A Warriors Call

“Every great warrior must learn to endure and overcome the adversities of life.” - Lailah Gifty Akita

Ultimate Carnage Five was a night of warriors, but what is a warrior really? A warrior is defined as a person experienced in warfare, for example a soldier. A second definition defines a warrior as a person who shows or has shown great vigour, courage, or aggressiveness. I believe a true warrior is someone who can conquer everything life throws at them, however difficult it is, and still come out a winner on the other side. Furthermore, a warrior is someone who is strong on both the inside and outside.

Not every match on the card had warriors of course. Take the world title match for example, that had only one warrior and he is the world champion Jack Michaels. I won’t even say the name of his opponent because quite frankly it doesn’t deserve repeating. His opponent chose to basically mail it in, and now we are right back where we began. Now jockeying for position begins to see who the next in line will be. Jack, you know just as we all do, it won’t be just people like myself that will be gunning for you. Your own family members will be coming for you, but you’re a smart guy so I know you get it.

Some things have changed for me, I’m not going to stand here and lie to people about being a new man or any such horse shit as that. My horns have not magically been replaced with a halo. I’m still that guy who will kick your teeth down your throat if you look at me funny. I will say this though, Amber, Eli, KJ….you have my respect. You were all warriors in that match, heart and soul. Not that I suspect it means much to you coming from me. I was on the other side and fighting a fight for a man you all hate. Other than Trent, I don’t know anyone on my “side” well enough to either hate or like them. I joined Override when I was asked because of respect.

Where I come from, you don’t measure a man’s worth by the latest thing he’s done. It’s called a body of work. I respect Joe because of all of the things he’s done in the industry. The same reason that I show that same respect to Trent and Lucy. Even with Joe gone, I’ll always have their backs no matter what they decide to do. I know a lot of people won’t understand, could not even fathom why she did what she did. I do, I’ve made similar choices in my past. Family and love matter, sometimes you simply have to let the heart override the mind because it’s the right thing to do. I hope in time that the legion will see it that way and that Joe will see it that way.

As for my future? It’s a warrior's call, I will continue to fight for carnage. The real measure of a warrior is not how they react but how they move forward. How do I move forward? That’s easy, it all starts with KJ. “The Jaw Dropper” as she’s called, did you know she had her own twitter account? I didn’t until a few days ago, imagine that, she’s not just the sister of Lucy Wilde. I’m kidding of course, except about the twitter account. So now, we begin again. I could say that the war with Paragon is over, but that depends on so many things. So many things.

The feed cuts out…

{The Bane Ranch - Port Arthur, Texas}

Off-Camera

A new cold front had moved through the area, after having days in the seventy to seventy five degree range, it was forty degrees and it was noon. I sat on the porch of the main house, contigo insulated coffee cup in one hand and a cigarette in the other. The flannel shirt I’m wearing does little to ward off the wind as it cuts to the bone. I take another sip of my coffee, appreciating the warmth as it goes all the way to my soul. Another drag off the cigarette and I crush it out in the ashtray. I wince as I leaned forward and rested my elbows on my knees and look out over the ranch. I hear the door open, the cologne is what hits my senses first. That boy of mine loves Obsession for Men. I smile, “Don’t say it.”. He sits down in the chair across the table from mine. “Mornin’ Pops.”, is all he says as he sips from his coffee. I look over and see him smiling and I return the smile.

I had decided that if he told me that he told me so, I was going to punch him in the mouth. I was glad I didn’t have to hit my son this morning. “I’ve made my decision.”, was what he did say. I look at him and he continues. “I’ll be at Chaos, my intent is to sign with Carnage.”. I study him for a moment, he seems sincere, “Okay.”, and that’s all I say. “I know you’ve been staying in shape, and wrestling some indy shows here locally. Starting to get that itch again?”. He nods his head in affirmation, “It’s been nagging at me for a while, I need to be involved, I need to do something that matters. You know me, I have to give back to the industry that made this family.”. I look at him and reply, “The industry didn’t make this family Jimmy, it certainly contributed to our success but it didn’t make us. Your grandfather bought this land long before he wrestled.”. He returns my look but smiles, “Not exactly what I meant Pop, I do understand what you meant though. I think you’d have to agree that we’ve made much more money because of wrestling than we’d ever earn with the ranch.”. “That’s fair.” is my response. Then we both smile having reached an agreement about something. It was rare, but it did happen from time to time.

“You ever think about selling this place and moving on?” he asked me in a quiet manner. I look at him and say with all sincerity, “So son, I’ve never given that a thought. How could I do that? Your mom is buried on this land. Three generations of blood, sweat and tears live in the soil, that’s value and purpose that can’t be measured.”. He smiled at me now, “Then how will you ever move on, move forward in life?”. “I see where this is going, I know your mom has been gone for a couple of years and you kids think I need a girlfriend or some such bullshit. Isn’t that about right?”. His smile fades but only slightly, “Something like that Dad, we just want you to be happy.”. “You do realize that happiness is a subjective term right?”, I wink at him and he laughs. “Son, I love you kids and thank you for being concerned about me and my happiness but I’m fine, really.”. “Let me say this another way, you’d likely be less angry if you got laid. What’s it been? Three years?”.

I laugh at his statement, “Something like that, why in the actual fuck are my children more concerned about my love life than I am?”. He returns a barking laugh, “Probably because you’re not worried about it at all?” is the response I get. I shake my head, “This conversation is over son, It’s not open for discussion.” I get up from where I sit and walk back into the house, leaving my son laughing on the porch.

Fade…

{Salt grass Steakhouse - Dallas Texas}

Off Camera

Evidently it was open for discussion, it was a three on one beat down with support from my so-called friends. My children decided to have an intervention and they brought elite support in the form of Myke Adams and Ken Davison. The two of them sat there smiling, using all their restraint to not laugh at my ass as my children continued the onslaught. The end result was a blind date with a professor of geology from the college that my daughter was attending. The lady in question was a beauty, no doubt about that, raven hair, tanned and toned. We had agreed on the phone to casual dress, so I was pleased when she showed up in blue jeans and a Leighton Vander Esch Jersey. I had also worn jeans and a simple button down shirt. We smiled politely at each other and made small talk.

“So a rock hound and pro wrestler walk into a bar…”, and I leave it hanging there and she laughs. “And it all unfolded as you might expect,'' is her response. I laugh in return and take a sip of water. Thankfully the awkward silence is cut by the waiter who brings the appetizers, stuffed Jalapenos wrapped in bacon. She smiles as she grabs one, “that’s a beautiful thing”. I agree with her grab one myself. “It is indeed.”. She looks at me in earnest, “Is this not the most awkward thing you’ve done in your life?”. I laugh, “It’s definitely in the top three.”. We sit in silence for a bit and then the steaks arrive to save me once again. We eat mostly in silence, toward the end of the meal she says to me, “Mac, I know you’re not ready for a relationship. Thank you for a wonderful dinner and company.”. I smile, “Thank you, for not being too put out with my lack of attention. It’s been difficult to say the least.”.

She holds up her hand, “No apology necessary, I’m a widow as well. It takes time and patience. Plus, I understand you were bullied by your children.”. I laugh, “She told you did she?”. She nods affirming that Jules had indeed told her about the intervention. “I’m sure that when you’re ready, there will be someone in your life. I can tell though, that you’re not, we can still be friends though.”. I smile and shake the offered hand, “I would like that, a person can never have too many friends.”.