Post by Tyler Storm on Mar 27, 2016 22:50:19 GMT -6
FATHERHOOD: THE NEXT CHAPTER
-William Bennett
Real fatherhood means
love and commitment and sacrifice and a willingness to share
responsibility and not walking away from one's children.
William Bennett
Read more at: www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/fatherhood.html
"Real fatherhood means love and commitment and sacrifice and a willingness to share responsibility and not walking away from one's children." love and commitment and sacrifice and a willingness to share
responsibility and not walking away from one's children.
William Bennett
Read more at: www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/fatherhood.html
-William Bennett
Real fatherhood means
love and commitment and sacrifice and a willingness to share
responsibility and not walking away from one's children.
William Bennett
Read more at: www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/fatherhood.html
love and commitment and sacrifice and a willingness to share
responsibility and not walking away from one's children.
William Bennett
Read more at: www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/fatherhood.html
Real fatherhood means
love and commitment and sacrifice and a willingness to share
responsibility and not walking away from one's children.
Read more at: www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/fatherhood.html
love and commitment and sacrifice and a willingness to share
responsibility and not walking away from one's children.
Read more at: www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/fatherhood.html
Real fatherhood means
love and commitment and sacrifice and a willingness to share
responsibility and not walking away from one's children.
Read more at: www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/williamben570274.html?src=t_fatherhood
love and commitment and sacrifice and a willingness to share
responsibility and not walking away from one's children.
Read more at: www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/williamben570274.html?src=t_fatherhood
Real fatherhood means
love and commitment and sacrifice and a willingness to share
responsibility and not walking away from one's children.
Read more at: www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/williamben570274.html?src=t_fatherhood
love and commitment and sacrifice and a willingness to share
responsibility and not walking away from one's children.
Read more at: www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/williamben570274.html?src=t_fatherhood
Real fatherhood means
love and commitment and sacrifice and a willingness to share
responsibility and not walking away from one's children.
Read more at: www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/williamben570274.html?src=t_fatherhood
love and commitment and sacrifice and a willingness to share
responsibility and not walking away from one's children.
Read more at: www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/williamben570274.html?src=t_fatherhood
Real fatherhood means
love and commitment and sacrifice and a willingness to share
responsibility and not walking away from one's children.
Read more at: www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/williamben570274.html?src=t_fatherhood
love and commitment and sacrifice and a willingness to share
responsibility and not walking away from one's children.
Read more at: www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/williamben570274.html?src=t_fatherhood
And just like that, a new chapter of my life has now arrived. A little more than a week ago, I experienced probably the most shocking day of my life. All I expected was nothing more than a normal little relaxation time with my best friend, my soulmate, my wonderful wife, and someone who at this point has become sort of like a sister to me. Instead, I went from having that, and in a snap everything became centered around the prospect of change as I became part of something very beautiful.
One phone call, one rush through a mall where I probably knocked over some people, and then pure fear as I had to help deliver my own daughter in the middle of a dressing room, my ring sister by my side walking me through it, my wife screaming in pain and anguish as she pushed and pushed until it all just came out. Then...the sound of a little child crying brought tears of my own to my eyes, tears to Stacy, and through all the pain and tiredness she went through even joy filled the eyes of my beautiful wife with waterworks. One week ago...my Elena Marie finally said hello to this world.
To say I feel happy is the biggest understatement ever, in fact I would tell you that straight to your face if you said that. This feeling I have certainly isn't new to me, but someone this second time it feels so much more powerful in my heart. Could it be because of the support I never thought my wife and I would be given? Maybe it's that bond between a father and daughter that hits a bit harder? I honestly laugh to myself about that second one, I instantly get that one Carrie Underwood song stuck in my head whenever I think of that.
Now he's wrapped around her fingers,
She's the center of his whole world.
Now his heart belongs to that sweet little,
Beautiful, wonderful, perfect, all-American girl.
It's cheesy, I know, but cut be a bit of slack thinking that way. There is a lot of truth in those words now that I actually can experience it, and I love that little girl with all my heart and soul. I want to be a great father for my Elena, I want to make up for the time I never was able to give to...Cooper. But I need to remember, she isn't my little boy, and I have to accept this isn't a continuation. But I can feel in my heart, her big brother is gonna watch over her as he dances with his Mommy in Heaven, hopefully even Lacey is so happy to see this moment for me.
I need to be stronger for her, I've now got to make sure I show the amount of heart and determination needed to be a good enough father. At the same time...I want to be more than "good enough." Nothing for me has ever been about settling with what I've been given, when that chance is there I strive to reach higher, be better, do greater things because I know it's possible with my heart. It's the exact reason why at Double Jeopardy I sent a message that I wanted to be able to reach for the pinnacle of VoW one day, and I continue to try and prove I'm worth it.
Nothing Even Matters...that's gonna be where I really show how this new chapter begins, with new motivation surrounding me. For my own confidence, for my abilities I know I have, for my friends, my family...and now my daughter...I have to strive for greater. I have to let out more than people expect, I have to improve upon the ground I already laid the foundation on. It isn't something I just want to happen, but something that honestly has to happen.
Travelodge Whitby Hotel - Oshawa, Canada
March 23rd, 2016
2:17 AM Central Time
March 23rd, 2016
2:17 AM Central Time
"Tyler...baby please wake up, I'm begging you."
I can feel a soft pushing on my left side as my eyes slowly open with my slumber being interrupted by the sounds of my wife's pleading mixed in with the sound of what I assume is the reason that pleading is happening, as little Elena cries out.
"H-huh, what?"
Turning onto my side, I see Zelda cradling the little gal of ours, and every few seconds a small cry comes out of her mouth.
"I think our poor princess had a bad dream, she was sleeping great before I went off for a bit but then she just starting being sad."
"Poor little gal, I was caught up in dreaming thought I guess and didn't even hear her, good thing we have 2 pairs of ears on her whenever she gets upset."
"Yeah, do you mind taking Elena for a second while I go grab some milk I pumped for her earlier?"
"Sure, I can at least do that."
Zelda leans over and helps Elena into my arms before getting up out of bed and heading into the kitchen. I begin slightly rocking my arms to help sooth my little girl, my smile still brightly shining even seeing her cry.
"Shh shh shh, it's OK princess. Daddy didn't forget about you, don't you ever worry about that. I bet your dream wasn't going as well as mine huh? If it helps you feel a bit better, I was dreaming about how amazing it is to have you around."
After a few moments of rocking, the crying stops as Elena slowly opens her eyes and looks at me, giving little grunts as she does so.
"There's those beautiful eyes, see you have me right here. Now it wasn't so hard to stop crying was it? I can guess just by that you were scared Daddy wasn't here."
Leaning down, I place a soft little kiss on Elena's forehead, not even realizing Zel has stepped back into the room smiling very brightly with a small bottle of her breast milk in hand. I look up just as she is crawling back into bed next to me, placing a kiss of her own on my cheek and laying her head against my shoulder while I take the bottle and begin feeding our little girl.
"Poor baby just wanted a reason to wake you up so she could see you. She does have a pretty amazing father though."
"I try my best to be, you really have put in the most work though, so if anything Elena is lucky to be able to have such an incredible mother. She gets to experience now what I see every day with you as my wife."
Zelda blushes as she nudges her head against me, looking down at little Elena who is enjoying her bottle.
"We really did a good job, didn't we?"
"Indeed we did, she is beautiful in every sense of the word. I wish I could tell you how grateful I am to be given this chance again, Zel."
"Trust me, I can see it in your eyes babe. I know how special all this is to you, and that's what makes me so happy to have put myself through the stuggle childbirth can be, because I know how big of a moment this was for you to be given another chance at being a father again."
"It's huge...it means so much to me that I can't even truly describe it. But I do need to make sure I don't just see this as a second chance, that would be a disservice to Elena and her life. I do want to give her everything I never gave to Coop, but I also want her identity to be more than just my second child. She's my angel, my princess, my heart and soul, my everything. I want her life to be worth every moment."
"And it will be, you know it will be Tyler. Such an amazing part of all of this is that Elena has a great family around her. Her parents are there for her, she has amazing godmothers who love her so much, she has a lot of people who want to give her an amazing life. We have been blessed with how much support we have Tyler, and we can aren't just going to let that go to waste."
I nod slightly as I place another kiss on Zel's forehead and then turn back to Elena as both me and Zel look over her and smile.
"She's gonna have one hell of a life, I can guarantee that Zel."
Saying that...I certainly hope I can keep that guarantee. It's never going to be easy, you learn that fast when you are a parent, and sometimes you can't stop the circle of life. I just have to make the best of my promises, do what I can, give Elena the life she deserves. It's the least I can do...but I plan to make it much more. I don't settle...I've never settled.
Jones Residence - New York, New York
March 25th, 2016
7:12 PM Central Time
March 25th, 2016
7:12 PM Central Time
Another thing I learn about parenthood is you have to remember the gal that you made all this possible with. I fully admit I made a lot of mistakes with my relationship with Lacey those years ago, and maybe that was because the love there wasn't genuine. I dated the girl since high school...I never intended to be someone else, but maybe we just settled with each other. There was never hate, but the disagreements grew as things went on. For that, I can't explain, but maybe it was my fault.
Now with Zelda, I know I'm with a person I love. Anyone that knows my wife, they know how genuine her heart is. Her past isn't the cleanest, her mistakes aren't something you just shake away. But, all that said, she has a heart that you can't deny is there, a heart of pure gold. I love that woman, and she was there when I really needed her when I thought I lost everything. From that being there, true love showed through, and to say I wish I had Zelda my whole entire life is an understatement.
She isn't perfect, no person is, but I'll still gladly say she is because when it comes to the qualities that matter, she is more perfect than any human being I know. If there's problems, yeah we'll argue...but we also will talk it out, and I've never known an argument that ended in hurt between us. She may have qualities I question, she may do things that a normal wife does, but she is Zelda. I can't change her, but when I know her heart belongs to me more than anyone, honestly I don't care about changing her.
Zelda also is a great mother, but it's easy to admit she does need to learn how to relax a bit. It's understandable, wanting to be with your kid every moment, but I'm so glad that Stace convinced Zel to have some time away from our little princess so we could enjoy a nice, much needed day out just the two of us. With us constantly being on the road all of the time due to our job, even though we get to visit all these great places, we rarely get the chance to just go out and enjoy what they have to offer.
Taking advantage of us deciding to turn New York into our second home, that way Elena gets to be around her godmothers who are very important to helping her, I figured a good day to get things going for us here is to have a real New York experience and just enjoy the city. First we decided to take a walk around Times Square which was of course, extremely busy but some of the shops and sights were just amazing to look at. We then stopped off in Central Park to admire the beautiful scenery and we sat down to enjoy lunch together there before finally visiting the Empire State Building, which was a lot bigger than we thought it was. It's a nice experience, and I got to spend a great day with my wife.
And now we arrive to our second home, Stacy being so kind to welcome us into her humble abode was definitely a kind gesture, we certainly didn't expect less though because of all the people that care about our now trio, it's Stacy and Katie that show it the most. So, walking up to the steps of the front porch, Zelda and I laugh while wrapped against each other, a sign of how well things went this evening.
"Tyler today was amazing, thank you so much for taking me around the city."
"Hey, no need to thank me at all my love. If anything, thank Stacy for convincing you to get away from everything for a day and come spend time with me."
"Well then I fully thank Stacy, I am so happy we got to just enjoy each other again."
Giggling, Zelda leans up and kisses me on the cheek as I stand behind her with my arms wrapped around her waist.
"Guess we should probably hop in and check on the gals then, let me get the door for you my lady."
"Aww, such a gentleman. Thank you handsome."
Opening the front door to Stacy's, I allow Zelda to enter first into the hallway that's of a decent size when I think about it. The walls are very basic, a creamy colour with a few framed photographs dotted around the place of Stacy with her kids and her adoptive parents. A light brown hardwood floor that pretty much goes through the entirety of the ground floor, minus the kitchen floor which is black and white checkered tiled flooring, which is the room immediately ahead of the hallway.
To the right is the stairway leading up to the second floor that pretty much goes straight up and spirals to the left a little as it gets to the end and the first door on the left leads to the living room. The place is eerily silent, which was something we certainly weren't expecting, so we proceed towards the living area and when we enter, we're met with probably one of the most amazing sights we have ever seen.
Curled up on one of the three seater dark brown leather sofas, is Stacy, dressed in a pair of dark purple silk pyjama bottoms and a grey T-shirt with the Batman logo on the front of it and she's fast asleep. Lying on her chest, is our little angel who is also fast asleep and curled up beside them is Katie, dressed in a pair of light grey pajama bottoms and a blue T-shirt with Sonic the Hedgehog's head on the front of it, and she has her arm wrapped around both Stacy and Elena and yes, you guessed it, she too, is also fast asleep.
"Aww, Tyler..."
Zelda smiles brightly as she immediately pulls out her phone and snaps a quick picture of the scene in front of us.
"This one is a keeper, Zo needs to see this too."
"This certainly is one heck of a cute site, huh?"
Laughing, Zel and I walk over to the sofa and sit down together in a chair next to it.
"These 3 must have had a fun night together."
"I certainly hope so...it looks like Elena is OK too so that at least gets me over my worry when Stacy stopped texting me back earlier."
Stacy's eyes slowly open as she stretches slightly, holding onto Elena so she doesn't fall or get disturbed before glancing over to us as a smile slowly grows on her face.
"Oh...hi guys...you're back..."
"Indeed we are, and it looks like we came back just in time to see this little sight."
I turn to Zelda who giggles as she gets up and sits on the ground next to Stacy.
"Mhm, you all looked so cute, I'm sorry we woke you up Stace."
"It's fine, Zel...did you guys have a good time?"
Zel nods as she looks back to me.
"We had an amazing time...I think we really needed this to remember how much love we have for each other. Thanks for the suggestions of things to do by the way, Stacy."
Shocked, I look over at Stacy and back to Zel and then laugh.
"You saw her texts to me with suggestions, didn't you?"
Giggling, Zelda nods again and sticks her tongue out.
"You guys can't hide secrets from me, come on now."
"I should have figured we couldn't keep it from her..."
Stacy glances over to her sleeping fiancée and smiles before softly kissing her on the head.
"Well we both had a great time taking care of Elena, I'm beginning to think that Katie wants a child of her own..."
"Is that so?"
I laugh slightly and leans over to rub Elena's cheek softly, her soft skin feeling really nice against my finger as a smile overcomes me. Zelda giggles to Stacy's last comment as she looks over to Katie who is still snoozing heavily.
"She really has shown her own attachment to Elena since she first saw her, I can tell she loves her a lot."
"Of course she does, how can you not love this little angel?"
Looking down at our sleeping princess, she smiles before lifting her head back up to look back at us.
"But yeah, I don't know what she'd want to do if she did want her own child...I mean there's a couple of options such as adoption or getting a sperm donor. Of course, if we were to take the second option, Katie would be the one who'd have to do it considering I can't have anymore kids. It could be a conversation we may end up having, who knows, probably be after our wedding though...that's our main focus for the time being."
"Yeah, but I'm sure you two will find a good option...you guys just keep your focus centered on the wedding for now though, and if Katie does decide to be a Mommy of her own she can help us more with Elena as a bit of a training."
Zelda giggles again as she rubs Stacy's leg, and I chuckle a little myself.
"You two would be awesome parents too...hopefully we get to add another pair of kiddos to this family before you guys decide that though. And you know me and Zel are ready to help make that happen Stace."
"I know that guys, and I appreciate that so much. Things are looking good for me right now, and for the first time ever...I'm actually feeling really positive that I'll be able to start seeing them very soon. Could even be as soon as the first weekend following Nothing Else Matters."
"Yay, I can be Auntie Zel Zel."
Zelda squeals quietly as to not wake up the other two gals as she hugs slightly on Stacy.
"I'm so excited to meet them..."
"Same here, maybe I can show little Nick a thing or two his dad can't show him about wrestling."
"After what happened during our meeting with Doctor Li, I would prefer you to be his father than the one he's actually got..."
"Well, I don't know about that. I can't fault Matt too much, I've walked past him in the back during the shows where he's talking with them on the phone, he has love for those 2. I can't replace that."
"Yeah, I know he loves them, I can't deny he's a great father. I just..."
I watch as she tears up a little, obviously something happened that day that really hit her hard that he must have said or done. Every single day, I wonder to myself how anyone could be so horrible to such a lovely person.
"...he really, really upset me that day. He was being horrible to me...he was being horrible about you guys...about Katie. It was just...too much for me to handle and I...I blew up at him."
"Aww...Stace."
Zelda crawls up next to Stacy and wipes away her tears, I lean over as well to wipe off what I can.
"We know how much Matt can be a bit of a freakin dick when it comes to you, Stace. Honestly, if the guy has a real problem with everything and wants to resort to violent means, I'll take care of it personally. I warned the douche, he ain't gonna do anything to you guys without getting his face stuck to my fist."
"Some days I wake up and sometimes wish I never ever married him, but whenever I think that, I remember that if I didn't...Nick and Chels would never have existed. But the biggest thing that really pi-"
She glances down to little Elena for a second.
"...the biggest thing that really peed me off, was how he was talking about how he and Veronica had been discussing what they felt was the best plans for my visitation rights. And I'm thinking to myself, hey I know you love my kids a lot, but this is none of your damn business so stay the F out of it!"
I instantly begin to cringe a little as I lean back in the chair I'm in and glance over to Stacy.
"I know you guys are in some rough situations with V...but you guys have to understand that's a situation I can't really get myself involved with her feelings in all of this. Fact is, she does care a lot for kids she is with, she was the godmother of Coop for a reason. Not only that, she was the first person there for me after Lacey and Coop's death, and I can't just forget that. I don't excuse what she does to you gals, and I fully will protect you gals if I need to against her. But...when it comes down to it, that woman is still someone that is family to me, so I have to be selective of what I say about her."
"And I completely understand that Ty, I really do...I have no problem with her helping Matt look after them, but just her thinking she has the right to get involved in something that has nothing to do with her, you know? This is between Matt and I...does she think that I talk to Katie and ask her opinion about what the visitation rights should be? No, I don't! Because it's between Matt and I and it's about our two children..."
"Again, I don't disagree, but I also can't say much. She was very much involved when Lacey and I divorced and determined visitation for Coop. She was a big reason we got fair visitation, because originally I wasn't going to be able to see Coop much because of how much right I gave Lacey. She helped the situation a lot...so when it comes to these kinds of things, again, for all I know she may be more willing to help than hinder if anything. I can't say that for sure, I know much she hates you, but I know Veronica. If she is the one talking...she is fair, trust me."
"I hope you're right, Ty...because if she ends up screwing this up for me..."
She lets out a short, sharp chuckle whilst shaking her head.
"...well then she won't just have to worry about me making her bleed at Nothing Else Matters. But anyway, moving onto to more pleasant conversation now...I think I've kept your little princess away from you two long enough, and I can tell Zel's itching to have her back in her arms once again. Katie and I should probably get ourselves off to bed..."
"That may be a good idea..."
Zelda nods as she reaches in and grabs onto Elena, smiling brightly as she cradles the little angel in her arms.
"Mommy is gonna snuggle with her baby for a little bit, she missed her so so much."
Zelda stands up and walks out of the room, just looking at Elena the whole time. I look over to Stacy and laugh a little.
"She isn't gonna change you know...Zel really doesn't want to let her go still."
"Well, hopefully she'll still agree to have a day like this every once in a blue moon. Like I said to her the other day, I don't want to see her possibly go through the same thing I did with Nick. But anyway, Katie and I are going to head off to bed now..."
With that, she wraps her arms around my neck in a hug before then nudging Katie a little to wake her up.
"C'mon sleepy head...time to go to bed..."
Katie slowly gets to her feet, looking absolutely exhausted as all she can muster up the strength to do is a half-assed wave in my general direction which causes me to chuckle a little as she groggily passes me on her way towards the stairs, closely followed by Stacy.
"Night, Ty..."
"G'night Stace, sleep well."
As Stacy disappears up the stairs, I decide to stay put in the chair for a little bit, smiling brightly and just letting the happy thoughts roll through my mind. What a family...I really couldn't ask for better. These gals really know how to make everything in life worth it, and as I constantly say, I am a very lucky man. But now...
...Now it's time to turn my focus back to my other passion in life beyond my family, beyond my wife, beyond my baby girl. It's business time, my sanctuary of the squared circle awaits me now. So, let's not waste time. Grabbing my phone out of my pocket, I work my way onto the camera app, then holding it up to my face I press the red button on the screen.
*RECORDING
"Hey again guys, Tyler Storm here. And, uh...man, it has been a crazy week for me. Going from just expecting a slow time last week with not being booked, just relaxing and enjoying everything, well that didn't last long when I got to be involved in an experience of a lifetime with my wife's water breaking. And now, finally, I'm a dad again...and there are just no truly perfect words to describe the feeling of getting another chance at fatherhood. Elena Marie Storm, the absolute most beautiful little girl I've ever seen, and that's just my opinion and no fault to any girls out there, but my little angel tops it in my mind."
Chuckling a little, I wipe my hand over my chin and smile as I look away from the phone.
"I'm excited about getting this opportunity again, but of course I can't forget my other priorities just because I have a baby girl to take care of now. And one of my biggest priorities in life is VoW, Nothing Even Matters, and the I4NI Championship. It's just that time again, the next Pay-Per-View event is here, The Hybrid still stands tall as Mr. I4NI, and I've got another competitor ready to step up and take a chance to take away a prize I have known in pretty much my whole time here in VoW. And this time, the roulette has landed me a very interesting opponent, as I get to square off with the "Hardcore Hero" Heath Williams. The same Heath who is a very good friend of mine, a man I have a lot of respect for and I know has a lot of respect for me, and a man who literally is being given a chance to compete in the environment he knows best, and that is in the land of no rules."
I turn my head back to the camera, moving my other hand back out of view as a smile comes across my lips.
"Falls...Count...Anywhere. Literally we are being told by management that we can go anywhere we want to get a victory. In the ring, on the entrance ramp, backstage in the bathroom, on the fucking roof of the WFCU Arena, in the lap of the guy sitting at front row that may need to cut down on the calories a bit and put down the extra large order of chili fries, in the streets of Windsor, Ontario! As long as we have a referee following along to see a pinfall or submission attempt, we can go wherever the hell we want and try to win. And I freaking love that, these kind of matches and ones people love to remember because anything can happen, any weapons can be used, a win can occur in any part of the stadium or surrounding area! We are given the chance to just go bat...shit...crazy! And Heath, I know you are about as bat shit as anyone, and that's what I love about ya brother."
Laughing a bit more heartily this time, I stand up from the chair and nod my head while still grinning.
"I'm expecting a hell of a match between us Heath, I'm expecting you to pull out some moves that I haven't seen before, and to say I don't think you have a chance to win the I4NI title would be a lie and I'm not gonna do that to you. Heath, straight forward I know you can beat me, I know you can pin me down, make me sit my ass on the ground, I KNOW you can be the one hearing your music post-match with the I4NI in your hands. But...the thing you always have to remember with me, I am still Tyler Storm. I'm the guy that isn't gonna win every match, I'm the guy that will make mistakes, but I'm also the guy who steps up his game when the chips are on the line. It's why I won to secure a spot in the Quest for the Case, it's why I pulled down that case at Heatstroke, it's why I took my prize the case gave me which was the I4NI and run with it like I have, it's why I got back up when Scarlet Flint took the title from me. When it's go time, when there is something on the line, I...step...up."
Running my hand through my hair, letting it go in between my finger, my smile fades slightly but a small smirk remains.
"I always...step up. And now with how my life has changed, my family growing, my Witnesses following and chanting and screaming louder than ever, I know I can't just stop stepping up my game. It's what I continue to live on, this business, this company, this title...it's everything to me. And I plan to continue growing and improving while still stepping up and defending the things I cherish. Heath, you deserve to have this title passed down to you at some point, and if that happens to be at Nothing Even Matters then good on you brother, because I'll stand right to my feet and congratulate you if you indeed win at this upcoming show. But that's the key words, I'll stand right to my feet...Heath, no matter how hard you are gonna try and whip me, beat my goodie two shoe behind, or whatever, I...will...get...up. I'm not one to just stay down even when it's best I should, and that is a big reason why I still continue to set an example for this company, because even with my losses, even with the rough moments, I still get up, I still fight. I don't know another way to act, and I don't plan to change it up for anyone, not even you Heath."
I take in a deep breath, relaxing myself for a moment before continuing on as I glare into the camera.
"I know you are gonna bring it dude, I know you are gonna keep showing off, being crazy, and just improving your work. I know I am not just gonna keep you down either at NEM, I know that because I do watch your work and I do see how you keep fighting on. It's why I have such a deep respect for you Heath...because the improvements never stop with you...the fight never stops...the Hardcore Hero keeps getting up. It's why The Hybrid vs that Hardcore Hero is a match of the century, because there is so much similar going on there. The heart, determination, commitment, inability to stay down, all that and a little more is what defines us in that ring, and when 2 similar forces collide, there isn't really even a guarantee that someone is gonna hold up in this kind of match. For all we know, Nothing Even Matters may be the event where all that matters is this moment...because it could very well be our last."
My smiles grows back onto my face and a small nod to the camera leads back to me staring back into it deeply.
"And Heath, if my last match is against you brother...it's a fucking honor. It's what I intend for our kind of match...I intend to be put on the brink of breaking for good. And if that is so, I beg for you to fucking bring it brother. I want Heath Williams to beat my ass, because I'll beat his just as hard, and I want Heath Williams to shine bright and go beyond his own capabilities, because Tyler Storm already intends to. At Nothing Even Matters, the irony of it all, we as two of the best competitors in this company will make this match matter more than any match in VoW history. That's a bold statement, but it's one I will die by."
Taking in one more deep breathe, I close my eyes and just think...opening them slowly.
"Brother, to close...just bring what I know you can bring, and expect to go further. Make me do my best to defend the I4NI Championship, do everything you can to take it away from me, be crazy, hell be dirty if you want to. But also...win or lose...be a man and shake my hand when it's all said and done, because Heath you are gonna do great things. I hope you have a career moment at Nothing Even Matters, and I hope I give you something to remember and define your path from here on. I intend to carry my I4NI Championship out of Ontario and still be considered the guy that hold it, but I won't be anywhere near ashamed if it ends up in your hands at the night's end. So Heath...I won't wish you luck, because you don't deserve deserve such a low meaning message to you in the end. What I will say, thank you in advance for the war we wage at this event. Thank you for helping me know how to go further, to give me the motivation to one day reach for that mountain top. Thank you for helping me define the legacy of the I4NI Championship, by giving it one of it's greatest contests it will ever see. And thank you...for staying cool...and I hope all things considered you will remember to be witness...to the Hybrid."
Smiling one last time, I shut off the recording and place the phone back into my pocket and begin making my way towards the bedroom where my wife and daughter wait for me. And you know...life is still good...I'm still happy. Nothing Even Matters is big, it's huge, it will be a moment in my VoW career where I finally determine my path from here on. And that's what I love so much about all this, because the want to go further will be shown and will continue. I've never settled...and I never will...and for my loved ones...only time will tell...
Where I go next.