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Heartbreak, pain, agony, defeat, all are emotions that people face at one time in their lives, or another. Sometimes this pain is caused by issues stemming from tough times inside ones home. Sometimes they're caused by family members deciding that they need to try and be more involved in ways they were never asked. Then there are the times when things happen "at the office," and somehow they seemingly come home with the person, and ultimately effect them as well. Rarely, however, does something happen at work, that sends shock waves throughout the entire core of ones family. Rarely can one event truly cause a plethora of emotional instability, like it has now.
But it has... On the last episode of Breakdown, the world was rocked when former members of The Brotherhood, Tommy "Thorn" Valentine, and David Helms cast Jake aside, and aligned themselves with long-time rivals, Dark Fantasy. It was a move that completely blindsided everyone in SCW, including Jake Starr. It was a move that showed that, truthfully, nobody was who they said they were. When the world first heard Jake Starr speak of the events of that fateful night, his response was a bit shocking. Many expected anger. Many expected him to lash out, and completely engage in a verbal assault with The Next Level, for their defection to the "Dark Side." Jake didn't. It was a move that caught people off guard, including his friends and family, but it was done for a reason. It was done to make sure they knew that he acknowledged what they did, but also made it clear he wasn't going to make it the focus of his life right now. Deep down, it is something that hit him hard, and hit him where it counted, but it was something that also had to move to the back burner of his professional life. At home, though, his emotions run far more freely. Since coming home from that event, compiled with losing the OWF World Championship, and having the added pressures of the battles of Ron looming in the back of his mind, things have definitely caused Jake to keep to himself. Things were getting so reclusive for Jake, that his father went out of his way in order to corner his son, and find out what was going on in his mind. He knew something was up, and finally got his son to spill it. Jake let loose, talking about how frustrated he was with Ron, and how the man has basically continued to haunt him, even with everything having been "finished." Jake also expressed frustration, knowing he shouldn't have dropped the World Championship, like he did, but never once mentioned David and Tommy. It was something Jeff immediately noticed, but having gotten his son to vent some, felt like maybe it was a subject Jake was still processing. And he was right... Jake has simply not been able to comprehend why everything went down like it did. The more and more he's thought about it, the less and less it makes sense. He's also tried to get to a point where he could simply get it out of his mind long enough to refocus his attention on the Chamber, and to a point, he feels like he may be on the right path. After waking up, and spending time with his wife, daughter, and his parents, Jake decides to excuse himself, and begin getting ready for the day. He makes a b-line for the shower, and cleans up. It's a refreshing feeling that Jake feels he needed. After getting out of the shower, Jake dries off, and throws on a pair of basketball shorts, so he can take another moment to continue to relax. He makes his way back into the bedroom, and goes over to the edge of his bed. He sits down, and grabs the remote control. He begins to flip through some of the channels on the television, hoping to find something entertaining on to watch. As he surfs, he sees some movement out of the corner of his eye. He glances over as he sees his wife, Roeper, walking up to the doorway. She sees her husband, and doesn't realize he knows she's there. She has a definite look of concern on her face. Jake initially thinks Roeper is simply walking into the bedroom, and he doesn't pay her much attention. Then, out of his periphery, he notices that she hasn't come in, and is in fact just frozen in the doorway. He looks over, and notices the look of concern on her face. Jake Starr: What's wrong honey? Roeper Hart: ... Are you OK? Jake is confused, but feels OK.
Jake Starr: Yeah, why? Apparently Roeper isn't very convinced.
Roeper Hart: Are you sure? Jake begins to think this may be the "second intervention," like the one his father recently gave him.
Jake Starr: Yeah... Dad talked to me already, and we discussed everything. We talked about me getting past things, and moving on. I'm feeling some better, but I know I have a ways to go. Everything's going to be OK, in the end, honey... Roeper Hart: I wasn't talking about that... Now the confusion really begins to set in for Jake. He assumed that this was going to be another talk about Ron, losing the World Championship, being screwed around by the suits in SCW, or something of the sorts.
Jake Starr: Then... What are you talking about? Roeper takes a deep and cautious breath. Her answer, too, is very quiet and reserved.
Roeper Hart: I'm talking about Tommy and David. Jake's expression immediately shifts from a, basically "normal" expression, to one of someone who might have just been fed some bad news. He slowly begins to nod, and realizes where this conversation is going. He clicks the television off, so that he can devout his full attention to his wife.
Jake Starr: ... What about them? Roeper Hart: ... Are you OK? Jake looks down and lets out a sigh. After a deep breath, he looks back up at Roeper.
Jake Starr: Yeah... I'm fine... Hearing Jake say that makes Roeper slowly lower head, and look at the floor. Jake can see a tear begin to run down her cheek.
Roeper Hart: ... Well I'm glad you are because I'm not. Jake quickly realizes that this has hit Roeper hard, and sees that it is much to the same deep degree that it hit him. He immediately stands up from the bed, and walks over to his wife, in the doorway, and embraces her. Roeper quickly falls into Jake's arms, and begins to sob uncontrollably.
Roeper Hart: Why Jake? Why? Why, why why?! Jake Starr: I don't know... I wish I knew, but I don't... BELIEVE ME... I wish I knew... Roeper continues to cry, and her words show just how confused she, too, is.
Roeper Hart: How... How can you be so calm?! The sobbing gets more intense.
Jake Starr: Believe me babe... I've just been trying to process it all. I'm not wanting to react before I really figure out what in the hell is going on here. I mean, I wasn't surprised they moved on, but to do what they did was just... Jake quickly cuts himself off, feeling the emotion beginning to overcome him as well.
Hearing Jake feeling the emotional toll as well makes Roeper realize how hard this is on her husband. She pulls herself back from Jake, and looks up at him, witnessing for herself the emotion and hurt in his eyes. She takes his hand, and together they walk over to the bed. They both sit down, and in Roeper's mind, she hopes that they can, together, have a true discussion about everything that's gone on. Once they both are sitting, she looks deep into her husband's eyes. Roeper Hart: ... Just what, babe? Jake Starr: ... It... It just hurt! It really hit me deep down... Jake's voice becomes more and more dejected as he speaks his mind.
Jake Starr: ... I mean, I have had people turn on me in the past, and ultimately it meany nothing long term. Sure, I may have battled with them, or we may have feuded for a bit, but ultimately, it was business. That's just how it goes... People will change alignments like underwear, especially if they get bored, or feel it'll give them some kind of monetary benefit. Regardless of their reason, it was all about business. It wasn't ever personal. This is different though... This wasn't just anyone, and this wasn't just some fly-by-night ally that I had... These guys were friends. These were two men who I brought into my home. These were two guys who I trusted with my inner most thoughts and feelings... And after all of that, I find out that our friendship was just a complete ruse? I was duped, Roeper... It's worse than I ever thought it would be. Roeper nods.
Roeper Hart: I know... The fact they did what they did, especially after the fact that you and I were there for David after his wife miscarried, is just unconscionable. Jake Starr: Yeah... Jake swallows a gulp of saliva that has pooled in his mouth. As he speaks, his tone of voice raises gently, as he gets more and more "excited."
Jake Starr: ... I brought them into my life, and I let them see into my deepest and darkest psyche. I trusted them with my child. I trusted them with you! I trusted them PERIOD! They opted to cross a line that very few people have ever even REMOTELY come close to crossing, with me. They have brought out emotions in me that I shouldn't ever face from people whom I considered "true friends." Roeper Hart: I know, honey... Jake Starr: They pulled this power play, and it rattled me to my fucking core. It's something that I don't think has ever happened in my entire career. In a nutshell, I'm fucking lost... I mean, I've been pissed off before, but NOTHING has emotionally rattled me, like this. NOTHING! Nothing has gotten to me like this. NOTHING political ever rattled me like this is right now. Jake sighs, and his tone begins to quiet again.
Jake Starr: It's something that I had to fight and work to hide. It's something that, if they saw how I am now, and how much this effected me, they would know they won... Roeper Hart: What do you mean? Why would they win if they saw how hurt you are? Jake Starr: It's because that was what their plan was. They WANT to see how much I am hurt. They crave the knowledge that what they did effected me like it actually has. And it's because of that craving that I can't let it be seen. If they see it, they can easily exploit it. I am the vulnerable one now, and I completely know it. I feel it. It's emotionally draining to think about, but it's true. Ultimately, this is the beginning of a war that will inevitable become something that explodes, and causes great peril to everyone involved. Me, them, you, everyone! Because of that, I can't show any weakness or any emotion from it. That is why I went out there and I just seemed indifferent about it. When they split off, I had always just figured they would go off to do their own thing. I figured it would be something they approached me about, explain that they felt it was best for everyone, and it'd be an amicable split. Instead, they went in a different direction, obviously. This direction is far more dangerous, and deep down, I know because of that, it will be not be pretty. It pains me to think about, but I'm not going to try and sugar coat it. It's inevitable that someday, somehow, the shit is going to eventually hit the fan, and all hell is going to break loose. When it does, I guarantee I'm going to turn into a mental wreck, and I can already tell that. When that happens, I know I'll be leaning heavily on you during that period of time... Roeper is slightly taken aback by Jake's comments. She realizes this is the first time that Jake has ever openly stated that he wanted to involve her in anything having to do with his wrestling career. Ever since they have been together, he has had this desire to keep her away from "the business," simply so she wouldn't be exposed to all of the "ugliness" that is inherent within the industry. She realizes that this is a major step for her husband.
Roeper Hart: I will definitely be there for you babe, but I have a better idea overall. I think when this all begins, I think I'm going on the road with you... Jake is then taken aback by his wife.
Jake Starr: No! You do not need to be there, like that. You don't want to be a part of that side of things. Roeper stands firm.
Roeper Hart: Jake, I don't care. There comes a point when every wife must stand by her husband in some kind of battle. You have done that for me, during all of the battles with my family, and now it's my turn to repay the favor. This is a battle that is not just yours. It is ours, and because of that, we will go out there and we will fight it together. You don't have a snowball's chance in hell of talking me out of this. It is something I have been thinking about for some time, and this is our time to finally go out, and make this business ours, and one where I stand by you like I should. Jake is still shocked. He does feel, however, that Roeper has made a massive leap forward in their lives, having the desire to join him on the road. He doesn't know how to respond, and simply sits quietly for several moments. After those moments, he begins to nod slowly and continues to feel the emotional toll that the actions of Tommy and David have put on him.
Roeper notices Jake's nodding, and realizes that Jake is processing everything, and understanding that she will not be swayed in her decision. It's something she realizes is going to be a big transition for him, and rather than continuing to try and "convince" her husband, she simply leans in and lays her head on his shoulder. Jake continues to sit in silence, but wraps his arm around his wife, and lays his head on top of hers. It's a moment of silence that they share together, and is one where they both realize what the future will ultimately hold. It'll be a world where they're forced to lean on one another far more than they ever have in the past. It will be a world where they are both a bit unfamiliar, but it will be one where, at the very least, they will have someone beside them whom they can entrust with everything. Jake Starr: It's time for life to officially refocus, for me. For some time now, my focus has been on the World Championship. It's been ONLY on the World Championship. Some people have said that my focus on getting back to the top has overshadowed the division that I represent. They continue to criticize me for my focus. Never once do they realize what I'm doing, or why I am doing it. No matter how much I have tried to explain myself, explain my reasoning, or explain my emotional status, they simply don't comprehend it. It's almost as if it's on purpose. Having said that, going into Under Attack, all of the pressure is on me. Everything about this contest is against me. As I said before, Bob Tomlinson has believed that others have been far more deserving of opportunities in this organization than me. Every time that I have risen above and beyond the call of duty, he's found more ladders that he wants me to climb. Every time I have called for an opportunity to get MY SHOT at the SCW World Championship, he's put another excuse on the table. And let me just say, Under Attack 2012 is one of his biggest slaps in the face, since I walked into Supreme Championship Wrestling! Jake begins to pace back and forth, as he begins to make a point to point out something he feels needs to be addressed.
You see... Exactly ONE YEAR ago, when the Chamber match was announced for Under Attack 2011, I had been on a mission to get my hands on Shawn Winters. It was a mission that was put off time after time, and proved to be one of those things that really never happened. Sure, I faced him, but nobody cared. I didn't care. He didn't care. The point at which that match would have had the biggest payoff had passed, unless they had made one crucial decision... ... Put Jake Starr in the Chamber! Some of the names that were included last year made sense. As much as I may have hated the sight of Christy Matthews in that match, yeah, she probably was a fair pick. Shilo Valiant, same thing. But after that, the real questions came in. I mean, I had beaten guys like Allocco and Porno Lad. I had blitzed through everyone who was put in front of me. I was an OBVIOUS choice. Instead, they went with someone like Chad Evans. They went with someone like Katie Steward. They went with names that simply made me feel like I meant SHIT to the company. Then they really slapped me... They said, "Jake, we know you have been wanting to face Winters in a match that would really be a monumental and memorable match, but instead we're just going to randomly make one between you two, make no build up, and just use it as a throw away moment on the card. We realize the Chamber Match would probably make more sense, but it would upset too many people, and we would rather not deal with all of the complaints." No trust me... That's what was said! So I got to face Winters, and it was a match NOBODY cared about. I couldn't get excited about it because I knew it didn't matter to anyone. I knew it wouldn't have any ramifications. I knew that win or lose, nobody would remember it. So it was a throw away moment for me. With that being said, let's fast forward to today. Let's think about what Bob has done, this time. He realizes that, now, Jake Starr is the biggest draw he has in SCW, and instead of putting me in the World Title Match, like I have earned and deserve, he opts to give me the "reward" that he should have LAST YEAR. NOW I am in the Chamber Match, but this time, yet again, no real payoff. At least, not where it matters. I know that if I win, the excuse will be, "Well anyone can get lucky inside a demonic structure," and if I lose, it'll be something like, "See, you truly aren't ready for the big time." Jake stops pacing, and looks back into the lens of the camera.
That's why I have to refocus. All of this has my mind so wrapped around the notion of being screwed, I haven't been able to really think about this Chamber, and think about all of the implications that are involved with walking into a match of this magnitude. I mean, let's face it... Thirteen and Syren isn't a main event. It's not a match everyone is getting all amped up about. It's not a match that has the caliber to headline ANY card. So in essence, the hopes and dreams of Bob and his cronies of keeping me out of the biggest match in an event have failed. His ideas of putting another random opponent, the likes of whom I HAVE BEATEN IN BIG MATCHES, against the World Champion has, in effect, relegated the World Championship to an even lesser title than what it should be. The fact that a World Title match isn't the one people are talking about, or the match that is, has no implications with the World Championship, is sad. But it's good for me! See, no matter what happens in the World Championship match, nobody is going to talk about it. No matter if Shilo shows up, no matter if Thirteen wins, it will simply be a match on the card that is forgotten. Why? Because it doesn't include me. The Chamber, however, does. When Bob put this match together, I know what his mindset was. I know what he was going for. He wants me to NOT have an argument, so he hopes that throwing the Adrenaline Championship inside the Chamber would make my odds almost impossible of emerging victorious. Any champion walking into a match like this has some of the SHITTIEST odds possible. That's why, when he announced the match, I decided to take measures into my own hands, and begin giving people an idea of who I thought would be included in that bunch of opponents I would face. My guesses on opponents were based on several factors... 1... Who fits the "Adrenaline" mentality. 2... Who could be a perennial contender for this championship. 3... And this is the most obvious one... Who have I faced recently, that the unoriginal brass, in the front offices, that they could resurrect, and try and put into another match with me. See, that third reason is a recurring theme for SCW. They love to do the whole, "Oh, I think Jake faced this guy recently, and he may have beaten them severely, but let's give them another chance to be champion." I mean, the idea of "fairness" goes out the window, when it comes to opponents for me. If they look the part, they're in. Bob loves those kinds of moments. He loves figuring out that type of "great" ideas... Jake smirks, which seems to come out of nowhere, considering how annoyed he seemed during his description of his view of the chain of events.
The funniest part is, though, is that while I haven't had a chance to really put my mind, I do know what I need to do to win. While last year, I may have been held out of the Chamber Match, in my VERY FIRST YEAR in Supreme Championship Wrestling, I was put inside with the opportunity to earn a chance to vie for the World Championship. I was put into the Chamber with the likes of Thorn, Justin Davis, Masquerade, and Chad Evans. I wasn't picked to do anything. I was suspected of being just another guy who tried, and lost. The problem is though, I won. I won, and it put me on the path to becoming the NEXT World Heavyweight Champion. I've been in a high profile match, with everything at stake, and that's just how this match is now. That's just how this year's match is. That's exactly what Bob has thrown me into. He expects me to go in there and be overwhelmed at the amount of pressure that will be against me. But I won't. Not this time, and not EVER. I have faced adversity of every type, and I have faced it almost EVERY DAY that I have been in SCW. Jake looks over onto his shoulder, where the Adrenaline Championship has rested this entire time.
... Now having said all of that, I look at this match as a true test on if I am going to own this division like I did in the past. I look at defending MY Adrenaline Championship inside a Chamber as a match where everyone who watches will realize that this belt will be mine for some time. It's also going to be a match where the truth begins to show itself! See, I know when Bob had this "bright idea," he wanted to go out and showcase the Adrenaline Division by picking all of the "bright" stars. He then threw in David Miller as well, but I don't get that one, but oh well. And I mean, I agree. These cats do make up some of the great talent that the Division has. They are are very vital to the continued success of it. But there is a difference between these challengers, and the Adrenaline Champion, himself. They may be members of the division. They may be guys who help keep the Adrenaline Division "spinning," but I'm no piece. I am the motor... I am the heart... I am the soul... I AM the DIVISION! Jake pops a few of the knuckles on his hand.
When I walk into that Chamber, I guarantee nothing will stop me. I don't care if I'm riding momentum, if they're riding momentum, if the odds are for me, or they're against me, I am going to overcome the odds, and I'm going to retain my championship. This championship means a lot to me. I don't care if I've acknowledged it in the ways that others "approve" of, or not, but it is. It's what made me in SCW, and it's what will always be the belt that holds a special place in my heart. It may not get me the "cred" that I know I deserve, but it doesn't mean I can't dominate, and make it something everyone takes notice of. I mean think about it... The first time I won this Adrenaline Championship, I turned it into a championship that was relegated to mediocre status, into a championship that people wanted. It's a truth nobody can challenge. Another truth is the fact that, once again, people began to forget about the Adrenaline Championship, before I came knocking on the divisional door again. Thirteen was winning over people who, honestly, nobody even remembers. His wins were not memorable, and honestly neither were mine when I first won this championship for the first time. But as time progressed, things changed. I started getting matches against names like Stacy Kissinger, Christian Savior, and James Exeter. These are matches that people REMEMBER! This Chamber Match will be the FIRST Adrenaline Championship match that people remember, in some time. It won't be because someone like Chameleon or Cloudiee pulled off an upset... It won't be because this was a moment when David Miller broke away from the pack, and started gaining recognition again... It definitely won't be because Dylan Howell went from obscurity to champion, in the span of one match! It will be because Jake Starr went in, and Jake Starr won. It WILL be because once the dust settles, it'll be the moment everyone looks into that ring, and sees me battered, bruised, bloody, and still standing tall. It WILL be the moment where those who think I'm not taking things seriously enough, will be forced to eat crow. Believe me when I say that I'm not going to come up short. I'm not letting Bob Tomlinson have any argument from here on out. I'm going out to leave a lasting impression in the minds of the masses, and rise to the challenge. I'm going to go out there, and I'm going to retain my championship. Under Attack is MY TIME! Fin |
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