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Post by itfactor on May 7, 2024 14:36:05 GMT -6
Roode smiles after he listens to Shibata.
Katsuyori... The thing I like right here is that we both believe in our words. We both believe it. I can hear it in your tone. You really believe it and I respect it because I believe no matter what, a man should speak of what he believes in. Then, he should proceed to prove that what he says is real, that he can achieve it. Accomplish it. This right here is a great debate. Two different opinions, thoughts. This here is a clash of reality. Who's reality is the one we live in? Who is saying the truth? And which one believes in his own words and lives in some kind of a simulation. We will see it at Backlash and there is still time until that. What more to say huh? You can't convince me, I can't convince you and that is another reason that we will fight. That is another reason of this business. Men and women not being able to be on same page and trying to prove the worth of their words. It's a debate that is finally settled in the ring. Professional Wrestling is an art and you are an artist, I have to admit. But you sound like an artist who is bitter, who has past his prime, looking back at glory days and wanting them. That's how you sound. Don't get me wrong, you are still damn good. Well, you talk lowly of my in ring talent and what I am still capable of while I praise you. I don't expect it to be mutual, it just... It's weird but it's not important. It will add into my value after I beat you at Backlash because as I said, the better the opponent sweeter the victory. You listened to me, I listened to you but I think one thing is missing. You are right, I have heart and I might be a bit reckless but my words? They are always calculated, they are always picked with the upmost care and attention because I am a man who wants to prove what he says. I put money where my mouth is, I have to be right. So before I say something, I listen it in myself. Before I say it, in that millisecond once again I listen it right before it goes out of my lips and reach into your ear. Not to mention all of them are processed, filtered from here, this brain which I would advise you to be careful of because despite being kind of a changed man, it is still dirty and it is still working so damn good like a well-oiled machine. Unlike your severely damaged head. Maybe all you say is because of it, who knows? But... my question, what is missing? Not an object, but something I said. Listening to yourself. You do not listen to yourself! Listen to yourself for the love of god. No disrespect to you, your talent and your legacy but... You are just in the same spot as me. You came back as well and you are out of your prime too! You are no more that guy you used to be. You are not feared as much as you were feared anymore and you have so much to prove and that includes proving it to me! Because all these things you say, despite sounding quite honest about it, is false. It is just claims and rumors that, I believe, will not turn into reality. You say you are a realist but all I see is a man in simulation. Maybe you have ChatGPT write your words and that's why they don't make sense. ChatGPT might think it's back in 2010's. But I... I know my flaws damn well, you can be sure about it. I am damn sure of what I can and I can't do but what I also know I can only get better. The bar was set up here before, now it's quite low but I will be the one to push it higher and reach to where I was. That is why I am here!
And you... You talk like there is gold on your belt. Is there? No. Is there any on your shoulder? No? Head? No. Neck? No. There is no gold at all. None. Same as me. Yet here you are talking sitting right on your high-castle claiming you are the end all. You speak like you are the final boss. My friend, just because you beat "The Game" two weeks ago you didn't become the boss. You are not even the main character, you are just a character. You have this sense of being Emperor of Japan. You may feel like it and you can call yourself whatever you like but remember, even a Tenno isn't a god. You are not even an emperor, where is your shogun? I can't see them anywhere. All you are is a man looking past and wanting all that glory, just like me! But you are too proud to accept it. It's in the blood, isn't it? You would do harakiri instead of accepting it. You are not talking to me, it is getting clear to me now. There is a mirror, right in front of me and all that sudden, calm, deep voice is talking to the Katsuyori Shibata in the mirror. Trying to keep him down because the idea of it kills you! Who you were kills you! So you try to hide him in the mirrors thinking this is a disgrace after how you, the mighty have fallen. But me, I take a look back into those great days with pride. With happiness and with a bit of jealousy because despite being the changed man I am, deep down inside it is still the Glorious One! It is still the man who is the World Champion! But not before I can prove it to myself. A fly knows where he flies. Which hand it will fall on to so they don't get slapped and killed. But I am no fly my friend, I am an eagle. Far away from where he wants to be but with those eagle eyes aiming for it's destination. Flying with all might and desire right to it. But I see an vulture on my way trying to stop me. It is not going to happen again. You did it but admit it, you didn't beat me! You beat Hunter. And when you hit me in the face, you will need to pin me but this shoulder or the other one will get up time and time again until I pin your shoulders down for three seconds straight! I am evolving but because you are just a beast that is at it's final stage of evolution and can't evolve anymore can not see it. I am evolving and I have an arsenal that you have never ever seen before. I know you can pull-off, I have studied you. I have watched you. Saying I was careless? I wanted to make sure I can beat you so I watched, analysed and I guarantee that I can beat you and I WILL beat you! Mark my words real good because I don't want you to be unable to read after how hard I smack your head! Am I in fallacy? Is these words not real? Alright, then beat me and prove it! Not a third person, beat me! Pin me, submit me but don't take cowards way of DQ or count-out because this arrogant voice and looks of your proves me you will take it and claim it as a victory. For once, be the man that you were. Have some honor, take your balls back and show some courage and try to beat me fair and square! That is what I want from you! You beat me fairly, no more Bobby or Robert but if you are going to beat me, beat me like a man so you would have some right to brag about it. Don't forget, if you beat me you will also beat a former World Champion and that will add more into your case. If you try to lookdown on me on that high castle again, you will find yourself beaten. Don't say I didn't warn you! I am still calculated and I have much more to show and prove to myself so even a high-quality wrestler like you is a roadblock that needs to be taken down.
Roode stops and smiles.
All these words, we both are trying for something that doesn't worth it. Who are we going to convince? Them? I missed them but I don't try to convince them, my challenge is against me. You? You don't care about them at all. It is clear we can't convince ourselves. This isn't even an open challenge to you, it's always been an open challenge to myself even before coming here, even the decision of it. So here I am as a man who will evolve, who wants it more, who is challenging no one but himself. Here I am! Enough talk, even my mouth is getting tired and that is something not familiar for a man with big words. So... At Backlash... Where two realities clash... May the best man win...
Roode lowers the mic and he extends his hand for a handshake.
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Jamie Hayter
Mid Carder
The Greatest Wrestler Alive
Posts: 58
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Post by Jamie Hayter on May 8, 2024 13:04:07 GMT -6
It’s the night of the Backlash pay per view. Normally, Jamie would’ve been at a local bar drinking and probably getting into a bar fight in the week leading up to the show, but that didn’t happen this week. For the entire week leading up to Backlash, Jamie has been extraordinarily focused on her match against Finn Balor, a match that will be for the Television Championship. Jamie stands on the roof of the arena in civilian clothes, looking up at the moon. Rhea Ripley: “Hey Jamie?”Says the voice belonging to Rhea, who walks up to the Most Powerful Woman in Wrestling. Rhea Ripley: “What are you doing up here? You have a big match tonight and you’re not even in your gear. What’s going--”Rhea is cut off as she walks up to Jamie and notices that she is more or less zoned out while looking out the window at the moon. Rhea Ripley: “Hey Jamie, what are you looking at?”After a few moments of silence between the two besties, Rhea turns to leave but is stopped when Jamie replies. Jamie Hayter: “Moon.”Rhea looks at Jamie with a raised eyebrow. Rhea Ripley: “What?”Jamie Hayter: “Moon...”Jamie says once again, somewhat infatuated with the appearance of the moon on this night. Rhea Ripley: “What about the moon?”Rhea asks Jamie. Jamie Hayter: “The moon looks glorious tonight. It’s a moon that’s full, fat, and reddish. Its light is inescapable. It envelops this entire city with its beautiful glow. It’s making the night as light as day. It’s entrancing, Rhea.”Rhea Ripley: “Yeah, it’s beautiful, Jamie.”Jamie Hayter: “With the way that the moon is tonight, it feels like it’s awoken something in me.”Rhea Ripley: “Like what?”Jamie Hayter: “The need.”Rhea looks at Jamie with a raised eyebrow again. Rhea Ripley: “The need to do what?”Jamie Hayter: “The need to destroy someone. It’s very strong and very ready. The Need waited and watched, and it has made me wait and watch. Day after day, week after week for the last couple of months, I’ve been waiting and watching Finn Balor. The Need has been tickling and teasing and prodding at me to find a way to destroy him.”Rhea Ripley: “Okay...?”Rhea says, of course, a bit dumbfounded. Jamie Hayter: “Ever since he started fucking with me after you decided to watch my back, I knew that the Need was going beckon at me, to destroy Finn Balor. At first, I tried to fight the Need, but once he decided to screw me out of my title at WrestleMania, that was when the Need took over. Tonight is the night that it will happen. The sun is down tonight, and the Need will be at its peak when I enter that ring to fight Finn Balor. The Need will only be satiated once I do what I set out to do, and that is to destroy Finn Balor.”Rhea continues listening to Jamie, despite not knowing what to make of it. Jamie Hayter: “When the time comes for me to enter that ring with Finn Balor, I’ll do to Finn what I do best. I’ll beat him half to death. I’ll bludgeon him with my own two hands. I’ll brutalize like I should’ve at WrestleMania. I’ll bloody him to the point where he’ll break the MUTA scale.”Jamie says that last sentence with such malice in her voice, and then looks into the camera. Jamie Hayter: “Finn Balor…”Jamie begins as she furrows her brow before continuing. Jamie Hayter: “Day after day, week after week, month after month for the last few months, you have been a pain in my arse. When you face me tonight, you will be facing the true me, a version of me that has never been seen before. When you step into that ring with me tonight, you will know that your time is up. The time has come for this terrible chapter of my career to end, and I will end it like I will end you. Everything that you did to me has fed my Need, and now I will feed it with your destruction.”Rhea grins in a way that says ‘There she is.’ Jamie Hayter: “I said it a few weeks back when I quoted Nietzsche that one must be willing to become ashes in order to rise from the ashes. The last couple of months were my becoming ashes, and tonight will be the night that I finally rise from them, to become the Television Champion, to win the belt that you stole from me at WrestleMania.”Corey Graves: Oh, please. She’s a whiner. It’s not her fault that Finn was smart enough to take advantage of the situation. He picked his spots carefully and became the Television Champion. Jamie could have won, but she was reckless.
Tom Phillips: Really, Corey? I mean, Jamie had the match won until Finn Balor broke up the pinfall with the Coup de Grace.
Mauro Ranallo: It could have been anyone’s match at WrestleMania, but in the end, the resourcefulness of Finn Balor won. I can understand Jamie feeling the way she does, though.Jamie continues to address Finn. Jamie Hayter: “When I finally do rise from the ashes and become the Television Champion, I’ll make sure that you, your little arse kisses, and all of your careers not only become ashes, but a funeral pyre. So, you’d better get ready, because I’m coming for you, and nothing can stop me. Last episode of Revolution? That’s nothing. That’s the past. I’m looking to the future and the future begins tonight. Get ready, Finn, because I’ll rip your head off, I'll feed the need by satiating my blood lust, and I'll take my title. ”
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Post by Roach on May 8, 2024 14:16:55 GMT -6
Shibata stares at Roode's extended hand for a good long while before raising the microphone to his face.
Shibata: My father taught never to turn down a handshake…
Shibata grimaces.
…but he taught me something else too. “Cursed is anyone who leads the blind astray on the road.” From the bible. My father was more of a Buddhist than a Christian but he loved studying religious texts. I didn’t understand his spirituality until I grew much older. Now I get it. You can put your hand to the side. I’m not going to shake it.
Ouch. Some boos rain down on Shibata's decision. He politely lets people exercise their first amendment right before contuing.
To do that would be a disservice not only to myself but to you. Perhaps you’ll change my mind. Perhaps you’ll give me a legitimate fight in that ring. But right now?… you’re nothing but a blind man, and I refuse to lead you astray. I can’t reaffirm someone who’s so profoundly incorrect in their beliefs. It would be just as disrespectful as turning down a handshake. See, to shake your hand would mean I approve of you… and Robert Roode, I do not approve of you. I’m sure you’re tired of hearing that from me, but then why ask for approval? Is that not what a handshake is? A sign of respect and a show of approval from both men… that can’t happen. It won’t happen until you show me you’re anything but misguided. You claim I’m past my prime. You try to emasculate me. You equate me to a vulture… and then you extend your hand?… are you serious? You can’t have your cake and eat it too. That’s not how it works. Show me that your words have any legs to stand on and I’ll shake your hand. As of now, they’re baseless. You’re just shouting into the void. I suppose if I can’t convince you, I’ll have to warn you.
Shibata starts pacing again, assuming his role as predator and staring bullets into his prey.
There’s a reason not a single person on this roster has defeated me, past or present. I suppose there is Rey Mysterio but I wouldn’t call what he suffered at my hands all those years ago a “victory” and I doubt he would either. If I’m not the end all be all, then who is? Who has my pedigree? I so despairingly wish there was someone but there’s not… and then there’s people like you. People who step to the door of greatness and think they can let themselves in. Breaking and entering. It’s a crime, and you’re going to answer for it. At Backlash you will be on trial. I hope you have a very good defense prepared because I’m your prosecutor and I won’t stop until I see you in chains… locked away until that childish mind of yours learns to grow up. You so desperately want to equate yourself to me. It reminds me of when I was a child, wishing I was an adult. Little did I know what awaited me. How foolish I was… How foolish you are. You bring up past glory to try to convince yourself that you are worthy of fighting on my battlefield. You were world champion almost 7 years ago. People have grown from children to adults in that time. You on the other hand appear to have devolved from adult to child. A lot can happen in that time. A lot has happened…. to you… to me. You’ve changed… I’ve certainly changed. I don’t hide that despite your insinuations. I don’t lock away the life that I once lived. That man shares the same beating heart as me, the same racing mind. I live with him. I control him. People like you make the latter part quite difficult. I hope you realize what you’re doing… it’s like trying to grab a crocodile by its tail and expecting it not to turn around a bite a chunk out of you. You’re going to get bit, Roode.
There's a coldness to Shibata's words. His tone is reminiscent of the past life he speaks of.
Is that what you want? I can’t grasp why you would come out here and hurl these words at me for any other reason. Maybe deep down you want to get bit. Perhaps you want to get demobilized. It seems like that’s the only way you would be able to treat your wounds. You’re too stubborn to rest now. You need somebody to take you out. Your body’s telling your mind to stop and as much as you want to ignore it, the truth is still seeping its way in. You’re hurt, you’re old, and you’re tired even if you think you’re wide awake. I suppose I’ll just have to give you what you need… a tender, deep slumber.
Shibata stops his pacing to gaze directly at Roode, speaking to him in earnest.
I truly hope your dreams are comforting but after what you are about to experience, they may turn to nightmares. I hope I don’t appear in them. I don’t want to haunt you, Roode. I want to show you. Show you what you are and show what you’re capable of if you can let go of what you are. Forge a new life for yourself but don’t forget this one. Don’t forget the past… although… that doesn’t seem to be much of a problem for you, does it? Let’s talk more about the past. The near past, not the ancient history you talk up. I used to be a champion… but that doesn’t matter anymore. My shoulders may bear weight, but you’re right. They don’t bear the weight of gold. Finn Balor’s did, however. Holding gold doesn’t make you more formidable… it just makes you more vulnerable. I demonstrated that last week and I will continue to demonstrate it until I run through every champion on the roster. When’s the last time you beat a champion? When’s the last time you’ve done anything of importance?… worry not, you will be of great importance soon. The day you and I go one-on one... that will be the day the entire roster realizes just how much trouble they're really in. Nothing will ever be the same.
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