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Post by Das Admin on Jan 13, 2016 22:55:30 GMT -6
**OFF CAMERA**
Man, things got so interesting. For a number of years now, Giant has had the privilege of getting to know Danny Stevenson, and then when he was asked by Danny personally to come into this project called Missouri State Wrestling and with the experience that Giant, better known as Justin Rowe behind the scenes has had in the business, being a true legend in his own right, and Danny asked him to be part of this project-- his project as a member of Talent Relations. Danny entrusted Justin to be part of the team to scout the world and find the best of the best to make MSW into something amazing and with Drew Stevenson and Frank Washington by his side as well, they did just that. It allowed for them to make one of the single most formidable companies for the time that it was around. The company took a hiatus, a little longer than expected, but Danny still had the joy of being able to be part of promotions such as RWD and GGW in his own way.
And in time hee wanted nothing more than to bring Missouri State Wrestling back into the light, but he had to see his baby off right. The employees still weren't sure who the new boss was going to be, but what they did know is that they weren't going to let Danny just walk away. This was still his baby until after the first show, so Justin "Giant" Rowe decided that we were going to have a farewell party for the man that has been like a father to everybody on the roster. They were at a local establishment and enjoying a great catered dinner together, Danny, Giant, Drew, Frank, Scotty, the roster and trainers of MSW and the Emerald Academy, and friends of Danny throughout his career were going to be in attendance at the Double Tree. They had music, some of Danny's favorites and just over-all a great time was going to be had. Giant was at the door with Drew Stevenson, to the room in which the celebration was being had.
One by one the guests arrived, and finally the employees that were supposed to be doing the job Giant and Drew were doing showed up so they could go inside and approach Danny who's having a conversation with Frank, and of course his unmistakable Southern Boy accent, coming from some of the more southern parts of Missouri.
Giant: I tell ya what, Danny, it's been a real pleasure working with you, brother. It'd been a while since I was involved in the industry in this capacity and I never would've had the chance if not for you, man. So I gotta give a a huge thanks.
Danny: Ah dun you mention it, Justin. If y'all hand't jumped on board ta help this ol' man out, none'a this woulda been possible. Gotta say, ya did this shindig up real nice-like too. Thank ya kindly for tha reception.
Giant: Danny, you know any day, any time when ya need it we're gonna be here to help you. This is your night though, so enjoy it. You've been like a father, not just to us but to all of the roster. You gave them the comradery, man. Without you they would have never even stuck it together to fight through all the crap.
Danny: Well thank ya kindly, my man. Nah I dun know 'bout you, but I'm ready to get my jiggy on!
Danny had the biggest smile on his face, the smile that lit up the room every time he entered it. It was going to be different with him gone. He had his own little jig, pulling his arms in and shaking his shoulders, bouncing them up and down a bit as he strutted over to the middle where there was a designated dance floor.
Giant: Drew, I tell you what, you've got one charismatic uncle for sure. |
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Post by Frank Washington on Jan 18, 2016 19:50:30 GMT -6
It was good to be back home. San Jose, New Orleans, Ireland; they all felt like home to Frank Washington but as far as promotions only one place was truly home. It has been far too long since the yellow and black had flown over the great state of Missouri and to be able to fly in for a special occasion like this was a pleasant surprise for Danny as well as some of his other friends in the recently revived promotion. He and fellow MSW Alumni Shawna Martinez-Washington were expecting a child in the very near future, a pairing that reached it's way onscreen during its original run and throughout the party he received well wishes from just about everyone he came across.
Standing together with Giant and several others while Danny was enjoying himself on the dance floor a familiar face to MSW fans everywhere threw his arm around the Revolutionary.
Alex Smith: Well if it isn't the Patriarch of the Washington family himself!
With a huge grin Frank gave Alex a big hug while patting his back. Most of those familiar with MSW's past knew Alex Smith as the play by play commentator that called the action alongside of Alex Bradford, the duo commonly known as Alex Squared around the office and a few people knew him from a short lived promotion by the name of Golden Gate Wrestling. To Frank Washington however he was a mentor, an older brother, at times a Father figure, and at times onscreen his moral compass. Even up there in his 60s Alex Smith was in tremendous health, some would even ironically point out that the old man only appeared to get sick less the more he aged and showed no signs of slowing down.
Frank Washington: Words I never thought I'd hear you say. If you told me 5 years ago that I'd be getting ready to be a Father I would've laughed. When you get caught up in this business it's not always easy to balance your work life with your private life.
The two finally released their embrace as they walked over towards the catering area. MSW spared no expense to send Danny Stevenson into his rightfully earned retirement as many of the wrestlers and staff, Frank included, chipped in for the expenses. Mexican, Italian, and good ole fashioned American food could be seen lining the tables and the smell of southern cooking was undeniable the closer one got to it.
Alex Smith: You were lucky to find Shawna. The two of you had chemistry inside the ring as well as outside of it. That's pretty rare.
With a grin Frank grabs a plate for him and Alex as they begin to stack their plates with all the fixins. For a pair of old road buddies it brought back a flood of good memories of when they'd pull up to a Golden Coral after 4-5 hours on the road on the way to the next show or when in MSW when they'd get a few of the guys and girls in the back and go to the local pub to unwind after the show.
Frank Washington: Sometimes when you're not looking is when you really find what you were looking for all along. I'm a happy man Alex, I'm a happy man even if my golf game still sucks.
The two shared a hearty laugh as they moved down the table, each man picking a little bit of everything with Frank slanting his pallet a little more towards the Mexican beans and rice. It was hard finding good Mexican food in Ireland after all.
Alex Smith: You never struck me as a golfing man Frank, what inspired you to try it out?
With a sly grin and a slight shoulder shrug Frank replied nonchalantly.
Frank Washington: Well it was a mix of two things Alex; the fact that most "retired" people take up golf and watching Three Little Beers.
Three Little Beers was an iconic Three Stooges Short from 1935 where Moe, Larry, and Curly absolutely and utterly destroy the game of golf in comedic fashion.
Alex Smith: You're not telling me you're actually retired are you? Come on, I'm older than you and I haven't hanged it up!
Frank Washington: Naaah. I never officially retired or made any announcement although I'm sure some of the dirt sheets out there list me as such. Shawna and I just figured it was time for some new scenery and greener pastures after GGW and what was originally meant to be a vacation trip turned into an indefinite one. Found a plot of land we liked and decided to pitch our tents so to speak.
Alex Smith: I remember, older architectural style from when I visited you two a few months back. We need to go fishing again sometime really soon, that always suited you a lot better than golf.
Frank Washington: Hey you were always a great fisherman yourself, even if you do tell some rather tall tales.
Alex Smith: Oh come on Frank! You saw that time I caught that 200 pound tuna.
Frank Washington: Yeah, you told everyone you caught it even though it wrestled with you and slipped off the deck and back into the ocean. You would've gone overboard with it if I didn't grab you by the life jacket. You always leave that part out.
Both men share a laugh as the two reach the end of the table. The night was still young and it was only a matter of time before he bumped into more familiar faces.
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