Post by Frank Washington on Mar 11, 2014 19:01:24 GMT -6
After Unstoppable #2 ends Frank Washington can be seen walking in the hallway backstage taking his wrist tape off wearing a pair of black sweatpants over his ring gear and an MSW shirt. Wrestling Chris Alans was the easy part compared to what would happen during and after the match as someone from his past would decide to show himself for the second time in two weeks. Unknown to most people inside MSW he actually had a lot of history with Robert Garland or Badger as he was known to many, the two together have been working off and on in the industry since late 2007. Until January 2010 they were even friends having worked together on the same side of the ring as partners on several occasions until all of that changed. Frank finally reaches the locker room and swings the door open and takes a seat on the bench next to where his bag was as he sits down and ponders his past. Frank stares at the ground lost in his own inner reflection as he runs his hands through his hair visibly grasping at it as a look of remorse and regret is tangible in his expression. However after several moments his focus is broken as a knock can be heard on the door which snaps Frank out of his trance like state.
Frank Washington: Come in.
The door swings open as Alex Smith walks through the door which brought a weak smile to Frank seeing his old friend. Frank gets up to meet Alex as the two shake hands and a pat on the back.
Alex Smith: Great match out there tonight, I see the time you spent working and training at the Emerald Academy recently is paying off. Good to see your style evolve over the years, I remember when I first met you those years ago you were more of a highflyer whereas now you’re shaping up to be quite the pure wrestler.
Frank Washington: It’s been a steady transition over the years but my time at the Academy recently showed me that I needed to improve my ground game and submission precision. It’s not enough to just be good at it, I want to be one of the best technical wrestlers that ever laced up a pair of boots.
Alex Smith smiles and laughs as they both take a seat on the bench. Frank gazes off briefly, his thoughts still racing in regards to Badger’s reemergence and his own actions in the past. Perhaps it was an old demon coming home to feast, one that Frank deep down hoped he’d never have to; even if he’d never admit it.
Alex Smith: You were already pretty good at that if you ask me but to see you take a more submission focused style in MSW is a pleasant surprise but a very fitting transition. You’ve always been the type to methodically pick an opponent apart both mentally and physically and exploit the flaws in their technique and style.
Frank nods and stares off for a moment, his mind still very much focused on the recent reemergence of his once and future rival.
Alex Smith: Frank… hey Frank!
Alex nudges Frank for a moment as he snaps back to reality.
Alex Smith: What’s on your mind? You seem pretty distant these last few weeks.
Frank remains silent for a few moments as he takes a heavy sigh.
Frank Washington: Badger.
Alex Smith: I figured as much.
Frank shakes his head as he leans back on the bench as a wry smile slowly emerged on his face.
Frank Washington: Why did he have to pick now of all times to crawl out of whatever hole he was in, why did he have to come all the way to Missouri to settle an old score? I know… what I did was terrible, Badger has every right to hate me for what I put him through, hell I should be in jail for what I did to him at the Walton Correctional Facility alone.
Frank pauses and looks away as he reflects on his time working as prison security when Badger was imprisoned. While he was away from active competition at the time a fateful phone call in 2012 from a Walton Wisdom lured him back to the squared circle in the form of a manager, much to Badger’s disdain. His task was to “motivate” his client into making more money for the corrupt prison and its unscrupulous warden. While Frank had no love or respect for the warden at the time he knew it was the perfect way to get into Badger’s head. Years later it was a decision that haunted him, one that he wish he could go and take back especially seeing the abuses of the prison system. He leans forward again on the bench as he stares into the wall with a halfhearted chuckle.
Frank Washington: Alex, I should have expected this to happen eventually. You prod a Badger with a stick long enough sooner or later he’s going to seek revenge.
Alex nods solemnly and adjusts his glasses as he turns to his friend.
Alex Smith: We all have to face our demons eventually. Over the last year I’ve had the pleasure to see you grow not only as a competitor but as a person. Whether we were traveling the road together or if I was at ringside managing you to your next championship I watched you become the real Frank Washington. A man who laced his boots up every night to prove to himself and to everyone in the back and in attendance that you’re one of the best wrestlers alive today, a man who loves this business and gets to live his dream day in and day out in between those ropes in that squared circle. You’ve rediscovered yourself and remembered who you are and why you originally got into this business in the first place. You’re not “The Revolutionary Turncoat” anymore, you’re not a ruthless cutthroat who would throw anyone under the bus for your own personal gain. You’re not that man anymore Frank.
Alex pauses to pat his friend on the back almost as a father would to his son.
Alex Smith: I know it’s a difficult thing to confront but you have to face it head on.
Frank smiles halfheartedly as he makes a half shrug.
Frank Washington: It’s not that easy Alex. A simple “I’m sorry” isn’t going to bury the hatchet or put this bad blood to rest. I’d probably want to kick my ass too if I were in his shoes but at the same time… I don’t want to reopen those old wounds. I’ve already caused this man enough grief for a lifetime, I can’t help but think I’m responsible for ruining his life.
Frank extends his hands and looks at them almost as if a war weary vet would knowing of the blood on his hands.
Frank Washington: I’ve done many things that I’m not proud of but out of all the things I’ve done this is the one that eats away at me the most. I guess we all pay the price for our sins eventually…
Frank pauses as he keeps staring at his hands slowly gripping them almost as if his hands were actually covered on blood.
Frank Washington: I can’t change the past, no matter how much I want to but I can still shape the future.
Alex Smith: Actions speak louder than words, just keep being yourself and you’ll come out fine in the end. It may be a bloody road to travel down Frank, but if you don’t confront him now it’ll be something that’ll follow you around until you finally stare him in the eye and put to rest your unfinished business.
Frank Washington: So I can cause him even more grief? Alex you don’t understand just how deep these wounds run. If the two of us square off in that ring you won’t see any wrestling from either of us, you’ll see a straight up fight. There will be no “Spirit of Competition” or even a hint of respect, all MSW is going to get is two men looking to legitimately kill each other, do you understand Alex?! Do you understand?!
Frank looks up and turns to Alex, a reflection of burning intensity and passion could be seen in the gaze of Frank Washington.
Frank Washington: He’s going to try to end my career and despite how bad I may feel about all the wrong I’ve done to him I’m not going to just lay down while he tries to break my neck! I’m not going to lay down for him just so he can take my livelihood away from me! The things we would do to each other would be considered downright criminal outside of the protections of MSW, it would be a full blown WAR!
Frank pauses and lets out a heavy sigh as he hangs and shakes his head in grief.
Frank Washington: Alex… I don’t know if I could do that. It would go against the very principles this company was founded upon and I don’t think Danny Stevenson would be all too pleased to see bar brawls and street fights overtaking his show. If Garland and I end up face to face… it’s going to spill out of control.
There’s a silence in the room that lasts for several minutes as Frank is visibly conflicted. Finally after several moments Frank’s phone goes off in his bag as the sound of his theme pierces the dead silent locker room. Frank looks over and unzips his bag pulling out his phone seeing a text notification from Shawna Martinez pop up before putting his phone on silent and slipping it into his pocket. Alex looks over with a great look of concern on his face for his old friend.
Alex Smith: Honestly Frank you're the only one best equipped to handle this situation; ultimately in the end the issue is between you and Robert Garland alone. Just… remember who you are and don’t lose your way, that’s all I ask.
Frank nods solemnly as he gets up and grabs his bag patting his friend on the shoulder.
Frank Washington: I understand Alex, you’ve seen me through some of my lowest points and even if I was a bad friend at times you still stuck with me. I’m not interested in walking that dark path again but Badger better watch his ass.
Frank turns to look at Alex looking as serious as a heart attack at his concerned friend.
Frank Washington: Because if I have to spill my blood to prove a point… he’s going to spill a fair share of his own. I don’t want a war Alex, but I refuse to remain defenseless.
Alex Smith: I understand, just… take care of yourself Frank.
Frank will nod as the walks out of the locker room as the door quietly shuts behind him.
