" The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man be perfected without trials. " - Danish Proverb
"A wretched soul, bruis'd with adversity,
We bid be quiet, when we hear it cry;
But were we burthen'd with like weight of pain,
As much, or more, we should ourselves complain. "
William Shakespeare
" Times of great calamity and confusion have ever been productive of the greatest minds. The purest ore is produced from the hottest furnace, and the brightest thunderbolt is elicited from the darkest storm. "
Charles Caleb Colton
" October 26th, 2013. A day to remember. My first defense, this promotion has put me in an awkward situation. Fourteen years of experience has led me to be so depressed and beating on myself that I don't know who I am anymore. After being found not worthy by the world champion. I find myself looking in that mirror that every wrestler looks in. The reflection looking back at me is not one of glory, fame and fortune. No..It is one of self destruction, pain and misery. Yes I am the Television champion, but I have done nothing to deserve it. "
-Flashback to Crackdown-
Alexander then grabs the chair in his right hand and pulls Xavier’s left leg out straight to expose the sensitive ankle and then reels back and smacks the chair over the ankle. Xavier yells out in pain reaching down for the ankle. Alexander then uses his foot to push Xavier back against the corner and swings the chair again, smacking the ankle. Xavier yells out even louder this time and closes his fists tightly as the pain surges through him. Alexander then drops the chair and moves Xavier so that his shoulders and head are in under the bottom turnbuckle pad. He then grabs the chair again and unfolds it and places it around the ankle of Xavier. After that, he pulls Xaviers leg back and bends it an Achilles tendon lock style and then pins the chair in between the top and middle turnbuckle so that Xavier is stuck in it. He yells in pain as he struggles to get free and then Alexander runs in and kicks it to stuff it in even more, not to mention crushes Xavier’s ankle between the chair seat and back. Alexander then moves over to the ropes of the ring nearest to the announce table and calls for a microphone.
-End Flashback-
" My last match against Alexander put me in a very precarious position for my title defense. My ankle was all but shattered, the doctors said I should not compete at Insurrection but I cannot give up this easy. This is not in my blood. My blood is thicker than any man's alive. I have been through worse pain than this. But my pain isn't just physical. It is mental as well. Alexander, nearly shattered my ankle. But he nearly shattered my mind. No man has ever come close to doing that. It has been said I have one of the most brilliant minds in this sport. Promotion owners have said I am one of the greatest in wrestling's long history. But here I sit a broken man. With a broken ankle and a broken spirit. Here I stand on this road again, lost along the way. "
- The therapist steps into the room to check on Michael's ankle but he waves him off as he tries to lift his leg only to grimace in pain and agony. -
" Yesterday I talked to my doctor and he gave me the news. If I compete at Insurrection I run a great risk of shattering my ankle, tearing tendons and potentially ending my career in one match. Its a thought provoking situation, defend the television title or step down and heal. "
- Michael grabs the side of the bench he's sitting on and pulls himself up trying to find out how much pressure he can handle. As he puts a little weight down on his ankle he screams in pain. The door bursts open as his girlfriend Lacey Decimare runs in after hearing the scream. -
Lacey: OH MY GOD BABY!
- Lacey helps him sit back down on the bench, Michael looks into her eyes in pain. -
Lacey: I'm calling Chris and Archibald and putting a stop to this match. You can't even put any pressure on that ankle. You need to listen to the doctors Michael.
- Lacey pulls out her cellular phone from her pants pocket and begins to dial Chris Mackison's phone number. Michael takes the phone from her and hangs up. He takes her hand and kisses her lips. -
" Look I've delt with this before, I've delt with the pain before. This is nothing new to me, I'll figure it out one way or another. "
- Lacey kneels before him with a worried look on her face. -
Lacey: I talked to Tyler. He saw your X-Rays on your ankle and its not good. There is a very real chance that if you land wrong or kick Nathan the wrong way that your ankle could be shattered. Just think if Nathan applied an ankle lock or any kind of ankle related submission. Your career is history. You need to think about this Michael.
- Just then another familiar person walks through the locker room door. None other than Michael's long time manager, Tyler McKnight. -
Tyler: I apologize for barging in like this. Lacey called me on her way here. You need to find a way to drop this match Michael. Forfit the title, here use my phone and call Mackison and Masterson and do it right now.
- Michael pushes the phone away from his face. A look of frustration comes over Tyler. -
Tyler: Look I know how stubborn you are. I"ve known you your whole career but its time to get serious Michael. This is career ending. Fourteen years could come crashing down in this match. Just forfit, drop the tv title off in the RWF office and we will go get you healed up and you can come back and rock this place like I know you can. But for god's sake Michael do not compete in this match!
- Michael looks at both Lacey and Tyler shaking his head. -
" I can't! I have to compete in this match against Nathan, I have to show everyone that I am not a fluke. I have to show them that I am deservant of the television title. That I am worthy to be a champion in RWF. I have done this for fourteen years and I have overcome the odds dozens of times. What makes this any different? "
Tyler: Your ankle is what makes this different! If you step wrong, if you kick wrong, if you land wrong. BOOM, shatter, crack, crunch, rip your ankle is gone and so is your career! Broken ankle is one thing, that can heal in a few months. Shattered with torn tendons can take years if at all to heal correctly. I'm begging you Michael, think about your future. Hell, think about your future with Lacey. If anything, think about that! Do you really want to jeopardize your livelihood?
" If I cannot do this then there is no point being in this promotion any longer. If I cannot beat Nathan Harris, then I will leave RWF. If by some grace of god I pull this off and defend my title...."
- Suddenly a wrenching pain surges through his ankle and shoots up his leg as he lets out an ear peircing scream as he falls to the ground. The therapist rushes over to him as they signal to cut the camera. -
