Wounds and Healing
Apr 20, 2022 22:37:36 GMT -5
Post by October Raven on Apr 20, 2022 22:37:36 GMT -5
::Corey O'Brian was standing in the DRAGONSUPLEX Dojo training ring pacing.::
Corey: "So, it's been a long time since I left New York. Time has been... good to me. Not being on the road as much has allowed my body to heal a bit. I'm still sleeping with the help of Tramadol, but not as much as I used to need. Will I ever be off it... time will tell, but i doubt it. And working with my students face to face, wrestling enough to keep my skills sharp... I'm looking forward to going back up to I-95, and prepared to do so as soon as I'm called for it."
Corey: "And the time I've had back home has given me time to think. When I spoke to UBL last, it was in... frustration. Anger. I said harsh things to Joachim. And people have asked me recently if I still feel the way I do."
Corey: "Here's the thing. Professional wrestling is so much more than a test of endurance. So much more than how hard you can throw someone onto the mat. It is called human chess for a reason. There's a mental aspect. Planning, strategy, preparation, and the ability to adapt and react. And the defensive aspects. And, I know this comes to no surprise to anyone but I fucking love pro wrestling. And the more I understood all the aspects of professional wrestling that I loved it even more. And if Jang Bae is half the coach I think he is, he would know full well this and make sure Joachim is aware of it."
Corey: "And Joachim turned our match into a vaudeville sideshow of who could take each other's blows. Which can be a part of wrestling but it's only one part of it and he made it the only part that mattered in our match."
Corey: "So the more I think about.... I can't even really call it a match. That farce. I realize that it wasn't just a waste of all the preparation I did. It was an insult. Not just to me. I can handle being insulted. But it insulted the preparations I had made with Jack Panama, and worse than that... insulted the sport."
Corey: "Now Jang Bae I want to make it clear that I don't hold you responsible for this farce. Your reputation as a competitor precedes you. But Joachim? I have been your harshest critic, but the more you grew and improved as a wrestler the more I started to respect you."
Corey: "But respect is a two-way street. You showed a gross disrespect of this sport. So all that respect I had for you? Gone now. At least Agent 0 was willing to face me in a wrestling match. You wouldn't even do that. What you did was cowardly."
Corey: "And since we've had misunderstandings... you may be asking if I just called you a coward. And no, I did not. I said what you did was cowardly. A genius can do stupid things, and an honorable man can do cowardly things. As much as I resent what you've done, I know you are no coward. I know you are better than that."
Corey: "And it is because I know you are better than that... I am willing to forgive. And I am willing to give you one last chance to earn my respect and a modicum of trust. But you must be willing to earn it. Don't apologize with words. Apologize by making this a one time lapse in judgment. Compete the rest of this tournament. Show it the respect and reverence it deserves. And if you do, when the time is right, I will face you again. And if you give me a wrestling match, win or lose... then and only then you will earn back the goodwill you have lost."
Corey: "And if you give me another farce..."
Corey leaves the consequences unspoken as the camera fades.
Corey: "So, it's been a long time since I left New York. Time has been... good to me. Not being on the road as much has allowed my body to heal a bit. I'm still sleeping with the help of Tramadol, but not as much as I used to need. Will I ever be off it... time will tell, but i doubt it. And working with my students face to face, wrestling enough to keep my skills sharp... I'm looking forward to going back up to I-95, and prepared to do so as soon as I'm called for it."
Corey: "And the time I've had back home has given me time to think. When I spoke to UBL last, it was in... frustration. Anger. I said harsh things to Joachim. And people have asked me recently if I still feel the way I do."
Corey: "Here's the thing. Professional wrestling is so much more than a test of endurance. So much more than how hard you can throw someone onto the mat. It is called human chess for a reason. There's a mental aspect. Planning, strategy, preparation, and the ability to adapt and react. And the defensive aspects. And, I know this comes to no surprise to anyone but I fucking love pro wrestling. And the more I understood all the aspects of professional wrestling that I loved it even more. And if Jang Bae is half the coach I think he is, he would know full well this and make sure Joachim is aware of it."
Corey: "And Joachim turned our match into a vaudeville sideshow of who could take each other's blows. Which can be a part of wrestling but it's only one part of it and he made it the only part that mattered in our match."
Corey: "So the more I think about.... I can't even really call it a match. That farce. I realize that it wasn't just a waste of all the preparation I did. It was an insult. Not just to me. I can handle being insulted. But it insulted the preparations I had made with Jack Panama, and worse than that... insulted the sport."
Corey: "Now Jang Bae I want to make it clear that I don't hold you responsible for this farce. Your reputation as a competitor precedes you. But Joachim? I have been your harshest critic, but the more you grew and improved as a wrestler the more I started to respect you."
Corey: "But respect is a two-way street. You showed a gross disrespect of this sport. So all that respect I had for you? Gone now. At least Agent 0 was willing to face me in a wrestling match. You wouldn't even do that. What you did was cowardly."
Corey: "And since we've had misunderstandings... you may be asking if I just called you a coward. And no, I did not. I said what you did was cowardly. A genius can do stupid things, and an honorable man can do cowardly things. As much as I resent what you've done, I know you are no coward. I know you are better than that."
Corey: "And it is because I know you are better than that... I am willing to forgive. And I am willing to give you one last chance to earn my respect and a modicum of trust. But you must be willing to earn it. Don't apologize with words. Apologize by making this a one time lapse in judgment. Compete the rest of this tournament. Show it the respect and reverence it deserves. And if you do, when the time is right, I will face you again. And if you give me a wrestling match, win or lose... then and only then you will earn back the goodwill you have lost."
Corey: "And if you give me another farce..."
Corey leaves the consequences unspoken as the camera fades.