Post by Adrien | Adam on Jun 28, 2017 1:58:06 GMT -5
(OOC: Well, this time, I'm the sole writer of this piece. But I do want to thank Steve for letting this piece that was written as a goodbye for the Adam character for a little while to count as an Adrien piece since he is heavily used in this piece and I have no fed for Adam to post this piece for. This piece is a bit more...emotional than most of my stuff so...yeah...)
Date: June 25th, 2017
Cameras: OFF
It wasn’t unusual for Adam Sanders to be silent for hours at a time. He is one of the shyest people in wrestling. The presence of the word “awkward” on his Twitter handle is one of the most fitting you can find. That’s why it wasn’t exactly an eyebrow raiser when he left the venue that just held FAW Sunday Night Delirium and got inside of the car that was parked behind the building for him to leave in. It was a bit unusual for him to leave a show where he wasn’t being driven home by either Eddie Walker or Kenzie Rydell. Don’t get me wrong, it was a face he trusted turning the key to start the engine of his rental car, but it was just a bit surprising.
“Got everything, bud?”
Adam glances in the front seat of the car, seeing the blue eyes staring back to him in the rearview mirror that has looked at him expectantly many times since they two have met. The little blonde hair visible in the rearview mirror made it indisputable that it was Adrien Cochrane speaking to him. Despite all of that, Adam doesn’t respond verbally, just nodding to the Dropkick King, who shifts the car out of park to drive.
Adam blankly looks at the seat ahead of him while the sounds of Adrien’s radio playing songs from a Weezer playlist are being tuned out as he gets lost in his own thoughts. It was mostly the same of what has been on the mind of the Michigan native, even when he disappeared and had to be dragged out of the forest by Betsy Granger, kicking and screaming. The music turns down as the silence seems to be a bit jarring for the Redemption Wrestling roster member.
Adrien: “You made some progress today if you want to look on the bright side. Camera in your face and you actually talked.”
Adam still sat in silence as his eyes gazed upon the buildings Adrien was driving past. Honestly, Adam just wanted to get back to his hotel room so this day could be over and done with. Today happened. That can’t be changed. Adam has lost eight straight matches, including all five of his matches in FAW. Despite everything he’s done to try to prevent that from happening, it happened too and can’t be changed either. Adrien attempts to break the silence once more.
Adrien: “Adam…”
Before Adrien can even get the second word out, Adam finally speaks.
Adam: “I can’t do this anymore, Adrien.”
Adam was almost expecting Adrien to swerve off the road the moment he blurted that out. But instead, Adrien’s reaction was almost half expecting him to say that. His eyes never strayed from the road and he does nothing more than exhales loudly before speaking again.
Adrien: “I can’t really blame you for feeling that way, Adam. It’s really tough being in that position.”
Adrien tries to be empathetic as best as he can to the young wrestler’s situation. To Adam, it seems impossible. Adrien may have had some humble beginnings prior to his first championship, but he was a very accomplished wrestler who had a very high win percentage in the last six years. Adam knew he was trying though. And Adam knows Adrien has done literally everything he could do for him, even letting him live in his spare bedroom rent-free for a while.
Adrien: “Listen, Adam. I’m really sorry.”
Adam wasn’t sure how to react to that comment from Adrien. Was this sympathy or something else?
Adrien: “I’ve failed you, Adam. And this has been really hard on you, I know, and I’m not trying to undersell how frustrating this has been for you because you are the one feeling most of it. It’s been hard on Kenzie to see all of this. But it’s also been hard on me. Because every time I see you taking some big move or lose a match, I feel like it’s all my fault.”
Adam’s eyes grow wide. He never realized how much of a toll this was taking on Adrien. If anything, Adam has been feeling like he’s been letting Adrien down, not the other way around.
Adam: “You didn’t fail me. You put me and Kenzie through the same training and...I’ve let you down where Kenzie succeeded…”
Adrien: “Perhaps that is what I did wrong, assuming that if it worked for her, it would work for you. Either way, everything that you’ve been put through, Adam, that’s on me. That’s not your L to take; it’s mine.”
Adam isn’t sure how to feel right now. It was upsetting him that Adrien was trying to accept the blame for everything that happened. Adam didn’t want someone who literally did more for him than anyone could have asked for. Both of Adam’s palms rest on his cheeks. He sees Adrien’s eyes darting back at him for a split second.
Adrien: “If you want to continue, that’s your choice. Kenzie will support you no matter what you do. As will I.”
Adam weakly nods.
Adrien: “I’ve put you in harm’s way longer than I should have. All of this...it’s because of me. All these losses, the fact we couldn’t crack the code on getting you to be able to do promos, and your general crippled confidence in yourself. I should have done more to prepare you for all of that. I should have gotten you ready for all of this. But I didn’t.”
Adam: “No, Adrien. No, don’t blame yourself. You’ve done so much for me. You’ve done everything you could for me and tried really hard. It’s just...it’s me. It isn’t you.”
Adrien wanted to believe Adam. He really did.
Adam: “Adrien, you took me in like I was a member of your family. You attended a lot of shows of mine. You spent many hours trying to make me into the best wrestler you possibly could. You rescued me when I was kidnapped. You let me live in your house for a really long time. You let me use your manager.”
Tears started to build up in the eyes of Adam Sanders. Adrien stopped glancing in the backseat every few seconds, hearing the break in Adam’s voice. He didn’t want to get as emotional as Adam was, needing to remain calm for the young man who was almost like a little brother to him.
Adam: “You’ve done literally everything for me, Adrien. I am forever in your debt.”
Adrien: “You don’t owe me anything, Adam. But I owe you. I’m going to fix this, Adam.”
Adam: “Don’t. It can’t be done. You’ve done what you could.”
There is a bit of a pause between the two men. Neither one really knew how to say next. Adam finally breaks the silence.
Adam: “I can’t continue. I need to throw in the towel.”
Adrien takes a deep sigh. He pulls into the parking lot of the hotel Adam is staying at for the evening.
Adrien: “I’ll call Eddie. We will get you released from your FAW contract. None of us are going to make you wrestle anymore if you don’t think you’re going to be up for it. I know Betsy talked you into it last time, but we’ll make sure she understands your decision this time.”
Adrien parks the car and he turns towards Adam. Adrien looks at the young man sitting in the backseat of his car and there is only one word to describe him: broken. He looked lost, scared, and like he has absolutely nothing left. Adrien knows the look.
He remembers what it was like to be in his shoes about ten years ago. He remembers being fired from AWA, being told he would never be better than he was and never accomplish anything. He lost the girl he thought he was spending the rest of his life with. He was unemployed, on a losing streak, and felt like there was no hope left in the world. Remembering all of that gave Adrien a bit an idea.
Adrien: “Actually…”
Adam senses the tone change in Adrien’s voice. He looks back up, wondering what is going on.
Adrien: “We’re going to keep you out of any wrestling ring or promotion for a while. But I have one last ditch effort. We need to build you up again, Adam. I don’t want you even thinking about matches, wins, or losses until the time is right. Until then, I think I want you to meet someone from my past.”
Adam blinks, not understanding what Adrien was talking about.
Adam: “I think visiting your dad’s grave isn’t going to help any, Adrien.”
Adrien: “Not him. My dad was the man who supported me in a manner that helped me be the person I am here.”
Cochrane points to his heart.
Adrien: “But the man who made me into the Dropkick King...that was someone else. And if there is anyone who can crack this case, I think it’s Ryan Corey.”
Date: June 28th, 2017
Cameras: OFF
“You sure about this?”
Adrien Cochrane nods his head before placing one hand on the back of his young protege. Three days have passed, with Adam sleeping on the decision on whether or not to make this journey to St. Louis, Missouri. Adam and Kenzie had a long discussion on whether or not to stay in California after all that has happened. Kenzie had agreed that a change of scenery would help everyone, so they are in the process of moving back to Nashville, Kenzie’s hometown. Helping them on the house search is fellow Nashville native and girlfriend of Adrien Cochrane, Stacy Sterling.
Adrien: “Most of the people who go through here don’t leave the state of Missouri, content wrestling for a company Corey runs himself called iPRO. But you know of two people who were trained by this legend and went on to have pretty successful careers.”
Adam’s eyes widen a little bit.
Adam: “One of them being…”
Adrien: “Me. Yeah. I was one of the first guys Ryan Corey ever trained twelve years ago, but I never was a part of iPRO because I was bouncing from region to region in the WWA. They were kinda like what CWC is today. The other person you might know who came from this place is Samantha Tolson.”
Adam: “And you think he might…”
Adrien: “I spoke to him on the phone and explained to him the whole story. And listen, if you don’t feel like this is helping after some time, we can just go ahead and call it. But this isn’t like wrestling in a company where you have to deal with hostile opponents trying to break you. Everyone involved in this organization is here to help you.”
Sanders glances back up at the door. The nameplate read “Nightbringer Ryan Corey” in gold letters.
Adam: “This doesn’t mean I’m going to continue this career.”
Adrien: “I know. You still have that Master’s degree if this doesn’t work. I’m not going to make you get in a ring again if you don’t want to. But just promise me you will let Ryan help you.”
The Michigan native nods his head.
Adam: “I’ll try. For you, for Betsy, and most of all, for Kenzie.”
Adrien: “And one more person: for yourself. I know you can do this, Adam. Take all the time you need here. All the expenses for this have been taken care of, okay? And with you and Kenzie moving to Nashville, you will have a new home and a new life out here. New Orleans isn’t all the way across the country if you need anything. And I will come up here and check on you periodically and can be here in a few hours if you need me.”
Adam takes a deep breath before placing his hand on the door knob. He turns it to meet the man he was going to be learning from for the next few months, the man he hopes can make him able to believe he can ever step foot in a wrestling ring ever again.
What's the deal with my brain?
Why am I so obviously insane?
In a perfect situation
I let love down the drain.
There's the pitch, slow and straight.
All I have to do is swing
and I'm the hero, but I'm the zero.
Hungry nights, once again
Now it's getting unbelievable.
'Cause I could not have it better,
But I just can't get no play
From the girls, all around
As they search the night for someone to hold onto.
I just pass through singing
Whoaaaaa
Date: June 25th, 2017
Cameras: OFF
It wasn’t unusual for Adam Sanders to be silent for hours at a time. He is one of the shyest people in wrestling. The presence of the word “awkward” on his Twitter handle is one of the most fitting you can find. That’s why it wasn’t exactly an eyebrow raiser when he left the venue that just held FAW Sunday Night Delirium and got inside of the car that was parked behind the building for him to leave in. It was a bit unusual for him to leave a show where he wasn’t being driven home by either Eddie Walker or Kenzie Rydell. Don’t get me wrong, it was a face he trusted turning the key to start the engine of his rental car, but it was just a bit surprising.
“Got everything, bud?”
Adam glances in the front seat of the car, seeing the blue eyes staring back to him in the rearview mirror that has looked at him expectantly many times since they two have met. The little blonde hair visible in the rearview mirror made it indisputable that it was Adrien Cochrane speaking to him. Despite all of that, Adam doesn’t respond verbally, just nodding to the Dropkick King, who shifts the car out of park to drive.
Adam blankly looks at the seat ahead of him while the sounds of Adrien’s radio playing songs from a Weezer playlist are being tuned out as he gets lost in his own thoughts. It was mostly the same of what has been on the mind of the Michigan native, even when he disappeared and had to be dragged out of the forest by Betsy Granger, kicking and screaming. The music turns down as the silence seems to be a bit jarring for the Redemption Wrestling roster member.
Adrien: “You made some progress today if you want to look on the bright side. Camera in your face and you actually talked.”
Adam still sat in silence as his eyes gazed upon the buildings Adrien was driving past. Honestly, Adam just wanted to get back to his hotel room so this day could be over and done with. Today happened. That can’t be changed. Adam has lost eight straight matches, including all five of his matches in FAW. Despite everything he’s done to try to prevent that from happening, it happened too and can’t be changed either. Adrien attempts to break the silence once more.
Adrien: “Adam…”
Before Adrien can even get the second word out, Adam finally speaks.
Adam: “I can’t do this anymore, Adrien.”
Adam was almost expecting Adrien to swerve off the road the moment he blurted that out. But instead, Adrien’s reaction was almost half expecting him to say that. His eyes never strayed from the road and he does nothing more than exhales loudly before speaking again.
Adrien: “I can’t really blame you for feeling that way, Adam. It’s really tough being in that position.”
Adrien tries to be empathetic as best as he can to the young wrestler’s situation. To Adam, it seems impossible. Adrien may have had some humble beginnings prior to his first championship, but he was a very accomplished wrestler who had a very high win percentage in the last six years. Adam knew he was trying though. And Adam knows Adrien has done literally everything he could do for him, even letting him live in his spare bedroom rent-free for a while.
Adrien: “Listen, Adam. I’m really sorry.”
Adam wasn’t sure how to react to that comment from Adrien. Was this sympathy or something else?
Adrien: “I’ve failed you, Adam. And this has been really hard on you, I know, and I’m not trying to undersell how frustrating this has been for you because you are the one feeling most of it. It’s been hard on Kenzie to see all of this. But it’s also been hard on me. Because every time I see you taking some big move or lose a match, I feel like it’s all my fault.”
Adam’s eyes grow wide. He never realized how much of a toll this was taking on Adrien. If anything, Adam has been feeling like he’s been letting Adrien down, not the other way around.
Adam: “You didn’t fail me. You put me and Kenzie through the same training and...I’ve let you down where Kenzie succeeded…”
Adrien: “Perhaps that is what I did wrong, assuming that if it worked for her, it would work for you. Either way, everything that you’ve been put through, Adam, that’s on me. That’s not your L to take; it’s mine.”
Adam isn’t sure how to feel right now. It was upsetting him that Adrien was trying to accept the blame for everything that happened. Adam didn’t want someone who literally did more for him than anyone could have asked for. Both of Adam’s palms rest on his cheeks. He sees Adrien’s eyes darting back at him for a split second.
Adrien: “If you want to continue, that’s your choice. Kenzie will support you no matter what you do. As will I.”
Adam weakly nods.
Adrien: “I’ve put you in harm’s way longer than I should have. All of this...it’s because of me. All these losses, the fact we couldn’t crack the code on getting you to be able to do promos, and your general crippled confidence in yourself. I should have done more to prepare you for all of that. I should have gotten you ready for all of this. But I didn’t.”
Adam: “No, Adrien. No, don’t blame yourself. You’ve done so much for me. You’ve done everything you could for me and tried really hard. It’s just...it’s me. It isn’t you.”
Adrien wanted to believe Adam. He really did.
Adam: “Adrien, you took me in like I was a member of your family. You attended a lot of shows of mine. You spent many hours trying to make me into the best wrestler you possibly could. You rescued me when I was kidnapped. You let me live in your house for a really long time. You let me use your manager.”
Tears started to build up in the eyes of Adam Sanders. Adrien stopped glancing in the backseat every few seconds, hearing the break in Adam’s voice. He didn’t want to get as emotional as Adam was, needing to remain calm for the young man who was almost like a little brother to him.
Adam: “You’ve done literally everything for me, Adrien. I am forever in your debt.”
Adrien: “You don’t owe me anything, Adam. But I owe you. I’m going to fix this, Adam.”
Adam: “Don’t. It can’t be done. You’ve done what you could.”
There is a bit of a pause between the two men. Neither one really knew how to say next. Adam finally breaks the silence.
Adam: “I can’t continue. I need to throw in the towel.”
Adrien takes a deep sigh. He pulls into the parking lot of the hotel Adam is staying at for the evening.
Adrien: “I’ll call Eddie. We will get you released from your FAW contract. None of us are going to make you wrestle anymore if you don’t think you’re going to be up for it. I know Betsy talked you into it last time, but we’ll make sure she understands your decision this time.”
Adrien parks the car and he turns towards Adam. Adrien looks at the young man sitting in the backseat of his car and there is only one word to describe him: broken. He looked lost, scared, and like he has absolutely nothing left. Adrien knows the look.
He remembers what it was like to be in his shoes about ten years ago. He remembers being fired from AWA, being told he would never be better than he was and never accomplish anything. He lost the girl he thought he was spending the rest of his life with. He was unemployed, on a losing streak, and felt like there was no hope left in the world. Remembering all of that gave Adrien a bit an idea.
Adrien: “Actually…”
Adam senses the tone change in Adrien’s voice. He looks back up, wondering what is going on.
Adrien: “We’re going to keep you out of any wrestling ring or promotion for a while. But I have one last ditch effort. We need to build you up again, Adam. I don’t want you even thinking about matches, wins, or losses until the time is right. Until then, I think I want you to meet someone from my past.”
Adam blinks, not understanding what Adrien was talking about.
Adam: “I think visiting your dad’s grave isn’t going to help any, Adrien.”
Adrien: “Not him. My dad was the man who supported me in a manner that helped me be the person I am here.”
Cochrane points to his heart.
Adrien: “But the man who made me into the Dropkick King...that was someone else. And if there is anyone who can crack this case, I think it’s Ryan Corey.”
Get your hands off the girl,
Can't you see that she belongs to me?
And I don't appreciate this excess company.
Though I can't satisfy all the needs she has
And so she starts to wander...
Can you blame her? Singing
Whoaaaaa
Tell me there's a logic out there.
Leading me to better prepare
For the day that something really special might come.
Tell me there's some hope for me.
I don't wanna be lonely
For the rest of my days on the earth.
Date: June 28th, 2017
Cameras: OFF
“You sure about this?”
Adrien Cochrane nods his head before placing one hand on the back of his young protege. Three days have passed, with Adam sleeping on the decision on whether or not to make this journey to St. Louis, Missouri. Adam and Kenzie had a long discussion on whether or not to stay in California after all that has happened. Kenzie had agreed that a change of scenery would help everyone, so they are in the process of moving back to Nashville, Kenzie’s hometown. Helping them on the house search is fellow Nashville native and girlfriend of Adrien Cochrane, Stacy Sterling.
Adrien: “Most of the people who go through here don’t leave the state of Missouri, content wrestling for a company Corey runs himself called iPRO. But you know of two people who were trained by this legend and went on to have pretty successful careers.”
Adam’s eyes widen a little bit.
Adam: “One of them being…”
Adrien: “Me. Yeah. I was one of the first guys Ryan Corey ever trained twelve years ago, but I never was a part of iPRO because I was bouncing from region to region in the WWA. They were kinda like what CWC is today. The other person you might know who came from this place is Samantha Tolson.”
Adam: “And you think he might…”
Adrien: “I spoke to him on the phone and explained to him the whole story. And listen, if you don’t feel like this is helping after some time, we can just go ahead and call it. But this isn’t like wrestling in a company where you have to deal with hostile opponents trying to break you. Everyone involved in this organization is here to help you.”
Sanders glances back up at the door. The nameplate read “Nightbringer Ryan Corey” in gold letters.
Adam: “This doesn’t mean I’m going to continue this career.”
Adrien: “I know. You still have that Master’s degree if this doesn’t work. I’m not going to make you get in a ring again if you don’t want to. But just promise me you will let Ryan help you.”
The Michigan native nods his head.
Adam: “I’ll try. For you, for Betsy, and most of all, for Kenzie.”
Adrien: “And one more person: for yourself. I know you can do this, Adam. Take all the time you need here. All the expenses for this have been taken care of, okay? And with you and Kenzie moving to Nashville, you will have a new home and a new life out here. New Orleans isn’t all the way across the country if you need anything. And I will come up here and check on you periodically and can be here in a few hours if you need me.”
Adam takes a deep breath before placing his hand on the door knob. He turns it to meet the man he was going to be learning from for the next few months, the man he hopes can make him able to believe he can ever step foot in a wrestling ring ever again.
