Post by Cross Recoba on Feb 4, 2023 2:11:08 GMT
The screen bursts into life. Cross Recoba can be seen sitting in an office chair. The backdrop shows what we presume to be prospective Tap Out wrestlers going through drills inside the ring. A voice outside the door can be faintly heard instructing them.
The IPW star takes a swig from his water bottle and places it behind the camera. He adjusts his tie, once this video was sent off he’d be expected to watch the final evaluations and deliver feedback to the attendees.
CROSS RECOBA
Since my last title shot, I’ve gone unbeaten and done it in style. I sit as the de facto Number One Contender to MYÕJIN’s IPW National Openweight title. I beat Aubrey Mack and sent him packing from the company. I earned my spot at the top of the contender’s list when I beat Gunner and have you seen him around lately? Lastly, I stopped Aren from gatecrashing my eventual match with the Champion and, once more, he remains on the inactive list. Despite the continual rings that Long and his team have me having to reach for at each show, I’ve been a good sport but when I saw the card for Adrenaline Fourteen? I realised I’d been far too good of one by a long shot.
Leaning back, Cross looks off-screen as if contemplating something.
CROSS RECOBA
You see, once more I’m going into a match where I’ve got to protect that shot and prove myself again. Whilst MYÕJIN gets to pad his record with people like Tarah Nova, I’ve got to face-off against the ‘other’ top contender, Tommy Hate…
Recoba’s lip almost curls in disgust at the mention of his opponent.
CROSS RECOBA
Now, don’t get me wrong. He has a decent record, he’s lost one match since he came to IPW and that was against the Champ himself but come on, Tommy, do you really think you’re coming out of this with a win?
The lip curl dismissed, a smile began to form.
CROSS RECOBA
We’re both from Illinois, that is pretty much where the similarities end. You see, when people I’m doing business with find out I grew up in Cicero they’re surprised. But Rockford isn’t that far, only a ninety-minute drive and yet despite us coming from similar backgrounds - I did everything I could to shake my roots off and not let them define me, your history seems to be the only thing that drives you…
He lets the comparison hang in the air.
CROSS RECOBA
The net-effect of that is that what you’ve become is nothing but one-dimensional. I know when that bell rings that you’re not going to be a pushover, that Hate Machine choke could take down anyone if you get the chance to apply it but I’m not like the majority you’ve faced. I’m not going to try and take you on in a street-fight, Irina tried that and what happened to her? But here is why you’ve hit that one-dimensional ceiling - I don’t need to play your game in the ring.
The IPW Box Office Smash leans forward to the camera.
CROSS RECOBA
Ask around, Tommy, and what people will tell you is that I don’t cheat because I have to, I cheat because I can. By that same logic, I know I can wrestle rings around you and that’s your weakness, we all saw it when you faced MYÕJIN. I don’t even think I’ve had a match with glue and glass like the Champ has but I’ve weathered my fair share of psychopaths and lunatics inside the ring and I don’t think you’re even fit to barb-wire their bats. Those ambushes only proved that you’re still just a Rockford street-rat, all fists and no original thoughts in your head.
Removing the water from the desk, Cross leans back into the chair and takes a sip.
CROSS RECOBA
You probably haven’t had a new idea or approach in your head since that kid you maimed got told he was in a wheelchair for the rest of his days. How can I be so certain? Because when you lost and started this campaign of cheapshots, all you did was remind the world that Tommy Hate is the answer for how to knock a wall down but what he isn’t is a way to unlock gold. If I wanted someone to weaken or take out my opponent? You’d be the guy I’d come to and as a bonus, you’d probably do it because that’s the only way you think to enjoy yourself. If I wanted to back a new Champion elect? I’d grab John Blade’s business card off the arena janitor before I thought of calling you…
The games over, a seriousness materializes on the face of Cross.
CROSS RECOBA
Of the many differences between you and I, that’s the one that’ll put you on that suspension list and far away from avenging your loss against MYÕJIN, Tommy. You only have a Plan A and when that doesn’t work you only know how to double-down on it. The Trial of Tommy Hate doesn’t end with your acquittal, it ends with the verdict being that I am the outright contender to take that National Openweight title away from its current owner. I’ve proven I can win gold in Infinite Pro, you’ve proven that somewhere a Pit Fighting League missed a trick and nothing else.
The look in Recoba’s eyes is one of steel.
CROSS RECOBA
I’ve come too far to let someone like you run the final straight, I’ve gone through too many opponents to contemplate dropping the opportunity at the last, and I’ve spent far too many weeks preparing for my shot. When that bell rings,Tommy, I expect to face intensity and brutality, I know I can weather that. Have you worked out that we’re no longer on the streets of Chicago anymore? If you haven’t, then you better be prepared to break out that mask once more!
The IPW star takes a swig from his water bottle and places it behind the camera. He adjusts his tie, once this video was sent off he’d be expected to watch the final evaluations and deliver feedback to the attendees.
CROSS RECOBA
Since my last title shot, I’ve gone unbeaten and done it in style. I sit as the de facto Number One Contender to MYÕJIN’s IPW National Openweight title. I beat Aubrey Mack and sent him packing from the company. I earned my spot at the top of the contender’s list when I beat Gunner and have you seen him around lately? Lastly, I stopped Aren from gatecrashing my eventual match with the Champion and, once more, he remains on the inactive list. Despite the continual rings that Long and his team have me having to reach for at each show, I’ve been a good sport but when I saw the card for Adrenaline Fourteen? I realised I’d been far too good of one by a long shot.
Leaning back, Cross looks off-screen as if contemplating something.
CROSS RECOBA
You see, once more I’m going into a match where I’ve got to protect that shot and prove myself again. Whilst MYÕJIN gets to pad his record with people like Tarah Nova, I’ve got to face-off against the ‘other’ top contender, Tommy Hate…
Recoba’s lip almost curls in disgust at the mention of his opponent.
CROSS RECOBA
Now, don’t get me wrong. He has a decent record, he’s lost one match since he came to IPW and that was against the Champ himself but come on, Tommy, do you really think you’re coming out of this with a win?
The lip curl dismissed, a smile began to form.
CROSS RECOBA
We’re both from Illinois, that is pretty much where the similarities end. You see, when people I’m doing business with find out I grew up in Cicero they’re surprised. But Rockford isn’t that far, only a ninety-minute drive and yet despite us coming from similar backgrounds - I did everything I could to shake my roots off and not let them define me, your history seems to be the only thing that drives you…
He lets the comparison hang in the air.
CROSS RECOBA
The net-effect of that is that what you’ve become is nothing but one-dimensional. I know when that bell rings that you’re not going to be a pushover, that Hate Machine choke could take down anyone if you get the chance to apply it but I’m not like the majority you’ve faced. I’m not going to try and take you on in a street-fight, Irina tried that and what happened to her? But here is why you’ve hit that one-dimensional ceiling - I don’t need to play your game in the ring.
The IPW Box Office Smash leans forward to the camera.
CROSS RECOBA
Ask around, Tommy, and what people will tell you is that I don’t cheat because I have to, I cheat because I can. By that same logic, I know I can wrestle rings around you and that’s your weakness, we all saw it when you faced MYÕJIN. I don’t even think I’ve had a match with glue and glass like the Champ has but I’ve weathered my fair share of psychopaths and lunatics inside the ring and I don’t think you’re even fit to barb-wire their bats. Those ambushes only proved that you’re still just a Rockford street-rat, all fists and no original thoughts in your head.
Removing the water from the desk, Cross leans back into the chair and takes a sip.
CROSS RECOBA
You probably haven’t had a new idea or approach in your head since that kid you maimed got told he was in a wheelchair for the rest of his days. How can I be so certain? Because when you lost and started this campaign of cheapshots, all you did was remind the world that Tommy Hate is the answer for how to knock a wall down but what he isn’t is a way to unlock gold. If I wanted someone to weaken or take out my opponent? You’d be the guy I’d come to and as a bonus, you’d probably do it because that’s the only way you think to enjoy yourself. If I wanted to back a new Champion elect? I’d grab John Blade’s business card off the arena janitor before I thought of calling you…
The games over, a seriousness materializes on the face of Cross.
CROSS RECOBA
Of the many differences between you and I, that’s the one that’ll put you on that suspension list and far away from avenging your loss against MYÕJIN, Tommy. You only have a Plan A and when that doesn’t work you only know how to double-down on it. The Trial of Tommy Hate doesn’t end with your acquittal, it ends with the verdict being that I am the outright contender to take that National Openweight title away from its current owner. I’ve proven I can win gold in Infinite Pro, you’ve proven that somewhere a Pit Fighting League missed a trick and nothing else.
The look in Recoba’s eyes is one of steel.
CROSS RECOBA
I’ve come too far to let someone like you run the final straight, I’ve gone through too many opponents to contemplate dropping the opportunity at the last, and I’ve spent far too many weeks preparing for my shot. When that bell rings,Tommy, I expect to face intensity and brutality, I know I can weather that. Have you worked out that we’re no longer on the streets of Chicago anymore? If you haven’t, then you better be prepared to break out that mask once more!
