Post by Randy Orton on May 8, 2009 4:48:32 GMT -5
Sweat rolled down his face and dripped onto the floor. His legs were burning, they felt as if they would explode. Each time he came up and completed a rep he groaned loudly. He hated squats, but they were a necessary evil. For a professional wrestler the legs had to be trained strenuously, they were the first thing to go. Finally he hit number ten and let the barbell rest on the rack. He grabbed a nearby water bottle and sipped from it. Randy was the only one here, even while Defiance conducted group workouts, he needed the alone time. Being in the gym wasn't just an opportunity to train, but also to reflect. A time to plan and contemplate his next move. Being alone in the gym, it was almost like his personal 'Fortress of solitude.' As he began to put the plates on the barbell for a set of bent over rolls, his mind wandered to another time..........
.....................................................................................................................................................................................
Madison Square Garden - March 31, 1985 - Wrestlemania
Elaine Orton held her baby Rebekah, as her son Randy sat in the seat next to her. Young Randy, at five years old, was beside himself. All the legends of pro wrestling where there. Andre the giant, Hulk Hogan, Roddy Piper. And while Randy had seen them all before, this was bigger, this was special. He watched from ringside as Andre body slammed Big John Studd to collect $15,000, some of which he graciously shared with the crowd. He had seen Wendi Richter defeat Lelani Kai for the Women's championship. She had been accompanied to the ring by Cyndi Lauper. Randy wasn't sure who that was, but everyone sure talked about her a lot. And then the arena was filled with the sound of bag pipes. The crowd booed heavily, but not Randy. He knew that meant "Rowdy" Roddy Piper was coming to the ring, and his dad would be with him. Randy's father "Cowboy" Bob Orton had injured his hand and would not be competing. But he would be in the corner of Piper and "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff. Hulk Hogan would hit the ring next with his partner Mr.T, and the crowd went nuts. They worshiped Hogan, and the roars were deafening.
The match itself was exciting, but the conclusion was Randy's dad ascending the turnbuckle aiming to knock Hogan out with his cast. He missed and hit Orndorff instead, allowing Hogan to capitalize and gain the victory. As Hogan celebrated, the crowd once again burst into thunderous ovation. Randy looked around as people cheered Hogan. He felt a little mad that people always booed his father. Randy's dad's friends had lost, and he couldn't see any reason to be happy. Backstage as Bob Orton gathered his things and prepared to leave the arena, Randy saw Hulk Hogan. He was surrounded by people, all patting him on the back, smiling, taking his picture. As the Orton family walked the hallways toward the back exit, Randy looked back at Hogan one last time. People were treating him like the hero in one of those cowboy movies Randy watched with his dad.
In the car as Bob Orton drove his family to the hotel, Randy posed a question to his father.
Randy: Dad, how come people boo you?
Bob Orton: What?
Randy: Why do all the people boo for you?
Bob: I guess it's because they don't like me.
Randy: Why not?
Bob: Because they don't like the way I wrestle. I do anything to win, and sometimes I do things people don't like.
Randy: Why does everybody go crazy over Hulk Hogan?
Bob: Because he's the world champ son.
Randy: What's that mean?
Bob: It means he's the best. It means no one is better than him. It's what everybody wants. In wrestling, it's all about the world title, and being the best. There's no reason to do this if you don't want to be the very best. When you're the best you get respect. When you're the best, you get anything you want. No matter what you do in life son, be the best. Be the best.......................
........................................................................................................
"Be the best"
Randy's mind found it's way back to the present as his back began to burn. He pushed with everything he had to squeeze out the last few reps, finally reaching the magic number. He relaxed on the bench for a moment. Those words, "Be the best" running through his head again. He grabbed his towel and hit the showers. Those three words still dancing in his mind, as the cool water rushed over him. After the shower and a change of clothes, nearly all evidence that he had trained so hard was gone. Save for the pain coursing through his entire body. He headed outside and jumped into his car. He wouldn't go back to the hotel now, instead heading to the arena, where he would get another opportunity to speak his mind. He glanced at the phone he had left in his car, noticing that there were several missed calls from Kendrick and Shelley. He arrived at the arena, and exited his car. As he stood there he exhaled, no more alone time, now he would become "The Viper." He entered the arena, and walked down the halls, passing several FCW superstars. They may have stared at him, but not a friendly word. He wouldn't have it any other way, he wasn't here to be liked.
He glanced at an FCW staff employee, and knew the word would be sent. He was here, and he would cut a promo. He had seen Jericho's last promo, and knew that things had changed. This was something bigger now. Jericho had offered the chance for the two to exchange the truth. To "lay it all on the line." But, Randy hadn't given much thought to what he might say. He knew once the camera was on, and a microphone in front of his face, the words would come. He headed to the very same room where Jericho had conducted his promo. He entered and had a seat. He thought about Jericho, and how he looked. The disheveled look of uncertainty. The fact that his promo was deep. Even deeper than the emotion that was so obvious on the surface. It was almost as if Jericho was offering him a way out. A way to turn this back into a wrestling rivalry. To stop it from going further, to prevent it from becoming something that could threaten both men's careers. The thought briefly entered Randy's mind. "What if he's right. What if this is going too far. How out of touch with humanity can I get." The fleeting thought of approaching things logically disappeared as his father's words so long ago re-entered his mind. "Be the best."
Orton hadn't noticed Todd Grisham enter the room. Maybe he had had too much alone time today. He couldn't get out of his own mind. Luckily Todd broke the ice,
Todd: Randy, this is a big Friday Night Anarchy, but perhaps bigger for you than anyone else. You have two matches and your work cut out for you."
Randy: My work cut out for me? How about calling it a work out? Because that's what it amounts to. This will be another opportunity to demonstrate just why I am the absolute best FCW has to offer.
Todd: While you will have partners in the main event, there's no doubt that Chris.....
Randy: Wait a minute, first of all let me say this. I know somewhere out there CM Punk is counting on the fact that I'm so caught up in this thing with Jericho that I've forgotten about him. I'm sure he thinks he's gonna sneak in and catch me off guard. He's thinking this is an opportunity for him to re-ignite his career. A career that has been on life support for weeks now. At Anarchy Punk, it's gonna flat line. Let me assure you, I am focused on you too. Let me assure you that I will finish a job I started two weeks ago Punk. This time, I'll be done with you.
Todd: Randy I'm sure you saw Jericho's last promo, it's the talk of FCW. People are saying they've never seen such a profound and open Chris Jericho. It was emotional, and it was gripping.
Dammit! With the mention of the Jericho promo, Orton once again is lost in the thoughts that have haunted him since Jericho's promo. How it had caught him off guard. Orton could deal with anyone talking about how they were gonna kick his ass. He would laugh at Jericho talking about why he was the rightful FCW champion. Jericho's crack wit couldn't begin to get under Randy's skin. But this...This was unexpected. Randy's ace in the hole, his exposing Jericho's false bravado, tearing down the wall of false confidence, had it backfired? He was ready for the usual Jericho insults, the promises of revenge, but this confused him. Getting in Jericho's head, what seemed like Randy's killing blow only days ago, had it made Jericho more dangerous? Jericho had never acted that way. He admitted Randy had gotten to him, admitted he was nervous, what more could Randy do? Jericho wasn't lying in his promo. A fool could tell that much. He had admitted he was unsure, but promised he'd die before letting Randy get the better of him. Apart from that, he had complimented Randy, admitted he was one of the best. His biggest challenge he had said. Randy thought about saying something in return, "at least admit the reason you want to go after him. At least tell him you also view him as your biggest challenge. Just say it, you know to be the best you have to go through him. You owe him that much. You respect him." But, alas those nagging words, "Be the best."....Randy looks up to see Todd waiting for a response.
Randy: The only thing Jericho's promo showed me is that he is a broken man. A man isn't prepared for what I will do to him. A man that has merely seen me scratch the surface of what I will do to stop him. Jericho is a beaten man. Jericho has accomplished everything there is to accomplish in this business, but it's all for nothing. He has met the roadblock. He has met the definition of greatness. He has met the man who is destined to rule this company. All you have to do is look at Jericho. Look into his eyes. He has nothing left, not the charisma, the confidence. All he has left is his skills, and they won't be good enough. I told Chris Jericho, I'm not here to just wrestle matches, I'm here to destroy everyone who comes between me and being the best. I am here to annihilate anything in my path. There is only one thing that matters in this business, and that's being the best. I see my opponents as people trying to get in the way of destiny. That's why I plan on hurting Jericho. I'll hurt him and anyone else I face. I don't wanna just defeat people. I want them to leave the ring after they face me, unable to do the things they could before.
Todd: Well your rivalry with Jericho is heating up. It's the biggest rivalry in FCW in most people's eyes. This Friday we get a preview of what is sure to be an epic match at 'Second Coming.'
Randy: At Anarchy, Jericho and his loser teammates will experience defeat. Edge and Christian if they're lucky won't have to deal with me very long. But for Y2J, the misery is only just beginning.
Randy ends with that, removing the mic and walking away.
.....................................................................................................................................................................................
Madison Square Garden - March 31, 1985 - Wrestlemania
Elaine Orton held her baby Rebekah, as her son Randy sat in the seat next to her. Young Randy, at five years old, was beside himself. All the legends of pro wrestling where there. Andre the giant, Hulk Hogan, Roddy Piper. And while Randy had seen them all before, this was bigger, this was special. He watched from ringside as Andre body slammed Big John Studd to collect $15,000, some of which he graciously shared with the crowd. He had seen Wendi Richter defeat Lelani Kai for the Women's championship. She had been accompanied to the ring by Cyndi Lauper. Randy wasn't sure who that was, but everyone sure talked about her a lot. And then the arena was filled with the sound of bag pipes. The crowd booed heavily, but not Randy. He knew that meant "Rowdy" Roddy Piper was coming to the ring, and his dad would be with him. Randy's father "Cowboy" Bob Orton had injured his hand and would not be competing. But he would be in the corner of Piper and "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff. Hulk Hogan would hit the ring next with his partner Mr.T, and the crowd went nuts. They worshiped Hogan, and the roars were deafening.
The match itself was exciting, but the conclusion was Randy's dad ascending the turnbuckle aiming to knock Hogan out with his cast. He missed and hit Orndorff instead, allowing Hogan to capitalize and gain the victory. As Hogan celebrated, the crowd once again burst into thunderous ovation. Randy looked around as people cheered Hogan. He felt a little mad that people always booed his father. Randy's dad's friends had lost, and he couldn't see any reason to be happy. Backstage as Bob Orton gathered his things and prepared to leave the arena, Randy saw Hulk Hogan. He was surrounded by people, all patting him on the back, smiling, taking his picture. As the Orton family walked the hallways toward the back exit, Randy looked back at Hogan one last time. People were treating him like the hero in one of those cowboy movies Randy watched with his dad.
In the car as Bob Orton drove his family to the hotel, Randy posed a question to his father.
Randy: Dad, how come people boo you?
Bob Orton: What?
Randy: Why do all the people boo for you?
Bob: I guess it's because they don't like me.
Randy: Why not?
Bob: Because they don't like the way I wrestle. I do anything to win, and sometimes I do things people don't like.
Randy: Why does everybody go crazy over Hulk Hogan?
Bob: Because he's the world champ son.
Randy: What's that mean?
Bob: It means he's the best. It means no one is better than him. It's what everybody wants. In wrestling, it's all about the world title, and being the best. There's no reason to do this if you don't want to be the very best. When you're the best you get respect. When you're the best, you get anything you want. No matter what you do in life son, be the best. Be the best.......................
........................................................................................................
"Be the best"
Randy's mind found it's way back to the present as his back began to burn. He pushed with everything he had to squeeze out the last few reps, finally reaching the magic number. He relaxed on the bench for a moment. Those words, "Be the best" running through his head again. He grabbed his towel and hit the showers. Those three words still dancing in his mind, as the cool water rushed over him. After the shower and a change of clothes, nearly all evidence that he had trained so hard was gone. Save for the pain coursing through his entire body. He headed outside and jumped into his car. He wouldn't go back to the hotel now, instead heading to the arena, where he would get another opportunity to speak his mind. He glanced at the phone he had left in his car, noticing that there were several missed calls from Kendrick and Shelley. He arrived at the arena, and exited his car. As he stood there he exhaled, no more alone time, now he would become "The Viper." He entered the arena, and walked down the halls, passing several FCW superstars. They may have stared at him, but not a friendly word. He wouldn't have it any other way, he wasn't here to be liked.
He glanced at an FCW staff employee, and knew the word would be sent. He was here, and he would cut a promo. He had seen Jericho's last promo, and knew that things had changed. This was something bigger now. Jericho had offered the chance for the two to exchange the truth. To "lay it all on the line." But, Randy hadn't given much thought to what he might say. He knew once the camera was on, and a microphone in front of his face, the words would come. He headed to the very same room where Jericho had conducted his promo. He entered and had a seat. He thought about Jericho, and how he looked. The disheveled look of uncertainty. The fact that his promo was deep. Even deeper than the emotion that was so obvious on the surface. It was almost as if Jericho was offering him a way out. A way to turn this back into a wrestling rivalry. To stop it from going further, to prevent it from becoming something that could threaten both men's careers. The thought briefly entered Randy's mind. "What if he's right. What if this is going too far. How out of touch with humanity can I get." The fleeting thought of approaching things logically disappeared as his father's words so long ago re-entered his mind. "Be the best."
Orton hadn't noticed Todd Grisham enter the room. Maybe he had had too much alone time today. He couldn't get out of his own mind. Luckily Todd broke the ice,
Todd: Randy, this is a big Friday Night Anarchy, but perhaps bigger for you than anyone else. You have two matches and your work cut out for you."
Randy: My work cut out for me? How about calling it a work out? Because that's what it amounts to. This will be another opportunity to demonstrate just why I am the absolute best FCW has to offer.
Todd: While you will have partners in the main event, there's no doubt that Chris.....
Randy: Wait a minute, first of all let me say this. I know somewhere out there CM Punk is counting on the fact that I'm so caught up in this thing with Jericho that I've forgotten about him. I'm sure he thinks he's gonna sneak in and catch me off guard. He's thinking this is an opportunity for him to re-ignite his career. A career that has been on life support for weeks now. At Anarchy Punk, it's gonna flat line. Let me assure you, I am focused on you too. Let me assure you that I will finish a job I started two weeks ago Punk. This time, I'll be done with you.
Todd: Randy I'm sure you saw Jericho's last promo, it's the talk of FCW. People are saying they've never seen such a profound and open Chris Jericho. It was emotional, and it was gripping.
Dammit! With the mention of the Jericho promo, Orton once again is lost in the thoughts that have haunted him since Jericho's promo. How it had caught him off guard. Orton could deal with anyone talking about how they were gonna kick his ass. He would laugh at Jericho talking about why he was the rightful FCW champion. Jericho's crack wit couldn't begin to get under Randy's skin. But this...This was unexpected. Randy's ace in the hole, his exposing Jericho's false bravado, tearing down the wall of false confidence, had it backfired? He was ready for the usual Jericho insults, the promises of revenge, but this confused him. Getting in Jericho's head, what seemed like Randy's killing blow only days ago, had it made Jericho more dangerous? Jericho had never acted that way. He admitted Randy had gotten to him, admitted he was nervous, what more could Randy do? Jericho wasn't lying in his promo. A fool could tell that much. He had admitted he was unsure, but promised he'd die before letting Randy get the better of him. Apart from that, he had complimented Randy, admitted he was one of the best. His biggest challenge he had said. Randy thought about saying something in return, "at least admit the reason you want to go after him. At least tell him you also view him as your biggest challenge. Just say it, you know to be the best you have to go through him. You owe him that much. You respect him." But, alas those nagging words, "Be the best."....Randy looks up to see Todd waiting for a response.
Randy: The only thing Jericho's promo showed me is that he is a broken man. A man isn't prepared for what I will do to him. A man that has merely seen me scratch the surface of what I will do to stop him. Jericho is a beaten man. Jericho has accomplished everything there is to accomplish in this business, but it's all for nothing. He has met the roadblock. He has met the definition of greatness. He has met the man who is destined to rule this company. All you have to do is look at Jericho. Look into his eyes. He has nothing left, not the charisma, the confidence. All he has left is his skills, and they won't be good enough. I told Chris Jericho, I'm not here to just wrestle matches, I'm here to destroy everyone who comes between me and being the best. I am here to annihilate anything in my path. There is only one thing that matters in this business, and that's being the best. I see my opponents as people trying to get in the way of destiny. That's why I plan on hurting Jericho. I'll hurt him and anyone else I face. I don't wanna just defeat people. I want them to leave the ring after they face me, unable to do the things they could before.
Todd: Well your rivalry with Jericho is heating up. It's the biggest rivalry in FCW in most people's eyes. This Friday we get a preview of what is sure to be an epic match at 'Second Coming.'
Randy: At Anarchy, Jericho and his loser teammates will experience defeat. Edge and Christian if they're lucky won't have to deal with me very long. But for Y2J, the misery is only just beginning.
Randy ends with that, removing the mic and walking away.
