Post by Patrick Jones on Sept 25, 2015 23:01:03 GMT -6
Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area. It has 31,700 square miles of surface area and holds approximately 2,900 cubic miles of water. Once you are out on it, you can easily feel like you are going out on the ocean. To add to that feeling, Superior averages 473 feet deep. It truly is a massive body of water. The lake is used for lots of travel, transportation, and commerce due to the plentiful fish and resources below its surface and along its shores.
Along the northwest Canadian portion, there is a large bay called Thunder Bay. On the west side of that bay sits a city of the same name. In that city, the small Fort William Gardens stands. The 4,680 person capacity of that building seems paltry when you compare it to the massive lake sitting just a few hundred yards away. For one day, that building gets to boast its importance though.
The Visionaries of Wrestling will be having the Armed and Dangerous Pay-Per-View event there in just a few days time. The Gardens will surely be packed beyond its listed maximum capacity which is for hockey. Those 5,000 or more fans will certainly get their money’s worth with Matthew Slater returning to in-ring competition, Owen Gonsalves and Ace Watson renewing their long-standing rivalry, the Zero Gravity Championship being contested, an I-Quit match, Shay McClure defending the Twin City Championship by himself against Cera and Dathyn, the Xcel championship defended in a submission match, the I4NI championship being contested in a Wall of Woe match, and the World Visionary Championship match up for grabs. There truly is not a bad match. Concessions sales will surely suffer with such a packed agenda.
Of course, for all of those great contests, that list neglects a match with plenty of intrigue. Two foes who have always stood in opposition but only stood toe-to-toe in singles competition once before will have their second match. You have man who has been known for his desire to leave a personal legacy of success with no regard to how he is viewed as a person. His entire worth as a human being has been tied into wrestling gold and the men he conquered to take that gold. The man’s thought processes may have shifted due to personal factors, but he still lives in the shadows of his previous style, if not still actively in that style. Across from him will be a competitor who is often seen as a common man. His athletic ability is unquestionable but does not inspire awe considering his profession. He does not lack stature but regularly finds himself as the small competitor. His only defining feature has typically been a steadfast grip upon the moral high ground.
What happens when that high ground is questioned? The first competitor has called into question how the second can claim moral superiority when his ways seem so haughty. The angry force has called the common man too weak and needing shelter behind his sense of righteousness. The answer to what will happen can only be squared away in the place where both men are most comfortable: a wrestling ring. Seth Iser and Patrick Jones will put their wills and skills to the test. Whether the fans will see Iser’s “whatever it takes” mentality undermine Jones’s honor-bound approach or PJ’s heart and determination outlast The Deity of Destruction’s physical might, it may not be clear whose philosophy is correct, but one of them will have a very important next word in the argument.
However, before either man can step into the ring at Armed and Dangerous, they must both get through some personal struggles. Iser has had a well-documented rib injury that he must surely hope heels, and Jones…well, his issues are bit less serious.
“Mother…ugh...These damned things never go back together the right way!”
“Are you having any bloody fun yet?! This is why we should stick to hotels and real civilization!”
“Then go for a swim. Call me if you make it back. Otherwise, I’ll let the Rangers station know what happened to you. Errrgggh…FINALLY!”
The shout of accomplishment is followed by a loud sigh and the sound of a man slumping to the ground, accompanied by the slight scratching of cotton against tree bark. Patrick Jones looks exhausted and his face is bright red and gleaming with sweat. Beside him, a tent roll looks rather roughly put together. A few poles are sticking out of the end, but all of the components must be in there based on PJ’s reaction.
“You missed a…”
The British accent is halted mid-sentence by a loud thud accompanied by the rattling of metal.
“Oi! What the hell?”
“It made me feel better. Just pack it in. We’ll figure it out later. I just want to get to the boat.”
The second man, Franco Cruz, puts the offending metal rod inside the rolled up tent with a little effort. Setting it aside, he looks around at the rest of the duo’s little camp. A large backpack for each of them is already bulging with other supplies. A small tacklebox with another roll of tarp, presumably containing collapsed fishing rods, on top sits beside one backpack. The other has a compact camp stove attached to the side via straps from the backpack. Each of them have a water bottle with a filter in the cap clasped to the side. The native of London has a question for his American friend.
“How many stupid ideas can one man have?”
Jones gives a short laugh while wiping some of the copious sweat away.
“You put a wrestling show on a cruise ship. You do not get to ask that question.”
This time, Jones grunts as a small rock thuds off his chest. Brushing the dirt off his shirt, Jones stands and scoops up the tent roll, securing it to the top of a backpack before slinging it over his shoulder and hoisting the tacklebox by a shoulder strap.
“Come on, city slicker.”
Cruz grumbles as he gets to his feet, wiping his mustache to clear it of any dust before scooping up his own pack.
“Lead on, genius.”
As the two hike off, Jones becomes serious. He falls into step with his former employer and friend.
“This match is different to me. Seth did not call into question my abilities. I am used to people wanting to point out my failures in the ring. Instead, he questions who I am as a person. What kind of shit is that? Him?!”
“You are letting him get to you. I am shocked that you were so easily put off. Seth knows you have never lacked the ability to beat another man one on one. He has seen you go through enough matches not to question something when it is untrue. Instead, he went after where you were not tested.”
Cruz stops talking in order to climb a small but steep incline. As he gets halfway up the nearly 6 foot ledge, the ground under his right foot gives way, causing Jones to catch him and boost Franco up. PJ then hands up his backpack and the other supplies before taking a step back and nimbly running forward to propel himself up and over the lip easily.
“It’s like this trip. It would not be a test for a lot of people. To us, it is though. You said you had gone camping like this once or twice in your youth, but that was a long time ago. I have not ever done anything like this. It challenged you in ways you have not been challenged. Seth knows that your athleticism has been honed, but when was the last time your honor was questioned? You have solid ground to stand on there, but you have not been forced to test it. Seth knows people as well as he knows wrestling. Do not let him throw you off with questions that have no merit.”
Nodding calmly, Jones trudges forward. His eyes have molded to a steely gaze. Franco is right. Just like the camping trip where the two had been forced to use skills unused for a long time, Seth Iser offers tests in subjects PJ can ace but has not been examined on lately. The correct answers are there, but it is always a bit uneasy to answer a new question, no matter how sure of the answer you are.
The situation is comparable to being put on trial for a crime you surely did not commit. The accused absolutely knows he is innocent, but the carefully crafted questions of the prosecution along with the accusing gazes of others in the courtroom can shake the best foundation. When facing as skilled of a wrestler as Seth Iser, your foundation must be absolutely solid. At Armed and Dangerous, you can be sure of an absolute camping trip of a match. The fight will surely be “in tents”. (Say it outloud).
