Post by pedigree on Jan 12, 2007 14:17:23 GMT 1
For most people retiring means the end of an era, that a person achieved all he could and realised it was time to pass the torch.. That after all he went through, it was time to move on and look back at what they had done with a smile.. I once thought I could do the same with my career; afterall.. I was a multi-chatpion, holding titles in every single federation I was a part of.. I had rivalry after rivalry with some of the best wrestlers this industry has to offer and I had grown significantly as these rivalries ended..
But somehow, "doing it all" seems to be just another metaphore.. Something people who aren't able to stand up to the challenge anymore would say.. This is something you realise when you're "retired", as the days pass you keep wondering what you could have done better or what you wouldn't have done at all.. You keep searching for answers, but they don't seem to come.. And then you realise that the only way to "do it all", is to do what you love untill you can't do it anymore.. So, what will happen once you realise that? Where will this journey take me? No one knows, and only time.. Will tell..
[The scene opens up as we see a lakehouse atop a small hill, surround by tall trees.. A big lake with a few small fishing boats floating on it is seen in the distance.. The camera moves closer and closer to the house and it's door, the door opens as we enter inside.. As the camera passes along the wall we see a few pictures, the next showing a bigger wrestling star on it than the one before.. But one thing about them remains the same, they all have: "Thanks for the memories" written on them..
The camera moves further along the corridor as we suddenly end up inside a darkened room, only a burning fireplace is giving a small amount of light.. It has the GWF World Title encased in a glass box above it.. Other titles from different federations are displayed all along the walls as the camera pans across the room, the sides of a chair suddenly apear, as the camera turns more an man is revealed.. Sitting the the chair, his face barely visible.. He claps his hands as the clapswitch is activated and the lights turn on and this misterious figure is revealed.. It's Pedigree, UWA's latest signing..]
Pedigree: Welcome! You're the UWA guys here for the interview, right?
Man: Yes sir, we are.. We came as soon as you called.
Pedigree: Good, and you don't have to call me sir.. Call me Pedigree.
Man: Ok, Pedigree.. Are you ready for the interview?
Pedigree: Don't you need to give me a mic, set up the lights, do a soundcheck and all that fancy stuff?
Man: No, we'll have to do it like this.. That's not a problem, is it?
Pedigree: No, ofcourse not.. I'm happy I don't have to go through all the "big time hassle" anymore.. Never liked it, never will!
Man: Good, so.. Let's get started, shall we?
Pedigree: First things first, let me get your name!
Man: Oh.. Sure, my name's Gary.
Pedigree: Nice to meet you Gary, now I'm ready.. It's kinda dumb to talk if we don't know eachothers name, don't you think?
Gary: Yeah, you're right.. Ready for the first question?
Pedigree: Shoot!
Gary: Well, I guess the question on everyone's mind at the Underground Wrestling Alliance is, how does a big star like you end up in UWA? Afterall, it's not like you couldn't get payed alot more money in the bigger federations where you've always worked?
Pedigree: Sure I could, but does that really matter?
Gary: To some it might..
Pedigree: Well, not to me.. Money was never the number one reason for me to go anywhere, it was the competition.. The first question I always asked myself was: "Will I be able to hone my skills there", "will I be able to do what I love in an invironment where I will be put to the test".. Sure, I made money doing it.. But when you think about it, really think, you'll see that was never the main reason. The main reason was facing skilled opponents and giving the people that came to see me face that person a great and memorable match.
Gary: Then you came to the right place!
Pedigree: I know I have, I wouldn't be here otherwise.. And to continue with how I ended up here, well.. Ever since I retired, ever since the last federation I was in closed it's doors, I've always been left with the feeling of "have I done all I could to seal my place in this industry? Have become all I can be?".. The answer to that question has always been close, but something inside of me just doesn't want to quit just yet.. That "something" wants to keep going, it makes me want to keep proving to the world that the guy people once saw no future in actually can do what no one ever thought he could.. And thats to be one of the greats. Some might say there's nothing left to prove, that I did everything to prove everyone wrong.. But when you think of it.. There's always new places to go, new people to face.. And when UWA contacted me, I knew that my "retirement" was only temporary.. It always is.. My career will only end when I don't have that "spark" anymore, when I can't do what I love to do anymore.. And untill then, Pedigree will keep on going.. My career will keep on growing, and I will end up among the legends in this business.
Gary: I can see you have alot of motivation going for you, and that's what UWA needs! As for my next question.. Who in UWA do you see as a good opponent? Who do you feel has what it takes to pose a real challenge and give you what you say you search for, competition..?
Pedigree: I've always believed anyone can give you your money's worth, anyone in the world is able to pose a threat.. Aslong as you push them there, anyone can give you a run for your money.. There's not a wrestler in this business that, when he got in the ring with me, didn't live up to his full potential. And this is not to sound cocky or anything, but I've always pushed people to the limit.. If they didn't have the energy anymore, I would give it to them.. I would push them to the point of no return, and when I did.. They realised it was do or die, they realised that if they didn't go all out.. They would be letting me down, they would be letting the fans down.. And most importantly, they would be letting themselves down.
Gary: And how would your opponents respond to that? Hatred, respect, awe?
Pedigree: I would say respect, I mean.. I could have a rivalry with a guy who truly hated my guts, but in the end.. He'd respect me and what I do inside the ring, no matter how big the hatred.. Sure, they would still put a knife in my back if they had the chance.. But the respect was there, and it was and will always be mutual.. No matter what. As for who in UWA I see a challenge in, as I said.. Anyone can pose a challenge, aslong as you push them to that level.. So, I would say that I'm sure anyone in UWA would be more than capable to give me a great match.. And I look forward to it more and more as January 27nd moves closer.
Gary: I'm sure we all are looking forward to the debut of UWA, and yours ofcourse.. The next question I want to ask you regards the comments of Shane Callaway, is that alright?
Pedigree: I don't see why it wouldn't be, I'd like to answer him..
Gary: Ok, well.. We all know you and him have had a rivalry that played out in both WWEB and XHA, two federations which have been defunct for quite a while now.. Could you start with how it all started, and then go from there?
Pedigree: It all started at the time when WWEB was just about to close it's doors, causing complete chaos in the federation and starting a hunt for the WWEB World Title.. I was in a stable called "Portal To Infinity", as stable formed by my old rival Skull, Riddler and myself.. One of us had to take a step forward and try to become to World Champion, to make WWEB end with PTI as the biggest force so to speak.. Eventually, I became the one to go for the gold.. Enter Shane Callaway. We went back and forth for weeks on end, beating eachother to the edge of life on several occations.. And when it all ended, Shane was the one beating me and taking the title just before WWEB closed it's doors and thus becoming it's last World Champion.. When WWEB closed, we were all out of a job.. We had no place to go, when suddenly Skull called me and informed me that there was a new federation he and Riddler were both a part of.. They wanted to reform PTI, so they needed me.. I went over there, everything was going fine as I won the XHA Xtreme Title in my first match there.. Eventually, this succes made me cross paths with Shane once again.. We didn't know it yet, but this would be the time where one of us would have his career ended.
Gary: Interesting, go on.
Pedigree: Well, our rivalry picked up where it left off.. Both of us having more hatred for eachother then when it all started in WWEB, both of us seeking to destroy one and other once and for all.. And before we knew it, July 30th 2003 came along.. Burried alive match, where one of us would be gone from the industry as the match was over.. As you can clearly see, I wasn't the one having his career ended.. Shane had.
Gary: Did you think you would ever see him again? And if you did, did you think he would still hate you like he does?
Pedigree: To be honest, I always had a wild suspicioun I would.. But then again, you can never be sure who you cross paths with in this business.. I know Shane has always been a rocket, a cocky one, but still a rocket when it came to wrestling.. He has charisma, he knows how to get it done.. And eventhough I hated him, I always had a certain ammount of respect for him inside the ring.. But at the time, it was do or die.. One of us had to survive, and I'm not going to say I wasn't glad it was me.. And as soon as that bell rang, all that hatred faded away.. I didn't hate him anymore, I respected him more than anything.. Even now, nearly 4years later, I still look back at that rivalry and say.. "That was one of those times, where I knew I would make it in this business.. I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for that feud", and that's what I always look for in my career.. Matches and people that bring out the best in you.. As for what he said, I can understand it.. I can understand that he wants retrobution for what happened in the past, most people would.
Gary: Does this mean you'd be willing to take him up on his challenge, and face him again at Shooting Stars?
Pedigree: If it happens, it happens right? I personally think that if it does happen, it'll be a great match to debut UWA.. Me and Shane both have the expirience, the skills and the ammount of gas left in the tank to go.. I will have the will and the passion to step inside the ring. So yes, I would be willing to take him up on that challenge.. But I can assure you, that the person sitting here right now isn't the Pedigree you see inside the ring.. No, I've said it before and I'll say it again: When I step inside the ring, the warrior inside of me takes over.. I will not stop before the bell rings, and Shane knows this very well.. He knows that once the bell rings, and the match starts, I will push him to the limit.. I will make him go further than he has ever gone before, and if he really wants revenge.. If he really wants to take me down, he'll have to fight for it!
Gary: Any closing comments for us, or Shane?
Pedigree: Shane, you're not the first ghost of times passed that tried to come after me.. You wouldn't be the first that wanted revenge on me for something I once did to them, and I'm sure you won't be the last. But you and me both know, that once we're standing inside that ring.. Once the bell rings, there's not telling what might happen.. We only know that it's not going to be pretty, we know that we will take eachother to hell and back.. But I got news for you, Shane.. The Pedigree you see now isn't the one you've known in the past, I've grown where you have not.. I've faced multiple "top dogs" when it comes to wrestling, I've beaten champions.. I've proven everyone that has ever doubted me wrong, so I suggest you do one thing.. Bring your A game, Shane.. Don't underestimate me and don't let me down, because if you do.. You'll suffer the same fate you suffered all those years ago, and this time.. It'll be permanent!
[Pedigree keeps staring into the camera with a freakish look on his face as the scene fades]
But somehow, "doing it all" seems to be just another metaphore.. Something people who aren't able to stand up to the challenge anymore would say.. This is something you realise when you're "retired", as the days pass you keep wondering what you could have done better or what you wouldn't have done at all.. You keep searching for answers, but they don't seem to come.. And then you realise that the only way to "do it all", is to do what you love untill you can't do it anymore.. So, what will happen once you realise that? Where will this journey take me? No one knows, and only time.. Will tell..
[The scene opens up as we see a lakehouse atop a small hill, surround by tall trees.. A big lake with a few small fishing boats floating on it is seen in the distance.. The camera moves closer and closer to the house and it's door, the door opens as we enter inside.. As the camera passes along the wall we see a few pictures, the next showing a bigger wrestling star on it than the one before.. But one thing about them remains the same, they all have: "Thanks for the memories" written on them..
The camera moves further along the corridor as we suddenly end up inside a darkened room, only a burning fireplace is giving a small amount of light.. It has the GWF World Title encased in a glass box above it.. Other titles from different federations are displayed all along the walls as the camera pans across the room, the sides of a chair suddenly apear, as the camera turns more an man is revealed.. Sitting the the chair, his face barely visible.. He claps his hands as the clapswitch is activated and the lights turn on and this misterious figure is revealed.. It's Pedigree, UWA's latest signing..]
Pedigree: Welcome! You're the UWA guys here for the interview, right?
Man: Yes sir, we are.. We came as soon as you called.
Pedigree: Good, and you don't have to call me sir.. Call me Pedigree.
Man: Ok, Pedigree.. Are you ready for the interview?
Pedigree: Don't you need to give me a mic, set up the lights, do a soundcheck and all that fancy stuff?
Man: No, we'll have to do it like this.. That's not a problem, is it?
Pedigree: No, ofcourse not.. I'm happy I don't have to go through all the "big time hassle" anymore.. Never liked it, never will!
Man: Good, so.. Let's get started, shall we?
Pedigree: First things first, let me get your name!
Man: Oh.. Sure, my name's Gary.
Pedigree: Nice to meet you Gary, now I'm ready.. It's kinda dumb to talk if we don't know eachothers name, don't you think?
Gary: Yeah, you're right.. Ready for the first question?
Pedigree: Shoot!
Gary: Well, I guess the question on everyone's mind at the Underground Wrestling Alliance is, how does a big star like you end up in UWA? Afterall, it's not like you couldn't get payed alot more money in the bigger federations where you've always worked?
Pedigree: Sure I could, but does that really matter?
Gary: To some it might..
Pedigree: Well, not to me.. Money was never the number one reason for me to go anywhere, it was the competition.. The first question I always asked myself was: "Will I be able to hone my skills there", "will I be able to do what I love in an invironment where I will be put to the test".. Sure, I made money doing it.. But when you think about it, really think, you'll see that was never the main reason. The main reason was facing skilled opponents and giving the people that came to see me face that person a great and memorable match.
Gary: Then you came to the right place!
Pedigree: I know I have, I wouldn't be here otherwise.. And to continue with how I ended up here, well.. Ever since I retired, ever since the last federation I was in closed it's doors, I've always been left with the feeling of "have I done all I could to seal my place in this industry? Have become all I can be?".. The answer to that question has always been close, but something inside of me just doesn't want to quit just yet.. That "something" wants to keep going, it makes me want to keep proving to the world that the guy people once saw no future in actually can do what no one ever thought he could.. And thats to be one of the greats. Some might say there's nothing left to prove, that I did everything to prove everyone wrong.. But when you think of it.. There's always new places to go, new people to face.. And when UWA contacted me, I knew that my "retirement" was only temporary.. It always is.. My career will only end when I don't have that "spark" anymore, when I can't do what I love to do anymore.. And untill then, Pedigree will keep on going.. My career will keep on growing, and I will end up among the legends in this business.
Gary: I can see you have alot of motivation going for you, and that's what UWA needs! As for my next question.. Who in UWA do you see as a good opponent? Who do you feel has what it takes to pose a real challenge and give you what you say you search for, competition..?
Pedigree: I've always believed anyone can give you your money's worth, anyone in the world is able to pose a threat.. Aslong as you push them there, anyone can give you a run for your money.. There's not a wrestler in this business that, when he got in the ring with me, didn't live up to his full potential. And this is not to sound cocky or anything, but I've always pushed people to the limit.. If they didn't have the energy anymore, I would give it to them.. I would push them to the point of no return, and when I did.. They realised it was do or die, they realised that if they didn't go all out.. They would be letting me down, they would be letting the fans down.. And most importantly, they would be letting themselves down.
Gary: And how would your opponents respond to that? Hatred, respect, awe?
Pedigree: I would say respect, I mean.. I could have a rivalry with a guy who truly hated my guts, but in the end.. He'd respect me and what I do inside the ring, no matter how big the hatred.. Sure, they would still put a knife in my back if they had the chance.. But the respect was there, and it was and will always be mutual.. No matter what. As for who in UWA I see a challenge in, as I said.. Anyone can pose a challenge, aslong as you push them to that level.. So, I would say that I'm sure anyone in UWA would be more than capable to give me a great match.. And I look forward to it more and more as January 27nd moves closer.
Gary: I'm sure we all are looking forward to the debut of UWA, and yours ofcourse.. The next question I want to ask you regards the comments of Shane Callaway, is that alright?
Pedigree: I don't see why it wouldn't be, I'd like to answer him..
Gary: Ok, well.. We all know you and him have had a rivalry that played out in both WWEB and XHA, two federations which have been defunct for quite a while now.. Could you start with how it all started, and then go from there?
Pedigree: It all started at the time when WWEB was just about to close it's doors, causing complete chaos in the federation and starting a hunt for the WWEB World Title.. I was in a stable called "Portal To Infinity", as stable formed by my old rival Skull, Riddler and myself.. One of us had to take a step forward and try to become to World Champion, to make WWEB end with PTI as the biggest force so to speak.. Eventually, I became the one to go for the gold.. Enter Shane Callaway. We went back and forth for weeks on end, beating eachother to the edge of life on several occations.. And when it all ended, Shane was the one beating me and taking the title just before WWEB closed it's doors and thus becoming it's last World Champion.. When WWEB closed, we were all out of a job.. We had no place to go, when suddenly Skull called me and informed me that there was a new federation he and Riddler were both a part of.. They wanted to reform PTI, so they needed me.. I went over there, everything was going fine as I won the XHA Xtreme Title in my first match there.. Eventually, this succes made me cross paths with Shane once again.. We didn't know it yet, but this would be the time where one of us would have his career ended.
Gary: Interesting, go on.
Pedigree: Well, our rivalry picked up where it left off.. Both of us having more hatred for eachother then when it all started in WWEB, both of us seeking to destroy one and other once and for all.. And before we knew it, July 30th 2003 came along.. Burried alive match, where one of us would be gone from the industry as the match was over.. As you can clearly see, I wasn't the one having his career ended.. Shane had.
Gary: Did you think you would ever see him again? And if you did, did you think he would still hate you like he does?
Pedigree: To be honest, I always had a wild suspicioun I would.. But then again, you can never be sure who you cross paths with in this business.. I know Shane has always been a rocket, a cocky one, but still a rocket when it came to wrestling.. He has charisma, he knows how to get it done.. And eventhough I hated him, I always had a certain ammount of respect for him inside the ring.. But at the time, it was do or die.. One of us had to survive, and I'm not going to say I wasn't glad it was me.. And as soon as that bell rang, all that hatred faded away.. I didn't hate him anymore, I respected him more than anything.. Even now, nearly 4years later, I still look back at that rivalry and say.. "That was one of those times, where I knew I would make it in this business.. I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for that feud", and that's what I always look for in my career.. Matches and people that bring out the best in you.. As for what he said, I can understand it.. I can understand that he wants retrobution for what happened in the past, most people would.
Gary: Does this mean you'd be willing to take him up on his challenge, and face him again at Shooting Stars?
Pedigree: If it happens, it happens right? I personally think that if it does happen, it'll be a great match to debut UWA.. Me and Shane both have the expirience, the skills and the ammount of gas left in the tank to go.. I will have the will and the passion to step inside the ring. So yes, I would be willing to take him up on that challenge.. But I can assure you, that the person sitting here right now isn't the Pedigree you see inside the ring.. No, I've said it before and I'll say it again: When I step inside the ring, the warrior inside of me takes over.. I will not stop before the bell rings, and Shane knows this very well.. He knows that once the bell rings, and the match starts, I will push him to the limit.. I will make him go further than he has ever gone before, and if he really wants revenge.. If he really wants to take me down, he'll have to fight for it!
Gary: Any closing comments for us, or Shane?
Pedigree: Shane, you're not the first ghost of times passed that tried to come after me.. You wouldn't be the first that wanted revenge on me for something I once did to them, and I'm sure you won't be the last. But you and me both know, that once we're standing inside that ring.. Once the bell rings, there's not telling what might happen.. We only know that it's not going to be pretty, we know that we will take eachother to hell and back.. But I got news for you, Shane.. The Pedigree you see now isn't the one you've known in the past, I've grown where you have not.. I've faced multiple "top dogs" when it comes to wrestling, I've beaten champions.. I've proven everyone that has ever doubted me wrong, so I suggest you do one thing.. Bring your A game, Shane.. Don't underestimate me and don't let me down, because if you do.. You'll suffer the same fate you suffered all those years ago, and this time.. It'll be permanent!
[Pedigree keeps staring into the camera with a freakish look on his face as the scene fades]