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For the third time in Jake's career, he ends a year with Supreme Championship Wrestling. It's something that Jake feels deeply proud of. Over the course of his career, he's only last long-term in a very few places. In some cases, it's been because of clashes with management. In other cases, the organization couldn't sustain the grind of running a professional wrestling organization. This is also the organization that, outside of Jake's original "home," the Outsider Wrestling Federation, Jake has had the most success in. Sure, he's won World Championships elsewhere, and sure, he's earned various accolades, but it never mattered as much as SCW and OWF. They're the places that have really become the organizations Jake will forever look at as his "homes."
With any home, though, there are ups and downs. For Jake, this is kind of the first "downer" year for him, within the hallowed halls in Supreme Championship Wrestling. 2011 marks the first year in Jake's career, where he didn't capture a championship, and forever etch his name into the record books. It's a feeling Jake has not experienced before, and is one he really would rather not experience again. He had become very accustomed to rewriting the SCW record book, and giving many of his critics yet another blow in their quests to discredit his worth. This year, though, was a setback for him. This year was marred by injuries, battles with friends, and most notably, a battle with his father-in-law. In the past, when Jake and Ron butted heads, everyone simply let it roll of their backs. Nobody took it seriously, it just simply made for extremely uncomfortable and uneasy moments together. When Ron crossed the line with Jake, this time, it wasn't something where Jake could simply let it roll of his back. Jake, this time, couldn't look past what Ron said. When Jake decided he would sit down and talk it out, with the hopes to smooth things out with Ron, he didn't have high hopes. He didn't think things would ever come to a point where they would come to an agreement to try and work things out. For Ron and Jake, it's not about fixing it for their relationship. It's about fixing it for Jake's daughter, Jake's wife, Ron's wife, and their relationships. Both mean knew their pride would have to take a bit of a shot IF they hoped to, at the very least, begin the healing process. Both men sucked it up, both men took the shots, and both men accepted the reality of what the relationship is hopefully going to become. Roeper and Alice, respectively, were proud of their husbands. They each saw their husband vent, say hurtful things, and ultimately realize that it wasn't going anywhere, or helping for that matter. They then saw each man dig deep into their souls, and do everything possible to salvage a shred of dignity by being the "bigger man." It was a "grown up" moment for each man. It was a moment everyone needed. It was a moment that may or may not finally lead to the attempting of a peace treaty between Jake and Ron. If they can finally agree to tolerate, and maybe even one day grow to like one another, it will have made the hurtful words, the difficult times, and the pain caused worth it, as their family will begin to solidify going forward. In the mind of Jake Starr, however, it isn't the only relationship that needs mending and solidifying. This whole situation in his private life has impacted his relationship with his friends as well. It's something he feels he also needs to take the time and the effort to remedy as well. As Jake and Roeper return home from the big confrontation in Las Vegas, they make their way up the drive and to their front porch. As Roeper holds Mara, Jake fumbles with his keys and their suitcases, hoping to get them both inside, and out of the cold. As Jake finally gets the door open, and gets the bags inside, he looks back as Roeper makes her way in with their daughter. They make their way down the hallway toward the bedroom, so they can put their bags and belongings away. Upon entering, Roeper looks over at Jake... Roeper Hart: Honey, I need to get Mara ready for her bath. Jake looks over, and smiles at his wife.
Jake Starr: That's fine, hun. I have some business I need to tend to as well. Roeper looks up at Jake with a bit of concern in her eye. When Jake has "business" to take care of, he usually makes mention of it, rather than bringing it up out of the blue.
Roeper Hart: Is everything ok, honey? Jake smiles again.
Jake Starr: Oh trust me, everything is just fine. I just have a phone call that I need to make. Roeper smiles back at Jake, trusting in that there really isn't anything wrong.
Jake smiles back, and leaves the bedroom, heading toward his office, as Roeper takes Mara into the bathroom to begin getting her ready for her bath. Jake walks down the hall, and ultimately reaches the cusp of his office. He reaches in, and switches the light. After walking in, Jake sets his computer on his desk and sits down behind it. He leans over and reaches into the pocket of his jeans, pulling his cell phone out. He begins to cycle through the names, coming to the name of "David Helms." As he stares at the screen, he begins to feel a sense of nervousness and angst. He hasn't talked to Helms, at length, since the whole debacle with his father-in-law. Nevertheless, he feels that it is a loose end that needs to be tied up. After a brief pause, he takes a breath, and presses call... As the phone begins to ring, Jake begins to feel more and more nervous. After ring after ring, Jake worries that Helms could possibly be ignoring him, and not want to talk to him. But thankfully, after several rings and as Jake goes to click "End" on his phone, Helms answers! David Helms: Hello? Jake Starr: Hey man... David Helms: Jake! What's up, man? Helms's tone shows a definite excitement in hearing from Jake.
Jake Starr: Not much, how have you been. David Helms: Honestly, I've been doing ok. How about you? How are things? Jake Starr: I'm definitely doing better. Ron and I had a little "come to Jesus" meeting, which kind of got everything on the table... David Helms: Uh oh! How did it go? Jake Starr: I would say... Well... About as good as could be expected, with everything that happened. David Helms: That good, huh? Jake Starr: Or better... David Helms: Goodie! Jake smirks softly.
Jake Starr: Yeah... I didn't know what to expect, especially when it started with him showing up late... David Helms: Seriously? Jake Starr: Yeah! Then when he arrived, he and I basically began talking shit toward one another. After some back and forth between us, us yelling, the wives getting involved, trying to calm us down, and then his dumb ass decided to try and play tough guy, and give me the silent treatment. David Helms: I can't say that surprises me... Jake Starr: It didn't me either. After that, things finally started to cool off a bit. We kind of found a happy, and I use that term lightly, medium where we can all coexist for the moment. David thinks that actually sounds like more progress than he would have expected, especially considering Ron's actions.
David Helms: Well that's promising, to say the least. Jake Starr: Yeah... I don't quite know how I feel about it, though. I really can't stand the guy, still, but I care about my wife. So I am a bit lost on how I feel, or if I like the idea of him being around. I just hope everything will be worth it in the long run... David Helms: Yeah, me too, man! With the small talk and the reminiscing out of the way, Jake figures it's time to address the main issue on his mind.
Jake Starr: So... I called because I wanted to apologize... David is confused.
David Helms: Umm... Jake Starr: Yeah, I wanted to apologize for being so distant lately. David Helms: Why are you apologizing, man? Jake Starr: Honestly, I feel like I haven't been the "brother" to my "Brotherhood brothers." David kind of chuckles at Jake's repetitive use of the word "brother."
David Helms: That sure as hell sounded like a mouthful... Jake chuckles, realizing what he just said.
Jake Starr: You should try saying it, then... David Helms: I'll pass! Jake Starr: You're missing out! David chuckles again.
David Helms: You do realize you don't need to apologize, right? You had business to tend to, and you felt like it was something you needed to handle alone. When it comes to personal issues like that, sometimes you need the support of your peers, and other times you need the "alone time" to figure it all out yourself. When Kath and I had our issue, we wanted others there because it happened with you all around. We didn't want to be totally alone, then. You, however, needed that space. So I completely understand, man, why you needed privacy. Jake Starr: Well, man, I appreciate it. I still feel like I abandoned my brothers, though. David Helms: If you feel that way, consider yourself forgiven then. 2012 is right around the corner, and new years always act as a time to "begin anew" and make resolutions. So, we're all good. Jake begins to feel good inside, and the nerves finally begin to leave his body.
Jake Starr: Well, then this went a lot better than I had anticipated. The comment throws Helms off a bit.
David Helms: What do you mean? Jake Starr: I was worried, man. I was worried that it was going to be a major confrontation between us. I was almost expecting it to be another battle, and ultimately an uncomfortable situation. Helms begins to laugh a lot.
David Helms: Why would you think that, bro? Now, if you ran off, did some secret skit about Tommy and I using puppets, then maybe, just maybe, it'd be uncomfortable. But if you decided against that idea, then we're good. Helms begins to laugh again. In response, Jake decides to fake an uncomfortable laugh, almost nervously suggesting that he has, in fact, filmed another skit.
Jake Starr: Well, I guess I better make a call to the production company to cancel that airing. Helms laughs again, getting Jake's joke.
David Helms: Thankfully I am glad I know you well enough. Jake shares in the laughter.
Jake Starr: ... Honestly, I think I just figured that with my luck lately, this would simply be just another bad situation for me. David Helms: Well I assure you, bro, this isn't one of those times. You and I had that moment once this year, and truthfully I am not looking to have it again. I would hope that you would feel the same. Jake Starr: Well I suppose I can assure you, then, that I feel the same. I have been ready to get back to a sense of normalcy for some time now. The whole thing with Ron really got to me, and it sent me down a bad path mentally. It's time to get the ball rolling again, in the right direction. David Helms: I am ALL for that. You, I have to say, are seemingly on that right track, to get back to where you want to be. You're also seemingly on a path to do whatever it is you want to do, and to ultimately make everyone proud. Jake Starr: I sure as hell hope so, man. David Helms: I know so man, and soon enough, you'll know so, soon, too. Jake Starr: Well I appreciate it, bro, and I really appreciate the "warm welcome home." David Helms: Anytime, bro! It's good to have you back! Jake Starr: It's GREAT to be back... But anyway, my friend, I'll let you go, so I can go finish unpacking from the "rendezvous." David Helms: Sounds good bro. I look forward to seeing you again, soon. I know Tommy will feel the same way. Jake Starr: That's great to hear, bro. Take care, Dave... David Helms: You too, Jake! Seeyuh! Jake Starr: Bye, man! Jake reaches up and ends the call between he and David Helms, and takes another deep breath, letting it out slowly, breathing a sigh of relief. He flops back in his chair, and looks up toward the ceiling and smiles. The feeling of knowing he's back on the good side of his brothers, brings him a calming feeling that he hasn't had in some time. He hopes that it's a sign of how 2011 will end, and how 2012 will begin.
Moving forward, with the issue of Ron off of his plate, he can now change his focus to how he hopes 2011 will end, and his final battle of the year, Shaun Cruze. Jake has faced many challengers, and faced many opponents in his career, and Cruze marks another tough battle that he'll have to endure and overcome. If Jake can end 2011 on a positive not, then it could truly mark the beginning of the "next evolution" of Jake Starr, and the next eventual reign atop the world of Supreme Championship Wrestling for him. Jake Starr: The year 2011 ends, and as I reflect back on the year that was, I realize things have definitely been a bit better than last year. Last year, at this time, yes, I was the SCW World Champion, but at the same time, things weren't really going the way I had hoped. One year ago, at this time, I was going into the End of the Year Special, and looking at an opponent who, honestly, means a lot to me, and is one of my best friends. I was defending my championship against David Helms, and I have to say, it was a match where he was the most rightful recipient of that World Title opportunity. The thing is, though, it wasn't that I was facing one of my friends that was so bad, it was the fact that Jake Starr and David Helms's friendship almost came to an end. I was having trust issues with David, and his relationship with Syren, and he was feeling much the same about my budding friendship with Rachel. On top of that, my cockiness was getting the best of me, and I said and did a lot of things that really pissed David off, and rightfully so. It was a scenario that, honestly, I wished I hadn't ever been put in. Having said that, I wouldn't go back and change it. It taught me a lot, and I believe that David feels the same way. It made us even closer, and it made our friendship stronger. Having said that, it was still hell going through. That was a starkly different feeling than the year prior, where again, I was the World Champion. At that time, I was facing all comers. I was to defend my championship against two of the most difficult people in SCW at the time, and I succeeded. I was on top of my game, and I was able to continually pull rabbits out of my hats one by one. Jake looks up, and bites lightly on the inside of his lip, realizing the moments that he had, and wished he could have again.
Those two years are crazy contrasts to one another with many striking similarities. When this year began, I could have sworn I would have ended 2011 just like I did 2009 and 2010. I could have sworn I would have been the defending World Champion, going into the End of the Year Special. I could have sworn I would be on top of SCW. But I'm not. I'm not anywhere near there. I'm not going into the End of the Year Special with the World Championship, or any championship for that matter. Instead, I'm going in as a man looking to get more momentum. I'm going in as a man seemingly just trying to get his feet firmly on the ladder he wants to climb. It's something I would have never guessed would happen, or assumed would happen. I was confident, and I was cocky. But now, I realize that my assumptions were way off. I realize what kind of role I will be playing when I go into the End of the Year Special. It's not a role of "champion," and it's not a role of "contender" either. Instead, it's a role of "mere superstar." It's a role of "guy who hopes he simply entertains the fans." It's almost like it's just a role of "foe of Christy," and nothing more than that. Sadly, it's true... It's a feeling I'm not quite used to. I'm not used to ending a year in SCW, and not being on top. But it's the cards I'm dealt. Some may try to frame it in a manner saying something like, "Ha ha Jake, you failed this year." It's an argument that part of me believes. Then, I have to sit back and really remind myself of some things that really caused 2011 to occur the way it did. There was one primary event that really turned my year on its head, and not for the better. It was the second of February, and a day where I went out of action with one of the worst head injuries of my career. I went out of action for months, and honestly, it took me out of being in the running for any championships in SCW. I became a memory in the eyes of many, and many felt that I would come back, and simply demand a chance to be back at the top. And I won't lie, part of me thought I deserved it. Part of me thought that I was big enough in SCW, and this industry, to just vault back to where I was before I was hurt. If I said otherwise, I'd simply be lying and disingenuous. But I didn't. I wanted to make a splash on returning, and I wanted to throw everyone off. So I did! OSMR was my ticket into the SCW ring, without the world going, "Oh hey, Jake is back." OSMR was my way to make sure that Shawn Winters wouldn't have his guard up, thinking he was in danger of getting got. Jake lightly shrugs his shoulders, having really recapped the bulk of his SCW history and the 2011 campaign.
... But we all know about that. We know what all has transpired since I unmasked myself. I've talked about it. I've recapped it. Hell, I've trying to drill it REPEATEDLY into the minds of the masses, hoping it would make people realize I was ready, and I was deserving of something. I guess you can say they listened. They've organized this little back and forth with Christy and I, and ultimately it's going to culminate either in a World Title match for me, or probably more of what the world has been seeing. If I can't run this gamut of what Christy can throw at me, and ultimately top her too, then I'm going to be continually relegated to these random matches. It's another sad truth... So while I may feel down, and feel that the End of the Year Special 2011 isn't the same level of excitement for me as 2009 and 2010, it definitely has similar meaning. This match could really spell out whether or not I'm going to continue to push forward and progress... Now, don't get me wrong. I know a lot of people are probably thinking that I'm forgetting about Ammo, and whoever my opponent is. Well, think that. Enjoy thinking it. Have fun with the thought. The fact is, it's not true. That match is completely different, and completely separate from the one I'm talking about now. At Ammo, I know what my game plan is going to be regardless of the opposition. I know that Christy could be holding her name inside her ball (and by ball I don't mean those dangling between her thighs), but I have the same advantage. I could have her own name in my little plastic egg. She could be forced to fight herself! She could be forced to decide if she was going to pin herself, submit herself, or DQ herself. So face it, folks, I'm not looking past Ammo... I'm just going the Boy Scout way, and preparing early, and looking ahead as well. Nevertheless, this isn't about Ammo. It's not about whatever or whoever she has drawn for me to face... Well not for Ammo, but it does kind of follow that train of thought. This is about the End of the Year Special. More importantly, it's about a man who has been tapped as Christy's "Next White Hope." This time it's about a man whose one claim to SCW fame, right now, is a brief stent as the Adrenaline Champion. Yes, my focus tonight is on none other than Shaun Cruze... Jake nods slowly, pausing a bit, and looking off to the side. His eyes seemingly focus off on one object, but it's obvious something is going through his head. As it seemingly finishes processing, he begins to nod again, and looks back to the camera, and continues.
... Shaun Cruze... This is a man who somehow received a World Heavyweight Championship opportunity, only to squander it away. That alone tells me something in his mind wasn't ready for it. The fact that he will say, and I guarantee he will say this, that he EARNED a shot at Winters, and opted out of finishing the job simply tells me that he isn't ready for the big time. He was the Adrenaline Champion for about a month only. That's it. He battled all the way to get to hold the belt that that I MADE POPULAR, and only was able to hold it a MONTH? Fine... Disgrace something that I bent over backwards and fought to make relevant again. Fine... It's ok... I only faced anyone and everyone, and did so for damn near 300 days. He made it just over, what, 40 days? Just over a month?! I mean, don't get me wrong, on paper, he probably has that err about him. It probably looks like a logical selection for Christy. When you're looking for someone to really try and soften like me up, you really can only go to a well so many times before you are out of options. So I'm sure she went in search of former World Champions. She didn't want to go the obvious routes, so she dug deep. She looked both into SCW and IWC, and realized SCW houses the last EVER IWC World Champion, and tapped him. So Cruze and I represent two former IWC World Champions clashing at the End of the Year Special. The difference... He won his World Championship in IWC by beating a depleted roster. The IWC he reigned over wasn't the same as the IWC that I ruled. On paper, we're the same champion, but in reality, we're not the same champion. My World Championship over IWC was because I went through Greg Cherry, Jason Zero, AND Christian Savior at ONE TIME in order to achieve it. Three Hall of Fame caliber superstars that JAKE STARR beat, to become the IWC World Champion. He, on the other hand, will claim to be a World Champion like me, but couldn't come to SCW, and continually grow the Adrenaline Division? Instead of showing why he was "dominant" within the halls of the Cartel, he slips up, and can't last in the division that I rebuilt? Really? Really?! That's all he could muster, and THIS is the guy who Christy has pegged as the guy who is going to end my year? THIS is her solution, when Lucas failed? I have a feeling that, much like I had hoped, I have her on the ropes. I have a feeling that when Lucas went down, and Jake Starr began his Phoenix-like rise from the ashes of virtual obscurity, she began to question whether or not she had me figured out. I think Christy is worried that I might be just a little more motivated than she would like or hope. She wanted to kill my hopes from off of running her gauntlet right from the get-go. She failed, and she is scrambling. Jake inhales a deep breath, really soaking everything in. Deep in his mind he truly feels that his defeat of Lucas Knight was a crucial blow to the hopes of Christy Matthews. After holding the breath for several moments, he slowly lets it out, and continues.
I can't be sitting here, though, and just assuming it's an automatic win. I can't be the Green Bay Packers, and just figure that since I know I'm better than Shaun Cruze, I can't take him lightly. I can't walk into the End of the year Special, and just think there is nothing to worry about, the fact is, there is, or could be. Cruze is someone who knows it'd take some kind of moment against me, or someone of my caliber, to become relevant again. He squandered away a World Title shot, and has subsequently done nothing. So he needs this match too. That won't matter, though! It just won't! You see, here's the deal. I'm getting back in my groove, slowly but surely. I've had many ups since returning, but the two downs really got to me, so it's been a struggle to get back to being myself. It's been a struggle to be "Jake Starr." Having said that, things have slowly been looking up for me, and slowly getting back to normal. It's a good feeling, that I think can only get better. I've gone 1-1 at SCW End of the Year Specials, and I plan on getting a winning record again. I plan on making Shaun Cruze the perfect ending to my weakest year in SCW. In a nutshell, and I hate to be cliche, but I plan on CRUZE-ING into 2012 with a head of steam! Fin |
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