Post by Sah'ta Thor/Insidious on Sept 2, 2020 2:01:03 GMT -5
OOC: Trying a new shade of gold for my speech let me know it it works better just straight "gold"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It had been nearly two weeks since We Are Relentless had ended and Nathaniel Grant had been left for dead in the arena parking lot. Nearly two weeks since he had felt the unrelenting sting of the reality that he wasn't wanted in this wrestling ring anymore. It was a bitter pill to swallow, though it was one of many he had been forced to swallow since his time in Carnage Wrestling. Yet, he had nearly two weeks to reflect on the matter and come to a realization that maybe he was the one at fault. Maybe he deserved the treatment he had gotten since day one. Just maybe he was the one to blame for the lack of respect he had received ever since he had joined the Carnage roster. Or maybe it was all in his head? To figure it out he had decided to sit down and go over his Carnage career to date.
"It has been an interesting five and half months for me since I first appeared on Carnage programming on Chaos 88. March 16, 2020 I made my introduction to the Legion and announced that I was going for the now defunct Openweight Championship. Yet, in my introduction I did more than that. I promised to help unleash the potential that was hidden in the locker room. That night I laid the seeds of what would be the stable known as Insidious."
He falls silent while he leans back in the high back chair he was sitting in at that moment.
"Now later that night I brought the challenge to The End who had walked out of Chaos 88 as the Openweight Champion. That started what would be a several event build up to when it came to the payoff. Yet, I get a head of myself. Chaos 89 saw me decimate Mike Schultz in what was his last match with the company. Chaos 90 saw me win a triple threat match against newcomer Regina Del Gato and Mickey the Butcher. Both matches helped build my momentum to Isolation."
Nathaniel takes a deep breath as he reaches over and grabs some water as he lets his words sink in before he continues.
"At Isolation I took part in a battle royale for a shot at the Baltimore City Championship. Of course I was eliminated in the middle long before the end of the match which had me on the outside of the ring. Of course, I had been hit in the temple with some brass knuckles which had left me woozy on the side. Now The End was lying between the ring ramp and where I was which made things interesting when I was being helped to the back by Kyuubi and Aaron. I don't even know what happened but I tripped over The End and left Isolation as the Openweight Champion. Of course, that isn't how wanted to win the belt but the rules of the belt gave me the win."'
Another drink of water follows these words as Nathaniel takes a deep breath to calm himself.
"Now I don't know who started it but in the aftermath of Isolation accusations that my son-in-law and daughter had helped me win the Openweight Championship started to circle Carnage. As Carnage 91 came to fruition a series of events occurred that I don't remember which resulted in my losing the Openweight Championship. Of course since I didn't remember being at Chaos 91 I said something going into Chaos 92 that made me look like I was senile. I think those comments started my downward spiral as someone the company could have faith in. Now the thing that told me this was the fact was that instead of having someone talk to me backstage about the title change on Chaos 91, the commentary team insulted me as I came for my Chaos 92 match. I am sure you think I am overreacting but go back and watch Chaos 92 to hear what was said about me as I came to the ring."
Nathaniel stops speaking to let his frustration from coming out in a way that wouldn't help him in the moment.
"By now you should all know the secret that spurred me to get back into the ring. Between Chaos 92 and Chaos 93 I revealed to the Legion some of my past and answered many questions about Insidious and what its goals were. Yet, none of my answers on that front were listened to as people continue to assume that I am some big cult leader. During that web interview I hinted that there was a huge reason behind my returning to the ring when I did. However, I did say that I had come to Carnage to end my career on my terms. Of course, that admission came with a reminder that I had been previously forced to medically retire from the last company I had worked for."
There is another pause as Nathaniel takes another nerve settling drink of water. After a few seconds of silence he puts his hands on the arms of his recliner before he continues speaking.
"Now there are a couple of things from that interview that bear noting. I was asked who I wanted to work with on the Carnage roster and I revealed that I was open to working with anyone. It is a curious thing that I am still waiting for someone to talk to me about a program. I was quite candid about my past revealing many things about my personal life and hellish trail that lead to my becoming a professional wrestler. While I didn't expect this information to make me the most like guy in the locker room I did expect some reaction. I expected to receive a modicum of respect, if only for the struggles I had overcome in my life."
Nathaniel closes his eyes and lowers his head slightly as he sits there in silence for a moment. He slowly lifts his head
"Interesting thing is that I am still waiting for people to acknowledge what I said in that interview. Yet, we move on to Chaos 93. The night Matthew Knox made his debut in Carnage Wrestling. The first time I had heard from the man since he had vanished off the face of the earth following the October 24, 2008 match in the now defunct Phoenix Wrestling Enterprise. While I was getting ready for my match against Eli Goode, Knox came out and cut a promo. A prime that we all the the story of how it was interrupted by my daughter Astryd and their kids Ivy and Hope. Of course, Knox's accusation that I set the whole thing up has become the gospel truth here in Carnage Wrestling ever since that night. It doesn't matter how many times I have denied any involvement with that tense family reunion I keep getting told it was my fault. It is no secret how intense and personal this thing between Knox and myself has become even though I didn't have an issue with him. Again words that I have spoken repeatedly since Underground: Redemption that have been repeatedly ignored."
Taking a breath to calm himself Nathaniel grabs his water bottle and takes another drink to wet his through.
"Speaking of Underground: Redemption I revealed to the world that I was diagnosed with a life-threatening brain tumor that had caused my dormant Parkinson's disease gene to activate. Of course there is a whole file of medical jargon that details the exact diagnosis but the fact was that I had about a year-and-a-half before my sense of self was completely gone. I didn't reveal that and the accompanying Release of Liability and Do Not Resuscitate that are part of my current Carnage contract. In the Beyond the Belle segment I straight out said I had returned to the world of professional wrestling to die. It would be remiss if I ignored the warning I gave the locker room about how Insidious would push the roster to the limits in the months to come. Of course, with exception of Knox and his allies we have seen how that has played out. We have seen the lack of respect or even acknowledgement of what I had said in the interview. Are you starting to see the theme here yet?"
Nathaniel pauses to let the Legion have a moment to reflect on his questions.
"This is where things took a turn. I was invited to take part in Unified Global Wrestling Coalition's WrestleStock event. An event that Carnage management allowed me to take part in with their blessing even giving me the freedom to do what I needed to do for it. Of course, given my medical condition I sponsored a district in the WrestleStock Grounds. Now, one of the attractions I had was a small fraction of the youth from Imperial Youth Wrestling putting on exhibition matches over the four day event. I left the planning to my adopted daughter Isabella. Yet, her best friend Hope was also part of the event. Of course Knox seems to think the whole thing is cult indoctrination which has spread through his allies on the roster. We have all heard the things Knox has said about me and what I represent. Yet, I am forced to remind you all that I wasn't the one who started this whole thing with The Raven. Yet, he has been hailed as the ultimate hero while I have become the villain of this tale. Though I guess what happened following my performance at WrestleStock is partially to blame for that."
Taking a drink of water Nathaniel leans forward in his seat as he had gotten to the point of things that he knew painted him as the company bad guy.
"I mentioned another project I am involved in following my taking second in the WrestleStock Open Tournament. A place that I took behind Lucy Wylde. I would be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed with not winning the whole thing but I will be honest, taking second was a lot better than I hoped I would get going in. With that being said I had some time to think on my road trip back from Arizona to Baltimore and in an admitted moment of utter frustration I declared war on Carnage on behalf of Insidious. Many factors went into this but ultimately it was the feeling that I got from the rest of the locker room. The feeling that if I died nobody would give a shit. The feeling that no matter what I said or did I was the enemy because I was trying to live the last year of my life to the fullest trying to achieve some of my bucket list before my final curtain. My declaration of war against the Carnage roster has to date been met with utter disdain except for by Knox and his alliance."
Nathaniel sits back in his chair and clenches his teeth as he takes a deep breath of calming air.
"We all know the comments that have come about me and the rest of Insidious since Chaos 95. That we are a cult who is building a child wrestler army. Of course, I guess the violence we caused going into We Are Relentless could be seen that way. Yet, the thing that can be proven is that nothing Insidious has done between Chaos 92 and now was something we instigated. Of course, that will be seen as revisionist history but let's be honest here. The Family jumped us at the end of the Chaos 94 match up so we destroyed them following the Chaos 95 match. It can accurately be argued that went overboard but their destruction served a purpose. Of course, let's not forget those four openly came in as a cult. Yet, Insidious are the bad guys here. Knox spit on Aaron for no reason which led to that post match brawl. Knox came out and issued the challenge for We Are Relentless. Of course we all know how that turned out. On Chaos 96, Knox prevented the rest of Insidious from leaving the ring area peacefully following their tag match. He then proceeded to verbally assault me, running me down in his quest for self absolution. It is there on tape that he admitted he had never divorced my daughter and had left his family for over a decade. Yet, I am the bad guy in this. Ever since Knox appeared from the dead at Chaos 93 I have tried to keep things civil and show the respect I have for the man I know he can be. Of course, we all know how things played out when Knox tried to jump me on the entranceway.
However, Knox wasn't my story at We Are Relentless. No, that was Mac Bane and the Baltimore City Championship in a match that was spun off the Wheel of Extreme that I had debuted for my matches on Chaos 96. A match that Levi won in a regular match with the stipulation that had me paying her my hearing for the night as the result of her Opponent's choice spin. Of course, Mac upped the ante and added the barbed wire to the flaming tables match. A match that I barely lost wish is why I sit here with no Carnage gold to my name. Though I sit here with questions. First and foremost, is if I should even remain on the Carnage roster. The second, what do I have to do to be treated as more than a joke by the rest of the roster if I stay. Notice that I didn't say what does 'Insidious have to do to be taken seriously?' I know with Alex Winters joining the ranks at We Are Relentless things are well in hand on that front. No, the question is what do I have to do to be treated as a person and not an object to ignore and pretend doesn't exist?"
Silence follows this question as Nathaniel gives a moment for people in the Legion to reflect on his words.
"I know I made the mistake of bringing my wealth out of wrestling assets into things as certain people on the roster have taken advantage since WrestleStock. Yet, I never meant that to be the main focus of my run here in Carnage Wrestling. Sure I had Insidious declared war on the roster out of frustration with the lack of inclusion from the rest of the roster. However, lines have been crossed over the last couple of months. I don't know how many of you knew I got jumped leaving the arena following We Are Relentless. I don't even know how many attackers there were but it was over in less than a minute. Do you know how long I laid in the parking lot in a pool of my blood? It took over an hour before I was found by a departing security guard after the arena was closed down. That is right an hour during which time the rest of the roster was off celebrating their wins or drawing their sorrows. However, do you know the worst part of it all? In the three days I was in the hospital NO ONE from Carnage came to check up on my condition. In the time since We Are Relentless I haven't haven't heard even the slightest hint of concern about my condition from my colleagues. Which brings me to my third question, does anyone even care what happened to me? Or is this a matter of people thinking I got what I deserved. Hell even that would be better than the apathetic lack of response. Lastly, who there is the matter of jumping me and why. Who is responsible for the attack? Oh and before you all get it twisted I know that Matthew Knox and his allies had nothing to do with it. After all, their style is to handle things personally."
With those words Nathaniel Grant falls silent as he bridges his hands in front of his face in contemplation as the video package fades to black. As it fades away Nathaniel shifts his hands as if to shrug dismissively.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It had been nearly two weeks since We Are Relentless had ended and Nathaniel Grant had been left for dead in the arena parking lot. Nearly two weeks since he had felt the unrelenting sting of the reality that he wasn't wanted in this wrestling ring anymore. It was a bitter pill to swallow, though it was one of many he had been forced to swallow since his time in Carnage Wrestling. Yet, he had nearly two weeks to reflect on the matter and come to a realization that maybe he was the one at fault. Maybe he deserved the treatment he had gotten since day one. Just maybe he was the one to blame for the lack of respect he had received ever since he had joined the Carnage roster. Or maybe it was all in his head? To figure it out he had decided to sit down and go over his Carnage career to date.
"It has been an interesting five and half months for me since I first appeared on Carnage programming on Chaos 88. March 16, 2020 I made my introduction to the Legion and announced that I was going for the now defunct Openweight Championship. Yet, in my introduction I did more than that. I promised to help unleash the potential that was hidden in the locker room. That night I laid the seeds of what would be the stable known as Insidious."
He falls silent while he leans back in the high back chair he was sitting in at that moment.
"Now later that night I brought the challenge to The End who had walked out of Chaos 88 as the Openweight Champion. That started what would be a several event build up to when it came to the payoff. Yet, I get a head of myself. Chaos 89 saw me decimate Mike Schultz in what was his last match with the company. Chaos 90 saw me win a triple threat match against newcomer Regina Del Gato and Mickey the Butcher. Both matches helped build my momentum to Isolation."
Nathaniel takes a deep breath as he reaches over and grabs some water as he lets his words sink in before he continues.
"At Isolation I took part in a battle royale for a shot at the Baltimore City Championship. Of course I was eliminated in the middle long before the end of the match which had me on the outside of the ring. Of course, I had been hit in the temple with some brass knuckles which had left me woozy on the side. Now The End was lying between the ring ramp and where I was which made things interesting when I was being helped to the back by Kyuubi and Aaron. I don't even know what happened but I tripped over The End and left Isolation as the Openweight Champion. Of course, that isn't how wanted to win the belt but the rules of the belt gave me the win."'
Another drink of water follows these words as Nathaniel takes a deep breath to calm himself.
"Now I don't know who started it but in the aftermath of Isolation accusations that my son-in-law and daughter had helped me win the Openweight Championship started to circle Carnage. As Carnage 91 came to fruition a series of events occurred that I don't remember which resulted in my losing the Openweight Championship. Of course since I didn't remember being at Chaos 91 I said something going into Chaos 92 that made me look like I was senile. I think those comments started my downward spiral as someone the company could have faith in. Now the thing that told me this was the fact was that instead of having someone talk to me backstage about the title change on Chaos 91, the commentary team insulted me as I came for my Chaos 92 match. I am sure you think I am overreacting but go back and watch Chaos 92 to hear what was said about me as I came to the ring."
Nathaniel stops speaking to let his frustration from coming out in a way that wouldn't help him in the moment.
"By now you should all know the secret that spurred me to get back into the ring. Between Chaos 92 and Chaos 93 I revealed to the Legion some of my past and answered many questions about Insidious and what its goals were. Yet, none of my answers on that front were listened to as people continue to assume that I am some big cult leader. During that web interview I hinted that there was a huge reason behind my returning to the ring when I did. However, I did say that I had come to Carnage to end my career on my terms. Of course, that admission came with a reminder that I had been previously forced to medically retire from the last company I had worked for."
There is another pause as Nathaniel takes another nerve settling drink of water. After a few seconds of silence he puts his hands on the arms of his recliner before he continues speaking.
"Now there are a couple of things from that interview that bear noting. I was asked who I wanted to work with on the Carnage roster and I revealed that I was open to working with anyone. It is a curious thing that I am still waiting for someone to talk to me about a program. I was quite candid about my past revealing many things about my personal life and hellish trail that lead to my becoming a professional wrestler. While I didn't expect this information to make me the most like guy in the locker room I did expect some reaction. I expected to receive a modicum of respect, if only for the struggles I had overcome in my life."
Nathaniel closes his eyes and lowers his head slightly as he sits there in silence for a moment. He slowly lifts his head
"Interesting thing is that I am still waiting for people to acknowledge what I said in that interview. Yet, we move on to Chaos 93. The night Matthew Knox made his debut in Carnage Wrestling. The first time I had heard from the man since he had vanished off the face of the earth following the October 24, 2008 match in the now defunct Phoenix Wrestling Enterprise. While I was getting ready for my match against Eli Goode, Knox came out and cut a promo. A prime that we all the the story of how it was interrupted by my daughter Astryd and their kids Ivy and Hope. Of course, Knox's accusation that I set the whole thing up has become the gospel truth here in Carnage Wrestling ever since that night. It doesn't matter how many times I have denied any involvement with that tense family reunion I keep getting told it was my fault. It is no secret how intense and personal this thing between Knox and myself has become even though I didn't have an issue with him. Again words that I have spoken repeatedly since Underground: Redemption that have been repeatedly ignored."
Taking a breath to calm himself Nathaniel grabs his water bottle and takes another drink to wet his through.
"Speaking of Underground: Redemption I revealed to the world that I was diagnosed with a life-threatening brain tumor that had caused my dormant Parkinson's disease gene to activate. Of course there is a whole file of medical jargon that details the exact diagnosis but the fact was that I had about a year-and-a-half before my sense of self was completely gone. I didn't reveal that and the accompanying Release of Liability and Do Not Resuscitate that are part of my current Carnage contract. In the Beyond the Belle segment I straight out said I had returned to the world of professional wrestling to die. It would be remiss if I ignored the warning I gave the locker room about how Insidious would push the roster to the limits in the months to come. Of course, with exception of Knox and his allies we have seen how that has played out. We have seen the lack of respect or even acknowledgement of what I had said in the interview. Are you starting to see the theme here yet?"
Nathaniel pauses to let the Legion have a moment to reflect on his questions.
"This is where things took a turn. I was invited to take part in Unified Global Wrestling Coalition's WrestleStock event. An event that Carnage management allowed me to take part in with their blessing even giving me the freedom to do what I needed to do for it. Of course, given my medical condition I sponsored a district in the WrestleStock Grounds. Now, one of the attractions I had was a small fraction of the youth from Imperial Youth Wrestling putting on exhibition matches over the four day event. I left the planning to my adopted daughter Isabella. Yet, her best friend Hope was also part of the event. Of course Knox seems to think the whole thing is cult indoctrination which has spread through his allies on the roster. We have all heard the things Knox has said about me and what I represent. Yet, I am forced to remind you all that I wasn't the one who started this whole thing with The Raven. Yet, he has been hailed as the ultimate hero while I have become the villain of this tale. Though I guess what happened following my performance at WrestleStock is partially to blame for that."
Taking a drink of water Nathaniel leans forward in his seat as he had gotten to the point of things that he knew painted him as the company bad guy.
"I mentioned another project I am involved in following my taking second in the WrestleStock Open Tournament. A place that I took behind Lucy Wylde. I would be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed with not winning the whole thing but I will be honest, taking second was a lot better than I hoped I would get going in. With that being said I had some time to think on my road trip back from Arizona to Baltimore and in an admitted moment of utter frustration I declared war on Carnage on behalf of Insidious. Many factors went into this but ultimately it was the feeling that I got from the rest of the locker room. The feeling that if I died nobody would give a shit. The feeling that no matter what I said or did I was the enemy because I was trying to live the last year of my life to the fullest trying to achieve some of my bucket list before my final curtain. My declaration of war against the Carnage roster has to date been met with utter disdain except for by Knox and his alliance."
Nathaniel sits back in his chair and clenches his teeth as he takes a deep breath of calming air.
"We all know the comments that have come about me and the rest of Insidious since Chaos 95. That we are a cult who is building a child wrestler army. Of course, I guess the violence we caused going into We Are Relentless could be seen that way. Yet, the thing that can be proven is that nothing Insidious has done between Chaos 92 and now was something we instigated. Of course, that will be seen as revisionist history but let's be honest here. The Family jumped us at the end of the Chaos 94 match up so we destroyed them following the Chaos 95 match. It can accurately be argued that went overboard but their destruction served a purpose. Of course, let's not forget those four openly came in as a cult. Yet, Insidious are the bad guys here. Knox spit on Aaron for no reason which led to that post match brawl. Knox came out and issued the challenge for We Are Relentless. Of course we all know how that turned out. On Chaos 96, Knox prevented the rest of Insidious from leaving the ring area peacefully following their tag match. He then proceeded to verbally assault me, running me down in his quest for self absolution. It is there on tape that he admitted he had never divorced my daughter and had left his family for over a decade. Yet, I am the bad guy in this. Ever since Knox appeared from the dead at Chaos 93 I have tried to keep things civil and show the respect I have for the man I know he can be. Of course, we all know how things played out when Knox tried to jump me on the entranceway.
However, Knox wasn't my story at We Are Relentless. No, that was Mac Bane and the Baltimore City Championship in a match that was spun off the Wheel of Extreme that I had debuted for my matches on Chaos 96. A match that Levi won in a regular match with the stipulation that had me paying her my hearing for the night as the result of her Opponent's choice spin. Of course, Mac upped the ante and added the barbed wire to the flaming tables match. A match that I barely lost wish is why I sit here with no Carnage gold to my name. Though I sit here with questions. First and foremost, is if I should even remain on the Carnage roster. The second, what do I have to do to be treated as more than a joke by the rest of the roster if I stay. Notice that I didn't say what does 'Insidious have to do to be taken seriously?' I know with Alex Winters joining the ranks at We Are Relentless things are well in hand on that front. No, the question is what do I have to do to be treated as a person and not an object to ignore and pretend doesn't exist?"
Silence follows this question as Nathaniel gives a moment for people in the Legion to reflect on his words.
"I know I made the mistake of bringing my wealth out of wrestling assets into things as certain people on the roster have taken advantage since WrestleStock. Yet, I never meant that to be the main focus of my run here in Carnage Wrestling. Sure I had Insidious declared war on the roster out of frustration with the lack of inclusion from the rest of the roster. However, lines have been crossed over the last couple of months. I don't know how many of you knew I got jumped leaving the arena following We Are Relentless. I don't even know how many attackers there were but it was over in less than a minute. Do you know how long I laid in the parking lot in a pool of my blood? It took over an hour before I was found by a departing security guard after the arena was closed down. That is right an hour during which time the rest of the roster was off celebrating their wins or drawing their sorrows. However, do you know the worst part of it all? In the three days I was in the hospital NO ONE from Carnage came to check up on my condition. In the time since We Are Relentless I haven't haven't heard even the slightest hint of concern about my condition from my colleagues. Which brings me to my third question, does anyone even care what happened to me? Or is this a matter of people thinking I got what I deserved. Hell even that would be better than the apathetic lack of response. Lastly, who there is the matter of jumping me and why. Who is responsible for the attack? Oh and before you all get it twisted I know that Matthew Knox and his allies had nothing to do with it. After all, their style is to handle things personally."
With those words Nathaniel Grant falls silent as he bridges his hands in front of his face in contemplation as the video package fades to black. As it fades away Nathaniel shifts his hands as if to shrug dismissively.
