You Know It
Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2023 8:33 pm
The night sky came into view and the camera focused on the stars as a voice filled the speakers.
Edge: You used to look up to me. You used to look up to me. I guess it's supposed to matter to me that you don't anymore?
The camera panned down and Edge came into the frame, shaking he head. The city skyline of Calgary was lit up behind him. He was wearing jeans and a black t-shirt in the temperate weather. He ran a hand through his shorn hair and grinned slightly.
Edge: You don't look up to me anymore, why? Because you grew up? Or because I did? You're a 38 year old man, Matt, you shouldn't be looking up to me. You should have figured this all out for yourself by now.
Edge sighed, clearly bored.
Edge: I mean, look at you, Cardona. All grown up. Congratulations on that by the way. It's like you're not even the same man anymore. Don't think it hasn't gone unnoticed. You're fabled history in EBWF is...
Edge seems to be searching for a word.
Edge: ...well, it certainly exists doesn't it? One time EBWF Tag Team Champion. Two time EBWF X-Division Champion. One time EBWF Breakout Champion who just... never broke out?
Edge shrugged.
Edge: Are you really standing there saying how you're always ready, when you never even met your potential. Is that what you're doing here, Matt? I don't really want to be anyone's idol, but I suggest that if you used to look up to me, you better start again, because I have been to every single mountain top in the business, while your dumb ass has been standing at base camp. Then you're going to look down the camera and tell me you don't look up to me anymore?
He shook his head.
Edge: Because you think I stopped caring? I haven't stopped caring, Matt. I've started to have expectations. I've got more accolades than I have time to name them. I'm consistently in the top four of this tournament year after year after year. I've earned this. Not because I con't care, but because I've reached the pinnacle I know when my best is good enough, and when my effort is required. I'm still here for every opportunity, but I also know how to pick them so I'm not waisting my time. All that scratching and clawing you're still doing after all these years? I've already paid those dues. My debt is paid in full, Matt. And you can't say the same. If that makes you bitter against me, I can't blame you.
He found himself shrugging again, and looked down the lens.
Edge: But make sure you understand, Matt. I'm not afraid. Of you. Of anyone in the locker room. I know I have everything it takes. I've never been better. And I know that everyone knows it, or they wouldn't be working so hard to get inside my head. Isn't that what you tried to do? Play mind games. Manipulate the master manipulator? Because you might have grown up, Matt. You might have gotten rid of the goofy haircut. Dropped the stupid bandana and matching knee pads. You might have even changed your name. But you're always going to be that sad, stupid frat boy who marks out for himself and named himself after a Cocktail. You're going to look across that ring at me and remember that you're running out of time to live up to your potential. That even now, I'm everything you wanted to be. I know it, and you know what, Matt?
Edge's lip curled into a smirk.
Edge: You Know It.
Edge pushed the camera away and the skyline behind him turned sideways. His boots could be heard on the gravel as the scene faded out.
Edge: You used to look up to me. You used to look up to me. I guess it's supposed to matter to me that you don't anymore?
The camera panned down and Edge came into the frame, shaking he head. The city skyline of Calgary was lit up behind him. He was wearing jeans and a black t-shirt in the temperate weather. He ran a hand through his shorn hair and grinned slightly.
Edge: You don't look up to me anymore, why? Because you grew up? Or because I did? You're a 38 year old man, Matt, you shouldn't be looking up to me. You should have figured this all out for yourself by now.
Edge sighed, clearly bored.
Edge: I mean, look at you, Cardona. All grown up. Congratulations on that by the way. It's like you're not even the same man anymore. Don't think it hasn't gone unnoticed. You're fabled history in EBWF is...
Edge seems to be searching for a word.
Edge: ...well, it certainly exists doesn't it? One time EBWF Tag Team Champion. Two time EBWF X-Division Champion. One time EBWF Breakout Champion who just... never broke out?
Edge shrugged.
Edge: Are you really standing there saying how you're always ready, when you never even met your potential. Is that what you're doing here, Matt? I don't really want to be anyone's idol, but I suggest that if you used to look up to me, you better start again, because I have been to every single mountain top in the business, while your dumb ass has been standing at base camp. Then you're going to look down the camera and tell me you don't look up to me anymore?
He shook his head.
Edge: Because you think I stopped caring? I haven't stopped caring, Matt. I've started to have expectations. I've got more accolades than I have time to name them. I'm consistently in the top four of this tournament year after year after year. I've earned this. Not because I con't care, but because I've reached the pinnacle I know when my best is good enough, and when my effort is required. I'm still here for every opportunity, but I also know how to pick them so I'm not waisting my time. All that scratching and clawing you're still doing after all these years? I've already paid those dues. My debt is paid in full, Matt. And you can't say the same. If that makes you bitter against me, I can't blame you.
He found himself shrugging again, and looked down the lens.
Edge: But make sure you understand, Matt. I'm not afraid. Of you. Of anyone in the locker room. I know I have everything it takes. I've never been better. And I know that everyone knows it, or they wouldn't be working so hard to get inside my head. Isn't that what you tried to do? Play mind games. Manipulate the master manipulator? Because you might have grown up, Matt. You might have gotten rid of the goofy haircut. Dropped the stupid bandana and matching knee pads. You might have even changed your name. But you're always going to be that sad, stupid frat boy who marks out for himself and named himself after a Cocktail. You're going to look across that ring at me and remember that you're running out of time to live up to your potential. That even now, I'm everything you wanted to be. I know it, and you know what, Matt?
Edge's lip curled into a smirk.
Edge: You Know It.
Edge pushed the camera away and the skyline behind him turned sideways. His boots could be heard on the gravel as the scene faded out.