Post by Michael Kelly on Feb 28, 2018 5:18:13 GMT
Wednesday, February 28, 2018.
Michael stood in JFK airport sporting a more casual look than he usually would, wearing a generic black hoodie and a black beanie to match. It had only been over twelve hours since Michael had won the Sixth City title that he clutches tightly against his chest before shoving into his carry-on so that feeling of accomplishment is still knee deep in his mind. Looking over his shoulder, he cracks a smile at his support system, the woman who believed in him even when he himself had a flash of self-doubt.
“You should put that thing away” Brittany jokingly says as she tiptoes up to his six-foot-four frame, loosely wrapping her arms around his neck and planting soft kisses along his jawline.
“Yeah.”Michael would just stare at her, hanging his head with a giant smile on his face as his lips would meet hers.
“How are you feeling, babe? Are you getting chills? I know how much you missed Japan.” She’d unfold her hands, dropping her arms from around his neck as they slowly walked side by side. Michael takes in a deep breath, shaking his head at her rapid-fire questions.
“Yeah, it’s the place that gave me my big break, you know. I just.. I just think that I’ve gotta make this special for them.” He looked away, cranking his neck left and right and shimmying his shoulders in an attempt to loosen them.
“I don’t think it’s nerves because I’ve been doing this for what seems like forever. I just want to make sure that the place that saw me at the greenest part of my career and kinda even my life, can now look at the man I’ve become.” Britt smiled, pinching away his cheeks and yet again forcing him to crack another smile.
”You forgot the most important thing of all. You’ve got me now.” Michael couldn’t help but to laugh out loud, prompting Brittany to look up at him with a confused stare. “I’d never forget about you, Britt. I just feel as if we’ve got an unspoken agreement that you make my life… nah, you make me better in general. How’d that sound? Did I make the save?” Brittany surveys the crowded area before squealing out, jumping on Michael and planting a giant kiss on his lips.
Michael was happier than ever. Michael was healthier than ever. Michael was ready for the road ahead of him, standing tall as he grabbed Britt’s luggage and the two rolled onwards to the terminal.
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A 14-hour flight, about 6 hours of sleep and a few hours of touring later...
And there he is. Michael Kelly, in the flesh. Sporting his black "Kelly Dynasty" shirt, that newly won Sixth City Pro Championship over his shoulder and his fiance Brittany by his side, Michael closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, leaning back in his seat. The camera pans back to show the two sitting down at a table in The Artist's Cafe, cuddled up with each other by a giant window with a beautiful city view. The entire restaurant is empty, not another soul in sight, the clear workings of Michael and the ever-growing success of his many projects, the most prominent one being his wrestling company in Mexico. But this wasn't about ACM or anything of the sort, this was about his return to the country that basically bred and gave him the opportunity to be the wrestler that he is today.
"If you told me, that I, Michael Kelly, would be carrying the first world championship that I've won in the states around Tokyo Dome City, that ... Well I'd call you people crazy. Boy, it's still surreal."
"What I would believe is that I, Michael Kelly, would have lost twenty pounds in order to insert myself into the Fighting Spirit tournament. The reason for that is because... Well first and foremost, I miss wrestling in Japan. Last time I performed here, was over a month ago for a triple threat match. One hell of a match, a barn burner, but before that... It had been YEARS since I've stepped on Japanese soil. A mistake on my part? Yes, Absolutely. I just... It's.. there's something about wrestling here that makes me feel like I'm home."
Kelly opens his eyes as Britt nudges on his shoulder before leaning on him which prompts him to wrap his free arm around his gal and pull her in closely.
“I’ve worked my ass off to shed weight. I’ve worked my ass off to win this Sixth City Pro Championship. And I’ll be damned if I don’t work my ass off to take home that Junior Heavyweight Championship. So whether I have to face an underdog like the amazing Arlo Rosabel or a Dog Of War like my first round opponent Joseph White, I’m putting all dogs down on my path to Night two.”
Scratching at his beard, Michael looks over Brittany and begins to stare out of the window.
“I’ve taken pride in proving myself to be The Living Beating Heart Of Sixth City Pro and this heart doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. With folks like Samantha Tolson and Ryan Henderson in this tournament, I’d say that if Sixth City isn’t talked about after this, then we haven’t done our job.”
”Korakuen Hall. Sixteen of the world’s best Junior Heavyweights battle to become the new Junior Champion and I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure that I am the last man standing. On March third, I rise to the occasion. On March third, lightning strikes twice in the same week. On March third… Michael Kelly becomes the last man standing.”
Michael turns his head back toward the camera, grilling down the gullet of the lens with a confident stare as if his words were more than a statement. He believed these words were a promise. A promise to the people. A promise to Cleveland. A promise to himself.