Post by Patrick Jones on Jul 30, 2016 22:59:46 GMT -6
The saying goes that everyone deserves a second chance. Maxwell Soloke, Craig Anderson, and Patrick Jones will all get one. Tristan Ambrose was supposed to join them in having another opportunity at Quest for the Case, but his arm injury from the original match has prevented him from taking part according to his representative, Alexander Cappotelli. That enforced removal improves each of the others odds but creates a more awkward situation. Triple threats leave that dangling extra person when two wrestlers are engaged. All three men are experienced enough to know how to handle the situation competently though, so it should be no excuse if their second bite at the cherry turns sour.
They all come into the match with intriguing recent histories. Anderson has had one match in the last two months. He seemed a bit off his game against Gwendolyn Massey that night, and she was able to control the vast majority of the action. Soloke has been active on every show, including Fate of the Gods via the Pre-Show, since his return at Breakthrough 46. Interestingly, that match was a triple threat involving Jones and Datura, who was the one who injured Tristan Ambrose and turned this week’s match into a triple threat. Unfortunately for Maxwell, he has been unable to find a victory since his return even if he has not performed poorly. Jones is the only one to pick up a win in recent history amongst these 3, having beaten Jamo, Jessica E. Mathis, and Leo Dempsey on the most recent Breakthrough to finally snap a massive losing streak.
It is always possible that Maxwell puts it all back together to earn his first match since coming back. Craig Anderson could find another gear and show the talent that made him a champion in BWN and other places afterwards. Jones could slip back into his losing ways. It is a bit strange that three men with such a troubled recent history would be given another chance to qualify for a match that could quickly propel them to such great opportunity, depending on the contents of the case. Of course, that chance to catapult their careers from stagnancy could motivate any or all of them to excel.
It is strange then that the match where 3 men seek to shrug off recent issues goes to a building lacking any significant occurrence but plenty of former glories. Stansbury Hall has hosted some incredible basketball talent, as was its initial purpose, including greats like Jerry West, but the building has not been used for competitive basketball since 1970. Since then, it has been an administrative building with some usage for pickup basketball and indoor soccer matches which makes it quite an interesting choice for VoW as they make a foray into the South. At least one of the competitors is much more concerned with modern life than anything Stansbury Hall will remember. Patrick Jones used the third edition of his blog to take aim at some controversial topics.
“Are you going to make it?”
The voice of John Cruxton causes Jones to look up from his laptop. He had been staring at the screen intently. The third posting of his Jones Zone blog had gone up just a few minutes before, and he was still unsure if it had come off correctly. The intent was one-hundred percent Jones wanted, but the way people misconstrue words, intentionally or incidentally, had him a little concerned. He had not shyed away from the topic though. It was one PJ felt compelled to take on this week, and part of doing the blog had been a promise to himself and his fans to really get a glimpse inside his life. Backing away from the first hard topic presented would undermine the whole thing.
“Yeah…I’ll be fine. Not sure why wanted me to start doing this thing again.”
John just smiles, taking in the unusually stressed look on his friend’s face. In fact, the tension was evident across his entire body. Jones has his shoulders hunched forward with his elbows on the table. His hands are clasped in an almost prayerful position, encompassing his mouth and nose.
“People deserve to see more of you than just 15 or 20 minutes every show. And I know you think most interviews are incredibly cliché while talking into a camera about your opponent has never been your favorite thing. Which is weird considering how quick you are with the insults and comebacks.”
The last line causes the corners of PJ’s lips to turn up, although the only evidence is the wrinkles appearing at the corners of his mouth around his hands. Then Patrick pulls his head up, straightening his back and taking a more in-control posture.
“It is kinda nice to get things out there, but I hope not every week is like…like this!”
He gestures wildly with his right hand at the laptop’s screen. Cruxton just chuckles.
“Maybe you can have something nice to talk about like the upcoming Quest for the Case match.”
The idea makes the Louisville man nod, the idea obviously enticing.
“Yeah, it would be nice to share something like that instead of talking about how many times I have been turned on and had to forgive someone because they were not really in control.”
“You just make sure YOU take control this Thursday. You can’t let this most recent victory be your only one for the next 3 or 4 months.”
Jones gets up, rolling his eyes, and pushes past his partner.
“Yeah, that’s why I’m headed to the gym. Just try not to say anything anti-Trump while I’m gone. I would hate to have to write about having bailed you out of jail…or had to identify a body.”
Cruxton’s eyes widen a bit, and he has no comeback for Jones, who has taken the route straight to the door of the hotel room and headed out. Has this blog struggle left him too Zoned Out or just focused him even more?
