He held on to the top ropes. He cheated.

That's the only way he can win. That's what people were starting to believe. It was all anyone could talk about. Whether it was Chelsea helping him win or whether it was him using the ropes. He wasn't winning on his own talents, they thought.

That's the biggest bunch of shit. Matt knew that each and every victory of his, all seven of them, have been based on his talent. Did he take advantage of the situation occasionally? Sure. Why wouldn't he? Who wouldn't take advantage of every situation possible?

Eddie Kingston sure would take advantage of it. Whether it's brass knuckles, chairs, tables, illegal holds.. you name it, he's done it. But everyone praises Eddie Kingston for it. But Matt Cardona does it.. and it's reprehensible. It's the worst thing ever.

It doesn't matter though. Matt knew it. This was his time. He was here on his own merits and his own talents.

Clash at the Canyon was going to be just another time to prove it, he thought. The third and final X-Division Championship defense. It was all on the line at Clash at the Canyon.

He was ready. He was Alwayz Ready.

The sound of the passengers exiting Flight 2385 rumbled throughout the airport terminal.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International airport was a solid airport, offering many amenities. Finally, an event in a respectable place, unlike the previous few shit holes like Detroit, Michigan. Matt was happy to be in Arizona at least. It got him out of the depressing rain of the Pacific Northwest.

As Matt walked through the tunnel and out the gate door, ridiculously carrying the WLCW X-Division Championship over his left shoulder and his Internet Championship over his right, he was grateful to be able to stretch his legs, not crammed the confines of the airplane. He pushed his way out into the center of the terminal, Chelsea impatiently at his side.

Chelsea Green: Let's hurry up. You know I fucking hate airports.

She rolled her eyes, always irritated at something.

Matt Cardona: We literally just got here, Chels.. why are you complaining?

Chelsea looked completely offended by his response.

Chelsea Green: Really, Matt? Really?

Matt didn't exactly know what he did to set her off, but instantly regretted it.

Chelsea Green: You can bitch and moan for hours on end about not being able to find a stupid fucking rare wrestling toy, which, by the way... you're willing to spend our fucking mortgage on... but I can't make one complaint about being in an airport?

Someone needs a snickers, Matt thought quietly. He didn't dare say that out loud. He just kept telling himself, don't poke the bear. Don't poke the bear. Instead, it was best to apologize and sweep this under the rug.

Matt Cardona: You're right, I'm sorry. It's just the shitty weather we had plus that shitty flight. I'm just looking to get into the sunlight for the first time in days.

That seemed to calm her down. It just wasn't worth fighting with her. Matt knew that she put up with her fair share of bullshit from time to time, so it is what it is.

Chelsea Green: Maybe you're right.. maybe it was the depressing weather.

Matt Cardona: Let's just go get our bags and get on the road.

The couple continued their way working towards baggage claim. Matt noticed as they walked, they were getting a lot of looks. It was a little out of the ordinary to witness them in person, he realized. So much greatness in one space. It's like they were seeing Michael Jordan in his prime stroll through the airport. He gave a smile and a head nod to a couple of people, who both looked at him like he was crazy and kept walking, avoiding his gaze.

"What is their fucking problem?"

He wasn't sure what that was all about, but he decided not to give it much thought. They continued their route, strutting their way down the moving sidewalks, while dodging their way in and out of people standing still.

Chelsea Green: Fucking lazy people. Just because it's moving, doesn't mean you have to fucking stop.

A woman overheard what she was saying and covered her son's ears with her hands, fearful that her vulgar tirade would continue. Still, they pushed on.

Chelsea Green: Did they ever confirm if they were meeting us outside or not?

Matt Cardona: Yeah, they said they'll be there to pick us up.

Chelsea scoffed like the entitled wanna-be princess she was.

Chelsea Green: Good. Like hell if I'm going to fucking Uber.

Matt rolled his eyes behind her back. It's always something with this one..

Matt Cardona: I hear ya, babe. They'll be there.

Matt could feel his phone vibrate in his pocket. He pulled it out to check the notification and he noticed it was a notification from the Wrestling Observer application. Matt laughed, amused at the news that came across his phone.

Matt Cardona: Man, they'll give just about anyone a match on a super show in this shit show organization.

Chelsea Green: What is it now?

Matt handed his phone over to Chelsea. She took one look at it and was immediately annoyed.

Chelsea Green: Jesus fucking Christ..

A group of young kids let out a loud gasp, the adults surrounding clearly disapproved of such language.

Chelsea Green: At least Devitt and Punk are fucking with each other and not dragging us down with them.

Man: Hey! Will you please watch your language? This is a public place and there happen to be kids around!

Matt and Chelsea looked at each other for a moment as if to say "Did this mother fucker really just talk to us like that?".

Chelsea Green: Excuse me?

Man: You heard me! You're dropping F-bombs left and right with young, impressionable kids around! Not like I'd expect anything different from the likes of you two..

Matt Cardona: Whoa bro..

Man: Yeah, I know exactly who you are, Matt Cardona. You're the worst possible role model in wrestling! Not that ANY of you all should be looked up to, but kids pay attention to everything!

Matt let loose a slightly maniacal laugh as he inched closer to the mans face.

Matt Cardona: Well shit, with a little bitch of a father like you, he needs SOMEONE that he can look up to in his life.

Matt pointed at himself with both thumbs.

Matt Cardona: While you're busy trying to teach him that everyone gets a fucking trophy, I'm showing him how the real world actually is. So why don't you go back to your kid-gloved house and shut the fuck up!

The veins were popping in his forehead. Matt was one hundred percent ready to throw down.

The father was completely embarrassed by Matt and Chelsea. Not wanting to be further humiliated by getting his ass beaten in front of his kid and his kid's friends, he slowly backed away and ushered the kids away. One of the kids smiled at Matt and he returned the smile.

Matt Cardona: That guy is a miserable excuse for a father. Stop teaching kids that everyone gets a fucking trophy. That's how you end up with asshats like Brady Booker and Julia Hart in professional wrestling. People who do not belong but think for some reason, they still get that damn trophy. Life's not fair kids.. get the fuck over it.

They continued on their way and collected their bags from baggage claim. A few more people noticed them and snapped photos, but relatively, they kept their heads down to avoid confrontation.

Chelsea Green: I bet anything that they aren't here...

As Chelsea and Matt made their way outside, they could hear a very obnoxious honking.

Matt Cardona: Ye of little faith!

A drunk, yet very familiar voice could be heard from across the way.

Voice: About damn time ya' lil' bitch! We been... hiccup... waitin' on ya!

Matt was nearly in tears as he saw his friend, Hornswoggle standing by an SUV. He had a flask in hand and he tossed Matt a fresh PBR. He cracked it open and took a drink.

Matt Cardona: Damn it's good to see your face, Horny!

Hornswoggle: I bet it was Chelsea's fault, huh? Takin' her.. hiccup... sweet ass time like always getting.. hiccup... ready?

Matt tried to curb his laughter and Chelsea, as usual, was annoyed. She muttered under her breath.

Chelsea Green: I wish Santa never taught you how to speak, you tiny little fucker.

Matt could tell that Chelsea might lose it again.

Matt Cardona: No no buddy, just normal flight delay.. you know the drill. We're just tired as fuck man. Let's head to the hotel.

Hornswoggle swayed a little bit, almost falling over before catching himself on the door.

Hornswoggle: Wooo, almost got me there. Alright, let's go.. we can stop at the strip club on the way! If we're lucky, I bet we see Eddie Kingston there with the fat stripper..

Chelsea was visibly shaking as she and Matt loaded up their stuff and got into the SUV. Hornswoggle struggled mightily, but eventually made his way into the passenger seat. The SUV drop off.

Fade.

The Phoenix skyline illuminated the scene before you in the background.

The faint noise of cars honking could be heard in the distance.

Matt Cardona: It's a beautiful sight to taken in, isn't it?

Matt took a sip of a drink in his hand. This time, it was not a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon. Instead, he held a nice glass of bourbon, neat.

Matt Cardona: I remember as a kid, sitting on the rooftop of our building in Long Island, staring across the river at night at the absolutely gorgeous Manhattan skyline. The buildings were so tall, that I didn't even know if they were real.

He shifted his body weight to the left, resting against the railing.

Matt Cardona: I always told myself that one day.. ONE DAY... I would be living in one of those penthouses in Manhattan. That I would be looking back over the river to Long Island, remembering where I came from.

He paused for a moment.

Matt Cardona: I've never forgotten where I came from. I've never forgotten the hard work that it took to get where I am today: the long nights, the emergency room visits to patch me up, the ice baths and the surgeries to fix the battle wounds received along the way.

Matt Cardona knew that he had always put it on the line, all of it, one hundred percent.

Matt Cardona: You know.. I was skeptical the day I got the call about WLCW buying out all of the existing wrestling organizations. I was exceptionally confused when I heard that Mick Foley, of all people, was running it. Now, I know his ass could have afforded to purchase it, but still, I am not really sure whose dick he sucked to be put in power, but he sure did it. However, as this is my life's calling, I knew I had to answer the call when it came.

He took a sip. He savored the view a little longer before continuing.

Matt Cardona: And here we are.. the calm before the storm, if you will. Or I guess the calm before the Clash. Whatever. We are here, putting it all on the line yet again, for the fans.. for the WLCW Universe. Now, I get this question quite a bit. After all the mistreatment and abuse I have endured throughout my career at the hands of the fans, why do I still do it for them? Why do I still want to put on a show for them and make it worth their time? The answer is quite simple, really. It's because I used to be one of them. I used to be that kid at home, watching WCW and WWE on television. I used to be that kid playing with wrestling toys and booking out my own cards and feuds in the middle of my bedroom. That was me.

This is a different side of Matt Cardona than he's shown before. It has been a long road to get here and it's worn him down. He's grateful for the opportunities he's had. He knows what is in front of him, and he just has to take it.

Matt Cardona: I was the kid with a goal in mind and set out to achieve it. That's what kid's from Long Island do. It's a stark difference from those little punks that come from a place like Yonkers.

He was right. If Eddie Kingston was to be the pride of Yonkers, that is nothing to be proud of. Why would Yonkers want to claim Eddie? Why would Eddie want to claim Yonkers?

Matt Cardona: You see, while I was busy with my dreams, aspirations and planning that out, young Eddie Kingston was busy bullying people and thinking he was in charge. You hear it all the time in places like Yonkers. Eddie was just a product of his environment.

Matt shook his head. He did not buy it.

Matt Cardona: Why is that always an excuse? Blame the city. Blame the environment? Why not blame the parents? Why not blame the spawn of satan himself, Eddie Kingston? You see, plenty of respectable and great people came out of Yonkers. Jon Voight came from Yonkers. Man.. he was amazing in Varsity Blues! Our current Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, came from Yonkers. There are plenty of other actors, musicians, and professional athletes who have come out of Yonkers, New York. You can make it out of there and still be a very decent person. It's possible. There is proof!

Matt took another sip of bourbon.

Matt Cardona: It's hard to come out of a tough place as a decent person, especially when you're born as a piece of shit deviant, which is the case of Edward Kingston. All his life, Eddie has always gone looking for trouble. He's always been picking fights, slummin' it with barista's in Motel 6 apparently... I didn't even know that guy knew what a barista was, for fucks' sake.

Apparently that might be the only place Eddie Kingston could pick up a woman. Ridiculous.

Matt Cardona: Eddie always talks about everyone being his enemy. He doesn't have friends in this industry. He doesn't give a shit about anyone, he says. That's fine. He doesn't have to give a fuck about me, about anyone else fighting for the X-Division Championship. He doesn't have to, that's his right. However, one thing is damn clear.. Eddie Kingston is his own worst enemy. He just can't get out of his own damn way. It's been that way his whole damn career.

Matt lets out a little cough and clears his throat.

Matt Cardona: The real fact of the matter about Eddie Kingston, is that he has never been willing to.. put in the work. He wants to be seen as this blue collar wrestler. This hard working, always moving forward fighter. But when it comes down to it, he would rather be smoking cheap cigarettes and getting chlamydia from gutter trash than being in the gym working on his trade. Some things will never change. And if that's the way that Eddie Kingston wants to be known, so be it.

Matt wasn't going to worry himself with Eddie Kingston's lack of preparation and drive. It wasn't something that was worth caring about. Instead, Matt would just be himself and worry about what he could control, like always. He was prepared to go in to Clash at the Canyon and put on a show with Eddie Kingston. He knew, just like every other match, that it would be on him to bring the heat.

Matt Cardona: Eddie, I have one request of you for our match at Clash at the Canyon. Just hear me out, ok?

He paused, pondering his words carefully.

Matt Cardona: You see, Eddie, I have a reputation to uphold. A reputation that reaches far past WLCW. When you ask people about the first thing they think about when remembering a Matt Cardona match, they always come back to one singular thing: entertainment. Now, the definition of entertainment varies depending on who you ask. If you ask someone off the street, they're going to explain it as something that continuously draws them in, begging for more. Now, your definition of entertainment is probably different, Eddie. I would wager a guess that your version of entertainment is standing toe to toe with someone trading punches. That would also explain the severe loss of brain cells you've had in your days.

He smiled softly.

Matt Cardona: But really, Eddie, that's not going to work for me. My ask of you, is simply this.. reach down and give it your all. Let's actually put on a good show for the people at home. Seriously, consider it.

He took a deep breath.

Matt Cardona: Now I know that is going to be a real tough task for you to complete, Eddie. Let's face it. You're a brawler with absolutely zero talent. When it comes to putting on a show, I'm going to be the one delivering the high spots and bumps. I'm going to be the one that people are turning on the TV to see. I'm going to be the one that kid's tap their dad on the leg and say "Did you see Matt Cardona? That was AMAZING!". No one has ever, or will ever, say that about you. They'll remember you after this match though, Eddie. Not because of anything significant you did or didn't do, however. You're simply going to be remembered as "that other guy" that "Alwayz Ready" Matt Cardona beat the shit out of.

He looked deep in to the camera, a clear fire burning in his eyes.

Matt Cardona: Eddie, I know I'm going to put on a show at Clash. I know it, you know it, the WLCW Universe knows it. The real question is: what're you going to bring to the table? I've seen it all. I've overcome it all. There is nothing you can surprise me with. The writing is on the wall, Eddie, you're just buying time before your pathetic career is over. I guess it's time for me to be the judge, jury, and the executioner. See you soon, Edward.

Fade out.

Record - 7 / 0 / 0