Post by omen on Nov 26, 2012 16:10:42 GMT -5
"Veni, vidi, vici." – Julius Caesar. The popular phrase was formulated by the Roman general in approximately 47 B.C. as he explained to others his victory over Pharnaces II of Pontus in the Battle of Zela.
"I came, I saw, I conquered. From record sales to sold out concerts." – Jay-Z. These lyrics were voiced by the multiplatinum rapper on his 2003 song entitled "Encore."
Veni - Latin for "I came"
{{The scene opens to the inside of the Kayseri Erkilet International Airport. Kayseri is a large industrialized city located in Central Anatolia, Turkey. Though the airport is fairly busy, PCW future star Alex Trident is immediately spotted nearby along with two familiar companions of his. One of Trident’s companions is the unidentified young Hispanic woman with long dark hair and the other is a young unidentified African American male. Another reason for pinpointing Trident with ease in the midst of the chaotic crowd is because of his clothing. Not clad in your average Turkish garments, Trident’s wearing a dark blue and gold Premium Championship Wrestling hoodie, light blue jeans, and a pair of dark blue, gold, and white Nike sneakers. He and his friends are walking towards the camera toting their luggage and eventually get close enough to have their conversation heard more clearly.}}
Young African American Male: So this is it huh?
{{He looks around in minor disgust.}}
Alex "Snow" Trident: Yup! This is it. I can’t believe we are actually here though! This place is so rich with history and ancient civilization, it’s pretty amazing!
Young African American Male: If I recall correctly, didn’t you hate history class at Flagler?
Alex "Snow" Trident: Kind of, but that’s a bit different.
Young African American Male: How is it different?
Alex "Snow" Trident: Because back then, I was forced to learn the material. Nobody likes to be forced to do anything they really don’t want to. And plus, my teacher was monotone and boring as heck.
{{Alex and his friends laugh.}}
Young African American Male: Who’d you have again?
Alex "Snow" Trident: Mr. Long…
{{The young male cringes.}}
Young African American Male: Ugh! I had that dude my freshman year…what a clown! He bored me to tears each class.
Alex "Snow" Trident: You mean like the [/b]Whole roster of PCW[/b]?
{{Alex and his friends laugh louder than before.}}
Young African American Male: That’s a low blow man. Leave them clowns alone.
Alex "Snow" Trident: Hahaha! Yeah, you’re right. But Mr. Long, I was so ready to drop the class but he was the only one teaching it that semester that coincided with my schedule.
Young African American Male: Hmm, makes sense…
Alex "Snow" Trident: Well, it didn’t at first but it does now…
{{The young woman interrupts Alex and his friend.}}
Young Hispanic Woman: Does anyone know where we are going?
Young African American Male: I’m not even going to lie ‘cause I don’t…
Alex "Snow" Trident: We’re going in the right direction. This is just a big airport, bigger than the one in Jacksonville, so the walk to the front seems like it’s taking forever.
Young African American Male: Hey Ant, what’s the manual say about taxis?
Alex "Snow" Trident: We’re good man. The hotel concierge arranged all of that for us.
Young African American Male: Oh for real? That’s what’s up then. I’m definitely not trying to stand out or look like a tourist. Floridians aren’t exactly acquainted with sufficient public transportation.
{{Alex laughs.}}
Alex "Snow" Trident: You got that right.
{{Alex glances over towards his female friend.}}
What’s wrong? Honestly, I promise you we are going in the right direction. You know I hate being lost.
Young Hispanic Woman: It’s not that babe…I’m just a bit nervous babe…
Alex "Snow" Trident: Aww, come here girl.
{{Alex places his arm around her and pulls her closer to him.}}
We’ll be fine; we don’t have anything to worry about. We’ll all be together the entire trip. Turkey is just like any other place. It’s just the culture that’s different for the most part…
Young African American Male: And the radical Islamists.
{{Alex bites his bottom lip and punches his friend in the arm.}}
Alex "Snow" Trident: Shut up man!! Dag!
Young African American Male: My bad dude, chill…
{{Alex begins shaking his head. As deeply exhales, he reaches into his jean pocket and pulls out a small pamphlet. He redirects his attention towards the camera.}}
Alex "Snow" Trident: I apologize for my friend over here but what’s going on everybody? Or should I say Merhaba…that’s hello in Turkish. If you take a quick look around…
{{Alex pauses for a brief moment.}}
It’s obvious that we aren’t in the United States any more. I needed a few days to get away, far away at that, to get my head clear before Struggle for Power. So much has been going through my mind and so much pressure from others and even myself have been consuming me as of late. I’m so glad that you all are able to witness our little excursion over here firsthand. I know we’re going to have a great time and I truly hope you enjoy what you see.
{{Alex looks to his right. He sees a bearded male holding a small white sign saying “Trident.” Trident’s friend points in the direction of the man.}}
Young African American Male: Is that him right there, Ant?
{{Alex gently moves his friend’s hand back down by his side.}}
Alex "Snow" Trident: If pointing is rude in America, what makes you think it won’t be over here? You really are bugging right now aren’t you?
{{Trident’s friend titters.}}
Young African American Male: Oh, so you’re a foreign customs expert now? You plan on opting out of your PCW contract and becoming a foreign ambassador for the Obama Administration?
Alex "Snow" Trident: Obama Administration??! You’re kidding me right?
{{Trident pauses.}}
A think and doing man's Administration I would consider, but Obama? I would never dedicate an ounce of my being to that man or his entire administration.
{{Trident refocuses on the bearded man.}}
But yeah, I think that’s our taxi driver over there. With that being said, we’ll catch you all in about four and a half hours. That’s how long it’ll take to arrive to our next destination. The sleep will do me good anyway. This time zone change is driving me crazy already and we just landed! See you all soon…
{{Alex and his friends continue to walk towards the taxi driver and attempt to begin talking to him with the help of their Turkish/English dictionaries as the scene fades to black.}}
Vidi - Latin for "I saw"[/u]
"Having en, he celebrated five triumphs, four in a single month, but at intervals of a few days, after vanquishing Scipio; and another on defeating Pompey's sons. The first and most splendid was the Gallic triumph, the next the Alexandrian, then the Pontic, after that the African, and finally the Spanish, each differing from the rest in its equipment and display of spoils. 2. As he rode through the Velabrum on the day of his Gallic triumph, the axle of his chariot broke, and he was all but thrown out; and he mounted the Capitol by torchlight, with forty elephants bearing lamps on his right and his left. In his Pontic triumph he displayed among the show-pieces of the procession an inscription of but three words, "I came, I saw, I conquered," not indicating the events of the war, as the others did, but the speed with which it was finished."*
{{The camera pans right to see Alex close a book with one of his finger’s still in it to hold his place. He’s seated on a chair inside of a dimly lit room. He glances up at the camera and begins to speak.}}
Alex "Snow" Trident: For some reason, this story was not relevant to me at all during my time at Flagler College. Maybe I was too busy trying to holler at all of the girls.
{{Alex smiles.}}
Unfortunately, slaving away for a degree isolates you from the reality of what does and does not apply to you. That’s the trap that many students fall into while trying to chase the American “dream.” Keep your GPA elevated so you don’t lose your financial aid and negate any other opportunities because these next four years will define who you are for the rest of your life and propel you to that lucrative career you’ve been dreaming about for years. What an unfavorable lie that is! And the crazy thing is that I loved every single minute of my college experience. I don’t regret the late night cram sessions, dozing off in class, or waiting until the last minute to start and complete a twenty page essay. I know that just threw some people off. I bet you expected me to make myself out to be some sort of model student or something…
{{Alex slightly snickers.}}
I was far from that believe me, but I was disciplined enough to still pass and graduate with honors. I mean it was either that or become a casualty at the hands of my mother because she was forking out a lot of money. I’ll forever cherish those moments because they helped in making me who I am. But walking across that stage at graduation, being handed my degree, and posing for a few pictures here and there, I couldn’t echo the words of Julius Caesar in this book right here. I couldn’t boldly or even timidly murmur the phrase “veni, vidi, vici” because though I consider myself intellectual, I didn’t conquer the college world per se because my heart wasn’t there. Yes, my head was there. My critical thinking and problem solving skills were also present and fined tuned, but my heart…my heart belonged to wrestling. It had always been that way…
The fact of not having a father in my household growing up but still having a father present in my life was a blessing in disguise. Calling up my pops when I first started learning how to shave or when I needed advice for my first date made me feel validated as a man. And like college, those moments will remain with me for as long as I live. But whenever I made good grades or won a game at school, my dad would tell me that he had a surprise for me. I never wanted it to be a new bike or a new toy, but I always wanted it to be tickets to a live wrestling event and eighty percent of the time it was. These events were not just opportunities for me to spend quality time with my father, but my father was unknowingly cultivating a strong desire within me. The desire to one day be a participant in the events themselves and no longer just a spectator.
That’s what brought me here. Not just to Premium Championship Wrestling, but to Zile, Turkey. Not only did I feel the need for some overseas solitude before Struggle for Power, but something hit me. Reading Suetonius’ book in my bedroom is cool and all, but what if I could read the words of this great ancient wordsmith in the very same city that Julius Caesar himself made the historic declaration? This is motivation for me and going up against other hungry individuals who would kill for a trophy, bragging rights, and of course the shot at the championship. I’m going to need all of the motivation I can get…but this…this here is a great place to begin. I’ve traveled abroad many times before, but mainly for family vacations and things of that nature. Rest and relaxation were all that I had obtained prior to this specific trip. This trip serves as a pilgrimage and if all goes according to plan, I will not return to American soil the same. I, Alex Trident, am transforming right before your very eyes.
{{Suddenly, a faint vibration noise is heard. Alex pulls a black iPhone 4S from his pocket. He glances at it and begins to read what appears to be a text message to himself aloud.}}
Hey…we are on the way up. See you soon…
{{Alex places the phone down on the nearby coffee table.}}
Hold that thought, I’m going to get ready really quick…
{{Alex gets up from his seat and walks over to the bathroom. He turns on the water and begins to wash his face inside of the sink. As he grabs a towel and starts to pat his face dry, the main entrance door swings open and his two friends walk in.}}[/color]
Young African American Male: Ready to roll my dude?
{{Alex speaks loudly from the bathroom.}}
Alex "Snow" Trident: Yeah!
Young Hispanic Woman: The lobby is so gorgeous babe! When we get back, you’ve got to go exploring with me. You’ve been cooped up in the room for hours.
{{Alex exits the bathroom.}}
Alex "Snow" Trident: Yeah, I know. That’s my fault…it’s just this book…I can’t put it down.
Young African American Male: Who travels to the other side of the world just to read a book?
{{Alex gives his friend a stern look.}}
Alex "Snow" Trident: Uh newsflash, the book is the whole reason we’re here. That’s the point!
Young African American Male: Yeah, I know but…
{{Alex cuts him off.}}
Alex "Snow" Trident: But what? But nothing. Nobody made you come, you wanted to come.
Young Hispanic Woman: Okay guys, really? This is so not necessary right now. You two have been bickering almost the entire trip. Let’s just go downstairs, hop in the taxi, and go to the site…
Alex "Snow" Trident: Cool…
{{Alex grabs his phone from the coffee table and then exits the room.}}
Young African American Male: Your boy is really tripping right now.
Young Hispanic Woman: No, he isn’t. He’s just had a really long day. All of us have. Let’s just enjoy the rest of the day without anymore mishaps okay?
Young African American Male: Deal…
{{They also exit the room. The scene shifts to the three of them riding inside of a taxi cab; Alex is seated in the front passenger seat holding a Turkish/English dictionary along with his copy of Suetonius’ Lives of the Twelve Caesars: Julius folded in his lap. His friends ride silently in the backseat gazing out the window.}}
Alex "Snow" Trident: Nerede Julius Caesar savaþta site?
{{The English subtitle “Where is the Julius Caesar battle site?” appears at the bottom of the screen.}}
Taxi Driver: Caesar? On dakika yok.
{{The English subtitle “Ten minutes away” appears at the bottom of the screen.}}
Alex "Snow" Trident: Bizi burada.
{{The English subtitle “Take us there” appears at the bottom of the screen.}}
Taxi Driver: Evet.
{{The English subtitle “Yes” appears at the bottom of the screen. Alex then turns his attention towards his friends.}}
Alex "Snow" Trident: It’s really close; only about ten minutes away.
Young Hispanic Woman: Oh okay, that’s not bad.
Alex "Snow" Trident: You good man?
Young African American Male: Yeah, I’m good. My fault about earlier. I’m a bit nervous myself and I overreacted.
Alex "Snow" Trident: Don’t sweat it fam, it’s all love…
{{Alex turns around and silence amongst the group once again fills the taxi. Only the sounds of Turkish music at a low volume can be heard in the background. A few minutes quickly lapse as the taxi slowly comes to a halt.}}
Taxi Driver: Bu kadar.
{{The English subtitle “This is it” appears at the bottom of the screen.}}
Alex "Snow" Trident: Teþekkürler.
{{The English subtitle “Thanks” appears at the bottom of the screen as Alex reaches into his pocket and pulls out a few crumpled liras, the Turkish currency, and gives them to the taxi driver.}}
Taxi Driver: Bir þey deðil.
{{The English subtitle “You’re welcome” appears at the bottom of the screen as Alex and his friends open the doors and exit the taxi. As the taxi slowly drives off, the three witness a beautiful sight of grassy fields and plush trees. Beautiful mountains also emerge from the background. Alex deeply inhales, exhales, and then he begins to speak.}}
Alex "Snow" Trident: Finally! This is it! This is the site that historians believe that Julius Caesar defeated Pharnaces II. To make the Senate aware of his victory, Caesar wrote to them saying “veni, vidi, vici.” Well I came to Zile, known as Zela in the times of Caesar, and I’ve seen the actual place with my own eyes. Now all that is left for me to do is to conquer…and that consummates on December 8th thousands of miles away from here at Struggle for Power. While many will simply just be trying to survive, I’ll be shouting vici from the mountaintop.
Vici - Latin for "I conquered"[/u]
It’s quite difficult to gather the words that I would like to convey at this point. Not only am I grateful to be in the running for the the PCW Championship, I thank God for my debut match with Jenny Tuck. Not just for the opportunity itself, but also for the outcome. The outcome gave me the reality check that I needed. I was brought to the realization that I’m still growing and evolving as an athlete, but also the fact that when my mind is made up on accomplishing a goal, I do all that I can to deliver. Look at how I went in to the Rapture I expected to get the victory and came extremely close to losing. A rookie in his debut match won a very hard and grueling match which anyone would have trouble with. For all of the critics out there, if my match against Jenny didn’t prove that I’ll be a force to be reckoned with here in the PCW, I guess I’ll just have to silence you at Struggle for Power.
The outcome of my match was a bit different as I came out victorious and gave the skeptics something else to talk about. No offense to Jenny or anything, but I wanted that win more than she did. I honestly don’t even know why or how she attempts to wrestle with all of that stuff going on. If I were her, I would not be able to focus. Oh and everyone else in that match are not really even worth me mentioning. Overall though, anyone who speaks bad about me I will be glad to discuss how lame of a pro wrestler you are. There's a reason why I am here in PCW. It's quite simple actually...I always deliver on my word. Promise is defined as "an express assurance on which expectation is to be based." You, all however, seem to greatly struggle with this concept. It’s funny how you all been apart of PCW longer than I, but after this match it will be me not any of you guys walking out with the victory. And most of you should process the ability to remove me from the match with your partners or mutual allies you have going on in this match. A win should be a cakewalk for any of you because whenever you are feeling fatigued, you have the ring awareness or a buddy to help you in this match. But me? I'm here flying solo with no partner, no stable, no anything and my first night competing here, or competing professionally in this business for that matter, I came out winning my first match, I know that is not a lot to go on, but like any sport. A win is a win and confidence can't be higher for me.
And speaking of Tag Teams and Allies.. Jay Thunder, from what I've seen so far, Kai obviously the best thing happening for you right now. A great competitor and knows there way around the ring. But since you're only twenty-five I don't think you are at risk for memory loss or dementia just yet, but didn't you lose in what they called at the time your biggest match of the year last Rapture? If that is the best you can do, then what does that say about who carries the weight for you?
But speaking of all that, I just realized something......
{{Alex begins to chuckle}}
In the end, I became them and I lead them. My blood coursed as theirs and as theirs it ran along pavement and gold. I never quite thought of myself as human, but when you’ve come face to face with your own humanity that waits within the core of everyone, you begin to realize how small you are in this world, and how small this world is in the solar system; the solar system in the galaxy; the galaxy in the universe; and the universe in the multiverse. It’s fascinating really, to think that we don’t matter, that our lives are as insignificant as that of a microscopic black hole that blinks out of existence as fast as did came to being.”
{{He said, and his tone of voice seemed somber at first, but then it began to build as passion took the wheel.}}
However, the multiverse tells us otherwise. In one, I might be dead, but in this I’m not. In one, I might be in THW, and the battle is taking place in a Grave Yard, but in this it isn’t. I’m ready to finally branch out and feel this thing called the human experience, and drive it like a suicide bomber into the multiverse with no regrets and no second guesses. The first step for expansion; or big bang, if you will, is to take foot in PCW and defeat all of these competitors! The stipulations are wild and the rewards great, but it’s not the money I want, nor is it a title, but the chance to finally be there standing as the last man to have survived and conquered something greater than himself. What I aim to do is to be that spec and tell the universe with a bold declaration that I’m taking control and what I do matters, and what I do counts! To change the world, you need to change yourself and you need to let passion take the wheel.
So, when I step in that ring, within the arms of those I know not, I will look to the sky and see no God, but possibilities for something greater. There is no barrier that can’t be broken, no brick wall that can’t tumble without cultural impact. There are no risks without action and no actions without risk. I’ll put my body and my career on the line one more time to prove that I am the better man, not because I think that I am, but because I know I can be and I know that someone needs to be. Someone, anyone, preferably myself needs to be the one to stand up and lead a nation to change, to lead a world. I don’t follow the leader, I am the leader. I don’t have followers, I have thousands of artists willing to break the mould and become something of themselves and my message coming into the match for everyone involved is to be what you need to be to be there and be on top. It’s not your ego you need to do proud, but yourself and everyone watching. Struggle for Power so that everyone watching you will know that they too can do the same thing. That they too can rise up and defeat all of the problems that burden them and ascend to a greater sense of self awareness within this, our human experience. Some people will step on you on their way up, and some people will step on you on their way down. I step on you to make you step on me and rise higher and higher than even I, but that only challenges me to go just as higher and better than you. That sense of competition should be what everyone going into this amazing match needs to feel. Do it, not for the money, but to prove myself like I have never before.
I know deep inside that it brings me personal joy to accomplish so many great tasks, such as this. There’s a selfish joy in all of us that should be explored and felt, and I have and will again. Imagine the feeling being one of the freshest wrestlers in the ring? Now imagine the feeling of competing against 30 plus wrestlers and defeating each and every one of them to be labeled the last one to survive and the one who struggled the most to power. To know you are the best, well, I am the best of the best and the best at what I do. The best I can do will be on display come Struggle for Power, and I will win. I will win, not out of some arrogant notion that I think I’m better than everyone, but out of the notion that I”ll push myself harder because I know others are pushing themselves just as hard. I will win because I will not accept defeat and I will overcome this feat. History is now in the hands of PCW’s biggest historic moment of the year and I, as sure as fake hell am not passing up the opportunity to prove that I can be the best.
I’ve come a long way to prove myself to myself and to all of you. I do this to do what seems impossible. These odds are as varied as the multiverse itself, but there’s one thing I know that keeps the passion – the fire – inside of me growing and burning stronger than ever as I walk into Struggle for Power! That’s the fact that throughout an infinite number of possibilities in a multiverse, there’s always going to be at least one where I have succeeded all of the odds. When you realize the possibilities then that makes me realize that I want this life, and this universe to achieve every single one of them. If I know I can, then I will. I know I will Struggle and I know I have the Power, and I know that in PCW there’s a golden chance to put two and two together and do what very little have before. So, in the end I became them and I lead them. After all, none of us really qualified as human. We’re expected to achieve greater than just human. I’ll see my various opponents then, and I can’t wait to step on you on my way, and I can’t wait to guide you up on my way down!
{{Alex places his hands in his pockets before continuing}}
To say that my match at Struggle for Power is important would definitely be in contention for 'Most Underrated Thing Said This Year'. My match is not just important to and my supporters, it is pretty much vital to my career as an PCW Superstar. Not only would a win against everybody in the match prove my worth to the company, it would prove my true ability in the ring, and it would put me on the fast track to a championship match against one of my company's top champions in the future, something that I know some of my opponents seem to have in her back pocket. However, if I were to lose at this enormous event, then it would be another fatal blow to my career. It wouldn't get me any more respect backstage than I have now and I would have to go that much more down the line of Superstars and Stunners waiting for a shot at the top spot. That right there is something that I just can NOT let happen to me. After almost God knows how long of being on the negative end of things, it is about time that I get myself back on the right track to the spot that I know that I deserve! Whether anybody likes it or not!
I know that there are people that will say that I'm too "inexperienced" in the ring to be entered into this or that I "can't compare" myself to some of the other participants in terms of in-ring ability. To those people, I suggest that they make sure to tune in on show night and prepare to be shocked. I'm sure that they will be pleasantly surprised at what I can do when I have the opportunities to. Even through the huge clusterfuck of competition that is going to go down, I will try my hardest to shine brighter and stronger than all the rest. When I have this much on the line, these many people starting to believe in me again. and so many counting on me to come out victorious, I'm not about to let them down. Not only are all those people counting on me, I'm counting on myself, so to speak. I know that I have what it takes to be the holder of the PCW Championship, I know I have the ability and moveset to win all of my future matches, and I definitely know I have the intestinal fortitude to come out the winner!
I am not going to try and put up a front and say that this will be easy to beat. That would just be idiotic and asinine. I know that the challenge I have ahead of me won't be easy. I know that I'm going to give the match my absolute best, as I know everybody will try her absolute hardest to try and put me away. We all are going to give 100% and we should blow the roof off the arena! Although, I have been defeated by a fair amount of people before now, I'm not contemplating on adding another person's name to that list any time soon. I think my friend, one of my colleagues, said it best when he said that 'all you can think about is a match five seconds down the line'. This will be yet another way of improving the standing within my own company.
You guys, this is truly one of the greatest opportunities I have had ever. Possibly even in my entire 21 years on our planet Earth. There is not many people who can say that they have faced the calibre of opponents that I have for all the glory and prestige that the PCW has to offer. Not many men or women can say that they have had the good fortune of showing off their wrestling ability against some of the extremely stiff competition in this sport. But, I get to be one of those people. My fingers feel like electricity is surging through them each and every time I think about it. Not only do I get to face former champions and, possibly, rising up-and-comers, but, I get to face some people who I consider as my allies in this. I had to do everything by myself. There was never really that one person who actually "showed me the ropes", so I would not seriously hurt myself. Looking back on it now, I was the one that really pushed myself to get out of my own way and enter the ring at all. Without that motivational push, who knows where I'd be right now. Buried knee deep in a sea of paperwork? Watching all the action unfold backstage only? Always stressing about time management and schedules? I. Do. Not. Think. So. That is definitely not how I wanted the rest of my career to be spent.
While we do share a common respect. If we did not have that, the cat claws would've been out a long, long time ago. We all can appreciate what we bring to the table and, believe it or not, we all can learn at least a little something from each other. Even though it could be said that I can always improve with the actual in-ring work, I am only going to get better and better with each passing week. I have my whole life ahead of me to hone skills, while some of the other competitors I noticed have only a few more years in the tank. There is more than enough time for me to get the "perfect formula" and put it to use and rise my way all the way to the very top. Until then, I will continuously work to beat the respect and maybe not so much respected people in this tournament.
Unfortunately, respect or not, there is always that nagging question in the back of my brain that keeps sneaking forward every now and again. No matter how hard I train or how much time I spend practicing and learning new moves, that one question just will not go away. It is the question that almost everybody asks me when I walk down the street. 'What If?' What if I lose Struggle for Power? What if I am not good enough to come out victorious? What if I never get a shot at the title? All those questions keep coming back and coming back like they are flies swarming around a lightbulb. There has always been some kind of doubt in my head. Even back when I was just starting to think about this match in the first place. That doubt, if anything, was the reason that I waited so long, instead of just going for it right away. What if I get injured the week before and have to withdraw my name? What if I get told by upper management that I should hold back and keep training first? If anything, this could be considered a test for me to see how far I have left to go. If I lose, then I lose and I know how much harder I have to work before I get another chance. If I can actually win, then it would be a meter to see how hard I have to work to actually retain the conditions I bad when the time comes for me to do so. But, honestly, what's the worst that could happen if I lose at Struggle for Power? Worst case scenario is that I just head back to the locker room and continue on with the rest of the night. I'll just take it as a learning experience and use that to motivate myself to keep going and fighting.
Nevertheless, I asked for this. I wanted to test myself against the standard here. I wanted the chance at seeing where I stand in the wrestling world. I was the one who made the decision to go ahead and take the chance. Whether people want to call me a fool, an opportunist, or just a downright idiot, it does not really matter all that much in the grand scheme of things. Not matter what anyone says, wants to say, thinks about saying, or even writes down in a letter that gets put in a bottle and sent down the Milwaukee River, this match is going to happen. This battle will wage on and somebody will have to come out as the winner. Everybody knows the stats, percentages, odds, ratios, or whatever you want to call them. It is common knowledge who has the more experience between the lot of us. But, that is not going to stop me from giving absolutely two hundred percent. No matter what the outcome is, I will still continue to compete at my highest level all the way until the very end. They say that even the strongest wall can he broken down with a single stick of dynamite. Hopefully, we will get to test that theory a multitude of times.
In the long run, it really does not matter to me whether my opponents have or will take a liking to me or not. If they do happen to like me, then that is great! If they want to rip my guts out and stomp them into the dust, then that will be even better!! I did not decide to come to this wrestling company to make friends. If I wanted to make friends, I would just hang out at the clubs and drink my head off every night of the week. I decided to come to this specific tournament, out of all the others, because I wanted to show what I can do and, finally, be known for as the guy who will do absolutely anything to get the opportunities I know that I deserve. My opponents can underestimate me and think that this match against me will be a breeze, but when I make my grand entrance, everybody will see the unexpected, they will be shocked at what I do inside of the ring, and they will see why I am the one....the only...ALEX TRIDENT!!!
Once we are all in the ring and the starting bell has rung, are we not all equal in opportunity and chance? Does not luck play just as big a part as actual skill? Struggle for power is almost upon us and that means that the moment in which we find ourselves embroiled in a tough struggle in order to determine which of us is right...which of us is "better". If you let your cockiness and overconfidence guide you and cloud your vision, then it will be your, as well as countless others', irrevocable and inescapable downfall. Though one thing I will say before I go, is this...you can speak of your own intentions and goals, but, passion is what drives me. Passion for this business is what gets me through life itself. This can be a physical battle as well as a battle to see who wants it more...
{{Alex shakes his head and lets out a slight laugh}}
I won't lie though, preparing myself for all of the different competitors was not an easy task. Is not an easy task. Seeing names that I have been at odds with and others I know nothing about. Names of people who have been hyped beyond belief, names of people that will float under the radar. Friends, enemies, adversaries, rivals, they're all here. I thought about having fun with it, throwing out the circus comparison, but it just didn't do it justice
Because, in the end, this isn't a circus. This isn't a ring of fun with popcorn and clowns. This time around, this is much, much more. This time, it's going to be an all out war.
"Everyone has already seen the blood that has been shed and the tempers that have flared in the weeks leading up, and everyone has heard the promises of victory. No one is going to be holding back anything once they get into that ring and as long as they remain, they are going to give it everything they have and then some. That's how it was last time when I watched it on my television and that's how I'm sure it will be this year.
After all, there are people in this field that have the ability to take any match over and run with it. Make it theirs to lose no matter the odds. We have former winners, runners ups and so on and so fourth. There are also men as clean cut as me, men who lie, cheat and steal, men who verbally abuse their opponents as if they have tourette's. There are a number of dark horses in this event this year, who could make it to the end with everyone watching on, mouths open, wondering how. There are those that see me as a talented man, and those that see me as a mere obstacle, a means to an end in their favor.
And of course, there are the unknowns. The groups that seem to be hidden amongst everyone else in this shroud of a shadow. They remained quiet prior to the match and now they find themselves in prime position. I mean, take the myself for for example. I bet you can't say that I've heard of a single I have done before, and since haven't made any true noise, outside of tapes I am relatively unknown. Their numbers along make them a threat, though, because if any of them team up and work together, then they could be a force to be reckoned with throughout the entire event.
Which only makes winning that much more desirable.
Not because I want to win for winnings sake, but because I want to prove all of them wrong. I want to show them that this Cowboy has what it takes to compete with some of the best. That the fact that I have been rewarded with this contract and opportunity isn't just by some fluke.
Of course, I haven't forgotten about the fans that have driven me to get to where I am. And really, if you ask me, that would be the only other thing topping the want to prove myself. Fighting for them. Rewarding them for all of their support over the past year through my ups and downs in my personal life. Some people question why the fans are so important, and to those people I say that the fans make the quintessential difference between a loss and a win. Chanting your name could be enough to get you over the hump, turn a lackluster effort into something of brilliance, and pull out the win against what some might call impossible odds. I will never forget the support they have given me. I make sure that every match is fought for them, so that they will always have something to remember. I make sure that their jaws are dropped at the end of each night.
I show them that their support is welcomed.
This match is nothing but a war, and in the end, one person is going to have survived the onslaught and conquered over everyone else. It's what everyone is waiting for, what everyone has been expecting since the moment the match was announced. And while many of these people have legitimate shots at coming out on top, I am going to make sure that the match resembles this table, with only one courageous hero left standing tall in the center.
{{Alex takes his hands out of his pockets and smiles a confident smile before finally finishing up}}
A good friend of mine back in high school would always say to me “Belief is shown by life.” I didn’t find this statement profound at the time, but now, it rocks me every time it enters my mind. What you believe will show forth through your life. If I believe that I can defy the laws of gravity and fly, why put my beliefs to test in a miniscule way? You better believe that I’m going to hop on the first plane to New York City, go to the top of the Empire State Building, put my beliefs to the test and leap off of the top floor. Some might think that I’m talking crazy right now, but the one who doesn’t do something on a grand scale such as that, I would think they are the crazy one. If you view your beliefs as objective, put them to the test.
Being here is a test. Round trip international plane tickets and a few nights in a five star hotel are costly, but this is my way of testing my beliefs. This is the only way I saw fit to prepare me for the next level. Many if not all of my opponents would sell their soul to reach the next level but are also at the same time unwilling to show the fruit of their longings in their day to day lives. It’s easy to get in front of a camera and belittle the next man but those words will fall on deaf ears if you aren’t putting in work outside of your on camera time. Julius Caesar has been dead and gone for over two thousand years now but here I am, a twenty-one year old man from Dayton, Ohio, trying to do something as powerful and memorable as he did. I don’t desire power, fame, or fortune, those things are fleeting. My sole desire is to go down in the history books of this sport as one of the greatest to ever do it. Make fun of me going to college, my failure at a movie career, or the way that I talk all you want because none of that will ever faze me. I’m too grown to let small things like that get to me. I’m on my way to accomplishing my childhood dreams and you all are just obstacles in my way of reaching them. I’d like to thank you for tuning in today. I’ll see you before you know it.
{{The scene slowly fades to black as Alex and his friends make their way closer to the splendid historical site.}}
"I came, I saw, I conquered. From record sales to sold out concerts." – Jay-Z. These lyrics were voiced by the multiplatinum rapper on his 2003 song entitled "Encore."
Veni - Latin for "I came"
{{The scene opens to the inside of the Kayseri Erkilet International Airport. Kayseri is a large industrialized city located in Central Anatolia, Turkey. Though the airport is fairly busy, PCW future star Alex Trident is immediately spotted nearby along with two familiar companions of his. One of Trident’s companions is the unidentified young Hispanic woman with long dark hair and the other is a young unidentified African American male. Another reason for pinpointing Trident with ease in the midst of the chaotic crowd is because of his clothing. Not clad in your average Turkish garments, Trident’s wearing a dark blue and gold Premium Championship Wrestling hoodie, light blue jeans, and a pair of dark blue, gold, and white Nike sneakers. He and his friends are walking towards the camera toting their luggage and eventually get close enough to have their conversation heard more clearly.}}
Young African American Male: So this is it huh?
{{He looks around in minor disgust.}}
Alex "Snow" Trident: Yup! This is it. I can’t believe we are actually here though! This place is so rich with history and ancient civilization, it’s pretty amazing!
Young African American Male: If I recall correctly, didn’t you hate history class at Flagler?
Alex "Snow" Trident: Kind of, but that’s a bit different.
Young African American Male: How is it different?
Alex "Snow" Trident: Because back then, I was forced to learn the material. Nobody likes to be forced to do anything they really don’t want to. And plus, my teacher was monotone and boring as heck.
{{Alex and his friends laugh.}}
Young African American Male: Who’d you have again?
Alex "Snow" Trident: Mr. Long…
{{The young male cringes.}}
Young African American Male: Ugh! I had that dude my freshman year…what a clown! He bored me to tears each class.
Alex "Snow" Trident: You mean like the [/b]Whole roster of PCW[/b]?
{{Alex and his friends laugh louder than before.}}
Young African American Male: That’s a low blow man. Leave them clowns alone.
Alex "Snow" Trident: Hahaha! Yeah, you’re right. But Mr. Long, I was so ready to drop the class but he was the only one teaching it that semester that coincided with my schedule.
Young African American Male: Hmm, makes sense…
Alex "Snow" Trident: Well, it didn’t at first but it does now…
{{The young woman interrupts Alex and his friend.}}
Young Hispanic Woman: Does anyone know where we are going?
Young African American Male: I’m not even going to lie ‘cause I don’t…
Alex "Snow" Trident: We’re going in the right direction. This is just a big airport, bigger than the one in Jacksonville, so the walk to the front seems like it’s taking forever.
Young African American Male: Hey Ant, what’s the manual say about taxis?
Alex "Snow" Trident: We’re good man. The hotel concierge arranged all of that for us.
Young African American Male: Oh for real? That’s what’s up then. I’m definitely not trying to stand out or look like a tourist. Floridians aren’t exactly acquainted with sufficient public transportation.
{{Alex laughs.}}
Alex "Snow" Trident: You got that right.
{{Alex glances over towards his female friend.}}
What’s wrong? Honestly, I promise you we are going in the right direction. You know I hate being lost.
Young Hispanic Woman: It’s not that babe…I’m just a bit nervous babe…
Alex "Snow" Trident: Aww, come here girl.
{{Alex places his arm around her and pulls her closer to him.}}
We’ll be fine; we don’t have anything to worry about. We’ll all be together the entire trip. Turkey is just like any other place. It’s just the culture that’s different for the most part…
Young African American Male: And the radical Islamists.
{{Alex bites his bottom lip and punches his friend in the arm.}}
Alex "Snow" Trident: Shut up man!! Dag!
Young African American Male: My bad dude, chill…
{{Alex begins shaking his head. As deeply exhales, he reaches into his jean pocket and pulls out a small pamphlet. He redirects his attention towards the camera.}}
Alex "Snow" Trident: I apologize for my friend over here but what’s going on everybody? Or should I say Merhaba…that’s hello in Turkish. If you take a quick look around…
{{Alex pauses for a brief moment.}}
It’s obvious that we aren’t in the United States any more. I needed a few days to get away, far away at that, to get my head clear before Struggle for Power. So much has been going through my mind and so much pressure from others and even myself have been consuming me as of late. I’m so glad that you all are able to witness our little excursion over here firsthand. I know we’re going to have a great time and I truly hope you enjoy what you see.
{{Alex looks to his right. He sees a bearded male holding a small white sign saying “Trident.” Trident’s friend points in the direction of the man.}}
Young African American Male: Is that him right there, Ant?
{{Alex gently moves his friend’s hand back down by his side.}}
Alex "Snow" Trident: If pointing is rude in America, what makes you think it won’t be over here? You really are bugging right now aren’t you?
{{Trident’s friend titters.}}
Young African American Male: Oh, so you’re a foreign customs expert now? You plan on opting out of your PCW contract and becoming a foreign ambassador for the Obama Administration?
Alex "Snow" Trident: Obama Administration??! You’re kidding me right?
{{Trident pauses.}}
A think and doing man's Administration I would consider, but Obama? I would never dedicate an ounce of my being to that man or his entire administration.
{{Trident refocuses on the bearded man.}}
But yeah, I think that’s our taxi driver over there. With that being said, we’ll catch you all in about four and a half hours. That’s how long it’ll take to arrive to our next destination. The sleep will do me good anyway. This time zone change is driving me crazy already and we just landed! See you all soon…
{{Alex and his friends continue to walk towards the taxi driver and attempt to begin talking to him with the help of their Turkish/English dictionaries as the scene fades to black.}}
Vidi - Latin for "I saw"[/u]
"Having en, he celebrated five triumphs, four in a single month, but at intervals of a few days, after vanquishing Scipio; and another on defeating Pompey's sons. The first and most splendid was the Gallic triumph, the next the Alexandrian, then the Pontic, after that the African, and finally the Spanish, each differing from the rest in its equipment and display of spoils. 2. As he rode through the Velabrum on the day of his Gallic triumph, the axle of his chariot broke, and he was all but thrown out; and he mounted the Capitol by torchlight, with forty elephants bearing lamps on his right and his left. In his Pontic triumph he displayed among the show-pieces of the procession an inscription of but three words, "I came, I saw, I conquered," not indicating the events of the war, as the others did, but the speed with which it was finished."*
{{The camera pans right to see Alex close a book with one of his finger’s still in it to hold his place. He’s seated on a chair inside of a dimly lit room. He glances up at the camera and begins to speak.}}
Alex "Snow" Trident: For some reason, this story was not relevant to me at all during my time at Flagler College. Maybe I was too busy trying to holler at all of the girls.
{{Alex smiles.}}
Unfortunately, slaving away for a degree isolates you from the reality of what does and does not apply to you. That’s the trap that many students fall into while trying to chase the American “dream.” Keep your GPA elevated so you don’t lose your financial aid and negate any other opportunities because these next four years will define who you are for the rest of your life and propel you to that lucrative career you’ve been dreaming about for years. What an unfavorable lie that is! And the crazy thing is that I loved every single minute of my college experience. I don’t regret the late night cram sessions, dozing off in class, or waiting until the last minute to start and complete a twenty page essay. I know that just threw some people off. I bet you expected me to make myself out to be some sort of model student or something…
{{Alex slightly snickers.}}
I was far from that believe me, but I was disciplined enough to still pass and graduate with honors. I mean it was either that or become a casualty at the hands of my mother because she was forking out a lot of money. I’ll forever cherish those moments because they helped in making me who I am. But walking across that stage at graduation, being handed my degree, and posing for a few pictures here and there, I couldn’t echo the words of Julius Caesar in this book right here. I couldn’t boldly or even timidly murmur the phrase “veni, vidi, vici” because though I consider myself intellectual, I didn’t conquer the college world per se because my heart wasn’t there. Yes, my head was there. My critical thinking and problem solving skills were also present and fined tuned, but my heart…my heart belonged to wrestling. It had always been that way…
The fact of not having a father in my household growing up but still having a father present in my life was a blessing in disguise. Calling up my pops when I first started learning how to shave or when I needed advice for my first date made me feel validated as a man. And like college, those moments will remain with me for as long as I live. But whenever I made good grades or won a game at school, my dad would tell me that he had a surprise for me. I never wanted it to be a new bike or a new toy, but I always wanted it to be tickets to a live wrestling event and eighty percent of the time it was. These events were not just opportunities for me to spend quality time with my father, but my father was unknowingly cultivating a strong desire within me. The desire to one day be a participant in the events themselves and no longer just a spectator.
That’s what brought me here. Not just to Premium Championship Wrestling, but to Zile, Turkey. Not only did I feel the need for some overseas solitude before Struggle for Power, but something hit me. Reading Suetonius’ book in my bedroom is cool and all, but what if I could read the words of this great ancient wordsmith in the very same city that Julius Caesar himself made the historic declaration? This is motivation for me and going up against other hungry individuals who would kill for a trophy, bragging rights, and of course the shot at the championship. I’m going to need all of the motivation I can get…but this…this here is a great place to begin. I’ve traveled abroad many times before, but mainly for family vacations and things of that nature. Rest and relaxation were all that I had obtained prior to this specific trip. This trip serves as a pilgrimage and if all goes according to plan, I will not return to American soil the same. I, Alex Trident, am transforming right before your very eyes.
{{Suddenly, a faint vibration noise is heard. Alex pulls a black iPhone 4S from his pocket. He glances at it and begins to read what appears to be a text message to himself aloud.}}
Hey…we are on the way up. See you soon…
{{Alex places the phone down on the nearby coffee table.}}
Hold that thought, I’m going to get ready really quick…
{{Alex gets up from his seat and walks over to the bathroom. He turns on the water and begins to wash his face inside of the sink. As he grabs a towel and starts to pat his face dry, the main entrance door swings open and his two friends walk in.}}[/color]
Young African American Male: Ready to roll my dude?
{{Alex speaks loudly from the bathroom.}}
Alex "Snow" Trident: Yeah!
Young Hispanic Woman: The lobby is so gorgeous babe! When we get back, you’ve got to go exploring with me. You’ve been cooped up in the room for hours.
{{Alex exits the bathroom.}}
Alex "Snow" Trident: Yeah, I know. That’s my fault…it’s just this book…I can’t put it down.
Young African American Male: Who travels to the other side of the world just to read a book?
{{Alex gives his friend a stern look.}}
Alex "Snow" Trident: Uh newsflash, the book is the whole reason we’re here. That’s the point!
Young African American Male: Yeah, I know but…
{{Alex cuts him off.}}
Alex "Snow" Trident: But what? But nothing. Nobody made you come, you wanted to come.
Young Hispanic Woman: Okay guys, really? This is so not necessary right now. You two have been bickering almost the entire trip. Let’s just go downstairs, hop in the taxi, and go to the site…
Alex "Snow" Trident: Cool…
{{Alex grabs his phone from the coffee table and then exits the room.}}
Young African American Male: Your boy is really tripping right now.
Young Hispanic Woman: No, he isn’t. He’s just had a really long day. All of us have. Let’s just enjoy the rest of the day without anymore mishaps okay?
Young African American Male: Deal…
{{They also exit the room. The scene shifts to the three of them riding inside of a taxi cab; Alex is seated in the front passenger seat holding a Turkish/English dictionary along with his copy of Suetonius’ Lives of the Twelve Caesars: Julius folded in his lap. His friends ride silently in the backseat gazing out the window.}}
Alex "Snow" Trident: Nerede Julius Caesar savaþta site?
{{The English subtitle “Where is the Julius Caesar battle site?” appears at the bottom of the screen.}}
Taxi Driver: Caesar? On dakika yok.
{{The English subtitle “Ten minutes away” appears at the bottom of the screen.}}
Alex "Snow" Trident: Bizi burada.
{{The English subtitle “Take us there” appears at the bottom of the screen.}}
Taxi Driver: Evet.
{{The English subtitle “Yes” appears at the bottom of the screen. Alex then turns his attention towards his friends.}}
Alex "Snow" Trident: It’s really close; only about ten minutes away.
Young Hispanic Woman: Oh okay, that’s not bad.
Alex "Snow" Trident: You good man?
Young African American Male: Yeah, I’m good. My fault about earlier. I’m a bit nervous myself and I overreacted.
Alex "Snow" Trident: Don’t sweat it fam, it’s all love…
{{Alex turns around and silence amongst the group once again fills the taxi. Only the sounds of Turkish music at a low volume can be heard in the background. A few minutes quickly lapse as the taxi slowly comes to a halt.}}
Taxi Driver: Bu kadar.
{{The English subtitle “This is it” appears at the bottom of the screen.}}
Alex "Snow" Trident: Teþekkürler.
{{The English subtitle “Thanks” appears at the bottom of the screen as Alex reaches into his pocket and pulls out a few crumpled liras, the Turkish currency, and gives them to the taxi driver.}}
Taxi Driver: Bir þey deðil.
{{The English subtitle “You’re welcome” appears at the bottom of the screen as Alex and his friends open the doors and exit the taxi. As the taxi slowly drives off, the three witness a beautiful sight of grassy fields and plush trees. Beautiful mountains also emerge from the background. Alex deeply inhales, exhales, and then he begins to speak.}}
Alex "Snow" Trident: Finally! This is it! This is the site that historians believe that Julius Caesar defeated Pharnaces II. To make the Senate aware of his victory, Caesar wrote to them saying “veni, vidi, vici.” Well I came to Zile, known as Zela in the times of Caesar, and I’ve seen the actual place with my own eyes. Now all that is left for me to do is to conquer…and that consummates on December 8th thousands of miles away from here at Struggle for Power. While many will simply just be trying to survive, I’ll be shouting vici from the mountaintop.
Vici - Latin for "I conquered"[/u]
It’s quite difficult to gather the words that I would like to convey at this point. Not only am I grateful to be in the running for the the PCW Championship, I thank God for my debut match with Jenny Tuck. Not just for the opportunity itself, but also for the outcome. The outcome gave me the reality check that I needed. I was brought to the realization that I’m still growing and evolving as an athlete, but also the fact that when my mind is made up on accomplishing a goal, I do all that I can to deliver. Look at how I went in to the Rapture I expected to get the victory and came extremely close to losing. A rookie in his debut match won a very hard and grueling match which anyone would have trouble with. For all of the critics out there, if my match against Jenny didn’t prove that I’ll be a force to be reckoned with here in the PCW, I guess I’ll just have to silence you at Struggle for Power.
The outcome of my match was a bit different as I came out victorious and gave the skeptics something else to talk about. No offense to Jenny or anything, but I wanted that win more than she did. I honestly don’t even know why or how she attempts to wrestle with all of that stuff going on. If I were her, I would not be able to focus. Oh and everyone else in that match are not really even worth me mentioning. Overall though, anyone who speaks bad about me I will be glad to discuss how lame of a pro wrestler you are. There's a reason why I am here in PCW. It's quite simple actually...I always deliver on my word. Promise is defined as "an express assurance on which expectation is to be based." You, all however, seem to greatly struggle with this concept. It’s funny how you all been apart of PCW longer than I, but after this match it will be me not any of you guys walking out with the victory. And most of you should process the ability to remove me from the match with your partners or mutual allies you have going on in this match. A win should be a cakewalk for any of you because whenever you are feeling fatigued, you have the ring awareness or a buddy to help you in this match. But me? I'm here flying solo with no partner, no stable, no anything and my first night competing here, or competing professionally in this business for that matter, I came out winning my first match, I know that is not a lot to go on, but like any sport. A win is a win and confidence can't be higher for me.
And speaking of Tag Teams and Allies.. Jay Thunder, from what I've seen so far, Kai obviously the best thing happening for you right now. A great competitor and knows there way around the ring. But since you're only twenty-five I don't think you are at risk for memory loss or dementia just yet, but didn't you lose in what they called at the time your biggest match of the year last Rapture? If that is the best you can do, then what does that say about who carries the weight for you?
But speaking of all that, I just realized something......
{{Alex begins to chuckle}}
In the end, I became them and I lead them. My blood coursed as theirs and as theirs it ran along pavement and gold. I never quite thought of myself as human, but when you’ve come face to face with your own humanity that waits within the core of everyone, you begin to realize how small you are in this world, and how small this world is in the solar system; the solar system in the galaxy; the galaxy in the universe; and the universe in the multiverse. It’s fascinating really, to think that we don’t matter, that our lives are as insignificant as that of a microscopic black hole that blinks out of existence as fast as did came to being.”
{{He said, and his tone of voice seemed somber at first, but then it began to build as passion took the wheel.}}
However, the multiverse tells us otherwise. In one, I might be dead, but in this I’m not. In one, I might be in THW, and the battle is taking place in a Grave Yard, but in this it isn’t. I’m ready to finally branch out and feel this thing called the human experience, and drive it like a suicide bomber into the multiverse with no regrets and no second guesses. The first step for expansion; or big bang, if you will, is to take foot in PCW and defeat all of these competitors! The stipulations are wild and the rewards great, but it’s not the money I want, nor is it a title, but the chance to finally be there standing as the last man to have survived and conquered something greater than himself. What I aim to do is to be that spec and tell the universe with a bold declaration that I’m taking control and what I do matters, and what I do counts! To change the world, you need to change yourself and you need to let passion take the wheel.
So, when I step in that ring, within the arms of those I know not, I will look to the sky and see no God, but possibilities for something greater. There is no barrier that can’t be broken, no brick wall that can’t tumble without cultural impact. There are no risks without action and no actions without risk. I’ll put my body and my career on the line one more time to prove that I am the better man, not because I think that I am, but because I know I can be and I know that someone needs to be. Someone, anyone, preferably myself needs to be the one to stand up and lead a nation to change, to lead a world. I don’t follow the leader, I am the leader. I don’t have followers, I have thousands of artists willing to break the mould and become something of themselves and my message coming into the match for everyone involved is to be what you need to be to be there and be on top. It’s not your ego you need to do proud, but yourself and everyone watching. Struggle for Power so that everyone watching you will know that they too can do the same thing. That they too can rise up and defeat all of the problems that burden them and ascend to a greater sense of self awareness within this, our human experience. Some people will step on you on their way up, and some people will step on you on their way down. I step on you to make you step on me and rise higher and higher than even I, but that only challenges me to go just as higher and better than you. That sense of competition should be what everyone going into this amazing match needs to feel. Do it, not for the money, but to prove myself like I have never before.
I know deep inside that it brings me personal joy to accomplish so many great tasks, such as this. There’s a selfish joy in all of us that should be explored and felt, and I have and will again. Imagine the feeling being one of the freshest wrestlers in the ring? Now imagine the feeling of competing against 30 plus wrestlers and defeating each and every one of them to be labeled the last one to survive and the one who struggled the most to power. To know you are the best, well, I am the best of the best and the best at what I do. The best I can do will be on display come Struggle for Power, and I will win. I will win, not out of some arrogant notion that I think I’m better than everyone, but out of the notion that I”ll push myself harder because I know others are pushing themselves just as hard. I will win because I will not accept defeat and I will overcome this feat. History is now in the hands of PCW’s biggest historic moment of the year and I, as sure as fake hell am not passing up the opportunity to prove that I can be the best.
I’ve come a long way to prove myself to myself and to all of you. I do this to do what seems impossible. These odds are as varied as the multiverse itself, but there’s one thing I know that keeps the passion – the fire – inside of me growing and burning stronger than ever as I walk into Struggle for Power! That’s the fact that throughout an infinite number of possibilities in a multiverse, there’s always going to be at least one where I have succeeded all of the odds. When you realize the possibilities then that makes me realize that I want this life, and this universe to achieve every single one of them. If I know I can, then I will. I know I will Struggle and I know I have the Power, and I know that in PCW there’s a golden chance to put two and two together and do what very little have before. So, in the end I became them and I lead them. After all, none of us really qualified as human. We’re expected to achieve greater than just human. I’ll see my various opponents then, and I can’t wait to step on you on my way, and I can’t wait to guide you up on my way down!
{{Alex places his hands in his pockets before continuing}}
To say that my match at Struggle for Power is important would definitely be in contention for 'Most Underrated Thing Said This Year'. My match is not just important to and my supporters, it is pretty much vital to my career as an PCW Superstar. Not only would a win against everybody in the match prove my worth to the company, it would prove my true ability in the ring, and it would put me on the fast track to a championship match against one of my company's top champions in the future, something that I know some of my opponents seem to have in her back pocket. However, if I were to lose at this enormous event, then it would be another fatal blow to my career. It wouldn't get me any more respect backstage than I have now and I would have to go that much more down the line of Superstars and Stunners waiting for a shot at the top spot. That right there is something that I just can NOT let happen to me. After almost God knows how long of being on the negative end of things, it is about time that I get myself back on the right track to the spot that I know that I deserve! Whether anybody likes it or not!
I know that there are people that will say that I'm too "inexperienced" in the ring to be entered into this or that I "can't compare" myself to some of the other participants in terms of in-ring ability. To those people, I suggest that they make sure to tune in on show night and prepare to be shocked. I'm sure that they will be pleasantly surprised at what I can do when I have the opportunities to. Even through the huge clusterfuck of competition that is going to go down, I will try my hardest to shine brighter and stronger than all the rest. When I have this much on the line, these many people starting to believe in me again. and so many counting on me to come out victorious, I'm not about to let them down. Not only are all those people counting on me, I'm counting on myself, so to speak. I know that I have what it takes to be the holder of the PCW Championship, I know I have the ability and moveset to win all of my future matches, and I definitely know I have the intestinal fortitude to come out the winner!
I am not going to try and put up a front and say that this will be easy to beat. That would just be idiotic and asinine. I know that the challenge I have ahead of me won't be easy. I know that I'm going to give the match my absolute best, as I know everybody will try her absolute hardest to try and put me away. We all are going to give 100% and we should blow the roof off the arena! Although, I have been defeated by a fair amount of people before now, I'm not contemplating on adding another person's name to that list any time soon. I think my friend, one of my colleagues, said it best when he said that 'all you can think about is a match five seconds down the line'. This will be yet another way of improving the standing within my own company.
You guys, this is truly one of the greatest opportunities I have had ever. Possibly even in my entire 21 years on our planet Earth. There is not many people who can say that they have faced the calibre of opponents that I have for all the glory and prestige that the PCW has to offer. Not many men or women can say that they have had the good fortune of showing off their wrestling ability against some of the extremely stiff competition in this sport. But, I get to be one of those people. My fingers feel like electricity is surging through them each and every time I think about it. Not only do I get to face former champions and, possibly, rising up-and-comers, but, I get to face some people who I consider as my allies in this. I had to do everything by myself. There was never really that one person who actually "showed me the ropes", so I would not seriously hurt myself. Looking back on it now, I was the one that really pushed myself to get out of my own way and enter the ring at all. Without that motivational push, who knows where I'd be right now. Buried knee deep in a sea of paperwork? Watching all the action unfold backstage only? Always stressing about time management and schedules? I. Do. Not. Think. So. That is definitely not how I wanted the rest of my career to be spent.
While we do share a common respect. If we did not have that, the cat claws would've been out a long, long time ago. We all can appreciate what we bring to the table and, believe it or not, we all can learn at least a little something from each other. Even though it could be said that I can always improve with the actual in-ring work, I am only going to get better and better with each passing week. I have my whole life ahead of me to hone skills, while some of the other competitors I noticed have only a few more years in the tank. There is more than enough time for me to get the "perfect formula" and put it to use and rise my way all the way to the very top. Until then, I will continuously work to beat the respect and maybe not so much respected people in this tournament.
Unfortunately, respect or not, there is always that nagging question in the back of my brain that keeps sneaking forward every now and again. No matter how hard I train or how much time I spend practicing and learning new moves, that one question just will not go away. It is the question that almost everybody asks me when I walk down the street. 'What If?' What if I lose Struggle for Power? What if I am not good enough to come out victorious? What if I never get a shot at the title? All those questions keep coming back and coming back like they are flies swarming around a lightbulb. There has always been some kind of doubt in my head. Even back when I was just starting to think about this match in the first place. That doubt, if anything, was the reason that I waited so long, instead of just going for it right away. What if I get injured the week before and have to withdraw my name? What if I get told by upper management that I should hold back and keep training first? If anything, this could be considered a test for me to see how far I have left to go. If I lose, then I lose and I know how much harder I have to work before I get another chance. If I can actually win, then it would be a meter to see how hard I have to work to actually retain the conditions I bad when the time comes for me to do so. But, honestly, what's the worst that could happen if I lose at Struggle for Power? Worst case scenario is that I just head back to the locker room and continue on with the rest of the night. I'll just take it as a learning experience and use that to motivate myself to keep going and fighting.
Nevertheless, I asked for this. I wanted to test myself against the standard here. I wanted the chance at seeing where I stand in the wrestling world. I was the one who made the decision to go ahead and take the chance. Whether people want to call me a fool, an opportunist, or just a downright idiot, it does not really matter all that much in the grand scheme of things. Not matter what anyone says, wants to say, thinks about saying, or even writes down in a letter that gets put in a bottle and sent down the Milwaukee River, this match is going to happen. This battle will wage on and somebody will have to come out as the winner. Everybody knows the stats, percentages, odds, ratios, or whatever you want to call them. It is common knowledge who has the more experience between the lot of us. But, that is not going to stop me from giving absolutely two hundred percent. No matter what the outcome is, I will still continue to compete at my highest level all the way until the very end. They say that even the strongest wall can he broken down with a single stick of dynamite. Hopefully, we will get to test that theory a multitude of times.
In the long run, it really does not matter to me whether my opponents have or will take a liking to me or not. If they do happen to like me, then that is great! If they want to rip my guts out and stomp them into the dust, then that will be even better!! I did not decide to come to this wrestling company to make friends. If I wanted to make friends, I would just hang out at the clubs and drink my head off every night of the week. I decided to come to this specific tournament, out of all the others, because I wanted to show what I can do and, finally, be known for as the guy who will do absolutely anything to get the opportunities I know that I deserve. My opponents can underestimate me and think that this match against me will be a breeze, but when I make my grand entrance, everybody will see the unexpected, they will be shocked at what I do inside of the ring, and they will see why I am the one....the only...ALEX TRIDENT!!!
Once we are all in the ring and the starting bell has rung, are we not all equal in opportunity and chance? Does not luck play just as big a part as actual skill? Struggle for power is almost upon us and that means that the moment in which we find ourselves embroiled in a tough struggle in order to determine which of us is right...which of us is "better". If you let your cockiness and overconfidence guide you and cloud your vision, then it will be your, as well as countless others', irrevocable and inescapable downfall. Though one thing I will say before I go, is this...you can speak of your own intentions and goals, but, passion is what drives me. Passion for this business is what gets me through life itself. This can be a physical battle as well as a battle to see who wants it more...
{{Alex shakes his head and lets out a slight laugh}}
I won't lie though, preparing myself for all of the different competitors was not an easy task. Is not an easy task. Seeing names that I have been at odds with and others I know nothing about. Names of people who have been hyped beyond belief, names of people that will float under the radar. Friends, enemies, adversaries, rivals, they're all here. I thought about having fun with it, throwing out the circus comparison, but it just didn't do it justice
Because, in the end, this isn't a circus. This isn't a ring of fun with popcorn and clowns. This time around, this is much, much more. This time, it's going to be an all out war.
"Everyone has already seen the blood that has been shed and the tempers that have flared in the weeks leading up, and everyone has heard the promises of victory. No one is going to be holding back anything once they get into that ring and as long as they remain, they are going to give it everything they have and then some. That's how it was last time when I watched it on my television and that's how I'm sure it will be this year.
After all, there are people in this field that have the ability to take any match over and run with it. Make it theirs to lose no matter the odds. We have former winners, runners ups and so on and so fourth. There are also men as clean cut as me, men who lie, cheat and steal, men who verbally abuse their opponents as if they have tourette's. There are a number of dark horses in this event this year, who could make it to the end with everyone watching on, mouths open, wondering how. There are those that see me as a talented man, and those that see me as a mere obstacle, a means to an end in their favor.
And of course, there are the unknowns. The groups that seem to be hidden amongst everyone else in this shroud of a shadow. They remained quiet prior to the match and now they find themselves in prime position. I mean, take the myself for for example. I bet you can't say that I've heard of a single I have done before, and since haven't made any true noise, outside of tapes I am relatively unknown. Their numbers along make them a threat, though, because if any of them team up and work together, then they could be a force to be reckoned with throughout the entire event.
Which only makes winning that much more desirable.
Not because I want to win for winnings sake, but because I want to prove all of them wrong. I want to show them that this Cowboy has what it takes to compete with some of the best. That the fact that I have been rewarded with this contract and opportunity isn't just by some fluke.
Of course, I haven't forgotten about the fans that have driven me to get to where I am. And really, if you ask me, that would be the only other thing topping the want to prove myself. Fighting for them. Rewarding them for all of their support over the past year through my ups and downs in my personal life. Some people question why the fans are so important, and to those people I say that the fans make the quintessential difference between a loss and a win. Chanting your name could be enough to get you over the hump, turn a lackluster effort into something of brilliance, and pull out the win against what some might call impossible odds. I will never forget the support they have given me. I make sure that every match is fought for them, so that they will always have something to remember. I make sure that their jaws are dropped at the end of each night.
I show them that their support is welcomed.
This match is nothing but a war, and in the end, one person is going to have survived the onslaught and conquered over everyone else. It's what everyone is waiting for, what everyone has been expecting since the moment the match was announced. And while many of these people have legitimate shots at coming out on top, I am going to make sure that the match resembles this table, with only one courageous hero left standing tall in the center.
{{Alex takes his hands out of his pockets and smiles a confident smile before finally finishing up}}
A good friend of mine back in high school would always say to me “Belief is shown by life.” I didn’t find this statement profound at the time, but now, it rocks me every time it enters my mind. What you believe will show forth through your life. If I believe that I can defy the laws of gravity and fly, why put my beliefs to test in a miniscule way? You better believe that I’m going to hop on the first plane to New York City, go to the top of the Empire State Building, put my beliefs to the test and leap off of the top floor. Some might think that I’m talking crazy right now, but the one who doesn’t do something on a grand scale such as that, I would think they are the crazy one. If you view your beliefs as objective, put them to the test.
Being here is a test. Round trip international plane tickets and a few nights in a five star hotel are costly, but this is my way of testing my beliefs. This is the only way I saw fit to prepare me for the next level. Many if not all of my opponents would sell their soul to reach the next level but are also at the same time unwilling to show the fruit of their longings in their day to day lives. It’s easy to get in front of a camera and belittle the next man but those words will fall on deaf ears if you aren’t putting in work outside of your on camera time. Julius Caesar has been dead and gone for over two thousand years now but here I am, a twenty-one year old man from Dayton, Ohio, trying to do something as powerful and memorable as he did. I don’t desire power, fame, or fortune, those things are fleeting. My sole desire is to go down in the history books of this sport as one of the greatest to ever do it. Make fun of me going to college, my failure at a movie career, or the way that I talk all you want because none of that will ever faze me. I’m too grown to let small things like that get to me. I’m on my way to accomplishing my childhood dreams and you all are just obstacles in my way of reaching them. I’d like to thank you for tuning in today. I’ll see you before you know it.
{{The scene slowly fades to black as Alex and his friends make their way closer to the splendid historical site.}}
