusional as fuck. Pause. Matt Cardona: You know.. maybe you should focus a little bit more on recovering your personal life than trying to win some championship gold, Punk. The evil smirk appeared once again. Matt Cardona was getting closer and closer to the truth. Matt Cardona: There is something that everyone has noticed that has been missing ever since you popped back up here in WLCW, Punk. But no one has been man enough to point it out and call a spade a spade. He took a drink of PBR before continuing. Matt Cardona: You see, earlier I mentioned that something changed inside of you and that maybe it was old age. Now, I do think that is part of it. Truly, I do. But I think there is a much larger piece that is missing from the equation here. It's a very, very beautiful something too. He smirked. Matt Cardona: We all notice that your precious AJ Lee is no where to be found. You can't see her, Punk. He waved his hand in front of his face. Matt Cardona: Let's face it. While you're obsessing over the pipe dream of winning gold again, John Cena is busy banging your wife! He broke out in to a huge smile, teeth shining from edge to edge. The intensity was picking up in his eyes. Matt Cardona: How does that feel, Punk? How does it feel knowing that the man with the child-sized penis is thoroughly enjoying AJ? How does it feel that not only is he a bigger star than you'll ever be, but he's also a step up for AJ Lee? Man... He started laughing. Matt Cardona: That's got to be a real kick in the dick, huh? It took a few minutes, but he composed himself. Matt Cardona: I think that's the real reason that you're so desperate. You're trying to prove something. Maybe it's to her? Maybe it's to the WLCW Universe? Hell, maybe it's just to yourself, I don't know anymore really. Pause. Matt Cardona: But really, you're trying to prove that you have some kind of reason to live anymore. That you're some kind of relevant in today's world. The fact of the matter is, Punk.. that you're not. You don't have anything to live for anymore. You don't have any relevance to anyone in WLCW or anyone watching at home. You're just a major disappointment and a washed-up, middle age embarrassment. He took a final chug out of the PBR can and crushed it up. He tossed it to the side. Matt Cardona: Time is counting down, Punk. Not just the time before I take care of business on Saturday Night Storm. No. But Father Time is counting down. Everyone's life is an hourglass, filled with tiny grains of sand. On this hour glass, the top is obscured. You can't see how much time is left. Every second of every day, more and more sand pours down to the bottom chamber. Pause. Matt Cardona: Everyone constantly wonders how much time is left? When does it all run out? Yours? It runs out on Saturday. Fade to black. Record - 5 / 0 / 0 |