Still Fighting

[chrismadison]

September 29th, 2017
West Valley City, Utah

[ • REC ]

"Doesn't matter how long I've been around in this business, I never get used to failure. As good as I preformed durin' the Pride of Puroresu Crown tournament, the end result was failure. Chandler Scott is the GPC World Heavyweight Champion and I have nothin' to show for all of the blood, sweat, and tears that I've poured into this company since the first day I signed; all because of my failure."

Chris Madison stood on the southern edge of Centennial Park, catching his breath as he stared off at the mountains in the landscape to the west of him. Despite the mid sixties temperature, he was dripping sweat from hours of cardio work while wearing an all black Adidas nylon sauna suit.

"So where do I go from here?"

"Some expect me to bow out, take my loss and turn my back on New Japan Fighting Championship. I'm sorry to disappoint, but that's not happenin'! I'm the kind of guy who sets himself goals, and doesn't stop until they're achieved. Chandler beat me, there's no gettin' around that. My actions afterwards, well, they were a way of sayin' that we're not through just yet. He may hold the championship, but there isn't a person in that locker room that bleeds NJFC like I do!"

Madison smirks as wipes the sweat from his forehead.

"So while Chandler and Shimada compete in a dick measurin' contest, and my boys Knox and Cashe continue to define Japanese tag team wrestlin' one match at a time, At Road to Glory: Fukushima, I'll be stealin' the show with the match of the night against Ricky Valero."

"That's what happens when you get two premier talents with chips on their shoulders who feel they have a lot to prove and stick them in a match against each other. There's no questionin' the success that I've had in NJFC. But my last outin' left a horrid taste in my mouth that needs to be fixed. Ricky on the other hand, hasn't quite had an easy time here. In his eyes he's been disrespected ever since walkin' through those doors. His debut at A New Hope in Tokyo against Ryun Kazuhiro was scrapped. He got snubbed from the Pride of Puroresu Crown tournament and was put in the Global Championship tournament instead, resulting in an early exit thanks to Jack Tillman. Finally the committee approves a match he feels he belongs in, main eventin' Dojo of Dragons: The Awakenin' versus Cosmo Cooper but he fell short. It wasn't until the Pride of Puroresu event against Tokyo Zombie that he picked up his first NJFC victory. The Japanese circuit isn't new to him, he reputation speaks volumes, but it's yet to translate to success in NJFC and I'm sure that's eatin' away at him!"

"Unfortunately I have to be the bearer of bad news, The Ricky Valero story continues as it's bein' told; a guy with all of the potential in the world who can't stop steppin' on his own two feet! You want everyone in the wrestlin' world to take you seriously? In this industry we're judged on what we've done lately, and to be frank, lately, you haven't accomplished anythin' worth notin'. Hell, even with Bristow and Barnes by your side in FGA to do your dirty work, you still struggle to stay relevant."

Madison postures up, standing completely upright with a smug look on his face.

"Maybe there's a reason your match at A New Hope In Tokyo against Ryun Kazuhiro was cut from the show. Maybe there's a reason the committee decided to snub you from the Pride of Puroresu Crown tournament. The committee thought it, but your loss to Jack Tillman proved it; Ricky Valero just doesn't live up to the hype anymore!"

"That doesn't mean you're not one hell of a competitor. I'd be a fool to ignore what you can do in the ring. But what's the point of puttin' on five star quality matches if you're always on the losin' side of things? Fans no longer look to Ricky Valero and see a threat, especially if you're rollin' solo. You've officially become a steppin' stone. You're the guy who is here to elevate the younger up-and-coming talent, givin' them a notable name to add to the résumé. And there's nothin' wrong with that role Ricky, you just can't stand out there at a press conference and moan about bein' disrespected and overlooked. Want people to tak you seriously? Want everyone to look at you like they did in your Glory For Puroresu days? Bring your best to Fukushima and pray that it's enough to pull off an upset."

"The committee has their own agenda. We all have roles in that agenda that they feel we're best suited for. Your role... Carryin' guys like Jack Tillman and Cosmo Cooper through wars that the committee knows will make them look like superstars! I'm sure that's a bitter pill to have to swallow, but the truth hurts. And I'm sure you feel like you could give it a real go in NJFC and mix it up with guys like Chandler, Shimada, and me. But here's the thing Ricky. In NJFC you can't rest on your laurels and expect handouts. This is New Japan FIGHTING Championship; we fight for everythin' we earn. You want break this image that the committee and the fans have of you? You need to fight your way out of it!"

"As for me, I have to starting fighting my way back to the top so that I can earn another shot at Chandler Scott and that GPC World Heavyweight Championship. Despite my failure, there's still nothin' I want more than to carry this promotion to new heights. Thankfully I was given a match against you to help elevate me and get me on the right path!"

Madison stares into the camera momentarily before it cuts out and fades to static.