Post by Josh Kennedy on Jun 16, 2017 14:06:37 GMT -5
On-Camera:
8th June 2017
Long Beach, California
The past few months had taken a toll on Josh Kennedy, that much was for certain. Largely unfocused, distracted, and scatterbrained, his in-ring success had seemed to reflect this of late. He'd missed his chance in the Rags to Riches match he'd made his Redemption Wrestling debut in, he'd already missed out on the very briefcase in his corner that would have handed him the shot at the title he wanted from the jump. He'd let the HPW California Cup slip from his fingers at the hands of Rachel Redding, and his numerous chances at titles in the CWC had all failed. To say he was frustrated was an understatement. All of this was left unsaid, however, written plainly on his face for those that cared enough to follow his career. He looked poorly-rested on top of everything else, an unkempt beard finding its home on his face. However this contrasts starkly with his demeanour. Slight, but incessant fidgeting. He shifts positions constantly, darts his eyes all around, his whole being practically hums with a manic energy. Once he stops to focus, he speaks. His voice is low and hoarse, as though he'd just woken up. In truth, he hasn't slept at all in the past 24 hours. The thick, Southern drawl of his accent softly ends the silence, bringing with it an odd warmth.
"So... I guess it's time for me to find a place to start, huh?"
He pauses to sip at the coffee cup that rests in his right hand.
"Suppose I need re-introduction. I don't think I should, but it seems like I'm still an unknown. I said it before I officially arrived here, and I'll say it again. I've worked myself up from nothing time and again, and I ain't afraid to do it again here and now. To tell the truth, I've succeeded at most of the turns in my career, I've worked my fingers to the bone to win Championships of every type, I've had crowds eatin' outta the palm of my hands, and I've made 'em despise me. I've played the hero and I've played the villain. I've built a reputation for myself as an often-unparalleled hardcore wrestler, and a wrestler in general, for that matter. And even with all of that, there's still one thing that eludes me. Legacy. I wanna be the name on everyone's lips when the greats of this industry are talked about, and despite having the track record to pull it off, it still ain't happened yet. So I need to find a way to make a lasting impact. And I figured where better to do that than Redemption Wrestling?"
He shrugs.
"I had my little moment at Wrestleforce, which was fuckin' great and all... but it was only a small victory. A disposable moment of excitement. Beyond that, I failed, plain and simple. I ain't afraid of failure, I've been around the block long enough to be familiar with that sting, and it's never kept me down too long. But really? Deep down, I think I knew that those briefcases weren't meant for me in Toronto. Not yet. I want to test myself through goddamn fire and blood, I want to scrape and claw and fight my way to the top, the same way I always have. I'll spare y'all too much of a boring-ass history lesson, but I'd be willing to bet most of y'all still don't know my name, still don't know what I've done for this business. I've been at the top before, I've been a world champion, I've held a company on my back for over a year. So, instead of retreading old glories like anyone but me would give even slightest of fucks, I'm gonna take this opportunity for everything it's worth, and I'll show each and every one of you first hand exactly what I'm capable of. Simple as that. No lectures, no lists of names I put away that nobody but me and maybe Blair Kivistö will recognise, just action. I feel like I've got one hell of a lot to prove here in Redemption, and I'm not gonna let anyone stop me. I wanna be the name that crosses people's lips first when they talk about the true greats of this industry, I wanna be the guy who everyone remembers long after I'm dead. And I need to carve my own path in order to get there. 7 years of earning these scars I'm covered in ain't been enough, apparently. 7 years of risking my ass in the most dangerous matches on the face of the planet wasn't sacrifice enough. The things I've done to get this far, you probably wouldn't believe 'em."
He shuffles his position slightly, his fidgeting throughout the whole time he's been on camera has been incessant. He taps his fingertips restlessly in a strange, irregular rhythm against the side of his coffee cup.
"So really, where better to start making my mark than Caroline O'Hara Burchill? Your current New Gen Champion... Now, that's a Championship belt with a legacy right there. That's something worth fighting for. So, let me just tell you this straight up, you can sell yourself as a 'Queen' all you want, darlin', but you know what I am? I'm the fuckin' peasant that's gonna piss all over your throne room, set fire to your banners, and spit in your face. I'm filth, I'm the lowest of the low, but at least I'm self-aware enough to know that. I'm never gonna pretend I'm better than anyone else. I'm just some white-trash kid who needed to find a way to fight in order to keep a roof over his head and food on the table, and this was only way I could do it. And somewhere along the way, I just happened to get good at it. Really, this is all I know, all I've ever known. It's all I've ever wanted, too. So, before you start being all dismissive as I'm sure you get with everyone who comes your way, you should probably get a handle on who you're dealin' with. You're dealin' with a force of will, a motherfucker too stubborn to give in. There ain't shit I won't do to achieve my goals. So believe me when I say I'll shatter that crown of yours, honey, 'cause you're just the beginning. Tell yourself all you want that you're some kinda queen, that you're this superior figure to rule over us all, but I ain't havin' it."
Josh pauses, scratching his bearded chin with his free hand and looking off at some undefined point in the distance as he ponders his next words.
"Disappointing, really, that someone so talented in that ring - 'cause let's face it, you're incredibly talented - has to resort to such a played-out label. I thought you'd want somethin' similar to me in that respect. With so many dime-a-dozen people out there tryin' to call themselves queens, you strike me as the type who should be defyin' that, not towing the line. Not prancin' around with the million other spoiled princesses of this industry with their little fuckin' tiaras because their daddies could afford to buy them whatever they wanted when they were little and somehow that makes 'em special... god, that shit genuinely turns my stomach."
Josh fakes a retching sound before laughing softly to himself and coninuting.
"And that's where the disappointment comes in, Caroline. Because you're more than that, you know it, I know it, everyone should know it. That's not you. You might not believe me yet, with my creepy, rat-faced, lookin' like I ain't showered in a week-ass - yeah, I know how I look - why would you? But you'll see it soon enough. Why put yourself in that lane when you're clearly so much more than that? 'Cause I know you are, I've seen what you're capable of, and I know with you as my first singles opponent in the company, I'm gonna have my work cut out for me. But truth be told, I wouldn't have it any other way than this kinda trial by fire. See, I ain't one to take people like you to task for pullin' a fast one. I ain't that self-righteous no more, been a long time since I was. I ain't here to preach to you about how morally upstanding I am, I ain't here to tell you how to do your shit, but I got an opinion about you, and the whole point of me being here is to give it. So, at the end of the day, are you good? No doubt about it. Hell, maybe even great, time will have to tell on that one. But you could be so much more. You could set the fuckin' world on fire. Look, I don't have the answers here, I'm not gonna be all chummy with you to try and be your ally, I don't wanna take you under my wing and teach you shit, sorting out who and what you wanna be is your own deal, I just think there's more to ya. Maybe you're on your way, and I just don't see it yet, maybe I'm still hung up on this chip on my shoulder I've had from years of spittin' in the faces of the people who told me I'd never amount to shit. Maybe I'm just projectin'. Truth be told, I'm skeptical of everything, including myself. That's something most egos can't seem to handle. So, as I try to make my way through the ranks of Redemption, and pluck the plastic crowns from the heads of all these posers, know this. There's nothing that's gonna make me give up on cementing myself at the top of this company. I don't care if I have to beat every single person on this roster three times over to get any kinda shot at the top. I don't care what you consider me, the toughest opponent you'll ever have to face in your career, or just another fuckin' speed bump. Because either way, whether you know it or not, this match ain't a done deal. I hope the thought of that scares you a little, I hope you see your grip on that New Gen Championship slippin', because I'll take it if I'm given that chance while I'm at it. You might not know me yet, not really, you might think I'm just another face you can afford to overlook, but you'll soon learn that's a mistake. I got a lot to prove, and one hell of a lot to give. You'll see where I'm supposed to be real fuckin' quick."
8th June 2017
Long Beach, California
The past few months had taken a toll on Josh Kennedy, that much was for certain. Largely unfocused, distracted, and scatterbrained, his in-ring success had seemed to reflect this of late. He'd missed his chance in the Rags to Riches match he'd made his Redemption Wrestling debut in, he'd already missed out on the very briefcase in his corner that would have handed him the shot at the title he wanted from the jump. He'd let the HPW California Cup slip from his fingers at the hands of Rachel Redding, and his numerous chances at titles in the CWC had all failed. To say he was frustrated was an understatement. All of this was left unsaid, however, written plainly on his face for those that cared enough to follow his career. He looked poorly-rested on top of everything else, an unkempt beard finding its home on his face. However this contrasts starkly with his demeanour. Slight, but incessant fidgeting. He shifts positions constantly, darts his eyes all around, his whole being practically hums with a manic energy. Once he stops to focus, he speaks. His voice is low and hoarse, as though he'd just woken up. In truth, he hasn't slept at all in the past 24 hours. The thick, Southern drawl of his accent softly ends the silence, bringing with it an odd warmth.
"So... I guess it's time for me to find a place to start, huh?"
He pauses to sip at the coffee cup that rests in his right hand.
"Suppose I need re-introduction. I don't think I should, but it seems like I'm still an unknown. I said it before I officially arrived here, and I'll say it again. I've worked myself up from nothing time and again, and I ain't afraid to do it again here and now. To tell the truth, I've succeeded at most of the turns in my career, I've worked my fingers to the bone to win Championships of every type, I've had crowds eatin' outta the palm of my hands, and I've made 'em despise me. I've played the hero and I've played the villain. I've built a reputation for myself as an often-unparalleled hardcore wrestler, and a wrestler in general, for that matter. And even with all of that, there's still one thing that eludes me. Legacy. I wanna be the name on everyone's lips when the greats of this industry are talked about, and despite having the track record to pull it off, it still ain't happened yet. So I need to find a way to make a lasting impact. And I figured where better to do that than Redemption Wrestling?"
He shrugs.
"I had my little moment at Wrestleforce, which was fuckin' great and all... but it was only a small victory. A disposable moment of excitement. Beyond that, I failed, plain and simple. I ain't afraid of failure, I've been around the block long enough to be familiar with that sting, and it's never kept me down too long. But really? Deep down, I think I knew that those briefcases weren't meant for me in Toronto. Not yet. I want to test myself through goddamn fire and blood, I want to scrape and claw and fight my way to the top, the same way I always have. I'll spare y'all too much of a boring-ass history lesson, but I'd be willing to bet most of y'all still don't know my name, still don't know what I've done for this business. I've been at the top before, I've been a world champion, I've held a company on my back for over a year. So, instead of retreading old glories like anyone but me would give even slightest of fucks, I'm gonna take this opportunity for everything it's worth, and I'll show each and every one of you first hand exactly what I'm capable of. Simple as that. No lectures, no lists of names I put away that nobody but me and maybe Blair Kivistö will recognise, just action. I feel like I've got one hell of a lot to prove here in Redemption, and I'm not gonna let anyone stop me. I wanna be the name that crosses people's lips first when they talk about the true greats of this industry, I wanna be the guy who everyone remembers long after I'm dead. And I need to carve my own path in order to get there. 7 years of earning these scars I'm covered in ain't been enough, apparently. 7 years of risking my ass in the most dangerous matches on the face of the planet wasn't sacrifice enough. The things I've done to get this far, you probably wouldn't believe 'em."
He shuffles his position slightly, his fidgeting throughout the whole time he's been on camera has been incessant. He taps his fingertips restlessly in a strange, irregular rhythm against the side of his coffee cup.
"So really, where better to start making my mark than Caroline O'Hara Burchill? Your current New Gen Champion... Now, that's a Championship belt with a legacy right there. That's something worth fighting for. So, let me just tell you this straight up, you can sell yourself as a 'Queen' all you want, darlin', but you know what I am? I'm the fuckin' peasant that's gonna piss all over your throne room, set fire to your banners, and spit in your face. I'm filth, I'm the lowest of the low, but at least I'm self-aware enough to know that. I'm never gonna pretend I'm better than anyone else. I'm just some white-trash kid who needed to find a way to fight in order to keep a roof over his head and food on the table, and this was only way I could do it. And somewhere along the way, I just happened to get good at it. Really, this is all I know, all I've ever known. It's all I've ever wanted, too. So, before you start being all dismissive as I'm sure you get with everyone who comes your way, you should probably get a handle on who you're dealin' with. You're dealin' with a force of will, a motherfucker too stubborn to give in. There ain't shit I won't do to achieve my goals. So believe me when I say I'll shatter that crown of yours, honey, 'cause you're just the beginning. Tell yourself all you want that you're some kinda queen, that you're this superior figure to rule over us all, but I ain't havin' it."
Josh pauses, scratching his bearded chin with his free hand and looking off at some undefined point in the distance as he ponders his next words.
"Disappointing, really, that someone so talented in that ring - 'cause let's face it, you're incredibly talented - has to resort to such a played-out label. I thought you'd want somethin' similar to me in that respect. With so many dime-a-dozen people out there tryin' to call themselves queens, you strike me as the type who should be defyin' that, not towing the line. Not prancin' around with the million other spoiled princesses of this industry with their little fuckin' tiaras because their daddies could afford to buy them whatever they wanted when they were little and somehow that makes 'em special... god, that shit genuinely turns my stomach."
Josh fakes a retching sound before laughing softly to himself and coninuting.
"And that's where the disappointment comes in, Caroline. Because you're more than that, you know it, I know it, everyone should know it. That's not you. You might not believe me yet, with my creepy, rat-faced, lookin' like I ain't showered in a week-ass - yeah, I know how I look - why would you? But you'll see it soon enough. Why put yourself in that lane when you're clearly so much more than that? 'Cause I know you are, I've seen what you're capable of, and I know with you as my first singles opponent in the company, I'm gonna have my work cut out for me. But truth be told, I wouldn't have it any other way than this kinda trial by fire. See, I ain't one to take people like you to task for pullin' a fast one. I ain't that self-righteous no more, been a long time since I was. I ain't here to preach to you about how morally upstanding I am, I ain't here to tell you how to do your shit, but I got an opinion about you, and the whole point of me being here is to give it. So, at the end of the day, are you good? No doubt about it. Hell, maybe even great, time will have to tell on that one. But you could be so much more. You could set the fuckin' world on fire. Look, I don't have the answers here, I'm not gonna be all chummy with you to try and be your ally, I don't wanna take you under my wing and teach you shit, sorting out who and what you wanna be is your own deal, I just think there's more to ya. Maybe you're on your way, and I just don't see it yet, maybe I'm still hung up on this chip on my shoulder I've had from years of spittin' in the faces of the people who told me I'd never amount to shit. Maybe I'm just projectin'. Truth be told, I'm skeptical of everything, including myself. That's something most egos can't seem to handle. So, as I try to make my way through the ranks of Redemption, and pluck the plastic crowns from the heads of all these posers, know this. There's nothing that's gonna make me give up on cementing myself at the top of this company. I don't care if I have to beat every single person on this roster three times over to get any kinda shot at the top. I don't care what you consider me, the toughest opponent you'll ever have to face in your career, or just another fuckin' speed bump. Because either way, whether you know it or not, this match ain't a done deal. I hope the thought of that scares you a little, I hope you see your grip on that New Gen Championship slippin', because I'll take it if I'm given that chance while I'm at it. You might not know me yet, not really, you might think I'm just another face you can afford to overlook, but you'll soon learn that's a mistake. I got a lot to prove, and one hell of a lot to give. You'll see where I'm supposed to be real fuckin' quick."
