Sweat and Tears. No Blood Tonight

[Kevin]

James Storm sat in the locker room at Warfare following his match. He had just had an encounter with Bobby Roode. Normally for him, it was a battle, if not a full on war. This time, something was different. The man who was the self-proclaimed “IT” factor went down without the normal full fledged battle. Storm looked at it like this: They both came from the “minor-league” promotion. In the pitcher/batter matchup of September call-ups, it’s better to win that matchup to set yourself up for a better career in the majors. Well, in this metaphor James Storm was the batter, and he knocked it out of the park. One of them rose to the occasion, the other did not. That does not mean too much for the future, but it does mean that for now he’s doing okay.

Storm, like the rest of the roster was waiting anxiously for Chris Jericho to announce the matches for Christmas Eve of Destruction. When the roster saw Jericho walk through the curtain, they all took off for the big TV right by the entrance ramp. Storm, he watched on that little 20 inch in the dressing room. He was alone. He preferred it that way. He was curious to see what would become of his 1-0 record. He was unsure if he would make the Pay-Per-View card. He didn’t know what to expect.

He treated it like a Sunday watching the Titan’s though. He sat down, Budweiser in his hand, and he hoped for the best.

“Break the Walls Down” hit, and Storm was now glued to the TV. Jericho made his way to the ring and he listed the matches we already knew. He added stipulations to some. He revamped the women’s division, he threw out a contract on a Christmas tree match; he had done everything. So after he said what must have been 7 or 8 matches, which sounded like 15 or 20 to Storm, Storm was accepting of a Sunday night off.

He stood up while Jericho was talking. He paced the dressing room, still in his tights from his match, and figured he could finish his beer and change. He wasn’t even looking at the TV, when he heard something come from it.

Chris Jericho: And in a battle of EBWF newcomers, “The Animal” Batista will take on “The Cowboy” James Storm in a First Blood Match to open the show.

At that moment time froze. He had a Pay-Per-View debut to prepare for. And he had an opponent he could really measure himself up against. He knew Batista was a champion in another big league promotion. He was an MMA fight winner. He had the potential to be a very dangerous man. But Storm wasn’t going to let that creep into his head.

When he checked his phone, he saw a text from Jim Ross asking for another interview at the end of the show that would air exclusively on the EBWF website. He obviously accepted.

He went to the luxury box where not even 4 days ago he had gone on an emotional tangent about Bobby Roode. He just sat and waited as EBWF administrators and corporate employees filtered in and out. Storm just sat and waited for Jim Ross and the camera crew to show up.

After the night ended in a very tense staredown between CM Punk and Triple H, Storm reverted back to his thoughts from the week before.

How one day that would be him standing in the ring, staring down the World Champion who he would challenge 6 days later at a major Pay-Per-View event. How he would do whatever it took to make it to the elite level of this industry. How he would prove that he was one of the best that ever lived.

Then he flashed back to reality. He knew he had to take care of business before he could think ahead. He also knew he had a big challenge ahead of him. The pomp and circumstance of being the new guy was now over, he had his first match, and he won impressively.

As all these thoughts went through his head, Jim Ross came into the room.

Jim Ross: “Cowboy,” good to see you again.

James Storm: Same to you sir.

The two shook hands. Ross was in his typical suit and cowboy hat. Storm was in his backbone shirt, jeans, boots, as well as his cowboy hat. They then sat down, as Ross reviewed procedure.
Jim Ross: Just like last week James, answer the questions however you see fit. When the red light goes on, we’re recording.

Storm stared at the camera. This was familiar but different at the same time. There was no awe in meeting Jim Ross again, they were now co-workers. There was no big, anxious eyes looking into the camera, it was a very stern, confident look. While the entire environment was identical to 4 days ago, James Storm’s perception to everything in there had changed.

The camera light turned red.

Jim Ross: Hello ladies and gentleman, and welcome to this EBWF exclusive. I’m Jim Ross, and tonight, I am here with the “Cowboy” James Storm. James, how are you doing?

James Storm: I’m doing good, and yourself?

Jim Ross: I’m doing great. Now tell us some thoughts on the match you had with Bobby Roode.

In a way, Storm’s entire focus had moved past that match. It was a win against a rival. Roode was a name that would always bring a certain reaction out of James Storm the way few others could. But tonight, he had to let it go.

James Storm: You know, every single time I have faced Bobby Roode, it has brought me to a different level, as it has him. I knew however, that opening up the show on a brand new promotion would also require yet another whole new level. I was able to rise to it, he wasn’t. That’s why I won the way I did.

The short answer was a plan to transition past this match, because now his thoughts are on Batista. He knew he had to be confident and blunt in his answers about Roode to get the focus off of him.

Jim Ross: Is there anything else about that match that went in to your victory here tonight?

Well, it wasn’t gonna be that easy for him. He figured make it a little fun, but then try to get off the subject again.

James Storm: I mean, I had a case of beer opened in the back. I guess that makes you want to hustle a little bit more.

The 2 share a quick laugh.

James Storm: But seriously, I came here to leave my mark on this business. Winning wasn’t an option tonight, it was a necessity.

Storm left it at that, hoping Jim Ross would move on to some new questions.

Jim Ross: Well you got started with a win, and you found out tonight you will be making your Pay-Per-View debut at Christmas eve of Destruction. Once again, you will open the card. Before we get into your opponent, what are your thoughts on opening the show?

James Storm: You know, it’s not the main event in this case, but it’s not a bad spot. The people that run this company want a good show from start to finish. To be trusted to get it started with a bang, that’s a huge task, but it shows that there is confidence put in you to be a top wrestler at this level.

That was how he felt, opening the show twice in a row. Would he prefer to close it? Absolutely. But that time wasn’t here right now. That time would be coming, but he needed to do more like what he did on Warfare to get to that level.

Jim Ross: Now that opening match is a First Blood Match against Batista. How do you feel about this? Both being in a First Blood match, and facing Batista.

Finally, a chance to focus on the future.

James Storm: Well, anyone that’s followed me knows I’ve probably bled enough in my career to supply a hospital. So a first blood match requires a different strategy. In any other No DQ match I fight with full disregard for any damage I do to myself. It’s about winning. And to win you have to hurt people. Whatever it takes, you do it.

You have to be more careful in a first blood match. I can’t go in swinging like crazy, and leaving me opened to shots, especially from a trained MMA fighter. You have to find a balance. If you’re too defensive you never do enough damage to win. Too offensive you leave yourself vulnerable. It’s a tough match to strategize for, but that’s what I love about it.

Jim Ross: What do you mean?

James Storm: It’s a fight. In a regular match there are rules, and disqualifications, and count-outs, and in a sense just so many boundaries that confine you to win a certain way. This, this is a fight. This is no different then a Colt’s fan walking into my bar during a Titan’s game. That’s a fight you have to win, and it can’t be close.

Jim Ross: How do you keep track of who’s winning a bar fight?

Storm laughed, and began to educate JR on the bar fight scorecard.

James Storm: There are no rounds. And where I come from, no damn bouncer dares get in the way unless he can beat both guys up by himself. Needless to say, all my fights have winners and losers, or to be more accurate, me and losers.

But there is a way to gage it. You have to look at the winner at the time of the knockout. If he has a perfectly clean face, fight wasn’t close, and the loser is dragged out of the bar.
If the winner has a broken or bloody nose, it was a good effort by someone that was just clearly outmatched. We leave the loser where they lie.

If the winner has a black eye, and looks like he took a beating, you help the loser up to a chair or bar stool.

If the winner has two black eyes, is bleeding, and looks like a car wreck, you had a close fight. You then help the loser up, give him a seat at the bar, and share a round of beer.

That’s how you earned respect where I came from. I’ve had plenty of fights of each of those kinds. Throwing guys into jukeboxes, through pool tables, busting doors, and even smashing glasses and pitchers – all of those things happened in fights.

Now, this isn’t the bar. I could knock Batista into a limp carcass, all he needs is that one good shot, right on the nose. It’ll be a small bleed, but it will bleed. That is what I have to avoid. And that is what I will avoid. And here’s why.

Batista, you call yourself “The Animal.” And hey, who the hell am I to say you haven’t earned that. But as far as I’m concerned, animals aren’t dangerous. I own dogs, horses, and bulls. By the way, didn’t you just lose to a ‘Brahma Bull?’ Yea, the animals I own are not dangerous.

Then there’s the ones in the wild. And much of our society is based on the Northeast along the Atlantic – In New York, and Boston, and Philadelphia, and Washington. In those places, people are taught to fear wild animals. Me? Love them.

I’ve killed things as small as squirrels, as big as bears. I don’t fear them. You see, half the battle in this business is mental. It’s adapting. On the street, you see one guy over 6’3” and over 300 pounds, he’s freakish. Here, it’s common practice.

You can’t be scared of it. You have to accept it. The moment you accept Batista’s size for what it is, just size, and not an advantage. That is the moment you win half the battle with him. Then you find the holes in the armor. He’s strong, but he can be beat.

Which is exactly what I am going to do at Christmas Eve of Destruction. I’m going to beat Batista.

Jim Ross: That’s a strong proclamation.

Storm could only think to himself “what am I supposed to say?” He believed that he could show no fear. Batista is bigger, but he is slower. He is stronger, but he is limited. Storm has two weapons that Batista doesn’t. 1: The “Last Call.” Batista didn’t have that move, besides a hard punch, that could strike from nowhere. Storm, has he showed earlier in the night, had that kick in his arsenal. His second weapon was the weapons themselves. Batista thrives in a show of strength. The No-DQ atmosphere of a first blood match played into Storm’s advantage. He was brought up in chaos. He thrives in it. He knew full well he could win the fight. The challenge to him was how to stop himself from bleeding.

James Storm: That’s a fact. He can run through an entire roster on intimidation, but that’s not working when he gets to me. And Batista, if you’re listening right now, do me a favor. Take your belongings to the ambulance backstage before our match, you’re gonna need it.

Let’s track your week real quick. You had your match wiped off the card tonight. You were not needed tonight. Then you find out you have to face me in a First Blood match. Then you make your Pay-Per-View debut and lose. Follow all of that up with the nice hospital bill you’ll be getting, and that is your week, Batista. I’m Sorry, about your, damn luck!

Storm made that last statement with emphasis. What was anxiety and nerves last week was confidence and tranquility. He didn’t lose control and scream the way he did when he talked about Roode, but he spoke with the same conviction. There was no hesitation in anything he had said. He then walked out of the room, leaving Jim Ross and the crew to close the show.

He heard Ross wrap it up with a typical close, but once he heard the cut, and the camera crew break down, he heard Jim Ross say something.

Jim Ross: God damnit, he’s gonna do it!

It’s a long journey to the top of any wrestling promotion, and Storm knew that. However, he may have just made his first high-profile believer. The journey was young, but he knows the chance he has to take massive strides.

And he would. He firmly believed nobody aspires to be second best, and he wasn’t gonna start shooting for that now.

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James Storm sat backstage at Christmas Eve of Destruction. He knew what he needed to do. There was no time like now to make an impact. He had one goal, he wanted to go out, and even though the card was stacked top to bottom, he wanted to be the best wrestler of the night. He had a chance to do that too, if he could open up the show with a statement victory over an established star then the skies were the limit. But there were first things first. He had to take care of his match.

His match preparation was very casual with one exception: he wanted to be left completely alone. He’d pace around, drink a beer, and just think strategy. He would have Toby Keith or Garth Brooks playing to help get a tempo going in his head. He just hated being bothered at this time, but with Christmas Eve of Destruction being 30 minutes away, and he being the opening match there was bound to be a conflict. He was in the middle of his routine, when who should walk up but Matt Striker.

The look of displeasure on Storm’s face was visible. He knew he had to go through with it, but that did not mean he had to enjoy it. His goal for this interview: quick and confident.

Matt Striker: James Storm, can we have a couple of questions about your match with Batista that will be happening in just a few minutes?

James Storm: Make it quick.

Matt Striker: What are your thoughts on the match?

Really? You’re gonna interrupt his match with that bland, stupid question that he’s answered everyday this week? Storm just shrugged and gave the short confident answer.

James Storm: I’m gonna win.

Matt Striker seemed taken aback by the bold statement from the new competitor. He stumbled trying to think of a question, so he came with a very elementary question.

Matt Striker: Umm, why are you gonna win?

James Storm: Because I want it, and need it, more.

That’s what Storm believed. In a battle of wills, wrestling was what he always wanted. He left only to heal, never to pursue other endeavors like his opponent had done. This business was his life. He wanted to be the best, and he needed a statement to move up the card.

Matt Striker: Why would you say you need it more?

Well, this was the point where Storm had had enough of Striker and the interview. He knew he couldn’t punch the guy for just trying to do his job, but his patience was spent. So he snapped.

James Storm: BECAUSE I’M NOT HERE TO TAKE UP TIME AND SPACE! I left a great situation to come to EBWF, I didn’t have to, I chose to! It wasn’t for the money or the fame. It was because this is where the best come to wrestle. If you want to be the best wrestler in the world, you have to do it here. So I’m going to do it. And my road to the top does not have time for a detour!

Batista had his time, he has beaten some of the best competition in the world. But he’s been there. I haven’t, and that will change. His priorities in life are not about this business. He’s okay with taking a paycheck and mailing it in. I’m not. That’s not how I do things.

I’ve said it time and time again, no one does this to be second best. Somehow, some way, I will cut him open. And maybe then, everyone will realize why I came here.

It took a lot to make James Storm waste beer. But he was so angered and fumed at this point that he spiked the beer bottle into the ground. The shards flew everywhere, the beer flooded along the floor, and everyone in the area looked in disbelief as James Storm walked out. Matt Striker, jaw dropped at this point, quickly regained some of his composure, and addressed the EBWF fans watching.

Matt Striker: I’ll say this much, every match tonight is designed to be brutal, but there’s something about this opening match that’s created a unique buzz to it. Every match tonight will guarantee excitement tonight, only one match guarantees blood. Jim and Jerry, back to you guys.

Once the scene was cut, Striker finally put his guard down and caught his breath. There was a big fight feel, and he knew Christmas Eve of Destruction was going to open with some fireworks.