Post by Chris Williams on Jul 7, 2014 17:54:57 GMT -6
“A Moment for Myself”
Credit: Chris Williams
DISCLAIMER: PARTIALLY RECYCLED PIECE, FOR DEVELOPMENTAL/BACKSTORY PURPOSES ONLY
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Earlier this morning….
The camera comes into focus on Chris Williams running along a poorly attended trail in the park on this early July morning. Weeds have sprung up through the narrow gravel path, and the occasional trail sign is blacked out with graffiti. It is just before five in the morning, no light but the sporadic lamp-posts spread across the park trail. Chris wore his loose-fitting Adidas black track-pants and a slate gray Missouri State Wrestling hoodie, with “Williams” printed in white letters on the back. He slows up quickly, coming to a halt next to one of the rare lit lamp-posts. He pulls out his water bottle and slugs a few drinks while leaning heavily against it. Unable to sleep last night, Williams decided that he needed to clear his mind. The faded orange light floods over him as he begins to ponder what went wrong THIS time. For Williams, running is the best way to get away from it all, get away from all the extra crap, all the bullshit. Just get away from it all, and have time for himself… for once.
Looking as far back as he could remember, Williams had always preferred this type of silent solitude above everything else. He was a thinker, a planner… always had been. Calculating and cunning, though never in an underhanded manner. He always made sure to have a backup plan to his backup plan. It was critical to always be a mental step ahead of the guy across from him. That preparation parlayed itself right into his professional wrestling career. Williams is a student of the game, knowing there is always something to be done. Each day you can get better, or you can get worse – but you never stay the same. Williams wanted to make damn sure that he improved on some aspect of his technique each and every day. And it was much easier to do so back when he was just starting out in the GameFAQs Wrestling Federation. But now, when Williams is seemingly past his prime, past the top of his game, it becomes more and more difficult to be the best.
It makes it even tougher that now, in the busy, hectic life of MSW, he hardly gets a moment to himself. Chris had never liked the spotlight to shine on him, but now there is almost no avoiding it. There is always an interview, always a public appearance that he needs to show up for. It doesn’t truly bother him, as he loves each and every fan that he entertains. But here, in the darkness of the morning, with nothing but his thoughts accompanying him, Williams is free. Running gives him that escape he needs, that time where he can be himself, without anyone looking over his shoulder.
Williams: Alright Chris, get your shit together. You have a title shot in three weeks, what are you gonna do about it?
With that thought, Williams begins sprinting – bolting from beneath the dim orange glow of the trail light. The pit-pat of his sneakers echo throughout the forest. He keeps trying to focus on wrestling, the names of the many Hall of Famers of professional wrestling and future MSW legends of the business running through his head. Each name brings a different thought, a different memory, to Williams’ mind. Each Hall of Famer, each Superstar, each man once made their debut as a nobody, and slowly built themselves into a household name.
Slowly coming to a stop, Williams looks down at the ground, kicking a few pebbles while he’s at it, and speaks to nobody in particular but himself.
Chris Williams: They all started right where I did, entering the ring. I guess that leaves one question….
How do I cement my legacy? I trained my ass off to get here, and who knows if I even belong anymore. The only reason I decided to return was to finish what I started with the Smart family, and really what the hell for? I’m sure the locker room is talking about me right now, saying that I can’t keep up any longer. That I’m washed up. That I can’t handle the pressure. That this fed is no place for a has-been like me. I’m the outside man looking in. Yeah, I can still keep it together and put somebody down for the three-count, but I used to be Superman around this ring! And yeah, I’ve won my debut, but what have I done to deserve a title shot? Nothing, at least that’s what the locker room is saying.
Williams looks up into the dark night sky and screams at the stars.
Williams:Well you know what… I’m right here!
I’ve done everything to get here! None of those guys, not a single one, has any idea of the hell I went through to get myself to this point. I was on my own, each and every day, fighting to make myself better.
Chris thinks back and remembers his days in the GWF, climbing the ranks and becoming one of the top wrestlers in the federation, just hoping for someone to recognize his talent.
Williams: And maybe that’s where I should have stayed. I knew back there I was the top dog. I knew I could beat anyone in the company. Maybe I should have stayed retired when the GWF closed…. Maybe everyone’s right, maybe I don’t belong in professional wrestling anymore, even with a potential title victory.
Suddenly, as if a signal was sent from the gods, Williams feels his phone vibrating in his pocket. Wondering who could possibly be texting him at just after five in the morning, Williams grabs the phone and takes a peek at the brightly lit screen.
From: Drew Stevenson
Date: Monday, July 7, 2014
Time: 5:38 A.M.
Congratulations again on your win. Don’t get sidetracked by Smart. You’ve got a Championship match at Back to Basics. Win, and you officially become the first champion in the history of the new title. Win… and you’re in the record books.
~Drew
Shocked and surprised, Williams sets his phone back in his pocket and smirks. His attitude takes a total 180 as the realization dawns on him….
Williams: Holy hell. This belt is MINE. Nobody can change that, and nobody is going to stop me from writing the record books. At Back to Basics, I’m going to send that message. CHRIS WILLIAMS IS HERE TO STAY. And just like Drew said, Smart’s time will come. He can believe it’s done, that he left me behind. But I’ll never forget. I’ll never go away. I’ll NEVER. BACK. DOWN!
Williams begins jogging the final stretch of his early morning routine, blood pumping through his legs, with a wide smile spreading across his face.
Williams: Maybe this really is where I’m supposed to be. I have a chance to become what I promised my father I could be, what I would be. A true champion. The first undercard champion in company history. I can put on the show of a lifetime, building on a legacy that could be remembered in the wresting circles forever. The three men standing in the ring with me will be trying to prevent that. I won’t give them the chance.
Williams continues pumping his arms and legs in unison, sprinting again through the trail. His track pants ruffling from the breeze flowing past him, he continues on. His gray hoodie slowly being overcome with sweat, he continues on. Suddenly, the end of the trail is in sight. Williams drops down a gear, then halts altogether. He quickly stretches out the hamstrings and quad muscles before walking the last quarter mile, allowing his body ample time to cool off. He glances down at his watch, 5:57 A.M.
Williams: Right on time.
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