Just Shut Up And Fight

The more people speak sometimes, it often makes you wonder if they somehow are sharing the same brain at times. Even though the title shot at me was handed down to Bryce Grayson courtesy of Odell Givens, Bryce actually had the audacity to stand and voice against me as if he's truly earned something around here. A rookie in these parts that's still wet behind the ears making the bold and mighty prediction that I've had my time in the sun and it's now his time to ride high as the Commonwealth Champion. It takes quite the man to make such a claim and I would know because I made the same claim toward Manic but the difference between Bryce and myself is the fact that he is he and I am me. I am cut from a different cloth and I am but a different breed of man - when I step into that ring, I stand as a Titan. Everyone can make their jokes and little remarks about how I look and how I speak but when they stand across from me, they see a formidable opponent. I am no push over and I lay down for absolutely nobody - didn't get to where I am now by doing so and I won't start now. Perhaps Bryce is merely attempting to turn this into some sort of pissing contest and if that is the case, I'm afraid I can't oblige him in that either because I have no interest in pissing. My only concern is to step foot into that ring and do what I do best. Hurt someone, punish them, dominate them, conquer them and move on to the next victim. It's guys like Bryce that have looked down upon me my career, it's guys like him that believe their opinion about me matter but in the end it doesn't even matter. My entire life, my entire career - I have been a success and I have done that by constantly fighting and never giving up and there's absolutely no way in hell I am going to do that now. I don't intend on being that one and done Champion, I made the claim of carrying this division and I am going to see fit that I make it soar to new heights come hell or high water. Bryce Grayson will face the realization that this will be no walk in the park for him like his initial match was to even get here. This is the match that simply breaks him because as good as he believes himself to be, I'm that much better. I'm not known as Dominus because it sounds good, it's something that I stand by - I am the master for a reason. I dominate and it's high time that an underling like Bryce understands that concept.

+ + +

"My love..." Rhiannon said as it was heard faintly as she had her hand placed upon my shoulder attempting to awaken me. "...Brennan?" She called once, shaking me once more and my eyes opened. "You fell asleep." She stated.

I would let out a slight yawn. "Apologies, last I remember is we were getting through the Bryce Grayson promo and it was just an on-going, never ending, onslaught of just stupid crap being blurted out." I would state. "How far along did I even make it? At least halfway?" I questioned, hoping it was that much so I wouldn't have to endure much more of his nonsense.

Rhiannon slightly giggled. "A little bit more than half." She would respond.

"You know, I honestly miss the good old days when it was just shut up and fight. Let all your talking happen in the damn ring." I admitted. "How guys like him go on and on harping on the same thing, sounding like a broken record is beyond me." I said, arising from my seat and I would proceed to stretch out.

She looked up at me. "Perhaps he likes the sound of his own voice."

"He must, but I'm going to allow myself a drink of water and hope that I can remain awake to finish the second half of this torture known as Bryce Grayson speaking." I said and shook my head, making my way to grab a glass of water. Within a matter of minutes, I would return and sat back down upon the couch with my darling wife. I took a drink of water and would resume where I left off. The endless, mindless, senseless babble - during the midst of it, I looked to Rhiannon. "If I didn't have to actually respond to this guy, there's no way in hell I'd ever watch anything having to do with this guy. This is way too much for anyone to bear, I'm beyond bored and just done."

She would slightly giggle and turn my head back to the screen. "Focus, love." She said and the torture would continue, I could only count down the seconds, minutes and hours that he spoke until this would end. Someone please put me out of my misery.

+ + +

[x]The Face Beneath The Waves[x]
I remain perched at the top for a reason

Camera Status: ON

As the scene opened, it would show myself and Rhiannon standing in an empty ring. I would leaning over the top rope, holding my hand at my head grasping my temple. "You know..." I began and slowly trailed off for a moment before continuing on. "...for the life of me, I'll never understand it." I stated as I now leaned up from the rope and started to slowly pace back and forth as Rhiannon stood there, holding onto the Commonwealth Championship. "I will never understand how or why people like Bryce Grayson even attempt things. I thought he would be the one that's different, but low and behold - I was mistaken. Just as I originally expected, Bryce proves to be like one of the many who can't truly be bothered to show on time like the rest of us." I said, making reference to his 'late' appearance on dropping a promo. While some of us can do ours within a fashionable time frame, guys like Bryce wait until the opportune moments to drop 'bombs'. "Perhaps more important things are dawning for him but I'm afraid I must awaken him from this lucid dream he's having." I said making references to one of his passing comments. "I say that due to the fact that he believes that he is the one to dethrone me." Upon stating that, I couldn't help but chuckle and Rhiannon even shared my sentiment. It was hard to hide that, when something along those lines are muttered by someone the caliber that I'm faced with. "The harsh reality is that your time is coming but it's certainly not now and as I said before, it's most definitely not going to happen at my expense." I said, hoping to sink that thought into his thick skull - but a cocky son of a bitch as he was, I just knew he wouldn't get it because he would deem himself to be untouchable. If that were the case, wouldn't he have won the bourbon brawl to begin with then? Not Odell? Yeah... "As it pertains to your linking me to the acclaimed series "Spartacus", you're not the first nor the last to do that but when you're grasping at straws I expect it. You have nothing to base anything off of so you go for whatever seems appealing to you at the time. Whether it's my name, my alias, my wife speaking - whatever works for you to continue spewing on about the nonsense that falls from your mouth." All the pathetic attempts to try and belittle me but he was failing. I would continue as I've now slowed my pacing back and forth down. "I've already admitted right off the bat that you are a talented soul and while that may be, I must sadly inform you once more that you are NOT the one that's going to stop me. Truthfully, it's not even about the title match being handed over to you in cowardly fashion and I truly have nothing against you but the simple fact is that you stand against me and you're coming for my belt and I refuse to let it go." No matter how many times he could tell you and try to pour his soul into that statement, he wasn't going to take my belt from me. "Despite your belief that it's your time, MY time has only just begun but I can see that your history with the company is a bit off. You say that I've had a nice run with the title - if by nice run, you mean the whole few weeks and one television defense I'm having against you a nice run, then yes. You make it seem like I've held it months and I'm on top of the world, choose your words carefully, huh?" I questioned and shot him a thumbs up, before carrying on to my next point from him. "There's one thing you need to not worry about, it's not in my nature to attack your loved one - I'm not one that stoops to the petty level of that. You are though, however - as you've seen fit to take a minor yet noticeable dig at my mentor. I understand that he's not a very well liked guy in the business but he's earned respect - that's for damn sure. I don't expect someone like you to really understand a concept like respect though." I stated, as most of the guys that came in through the doors lately just saw fit to dump all over those who have been there before hand. A thing like respect had been overlooked and it was definitely into the selfish generation. "It seems like you're the type to do whatever you must in order to get what you want. The problem with that is that you'll get what you want and keep wanting more. I know because I was once like that and my greed ultimately got the best of me and as I've learned from my mistakes I have grown, both as a man and as a competitor in this business." I stated and that's not something that I think he'll ever be able to do. "I will continue to cement my legacy and forge my destiny on my rise toward immortality and unfortunately, Bryce - you'll have to be one of the many placed beneath my heel. Do you think for one second that I give a damn about you keeping civil or remaining calm? You can be abrasive, rude, ignorant or whatever you choose to be but just know in the end you will fall like all the ones before you have done." These were questions he needed to seriously ask himself because he was soon about to find out like anyone else that I've been in there with that I certainly am not the superstar to mess around with - especially when it comes to the cockiness being thrown around. "One mistake everyone makes is the fact that I am perhaps one of the most dangerous competitors to get into the ring with - the moment you second guess yourself or underestimate me, it will be your undoing. Don't say you won't make a mistake either because everyone does, including me. What do you do when you fail though, Bryce? What happens when you can't back up all the hype you're placing upon yourself? What do you do when you step into the ring with me and the realization sets in? Knowing that you can't best me at any point - imagine what that does to a man. Everybody wants to ultimately rule the world and some men want to watch the world burn - I want to be the one to ignite the very flame. Will a loss to someone who wants to be known as something "bad ass" going to crush the ego of the ring master? The answer is probably yes."

"And it's not that my husband NEEDS me to speak for him, it's the simple fact that I actually choose to voice my opinion. As his wife and manager, I plan to be an advocate for him as I've been. No one supports Brennan King more than I, if you don't like that or have a problem with it - I suggest you get over it." Rhiannon stated, as she strongly interjected herself into the fray at this particular moment. All of my opponents continue to make the mistake in thinking that I need her to speak for me but what they don't realize is that we're a team and if she wants to take part in what I'm doing then she will do so and I will not stop her. She supports me and I support her. Perhaps people lost the concept of what it meant to be a manager, she's managing and promoting. A concept that goes over everyone's head these days among other things. "At the first Warfare of the year, Brennan will prove that the name isn't just for show - as he will continue to dominate the division as only he can. Mr. Grayson, I truly believe that deep down in the pit of your stomach - you know you're fighting a losing battle and you're going to attempt to do whatever you can to thwart defeat but it's much easier if you just embrace it." She said as she took a glance down at the Championship that beared my name upon it as it would for quite some time. She would continue on after taking that moment. "As Brennan told you, when he's done carrying the championship then you may have the opportunity to hold it but until such time, it remains as OUR property." Notice the emphasis she put on ours? She even tightened her grip upon our very title. She wasn't fond of parting ways from it anymore than I was and that was due to the fact that I was the rightful, true and deserving Champion. "I honestly thought you'd be the one to be different, to be set apart from the rest of the pack and actually be worthy but it turns out that I was wrong. You're just like all the others and while you say that my husband has Odell to thank for what happens to him - rest assured, he only has success and great things coming his way. It's high time you've awakened and face the fact: you can't beat Brennan King and deep down, you know it." She stated, in a fierce tone. "Try and deny it all you want, make your sad excuses and claims. I did notice in your early goings about you complaining about getting your title match this early on when you've noticed everyone else having to be forced to wait until the following pay-per-view to get their shots - well, you have my husband to thank for that I suppose. See, him being the fighting Champion and all has decided that he didn't want to make you wait. Why prolong and drag something out when we can get the unpleasantries out of your way early on?" She questioned. "I think that honestly, it's high time for you to pull your head from your ass and realize that you're just a member in the King's court but you are coming extremely close to losing your head." She said with a rather devious smirk worn upon her face. She stood there, radiating confidence still holding onto the Championship and glanced over her shoulder as I stood behind her making sure she was finished before I jumped back in.

I had taken a long deep breath at this point. "I don't know what's more pathetic, the fact that I thought you a worthy adversary or the fact that you will fail at obtaining the title you probably believed to be easily to grab due to the fact of how you 'won' it." I stated and more than likely, it was probably the latter. "Make no mistake, I truly don't give a damn how you arrived at this juncture to face me. However I do ask that you get all the applauding out of your system because if I have it my way, I'm going to break every damn bone in your body. Just as I told Manic heading into Global Glory, this is the calm before the perfect storm and rest assured that you'll be the first of many throughout the year to have the hammer brought down upon them. Now, you can debate it and say you're nothing like Manic because you have the skills and tools unlike anyone else in the business. Spare me and spare everyone at this point the same tired garbage, please." I stated. "This whole thing of yours has been done and it's overplayed, at this point - it's just downright sad. It's like everyone has been reading the same material and everyone decides 'hey this is cool, let's all do this'..." I said, pausing and looking into the camera very seriously at this point. "...understand this, Bryce. This right here is my ring, in here... this is what matters." I said as I would begin the pace once again, walking now to the very center of the ring. "You think that you're going to conquer me, let's not kid ourselves with such statements honestly. The only conqueror around these parts is me, I am the dominator and here in my ring - which is my kingdom - I rule." I said with a very fierce and direct undertone. "I don't care how good you think you are but the fact solely remains that I am going to walk into that arena as the Champion and I am walking out the same way. Try and dispute that all you wish but maybe you can find solace in the fact that you did your best but unfortunately your best just wasn't good enough. In your next one, do myself and the entire world a favor and do something remotely entertaining so that you don't bore me any more than you already have. I suppose in a way my pain listening to your promo was inevitable but my suffering was optional as I forced myself through it." I said, shaking my head and just walking from the scene as I turned my own line against myself after being forced to endure his terrible long winded promo.

Rhiannon looked to the camera and simply smirked. "I don't even think the option is available for you anymore, Mr.Grayson - I think the one selected for you is to be crushed but once Brennan is done, you'll be forced upon your knee anyway. Perhaps the next time you attempt to step into the belly of the beast, you'll have better material because your first attempt was just God awful and I say that as a spectator." She said, shaking her head in disgust as she too would walk off now leaving the scene to fade out.

Bleed For Me

Finally the time was here, the talking was soon about to be over as we were just mere hours away from the first Warfare of the year. It was a night that everyone would certainly remember as an intense night as there was not only going to be a World title tournament beginning but I would be defending my Championship for the first time on Live Television against the contender: Bryce Grayson. It was the contest that many would be talking about for some time to come - it's definitely going to be known as the first big match of the new year and will set the standard for the year. There was no doubting Bryce Grayson's in ring prowess, he was certainly a ring general and could do things in there that would seem unimaginable. However, when push comes to shove and you talk about the opposition, one must always keep in mind that I can, have and will always be able to hang with the very best of them. No matter the fighting style, no matter how big the ego and make no mistake about it - Bryce had quite the big ego. The fact would remain that I would go out there and simply do what I've done best for all these years. I never give anyone the opportunity to second guess me or count me out, I look to end my matches in dominant fashion. As the President of the Ultimate Fighting Championship - Dana White - says, never leave the fight in the judges score cards. My sole mission each time is to finish what I'm out there to do, definitive victories are what I'm always about. Bryce strikes as the type that's concerned about himself and himself only, whatever suit he needs to wear, what lady he means to bed that night and whatever he can do on his IPhone because that's the way the world worked now. We were undoubtedly in the selfish generation and for some reason, everyone was riding this wave within the professional wrestling world. Everywhere you look, they were coming out and all of them were seemingly cut from the same exact cloth. It's almost like there's a class for this nonsense and they were all in it. Like I said, Bryce was good and all inside that ring but outside of it, he was just another carbon copy of every 'heel' that emerged onto the scene. Tonight, I intended on sending an even bigger message to anyone that wanted to step up and challenge me. I don't mind a good challenge nor a good fight but keep in mind that coming for my Championship is something that's going to land you in the fight for your life. I've said it before in a past promo, every time I step foot into that ring - I fight like it's my last time. I fight like the World Championship is on the line and if that's not your mentality stepping into the ring then that's a major problem. Some people are just merely content with being mediocre but that's getting besides the point. Whether Bryce wants to acknowledge that he's in for the fight of his life or not is quite irrelevant because when it's all over, he's going to know what it means to step into the ring with Dominus. It's more than just a name that sounds bad ass, it's a way of life.

+ + +

Within our hotel in Atlanta, Georgia - Rhiannon and myself were making the final preparations as we prepared to shortly make our way to the arena for the event. "Brennan, there's something I want to discuss with you." She said, as I was just finishing checking over my wrestling gear and placing it back into the bag.

I fixated my eyes upon her, giving her my undivided attention. "Yes, my Silver Fox - what is on your mind?" I questioned.

"Well, I was thinking that maybe it's getting to a point where I should take on a more active role. I'm actually very interested in it." She said and it actually shocked me, I never once could imagine she would seriously want to do that.

"You're certain of this?" I asked, of course I would support her and any decision she wanted to make.

She walked toward me, continuing to maintain eye contact with me. "Yes, and that would require me getting proper training and I honestly can't think of anyone better to do it." She said, smiling while looking at me.

"I'd be more than happy to do that, my love but I want you to be one hundred percent sure on this before we proceed. It's a tough business to be part of, the bumps and bruises are just the surface of it - you have to be able to survive the political garbage that comes your way as well and it can take a toll on your psyche if your tolerance level is low." I said, not trying to dissuade her but merely trying to inform her. If she were going to enter the ring in the active role she sought after, she would need to know these things. "So, take the day to think it over and let me know your decision by nights end - if you still have your mind set upon it then we shall proceed forth." I said as I wrapped my arms around her embracing her in a hug, holding her close. While holding her close to me, "For what it's worth, I could see you being the epicenter of the Women's division and I can see you perched firmly on top as the Champion - should you for sure decide to do this." I said, while stroking her hair.

Once we were done hugging, she looked to me still with that smile upon her face. "I think it's time for us to go." She said, being the good manager she was. We would share a kiss, before grabbing our belongings and made our way down to the car. It wasn't that long of a drive but once we arrived, I would pull into our designated area for parking and there were some fans already waiting outside the arena as they used the time to get autographs and pictures in with the stars as they arrived.

Upon getting out of the car, they immediately spotted us and I could hear them shouting out 'Dominus is here!' and what's even more amusing is the mere fact that some of them were kneeling. Even though I played the bad guy on television, you still had people who were going to fans regardless. I made my way over toward them and couldn't help but smirk slightly. "You guys excited for tonight?" I asked them all and they would all scream out. It was a combination of yeah and hell yeah. "Make sure you pay close attention tonight to how a real Champion performs." I said and they continued their screaming of excitement and everything else. I would oblige and actually shook a few hands and took a couple pictures with some of them. I figured what the hell, I wasn't in character at the time anyway so it didn't matter at this point. Soon though, it would certainly be show time and I couldn't wait.

[x]The Face Beneath The Waves[x]
The silence is deafening

Camera Status: LIVE

As Warfare comes live onto the air, following all of the pyrotechnics and what not. The shot goes to the announce table where Sam Shade and NovaCaine sets welcoming everyone to the show and giving the run down of the evening.

"We'll be getting things started here tonight with Jessica Stryker and Summer Stratus in the first round of the Global Heavyweight title tournament -- " Sam Shade begins but his attention is diverted. 'Overture' By Gerard Marino blasts throughout the arena, "That... that's the Commonwealth Champion but he's not scheduled out here at this moment. His match isn't until later." Sam stated, as both myself and Rhiannon made our way through the curtain and walked down to the ring with a purpose and as per usual - the title was in her possession.

"He may not be scheduled for now but we're certainly in the presence of 'Dominus'. Go on, Shade - kneel before him!" Nova shouted, following a very cocky laughter.

I held Rhiannon's hand as she made her way up the stairs, I would then climb onto the apron and hold the bottom rope allowing her to enter the ring. Once she did, so did I and she would walk around the ring holding the title proudly above her head. I walked over demanding a microphone from the ring announcer and I was obliged. I then went and stood right in the center of the ring as Rhiannon stood at my side holding the title above her head and would slowly lower it. I tapped the microphone, making sure it was on before lifting it to my mouth and I would then begin. "Welcome to my Kingdom." I said, as I stretched my arm out following that statement to all of the fans. "Tonight, you are in for quite the treat as you get to bear witness to me successfully defending my Championship against Bryce Grayson - which brings me to the reason why I'm actually out here right now for this unscheduled appearance." I stated. "In this business, you witness a lot of things that go down and some of which you approve and agree with and most you won't. There's a lot of hungry superstars that are constantly on the horizon and looking to become the next big thing and on their quest in doing so, they look to step over whomever sets perched on top and in the case of the Commonwealth division - that just so happens to be me." I said, at this time pointing to myself for a moment. "Ric Flair once stated that in order to be the man, you've got to beat the man but let me tell you this - when he made that statement, no one knew that a man like myself would be the one to beat." I stated. "Now, I don't say this in a sense that I can't be beaten because let's face it - in this business, on any given day, anybody can be beaten by anybody. I say it in a sense, however that it's going to take one hell of an effort to ever put me down." I stated and looked to Rhiannon who was nodding, I would continue on. "So when a man like my Bryce Grayson makes a claim that he's going to rip my title from my cold hands, I take much offense to that. Bryce, I want you to understand something - I don't come out here and play nice nor do I come out here and attempt to make friends. I come out here and do what I do best and you will find that out tonight, Bryce. You know, for some weird reason you've got it fixated in your mind that your time is now, that your day of ascending is January 7th but I'm afraid I have to once again break the news to you - it's just not going to happen. Once I'm done with you, I'm going to hurt and beat you so badly that you're going to suffer from an identity disorder. You can make all the claims in the world about how great you are and how you're untouchable when you're in this ring but what you need to understand and come to grips with is the fact that inside this ring - I... am one of the most dangerous men that ever laced a pair of boots." I stated and Rhiannon at this point once again raised the Championship belt above her head. "You might want to get a good look at this because this is the very sight you will witness at the end of the match, I will reign supreme. I have made my guarantee of being known as the most dominant Commonwealth Champion in history and I will not fall short of that promise. Bryce will learn tonight that one shouldn't run around living on false pretenses - the time for joking comes to a head and when it's all said and done, what will be your excuse? Maybe you had food poisoning or more important things got in the way and distracted you? Wait, I've got it - it was an unexpected title match and you didn't have the proper time to prepare. At the end of the day, it really doesn't matter because the only thing that does matter is this..." I said, taking a short pause as I pointed to the canvas. "...what takes place in this very ring is the only thing that matters. It's where the excuses end, it's where things become real and it's where men like myself become legends in the business. You don't have to agree with me, Bryce - as I don't expect you to, because quite frankly, you have come across as a person with his head so far up his ass that you can't see what's right in front of you. The only thing you know of is suffering from grand delusions of false glories that you attempt to hold dear to you." I said and slightly chuckled. "The fact is and will always remain that I am the reigning, defending Commonwealth Champion and that will not change on this night nor any other. Tonight, you will know pain beyond comprehension and you will know what it means to truly be in the ring with a predator who will teach you that pain is not the measure of mercy. The fact of the matter is that you have entered a danger zone and you should have looked both ways before you crossed me. Understand that this ring is my yard and you should beware of Dominus because I am the type that break you completely both figuratively and literally speaking. I'd wish you luck, Bryce but even I know that in the end - that wouldn't even help you. No force of nature and no act of God is going to stop me from utterly dismantling you, just keep in mind that while your suffering remains optional - the pain you will endure shall be inevitable." I said, quite confidently as I dropped the microphone. 'Overture' would pick back up throughout the arena and that was a final warning from myself to Bryce as I tried my best to get it through his thick skull just what he was getting himself into. Now he wouldn't be able to complain either as my wife didn't even interject herself on this one. We would exit the ring and make our way up the ramp heading toward the backstage area. Next stop was the actual match later in the ring and needless to say, I was ready to bring the hammer down. The perfect storm had arrived in Atlanta, Georgia and as they say in the states - shit was about to get real.